November 19, 2007

Out of our Past

Compiled by Bill Moose

Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, Nov. 19-25, 1982

“Dr. Frank R. Campbell, minister of First Baptist Church here since 1966, has been re-elected president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. The election of Dr. Campbell for a second term came during the meeting this week in Fayetteville.” (11/19/82)

“Statesville High School’s dream of the state 3-A football championship was interrupted and stopped here Friday night when the Brevard Blue Devils came to town and upended the previously undefeated Greyhounds, 14-6, in quarterfinal action of the state playoffs.” (11/20/82)

“A local certified genealogist and historian has received notification of an award from the North Carolina Society and Local and County Historians. Second place in the competition for the Robert Bruce Cooke Awards went to Mrs. Mildred J. Miller. The award was given for her entry of ‘Carolina Summers.’ The Cooke Awards are presented biennially for the best in-depth story or history of a North Carolina family.” (11/22/82)

“‘This is what it’s all about, just look at these young people,’ Mayor John R. Kurfees remarked prior to the start of the annual Christmas parade through downtown Statesville Monday afternoon. That pretty well sums up the parade, coordinated by the Statesville Jaycees. The event had something for all ages among the 100-plus units.” (11/23/82)

“Warm breezes and an autumn sun brought out a record number of spectators to the 1982 Mooresville Christmas parade, described as one of the better parades in recent years. The three newest additions to the annual event were appearances by the Hanna-Barbera characters from Carowinds, riding a special float from the amusement park.” (11/24/82)

Down In Iredell: “On this Thanksgiving Day 1982, we all have much more for which to be thankful than we have to complain about. We may not have everything in Iredell and Alexander counties, but what we don’t have isn’t that important. We’re in a garden spot if we just recognize it.” (11/25/82)

Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Nov. 19-25, 1957

“Heavy rainfall in Iredell County during the past 24 hours has caused damage to property and loss of livestock. The official rainfall reading at the water filtration plant on Turnersburg Road was 2.90 inches for the past 24 hours.” (11/19/57)

“The United Fund is far short of its goal. The budget set for this year was $50,604.91. Only 65 per cent of this amount was paid or pledged in the month-long campaign which began on October 15. Officials can’t understand the failure to reach the goal in light of the financial property enjoyed by most citizens.” (11/20/57)

“Davie Avenue Parent-Teacher Association is determined that the children of that school will not suffer disappointment. Not only will the school’s delayed Halloween carnival be held Friday night, but the children are urged to wear costumes if they want to. The October 31 Carnival fell victim of the flu.” (11/21/57)

“Mayor J. Garner Bagnal and City Manger Herman Dickerson went to Raleigh this morning to confer with W.F. Babcock, director of the State Highway Commission. They presented to Babcock a formal request for the extension of Monroe Street into a crosstown highway serving southern areas of the city.” (11/22/57)

“Cool Springs barely copped a doubleheader from Mt. Ulla last night, with the Springer girls coming under the wire in a close 64-63 victory. Coach R.B. Madison’s girls and Oscar Stradley’s Mt. Ulla six fought it out toe to toe all the way. Cool Springs’ boys picked up a 58-43 win over the Mt. Ulla five.” (11/23/57)

Photo: “Glenn Fox, Jr., is shown putting the final touch of paint to Santa’s headquarters which will be ready for the arrival of the jolly old saint in Statesville at 7 p.m. Friday. Mayor J. Garner Bagnal will give him the keys to the city and Postmaster Jack Harmon will authorize him to receive mail at his headquarters.” (11/25/57)

Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Daily, Nov. 22 and 25, 1932

Editorial: “Before another issue of The Record is published, another Thanksgiving Day will have come and gone. May we suggest that we pause to inventory our blessings – all of them – and not be thankful merely in proportion to our material prosperity?” (11/22/32)

“Captain Cecil Brown, of the Salvation Army, and Manager Fuller Sams, of the Playhouse, were immensely pleased with the results of the benefit show at the Playhouse Saturday morning, at which time the children of the county secured admission to the show by such contributions of food as they cared to make. Among the contributions were: A cash donation of $4, 5 ½ gallons of canned vegetables and fruits, 18 ½ gallons of canned beans; 11 gallons of jelly, 16 boxes of grits, shredded wheat, etc., 125 quarts of different canned vegetables and fruits, a dozen heads of cabbage, 6 pounds of tomatoes, a half a bushel of turnips, 5 pounds of turnip greens, 12 bushels of sweet and Irish potatoes, a quantity of coffee, rice, bread and butter, and 5 gallons of dried beans and peas.” (11/22/32)

“When one of the grates in the furnace at the Statesville High school gave out Wednesday morning, the heating system was put out of commission. School work was curtailed for the day when it was found impossible to heat the building.” (11/25/32)

“The lost headgears of the Barium Springs varsity football team have just been found. A telephone call from Mrs. B.V. Hedrick, of Salisbury, revealed that she had discovered them in Thomasville, where they bounced off the truck, and had brought them to her home in Salisbury. In the meantime the freshman headgears at Davidson had been borrowed, but these have been returned, and Barium will feel perfectly at home in its own headgear when it meets Winston-Salem in the final game of the season tomorrow.” [The team had lost the helmets returning from a game in Greensboro.] (11/25/32)

One hundred years ago: Landmark, Nov. 19 and 22, 1907

“Five of the physicians of the town met with the health committee of the board of aldermen – Messrs. Gilbert, Conner and Cowles – yesterday afternoon to submit a proposition in regard to the reopening of the Billingsley Hospital. The physicians present were Drs. McLaughlin, Campbell, Hill, Adams and Houck and it was represented to the committee that Dr. Anderson would also assist in the matter. The board very much desires to reopen the hospital and the health committee has been endeavoring for some months to effect some practical arrangement.’ (11/19/1907)

“Mr. R.A. Montgomery, who recently moved to town, spent last Wednesday and Thursday at his farm in Cool Spring township gathering his crop of corn. Friday morning when he returned to his farm he found that the ladies of the neighborhood held a surprise corn-shucking Thursday night and shucked the entire lot of corn.” (11/19/1907)

“The following furnished THE LANDMARK is published with pleasure: ‘Now that the funds of the Benevolent and Relief Association are so low, it is a matter of conjecture what should be done next, were it not for the kindness of Mrs. Margaret Cowles. Every year she has come forward with a nice little sum made from the sale of chrysanthemums – and all through her own efforts. Therefore, through the courtesy of THE LANDMARK, the association wishes publicly to thank Mrs. Cowles for this greatly appreciated kindness.’” (11/22/1907)

“The masquerade at the skating rink last night was attended by a large number of skaters and some very pretty as well as comical costumes were in evidence. Miss Bella Guy was awarded $5 in gold for the best fancy costume. Miss Miriam Douglas received a skating check good until January 1st for the most original costume and Mr. W.C. Lacy won the 25 skating checks for the most comical costume.) (11/22/1907)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Nov. 24, 1882

“There is at last a prospect of the establishment of a national bank in this place. Mr. W.J. Coite has interested himself in this project and has secured subscriptions to the amount of $30,000 to the capital stock. It is felt that a capital of $50,000 will be ample, and Mr. Coite entertains no doubt that the remaining $20,000 can be raised and that business can be commenced in January.”

“This town needs more dwelling houses and most of the capital of our citizens is employed in business. Farmers with cash on hand could buy lots and build in Statesville, rent the houses and find it a profitable investment.”

“Messrs. Hoffmann Bros. and W.E. Anderson are our principal dealers in confectioneries, toys and fancy articles. They are now receiving their Christmas stocks, which will be very full and handsome.”

“Mr. Scott Palmer killed a wild turkey gobbler which weighed 20 lbs., about six miles below town, on Fourth creek, last Saturday.”