1924– 100 Years Ago
United Methodism
A new chapter in the history of American Methodism was begun last week when a report of the unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church with the Methodist Episcopal Church South was ratified by 842 votes to 13 in the general conference of the former body at Springfield, MA. “Eighty years ago, “ Bishop William P. McDowell said, “our fathers, for conscience sake took action that led to the existence of two Methodist Episcopal churches on this continent and elsewhere. The issues that divide the church is no longer a vital issue. The issue now before the church is a uniting one not a dividing one.”
In A Sofa Pillow
Much ingenuity is displayed by bookleggers in West Virginia in devising new and novel methods of smuggling contraband liquor. The latest was brought to light here by the arrest of two ladies for smuggling liquor on a Norfolk and Western train. They carried with them a sofa pillow on which they apparently sought ease and comfort while riding. Officers ripped it open and found it was stuffed with hot-water bottles filled with whiskey.
Rainelle News
With the coming of May, which brings opening of trout season, there has been a great many sportsmen trying their luck in this end of the county, but we have not as yet heard of any big catches.
1949 – 75 Years Ago
1949-50 Concert Series
May 16 is the beginning of Community Concerts week in the Greenbrier Valley. The purpose of this year’s drive, as was the case last year for the initial concert series program, is to accept renewal memberships from past subscribers and to enroll new members as permitted by seating capacity. Free use of Carnegie Hall on the campus of the Greenbrier College for Women has again been donated by Dr. French Thompson.
Col. Tabscott
Col. Ernest Tabscott, Greenbrier native and professor of military science and tactics at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash., was recently awarded a medal known as the order of Yun Hui for his services in China during and after the war. In addition to this medal Col. Tabscott has three other Chinese decorations. He served in the India-Burma theatre and returned to China with the Marshall plan.
Poppy Day
Poppy Day will be observed here and throughout the nation on May 28. Crepe-paper poppies made by disabled veterans will be offered on the streets throughout the day by the American Legion Auxiliary, to be worn in honor of the dead in both World Wars. All contributions received for the little red flowers will go into the Legion and Auxiliary rehabilitation and child welfare funds.
1974– 50 Years Ago
Boston Celtics Win Basketball Title With 4 Wins
John Havlicek likes to talk about the rebirth of the Boston Celtics. He’s one of the few Celtics who played both in the glory years and in the years when things weren’t going so good for Boston. The “new Celtics” came of age Sunday when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks 102-87 to win their 12th National Basketball Association title, four games to three.
Speed Limit Will Stay At 55
The nation will keep its legal speed limit at 55 m.p.h. because it saves fuel and helps people remember that the energy shortage is “a permanent fact of life.”
Committee Votes
The House Judiciary Committee scheduled a vote this morning on whether to subpoena more of President Nixon’s Watergate-related tapes. This afternoon they again will question Nixon’s chief aide Alexander M. Haig and have threatened him with a contempt citation if he still refuses to testify.
1999– 25 Years Ago
White Sulphur Council Reviews Y2K Issues
The White Sulphur Springs City Council reviewed the provisions in place to deal with any Y2K-associated problems and took action to help make the city’s water billing process compatible. City Manager Jerry Dawson provided council with additional information concerning his duties as Y2K coordinator.
Lewisburg Now Recycles Vegetative Waste
Grass clippings, leaves and garden debris are contributing to cost overruns for the Lewisburg Sanitation Department. The city requests that trash customers present grass clippings, leaves, and vegetative debris with their recycling materials and not with their grabage. The city is compositing these materials in an effort to save landfill space and expense.
Math Whizzes Recognized
Among the students honored in “Time out for Applause” during the May 10 meeting of the Greenbrier County Board of Education were these winners in the Regional Math Field Day competition. Holding certificates presented to them by Superintendent of Schools Stephen Baldwin are (from left) Nathaniel Hefner, Robbie Hefner, and Martha Beckett of Frankford Elementary School; Nelson Smith of Rupert; and Matthew Hewitt and William Gudmundsson of Lewisburg.
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