February 11, 2008

Out of our Past

Compiled by Bill Moose

Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, Feb. 11-17, 1983.
“The third winter storm of the season swept through the area Thursday and early today, leaving schools and many businesses closed due to hazardous traveling conditions. On Jan. 21, two inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain was recorded. Last weekend, a mixture of three-to-five inches descended on the Iredell-Alexander area.” (2/11/83)

“Mooresville and West Iredell split a pair of Western Piedmont Conference basketball games that were completed on Friday night on the West court. The Mooresville girls came from behind in the second half to pick up a 58-32 win in the opener of the twin bill before Coach Jeff Lewis’ West Iredell boys claimed their first league win of the season with a 46-43 decision.” (2/12/83)

Community Calendar: “TUESDAY. Meeting: Iredell County Personnel Association, Hayloft Lounge, noon. Club Meeting: Sertoma, Back Door Restaurant, 12:15 p.m. Club Meeting: Rotary, Holiday Inn, 12:30 p.m.” (2/14/83)

“Presenting a position paper on Amity Elementary School, Dr. Don Williams, superintendent, said, ’For some time we’ve been concerned with the declining enrollment in southeastern Iredell County’ Enrollment at Amity this year is 172 students and is expected to be as low as 163 next year.” (2/15/83)

“A 30-day period for residents to request changes in county road names will begin April 1, county commissioners decided Tuesday. The one-time appeal process is an attempt to satisfy resident homeowners who may object to the name assigned to the road they live on as part of a countywide road naming project that began more than 18 months ago.” (2/16/83)

“Mrs. Myrtle Deal Freeze of route 14 Statesville was honored at a family dinner Saturday in the fellowship hall of Bethlehem United Methodist Church for her 93rd birthday. Miss Bertha Deal, a sister of Mrs. Freeze, was also celebrating her 88th birthday. Both were born on Feb. 10.” (2/17/83)

Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Feb. 11-17, 1958.
Photo: “Democracy was on the march at city hall Monday night when 150 citizens gathered for a public hearing on the Sunday movie issue. Shown above are Julian Webb, Statesville businessman, who opposed Sunday movies, and Malcolm G. Cameron, Jr., a student at Mitchell College, who argued for them. City council will vote on the issue February 24.” (2/11/58)

“An irate citizens’ group dedicated to the cause of obtaining better and more schools for the City of Statesville took the first step last night toward their goal when about 16 of them appeared before the board of county commissioners and asked for help. Commissioners heard the delegation’s complaints of crumbling walls, falling plaster and crowded conditions.” (2/12/58)

“One of the Democratic party’s most eloquent orators, Senator Robert S. Kerr of Oklahoma, will be the principal speaker at the annual congressional banquet of the North Carolina Democratic Club of Washington. J. Richard Queen of Waynesville, president of the club, announced the appointment of Harry Gatton of Statesville, secretary to Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr., as general chairman of this year’s annual dinner and dance.” (2/13/58)

“Iredell County’s current school needs have been estimated at a staggering $1,378,400. And, following a board of education meeting at Monticello Schools last night, the most frequently asked question; was ’Where are we going to get the money?’ Halbert Crowson, board chairman, told the Record & Landmark that a bond issue is the only answer.” (2/14/58)

“John Justice, Statesville High captain, stepped to the foul line with two seconds showing on the clock. With the count deadlocked at 48-all, Justice dropped in one amid the distraction-intended Spencer yelling and booing. He shrugged his shoulders and popped another for the final margin.” [Statesville beat the Spencer Railroaders at Spencer 50-48.] (2/15/58)

“The winter’s coldest blast of arctic air converted Iredell and North Carolina into a deep freeze today and there was no relief in sight. The local weather bureau reported a low of 3.5 above zero early this morning.” (2/17/58)

Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Record, Feb. 14 and 17, 1933.
“F.A. Sherrill has announced his retirement from the school board of the Statesville public schools after serving on that body for thirty-six years. ’In retiring from the school board I do so with kind regards for all and with the best wishes for my associates and who have served so faithfully and well.’” (2/14/33)

“The Welfare Department desires to communicate with any brickmasons, white or colored, in the county who are now unemployed, Miss Beatrice Butler, county welfare superintendent, announces. Such unemployed brickmasons are asked to report to the welfare office at the rear of the court house.” (2/14/33)

News of Statesville Colored People: “The editor of The Record has very kindly allotted space for the news of the colored people of Statesville, and after consulting with one of his colored friends, Fred F. Chambers, who recommended the writer for this work, I am undertaking to measure up to this responsibility. T.E. ALLISON, Jr.” (2/14/33)

Eavesdropper: “In all the laughter during the Laurel-Hardy comedy at the Playhouse the other night, one strident chuckle was heard above all the others, and continued to rumble deep when the merriment of the audience subsided. It was the only laugh which out-sounded our own, and we turned with a kindred feeling to stare at its owner. It was none other than John Lewis, and his rotund body was rolling and vibrating — Attorney John Lewis whose stern countenance and piercing cross-examination in the court room has caused women to have hysterics and strong men to tremble and gnash their teeth.” (2/17/33)

Pine Grove news: “Making quilts and quilting them is the fad in this community. Many are making the old time wedding ring and numerous other kinds of old time fashion quilts. About once every week a number of ladies will gather in at their neighbor’s and have an old time quilting party.” (2/17/33)

One hundred years ago: Landmark, Feb. 11 and 14, 1908.
“On Friday, 7th, about 2 p.m., the electric power was out from the lines of the Southern Power Company running into to Statesville and the power was off until about 12 o’clock Friday night. Investigation as to the cause of the trouble brought the statement from a prominent official of the power company that it was caused by cutting a tree near its lines and the tree falling across the main power wires broke them down.” (2/11/1908)

“The burglars are still at work in the community but have been unsuccessful in their attempts to burglarize and have made little progress. Friday night about 11 o’clock Mrs. J.D. Cochrane heard someone in the yard at her home on Elm street. Mrs. Cochrane frightened the burglar away and then ’phoned the police station.” (2/11/1908)

“More ground hog weather. Yesterday morning the snow began falling early and kept falling until about the middle of the afternoon, covering the ground to a depth of several inches. It was the finest snow seen in Statesville in a long time.” (2/11/1908)

“Amusement seekers will be pleased to know that the first floor and basement of the annex to Hotel Iredell, which is nearing completion, will be occupied by an amusement company which will operate an electrical theatre on the first floor and a bowling alley in the basement. The company is composed of Statesville gentlemen and Major R.L. Flanigan, manager of the opera house, and Mr. William McRorie will have charge of the theatre and bowling alley. A fine moving picture outfit and electrical machinery have been bought and will arrive in a few days. Mr. McRorie, who will have active management of the theatre, has been working with a moving picture show and concern at Salisbury for some weeks, learning the business.” (2/14/1908)

“The Harmony Telephone Company, which began business some months ago, has been chartered. Dr. W.G. Nicholson, J.N. Barron, John T. Thorpe and others are the incorporators.” (2/14/1908)
“’How are the roads?’ was asked a prominent citizen of the county yesterday. ’The daub side is up,’ he replied.” (2/14/1908)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Feb. 16, 1883.
“Rev. V.R. Stickley, of Salisbury, preached at the room of the Young Men’s Christian Association last Sunday, morning and evening. After the morning service he organized a Lutheran congregation with 20 members and with Messrs. J.S. Leonard and Benj. Cline as elders, Messrs. Dan Miller and A.A. Sides, deacons, and Mr. J.B. Glover secretary and treasurer. Mr. Stickley will preach here again next Wednesday evening, and thereafter regularly on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation expect ultimately to build a church.”

“There was the usual amount of horse swapping in town, Monday and Tuesday. The boot in one case, was a couple of dried apple pies. This is a new factor to enter into a horse-trade, but dried apple pies are not without influence over a man who is hungry and who is not particular about what he eats.” [Court week always brought out the horse traders.

“Mrs. C.A. Carlton is trying the experiment of raising lemons, and we can testify to her success. She has sent this office a large, fine, fully matured lemon, which has all the odor and appearance of the lemon raised under the southern sun.”