Vintage Postcards Offer A Unique Glimpse Of The Past

Postcards had their heyday in popularity from about 1890 to 1915.  There were several factors that contributed to this, including easing of government restrictions, advances in photography, printing and mass production and improved rural mail service.

The Transylvania County Library has a number of
real picture postcards, including this one of Jake
West and a friend, by local photographer Joe Wilde.

In addition, postcards were inexpensive to purchase and mail.  Allison & Macfie drug store in Brevard sold postcards at four for a nickel or 15 cents for a dozen.  Their March 12, 1909 advertisement claimed, “Our supply of local view Post Cards is now complete.  In all we have 44,000.  44 different subjects to select from.  Come in and see them.  They are the prettiest line of Post Cards ever brought to Brevard.  Also a big lot of Comic Post Cards."

Photographers often sold their images for postcards.  Most of the postcards of the Toxaway Inn were made from photographs by R. Henry Scadin who resided in Sapphire on and off between 1897 and 1915.

One type of postcard that was particularly popular was the “real picture postcard.”  While typical postcards used offset or lithographic printing these images were continuous-tone photographs printed on paper used for postcards.  They often featured individuals or local landmarks and were an inexpensive means to share pictures with family and friends across the country. 

Hiram Glover advertised, “The Latest Novelty Post Cards of Yourself. Finished on the best grade of cards, in Sepia Color, at $1 per dozen.”  Glover had a studio on Jordan Street in Brevard from about 1902 until 1914.

Wilde also created this real picture postcard of
Loeta, Robert and Ford, children of Edward and
Nora Randolph of Rosman, circa 1922.

A news item in the July 10, 1908 Sylvan Valley News stated, “A picnic party from Brevard spent the day last Wednesday at Cherryfield, and were hospitably entertained by Mrs. J.C. Whitmire Jr., who furnished the crowd with a fine dinner. E.H. Glover, who was with the party, took several photographs of places of interests, among them views of Whitmire & Hamilton’s new store building, R. H. Zachary’s residence, and others.  These views are to be placed on post cards and kept in the store at Cherryfield.  The outing was much enjoyed by all the party.”

During the period, it was common to collect postcards and save them in albums or scrapbooks.  Today vintage postcards, which provide a sense of nostalgia, remain popular among collectors.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Victory Gardens Are Making A Come Back

Victory Gardens were first grown in Canada and the United States during World War I to offset food shortages brought about by lack of manpower and transportation.  During World War II they took on even more significance and were also grown in Britain and Australia.

Whether community gardens or home gardens they provided access to much needed food, as well as offering a morale booster and sense of empowerment.  A shortage of agricultural workers and packaging led to food rationing and increased prices.  By growing fruits and vegetables families were able to meet their nutritional needs.

Garden and farm supply businesses, like
Brevard Hardware, advertised specials on
tools, seed and fertilizer.
Transylvania Times, April 4, 1946.

On the local level a search of the springtime issues of the Transylvania Times between the years of 1942-1946 revealed a push for all families to carry out their patriotic duty by growing a vegetable garden.  They printed educational articles, along with charts and tables with information on when to plant, how much to plant per person and suggestions for small, medium and large gardens.

Extension Service Agent, Julian A. Glazener led the activities to promote home gardens by sharing step-by-step instructions from planning the size and location of the plot to harvesting and preserving the crop.  Schools, civic clubs, 4-H clubs and home demonstration clubs all took an active role.

While gardening was not unusual for farm families, many of those who lived in town no longer depended on gardens for their produce.  Families were also encouraged to raise rabbits, chickens and goats for meat, eggs and milk.

In 1943 it was reported that there were over 3000 gardens planned county wide.  This included 912 of the 925 farms in the county.  One thousand Ecusta families had home gardens and another 95 had plots at the mills 50-acre community garden.  Employees of Silversteen’s industries, Wheeler’s Hosiery and Pisgah Mills all had gardens at home or on rented plots.  Transylvania Tanning offered “settlings” from their clearing pools to enrich poor soil.  Many downtown businesses closed on Thursday afternoons to allow employees time to work in gardens.

During 1944, home demonstration clubs of Transylvania County reported that 361 members canned 35,501 quarts and brined 462 gallons of produce.  They also dried 465 pounds of fruits and vegetables.  In addition, $420.12 was raised from the sale of garden products.

A community cannery was operated at Brevard High's NYA hut when school was not in session.  Individuals did their own canning with assistance from the supervisor.  The only cost was for the cans at a rate of 6 and 7 cents per can.  The operation had a capacity of 1300 cans per day.

This advertisement from the April 4, 1946 issue of the Transylvania Times
emphasized the continued value of gardening to fight hunger.

Following the war many local families continued to have home gardens but the number and size decreased over time.  Ecusta continued to offer plots for employees in their community garden for more than 50 years. 

Most community Victory Gardens ceased to exist over time.  The two remaining continuously-operating WWII Victory Gardens are the Fenway Victory Gardens in Boston and Dowling Community Garden in Minneapolis.  During the last 20 years there has been renewed interest in both community and family gardens across the United States.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Kim Miller Road Named For Rattlesnake Hunter

Kim Miller was a typical mountain farmer with an unusual second job—rattlesnake hunter.  He was one of 22 children of Henry Miller.  Following the Civil War, Henry Miller operated a hostelry in Sapphire where visitors from the lowlands would spend the summer enjoying the cool climate, trout fishing and exploring the mountains.

Kim Miller married Elmina Mary Nicholson in 1900.  They had 11 children.  The 1920 census lists Miller’s occupation as Patrolman for the Game Reserve.  He was the caretaker on the Backus Estate at Cold Mountain for many years.  After the estate was sold in the early 1920s, the Millers bought a small farm where they raised chickens and cattle and grew corn, apples and vegetables.  Miller was also a taxidermist, a skill he had learned, along with snake handling, from Dr. Grimshawe of Sapphire.

This photo first appeared along with Mrs. Lee's article in the Transylvania Times.

The Transylvania Times published an article written by Mrs. H.D. Lee of Lake Toxaway about Miller’s rattlesnake business on September 29, 1938.  He demonstrated his method of catching rattlers using a long leather thong attached to a stick for Mrs. Lee.  He approached the snake from behind, slipping the leather loop over the snake’s head and then grasping it with his other hand just below the snake’s jaws.  

Miller estimated that he had caught thousands of rattlesnakes over the years.Although he had never been bitten he cautioned that “it is pretty risky business” and strongly warned others against trying it.  He sold both live snakes and the tanned skins to tourists to earn extra money. 

Kim Miller Road between Highway 64 and the Lake Toxaway Post Office on Highway 281 is named for Miller.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Vacation Bible School: A Summer Tradition Of Gathering Of Children In Transylvania

The first Summer Bible School in the U.S., held in 1894, consisted of daily classes in Bible instruction for children.  By the 1920s the concept was popular with churches across America.  The first printed curriculum for Vacation Bible School was developed in 1923.  These early programs relied on Bible study and storytelling and typically operated for several weeks.

Vacation Bible School children and teachers at the Second Baptist Church
on King St. in Brevard, 1950.

The first Summer Bible School held in Transylvania County operated from June 7 through July 2, 1926.  Children, ages 6 to 18, attended from 8:30-11:30. Wayne A. Monroe was the Supt. of the Summer Bible School.  Classes met at the Baptist and Presbyterian churches.  Children from the Episcopal and Methodist churches, as well as those visiting from out of town, were also encouraged to attend. 

The first day 90 children were present. The final enrollment number was 131. There was no cost to families but donations were asked for to cover the final cost of $382.

A group of Vacation bible School children from the First Baptist Church
parade through downtown Brevard wearing crowns.

Classes at the Baptist Church were under the leadership of Rev. Wallace Hartsell. The teachers were Miss Emma Hartsell, Miss Pauline Sitton, Mrs. Wayne A. Monroe, Miss Alexander and Miss Eva Rice.  Miss Christine Snelson and Mr. J.A. Glazener served as substitutes.  Mrs. V.A. Crawford directed and taught at the Presbyterian Church. The other instructors were Mrs. Charles Verner, Miss Nellie Rambo and Miss Jennie Lee Chandler, with Miss Mytrle Barnett and Miss Kimzey as substitutes.

Commencement exercises were held on Friday evening, July 2, at both churches. Scripture recitations and Bible related questions, along with Gospel songs were all part of the celebrations.  A picnic and activity day for all of the children was held on Saturday, July 3 at Lake Sega.  The children voted to hold Bible School again the following year.

Children enjoy a lunch break during Vacation Bible School at the Little River
Baptist Church, 1957.

Summer or Vacation Bible School, also known as VBS, remained popular throughout the 20^th century as it evolved by incorporating additional activities, such as arts and crafts, live music, skits, dramatic presentations, and recreation. Over time Bible School schedules also changed to accommodate families. Today they are typically one-week sessions, often during evening hours.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.

Sylvan Valley News Waged War Against Mail Order Catalogs Through Articles

The story of traveling Dollar Bill,
Sylvan Valley News, December 20, 1907.

The idea of local retailers competing with outside businesses is not unique to the era of online shopping, big box stores or malls. In the early 1900s the battle for local retailers was with mail order catalog businesses, such as Montgomery Ward, Sears Roebuck and others.

There were multiple sides to the issue.  Customers sought out the best prices and services.  Local merchants felt that local newspapers undermined their business by running advertisements for city department stores that offered lower prices through mail order.  For local newspapers the large companies willing to buy ads represented revenue.  A February 16, 1906 Sylvan Valley News article claimed that if “our merchants use the same energy in trying to convince their customers that trading at home and keeping their money at home was more to their advantage than sending it out of the county, very little trading abroad would be done.”

Do you contribute to the prosperity of your town?
Sylvan Valley News, June 21, 1907

The Sylvan Valley News also accused local merchants of setting a bad example by sending their printing needs out of the county.  A May 18, 1906 Editorial Brief argued that, “Business men who expect home trade should be the last to send away from home for their printing.” 

By 1907 the newspaper and merchants had band together to convince customers to buy local.  A series of catchy newspaper ads throughout the year implied that customers who took their business elsewhere were disloyal and causing harm to their home-town.  The advertisements contained a short story on topics such as keeping money in circulation locally and with morals like, “If you want your town to grow, patronize home enterprises.”

In a February 28, 1908 Letter to Editor T.D. England stated that it is local merchants who pay local taxes and support charities, not “Mr. Mail Order House” or the traveling salesman.  Out-of-town companies did nothing to support the local community, so by shopping local customers are help their town prosper.  He also pointed out that only local businesses sold goods on credit or in trade for farm products.

The Sylvan Valley News continued to wage a campaign against mail order catalogs and to promote shopping local through articles over the next several years. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.