118,362 research outputs found
C.A. Peirce's model T, used to deliver mail. Webster County.
No full textC.A. Peirce's model T, used to deliver mail. Webster County
Letter from Rebecca Webster, Judson Female Institute, Marion, Alabama, to Mrs. D. T. Webster, Mobile, Alabama, December 15, 1865
No full textHistoric 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
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. 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. 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
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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. 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
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. 11 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.Dickson Sl ater
Box 164
Davi dson, NC 280J6
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HISTORIC~
••••••••••••••••••---"_;e_w_;s:.:,le::.t.:te:.:..r of the Webster Historical Society, Inc.
VOLUME XI, NUMBER 1 WEBSTER, NORTH CAROLINA SPRING, 1985
The Cowan_s, Webster __ C_itizens
On a late spring afternoon in
1927, Mary BridgerS, a first
year teacher at Balsam Elementary
School in Jackson
county, spotted a dapper
young man on the Rolling
Green Golf Course near Webster.
He was wearing knickers,
fashionable at the time,
and an English-style cap
typical of the "roaring '20's."
She was impressed. Louise
Parker, a fellow teacher and
roommate at Balsam, soon introduced
Mary to the young
man who was Claude Cowan of
Webster. After a short courtship,
Claude Cowan and Mary
Bridgers were married at the
Bridgers' home in Macclesfield,
North Carolina, on
Christmas Day, 1928. They
soon returned to Webster
where they have made their
home for the past fifty-five
years. Claude and Mary have
two sons: Claude Jacob
Cowan, Jr., of Fairview Road,
Sylva, and William Joseph
Cowan of Tucker, Georgia. Claude and Mary Cowan's lives have been spent in and for Webster.
Madison poems will bEf published in
Summer by Society
The Poems of Robert Lee
Madison, a compilation of
poems, some known and many
being published for the first
time, will be released by the
Webster Historical Society in
the summer.
Professor Madison, a Webster
resident, founder of Western
Carolina University, and
a classical scholar, wrote hundreds
of poems in numerous
styles. He often shared these
verses with his friends through
little printed cards that he
distributed, through greeting
cards, or through his lectures.
It has long been a goal of the
historical society to preserve
these literary pieces. With the
permission of Mr. Madison's
family, the professor's poetic
works have been edited by Joe
P. Rhinehart ami a beautifully
printed volume is in
publication.
Larkspur Press, an art press
in Monterey, Kentucky, is
printing the book. Gray Zeitz,
the owner, is a master printer
and a former student of the
world famous Victor Hammar.
Zeitz and Hammar's
work have been exhibited in
many galleries, including the
Golier Club in New York.
Then, by hand, he will stitch
the books in soft covers in the
chapbook style. The chapbook
was developed in western
Europe in the nineteenth century
and, at that time, was a
cheap method of making books
available. Zeitz has revived
the style and has made it an
art form.
The Poems of Robert Lee
Madison, printed in a limited
edition, will appeal to Madison's
friends and students, collectors
of art, historians, and
readers of all sorts.
Professor Robert Lee madison wrote poems on many
subjects and in many styles.
They also have two granddaughters,
four grandsons,
two great grandsons, and a
great granddaughter.
CLAUDE JACOB COWAN,
SR. was born on September 9,
1902, on the Cowan farm bordering
the banks of the Tuckasegee
River near Webster.
He was the fourth of eight
children born to William Lee
and Luthena Wild Cowan.
After high school he held a
number of jobs related to his
interest in the field of electricity.
This was during the era
when electrical power was
first being introduced to residents
of Jackson county. After
a short time as an electrician's
apprentice, Claude Cowan
became an electrician and installed
the electrical wiring for
many of the old landmark
buildings and houses in Sylva,
Webster and throughout Jackson
county. He briefly worked
for the Dillsboro Power and
Light Company before opening
his own electrical shop in
Sylva.
As the Great Depression decreased
the demand for electrical
services and appliances,
Mr. Cowan closed his shop and
took a job with the Mead Corporation
where he worked for
several years as an electrician
and turbine operator. Then,
desiring to establish his own
business, he left the Mead Corporation
and built the Webster
Grocery Store which he managed
until 1951. During this
time he also served as Jackson
county's electrical inspector.
In 1951, Claude Cowan sold
his business to accept an appointment
with the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
as a state regional inspector,
an appointment not alt()gether
unexpected since, in
addition to his qualifications,
he had successfully managed
the gubernatorial campaign of
Governor Kerr Scott in
Jackson county in 1950.
Before concluding his adult
working career, Cowan accepted
an appointment by the
Jackson County Board of Edu-
Continued on page 2
Page 2, HISTORIC WEBSTER, SPRING 1985
Mary and Claude Cowan have shared 55 yt
Continued from page 1
cation as the county's attendance
counselor, a position he
held until his retirement in
1967. Although he enjoyed a
variety of work experiences
throughout his adult life, his
first love was politics, as
evidenced by his successful
management of numerous
political campaigns for state,
regional, and local candidates.
He is most proud of the campaign
he managed for his
brother, Roy, who was elected
clerk of the Jacksdh County
Superior Court in 1938. Roy
was re-elected without opposition
each term until his death
in 1946.
In 1962, Claude Cowan was
elected to the Webster Board
of Aldermen, a position he
presently holds at age eightytwo.
As alderman, he takes
great pride in the many improvements
made on the
water system which was little
more than a small spring-fed
reservoir a few years ago. Of
equal pride to him is the fact
that Webster boasts a zero
crime rate, a fact that he attributes
to good neighbors
watching out for good
neighbors.
In addition to Claude
Cowan's many years of service
as an alderman, he was
an active member of The
Woodmen of the World, a
fraternal organization dedicated
to community service. He
is also a member of the
Fraternal Order of Masons
and was elected Master of the
Dillsboro Masonic Lodge by
his brother Masons in 1948.
Claude is a member of the
Webster Baptist Church where
he was active in promoting
building improvements and
acquiring a new parsonage.
During his retirement, he
enjoys keeping abreast of
local, state, and national
political events, serving on the
Webster Board of Aldermen,
and keeping his yard well
groomed. In the past, he spent
much time transporting elderly
friends and neighbors to
church, doctor's appointments,
the supermarket, the
drug store, and, as he says,
"just about anywhere else
they need to go."
When asked how he feels,
one is likely to get the standard
answer, "Well, I'm still kicking,
just not quite as high!" He
continues to maintain that
great sense of humor which
has characterized his personality
for eighty-two years.
Some would say that the one
thing Claude enjoys more than
hearing a good joke is telling
one. But most of all he is
known to his neighbors as an
accommodating friend, always
willing to help those in
need of his assistance.
MARY BRIDGERS
COW AN was born on April 1,
1905, in Macclesfield, North
Carolina. She was the sixth of
twelve children born to Joseph
Caswell and Nancy Owens
Bridgers. She was graduated
from high school in Edgecombe
county and attended
Farmville Women's College in
Farmville, Virginia for one
year before transferring to
Cullowhee Normal and Industrial
School (now Western Carolina
University) in Cullowhee,
North Carolina, where
she studied to become a
teacher. Upon graduation
from college she accepted a
teaching position at Balsam
Elementary School in Jackson
county. The following year
Mary Cowan accepted a teaching
position at Webster School
where she continued to teach
until her retirement in 1965.
Much of Mary Cowan's adult
life was centered around the
classroom and the children
she taught. As a teacher she
was best known for her ability
to "teach the unteachable."
Her fellow teachers have described
her as a master teacher
who was applying unique
methods of motivating children
to learn as well as techniques
of behavior modification
long before these methods
and techniques were written
about in the textbooks. And
yes, if this didn't work, she
was not above bribing a child
with food, money, extra privileges,
or just about anything
else that worked if that was
what was required to teach the
vowel sounds or the multiplication
tables.
Although the 3 R's came
first, Mrs. Cowan's appreciation
and love for music, art,
science, and social studies
were what made her classroom
a fun place to be. Her
students produced more musical
programs (operettas)
than any class in the school.
Her love of music was contagious
and her students responded
enthusiastically by
singing, dancing, acting, and
playing in the rhythm band.
Mary Cowan's personal enjoyment
and participation in
these activities with the
children kept her young short
Cowan and Rhinehart were
always on call for town
By Joe W. Rhinehart
Claude Cowan and I grew up together in Webster, but
because Claude was my senior we did not become close
friends until we were older. As boys we attended Webster
School, but Claude was ahead of me.
Our relationship has been close since we married and
Claude moved over the river. Claude was indeed a friend
in need for any time I needed help Claude answered the
call.
We are both interested in our town's welfare and to be
of service we both became aldermen. Our biggest job as
aldermen has been taking care of Webster's water works.
If the water "went off," a neighbor would call either
Claude or me to ask what the trouble was. We would get
together and search for the problem. Many times it would
mean digging up a pipe line or cleaning out the springs
on Kings Mountain. The springs, for many years, were the
source of Webster's water. When a major problem came
up we met with the other alderman and the mayor to
discuss the problem.
Now in our mature years and since we are among the
few native Websterites left, we enjoy sitting on the porch
in the sun talking about the "Good Old Days."
Joe Rhinehart and Claude
Cowan visit at the post office.
of her years.
In the spring of each year it
was not unusual to see Mary
Cowan and her entire third
grade assembled in the Cowan
garden or on the lawn catching
everything from butterflies to
the praying mantis. At other
times of the year they might
be seen collecting rocks,
leaves, flowers, or just about
anything of interest which
could form the basis for a
scientific nature study. These
activities, she believed, provided
welcomed relief to the
children from the rigors of
mastering the 3 R's and also
motivated them to develop a
sense of inquiry about their
environment.
It was mastery of the basics
plus the many enjoyable
educational experiences which
endeared Mrs. Cowan as a teacher
and as a person to four
generations of students. Her
service spanned thirty-six
years.
In addition to the three-plus
decades as a teacher in the
Jackson County Public
Schools, Mary Cowan was also
active in various church and
community activities. Prior to
her retirement, she was an active
member of the Webster
Baptist Church where she
served for many years as a
Sunday School teacher and a
member of the choir. She was
active in the Women's Missionary
Society and participated
in numerous other church
activities and charitable
causes.
No review of Mary Cowan's
accomplishments would be
complete without some mention
of her more subtle attributes
which are no less important
than her impressive
career as a teacher. As a wife,
mother, and individual, her
life has exemplified a love and
concern for others, especially
those less fortunate than she.
Her many acts of kindness to
those who found themselves in
a state of misfortune will long
be remembered by the many
whose lives she touched. Their
need of food, clothing, medical
attention, or sometimes just a
word of encouragement, never
went unattended if Mary
Cowan was aware of the
circumstances.
There is yet another side to
Mary Cowan's personality.
She must believe that
"laughter is the hand of God
on the shoulder of a troubled
world." Even today, her sense
of humor is equalled perhaps
only by that of her husband,
Claude.
CLAUDE AND MARY
COWAN have shared fifty-five
years together in Webster.
Summer, 1985, Claude
Spencer Clark Trio "Su
concert.
Among their most treasured
memories are the many good
neighbors and friends whose
lives have touched them over
the years.
Among their most 1
the many good neigh
lives touched them ov
Together they have shared
the good times and the bad
times . They endured the
poverty and deprivation of the
Great Depression. They
shared the grief and sadness
associated with the many
relatives, friends, and
neighbors who were wounded
or killed in World War II,
Korea, and Vietnam. They
EdUCI
By Joe P .
In 1956 I had earned the ho1
address at the Webster Sci
what I wanted to say to the c
it would be good to recall hi!
Webster was a stable com
thirty-nine seniors grown up
years together, but so had m
unusual for the whole famil
studied under the same tea,
In my memories of those d
ly more like family than im
not only qualified to instruc
highlighted the highlights.
What I wanted to say abou
said about a dozen more wl
lives. But there were things 1
our third grade teacher diff
obvious. After years of heari
into Mrs. Cowan's room and
made an impression- soft,
to do what she wanted?
Educators, in more recer
the "whole child." In 1946 t
Cowan. She had us performi
SPRING, 1985, HISTORIC WEBSTER, Page 3
~ars with Webster Claude Cowan has
always been interested in
politics. He helped with the
rechartering of Webster
and has served on the town
board for thirty years. He
has managed many a prospective
office holder's campaign
- always successfully.
When Roy Taylor of
Asheville became a candidate
for the United States
Congress, Cowan took over
his Jackson county campaign
and from his Webster
home helped elect Taylor to
Congress for several
terms.
and Mary Cowan attend the
mmer Evening in Webster"
have sympathized with and
assisted their many friends
who fell victim to the
devastating flood of 1940 as it
ravaged homes and other pro-
;reasured memories are
bors and friends whose
er the years.
perty along the banks of the
Tuckasegee River where the
Cowans lived at the time.
But all in all, they agree on
one thing as they share their
memories with frequent intervals
of laughter and good
humor: that is, they have been
richly blessed and have seen
more good times than bad.
Claude Cowan (center) helped Roy Taylor (left)
plan, with Gerald Hardy, his 1960 congressional
campaign.
"Claude Cowan is more like a brother"
By Mildred Cowan
Claude J. Cowan is a cousin of mine, though he is more
like a brother. He is a son of the late William Cowan, my
father's brother, who lived next door to my family.
In this day and time my mother would be called a
workaholic, and she sometimes would call on Claude to
babysit me. He was a good entertainer. He taught me
games such as jacks tones, hop scotch and jump rope. He
even tried to teach me to make tatting lace, but all I could
do was tie knots that would not slip to make a loop. He read
stories to me and taught me children's songs.
At school he was several grades ahead of me, but he
would still look after me. Then I went to boarding school
and after that moved to Asheville where I lived for four
years. In the meantime Claude married Mary Bridgers
of Macclesfield and they began to raise a family. Those
years we were not as close as we had been.
After my father's death, my mother and I sold the old
home place and bought a lot in Webster from Claude's son,
Billy Joe. When we became next door neighbors again we
took up where we had left off and again resumed our
brother-sister relationship. He is my adviser, my handy
man, and my confidante. I feel wonderfully blessed to have
someone like Claude for a friend.
Claude Cowan operated a service station on
Sylva's Main Street in 1951.
ate the whole child Mary-Cowan's philosophy:
Rhinehart
10r to deliver the salutatorian
tool graduation. In deciding
:lass and its guests I thought
:blights of our days together.
munity, and not only had we
together and spent our school
any of our parents. It was not
y, parents included, to have
cher.
ays, teachers, who were realtructors,
teachers who were
t but also knew how to love,
tone teacher could have been
to passed through our young
hat made Mrs. Mary Cowan,
erent, and the first was very
ng our mountain twang, to go
hear her soft down east drawl
gentle- who would not want
t days, talk about educating
his was nothing new to Mrs.
ng in a rhythm band. She had
Mary Cowan's third graders dance in Webster School's
annual May Day Celebration, 1958.
us keeping poetry notebooks. We did molding clay
sculpture.
Mrs. Cowan was a great believer in good manners, including
eating habits. Once she had the home economics
students appear during our lunch period, and, for several
weeks, they taught us the correct eating form: napkins and
one hand in the lap and of course, a clean plate alwaysthe
clean plate was sometimes hard to come by, but we
were graded, and so we ate correctly.
Mrs. Cowan was a thorough teacher in the academics.
Every activity tied into another. In a social studies class
we made a list of community helpers- teacher, police,
minister. These words became a spelling list. Then one
leader became the theme for a composition. Then the subject
became a clay sculpture for art class.
I knew twenty-eight years ago the value of good
teaching, and I wanted to let my commencement listeners
know the value of a good teacher, and so I recounted these
same events and those of other teachers to the audience.
Now, after twenty-four of my own years spent in a
classroom, I know even more the value of education, and
though forty years have passed since those third grade
days of being forced to each cafeteria spinach, I still eat
with one hand and I still clean my plate.
Generations of Webster citizens owe much to Mrs. Mary
Cowan.
Page 4, HISTORIC WEBSTER, SPRING 1985
From The Cowan Scrapbook ...
Claude Cowan in Webster, 1918. The
photographs were taken in the Madison yard
and the R. L. Haskett house is in the
background.
Mary Bridgers Cowan, summer, 1928. A photograph by
Donahue Studios in Sylva.
Mary Cowan and her son C.
Mary Bridgers was a native
of Macclesfield, North Carolina.
She was about nine or ten
when she and her friend Rev a
Phillips took a buggy ride. J., about 1933.
Mary Bridgers and her
friends at Western Carolina
University. Louise Parker is
left center and Mary Bridgers
is beside her.
"Summer Evenings . . . "
Summer, 1985, will be an
exciting time to be in Webster.
The Webster Historical Society
is planning its third
season of "Summer Evenings
in Webster" for July and it invites
natives and visitors to
attend the events.
Scheduled for Sunday evenings
at 5:30 in the Webster
United Methodist Olurch, the
program this year celebrates
the theme of "Anniversaries."
Stephen Hamilton, the artist-
in-residence at So'lthwestern
Technical College,
will open the season on July 7
with a concert of vocal and instrumental
music by Johann
Sebastian Bach and George
Frederick Handel, both of
whom celebrate their 300th
birthdays this year.
Harry Cagle, the leader of
"Harry Cagle and the Country
Cousins," will present a
concert on his violin on July
14. Cagle, who is known
across the South for his traditional
playing, will be
presented in a solo performance
which will include
dance music, hymns, and traditional
mountain music.
John Parris, author, editor,
and columnist, will read his
" Webster Stories ;" stories
set in Webster or about Webster
people on July 21. This
year marks the 35th anniversary
of the publication of Parris'
first volume of collected
pieces, Roaming the Mountains.
The series will end July 28,
with the third appearance of
the Spencer Clark Trio.
Clark, his wife Mary, and
drummer Hoyle Roberson,
will feature the music of
Jerome Kearn, whose centennial
is celebrated this year,
and his friends . This
popular program will be presented,
as usual, on the lawn
of Hilda and Huck Hoffman
on North Main Street and
Buchanan Loop.
A reception follows each
program to honor the performing
artists.
Madison Poems In Sunset Program
A long planned e~ent of fhe
Webster Historical Society
will be realized on July 5,
when the Society releases it's
latest publication, The Poems
of Robert Lee Madison.
Webster Mayor James
Simpson will preside over the
outdoor program set for the
back yard of Court House
Square at sunset, eight
o'clock.
Chancellor Myron L. Coulter,
Western Carolina University,
Kate Moore Rhinehart,
and Louise Madison Bedford
will speak on the professor as
educator, community leader,
and family man. Society president
Mildred Cowan will
present the Madison family
with the first numbered copy
of the book. Jim Gray, editor
of The Sylva Herald, will read
selected Madison poems. The
program will open with guitar
music and end with Dr. Alexander
A. Lesueuer on the
flute.
Sunset was Professor Madison's
favorite time and the
village was often entertained
by his front porch guitar and
flute concerts.
All are invited to attend this
special event to celebrate the
hundredth anniversary of Mr.
Madison's arrival in Jackson
County.
Miss Lucy's Picnic
Planned For July 4th
The second annual "Miss
Lucy's Picnic" will be held on
Thursday afternoon, July 4, at
4:30 on the lawn of Castalia,
the former home of Miss Lucy
Hedden, now the home of
Hazel and John Fobes.
Last summer the Webster
Historical Society revived the
picnic which Miss Lucy originated
years ago as a community
celebration of the nation's
birthday.
Only once, just after the end
of Worl
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