10 Years Ago
Week of May 21, 2015
SUGAR GROVE
The Clothesline Was Essential in Days of Old
The following poem was written anonymously: “A clothesline was a news forecast, to neighbors passing by, There were no secrets you could keep, when clothes were hung to dry. It also was a friendly link, for neighbors always knew if company had stopped on by, to spend a night or two. For then you’d see the ‘fancy sheets’ and towels upon the line; You’d see the ‘company table cloths’ with intricate designs. The line announced a baby’s birth, from folks who lived inside, As brand new infant clothes were hung, so carefully with pride! The ages of the children could, so readily be known By watching how sized changed, you’d know how much they’d grown! It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were hung; Then nightclothes and a bathrobe too, haphazardly were strung. It also said, ‘On vacation now’ when lines hung limp and bare. It told, ‘We’re back!’ when full lines sagged, with an inch to spare! New folks in town were scorned upon, if wash was dingy and gray, As neighbors carefully raised their brows, and looked the other way. But clotheslines now are of the past, for the dryers make work much less. Now what goes on inside a home, is anybody’s guess! I really miss that way of life, it was a friendly sign, When neighbors knew each other best…by what hung on the line.”
20 Years Ago
Week of May 19, 2005
Franklin Town Office To Relocate on High Street
On Monday, municipal offices of the Town of Franklin will no longer be in the building owned by Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity on Main Street.
It is expected that the town’s business office will be open for business in the old (but under renovation) fire house the town owns on High Street.
Town offices will be closed on Friday when the move to the new location will be made.
That re-location of municipal government offices was discussed at the regular meeting of town council on May 3.
The exterior stonework on the old fire house is still underway, but, according to Mayor Tim Long, “99 percent of the interior work is complete.”
That means carpeting, a new ceiling, and central heating and air conditioning are installed.
30 Years Ago
Week of May 25, 1995
Bowman’s Store Marks 125 Years of Mercantile Service in County
Pendleton County’s oldest continuous business, known to most people as Bowman’s Store, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this week. That’s a long time by anyone’s standard, but there is a good possibility the business is even older than that.
1870 has been regarded as the founding date, based upon a tin-type photograph of the store taken when it was located on the corner of Franklin Motors. James Boggs, the Confederate General recently memorialized at Mt. Hiner Cemetery, was one of the founding fathers. Thanks to his descendant, Charles Boggs, Jr., it is now known that the business may have begun with a store operated by General Boggs’ maternal uncle. His name was Aaron Key (Kee) and he had been in the mercantile business for some time before his nephew, James, joined him in partnership about 1817.
After General Boggs’ death in 1862, it is believed that the business was then operated by his son, William H. Boggs, and his son-in-law, Junius B. Anderson. Their store was called Anderson, Boggs & Company. Sometime later, landowner and businessman John McClure, went into business with William H. Boggs and the name over the door read Boggs and McClure & Company. The tin-type photograph (circa 1870) on display at the store this week clearly shows this building alongside the dirt road which is now Main Street. It was in this building that Thomas J. Bowman, I, joined in business with John McClure, and eventually became owner.
In 1995, four generations later, we find Rebecca Bowman Lough, operating her great-grandfather’s store, with able assistance from her father, Jeff Bowman, and husband, Richard Lough. This week, between customers, Rebecca commented on the history of her great-grandfather’s store and why she’s taking time-out to commemorate an earlier time and place.
Rebecca’s great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Bowman, I, came west about 1871 from his birthplace near Mt. Jackson, Virginia. The 24-year-old Civil War veteran found work in Fort Seybert, clerking in William Fultz’s store.
Later, Thomas accepted John McClure’s offer of a position at Boggs & McClure in Franklin. Realizing that they worked well together, Mr. McClure and Mr. Bowman agreed to form a partnership and build a new store across the street. On April 5, 1888, a two-story frame building with a porch was opened, and later a three story addition, with large display windows and an awning, was attached.
There is a photograph of both structures on display this week. The store was known as Bowman & McClure and was located where Bowman’s Store is today.
In 1873, Mr. Bowman married Hannah Catharine Masters of Franklin. The house they built on Main Street, in 1875, is where they raised four sons and a daughter, and continues to be the family home today.
After Mr. Bowman’s death in 1906, his sons Ernest, Claude, Walter and Tom, bought Mr. McClure’s shares, and those of his heirs, and the store was re-named Bowman Brothers. Claude and Walter’s deaths during the 1919 influenza epidemic, left brothers, Ernest and Tom, the owners. The current name of the store, Ernest Bowman & Brother, came about when these brothers became partners.
Like many Franklin businesses, the store was totally destroyed during the fire of 1924. With bricks made in Franklin, the present building was constructed on the original site and local carpenter, C. E. Lee, had the store ready to open on October 1, 1925. It wasn’t until Tom’s death in 1945 that his son, Jeff, joined in partnership with his Uncle Ernest, and then became sole proprietor in 1962.
The Bowman family gratefully acknowledges Mrs. Dolly Dyer Wilkins for her kind assistance in researching the history of the store.
40 Years Ago
Week of May 23, 1985
Senator Byrd, Judge Harper to Address 1985 Graduates
U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd and Judge Richard H. Harper will deliver commencement addresses Sunday to the graduates of Franklin and Circleville High Schools. The commencement program at Franklin will begin at 8 p.m. and the program at Circleville is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The county’s two high schools will graduate a total of 111 seniors this year, 75 at Franklin and 36 at Circleville.
50 Years Ago
Week of May 15, 1975
DAHMER
The fear of doing certain types of work on Ascension Day has about died out in this community. Working in the soil was much feared as sewing. These were the most common kinds of work to be avoided on this day. Lightning and its destructive power to property and human life was the main cause for anxiety. William Lewis Propst on Dickenson Mountain sheared sheep on Ascension Day and some days later lightning struck a tree where his sheep were sheltering during a storm, killing about one dozen of them.
Week of May 22, 1975
Back Yard Chicken Flocks Coming Back In West Virginia
Some folks may still be around who remember when community alarm clocks were the crowing roosters of theirs and neighbor’s backyard chicken flocks. The roosters signaled the “crack of dawn” with their early morning calls.
So-called progress changed lifestyles, and backyard chicken flocks disappeared in an age of specialization. But if there is a nostalgic value to the sound of the cock’s crow in the morning take heart! Family backyard chicken flocks are on the increase in West Virginia.
According to Byron W. Moore, poultry specialist, West Virginia University Center for Extension and Continuing Education, there has been an increase in the number of queries in the counties concerning the cultivation and maintenance of small flocks.
Further evidence of small flock interest, he pointed out, is reflected in the recent Quarterly Poultry Report from the West Virginia Crop Reporting Service. The report shows a nine per cent increase in the number of layers between March 1, 1974, and March 1, 1975.
“There has been no major increase in commercial layer operations in the state, therefore, the increase is due mostly to an increase in the number of small flocks,” he explained.
Nationally, however, the number of layers on March 1 was down five per cent from last year, and the number of pullets from three months to laying age was 19 per cent under last year. This reduction, it was explained, is due mostly to a decrease in commercial operations—both in the number of flocks and a decrease in flock size in many cases.
“Most of those who are becoming involved with small flocks say they want to produce their own eggs. They are motivated by the high cost of food and its strain on the family budget. Others say they can produce a better product, while some just want to raise their own or feel the challenge of doing for themselves,” Moore commented.
“Regardless of the reason, we believe there will be continued interest in this phase of business,” Moore concluded.
60 Years Ago
Week of May 20, 1965
Woman’s Legs Mangled In Explosion Of War Souvenir
A 37 m.m. shell brought back from Germany as a souvenir by a World War II soldier had lost little of its effectiveness by last week.
Mrs. Preston Eye of Fort Seybert was house cleaning last Thursday morning when she accidentally knocked the shell, which was about 1-1/2 inches in diameter by about 8 inches in length, from a wall shelf.
Being the type that detonates upon impact, when the shell struck the floor near Mrs. Eye’s feet, it exploded throwing shrapnel all over the room and badly mangling both of her legs near her ankles.
Upon hearing the explosion, the injured woman’s husband rushed into the house from the yard and found her bleeding badly and unable to walk. No bones were broken.
Dr. Charles J. Sites was called to her home, and after receiving preliminary treatment, she was rushed to Rockingham Memorial Hospital at Harrisonburg, Va., where she was on the critical list for several days.
Hospital reports yesterday indicate that she is now recovering from the injury.
70 Years Ago
Week of May 19, 1955
97 Students To Graduate From County High Schools This Week
Thirty students will graduate at the 25th annual commencement exercises of Circleville High School which will be held tonight at 8 o’clock.
Sixty-seven seniors will receive diplomas at the commencement exercises at Franklin High School Friday night at 8 o’clock.
105 Years Ago
Week of May 14, 1920
ONEGO
As I have not noticed any items from this place for some time, will give a few of the latest happenings.
J. W. Miller our cliff-dwelling minister has moved to the home of Jason Kisamore.
C. C. Long has been keeping the town well supplied with ramps.
This seems to be the right time of year for people to set “old hen.”
We are now having a moving picture show in town.
J. R. Adamson was re-appointed ramp administrator for this district.
BOX
The people are getting ready to plant.
Curtis Ruddle and Glen Kisamore were calling on their best girls Sunday.
