December 03, 2007
Out of our Past
Compiled by Bill Moose
Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, Dec. 3-9, 1982.
Photo: “The Record & Landmark today is receiving transmissions of news copy from The Associated Press from a new satellite receiver, marking a new era in technology. AP satellite installation technician Lewis Smith explains the system to Chester P. Middlesworth, vice president and general manager. At left are Harvey Emerson, mechanical superintendent, and Jerry O. Josey, executive editor.” (12/3/82)
“For the second time this week, the Statesville Greyhound basketball teams split a doubleheader with the Davie County War Eagles. Coach Marion Galliher’s lassies dropped to 0-2 after losing the opener by a score of 56-40, while Coach Bill Ellis’ boys raised their record to 2-0 with a 54-44 triumph in the nightcap.” (12/4/82)
“Iredell County commissioners today re-elected Joe Troutman as chairman of the board and Frances Murdock as vice chairman, during the annual organizational meeting in the Agricultural Center. Sworn in for four-year terms were Mrs. Murdock and William A. (Bill) Mills. Taking the oath for a two-year term was B.W. Campbell.” (12/6/82)
Photo: “Mrs. J. Garner Bagnal accepts framed resolutions from the City of Statesville and the North Carolina League of Municipalities from Mayor John Kurfees. The resolutions were in honor of her husband, J. Garner Bagnal, who died earlier this year. Bagnal was mayor of Statesville from 1953-71 and also served as president of the league.” (12/7/82)
“Dear Santa, Please bring me a go-cart, a Rebel base, a Rocket, some army men, an Atari with Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Please remember my sisters, Carolyn and Christy. Your friend, John.” (12/8/82)
Mitchell Community College board of trustees: “On a recommendation made during the building committee report, the trustees went on record in support of the continuing effort to establish a Mitchell Learning Center at the old senior high gym on Academy St. in Mooresville.” (12/9/82)
Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Dec. 3-9, 1957.
“The C. Howard Hunt Pen Company has set December 16 as a tentative date to begin operations here, H.W. Sloan, assistant plant manager, told the Record & Landmark today. The plant is expected to be in full operation by January 15. The plant, located on Speedball Road, has 70,000 square feet, most of which is air-conditioned.” (112/3/57)
“Scotts Black Panthers, in only one game, have bettered their IDAA mark of last season. Coach Carson Wood’s outfit, winless during the campaign last year, got off on the right foot last night in a 44-32 victory over Harmony at Scotts. Scotts girls had earlier disposed of the Harmony sextette, 39-32, to make it complete sweep for Scotts in the doubleheader.” (12/4/57)
“The average weekly wage in the county during the second quarter was $55.96, compared with $55.92 for last year. Wages paid by manufacturers during the second quarter averaged $55.46 compared with $57.82 for 1956. The average weekly construction wage this year was $65.88 compared with $59.57 for 1956.” (12/5/57)
“Rev. Wendell Davis, pastor of Western Avenue Baptist Church, who returned this week from a preaching mission to Cuba, told the Record & Landmark today that things in Cuba are ‘building up for a big explosion.’ Indications are that the people aren’t so much interested in supporting Fidel Castro, the rebel leader, as they are in the movement he represents.” (12/6/57)
“A Sanford reporter who started her journalistic career in Statesville received one of North Carolina’s top annual awards for literary achievement last night. Mrs. Betts, the former Doris Waugh of Statesville, received the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for having produced the best fiction book during 1957. Mrs. Betts was honored for her novel, ‘Tall Houses in Winter.’” (12/7/57)
“Dear Santa, I want an Annie Oakley gun and a doll and some play doh. Bring my little sister a teddy bear. Love, Susan.” (12/9/57)
Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Daily, Dec. 6 and 9, 1932.
“A fairly large number witnessed the public installation of county officers at the Court house yesterday morning, a new departure sponsored by the recently organized local unit of the Institute of Government. The fact that little publicity had been given the occasion was perhaps responsible for the small attendance.” (12/6/32)
Eavesdropper: “Wallace Brawley stopped at a fruit stand (you know the kind) and inquired what kind of apples were to be had. The man in charge was unable to name the names of his wares, outside of the supply of limbertwigs, and explained frankly, ‘I don’t know a h—- of a lot about apples; you see, I’m a brick mason by trade.’” (12/6/32)
“In the final class B game between Reidsville and Statesville, played in Greensboro Saturday, Reidsville smothered Statesville in the first quarter, 26-0. In the second quarter Statesville came back with a touchdown, and in the third quarter, Reidsville scored two more touchdowns, making the final score 39-6.” (12/6/32)
“A great step toward the beautification of the old cemetery near the First Presbyterian church is being carried on by a group of unemployed men working under the direction of Mr. J.F. Scroggs. The men are removing the vines and grass which has for so long marred the beauty of this venerable spot, and the result is very pleasing.”(12/9/320
“Statesville has come in for a bit of national publicity in the current issue of ‘Automobile Topics.’ The article deals with the novel policy of Crouch’s Tire Service. ‘Super-service as interpreted by Crouch’s super-service station of Statesville, N.C., includes free coffee and cots for bus drivers and their passengers. The station is located in the center of Statesville on two through highways and is adjacent to a third.’” (12/9/32)
“Dear Santa Claus, I would like a nice sweater No. 32; a nice doll a book satchel and if you bring these three things I will be happy Christmas morning. I would like the book satchel to have a handle, better than I would one to go around my neck. Your little friend, Frances.” (12/9/32)
One hundred years ago: Landmark, Dec. 3 and 6, 1907.
“During the financial depression of the past month, which now seems practically a thing of the past, there was no marked change in business affairs or conditions in Statesville. The drop in the price of cotton affected trade to some extent and some of the manufacturing plants laid off part of their force or worked shorter hours. But this sort of thing happens when there is no thought of financial disturbances.” (12/3/1907)
“The doctors interested in opening Billingsley hospital met yesterday and formed a temporary organization by electing Dr. J.W. Hill chairman and Dr. J.E. McLaughlin secretary and treasurer. The ladies who are to make a canvass of the town met yesterday afternoon and arranged to begin their work.” (12/6/1907)
New Stirling letter: “Rev. J. Meek White preached at New Stirling Thanksgiving Day. Mr. Francis Johnson and Miss Mary Stevenson marched the Elgin school to the church, which added about 70 to the congregation. R.” (112/3/1907)
“A charter has been secured for the Merchants and Farmers’ Bank of Statesville, the new bank which is to be established by Mr. J.A. Knox and associates and which is expected to being business February 1st. The capital is $25,000 with the privilege to increase to $125,000.” (12/6/1907)
“The connection with the Southern Power Company, which it was expected to make by the end of the week, has again been delayed by shipments of material. None of the industries which are to take the power are yet ready for it. The power may be cut in ten days hence but this is not certain.” 912/6/1907)
“The beautiful fell in ‘great gobs,’ and also in small particles, almost all day Wednesday, beginning before day in the morning. Not half the fall lay on the ground. If the ground had been cold enough to hold it the snow would have been a good one for this locality. Wednesday night was the coldest of the season, the thermometer registering 18 yesterday morning and about the same this morning.” (12/6/1907)
One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Dec. 8, 1882.
“Last Friday was probably the biggest day, in a commercial point of view, that Statesville has ever known. Hosts of people were in town and the stores were crowded from morning till night. Cotton receipts amounted to 125 bales.”
“A great many people were out, Wednesday, with their smoked glasses, looking at the transit of Venus. She looked like a small black marble on the face of the sun.”
“In the matter of height the new Patterson building takes the cake. It is the tallest house in town.”
“Dr. Bailey of New York, and Mr. Hempstead of Connecticut, gentlemen of wealth and leisure, have been here all week, hunting.”
“Last night was the coldest night of the season. The mercury this morning at 9 o’clock indicated 14 degrees above zero.”
New Stirling letter: “Winter, with her icy fingers, gave us her first admonition yesterday. W.M.H.”
