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50 Years Ago in Burke County

Vivian Murray

Published: December 1, 2008

Morganton, NC - n Retiring Burke Superior Court Clerk W.Clay Ross gives the oath of office to his successor, J. Roy Wacaster. Ross will remain as assistant to Wacaster.
n Kathryn Whisnant, general chairman for the Burke County Christmas Cheer Fund, accepts a check for $100 from Mrs. B. Bristol Jr., treasurer of the Woman's Club.
n Coach John Carson and Assistant Coach Mrs. C.F. Simpson of the Olive Hill Lady Jackets, along with co-captains Hazel Morris, Mary O'Neil and Shirley Davis, are preparing for the game with Rosenwald High of Catawba County.
n Mrs. Carl Wall, whose husband is manager of Wall Lumber, has her own means of communication when she wants to call any of the workers scattered around the lumberyard. She simply steps to the door and rings a cowbell.
n The temperature on top of Mt. Mitchell is usually the coldest to be found anywhere in these parts. E.R. Moran, who keeps official weather records for Uncle Sam, calls attention to the fact that while Morganton was having 22-degree weather, Mt. Mitchell was 25 degrees and Raleigh posted 17 degrees. The reversals happen occasionally, but not very often.
n Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell Queen spent the weekend with their son, Tony, at Hargrave Military Academy.
n Jerry Racunas, Morganton Post Office clerk, hands two pouches of mail to S.M. Williams, who is a bus driver for Queen City Trailways, to launch an improved service for outgoing mail. A bus will be leaving daily for Salisbury where it will make north-south connections.
n The Morganton Exchange Club elected Allen Setzer as its president.
n Margaret Lippard, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. A.W. Lippard, has been selected to join the Marion College Choir.
n George Edgar Patton, owner of Patton's Jewelry on West Union, was found hard at work on his 84th birthday as if it were another day.
n Joyce S. Johnson and Wanda D. Williams are 1957 Olive Hill graduates enrolled in the Teacher's College in Winston-Salem. Joyce is a member of the Teacher's College band and Wanda is a member of the Teacher's College cheering squad.
n Edward Lowdermilk of Valdese attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E.L Lowdermilk.
n If you want information or an argument or just want to know who's who and what's what then you need to visit the local cab stands. City Cab Corner, Harry Kincaid's stand, Dixie Cab, Bus Station Cabs, Mimosa Cabs, Walker Cabs, Bluebird and Red Top Cabs are the area cabbies and they can bring you up to date on local happenings.
n Charles G. Poteat, chairman of the Christmas Seal Campaign for Burke County Tuberculosis Association, is encouraging the use of Christmas Seals during the holidays.
n Libby Giles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Worth Giles, has been chosen as a member of the woman's college choir at Greensboro.
n Mrs. Paul Lowman has a collection of salt and pepper shakers. Since she started her hobby she has accumulated 535 sets.
n Bits from J. Gordon Queen — Morganton is blessed with free parking spots… Four boys on bikes in perfect formation and headed for the Rec Center... Dysart Scott, always full of fun, driving a Model "T" in the Christmas Parade… The Olive Hill band members were strutting their stuff while playing "Our Director" march... The little folks of the Jr. High Band marching along, while the majorettes led by Bonnie Williams made a grand showing… And the big man himself, Santa Claus, making his appearance… Margaret Pitts exclaiming that she could not wait until Christmas while passing around her candy poke to Margaret Baldau… Sen. Sam Ervin shaking hands and smiling in a big way… A young woman in too-small britches chasing a Suburban bus.

50 Years Ago in Burke County is submitted by Vivian Murray, a volunteer at the History Museum of Burke County.