The Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room: 2016

Monday, December 26, 2016

U.D.C. Started First Transylvania Library

The United Daughters of the Confederacy or U.D.C. is a patriotic organization of women descended from those who served for the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. Founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1894 there were about 100,000 members in chapters throughout the southeast at its peak around the time of World War I.

The Transylvania Chapter was chartered on June 7, 1911 with 25 members. Miss Annie Jean Gash was the first president. Their purpose was to aid Transylvania’s Confederate Veterans. They attended reunions, secured and presented Crosses of Honor, attended funeral services, purchased metal markers for graves, and obtained government headstones.

Postcard of Brevard's Transylvania Confederate Memorial Library
operated by the Transylvania Chapter of the U.D.C.

In July 1912 the U.D.C. rented a room on the second floor of the Fraternity Building on South Broad St. to serve as a library. The collection consisted of 300 books willed to the Town of Brevard by Lowndes Hume, son of Confederate Veteran Robert W. Hume. In November they purchased the 600 square foot bungalow beside the courthouse and relocated.

The library was originally open three afternoons a week. Membership was $1.00 annually and books were rented for 5₵ each for one week. The U.D.C. operated the library for over 30 years until 1944 when it became a public library supported by town, county, and state funding.

U.D.C. Library sign made by Mr. Avery Case in 1932 is displayed in the
Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library.

In 1918 the Transylvania Chapter of the U.D.C. organized a Red Cross Unit to make hospital garments for soldiers. During WWI the Home Service Committee of the Red Cross Unit provided assistance to needy families of soldiers. They had office hours twice a week at the U.D.C. Library.

The local U.D.C. chapter filled another need of the town in 1918 by providing rest rooms for women visiting or shopping in downtown Brevard. A state law required the service and a Superior Court judge ruled that it would be enforced. Space was provided by an addition to the library. The County Commissioners paid for installation of plumbing and gave $50 annually for maintenance. The Town of Brevard agreed to supply the water.

The U.D.C. presented, "The Girl Who Dared",
a musical comedy on August 26, 1915 as a
fund raiser.

In addition to providing a lavatory the rooms offered a place for women to relax while in town. There was also a kitchenette to prepare refreshments for fund raisers and entertainments. One popular means of raising funds for U.D.C. activities and projects was to hold productions. Admission ranged from 25₵ for children to 60₵ for reserved seating.

In a brief history of the Transylvania Chapter written by Mrs. J. M. Allison she stated that the organization acted as a local social agency but was not very active on the state level. The Transylvania Chapter had 60-70 members in the early years but by 1950 it had dropped to just ten.

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 828-884-3151 X242.

Monday, December 19, 2016

John Sledge Brought Television to County

Advertisement from July 21, 1949
Transylvania Times.

Television, like radio had previously, opened up the world to people across America by providing quick access to news and events. Television added images to the experience. The first television station in the world was W2XB in Schenectady, NY, which began operation in 1928.

North Carolina saw its first two commercial television stations in July 1949 when WBTV in Charlotte and WFMY-TV in Greensboro went on the air. Within days people in Brevard were able to view Charlotte programming each weekday evening. Brevard businessman John Sledge had been experimenting with radio and television for over 20 years. Sledge operated a radio sales and service shop on Caldwell Street. He invited everyone to come by and watch from 7:00 p.m. until signoff. Sledge also sold Motorola televisions, “for as low as $190.” By 1953 Sledge had competition in the radio and television market from Brevard Radio & TV and Pearlman’s.

Sledge was considered a pioneer in radio and television across Western North Carolina. He demonstrated his hand-built television for the Asheville Amateur Radio Club on February 28, 1938. This was the first showing of a televised picture in Asheville. The image was sent by radio from one location to another, in this case just across the room. In Brevard, Sledge had a transmitter and other equipment to send images across town. He was also able to receive images from television stations throughout the U.S. on his home-made television.

Byron Olney and John Sledge experiment with
radio equipment on Caesar's Head, circa 1934-35.

Sledge, along with Bryon Olney, Frank Bridges and Jim Winget, would occasionally take his equipment to Rich Mountain where they were able to clearly receive an Atlanta station. Large crowds would turn out to view the shows when they set up on the mountain.

John Reese Sledge died March 19, 1970. He had begun experimenting with radio and television as a youth and operated Sledge Radio & Television for 35 years.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Shaffer Lumber

Drawing showing the Shaffer rail line headed south off
the main line in Rosman and the "Y" where engines
turned around.

Shaffer Lumber was an unincorporated sole-proprietorship logging business owned and operated by Eugene A. Shaffer. Shaffer moved his young family to Rosman from Pennsylvania in 1910 to log the rugged area south of town.

He leased iron rails from Southern Railway and a 30-foot wide right-of-way from local property owners to build a rail line from Rosman across the French Broad River, past Shipman Fields, and then across the Middle Fork. The line continued to a flat where he built a saw mill at the present location of the Red Lion Inn. A spur along Shoal Creek reached as far as Eastatoe Falls.

Eastatoe Falls on Shoal Creek.

A large wooden flume was constructed to move logs down the mountain to the falls. The logs shot off the end of the flume and ended up at to bottom of the falls. From there they were loaded onto rail cars and transported to the saw mill.

The logging operation and sawmill employed a crew of around 40 men. A small village, known as Shaffer’s Camp, housed many of the employees and their families. Today this is the Middle Fork community.

The Shaffer home near Eastatoe Falls.

The Shaffer family home, a one-and-one half story craftsman-style house, was within sight of Eastatoe Falls. The house was more elaborate than the typical homes of the area. It had four large peaked gable dormers, a large front porch, and a fieldstone foundation and front steps. The interior included a huge stone fireplace, moulded ceiling beams, hall transoms, beveled leaded glass windows, and egg-and scalloped lintel molding. There was also a carriage house, a horse barn, and a corn crib on the property.

In 1917 Shaffer sold his home and holdings, pulled up the railroad tracks and returned to Pennsylvania where he bought a power plant. Eugene Shaffer died in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1958.

Monday, December 5, 2016

WPNF Was First Commercial Radio Station

Radio broadcast experiments began in the early 1900s and became practical by 1920. Amateur radio enthusiasts all across the country could obtain experimental licenses to broadcast at very limited ranges.

The first commercial broadcasting station in the U.S. was KDKA in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first licensed broadcast was the results of the 1920 Presidential election between Warren Harding and James Cox.

In North Carolina three men, trained in electronics, who worked for General Electric, Westinghouse, and Southern Bell created a partnership and started the state’s first commercial station, WBT, from downtown Charlotte in April 1922.

Brevard had plenty of early licensed radio operators. In the 1930s the first Radio Club, The Transylvania Brass Pounders, was established. George Bromfield was the President, members included Clarence Bowen, Frank Bridges, Lewis Hamlin, Alfred Hampton, Byron Olney, C.K. Osborn, Bill Perkins, John Sledge, and Howard Wilkerson.

For about 40 year WPNF was located on the Asheville Hwy., near the current Ingles.

Joan, Josephine, and Johnsee Lee give a live performance
at WPNF in 1950.

It was not until 1950 that Transylvania County had its first commercial radio station though. WPNF, Wonderful Pisgah National Forest, “the friendly voice of Brevard and Transylvania County” began broadcasting on 1240 AM on July 6, 1950. The station was owned by Pisgah Broadcasting and initially had six employees. Ed Anderson was the company’s president, John Eversman vice president, and John Anderson secretary. The company was affiliated with the Mutual Broadcasting system which provided network programming. It was on the air between 6 a.m. (7 a.m. on Sundays) and midnight.

Judy Canova, Ed Anderson, and Adelaide Silversteen Van Wey
outside the WPNF station.

Local programming featured farm leaders, local ministers, and civic leaders. Every Saturday morning Librarian Elizabeth Kapp reviewed new books, presented the Bookmobile schedule and discussed library activities.

WPNF, which could also be heard in neighboring counties and upstate South Carolina, was the voice of Brevard and Transylvania County until 1993 when it became WRAQ. In 1997 Allen and Leah Reese purchased the station and began operating it as WSQL, White Squirrel radio. In 2007 a group of local investors bought the station and moved it to it present West Main St. location.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Quilts Are An Important Part of Heritage

Quilts are an important piece of our heritage. They offer insight into the social, cultural, and economic history of an area. A quilt is defined as two layers of fabric, frequently with some form of batting or stuffing sandwiched between them, held together by ties or stitched designs. There are hundreds of different quilt patterns, including variations in patterns. They vary from simple patchwork or crazy quilts to intricate appliques.

Quilts hold memories of the materials used to create them. The fabric may be scraps collected over years or exchanged among friends, pieces of old clothing, bits of ribbons or lace, homespun or manufactured. From repurposed feed sacks to the finest quality material quilts tell stories of people and events, express their maker’s artistic abilities, and add comfort to lives.

Vera Stinson, Sadie Allison, and Blanche Jones finish a Sunbonnet Sue quilt
at the Cedar Mountain Community Center in 1983.

A popular means of finishing a quilt was to hold a quilting bee. These gatherings gave women and girls an opportunity to share the work and display their skills, as well as to socialize.

In 1985 the North Carolina Quilt Project took on the task of creating a permanent record of quilt making in North Carolina through 1975. The goal was to document and photograph the wide variety of quilts made throughout the state. A quilt historian recorded physical characteristics and a detailed history of each quilt and its maker. More than 10,000 quilts were documented over a two year period, including 178 in Brevard in September 1986.

In 2011 members of twelve communities within
Transylvania County came together to create a large quilt
depicting the history of the county. This quilt, like many family
quilts, is a legacy to future generations.

One of the Transylvania County quilts recorded was stitched by Sarah Eliza Lyon in memory of her sister, Hannah. Seventeen year-old, Hannah Lyon drowned while crossing the French Broad River near what is now known as Hannah Ford Road on February 23, 1863. Sarah, who was only about three-years-old at the time of her sister’s death, later made the Double Irish Chain quilt using material from the dress Hannah was wearing when she died as one of the fabrics.

In 1988 UNC Press published North Carolina Quilts featuring more than 100 quilts crafted and documented in North Carolina. The complete documentation of the North Carolina Quilt Project is now housed at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Parking Meters Were Common in Brevard

“Parking Meters Here Will Go Into Operation Friday Morning.” In search of much needed revenue for street repairs, expansion of the city sewer and water system, and alleviation of parking problems city officials passed a special ordinance to install parking meters in the downtown area. While downtown parking issues are a familiar topic today this was actually the Transylvania Times headline on May 15, 1947.

Parking meters were used in downtown Brevard
from 1947 until 1973.

At $65 each, it cost over $15,000 to install the 231 meters covering two blocks of Broad St. and three-and-half blocks on Main St. The meter company received a percentage of the income until the cost was paid. The rate was one cent for twelve minutes with a two hour limit. The meters accepted either nickels or pennies. The meters were in operation from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except holidays. Anyone parking over the time limit or using slugs in the meters would be fined.

On the first day $31.12 in fees and $5.00 in fines were collected. In July 1948 it was announced that the town had received $6204 in fees during the first year eliminating the need to raise the tax rate. Additional parking meters were later added on other downtown streets, such as Jordan, Caldwell, and Gaston, and in some off street lots. According to the Town of Brevard budgets, revenue ranged from $8000 to $11000 annually for 25 years.

In February 1973 the Board of Alderman passed an ordinance, “allowing free parking 1 hour limit on street parking and free parking, 2 hour limit off street parking” effective March 1 through October 1, 1973. During their October 1973 board meeting the Alderman voted, “that the parking meter heads be removed and two hour free parking be enforced.” There was to be “rigid enforcement of the ordinance”.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Oral Traditions Are Essential to History

Oral history is defined as the collection and study of historical information using sound recordings of interviews with people who have personal knowledge of past events.

In the past oral tradition was used to preserve a record of history. As printing methods developed and more people were able to access print resources and read the sharing of oral traditions faded. Fortunately, that began to change in the mid-1900s and today oral history is an integral part of historical research.

In the mid-1980s members of the local Historic Preservation Commission (predecessor of today’s JHPC) undertook an oral history project. Rowell Bosse, Dick Albyn, D.S. Winchester, and Ken Hay interviewed long-time residents in their eighties and nineties “to record information about the colorful earlier days of the county to preserve them for future generations.” Later Nilsa Lobdell, Betty Sherrill, and Mike Curtis took over the job of interviewing.

Mrs. English's boarding house, Willow Springs

Stories included growing up in Brevard and Rosman or on nearby farms; working at lumber camps, the tannery, or Ecusta; serving in the military; and more.

Kathryn English Anderson recalled the days when her mother, Lila Picklesimer English, operated a summer boarding house. Four bedrooms on the third floor, six on the second, and two on the main floor were rented to visitors who often stayed through the entire summer. Mrs. English typically fed 24 people at each meal. Rates for room and board were $7-10 per week.

Burley White's Store in Rosman.

A.P. Bell talked about Rosman businesses including Silversteen’s tannery, extract plant and sawmill, and the three town stores. There was White’s grocery store, Winchester’s general store, and the company store which “sold everything, everything.”

The Oral History Collection also includes interviews conducted by Joe Paxton and Frank Guest, relating to the logging industry and railroads in Transylvania County. Donald McCall shared stories of growing up in the Pisgah National Forest, George Vanderbilt’s ranger houses, and working for Gloucester Lumber. McCall told about counting 98 deer as he and a friend drove from the current Fish Hatchery location to the forest entrance gates around 1937 or 1938. Albert Lyday added more information about the ranger houses, also known as Black Forest lodges and the National Forest Service’s fawn rearing program.

In the 1930s and 1940s there was a U.S. fawn Rearing Station
in the Pink Beds area in the Pisgah National Forest.

Over a 20 year time span the memories of over 60 people were recorded. One goal of the project was to transcribe the interviews. Renewed effects are underway to do that work. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this project please contact the Local History Room staff at the Transylvania County Library.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Sadie North Was Known as a "Human Dynamo"

Miss Sadie North, Red Cross Nurse

Sadie North was born on May 25, 1875 in Brunswick, Georgia although her death certificate and obituary incorrectly list her birth place as Illinois. Her family left Georgia for Western North Carolina during a yellow fever outbreak in 1884. After three years in Asheville they moved to Brevard in 1887.

The only child of well-educated parents, Sadie received a college degree through correspondence courses. She went on to teach school in the county and at Brevard Institute. She also received a degree in nursing through correspondence school, after which she worked for local doctors and at hospitals in Asheville and Hendersonville.

In March 1934 Sadie North began working as a teacher in the WPA. Her home-making classes included home nursing. In July 1935 she was certified in first aid after completing coursework at the First Aid and Aquatic School of the American National Red Cross held at Camp Carolina. It was from these beginnings that she learned to swim and ride a bicycle while in her 60s.

In addition to her work in adult education with the WPA Miss Sadie taught first aid on her own time. Her efforts eventually led to Transylvania being the first county in North Carolina to include first aid instruction as part of the WPA adult education program.

Miss Sadie relaxes in her rocker.

She became the official National Red Cross instructor for Transylvania County, training both pupils and additional teachers.

Miss Sadie would put those skills to good use over the years as she rode her bicycle thousands of miles to visit communities throughout the county were she taught first aid and tended to injured and ill residents.

March 24, 1949 was declared “Sadie North Day” by Mayor Varner. Ted Malone of the American Broadcasting Company presented Miss Sadie with a Good Citizen certificate in a ceremony that was broadcast on over 220 radio stations nationwide.

Life Magazine called Miss Sadie “a 77-year-old dynamo” in a September 8, 1952 pictorial feature showing her mowing her grass with a non-motorized reel mower, weaving, typing, playing the violin, caring for a happy baby, singing in the Methodist church choir, swimming, and pedaling her bicycle down an unpaved road.

Miss Sadie North passed away on October 12, 1966 and is buried at Oak Grove cemetery in Brevard but many still remember Transylvania County’s Red Cross nurse who rode her bicycle all over the county teaching first aid and who taught hundreds to swim at Camp Carolina.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Bill Chappell Part of Fiddling Tradition

Music is an integral part of our local culture. Appalachian mountain music derives from the traditions of the immigrants who came from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales and settled in this region following the Revolutionary War.

The fiddle was typically the instrument of choice among the first settlers. The banjo was introduced to the South through African-American slaves in the 18^th century and gained popularity in the mountains during the 19^th century. The fretted or mountain dulcimer originate in the Appalachian Mountains. It has three or four strings and is traditionally played lying flat on the musicians lap. Other instruments commonly used included the autoharp, mandolin, bass, and guitar.

The ballads and songs are often filled with emotion, telling of relationships, daily struggles, and tragic events. Passed on from generation to generation with each individual performer adding their own unique style the same song may have several variations.

Transylvania County has been and continues to be home to many talented musicians. Fiddler Bill Chappell was well-known throughout the area. He got his start on a gourd fiddle but later bought a Stradivarius or a less expensive imitation. Chappell often played in, and won, fiddle contests. He was known to play up to three straight days at dances “with the help of a little moonshine and seldom a bite to eat” according to a July 29, 1999 Transylvania Times article by Tim Barton. Chappell knew enough tunes to play for hours without repeating the same song.

William Martin Chappell’s obituary states that he passed away shortly after his 100^th birthday on January 23, 1949 but his death certificate and other information list his birth as Christmas Day, 1847 making him 101 at the time of his death.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Lookout Towers Played role in Preserving Forests

Lookout towers played a vital role in forest history for over a half-century. In 1910 the U.S. Forest Service was devastated by the loss of 85 firefighters, 8 billion board feet of timber, and 5 million acres of forest from fires in Montana and Idaho. Fire prevention and control would become an essential piece of forest management.

Lookout towers in Western North Carolina are normally located on the top of high mountain peaks or balds. The first steel fire towers in the state were built in 1928. During the 1930s the CCC constructed numerous towers in the mountains. Some of the towers they built were made of local stone. By 1940 North Carolina had a network of fire lookout towers.

North Carolina’s lookout towers ranged in height from 35 to 120 feet at the base of the cab atop the tower. Cabs varied in size from about 50 to 200 square feet. Fire and communication equipment, along with a bed and stove furnished the small cab. Supplies had to be hauled up a steep staircase that wound up the inside of the steep tower frame.

Fire tower at Toxaway Mountain, 1964.

Towers were typically manned during the fire season, from October through May. Because towers were located on remote, isolated mountaintops watchmen not only worked in the towers but lived there as well. The location of the lookout towers also meant they were exposed to harsh weather conditions of wind, rain, snow and extreme temperatures during the winter months.

Watchmen stationed in the towers kept a sharp eye out for tell-tale smoke. They could plot the location of the fire using a map and compass. If the smoke was visible from multiple towers they used triangulation to determine the exact location. They could contact each other and ground crews by phone or radio to investigate and dispatch fire fighters as needed.

Transylvania County once had five fire lookout towers, located at Fryingpan Mountain, Pilot Mountain, Rich Mountain, Sassafras Mountain, and Toxaway Mountain. The towers at Pilot and Sassafras mountains have been removed. The Sassafras Mountain tower was constructed in 1932 and stood 35 feet.

In 1935 Company 3448 of CCC Camp Sledge in Brevard constructed a 45 foot, 9 inch steel tower and a one-room cabin on Toxaway Mountain. The cost was $880.19. It is one of just two fire lookout towers in Western North Carolina that is still manned.

Rich Mountain lookout tower and watchman's cabin, 1963.

The 35 foot high Rich Mountain tower was also built by the Camp Sledge CCC camp. It was completed in February 1939 and remained in operation into the 1990s.

The Fryingpan Mountain lookout tower on the Transylvania Haywood County line, built in 1941, is accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is 70 feet high, making it the tallest USFS fire tower in Western North Carolina. Like Rich Mountain it was manned into the 1990s.

Today visitors can climb the five flights of stairs and view Cold Mountain across the East Fork of the Pigeon River to the west, Shining Rock Wilderness to the southeast, Looking Glass Rock and John’s Rock to the south, and Mt. Pisgah is just north of the tower. On a really clear day looking northeast Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River is visible 38.4 miles away. The Fryingpan Mountain lookout tower is on the National Historic Lookout Register.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Kersh Drew Cartoons Depicting County's History

In an interview for a 1997 article Kersh told John Lanier
"The Boom Of 1899" was his personal favorite.

Earle Kersh had a 33 year career with Life Magazine before retiring to Brevard in 1972. Kersh had begun his career as an office boy for the magazine. He worked his way up through the organization, ultimately becoming the art director.

Kersh was an amateur artist and from 1974-75 used this talent to create a series of illustrated short historical anecdotes for the Transylvania Times. The column, "Old Transylvania Times", first appeared on November 25, 1974 on the editorial page. Kersh had created 35 sketches which ran through March 1975. At that time Kersh decided he did not want to take on the additional work and felt that local history was being well represented in the newspaper.

Kersh’s sketches feature Native Americans, early settlers and county leaders throughout Transylvania County’s history. They depict boarding houses, buffalo, bushwackers, corn whiskey, country stores, stagecoaches, steamboats, and more.

In 1997 the Transylvania County Joint Historical Preservation Commission (JHPC) published the columns in booklet form. Kersh actually had to redraw the sketches for the booklet as all of the originals had been lost. He used the old newspaper columns for this but there are occasional variations between the newspaper version and those in the booklet.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Architectural Surveys Provide Excellent Information

JHPC (Joint Historical Preservation Commission) architectural survey files are an excellent source of information for historical structures in Transylvania County. Many of the photographs of homes and businesses used in Picturing the Past articles are from the countywide architectural survey taken between September 1990 and September 1991.

Structures surveyed included both small and large buildings on farms and in town,
such as the privy (left) on the Looney Banther farm in the Whitewater section of the
county and the former Brevard Lumber building on King St. in Brevard.

An outside consultant, along with local history experts, combed the county identifying properties that were at least 50 years old and that retained their historic and architectural integrity.

After the survey was completed an overview of the county’s history from about 1820 to 1941 was published. It was divided into four periods defined by events that strongly affected the development, culture, and architecture of the county. In addition, more than 50 local properties were added to a state-maintained study list identifying properties eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Close-ups of architectural details are reflected in some images,
like this carved sunburst bracket support on the overhang of the
polygonal bay windows of the Fitzgerald Patton House located behind Bi-Lo.

In 1995 the Transylvania County Joint Historic Preservation Commission began working on a book based on the survey data prepared by the consultant. “Transylvania: The Architectural History of a Mountain County” was published in 1998. It features over 200 of the county’s finest and most representative historic properties.

Exterior shots are included for all structures
as well as some interior shots (below), like Faith Chapel in Cedar Mountain.

Files for all 489 properties are located in the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room at the Transylvania County Library. Nearly 1,500 images from these properties representing Balsam Grove, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Lake Toxaway, Penrose, Pisgah Forest, Rosman and other areas of the county are now available online at DigitalNC.org. Hundreds of images depicting farm buildings—barns, chicken houses, corn cribs, silos, smokehouses, and spring houses—reflect the county’s agricultural roots. Bridges, businesses, camps, cemeteries, churches, gauging stations, mills, and residential homes are among the other structures included in the survey.

The property files also contain corresponding data which architectural descriptions, family names, historical background, and locations. Interns from Rosman High School and Brevard College are currently working to scan this supporting information which will then be added to the photographs on DigitalNC.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Sid Barnett and Sons Were Talented Tradesmen

Industry, large and small, has played a major role in the development of Transylvania County. Throughout the mid- and late-20^th century Ecusta and DuPont were the largest industries and major employers in the county but there have been, and continue to be, numerous other local industries and manufacturers.

Branson’s North Carolina Business Directories from the mid- and late-19^th century list blacksmithing and wheelwrighting, carpentry, gun and silversmithing, millwrighting, saddles and harness, wagon and buggy, and wool carding as types of manufactories in Transylvania County. In addition grist, saw, and planing mills are listed. Listings include the name of the proprietor and the post office for the business.

The 1890 directory lists Brevard Lumber and Mfg. Co. owned by T.L. Clark, H.L. Pixly, and L.G. Siniard and a tannery owned by C.C. Patton. These show the direction local industry would move during the early- to mid-20th century when logging, lumber, and tanning became the major local industries. Joseph Silversteen and Louis Carr provided employment for hundreds of local workers for about 50 years. For shorter periods Brevard Tannin, Moltz Lumber, and Shaffer Lumber also ran businesses related to the logging industry.

Other local manufacturers established in the early 1900s included Wheeler Hosiery (featured last week), Pisgah Mills, and Barnett’s Machine Shop.

Barnett's Machine Shop

Sid Barnett was the head machinist for Brevard Tannin. When the tannin plant closed Barnett bought the lathes and welding machines and opened his own shop at the intersection of Hendersonville Hwy and Wilson Road in 1923.

A November 23, 1939 Transylvania Times article announced the Barnett’s Machine Shop was being updated with new ultra-modern machines, including lathes, gear cutters, and planing mills. A new 300-amp portable electric Westinghouse welding machine was now available for off-site jobs. Barnett had also recently added space to the shop and a new supply building. He had 11 employees at the time.

Inside Banett's Machine Shop. Jim Lyday is second from left.

For nearly 80 years farmers, mechanics and businesses throughout the area relied on Barnett’s to custom built anything they needed made of metal and for metal repair work. After Sid retired his son Ned took over operation of the shop. Barnett’s Machine Shop closed in 2000.

With the recent demolition of the old shop several members of the Transylvania County Historical Society shared memories of visits to Barnett’s. Keith Parker described a “long drive shaft along the ceiling driven by an old engine out back (model A perhaps) with different belts coming down to drive lathes, drills and other machines as needed. Today safety laws would never permit such but I was fascinated by it all and how smoothly it ran.” Mac Morrow added that, “Ned changed over to Bridgeport mills and CNC lathes by 1976.”

Jim Lyday’s grandfather, also Jim Lyday, was Barnett’s first employee. He worked as a lathe operator at the shop for over 30 years until retiring at the age of 75. Gene Baker remembered another long time employee, Fred Gillespie. Gillespie was the caterpillar mechanic.

All agreed that Barnett, his sons and employees all had reputations as highly respected, gifted and talented tradesmen.

Monday, September 26, 2016

County Had Hosiery Mills in Rosman

Stock certificate for Rosman Knitting.

Hosiery mills were a common industry during the first half of the 20^th century. There were well over a hundred hosiery mills in North Carolina. Although the majority were located in Alamance, Guilford, Catawba, Randolph, Davidson, and Burke Counties there were two hosiery mills in Transylvania County.

The Rosman Knitting Mill operated for only a couple of years in the 1930s but Wheeler Hosiery was a thriving business in Brevard for 18 years.

Alfred W. Wheeler had worked for Chipman Knitting of Pennsylvania before owning and operating a hosiery mill in East Flat Rock. In 1936 he leased, and later purchased, the Joiner Building on West Main Street in Brevard. Wheeler’s son, George, supervised remodeling and machinery installation. George Wheeler managed the plant which employed approximately 70 people.

The former Wheeler Hosiery building is Rice Furniture today.

Within two years the Wheelers had purchased the Kilpatrick Building on Caldwell Street in order to expand production of high grade full fashioned silk hosiery for women. They installed dye and finishing equipment allowing their product to be market ready from Brevard. Employment was increase to about 85 people, working three shifts.

Originally the hosiery was made of rayon, before switching to nylon. During WWII the military used nylon for parachutes so the hosiery industrial returned to using rayon and cotton for their products. Wheeler also changed to 12-hour shifts during WWII.

In 1947 workers at the mill voted 54 to 24 to join the American Federation of Hosiery Workers labor union. In October 1951 Chipman Knitting purchased Wheeler Hosiery. They continued to operate it under the Wheeler name.

The Winter-Spring 1953 Employment Security Commission of North Carolina newsletter stated that Wheeler’s Hosiery “operated 72 full fashioned hosiery machines producing ladies’ hosiery, chief brand of which is Wheeler. Products are sold to jobbers, chain stores, and department stores.”

Wheeler Hosiery closed in October 1954 due to over-production and the need for machinery upgrades. The mill employed 60 people at that time. In April 1955 there was an attempt to re-open the mill. It appears they were unsuccessful as the 12,500 square foot building was sold to Pearlman’s Furniture in June 1956.

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