January 2, 2015 Coats Museum News
This is the beginning of a new year and you will have to become accustomed to seeing the Daily Record as the source of much of my column. The Daily Record recorded that the manager of CP&L, Henry Tyler, had said that almost every American farmer should have lights in 1951. In 1941, the monthly light bill was on average $3.51. In 1950, the average bill had climbed to $4.36 and 50 percent more power was used.
Does anyone know where Mr. Tyler lived in Dunn or did he live in Dunn? Several years ago, I was trying to verify who had built the house that is currently the General Lee Museum in Dunn. I called Mr. Hoover Adams and he shared that a CP&L official had lived there at one time-was this Mr. Tyler? This I do know. The builder of the dwelling had his roots in Coats and was a member of the Barnes family.
Another popular Harnett County name is Alphin and in 1950, the Alphin Brothers who were farmers and operators of a market in Dunn had purchased Tamworth hogs to add to their stock. Jesse Alphin said, “The breed produces extremely lean bacon and litters can be as large as 22 pigs.” Did you know that the Alphin’s mother was a member of the Sorrell Clan outside of Coats? Did any of you ever raise Tamworth hogs?
I do know that the phone rates were hiked again to raise the company’s income to $750,000 a year. Mrs. Alda Green Long, 75, of Lillington had died at her home on Monday. She was the sister of playwright, Paul Green. Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Brinkley had spent time in the Coats community with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elliott. With Christmas approaching, the Jewel Box in Dunn offered Bulova watches for $29.75. (Today it would be .99-right?)
Possibly some of the basketball players at Coats had wished they had a watch that slowed time so they could have had more time to make a couple of goals to defeat Boone Trail, but wishes are just that-wishes. Hence the Coats girls lost in an exciting game 51-48 and the boys lost 38-28. Doris Johnson and Wilma Barnes were high scorers for the Coats girls and Max Avery shot 13 points for the Coats boys while Dennis Pope was a leader in defensive play.
Bobby Stewart had left Coats on Thursday for the Air Force. By the way, Bobby’s dress uniform is on display in our Military Exhibit in the museum. Also, Mrs. Clyde (Beulah) Grimes had been to Raleigh where she had visited her daughter, Mrs. Bill Creech. The Turlington HD Club had a Christmas party at the Coats Community Building. Mrs. Paul Turlington had been in charge.
There was a wedding for one of the older couple in Coats. Mrs. Mae Blackwelder Johnson of Coats married Mr. Alonzo Coats at his home. The room was beautifully decorated. Rev. Donald McMahan performed the ceremony in the presence of several members from both families. The bride wore a lovely dress of navy blue alpaca crepe. A strand of pearls and a single red rose were her only ornaments. A wedding supper followed the ceremony and was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Garland Coats and son, Michael Coats, Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Johnson and the couple.
Members of the Teenage Club were entertained at a Christmas party. Miss Joyce Grimes was sponsor of the club. Mrs. Fleming directed the group in practicing Christmas carols (Daily Record December 12, 1950).
Coach Ray Coon sent his list of the Coats girls’ basketball team to the paper. He named seven old members and nine new on the team. Doris Johnson and Wilma Barnes were team captains. There were four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen. The following were listed in the Daily Record article: Doris Johnson, Hazel Holder, Josephine Johnson, Ruby Ennis, Dorothy Williams, Rebecca Whittington, Grace Turlington, Katheleen Cobb, Wilma Barnes, Fannie Sue Langdon, Imogene Williams, Lucille Balckwelder, Margaret Ann Hayes, Willie Carol Honeycutt, Helen Sears, and Ann Pleasant. The first eight were forwards and the second eight were guards (Daily Record December 13, 1950).
The same edition of the paper reported that there was an induction into the Coats Beta Club. Max Avery presided and Dorothy Barnes had a scripture reading. Nominees were tapped by Fannie Sue Langdon, Doris Johnson and Mamie Denning who explained the main characteristics of a Beta member.
Mrs. Victor Gregory was president of the Benson PTA (Daily Record December 13, 1950). Mrs. Gregory and her family were active members of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.
Miss Betty Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Almond Daniel Williams, and John Melville Hunter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Charles Hunter of Fanwood, New Jersey, were united in the Coats Baptist Church. Marie Byrd and Mrs. Gene Wood were honorary bridesmaids. Homer Williams was an usher. The bride wore a gown of Chantilly lace with a full skirt with intricate tucking extended into a cathedral train. Soft folds of satin draped the shoulders. Mrs. T.H. Penny entertained at a reception at her home. Mrs. Hunter graduated from Coats School and Mr. Hunter was working on his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics (Daily Record December 19, 1950). Does anyone recognize any of those names?
This I do know. The headlines in the papers warned Americans that military censorship was imposed and that Korean War news was to be controlled. The weather in the area was partly cloudy and warmer. Flimflammers were working the area. They pretended to be able to cure rheumatism for money (Daily Record December 20, 1950).
The names of the members of the Coats boys’ basketball were recorded in the Daily Record. The team had five lettermen and five newcomers. Of the three games played, Coats had won one game. Max Avery had averaged about 16 points per game. The average should have put him near the top high scorers of the conference. His teammates were Johnny Fred Parrish, Dennis Pope, Hoover Johnson, Thomas Stephenson, Sherrill Willis, Rayvon Cook, D.C. Ryals, Stacy Byrd, Rudolph Miller, and Fred Holmes (Daily Record December 21, 1950).
Mrs. Jack Mabry and daughter, Judy Mabry, of Angier, had spent time with Mrs. Mabry’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Godwin (Daily Record December 22. 1950).
Lee Daniel Ennis, who was originally from Johnston County, had died in Dunn. He was one of Dunn’s oldest and best-known citizens. He was active in the Democratic Party and had held many positions with the Executive Committee in Harnett County. He was survived by Mrs. Laura Godwin Ennis, one son-Len Daniel Ennis, and two daughters -Mrs. P.H. Dalton and Mrs. Ben Collins; and two sisters- Mrs. Mary Jane Williams and Mrs. Polly Ann Williams, both from Coats (Daily Record December 28, 1950).
To many of the older residents of the area, Carson Gregory is a well remembered name. He served the area well in community, county and state affairs. Some of the younger citizens of the area will not know that Coats once had at least four dairies—Parrish, Lee, Hayes and Gregory families operated them. It was in December of 1950 that Carson Gregory sold his dairy to Ballentine of the Fuquay area. Carson stated that a shortage of labor who would get up at 3:00 AM to milk cows forced him to sell a business he had operated for 20 years (Daily Record December 29, 1950).
It is exciting to know that many people outside of Coats enjoy reading the museum news. JoAnn Grimes from the Angier area said that her husband Donnie especially enjoyed reading the story about his little sister’s Jewel Grimes (Denton). Many of the civic clubs in the area had responded to Jewel’s need for a prosthetic leg so Jewel and her sister Judy could play together and life would be easier for Jewel at school- They were dear playmates of mine when we were barely school age—thanks JoAnn for purchasing the Coats Heritage book for Donnie for Christmas.
This is the beginning of a new year and you will have to become accustomed to seeing the Daily Record as the source of much of my column. The Daily Record recorded that the manager of CP&L, Henry Tyler, had said that almost every American farmer should have lights in 1951. In 1941, the monthly light bill was on average $3.51. In 1950, the average bill had climbed to $4.36 and 50 percent more power was used.
Does anyone know where Mr. Tyler lived in Dunn or did he live in Dunn? Several years ago, I was trying to verify who had built the house that is currently the General Lee Museum in Dunn. I called Mr. Hoover Adams and he shared that a CP&L official had lived there at one time-was this Mr. Tyler? This I do know. The builder of the dwelling had his roots in Coats and was a member of the Barnes family.
Another popular Harnett County name is Alphin and in 1950, the Alphin Brothers who were farmers and operators of a market in Dunn had purchased Tamworth hogs to add to their stock. Jesse Alphin said, “The breed produces extremely lean bacon and litters can be as large as 22 pigs.” Did you know that the Alphin’s mother was a member of the Sorrell Clan outside of Coats? Did any of you ever raise Tamworth hogs?
I do know that the phone rates were hiked again to raise the company’s income to $750,000 a year. Mrs. Alda Green Long, 75, of Lillington had died at her home on Monday. She was the sister of playwright, Paul Green. Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Brinkley had spent time in the Coats community with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elliott. With Christmas approaching, the Jewel Box in Dunn offered Bulova watches for $29.75. (Today it would be .99-right?)
Possibly some of the basketball players at Coats had wished they had a watch that slowed time so they could have had more time to make a couple of goals to defeat Boone Trail, but wishes are just that-wishes. Hence the Coats girls lost in an exciting game 51-48 and the boys lost 38-28. Doris Johnson and Wilma Barnes were high scorers for the Coats girls and Max Avery shot 13 points for the Coats boys while Dennis Pope was a leader in defensive play.
Bobby Stewart had left Coats on Thursday for the Air Force. By the way, Bobby’s dress uniform is on display in our Military Exhibit in the museum. Also, Mrs. Clyde (Beulah) Grimes had been to Raleigh where she had visited her daughter, Mrs. Bill Creech. The Turlington HD Club had a Christmas party at the Coats Community Building. Mrs. Paul Turlington had been in charge.
There was a wedding for one of the older couple in Coats. Mrs. Mae Blackwelder Johnson of Coats married Mr. Alonzo Coats at his home. The room was beautifully decorated. Rev. Donald McMahan performed the ceremony in the presence of several members from both families. The bride wore a lovely dress of navy blue alpaca crepe. A strand of pearls and a single red rose were her only ornaments. A wedding supper followed the ceremony and was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Garland Coats and son, Michael Coats, Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Johnson and the couple.
Members of the Teenage Club were entertained at a Christmas party. Miss Joyce Grimes was sponsor of the club. Mrs. Fleming directed the group in practicing Christmas carols (Daily Record December 12, 1950).
Coach Ray Coon sent his list of the Coats girls’ basketball team to the paper. He named seven old members and nine new on the team. Doris Johnson and Wilma Barnes were team captains. There were four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores and five freshmen. The following were listed in the Daily Record article: Doris Johnson, Hazel Holder, Josephine Johnson, Ruby Ennis, Dorothy Williams, Rebecca Whittington, Grace Turlington, Katheleen Cobb, Wilma Barnes, Fannie Sue Langdon, Imogene Williams, Lucille Balckwelder, Margaret Ann Hayes, Willie Carol Honeycutt, Helen Sears, and Ann Pleasant. The first eight were forwards and the second eight were guards (Daily Record December 13, 1950).
The same edition of the paper reported that there was an induction into the Coats Beta Club. Max Avery presided and Dorothy Barnes had a scripture reading. Nominees were tapped by Fannie Sue Langdon, Doris Johnson and Mamie Denning who explained the main characteristics of a Beta member.
Mrs. Victor Gregory was president of the Benson PTA (Daily Record December 13, 1950). Mrs. Gregory and her family were active members of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church.
Miss Betty Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Almond Daniel Williams, and John Melville Hunter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Charles Hunter of Fanwood, New Jersey, were united in the Coats Baptist Church. Marie Byrd and Mrs. Gene Wood were honorary bridesmaids. Homer Williams was an usher. The bride wore a gown of Chantilly lace with a full skirt with intricate tucking extended into a cathedral train. Soft folds of satin draped the shoulders. Mrs. T.H. Penny entertained at a reception at her home. Mrs. Hunter graduated from Coats School and Mr. Hunter was working on his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics (Daily Record December 19, 1950). Does anyone recognize any of those names?
This I do know. The headlines in the papers warned Americans that military censorship was imposed and that Korean War news was to be controlled. The weather in the area was partly cloudy and warmer. Flimflammers were working the area. They pretended to be able to cure rheumatism for money (Daily Record December 20, 1950).
The names of the members of the Coats boys’ basketball were recorded in the Daily Record. The team had five lettermen and five newcomers. Of the three games played, Coats had won one game. Max Avery had averaged about 16 points per game. The average should have put him near the top high scorers of the conference. His teammates were Johnny Fred Parrish, Dennis Pope, Hoover Johnson, Thomas Stephenson, Sherrill Willis, Rayvon Cook, D.C. Ryals, Stacy Byrd, Rudolph Miller, and Fred Holmes (Daily Record December 21, 1950).
Mrs. Jack Mabry and daughter, Judy Mabry, of Angier, had spent time with Mrs. Mabry’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Godwin (Daily Record December 22. 1950).
Lee Daniel Ennis, who was originally from Johnston County, had died in Dunn. He was one of Dunn’s oldest and best-known citizens. He was active in the Democratic Party and had held many positions with the Executive Committee in Harnett County. He was survived by Mrs. Laura Godwin Ennis, one son-Len Daniel Ennis, and two daughters -Mrs. P.H. Dalton and Mrs. Ben Collins; and two sisters- Mrs. Mary Jane Williams and Mrs. Polly Ann Williams, both from Coats (Daily Record December 28, 1950).
To many of the older residents of the area, Carson Gregory is a well remembered name. He served the area well in community, county and state affairs. Some of the younger citizens of the area will not know that Coats once had at least four dairies—Parrish, Lee, Hayes and Gregory families operated them. It was in December of 1950 that Carson Gregory sold his dairy to Ballentine of the Fuquay area. Carson stated that a shortage of labor who would get up at 3:00 AM to milk cows forced him to sell a business he had operated for 20 years (Daily Record December 29, 1950).
It is exciting to know that many people outside of Coats enjoy reading the museum news. JoAnn Grimes from the Angier area said that her husband Donnie especially enjoyed reading the story about his little sister’s Jewel Grimes (Denton). Many of the civic clubs in the area had responded to Jewel’s need for a prosthetic leg so Jewel and her sister Judy could play together and life would be easier for Jewel at school- They were dear playmates of mine when we were barely school age—thanks JoAnn for purchasing the Coats Heritage book for Donnie for Christmas.