Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The West Virginia News, The Greenbrier Independent, White Sulphur Star and other publications archived since 1852. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original form and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
1923 – 100 Years Ago
Slot Machines Out of Alderson
The Alderson Town Council revoked the license of slot machines as infringing the law against gambling and ordered that the operation of machines cease. The slot machines referred to are designed to evade the laws against gambling devices and have an attachment which is designed to deliver for each nickel played a piece of chewing gum or confection, but in actual practice, no attention is paid to the articles which should be delivered. The chance of winning is so remote that it is said some of the machines are yielding to the persons having them in their places of business as high as $50 a week.
Sparks Circus
The Sparks Circus will appear in Ronceverte on April 24 for one day only. They are bringing 350 arenic (sic) artists, 40 funny clowns, two herds of elephants and hundreds of beautiful horses. They note, “In the onward march of progression, the automobile is superseding the horse, and a ‘horseless age’ is freely predicted. The obituary of the horse will never be written as long as the Sparks Circus lives!”
1948 – 75 Years Ago
Bible Teaching Banned
Church authorities in Fayette County have discontinued Bible teaching in the public schools. The Rev. Robert Ray, chairman of the board of instruction, said the action was taken to ward off possible complications arising from the recent U. S. Supreme Court decision on the use of schools for religious instruction.
Seventh in Series
The Russian Singers of Opera, a distinguished group of Russian artists, will present a varied and colorful program of excerpts from operas and colorful folk songs, an ensemble of lasting appeal by eminent composers, in Carnegie Hall, April 15. This concert is the seventh in the annual series of concerts and lectures presented by Greenbrier College.
Sawmill Movements
E.H. Little has moved his sawmill from the Remus McMillion timberland to the Boss Ray farm on Chestnut Flats. Eddie Crane will have a mill going in the McMillion neighborhood on the Esty-Friars Hill Road.
1973 – 50 Years Ago
Nixon Aide Hired Spies
Convicted Watergate conspirator G. Gordon Liddy hired persons mysteriously and put them “in place” in 1971 while he was still on the White House staff, according to sources close to the FBI investigation of the political espionage case. Liddy was the immediate superior of the five men arrested in the June 17, 1972, break-in at Democratic national headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington and was the principal person among the seven who pleaded or were found guilty in the trial three months ago.
Local Girl’s Story
Published
In the March issue of American Girl, published monthly by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., is a featured story written by Miss Becky Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Johnson, White Sulphur Springs. The theme of the story, titled “Riding an Elephant,” was born when Miss Johnson was traveling for a couple of weeks with her father who was, at the time, public relations director for a large circus.
Williams Asks Halt to Clear-Cutting
Senators Ralph D. Williams (D-Greenbrier) and Richard D. Benson (D-Randolph) introduced a resolution this past weekend in the West Virginia Senate that “requests and insists” that the U.S. Forest Service halts the practice of clear-cutting on federal lands within the state.
1998 – 25 Years Ago
Renick Residents
Organize in Opposition to Rumored Club
A group of concerned citizens met at the Methodist Church in Renick on Tuesday to discuss what actions they could take to stop a strip club from opening in the area. Rumors have been circulating that Robert L. Massey, who owns a strip club in Raleigh County, plans to open another club in the former Spring Creek Inn, which he will call Heartbreakers Two.
Graber Wins State Bee
Benjamin Graber, an eighth grader at Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School, on Friday answered enough questions correctly to outdo 99 other students and become West Virginia’s State Geography Bee champion. He won by correctly answering “Andes” to the question, “Name the mountain system created by the subduction of the Nazca plate.”
Eastern Greenbrier Squad Wins Covington Invitation Tourney
A basketball team from Eastern Greenbrier County (pictured above) was crowned champion of the Covington, Virginia, Invitation Tournament, which was held on March 20, 21 and 22. The tourney was a double-elimination event, and the Knights went through the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record.
