Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc.

P.O. BOX 817, Sparta, N.C. 28675

President: Marvie Shelor			
Vice President: Pauline Jolly
Secretary-Treasurer:  Elvira Crouse

Vol. 10, No.2	 	             	  June 1988			BULLETIN NO. 35

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

	It is with sadness that we report the deaths of two of our most faithful charter members:

	Mr. Robert John Andrews, age 85, died April 31, 1988.
	
	Mrs. Bessie Miller McMillan, age 84, died May 23, 1988.

We extend our love and sympathy to the families of these outstanding citizens.

	We have a trip planned for our next meeting!! July 24, 1988 we will meet at the Library at 1:30 pm and take as many cars as necessary to travel to Newbern, Virginia—a trip that will take approximately one and a half hours.  Newbern is a historic town.  We plan to tour the Museum and perhaps a country store and other points of interest.  The cost of touring the museum is $1.00 per person. We will also have dinner together before returning to Sparta. Put this date on your calendar and plan to be with us!!!

	GREAT NEWS: The Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc. announces the soon publication of its book Alleghany County Cemeteries.  Advance orders are invited at a pre-publication price of $12.00 per copy (plus .65 State and local tax, $2.00 postage and handling, as applicable).  After publication, the cost will be $15.00 per copy, plus tax, postage and handling.

NOTE: The editor welcomes articles for the Bulletin which relate to Alleghany County or of a general historical-genealogical nature.  We also reserve the right to edit or refuse any article not appropriate for publication.  We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information submitted.  

 	 The following is a list of people who are seeking genealogy data and have left their names at the Alleghany County Library:

NAME AND ADDRESS	 				FAMILIES BEING RESEARCHED

Johna Goade						Ishmael Stevens, b NC ca 1800, moved to Tenn.
Granby, MO						Died Jasper Co. MO ca 1860.  Also Absolem
							Adcock, b VA, m Emily Morton in NC.

Ruth Mahr						Rachel Blevins m James Zeaburn (Seaburn)
Piqua, OH						ca 1856. b. Ashe Co.  Need maiden name and
 							parents names. Zeaburn 2nd marriage.

Lark Bollin Futch					Researching Cockerham (prior to 1776)
Wilmington, NC						Also: Hammonds, Blevins, Joines, Burch,
							Roberts, Brown, Vannoy, Johnson (prior to 1776)

Albert H. Hill						Felix Reid Hill
Parkton, MD

Evelyn G. Waters						James M. Smith, father: Charles Smith mother: Sally
West Grove, PA						Mabe Coles in Ashe, Alleghany and Grayson Counties.

Coy Eldon Galyean and					Researching the Shadrick Galyean history.
Wilma Nicholas Galyean					b 12-24-1801, d 5-30-1877 in Benton Co.
Galax, VA						Arkansas. (b in NC)

Mrs. Thomas Hory					Brinegar
Snyder, NY

Charley Richardson					Richardson family, Cox family
Pleasant Garden, NC

Lou Dunkin						Jackson (Joseph) World – Leonard 1800-1819
Steilacoom, WA

Ken Crouse						Interested in Crouse (Krowse) family 
Boomer, NC

Boonie Tedder						Crouse/Krause (Wendell, Jacob, Dave)
Sparta, NC

Wiley H. & Camille I. Crouse				Crouse, Alford, Harper
Charlotte, NC

INQUIRY :

Ruth J. Kauffman, Chantilly, VA wants info on Maude Sarah Maharthey.  She married Felix G. McMillan 4/19/1886.  Her sister married a Daniels.

MORE FROM LUNA WEAVER'S SCRAPBOOK

“SOMEWHER OVER THERE” - LETTER FROM ENGLAND

 	Editor, Star—Perhaps friends in Alleghany would appreciate reading a few lines from England.  First I want to thank the editor for his paper which I have been receiving.  I received my first copy a few days ago, and sure was glad to get it for it gives me all the news from home.  England is a nice country.  The English surely use some method of farming.  We are stationed at a small town.  In the evening, or when not on duty we play baseball or football; we have had three games of baseball with the Canadians who are in training close here.  They are fine fellows to be with, and are very much like Sammies; in fact some of them are from the states.  We have been practicing football so we can show the English the way we play for their game is different from ours.  Some of the boys are now out practicing, for there is going to be a big Athletic meet in London in a few days, lasting four days.  There will be all kinds of athletics and many prizes for winners.  The  American soldiers had a big parade in London on the 10th.  I sure would have like to have been there, for there is nothing any soldier over here enjoys as much as talking to someone that has come across since he had, or reading mail from home.  Anyone who has relatives or friends over here should write often, and in those letters all the little things that happen in every day life should be told.  The solider is hungry for news from home, and what may seem trivial to you will be of great interest to them.  Don't wait for answers to your letters, because there is delay at times before they are delivered here.  Just keep on writing and you sure will be pleasing the boys over here. Do not worry about your sons and relatives over here, for I am quite sure the American soldier is the best fed and equipped soldier in the world.  To be sure a soldier will see some hard times, but Uncle Sam is going to see that his soldiers get all the comfort that can be furnished them.  We are getting good food and a real good place to sleep.  We are not in tents, but a large billet.

	I am sure glad to see the good work of the Red Cross in Alleghany for the Red Cross is a great help to the soldiers.  Before we came across, every man was equipped with a helmet, sweater, wristlets and at least two pairs of yarn hose, and as we came through Washington, D.C., we stopped for awhile and the Red Cross supplied us with coffee and sandwiches.

	We have a nice phonograph, given us by the American Y.M.C.A. At London.  It is playing now, so I cannot write to do any good, and will close for tonight.  Best wishes to all.		
										Pri. NATHAN V. WEAVER
May 14, 1918									120 Area Ser. Squad.,
										U.S. Air Ser.,
										35 Eaton Place, London, S
										England W 1

OBITUARY- 1911

	The death of Squire S J Irwin on last Friday, after a protracted illness closed the life-book of one of our oldest and most respected citizens.  He was a man of unbending opinion, but withal a good citizen and loyal and unselfish to his friends who were many.  The funeral was held Saturday.  The bereaved have our sincere sympathy.  

SCRAPBOOK:

EDITOR, THE STAR—After leaving home Friday morning at 8:30 and passing up the winding valley of the historic Yadkin, I arrived at the beautiful, progressive town of Elkin.  Here I was met by two of Alleghany's good citizens in an auto, and for five hours was carried through fertile valleys, across sparkling streams and trickling rills, up mountains steep, the hoary indices of ages.  At 7 pm I arrived safe at Piney Creek, memorable in the history of North Carolina.  Here amidst some of the sublimest and most picturesque scenery of all the earth.  Valleys green, silver streams, rolling hills and towering mountains, our friend, R.A. Doughton once played in innocent, childish glee, and drank in those inspirations which in after years have developed him into one of North Carolina's noblest and most beloved sons.  Among these same mountain ranges, North Carolina's greatest and most devoted son, A.B. Vance once plowed his one-horned ox, and learned those sterm lessons of life, which grew him to one of our nation's greatest statesman.

	It is a fact, and one worthy of note, that the greatest men in the history of the world, poets, philosophers, orators, statesmen and warriors, were born and reared among mountains or near the sea.  Here Homer tuned his great soul and played upon his immortal harp.  Here Virgil poured out his divine melodies.  Here Burns wrote his sweetest songs, and Byron sang his saddest strains.  Here Napoleon first saw the light of day, and Scott lived, labored and died.  High up among the great Alps, John Howard Payne, away from his country, lonesome and weary with the burdens of life, inspired by his surroundings, his great soul untrammeled, sang “Home! Home! Sweet Home!” 

	Piney Creek High School is beautifully located.  On every side, mountains lift their projecting summits skyward, rich valleys extend tin every direction. Near by is the beautiful New River, whose sparkling waters find their way into the Ohio, and from there into the great Gulf.  Down on steep hills and mountain sides are many beautiful homes, in the doors of which may be seen the typical mountaineer and his big hearted wife, strong enough to throw an ordinary  Forsyth man over a ten rail fence.  Nearby cool, pure water gurgles forth from a deep spring and passes through a milk house filled with fresh butter and rich cream, which make glad the hearts from the fragrance and nectar of ten thousand beautiful, varigated mountain flowers.  Such are some of my surroundings, amid which I am to live and work the coming year.  

								J.M. WEATHERLY
								Piney Creek, NC
								Sept. 3rd, 1921

SCOTTVILLE – 1921 – Nathaniel Moxley an aged and respected citizen died at 2 o' clock on last Saturday morning of heart disease.  He had been in declining health for some time but had not been seriously ill but two days before his death.  He was 86 years, 11 months old, and is survived by a wife, two sons and three daughters.  The remains were laid to rest in the family burial ground at his home on Sunday evening in the presence of a large congregation. Funeral services were conducted by Elders Toliver and Hoppers. 

SCRAPBOOK:

1924 OBITUARY – A GOOD MAN GONE – On the 29th day of February 1924, Mr. A.C. Black one of the best citizens of our country was called by the angel of death from earth to that better world above.  He was 67 years, 9 months and thirteen days old.  He had been a member of the ME Church South for a number of years.  He loved his country, his church, his home and his Savior.  

	His good wife slipped off from him and went on to the glory world several years ago.  His children and grand children loved him dearly.  He was well known in Ashe county and Alleghany, and he had a great host of relatives and friends.  He was a true man, a quiet industrious citizen.  I loved him, he was my friend.  His good home was a great place for a tired preacher to rest and have a good time.  He will be missed but by the Grace of God I expect to meet him in heaven.  May God bless his loved ones, and may they all meet him in heaven.

										T.J. HOUCK

1923 – A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY DINNER
	
 	Mr. Editor and friends-- I wish to say a few words thru your paper in regard to birthday dinner given me at my sisters, Mrs. J.D. Sturgill, where I make my home, on Sunday, September 23rd.

	And, if to surprise was the incentive, they sure put one over this “little woman”.  When between 75 and 100 relatives, friends and neighbors began gathering in, four preachers included, to wit: Elder E.E. Wyatt, R.J. Toliver, Lee Hampton and Wm. A.J. Fowlkes.  Those in attendance from a distance were Rev. Lee Hampton and son Ray of Sparta; Miss Minnie Fowlkes of Dublin, Ga; Mr. And Mrs. J.E. Douglas and son Halley of West Jefferson.  

	I first thought church was assembling here and was astonished, but I soon waked up and began to take notice.  They were all merry and laughing and I seemed to be the center of attraction.  Seeing it looked so much like a dinner party, as the people were bringing in baskets, boxes and bundles, it finally dawned on me that it was Sept 23 my own birthday.  Oh! How the good friends did enjoy my wonderment and surprise.  But sure it was a very pleasant surprise to me, and one for which I feel highly honored and deeply grateful.

	I thank each and all present for their coming, showing respect and helping to make this day a glad and happy for for this, your humble friend.  I especially wish to express my love and gratitude to the kind sisters and friends, one and all, who gave of their means and labor, taking so many extra steps preparing good things and plenty to make this a bright and perfect day for one who feels so unworthy.  Thanks to the givers of the treasured gifts.  Will refer to only two, one a dear sweet friend, who has been sick for some time, and therefore could not be present.  

	Now dear friends, remember that for one, the burdens of life will weigh less because of the unexpressable feelings and memory of Sept 23, 1923.  I am so thankful to know that the world is teeming with kind hearted people, many of whom were in evidence on the above date.

	The other gift was the first received, a bouquet of beautiful flowers.  To me flowers hav ealways been the evidence and messengers of God's love, and these were doubly precious to me, coming to me from the hands of a little child.  And the flowers of friendly kindness, exhibited by the presence of each one, bloomed afresh that day of yours gratefully,
									PHEOBE FOWLKS

AD IN A 1915 NEWSPAPER:

R.A. WAGONER: CITY, N.C.
DEALER IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE
I HAVE

Clothing for the naked,
Glasses for the blind,
Shoes for the barefooted,
Gloves that are lined.

	Curtains for the windows
	Shoe strings and laces,
	Lamps, wicks and oil, 
	To light and dark places.

Dried fruits, canned goods,
Everything to eat,
Caps for the head,
And socks for the feet.

	Calico of the finest,
	That never fades,
	Woolen goods for dresses,
	Ribbons for the maids.

Tobacco for menfolk,
Hates for the ladies,
Toys for the children,
Bottles for the babies.

	Queensware, Glassware
	Pitcher and bowls,
	Leather and Harness,
	And leather for the soles.

Straps and strings,
Buckles and screens,
The finest of silks,
And the coarsest of jeans.

	Potatoes and apples,
	Lard and meat,
	Butter from the country,
	Fresh and sweet.
Tea and coffee,
Sugar and rice,
Beans and crackers,
Cheese and spices.

	Oysters and salmon,
	Flour and meal,
	Mouse traps—and cats,
	To make the mice squeal.

Powder for faces,
Powder for hunters,
Axes for choppers,
And remedies for grunters.

	Chewing gun, candy,
	Corset and bustle,
	The people come trading
	And how we do hustle.

Medicine to make you sick
Medicine to make you well
In fact I have everything
That the best stores sell.  

 	WE NEED NEW MEMBERS AND MORE FUNDS!

		PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT OUR SOCIETY.  A LOT MORE LOCAL 

			CITIZENS SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE COUNTY'S

				HISTORICAL-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY!!!!

 					MEMBERSHIP DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

THE MUSEUM MAY STILL BE A DREAM OF THE FUTURE, BUT IT SHOULD STILL BE OUR GOAL. 
	
IT WILLCERTAINLY BE OF INTEREST TO THIS GENERATION, AS WELL AS TO FUTURE 
			
GENERATIONS.

OUR HERITAGE BELONGS TO ALL OF US!