20 Years Ago
Week of January 8, 2004
SUGAR GROVE
Writer Contemplates
Cold Weather,
Origins of Old Sayings
The temperature has dipped to below zero, giving all some cold feet. That “cold feet” saying derived from rural Europe, when a person with little money was unwilling to move toward a purchase. A gambler wanting out of a game let it be known that he was dead broke by expressing that his feet were cold. This ancient expression remains alive today. Regardless if one is pursuing a sweetheart or planning a job change, if sudden withdrawal occurs, that individual is labeled as having “cold feet.”
Anyway, most East coasters wish “to get a break” from the frigid temperatures. When playing pool, the first shot of a game is the most important.
When balls that have been arranged in the form of a triangle have been hit, the orderly arrangement is broken. An especially good break can lead to a run of the table, meaning every ball pocketed before an opponent has an opportunity to shoot. Therefore, a person who receives a stroke of luck is said to get a break.
Despite the wintry business, all are doing their best and “keeping a stiff upper lip.” For many centuries, men of England alternated between shaving and growing whiskers. Razors were used every day during Queen Anne’s reign. Wigs were donned to make up for what the razor took. When wigs were abandoned by most people, the facial hair made a comeback. Soldiers were the first to give up beards in favor of mustaches. Hair on the upper lip moved at the slightest stitch of a muscle. So, a young fellow sporting hair under his nose, would have to learn to keep a stiff upper lip. Movements of a mustache when standing at a rigid attention might be considered a breach of discipline. Men hoping to become known as officers and gentlemen needed to have “a still upper lip” (self control) in any difficult situation.
40 Years Ago
Week of January 12, 1984
DAHMER
During the fall of 1983 Johnny Arvin Dahmer built a humble cottage in which to collect and display some of the household items of the late John and Estella Dahmer used in making a home during the period from 1910-1918. Through this method their grandchildren and great-grandchildren can get a brief glimpse of the plain life that they lived during that period and enjoyed.
50 Years Ago
Week of January 17, 1974
Scouting Program
For Girls Being
Organized in Franklin
The Franklin Junior Women’s Club has undertaken the sponsorship and organization of the Girl Scout Program in Franklin. At the present time, two troops have been started and one more troop is being formed.
Report Interesting,
Disturbing On County School System
For many days each year, 22 percent of our citizens assemble in public schools. As residents of Pendleton County, we have a legal and moral obligation to see that these 1600 young people receive a good education. We pay teachers and staff, maintain buildings, provide transportation and other services necessary to run a school system.
Released last week is a survey report on Pendleton County schools. This 53-page booklet was prepared by the West Virginia Department of Education. Some interesting and disturbing facts are brought to light.
The amount of money spent per pupil from local sources in the 1971-72 school year was $112. Pendleton County ranks 49th out of 55 West Virginia counties in pupil expenditure. Neighboring Grant County ranks first with $484. The state average is $240.
60 Years Ago
Week of January 16, 1964
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.
Politicking Gets Heavy
In Presidential Race
Salmon P. Chase had done an extraordinary good job as Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln, but throughout his tenure in that job, something had rankled within him: he thought that he, and not Abe Lincoln, should be president. One hundred years ago this week, he took a step that he hoped would enable him to succeed Lincoln.
What Chase did, in itself, was not of great importance, for it was what had been expected. He wrote, in a letter to a friend, that he would be willing to run for president of the United States in the 1864 election if it were desired by leaders of the country.
But his letter showed that not even war could stop politicking in Washington, that it was a presidential election year again, and that the nation’s biggest job again was going up for grabs.
There was no shortage of potential candidates willing to grab it. Chief among them, of course, was the incumbent, Abe Lincoln, but many in the nation wanted to count him out. For 25 years, no president had served more than one term, and many thought that Lincoln could not break that precedent. Moreover, Lincoln had many, many enemies—from Radicals who thought his war and slavery policies were too lenient to Copperheads who hoped for a peaceful solution to the war, leaving the Confederacy a separate nation.
Chase was a friend of the Radicals, and he considered himself fully qualified for the job. He felt, in fact, that he should have gotten the job in 1860 when Lincoln was elected; he had quarreled often with Lincoln during the war and had tried to resign. Now, in secret, he let it be known that he could be persuaded to accept the Republican nomination if it were offered to him.
Then there was John Charles Fremont, “The Pathfinder,” who had been the Republican party’s first presidential nominee and had lost to Buchanan in 1856; he was being discussed in some sections, although not too seriously.
Ulysses S. Grant was being mentioned as a candidate, but he would squelch that idea, himself, much to Lincoln’s relief.
And for the Democrats, there was George B. McClellan, the former hero of the Union army whom Lincoln had sent packing to New Jersey; he seemed quite likely to be the opponent of whomever the Republicans would put up.
But for the Republicans, the choice seemed mainly to be between Lincoln and Chase, and Lincoln’s position and patronage gave him a great advantage. To combat this advantage, Chase let out the word confidentially, and a committee of Republican leaders immediately went to work in his behalf. Within a month, Chase found to his surprise that a circular booming him for president was in the public press, and he offered again to resign his cabinet position.
But Lincoln again refused the resignation and thereby kept Chase out of serious contention for the presidency. Time would show that when Lincoln’s nomination for a second term had been successfully achieved, he would be quite willing to let Chase resign.
Next week: The North Prepares.
DAHMER
A list of boys and girls who attended the Propst School in 1911 and grades 1 to 8 inclusive, and taught by John Dahmer, are listed below:
Osborne Bowers, Terry G. and Albert C. Mitchell, Daniel M., Robert C., Homer G. Propst, Clement W., Ernest F., Edward H. Rader, A. M., G. H. Rexrode and Mack Tusing, Mertie B., Lydia A., Mary S., Ida M., Beulah G. Propst, Ada C., Margie, Minnie E. Bowers, Verna C., Clona M., Julean Pitsenbarger, Ida E., Florence, Eva M. Rader, Polly M., Vernie O. Rexrode and Ella Grace Tusing.
70 Years Ago
Week of January 14, 1954
Sites Chevrolet
Celebrates With
4-Day Open House
Sites Chevrolet, Inc., will hold a four-day open house celebration Wednesday, January 20 through Saturday, January 23, it has been announced by Bert Sites, president of the firm.
The occasion will mark the completion of the new building and expansion program started by Sites Chevrolet last April. The celebration also coincides with the dates of the local Chevrolet dealership’s 13th anniversary.
When Sites Chevrolet opened in 1941, the firm had 12 employees. Today it employs 20.
County Hero
Gets Bronze Star
For Korean Fighting
Cpl. Lee R. Keister, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Keister of Brandywine, has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States.
Acting as point man for his squad he detected an enemy attack on his outpost. He first alerted the other members of his squad and then charged the enemy firing his rifle. His heroic action confused the enemy long enough to give the other members of his outpost time to prepare for the attack.
Twelve Report
For Induction Tuesday
Twelve Pendleton county youths will report for induction into the armed forces next Tuesday morning, Mildred R. Young, clerk of the local board announced this morning.
James L. Pitsenbarger, Jr., Brandywine; Maurice Dunkle Ruddle, Raymond Leslie Mallow and John Luther Dove, Jr., of Ft. Seybert; Herman Lincoln Bennett of Teterton; Everett Pierce Mitchell and Albert Keith Sinnett, of Franklin; Ernest Cleo Self of Brushy Run; Randolph Wilfong, Sugar Grove; Forrest Albert Mitchell of Kline; Brison Edward Kimble of Smoke Hole; and Ivan Kelly Harper of Moyers.
Dr. Rexrode Moves
To Stickley Building
Dr. Luther E. Rexrode has moved his medical office to the Stickley Building across the street from the post office. Beginning today he will occupy a suite of four rooms on the second floor of the building directly over the Franklin Cut-Rate.
Entrance to his offices is gained through the side door of the building in the alley between the Cut-Rate and the Pendleton County Bank.
EDITORIAL
WINTER ROADS – – –
Frequently people in the more populous sections of the state refer to Pendleton County as the “Sticks” or the “Back Woods.” Of course, it is only people who have never visited Pendleton County who let their imaginations lead them into such misconceptions.
But whether they say we are old-fashioned or behind the times, in one respect at least we lead the state. Even we natives aren’t aware of it until we get a good snow like we had last Sunday night and then we are impressed with the fact that we have a State Road crew that is second to none in removing snow and keeping the roads open.
From six to ten inches of snow fell throughout the county Sunday night, and Monday morning all primary roads were open and even some of our secondary roads. When we consider the large area of our county and the many miles of roads that must be serviced, we realize that it is really quite a feat to compete with Mother Nature on such a grand scale.
We often have wondered how they manage to do such a good job so we talked with J. Riley Thompson, the local road supervisor, and we found out a few things. In the first place they don’t wait until there are two or three inches of snow on the roads before they start removing it, but rather, when it starts snowing, Charles Boggs starts calling truck drivers. If it is a heavy snow they put all the trucks they have into action. Some are equipped with snow plows and the rest are loaded with cinders and sulphur chloride to be used on the slick places and the curves. And it doesn’t matter if it is 12 o’clock noon or 12 o’clock midnight…when it starts snowing they go into action.
They clear the primary roads first and then they start on the secondaries. School bus routes get first priority on the secondary roads and special consideration is also given the roads that lead to the homes of people who are sick and who may need medical attention. During heavy snows men often work twelve and fourteen hours before they are relieved.
Our road crews are doing a fine job in keeping the roads open and they have our sincere appreciation.
$4,100 Monthly S. S.
Paid In Pendleton
At the end of 1953—17th year of Federal social security—the old-age and survivors insurance payments of about $4,100 in monthly benefits were going to 132 persons in Pendleton County: $8,000 to 245 persons in Hampshire; $5,350 to 162 persons in Hardy; $28,000 to 700 persons in Mineral and $9,400 to 250 persons in Grant County, according to James E. Robertson, manager of the Cumberland social security office.
