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Historic Webster Vol. 2 No. 2
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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.
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IICII!IHIIL IIIli Dear Webster Historical Society Members: Beginning now, Jackson County will be alive with American Revolution Bicentennial activities which are part of those being planned nationwide to "strengthen the approaching third century of American independence." The Bicentennial commemoration will preserve the past and promote the future through the action areas of HERITAGE, HORIZONS and FESTIVALS. Jackson County, Webster, Sylva and Western Carolina University are eligible to official designation as Bicentennial communities. This means that each of these communities will be planning special projects and programs within the areas of HERITAGE, HORIZONS and FESTIVALS. The master plan for the North Carolina American Revolution Bicentennial celebration is divided into four phases: Phase I --Overture, 1972-1976 Phase 11--Year of Declarations, 1976 Phase III --Competition 200, 1976-1989 Phase IV-··Finale, 1989 The Jackson County American Revolution Bicentennial Celebration will be planned by a steering committee and a community council composed of representatives from all organizations in the county. The committee and council, appointed by the county commissioners, will be announced soon. The Webster Historical Society's past efforts have been a meaningful beginning to J ackson County's celebration of the Bicentennial and will be a significant part of the exciting years to come. The Webster J uly 4th celebration of 1975 will include the county's designation ceremony and will be the first event in a series of bicentennial celebrations county-wide. "BE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT." Betty Price, Chairperson, Jackson County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission President, Webster Historical Society :;:;:::::::::::::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;: Webster Cookbook Is Selling Well Requests for copies of lhe Webster Cookbook are far exceeding expectations. Thanks go to the many Webster Historical Society members and cooperative businesses who are participating in these sales. In truth , the cookbook is selling itself as fr iends of friends and even strangers catch sight of it. The publishers, Edw.ards and Broughton of Raleigh , North Carolina have placed full page advertisements in State Magazine, the Tar Heel Ba nker. and North Carolina Education. These have already brought favorable response. WMSJ of :::: generously adding the cause. Great credit goes lo the local sales :::: :::: chairman, Joe and Kate Rhinehart of Webster who house the :;:: :::: cookbooks, do the bookkeeping, and sell, deliver, package, and :::: ::;: mail copies on request. ::;: :::: In addition to the Rhineharts, copies of the Webster Cookbook :::: :::: may be obtained from any of the following individuals or places :::: ::::of business: Betty Price and Marilyn Jody, Webster; Mildred :::: ·:::: Cowan, Webster; Archie and Ruth Crawford, Webster ; and :::: ::::: Mary Morris, Library WCU, Cullowhee; Mrs. Vernon Stroupe, :::: ::::: Sr., Asheville; Joe Parker and Florence Rhinehart, Bethesda, ::;: ::::: Maryland; Anne-Margaret Cloth Shop, Highlands Road, :::: ::::: Franklin, North Carolina; Cheddar Box Cheese and Gourmet :::: ::::: Shop, Dillsboro, North Carolina, Scotties Discount Store, :::: ::::: Simpson Chevrolet, Continental Beauty Shop, all of Sylva, North :::: :~1:~:;:~:~~:;::::~::;::~;::~:;:::~;~::;:::~:~:::~;:~::;:~;:::~;::~:;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~~~~ WEilSTEH. :\OHTH CAROLINA First Jackson County Court Formed In 1853 Asheville Citizen May 22, 1932 The first court was organized by Judge John W. Ellis, afterwards governor of the State, at the residence of Daniel Bryson, Sr. on Scott's Creek, Monday, March 3, 1853. J. Newton Bryson was appointed clerk of the court, and Allen Fisher, c lerk and master in equity . • The sureties of these officials were such men as W. H. Bryson, John B. Allison, R. V. Welch, John W. Dav is, Thaddeus D. Bryson, and E. D. Brendle. The second Superior Court was opened Monday, September 19, 1953, at Allen Fisher's store house, with Judge Dav id F. Caldwell presiding. (Judge Caldwell was the grandfather of Fred C. Fisher, of Swain county, and Miss Frances Fisher, author of "The Land of the Sky"). E. D. Davis was sheriff and J. Newton Bryson, clerk of the court. First Jury System The first grand and petit juries were composed of such familiar pioneer names as Keener, Con· ' ley , Queen, Bryson, Brown, Hooper, Dills , Alley, Allison, Gibson, Wilson, Smith, Wood , Zachary, Hall, Norton, Shelton, Hedden, Monteith, Sutton, Sherrill , Henson, Allen, Buchanan, Farley, Watson , Wike, Enloe, Owne, Ensley, Ashe, Long, Dillard, Davis , Parker, Parris, Painter, Coward, Rogers, Hyatt, Henderson, Moss , Middleton, Potts, Parks, Shular, and Gunter. The first case was placed on docket for trial in the Superior Court was State versus Adam Mathis. The second was John B. Allison and Woodford Zachary versus Elisha Holden. The nature of neither case is stated in the record. David Rogers, among the youngest of these first county officials, 40 years younger than some of them was the last to pass away. He died in the late Twenties at his home in Cullowhee. At the age of 94 he was as young and sprightly in spirit as he was on that autumnal morning in 1855 when he moved into the new courthouse at Webster, as the county's first clerk of the court. The first State cOurts were six in number and the judges and lawyers proceeded from one to another on horseback. For several years prior to 1778 there were no courts in North Carolina unles they were single magistra· cies which had jurisdiction of petty offense and civil actions. In 1868 these time-honored though somewhat antiquated courts were abolished and a different procedure was adopted by the state. Jackson county now has the Superior court, and the courts of the justices of the peace. SPRING, 1975 Ottis Self , A Distinguished Citizen By Mildred Cowan Rubert Ottis Self, eldest child of Dr. William and Octavie Cowan Self, was a distinguished citizen of Webster, of Jackson County, and the entire stale of North Carolina. He was born at Franklin, North Carolina in 1884. His parents returned to live at Webster where Ottis attended public school. He was later a student at Cullowhee Normal School, now Western Carolina University, and finished in the class of 1904. He taught in the public schools of Jackson County in 1005; was principal of Wakelon High School, Zebulon, North Carolina, in 1906; and taught at Calvert in Transylvania County in 1907. He was superintendent of public schools in Jackson County in 1908 and 1909. During 1910 he was southern representative for the American Book Company. In 1911 Mr. Self became Clerk of the North Carolina Senate in which office he served u,ntil19l9. During this period and until1940, he held a number of Important positions in civil life and state governments. He was active in the Kiwanis Club 'the Masonic Knights of Pythias, and Odd Fellows Orders. Mr. Self's life and career are further reviewed in a letter written by his daughter, Mrs. Lura Self Tally, to me, her father's cousin. Mrs. Tally is presently serving in the North Carolina Legislature as 20th District Representative from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Her letter follows: North Carolina General Assembly House of Representatives State Legislative Building Raleigh, 77611 Lura S. Tally March 18, 1975 20th District Home Address: 3100 Tallywood Drive, Fayetteville, N. C. 28303 Miss Mildred Cowan PO Box 116 Webster, North Carolina 28788 Dear Mildred: Thank you very much for writing to me about my precious father. shall try to write down a list of information for you. Continued on Page 3 Historic Webster, Spring 1975, Page 2 Probable Date, the late Eighties By Eliza beth Keys Miss Margaret Anne Hunter, our good neighbor on Caney Fork Creek, is indeed an extraordinary lady of 94 years
k By Richard W. Jobst University Archivist Western Carolina University The Webster Cookbook. Edited by Joe P. Rhinehart with illustrations by Florence S. Rhinehart. (Raleigh: Edwards and Broughton Company (for The Webster Historical Society) 1974. Table of contents, foreward, history of Webster, index. Pp. 135. $6.24.) This delightful book conlains reminscences about growing up in Webster written by women who were children during six different decades of Webster's history. The book is divided into such sections as "Appetizers ," "Salads " " Poultry Meat and Seafood ',' "Vegetables " "Bread~ , " etc . The list of recip~s, almost endless, includes "Mock Steak," "Apple and Sweet Potato Casserole," "Homemade Lightbread," "Mrs. McNish 's Wild Strawberry Preserves," "Mrs. Tilley's Pickled Ochra," and other similar, quaint items which not only contain the flavor of the Western North Carolina moun-tains, but recall an earlier time when housewives were not dependent upon prepared foods from the grocery store. Most of these recipes were taken from old, handwritten recipe books and scrapbooks inherited by modern Websterites from their parents and grandparents. The background of these recipes, many of them containing originally homegrown items, adds to the unique flavor of the book , making il a true collector's item. Each recipe is signed by the women who contributed it. A well-written foreward by Joe P. Rhinehart and an historical sketch of Webster entitled "Just Above the Tuckasegee" by Louise Barker Davis are major contributions to the quality of The Webster Cookbook. A photograph of the picturesque Jackson county community, taken from Riverwood Hill in the month of April , appears on the dustjacket ; while inside there is an excellent summary of the Webster Historical Society 's project to preserve the atmosphere, spirit, and quality of Webster, the original typical of Webster people and also wonderful to see a community work together as you folk are. May all your efforts be fruitful and the needed funds a reality in due time." Mary Simmons Overman "Please send us one copy of the Webster Cookbook. I'm sure we will enjoy it. Find enclosed check to cover the cookbook. I used to go to Webster School whEm Paul Buchanan was principal there. Do you know the whereabouts of Hannah Cowan? She was my teacher when I was in 7th grade. (And a mighty fine one at that). My mother, Mattie Mae Morgan Bishop, makes her home with me. Her brother, now deceased, Will Morgan lived there in Webster for many years. Mother went to school in Webster many years ago. John Wilson (Principal) and Gracie Hall Brown were teachers of hers. Her first teacher was Florence Long. She went in the ole River Hill School out on top of the hill- then later in Webster at the new school. She has much to tell if you are interested. I'll send you more." Irene Bishop Hooper, Falls, Church, Va . "I have fond memories of our vis its in your home, (Mrs. Doug Davis, Gail's Aunt Louise) and our picnics on the mountain. I remember one time when part of the "gang" cooked the Gypsy Trail Stew down by a creek, and that concoction was delicious." Gail Stanbery Parks, Austin , Texas " One of my favorite types of reading is cookbooks. I know many of the people whose names are attached lo the recipes in the Webster Cookbook ; others I have heard you speak of. I felt on reading the book I was sitting in a cook session , and I can't wait to try some of the recipes." Julia Stanbery, AJcoa , Tennessee county seat of Jackson county, as an authentic "living restoration." The book is further enhanced by excellent line drawings of original Webster landmarks, many of them torn down or otherwise destroyed years ago, with their construction dates. These drawings, prepared by I Florence S. Rhinehart, include the covered bridge across the Tuckasegee River near Webster (1890 ); the Penland House, formerly the Jackson County Jail (1871 ) ; the Hedden House (1902) ; the current United States Post Office building ; the original Webster Public School (1906); and the former residence of Dr. Robert Lee Madison, founder of Western Carolina University and a longtime Websterite (1871). The Webster Cookbook, available from Mrs. Joe Rhinehart, Webster, North Carolina 28788 for $6.24 plus 75 cents for mailing, is a " must" for those individuals who enjoy the unique and colorful history of Western North Carolina coupled with a penchant for "plain, good eating." Will Cowan Used Honey Extractor The four legged "contraption '' seen in the lower right of the Wi ll Cowan group pict ure is a honey extract or now in the possession of Cowan l'Vloody . my nephew. who lives in Haleigh. Nor th Carol ina. My fath er . a farmer and man of many int er es ts. kept bees - sometimes as many as a hundred hives - and sold the " stra ined" !10iley to peopl e who came to the house to buy it . Of cou rse he gave a great dea l of it to k infolks and fr iends. And honey was on our dining table the year round . In order to produce this popu lar sweet. he bui lt in 1896. a honey extractor. Probably the idea for the mechanism was not original \·ith him . hut his appa rat us was cer tain ly cfor a long time l the only one of its kind in Jackson Count y. The box, about three feet square a nd mou nted on fou r wooden legs. was made of solid oak lumbe r d ressed by ha nd plane. It was not pa int ed on the ins ide. Th ere was a thick plank across the top in the center . The top s ides were left open in order tha t the frames full or honey could be placed ins ide. About fo ur frames from which the caps had been s liced with a very sharp knife could be so posil ioned at one time . A shaft with a small cog wheel connect ed to it came through a hole in the center of the plank top . A larger cog wheel with a handle for ha nd turning ma de contact wit h the sma ll whee l to give it s peed and li te ra ll y sling the honey out or the comb. By Cla ude Cowan The box had a square opening at the bollom which was kept pl ugged unti l the thick syrup minus the comb was a llowed to pour through this outlet into glass ja rs. The com b left in the extrac tor was scraped out and put back into the hives for the bees to use in making a nother honey "'c rop" . As I grew up. a long with my three brothers and two sisters, we a ll liked to help our fa ther rob the bees and ex tract the honey from the combs. The process was a fa mily affai r in which we and our pa rents took pa rt at least twice a year. The extractor when not in use was ca refull y washed , dri ed. and sto red in a safe place by my mot her until time came to use it aga in . The farm home in Webster of Wi lliam Lee Cowan . Seated on the grass in the side yard , which faces up the Tuckaseigee River , a re Will Cowan and some of his kinfolk. Pic I ured from left to right in the back row are Cora Wilde, who became Ham Cowa n's wife : Aunt Charlotte Cowan. sis ter of Will and la ter wife of Bob Cowan; Gra ndma Wilde !Mary Bird Wild e! , g randmot her of Mrs . My r t le Pa rris; and Louthena Wilde Cowan, Mrs. Will Cowan. In th e fr ont row are Roy Cowa n, oldest chi ld of the Will Cowans, proudly di splaying his fi rst shot gun, priced $6. 00, and given to him by his father . Next to Roy and wearing the "'M innie Pea rl " ha t is his sister Lena who yea rs later mar r ied J er ry Moody. By her side is her brother Pa ul. Perched on the knee of his father , Will Cowa n, is the youngest member of the fam il y at that time , Claude , wearing a blue velvet cap and attired in a dress. Yes, li tt le boys of Cla ude's age, between two and three, commonly wore dresses. The re ma ini ng members of the family, Dan a nd He le n , ha d not yet a rri ved on the scene. In the background are part of the bee hives kept by Mr. Cowan, and the old wood shingled well house. To the extreme left, a por tion of the corn crib is visible. This pict ure was ta ken in 1904 by a traveling photographer. Born Apr il 26, t867, Will Cowan li ved the life of a substantial fa rmer . He was also a skillful car penter and craftsman. From his young adulthood he was ac tive in c ivic a nd r e li gio us a ffairs in Webs ter and J ackson County . His name was on the list of those who led in the drive for subscriptions with which to buy land a nd buil d Webster 's fi rst graded public school. Along with Joe Davis, Oscar Cowa rd , and Judge Walt er Moore, he served as a member of the s choo l committee. For years he was a teacher , Sunday School superintendent, and a deacon in the Webs ter Ba ptist Church. He held the office of county treasurer in the early 20's. Webster lost one of its wor thy citizens when Will Cowan died Apri l 7. 1935. The Webster Cookbook Drawer W Webster , North Carolina 28788 .·.····.·.· ..•·• ·•·••·•· ;z:j Enc losed is $---------. Send me copies of T HE WEBSTER COOKBOOK at $6.00 plus .75 for wr apping and ma iling. Nor th Carolt na restdents add .24 sa les tax. Indicate on separa te sheet if books are to be ma iled to other than per son making order. Gift ca rds w il l be inc luded if ind ica ted. NAME ADDRE SS .·.· .·.· ..··..·· ··..··.. ·..··..· ·.·. :::: :::: ·.·. CITY STATE --- --- :::: ::::;:;:;:::::::;:;:;:;:::::;:;:;:::::;::::::::;:;::::;:::::;::::::;:;:::::;:;::;::::::;::::;:::::;:;:::;:;::::~:::~::::::::::::;:;:;::::::;: :::::::l.: Historic Webster, Spr ing 1975, Page 5 Excerpts From Commissioners' Minutes 18~ 6, 1887 Hesearched by Louise B. Davis Stored in the offices of the J ackson County Commissioners in Sylva a re some of the record books of county business transacted by the commissioners a nd the magist rates in the years 1886 and 1887 a t Webs ter . The minutes, written in a beautiful Spencerian ha nd , are of par ticular interest because they deal in part with the building of the second a nd la st brick cour t house at Webster, then the county seat. Mrs. Isa belle All ison Carlton, gr a ndda ughter of J ohn B. All ison, ment ioned in previous issues of Historic Webster , the first brick court house at Webs ter for which her gr andfa ther had the building contract. The names of the county officia ls involved are also of interest, for many of their descenda nts a re still living in J ackson Count y. Minutes of joint session of Commiss ioners a nd Magistrates , June 7. t886. Commissioner 's present : J. D. Coward, J . D. Bucha na n, Wilson Ens ley . Magistrates present : Qualla : S. W. Hooper Barkers Creek: J . B. Raby, Wi ll iam Bumga rner Scotts Creek: S. H. Cook, J . W. Crawford , S. H. Bryson , W. H. G. Di lla rd. S. J . Ha ll Webs ter : J . A. Wil d, J . C. Watkins, W. A. Dilla rd , J . S. Keener. G. M. Fr izzell. W. M. Rhea Sa va nna h: J . B. Allison. E. C. Ashe. B. J . Barron. B. H. J ones Cullowhee : D. Davies, J . E. Moss. S. C. Pain ter . J . S. Wike River : P . C. Allen. J . H. Leopa rd Ca ney Fork : J a van Coward . G. W. Hawk ins. Bragg Hooper. W. J . Pa rker , R. A. Sitton Ca nada: Levi Brown, J ohn Wike, Jr . Hamburg : Elbert Watson , Thomas Wilson Cashiers : L. M. Dill ard, J . A. Hooper The Board organized by elect ing S. H. Bryson Esq. Cha irma n. . . Ordered that a new Court House be built in the town of Webster on the Public Sq ua re, the cost of which shall not exceed twelve thousa nd dolla rs. and tha t a special tax of thir ty -three and one third cents be levi ed on each hundr ed dollars va lue of rea l and personal proper ty. Minutes of J an uary 4th , 1887 : Commissioners present : S. H. Bryson. J . D. Cowa rd. M. M. Wike. Ordered tha t the plan for the new Court House presented by S. H. lsbelle be adopt ed, provided he fur ni shes specifications such a s sha ll be a pproved by the Board of County Commissioners, and on the fo llowing: If sa id lsbelle superintends the building of the Court House, the Coun ty is to pay him fifty dollars for the plan and specifica tions, and if he does not superintend the buildin g of the Court House the County is to pay him seventy-five dollars for plan a nd speci fi ca tions. Mi nutes of March 8th, 1887 : Commissioners present : S. H. Bryson. J . D. Coward , M. M. Wike. The Commissioners after examing ea ch bid or proposal to build a Court House in Webs ter agreed to accept the bid of Elliot a nd Elliott their bid being eleven thousand, a nd four hundred dollars, giving sa id Contractors the old Court House in the contract provided tha t sa id contractors agree to such changes in the specifications correspond to the plan of the Court House and show the quality, thickness, s ize , etc ., of cer ta in tim ber s, flooring, glass, and a ny changes necessa ry for the protection of the County, and to insure the building to be in accordance with the pla n. The sa id Contractors to remove the old Court House at their own expense. Ordered that the County Treasurer pay Edwards Broughton & Compa ny ------dolla rs Genera l Fund of 1886 for Books a nd Sta t ionary for the Count y. (This same company has recently published The Webster Cookbook for the Webster Historical Society .! Mi nutes of April 5th, 1887: Commissioners present: S. H. Bryson \ J. D. Coward, M. M. Wike. Ordered that Nathan Coward, A. S. Bryson, and L. C. Ha ll be a ppointed to superintend th e building of the Court House on the following terms : the three are to receive one dollar per day or 33 and one-third cents each from the time the foundation ditch is begun except when it is necessary for a ll three to give their personal a ltention to the work a t the same time in which case each sha ll r eceive one dollar per day, one of them shall at tend regular and give their per sonal attention and service to all the mater ia l, work , etc ., every day after said work is commenced. Minutes of J une 6, 1887: Order ed that there be a special tax of thirty-three and one third cents levied on every one hundred dolla rs value of Real and Personal property, and one dollar on each poll or male person in the County to be a pplied to the building of a Court House in the town of Webs ter according to an act of the Gener al Assembly of North Carolina passed a t the Session of 1886. Historic Webster, Spring 1975, Page 6 36~ ~:~ 37t.i --' .36 40 39 fuj) 41 ~ 42 ~@ Cl . 43 ay Mme ffi3 & A GUIDE TO THE MAP OF WEBSTER 1900 1. Cole Allison Home 2. Felix Alley Home 3. Methodist Church 4. Methodist Parsonage 5. Mountain View Hotel 6. Coward Hotel 7. Drug Store, operated by Will Rhinehart 8. General Store 9. O.B. Coward Home 10. Judge Cannon Home 11. Court House 12. Oscar Coward Store 13. Coleman Cowan's Law Office 14. Terrell Home 15. Dick Wilson Home 16. Masonic Lodge 17. Dr. James Candler Home (later, Mrs. Gene Allison's) 18. Leatherwood Home 19. Joe Hooker Home 20. Henry McKee Home 21. Lewis Broyles Home 22. John T. Love Home 23. Site of Webster Academy, which burned in 1895 24. Sherill Home 25. Owned by Mrs. Sophia Coward and rented to others Map Of Webster Redone Drawer W The Town of Webster around 1900 9 To Webster Cemetery 22 10 21 26. Judge Moore Home 39. J.W. Cowan Furniture Shop 27. Allison and Broyles Store 40. Lawerence Cowan Home 28. Jail 41. Will Cowan Home 29. Town Well and Public Square 42. Wilde Home 30. Schreiber Home 43. Mark Bryson Home 31. Post Office 44. John Wilde Store 32. Tuckaseigee Bank and 45. Sawmill Jackson County Printing Office 46. Gristmill 33. Spake Home 47. John Fulbright Home 34. Dr. Tompkins Home 48. Blacksmith Shop 35. River Bridge 49. Fulbright Home 3376.. Dr. Self Home 50. Joe Davis Home Baptist Church 51. Polly Woods Home 38. Brick Plant 52. Terrell Mill 53. Roland McClure Home Because of honest errors made in the map of Early Webster, published in Historic Webster, February, 1974; I have with the approval of Betty Price, president of the Webster Historical Society and the aid of a number of Webster residents, past and present: caused the map to be redrawn and relabeled. Valuable assistance in correctly locating and naming a number of residences and businesses was given me by Mrs. Vernon Stroupe, Sr., Mrs. Vera Self Smith, Miss Myrtle Davis, Miss Mildred Cowan, Miss Jane Coward Will Buchanan, Claude Cowan, and Arthur Allman. We think thi~ map is more nearly correct than the first one. Webster, North Carolina 28788 The art work and typing were done by Ruth Moore, of Asheville, North Carolina, who is a second year commercial art student at Southwestern Technical institute. Ruth worked under the direction of Eugenia Clendenin, commercial art instructor, at Southwestern. Louise B. Davis Membership Runs From January 1975 to December 1975 The classes of membership and dues are as follows: Active (resident of Western N. C.): ........... $5.00 yearly Associate (outside Western N.C.): . . .$5.00 yearly Contributing: .. $10.00 yearly Supporting: . . ..... $20.00 yearly Sustaining: .... $30.00 yearly Life:. . .. $100.00 All contributions are income tax deductible. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
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