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Historic Webster Vol. 1 No. 5

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  • Historic Webster is a newsletter of the Webster Historical Society, Inc., created at the Society’s founding in 1974. The publication helped to serve the Society's mission of collecting and preserving the history of Webster, North Carolina. Webster, established in 1851, was the original county seat for Jackson County.
  • WCU's Founders Day Celebration Of Special Interest To Webster Western Carolina University's Founders Day Celebration and Inauguration of Dr. Harold F. Robinson as Chancellor on Octo­ber 26 promises to be an impor­tant event for Webster as well as the university. The all day cele­bration, which marks WCU's eighty-fi[th birthday, is planned to be a tribute to the men and women who built the past, and many of those to be recognized had strong ties with Webster . Websterite Robert Lee Madi­son , founder and first president of the institute in Cullowhee, will be the focal point of a pageant entitled ''Dream A Long Sha­dow," to be performed at 2:30 p.m . in Memorial Stadium. The dramatization depicts the growth of WCU from an Indian valley to the present university with an e~rollment of 6,000. The empha ­SIS of the pageant is on the early days of the institution with Pro­fessor Madison as the most col?rful character. The pageant , wh1ch was written by Lillian Wyatt Hirt , public relations di­rector at Southwestern Technical Institute, will be narrated by two WCV ):!r~dUdles, David and Betty Iiin. Approximately fifty persons ":ill be involved in the acting, d•rected by WCU English faculty member William Paulk. The theme for the day-long celebration will be "The Pro­gress Of An Idea ," a phrase taken from the title of a history of the university written by Presi ­dent Emeritus W. E. Bird. The phrase was employed in earlier times by Professor Madison to capture the spirit of how and why the institution was begun. The Inauguration and Found­ers Day Steering Committee is chaired by Dr. Marilyn Jody, WCU English faculty member and vice president of the Webster Histo rical Society. Under her direction, committees have been working on the celebration since last spring. The formal inauguration of Dr. Harold F. "Cotton" Robinson as WCU's new chancellor will take place at 10:30 at Reid Health and Physical Education Building. The new chancellor is himself a mounta in man. A native of Bandana in Mitchell County , Dr. Robinson is interested in foster­ing an appreciation of the culture and hi story of the region and the university . Delegates from colleges and universities throughout the coun­try are being invited to the formal inauguration. Dr. William Friday, president of the Univer­sity of North Carolina, will preside at the inauguration and conduct the formal installation of Dr. Robinson . Governor Jim Holshouser is scheduled to attend, bringing the official greetings of the state to the new chancellor. Delivering the inaugural address will be Clifford R. Hardin, former U. S. Secretary of Agriculture and now chairman of the board of Ral­ston- Purina Company. Special greetings to the chan­cellor will be brought by Clifford Lovjn , the vice chairman of the Faculty-Administration Senate ; Donna Clemer, president of the Student Body ; Keith R. Hundley of Washington , D. C., president of the WCU Alumni Association; James H. Glenn, chairman of the board of trustees and William A. Dees, Jr., of Goldsboro, chair­man of the board of governors. A formal academic procession , in which all visiting delegates and the Western Carolina faculty will take part will be a part of the ina uguration . All university stu­dents are invited to the inaugu­ration and have been urged by Dr. Jody to attend. Special invitations have been sent to honor students , and they will receive recognition after the procession. An inaugural luncheon will be held in Dodson Cafeteria for visiting delegates and special guests including retired faculty and staff members and members of the families of the founders. Because of limited seating, the luncheon will be by invitation. Congressman Roy A. Taylor will be the luncheon speaker. At noor. , the " Hallways of Time," an exhibition of historical artifacts, pictures and other dis­plays depicting the growth and development of the institution will open in Belk Building. The exhibition will remain opened until 2:00 and then will reopen from 3:00 until 10:00 p.m. " Hallways of Time" will pre­sent a capsule history of WCU. On hand ~viii be displays consisting of artifacts and memorabilia of Western's four founders, Robert L, Madison , Alonzo C. Reynolds, H1ram T. Hunter and William E. Bird. A portrait of Madison painted by his wife, and Mrs. Madison's portrait will be dis­played along with those of the other early founders. " Hallways of Time" will be concluded with a sound-film strip which will offer a more detailed history of the university. The exhibition is free to all students, faculty , members of the university community and guests . Refreshments will be served in the foyer of Belk Building at the conclusion of each show. At2:30 p.m. , the Founders Day program will open in Memorial Stadium, with Frank H. Brown, Jr ., vice chancellor for develop­ment and extended services, pre­siding . All "oldtimers" and foun­ders and members of their fami­lies will be given special recog­nition and President Emeritus Paul A. Reid will speak. At this time, the pageant, "Dream 6 Long Shadow" will be presented. fr!t 6tg·~ii,a:~~td~~r ~e~~~~cu:t Whitmire Stadium , followed by entertainment by Lula Belle and Scotty Wiseman of country music fame, the Marc Pruett Band, and the Bill Nichols Family Cloggers. Exhibition square dancing and square dancing for all who want to join in has been planned. The " Hallways of Time" will reopen at 4 p.m. and remain open until 10 p.m . Campus bus tours for visitors are being arranged by the Student Government As­sociation. Many persons planning to at­tend the_ festivities are planning to dress m clothes reminiscent of the turn of the century. Historic W ehster Huge Success Historic Webster Week, spon­sored by the Webster Historical Society and occurring July 4 through July 7 at the former Webster School was by all ac­counts a huge success. Excellent organization , careful planning, and enthusiastic implementation of the plans resulted in a celebra­tion unequaled in form er July Fourths in Jackson County. Crowds thronged the grounds, halls and rooms . Food, entertain­ment and games abounded. It was a time for renewing acquain· lances and visiting with old friends , for many had planned their vacation trips to Jackson County to coincide with the week 's festivities . Days of hard work were neces­sary to clean a nd put into usable shape the grounds and the build­ing for the week 's events. Spen­cer Clark aided by community helpers, accomplished this with great dispatch . Paul and Linda c- • ., overall chairmer., ..vorked tirelessly in planning , assigning responsibil­ities , and assisting in the imple­mentation of the Special Events. The celebration began at five o'clock Thursday , July 4, with a delicious dinner catered by Can­terbury Inn and served in the auditorium by Webster women. At seven were the flag raising ceremonies by Boy Scout Troop No. 903 of Webster. With Roy Baker, Mayor of Webster , serv­ing as Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Arthur Allman and Mrs. Lillie Rhinehart were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Historic Webster. Belly Price, President of the Webster Historical Society, pre­sented the two with beautifully inscribed scrolls made by Eliza­beth Keyes of Sylva. At eight o'clock in the audi­torium , eight students , the " Uni­versity Players," from the De­partment of Speech and Theatre Arts of Western Carolina Univer­sity, gave an hour's program of readings and music in keeping with the Fourth of July theme. Their director was Dr. Kathleen Carr of the drama department of the university. A precision smooth perfor­mance by the Webster Cloggers, country music and square danc­ing rounded out the evening. Friday, July 5, brought the opening of the Arts and Crafts booths to which the crowds flocked. Much interest was evinced in the quilting , weaving and wood carving. Many attrac­tive handmade articles were for sale by the Junior Homemakers Club . Linda Perry, with her dulcimer, entertained the visi· tors. On the school grounds, games and contests supervised by James Roper, delighted young and old. A buffet dinner, catered by Canterbury Inn , was followed at 7:30 by the WCU production "The World of Carl Sandburg."' The Arts and Crafts booths were again open on Saturday. Martha Willis of Appalachian Shop presented in a room , set aside for that purpose, contin­uous s~owings of films on Ap­palachian culture. Bingo in ano· ther room provided entertain­ment for the foot weary. On the school grounds in the afternoon, the Horse Show drew a large attendance. The mouth watering aroma of barbecued pork and chicken, cooked in an open pit , filled the air. Later, this meat provided the main item in the dinner served in the auditor­ium by the Jaycees. A second performance at 7:30 p.m. of "The World of Carl Sandburg" was the highlight of the evening. Country music and square dancing concluded the day's events. Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m . was Continued On Page 3 l\lr. Arthur Allman receiving his scroll from Betty Price. <><~;"!\~t---+X+---+>0< ....... ..-•e• - ~+- ,- .~.00.-+)0..~¢ Buy A Cookbook it is st ill nvlrc than two months until Christmas and already your mailboxes a rc filling up with catalogues frnm a ll rJV er the country with a mi lliQn suggestions fQr gift s. Christmas shopping should really not. be a chm·e this year. For each family Qn your Chri stmas gift list, there shf)uld be a t least nne CQpy of The Webster Cookbook. It can a lmost be guaranteed that Christmas will be merrier if The Webster Cookbook is found under the tree. But dnn"t wai t until that mQrning to open. If you do delay. it may be toQ late to cook the special holiday dinner that is described in the bnQk. It tells how to prepare an Qld fashioned western North Carolina dinner from sillabub to rQast tu rkey to fresh cocQnut cake. There is llQ dQubt that The Webster Cookbook wi ll be the most ptJpular present opened that morning. Not only will you enjQy reading the favori te recipes Qf your friends and neighbors. but alsiJ you just won 't be able to keep from smiling l)r giving a sigh when you read Dorothy Moore's recollection of a snQwy Christmas day in early twentieth century Webste r. The snQW, the candlelight, the carols drifting up the road from the Methodist Church, the table groaning under its weight of holiday foQd . It all still sounds like Webster. \'Qu'll want to tarry Qver Florence Rhinehart's sketches--t he court house , the old school , the Hedden Hnuse. the MQQre House--and remember the fun there. If you have 111f)VCd away, you will wish you were there ; and if you still live in Webster, you'll be glad. There is just tQO much to describe, but it is a book fQr all seasQns. You can as easily plan a summer dinner with Dottie Thornburg's grapefruit salad as you can a fall supper with lea ther britches beans and cornbread. If you ~rc looking for adventures in cooking, cooking the old lime way, you will wan t to try Florence Fisher's recipes fnr wild game. Even if you don't have the meat to cook "her way" you wi ll enjoy reading the way she did it. The first editiQn of The Webster Cookbook. a hard back book with a colored dust jacket of the village from Riverwood Hill , will be off the press in November. If orders con tinue tQ come in as t_hey are coming now , the books may be sold out by the lime they arrive from the publishe,·. If you have ordered your copy, remember to get one fm a holiday present for a friend or relative. If you don't use your order blank oass it on to ::i friend who mav not have seen it. We guarantee it as a book you will be proud to own and have on your book shelf. Joe Parker Rhinehart -~¢(~:•. "1!'-+-.,.e, --.}¢(-.-~...-.,-.,_.-,_.:_~.:,;;:._~;:~_;-+::;:) +-'""'·~·~~<!f~ Page 2 HISTORIC WEBSTER FALL !974 Country Store An old·fashioned Country Store materialized in a former class­room for Historic Webster Days. Gray, barn, time weathered boards on loan from Dr. Ralph Morgan provided a folksy back­drop to tables of home baked breads , cakes, cookies, fresh and home canned produce and hand­made crafts. The old timey feeling was enhanced by the loan of many treasured fam ily heirlooms from Webster folks . Many people were drawn to the store by all these relics from the past. The young people couldn 't even guess what most of them were. They includ­ed a handcrank corn sheller, a large iron wash pot and a butter press lent by Hattie and Dan Cowan ; and many small kitchen items including an iron , cabbage shredder, leather britches and dried herbs belonging to Marilyn Jody and Betty Price. The baked goods were displayed in old cases from Roy Baker's shop, which were donated by him to the Webster Historical Society. The scale from the old Webster sto re, sti ll in good working order, was on loan to the Country Store from Helen Cowan. Barbara Mann lent her extensive tool and utensil collection. This was Another news brief: Our So­ciety President has been appoint­ed Director of Jackson County's Bi-Centennial celebration in 1976 which promises to be an exciting year nationwide . Your ideas are solicited. :l!t:::;:::::;::::::::::~:::::::'fili Staff EDITORS Mrs. Louise Davis Ms. Alice Harri ll Dr. Marilyn Jody TYPISTS Mrs. Sara Barret Mrs. Jennie Lou Hunter CONTRIBUTORS Mrs. Isabel Carlton Mrs. Elizabeth Keys Mr. James A. Madison Mrs. Diane Nicholson ;:;: Mr. Joe Parker Rhinehart ;:;:- ;t:::;:;:;:;:~f~:::?::~:~~:~~::~~:~~~~:;::::::::~? ~ounted on one wall and pro­vided many a visitor with lots of good fun , remembering and guesswork . An heirloom calico ta ble cloth belonging to Mildred Cowan covered the craft table. A beehive string holder from the post office provided package wrapping material. The Flower Garden Quilt was won by Ethel Buchanan, a Web­ster resident. Southwestern Technical Institute, Extension Division donated their work on the quilt. Special demonstrations brought crowds into the Country Store on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Hattie Cowan de­monstrated butter churning, with the eager assistance of several onlookers. The delicious results were sold before the demonstra­tion was fini shed. Susan Morgan demonstrated spinning and Martha Fraker showed backstrap weaving. Ar­lene Stewart set up her broom making equipment and compl e­ted two brooms. Judging by the overflow crowd and many questions to a talk and di splay of herbal medicine by Marina Shebitz, there is a wide­spread renewal of interest in the medicine used by our forefathers. Mrs. Shebitz did a brisk business with her golden seal and myrrh , and comfrey sa lves. A store feature enjoyed by the young people was a checkerboard and a coupl e of old nail kegs for sitting on and just whiling away time in a fri endly game or two . The Country Store was offici­ally open from 10-6 Friday and Saturday. It was so popular that plans are to open evenings too next year. One of Webster 's oldest resi­dents, Miss Lucy Hedden, hon· ored the store with her enthus­iastic help. Other storekeepers in old fashioned attire incluried Judy Bacon, Laura Coffey , Judy Coyle, Ann McFadden, Lois Po­wers, Lolly Safford , Gracia Sla­ter , Gail Wilson and Carol Wood. The Country Store sold all the homemade breads, brownies, cookies and goodies we could bake or borrow . In addit ion , by actual count, we sold 274 five cent candy sticks, canned goods , Cherokee Sheltered Workshop beads, brooms, patchwork pil­lows, corn shuck dolls, and other crafts. Submitted by: Gracia Slater World Of Carl Sandburg " rhe World of Car l Sandburg" was presented at the 1/\ebs fer School on July 5 and 6 preceded by dinner each evening. The presentation by the players was fantastic and enJoyed by all who attended. rhe play was compi led and adapted by Norman C.orw in and covered the works ot Car l Sa ndburg tram lhe crad le to the grave. It was a compilation ot song, prose, and poetry displaying Mr. Sandburg's sense ot humor, sen se of beauty and sense of t ragedy. r he players were Nancy Hammill ot Brevard, James [ ichling of Pumpkin Town, and Robert Zipperer of Ra leigh. Dr. Kathleen Ca rr ot the Department ot Speech and rheatre Arts at Western Carolina Uni vers ity was the director. The Webster Cookbook Drawer W Webster, North Carolina 28788 Or der Form From The Scrapbook (From the Jackson County Journal) Dr. A. S. Nichols and Miss Rosa Cole were very nearly going down the Tuckaseigee without the aid of a boat. Not supposing the river to be so full , they drove their buggy into the stream and in the middle of it the mule refused to go on . The water was running over the top of the buggy. It looked as if Miss Cole would be drowned, but just at the right time a dar key on a mule went into the river and rescued Miss Rosa first and afterwards the Dr. Webster is still in the lead . One of her progressive children , 0 . B. Coward, has put down the first piece of paved side walk ever seen in Jackson County. He has finished up about 40 ft. in front of his store and it looks so pretty that Mr. Joe Rhinehart just across the street is almost ready to put the cement on the walk in front of his store. If our good people will keep this work up, the people of Jackson county will yet be proud of Webster. Who will follow th e example set? Wild-Gribble rrom the First Charter List Barrett, Dr. A. L. Cannon , Mrs. Lewis Leonard, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sutton, Mrs. Fred North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Additional Charter Members Allman , Aian Ashe, Zeb Allison , Hannah Allison , Roy Brown, David Hall Brown, Frank H. Brown, Sara Cowan Bryson , Mr. and Mrs. J . S. Buchanan, Ruth Bumgarner, Ernest Burrell, Conrad Byer, Katherine S. Cagle, Harry Chester, Lawrence M. Cogdill , Bonnie Cogdiii , Pat Cowan, Frank Cowan, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Coward, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Cross , Mrs. Mary Crowe, Mrs. Dewey Davis, Chris Davis, Robert Dewees, Mrs. Mary E . Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gauzens, Mr. and Mrs. T. 0 . Hager, Mrs. Sue Hall , Robert C. Harding , Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hooker , Robert Hughes, Glenn Jakes, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kneedler, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Kennedy , Mrs. F . R. Kinsland , Mr. and Mrs. Tommy McCoy, Padgett McCray, Mrs. Jane McDonald, Mrs. M. F. Mabry, Mr. and Mrs. Malcom Massie, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Morgan, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Nichols, Mrs. Mary B. Painter , Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Pangle, Jr ., Mr . and Mrs. Henry D. Parris, Mr. and Mrs. John Peacock, Richard Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Dwain Phillips, Charles H. Purser , Sara B. Rathbun , Mrs. A. A. Roper , Mr. and Mrs. John Rowlson , Mrs. Hannah Lou Searcy, James Shore, Miriam Y. Sitten, David D. Smith, Reverend Joe Smith, June T. Sumner, Florence Walker, Mrs. W. Queally Widman, Mr. and Mrs . F. W. Williams, Max R. Wilson , Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Woodard, Jr ., Charles D. Wright, Mrs. C. C. Tennessee North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Australia North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina California North Carolina North Carolina Nor th Carolina Nor th Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Georgia North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Tennessee North Carolina North Carolina Florida North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Florida North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Nor th Carolina Florida NQrth Carolina North Carolina Nor th Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina California Virginia Florida North Carolina Maryland U.S. Army North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Florida Members After July 10, 1974 Allison , Jack Cargill, Laurie Coward, James 0 . Davis, Thomas E . Edwards, Mrs. Nell Ewen, Jerry Ewen,Judy Harrill, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hayes, Mrs. Charlotte Henson , Louise Hooper, Dr. Charles Hyder , Mrs. Clara Rogers Johnson , Mrs. H. C. McCarley, Christy McCarley , J ohn Morris , Dr. Thomas A. Owens, Frank Owens, Louise Long Sylva Moose Lodge Vrooman, Herschel White, Ruth Williams , Mrs. Olin Wrenn, Nancy North Carolina New Hampshire Florida North Carolina Florida North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Ohio North Carolina Tennessee Oklahoma Georgia North Carolina North Carolina Nor th Carolina North Carolina Georgia North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Tennessee North Carolina One Hundred Dollar Contributors .·.llman , Alan Ashe, Zeb 9umgarner, Ernest Ewen, Jerry Ewen,Judy Inman, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. McCoy, Padgett Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Morgan, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Painter, Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Hendersonville, Tennessee Winston-Salem , N _ C. Klamath , California Cullowhee, N. C. Cullowhee, N. C. Toccoa, Georgia Sylva, N.C. Cullowhee, N.C. Webster, N.C. Sylva, N. C. WINNERS IN THE COSTUME CONTEST HELD AT THE WEBSTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY F~stiva l were, rront row, Jeft to right: Mrs. Marilyn Cloutier, Shawn and Alicia McCants, Nicki and Siri N1cho l s~n . Second _row : Frank Cloutier, Kate Rhinehart. Lucy Hedden, Stella Marie Allison. Jill ~ l se?he•mer, D~bb1e Andrews , Freida Payne and Florence and Joe Parker Rhinehart. The costume Judgmg _categories were Most Romantic, Most Authentic , Most Old Timey (children) , Most Authen­tic Couple, and Best Novelty. Thus ended the first Historic Webster Week, a celebration the Webster Historical Society hopes to make an annual affair. All of this the Society knows could not have been possible without the hard work and loyal support particularly of the citizens of Webster community. Special credit should go to the women who furnished cakes and assisted in the serving of meals. A super accolade should be bestowed on Dan and Hattie Cowan who worked constantly during those busy days . To all who helped to make Historic Webster Week a success, the Webster Historical Society is deeply grateful. Betty Price, presenting l\frs. Lillie Rhinehart with scroll while Mayor Baker looks on. ~:::::::::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::;:::::::;:;:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~ tiWhen Webster Celebr ated ii July 4, 1974, those of us who actively engaged in the Mountain Festival held by the Webster Historical Society realized that this year is the Dress Rehearsal for the Annual Independence Day Celebrations of Future Years. We hoped and worked for much, and enjoyed it all immensely. To have a Gallery of Fine Art certainly was an outstanding departure for a Fire-Cracker Day Gala . Our participating artists were all professionals, local res­idents. Each havina: a distinctive style, and Subject matter. During the hanging of the Show, and manning the Gallery four days, we did not suffer any fl urry of the Mythical Artistic Temperament. ·Everyone worked in harmony, accord, and consi­derable amazement to be so well received. Our Guest Book was signed by more than six hundred visitors to the Gallery. Our financial tally showed a profit. M'sieur Francois Cloutier, of Ochre Hill and the world at large, directed the hanging. His hand­some paintings of "Sweet Sound of Dulcimer" and "Cello" were effusively admired. Dr. Lee P . Budahl, Associate Professor of Western Carolina Department of Art, entered a group of elegant beauties of the San Francisco Scene which could easily hang in any grand Salon. "Blue Jeans" by Sally Fisher, was the girl whol1) most everyone wanted to take home. The Mountain Skies and remote cabins of the "Eliz." Paintings held much interest. The abstracts of Dr. and Mrs. Allan Grant gave us a lift into the future, out of the past, and delightfully so . James Smith 's watercolors and Acryllics , and Bill Lidh 's sophis­ticated woodcuts , balanced the preponderance of oils in the display and were of a high order of excellence. We were fortunate in obtaining antiques on consignment from Scott Cooper's collection. The pieces which Scott loaned us were well chosen bits of Early Amer­icana which complimented the paintings. The commissions earned by sales of these items exceeded returns on sales of paintings. The fact that we sold Scott's antique cash register in the Art Gallery added a piquant bit of speculation re. the limitless pos­sibilities of Art Gallery trade. · So many people congregated in the Art Gallery to sit and chat and simply enjoy its serenity with. lovely atmosphere, it made us happy to have the friendly feeling all around. There is a need in Jackson County for a fine Arts exchange center, where painters as well as sculptors can display their works for sale. Eventually this interest in beauty may promote a trend to education in art for youn_g child­ren in school in North Carolina. We hope so. This is our ultimate aim. Elizabeth Keyes Art Gallery Webster , N.C. HISTORIC WEBSTER FALL 1974 Page 3 Horse Show Was A Popular Event J uly 6 was an exciting day for many Webster residents and visitors. This was the day of the horse show, held in conjunction with the Fourth of July Week celebration on the Webster School grounds. The show was the culmination of several days of hard work on the part of mimy Webster people. The ring, borrowed from WCU, had to be painted and enlarged. Dean Allman , show chairman, David Nicholson , and Deana Nicholson , show secretary, com­pleted this task five days before show time, a period well spent by local youth in hours of practice. The morning of the show kept everyone busy . Arrows were being posted, people were being directed to their proper places, and horse trailers were being parked and unloaded . Moody Funeral Home was kind enough to lend and erect a tent for the day 's use. The Master of Ceremonies, Jon Danenhower, introduced the Webster Mayor, Roy Baker, who gave the invocation . Kenneth Estes, riding a beautiful Pala­mine, served as flag bearer , as the national anthem was played. During the show , Sally Danen­hower carried out registrations. Woody Hampton served as ring­master, and Tommy Lucas was judge. During the show intermittent rain made the grass very slip­pery , and presented a hazard for the horses, especially the barrel racers. But, thanks to the per­sistence of ringmaster, judge, and participants, everything went as scheduled. Each of the eighteen classes represented was sponsored by merchants whose generous do­nations made possible the pur­chase of the trophies and ribbons presented at the show. Five ribbons were given for each class , with a trophy given to the Walking Horse champion, Wes­tern Pleasure champion, Rocking Horse champion, and Juvenile Walking Horse champion. Webster 's horse show had en­tries from manY different loca­tions. Jumpers came from Bre­vard and Sylva. Waynesville had some walking horses participa­ting, and Franklin had Quarter horses taking part. Other breeds came from Franklin , Waynes­ville, Bryson City, Canton, Web­ster, Sylva , Dillsboro , and Cul­lowhee . It was an established fact that the youngsters in the audience enjoyed the show very much. But, judging from the enthusiasm shown by the more mature viewers, it was evident they enjoyed the performance as much or perhaps more than the youngsters. Perhaps it was a nostalgia for the days when the horses were a part of everybody 's daily life. Looking ahead, the Webster Historical Society hopes to make J uly's show a regular fete for Webster. Sometime in the near future , it hopes to have a per­manent ring on the school grounds. Since there are no permanent rings in Jackson County at the present time, local riders must travel to Bryson City, Franklin, or Way!lesville, to practice. If a permanent ring was installed on the school grounds, it would be available for any Jack­son County horse owner to use at his leisure. At the present time, the Jack­son County Horse Club is being organized under the auspices of the 4-H club and Webster will be the club center. This club will be aimed at the nine to nineteen­year- old group. Horse shows , trail rides , camping trips, fi1ms and talks by local veterinarians and horse specialists are planned for various times during the year. Parents and young horse lovers should get set for some useful knowledge and a lot of whole­some fun. Webster Horse Show July 6, 1974 Judge--Tommy Lucas, Frank­lin , N.C. Ringmaster--Woody Hampton, Sylva, N. C. M. C.--Jon Dannenhower, Dills­boro, N.C. Farrier--Duggar Ledford, Franklin , N. C. Show Chairman--Dean Allman Webster, N. C. ' Show Secretary--Diana Nich­olson, Webster, N. C. First place winners are listed in the fo1lowing classes: HALTER CLASS--Pam Parker on Luke 's Robinette WESTERN PLEASURE (un­der !B )--Vicky Morgan on Dusty PONY CLASS--Bob Morris on Sugarfoot BARREL RACE--Thomas Orr on Twistin Bob BUDDY PICKUP--Rick Orr and Thomas Orr on Warrick JUVENILE WALKING--Cath­erine Woodard on Dream Copy MEN'S RACKING--Joe Cham­bers of Figure HUNTER HACK--Marge Craw­ford on Copper EQUITATION (under 13-walk, troD--Angela Buchanan on Cop­per EQUITATION (13 and over­walk, trot, canter)--Laura John­son on Peppy TRAIL CLASS--Mary Noland on Bourbon WESTERN PLEASURE (18 and over )--Johnnie Nichols on Lucky Sundown AMATEUR WALKING--Elaine Estes on Clouds ' Sky Raider LADIES RACKING--Judy All­ison on Godfather 's Soul COSTUME--Jill Ulsenheimer and Debbie Andrews on Pywa­cket ENGLISH PLEASURE--Marge Crawford on Copper WESTERN PLEASURE CHAMPIONSHIP--Johnnie Nich­ols on Lucky Sundown RACHING HORSE CHAMP+ IONSHIP--Gary Brown on God­father 's Soul WALKING HORSE CHAMP+ IONSHIP--Robert Warren on Sun's Misc!Jief Page 4 HIFORIC WEBSTER FALL 1974 The Story Of The Webster Methodist Church With Emphasis On Its Early Years The only building left in Web­ster whose external appearance and structure are almost the same as when it was erected in 1887 is the Webster Methodist Church. Built in the classical style of early rural American churches, its rock foundation , white clapboard walls, sloping tin i roof, and latticed belfry with its surmounting steeple, have with­stood time and the elements. Providence, friends, and the loving concern of the church members through the years have made this preservation possible. This concern was apparent a few years after the building of the church in related articles which appeared in the local newspaper. 1'0ur Methodist brothers are fixing up and painting their church. When Messrs. Allison and Enloe ordered the paint and oil , it was through our affable friend , F. H. Leatherwood, and the wish was expressed that the house ordered from - Messrs. Sanford, Chamberlain and Al­bers, of Knoxville, Tenn. should make a donation of a part of the bill , to the church. In response to Capt. Leatherwood's letter and order Messrs. Sanford, Chamberlain and Albers sent him the following very neat reply making a very liberal credit on the bill: KnoxviJJe, Tenn. , June 26, '91 Messrs. Allison & Enloe, Webster, N. C. Gentlemen: We have your order through our Mr. Leatherwood. We have a great many calls to contribute to churches and we think if our contributions to the different churches in the states where our territory extends , were summed up , we would be entitled to a front pew in Heaven and we would need not worry so far as our chances in the next world are concerned ; but as we have never given to a church in your section, we credit your account with $10.00 and trust that St. Peter will give us credit for it in the hereafter. Yours very truly, Sanford, Chamberlain & Al­bers Per. Albers The structure of the interior of the church was altered in the spring and summer of 1939. At that time G. A. Hovis, charge pastor, began a movement to Captain James W. Terrell, Chairman of Board of Stewards, 1907. Captain Terrell was a grandfather of W. E. Bird of Cullowhee. collect money for repairing the church building. Taking the lead in the drive was Mrs. Ruth Allison Morris, Secretary·Trea­surer of the church , assisted by L. H. Cannon, Chairman of the Board of Stewards. A form letter stating the urgency of this need and appealing for monetary as­sistance was sent to the current members and to former mem­bers living elsewhere. In part this letter stated: "This is a sacred and historic spot, dear to us all. In former days it was the sacred and beloved shrine of our fathers and mothers and of their parents, too . Let's preserve it as a spiritual heritage for this and coming generations! We think you will like to help us in this work. " Response came in currency and checks. This, with substan­tial aid from the Board of Church Extension , Western Carolina Conference, enabled the church people to put on a new roof and restructure the interior of the building to the extent it became more commodious and more comfortable in cold weather. By erecting a partition and moving the pulpit area forward , the san­ctuary was made smaller and a second Sunday School room was provided. The ceiling of the sanctua ry was lowered and the walls paneled with sheetrock. Lighting fixtures were donated bv Dan Allison. Oak flooring , given by Mrs. Joseph Keyes of East La Porte, was put down by the Rev . Ernest Fitzgerald in 1945. All the carpentry work was done by J. N. Cowan (at 30 cents an hour ), and Bill and Woodrow Cowan (at 18

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Highlights from Western Carolina University

Highlights from WCU showcases some of the most unique and interesting items held by Hunter Library’s Special Collections department, the Mountain Heritage Center, and others on...

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