October 21, 2016 Coats Museum News
The October 14, 1954 edition of the Daily Record printed that Hurricane Hazel was projected to hit the Old North State at or near Hatteras. However, Hurricane Hazel hit Dunn at 12:40 PM. It dug up trees by their roots, shattered plate glass windows, tore awnings into shreds, ripped roofs off dwellings, shattered neon lights and broke antennas in its path. Witnessing all that horrific destruction would become lifetime memories for so many and especially those students who made that hazardous trip home on school buses and sidewalks in Coats during the hurricane.
Shall we revisit this same area on October 7th and 8th in 2016? National and local weather forecasters had dominated the airways with information of the path of a hurricane named Matthew. It had brought devastation to Haiti, Cuba and Florida and was to continue up the coast and head out to sea near Wilmington. The storm was massive and our area was to experience winds and rain but nothing like Hazel or Fran with their destructive winds; however, relentless rain filled the branches and rivers to record levels moving everything, heavy or light, out of its way. Did the creeks, branches and rivers have deeper water in the days of our forefathers and naval stores?
North Carolina is known as the Tar Heel State and the Land of the Longleaf Pines. The origin of these names was based upon the fact that Coastal North Carolina was once covered with canopied longleaf pines that produced tar, pitch and turpentine that were shipped to foreign soils to be used chiefly in ship building. Our forefathers used the trees and products for fencing, housing, heating and lighting.
How were these naval stores transported to the Cape Fear River so they could be rafted to the Wilmington port? How did the logs get to the Cape Fear River from rural areas in the 1700 and 1800’s? Were branches, creeks and Black River used? Has the depth of the Black River decreased because of soil erosion and debris buildup? Was Black River ever deep enough to support the movement of logs, rafts and steamboats? This I do know- naval stores records indicate that some branches and Black River were used as highways to transport this early cash crop to the Cape Fear and onto Wilmington. Did hurricanes affect a change in Black River?
Thank goodness the news was better in 1960.The date printed on the Daily Record was August 10, 1960. Tiny Martha Turlington (Parrish) was in good company when she attended a picnic at Tyler Park in Dunn. Turlington Home Demonstration Club members had met at the park where Martha was pictured with three charter members- Mrs. Henry Turlington, Sr., Mrs. Jeff Turlington and Mrs. M.S. Turlington.
Other news in that issue reported that Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Kilmore had announced the birth of a daughter. The mother was the former Edna Byrd. Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Williams also had announced the birth of a daughter. The new mom was the former Geneva Aiken. The HCBOE had released a memo stating that the number of teachers had decreased because of poor student attendance in Harnett County Schools.
Hospital stays continued to make news as was reported that Mr. Ernest Langdon was hospitalized as were Mrs. Robert Gerald (Emma Jean Williams) Maynor, Mrs. Betty Ruth Stone and Mrs. Bertha Rowland (Daily Record Aug. 11 and 12, 1960).
On August 14, the CIA obtained a box of Fidel Castro’s favorite cigars and had them treated with botulinium toxin. The plot to kill Castro did not go through. There were 8 plots to kill him (Heritage of Coats, North Carolina, Vol. 1, pg.254).
A summary of Harnett County Agriculture Revenue for 1959 showed that the grand total was $24,017, 866. Wonder what it will be in 2016. The paper continued to share with its readers all about deaths and illnesses. Mrs. Lina Gaskins, 73, died in the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. A daughter, Mrs. H.H.Turlington of rural Coats, survived her. Mr. Jessie Allen Holmes had died at Betsy Johnson Hospital. His wife and children-John A. Holmes and Mrs. Newton Byrd survived him. His sisters were Mrs. B.L. Godwin, Mrs. E.B. Jernigan, Mrs. Jimmy West, and Mrs. Elbert Stewart. His brothers were Calvin, John, Jasper, and Lester Holmes. Mr. Holmes was 73 and had been hospitalized for several days. Miss Brenda Sorrell and Mrs. Myrtle Ferguson were also hospital patients (Daily Record Aug. 15, 1960).
Another patient at Good Hope Hospital had died. Mrs. Myrtle Beasley Ferguson, only 37, of Coats was wife of Jimmy Ferguson and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Beasley. She had sons-Larry, Leon, Danny, and daughters-Judith Ann, Donna, Faye, Janie and Martha Lou. Her eight siblings were William W., Edward R., Earl J., Freddy, and Mary Lee and Katherine (Daily Record August 17, 1960). It is hard to even fathom the sadness in those young children (Daily Record Aug. 15, 1960).
Some more pleasant news was reported that a stork shower and going away party was given for Mrs. Zenobia Surles Rhoades of Coats and Mrs. Mozelle West respectively. Hostesses were Mrs. Alene Hobson, Adaline Buskin and Betty Bass. Twenty-five guests attended. Mrs. Ora Turlington Parrish was ill in Good Hope Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Ennis announced the arrival of a son on August 17th. The new mom was the former Alice Stewart (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1960).
Another baby arrived in Coats. Joy Dan Clayton Fleming and husband Bland announced a baby boy’s birth. This would have been Dr. Fred Fleming’s grandchild. The Fleming baby would likely be classmates to a newborn in six years for yet another baby announcement was made in the Coats area on August 22nd. A son was delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stewart Turlington. The mom was the former Lillie Truelove.
Does the name Hazelene Baker sound familiar? She was a beauty queen who was a finalist in the Miss Coats High contest; however, she was the winner of Fred Strickland’s heart. Fred was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Strickland and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Baker were Hazelene’s parents. Hazelene was later a very popular banker in Coats (Daily Record Aug. 22, 1960).
The marriage of Janice Ann Barefoot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Barefoot of Benson, to Nathan Earl Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin Norris, occurred on August 6th. Wonder if any of those folks had worked the tobacco fields that summer. Hard work in the fields and barns had paid off because tobacco averaged $61.10 a hundred at the Planters Warehouse (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1960).
Mrs. Eddie L. Parrish had been sick at home for three weeks and confined to bed most of the time (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1960). Mrs. Mamie Maness had died on August 24th. She was mother to Mrs. Peggy Pollard (Daily Record Aug.25, 1960).
The cafes, restaurants, and markets were inspected by sanitary guidelines. Barefoot’s Café, Barefoot’s Bar-B-Que, Bill’s Drive In, Avery’s Kitchen, City Market, D.S. Market and Grocery, Earl’s Self Service, Ryals Grocery, Coats Grocery and Market, Lucy’s Grocery and Market and Hayes’ Abattoir passed the sanitation test.
How many of you remember the beautiful Wilmoth sisters who lived a couple of blocks behind Luke’s Grill? Their names were Gloria, Rosa, Mary Etta, and Becky. Do you know where they live today? I do know that Mary had married Haywood Williams on August 27th, 1960. Cupid had shot his arrow into the hearts of another couple-Elizabeth Carol Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Mason, and Benny Holmes, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes, announced their engagement (Daily Record August 30, 1960).
The Penny 4-H enjoyed an outing at White Lake. Judy Stewart, Ann Johnson, Joyce Stewart, Beverly Langdon, Sondra Ennis, Cathy Penny, Cheryl Stewart, Phyllis Sox, Mrs. Ed Penny (leader) and Dale Ennis and Kent Penny(Daily Record August 31, 1960).
How many of you knew that Mrs. Ed Penny was the former Grace Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Stewart. Her dad Malcolm was an outstanding Democratic leader back in the 1920 and 30’s. He served on both the town and school boards in Coats. He operated a business on Main Street after working with W.E. Nichols for several years.
Grace’s brother, Franklin Stewart, often visited the museum to talk and once shared that when his dad had the livery stable behind his business, the mules were brought into Coats on the train and someone would go up to the train to help guide them down to the stables. He said there was always a lead animal for the others to follow to the livery. Can you picture a town jail and livery stable on the same block? Where?-They were right behind and beside Cornerstone.
Charles Malone of Raleigh visited the museum for an interview about growing up in Coats and serving in the US Army. Charles and his brother, Teddy, were both past editors of the Harnett County News. Charles is another example that small towns have much to offer.
Fall is here as nature paints the trees in varied shades of yellow, orange and gold. Thanks goes to Teresa Honeycutt for doing the fall trimming of the shrubs and adding lemon yellow mums into the landscape. What a dedicated volunteer this retired teacher is!
The October 14, 1954 edition of the Daily Record printed that Hurricane Hazel was projected to hit the Old North State at or near Hatteras. However, Hurricane Hazel hit Dunn at 12:40 PM. It dug up trees by their roots, shattered plate glass windows, tore awnings into shreds, ripped roofs off dwellings, shattered neon lights and broke antennas in its path. Witnessing all that horrific destruction would become lifetime memories for so many and especially those students who made that hazardous trip home on school buses and sidewalks in Coats during the hurricane.
Shall we revisit this same area on October 7th and 8th in 2016? National and local weather forecasters had dominated the airways with information of the path of a hurricane named Matthew. It had brought devastation to Haiti, Cuba and Florida and was to continue up the coast and head out to sea near Wilmington. The storm was massive and our area was to experience winds and rain but nothing like Hazel or Fran with their destructive winds; however, relentless rain filled the branches and rivers to record levels moving everything, heavy or light, out of its way. Did the creeks, branches and rivers have deeper water in the days of our forefathers and naval stores?
North Carolina is known as the Tar Heel State and the Land of the Longleaf Pines. The origin of these names was based upon the fact that Coastal North Carolina was once covered with canopied longleaf pines that produced tar, pitch and turpentine that were shipped to foreign soils to be used chiefly in ship building. Our forefathers used the trees and products for fencing, housing, heating and lighting.
How were these naval stores transported to the Cape Fear River so they could be rafted to the Wilmington port? How did the logs get to the Cape Fear River from rural areas in the 1700 and 1800’s? Were branches, creeks and Black River used? Has the depth of the Black River decreased because of soil erosion and debris buildup? Was Black River ever deep enough to support the movement of logs, rafts and steamboats? This I do know- naval stores records indicate that some branches and Black River were used as highways to transport this early cash crop to the Cape Fear and onto Wilmington. Did hurricanes affect a change in Black River?
Thank goodness the news was better in 1960.The date printed on the Daily Record was August 10, 1960. Tiny Martha Turlington (Parrish) was in good company when she attended a picnic at Tyler Park in Dunn. Turlington Home Demonstration Club members had met at the park where Martha was pictured with three charter members- Mrs. Henry Turlington, Sr., Mrs. Jeff Turlington and Mrs. M.S. Turlington.
Other news in that issue reported that Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Kilmore had announced the birth of a daughter. The mother was the former Edna Byrd. Elsewhere, Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Williams also had announced the birth of a daughter. The new mom was the former Geneva Aiken. The HCBOE had released a memo stating that the number of teachers had decreased because of poor student attendance in Harnett County Schools.
Hospital stays continued to make news as was reported that Mr. Ernest Langdon was hospitalized as were Mrs. Robert Gerald (Emma Jean Williams) Maynor, Mrs. Betty Ruth Stone and Mrs. Bertha Rowland (Daily Record Aug. 11 and 12, 1960).
On August 14, the CIA obtained a box of Fidel Castro’s favorite cigars and had them treated with botulinium toxin. The plot to kill Castro did not go through. There were 8 plots to kill him (Heritage of Coats, North Carolina, Vol. 1, pg.254).
A summary of Harnett County Agriculture Revenue for 1959 showed that the grand total was $24,017, 866. Wonder what it will be in 2016. The paper continued to share with its readers all about deaths and illnesses. Mrs. Lina Gaskins, 73, died in the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. A daughter, Mrs. H.H.Turlington of rural Coats, survived her. Mr. Jessie Allen Holmes had died at Betsy Johnson Hospital. His wife and children-John A. Holmes and Mrs. Newton Byrd survived him. His sisters were Mrs. B.L. Godwin, Mrs. E.B. Jernigan, Mrs. Jimmy West, and Mrs. Elbert Stewart. His brothers were Calvin, John, Jasper, and Lester Holmes. Mr. Holmes was 73 and had been hospitalized for several days. Miss Brenda Sorrell and Mrs. Myrtle Ferguson were also hospital patients (Daily Record Aug. 15, 1960).
Another patient at Good Hope Hospital had died. Mrs. Myrtle Beasley Ferguson, only 37, of Coats was wife of Jimmy Ferguson and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Beasley. She had sons-Larry, Leon, Danny, and daughters-Judith Ann, Donna, Faye, Janie and Martha Lou. Her eight siblings were William W., Edward R., Earl J., Freddy, and Mary Lee and Katherine (Daily Record August 17, 1960). It is hard to even fathom the sadness in those young children (Daily Record Aug. 15, 1960).
Some more pleasant news was reported that a stork shower and going away party was given for Mrs. Zenobia Surles Rhoades of Coats and Mrs. Mozelle West respectively. Hostesses were Mrs. Alene Hobson, Adaline Buskin and Betty Bass. Twenty-five guests attended. Mrs. Ora Turlington Parrish was ill in Good Hope Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. James Warren Ennis announced the arrival of a son on August 17th. The new mom was the former Alice Stewart (Daily Record Aug. 18, 1960).
Another baby arrived in Coats. Joy Dan Clayton Fleming and husband Bland announced a baby boy’s birth. This would have been Dr. Fred Fleming’s grandchild. The Fleming baby would likely be classmates to a newborn in six years for yet another baby announcement was made in the Coats area on August 22nd. A son was delivered to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stewart Turlington. The mom was the former Lillie Truelove.
Does the name Hazelene Baker sound familiar? She was a beauty queen who was a finalist in the Miss Coats High contest; however, she was the winner of Fred Strickland’s heart. Fred was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Strickland and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Baker were Hazelene’s parents. Hazelene was later a very popular banker in Coats (Daily Record Aug. 22, 1960).
The marriage of Janice Ann Barefoot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Barefoot of Benson, to Nathan Earl Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin Norris, occurred on August 6th. Wonder if any of those folks had worked the tobacco fields that summer. Hard work in the fields and barns had paid off because tobacco averaged $61.10 a hundred at the Planters Warehouse (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1960).
Mrs. Eddie L. Parrish had been sick at home for three weeks and confined to bed most of the time (Daily Record Aug. 24, 1960). Mrs. Mamie Maness had died on August 24th. She was mother to Mrs. Peggy Pollard (Daily Record Aug.25, 1960).
The cafes, restaurants, and markets were inspected by sanitary guidelines. Barefoot’s Café, Barefoot’s Bar-B-Que, Bill’s Drive In, Avery’s Kitchen, City Market, D.S. Market and Grocery, Earl’s Self Service, Ryals Grocery, Coats Grocery and Market, Lucy’s Grocery and Market and Hayes’ Abattoir passed the sanitation test.
How many of you remember the beautiful Wilmoth sisters who lived a couple of blocks behind Luke’s Grill? Their names were Gloria, Rosa, Mary Etta, and Becky. Do you know where they live today? I do know that Mary had married Haywood Williams on August 27th, 1960. Cupid had shot his arrow into the hearts of another couple-Elizabeth Carol Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Mason, and Benny Holmes, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes, announced their engagement (Daily Record August 30, 1960).
The Penny 4-H enjoyed an outing at White Lake. Judy Stewart, Ann Johnson, Joyce Stewart, Beverly Langdon, Sondra Ennis, Cathy Penny, Cheryl Stewart, Phyllis Sox, Mrs. Ed Penny (leader) and Dale Ennis and Kent Penny(Daily Record August 31, 1960).
How many of you knew that Mrs. Ed Penny was the former Grace Stewart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Stewart. Her dad Malcolm was an outstanding Democratic leader back in the 1920 and 30’s. He served on both the town and school boards in Coats. He operated a business on Main Street after working with W.E. Nichols for several years.
Grace’s brother, Franklin Stewart, often visited the museum to talk and once shared that when his dad had the livery stable behind his business, the mules were brought into Coats on the train and someone would go up to the train to help guide them down to the stables. He said there was always a lead animal for the others to follow to the livery. Can you picture a town jail and livery stable on the same block? Where?-They were right behind and beside Cornerstone.
Charles Malone of Raleigh visited the museum for an interview about growing up in Coats and serving in the US Army. Charles and his brother, Teddy, were both past editors of the Harnett County News. Charles is another example that small towns have much to offer.
Fall is here as nature paints the trees in varied shades of yellow, orange and gold. Thanks goes to Teresa Honeycutt for doing the fall trimming of the shrubs and adding lemon yellow mums into the landscape. What a dedicated volunteer this retired teacher is!