March 17, 2008

Out of our Past

Compiled by Bill Moose

Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, March 17-23, 1983
Down In Iredell: “As part of the Record & Landmark’s participation in the Adopt-A-School program, we will begin providing space each week to showcase the creative work of local students. Called ‘Verities and Visions,’ the feature begins today on Page 14-A, full of poetry, prose and art.” (3/17/83)

“William C. Chuber of Statesville recently was installed as chapter commander of the newly-formed Catawba Valley Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc. A prisoner of the Germans during World War II, Chuber was a county extension agent before retirement.” (3/18/83)

“Statesville High School’s boys tennis team opened its season of conference play this week with a 5-4 verdict over West Iredell. The two schools were even at 3-3 at the end of the singles competition before Statesville won two of the three doubles in taking the team decision.” (3/19/83)
“More than 125 people stood on a windswept hillside Saturday to witness the groundbreaking for the new $22 million Davis Community Hospital that will be built on Old Mocksville Road. ‘Today is a happy day, particularly for the board of trustees at Davis Hospital,’ said John Gilbert chairman of the trustees.” (3/21/83)

“A resolution requesting that the General Assembly redefine a portion of the northern city limits of Statesville was passed last night by the Statesville City council. In the area, Western Avenue Baptist Church and Statesville Elks Lodge 1823 have requested to be annexed by the city.” (3/22/83)

“Jobs for 140 people at the Burlington Industries plant on Phoenix St. will be lost as the major textile manufacturer consolidates part of the processing facilities in Statesville to a plant in Wake Forest. ‘We will retain knitting, fabric finishing, divisional product development and data processing functions in Statesville,’ said Bill Smith, plant manager.” (3/23/83)

Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, March 17-22, 1958
“Iredell County Dairy Herd Improvement Association had two of the top three herds in the state during the month of January. The J.A. Thomasson herd at Hamptonville, owned by Gary and Luther Thomasson was second with an average of 1,300 pounds and 49.5 pounds of butter fat per cow. Frank Hemrick’s herd at Union Grove was third with an average of 1,283 pounds of milk and 49.2 pounds of butter fat per cow.” (3/17/58)

“Mrs. Ernst Hostettler and her daughters, Dorothy and Anne, recreated life in their native Switzerland for members of Statesville Optimist Club. The Hostettler girls played Swiss and German music on their recorders, an ancient wooden flute.” (3/18/58)

Wednesday WSJS-TV Channel 12 schedule: “6:30 Shirley Temple’s Storybook 7:30 Real McCoys 8:00 Pat Boone Show 8:30 Father Knows Best 9:00 Kraft TV Theatre 10:00 This Is Your Life 10:30 Walter Winchell File 11:00 Mystery 11:30 Tonight – Jack Paar (until 1 a.m.)” (3/19/58)

Iredell County Bookmobile: “Miss Mary Neill Conner, a calm-voiced pleasant person, has been librarian on the Bookmobile for 18 years. It was started back in 1935, she says, under the WPA, to supply books to the county schools. The first bookmobile was an old school bus. And since the library on wheels was first set up for the county schools, the salary of its driver, Miss Virginia Deaton, is paid by the county school board.” (3/20/58)

“Inclement weather has forced a lot of problems on Statesville High’s Greyhounds as they began preparations for a heavy spring sports program this week. Coach Herb Hipps’ track squad and Coach Herb Sampsel’s baseball team were the hardest hit. Their openers are around a week away.” (3/21/58)

“Statesville’s uphill battle to obtain a National Guard Armory has apparently been won. It was learned here yesterday that the NG Bureau in Washington, D.C., has approved the project, which will cost ‘in excess of $100,000.’ ” (3/22/58)

Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Record, March 17 and 21, 1933
Mooresville, March 15 dateline: “When the Mooresville First National Bank opened this morning for business as usual the deposits came in with a rush such as had been witnessed here in many a day if ever. There were no withdrawals except the usual business exchange. Business during the ten-day holiday was not so bad, because our people took the banking situation good naturedly and optimistically. The merchants report good business today.” (3/17/33)

Elmwood news: “The farmers are getting along very well with their work, the rain that has recently fallen was very much needed as the ground was getting pretty dry. Folks must seem to have a habit of grumbling. While we were having our ground hog weather the complaint was rain, rain, then since we have been blessed with sunshine some still complain but as we know it wouldn’t do for us to have our way about the weather, but try to be thankful for whatever may be our lot.” (3/17/33)

“All three Statesville banks opened Saturday morning with no restrictions upon them whatever. This gives them the same clean slate as the national banks which were allowed to resume business several days before. The local banks report that not a single dollar was withdrawn except such money as was checked out in the regular course of business. Bankers and business men alike are optimistic that business conditions are on an upward trend. Deposits in the local banks Saturday amounted to more than $150,000 with no withdrawals, which was gratifying to the entire community.” (3/21/33)

“In what was considered the closest political contest in the city for the past two decades, Mayor E.R. Rankin won the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Statesville with a majority of 238 votes over his opponent, R.C. Bunch in the Democratic primary Saturday. The Democratic nomination is equivalent to election. Both Rankin and Bunch waged a campaign on ‘economy platforms.’” (3/21/33)

One hundred years ago: Landmark, March 17 And 20, 1908
“At a special meeting of the board of aldermen, held in the mayor’s office Saturday afternoon, the ordinance requiring all residences and business buildings on sewer lines to make sewer connection, which was effective April 1st, was postponed indefinitely. This action was taken for the reason that it was apparent that on account of the financial depression the enforcement of the ordinance at this time would work a very great hardship on a large number of people. But for the change in financial conditions the ordinance would have remained in effect and if the proper time arrives during the life of the present board it will be reviewed.” (3/17/1908)

“Cotton dropped under 11 cents on the Statesville market Saturday for the first time in quite a while. The price yesterday was 10.43. While the crop is short the business depression has affected the cotton manufacturers so that many of the mills are running on short time while others have shut down. The manufacturers say they are at present unable to sell their product at a profit and this of course affects the price of raw cotton.” (3/17/1908)

“On account of the severe winter, depression in business and epidemic of grip and pneumonia, the Benevolent and Relief Association has been compelled to answer many calls for provisions and fuel, and the association now finds itself almost without funds. It is proposed, therefore, to make an early canvass of the town and endeavor to secure a number of annual subscriptions, so as to make a permanent fund, which, added to the yearly amount of the donations from the churches, may enable the association to conduct its business with ease and dispatch.” (3/20/1908)

“Mrs. Sarah Feimster, widow of the late John Feimster, was killed by lightning during the severe electric storm Tuesday night at 8:30 o’clock, at the home of her sin-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Stroud, in Turnersburg township, nearly Clarksbury church. Mrs. Feimster was sitting in a chair against the wall near the fireplace when the fatal accident occurred. The bolt of lightning struck the top of the chimney, ran down the chimney to the mantel piece and then along the wall to Mrs. Feimster.” (3/20/1908)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, March 23, 1883
“Messrs. G. Karcher and S.H. Brady have formed a copartnership for the manufacture, sale and repair of furniture. They will build on Mr. Karcher’s lot at the foot of Broad street and put in new machinery.”

“The town authorities are working the streets this week, cleaning out some of the ditches and filling up the low places in the streets and sidewalks.”

“Mr. R.L. Steele, the well known photographic artist, has arrived from Salisbury and will pitch his tent on the burnt corner. He is now ready to receive his old friends, exhibit to them specimens of his work and do work for them.”

“The new nickel continues scarce around here. Mr. A.M. Vannoy has contrived to get hold of two, which he has had made into cuff buttons, the numeral V answering to the first letter in his surname.”
“We have experienced some very cold weather this week, for the latter part of March. Thick ice has formed and Wednesday night there was a light snowfall.”