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.

• Contributor
  • Webster Historical Society (Webster, N.C.)
• Format
  • Newsletters
  • Periodicals
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1985
  • Date digitized: 2017-01
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11"
  • Pages: 4 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Webster (N.C.) -- History -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • Historic Webster
• Identifier
  • HistoricWebster1985_Vol11_No01
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library

Dickson Sl ater Box 164 Davi dson, NC 280J6 ---~ ~ •' .' , ll~ - l i J 281~ HISTORIC~ ••••••••••••••••••---"_;e_w_;s:.:,le::.t.:te:.:..r of the Webster Historical Society, Inc. VOLUME XI, NUMBER 1 WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA SPRING, 1985 The Cowan_s, Webster __ C_itizens On a late spring afternoon in 1927, Mary BridgerS, a first year teacher at Balsam Ele­mentary School in Jackson county, spotted a dapper young man on the Rolling Green Golf Course near Web­ster. He was wearing knick­ers, fashionable at the time, and an English-style cap typical of the "roaring '20's." She was impressed. Louise Parker, a fellow teacher and roommate at Balsam, soon in­troduced Mary to the young man who was Claude Cowan of Webster. After a short court­ship, Claude Cowan and Mary Bridgers were married at the Bridgers' home in Maccles­field, North Carolina, on Christmas Day, 1928. They soon returned to Webster where they have made their home for the past fifty-five years. Claude and Mary have two sons: Claude Jacob Cowan, Jr., of Fairview Road, Sylva, and William Joseph Cowan of Tucker, Georgia. Claude and Mary Cowan's lives have been spent in and for Webster. Madison poems will bEf published in Summer by Society The Poems of Robert Lee Madison, a compilation of poems, some known and many being published for the first time, will be released by the Webster Historical Society in the summer. Professor Madison, a Web­ster resident, founder of Wes­tern Carolina University, and a classical scholar, wrote hun­dreds of poems in numerous styles. He often shared these verses with his friends through little printed cards that he distributed, through greeting cards, or through his lectures. It has long been a goal of the historical society to preserve these literary pieces. With the permission of Mr. Madison's family, the professor's poetic works have been edited by Joe P. Rhinehart ami a beautifully printed volume is in publication. Larkspur Press, an art press in Monterey, Kentucky, is printing the book. Gray Zeitz, the owner, is a master printer and a former student of the world famous Victor Ham­mar. Zeitz and Hammar's work have been exhibited in many galleries, including the Golier Club in New York. Then, by hand, he will stitch the books in soft covers in the chapbook style. The chapbook was developed in western Europe in the nineteenth cen­tury and, at that time, was a cheap method of making books available. Zeitz has revived the style and has made it an art form. The Poems of Robert Lee Madison, printed in a limited edition, will appeal to Madi­son's friends and students, col­lectors of art, historians, and readers of all sorts. Professor Robert Lee madison wrote poems on many subjects and in many styles. They also have two grand­daughters, four grandsons, two great grandsons, and a great granddaughter. CLAUDE JACOB COWAN, SR. was born on September 9, 1902, on the Cowan farm bor­dering the banks of the Tuck­asegee River near Webster. He was the fourth of eight children born to William Lee and Luthena Wild Cowan. After high school he held a number of jobs related to his interest in the field of electrici­ty. This was during the era when electrical power was first being introduced to resi­dents of Jackson county. After a short time as an electrician's apprentice, Claude Cowan became an electrician and in­stalled the electrical wiring for many of the old landmark buildings and houses in Sylva, Webster and throughout Jack­son county. He briefly worked for the Dillsboro Power and Light Company before opening his own electrical shop in Sylva. As the Great Depression de­creased the demand for elec­trical services and appliances, Mr. Cowan closed his shop and took a job with the Mead Cor­poration where he worked for several years as an electrician and turbine operator. Then, desiring to establish his own business, he left the Mead Cor­poration and built the Webster Grocery Store which he man­aged until 1951. During this time he also served as Jackson county's electrical inspector. In 1951, Claude Cowan sold his business to accept an ap­pointment with the North Car­olina Department of Agricul­ture as a state regional inspec­tor, an appointment not alt()­gether unexpected since, in addition to his qualifications, he had successfully managed the gubernatorial campaign of Governor Kerr Scott in Jackson county in 1950. Before concluding his adult working career, Cowan ac­cepted an appointment by the Jackson County Board of Edu- Continued on page 2 Page 2, HISTORIC WEBSTER, SPRING 1985 Mary and Claude Cowan have shared 55 yt Continued from page 1 cation as the county's attend­ance counselor, a position he held until his retirement in 1967. Although he enjoyed a variety of work experiences throughout his adult life, his first love was politics, as evidenced by his successful management of numerous political campaigns for state, regional, and local candidates. He is most proud of the cam­paign he managed for his brother, Roy, who was elected clerk of the Jacksdh County Superior Court in 1938. Roy was re-elected without oppo­sition each term until his death in 1946. In 1962, Claude Cowan was elected to the Webster Board of Aldermen, a position he presently holds at age eighty­two. As alderman, he takes great pride in the many im­provements made on the water system which was little more than a small spring-fed reservoir a few years ago. Of equal pride to him is the fact that Webster boasts a zero crime rate, a fact that he at­tributes to good neighbors watching out for good neighbors. In addition to Claude Cowan's many years of ser­vice as an alderman, he was an active member of The Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization dedica­ted to community service. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons and was elected Master of the Dillsboro Masonic Lodge by his brother Masons in 1948. Claude is a member of the Webster Baptist Church where he was active in promoting building improvements and acquiring a new parsonage. During his retirement, he enjoys keeping abreast of local, state, and national political events, serving on the Webster Board of Aldermen, and keeping his yard well groomed. In the past, he spent much time transporting elder­ly friends and neighbors to church, doctor's appoint­ments, the supermarket, the drug store, and, as he says, "just about anywhere else they need to go." When asked how he feels, one is likely to get the standard answer, "Well, I'm still kick­ing, just not quite as high!" He continues to maintain that great sense of humor which has characterized his person­ality for eighty-two years. Some would say that the one thing Claude enjoys more than hearing a good joke is telling one. But most of all he is known to his neighbors as an accommodating friend, al­ways willing to help those in need of his assistance. MARY BRIDGERS COW AN was born on April 1, 1905, in Macclesfield, North Carolina. She was the sixth of twelve children born to Joseph Caswell and Nancy Owens Bridgers. She was graduated from high school in Edge­combe county and attended Farmville Women's College in Farmville, Virginia for one year before transferring to Cullowhee Normal and Indus­trial School (now Western Car­olina University) in Cullo­whee, North Carolina, where she studied to become a teacher. Upon graduation from college she accepted a teaching position at Balsam Elementary School in Jackson county. The following year Mary Cowan accepted a teach­ing position at Webster School where she continued to teach until her retirement in 1965. Much of Mary Cowan's adult life was centered around the classroom and the children she taught. As a teacher she was best known for her ability to "teach the unteachable." Her fellow teachers have de­scribed her as a master teach­er who was applying unique methods of motivating child­ren to learn as well as tech­niques of behavior modifica­tion long before these methods and techniques were written about in the textbooks. And yes, if this didn't work, she was not above bribing a child with food, money, extra privi­leges, or just about anything else that worked if that was what was required to teach the vowel sounds or the multipli­cation tables. Although the 3 R's came first, Mrs. Cowan's appreci­ation and love for music, art, science, and social studies were what made her class­room a fun place to be. Her students produced more mus­ical programs (operettas) than any class in the school. Her love of music was conta­gious and her students re­sponded enthusiastically by singing, dancing, acting, and playing in the rhythm band. Mary Cowan's personal enjoy­ment and participation in these activities with the children kept her young short Cowan and Rhinehart were always on call for town By Joe W. Rhinehart Claude Cowan and I grew up together in Webster, but because Claude was my senior we did not become close friends until we were older. As boys we attended Webster School, but Claude was ahead of me. Our relationship has been close since we married and Claude moved over the river. Claude was indeed a friend in need for any time I needed help Claude answered the call. We are both interested in our town's welfare and to be of service we both became aldermen. Our biggest job as aldermen has been taking care of Webster's water works. If the water "went off," a neighbor would call either Claude or me to ask what the trouble was. We would get together and search for the problem. Many times it would mean digging up a pipe line or cleaning out the springs on Kings Mountain. The springs, for many years, were the source of Webster's water. When a major problem came up we met with the other alderman and the mayor to discuss the problem. Now in our mature years and since we are among the few native Websterites left, we enjoy sitting on the porch in the sun talking about the "Good Old Days." Joe Rhinehart and Claude Cowan visit at the post office. of her years. In the spring of each year it was not unusual to see Mary Cowan and her entire third grade assembled in the Cowan garden or on the lawn catching everything from butterflies to the praying mantis. At other times of the year they might be seen collecting rocks, leaves, flowers, or just about anything of interest which could form the basis for a scientific nature study. These activities, she believed, pro­vided welcomed relief to the children from the rigors of mastering the 3 R's and also motivated them to develop a sense of inquiry about their environment. It was mastery of the basics plus the many enjoyable educational experiences which endeared Mrs. Cowan as a tea­cher and as a person to four generations of students. Her service spanned thirty-six years. In addition to the three-plus decades as a teacher in the Jackson County Public Schools, Mary Cowan was also active in various church and community activities. Prior to her retirement, she was an ac­tive member of the Webster Baptist Church where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the choir. She was active in the Women's Mis­sionary Society and participa­ted in numerous other church activities and charitable causes. No review of Mary Cowan's accomplishments would be complete without some men­tion of her more subtle at­tributes which are no less im­portant than her impressive career as a teacher. As a wife, mother, and individual, her life has exemplified a love and concern for others, especially those less fortunate than she. Her many acts of kindness to those who found themselves in a state of misfortune will long be remembered by the many whose lives she touched. Their need of food, clothing, medical attention, or sometimes just a word of encouragement, never went unattended if Mary Cowan was aware of the circumstances. There is yet another side to Mary Cowan's personality. She must believe that "laughter is the hand of God on the shoulder of a troubled world." Even today, her sense of humor is equalled perhaps only by that of her husband, Claude. CLAUDE AND MARY COWAN have shared fifty-five years together in Webster. Summer, 1985, Claude Spencer Clark Trio "Su concert. Among their most treasured memories are the many good neighbors and friends whose lives have touched them over the years. Among their most 1 the many good neigh lives touched them ov Together they have shared the good times and the bad times . They endured the poverty and deprivation of the Great Depression. They shared the grief and sadness associated with the many relatives, friends, and neighbors who were wounded or killed in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. They EdUCI By Joe P . In 1956 I had earned the ho1 address at the Webster Sci what I wanted to say to the c it would be good to recall hi! Webster was a stable com thirty-nine seniors grown up years together, but so had m unusual for the whole famil studied under the same tea, In my memories of those d ly more like family than im not only qualified to instruc highlighted the highlights. What I wanted to say abou said about a dozen more wl lives. But there were things 1 our third grade teacher diff obvious. After years of heari into Mrs. Cowan's room and made an impression- soft, to do what she wanted? Educators, in more recer the "whole child." In 1946 t Cowan. She had us performi SPRING, 1985, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Page 3 ~ars with Webster Claude Cowan has always been interested in politics. He helped with the rechartering of Webster and has served on the town board for thirty years. He has managed many a pros­pective office holder's cam­paign - always success­fully. When Roy Taylor of Asheville became a candi­date for the United States Congress, Cowan took over his Jackson county cam­paign and from his Webster home helped elect Taylor to Congress for several terms. and Mary Cowan attend the mmer Evening in Webster" have sympathized with and assisted their many friends who fell victim to the devastating flood of 1940 as it ravaged homes and other pro- ;reasured memories are bors and friends whose er the years. perty along the banks of the Tuckasegee River where the Cowans lived at the time. But all in all, they agree on one thing as they share their memories with frequent inter­vals of laughter and good humor: that is, they have been richly blessed and have seen more good times than bad. Claude Cowan (center) helped Roy Taylor (left) plan, with Gerald Hardy, his 1960 congressional campaign. "Claude Cowan is more like a brother" By Mildred Cowan Claude J. Cowan is a cousin of mine, though he is more like a brother. He is a son of the late William Cowan, my father's brother, who lived next door to my family. In this day and time my mother would be called a workaholic, and she sometimes would call on Claude to babysit me. He was a good entertainer. He taught me games such as jacks tones, hop scotch and jump rope. He even tried to teach me to make tatting lace, but all I could do was tie knots that would not slip to make a loop. He read stories to me and taught me children's songs. At school he was several grades ahead of me, but he would still look after me. Then I went to boarding school and after that moved to Asheville where I lived for four years. In the meantime Claude married Mary Bridgers of Macclesfield and they began to raise a family. Those years we were not as close as we had been. After my father's death, my mother and I sold the old home place and bought a lot in Webster from Claude's son, Billy Joe. When we became next door neighbors again we took up where we had left off and again resumed our brother-sister relationship. He is my adviser, my handy man, and my confidante. I feel wonderfully blessed to have someone like Claude for a friend. Claude Cowan operated a service station on Sylva's Main Street in 1951. ate the whole child Mary-Cowan's philosophy: Rhinehart 10r to deliver the salutatorian tool graduation. In deciding :lass and its guests I thought :blights of our days together. munity, and not only had we together and spent our school any of our parents. It was not y, parents included, to have cher. ays, teachers, who were real­tructors, teachers who were t but also knew how to love, tone teacher could have been to passed through our young hat made Mrs. Mary Cowan, erent, and the first was very ng our mountain twang, to go hear her soft down east drawl gentle- who would not want t days, talk about educating his was nothing new to Mrs. ng in a rhythm band. She had Mary Cowan's third graders dance in Webster School's annual May Day Celebration, 1958. us keeping poetry notebooks. We did molding clay sculpture. Mrs. Cowan was a great believer in good manners, in­cluding eating habits. Once she had the home economics students appear during our lunch period, and, for several weeks, they taught us the correct eating form: napkins and one hand in the lap and of course, a clean plate always­the clean plate was sometimes hard to come by, but we were graded, and so we ate correctly. Mrs. Cowan was a thorough teacher in the academics. Every activity tied into another. In a social studies class we made a list of community helpers- teacher, police, minister. These words became a spelling list. Then one leader became the theme for a composition. Then the sub­ject became a clay sculpture for art class. I knew twenty-eight years ago the value of good teaching, and I wanted to let my commencement listeners know the value of a good teacher, and so I recounted these same events and those of other teachers to the audience. Now, after twenty-four of my own years spent in a classroom, I know even more the value of education, and though forty years have passed since those third grade days of being forced to each cafeteria spinach, I still eat with one hand and I still clean my plate. Generations of Webster citizens owe much to Mrs. Mary Cowan. Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, SPRING 1985 From The Cowan Scrapbook ... Claude Cowan in Webster, 1918. The photographs were taken in the Madison yard and the R. L. Haskett house is in the background. Mary Bridgers Cowan, summer, 1928. A photograph by Donahue Studios in Sylva. Mary Cowan and her son C. Mary Bridgers was a native of Macclesfield, North Caro­lina. She was about nine or ten when she and her friend Rev a Phillips took a buggy ride. J., about 1933. Mary Bridgers and her friends at Western Carolina University. Louise Parker is left center and Mary Bridgers is beside her. "Summer Evenings . . . " Summer, 1985, will be an exciting time to be in Web­ster. The Webster Historical So­ciety is planning its third season of "Summer Evenings in Webster" for July and it in­vites natives and visitors to attend the events. Scheduled for Sunday even­ings at 5:30 in the Webster United Methodist Olurch, the program this year celebrates the theme of "Anniversar­ies." Stephen Hamilton, the art­ist- in-residence at So'lth­western Technical College, will open the season on July 7 with a concert of vocal and in­strumental music by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel, both of whom celebrate their 300th birthdays this year. Harry Cagle, the leader of "Harry Cagle and the Coun­try Cousins," will present a concert on his violin on July 14. Cagle, who is known across the South for his tradi­tional playing, will be presented in a solo perfor­mance which will include dance music, hymns, and tra­ditional mountain music. John Parris, author, editor, and columnist, will read his " Webster Stories ;" stories set in Webster or about Web­ster people on July 21. This year marks the 35th anniver­sary of the publication of Par­ris' first volume of collected pieces, Roaming the Moun­tains. The series will end July 28, with the third appearance of the Spencer Clark Trio. Clark, his wife Mary, and drummer Hoyle Roberson, will feature the music of Jerome Kearn, whose centen­nial is celebrated this year, and his friends . This popular program will be pre­sented, as usual, on the lawn of Hilda and Huck Hoffman on North Main Street and Buchanan Loop. A reception follows each program to honor the per­forming artists. Madison Poems In Sunset Program A long planned e~ent of fhe Webster Historical Society will be realized on July 5, when the Society releases it's latest publication, The Poems of Robert Lee Madison. Webster Mayor James Simpson will preside over the outdoor program set for the back yard of Court House Square at sunset, eight o'clock. Chancellor Myron L. Coul­ter, Western Carolina Univer­sity, Kate Moore Rhinehart, and Louise Madison Bedford will speak on the professor as educator, community leader, and family man. Society pre­sident Mildred Cowan will present the Madison family with the first numbered copy of the book. Jim Gray, editor of The Sylva Herald, will read selected Madison poems. The program will open with guitar music and end with Dr. Alex­ander A. Lesueuer on the flute. Sunset was Professor Madi­son's favorite time and the village was often entertained by his front porch guitar and flute concerts. All are invited to attend this special event to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Mr. Madison's arrival in Jackson County. Miss Lucy's Picnic Planned For July 4th The second annual "Miss Lucy's Picnic" will be held on Thursday afternoon, July 4, at 4:30 on the lawn of Castalia, the former home of Miss Lucy Hedden, now the home of Hazel and John Fobes. Last summer the Webster Historical Society revived the picnic which Miss Lucy ori­ginated years ago as a com­munity celebration of the na­tion's birthday. Only once, just after the end of World War II, was the event ever planned. That year there was a parade, a ball game, and a picnic at the school house. Usually it was just Miss Lucy's invitation to "come up on the Fourth and bring your supper." That's the invitation to society members, families and friends, and anyone else, for the 1985 celebration. Bring your supper (and a chair or cushion) and come celebrate the Fourth. Mter supper, we'll sing some songs, listen to some speeches, and talk. Just the way Miss Lucy would have liked.