By Rupert Howell
Ricky Harpole, local personality described as balladeer, raconteur extraordinaire and an occasional Panolian columnist, lost his home in a fire Monday Feb. 15.
According to his daughter, Rebecca Conner, “He lost everything he owned except his guitar. He had no insurance and his health is bad so we are trying to raise money for his immediate needs and to try to rebuild him something sturdy for him and his best girl (Maggie the dog), to live in.”
Conner has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for materials to build her father a   place to stay.
“He is welcome to stay with me or my siblings but he won’t leave his land,” Conner noted stating that the property is in Tallahatchie County near the Teasdale Community.
It was Teasdale Fire Department that responded to the fire Monday at 5:30 a.m.
Two of the neighbors had called Rebecca to report his house was on fire and the roof was collapsed before they could get to the door she said.
“I was so relieved to hear his voice,” she said. “We are praising the Lord that he is okay.”
Ricky had left the night before so what he had with him is all he has left. Everything burned, she said.
“Dad has decided that he wants a metal building . . . and two of his good friends are helping us get it and get it put up. We will need plumbing and electrical, so if anyone is a plumber or an electrician that is  willing to help us with this please let me know,” Conner said.
Local businessman and radio personality Ricky Swindle said Tuesday, “This ol’ boy has brought a lot of joy to folks with his music—Southern songwriting that is packed full of in-depth character descriptions of mostly the character himself. His home burned down and he needs a little help from his music listeners and Panolian article readers to help build him a small place back on his land for him and his dog. Can’t say for sure the Lord’s gonna bless you for donating a few dollars but I know he’ll appreciate it.”
Swindle often promotes while bantering with Harpole on his Saturday morning Local Yokels radio show and Mississippi Supertalk morning DJ Paul Gallo often uses Harpole music to lead in to his show from commercials on the statewide network.
“He has a couple of wonderful friends who have offered to help us build,” Conner said adding, “We are hoping to raise enough for materials and some furnishings—he doesn’t like fancy, just practical.”
Conner has started a ‘gofundme’ account ‘Rebuilding a Home For Harpole’ that has raised several hundred dollars the following week. She said gift cards for building supplies would also be greatly appreciated.
Two of Harpole’s close friends, Chad Smith and Michael Foster, are assisting with getting Harpole on his feet.
Smith and Foster will be taking tin type photos (think antique photographs on a sheet of tin) at Buffy’s Hair Salon on the Batesville Square. Buffy and Gene Shields have donated their building to Smith for the fundraiser Saturday, March 5.
Meanwhile Smith is making 200 CDs of unpublished 2011 Harpole recordings along with two new recordings that will be sold for $20 at Batesville Tire and Muffler, Jeff Padgett’s Law Office at 103-2A Woodland Road in Batesville and Teasdale Grocery near the Panola-Tallahatchie County line.
Smith said materials for Harpole’s home would be the most needed items and suggested anyone wanting to make a  donation might consider assisting with a materials list that will be published next week here and on Facebook.
All donations will go to Harpole’s immediate needs then his building Conner said adding that clothes and other personal items were also needed.
“He wears small everything,” she said listing jeans sizes 29-31 and 30-31.
Items can be dropped off at The Panolian at 363 Hwy. 51 N, Batesville or Conner’s home at 1951 Hwy. 310, Crenshaw.
Smith said Harpole is currently alternating staying with friends and family and noted that his health, although contentious, has improved somewhat.