March 03, 2008
Out of our Past
Compiled by Bill Moose
Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, March 4-10, 1983
“Petitions from the fire response areas of Shepherds and Mt. Mourne Volunteer Fire Departments were given to county commissioners Thursday evening requesting that a fire tax vote be held. The county staff was directed to begin the lengthy process of ‘validating’ the signatures on the two petitions to determine if 15 per cent of the resident landholders, or freeholders had signed the petitions.” (3/4/83)
Photos: Record & Landmark photographer Neil Furr captured these actions shots during the District VII, 3-A tournament Friday night. Faith Phifer of the Mooresville Lady Blue Devils takes a shot that connected on her way to 18 points and leading the MHS girls to victory in the opening round of the tournament.” (3/5/83)
“Demolition of the Stearns Building, which once housed the Playhouse theater and professional offices, was scheduled to begin today around midafternoon. The first phase of the work will involve tearing down the middle section of the building, between the six-story office structure on E. Broad St. and the highest portion of the theater.” (3/7/83)
“John Fletcher Long, Sr., 79, a civic and political leader in Iredell County for nearly 50 years died shortly after noon on Monday. Mr. long had served as chairman of the Iredell County Board of Commissioners from 1938-52, chairman of the Iredell County Democratic Executive Committee from 1938-68 and chairman of the Iredell County Board of Elections from 1972-73.” (3/8/83)
“As part of his official duties as Sheriff of Iredell County, Leroy Reavis is charged with making sure those chosen show up for jury duty. ‘Nobody’s exempt,’ Reavis says. And now Reavis can attest to that. This week Reavis is serving time on an Iredell Civil Superior Court jury.” (3/9/83)
Thursday schedule for WBTV: “7:00 CBS Evening News 7:30 PM Magazine 8:00 Magnum P.I. 9:00 Simon & Simon 10:00 Knots Landing 11:00 WBTV News” (3/10/83)
Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, March 4-10, 1958
“The groundswell for better schools which began in the city of Statesville about a month ago has spread to the county. At a meeting last night at Monticello patrons from four schools organized a committee to get on with the job of getting more money for buildings and went on record in favor of a consolidated high school in west Iredell.” (3/4/58)
“Judge C.B. Winberry announced today he will be a candidate for the state senate from Iredell County. Winberry, who has been a judge of Recorder’s Court for almost 26 years, thus stepped into the political ring with C.V. Henkel, Jr., who is seeking his third term as state senator.” (3/5/58)
“Two chunks of rock, blasted out of a section of the new US 21 by-pass Monday, fell on the Jack Adams home, causing some $100 damage and slightly injuring two children. Mrs. Adams said that the blast occurred about 11 a.m. Monday after a construction worker roamed the neighborhood in Valley Stream telling parents to get their children into the house.” (3/6/58)
“Rowe McNeely, assistant county agent, announced today that he and Harry Myers, assistant county agent in charge of poultry, have just completed distributed 3,600 baby chicks to the Iredell County 4-H poultry chain. McNeely said 4-H members will grown the chicks until they become laying pullets and will return 12 per hundred to the poultry chain.” (3/7/58)
“City council will take a final vote on amending the municipal code to permit the showing of Sunday movies when it meets Monday night. Council at its last meeting voted to repeal sections 5 and 6 of Chapter 23 of the city code. These sections prohibited movies and competitive sports on Sunday.” (3/8/58)
“It’ll be the regular season champions vs. the runner-ups tonight in the finals of the Iredell District Athletic Association. Tonight’s schedule pits Celeste Henkel and Cool Spring girls in the 7:30 p.m. finals, with Union Groveland Troutman boys meeting at 9 p.m. All four teams beat each other at some point during the regular season.” (3/10/58)
Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Record, March 7 and 10, 1933
“A meeting of local bankers, manufacturers, merchants and professional men was held Monday morning at the Vance hotel to discuss the financial tie-up occasioned by government orders to state and national banks to cease operations for a few days. The predominating opinion of those present was that it will be only a temporary inconvenience; that under existing circumstances it was the best thing that could happen to the financial interests of the nation, and that at best the present moratorium can last but a few days.” (Franklin Roosevelt’s first move after being inaugurated president was to declare a bank holiday.) (3/7/33)
“A truck load of Kobe lespedeza seed was sent Monday by the Iredell County Mutual Exchange for distribution in Caldwell county, and is the third load to be sold by the local exchange in that county in recent weeks. Iredell county produces more of the Kobe variety of lespedeza than any other county in the United States.” (3/7/33)
County Line news: “The recent days of sunshine have improved the roads and the school busses are now able to make their rounds on time.” (3/7/33)
News of Statesville Colored People: Guests stopping at the Skyland Hotel our leading hostelry were E. Truton, of Jacksonville, Fla., en route to Chicago, Ill., and Miss Sadie Mae McClinton, of Dobson, N.C., en route to Nashville, Tenn. She spent several days in the city and went away favorably impressed.” (3/10/33)
“A large, five-passenger cabin airplane, operated by the Shell Oil Company, spent Thursday in Statesville on its good-will tour of the South, in charge of Major R.G. Ervin who with two assistant pilots gave free rides to a large number of the community’s citizens. The Dulin farm on Salisbury road was chosen as the scene of operations here.” (3/10/33)
“A good deal of talk is commencing about summer baseball. It is getting to be as interesting a topic as the bank situation. By that time the Jig-Saw Puzzle craze will be over and people will be ready for outdoor stuff.” (3/10/33)
One hundred years ago: Landmark, March 4 and 7, 1908
“The Billingsley hospital, which has been reopened under the direction of the board of aldermen and a number of physicians of the town, and will be operated as a public institution under the supervision of Misses Eula B. Flynn and Emma McIntosh, professional nurses, is now ready for patients. The Billingsley hospital was erected in 1898-99 and has all the apartments which constitute a well arranged and convenient institution.” (3/4/1908)
“The Gem electrical theatre is being well patronized. About 1,200 complimentary tickets were distributed at the graded school, the furniture and cotton factories and the business houses Tuesday, and of course there was a large crowd on hand from the time the doors opened Tuesday afternoon until late at night. The object of the free tickets was to introduce the moving pictures. The crowd was pleased and the attendance has been good.” (3/4/1908)
“The loss of employment by the curtailment of work in a number of industries during the past two months has resulted in many people moving to the country.” (3/4/1908)
“The burning of the school building and the fearful loss of life at Collinwood, Ohio, has of course suggested the possibility of similar disasters elsewhere. The Statesville graded school buildings have seven exits and it is believed that in case of fire all the children could be easily removed. But to make assurance doubly sure, members of the graded school board and the board of aldermen will inspect the school buildings today and if any changes are deemed necessary they will be made.” (3/7/1908)
“Some months ago the aldermen passed an ordinance requiring the removal of all surface closets from premises where there is sewer connection and also requiring all residents to make connection. The latter ordinance is effective April 1st. There have been many petitions for an extension and the question was brought up at the last meeting of the board, but no action was taken. The public will take notice, therefore, that the ordinance is effective April 1st.” (3/7/1908)
One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, March 9, 1883
“The new owners of the college property held a meeting here last Monday. Mr. H.C. Cowles was elected secretary of the company and Mr. David Wallace treasurer. It was the sense of the stockholders that the college should remain an institution of learning. The secretary was instructed to answer certain letters of inquiry from parties who contemplate renting the property. Certain minor and temporary repairs were determined upon, with the understanding that, when rented, the property would be put in thoroughly good condition.”
“Mr. W.J. Coite has rented the principal offices in the bank row, on Broad street, and is now having them overhauled and re-furnished. He will occupy them at once and open an office where he will lend money on proper security, sell exchange, make collections, receive deposits and do general banking business. He has ample capital and credit, added to business qualifications of the first order.”
“Butter was so abundant last week that it got down to 15c. One dealer said that he could have bought 500 lbs.”
