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Portrait of Elizabeth Jane Wynne Webster
No full textThis is a portrait of Elizabeth Jane Wynne Webster, wearing a dress, around 1865. Description on back: Bettie Wynne Webster
Historic Webster Vol. 10 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.HISTORIC
••••••••••••••••••.._ _ _:"~e~w~s:.:l.:e~tt:e~r of the Webster Historical Society, Inc.
VOLUME X, NUMBER 3 WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA FALL 1984
Jane H. Coward, County Leader
By Dale Coward
Jane Hedden Coward, the
youngest child of Nathan and
Sophia Hedden Coward, was
born January 16, 1897, at
Webster.
During her childhood,
Jane's parents operated the
Mountain View Hotel on Main
Street for a number of years.
She always had a soft spot in
her heart for Webster and her
people.
She often told of growing up
in the village, and she went into
great detail, describing the
fire that wiped out many of the
main street buildings. One of
the most touching acts occurred
that tragic night when she
ran back into the burning
building to rescue her dog,
Dandy. She spent the rest of
the night with her dog in her
arms, as she walked around in
the midst of all the confusion.
At daylight she finally went to
a neighbor's house for food
and rest after this night of
horror.
Jane could do anything the
boys could do, and most of the
time do it better. She was right
at home down on the river
bank with a cane pole in her
hands. She could knock her
share of the home runs, and
got the best of boys in a fist
fight. She laughed and told
about the time she broke her
slate over Don Davis' head
following an argument in the
first grade. She would sit up
half the night with my father,
Rogers, and Bob Frady to
determine the outcome of a
checker game.
After her father 's death in
February, 1909, her mother
moved the family to Sylva.
Jane and her sister, Frances,
helped their mother run a
hotel, the "Coward House." No
one at their table ever left
hungry, and their food and
hospitality became known far
and wide.
Jane's mother, Sophia Hedden,
was born June 19, 1869.
She was well known for her
kindness to the sick and needy,
and she shared what she had
with those less fortunate than
herself. She helped send
several boys and girls through
"Jane Coward could do anything the boys could do. She
could knock her share of homeruns."
school. She and Jane were sitting
on the on the back steps of
the Sylva hotel one hot afternoon
peeling ,potatoes when
she suddenly put down her
knife and pointed to the hilltop
north of town. "Jane, when I
die I want to be buried over on
that hill above town." She was
laid to rest in the Coward plot
of the Keener Cemetery in
December, 1922.
Jane attended the Fruitland
Institute in Hendersonville
and, after graduation, she and
her niece, Dixie Coward,
enrolled at the Women's Col·
lege in Greensboro. She
received a degree in business
education and came back to
Jackson county to begin her
career. She was Deputy
Register of Deeds for four
years. She was secretarytreasurer
at the Builder's
Supply and Lumber Company
for 23 years.
Jane Coward became interested
in politics at an early
age. She was Democratic
Woman of the 11th Congressional
District. As chairman of
the ,Jackson County
Democratic Executive Committee
during the 1960s, she
became the first woman in the
. state to hold such an office,
and received an engraved
crystal medallion from Jacqueline
Kennedy.
In 1947, she and her longtime
friend and business partner,
Dorothy Lee Williams,
established Jane & Dot's
Flower Shop which they
operated until their retirement
in 1974. After retiring, some
one asked her why she never
married. She replied, "When
you work day and night, seven
days a week for forty years, no
man is going to put up with
that."
It was now that Jane has
time to relax and give her time
to her family, friends, and the
animals that were a part of her
life. She would take in every
stray dog and cat in the area
and spend a fortune in vet fees
and pet food. Just prior to
World War II, she and my
father, Rogers Coward, went
on a deer hunt in the Pisgah
National Forest. Jane spotted
a four-point buck some
distance away and fired. They
saw the animal drop and raced
over to where the buck lay.
The bullet had only stunned
the animal, and she always
said that the poor thing just lay
there with tears and pain in his
eyes looking at her. She went
home and promptly sold her
firearms and never fired
another shot as long as she
lived.
Like her mother, Jane
helped countless numbers of
children through school, and
gave them a chance to earn
spending money when money
was scarce. She gave her
phone number to the teenagers
and they could call her if they
became stranded at night and
could not get home.
In 1956, she and Dot leased,
from Elda Coward, the "Old
House" on Norton Creek Road
in the Norton Community.
This was heaven on earth for
both of them. They hauled
lumber, sheet rock, plywood,
cement, and other supplies in
their station wagon to remodel
the house. They brought Annie
Mae Dorsey, who worked for
them in their home in Sylva for
forty five years, to help with
the chores. My mother-in-law,
Hazel Fox Potts, grew up here
on this site and since the old
house had stood empty for
several years, she said that a
lot of repair work had to be
done. They turned this place
into the Garden of Eden, a
place most people just dream
about. If you visited in the
afternoon, you would find Jane
riding her mower over the
three acre lawn. Dot would be
sitting in her special chair
down at the lake, catching a
line of speckled trout for their
supper. They always had their
garden just off the kitchen
porch. Firewood was stacked
on the front porch. Dot always
said you could not beat Norton
gardens for flavor.
It was here that they were
hostesses for the Coward
Family Reunion for many
years. This reunion began in
Webster as a birthday party
for Nathan Coward on his 74th
birthday on June 12, 1892. The
traditions of that event have
been carried on ever since.
After Dot's death in April,
1978, part of Jane died with
her. She just never got over it.
She tried living alone at her
Continued on page 3
Jane Coward as a child lived at family's Webster home.
Page 2, HISTORI~ WEBSTER, Fall 1984
"Miss Jane" Coward's Judgmen
By Marcellus Buchanan
"Miss Jane" Coward is
often remembered for her
family and community ties,
·her faithfulness to family and
friends, and her generosity
toward her associates and acquaintances.
Of these attributes
I am well aware,
however, my closest association
with this great lady was
in the political arena during
the 1950's and 1960's. She
demonstrated during these
years her intense loyalty to
her political friends and to
her Democratic Party with
the same faithfulness and fervor
with which she dispensed
her largesse to her family and
friends.
So vivid is my recollection
of "Miss Jane" that I can
recall, as only yesterday,
when during those two
decades, she was elected by
the Democratic Party as it's
Jackson County chairperson.
So far as I have been able to
ascertain she was the first
lady chosen in North Carolina
to chair the party in any county.
To her duties in this
capacity she chanelled her
vast energy. She was small
person in physical stature,
but her energy was enormous
and her presence was commanding.
Her judgment was
respected, her integrity was
\lllquestioned, and, therefore,
·her leadership was followed.
"Miss Jane" Coward led the
Democratic Party wisely and
adeptly through a tumultuous
time in it's history in Jackson
County. She healed wounds
within her party and succeeded
in bringing unity whenever
division threatened. She was
a mediator above all else,
never losing her temper and
always reminding those less
knowledgeable of the cost of
divisiveness and the need for
unity even at the cost of compromise
of divergent views.
Her sage political advice
was always an inspiration to
me. I can hear her voice now
when she would deliver to me,
in person or by telephone, her
views on what should be done
"in the best interest of the
Party". While she held strong
views on vital issues, she
never sought to force her
views on others save by the art
of persuasion on her part and
at the same time always
listening to the reasons and
arguments of others, and if
those opposing views, meeting
her open mind, impelled her to
change her own position, she
always showed the greatness
to make that change.
"Miss Jane" Coward will
be sorely missed so long as
nay person who knew her
lives - and in fact so long as
anyone who remains who
have even second handedly
heard of her actions, work
and accomplishments.
Marcellus Buchanan is
district attorney for the thirtieth
prosecutorial district
with offices in the Jackson
County Courthouse.
Nathan Coward of Webster was the
father of fourteen children. Jane was
the youngest.
Jane Coward was eleven years old
when this Sherrill photograph was
made at her Webster home_
Sophia Hedden Cowa1
mother, on her wedding
Cowards' Webster home.
"Myfh
that WI
"On the 12th day of June, 1892, we met at our Father's House Coward Smith wrote on June 12, 1898. This is the 1908 reunion
to celebrate his seventy-fourth birthday anniversary," Clara at the Cowards' Webster home.
DorothJ
Jane Cl
1t Respected
·d, Jane's
day at the
Continued from page 1
home in Sylva, but as time
went by, she became concerned
about her health and knew
she would have to have constant
care. She entered the
Skyland Care Center in July,
1980. Here she received her
family and friends and talked
about the " old days." A
Methodist, she told about the
old-time services that she attended
at Webster at both the
Methodist and Baptist churches.
She would dominate the
conversation, discussing
politics, government, gardens,
and sweet potato patches.
Even though her health
became worse, she visited the
" Old House" and went for
rides on pretty days out
through Webster and over to
the Keener Cemetery.
She attended the reunion in
Jtme, 1982. This would be her
last chance to greet her family
on the front porch of the
place that she had grown to
love. Last year, 1983, she was
in the hospital recovering from
surgery and was unable to
attend.
On May 20, 1984, Jane Hedden
Coward passed away at
the age of eighty-seven. She
was buried in the Keener
Cemetery with her other family
members.
At the 93rd Coward Reunion
held this June, those who had
come to know her and love her
arrived with saddened hearts,
as they remembered the
mountain woman who loved
her God, her country, and her
family.
st vote was cast in the year 1920- the year
•men were first permitted to vote."
Lee Williams (left) was from Virginia. She and
ward were lifelong friends and business partners.
Fall 1984, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Page 3
Church Restores Organ
By John Parris
A restored 104-year-old
chapel pump organ used for
playing my great-grandmother
Wild's favorite hymns will
be dedicated here Sunday
morning at the Webster United
Methodist Church.
The dedication is part of a
special Webster Circuit service
celebrating the bicentennial
of Methodism in America.
The beautiful old organ,
made by the Estey Organ Co.,
of Brattleboro, Vt. , out of
black walnut, was recently
restored by Jack Cobb of
Dick's Creek, a member of the
church whose hobby is restoring
pump organs.
To know the history of the
organ, you must first know
something about the history of
the church, which was built in
1887 by Webster Methodists
after 33 years of moving from
building to building.
Webster, the first county
seat of Jackson county, came
into being with the founding of
the county in 1851. .
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 joined with
the town's Baptists and
Presbyterians in church services
at the court house until
1870, when the three congregations
moved into a building
they shared with the town
school.
On Dec. 11, 1881, trustees of
the church purchased for 41.
"I would say they probably
had to pay around 61.00. Restored this year.
Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Fall 1984
Reflections by
Janice Monteith
"Webster" Blanton
The town of Webster is often on my mind,
For it's there as a child I had a good time.
Composed of one street lined with homes on either side,
Woods close by where kids could play and hide.
A Post Office and two country stores,
Where kids could get sweets galore.
A rock school house - grades one through nine,
Two churches - one by the river bridge and mine.
Marbles, hop-scotch, hide and seek, mud pies,
Yelling, arguing, loving, and joyful cries,
Could be heard night or day,
From Webster kids at play.
Prisoners digging Webster's ditches,
Children sometimes yelling from Mama's switches.
Lemonade for 10 cents sold at a stand,
Guaranteed to be the best in the land.
The Big Lot, Coward's Spring, the Grove -
Or just fun playing on a toy stove.
Rides hitched to the movies on Saturdays,
Followed routinely by drug store Sundays.
Halloween's UNICEF trick-or-treat,
Or Christmas caroling up and down the street.
"Clovering salve for sale,"
Or, "If you need cards, we've got 'Get Wells'."
Neighborhood softball games in the Big Lot,
When, when Miss Lucy was home, came to a STOP!
Basketball at Rhinehart's Store,
Or, just sit and listen to neighborhood lore.
MYF programs of many kinds,
We did about anything when we 'set out minds'!
Webster- a forerunner in "Community Centers"
To grow up there was to be a WINNER!
Society Honors
In 1922 Lucy Hedden (right) and
her cousin Jane Coward fish in
Pisgah Forest.
Miss
Lucy
By Joe P. Rhinehart
Talk and laughter, songs
and music moved across the
"Big Lot" this summer as the
spirit of Miss Lucy Hedden
entertained her friends at her
annual Fourth of July picnic.
As in days past, Miss Lucy,
this year in the guize of the
new Hedden house owners
Hazel and John Fobes, pro- ·
vided the spot and the entertainment
and her friends provided
the food.
The summer rains stayed
away. Children rolled and ran
across the green lawn. Balls
Citizen Featured Coward
-C"Itlun PhotO-G I~nn OCT 8 19til .
WOiUAN OF THE WEEK
Miss .Jane Coward of Sylva is Democratic
Woman of the 11th Congres·
sional District 114 western counties) and
.Jackson County Democratic Woman of
the Year. She has been vice chairman
of the counl\· executive committee and
organized its-Women's Club last March.
Earlier political activity included se rving
as precinct chairman of Sylva's
South Ward six years and Deputy Registrar
of Deeds four years.
.J ane was born in Webster, daughter
of the late Nathan and Sophia Hedden
Coward. She graduated from Fruitland
Institute, Henderso nville, and
Woman's College with a business education
certificate. For 23 years she was
assistant secretary·treasurer of Builders
Supply and Lumber Company. Sev·
cnteen years ago she and 1\liss Dorothy
Williams organized .Jane and Dot's
Flower Shop 11·here both work full time.
They Jive in a white cottage next to
their greenhouse. They also have restored
''The Old House'' in Norton community
where they relax, enjoy the
small lake and raise luscious fruits and
wgetables.
The Coward family has always
given a helping hand to young people
wanting an education. Her mother and
sister ran the 25-room Coward House
in Sylva many years, during which time
perhaps 16 county teenagers were given
work, food. clothing and a chance to
complete their schooling. There was
even one boy from Wales who drifted
in and stayed until he graduated from
high school. Jane and Dot have continued
this interest in helping youngsters
get an education .
Jane also was an unofficial Santa
Claus 32 years. Each holiday she received
huge cartons of toys from the
S. H. Kress Foundation in New York,
which she distributed, along with 60
pounds of candy to children in the
county who wo[Jld not have had Christmas
gifts otherwise. This windfall
came because she kept the books and
payroll for the Kress property, the Log
Cabin Association, recently sold to a
Florida firm for real estate and resort
development.
Love for children, dogs, flowers
and people has made Jane Coward the
ideal politician. Others not only trust
her wi\h their money but their civil
rights and privileges.
flew through the air. Voices
sang those immortal words
"Oh beautiful for spacious
skies .. .for purple mountains
majesties. . . " and the
thankful sounds of the
Reverend E. T. Rodda lifted
through the trees.
the favorite of Webster--rolls
and cornbread, squash and
beans, ham and chicken and
watermelon.
Fobes, on the harmonium,
struck the notes that brought
the gathering to its feet, and
while the flags of the United
States and the United Nations
blew in the late afternoon air,
the party sang "Oh say, can
you see, by the dawn's early
Guests made their repeated light. .. "
visits to the lovely set tables
of Hazel Fobes, loaded with
Evelyn McKee passed the
famous Miss Lucy cookies as
the neighbors reminisced
with "Do you remember the
time Miss Lucy ... "
There were a few old
familiar songs, and then John
And Miss Lucy was pleased
Author Jane Knuth At Creighton University
No full textCreighton University Collaborative Ministry invited author Jane Knuth to talk about her book "Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25 Cents at a Time". Her book and talk were full of stories about her experiences working at a Saint Vincent DePaul thrift store in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jane was delightful and everybody really enjoyed her visit
The light of the eye : doctrine, piety and reform in the works of Thomas Sherlock, Hannah More and Jane Austen
No full textBibliography: leaves 376-401.This thesis investigates the ways in which three eighteenth-century writers, Bishop Thomas Sherlock, Hannah More and Jane Austen embody orthodox Anglican doctrine according to their individual perceptions of the enlightening properties of Protestant Christianity. After situating them in their respective gender, literary and ecclesiastical contexts, I examine some of their key doctrines and analyse excerpts from their works. My selection of passages from Sherlock's works is fairly comprehensive, but in the case of More and Austen, where there is already a formidable body of literary criticism, it is more selective. Thus, I focus on doctrine in More's tracts, Strictures on the System of Female Education, An Essay on St Paul and most especially Coelebs in Search of a Wife and in the case of Austen, on her prayers and select passages from Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. I conclude that, although diverse in their particular kind of Anglicanism (High, Evangelical and Median) and in their choice of genre, transparency or obscurity (anonymity and pseudonymity) and the various narratological strategies some of them invoke to circumvent certain taboos, Sherlock, More and Austen champion the same central orthodox doctrines, defend them against current alternatives to orthodoxy such as Latitudinarianism, Deism and various forms of Freethinking, and promote similar moral and ecclesiastical reforms. However, indirectly (through female characters who resist male representation or control) the women writers subject their ostensibly authorially-endorsed male narrators/characters to scrutiny and sometimes (when the males objectify the women) subversion
Jane Arnold interviews short story author Sylvia Watanabe
No full textShort story author Sylvia Watanabe talks about why she moved from Hawaii to Michigan, her book "Talking To The Dead", and her novel in process. Watanabe is interviewed by librarian Jane Arnold for the Michigan State University Libraries' Michigan Writers Series
Hamilton, Catherine Jane [pseud. Retlaw Spring] (1841–1935), author and journalist
No full textHamilton, Catherine Jane [pseud. Retlaw Spring] (1841-1935), author and journalist, was born on 25 January 1841 at Kilmersdon, Somerset, where she was baptized on 12 April 1841, the younger of two daughters of Richard Hamilton (1805?-1859), vicar of Kilmersdon, and his wife Charlotte, née Cooper (1809-1882), the fifth daughter of William Cooper, of Queens County, Ireland. She was of Irish heritage on both sides. Her father belonged to a military family with roots in Strabane (county Tyrone) - his father, John Hamilton, and her father’s four older brothers were all officers in the Fifth Foot – and was a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. He had been a bright scholar with an aptitude for languages, and as a preacher was praised for his powerful sermons and his ability to bring the Bible to life for his parishioners
Jane Clayson Johnson (Journalist, Author, and Mother) on Overcoming Depression
No full textEver dealt with depression and felt alone or weak? Join Jane Clayson Johnson (award-winning journalist for her work at CBS, ABC, and NPR; best-selling author of I Am a Mother and Silent Souls Weeping; and an incredible mother) as she talks about her encounter with depression and how others with depression shouldn\u27t feel flawed or trapped
Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE)
No full textThe Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE) is a free online bibliographic journal selection tool. Interfacing directly with PubMed/MEDLINE, the resource is web-based and allows users to easily input keywords, abstract text, or author names and view related articles based on terms. JANE is recommended for those working in health and biomedical fields
Making the Scene Together: Mai Zetterling's Flikorna/The Girls (1968) and Aristophanes' Lysistrata
No full textThis essay provides an in-depth analysis of a film that has received little scholarly attention despite its status as a pioneering effort in the visualization of contemporary feminist ideas. It discusses the influence of Aristophanes' stylistics and the political ideas of the play on the film, and Zetterling's critique of the latter, particularly in the film's ending.This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Quarterly Review of Film and Video 25.2 (2008), 97-106, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10509200601074553Peer reviewe
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