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Historic Webster Vol. 1 No. 4
No full textHistoric 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.Volume 1 Number 4 a newsleffer of 16e we6sfer 6isforical sociel!: Summer 1914
Historic Webster Days
Celebration
Historic Webster Days will Swan, and Bill McinTyre will
provide a truly old fashioned gtve us a night of good listening
Fourth of July celebration for and square dancing. Music
Jackson County dur ing the four begins at 8: 00 on Thursday
days of festivities at the old night, 9:00 on Friday and SaturWebster
Elementary School. day nights.
~~~s~~~n~i~~oik~fSo~~e~: ~~~ Mr. & Mrs. Webster
the Sylva Jaycees, as a benefit
~or the ~ebst~r Historical Soc- The two oldest residents of
tety. It ts hoped that the e~en~ Webster' Arthur Allman and
c"!-n be ~n an!lual <:elebrati?n, Lilly (Nanniehart) Rhinehart,
wtth an espectally bi_g occast?n will be honored at the Opening
planned for the Bicentenmal Ceremonies of the first annual
year of 1976· . . . " Historic Webster Days Fourth
;<\mong,the many acttvtltes at of July Celebration." They will
th.ts year s. July 4th at Web~ter be named "Mr . and Mrs . Hiswtll
be dtsplays of old . tJ!lle toric Webster" in an official
crafts such _as. blacksmithmg proclamation presented by the
and boardsphttmg, manned by Mayor of Webster, Mr. Roy
Jack. Hoy!~ ~nd Gene Thorn- Baker. The proclamation will
burg! a spmnmg ~bee~ demon- be inscribed on a hand decorstrat!
On b~ Sophie. ~t.shop ; a ated scroll made by Elizabeth
broommakmg exhtbitlon ar.td Keys. Mr. and Mrs. Historic
broo!"" sale as wei~ as a qu!It Webster will then reign over the
~~M~"~~~~~~Jtr:;~~~ean~~~~l! four days of festivities.
~ ~~~~i~~~it i~~ffiu~.ut~~~~W~~ Opening Ceremony
Eldredge and Margo Crawford
are in charge of the STI exhibit. The Mayor of Webster, Roy
Handmade crafts such as bon· Baker , will ride into town in a
nets and wood carvings, signs horse drawn buggy provided by
burned in wood, and other items Dr. Ralph Morgan, to open the
will be sold at var ious booths to first annual Historic Webster
be set up on the school grounds. Fourth of July Celebration . A
Gracia Slater, Susan Morgan, dinner catered by the Canter·
and Judy Coyle are setting up a bury Inn and served by the
Country Store where they will women of Webster will begin at
sell locally prepared foods such 5:00p.m. on Thursday, July 4th,
as homebaked bread and followed by the flag raising
chcrned butter , honey, canned ceremony, courtesy of the Webfruits
and vegetables, and fresh ster Boy Scout Troop No. 903. A
produce. The Store will be cons- Readers Theatre production ditructed
inside the school house. reeled by Kathy Carr will be
On the grounds for the Fourth presented during the dinner.
will be baked goods and sand- Mayor Baker and Bruce Wike,
wiches sold .by the East Sylva C~ai~man of .the County ComBaptist
Church Dorcas Sunday !lllSStoners, wtll make the openSchool
Class; a lemonade stand mg remarks.
Horse Show set up by the Webster Home·
makers, who will also be selling
handmade bonnets; and a booth
selling watermelon slices. The first annual Webster
Some of the old fashioned Horse Show will be held on
games and contests planned Saturday, July 6, on the grounds
include a greased pig chase, a o~ the old Webster School begingreased
pole climb, a tug~f- nmg at 1:00 p.m. Show Secrewar,
and gunny sack races for tary. Diana Nicholson and Show
all ages. James Roper is in Chairmen Dean Allman and
charge of games, which begin at Johnny Watson have been larg-
2:00 p.m. on Friday and Satur- ely responsible for planning the
day. Also at 2:00 on Satur- show. The Judge for the show is
day is the tubing iace, under the Tommy Lucas of Franklin.
super vision of Jerry and Laura Woody Hampton, Sylva, will be
Coffey. While the games and Ringmaster, and Jon Danencontests
ar e in progress, David bower of Dillsboro is Master of
Purser will be offering buck- Ceremonies. Duggan Ledford
board rides around Webster, from Franklin will serve as
and the Jaycees will have all Farrier .
their tra ditional entertainmeQt Entry fees for the twenty·four
booths open. Paul Cowan, J r ., different events planned will
Buddy Lane, and Richard Tay- range from 2.50,
half the regular yearly dues.
The new membership year will
begin in January, 1975, when we
hope that all old members will
renew their memberships and
continue to be active in the work
or the Society.
School Grounds Are
Shaping Up For Fourth
Spencer Clark and his Build- and for l<.. .o urth of July decor·
ing and Grounds Committee ations.
have been getting the Webster The Bwldmg and Grounds
School in shape for the big Committee has also had the
Fourth of July festivities. Under help of eight young people
Spenc~r 's supe~vision and the working under the auspices of
direction of thetr Scout Master the Neighborhood Youth Corps.
Al Byers, the Webster Boy They are Davis Wood, John
Scou~ Troop No. 903 has been Houston, Dale Stiles, Billy Friz·
mee~mg at the school and zell, Joyce Hammerly, Pamela
helpmg to clean up. Bobby Ray Bradley, Kathy Powell, and ,
and Gail. Wtl~on , Paul Cowan Geneva Donaldson . Joyce
Jr. a~d Jtm Stmpson have been Hammet;Jy is answering the
workmg on the grounds, land· telephone at the Historical Sociscaping
and getting. the grass ety Offic~ and keeping the office
mowed. ~e School ~s surroun- open ft:om 8:00 to 3:00 daily,
ded by mne ~aubful acres. Monday through Friday. The
Buddy and Margaret Clark other ~YC workers ha.ve ~n
have donated plants for the scrubbmg floors_, washmg winbeautification
of the _gr'!unds ~~~~it~~~ cleanmg away trash
Attention, Artists!
Artists, please come for the artists who wish to commence a
hanging on July 3 and 4 at lively career in the Art World to
Webster, N.C., to be held in the enter their work. We will man
gray stone building on the hill the Art Gallery for the full four
(at one time, the School !) We days of the Webster Historical
expect to exhibit works of Society Festival July 4, 5, 6, 7.
celebrated artists who live or Any volunteers for duties in·
visit in our beautiful world of valved in conducting an art
the Smokies. gallery are welcome. Please
advise us by phone or come by
Any work to be sold will pay to the Webster School. Telephone
the Webster Historical Society Elizabeth Keys, 586·5988, Chairfifteen
per cent of the sale price. man of The Webster Art Lea-
There will be a Grand March History. DeSoto's people in- We also invite all aspiring gue.
and Judging of costumes, eluded the Gentleman of Elvas,
beards, and moustaches at the DeSoto's Portugese Scribe, as
Webster School Building Sun- well as men of the clergy,
day evening, July 7, '74, at 7: 00 scouts, and probably cooks and
p.m. (Men who arrive with dish washers, too. Later on,
Society Business Meeting
clean shaven faces may be fined there were British Red-Coats, The members of the Webster
or sent to the local jail"!) French Voyageurs from the Historical Society will meet at
and to make plans for the
future. Come and exchange
ideas .. You can have a large
share m determining the future
of Webster.
Whatever century, era, or Mississippi in quest of Furs, 7:30p.m. on Monday, July 15, at
occasion for the costume you then the proud military families the Webster School. The main
wear , try for authenticity first. who migrated after the Battle business of the meeting will be
For example, if you portray a of the Boyne, and the Revolt of to hear a report on and to
Croquet Buff of the Summer of the Irish Earls. There were the discuss the current status of
Music and square dancmg D · Th 1910, remember not to wear plantation aristocracy from effor ts to buy the old Webster This Fourth of July edition of
will be provided mght1y at Inner ealre nylons! The Spanish Conquista- South Carolina and Georgia; Elementary School. Officers of Historic Webster is being sent to
Historic Webster Days 4th of . . dares at the other end of our the American frontier settlers; the Society and members of the al~ m~mbers Of the Webster
J~y celebration. On Thursday t As /jart ~~ th~ ~tsto~:c "teb: tim~ ~ spec.trum did n~t sport loggers; miners; mail carriers Town Council will be meeting Htst?n~al Societ¥. We will be
mght the Webster Cloggers,ser ays e mverst¥ urn cham mail. OK? Durmg the on fast horses; doctors on withtheSchooi Boardon J uly 10 pubhshmg four J.SSues a year
directed by Ken Cabe, will ~;~ ~he~r~ Cpr~ct;ctdo; . ~~ time lapse between these two horseback or in buggies--depen- and will report the results to the from now on-Fall, Winter,
perform, fo11owed by music and .
11 ~ or 0t d a~ th a~ ~r[ extremes, there are possibili- ding on terrain to be covered. membership at the July 15 Spring, and a special Summer
square dancing for everybody WI presen e a e e s er ties for a wide range of fancy meeting. Members will also issue for the Fourth of J uly.
provided by Wallace Swan. On Schr l on J uly .1~ tnd. 6· ~~~ dress, as Webster History in· Also, there were the elegant begin planning the 1975 Fourth Starting with this issue, the
Friday nigh.t "Train" will sup· ~r ormanc.e WI egm . eludes it all. Huguenots who may have at- of J uly and looking ahead to the Summer edition will be sold to
ply the mustc; and on Saturday n!g~ts. at ?1i3~ p.m. c;:: :r~day We will have highly compe- tended church in Parisian bon- Bicentennial in 1976. non-members during Historic
night Ralph Lewis and the mg t It w~ e ~rec e Y a tent J udges, also prizes. nets, with lace parasols. There This will be a good oppor- Webster Days at fifty cents per
Piney Mounta in Boys from ca~ered dmner 10 the school Surplfise us all and wear were brides, and judges and tunity to get acquainted with copy. Members will continue to
Asheville, Earl Cowart and the something colorful, original, or blacksmiths. What else? Plenty other members of the Historical receive all four issues as a
Blue Grass Four, W~llace Tul'n To Page Two beautiful, all Authentic Webster more. Surpr ise us? ! Soci~ty, to join a committee, me.mbership privilege.
Page Z
r~-~- .. ·- ~ -· .• .. . ·~
=••~::: ~~~~~: .~~ ~:~~· . ~ :0;e::: ::::k I ~~= Tickets for the dinner and play ment of Speech and Theatre fashioned hog barbeque, Web- · t
are available in advance at the Arts at Western Carolina Uni- ster is the place to' see one on . . t
Little Theatre Box Office on the versity is the director. July 6. . . The Webster Cookbook is and mk drawmg of Webs_ter 's ~
WCU campus at the Webster planned for publi ca tion landma rks--the covered bndge,
Post Office, o~ at Cowan Insur- Novef!lber I. The book features ~h~ old Webster school , the
ance Agency in Sylva. Tickets Gospel Sing fa voni('S of famous Webster J<u l. _lh_C' l'hurchcs, homes.
will be sold at the school on the Art Show cooks I rom over one hundred _It IS JUSt a good boo~--on_e you t
days of the performance. Cost year s. \\:Ill want to keep not JUSt m the t
for dinner and theatre is 3.50 for children Under the chairmanship of is invited to attend old fashioned _F~J a large dmner try _Mr~ . l{(~ llH'Ill?(' r Chnst rna ~ IS t
under 12. Theatre tickets alone Elizabeth Keys and with the church services in Jackson f~ 1 ~ 1 e , . C ow~ rd En J:?: lJ ~h s e~Hmng : 1 here. a re weddmgs, i for Friday or Saturday night help of Francois Cla~tier, the County and then to bring a .1 l<i nl .t t J,on Supper··a. n ~ h , birthdays. all kmds of reasons
are 3.50 for adults, $1.50 way. For Historic Webster Days School grounds and join in on a c ot n. meat · and noodles. ht•s Jdcs thoS(' you want for t
for children. Reservations may there will be an exhibition and " eatin' and singin' on the yours('lf. t
be made by calling the Depart· sale of paintings at the Webster grounds". Gospel music will be l\1 r s . Ed ith Moore Hal I 's t
ment of Speech and Theatre School, with 15 per cent of the provided by Mike Clayton, Bill (;arlic Grits will li ven a meal. ORDER t
Arts at WCU, telephone 293· sale price going to the Webster Deitz, and the Redeemed' Quar- any meal. It is just grits with t
This play, compiled and a- the show will begin on July 3. garlic. Sprinkled with YOUR
dapted by Norman Corwin, Ham Dinner .:ornflakes, it can be served for
covers the works of Carl Sand· Barlieque supp<·r at night and easily
burg from the cradle to the On Sunday night, July 7, the \\·arm<'d for the next morning's COOKBOOK
grave. It is a compilation of women of the First United hJTakfast.
song, prose, and poetry display· Monroe Lindsey will begin Methodist Church of Sylva will
ing Mr. Sandburg's sense of earlySaturdaymorning,July6, sponsor a ham dinner to be There arc cakes Mrs. Sally AT THE
MOTOR
COURT
Color
Television
Air
Conditioning
Your Bo•ll
Mr. 6 Mrl. A. T. Marroy
Tel. 586-2123
7491. Historical Society. Hanging of tet from Statesville, N.C. th(' lash' of cheese, and a hint of I
humor, sense of beauty and preparing a gigantic open pit served at the Webster School. 1\ ld 'onn('II'S old ' fa shioned
sense of tragedy. , barbeque on tht; Webster ~hool Afte_r the din!ler there will be a pound cak<·, known all over
. The players are Nancy Ham- grounds. He will be roastmg a closmg bonfire and a . vesper town . A hig spice cake has been FOURTH OF JULY + SYLVA, N- C. +
f!1111 of Brevard.' James E1ch· pig ~nd ftfty chickens all day for servtce conducted by the Rev. deH•Iop(>d by Mrs. An nit• Louise t , i hog of Pumpkm Town, and a dmner to be served at 6:00 Gene McCants of Webster. ~ t adi son Heed called War Cake- CELEBRATION + Ma•• St.
-it is (•nough for an army. t Get Involved In Helping ·············'
'
S<ilads, Mrs . Stella Broyles ••••••••••••••••••••-.
llall's Twt•nty Jo'our Hour Salad
Preserve And Restore Webster 1nadl' with (•ggs; brt·ads,
1\kxinlll Cnrnbr('ad , rolls: a
\\onderfu llv ril'h Coffp(• Punch··
Are you looking for a way to
get involved in the Webster
Project? Good! Join the more
than eighty people who are
already sel_'ving on committees.
Call any of the committee
chairmen, officers or directors.
Special Events··Fourth of Ju.
ly: Paul and Lynda Cowan
te~und Raising:Judy Carpen-mon
· and 'mo re··2:~7 recipes in
Tell them you want to help. Board of Directors: Roy Ba·
There's plenty for everyone to ker, Spencer Clark, Dick Iobst, all -- in a 1xlok that a cook who
do, fun in the work, and fine John Parris and Joe Rhinehart. has s<'<'n it ca lls "a readable
people to ~et ac9uainted with. Officers: Betty Pric~, Presi· i n t e r t' s t i n g , p r a ct i c a i
The followmg officers and com- dent ; Manlyn Jody, VIce Pres- cnokhnok." Pradical seems to
mittee chairmen are waiting to ident; Jim Simpson , Treasurer; be a good word for th('S(' times.
hear from you . and Mary Morris, Secretary.
Committees
Museum and Archives: Dick
lobs!
\lusic and Community
But lhNe is more than
rl'l"i pl's: l\ lrs. Lilly Hhinehart ,
1\liss Dorothy l\1ourc, Miss
1\lildrl'd Cowan, Mrs. Louise
Restaurant: Jerry Ewen and i\ lad_ison !~edford , _Mrs. Pat
Edna Beck l\ll'Kee 11lle-y. l\1 1ss Mary
1\Jnrris, and 1\Irs. Janice
i\lontipth Ulanton. all Webst<'r
Country Store: Gracia Slater girl s. talk ~1hout . food as they
and Helen Cowan ).!. l'l' \\" up m \rV(•bstl'l'. Mrs.
House Tours and Hospitality Tht'atcr: J .C. Alexander
Margaret Simpson
Louise B. Da vis has written
Wehs!('r's hi story.
ReCreation: James Roper The Webster Cookbook is
illustrated with d('licate pen
Newsletter: Alice HarriH and
Building and Grounds: Spen· Louise Davis
cer Clark
Scrapbook and Bulletin
Board: Mildred Cowan
Cookbook: Joe and Flossie
Rhinehart
Membership and Correspon-dence:
Kate Rhinehart Finance: BiH Fisher Town Planning: Roy Baker
Youmt Historians: Lucille
Bryson and Marilyn Jody
THE
NORTHWESTERN
BANK
Member Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Contributors:
Editors :
Louise Davis
Alice Harrill
Marilyn Jody
Mrs. Maurice Carlton
Mrs. Jennie Lou Hunter
Mrs. Elizabeth Keys
Ms. Mary Morris
Mr. John Parris
Mr. Joe Parker Rhinehart
Mr. Jim Wells
Western Carolina
Universi9'
Typeset and Printing by Herald
Printing Co., Sylva
HOOPER'S
DRUG STORE
Bob Kelley
KRISMART
FASHIONS
Wishes the best of luck to the
Webster Historical Society, Inc.
in its efforts to preserve and restore Webster
-.
Mountain Folks Are A Musical Lot
\
by John Parris
AFAMILYREUNtON
1905
Last Monday, J une 12, was
the anniversary of the birth of
Mountain folks are a musical Mr. Nathan Coward and the
loi. regular day of the Annual
Even the poorest cabin away Reunion of the Coward Family
off back of beyond will boast a including all of Mr. Coward's
banjo or a fiddle hanging on a children, grandchildren and
nail. grea t-g r a ndc hildren . It has
Neither the phonograph, ra- been a custom for several years
dio or television has caused the now for the Cowards and their
hillsman to part with his banjo rela tives to meet on their
or fiddle, albeit many a cabin ancestor's birthday every year
has one or all three. at the horne of himself and his
And when it comes to mountair.·- children taken in rotation
music--well , it 's right there at meeting first a t the father's,
the top in popularity. ·next the oldest child's and so on
Tunes that never knew any . around . This year the
instrument but a fiddle , broom- celebrat ion took place at his
straws, and a banjo have won own home. Mr. Coward was on
popularity with big orchestras · thC' occasion eighty-seven years
as program spicers. old being born just a bout six
Hillbilly bands are in demand years a ft er the War of 1812. <He
and mountain folk song sym- was born in 1818 l. We hope to
phonies have received acclaim give the story of his life in the
in recent years. journal soon .
ThEl mountain songs boast a There was not as large a
proud lineage for the most part. proport ion of the family present
Many of the ·tunes and words ,as usual, the families of Mr. Kit
can be traced to Elizabeth Z<t<:harv and Mr. Oscar Coward
England. tx•ing barely represented and
For this reason, students and that of Mr. Hobert Coward , who
collectors have been interested li vt•s in Piedmont being ent irely
in them for years. But it's only absPnt. Mr . Coward was also
comparatively recently that the vt'ry sick but in spite of a ll , the
sometimes lilting, sometimes Fiddle made by the tate Rogers Coward of Webster. Don.ated to the Webster Historical Society n·umon was very successful
~~~~~ulof~~!i~e~!~af~~t~Jc.the Museum and Archives by Elda Coward of Norton Commumty. ~~~~~'~1~~·~:·gf~!~~:~f~e:i~~~;
Even Broadway has it 's hill - Tht• di nnPr was served picnic
billy singer. So does Park fa shion : the eatables, whi~h
Avenue, the street .of milk and Several years ago an old-ttme Usually, they are folks who " I could sell ten times as W<'I'P many and good, being
millions. fiddle-player was discussmg fmd pleasure m domg a btg of many,"shesatd, " tf ihad them. spn·ad on two ta bles while the
But for the pure, unadulter- fiddles with a city feller and fidd1ing themselves. Sometimes BesJt:les bemg fme mstruments, gu<'sts all helped themselves
ated stuff, you've got to get off the city feller mentioned that they'll make two or three they are beautifully made and standi ng.
the main roads and plunge into the finest fiddles in the world fiddles a year and hide them would be something just to look Afl <•r di nner they all occupied
the out-of-the-way places back were those . made by a man around the house. And then at even if they never were th<'ll iS{'I\"PS with conversation
in the hills. named Stradivar ius. · they'll go a year or so without played." nnd otlwr amusements . All the
It 's ther
Lewis Webster Jones
No full textJones taking with Davis and Reid. On verso: 1-'48. Land Grant College meet in Washington, D. C. fall q '47. L. - Dr. Jones. M. - T. Roy Reid, Pers. Dir. Dept. of Agri. R. - Ray E. Davis, asst. Pers officer. F.H.H. [?] USDA [?] class of '27. [engr. Instr.].Lewis Webster Jones (1899-1975) was President of the University of Arkansas, 1947-1951
Historic Webster Vol. 1 No. 3
No full textHistoric 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.'VOLUME I NUMBER 3
Cook6ook Will Be
Ready 9n o lie :Jall
A cookbook containing mouthwatering local recipes,
pen and ink drawings of Webster, and "Growing Up
in Webster" sketches will be on sale in the fall.
Tho rocipe book1 which is being compiled by Florence
and Joe Parker Rhinehart , will have a hard
cover with a color picture of Webster as the dust
jacket. Joe Parker estimates that it will have approximately
200 pages, The book will be printed
in brown ink on off white paper, and will have a brown
cloth cover with a sketch of the former Jackson County
courthouse,
Original sketches of people and places in Webster
will be featured at the beginning of each of the II
divisions of the book, as well a throughout the 250
odd recipes.
A short history of the town accompanied by a
sketch of the courthouse will begin the book, Then,
in addition to the delicious recipes, the cookbook will
feature character sketches of some of the donating
cooks and several "growing Up in Webster" stories
written by Webster women of different generations,
Mildred Cowan, Mary Morris and other women who
grew up in Webster will be contributing their accounts ~
The book will conclude with a feature menu for
Christmas dinner with recipes, accompanied by a
story about Old Webster at Christmastime,
The recipes in the book were collected from cooks
in the area by Joe's mother, Kate Rhinehart, Florence
Rhinehart will draw the pen and ink sketches.
The price of the book has not yet been determined,
but it is estimated at 5 or be placed in a makeshift
"jail" on the school grounds, .
other harpenings at the July event will include
board splitt'ng lessons, booths of all sorts, sales of
cookies and cakes, old fashioned bonnets, a varied
display of mountain cr afts, and of course entertainment.
If you have suggestions for additional activities at
the Independence Day fest, contact Paul and Linda
Cowan, co-chairmen of the Special Events. and Projects
Comm ;:tee,
Webster, North Carolina
EDD DOUGLAS DAVIS
olie :Jirst Sheriff
of ~ackson County
Edd Doug Davis, known as Doog Davis, became in
1853 the first sheriff of Jackson County, With the
exce~ti.on of the period he lived, while sheriff, in
the Jail at Webster, he spent his adult life on his
large farm located between Webster and Cullowhee
Today this area is called Rolling Green, '
Sher iff ~Alvi s and his wife Nancy Allen, daughter
of Nathan Allen of Webster, were the parents of
seve~ sons and two daughters" Mro Davis, who died
at h~s home August 25, 1911, is buried in the family
P!ot m Webster Cemetery along with his sife, two of
his sons, Nathan A, and Joe W, and other members
of later generations of llivises,
The copy of the JACKSON COUNTY JOURNAL
from which the article is reprinted, and the tin-type
picture of Mr , ~Alvis reproduced here ar e are owned
by Cather ine ~Alvis of Big Ridge, Catherine is a
granddaughter of Sheriff Doug ~Alvis,
The following article was taken from THE JACKSON
COUNTY JOURNAL dated January 29 1906 - Webster
N,C, - Mr, E, D, ~Alvis ' '
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
The author of this article was born in Buncombe
County <now Transylvania) Sept, 4, 1827, My father
lived where the late George C, Neil lived to the time
of his death, on what was then known as Lamb's Cr rek
which was a tributary of Fr ench Broad river, It~
head waters were near where llividson's river has
its source, with which it ran parallel, but being much
smaller, It was then known as Ben llividson's river
but of late years the "Ben" has been dropped,
Ther e has been a postoffice at this place for more
than seventy years" Davidson's River postmaster,
Ben .lli vidson, was my great-grandfather.
When I attended school the course embraced
reading, writing, and arithmetic, My teachers were
Turn to page four , , , •
~ ·'We6ster 9s ~ackson County's Hometown"
April 1974
A fetter
:Jrom the President
Dear Friends,
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one
step" and that step in compiling and collecting the
history of Jackson County has resulted in 5,000 copies
each of three newsletters of the Webster Historic
Society; nearly 300 members and ll3,500 to the Jackson County Board of Education
for the old Webster Elementary School because an
an idea whose time has come can't help but succeed.
The school will become the Jackson County Museum
of Living History. The fund-raising committee needs
your help with the Webster idea. If you know wher e
money is a·.11ilable - from individuals, corporations
foundations, etc. - tell us - we'll contact theU.:'
Many grants have already been applied for from foundations
and other sour ces such as the Bicentennial
Commission in N.C. and the America the Beautiful
Fund,
We are hopeful that the County budget for the
1974-75 fiscal year will include a generous donation
toward the effort to preserve Jackson County's History,
But for many of these potential grants we need
non-federal matching funds, '
Th.e next newsletter will be sent only to the membership
of the Webster Historical Society, If you
have not joined but are "infected by the contagious
~n?'usiasm" as the honorable Hamilton Hayes wrote,
JOm. no:v, Send 5.00 yearly
Associate (outside Western N.C.): 10.00 yearly
Supporting: 30.00 yearly
Life: 1.00 a day to begin with) for her little family,
During the thirty-four years that mother was postmaster
the Post Office was in three locations: first,
in a little building where Mr. Baker's shop and apartment
are now located; next in the old Masonic build·
ing between our place and the home of Mrs, Nancy
Ensley Potts; then back to the Baker Upholstery Shop
location; and last to the little building in the corner
of her yard across the lane from the Monteith home.
Because of the necessity of having the office convieniently
close to our home, the location changed as we
moved, The family moved from our old home (built
by Dr. C.Z. Candler's father at about the time of
the civil war) to Uncle Andy's house , then to the
Aunt Hicks Wilson house <now owned by the Potts)
later to the old jail <Mrs, Margie Penland's place)
which was the principal's home when my sister ,
Mrs. Ruth Allison Morris, was principal of Webster
High School, and finally to mother 's new home, built
after the old Candler house was torn down , on the
same lot which she had owned since my father's
dea.th,
When my mother was postmaster she loved her
work (though it did get aggravating at times she said)
and it enable her to make a living in her own yard
for the most part. She could keep an eye on Ruth,
Uln and me as we grew up, and grandpa too when
he was sick, while she looked after the post office
which was the social, as well as news center for the
community. Sometimes when we all gathered to watch
little Oscar Coward buck dance in the post office
vestibule things would get too noisy and we would
all be sent outside so my mother could do her work,
She wrote and read letters and orders for a few of
the patrons who could neither r ead nor write, and in
emergencies would open up the post offic e at night
and on holidays to better ser ve the community, Service,
honesty, integrity and independence wer e virtues of
great value to her, as they had been to her Godfearing
pioneering ancestors,
During the thirty-four years that my mother
was postmaster she was assisted to some extent
by the following : George Self, grandpa Moor e, my
sister Ruth, Mrs, Margie Penland, Mrs, Evelyn McKee,
Mr. Dan Cowan. When I became old enough I was
officially made assistant, or r eplacement, so I could
substitute occasionally when she was sick or away,
Dear to all of our hearts was the mail carrier, Arthur
Allman, who was always kind, cheerful, accomodating
and generous with rides to and fr om Sylva in his
truck for all of us.
HISTORIC WEJ~STER April 1974 Page 3
The Webster "Mail Box"
Some people have called the Webster Post Office
the "Mail Box" and frequently someone laughingly
remarks that it is surely the smallest post office
in the United States, They seem disappointed when we
tell them there are other smaller. We enjoy our
rather unique building, However, the size of the
building does not designate the size of the Post Office
housed therein.
The Webster Post Office is the oldest office in Jackson
County, It was established as Scott's Creek
(Haywood County) April 5, 1828. Jackson County
had not been established at that time, The Haywood
County and Macon County line was at that time the
Tuckaseigee River at Webster, The first postmaster
was Ulniel Brisson, appointed April 5, 1828, He
was succeeded by Samuel B, -Bragg December 17,
1828, The office was later discontinued for a brief
time and reestablished May 24, 1832 as Scott's Creek.
At that time William Thomas was installed as
postmaster serving till January 27, 1843, Thomas
was succeded by Allan Fisher.
When Mr. Fisher took the office he had a store
in Lovesfield, said to have been located near the
intersection of what is now highway 107 and ll6,
Presumable the post office was operated in his store,
The name of the post office was changed to Webster
on November 28, 1857 while Mr, Fisher was still
postmaster, He ser ved the office for 22 years which
was the longest time any postmaster served until
Mr s, Eugenia M. Allison was the postmaster in later
years. The second court held in Jackson County
was held also in this store. A great-grandson of his,
Mr. Allen Bergin Fisher, Sr .. , now lives in Addie
Community, Route I, Sylva, N, C.
On September 21, 1865 a Mr. George w. Stake
became postmaster and served until April 15, 1873,
Postmaster Cannon was the father of the late Lewis
Cannon of Webster . He was the grandfather of James
~ann?n of Cannon Brothers Gas and Oil Company
m Dillsboro and other descendents of Dillsboro and
the state of Washington,
Succeeding Mr, Cannon was Martin H. Lovelady
who ser ved thre
Historic Webster Vol. 2 No. 2
No full textHistoric 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. 1 No. 5
No full textHistoric 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.WCU's Founders Day Celebration
Of Special Interest To Webster
Western Carolina University's
Founders Day Celebration and
Inauguration of Dr. Harold F.
Robinson as Chancellor on October
26 promises to be an important
event for Webster as well as
the university. The all day celebration,
which marks WCU's
eighty-fi[th birthday, is planned
to be a tribute to the men and
women who built the past, and
many of those to be recognized
had strong ties with Webster .
Websterite Robert Lee Madison
, founder and first president of
the institute in Cullowhee, will be
the focal point of a pageant
entitled ''Dream A Long Shadow,"
to be performed at 2:30
p.m . in Memorial Stadium. The
dramatization depicts the growth
of WCU from an Indian valley to
the present university with an
e~rollment of 6,000. The empha SIS
of the pageant is on the early
days of the institution with Professor
Madison as the most
col?rful character. The pageant ,
wh1ch was written by Lillian
Wyatt Hirt , public relations director
at Southwestern Technical
Institute, will be narrated by two
WCV ):!r~dUdles, David and Betty
Iiin. Approximately fifty persons
":ill be involved in the acting,
d•rected by WCU English faculty
member William Paulk.
The theme for the day-long
celebration will be "The Progress
Of An Idea ," a phrase
taken from the title of a history of
the university written by Presi dent
Emeritus W. E. Bird. The
phrase was employed in earlier
times by Professor Madison to
capture the spirit of how and why
the institution was begun.
The Inauguration and Founders
Day Steering Committee is
chaired by Dr. Marilyn Jody,
WCU English faculty member
and vice president of the Webster
Histo rical Society. Under her
direction, committees have been
working on the celebration since
last spring.
The formal inauguration of Dr.
Harold F. "Cotton" Robinson as
WCU's new chancellor will take
place at 10:30 at Reid Health
and Physical Education Building.
The new chancellor is himself a
mounta in man. A native of
Bandana in Mitchell County , Dr.
Robinson is interested in fostering
an appreciation of the culture
and hi story of the region and the
university .
Delegates from colleges and
universities throughout the country
are being invited to the
formal inauguration. Dr. William
Friday, president of the University
of North Carolina, will
preside at the inauguration and
conduct the formal installation of
Dr. Robinson .
Governor Jim Holshouser is
scheduled to attend, bringing the
official greetings of the state to
the new chancellor. Delivering
the inaugural address will be
Clifford R. Hardin, former U. S.
Secretary of Agriculture and now
chairman of the board of Ralston-
Purina Company.
Special greetings to the chancellor
will be brought by Clifford
Lovjn , the vice chairman of the
Faculty-Administration Senate ;
Donna Clemer, president of the
Student Body ; Keith R. Hundley
of Washington , D. C., president of
the WCU Alumni Association;
James H. Glenn, chairman of the
board of trustees and William A.
Dees, Jr., of Goldsboro, chairman
of the board of governors.
A formal academic procession ,
in which all visiting delegates
and the Western Carolina faculty
will take part will be a part of the
ina uguration . All university students
are invited to the inauguration
and have been urged by
Dr. Jody to attend. Special
invitations have been sent to
honor students , and they will
receive recognition after the
procession.
An inaugural luncheon will be
held in Dodson Cafeteria for
visiting delegates and special
guests including retired faculty
and staff members and members
of the families of the founders.
Because of limited seating, the
luncheon will be by invitation.
Congressman Roy A. Taylor will
be the luncheon speaker.
At noor. , the " Hallways of
Time," an exhibition of historical
artifacts, pictures and other displays
depicting the growth and
development of the institution
will open in Belk Building. The
exhibition will remain opened
until 2:00 and then will reopen
from 3:00 until 10:00 p.m.
" Hallways of Time" will present
a capsule history of WCU. On
hand ~viii be displays consisting
of artifacts and memorabilia of
Western's four founders, Robert
L, Madison , Alonzo C. Reynolds,
H1ram T. Hunter and William E.
Bird. A portrait of Madison
painted by his wife, and Mrs.
Madison's portrait will be displayed
along with those of the
other early founders. " Hallways
of Time" will be concluded with a
sound-film strip which will offer a
more detailed history of the
university. The exhibition is free
to all students, faculty , members
of the university community and
guests . Refreshments will be
served in the foyer of Belk
Building at the conclusion of each
show.
At2:30 p.m. , the Founders Day
program will open in Memorial
Stadium, with Frank H. Brown,
Jr ., vice chancellor for development
and extended services, presiding
. All "oldtimers" and founders
and members of their families
will be given special recognition
and President Emeritus
Paul A. Reid will speak. At this
time, the pageant, "Dream 6
Long Shadow" will be presented.
fr!t 6tg·~ii,a:~~td~~r ~e~~~~cu:t
Whitmire Stadium , followed by
entertainment by Lula Belle and
Scotty Wiseman of country music
fame, the Marc Pruett Band, and
the Bill Nichols Family Cloggers.
Exhibition square dancing and
square dancing for all who want
to join in has been planned.
The " Hallways of Time" will
reopen at 4 p.m. and remain open
until 10 p.m . Campus bus tours
for visitors are being arranged
by the Student Government Association.
Many persons planning to attend
the_ festivities are planning
to dress m clothes reminiscent of
the turn of the century.
Historic W ehster Huge Success
Historic Webster Week, sponsored
by the Webster Historical
Society and occurring July 4
through July 7 at the former
Webster School was by all accounts
a huge success. Excellent
organization , careful planning,
and enthusiastic implementation
of the plans resulted in a celebration
unequaled in form er July
Fourths in Jackson County.
Crowds thronged the grounds,
halls and rooms . Food, entertainment
and games abounded. It
was a time for renewing acquain·
lances and visiting with old
friends , for many had planned
their vacation trips to Jackson
County to coincide with the
week 's festivities .
Days of hard work were necessary
to clean a nd put into usable
shape the grounds and the building
for the week 's events. Spencer
Clark aided by community
helpers, accomplished this with
great dispatch .
Paul and Linda c- • ., overall
chairmer., ..vorked tirelessly in
planning , assigning responsibilities
, and assisting in the implementation
of the Special Events.
The celebration began at five
o'clock Thursday , July 4, with a
delicious dinner catered by Canterbury
Inn and served in the
auditorium by Webster women.
At seven were the flag raising
ceremonies by Boy Scout Troop
No. 903 of Webster. With Roy
Baker, Mayor of Webster , serving
as Master of Ceremonies, Mr.
Arthur Allman and Mrs. Lillie
Rhinehart were introduced as
Mr. and Mrs. Historic Webster.
Belly Price, President of the
Webster Historical Society, presented
the two with beautifully
inscribed scrolls made by Elizabeth
Keyes of Sylva.
At eight o'clock in the auditorium
, eight students , the " University
Players," from the Department
of Speech and Theatre
Arts of Western Carolina University,
gave an hour's program of
readings and music in keeping
with the Fourth of July theme.
Their director was Dr. Kathleen
Carr of the drama department of
the university.
A precision smooth performance
by the Webster Cloggers,
country music and square dancing
rounded out the evening.
Friday, July 5, brought the
opening of the Arts and Crafts
booths to which the crowds
flocked. Much interest was
evinced in the quilting , weaving
and wood carving. Many attractive
handmade articles were for
sale by the Junior Homemakers
Club . Linda Perry, with her
dulcimer, entertained the visi·
tors.
On the school grounds, games
and contests supervised by
James Roper, delighted young
and old.
A buffet dinner, catered by
Canterbury Inn , was followed at
7:30 by the WCU production
"The World of Carl Sandburg."'
The Arts and Crafts booths
were again open on Saturday.
Martha Willis of Appalachian
Shop presented in a room , set
aside for that purpose, continuous
s~owings of films on Appalachian
culture. Bingo in ano·
ther room provided entertainment
for the foot weary.
On the school grounds in the
afternoon, the Horse Show drew a
large attendance. The mouth
watering aroma of barbecued
pork and chicken, cooked in an
open pit , filled the air. Later, this
meat provided the main item in
the dinner served in the auditorium
by the Jaycees.
A second performance at 7:30
p.m. of "The World of Carl
Sandburg" was the highlight of
the evening. Country music and
square dancing concluded the
day's events.
Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m . was
Continued On Page 3
l\lr. Arthur Allman receiving his scroll from Betty Price.
--+X+---+>0< ....... ..-•e• - ~+- ,- .~.00.-+)0..~¢
Buy A Cookbook
it is st ill nvlrc than two months until Christmas and
already your mailboxes a rc filling up with catalogues
frnm a ll rJV er the country with a mi lliQn suggestions fQr
gift s. Christmas shopping should really not. be a chm·e this
year. For each family Qn your Chri stmas gift list, there
shf)uld be a t least nne CQpy of The Webster Cookbook.
It can a lmost be guaranteed that Christmas will be
merrier if The Webster Cookbook is found under the tree.
But dnn"t wai t until that mQrning to open. If you do delay.
it may be toQ late to cook the special holiday dinner that is
described in the bnQk. It tells how to prepare an Qld
fashioned western North Carolina dinner from sillabub to
rQast tu rkey to fresh cocQnut cake.
There is llQ dQubt that The Webster Cookbook wi ll be the
most ptJpular present opened that morning. Not only will
you enjQy reading the favori te recipes Qf your friends and
neighbors. but alsiJ you just won 't be able to keep from
smiling l)r giving a sigh when you read Dorothy Moore's
recollection of a snQwy Christmas day in early twentieth
century Webste r. The snQW, the candlelight, the carols
drifting up the road from the Methodist Church, the table
groaning under its weight of holiday foQd . It all still
sounds like Webster.
\'Qu'll want to tarry Qver Florence Rhinehart's
sketches--t he court house , the old school , the Hedden
Hnuse. the MQQre House--and remember the fun there. If
you have 111f)VCd away, you will wish you were there ; and
if you still live in Webster, you'll be glad.
There is just tQO much to describe, but it is a book fQr all
seasQns. You can as easily plan a summer dinner with
Dottie Thornburg's grapefruit salad as you can a fall
supper with lea ther britches beans and cornbread. If you
~rc looking for adventures in cooking, cooking the old
lime way, you will wan t to try Florence Fisher's recipes
fnr wild game. Even if you don't have the meat to cook
"her way" you wi ll enjoy reading the way she did it.
The first editiQn of The Webster Cookbook. a hard back
book with a colored dust jacket of the village from
Riverwood Hill , will be off the press in November. If
orders con tinue tQ come in as t_hey are coming now , the
books may be sold out by the lime they arrive from the
publishe,·. If you have ordered your copy, remember to
get one fm a holiday present for a friend or relative. If you
don't use your order blank oass it on to ::i friend who mav
not have seen it. We guarantee it as a book you will be
proud to own and have on your book shelf.
Joe Parker Rhinehart
-~¢(~:•. "1!'-+-.,.e, --.}¢(-.-~...-.,-.,_.-,_.:_~.:,;;:._~;:~_;-+::;:) +-'""'·~·~~<!f~
Page 2 HISTORIC WEBSTER FALL !974
Country Store
An old·fashioned Country Store
materialized in a former classroom
for Historic Webster Days.
Gray, barn, time weathered
boards on loan from Dr. Ralph
Morgan provided a folksy backdrop
to tables of home baked
breads , cakes, cookies, fresh and
home canned produce and handmade
crafts.
The old timey feeling was
enhanced by the loan of many
treasured fam ily heirlooms from
Webster folks . Many people were
drawn to the store by all these
relics from the past. The young
people couldn 't even guess what
most of them were. They included
a handcrank corn sheller, a
large iron wash pot and a butter
press lent by Hattie and Dan
Cowan ; and many small kitchen
items including an iron , cabbage
shredder, leather britches and
dried herbs belonging to Marilyn
Jody and Betty Price. The baked
goods were displayed in old cases
from Roy Baker's shop, which
were donated by him to the
Webster Historical Society.
The scale from the old Webster
sto re, sti ll in good working order,
was on loan to the Country Store
from Helen Cowan. Barbara
Mann lent her extensive tool and
utensil collection. This was
Another news brief: Our Society
President has been appointed
Director of Jackson County's
Bi-Centennial celebration in 1976
which promises to be an exciting
year nationwide . Your ideas are
solicited.
:l!t:::;:::::;::::::::::~:::::::'fili
Staff
EDITORS
Mrs. Louise Davis
Ms. Alice Harri ll
Dr. Marilyn Jody
TYPISTS
Mrs. Sara Barret
Mrs. Jennie Lou Hunter
CONTRIBUTORS
Mrs. Isabel Carlton
Mrs. Elizabeth Keys
Mr. James A. Madison
Mrs. Diane Nicholson
;:;: Mr. Joe Parker Rhinehart ;:;:-
;t:::;:;:;:;:~f~:::?::~:~~:~~::~~:~~~~:;::::::::~?
~ounted on one wall and provided
many a visitor with lots of
good fun , remembering and
guesswork . An heirloom calico
ta ble cloth belonging to Mildred
Cowan covered the craft table. A
beehive string holder from the
post office provided package
wrapping material.
The Flower Garden Quilt was
won by Ethel Buchanan, a Webster
resident. Southwestern
Technical Institute, Extension
Division donated their work on
the quilt.
Special demonstrations
brought crowds into the Country
Store on Friday and Saturday
afternoons. Hattie Cowan demonstrated
butter churning, with
the eager assistance of several
onlookers. The delicious results
were sold before the demonstration
was fini shed.
Susan Morgan demonstrated
spinning and Martha Fraker
showed backstrap weaving. Arlene
Stewart set up her broom
making equipment and compl eted
two brooms.
Judging by the overflow crowd
and many questions to a talk and
di splay of herbal medicine by
Marina Shebitz, there is a widespread
renewal of interest in the
medicine used by our forefathers.
Mrs. Shebitz did a brisk business
with her golden seal and myrrh ,
and comfrey sa lves.
A store feature enjoyed by the
young people was a checkerboard
and a coupl e of old nail kegs for
sitting on and just whiling away
time in a fri endly game or two .
The Country Store was officially
open from 10-6 Friday and
Saturday. It was so popular that
plans are to open evenings too
next year.
One of Webster 's oldest residents,
Miss Lucy Hedden, hon·
ored the store with her enthusiastic
help. Other storekeepers in
old fashioned attire incluried
Judy Bacon, Laura Coffey , Judy
Coyle, Ann McFadden, Lois Powers,
Lolly Safford , Gracia Slater
, Gail Wilson and Carol Wood.
The Country Store sold all the
homemade breads, brownies,
cookies and goodies we could
bake or borrow . In addit ion , by
actual count, we sold 274 five cent
candy sticks, canned goods ,
Cherokee Sheltered Workshop
beads, brooms, patchwork pillows,
corn shuck dolls, and other
crafts.
Submitted by: Gracia Slater
World Of Carl Sandburg
" rhe World of Car l Sandburg" was presented at the
1/\ebs fer School on July 5 and 6 preceded by dinner each
evening. The presentation by the players was fantastic
and enJoyed by all who attended.
rhe play was compi led and adapted by Norman
C.orw in and covered the works ot Car l Sa ndburg tram
lhe crad le to the grave. It was a compilation ot song,
prose, and poetry displaying Mr. Sandburg's sense ot
humor, sen se of beauty and sense of t ragedy.
r he players were Nancy Hammill ot Brevard, James
[ ichling of Pumpkin Town, and Robert Zipperer of
Ra leigh. Dr. Kathleen Ca rr ot the Department ot Speech
and rheatre Arts at Western Carolina Uni vers ity was
the director.
The Webster Cookbook
Drawer W
Webster, North Carolina 28788
Or der Form
From The
Scrapbook
(From the Jackson
County Journal)
Dr. A. S. Nichols and Miss Rosa
Cole were very nearly going
down the Tuckaseigee without
the aid of a boat. Not supposing
the river to be so full , they drove
their buggy into the stream and
in the middle of it the mule
refused to go on . The water was
running over the top of the buggy.
It looked as if Miss Cole would be
drowned, but just at the right
time a dar key on a mule went into
the river and rescued Miss Rosa
first and afterwards the Dr.
<From the Jackson
County Journal>
Webster is still in the lead . One
of her progressive children , 0 . B.
Coward, has put down the first
piece of paved side walk ever
seen in Jackson County. He has
finished up about 40 ft. in front of
his store and it looks so pretty
that Mr. Joe Rhinehart just
across the street is almost ready
to put the cement on the walk in
front of his store. If our good
people will keep this work up, the
people of Jackson county will yet
be proud of Webster. Who will
follow th e example set?
Wild-Gribble
<From the J ackson
County Journal)
A pretty home wedding was
celebrated at the home of Mr.
Rufus Gribble, in Savannah
township, at eleven o'clock on
Wednesday morning, June 7. The
contracting parties were Mr.
Charlie Wild, of Webster, and
Miss Effie Gribble, rl a u {l:~' :·r oi
Mr. Rufus Gr ibble. .~. 11 ..: bridesmaids
·.; ere Misses Carrie Bumgarner
and Julie Frizell. The
groomsmen were Messrs . J . T.
Gribble and John Stewart. Miss
Bumgarner was maid of honor.
The ceremony was performed by
the writer in the presence of a
large number of relatives and
friends, all of whom joined in
wishing th e young couple a happy
and prosperous life .
Immedia tely after the ceremony
the bridal party left for the
home of the groom where a large
number were gathered to receive
and welcome the bride and
groom. Soon aft er the arrival the
guests were invited into the
dining room where a bountiful
dinner was served , which was
very much enjoyed by the large
number present. Then, after an
hour 's pleasant conversation,
about the house and on the lawn,
the guests departed to their
homes, all expressing good wishes
for the happy young couple.
May God 's richest blessings
ever attend their pathway.
V. L. Marsh
(Mr. V. L. Marsh was Webster
circuit preacher in 1903·1905.)
Enclosed isS------:---- Send .""!e-----c.opies of THE WEBSTER COOKBOOK a t
S6.00 plus .75 fo ~ wrappmg and ma tltng . North Carolina residents add .2-4 sales ta x. Indicate on
~e parate ~ h ~e t _ d books are to be mailed to other than person making order . Gift cards will be
tncluded .1 f tnd tcaled.
NAME
ADDRE SS
CITY -------- STATE------ ZIP---
Additional Members Of The
Webster Historical Society
Omitted rrom the First Charter List
Barrett, Dr. A. L.
Cannon , Mrs. Lewis
Leonard, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond
Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert
Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. Ray
Sutton, Mrs. Fred
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Additional Charter Members
Allman , Aian
Ashe, Zeb
Allison , Hannah
Allison , Roy
Brown, David Hall
Brown, Frank H.
Brown, Sara Cowan
Bryson , Mr. and Mrs. J . S.
Buchanan, Ruth
Bumgarner, Ernest
Burrell, Conrad
Byer, Katherine S.
Cagle, Harry
Chester, Lawrence M.
Cogdill , Bonnie
Cogdiii , Pat
Cowan, Frank
Cowan, Dr. and Mrs. William J.
Coward, Mr. and Mrs. Ray
Cross , Mrs. Mary
Crowe, Mrs. Dewey
Davis, Chris
Davis, Robert
Dewees, Mrs. Mary E .
Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Jim
Gauzens, Mr. and Mrs. T. 0 .
Hager, Mrs. Sue
Hall , Robert C.
Harding , Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Hooker , Robert
Hughes, Glenn
Jakes, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Kneedler, Mr. and Mrs. Jay
Kennedy , Mrs. F . R.
Kinsland , Mr. and Mrs. Tommy
McCoy, Padgett
McCray, Mrs. Jane
McDonald, Mrs. M. F.
Mabry, Mr. and Mrs. Malcom
Massie, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey
Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Morgan, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph
Nichols, Mrs. Mary B.
Painter , Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge
Pangle, Jr ., Mr . and Mrs. Henry D.
Parris, Mr. and Mrs. John
Peacock, Richard
Perry, Mr. and Mrs. Dwain
Phillips, Charles H.
Purser , Sara B.
Rathbun , Mrs. A. A.
Roper , Mr. and Mrs. John
Rowlson , Mrs. Hannah Lou
Searcy, James
Shore, Miriam Y.
Sitten, David D.
Smith, Reverend Joe
Smith, June T.
Sumner, Florence
Walker, Mrs. W. Queally
Widman, Mr. and Mrs . F. W.
Williams, Max R.
Wilson , Mr. and Mrs. Bobby
Woodard, Jr ., Charles D.
Wright, Mrs. C. C.
Tennessee
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Australia
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
California
North Carolina
North Carolina
Nor th Carolina
Nor th Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Georgia
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Tennessee
North Carolina
North Carolina
Florida
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Florida
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Nor th Carolina
Florida
NQrth Carolina
North Carolina
Nor th Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
California
Virginia
Florida
North Carolina
Maryland
U.S. Army
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina
Florida
Members After July 10, 1974
Allison , Jack
Cargill, Laurie
Coward, James 0 .
Davis, Th
Historic Webster Vol. 9 No. 2
No full textHistoric 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.new s let ter o f t he Web s ter Hi s torical Societ y. In c .
VOLUME IX, NUMBER 2 WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA SUMMER 1983
Church Celebrates 131 Years
The Webster United Methodist Church was founded in 1852. The church building
was photographed for a 1907 booklet and has changed little since tha t year. Photo by
Dan Hirt.
Church is "Outstanding"
Example of Classic Country
Religious Architecture
By Doug Swain
The Webster United Methodist Church is an outstanding example of the classic country
church built to serve rural America throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Typical of the type, the church utilizes a simple gable-roofed rectangular form entered on one
end to create a " temple form" which harkens, ultimately, to classical Greek architecture.
other classical elements are present in the building's cornice treatment, corner boards, which
refer to columns or pilasters, and in the modest triangulation introduced above the side windows,
which refers to a classical pediment.
Most of the building's architectural interest, however , is found on its entrance facade. This
face of the building is dominated by an engage bell tower which rises in two stages and
culminates in a splayed pyramidal cap which serves as the church's steeple. Gothic arched
''The entrance design
is high spirited and full of charm.''
vents are centered on all four sides of the tower 's second tier , just beneath its cap. A blind fan
and a diamond-shaped vent ornament its principal face above the church's entrance.
The building's entrance composition is truly outstanding. Gothic arched windows flank the
base of the bell tower. The corners of the base are supported by boxed Ionic columns with recessed
gothic-pointed panels. These columns carry an elongated basket arch under which entrance
is made into a sheltering portico hollowed out of the base of the tower. The door into the church
is surmounted by a Gothic transom and is flanked by sidelights with Gothic heads. Fluted Ionic
pilasters with Spearpoint heads divide the sidelights from the doorway. In total the effect of this
vernacular entrance design is high spirited and full of charm.
Doug Swain is a member of the staff of the Western Office of the Division of Archives and
History, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Asheville.
By Joe P. Rhinehart
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," the psalmist David
wrote, "from whence cometh my help."
For 131 years, since 1852, Webster Methodists have been
following David's directions. And after 33 years of moving
from building to building they built a church in 1887 whose
steeple still directs their eyes and the eyes of passersby to
those hills.
Webster was founded with Jackson County in 1851, and two
years later Methodism was recognized in the new town when
the church conference changed the name of the Tuckaseigee
Circuit (the part of Haywood County that became Jackson) to
the Webster Circuit.
The Methodists of Webster joined with the town's Baptists
and Presbyterians in church services at the Court House until
1870. That year the three congregations moved into a building
(now the site of the Lucy Hedden house) that they shared with
the town school. The Methodists made up the largest part of the
congregations and they were awarded the use of the building
on the first and third Sundays of the month. The Presbyterians
used the building on the second Sunday, and the Baptists took
possession on the fourth Sunday. The fifth Sunday was left for
special occasions for all denominations.
On December 11, 1881, trustees of the church, William A.
Enlow. L. C. Hall, James M. Candler, Thomas M. Frizzell and
James W. Terrell, with the minister , George W. Spake, purchased
from William Bumgarner and his wife, Mary, a lot on
Main Street for 75.00 to J . T. Myers and his wife, M. J . Myers, for that parcel
of Main Street land.
Six years after the purchase of the property, 25 years after
its founding, and who knows how many ice cream suppers to
raise money for the new church, in 1887 the Webster Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, opened its doors. Through the hard
work of the members, men who helped with the construction,
women, who provided the furnishing , the church was raised.
Today's Webster United Methodist Church is not a great deal
different from 1887. If the door is opened, a visitor steps into a
"mountain classical" sanctuary. Red carpet now covers the
hardwood aisle, the gas lights have been replaced, a modern
piano sits where the old organ, played so many years by Ethyl
Leatherwood, did, and the portrait of John Wesley has been
moved. The sunlight still sifts through handblown frosted
pains, the parishioners sit on peged wide board benches, the
minister preaches from the hand fashioned pulpit, and the
communicants kneal at the carved altar . (See article on the
church's architecture on page 1.)
The membership of the Webster church has never been
large. Early rolls, 1870, list 379 white members of the Webster
Circuit and five black members. A recent report shows 25 on
<Continued on page 3)
Page 2, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Summer, 1983
Church Leaders Past and Present
Mr. and Mrs. George McConnell came
from over the river to the Webster
Methodist Church.
Joseph W. Rhinehart, Sr. was a longtime
member of the church Board of
Stewarts.
Nan Frizzell, who spent
years in Washington,
always felt that Webster
was her home church.
Louise B. Davis taught
the adult class ilt Sunday
school for many
years.
Martha Lavenia McLain McKee
0872-1953) held many roles in the
Webster Methodist Church.
Minnie Wild and her husband
Jake were "across the
river Methodists.
Ruth Allison Morris was the Sunday
school superintendent and
teacher in the Webster church.
Is a bella Allison Ca lton ,
daughter of Eugenia Allison,
lives in Florida and continues to
help the Webster church.
L. C. Hall, Sr. helped build and lead the
Webster Methodist Church.
Robert Lee Madison provided years of thoughtful
Sunday school lessons.
Church
Founded
in 1852
(Continued from page I)
the church list. The influence
of these people has always
been felt. The church has
always provided a full
spiritual program for its
members. The best of
teaching, lead years ago by
Robert Lee Madison, Ruth
Allison Morris, and Louise
Davis, more recently by Ray
Ledford, Kate Rhinehart, and
Sally McConnell, continues to
challenge its listeners .
Ministers who have spread
the doctorine through the
country, William Hicks and J.
R. Long, and those now filling
the highest Carolina pulpits,
Ernest Fitzgerald, Donald
Ellis, began their careers at
Webster.
The early membership
roles of Webster read like a
who's who in North Carolina:
Madison, McKee, Terrell ,
Alley, Enloe, Allison, Moore,
Fisher, Broyles, Bryson,
leaders of both church and
state.
The church, through its
history, has offered study opportunities
in its classes, its
summer Bible schools, its
Christmas and Easter programs,
its women's group,
and its youth group.
As population has changed
in Webster, the church has
altered its programs, but one
group that has always been
active is the women's
organization, now headed by
Sarah Barrett. These women,
many wives of the church's
early male leaders, have
often pulled the church
through with their spiritual
and financial support. Begun
in the early days of the church
as the Ladies Aid, the association
is now the United
Methodist Women. It continues
its active social programs
to its neighbors both
local and worldwide, its study
of religious questions, and its
aid to the church program.
Bordering the Webster
church is the parsonage for
the Webster Circuit. This
building, one of the few recent
buildings on Main Street, was
built in 1956. The original parsonage
was begun about the
time the church was completed
in 1887. In the early
part of this century, additional
rooms were constructed,
making a large, but
not particularly comfortable
home. After many freezing
winters, the circuit decided it
was time to build a modern
house, complete with central
heat and an electric stove.
(One minister , name no
longer remembered, and his
wife, lasted only one night
when the kitchen cook stove
damper got stuck.) By 1963
(Continued on page 6)
HISTORIC WEBSTER, Summer, 1983 Page 3
Reflections by Janice Monteith Blanton
Webster United Methodist Church
When I was in Webster recently for Mother's Day, I attended
Sunday school at the Webster United Methodist Church, my
borne church, with my mom. We sang "The Church in the
Wildwood" that morning, and Mrs. Kate Rhinehart told about
a time when Mr. Lewis Cannon was superintendent of the Sunday
School. She said he wanted to sing this song quite often and
that once she suggested they change the "brown" church to the
"white" church. He emphatically said " no" and that settled
that. Well, somehow the idea of the "white" church has stuck
in my mind the past few weeks since then, and I hope Mr. Cannon
will forgive me from his heavenly home for the following:
The Church on the Hill
(sung to tune of "The Church in the Wildwood)
There's a church on the hill in Webster,
No lovier church in the world.
No place is so dear to my childhood,
As the little white church on the hill.
Oh, come to the church on the hill,
To the church where my good friends all go.
Where the Gospel will be taught,
Where we all learn to love the Lord.
How sweet on a clear Sunday morning,
To see all my neighbors go by.
They proudly carry their Bibles,
On their way to the church on the hill.
From the church on the hill in Webster,
When I was growing up.
I received good christian training,
Which I'll use for the rest of my life.
Chorus :
Oh come, come, come, come - come to the
church in Webster, 0 come to the church on
the hill; no spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little white church on the hill.
Yes, the Webster United Methodist Church will always be
very, very special to me for many reasons. It is the church
where I became a Christian ; it is the church where I received
excellent training in the Bible and Christian leadership; it is
the church where I was married; and it is the "love nest"
where I grew up being loved and encouraged by the adults of
the church.
I can easily recall many, perhaps incidental, but memorabl·~
church-related events during my years in the church: being
called down by a preacher for talking during a revival ; being
given chewing gum by Professor Robert Lee Madison between
Sunday school and church; being a student in various Bible
schools and the fun and learning that went with them ; being
pulled around on a large cloth to serve as a "shiner" for the
church floor that the young people had waxed ; being a part of
many, many M. Y. F. and church programs "ready or not! "
being a eater of the scrumptuous food prepared for various
social events by the fine cooks of the church; being a listener to
flannel-board stories told by one of our pastor's wives; being
excited over two handsome college-age workers we had work
with the youth one summer; being a baby-sitter for the Rev.
Don Ellis and his wife who, when I told him he didn't owe me
anything, always replied, "Well, I'll give you a 'free'
wedding," <I held him to it too ! l; and being a helper Mrs. Eva
Mae Davis decorate for my wedding.
Too many people to possibly mention at length come to mind
as I think of church members who have meant a lot to me during
my years in the church. Members of the church were good
people who loved God and loved one another. I cannot recall a
single significant conflict between members. At the top of my
list would have to be Mrs. Kate Rhinehart, because she was our
youth leader and the person who naturally had the most contact
with, and influence over, us young people. She unselfishly
gave of herself in ways that many adults will never know. She
believed in us and made us believe in ourselves. Others in the
Rhinehart family come to mind: Nannie Hart, whom I enjoyed
sitting and talking with and dearly loved; Joe, who, unbeknown
to many, was often responsible for the warmth of the church in
the winter as well as other maintenance ; and of course, Joe
Parker and Jim, who, in effect, were so close to me that I consider
them my brothers.
Other young people who were members of theM. Y. F. during
the time I was, who went through many of the same programs,
who took many of the same trips, (I know I don't have
to remind Jack, Joe Parker and Jim of how Nell and I always
got car sick!) included: the Allmans : Jimmy, Alan, and
Blake; Dickie McConnell; Paul Jr. Cowan; Jack Allison; Nell
Ensley ; Jeanetta Cannon ; and my sister, Billie Jo Monteith.
TheM. Y. F. was really a strong working force in the church
during those days taking responsibility for programs, singing,
janitorial work, and many other activities. Our Sunday evening
M. Y. F. meetings on the church lawn, on the pastor's
porch, in the church, or at Mrs. Rhinehart's hold very special
memories for me. I recall the Rev. Ellis as being one of our
most supportive pastors ; he attended our meetings and gave
us lots of positive attention.
Music has always been important to me, and I especially
remember the McConnell family in this respect. I loved to hear
Sally and George McConnell sing, and Anne Laura Cowan's
piano playing always fascinated me. Miss Nan Frizzell, about
whom I've written an earlier article, felt very strongly about
the church's music propgram and I really have her to thank for
my finally learning to play the piano when I was in high school.
Mrs. Lillian Madison introduced me to the "lemon"as a means
for clearing the throat for solo singing.
The Davises: Doug, Louise, Eva Mae, Myrtle, and Wood ; the
Penlands : Mrs. Penland and Aunt Dess; the Cannons : Lewis
Elizabeth, Jeanetta; the Madisons : Professor Madison and
Mr. and Mrs. Roe Madison ; theFulmers: the Nicholsons : Mrs.
Eugenia Allison ; Mrs. Fred McKee ; Mrs. Vearl Ensley; Miss
Lucy Hedden, and, naturally, my own Mom are some of the
folks whom I remember were going to the Webster Methodist
Church when I did. I loved each and every one these members
and have many special memories stores away about each of
them.
"Yes," there 's still a church on the hill in Webster (thank
God!) - the WEBSTER METHODIST CHURCH, and " No," no
spot is so dear to my childhood (and adulthood) as the little
"white" church on the hill.
Methodist Women Added Support
By Oberia Wild Hyatt
I grew up in Webster and I
often think of the good times
and good friends of my days
in the Webster Methodist
Church.
The women ot the church
called their organization The
Ladies Aid Society (now the
United Methodist Women).
The group met once a month
in the home of one of their
members. I can just see them
walking down River Road to
my mother's home. For other
meetings they climbed the
red clay hill to Webster. They
had several good times.
The ladies sponsored ice
cream, box and oyster suppers
. These community
events were well attended
and provided fun and enter tainment
for young and old.
These parties were one of the
ways the ladies raised money
for their special projects such
as church and parsonage
repairs. They really were
aides to the church.
Prepa ring welcoming
meals and directing the
" pounding" of a new minister
was another of the ladies' activities.
They always had din-ner
or supper ready for the
family and saw that it was
supplied with staples - a
pound of this and a pound of
that.
Some of the ladies I
remember include Lela
Moore, Eugenia Allison, Lillie
Broyles, Lillie Rhinehart,
Hannah Hall , Dean Frizzell,
Laura Moore, Gracie Hall
Brown, Ella Davis , Nora
Coward, Mattie McKee, Mag
Nicholson, Sallie McConnell,
and of course my mother,
Minnie Wild.
Mr. Lewis Broyles was Sunday
school superintendent
and was loved by all
Professor Robert Lee
Madison was one of the Sunday
school teachers. He
would teach the class with
tears running down his
cheeks.
Uncle Andy Allison would
sit in his pew during
preaching. He would get so
excited that he would shake
all over, but he never uttered
a sound.
My father, Jake Wild, Uncle
John Wild, and Mr.
George McConnell were
faithful church attenders
from our side of the river.
Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Summer, 1983
Webster Methodist Leaders Were
Coleman Hall, though he lived many years in
Mississippi, always supported Webster church.
Gracie Hall Brown, living in
Cullowhee, has continued her loyal·
ty to Webster church.
The Reverend and Mrs. Vero R. Masters
were in Webster in 193J.l933.
Eugenia Moore Allison and her daughter Ruth
were leaders in Sunday school and church.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene McCants
were entertained at a church
dinner in 1977. Sally McConnell
served the dinner.
Janet Highfill, daughter of the Reverend
and Mrs. T. G. Highfill, was three years
old when this photograph was taken in
the parsonage yard.
Rachel Hall in 1907 was Webster's oldest
church member.
Judge Walter E. Moore and his wife were
Webster church members.
Rachel McKee Hall and her husband, L.
C. Hall, brought their children up in the
Webster church.
Summer, 1983 HISTORIC WEBSTER, Page 5
Part of Many Community Events
The Reverend Dale Troutman
served Webster from 1979 until
1981.
Edith Moore Hall and Stella
Broyles Hall.
Mary Jane Fisher (Aunt
Molly), In 1939, was 90
yean old
Dr. and Mrs. Ernest A. Fitzgerald lead the Webster congregation in
1943-1948.
. .. - .;
j i:.~ t~: ·, 4
James W. Terrell was chairman
of the Board of Stewards
in 1907.
Lewis Cannon presided many
years as Sunday sc hool
superintendent.
Captain William A. Enloe was a long
time Webster church member and
church trustee.
Before Judge Felix E. Alley moved to
Haywood County he was a Webster
Methodist Church leader.
Lela Enloe Moore worked with
the Ladies Aid Society.
The Reverend G. A. Hovis
preached in Webster in 1936.
Lillian Gudenrath, Lily Broyles, and Mag
Hooker were church member s and
workers in the Ladies Aid.
Page 6, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Summer, 1983
Ministers Were
Life of Webster Village
By Lawrence C. Frizzell
Only a few of the Webster
Methodist Church ministers
are clearly remembered by
me, but two come distinctly to
mind.
I do not remember the first
one at all, but my parents
must have thought highly of
him because they named me
for him, my middle name being
Cordell. That is all I know
of him. (L. T. Cordell served
Webster in 1886-1888.)
The next one is also indistinct
in my mind. His name
was Richards or something
like that. (Could have been J .
S. Ragan, 1900-1901). He used
to ride a very spirited gray
horse when he came to visit
us. I used to think that horse
was about to run away or
throw his rider every time he
came around. That made me
admire him tremendously,
because in those days a good
horseman was something to
be admired.
The last two come clearly to
mind. The first was Mr. C. H.
Clyde, who served during the
early years of the century.
(1906-1908) He had two
daughters, Mabel and Helen,
who were very popular
among the students of our
new Webster school. Mr.
Clyde was a very ardent and
oratorical preacher, and put
on some spectacular performances.
One time he leaped
to the rail around the pulpit
and balanced himself there
for several seconds to emphasize
a point. On another
occasion he put on an impassioned
appeal to care for
those in need, ending each
sentence with "FEED MY
SHEEP" ! He loved to gather
a few of us boys around him
and pray for us. He did this in
the small barn back of the
parsonage instead of the
church, which always puzzled
me.
The fourth one was Mr. J .
A. Peeler. Again I don't
remember just when he served,
(1908-1910) but it was also
early in the century. As nearly
all other men in those days,
he chewed tobacco. And his
favorite "plug " was
"Browne's Mule", only he
pronounced the "mule" as if
it had two syllables, making it
sound like " mu-el" . He probably
had several children,
but I remember only one. His
name was John, and I rescued
him from drowning one day.
A bunch of us boys were
swimming in the river about
half way between the bridge
and the Hall house. There was
a big rock out in the river at
the upper end of the bend, and
another jutting out from the
bank at the lower end. The
water between the two rocks
was pretty deep and
dangerous for one who
couldn't swim. It was in this
deep stretch of water that
Walter Wild drowned in 1906.
John Peeler was one of the
boys swimming there that
day. I happened to be on the
rock at the lower end of the
hole when John started yelling.
We thought he was just
trying to kid us, but when I
looked up to where he was
about the middle of the deep
water I saw his face just as he
went under the water. There
was no question about his being
in trouble, so I dived in
and got to him just as he came
up and grabbed his arm and
started swimming for the
rock at the lower end. Just as
we got near the rock Frank
Coward got there to help, and
we got John up on the rock
and drained him. He was one
scared boy, and I never saw
him swim again. As we were
all probably swimming
without the permission
Historic Webster Vol. 7 No. 3
No full textHistoric 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.newsletter of the Webster Historical Society, Inc.
VOLUME VII, NUMBER 3 WEBSTER, :\OHTII Ct\H.OL!l\A FALL, 1981
Webster High's 1941 Class Molded By Events
By Lloyd Cowan
The Webster High School
class of 1941 is a symbol of
students of the mid-thirties
and forties. Time and conditions
caused it to be the last
class before a new era, was
brought on by World War II
and the consolidation of Sylva
and Webster high schools.
As one of the last eleven
year graduation classes, this
class survived the "great
depression" of the thirties and
became the first class to comple.
te four years in the new
rock, WPA-constructed, high
school building.
... from the covers and
creeks of Jackson County
The Webster High class of
1937-1941 had its humble
beginning at the old oneteacher
schools which were
found throughout the many
coves and creeks of the
Webster-Savannah school
district. The studeQts came
from the headwaters of Pumpkintown,
Gay, East Fork,
Green's Creek, Old Savannah,
Grasshopper, Little Savannah,
Hogrock, the Ashe Settlement,
Locust Creek, and Fair~
view. Lovesfield, Dillsboro,
and Webster communities
greatly complimented the student
body of young, robust,
mountain-bred aspirants as
they came together for "one
common cause" at this consolidated
institution of higher
learning.
Traveling by bus from the
communities of one-teacher
schools, the "joy ride" of ten
to fifteen miles was a treat.
Most had walked half that
distance to their grammar
schools.
I shall never forget the
Savannah bus, "old number
19". The daily origin of this
1934 Ford bus, trimmed with
the traditional North Carolina
system colors of yellow and
black, began in the Pumpkintown
vicinity. Its next to last
stop was at' the Wilson home at
the Cabe Hill junction. Thirteen
Wilson children, all from
one iamily, occupied the last
vacant seats. The last stop,
just before the Little Savannah
intersection, found the
three Rhinehart children having
to stand until the bus arrived
at school. I shall never
forget the synchronized and
coughing sound of this loaded
bus as. it wound up the steep
grade from the Tuckasegee
River, over the graveled,
wash-board, rutted road and
into the school yard. Each
time victory was evident.
Bus number 19 was, indeed.
a legend in its time. The bus
arivers, Glenn Turpin, Gudger
Buchanan, and John R.
Shepherd, were patie~t men
who understood students and
old buses well, even to the
"'nth degree".
Bus number 19 was an
educational institution
herself, and its riders learned
one another in friendship.
Romance blossomed as she
rambled along, and songs
were sung, even in harmony
to , "Beautiful Brown Eyes"
and "Maple On The Hill". The
pain of a rough trip was
somewhat eased when Glenn
and Gudger would stop at the
old Green's Creek Post Office,
to check our mail and purchase
a penny sucker or a B-B
bat.
Robert Paul Buchanan,
Continued on page 4 THE WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1941
Miss Lucy Was Leader
Of WNC Crafts Movement
Miss Lucy Morgan, the
founder of the Penland School
of Handicrafts in Mitchell
County, North Carolina, and a
Webster resident since her
retirement 20 years ago died
July 3, at her Riverwood
home.
In 1915 Miss Lucy became
principal of her brother Rufus'
Appalachian School in Penland
and by 1929, working with
the area residents , she
established the craft school
which has become one of the
world's renowned handicraft
centers.
Her and her workers and
her students fame grew and
she was asked to direct, in
1956, the weaving of the green
baize, the cover for the tables
of Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
the hall where on July
4, 1776, the Nation's Declaration
of Indenpence from Britain
had been signed.
In !962, after 42 years
devoted to the Native Carolina
Crafts, Miss Lucy built her
retirement home near her
nephew, Dr. Ralph S. Morgan
Gov. Terry Sanford appointed
her to direct the Collection of
Webster, North Carolina photographs
for the State 's
Raleigh Archives. She became
a familiar Webster figure as
she covered the countryside,
collecting and identifying early
mountain photos.
The daughter of Alfred and
Fannie Siler Morgan, she was,
born in the Macon County
Community of Cartoogechaye.
Miss Lucy graduated from
Central Michigan College and
her alma mater and the
University of North Carolina
later recognized her contributions
to the crafts of the
southern Highlands by conferring
on her doctors' degrees of
humanities.
Miss Lucy's life ws the example,
according to Legette
Beythe, in her biography, Gift
From the Hills , of "what one
woman who loves and trusts
people and believe in the
creative spirit has accomplished."
Page 2, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Fall, 1981
Summer In Webster Means
Gardens And Good Cooking
Editor's Note: The recipes for the corn, beets, okra, cabbage, and green
beans dishes are taken with permission , from Rubye Allen Bumgarner's
cookbook, Sunset Farms: Spring Fryers Caused It All. Janice Monteith Blan·
ton's essay on "Webster Gardens" and the other recipes are from the historical
society's Webster Cookbook.
SAUTEED FRESH CORN
2 medium-sized ears for 1l2 c. corn. Husk and clean corn, removing
the silks carefully. Cut or scrape the kernels from the cob
(be sure to•get the milk or juice). Place in a skillet with
margarine. Cover and cook slowly until the corn is no longer
starchy-tasting. Stir frequently. Season with salt and pepper,
and if there is any left over after you finish tasting as you go
along, serve it hot. Sometimes I add about 2 T. cream for each
cup of corn as I saute it. Allow at least 112 c. of corn per personit's
better to allow a whole cup.
SKILLET CABBAGE
1 cup celery, chopped 1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups cabbage, chopped Salt
1 onion, chopped Pepper
1 green pepper, chopped 1 tablespoon water
2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tablespoons bacon grease
Mix and cook for about 12 or 15 minutes in a heavy skillet that
has had 2 tablespoons of bacon grease melted in it. Keep skillet
covered.
2 T. vinegar
2 T. butter
Salt and pepper
1 T. water
113 c. sour cream
CREAMED BEETS
12 small beets cooked, sliced or whole
Louise Barker Davis
Method: Heat vinegar, butter, salt, pepper, and water. When
nearly boiling, add cream and beets. Continue to heat slowly
until beets are hot. Serve at once.
Frank Buchanan's garden on Buchanan Loop is typical of a Webster backyard, hillside
garden. The Webster red clay never fails to produce.
Early Gardens
Gardens provided most of Webster's food in the late 1940's
and 1950's. As is still true, lots in the village of Webster were
generally long and narrow with the houses located at the front
near the main street. Generally, the backs of the property were
used for gardens. By and large, Webster's soil is red clay which
on a damp day makes you taller with each step. Amazingly, this
red clay grows delicious vegetables. Webster's gardens and the
individuals who so carefully tended them quickly come to mind
when remembering the food eaten as I grew up.
One fine Webster gentleman, Mr. Ernest Penland, Sr., te1_1ded
gardens in Webster other than the one on his own property. I
was five years old when my family moved to ~ebster, and one
of my earliest memories includes that of "helping" Mr.
Penland plant and care for the garden he had on Mrs. Eugenia
Allison's property next to ours. I would help him and his sons,
George and Ernest, drop potatoes, sow corn, plant carrots, and
then, unknown to them (I thought), later help myself to the carrots
long before they were matured.
My mother was the gardener at our house. In those days my
father was much more noted for his fishing and hunting than his
gardening, and, Mr. Penland, being the tease that he was, used
to tell me that my daddy was so sorry for not tending a garden
that we would have to "eat the plaster off our walls" for food.
Naturally, I quickly went to the defense of my dad.
When we first moved to Webster the Post Office was located
between Mrs. Allison's property and ours. The majority of
Webster's inhabitants gathered there during the day to talk and
get their mail. Like most youngsters, I was always around
somewhere too, listening to adult discussions of weather, planting
conditions, and the "signs." I particularly recall another
outstanding Webster gentleman, Mr. James Oliver, who was
always at the Post Office at these times. I really had to "guard"
Mama's garden as Mr. Oliver was always threatening to
"steal" something from it. Childlike, I thought he would.
Some of Webster's best gardeners were ladies of the town.
Mr. Oliver's wife, a petite, agile woman, was an excellent
gardener. She and her daughter, Irene Queen, were among the
first in Webster to prepare their garden and they always had a
beautiful crop. Mrs. Lilye (Nanniehart) Rhinehart, Mrs. Irene
Coward, Mrs. Wiley Nicholson, Mrs. Ernest Penland, Sr., and
Mrs. Archie Elliott were diligent and competent gardeners as
well as my mother.
In those days, many Webster gardens were plowed with
horses or mules, not with tractors. Some of the older folks felt
that it would ruin the soil for a tractor to be in their gardens. As
years went by, it became increasingly harder to find anyone
with animals to plow the gardens. Once, Nanniehart, aggravated
that someone had not shown up to plow their garden,
threatened to get out the "old 'tillhopper' " (rotary tiller) and
plow the garden herself if he didn't come to plow soon. (She was
in her 80's at that time! )
To those who grew up and lived there, Webster is unique and
special in many ways. It offers the closeness of houses and
neighbors while at the same time having soil available for
gardening. Snuggled under King's Mountain and nestled in the
Western Carolina hills, Webster's growing season is short, but
productive. The feel of cool, damp soil in the spring, the smell of
gardens being " burned off" for spring planting, the sound of
horses panting as they struggle to plow the soil , the sight of
straight, clean rows of healthy plants awaiting their harvest,
and finally , the taste of well prepared fresh vegetables are
among my fond memories of Webster.
Janice Monteith Blanton
HISTORIC WEBSTER, Fall, 1981, Page 3
Frank Buchanan's garden, like all Webster gardens, includes all the mountain
favorites : corn, tomatoes, beans, onions, and potatoes.
At one time Webster was the county's market center. This
summer Ray Ledford, son of Dr. and Mrs. Ray Ledford,
operated a successful one man business on Main Street.
MARRYIN' SQUASH
2 pounds squash
1 medium onion
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter
'12 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Salt
Pepper
Slice onion and squash. Cook together in salted water to
cover. Drain and add egg, sugar, butter, and 3f4 cup of grated
cheese. Put in buttered casserole and top with bread crumbs
and remainder of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350° oven.
GOOD CABBAGE
1 large head of cabhage
4 T. flour
4 T. margarine
2 c. milk, scalded
1 egg yolk, well beaten
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
Pepper and paprika
1 c. cracker crumbs
Gracia Walker Slater
Method: Cook cabbage; drain. Cook butter, flour, and milk
slowly. Add egg yolk, stirring constantly. Season to taste. Add
cheese; grease a baking pan. Add cabbage, cheese sauce dot
with butter. Repeat and cover with cracker crumbs' and
paprika. Brown crumbs and cut in, brown again. Bake in 350°
oven. Serve hot.
OKRA CASSEROLE
We always try to serve this with venison. It is nice and juicy
while the venison has a tendency to be dry.
8 slices bacon
4 sliced medium onions
2 qts. sliced okra (fresh or frozen)
3 sliced green peppers
6 medium peeled tomatoes, quartered
Fry bacon until crisply done. Take bacon out and dry on
paper towels. Then fry onion and pepper rings until limp. Alternate
layers of okra and the other vegetables in a casserole.
Crumble bacon and sliced olives on top. Brown lightly in oven
for 30 minutes at 350°. Serves 10.
GREEN PEPPER CASSEROLE
2 medium peppers 2 tablespoons butter
112 cup saltines , crushed 1/z cup cheese, grated
Salt 1 cup milk
Pepper
Sliver peppers and soak in salted water about 1'12 hours. In a
buttered casserole layer broken crackers and slivered peppers.
Add salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of butter pieces. Repeat
twice more. Cover with grated cheese. Add milk and bake at
350° for 40 minutes. Serves 4.
Emma Johnson Allison
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE
3 cups sweet potatoes, cooked 2 eggs, well beaten
1 cup sugar 113 stick margarine, softened
112 teaspoon salt 1/z cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pour into greased baking dish
and cover with topping.
TOPPING
1 cup light brown sugar 1 cup nuts, chopped
'13 cup self-rising flour 3f4 stick margarine, softened
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Crumble over potato mixture.
Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Serve as a vegetable or as a
delightful dessert, topped with whipped cream.
Beverly Willis Williams
GREEN BEANS AU GRATIN
4 T. butter
1 t. salt
4 T. flour
1/8 t. dry mustard
1'12 c. milk
1l2 c. processed cheese, diced or grated
3 c. cooked fresh beans, slivered
Parmesan Cheese
Paprika
Method: MeLt the butter, add salt, flour , and mustard. Cook
over low heat until bubbly. Add milk and cook until thick and
smooth. Add cheese and stir until completely melted. Add
beans, which have been cooked in boiling water (salted) until
just underdone. Pour into a buttered casserole, sprinkle with
Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, until
bubbly. Add slivered almonds.
Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Fall, 1981
Events Molded Class Of 1941
Conference Champions (1930) Webster
FIRST ROW: Major Allison, Jesse Bryson, Roy
"Slick" Allison, Alvin "Sol" Fullbright. and
Dwight Hardin.
SECOND ROW: Mark Watson, Coach, Frank
"Bean" Cowan, Richard Ashe, Zeb Ashe, Paul
Sutton, Dee Ashe, and Paul Cagle, Manager.
Continued from page 1
principal of the newly consolidated
Webster High
School, greet the class of
1937- 41 students with
friendliness and firmness.
This trait he did not relinquish
for the next four years . Under
his leadership, not only
students, but the teachers
found guidance. The "faithful
four" were Louise .Davis,
whom most freshmen despised
and seniors dearly loved ;
Adams Moses; Jonathan
Brown ; and Genella Allison.
The specialist teachers were
Edna Allen (Ginn), Mrs. Simmons
and Mrs. Deaver.
Entering Webster High was
a trying experience for most
of this class. I knew one country
lad who had never ridden
anything but a horse or
wagon-team, and just the
sound of number 19, the
newness of faces from other
communities, and the long
distance from home were an
awesome blow to his mental
stability. The atmosphere of a
new and larger school, more
teachers and students, more
complex text-books, and the
demands of study resulted in
many weeks of sleepless
nights.
Mr. Buchanan and the high
school teachers made the easthalf
of the school building exciting
and relaxing as they occupied
our minds with math,
science, grammar, literature,
home economics, and history .
Mrs. Allison created joy and
interest in many hearts as she
directed our Glee Club between
acts of Mrs. Davis'
Dramatics Club. "Mrs. Tubbs
of Shanty Town" and "Oh,
Aunt Gerusha" , the junior and
senior plays, ably directed by
Mrs. Davis, were two events
that the Class of '41 will
always remember. JuniorSenior
trips in the back of a
wood truck to Copperhill, and
Norris Dam, Tennessee, were
thrillers.
Basketball was " King" at two old 39-Chevys and walk
old Webster High. "Bean" two or three miles on home
(Frank) Cowan, who was was a common practice as the
every bit an All Star during his early hours of the morning
day , with Harry and Major were at hand.
Allison, will maintain that As someone from the class
basketball was actually born of '41 recently stated: "Them
on the red clay hill of Webster. wuz the goode ole daze". Then
Harry and Marshal Mason, we were "aspiring and seek-
Clifton Thomas, Carl Vance, ing"; today weare "maintain-and
Jess Buchanan were ing and preserving"!
outstanding in their years at
Webster. Later coming on the
scene, and coached by the rugged.
persistence of " Sol"
(Alvin) Fullbright, were
Richard and J.D. Morgan,
Robert Lominac, Leo and
Lloyd Cowan, Harry Vance,
Lewis Bradley, John and
Morgan Buchanan, Hayes
Deitz, and Howard Buchanan.
When Webster played at home
the place was packed and they
were " hanging from the
rafters" of the old wooden
gym.
Basketball was king
at old Webster High.
They were hanging
from the rafters of the
old wooden gym.
Game or practice, it was not
uncommon for players to stay
over from school, thriving,
until arriving home late that
night, on a five-cent honey-bun
and a nickel R.C. A dime could
buy much at the uptown stores
of Uncle Coley Allison and
Uncle and "Granny" Rhinehart.
The smell and sparkling
sights of these two old-timey
stores added much flavor to
the educational ambitions of
rural youth of that day. They,
too, have "departed the
scene" and shall never he
forgotten. It was a special
effort for Mr. Buchanan and
Coach Fullbright to deliver
the players to their homes
after a game, often in other
counties. To emerge from the
There was a closeness unparalled
among this class of
thirty-seven scholars, and in a
school of small proportions,
150 students with the same
aspirations, the desire was to
explore and excel.
The Webster High School of
1941, did not have as its goal to
attain riches. Its basic aim
was tO get an education in
order to get a job, in order to
make money, in order to buy
many things,---just anything,
which they had never known.
It could have been all the
cheese Or peanut butter or
lightbread or pork and beans
or salmon one could eat. Or all
the Cokes (then called dopes l
one could drink, even a 22-
rifle, a bicycle or basketball,
or sporty clothes, and ultimately
an automobile, which
even their parents did not
own, with which they could
travel outside the perimeter
of Jackson County.
That day did come to pass.
This day, 1981, and this class
of 1941, will also pass from the
time scene, just as the old rock
school building did pass from
its original use.
Lloyd Cowan, class president
of the 1941 group and who
recently organized a reunion
for the class, is the manager of
Belk Department Store in
~ylva. His article is written in
memory of a favorite teacher
Mrs. Louise Davis, who edited
this historic journal.
Pictures
from a Webster Scrapbook
Callie Marsh, a Webster school teacher about 1910-1911,
is feeding a baby jack in the Alley yard. The Methodist
Church is in the background.
Lawrence Cordell Frizzell, later an Army Colonel, was a student at
Fruitland Institute in Hendersonville in 1912.
Editor's Note : For the collectors of Historic Webster, the recent
issues have been misnumbered. The issue listed as Volume VI,
Number 1, should be Volume VII, Number I. Volume VII, Number
2, should be numbered Volume VII, Number 3. The Society does
have, for those members who need them, some extra copies of certain
issues. If a large stamped, addressed, manila envelope is sent
to the society in Webster, if the copies needed are available, they
will be sent free of charge. Postage averages thirty cents per issue.
Fall1981
Editor :
~" HISTORIC~ WEBST.E:R ne wslener c ! H>e Wet>ster H•~torrc~ t Socoe! ~ 111c
Webster, North Carolina 28788
Joe P . Rhinehart
Contributors: Rubye Allen Bumgarner, Lloyd Cowan,
Mildred Cowan, Lawrence Frizzell, Jenny Hunter.
Published quarterly by the Webster Historical Society and
printed by the Herald Publishing Company, Sylva, North
Carolina
Historic Webster Vol. 1 No. 1
No full textHistoric 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.VOLUME I· NUMBER I
History of t6e
Historical Society
Webster is changing, not so much in appearance but
in attitudes toward toe small town. People who remember
or have learned about Webster's rich heritage are putting
its great potential all together - people, history, education,
recreation, preservation. Webster might have
became a plush new development, a commercial campground,
or nearly anything which would have changed the
character of its environment. Instead, Webster is to be
preserved as it is, with only adaptive restoration changes
that will maintain the present atmosphere and preserve
the spirit and quality of a charming historic village.
These changes began last year on February 15 when a
few interested townspeople met with Webster Town Coun.
cil members at Mayor Ray Baker's house. Betty Price
suggested appointing an Historic Sites Commission to study
the possibility of having Webster designated a State Historic
Site. The Town Council members - Roy Baker, Margie
Penland, Claude Cowan, Goldman Monteith, Louise Davis,
and Joe Rhinehart - approved the idea and appointed
Mildred Cowan chairman of the new Commission. Others
named were Louise Davis, Mary Morris, Kate Rhinehart,
Jack Morris, Jim Allman, Claude Cowan, and Betty
Price. Due to the efforts of this Commission Webster
is now on a list of proposed historic sites in North Carolina.
On March 5, six persons representing the Webster Town
Council and the Historic Sites Commission met with the
Jackson County Board of Education to ask for the Webster
Elementary School (which was vacated in December 1973'
as a result of consolidation of schools) to use as a community
center and town office building. They were told
they would be kept informed of progress toward that possibility.
The Webster Historical Society, Inc. was chartered
April lith as a fund-raising and promotional organization
for the preservation and restoration of Webster.
The first public interest meeting was held on Friday·
the thirteenth of April at the Webster Elementary School
sponsored by Southwestern Technical Institute and the
Webster Historic Sites Commission. Nearly 200 persons
attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of a preservation
- restoration project in the Town of Webster.
The Webster Elementary School cloggers opened the
evening with an exhibition of buck dancing. Exhibits
included an old-fashioned kitchen scene, Jack Hoyle splitting
boards, and pottery-making with Brant Barnes.
Sugar cookies and pound cakes from Historic Webster
recipes and lemonade were refreshments. At the churn,
homemade bread and Hattie Cowan's butter were available.
After a media presentation by Dorris Beck and Arlene
Stewart, the decision was made to undertake a preservation
project in Webster.
When the society organized in the tall, Betty Price
was elected president; Marilyn Jody, vice president;
Mary Morris, secretary; and Jim Simpson, treasurer.
Joe Rhinehart, Spencer Clark, !tichard Iobst, and John
Parris were elected to the Board of Directors. Members
of the Webster Town Council and of the Historical Society
met with representatives of Wachovia and First Union
National Banks of Sylva: Bruce Wike; chairman of the
Jackson County Board of Commissioners; and Jim Allman
·, Board of Education member for a buffet luncheon
at Canterbury Inn on December 10. The purpose of the
luncheon was to inform the county commissioners and
the Sylva banks of the fund raising plans of the society.
On December 3 and January 7, representatives of the
Historical Society and Town Council met with the Jackson
County School Board about purchasing the Webster school.
The School Board accepted an offer of 1,500 option will
be paid at the Board's February 4th meeting, the remainder
to be paid on or before July 10.
~
"If only we are faithful to our past, we shall not have to
fear our future." -John Foster Dulles
Webster, North Carolina
THE JACKSON COUNTY Courthouse in Webster
was the center of all county business until 1913.
This picture, taken in 1932, shows Ann Cowan in
the doorway.
Origins of ~ackson County
The history of Webster is the history of Jackson County,
for Webster served as the county seat from 1853 to 1913.
During that 60 year period, all official Jackson County
functions occured in Webster.
Jackson County came into being on January 29, 1851.
It was formed from parts of Haywood and Macon Counties,
which, before that date, were divided by the Tuckaseigee
River. Two Haywood County men, Michael Francis,
who served in the State Senate, and R.G.A. Love, who
served in the House, were largely responsible for the birth
of the county.
In 1850, the population of Haywood and Macon was
divided between Whig and Democrat factions. In order
to please both groups the county was named Jackson after
the popular Democrat . hero Andrew Jackson, and the
county seat was called Webster after the famous Whig
orator, Daniel Webster.
As Edgar H. Stillwell writes in "The Conquest of the
Carolina Frontier ,t' "the name of the new county was
to keep alive the memory of 'Old Hickory,' father and
founder of our Jacksonian Democracy; while the seat of
government for the new county was to honor that great
champion- of the Union of States - Daniel Webster."
On the third Monday in March, 1953, the final step
in the creation of Jackson County took place in a log
cabin built by the piontier Daniel Bryson in what is now
the Beta community. Here the first court ever held in
Jackson County convened with Judge John W. Ellis, later
Governor of North Carolina, presiding. At this meeting
the wheels of the new county were set in motion.
The commissioners who were appointed to select a
suitable place for the county buildings at first considered
locating the county seat where the second county court
was held, on the old Love farm near the County Home.
However, the hill just west of this place, on the right
bank of the Tuckaseigee River, was chosen to be the site
of the county seat.
A brick courthouse was built on this site in Webster
in 1854. Later a larger brick building was erected on
the site of the first one. This latter building, which
was made of bricks formed from Webster clay, wa"
used until 1913 when the county seat was moved to Sylva.
The building stood until the 1930's when it was torn down.
February 197 4
A fetter
3rom t6e President
Dear Preservationist Friends,
It was once the county seat. Nothing put on - a real,
living, breathing, working town that is simply making
history its industry. Historic Webster is the result of
a giant effort by the people of Jackson County who visualize
its ootential. The reclaimers are as heterogeneous
as a group of people you would ever hope to
meet- old and young, members of pioneer families who
have a strong heritage to share and newcomers attracted
by the quiet and gentle life of t~?e m?untains. . .
The Webster Historical SoCiety IS a non-prof1t orgamzation
supported principally by contributions and memberships.
Besides sponsoring preservation and adaptive
restoration, the Society is planning an oral history
collection. Think of it - tape-recordings of interviews
with senior citizens in Jackson County recalling the day
when Thon.as Edison and Henry Ford ·visited here; reminiscences
of the debate about moving the public buildings
from Webster to Sylva; tape-recordings of long-time
residents talking about the changes over the years;
school teachers discussing the changes in education.
One day-maybe soon-it will be possible to walk through
Historic Webster and see a fire in the blacksmith shop,
to see herb gardens and orchards; to visit the Museum
and Archives where you can push a button and see and
hear instant history.
All of this is possible because you are taking up
the challenge now. We've got to hurry and capture the
oral history we have left. Join today! Send your contribution
to Historic Webster for its 1-year, tax deductible
campaign to raise 5.00 yearly
Associate (outside Western N.C.): 10.00 yearly
Supporting: 30.00 yearly
Life: $100.00
All contributions are income tax deductible.
Page 2 HISTORIC WEBSTER February 1974
A Guide To The Map Of Webster
This drawing of Webster at the turn of the century
has been compiled by Betty Price, Through records,
ne·wspaper articles, and with the help of Claude Cowan,
Lily (Nanniehart) Rhinehart, Arthur Allman and Mildred
Cowarr,-the-JI'ap-has beefnlrawn up to simula:te Webster
around 1900.
The town well across from the Court House is the one
depicted in the HISTORIC WEBSTER banner. The well,
according to Nanniehart, was a gathering place for thirsty
travelers and their horses. Though the well has been
filled in, its cornerstones can still be seen next to the
Webster Post Office. ·
'!be Court House was built with red bricks from the
clay mine and brick plant across the river. The Webster
clay mine also supplied clay for dolls' heads and fine
china made in New Jersey,
The Wilde store, the two mills, and the homes on the
river were washed away in the flood of 1940, and the road
was rebuilt closer to the river, on the site of these
buildings.
Prize Given For Design
The Historic Webster bannerhead was designed and
drawn by Karen Moscowitz, a sophomore art student
at Western Carolina University, Prof. Ray Menze's
two-dimensional drawing classes took the newsletter bannerhead
as a class project, and the work of each student
was submitted to the Historical Society for review, Members
of the Historical Society Executive Committee chose
Moscowitz's work out of approximately 30 entries.
Moscowitz, who comes from Leona, New Jersey, will
be awarded five dollars by the Historical Society for her
efforts,
The Mountain View Hotel, ~athan Coward Hotel, drug
store, Tuckaseigee Bank, and Allison home were destroyed
in the fire of 1910. The Allison home has since been rebuilt
in its original style,
The map was drawn by Julie Blankenship, a student
at Southwestern Technical Institute.
If you have any additions or corrections to the map,
or if you can narrow down the date to a more specific
year, please write Betty Price, Drawer w, Webster, N.C.
28788. Any information about specific homes or buildings
will be welcomed.
In "Jackson County: Its Climate :and Natural Resources,"
a column in THE TUCKASEIGE DEMOCRAT, this siatement
appeared each week:
... "The water is pure, cool and sweet, and for household
purposes is taken from springs with which the county
abounds."
olie 'Oown of We6ster
around 1900
OJokbook
<.oll'hw...,
(_()\l)o."\
L...woH:
Will Provide
- Good Reading
A forthcoming Webster recipe book promises to provide
not only a cpllection of Webster's oldest and most
delicious dishes but also interesting reading and browsing
material.
The cookbook, which is currently being compiled by
Flossie and Joe Parker Rhinehart, will feature original
pen and ink drawings of people and places in Webster.
Character sketches of the donating cooks will accompany
some of the mouth-watering recipes, and Joe Parker is
compiling a series of "Growing Up In Webster" stories
written by Webster women of several generations. Mildred
Cowan, Mary Morris and other women who grew up in
Webster have been asked to contribute their accounts.
The recipes in the book were collected from cooks
in the area by Joe's mother, Kate Rhinehart. Flossie
Rhinehart will draw the pen and ink sketches.
The Rhineharts hope to have the cookbook completed
and on sale by mid-April. The recipe book is a fund
raising project of the Webster Historical Society, Inc,
Joe Parker Rhinehart, who grew up in Webster, and his
wife Flossie, who comes from Georgetown, Kentucky,
now live and teach school in Bethesda, Maryland, They
have worked with the historic preservation and restoration
of Murfreesboro, N.C., where they are restoring a home,
HISTORIC WEBSTER February 1974 Page 3
Nanniehart Recounts
Her Memories Of Webster
NANNIEHART in her earlier years. This photograph
was taken when she was about eighteen or
twenty years old.
Arthur Allman
Nanniehart was born Lily Cagle on August.
13, 1881. She and her husband, J. W. Rhinehart,
used to run the Mountam View Hotel
until it burned down in 1910. After that,
the Rhineharts managed hotels in Sylva and
Bryson City before they came home to Webster
and opened up the country store across
from the Court House.
Nanniehart got her nickname 34 years ago
when her grandson, Joe Parker Rhinehart,
was a baby whose ver sion of " Granny Rhinehart,
came out "Nanniehart/' Now there's
not a person in Webster who calls her
anything else.
As the oldest resident of Webster, Nanniehart
tells some colorful stories of the town
in its younger days. Of her school days,
she says, "I was raised out on a farm about
two miles from here, When I first went
to school I didn't come in to town. I went
to a country school. That was four months'
school. Later on they changed us to the
Baptist Church at the top of the river hill,
we'd go .ill_ven monthLout of the year.
in the summer, thy'd have what they
subscription school and I went to that.
That was when a teacher would come wantin'
to work in the summer and he'd char ge either
50¢ a week or 50¢amonth,Ican't remember .
But I went to school every chance I could
get up until I was 18. I would have kept
on then but my mother go~ sick and I had to
stay home."
Is Prize Storyteller
Arthur Allman has a story to tell about
practically every person or event he can
remember throughout his 89 years in Webster.
And he's even got some tales about
times he can't remember - like being born
on March 17, 1884.
His parents, Polk and Betty Allman lived
on the George Penland place at that time.
Dr. Candler was the doctor then, and he
was going to come deliver the baby, but,
as Arthur relates. "there come the awfullest
snow storm you ever saw. We had
a picket fence then, and the snow was banked
up all around it. I was born, my mother
said, at 5:00 in the morning, and of course
nobody could get there so the girl that was
staying with us and my father were the only
ones there when I was borno
"Now old llln Boone (no kin to lllniel
Boone) lived up in the house right above
us, When they shoveled out a trail, his
mother came lookin' around, and she saw
me and said, 'why, this baby's about froze
to death. ' Now her son llln wasn't much
older than I was, so she took me home and
nursed both of us until my mother could
take care of me. And it took three weeks
for my mother to get strong enough to take
me home.
"So, I had it rough from the time I come
into the world; I've had it rough and I'm
still having it rough."
Arthur describes Webster during his childhood
as ''a nice clean country town with
lots of nice people. The (Tuckaseigee)
River was a beautiful river then, clear as
a crystal, just as pure as any spring water
you could find. You could drink out of it
then, and now it's not even clean enough to
take a bath in. It was bigger in those days,
about four times as big as it is now. And
fish--that river was just loaded with fish."
The covered bridge in Webster was a
gather ing spot during rainstorms until sometime
in the nineteen-teens when it was torn
down. It, too, sparks a story by Arthur.
"That old bridge was covered and had
two windows on either side. It sheltered
many a person on a rainy day. Hunters would
go there to kill ducks. Back then there were
no lakes on the river, so there were lots
of ducks. Well, one bad rainy day when
Bill Henson was sheriff, old Henry Norman
and I wer e going to go hun tin ' and we were
standing under there because of the rain.
Henry had a new double-barrel gun and he
was mighty proud of that gun. Now they
were strict about taxes then; it's not like
it is now; if you didn't pay your taxes
they'd just come and take something you
owned until you did pay.
"Now the sheriff walked in and saw Henry
there with that gun, and asked him, 'Henry,
is that a good gun?' Of course, Henry was
proud of it and told him it was, and the
sheriff said, 'well, Henry,Inoticeyouhaven't
paid your taxes, so I'll just take the gun
until you pay it. • Poor Henry had to give
him the gun, and he didn't get to go huntin'
that day,"
~oin tfie Historical Society 'Godayl . "e The mailing list has been compiled from the Webster
township tax listings, the Sylva Herald out-of-county subscription
list, a list of Jackson County public school
teachers, the Western North Carolina Historical Society
membership list, WCU faculty and staff directory; the
Appalachian Consortium Board of Directors list and personal
lists from members of the Webster Historical
Society.
0
D
I want to be a Charter Member ~
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the
newsletter , please send the name and address to Drawer W,
Webster, North Carolina, 28788·.
The first three issues of HISTORIC WEBSTER will
be sent free to anyone interested in receiving them.
Further issues of the newsletter will be sent to all
members of the Webster Historical Society at no cost
other than membership dues.
D
My dues are enclosed
10
30
ll5,000
Plans call for the building to house the Webster Town payable on or before July 10. The Jackson County Board
Council offices, Historical Society Offices, a museum and of Education on January 9 agreed to accept the offer made
archives, a restaurant, a community theater, an
Historic Webster Vol. 2 No. 1
No full textHistoric 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.Dan H. Phillips
The following, a reprint from
the Jackson County Journal of
December 4, 1914, was found in
the papers of R. L. Madison. Mrs.
Gordan Reed, daughter of Mr.
Madison gave it to the Historic
Webster Newsletter. Mr. Phillips
was a grandfather of Glenn
Hughes.
"To The J ackson County Journal
:
--1 was indeed surprised some
days ago when I received a letter
from Sister D. H. Phillips of
Cullowhee, in which !learned for
the first time of the death of Bro.
Phillips.
Sister Phillips asked me to
write a sketch of his 1ife as I knew
him, and ask the Journal to
publish it.
I first became acquainted with
Bro. Phillips by meeting him in
the Associations; then I was his
pastor for some years, at Cullowhee,
N. C., near his home
often spending nights with hi~
and his family. When I was
pastor I ordained him as deacon
in his church . It does me good to
say that D. H. Phillips was
always on the Bible and right side
of everything pertaining to the
church, and would stand by his
pastor to the end. In this particular
we had the opportunity to see
him tested.
He weighed matters before
venturing expression ; but when
he spoke was a lways on the right
Side·. He possessed conviction
that he would die loving his
church and the cause as his life.
He put his time, life and money
mto the Kmgdom while I knew
him when I was his pastor.
He was at times fractious, but
possessed grace sufficient to
co~trol it. He was a community
builder, untiring in his efforts to
advance the educational work in
his county.
He loved his family as a
devoted father , constantly striving
to give them the best educational
advantages. He loved his
brethren of the church and would
never fail to urge them at church
and association to read the
Biblical Recorder, often saying
that by bringing it into his home
he brought some of his children to
Christ.
The years of pastorate and
fellowship with him, Bros. Newt
Watson and D. M. Pressley,
whom I learn have also passed
over, will long be remembered by
me. Also all the brethren and
sisters of old Cullowhee.
I look back over the years that
have passed into the dim past and
remember what God has enabled
me to accomplish in a small way.
It makes my heart rejoice .
Something like 60 persons I led to
Christ and baptised into Cullowhee
church and as many into
other churches of Jackson county.
Though absent from them for
this 10 or 15 years the Lord has
not failed me. (Love to all my
friends .)
M.A. Love"
WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA
'!'he above is a picture of the Andy Allison home in Webster. Aunt
~a the, Uncle Andy's wife, is sweeping her walk. This house replaced
m 191_1 o~ 12 the former home of the Allisons which was destroyed in
the b~g fire of 1910. Mrs. Lewis Cannon owned this property until she
sold It some years ago to James Simpson who moved the house
farther back on the lot and remodeled it for his home.
State Of Historical Society
Dear Friends of Webster·
Since the last issue of. the
newsletter , the Jackson County
School Board voted to
renew and extend the option
on the Webster Elementary
School. The Historic Society
needs approximately 55,000 grant from the North
Carolina Bi-Centennial Commission
for which we have
applied. The proceeds from
the sale of The Webster Cookbook
will help to reach that
goal along with donations and
other fund-raising activities.
The plans for the July 4th
celebration will be underway
very shortly, developed this
year by the Historical Society
m cooperation with the Jackson
County Bi-Centennial
Commission of which I am
chairperson. The celebration
holds promise of being an even
more spectacular festival
than last year's and will be a
practice run for the county's
1976 Bi-Centennial celebration.
The Bi-Centennial plans
will aim toward involving
everyone in Jackson County
as well as enhancing the plans
and projects which the Webster
Historical Society already
has underway.
A big thankyou goes to Joe
Parker and Florence Rhinehart
for compiling, editing and
illustrating The Webster
Cookbook. It is truly a treasure
and a beautifully done
book. We know that all of you
wttl want a copy. The Historical
Society looks forward
to a second edition soon.
A thankyou is due to Louise
Davis and the entire newsletter
staff for the work which
goes into these publications.
Enjoy this year with the
Webster Historical Society
throu!\h the newsletter by
renewmg your subscription
now.
Cordially,
Betty Price
President
'~f? ~'s ~ enew Your Membership Now~
_Its ~ime to renew your membership to the Webster
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r.ece1vmg th1s newsletter, but if you wish your subscription
to the newsletter to continue, please make sure you
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Active (resident of Western N. C->: ....... -. ... 5-00 yearly
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·==;/A
WINTER, 1975
A Country Doctor
William Self, M.D.
By Vera Self Smith
My father, Dr. William Self,
was born m Charleston, South
Carolina, October 13, 1852. His
parents were George and Sara
Ann Crowder Self, to whom were
born four boys and three girls.
Early in their married life they
moved to Buncombe County,
North Carolina, and settled in the
Sandy Mush Community where
they remained a number of years
before moving to Franklin, North
Carolina in Macon County.
My father finished his education
in the Old Marshall Academy
m Marshall, North Carolina under
Dr. Charles Kennedy. His
four year course in the study of
internal medicine was also under
Dr. Kennedy. When Dr. Kennedy's
son, Charles had completed
his medical training, he entered
· the practice in his father 's office.
When my father had completed
his training he was advised to
find a small place to begin his
practice and he somehow found
Webster. He obtained a good
room and board in the home of
Rev. Dr. Spake, a retired Methodist
minister who helped him become
acquainted with the town
folk , girls included. With the
assistance of the senior Dr.
Candler, his practice grew. He
was later to be associated with a
Dr. Colby who had settled in
Dillsboro. They became good
fnends and helped each other in
the practice of medicine in
Jackson County.
Soon after settling in Webster,
my father saw, one day, a very
pretty young girl coming up the
street and he asked the minister
who she was. He was told that she
was the daughter of Joseph W.
Cowan who lived across the river.
Father said, " I would like to meet
her - you know I am going to
marry her." Mr. Spake, the
minister, said, "She and her
father are rather slow to make
choices, but I will see that you get
the chance to try." Father met
Octavie Eleanor Cowan and the
result of that meeting was marriage,
in November 23, 1881,
about a year later. The young
couple stayed in Webster for
~bt?ut a year, but father's parents
ms1sted on their moving to
Franklin and opening an office
there. They did move there for a
while; in fact , their oldest child
Robert Ollis Self, was born there:
but they soon decided to return to
Webster, where Joseph Dillard,
Lawrence, and I were born. Later
they moved to Glenville where
my youngest brother, George,
was born. But Webster had a pull
for my parents and they came
back there to remain the rest of
their married life. Sometime·
during this period my fathef·
served as Jackson County Healtli
~nd Sanitation officer, or maybe
11 was not called such at this tim~.
I have no r ecord of this service
but know that he did serve for a
time in that capacity.
Our old home, which my father
butlt, was on a portion of the
Joseph W. Cowan, my grandfather's
farm near the Webstev
Baptist Church. (This is the present
home of Charlie Roper.)
Father always kept two or three
good saddle horses to ride when
making house calls. Some patients
came to the house where he
maintained his office and mixed
much of his medicines with a
mortar and pestle on a marble
slab. Mostly his practice was
house calls. Often he would be
gone all day and into the night.
Mother never let the fire go out in
the fireplace, and a pot of hot
coffee was always on the hearth
for him when he returned. I
remember how in bitter cold
weather Father put newspaper
across his chest under his shirt to
keep out the cold.
Life for the Self family was
filled with "Ups and Downs"
through the years. Father was
the leading man in our life which
was sometimes joys, sometimes
sorrows, but always filled with
love and happiness at home. This
brings to my mind a letter from
Pz:ofessor T. F . Shipman, a dear
fnend, who wrote, " Let me live in
a house by the side of the road
and be a friend to man. " Mr.
Shipman felt this quotation, from
a poem by Ed~ar A. Guest, was
very appropnate for the Self
family, especially my father.
NOTICE
The editors of "Historic Webste~
Newsletter" welcome any
articles about and pictures of
bygone Jackson County days,
especially those of the Webster
a~ea, which our readers may
wish to lend or contribute. All
material will be carefully handled
and returned in due time if the
donor so wishes.
Cookbooks Are Available
. They're here ! Those long anti- They're beautiful, as well as
c1pated Webster Cookbooks are entertaining and useful.
on sale. We apologize for the If you wish to buy one or more
delay and disappointments for we call 586-5840, or write Mrs. Jo~
knowmanyofyouplannedtogive Rhinehart, Webster, North Carocopies
for Christmas gifts. But it lma 28786. The cookbook is .75 for mailing.
hurried. At any rate, these books Look elsewhere in this paper
are well worth the waiting. for an order blank.
.;::;:;:::::::::::::::::::::::::;:;:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Historic Webster, Winter 1975, Page 2
William Dallas Wike
by Eddie Marie Wike Sutton
In 1906 my father, William
Dallas Wike, became the principal
of the first graded school in
Jackson County, which was established
at Webster, and served in
that capacity for two years. The
school was the first to be graded
under a new educational system.
After this position, and upon
advice of his physician, he left the
teaching profession for many
years--in fact he taught only four
more years in the mid-twenties
after having served ten years as
Postmaster at Cullowhee.
He was born December 18, 1867
at the home of his grandfather,
Jacob Wike, at East Laporte, and
received some early schooling,
for short terms, in a log cabin in
Fairfield Valley. At the age of
twenty-ne he heard that Professor
Robert Lee Madison was
opening a school at Cullowhee.
Having a great longing for learning,
he was present on the first
day to greet Professor Madison.
There were eight students in the
first class and · for him it was a
very late beginning for an education.
After three years schooling
under Madison he served a
one-year apprenticeship in surveying
and engineering at Brockton,
Mass. returning the next
year to graduate at the second
commencement of Cullowhee
High School; the forerunner of
Western Carolina University.
In January 1894 he went to
Texas and enrolled at Howard
Paine College for teacher training
; later he returned to Cullowhee
where he was Director of
the Normal Department for six
years. I have a copy of Longfellow's
"Poems and Ballads"
inscribed by Prof. Madison:
Presented to W. Dallas Wike
By the Students and Fellow
Teachers of the Normal Department
of Cullowhee High School as
a Token of Esteem and a Slight
Recognition of His Able Service
as Teacher-In-Charge of Said
Department Upon the Occasion
of His Retirement from that
Position, May 16, 1901 After Six
Years of Faithful Service.
Father represented Jackson
County in the 1913 North Carolina
General Assembly as a member
of the House. While a member he
introduced legislation which subsequently
provided for construction
of the first graded road,
Sylva to Cullowhee, in the County.
He also obtained passage of
bills relating to stock law elections;
amending the corporate
limits and establishing the boundaries
of the Town of Webster
and secured an appropriation for
the purpose of constructing Joyner
Building at Western Carolina
University. Some thought this
building should bear his name but
he declined being thusly honored.
A few years prior to his service
in the Legislature, a movement
was on to have the seat of
government moved from Webster
to Sylva because of the new
railroad being routed through
there with no hope of ever getting
a railway via Webster. Many
citizens requested of my father
that he introduce legislation to
move the courthouse to Sylva
without a referendum. Naturally,
there was opposition from the
citizens of Webster, but, on the
other hand, many citizens
thought that since the location of
the seat of government also
directly affected them in various
ways the matter should be
brought to a vote of the people.
This was the position taken by
my father and he introduced
WILLIAM DALLAS WIKE
1913 General Assembly
House Member
Photo 01 January 1913
~
legislation as set forth in Chapter
153, Public- Local Laws of North
Carolina, Session 1913:
. AN ACT TO ALLOW THE
CITIZENS OF JACKSON
COUNTY TO EXPRESS THEIR
WILL CONCERNING THE
PROPOSED REMOVAL OF
THE COUNTY SEAT OF JACKSON
COUNTY FROM THE
TOWN OF WEBSTER TO THE
TOWN OF SYLVA, IN SAID
COUNTY, AND TO REMOVE
THE CbUNTY SEAT IF A MAJORITY
OF TH)'; QUALIFIED
VOTERS OF THE COUNTY
SHALL FAVOR IT ; AND TO
LEVY A SPECIAL TAX FOR
THE BUILDING OF A NEW
COURTHOUSE AND JAIL.
The Act encompassed all essentials
of the proposed removal
including the method of voting;
transfer of records ; site selection
(naming a site selection committee
consisting of Lee Hooper,
John B. Ensley, E. L. McKee,
George W. Sutton, Scroop W.
Enloe, H. R. Snyder, Chas A.
Bird, H. R. Queen ·and Tom L.
Jamison); condemnation; special
tax for construction (10,000 for
construction), etc. The Act was
ratified February 24, 1913 and the
referendum was held on May 8,
1913 with the results being approximately
three to one for
removal to Sylva.
In March 1896 my father married
Mrs. Emma Jane Shelton
Hampton, a widow, of Qualla
Township and to this union were
born seven daughters , I being the
youngest. Papa died on October
23, 1940 and Mama passed away
August 26, 1954.
An editorial, written by Dan
Tompkins (a native of Webster?)
in the Jackson County Journal
under date of October 23, 1940,
reads:
"In the death , at Six Mile,
South Carolina this morning of W.
D. Wike, Jackson County lost one
of its most useful citizens. As
teacher, merchant, lumberman,
legislator, churchman and citizen
, Mr. Wike contributed a great
deal to the permanent good of the
county. ·
"A man born in the county, of
pioneer stock, Mr. Wike, in
addition to having acquired a
splendid education , was endowed
with an unusual amount of common
sense. He read, studied a
great deal , thought things
through to his own conclusions,
and then acted as he believed to
be right."
"He contributed a great deal to
the progress of the county, was
one of the early friends of
Western Carolina College and
believed profoundly in the fundamentals
of democracy coupled
with sobriety ."
"Few sons of Jackson County
have given as much to her as this
son of vision. He made the county
a better place in which to live,
and therefore has not lived in
vain. He was one of those who
wrought well and unselfishly for
the good of his county and her
people."
Gleanings From W ehster Methodist Church Records
Register of Marriages
I. Henry Smith
Ola Sheltop
2. John C. Frizzell
Dean Mason
3. Billy Davis
Olive Norton
Married by
C. H. Clyde
C. H. Clyde
D. R. Proffitt
Register o£ Children's Baptisms
Child
I. Felix Eugene Alley
John Hayes Alley
Edna Louise Alley
2. Dorothy Moore
Parents
F. E. and Vira Alley
Walter E. and Laura Moore
3. Daniel Moore Allison Thomas Bragg and
Isabella Josephine Allison Eugenia Allison
March 10, 1907
December 29, 1907
September 17, 1915
Date Minister
Aug. 19, 1906 A. T. Bell
Aug. 19, 1906 A. T. Bell
Aug. 5, 1906 A. T. Bell
My Recollections Of
The Webster Court House
Isabelle Allison Carlton
My first vivid impression of the
old brick court house was on the
night of the big fire in 1910 "when
Webster burned." But the old
courthouse stood unmarred as a
great, stable, sentinel silhouetted
against the flames which seemed
to reach to the sky as I looked
from the yard and street in front
of the home of my mother, Mrs.
Eugenia Moore Allison. Men and
boys were busy carrying our
furniture to the foot of the hill
behind the house near cemetery
road, for we feared that all of
Webster would burn. Being only
five years old, I had been dressed
and carried into the yard before I
was fully awake and when I saw
the face of the earth light as day
from the flames , I was quite sure
that it was indeed "the end of
time" which according to my
elders would surely come.
My grandfather, Daniel Killian
Moore, worked in some office in
the court house. I believe it was
the clerk of the court. Occasionally
I visited him briefly there and
as the court house seemed enormous
and rather awesome, I was
on my best behavior. Sometimes
I would encounter such friends
and relatives as Cousin Walter
Moore, Mr. Coleman Cowan, Mr.
John Jones, and Mr. Gribble. (I
called him "Mr. Susie" since the
Gribbles were our neighbors and
I called his wife "Miss Susie" .)
He would give me a friendly
greeting and a pat on the head.
When I was of school age and
court was in session, I was
instructed by my mother to walk
straight down the street, and to
look neither to the right of the
left, as court brought crowds of
people to Webster with many of
the men chewing tobacco and
telling tall tales as they sat in
front of the buildings along the
street. I'm sure the sheriff was
nearby to curtail the drinking,
cursing and fighting, but I was
told to stay close to Ruth and
Dan, my sister and brother, as we
wended our way schoolward. The
Indian women in their native
dress peddling bead work , pottery
and basketry, added interest
and color to Webster during
Court Week. The Indian men
were there in great numbers
when one of their tribe was on
trial. Once a handsome young
Cherokee named, as I remember,
Enoch Cucumber was on trial for
his life. I think he had murdered a
white man and was housed in the
Webster jail. One day the jailer
allowed me, along with some
older girls, including my sister
Ruth, to view him through the
bars in his cell. I guess he was
glad to have the monotomy of his
confinement broken, for he
talked with us intelligently and in
readily understandable English.
He was unusually good looking.
My Mother must have heard of
this episode and turned my
thoughts elsewhere, for I remember
nothing else regarding him,
his trial, or his sentence - if he
received one.
After the Court House was
moved to Sylva in 1913, only the
building was left to remind us of
the past glories of Webster. It
was now a place for birds to roost
and children to play in. There
were many steps to climb to the
tower with big blood stains on one
landing and the most magnificant
view of Webster and it's surroundings
from its tip top. The
"Hanging Tree" was still standing
"catty"-cornered across the
street between the court house
and jail.
When women were first allowed
to vote, the voting was
done in the old court house and I
tagged along with my Mother for
this memorable occasion. The
women were teased and laughed
at, but they voted anyway, a
privilege my Mother cherished
for the rest of her life.
The tearing down of the old
court house was a happy yet sad
occasion. It had become an eye
sore as naturally it was unkept
and afforded only a roost for
birds and a play place for
children. But it is hard to see an
old landmark razed when a
person's roots are deep in it and
its surroundings. I never realized
how deep mine were until my
Mother died in 1970 and I began to
take care of her home and collections
of her lifetime of 92 years.
Upstairs in my Grandmother
Allison 's old metal barrel-topped
trunk was a packet of letters
marked "John B. Allison's papers."
He died in 1886 and his
wife was my Grandmother Re·
becca Bryson Allison with whom
my father lived until her death on
November 28, 1899. He (Thomas
Bragg Allison) and my Mother
were married December 18, 1899.
She cherished the old trunk and
its contents which were "off
limits" to children in the family.
In my grandfather's papers I was
surprised and delighted to find
the following records and dates of
payments to him as contractor
for the public buildings, court
house and jail, in Webster which I
understand had replaced wooden
buildings:
"We the commissioners appointed
by court to settle with G.
B. Allison contractor for the
public buildings find the payments
made to him as follows:
Former receipts 5,968.32
John Wilson's receipt 260.00
County allowance 501.48
By E. D. Davis 70.00
Total amount 6,799.80
That amount taken from contract
price for said
buildings $10,000.00
Deducted from Treasury 6,799.80
Balance due 3,220.20
State Of M. E. Church
South In Jackson County
The following report (handwritten)
was found among some
old records of the Webst~r Methodist
Church. F. W. Vaughan was
the preacher on the Webster
Cir
Historic Webster Vol. 2 No. 3
No full textHistoric 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.VOLUME II, NUMBER 3 WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA
A Brief Biography
He Whom Destiny Appoints
By Mary E. Morris
The Rev. John C. Love,
mentioned in Jim Wells' article
on the first black church in
Jackson County (Historic
Webster, Vol. I, no. 3), led to a
letter and a questionnaire from
the Webster Historical Society to
Mrs. Louise Love Oswell of Port
Jervis, New York.
In reply Mrs. Oswell sent a
brochure and a letter in which
she said, "I am happy that he
(her father, John C. Love) will be
included in a study of the
community of Webster. As I see
it, his career can only reflect
credit on his birthplace."
The brochure, He Whom
Destiny Appoints, is a brief
biography of John C. Love. It was
prepared by Mrs. Oswell for her
father's 45th anniversary as
pastor of the Union Baptist
Church of Montclair, New
Jersey, held on Sunday, May 7,
1944. Harry Emerson Fosdick,
pastor of Riverside Baptist
Church in New York City and
writer of the foreward in this
brochure, said of Love:
"He is a genuine person,
sincere , generous , wise ,
dependable , competent and
courageous, and his ministry has
done honor to the stock from
which he came, the teachers who
belped his youth, the friends who
have loved and sustained him,
and the Christ whose loyal
servant he is."
The following excerpts from
the booklet provide a brief
biography of the Rev. John C.
Love:
"As a boy John Love was not
permitted to "just grow"; he is
the product of hard-working
THE REVEREND JOHN C.
LOVE, since 1899 has pastored
Union Baptist Church in Montclair,
N. J., with such distinguished
service that he has
become one of the nation's most
outstanding clergymen.
JOHN AND HATTIE
LOVE as they
looked following
their marriage in Raleigh,
North Carolina,
October 7, 1897.
sensible, Christian parents. He
was born in Jackson County,
North Carolina, on November 13,
1875, the fifth in a family of seven
children.
His parents, John C. (Tobe)
and Louise Love, both of slave
origin in Macon County, North
Carolina, purchased the small
farm on which John was born
soon after they were
emancipated. John and Louise
Love worked hard to make a
home for their children. They
knew the value of schooling to a
race that had been cast out of
shackles, and so the Love brood
trudged six miles a day to the
simple country school near
Webster, North Carolina-three
miles to school and three miles
home--where they received the
crude, basic elements of an
education.
The Love family didn't have an
easy time; nor did any other
farm family in those days. The
children went to school no matter
what the weather. Only about
fifty or sixty students attended
the small rural institution. Young
John was a bright alert scholar.
He loved history. The old "Blue
back Speller" was the all-around
textbook, then, and John delved
into it eagerly, impatiently.
After school John and his
brothers and sisters helped their
father on the farm until it was too
dark to see, and then they sat
around the table in the little
homestead studying their lessons
by torchlight. The torches were
made out of lighted pine-knots
placed in candleholders.
Even then, John Love was
inclined towards the ministry.
When any of the farm animals
died, he would preach a funeral
oration over little feathered or
furred bodies. His voice properly
solemn, and with the other
children gathered around, he
would ask for Heavenly
forgiveness for a speckled
chicken or a grey rabbit.
He stayed in the county school
until he was a little over fifteen,
and then a problem arose. The
teacher, like a great many rural
teachers then, was not a man of
vast education and he began to
find the arithmetic problems for
the olders students increasingly
difficult. Rather than risk
embarrassment, he would stay
home. John became the
substitute for the missing
teacher. It was all right the first
few times, but finally Father
Love got tired of his son's doing
duty for the gentleman the
county was paying to watch over
and advance the education of its
young;. and so John was whisked
away from school. He got a job
driving a team for the Harris
Clay Mine. This factory
manufactured chinaware from
materials brought from the
mines, dried it and shipped it to
the potteries. (Only the clay was
shipped from the mines. The
china ware was made elsewhere.)
Throughout this time John
never ceased to study every book
available in the community,
including the classics and other
books dealing with Biblical
history. He remained on his job
until nineteen years of age, when
he was ordained and went to
Johnson City, Tennessee, to take
over the pulpit of the Thankful
Baptist Church.
It was from here on that John
knew his main call was for the
ministry. He stayed fifteen
months at the small church and
gained valuable experience. He
learned the importance of
administrating church funds
properly and of having the full
confidence of his congregation.
But the serious-minded young
Continued On Page 6
SUMMER, 1975
By Grace Hall Brown conducted this examination.
After finishing school at Cui-
The Historical Society of Web- lowhee, I spent one year at the
ster requested me to provide State Normal in Greensboro,
some information and compar- where I took a special teacher
ison between teaching in Webster training course. Then upon remore
than sixty years ago and turning from that college I was
today. This is a difficult assign- elected by the local school board
ment since I have kept no records to teach in the elementary grades
for reference and will have to at Webster. Mr. Will Cowan, Mr.
rely principally on memory. I J. L. Broyles, and Mr. Polk
have had little contact with or Allman were on the board. This
responsibility for our public was in the fall of 1908, two years
school system since my two after the new wooden building
children graduated some forty was erected.
years ago. But the following I do not know the size of Web-things
I do remember: ster Township at that time, but .
To be eligible for teaching in students came from miles aJackson
County in the early round; namely, the Ashe Settleyears
of this century one had to ment, Hog Rock mining area, Big
take a state examination. I took and Little Savannah, Love's Chathis
July 14, 1905, at the Jackson pel, and from quite a distance
County Court House in Webster around Webster. Most of these
and was granted a First Grade students walked each day. At the
Certificate. This I still hold and end of each month we sent a
prize. Frank Brown Sr . Continued On Page 2
COMMENCEMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR YEAR 1910
THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS
of the
WEBSTER HIGH SCHOOL
invite you to be present
at their
FIFTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
March twenty-eighth and ninth
nineteen hundred ten
SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Webster, N.C.
PROGRAM
MONDAY EVENING, 8 O'CLOCK
Exercises by Primary and Intermediate Grades
TUESDAY, ll O'CLOCK
Sermon, by Dr. S. C. Mitchell
PresidentS. C. University
TUESDAY, 2:30 O'CLOCK
Literary Address, by Dr. E. M. Poteat
President, Furman University
Greenville, S.C.
TUESDAY EVENING, 8:30 O'CLOCK
Final Entertainment
~~~~ A complete copy, identical in wording but not in form, of an ~~~~j :::: engraved commencement announcement issued by Webster;:;::
:;:; High School in 1910. ;:;~
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:=:::::::::;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:::::::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::~:::;;:~~=~::;:~~=!
Historic Webster, Summer 1975, Page 2
Webster School Some Sixty Years Ago
·Continued From Page 1
report to the office of Mr, Will
Henson, Superintendent of Jackson
County Schools at that time,
and the one who had signed my
teaching certificate.
The school building consisted of
four large rooms on the first floor
connected by halls, and a large
front porch. On the second floor
was a spacious auditorium with
an elevated stage in the back end
and one or two small rooms in
front, perhaps used for storage or
consultation. There was no central
heat or toilet facilities, but
we did have a pump for fresh
water under a roof extension
from the building. The rooms
were heated by large woodburning
·iron stoves. Each room was
equipped with a blackboard,
table and chair. We had no
janitor service. Each teacher
made her own plans to take care
of these needs for which she was
responsible.
Students had individual desks,
a big improvement over the long
benches that we sat on when I
was a child in the old River Hill
Baptist Church building. Then
there was no other place for
public school classes to be held ,
and the building was rented from
the church.
Following are the names of the
principals of Webster School
while I taught there: The Reverend
J. J. Gray, minister of the
Webster Methodist Episcopal
Church South at that time; Mr. J.
0 . Allen, a graduate of the
University of South Carolina, and
a cultured gentleman; and Mr, T.
Few Shipman from Hendersonville,
a graduate of North Carolina
University at Chapel Hill, a
Christian gentleman and an excellent
disciplinarian.
I will not attempt to name the
grade teachers in exact order of
service. There were only four at
any one time. Perhaps Lillian
Sti ll well was there one year
ahead of me. Others were Susie
Hooper of Jackson County, Gertrude
Honeycutt of Cleveland
County (her father was former
pastor of the Webster Methodist
Church), Miss Bradshaw, perhaps
from Eastern North Carolina,
Cullie Myers Edwards from
Charlotte, North Carolina, and
myself. Cullie boarded at the
Lawrence Cowan home. She and I
still correspond after all these
many years. She is in a retirement
home now because of a
broken bone.
The first Monday in August was
the opening day of school at
Webster which closed in March at
the end of eight months. We
taught from 8:30 or 9 o'clock in
the morning until 4 in the afternoon.
From 12 noon until 1 p.m.
we had an hour for lunch. Since
there was no cafeteria we carried
our lunch and ate in the building
on cold and rainy days, and on the
porch or on the lawn when
weather permitted. There was no
cessation of school for harvesting
any kind of crops.
We often had as many as
thirty-five or forty students in
each room , as we taught more
than one grade. Within the years
I spent there, I taught from the
fourth through the seventh grade.
Subjects were reading , writing,
arithmetic, history, geography
and grammar. My salary was the
fabulous sum of forty-five dollars
per month. This was the highest
salary at that time for teaching in
the elementary grades. <Last
year Jackson County teachers
started at 527 dollars per month.)
After coming to Cullowhee I did
some substitute teaching s urrounded
by comforts and aids of
which we never dreamed while
teaching at Webster.
You may wonder, as I do now,
that so many students with this
kind of meager beginning attained
success. Perhaps as many
percentage wise as in this mo·
dern age with expensive equipment.
As I try to compare the present
with the past, I am amazed at the
number of outstanding citizens
who had their start in the first
half of this century. I can name
from our own Webster School
preachers, teachers , lawyers,
business executives , and just
plain, law-abidi ng public servants
, who are the backbone of
any nation.
Sixty years ago there was little
public entertainment in Jackson
County; consequently, our impressive
commencements were
attended by large crowds. In
addition to graduation exercises,
there was music, a play and a
speaker.
I think it fair to say that we had
fewer disciplinary problems than
at the present time. The teacher
was free to decide whatever
means of punishment she thought
fa ir for any act of disobedience
by students in her room . No
parent ever interferred with me
concerning this.
An amusing incident occurred
in the first grade that I have
always remembered. A restless
little boy who had been unusually
disturbing was called up by his
teacher. When he reached her
desk he started crying and said,
"Anybody can whoop a little
youngun." Of course, that settled
the score without the paddling he
feared was coming. However, I
do not claim that all of our
problems were so easily settled.
I feel that I have given as true
an account of the school situation
in Webster sixty or more years
ago as-anyone could, but I also
feel that I should stress a li ttle
more strongly what students are
getting at Sylva-Webster now ih
order to appreciate the difference
in going to school in Webster in
the year 1910 and going to
Sylva-Webster in the year 1975.
Now there are forty-three teachers
in forty classrooms with
central hea t, inside toilet facilities,
a modern cafeteria, bus
transportation and much more.
From such a wealth of educational
opportunities the citizens
of Jackson County, North Carolina
hope with faith that many
outstanding men and women will
emerge from the halls of SylvaWebster
High School in the years
to come.
Afler a lapse of more than half
a century I still think with
pleasure of my teaching days in
the Webster School.
~·············································~
Jlty Jltw.Ucat WO/iee!t
By Harry Fitzue Cagle
My family was musically talented.
My daddy was a piano
player and piano tuner. He also
played the guitar. My mother
was a five string banjo picker.
My sister played the piano and
my brother picked the five string
banjo too. They were all ahead of
me in music. I started at the age
of fourteen on a fid dle I made
myself. We finally became a
family band.
We played for such occasions
as the " Old Time Box Suppers."
We played at our neighbors'
homes for the dance called the
"Virginia Reel." We also entertained
at "Bean Stringings" and
"Corn Shuckings."
As time went by, my sister and
brother got married and just
sorta gave up the band. Daddy
then passed away; and later,
Mommy, but I still hung on.
I got my best break in music
when Aunt Samantha Bumgarner
took me as a partner. We
traveled around the country .entertaining
any place we could. We
made a trip to Del Rio, Texas , in
1935, to play on a radio station
owned by the late Dr. John R.
Brinkley, who invited us to travel
with him with all expenses paid.
We played about six weeks there;
then came back to North Carolina
and started a tent show. There
wasn't much entertainment in
those days so we did well financially.
Aunt Samantha had had
enough traveling around so I
hooked up with a medicine show.
I played with Tommy Millard and
a fellow we called "Smokey." We
would draw a crowd and Dr. Day
would tell the people about the
medicine. We would then load the
bottles of medicine into baskets
and go out through the crowd
selling it. I stayed awhile with
that but I didn 't like it too well. It
sorta seemed like a fraud so I
quit. Since then, I have just
played around with diffe rent
bands that needed a fiddle player.
As of now I do a lot of fiddle
trading. I like to trade for the
oldest one I can find. If one needs
repairing I can do that too.
At this time I would like to urge
young people to take up the old
time fiddle playing.
*** Always Room
For One More
By Loy Deitz
Class Of 1960
As stated in the Catalogue of
Webster High School for the year
1914-15 (reproduced in the November,
1959 issue of the Ridgerunner)
Webster High School was
erected in 1905 and made a state
high school in 1908.
No tuition or matriculation fees
were charged high school students,
for the school was maintained
by local , county and state
taxation.
However, from 1905 until 1924,
no buses were furnished for
transporting students to and from
school. During this period, students
who had zeal and wanted an
education were given an opportunity
to board in refined homes
near the school. A student could
secure board for ten dollars a
month full time. If his home were
near enough for him to spend
Saturday and Sunday there, he
could board for six or seven
dollars a month. Some students
worked around the house or on
the farm and paid for part or all
of their food and lodging in that
manner.
Residents who offered students
boarding opportunity were Jake
Wild , Tyler Buchanan , John
Buchanan , Joe Davis, L. D.
Cowan, John Ashe, Mrs. Sophie
Coward, Askew Queen , Mrs.
Hannah Hall, and Logan Carnes.
This list , no doubt, is not complete.
One citizen recently remarked
that practically every
home near Webster School had,
at one time or another, accomodated
students; and this was in
the days when families were
large and living conditions in the
homes often crowded.
Among the students who boarded
at one time or another during
the period from 1905 to 1924 were
R. D. Cowan, Lonnie Jones ,
Roscoe Higdon , Dennis Higdon,
Carl Higdon, Hershel Cabe, Homer
Long, Irene Gribble, Lora
Lee Cabe, Gerta Buchanan, Ora
Reed, Homer Jones, Carma
Reed, Margaret Cagle, Lucy
Hedden , Will Bryson , Walter
Ashe, Thornton Cabe, Ransome
Buchanan, Walter Higdon , Bonnie
Bryson , Mamie Bryson , Emma
Tatham, Carrie Gribble, Clifford
Lindsey, Newt Waldroup,
Frank Waldroup, Opal Jackson
and Leeman Tatham.
There were two very important
reasons why Webster citizens
opened their homes to boarding
students; first, a willingness to
give students from other communities
where there were no high
schools a chance at a high school
education; second , an enrollment,
which had to be, at that
time, at least twenty in the high
school before the school could
secure state support.
Attendance and interest increased
steadily until in 1914 the
enrollment reached 48 in the high
school and 209 in the entire
school.
The last year for boarding students,
1923, found Hershel Cabe,
Leeman Tatham , Carl Higdon ,
Emma Thatham , Irene Gribble,
Lora Lee Cabe, Gerta Buchanan,
Ora Reed , and Homer Jones
located in Webster homes. The
next year buses ran from Webster
to Savannah, Loves Field,
Locust Creek, and Little Savannah.
However, for a number of
years some students continued to
board in the worst part of the
winter when road conditions were
bad and the buses could not make
their runs.
This article was written in 1960
as one of a series to record the
history of Webster High School
before its merger with Sylva.
Staff members of the Ridgerunner,
Webster School's publication,
were assigned the research
tasks of this project. They
wrote and prepared these papers
for publication under the direction
of Mrs. Louise Davis,
teacher of English, and Mrs.
Kate Deitz Welch , business teacher.
The two instructors acted
as co-advisors for the Ridgerunner.
Additional articles from this
series will appear in later issues
of Historic Webster.
Of Interest
Just to keep us from becoming saccharine in our nostalgic recollections of
Webster and other parts of Jackson County we present these rather caustic
remarks.
Mary Morris found this in the Augustus S. Merrirnon Journal, 1853~54 edition
by A. R. Newcome, NCHR Vol. VIII, 1931. This work is in the library of Western
North Carolina University at Cullowhee, N. C.
We had bad lodgins last night. All occupied the same room, that
was not a verry good one, had a ruff supper, being fatigued, I slept
soundly-Have ridden 30 miles to day and reached home about night
falL I am qnite tired. Have noticed nothing of importance to day.The
road has been verry ruff and the morning was verry cold. It has
been cold all day-This evening is beautiful and the beautiful moon
shines gloriously. Who does not love the soft moonlight t It ia a
glorious sight to see the firmament covered with stars and the moon
shining in all her matchless splendor.
NEAB W>:asm." JACKSON CouNTY
JAcKsoN CouNTY CouRT.
This has been a disagreeable Court week. •• In the first place we have
had no accommodations here and hence I have to write my Journal at
the close of the week instead of doing so daily.-We have had to hold
Court in a open house with no floor in it and the weather has been
verry cold.-There has not been much business done, but I have been
greatly wearied all week. Almost every man at court had some business
with me, and in a majority of cases the business amounted to nothing.
I have also, been greatly pestered with persons wishing to become prosecutors
on Indictments I think I can say with safety, that I have never
been at a place, or in a County, where there seemed to be as much
Mallice and diabolical revenge.-Revenge seems to rankle in the bosom
of every one. Few, even of the best citizens of Jackson County, seem
to he free from it.
Wednesday evening, about 4 O'Clock Court adjourned and late as it
was, I left the place and rode some thirteen or fourteen miles towards
home. Had. a cold ride and was late in the night reaching the place at
which I usually stop.-I reached home tonight at dark-Had a cold
ride today. Had the company of my f r iend P. W. Roberts Esqr.
M'. R. is a pleasant traveling companion.
Treasurer's Report.
JACKSON COUNTY
School funds for the year 1884.
Amount received, ~ ,221.W
2.151 .!17
do earrit>d to funds of 1885, 75.6!1
!triking a balance of 2 , '2~7 . .16
Genera.ltuuds of 1885.
Amount receivf'.d,
do paid out
$a,7o3.<H
a,7o3 m
Which wa.s pllid out as follo~ e: :
Paid d ount.y Cummis.sioners,
do for AS!eseing Taxf'l!1
do Jurors,
do J a.il Fees,
BI2JK1
124 IMJ
5113 a11
J77.1il
Paid Clerk fees 195.9!l
do Register's Fees, a45.M
do Sheriff's do 129 G7
drJ )Vit.ne!81 do. 572 09
do In Lambert case, .,39.62
d,o for building and repairiog
Roads and Rri
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