1925– 100 Years Ago
Snake Eaters
A timber rattlesnake formed the piece de resistance of a dinner given last night by Colonel C. William Cramer at this Cheat View farm. The dish was prepared in Colonel Cramer’s mess kit, which he has had since he served in the Spanish-American War in 1898. All the guests partook of what they first regarded with some misgivings but ended by declaring it a great delicacy.
Gloomy Anniversary
August 4, the eleventh anniversary of England’s entry into the World War furnished the occasion for gloomy reflections. The country’s national debt is 7,680,000,000 pounds sterling, as compared to 656,000,000 pounds in 1913. The industrial outlook is black and that increased taxation is likely in view of the subsidiary granted the coal owners.
Proposed New Road
Nicholas people interested in road improvement held a meeting at Nettie last Saturday to consider the proposed new road from Nettie to Quinwood, Greenbrier County. Quinwood is connected with the Midland Trail by a new hard road just being completed, and offers Nicholas County its most promising outlet to the Midland Trail and the east.
1950 – 75 Years Ago
Power For The Greenbrier
The Virginia Electric & Power Company is now furnishing electricity for The Greenbrier Hotel and Cottages. Formerly The Greenbrier generated its own DC power with its own power plant.
Rupert Methodists In Drive
Methodists of Rupert are in the midst of a week-long campaign to raise $20,000 for the proposed new Bascom Church, to be erected behind the present church building. The drive is headed by John C. Kennedy as general chairman, with Ralph Bennett his associate and Mrs. F. E. Bivens treasurer.
This Week At The Lewis
Appearing this weekend at The Lewis Theatre is Winchester ’73 with James Stewart and Shelley Winters. It is the roaring story of the gun that won the west. Shelly Winters stars again Wednesday and Thursday with Howard Duff in Johnny Stool Pigeon.
1975– 50 Years Ago
FBI Moves In To Take Control Of Investigation
The FBI moved in to take control of the investigation into the disappearance of former Teamsters President James Hoffa. Hoffa has been missing since Wednesday, when he was last seen outside a restaurant where meeting three men for lunch.
Grand Prize Drawing Highlights Opening Of New Bank
A grand prize of $750 cash highlights special 75th Anniversary features at the formal opening of Ronceverte National Bank’s new headquarters building next to the Red Oak Shopping Center. The bank moved all operations from its downtown Ronceverte office and opened for business on August 4.
Rep. Hechler Tries Job As Restaurant Waiter
Wearing blue sneakers that “grip real well,” Rep. Ken Hechler, D-WV, took orders, served food, poured coffee, stacked dishes, and was scolded by a customer for slow service while working as a restaurant waiter. “It can really get busy but it’s a lot of fun,” said the 60-year-old bachelor who’s working at odd jobs for no pay during the August congressional recess. Hechler, a 16-year House veteran who campaigns in a Jeep and is somewhat of a maverick among politicians, reported to work at 5:30 a.m.at the Lock, Stock and Barrel restaurant in Williamson.
2000 – 25 Years Ago
Annual Wage Rises In State
The average West Virginia worker earned $26,009 in 1999, according to statistics released by the state Bureau of Employment Programs. Mining paid the highest average wage among the state’s major industry groups at $47,609. The highest wages in the state were paid by security and commodity brokers, where 676 employees earned an average of $83,094 each.
Fourteen-Year Old Shoots Hole-In-One At Elks Course
Justin Bland shot a hole-in-one on the fourth hole of the Lewisburg Elks Country Club on July 27. At 14-years old, Bland is the youngest golfer ever to make a hole-in-one at LECC.
Coles Elected To V-Tech Sports Hall Of Fame
Basketball star Bimbo Coles, who played on the 1988 U. S. Olympic team and went on to become the all-time scoring leader in Virginia Tech and Metro Conference history, is one of six new members elected to the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame. Coles’ jersey, No. 12, was officially retired just prior to his final home game against Memphis State on March 3, 1990. He is currently a prominent player for the Atlanta Hawks.
DISCLAIMER: The articles in Echoes of the Past are printed in their original forms and may contain typos.
