1925– 100 Years Ago
Auto Racing
The Grafton Racing Club is sponsoring the 4th of July races at the Greenbrier Valley Fair track, Ronceverte-Lewisburg. The first race will start at 1:30 in the afternoon with six cars in line, specially built Fords, Hudsons, and Essex machines.
Died In The Bitter Cold
Another polar mystery has been solved with the finding of the remains of members of Vilhjalmar Stefansson’s North Pole expedition of 1914 on Herald Island, in the Arctic. It is believed that all the men perished of exposure and starvation soon after they reached the island.
Handsome Bank Building
The handsomest small building in the county, all things considered – harmony of architecture to the purpose for which it is used, in perfection of detail and in execution of the work – probably is the new building recently completed for the Bank of Rupert. Incidentally, we learn that this building was constructed by Taylor Brothers, Alderson contractors and builders, and the workmanship on the exterior which contributes so largely to its beauty, indicates that these builders know their business.
1950 – 75 Years Ago
Greenbrier Horse Show
Preparations are at fever pitch for the third annual Greenbrier County Horse Show at White Sulphur Springs, which opens July 3 in Memorial Park. Approximately 150 horses have been entered in 36 classes. Accommodations have been enlarged with additional stables for horses, refreshment booths and seating.
Blaze Destroys Negro School At Mt. Hope
A suspicion of incendiarism was voiced by Fire Chief Tom Twaddle of Mt. Hope, after an explosion and fire of the DuBois Negro high school. The two-story brick building, built in 1927 at a cost of $75,000, was closed for the summer. Twaddle estimated the replacement cost of building and equipment at $200,000. He said the school had an enrollment of about 500 Negro boys and girls.
Bass Caught
Barry Kadle, 14, caught a bass while fishing with his grandfather. The fish weighed three and one-half pounds and measured eighteen inches from tip to tip. The catch was made on Hellgrammite.
Camp Shaw-Mi-Del-Eca
Camp Shaw-Mi-Del-Eca, the summer camp of Greenbrier Military School, opened with good attendance from this and neighboring states. Capt. Richard Staten is director of activities this year. L. E. Jones has returned to serve in the executive office.
1975– 50 Years Ago
Lewisburg Water At Crisis Stage
Lewisburg Mayor Mike McHale told the Daily News the water shortage situation in Lewisburg has reached crisis proportions with no immediate relief in sight. According to McHale, the water shortage began to show up several months ago. At that time the city asked for and received approval from the Public Service Commission for a 50 per cent increase in the town’s water rates in order to discourage use of water. “Instead of decreasing their water use, the residents actually increased their usage,” declared McHale.
Marshall U. Plans New Medical School
Although it hasn’t received reasonable assurance of accreditation, Marshall University plans to go full speed ahead in working to develop a medical school.
Spelunker Crushed To Death In Area Cave
A 28-year old Canadian spelunker was crushed to death when huge rocks fell on him at the mouth of a cave in the Monongahela National Forest. Allan George Tracy of Mississauga, Ontario, was in a group of about 10 Canadians who were making a repeat visit to this section of West Virginia to explore caves. Tracey’s body was recovered by the Pocahontas Fire Department using a fire truck and winches to lift the boulders that covered him to his chest.
2000 – 25 Years Ago
Lewisburg Included in National Geographic’s Small Town Guide
Lewisburg was honored as the only town in West Virginia selected for inclusion in National Georgraphic’s Guide to Small Town Escapes. Barbara Note, the author, refers to the Greenbrier County seat as “a down-home place where people smile and nature is never far away.”
Greenbrier County Landfill Wins State DEP Award
The Greenbrier County Landfill won the state award for Class B municipal solid waste landfills from the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection. Upgrades to the Greenbrier County Landfill have changed the facility from an environmental hazard to an asset to the communities that depend on it to properly dispose of waste. Leachate from both the old, unlined area and the new lined cells is now being collected and treated on-site by leachate ponds and a package plant. This eliminates discharge of leachate into the Greenbrier River.
Local Women Bring Home Writing Awards
Area writers recently won honors in competion sponsored by West Virginia’s Writers. Mesha Maren-Hogan of Alderson was the ninth-grade winner in the Young Writers competition with her fictional short story, “Snow.” Beverly Pauley of Lewisburg placed second in the People’s Choice prose reading competiton for her humorous sketch, “Blonde Highlights.” Ellen Broudy of Lewisburg received a honorable mention in the inspirational category with her touching tale, “My Mother’s Closet.”
DISCLAIMER: The articles in Echoes of the Past are printed in their original form and may contain typos.
