2,145 research outputs found

    James H. Cathey Author of "Genesis of Lincoln"

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    This undated photograph showing James H. Cathey (1866-1929) is part of the William E. Bird Collection. On the back of the photograph is written “James H Cathey Senator from Jackson, Transylvania, Haywood, Swain. Author of ‘Genesis of Lincoln.’” William Ernest Bird (1890-1975) was born in the Qualla community of Jackson County, NC. Bird served Western Carolina University in various capacities during his long career. Bird’s roles at WCU included head of the English Department, Dean of Men, Acting President, and President. In 1963, he published The History of Western Carolina College: The Progress of an Idea. He was married to Myrtle Wells (1891-1983)

    Historic Webster Vol. 2 No. 2

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    Historic Webster is a newsletter of the Webster Historical Society, Inc., created at the Society’s founding in 1974. The publication helped to serve the Society's mission of collecting and preserving the history of Webster, North Carolina. Webster, established in 1851, was the original county seat for Jackson County.IICII!IHIIL IIIli Dear Webster Historical Society Members: Beginning now, Jackson County will be alive with American Revolution Bicentennial activities which are part of those being planned nationwide to "strengthen the approaching third century of American independence." The Bicentennial commemoration will preserve the past and promote the future through the action areas of HERITAGE, HORIZONS and FESTIVALS. Jackson County, Webster, Sylva and Western Carolina University are eligible to official designation as Bicentennial communities. This means that each of these communities will be planning special projects and programs within the areas of HERITAGE, HORIZONS and FESTIVALS. The master plan for the North Carolina American Revolution Bicentennial celebration is divided into four phases: Phase I --Overture, 1972-1976 Phase 11--Year of Declarations, 1976 Phase III --Competition 200, 1976-1989 Phase IV-··Finale, 1989 The Jackson County American Revolution Bicentennial Celebration will be planned by a steering committee and a community council composed of representatives from all organizations in the county. The committee and council, appointed by the county commissioners, will be announced soon. The Webster Historical Society's past efforts have been a meaningful beginning to J ackson County's celebration of the Bicentennial and will be a significant part of the exciting years to come. The Webster J uly 4th celebration of 1975 will include the county's designation ceremony and will be the first event in a series of bicentennial celebrations county-wide. "BE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT." Betty Price, Chairperson, Jackson County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission President, Webster Historical Society :;:;:::::::::::::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;: Webster Cookbook Is Selling Well Requests for copies of lhe Webster Cookbook are far exceeding expectations. Thanks go to the many Webster Historical Society members and cooperative businesses who are participating in these sales. In truth , the cookbook is selling itself as fr iends of friends and even strangers catch sight of it. The publishers, Edw.ards and Broughton of Raleigh , North Carolina have placed full page advertisements in State Magazine, the Tar Heel Ba nker. and North Carolina Education. These have already brought favorable response. WMSJ of :::: generously adding the cause. Great credit goes lo the local sales :::: :::: chairman, Joe and Kate Rhinehart of Webster who house the :;:: :::: cookbooks, do the bookkeeping, and sell, deliver, package, and :::: ::;: mail copies on request. ::;: :::: In addition to the Rhineharts, copies of the Webster Cookbook :::: :::: may be obtained from any of the following individuals or places :::: ::::of business: Betty Price and Marilyn Jody, Webster; Mildred :::: ·:::: Cowan, Webster; Archie and Ruth Crawford, Webster ; and :::: ::::: Mary Morris, Library WCU, Cullowhee; Mrs. Vernon Stroupe, :::: ::::: Sr., Asheville; Joe Parker and Florence Rhinehart, Bethesda, ::;: ::::: Maryland; Anne-Margaret Cloth Shop, Highlands Road, :::: ::::: Franklin, North Carolina; Cheddar Box Cheese and Gourmet :::: ::::: Shop, Dillsboro, North Carolina, Scotties Discount Store, :::: ::::: Simpson Chevrolet, Continental Beauty Shop, all of Sylva, North :::: :~1:~:;:~:~~:;::::~::;::~;::~:;:::~;~::;:::~:~:::~;:~::;:~;:::~;::~:;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~~~~ WEilSTEH. :\OHTH CAROLINA First Jackson County Court Formed In 1853 Asheville Citizen May 22, 1932 The first court was organized by Judge John W. Ellis, after­wards governor of the State, at the residence of Daniel Bryson, Sr. on Scott's Creek, Monday, March 3, 1853. J. Newton Bryson was appoint­ed clerk of the court, and Allen Fisher, c lerk and master in equity . • The sureties of these officials were such men as W. H. Bryson, John B. Allison, R. V. Welch, John W. Dav is, Thaddeus D. Bryson, and E. D. Brendle. The second Superior Court was opened Monday, September 19, 1953, at Allen Fisher's store house, with Judge Dav id F. Caldwell presiding. (Judge Cald­well was the grandfather of Fred C. Fisher, of Swain county, and Miss Frances Fisher, author of "The Land of the Sky"). E. D. Davis was sheriff and J. Newton Bryson, clerk of the court. First Jury System The first grand and petit juries were composed of such familiar pioneer names as Keener, Con· ' ley , Queen, Bryson, Brown, Hooper, Dills , Alley, Allison, Gibson, Wilson, Smith, Wood , Zachary, Hall, Norton, Shelton, Hedden, Monteith, Sutton, Sher­rill , Henson, Allen, Buchanan, Farley, Watson , Wike, Enloe, Owne, Ensley, Ashe, Long, Dil­lard, Davis , Parker, Parris, Painter, Coward, Rogers, Hyatt, Henderson, Moss , Middleton, Potts, Parks, Shular, and Gunter. The first case was placed on docket for trial in the Superior Court was State versus Adam Mathis. The second was John B. Allison and Woodford Zachary versus Elisha Holden. The nature of neither case is stated in the record. David Rogers, among the youngest of these first county officials, 40 years younger than some of them was the last to pass away. He died in the late Twen­ties at his home in Cullowhee. At the age of 94 he was as young and sprightly in spirit as he was on that autumnal morning in 1855 when he moved into the new courthouse at Webster, as the county's first clerk of the court. The first State cOurts were six in number and the judges and lawyers proceeded from one to another on horseback. For sev­eral years prior to 1778 there were no courts in North Carolina unles they were single magistra· cies which had jurisdiction of petty offense and civil actions. In 1868 these time-honored though somewhat antiquated courts were abolished and a different procedure was adopted by the state. Jackson county now has the Superior court, and the courts of the justices of the peace. SPRING, 1975 Ottis Self , A Distinguished Citizen By Mildred Cowan Rubert Ottis Self, eldest child of Dr. William and Octavie Cowan Self, was a distinguished citizen of Webster, of Jackson County, and the entire stale of North Carolina. He was born at Franklin, North Carolina in 1884. His parents returned to live at Webster where Ottis attended public school. He was later a student at Cullowhee Normal School, now Western Carolina University, and finished in the class of 1904. He taught in the public schools of Jackson County in 1005; was principal of Wakelon High School, Zebulon, North Carolina, in 1906; and taught at Calvert in Transylvania County in 1907. He was superintendent of public schools in Jackson County in 1908 and 1909. During 1910 he was southern representative for the American Book Company. In 1911 Mr. Self became Clerk of the North Carolina Senate in which office he served u,ntil19l9. During this period and until1940, he held a number of Important positions in civil life and state governments. He was active in the Kiwanis Club 'the Masonic Knights of Pythias, and Odd Fellows Orders. Mr. Self's life and career are further reviewed in a letter written by his daughter, Mrs. Lura Self Tally, to me, her father's cousin. Mrs. Tally is presently serving in the North Carolina Legislature as 20th District Representative from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Her letter follows: North Carolina General Assembly House of Representatives State Legislative Building Raleigh, 77611 Lura S. Tally March 18, 1975 20th District Home Address: 3100 Tallywood Drive, Fayetteville, N. C. 28303 Miss Mildred Cowan PO Box 116 Webster, North Carolina 28788 Dear Mildred: Thank you very much for writing to me about my precious father. shall try to write down a list of information for you. Continued on Page 3 Historic Webster, Spring 1975, Page 2 Probable Date, the late Eighties By Eliza beth Keys Miss Margaret Anne Hunter, our good neighbor on Caney Fork Creek, is indeed an extraordinary lady of 94 years <come May 3) ; much kin d ness and a lov ing heart. Also, Miss Mag twinkles with bright wit in recounti ng marvelous stories which are fond a nd wonderful memories to her . For ma ny, many yea rs, Miss Mag has been a Special Person to this writ er , but last week was our firs t li te r a ry e ncount er in a formal interview, for the "Web­ster Hi s toric a l Soc ie ty News· letter. " Miss Mag emanates s trength , integrity, and in telligence. Her delightful sophis ticat ion did not spring from a ttending the Wo· mens' College of Greensboro. Her own nat ura l intellectua l curiosity has kept her current and cog­nizant with day to day events local a nd world wide. Also, she was an aware and observing li tt le girl. Her brown eyes da nced as she said that she and her younger brother . Ra lph. were not greatly im pressed with Sylva upon their a r r iva l from Texas. 80 plus yea rs ago. Texas. even in those days. was known as " Big Country". so the Smoky Mounta in hollows may The hot el. a t this time. was the home and to right a re the servants Major Wells and Aunt have seemed cramped at first business of Felix and Annie Ca rt er Leatherwood. Zelia Wells. The next three men are unknown . arrival. " The old g ray ho rse The latticed banni ste rs and supp.crt-!!'!g cc!~mns.-cf-- Sca-:iX! neao. tli·c--c-o-:umu ·~ .1r-s-:-f' :·i :.: ::.ea ih-er --h~:ch cd :an pas: :ocn; by. n;od r;-o: the porches were typical. at that time. of a number wood. with daughter Ethel and Ellen on each s ide . many houses in Sy lva then---!" of houses in the Webster area. Standing as a group are her three older daughters. sti ll last in ~e r me.mo r~. This picture was published in an early edition of May. Lee. and Belle. Leaning aga inst a column is The beauuful white . f1 ve ga ~l e llis to1·ic \\'c bs tt·,·. but we th ought it wor th daught er Annie.Seatedwithpropped up fee tis Dr. Hunter H ~ m es t ea d,. where M1ss 1·epubli s hing beca use of the information furn ished Will Tompkins. The ot her people on the porch Mag has lived dunng her years about the occupants of the porches b~· Mrs. Vernon cannot be identified. here. sta rted as a one room Strou pe, Sr. , grandd a ughter of the F . H. In close proximity. about twenty fee t away, and cabin. bu ilt before her Daddy Leatherwood's. Mrs. St roupe says. from what her back of the picket fence on the r ight ca n be seen a went West. That one-hundred-mother Mrs . Lee Potts told her. most of the people portion of the Coward Hotel. home of Nathan year old cabin , pegged door and can be identifi ed. Coward and hi s family . Both hotels were a ll. is st ill intact to see as pa rt of To the left on the ups ta irs porch are Mr. and destroyed in the 19 10 disastrous fire which the Big House w ~ ich was .later Mrs. Schreiber. On horseback. ha lf hidden by the originated in the Mount a in View. added by the builder , En cson fence. is Joe Sher rill. On the lower porch from left Lovedahl from Sweden . Some of :;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:::::::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=:::::=::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=::::::::;:;:;: Robert lee Madison Education in Western North Carolina, Nineteenth Century By .Joe Parker Rhin eha rt Educa tion 101 A December t2. 1 !)5~ At Sylva, a Mr. Page from Ma ine ta ught the first part of the t887-1888 year and Mr. Madison took over at the mid-term . A sudden and serious illness pre­vented hs fini s hi ng the year. After a recovery trip to Alabama a nd Tennessee, he returned to SUi f Editors : Mrs. Louise Davis Ms. Alice Harrill Dr. Marilyn Jody Circulation Mana ger : Mrs. J ennie Lou Hunter Typists: Mrs. Sar ah Barrell Mrs. Jennie Lou Hunter Contr ibutors: Mrs. Elizabeth Keys Mr. Claude Cowan Dr . Richard W. Jobst Miss Mildred Cowan Mrs. Vernon Stroupe , Sr. Ms. Belly Price Sylva in time to teach the t888-t889 term. The public money of the distr ict had been spent on patent desks, (the first in Jackson county), so the school operated as a sub­scri ption school. Here Professor Madison had forty pupils, ages 6 to 23, in classes ranging from ABC's to F'rench. The grading system was dif­ferent from present day methods. A one merit card was issued to each student for being present, on time, good behavior, good les­sons, and abstention from dis· turbing others. Five one-merit cards were exchanged for a five-merit card ; five five-merit cards were swapped for a twenty five-merit card; a nd four twenty five-marit cards were traded for a hundred merit certifica te. A student could acquire a hundr ed­mer it cer tificate every month if his record was excellent every day of the four school weeks. After Mr. Madison assumed duties as editorr of the Tucka· seigee D emocrat~. in January 9, 1889, he divided his day between classroom and newspaper duties . All nights except Friday were spent in school work . Friday nights were given to the literary society at the public hall. Al the beginning of the fa ll of 1888, Madison had subscribed to several leading educational jour· nals. including Sc hool Journa l and the Teac her's Inst it ute. and had several leading educa tor 's writings. Before the fa ll term was over he had organized a group of practice teachers. " As fa r as I know th is was the first attempt ever made to practice teaching in this county." It was on a sma ll scale and participa tion was vol­untary . Madison stayed at Sylva, but with an intention of starting a public school. Here he became impressed with the needs of a perm a ne nt in s t it ution for this mountainous section. The inst i tu~ tion would not only give the young people better pre pa r at ion or foundation for their future voca· tions , but would a nswer the acute need for preparing teachers for the county and village schools. "Fortunately fo r me and for the educationa l future of th is region , the genera l assem bl y of t889 had abo lished the then existing eight normal schools and had provided in their stead the money previously set apar t for them should be expended for teacher's ins titutes to be held annua lly for the duration of a week or more in each county in the state. The teacher 's insti tute lead to the turning point in Professor Madison's li fe. the sta tely trees. as well as the immense silo, were vict ims of high wi nds in the past. There is litt le need now for the ca ttle fee ding s tation as Miss Mag no longer continues Ra lph Hunter 's registered Hereford herds since his demise two yea rs ago. Ra lph Hunter was the greatest a uth­ori ty on Hereford cattl e and blood lines in th is region. His da ta and papers would be a prime acqui­sition for the Western Carolina University Archi ves. Miss Mag knows so ma ny things; such as, it is a fact tha t Caney Fork Creek was so named because the Master-Cra ftsman Basket Weavers of the Cherokee preferred the Caney r vi'k canes above a ll others for their art work. The superio rity of these canes lies in the clim ate of the Ca ney Fork Valley which is a therma l pocket tha t protects the canes from becoming brittle with heavy freezes. Th us the ca nes respond in flex ibili ty in working into the exquis ite des igns and techniques of basketry of the Cherokee. Miss Mag's Daddy, Mr . J ohn Hunter , was the fi r st Caney Fork resident to pay for posta l delivery to his home. Then, the mai l came by way of the new ra ilroad to Sylva , was waggoned to Cull ­owhee and East LaPorte , and forwa rded by horseback up Can­ey Fork, John 's Creek, and the Rich Mounta in Section. Earlier , John Hunte r had re­moved to Texas a fter four year s ' active duty with the Confederate Army . With his young wife , Minerva Brown Hunter , he esta· blished his home is Sage, Texas, where their three children were born. The cat tle bus iness pros­pered and all was well until Miss Minerva came down with " Des­er t Feve r ". So, her hu s ba nd brought her home, with their little ones, to the beautiful Blue Ridge to recover. For Minerva , it was too late , but her three children flouri shed - . the two daughters pa ssed 90 years each, a nd the son, Ra lph, atta ined 86. Miss Mag reca lls her Grand­mother Brown's food preserving from those ea r ly years. Little gray, glazed ceramic jars were the con ta iners. Hot cooked food was poured into the hot. scalded jars . and sea led with tissue pa per soa ked in hot bees wax . This was snugged down ta ut ov er the mouth of the ja r with a str ing winding a round the wa xed paper overha nd at the top of each jar . Sounds delicious. doesn't it ? Miss Mag has greeted me so oft en a t he r ever- hos pit ab le home. I ca nnot count the times. It is mostly the summer season though. when I ride horseback up that \Vav a nd vis it with my wonderflil fri end. But. never unt il our recent int erview. had Miss I\ lag shown me the anc ient. hand appliqued quilt. a fam ily heir­loom. It so im pressed me tha t I inq uired about it at the Tryon Pa lace Sympos ium which I re- •ti a-ii cnded i11 '~c ' Be . Nor tli Ca rolina . The discussions of the Sympos ium we re con ­cerned with Eighteenth Cent ury deco r a ti ve Art s in the Early Ame ri can Homes . T he Cele­brated a utho rity on Eight eenth and Nineteenth Century Text iles. Miss Mil dred B. Lan.icr of the \Vill iamsburg Hcst orat ion Staff. gave marvelous lec tures on Tex­tiles in the Southern Homes in the sevent eenth and eighteen th cen­turies. As I descr ibed as fully as possi ble 1\liss Mag's qui lt. Miss La nier and the class were very much interested . Miss La nier . without hav ing seen it. could give only an educat ed guess rega rding the. qui lt. However. it seems to be one of the priceless sur vivors of the age when glazed cott on chintz was sti ll being imported from Engla nd . The Rose Madder. and brown India P rints were pre-cut for quilting and a lso expor ted to Ame ri ca f rom England. Miss Mag's quil t is enha nced in value on account of the hand woven linen back ing. the " Mint Condi­tion" (a ter m meaning extremely va luable J and " Made in Amer ­ica" . A conservat ive guess would place the quilt as t20 to t30 yea rs old. Perhaps Webster Histo rica l Society can help us to further identify this ma rvelous treasure. a nd oth ers which a re tucked away in brides ' chests from long ago. We need photographs in detai l to submit for appraisa l. We are certa in ly indebted to MisS Mag for the interview---. maybe there will be more. Hlsloric Webster, Spring 1975, P age 3 The North Carolina Senate Is Pictured In Session in 1917. The inset is Robert OHis Self. The Felix H. Leatherwood Family at Webster, North Carolina September, 1891 Left to right and standing: Mrs. F. H. Leatherwood, who before her ma rriage was Annie Lavenia Cartsr ; da ughter Laura Belle, (Mrs. Marcellus Buchana n, Sr. ), daughter F lorence May (Mr s . J . E. Divelbiss, Sr .), daughter Lillian Lee <Mrs. R. P . Potts. Sr. ), seated : daughter Ellen Elvira (Mrs. G. C. Picklesimer), daughter Ethel La vinia <Mrs . Coleman Cowan ), daughter Anna Carter <Mrs . M. Donaldson Cowan ). In front : only son, Roy F . Leatherwood. Absent from the picture is the husband and father, Felix Ha rrison Leatherwood, who was a tra veling salesman for Sanford, Chambers, and Alber s, drug wholesalers of Knoxville, Tennessee. This family group picture, evidently made by a traveling photographer (quite common in that era) was taken just below the Mountain View Hotel, home of Felix and Annie Carter Leather­wood. In the background and enclosed with a fence is the rose garden of Mrs. Leatherwood. On the opposite side of the street is the home of Dr. W. C. Tompkins, and above it is the Spake house, later occupied by Garey and Ellen Picklesimer. and still later by the Andy Allisons. Picture and information furnished by Mrs. Vernon Stroup, Sr. of Asheville, North Carolina. Mrs. Stroup is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Leatherwood. Ottis Self, cont. -Continued irom page I As you probably know, after his father died, my father taught in the one-room school house there in Webster. - He received his education from Western Carolina, during which lime he often ta ught since a school master was needed; and he, evidently. was a most alert and intelligent young man. He later worked with the Wachovia Bank in Wilmington, often commuting on weekends back to his beloved mountains and to his widowed mother. A little later, he served with Wachovia Bank in Statesville, North Carolina where he mel my mother , Sarah Cowles, who was the local teacher of music. They were ma rried on the Cowles family farm in the summer of 1918. During this lime, my father was also serving in the Nor th Carolina Stale Senate as chief clerk.(! have his gold cane). I am now having a picture copied which included him in the legislative body of 1917. He was chairman for the entire Stale for the sale of Liberty Bonds from 1917 through the end of the war. Aboull920, he and my mother came to Raleigh. He, to begin his career with the old North Carolina Corpora tion Commission Oa ter, the North C~"oli na Utili ties Commission) with which he stayed 30 years. He and my mother had five children, of which four a re living. My older brother, Bobby, died in infa ncy. My s ister s a r e Eleanor Self McCall (Mrs. J. A. McCall) of Stone Mountain, Geor gi a and Mrs. Nancy Self Stanley (Mrs. Lester Stanley) of Smithfi eld , North Carolina, my brother is Capt. USN William Cowles Self, of Panama Canal Zone and, of course, me, Lura Self Ta lly, from Fayetteville, North Carolina. There are 14 grandchildren a

    Historic Webster Vol. 9 No. 1

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    Historic Webster is a newsletter of the Webster Historical Society, Inc., created at the Society’s founding in 1974. The publication helped to serve the Society's mission of collecting and preserving the history of Webster, North Carolina. Webster, established in 1851, was the original county seat for Jackson County.news letter of the Webster Historical Society. Inc. VOLUME IX, NUMBER 1' WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA SPRING, 1983 Lilian Buchanan Began Libraries By Lillian Wyatt Hirt Once in a great while, there comes along one who is so devoted to a cause, and expresses that devotion with such enthusiasm, that others inevitably are drawn to it. Lilian Barker Buchanan is such a person, and her cause has always been LEARN­ING; its chief vehicle, books. Not just books to stand on a shelf. Books to fill libraries, and to be cir­culated to people. Books to edify and inform, to open the minds of readers and lead them toward understanding of themselves and of the world. Lilian Buchanan has lived a long and useful life, most of it in Jackson County. Two monumentS to her passion and determination stand now in the county: Jackson County Public Library in Sylva, and Hunter Library on the campus at Western Carolina University. Other monumentS may be found in the heartS and minds of hun­dreds, if not thousands, of local people and former WCU studentS. Although retired since 1967, and by now unknown to Society Plans Four Summer Evenings Summer, 1983, will be an exciting time to be in Webster. The Webster Historical Society is planning a series of "Summer Evenings in Webster" for June and July, and it invites natives and visitors to attend the eventS. Scheduled for Sunday evenings at five thirty o'clock, the programs will feature Society members in concertS and readings. Mildred Cowan, Webster's former postmaster and the Society 's president and music director at the Webster Baptist Church, will open the series with a concert of music popular in Webster during the late nineteenth and early twen­tieth centuries. The concert will be in the Webster United Methodist Church on June 26. Lillian Hirt, Cullowhee, a long time member of the Society and a recently published poet who writes for Historic Webster, will read the works of widely known Webster associated poets-Charlotte Young, who taught at Webster School, William Bird, former Western Carolina University president, and her own material. This pro­gram will also be at the Webster United Methodist Church on July 3. Janice Monteith and Cur­tis Blanton, former Webster residentS, no living in Clin­ton, Tennessee, will present the July 10 concert of religious music of the Webster churches during the late nineteenth century. This concert is in conjunc­tion with the day long celebration of the 130th an­niversary of the Webster United Methodist Church. The music t.'le Blantons will present is taken from the church records of 1882. Janice Blanton writes a col­umn, "Reflections," for Historic Webster. The series will end with an outdoor concert with Spencer and Mary Clark on the lawn of the Doug and Louise Davis house on North Main Street, now the home of Hilda and Huck Hoffman. The public should bring blanketS and cushions for sitting and enjoy the soft sounds of the Spencer Clark Trio. The Clarks moved to Webster years ago when they retired from the con­cert stage in the North. All of the programs are free and the Society invites all to visit the village which was Jackson County's original seat of government and spend a summer even­ing with the sights and sounds of Western North Carolina heritage. many who came later, Mrs. Buchanan's influence and the results of her work here will live on and on. To understand her tremendous impact, one must consider her background and note that every step she made led directly toward goals she set for herself. Lilian Barker was born in 1896 in Charleston, West Virginia, where her father owned a lumber business. He extended his operation by buying a tract of 50,000 acres in Clay, Cherokee and Graham counties in North Carolina, and moved his family to Andrews. As Lilian herself related, there was no school in Andrews at that time, so her parentS brought with them a governess­teacher .Jrom Charleston. They were determined that their children should have every possible chance for education. They had a schoolroom, complete with blackboard, in their house ; and the four-year-Qld Lilian would ease the door open and listen as older siblings did their lessons. Even then, she was eager to learn. Fifth in a family of eleven children, she was reared in a home headed by a scholar­father and a musician­mother. Fortunately, there was enough money to pro­vide the stimulation re­quired by :::: e;;g~r r.:.inJ. This one had cultural and educational opportunities considerably beyond the norm in that time and place. Lilian finished high school in Andrews (public schools having been established by that time) , and in 1919 came to teach at Sylva Collegiate Institute. The Chairman of the Board at SCI was a suc­cessful Sylva attorney, later Continued On Page 2 Eleanor Roosevelt came to Western North Carolina to address the students at Western Carolina University through the efforts of librarian Lilian Buchanan. <Photo from University Archives.) Page 2, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Spring, 1983 Lilian Buchanan FoundE Continued From Page I District Attorney, Corsey C. Buchanan. He and Lilian Barker were mutually at­tracted , married , and became the parents of one son, John. She later describ­ed her husband as "a very distinguished-looking real southern gentleman". (His life and career could well be the subject of other articles. He died of a heart attack in 1952. ) Because she always sought learning, Lilian enrolled at Cullowhee Nor­mal (now WCU) to continue her studies. She was to earn the bachelor of science degree here, the master of science degree at Columbia University, and do addi­tional studying at other in­stitutions. At this point, one must decide what to include and what to omit from this nar­rative. No one paper could come close to defining the event-filled life of this amaz­ing woman. Here, then, we shall confine our words to the high spots of her ac­tivities on behalf of libraries in Jackson County. In her own quest for learn­ing, Lilian had to travel by train to Asheville to study at Pack Memorial Library. This, of course, underscored her conviction that there should be a library nearer home, for surely others would need it, too. Remembering that her father had secured a library for Andrews from the An­drew Carnegie Foundation, she reasoned that she should be able to do the same for Sylva. She went to the Carnegie office in New York with her request, only to be told that the Foundation had discontinued that phase of its work. Lilian Buchanan was never one to be put off by a " no" . She came back to Sylva and approached Mr. C.J. Harris, a wealthy in­dustrialist with extensive holdings in Jackson County, who then lived at Dillsboro. (Previously, she had organized a literary club in Sylva, composed of young women who shared her in­terest in learning.) Mr. Harris was reluctant, because he felt that the peo­ple themselves should show interest in a library and be willing to put some effort in­to it. Again undiscouraged, Lilian and her friends went about the community asking for donations of books and even for library quarters. At length , their collections grew to a size that convinced Mr. Harris of need for a library. He gave his support, and the Jackson County Library was born. Its history is well documented. Lilian contributed her ser­vices as librarian, and asked the North Carolina Library Commission to send some­one here to teach her the Dewey Decimal System of Classification. Mrs. Buchanan accepted the post as assistant librarian at Western Carolina Teachers College in 1930, and two years later became head librarian. She took what was, by today's standards, a primitive operation, and began im­mediately to concern herself with improving its quality. Those who have known her through the years will remember that when the library was in Joyner Building, with very limited facilities, she ran a "taut ship" and gave full attention to even the most minute details. She always studied for the future, and was to live to see much of her plan­ning become reality. Throughout the thirty­seven years of her tenure, her duties were heavy and varied. In addition to nor­mal library duties, she spent considerable time teaching and lecturing on the nature and uses of college libraries. She served as chairman of the Library Committee, and ex officio member of the Committee on Instruction. So eager was she to make the library and its services relevant to classroom needs, she studied the catalog and . conferred often with instruc­tors and department heads. She was fully conversant with curriculum and course content in every depart­ment. In addition, she was also on the lookout for any outside material that might be applicable to specific courses, and would call it to the attention of concerned faculty. At last, opportunity came to expand the library; and not a moment too soon, so far as Mrs. Buchanan was concerned. She has been given full credit for leading in the planning of the pre­sent Hunter Library, oc­cupied in 1953. Again, those familiar with the scene thir­ty years ago will recall with what intense energy she pur­sued the planning and con­struction of that building. She visited outstanding libraries in many parts of the country, including Har­vard's Widener Libra~y , to gain information and see how certain features might be adapted to the needs and the budget of Western Carolina. Promoting her own ideas and those gleaned from other institutions, Lilian literally dug in her heels for the long battles ahead. She knew they were sure to come, for she would insist on some features that would seem unnecessary, if not outlandish, to those un­familiar with the inner workings of a library. She fought for Hunter Library. She fought ad­ministration, faculty, and trustees when necessary, to assure that the facility would be the best and most modern it could possibly be. She was zealous in keeping an eye on local and state budgets, and made no bones of her intention to see that allocations were kept in pro­per perspective. She felt that the library was at least as important as the athletic program (to her, of course, much more so) , and did not hesitate to speak up in that regard. Mrs . Buchanan had friends in high places, both political and social, and did not mind using those connec­tions when to do so would ad­vance the cause of the library and the school as a whole. Hunter Library became quite literally the cultural center of Western North Carolina, at least for a long while. The gallery, with its adjoining kitchen, served numerous purposes, and in its time, was the only such place available west of Asheville. In it were held multiple campus events such as banquets, dances, teas, recitals, benefit bridge parties , lectures , con­ferences, and many others. The kitchen was well equipped with sturdy china, glassware, silverware, and cooking utensils. Three hun­dred people could be served comfortably. A staff lounge near the gallery, student lounge on the main floor, faculty lounge on the top floor, with adjoining roof garden-all were important to the quality of campus life, both academic and social. Eventually, of course, these features would have to be converted to strictly utilitarian purposes as the school grew and the library became overcrowded. (Are­cent addition to Hunter Library has more than doubled the floor space, and facilities unheard of in the earlier days have been add­ed.) Free movies, latest pro­ductions as well as classics, were shown in the gallery every Thursday all day and evening, with the use of pro­fessional projectors. The gallery also served as art gallery and showcase for specialized displays. In this connection, Mrs. Buchanan had arranged for fine art works to be available for cir­culation, which could be checked out in the same manner as books. Through her efforts, funds were rais­ed to have portraits painted of all the institution's presidents, from Madison to Reid, to be hung in the library. Likewise, some of her own friends raised funds for her portrait, which was also hung in the library. No words about Mrs. Buchanan would be com­plete without mention of her many years of service as head of the Concert and Lec­tures Committee (originally known as Lyceum Commit­tee). Through that medium, she brought · to Western North Carolina some of the biggest names of the day in entertainment, journalism, politics, and literature. She cared deeply about pro­viding opportunity for the students, particularly, to be !d Libraries ~xposed to a broad cultural ;pectrum. If we have omitted much nention of Lilian 3uchanan's community ser­lice in Jackson County, it is ;imply because space imitations do not permit tdequate coverage of her widespread interests and ac­: ivities. She was one of the ·ounders of the Twentieth ~e ntury Club in Sylva, which is still a powerful :ommunity influence. She was a charter member of .he Cullowhee Garden Club. lhe became interested in the United Nations at its beginn­~ · and spent several years This portrait of Lilian Buchanan hangs in the WCU Hunter Library. enlarging upon her knowledge and speaking about it to civic and educa­tional groups throughout the state. As years take their toll, Mrs. Buchanan is no longer physically active. She resides now in a nursing home in Texas, to be near her son John and his family . One should not be misled by her inactivity, however. That brilliant mind is as sharp as ever, and despite the limitations of arthritis, she maintains a keen in­terest in the world and its af­fairs. As nearly as a human be­ing could qualify, she was and is truly one of a kind. Mrs. Lilian Buchanan Greets Visitors to Western North Carolina Mabel Wolfe Wheaton , sister of the Western North Carolina author, Thomas Wolfe, visited the University and presented WoUe's portrait to Mrs. Lilian Buchanan and the library. Lady Bird Johnson, wife of the President, and Janelle Moore, wife of Webster native, Governor Dan Killian Moore, attended the dedication of the addition to the Hunter Library in 1953. With Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Buchanan, and Mrs. Moore are the University President and Mrs. Paul A. Reid. Photos from Public Information , Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina . Spring, 1983, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Page 3 By Suzie R. Bryson Mrs. Lillian Buchanan, as knew her during my twenty-eight years of ser­vice at Western Carolina University, was my ideal person. I worked eight years at Moore Dormitory, on the campus, but when the school built Hunter Library, I had the honor of being selected as her maid for the library. Along with my work, Mrs. Buchanan taught me many things : setting and arrang­ing tables, and serving distinguished guests, which I enjoyed very much. In those days I was working for a purpose : to educate my children. I love people, so my work was a pleasure and an education. Mrs. Buchanan was one of the most! With her loyalty and dedicated life she was a great leader. Her motto was to lift the standard of civilization, among our peo­ple. She reached out to help the unfortunate ones. She contributed much to the social program of Western Carolina University. She demonstrated a dynamic faith of tremendous unmet needs . She distinguished herself at Western Carolina University. She weathered "She had a zeal and strength to see others grow" the storms which were not. easy ones. It took prayer and loyalty, built upon a firm foundation, and she realized it was not achieved by her efforts alone. Behind every good leader is a staff, and with earnest coopera­tion, she with her staff, did a great job. Mrs. Buchanan is like a sturdy tree, its roots deep in the subsoil by the waterside. She had a zealous deter­mination to help others grow in strength and statue. I heard Mr. Roscoe Drum­mon, from New York, say, "I saw the key to Western Carolina University tonight, Mrs. Buchanan." Had it not been for Mrs. Buchanan, I would not have had the honor of serving at the University's receptions and teas. Among distinguished guests who visited the library were Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Ms . Margaret Truman, Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson, Miss Delia Reese and many others. Mrs. Buchanan took me to Missouri, two trips to visit her children, and they were a dream of my life. Her en­couragement has helped my children with the positions they hold today. Mrs. Susie Bryson, Lilian Buchanan's friend and helper, in the Hunter Library kitchen . Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Spring, 1983 Reflections Mrs. Louise Davis Church Plans by Janice Monteith Blanton Events Was she "Gossiping Ger­tie"? Who secretly wrote Webster High School Ridgeruntier's "latest loves" column for years without anyone learning his/her identity? "Gossiping Gertie" was the Webster School's most awaited col­umn because it revealed all the obvious and known loves of the school as well as less­known surprise budding romances which no one suspected .. No doubt when students got their Ridgerun­ners on Friday afternoon, the majority flipped im­mediately to the back page to see if they made the love­news that issue. Was Mrs. Louise Davis, Webster School's twelfth grade English teacher and sponsor of the award-winning Ridgerunner, author of this popular student column? Many of us students suspected Mrs. Davis, but, of course, she pleaded ig­norance and never admitted to it. We'll never know for sure. Mrs. Davis, upon her mar­riage to Doug Davis, moved to Webster as a young bride. While not a native of Webster, she made outstan­ding and important con­tributions to the develop­ment of Webster's youth and to capturing Webster 's heritage. English teacher, sponsor of the school newspaper, The Ridgerun­ner, Sunday School teacher, supporter of Webster's youth, alder "woman," and originator of this publication are but a few of the ac­tivities to which Mrs. Davis diligently gave her talents and energies. I doubt that one could talk with any former student of hers who would not state that Mrs. Davis was one of the best teachers he ever had. "Strictly business" was her approach in the classroom; however, the more we got to know her, the more we could see that behind her stern exterior was an enjoyment, ap­preciation, and love for young people which could not be easily hidden. She knew English and taught it to us in such a way that we learned quite a bit in spite of ourselves. Her vigor for literature and dry sense of humor made this study par­ticularly lively and en­joyable- even Shakespeare was not totally a waste under her tutorage! Mrs. Davis seemed to have an unusually keen insight into the personalities and capabilities of her students. This was evidenced each year as she chose the senior play to match the class and then matched students to various roles in the plays. It seemed as if she observed and evaluated her class dur­ing the year, and Bingo, toward the end of the year came forth with a perfect play for them! Often, she put students in roles whom no one else would have thought could have ever acted and made them stars, and she always matched parts and student per­sonalities perfectly. Those of us who were for­tunate enough to be on The Ridgerunner staff were able to put what we learned in Mrs. Davis' classroom into practice. She was a tough task-master as sponsor of this publication and ac­cepted nothing but our best efforts, both in the actual writing of the articles and in the mechanics of physically getting the paper "off the press." (I shudder to think what choice words she would have for the grammar and mechanics of this arti­cle.) This striving for ex­cellence which was characteristic of all Mrs. Davis' endeavors paid off over and over again as The Ridgerunner took top awards in publication com­petition through,the years. I never will forget that when I was a senior, we were fran­tically putting together an issue of the paper and trying to get it ready to give out to the student body at 3:00p.m. It happened that this par­ticular issue was one which we would enter into competi-ed the Issue together and got the copies delivered before the bell rang. Afterwards, as we were standing around relieved and congratulating ourselves for "pulling it off," Mrs. Davis descended upon us-more specifically, on ME! She emphatically pointed to the front page ar­ticle mentioned above and read me the "Riot Act" about the error of my ways. Would you believe that in the hectic rush (or maybe I didn't know how to spell it? ), I had spelled NOT medal, but metal! Oh, boy, did I ever know the difference in the spelling of those two words by 3:05 p.m. that afternoon! Needless to say, we redid the first page before entering that issue in competition. (It did win though.) A faithful member of the Webster Methodist Church, Mrs. Davis could usually be seen walking to church each Sunday morning with her Bi­ble and Sunday school book in hand. Since she taught adults, I was not exposed to her Sunday school teaching, but I have heard my Mom and others attest to her fine ability to vividly and ac­curately teach the scrip­tures. While we young peo­ple had little direct dealings with Mrs. Davis in the church setting, we easily sensed her strong support for us and the work we did in the church. We always felt Mrs. Davis was proud of us. 7'Jt•h0R-5e..UO«.. ~ ~ .. ~'5\..6'( 1 ~ ,_ - ·· ~~-=-..!~': -.:.;.;~~' -- ·~- ·~ ··.• --.... , ........... -- ;::'/.. .~ ~.:-_. ..; ...~:~::... ·.:-:::~ ~~:: :::~· ;--..;.. .~ ~,;· ....: :· #~:-;..·; ::.: ::....:..:::::.: f7..,.~~'-·-· :.:=.-:-~~ ;;.~:_~: ......,........_,.v••-• '···--- ---·­--,-~, ·· ·-- ··- ·------ ...............

    Ray P. Holland to Horace Kephart, February 20, 1929

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    In a letter to Horace Kephart on February 20, 1929, Roy P. Holland, Editor of “Field & Stream” congratulates Kephart on his namesake in the Great Smokies.RAY P. HOLLAND EDITOR ELTINGE F. WARNER PUBLISHER 578 MADISON AVE. NEW YORK CITY Field & Stream'* CONSERVATION COUNCIL D. R. ANTHONY, JR. Congressman; joint Introducer of the Game Refuge Bill. HORACE M. ALBRIGHT Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. BROOKE ANDERSON Member of the Federal Advisory Board of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. J. B. HARKIN Commissioner of the Canadian National Parks. GEORGE A. LAWYER Former Chief United States Game Warden. WM. B. MERSHON Sportsman — Author — Conservationist. E. W. NELSON Ex-Chief of the U. S. Biological Survey. HARRY S. NEW U.S. Postmaster General; joint Introducer of the Game Refuge Bill in the United States Senate. T. GILBERT PEARSON President of the National Association of Audubon Societies. THEO. ROOSEVELT First Executive Chairman of the National Conference on Outdoor Recreation. February 20, 1929 Mr. Horace Kephart, Bryson City, H. C. Dear Mr. Kephart: Have yours of the 16th. Congratulations that you have a namesake. If anybody in this world is entitled to have one of the peaks of the Great Smokies named after him, you're the man. Sometime I'm coming down in that country and catch some trout from the streams of Mount Kephart. Sincerely yours, ^,R^C Dictated by Mr, Holland but sigBti li kit itmm RPHtFTC Editor

    Carolyn Spivey with Jimmy Haynie on guitar

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    This 1951 photograph shows Carolyn Spivey performing on CBS WTOP in Washington, D. C. with Jimmy Haynie on guitar. Founder and director of the Mountain Youth Jamboree, Hubert H. Hayes (1901-1964) auditioned and directed youth to perform in folk dance, music, and folk and ballad singing. The jamboree was held in the Asheville City Auditorium (now known as Thomas Wolfe Auditorium) from 1948 to 1973, and Hayes’ wife, Leona Trantham Hayes (1913-1989) continued to direct the program after his death in 1964. Hubert Hayes was an author, playwright, and alumni of Duke University

    Park Museum to House Library of Author

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    This short news article, “New National Park Museum to House Library of Author,” from the New York Times reveals the disposition of the part of the Horace Kephart estate. A prolific writer, Horace Kephart (1862-1931) was noted naturalist, woodsman, journalist, and author and promoter of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.GETS KEPHART COLLECTION WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.~The library, camping and fishing equip- ment, notes representing many years of research, maps and personal effects belonging to the collection of the late Horace Kephart, author, of Bryson City, N. C, have been given to the museum to be established in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The collection is the gift of the Kephart family and friends. The library, while not unusually large, is considered an important acquisition, since it contains many books, note* an •■■ ,i, ,* '■> -,"5l v Tti n,. Southern Appalachian Mountains in general and the Great Smokies in particular. It also has . , 1 i ,, ! >„ , , , i'ii :u-t nature

    Carlos C. Campbell card

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    Carlos C. Campbell (1892-1978) was a founding member of the Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association. Formed in 1923, the association promoted the establishment of a national park in the Great Smoky Mountains. The archival material in this series is part of the records of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, formed after a group of outdoor enthusiasts hiked up to Mount LeConte in October 1924. Campbell was also a member of the club and is author of “Birth of a National Park,” published in 1960

    Depolarization and decreased surface expression of K+ channels contribute to NSAID-inhibition of intestinal restitution

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    Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) contribute to gastrointestinal ulcer formation by inhibiting epithelial cell migration and mucosal restitution; however, the drug-affected signaling pathways are poorly defined. We investigated whether NSAID inhibition of intestinal epithelial migration is associated with depletion of intracellular polyamines, depolarization of membrane potential (Em) and altered surface expression of K+ channels. Epithelial cell migration in response to the wounding of confluent IEC-6 and IEC-Cdx2 monolayers was reduced by indomethacin (100μM), phenylbutazone (100μM) and NS-398 (100μM) but not by SC-560 (1μM). NSAID-inhibition of intestinal cell migration was not associated with depletion of intracellular polyamines. Treatment of IEC-6 and IEC-Cdx2 cells with indomethacin, phenylbutazone and NS-398 induced significant depolarization of Em, whereas treatment with SC-560 had no effect on Em. The Em of IEC-Cdx2 cells was: −38.5±1.8mV under control conditions; −35.9±1.6mV after treatment with SC-560; −18.8±1.2mV after treatment with indomethacin; and −23.7±1.4mV after treatment with NS-398. Whereas SC-560 had no significant effects on the total cellular expression of Kv1.4 channel protein, indomethacin and NS-398 decreased not only the total cellular expression of Kv1.4, but also the cell surface expression of both Kv1.4 and Kv1.6 channel subunits in IEC-Cdx2. Both Kv1.4 and Kv1.6 channel proteins were immunoprecipitated by Kv1.4 antibody from IEC-Cdx2 lysates, indicating that these subunits co-assemble to form heteromeric Kv channels. These results suggest that NSAID inhibition of epithelial cell migration is independent of polyamine-depletion, and is associated with depolarization of Em and decreased surface expression of heteromeric Kv1 channels.ID: S0006295207001931; M3: Article; Accession Number: S0006295207001931; Author: L.C. Freeman (b); Author: D.F. Narvaez (a); Author: A. McCoy (a); Author: F.B. von Stein (c); Author: S. Young (b); Author: K. Silver (a); Author: S. Ganta (b); Author: D. Koch (b); Author: R. Hunter (b); Author: R.F. Gilmour (c); Author: J.D. Lillich (a, ⁎); Affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States; Affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States; Affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States; Keyword: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Keyword: Intestinal epithelial cells; Keyword: Membrane potential; Keyword: Potassium channels; Number of Pages: 12; Language: English;Source type: Electronic(1)http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edselp&AN=S0006295207001931&site=eds-live&scope=sit

    Horace Kephart to Captain Dillin, April 7, 1924

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    In a letter to Mr. Dillin on April 7, 1924, Horace Kephart discusses his writing on rifles. Horace Kephart (1862-1931) was a noted naturalist, woodsman, journalist, and author and promoter of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.HORACE KEPHART BRYSON CITY, N. C. April ?, 1924. My dear Captain Dillin:- I was laid up for a time and so an answer to your last letter has been delayed. I wish I could see "The Covered Wagon." Hough was an old friend of mine. He got the material for his first novel, "The Mississippi Bubble," in my collection and while a guest at my home in St.Louis. I have sent THE AMERICAN RIFLEMAN an article on the Hawken rifles of St.Louis. It will appear before long. Woodmansee wrote me that he had secured a good specimen. I gave mine to the Mo. Historical Society. I see the ad. of your book once more in the A.R. Hope they will soon bring it out. Am returning that fellow's letter herewith. Sincerely

    Horace Kephart to Dillin, February 27, 1924

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    In a letter to Mr. Dillin on February 27, 1924, Horace Kephart discusses Dillin's writing on rifles. Horace Kephart (1862-1931) was a noted naturalist, woodsman, journalist, and author and promoter of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.f r? ! i HORACE KEPHART BRYSON CITY, N. C. Feb.27, 1924. Dear Mr.' Dillin:- I have known some rascally publishers, but I never heard of another who would mistreat a writer as that fellow did you. As I had seen the advance notices of your book in The American Rifleman, and naturally supposed it was in press, I am surprised to learn that nothing seems to have been done about bringing it out. The thing is a mystery to me; though it would seem that the publishers issued the ad. in order to learn how many advance subscriptions could be obtained before risking money on publication. I hope they will soon issue the book. .Not having seen the manuscript, of course I do not know whether it is in proper shape for the printer. It takes special technical knowledge to prepare matter for the press; the compositor himself merely "follows copy," and if the manuscript is not perfect in construction, punctuation, etc., its errors will appear in type as in the original, and in that case it would cost more to correct the proofs than it would have cost to hire an expert to revise the manuscript and type it for the printer. I quit the Outing Publishing Company last spring, and they have gone bankrupt, leaving me in the hole. Since then I have done no outdoor stuff but have been busy on a novel. Sincerely, <sf
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