Out of Our Past: Monster tooth found in Cool Spring; Jennings Road opens (2024)

Ten years ago: July 23-29, 2014

Record & Landmark

When Ashtin Gill became the 2014 Miss Statesville last summer, she adopted a platform of promoting literacy in the community under the slogan “Reading Railroad: Stay on the Right Tracks.” Over the ensuing year, Gill used her platform as a beauty queen to start student book clubs at Statesville Christian School and Elon Elementary and she read with more than 900 children through visits to various Iredell County Schools. (7/23)

Erin Settle wasn’t just the best of the West on Tuesday night. The 5-foot-5 forward stood above everyone at UNCG Soccer Stadium. A 2014 Mooresville graduate, Settle scored a second-half goal and assisted another to lead the West to a 4-1 victory in the N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star women’s soccer game. (7/24)

Exiting and changing interstates around the crossroads intersections is starting to get easier. Construction crews in Statesville were scheduled to open the I-40 eastbound ramp to U.S. 21 at Exit 151 early this morning, and on Monday, the I-77 northbound ramp to I-40 eastbound is also set to be ready for public traffic. Both ramps are significantly longer than their previous incarnations, and will give drivers several more seconds to merge. (7/25)

Photo: UNITY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ’65 REUNITES ABOARD SHIP — The Unity High School Class of 1965 recently sponsored its seventh Caribbean cruise aboard one of Carnival’s largest ships. The 57-member group consisted of classmates, family and friends. They made port calls at Grand Turk; La Romana; Dominican Republic; Curacao; and Aruba. This was an eight-night cruise. Those in attendance were: Bertha Allen, Pauline Dunlap Byers, Rebecca Clark, James Clement, Margaret Clement, Geraldine Dalton, Nathaniel Dalton, Christine Feimster, Harold Feimster, Shirley Feimster, Arthur Fincannon, Lori Fincannon, Mae Audrey Fleming, Alton Gaither, Barbara Gaither, Janice Gaither, Joyce Gray, Allen Griffin, James Houpe, Juanita Houpe, Ernestine James. Barbara Griffin Jones, Joy Jones, Shirley Kennedy, Sarah McHenry, Erma Miller, Geraldine Moore, Asmus Potts, Malinda Potts, Joseph Powell, Victoria Powell, Carol Ramseur, Elizabeth Ramseur, David Rucker, Faye Rucker, Clyde Scott, Gladys Scott, James Scott, Julia Scott, Brenda Summers, Dewain Tabor, Patsy Tabor, Ronda Tatum, John W. Tatum, James Thomas, Myrtle Thomas, Kimberly Walcott, George Walker, Jamel Walker, Jerica Walker, Michelle Walker, Brenda Wilson and Sandra Woods. (7/26)

A 5K run Saturday in Troutman that benefited Fairview Baptist Church’s missionary work attracted about 125 runners and walkers — of the human kind, and a bit more than that from other species. But something tells premier runner Anthony Famiglietti that the next race at the Zootastic zoological park is going to bring in a lot more athletes. (7/27)

Faces lit by colored lights, a crowd danced and clapped to music Saturday night during Twisted Oak American Bar and Grill’s Summer Party with The Catalinas. The festive atmosphere in the room had a lot do to with the hometown band playing on the stage. And the fact that donations and ticket sales would help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program was “icing on the cake,” said band member Gary Barker. (7/28)

Gen. Bill Lackey was remembered Monday for service to his country and community, his work on behalf of Fifth Street Ministries and his love of the Air Force and the Tar Heels. Lackey, a Statesville native and decorated veteran, passed away Sunday at the age of 78. (7/29)

Twenty-five years ago: July 23-29, 1999 Record & Landmark

Photo: School supply drive — Lisa Crispell (left), Lt. Penny Robinson and Amy Robinson, 9, start organizing school supplies the Salvation Army in Statesville has been collecting. More supplies are needed by July 31. Items such as pencils, paper, lunch boxes, book bags, glue and crayons would be appreciated. (7/23)

In late 1963, after John F. Kennedy Sr. was assassinated, Joe Troutman of Statesville sent a memorial to the Kennedy family through his church. In early 1964, he was surprised and touched to receive a personal thank-you note from Jackie Kennedy. This was one of the reasons Troutman wanted to set up a condolence book at Nicholson Funeral Home, where he works, following the tragic deaths of John F. Kennedy Jr.; his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; and his sister-in-law, Lauren Bessette. (7/24)

Jan. 1, 2000: Will it be just another day or a computer-generated storm knocking lives off-line for a couple of days? Could it even be a catastrophic event, leaving people without power, water fit to drink and other necessities for months? All are varying descriptions of the possible repercussions of the Year 2000 (Y2K) computer bug. (7/25)

Photo: International Paper expansion complete – International Paper’s 36,000 square foot expansion of International Paper’s Uniwood facility in Statesville is in full operation. An open house was held recently to celebrate the addition of the facility’s second manufacturing line that produces GATORFOAM® graphic arts board. Special guests, plus employees and their families, toured the facility and enjoyed a cookout at the open house. The multi-million dollar expansion created 15 new jobs. The project was complete on schedule and included the shipping of a 200,000-pound press from Germany. (7/26)

The Pregnancy Resource Center of Statesville, previously New Life Pregnancy Center, recently celebrated its re-opening under its new name. The center provides free pregnancy tests with quick and accurate results, as well as counseling to help women and their parents make decisions in an unexpected pregnancy situation. (7/27)

When a jury had to meet outside in the snow during the winter of 1899, county leaders were charged by a grand jury to build a new courthouse. By late August the county had secured financing to build the new courthouse, to cost less than $20,000. Today it is worth more than $2 million. Now almost 100 years later that building still serves the public as the Iredell County Government Center. The county has planned a Centennial Celebration to begin this August, when construction began 100 years ago. (7/28)

Photo: Disney’s Angels — Members of the Carolina Angels’ 13-year-old basketball team, which finished ninth in the National Invitational Championship at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., from July 11-14: (front row, from left) Kara Fletcher and Jeena Check; (second row) Ali Umbarger, Taryn Allen and Christy Renegar; (back row) coach Joe Rucker, Leslie Rucker, Candace Clark, Donna Johnson, Sammy Stone, coach Paul Swaney. Thirty-one teams from 20 states participated in the tournament. (7/29)

Fifty years ago: July 23-29, 1974 Record & Landmark

One of the highest honors in 4-H work was bestowed Monday night on two Iredell County youths, according to a joint announcement from Miss Linda Briggs, assistant home economics agent, and D. O. Ivey, agricultural agent. Carol Edmiston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J, Edmiston, route 1, Mt. Ulla, and Neal Grose, son of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher Groce, route 2, Harmony, were “tapped” into the State 4-H Honor Club in a candlelight ceremony marking one of the highlights of North Carolina 4-H Congress in Raleigh. (7/23)

More than 150 employees from Public Service Co. of North Carolina’s offices throughout the state gathered at the Ramada Inn last night to honor Wilbur G. Schrimp, who will retire July 31 after 29 years of service with the company. (7/24)

Johnny Poole, who was born in the Pioneer Cabin when it was in its original location on Amity Hill Road, will be a special guest at an open house at the cabin this Saturday. The cabin, part of the Arts and Science Museum, is now located on Museum Road and has been restored to depict an Iredell County home of pioneer times. (7/25)

The Elks are the 10-year-old champions and the North Carolina National Bank is the 11-12-year-old champion of the two pre-teen baseball tournaments. The Elks defeated Webb Insurance by 9-7 to win the 10-year-old crown. Todd Carter and Jeff Edwards combined to pitch the victory with Robert Barber and Karl Johnson having the key hits in the win. (7/26)

The house at 409 Chambers St. has belonged to Miss Mary Parthenia Stevenson and been her home for 55 years — all of her life — but she is now leaving it. Somewhat reluctantly, Miss Stevenson agreed to move from the old four-room house after Herbert Hatfield, city housing inspector, talked with her off and on for more than a year about the poor condition of the building. (7/27)

Photo: HOLSTEIN BREEDERS MEETING — J. I. Smith, left, president of the N. C. Holstein Breeders Association conducted the association’s annual field day program Saturday. Dr. John White of Virginia Polytechnic Institute was the main speaker Saturday evening, and Leon Gray, right, was co-host for the afternoon activities, which were held at Old Mt. Farms, owned by Gray and his brother, Kenneth. (7/29)

Seventy-five years ago: July 23-29, 1949 Daily Record

A three-hour demonstration of a new kind of irrigation system in Iredell county was held yesterday afternoon at the farm of W. W. Winters south of Statesville. A number of persons witnessed the demonstration during the afternoon. It involves a sprinkler system which gets its water from a nearby lake. A gasoline pump pumps the water through a number of pipes which spray the water over an area to be irrigated. (7/23)

Photo: RECEIVES SAFETY AWARD — W. S. Kitchings of the Statesville Packing company receives a safety award from Lynn Robbins, district inspector for the North Carolina Department of Labor. The award was presented to the firm for its record of safety among plant employees during 1948. Other local firms cited by the department for safety records during 1948 include Walton Hosiery Mills, Inc., Hunter Brothers company, J. O. McAuley Hosiery Mills and Statesville Daily Record. (7/25)

Iredell and Alexander counties continued to bake today in 90-degree temperatures which have pounded the community for the past several days. And this time it definitely appears to be the heat, not the humidity, which was causing the discomfort. It was just plain hot. Crops were in good shape to stand the onslaught, however, following heavy rains last week and the week before that. (7/26)

Photo: SCENE ON NEW JENNINGS ROAD — Opening of the new Jennings road in Iredell county has resulted in a community “spruce-up” campaign. This novel mailbox at Mrs. W. W. Holland’s house at Charles is an example. Miss Pearl Holland removes mail from her large and unusual mailbox which fronts on the newly-opened stretch running from her community to Highway 901 near Union Grove. The stretch, measuring more than 10 miles cost $394 617.70, the highway department said. Work has been underway for more than a year. (7/27)

Installation of dial equipment in the new telephone central office building on South Center street has been started following recent completion of the new building. This significant “point of progress” in the conversion of the local telephone system to dial was revealed by D. W. Rigby, manager here for the Southern Bell Telephone company. The central office equipment will cost about $500,000. (7/28)

Leonard’s Inc. will continue to operate at the store’s old location at 211 South Center street, W. Leonard, Jr., president of the company, has announced. The old store will be known as the Watch Shop, which will specialize in diamonds, watches, jewelry and expert watch repair. Manager of the store will be John Patterson, formerly of Salisbury. (7/29)

One hundred years ago: July 24-28, 1924 The Landmark

World War veterans are availing themselves of the services of Mrs. T. E. Anderson, Red Cross secretary, in filling out their applications for adjusted compensation and are calling at the Community building in large numbers. The secretary, who has been provided for the veterans at the request of Hurst Turner Post No. 65, American Legion, will probably not be on duty longer than a month, and all white veterans who desire her assistance are urged to present themselves at once. (7/24)

The first shipment of machinery for the Dillon-Vitt Underwear Company, the High Point concern which is coming here to locate, has arrived and will be installed as soon as possible. The company will occupy the larger, four – story building, on North Center Street, which formerly housed the Flanigan Harness Company. Carpenters and painters are now at work preparing it for occupancy, and the company plans to begin operations between Aug. 15 and Sept. 1. (7/24)

In securing the services of Miss Myrtle Thomas, of Charlotte, who is here to catalogue the books of the library at Mitchell College, trustees of the local Presbyterian institution are taking final steps to meet the State requirements for a standard-A library. Miss Thomas was recognized by the State Library Association as an expert in this work. She has already begun the task of cataloguing. (7/24)

Members of the county board of education, in meeting this morning at the office of Superintendent J. A. Steele, adjourned before noon to make a trip to the county to investigate certain consolidation projects now being considered. Special attention is being given today to the matter of proper housing facilities at Sharon, which will be one of the centers of consolidation this fall. (7/28)

The class of 1923 of the Statesville High school held a most enjoyable reunion at Davis Springs Friday night, a tempting picnic lunch being served. Twenty-two members of the class were present, among them being Miss Verna Aldridge, of Winston-Salem. Special guests were Miss Margaret Fisher, of Norfolk, Va., and Mr. Sloan Payne, of Taylorsville. Reverend and Mrs. John W. Moore and Mrs. Hoke Bullard, of Winston-Salem, were chaperons. (7/28)

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hall, with a sister, Miss Mattie Hall, and an aunt, have moved into their home on Elm street following completion of the work of re-building necessary as the result of a fire, which some time ago partially destroyed the place. The Halls have been making their home with the A. B. Johnstons, East Broad street. (7/28)

One hundred twenty-five years ago: July 25-28, 1899 The Landmark

Mr. John Webb, of Cool Spring township, brought to THE LANDMARK a monster tooth which evidently belonged to some monster animal of the past, but of what species is not known. The tooth as about 3 inches long and 3 ½ inches in circumference. Mr. Webb found it on his place. (7/25)

Don’t forget the orphans’ picnic at Mooresville Thursday. The railroad fare from Statesville will be sixty-five cents for the round trip and it is expected that the train will be held here that morning until 7 o’clock, reaching here on the return trip at 7:30 p. m. Speeches will be made at the picnic by Prof. C. D. McIver of Greensboro, and R. B. Glenn, Esq., of Winston. The music, which is to be furnished by the Statesville band, will in itself more than pay for the trip, while the cause is one that appeals to every one. (7/25)

Good showers of rain have fallen in portions of this county and section within the past week. A nice shower fell in Statesville Saturday afternoon. While in many neighborhoods the drought is yet unbroken and the crops have been much damaged, the outlook is not so discouraging as it was a week ago. (7/25)

THE LANDMARK is asked to say that there will be an “old-time horse-swapping” at Williams Bros’. store, in the New Hope township, to-morrow, the 29th. Among the features of the occasion will be a “flying jenny,” public speaking by Messrs. M. T. and T. H. Williams, and Dr. P. D. Haney will amuse the spectators with “Irish anecdotes. Ice cold drinks will be served. The event is an unusual one and will doubtless attract a crowd. (7/28)

The picnic at Mooresville yesterday for the benefit of the Barium Springs Orphans’ Home was attended by a large crowd notwithstanding the threatening weather. One hundred and fifty or more persons went down from Statesville. The picnic grounds were about a mile from town and there the people gathered and the exercises began about 11 o’clock with prayer by Rev. J. H. Page. (7/28)

There is not much fruit here. The former drought ruined gardens and vegetables are scarce. Irish potatoes especially were generally a failure except where planted in low lands, but most of us have made some wheat and chickens haven’t gone anywhere. If we had only bread and water we wouldn’t starve, and so let’s be thankful that it is as well with us as it is. (7/28)