1924– 100 Years Ago
Road Tourist Camp
The probable selection of Hawks Nest as a site for a tourists’ camp along the Midland Trail was predicted by C. E. Hiner of the State Road Commission who believes such a camp at that point would be among the most picturesque in the entire country. With the completion of the Midland Trail which is expected by the end of the year, it is probable that several camps will be place along the route.
Jolly Jester At Rainelle
The Jolly Jester, health clown, will give one of his interesting performances at the Theatre, Rainelle, tomorrow afternoon. Through the courtesy of Mr. R. M. Bell of the Greenbrier Smokeless Coal Co. and Mr. W. G. Crichton, general passenger agent of the G & E. Ry., a special train will run so that children from each of the towns on that line may attend the performance at Rainelle.
Black Snow
Black snow, crystals and all, fell to the depth of three inches in Brocks Gap in the northwestern corner of Rockingham County and in the adjoining portion of West Virginia for an area 25 miles in length during the recent snow storm. A chemical anaylsis of the black snow has been made and it was found the substance was composed of pure carbon, in the very finest state. The only theory advanced for it is that the very fine carbon from the smoke of one of the large industrial centers was carried by the higher air currents. The conditions changed over the Brocks Gap area, causing the carbon to be participated with the snow flakes giving the latter a coal black appearance.
1949 – 75 Years Ago
To Construct Manse
At a congregational meeting at the Alderson Presbyterian church a unanimous vote was cast to proceed with the building of a manse. A building committee was selected, which includes Mrs. Carl Copeland, J. N. Alderson, J. W. Raine, C. H. Bivens and J. Frank Nash. The manse will be built at a cost of approximately $20,000, and will be located at the rear of the church building.
Baseball For Lewisburg
The baseball team of Lewisburg held an organizational meeting in the Court House last week. The Lewisburg team is in the Greenbrier Valley baseball league. Blue and gold will be the color of the uniforms. Much interest has been shown towards Lewisburg having a baseball team and it is hoped that the citizens will give this movement their full support.
Richard Ford On Team
Richard E. Ford of Lewisburg has been selected as a member of the “Mountaineer Week Team” at West Virginia University. The members of the team were judged on speaking ability, poise, appearance, campus activities and scholastic standing. The team will tour the state April 18, 19 and 20, visiting over 100 high schools.
1974– 50 Years Ago
Greenbrier ‘Disaster’
Damage Significant – Gov.
Fourteen West Virginia counties have been declared a disaster area by Gov. Arch Moore in the wake of storms and a tornado that killed one person, injured 20 and caused wide-spread property damage. The City of Alderson was apparently the hardest hit by tornadoes in eastern Greenbrier County. For the county as a whole, at least one person was reported killed as a result of high winds near Rainelle.
Nixon Hit Hard On Back Taxes
President Nixon tacitly conceding he under-reported his income and exaggerated his deductions during his first term, has agreed to pay every penny of a $432,787 tax-due bill presented to him by the International Revenue Service.
Golan Heights Erupt Today
The Golan Heights front erupted in artillery exchanges between Syria and Israeli forces today and Israel went on high pre-Passover alert to prevent another surprise attack such as launched the October 1973 war, the military command said.
1999– 25 Years Ago
Lewisburg Planners Approve Texaco Site Plan, Postpone Decision On School
The Lewisburg Planning Commission approved a site plan proposed for a Texaco gas station and convenience store which will be located on Route 219 north of Charles Scott Realty. The other planning commission hearing concerning a conditional use request for St. James Episcopal School was recessed until April 18. The move to postpone a decision on the request came after several people who live near St. James Episcopal Church, the tentative location for the school, expressed concerns about safety issues.
WVSOM Ranks In Top 50 Nationally
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has been ranked in the Top 50 primary care medical school in the nation by U. S. News & World Report. The school is ranked #27 nationwide in the “ U. S. News Best Graduate Schools Year 2000 Edition” magazine and guidebook. “This is just a great, great honor,” says WVSOM President Olen E. Jones, Jr., PhD. “What is so gratifying is the fact that this ranking meshes perfectly with our stated mission of providing family practice and primary care physicians for West Virginia and Appalachia.”
GVT Present Tomfoolery On April Fool’s Day
On April Fool’s Day, Tomfoolery, a musical review that showcases the words and music of Tom Lehrer, opens at Greenbrier Valley Theatre. GVT’s production, directed by Cathey Sawyer, features an all-star cast, each of whom has performed locally before. Known as the “Charles Addams of the keyboard” when performing in the 1950s and 1960s, Lehrer is remembered by many people as the writer of such musicial ditties as “The Vatican Rag,” “Be Prepared,” and “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.” Lehrer’s songs spoof everything from the Boy Scouts to nuclear holocaust.
DISCLAIMER: The articles in Echoes of the Past are printed in their entire original form, including typos.
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