December 10, 2007

Out of our Past

Compiled by Bill Moose

Twenty-five years ago: Record & Landmark, Dec. 10-16, 1982

“Dear Santa, How are you? I am fine. Please bring me a baby doll and Snoopy sno-cone ’cause I’ve been mostly good this year. I love you a whole bunch. Natalie.” (12/10/82)

“Herman Starrette of Statesville accepted an offer to return to the San Francisco Giants as pitching coach. Starrette replaces Don McMahon on the Giants’ staff of manager Frank Robinson. ‘As young as our staff is, we felt teaching ability was the foremost thing we were looking for, and that’s Herm’s strength,’ Tom Haller, Giants general manager said.” (12/11/82)

“Traces of snow were reported in Statesville on Sunday, but Iredell area residents escaped the hazardous road conditions normally associated with snow. The mercury, however, dipped to 13 degrees overnight, according to officials at the water filtration plant, bringing the coldest temperatures thus far in the season.” (12/13/82)

“The Salvation Army is nearing completion of its Christmas collection of food and toys for delivery to families in need, but is running behind on toys, members of the advisory board were told Monday. Capt. and Mrs. Richard Oelschlaeger reported to the board during a Christmas luncheon meeting at the corps building on Caldwell St.” (12/14/82)

“Both North Iredell unblemished varsity basketball records went by the wayside Tuesday night as the Watauga Pioneers came visiting from the mountains and recorded a doubleheader sweep over the Raiders. The Watauga lassies took a 51-45 win in the opener of the doubleheader and the Pioneer boys claimed a 69-66 overtime win the nightcap.” (12/15/82)

Photos: “Santa Claus arrived in style at the City Center in downtown Statesville yesterday. He was chauffeured in the Statesville Fire Department’s antique 1922 LaFrance truck by Jerry Mooney from the Number Two station.” (12/16/82)

Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Dec. 10-16, 1957

“City council last night acknowledged the receipt of a petition from A. Fuller Sams, Jr., requesting the council to permit Sunday movies. The council took the petition under advisement but took no action on it, and no action is planned until January or February.” (12/10/57)

“Dear Santa, Please bring me two guns and a car and a truck. I want some candy and apples in my stocking. Thank you very much and Merry Christmas. Love, Brent.” (12/11/57)

“Old man winter blew a nine degree breath over Statesville early this morning, making it the fourth coldest day recorded here since 1926. The cold spell apparently caught a number of home owners with their water pipes exposed. Reports indicated that heating systems were failing throughout the city.” (12/12/57)

“Dr. James Lowry Pressly, 61, well known Statesville physician who had practiced here for more than 30 years, died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon. He served in the first World War, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces.” (12/13/57)

“Celeste Henkel’s girls have suddenly become the giant-killers of the Iredell District Athletic Association. Tuesday night, the Celeste six knocked Cool Springs from the unbeaten ranks of the conference standings. Last night, they rallied and came from behind to knot Union Grove, who was definitely in the favorite’s role. No overtime was played. Coaches were evidently happy with the tie.” (12/14/57)

“Wayne Franklin, farm agent has issued a report on the 1958 farm and home outlook. Fewer people will live on farms; there will be fewer and larger farms; the farms will use more machinery than previously; there will be more hired workers on the farms; more farm women will start working off farms, and the increase in population will increase the demand for farm products.” (12/16/57)

Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Daily, Dec. 13 and 16, 1932

Eavesdropper: “Mayor E.R. Rankin’s ears must have burned the other day, at the conversation we overheard as we walked up to Police Chief Tom Kerr and Fire Chief Charlie Gilbert, in the center of a small group. No better man has ever walked the streets of Statesville, they agreed emphatically, and certainly no more efficient business-man ever held the helm at City Hall.” (12/13/32)

Mooresville: “Mr. John A. Kennerly, and Mr. Alex Gabrial, the only two old ex-Confederates left here, and the twenty or more Confederate widows are counting the days until December 15th when the semi-annual checks come for their Christmas money.” (12/13/32)

“Dear Santa, I am seven years old and I have a brother which is five. We want you to bring us a knife and ball to each of us. Also some candy. Don’t forget us ‘Santa.’ Ray and Louis.” (12/13/32)

“Black walnut hulls have never been regarded as other than just so much bother and waste, but Sig Wallace has just announced that he is in the market to buy dry hulls, and will pay one cent per pound. This offer may make it worth the while of many a farm family to bring these hulls to town.” (12/16/32)

“Basketball games are commencing to happen, just like drops of rain that begin to give warning when a storm is in sight. Sharon and Scotts have started off the season, with a split doubleheader, Sharon boys winning from Scotts, 19-13. The Scotts girls winning over the Sharon girls, 16-10. The Depression certainly has not decreased the number of basketball games.” (12/16/32)

Dunlap: “It seems now we are going to get our bridge replaced which was washed away last August with high waters. Mr. Davidson has been hauling lumber in and the bridge force have brought the pile driver in. So we hope to get it before Christmas” (12/16/32)

One hundred years ago: Landmark, Dec. 10 and 13, 1907

“Mr. J.L. Russell has just completed a solid concrete blacksmith shop in the rear of the St. Charles hotel for Messrs. L.C. Wagner and R.V. Brawley. The building is the first of its kind in Statesville, the walls, chimney and roof being of solid concrete made by one mould. The new shop will be occupied by Mr. J.D. Troutman, who has been operating a shop at the old W.R. Stroupe stand.” (12/10/1907)

“While operating a large planer at the Iredell Lumber Company’s plant, Saturday morning about 9 o’clock, Mr. J.A. Munday was struck in the face by a small piece of timber thrown from the planer, and as a result his right eye is badly injured. The piece of timber, which was probably a knot of the plank which was running through the planer, struck Mr. Munday’s eyeglasses with considerable force and the right glass was shattered and knocked into his eye. Dr. McLaughlin was called to dress the injury and picked 21 small particles of glass from his eye.” (12/10/1907)

“The Amity Telephone Company has been chartered. Mr. J.T. Goodman and others will build a telephone line from Amity and Elmwood to Statesville. The line which now runs from Statesville to these points is owned by the Bell and is the only country line from Statesville which the corporation owns. The new line will put the Bell out of business, as it will be connected with the Iredell Telephone/company.” (12/13/1907)

“Mr. A.L. Stimson has sold the business of the Stimson Grocery Co., on east Broad street, and will leave with his family about the first of the year for the State of Iowa. Mr. Stimson has rented a farm near that of his brother, Mr. W.C. Stimson, at Brooklyn, Ia., and will engage in raising cattle and growing corn.” (12/13/1907)

“Mr. Robert Frothingham, of New York, advertising manager of Everybody’s Magazine, arrived Wednesday to spend a few days at Mrs. P.B. Key’s the guest of Mr. G.E. French. One object of his visit to North Carolina is to shoot quail.” (12/13/1907)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Dec. 15, 1882

“Mrs. Jane Elliott, who was undoubtedly the oldest person in this county, died at her residence in Eagle Mills township on the 22nd of November. She was over 100 years old — as accurately as can be ascertained, 102. She left 115 descendants. She was buried at Union Grove, the funeral sermon having been preached by Rev. Dr. J.P. Nicholson, who had attended her in her last illness. Her husband died a number of years ago, and his funeral was preached with hers.”

Bethany church: “Christmas is only two week off, and the young of both sexes are arranging for the occasion. Already we hear of the inevitable singing and storm party, and methinks the marriage column of THE LANDMARK will have to be enlarged. The little ones are arranging their stockings for Santa Claus, and we hope that the old gentleman will not disappoint them. CHAP.” (The latter was dated Dec. 11.)