10 Years Ago
Week of June 27, 2013
FFA Livestck Team
Takes State
Pendleton County FFA livestock and poultry teams excelled at the 90th annual Career Development Event (CDEs) last Wednesday at the West Virginia University farm in Morgantown.
The livestock team, comprised of Dylan Dunkle, Jessica Hoover, Katelyn Moyers and Allison Ruddle, placed first in the state contest. The team will represent West Virginia in the national contest to be held at the 86th annual National FFA Convention in October in Louisville, KY.
The livestock evaluation contest consisted of judging and placing market hogs, market lambs, breeding heifers, market steers and keep/cull ewe lambs, as well as answering questions and giving reasons.
Basic knowledge of poultry, a written test, turkey carcasss, broiler hens and laying hens were components of the poultry evaluation contest.
The teams were coached by Ron Hudson, Pendleton County FFA advisor.
Six hundred fifty FFA members, representing 49 schools, participated in the CDEs.
Local History Celebrated On West Virginia Day
The dedication of a Civil War soldier monument located on the corner of the courthouse lawn was Pendleton County’s sesquicentennial celebration of the state’s birthday held on West Virginia Day.
The Brigadier General James Boggs Camp #1706, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the 7th West Virginia Infantry Camp #7, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, petitioned the county commission in 2011 to erect the monument of a young soldier representing both sides of the bloody war where an estimated 750,000 Americans lost their lives.
Mullenax Honored
For 60 Years Service
To Spruce Mountain
Ruritans
On May 9, the Spruce Mountain Ruritan Club paid homage to Garland Mullenax, a member for over 60 years. Members prepared a special meal, and Ruth Warner baked a cake with the Ruritan seal.Joan McConnell, president, listed important accomplishments either started or spear-headed by the Spruce Mountain Ruritan Club during Mullenax’s tenure.
Week of July 4, 2013
Cellphone Use While Driving Now Illegal
Driving and using a handheld cell phone became illegal in West Virginia on Monday.
Texting while driving became illegal one year ago.
Not wearing a seatbelt becomes a primary offense on July 9, which means that motorists can be pulled over and ticketed if they are not buckled up. The offense carries a $25 fine but adds no points to a driver’s record.
The prohibition on texting and handheld cell phone use by drivers were passed by the state legislature in 2012. The seatbelt law was passed earlier this year in Charleston.
Also on Monday, the tax on groceries was eliminated.
The food-tax elimination measure had been pursued by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin since he was President of the Senate and Joe Mancnin III was governor.
20 Years Ago
Week of July 3, 2003
Land Cost for Ruddle Park Set at $42,500
A deed has been signe d by Harlan and Ressie Kimble transferring 20.93 acres to the Pendleton County Building Commission at a cost of $42,500 for the purpose of developing the land as a county park.
The Pendleton County Commission’s minutes from the regular meeting at the courthouse on June 3 state that the “next step is have a park designed which will contain ball parks, soccer fields, a practice track, picnic area, etc. and funding sources explored to help cover the cost.”
SUGAR GROVE
Fourth of July Reminds One of Their Freedoms
Ever wonder what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds suffered from the Revolutionary War.
They signed and pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, 11 were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners…all men of means and well educated. They signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would certainly be death were they to be captured.
30 Years Ago
Week of July 8, 1993
DAHMER
Hagg Show Brings Back Fond Memories for Writer
How many remember seeing their first live show and circus? For the writer, it was in the early thirties which was the Hagg Show at Franklin during the Fourth of July holidays, across the river in a big tent near Priest Mill. First, there was a big street parade with loud music, funny clowns, horses, wagons, dogs, trucks with wild animals, a band and two elephants. Some men rolled a big tub about two and one-half feet tall in the street, so an elephant named Alice could step upon the big tub and dance with her two front feet to the tune of “Turkey in the Straw.” Following the parade was a group of happy children going to see this big show and circus. There was a side show charging a fee for admittance to see wild animals. Then a ticket was bought in order to get into the main show, but the big catch was inside to get a ring side seat. Some children did not have the money so they had to take a seat where they could not see the show as well, for there was some great performances for this wide-eyed country boy to see. One act was an acrobat high up standing on his head upon a trapeze, eating a banana, then he pulled out of his pocket a bottle of soda pop and drank the contents.
Farm Land Values Vary Across United States
How much is your land worth per acre? That depends on where you live.
Average farm real estate values last year ranged from $138 per acre in Wyoming to $4,774 per acre in New Jersey. The value of U. S. farmland has increased by an average of 2.4 percent per year for the last five years.
The area in farmland has fallen each year, from 1.2 billion acres in 1950 to 0.9 billion in 1992. The number of farms also has declined each year, from 5.6 million in 1950 to 2.1 million last year.
These and other statistics come from a new publication, “Farm Real Estate,” available from the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
40 Years Ago
Week of July 7, 1983
Grow Flowering Annuals Indoors to Brighten Home
Flowering annuals create dazzling displays of color in the garden; so why not bring a few indoors to add sparkle to the home this winter and year-round.
Many annuals, especially the dwarf varieties, can be grown indoors in a sunny window. It is easy enough to do — simply obtain transplants, or bedding plants and plant them in a container with good drainage using a commercial potting mix. Then place in a sunny window and enjoy the indoor flower garden.
50 Years Ago
Week of July 5, 1973
228 Beavers
Are Trapped in State
West Virginia trappers harvested 228 beavers and received an average price of $30 for prime blanket-sized pelts during the 1972-73 trapping season, according to Dan Canter, Wildlife Resources Division Chief. Tucker County led the state in the beaver pelt production.
Most of the beavers harvested were trapped in Canaan Valley. Last year Tucker County led the state with 204 beavers harvested. Preston County, however, showed the greatest increase of beavers trapped in the state’s northeastern counties with a jump from 24 in 1972 to 49 in 1973.
60 Years Ago
Week of July 11, 1963
100 YEARS AGO
By LON K. SAVAGE
Editor’s Note—The following is one of a series of articles on the Civil War. Each weekly installment covers events which occurred exactly 100 years ago.
Vicksburg,
‘Gibralter of the West’
The Lincoln administration in Washington rejoiced 100 years ago this week over their great victory at Gettysburg. In the midst of the rejoicing, news came in from the West that an equally devastating victory had been won—Vicksburg, Miss., the Confederacy’s “Gibralter of the West,” had fallen to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. The Confederacy had been cut in two.
The city had fallen like a plum, following months of fighting and a siege that had strangled the city. It came on the Fourth of July—Independence Day. The city’s surrender had been negotiated the day before, at the same moments that Federal soldiers were decimating Confederates in Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg.
And when it came, it marked one of the most important achievements of the war. With Gettysburg, it provided a turning point—if not the turning point—of the Civil War.
During May, Grant’s 70,000 men had tightened their lines around the surrounded Vicksburg, digging inch by inch toward the Confederate lines. The Confederates, under northern-born Gen. John Pemberton, had gone on short rations, had gone without sleep, had manned their guns despite illness, and finally had lost hope.
There had been only one hope for them. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the Virginian who had become a Confederate hero at First Bull Run, had an army near Jackson, Miss., during Grant’s siege, and he threatened to hit Grant from the rear. But Grant showed little fear; if Johnston attacked to rescue Pemberton, Grant said, he—Grant—would let Johnston go through to the city and then capture both armies. As it turned out, the question was academic; Johnston never attacked.
On July 4, Grant and his men rode into the beleaguered city. They brought food with them and distributed it to the semi-starved troops and population. Northerners and Southerners intermingled, discussing the campaign.
But Grant’s job was not finished. He sent William Tecumseh Sherman toward Jackson, and within a week Sherman had driven Johnston and his little army back. Grant sent more men down to Port Hudson where they helped Union Gen. Nathaniel Banks obtain that city’s surrender. The last Confederate position on the Mississippi River had been liquidated.
157 Youngsters Now
Attending 4-H Camp
At Thorn Spring Park
Camp Is Biggest
In County’s History
The largest group of youngsters ever to attend a 4-H camp in Pendleton County are enjoying a week of inspiration, instruction and fun at Thorn Spring Park this week. The camp opened Monday with a total of 157 campers and 24 leaders.
Times Wins
‘Better Newspaper’ Awards
The Pendleton Times was one of 12 weekly newspapers in West Virginia which received awards last week in the West Virginia Better Newspapers Contest.
The Times won two second place awards—one for page one makeup and one for printing excellence.
The awards were presented at Cacapon State Park Saturday night at the awards banquet which brought to a close a three-day summer outing of members of the West Virginia Press Association.
70 Years Ago
Week of July 2, 1953
WALLET LOST FIVE YEARS AGO RETURNED IN GOOD SHAPE
A pocketbook containing two $25 war bonds which was lost five years ago in Germany was returned this week to its owner, Floyd H. Wimer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wimer of Franklin.
In 1948, then a Sgt. in the U.S. Army stationed at Stuttgard Military Post in Germany, Wimer lost the pocketbook containing the war bonds, driver’s license, pictures and several valuable papers. He reported the loss to his superiors but heard nothing more until Saturday when the wallet arrived by mail.
One-Way Traffic
Goes Into Effect
One-way signs will be placed on two streets this week, 3rd Street and 4th Street. Third Street will be made one way from the Post Office to High Street and 4th Street from the fire house to Sites’ Chevrolet.
