January 21, 2008

Out of our Past: Jan. 21

Compiled by Bill Moose

Twenty-five years Ago: Record & Landmark, Jan. 21-27, 1983
Photos: “First Major Snowfall —- A winter storm left Iredell under a two-inch blanket of white overnight. No major traffic problems were reported by city police. Forecasters were calling for more sleet and snow throughout today.” (1/21/83)

“Ice caused major problems overnight for many residents of Iredell County. A spokesman for Crescent Electric reported problems with the whole system due to ice on the lines and ice causing trees and limbs to fall across the lines. Icy conditions resulted from the overnight low of 28 here in Iredell County precipitation of 12 inches.” (1/22/83)

“Preservationists have lost in their struggle to keep the Stearns Building from being demolished to make way for a branch of Wachovia Bank & Trust Co. Gene Krider, president of the Playhouse Preservation Committee, has said the group would like to save the stairway banister and large chandelier in the theater lobby.” (1/24/83)

Mooresville: “The Lowrance Hospital Board of Directors last night gave its planning committee the OK to develop a request for proposals to be given to hospital management companies interested in buying, leasing or managing Lowrance. Lowrance’s directors have already interviewed representatives of American Medical International and Hospital Corporation of America.” (1/25/83)

Olin: “Kevin Stackhouse collected a rebound after a missed Statesville free throw with seven seconds left, drove the length of the court, and pumped in a 12-foot jump shot at the buzzer to give the North Iredell Raider boys a 71-70 double overtime win over the Statesville Greyhounds on Tuesday night.” (1/26/83)

“Mitchell Community College trustees voted to continue discussions with the Mooresville School Board regarding the use of the old senior high school gym on Academy St. in Mooresville as a Mitchell learning center. The Mooresville Learning Lab, now located at Woods School, would be moved to the gym once renovations are completed.” (1/27/83)

Fifty years ago: Record & Landmark, Jan. 21-27, 1958
“Dr. Leo B. Skeen has been named director of the 1958 March of Dimes in Mooresville and South Iredell County, Dr. David L. Pressly, announced today. ’We are very fortunate to have Dr. Skeen work with us on the polio campaign this year,’ Dr. Pressly said in making the announcement.” (1/21/58)

“Statesville citizens voted decisively in favor of issuing $750,000 worth of water and sewer bonds in the special election held Tuesday, even though the entire vote was relatively light. There were 425 who voted in favor of the water bonds with only 113 voting against, and 422 voted in favor of issuing sewer bonds with only 115 against.” (1/22/58)

“The Mitchell College music department has announced that a limited number of voice students will be accepted for the present semester. Voice students will be taught by Robert Calder, head of the Mitchell music department. He has sung in choirs under the direction of Eugene Ormandy, Elaine Brown, Maynard Klein and Theodore Schaffer.” (1/23/58)

“Central’s Comets started out on the upset trail Tuesday night over Troutman’s Bobcats. Last night they finished the job. Coach George Kirby’s outfit converted foul shots into a 56-47 victory. The Comets held a 32-25 lead in the third period when the lights in Central’s gymnasium went out. They finally finished the game, some 48 hours after it started.” (1/24/58)

“Fire struck a $40,000 blow to Brittain Lumber Company on Airport Road late yesterday afternoon, but firemen who promptly answered the alarm kept the blaze from spreading throughout the lumber yard. The blaze was fanned by a wind which caused the burning building and its contents to light up the sky, making the fire visible from six miles away.” (1/25/58)

“A jet plane ‘buzzed’ Troutman and the surrounding area earlier today, causing citizens to become alarmed and started ‘earthquake’ rumors circulating. Statesville Police Department reported more than six calls came from various sections of the city between 8:30 and 9 a.m. wanting to know what the noise was all about.” (1/27/58)

Seventy-five years ago: Statesville Record, Jan. 24 and 27, 1933
“The war department has sent into North Carolina and South Carolina invitations to mothers or widows of American soldiers who lost their lives during the World war to visit the graves of their kin in American cemeteries in Europe this summer. Among those from this section of the state who are invited to make the trip to the graves of their kin in france at government expense is Mrs. Cora L. Harrill, of Statesville, to the Somme cemetery.” (1/24/33)

“Col. L.B. Bristol, for ten years mayor of Statesville and well-known throughout western North Carolina as one of the leading Democrats of this section, has announced his candidacy for appointment to the office of United States marshal for the Western North Carolina district. Col. Bristol has frequently been called ’Statesville’s most valuable citizen.’ The aspirant for the marshalship is 63 years old but is unusually vigorous. He is expected to be a strong contender for the office, one of the best of the several federal plums awaiting North Carolina Democrats after March 4.” (1/24/33)

“The unemployed and needy of this community are receiving consistent and intelligent consideration at the hands of those in charge of relief work here and in the county. Mrs. E.M. Land, chairman of works projects in Iredell county for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation announces that work projects are being carried on at the Avery Sherrill and D. Matt Thompson schools, at a number of the local churches and on some of the streets of Statesville.” (1/27/33)

“A night prowler entered Mr. R.B. Lee’s store, seven miles west of Statesville, on old No. 10 highway, some time Sunday night and carried away goods consisting of meat, eggs, socks and candy, also some chewing tobacco and chewing gum.” (1/27/33)

“The Lincolnton High school basketball teams defeated Statesville high in both the boys and girls games on the local court Tuesday night. Hardened by one defeat after another the local boys didn’t feel the sting so much, but breaking the winning streak of the Statesville girls team left a smart of disappointment to local fans and to the girls themselves.” [The girls lost 44-14, the boys 12-3.] (I/27/33)

One hundred years ago: Landmark, Jan. 21 and 24, 1908
“Between 25 and 30 people were present at the court house Saturday night in response to the call issued for the meeting b y Prof. J.H. Hill, president of the Iredell County Anti-Saloon League, and Mr. J.A. Hartness, chairman of the executive committee. The call was issued to those favoring a statutory law prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors in the State. Messrs. W.D. Turner, L.C. Caldwell, J.F. Anderson, H.P. Grier, and J.A. Hartness were elected delegates to go to Raleigh and urge the passage of the prohibition act. Others who want to go will be recognized as delegates.” (1/21/1908)

“The county commissioners recently traded the traction engine, which has been used in roadwork, for a new one, paying some ‘boot.’ The new engine arrived Saturday.” (1/21/1908)

“An unusually large number of people were in town Saturday and business was more or less active. It was the first fair weather Saturday in quite awhile and this fact accounted for the number of people out. Sunday was almost like a spring day and as a result there was a large attendance at the churches.” (1/21/1908)

“A heavy rock was thrown against the passenger train from Taylorsville Tuesday evening about 6.30 o’clock as it was passing a point near the Statesville Cotton Mill, and Postal Clerk J.S. McIntosh had a narrow escape from being struck.” (1/24/1908)

“The work of remodeling the interior of the Billingsley hospital has been completed and the building will be furnished next week preparatory to opening for business early next month. Misses Flynn and McIntosh, the nurses who will have charge of the institution, will arrive from Washington early next week and will assist in selecting and arranging the furniture and fixtures.” (1/24/1908)

“While in Charlotte this week Mr. J.E. Sloop visited the Blue Blood Poultry Yards and bought four fine-blooded fancy barred Plymouth Rock chickens — one cockerel and three pullets — for which he paid a fancy price. Mr. Sloop is arranging to breed fine chickens for the market.” (1/24/1908)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: Landmark, Jan. 26, 1883.
“Mr. P.R. Houpe, of Cool Spring township, has just received notice that patents have been granted him on two recent inventions, a shingle machine and a cotton planter and fertilizer distributor. Mr. Houpe left here this morning for Charlotte, to make arrangements for the manufacture of these inventions.”

“Mr. Tomlin introduced a bill in the House, yesterday, to submit the question of local prohibition to the voters of Statesville.”

“The day school at the college closed a week ago to-day, after having been in operation but a week. The teachers have gone to their respective homes.”

“Pork is selling on the streets at from $9 to $9.50 per cwt.”

“The first month of 1883 is slipping rapidly away, and the question is, How are those new resolutions holding out?”