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50 Years Ago in Burke County

‘59 Dodge comes with swivel seats

Vivian Murray

news@morganton.com

Published: January 11, 2009

Morganton - Garry Cobb and Donald Carswell examine an icicle in the shape of human hand.
• Annie Epley Moses, of the Pilot Mountain section, celebrated her 101st birthday while in the hospital. That was the first time during her 101 years that she had been in a hospital.
• Ella Mae Carroway and Ned M. Beck were married at Smyrna Baptist Church.
• Seen and heard in West Burke — Mrs. Noah Order and granddaughter Faye Elizabeth Rhodes just returned from the beauty shop … Mrs. Tom Keller showing off her pretty, 2-month-old daughter … Beautiful music coming from Glen Alpine First Methodist Church made by Beth Bobbit at the organ and Anne Eggers at the piano … Coach Wilson painting lines for the basketball game on the playground … Becky Stamey has been elected chief marshal for the commencement exercise … A sign "For Sale" by J. Alex Mull, in the yard of the local school.
• Little Martha Lynn McMurray told her mother, Mrs. John McMurray, that her "cheets" were hurting her. Her mom replied that she would be up to straighten the sheets on her bed. So, with a fresh bed and Martha back in it she still said her "cheets" hurt but was pointing to her swollen jaws showing a good case of the mumps.
• Mrs. Una Reep and Mrs. Margaret Federico were honored at a stork shower at the home of Mrs. Betty Smith on Carbon City Road.
• Mrs. Hugh McAulay has accepted a position as therapeutics dietitian for Grace Hospital.
• Four Morganton High School band members have been named to North Carolina's All-State Band in the Western Division. They are Markey Jones, E-flat clarinet; Pat Nichols, B-flat clarinet; John Berry and Billy Duckworth, both on trombone.
• Hogan's Sinclair Service Station has just opened on East Meeting Street and is owned and operated by Jack Hogan.
• Jacquelyn Smith, a student at High Point College, will have one of the leading roles in the production of "Girl Crazy." She will have the role played by Ethel Merman on Broadway, which was the gambler's wife.
• Rita Mae Clark became the bride of Milton Brittain in a ceremony at Mt. Home Baptist Church.
• Sylvia Perkins and Lillian Rutherford, members of the Valdese High School Drama Class, which is sponsored by Fred Cranford, were speakers at the Junior Chamber of Commerce. They presented dramatic readings that they composed.
• Demonstrating the comfortable swivel seat in the new 1959 Dodge are Mrs. Claude B. Bright Jr. and Mrs. Robert Love.
• Homer L.Biggers, who has just returned to Morganton from Honduras, is now on a part-time basis with J. Alex (Old Reliable) Mull real estate firm.
• Bits from J. Gordon Queen: Conversation coming to a hush as Beverly Shea said, "I'd rather have Jesus"… Jeanette Walker wearing her perennial smile … A block of Bristol Street has been curbed and guttered … The new home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Jones on Newland Street is beautiful … Harry Kincaid giving a Salam bow to a woman cab passenger … Mrs. Evelyn Wakefield smiling while toting her pretty little boy, Keith, down the main drag … Leg showing pedal pusher on the streets … Bill Ward showing Dan Simpson an old county ballot dating back to 1930 … Years ago there was a small axe handle plant in "Breakneck" operated by J.N. Payne and son, Horace … J.F. McGimpsy jaywalking … Durward Clarke pipe smoking like a stalled car on a cold morning … St. Charles Catholic Church has acquired a beautiful new site for the construction of its new church. Their pastor, Father William T. McShea, is one of the most friendly men in Morganton … Chief E.P. Whisnant and Sgt. Ned Fleming of the Morganton Police, toting sacks of money to the First National Bank … Alvin Berry wearing a big feather in his sporty hat.

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