Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 9)

We hope you have the best Thanksgiving Day!
Plan to visit this season for our holiday exhibit:
Ghosts of Christmas Past

A little history at Christmas, from J.M. Sturgill (1926-2016), about the Troutman Industries branch in Sparta.

Mr. Sturgill was employed by Troutman, from January 8, 1951, until February 3, 1972, first in Mooresville and later as manager of the Sparta plant.

Meet Joan, Mary, Fatima, Manaal, Madison, Lissette, Karalina, Matthew, Maria and Josh.

They are student volunteers from the University of Notre Dame who spent the last week in Sparta including a grueling day of effort at the Alleghany Historical museum.

These future leaders (who are studying fields as diverse as Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Neuroscience, Biology, Architecture, and Business Analytics) happily pitched in to paint, stain doorways, sweep, move boxes, build shelving and more.

We appreciate their help (and their great attitudes!) and wish them much success.

THANK YOU to our sponsors, our volunteers and everyone who helped support the Saturday Afternoon Social!

We would ask that you patronize these businesses who give generously to benefit the Historical Museum. Without this community support, the Museum wouldn’t exist.

And we’d add a special Thank You to volunteer, Heather Fernandez, whose hard work made the event such a fun success.

It might be the wrong kind of weather outside for this kind of post, but we could use your help.

To finish our 2023 season, beginning in November, Alleghany Historical Museum will feature a new exhibit called Ghosts of Christmas Past.

While we’ve featured Christmas themes before, this is the earliest we have ever started planning.

So: Do you have old timey decorations or toys or games or stockings or children’s books, photos or greeting cards or ANYTHING having to do with the holiday that you would lend us for the exhibit? Items from our area would be even more special!

Do you have family traditions you’d share? Where did you get your tree? Did you make snow cream? Molasses cakes? Did you go hunting? Or caroling? What are your Christmas Eve memories?

Your support would be welcome and appreciated.
Call and leave a message at: (336)372-2115 or
email: info@ahgs.org or
message us on facebook or
drop us a line: PO Box 817, Sparta, NC 28675.

Your participation will surely help folks remember their own “Christmas past” and brighten their “Christmas present.”

This beautiful photo from the Harold and Elizabeth Zachary Vogler Collection was donated to the Alleghany Historical Museum by Phyllis Wood Fournel. The two ladies and their driver are on an outing in a fancy, horse-drawn, 2-seat surrey. (Leather seats, fenders and carriage lamps.) The ladies look smart in their flat, straw hats which were in fashion around 1900.

We don’t know much more about it, except that it is a rare “opalotype” photo, that is, it was printed on an opal glass plate. The fragile emulsion which holds the image on the front surface of the glass has been marred in places, sometime during its life.

The 6.5”x 8.5” plate was probably “contact printed” from a glass negative, meaning, the two pieces of glass were in face-to-face contact when it was exposed. This would result in a final print that is “right-reading” on the emulsion side, which is how it was displayed in its frame. (Other clues: The lady’s jacket buttons are on her left side as is common and the buggy whip is on the driver’s right which, also, seems pretty traditional.)

What in the world would Alleghany County have to do with 1950s-era, Chicago television?

Well, recently, Phyllis Wood Fournel brought in a large box of family papers from Henry Harold and Elizabeth Zachary Vogler of Winston Salem, North Carolina, for donation to the museum.

Mr. Vogler was grandson of the Winston jewelry store owner, William T. Vogler.

William Theodore Vogler was influential in the growing towns of Winston and Salem around the turn of the century. He was very active in the Home Moravian Church in Salem; he was one of the original stockholders of Wachovia National Bank, and he was president of the Winston-Salem Building and Loan Association. He also served as a town commissioner for Salem before its consolidation with Winston in 1913.
It was only natural, therefore, that when Hugh Chatham was planning a mountain resort for prominent citizens from Winston, Salem and Elkin, William Vogler was one of the initial founders.
Mr. Vogler purchased a lot from the Roaring Gap Summer Resort Company, of which he was a founder, in 1894.

Info from Vogler Cottage at Roaring Gap’s Application to the National Register of Historic Places

He built a summer cottage, there, in 1908 and called it Locust Grove Cottage. Locust Grove was a 1+1⁄2-story Queen Anne-style influenced frame cottage, that featured an expansive, wrap-around porch.

Eventually, William’s grandson, Harold, would inherit the cottage.

Harold was a part of his family’s business, William T. Vogler & Son Jewelry Store, and Elizabeth was the Dean of Girls at Salem Academy when they were married, June 8 of 1941. He was 36 and she was 39 when they married and they had no children.

Mr. Vogler died in 1990 and she, just 3 years later, in 1993.

Locust Grove had been added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It was demolished 4 years later in 1995.

When we opened the box and started sorting and evaluating the documents and photos, we found that a good part of the collection isn’t from Harold’s family, but that it is mostly from Elizabeth Zachary’s family, from Brevard, North Carolina.

And, the collection includes a lot of material that relates to Elizabeth’s sister, Beulah Zachary. And, oddly, there seemed to be a lot of information on (of all things) the old Kukla, Fran and Ollie, television show:

“a television show using puppets. It was created for children, but was soon watched by more adults than children. It did not have a script and was entirely ad-libbed. It was broadcast from Chicago between October 13, 1947, and August 30, 1957.”

Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television Watson-Guptill Publ

After a ten-year run in the 50s, [the show] left the air… But they were rarely out of the public eye, appearing in a short daily show on NBC, starring on Broadway, hosting The CBS Children’s Film Festival, creating a series for PBS, performing in Side by Side by Sondheim, and presenting annual live performances at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
The Kuklapolitans can also claim some important television firsts, including the first ship-to-shore telecast and the first color telecast of a network program. Burr [Tillstrom, series creator and star] was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1986 for his many contributions to the medium.

http://www.kukla.tv/

After a little research we found that Beulah Zachary, born in Brevard, NC, on August 13, 1911, to William and Beulah Zachary, attended Salem College in Greensboro, and had intended to become a teacher. She began working in television in 1944, when she was hired by the Chicago-based station WKBK.

She rose in the industry to become the executive producer of Kukla, Fran & Ollie.

Tragically, Miss Zachary died on February 3, 1959, when American Airlines Flight 320 crashed in the East River in New York City.

Burr Tillstrom, who created K. F. O., disclosed Wednesday that Miss Zachary departed for New York to acquire space in which she and Tillstrom planned to open a Kuklapolitan Workshop theater. Tillstrom said he would go ahead with these plans.
“Beulah might have accepted many other jobs,” said Burr, “but she lived and loved Kukla, Fran, and Ollie, and she believed in their future. So she just stuck with us.”
Fran Allison, who now has her own WGN-TV show, said: “No one ever worked so tirelessly or gave more to make an idea succeed than Beulah did for Kukla, Fran, and Ollie.”
Tillstrom disclosed that it was Miss Zachary who insisted that Kukla, Fran, and Ollie be an ad libbed show. This accounted for much of its freshness and sparkle.
“Beulah not only had great integrity and fine judgment,” said Tillstrom, “but she fostered the creative spirit.”

Excerpt from the Chicago Daily Tribune, February 5, 1959.

As a producer and director, Miss Zachary was also know for A Walk with Me (1946), Ladies in Retirement (1948) and Marriage Proposal (1945).

–For more info on Kukla, Fran and Ollie, please visit The Kuklapolitan Website at:
http://www.kukla.tv/

Have you heard about our upcoming fundraiser for the Museum?

We’re hosting a Saturday Afternoon Social, on August 19th from 11-2 at the Sparta VFW. We’ll have a Basket Raffle, a 50/50 raffle, and food and drinks available.

And, the VFW Museum will be open for tours during our event! We encourage you to bring family, friends, neighbors!

Some of the baskets you could win are pictured, below.

Some of the wonderful items we’ll be raffling are:

– Three piece hand towel set and a Calm candle. ($25 value)

From Wolfe Ridge Pet Supplies LLC – Kong Travel dog booster seat, Kong toy, Tall Tails chew toy, Water Bowl, Milk Bone Minis, and leash. ($85 value)

From Walgreens – $25 gift card

From Carquest Auto Parts – Carquest of Alleghany – Meguiar’s Car wash, glass cleaner, Armor All, 1gal. Windshield wash, 3 sponges, paper towels, and a hat. ($55 value)

From Parker’s Building Supply, East Coast Division
– Milwaukee Heavy Duty Orbital Jig Saw ($185 value)
– Milwaukee M12 Mounting Fan ($93 value)

From The Waggin’ Train Sparta – Medium size Dog Bed, $20 gift certificate, 2 Balls, Large Kong Giraffe toy, large bag of Blue Buffalo treats, and 2 dog training books. ($95 value)

A Spot of Tea- 14pc Tea set, Twinings camomile honey vanilla tea, Twinings variety black tea, Pirouline wafers, & Honey. ($60 value)

Deluxe Movie Night- Act II Popcorn, Red Vines, Whoppers, Good & Plenty, & 4 movies. Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, & Alice in Wonderland ($90 value)

Disney Princess Movie Night – Act II Popcorn, Red Vines, Good & Plenty, & 3 movies. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, & Snow White ($70 value)

A Tisket A Tasket Towels in a Basket- 6 Sunham Bath towels, 4 Sunham wash cloths, & coconut body scrub. ($160 value)

Minnie Mouse- Disney Minnie Mouse Sterling Silver & Crystal Earring gift set and 19” plush Minnie. ($120 value)

Minnie Mouse- Disney Minnie Mouse Sterling Silver & Crystal Earring gift set and 19” plush Minnie. ($120 value)

Grandma’s Journal- Book “My Grandmother’s Life” A journal with questions to get to know more about grandma’s life. ($10 value)

From Dusty Trails Outfitters– A 3 Hour Canoe, Kayak, or Tube Trip for 4 People on the New River, marshmallows, graham crackers, & Hershey’s chocolate ($175 value)

Grandpa’s Journal- Book “My Grandfather’s Life” A journal with questions to get to know more about grandpa’s life. ($10 value)

Chef’s Kitchen- 13pc Tools of the Trade Stainless Steel Cookware set. ($200 value)Belle Rocket 12pc Personal Blender ($43 value)Cooking for One!- Sedona Cast Iron 2pc Mini Skillet &Griddle set, Cuisinart bamboo slotted spatula, & The Cellar oven mitt & pot holder set. ($50 value)

Ofelia’s Chic Boutique – Large serving tray. ($65 value)

New River Country Club – 2 certificates. Each for 2 rounds of golf plus cart and green fees. 4 packs of golf balls, tees, ball marker hat clips, and gloves ($180 value)

From Foley’s –
– 8 pc Chicken Family Meal gift certificate and rooster plate. ($30 value)
– 8 pc Chicken Family Meal gift certificate and rooster plate. ($30 value)
– 8 pc Chicken Family Meal gift certificate and Rooster salt & pepper shakers. ($30 value)

Willy Wonka’s Delight- Wonka candy variety, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book, & Purple Top Hat ($40 value)

From Sparta Candle Co. – High Country Candle, Little River Soap, and a soap dish. ($50 value)

Looking Sharp- Art & Cook 25pc Cutlery set and Cutting Board. ($70 value)

A Touch of Grace – $25 gift certificate and ladies watch. ($50 value)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- Blanket, book, coloring book, and 4 cars. ($30 value)

Garth Brooks 5 DVD Concert Series. ($30 value)

Baker’s Delight- 12×9 cake pan, 5 pc kitchen set, 2 pc spatula set, 8pc measuring cup set, 3 pc measuring set, 2 Betty Crocker cake mixes, 1 Duncan Hines brownie mix, and 2 tubs of Pillsbury frosting. ($30 value)

From Beautiful Creature’s Pet Grooming– Ear cleaning and Nail trim, EarthRated poop bag dispenser, Greenies dog treats, Gap heart dog toy, Pork Chomps pig ear, Fresh Dental solution,and blanket. ($70 value)

From Scott’s Landscaping– $50 gift certificate 

From Mis Arados– $20 gift certificate, mini cactus piñata, a maraca, and a straw hat. ($35 value)

From North Flow Steakhouse & Tavern – $40 gift certificate

Pig in a Poke-($50 value) 

Pig in a Poke-($5 value)

Wild Woody’s – “A Taste of Holland” Vintage Wooden Clogs, windmill cookies, Stroopwafels, and Antique LS&S Carlsbad Austrian porcelain candy dish. ($50 value)

Alleghany Historical Museum Toy Shop Extravaganza! – Dominoes, Yo-yo, traditional Heart & Ball, Clothes Pin Doll Kit, Colonial Spoon Doll Kit, Handkerchief Doll Kit, Little Black Folk Doll Kit, Pages From Early American Children’s Books, The Button Book, and Gingerbread Man on a String. ($65 value)

Wild Woody’s- Vintage 1950’s Noritake Fine China Goldena pattern. Service for 6. (cups, saucers, dinner plates, and salad plates)1 cake plate, 4 extra dinner plates, & 3 extra salad plates. All nestled inside a sturdy vintage handmade basket.($75 value)

Wild Woody’s- Send in the Clowns music box and collection of 5 clown figurines. ($50 value)

Gill’s Jeans & Things- Duck Dynasty T-shirt size M & a silver fashion cuff bracelet. ($15 value)

Twin Oaks Store- Engel cooler/dry box with rod holders ($100 value)

Sawyer Family Mills- $200 gift certificate & a hand turned wooden bowl made by Jerry Brown ($240 value)

Misty Mountain- Handmade wooden Key hanger, handmade tea light 3 candle holder, handmade tie dye tank top with vinyl decal design, 2 glass bottles of Cheerwine, 2 fishing lures, incense, mini flashlight, paintable Dino toys, Pokémon, candy, 2 bouncy balls, 6 stickers, 4 jumbo Pixy Stix, and local Poet, Stephanie Ray’s book “Mermaid in the Moon”. ($85 value)

O’Reilly Auto Parts- 1 gallon O’Reilly Car wash, 5 gallon bucket, Turtle Wax Dash & Glass cleaner, Super Clean All Wheel Cleaner, 2 ok scrubbing mitts, 3pk micro fiber towels, and a cell phone holder. ($60 value)

Three Crows Metalworks- Earrings ($50 value)

Becca’s Backwoods Bean – Bodum French Press, Stove top Espresso maker, 2 mugs, cappuccino stencil, chocolate straws, and a bag of Becca’s Bradford Point Coffee. ($75 value)

Trojan Patio- 2 $10 gift certificates ($20 value)

Trojan Patio- $20 gift certificate 

Trojan Patio- $20 gift certificate 

Sawyer Family Mills- $200 gift certificate & a hand turned wooden bowl made by Jerry Brown ($240 value)

Corey’s Main St Barbershop- Gift Card for 3 free haircuts 

Corey’s Main St Specialty Store- $20 Gift certificate 

GOLDEN TICKET Hometown Oil – 50 gallons of fuel oil ($200)

Alleghany Inn, James Caldwell Construction Company, and Macy’s have also donated. This list is not comprehensive – we are still gathering items to raffle. If you’d like to contribute, please get in touch with us.

We greatly appreciate all of the work that has gone into putting the event together and hope you come and join us at the VFW on August 19.

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We invite everyone to the Alleghany Historical Museum at 45 N. Main St. in Sparta, North Carolina for our 2023 Season Opening Day, Thursday, March 30.

The Museum will be open from 11am-3pm, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and admission is free.

Before anyone asks, “Where is Uncle Fred?” or “Why in the world didn’t you include Norma?” Please know that we agree! Fred and Norma SHOULD be honored along with every individual that has a connection with Alleghany. The trouble is, we’ve got a finite amount of space and limited resources and well, to be honest, we probably put the wrong person in charge of this project. (We fired that guy.)

But seriously- there’s, obviously, no way to include everyone or to list all contributions as much as we would like to. But if you know of someone who needs to be included in a future exhibit, contact us at info@ahgs.org or message this page. You can help us by sharing information, photos or items. After all, Alleghany Historical Museum only exists to share those stories and it only exists with the support and for the benefit of the entire community.

For Valentines Day, the story of a couple separated by circumstance:

In the 1860 census, 23 year-old, William “Billy” Maines was listed as a “laborer” who lived with the Allen Toliver family at Gap Civil in Alleghany County. 22 year-old, Mary Ann, called “Polly,” was the second of four daughters at the Toliver home, along with Tobitha (25), Paulina (20) and Charity (18).

By 1864, Billy Maines had been made a corporal in Company “I” of the 61st NC Infantry Regiment. He wrote this letter home, to his sweetheart, Polly, from a camp on the Blackwater River, near Ivor Station, in Southampton County, Va. (It’s about 50 miles northeast of Roanoke Rapids, NC.) The 61st was on the way to Petersburg, Virginia, from Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, where Billy had been wounded in August of 1863.

Camp on Blackwater, Virginia
March the 17th 1864

My Dear beloved Miss,
It is with pleasur that I agane take my pen in hand to write to you as a lover. I can, in the first place, inform you that I am well truly hoping these lines may come to your dear hand and find you in the verry best of health. I received a letter from you the l4th inst. [this month] which I perused with grate pleasure & satisfaction.

I was verry sorry to learn that you was not well nor had not bin well in some time. Polly, I always like to here of you being well and on foot. Polly, I had not herd from you in over a month ontell [until] I received this and I was begining to think that you had forgotten me. I write you as many as four letters per month and some times more.

Polly, I am hapy to tell you that I am blest with as good health here as I ever was any where else and I beleave that my health is better here then it was at home. You stated in your letter that you wanted to see me. Polly, I want to see you the worst I ever had in [my] life and I am sorry that I cannot tell you when I can come home.

I will just say to you that I am going to try for a furlough just as soon as those men comes back that is gone home on furlough. You said for me to tell my captain that I wanted to go home and marry. Polly, I will do so if I cannot get to come no other way but I think it will not be long till I will get to come & see you my loving friend. I love you as I do my self. Polly, many times do I think of you and the pleasent hours I have saw at home.

Polly, everything is still along the lines and no prospect of any fight here at present and our rations is about as usual. Polly, I wrote you a letter the 15th of this month & sent it with mother’s letters as you said you thought it would be best. I will send your letters all that way if you say so. Polly, I must close. You must write soon. Direct to Ivar Station,­ Southhampton Co., Va.

Polly, you must excuse this bad wrote letter as it is a verry cold morning. God Bless you my dear girl. I shall never forget the[e] my love love love love. This is words from my heart to you.

This from Corporal Wm. Maines
To Miss Polly Toliver

Billy survived the war, and on February 2, 1868, Billy and Polly were married.

Mary Ann “Polly” Toliver passed away August 11, 1898. William M. “Billy” Maines died in May of 1902.

Charlie Monroe Crouse of Cherry Lane in Alleghany County, North Carolina, enlisted in the Army, October 22, 1942, and was assigned to I-Company in the 377th Infantry, 95th Division.

On July 25, 1944, the Regiment boarded a train for Camp Myles Standish, Mass. where they prepared to embark. Final movement orders arrived and on August 9, 1944, the Regiment boarded a Boston-bound express train and were soon aboard the troopship, USS West Point, and on their way to England.

Nine days later they arrived at Liverpool. They traveled by train to Camp Barton Stacey in southern England.

September 6, 1944, the Regiment was again readied for a move to France. Three days later the entire unit moved by train and truck to Southampton, where men and vehicles were loaded to cross the channel on Liberty cargo ships.

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Isaac Landreth’s personal narrative was transcribed from a letter, donated to the Historical Museum by Faye Reeves, just before she passed away this month. Punctuation has been added.

“Isaac W. Landreth was borned Feb. 6th, 1838, of Elk Creek, then Ashe, but now Alleghany County. He is son of Dr. Stephen Landreth and Lucy Landreth. He received a common edecation & was engaged teaching school when the rebellion broke out in 1861 and not being posted as to the main cause of this national qurell [quarrel] and by exciting and false speech’s of the leading Democratic leaders of the day, he volunteered in a company of Infantry headed by Capt. A. B. Cox, a Methodist ministery, all of Ashe County NC.

“Left Jefferson with said Company and camped in lovly [roses?] grove, Raleigh, NC untill removed to Camp Crab Tree Creek and was their organized into the 26th NC Regiment and was denomatad [denominated] as Company A. He was with the Regiment at Bogue Island for time of their stay; was in the Battle of New Bern and in the retreat, came near being drowned by swimming [the] Nuse River. Remained all the time with the command & was taken sick near Richmond, Va., 1862 and was sent to Camp Winder Hospital & had chronic diarehea & was treated by seven different physicians.

“Obtained a furlough and for the kindness of James Billings, one of my county men, I was hauled home and was under treatment of Dr. F. S. Thomas and others for ‘bout eliven months. In 1863, times were so squally, that he returned to his Command, the 26th Regiment at Gainea Station [Guinea Station], North of Richmond, Va. Was near Stonewall Jackson when he [took it? took ill?] My gard duty then, was moved to the Potomac River- waded it and marched through Maryland to Gettysburg, Pa. and in that tremendous human slaughter. On the 3 day of July, 1863, was taken prisnor of war. Taken the train at Fredric City to Baltimore- camped all night at Fort McHenry- then placed on board of a steamboat. Was landed at Fort Delaware and their remained untill Febuary 24, 1865. Took the oath of allyconce [allegiance] and has ever bin a true and tried Republican, ever sence.

“When released from prison, went from Fort Delaware, Philadelphia to Harrisburg, the capitol of Pencillvany to [unintelligible] Pitsburg, then left the state of Pa.- to Steubins, Ohio- to the capitol Columburs- then to Cincenatte on the Ohio river- then down the river to Louisvillle, Ky. Then crossed the river into Indiana- took train at Mitchell, Lawrence County, to St. Louis, Mo. Then up Missippie river to Jersy Landing, Jersy County, Ill., ‘bout 5 miles from this place. I worked for a [man] by name of James T. Moss a [unintelligible] class leader and a noble gentleman. Staid with him 6 months and then concluded to return to NC. Came by steamboat to Sant Lous, Mo, then by Rail Road to Cincenatie, Ohio- stayed 3 days in city with an old comrade, Peter Warman, then took a ticket on the T.J. Picket Steamboat and got off at Cattestsburg [Catlettsburg], the mouth of the big Sandy river, Ky. Then footed it home through mt. rigen [mountain region?], meeting Mother and Rebeca Phipps above the Mouth of Wilson, who had started to hunt up J. C. Landreth, learning by me that he was their in Organ [Oregon] with John Swindle. We all got back home that night, making a great surprise to the family. “

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Here are two images brought to Alleghany Historical Museum by Norma Smith Cox. Unfortunately, neither is identified, but they’re among photos that came from Ruthe Norman, Granddaughter of Alice (Harris) Smith. Mrs. Smith’s house stood in the area of the Roaring Gap Golf Course in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Drag the slider to see the original scans versus our restorations. We always try to save high resolution versions of the original scan, to enable future restorers who might have better techniques to revive the images.

This is a familiar scene of a baptizing- possibly by the congregation at Antioch Presbyterian Church. Sometimes more than one church would gather to witness. The gray morning must have been a little cool and damp as the mist is visible, in the background hills. Some of the ladies are wrapped in their shawls- but it isn’t evident in the actions of the pastor as he stands in the chilly water and prays before the event.
The light-struck negative wouldn’t allow restoration in the left side of the image.

Here’s an interesting photo from the same collection, depicting a family camping. They are quite possibly migrating, as so many Alleghany natives traveled to the great plains and beyond- many returning home after they had made their fortunes (a lot like today!)
Grandma and Grandpa are in front of the tent with the daughter, holding her hat, while Mother rests in the shade. The son is holding the horses and Father has returned with rabbits? squirrels? for supper.

Both of these images looked to be almost too far gone, but each still holds enough data for us to restore interesting and informative scenes. In the camping photo, individuals’ faces are recognizable and might be matched to known family members.

The 572 pages of the 1976 Environmental Impact Statement for the New River to be named a National Wild and Scenic River contain a lot of interesting information on the river and the region.

They also include 33 pages of comments from the Appalachian Power Company that outline their opinion on the first draft of the document. Comments that, understandably, outline the company’s objections to the action, and comments that maybe aren’t so understandable.

Certainly not to anyone who has ever stood on the banks of the New River; or waded out into its clean, cool water; or who has floated along through the serene mountain scenery.

Here are some of the comments of an unfortunate lawyer whose job required him to deny the attributes of paradise:

Page 428:
“Only a small handful of our nation’s rivers have been selected by the Congress or by the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic River system… The 26.5 mile stretch of the New River and of its South Fork were not even among the 650 rivers originally reviewed.

“Accordingly one would expect some slight indication in the Draft EIS as to what, if any, special attractions of this stretch of the New River have been discovered at this late date which now warrant its meteoric elevation to the select handful of our nation’s rivers deserving of the Wild and Scenic River classification.

“Surely this past ‘oversight’ of the scenic features of the river segment and the particular circumstances surrounding the proposal by North Carolina to have it included in the system clearly suggest that more than the usual scrutiny is required in this case in order for the Secretary to make the judgment that this stretch of river, in the words of the Act, ‘possess[es] outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values,’ (Section l(b) of the Wild and Scenic River Act)…”

Page 431:
“What are the scenic qualities which support its inclusion? The Draft EIS briefly mentions… ‘many rapids in the riverway and approximately 10 outstanding rock crops…’ No further description or clue is provided as to the nature or relative beauty of these rapids and rock outcrops. In fact it would appear from the emphasis on history and geology later on in the Draft EIS that its authors may not even be resting the case for inclusion in the System on the scenic qualities of the New River in North Carolina…

“…there would appear to be serious doubt as to whether the portion of the river proposed for inclusion possesses the kind of ‘outstandingly remarkable scenic’ features contemplated by the Act.”

There would appear to be serious doubt as to what was weaker, the man’s vision or his argument.