In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Dec. 18, 2013, Scout: Defensive end Malachi Beaver led the charge in stopping a two-point conversion attempt as Murphy held on for a 35-34 win over Plymouth in the 1A state championship football game. Update: The Bulldogs’ Class of 2014 finished with a school-record 51 wins to go along with four Western Regional titles and two state championships.
- Cherokee County emergency crews worked throughout the night, in freezing temperatures, after a tanker carrying more than 8,000 gallons of gasoline overturned on U.S. 64 West in Murphy. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and no residents had to be evacuated despite “a little bit of a challenge,” as Murphy Fire Chief Al Lovingood put it.
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ lawsuit against the infamous Possum Drop at Clay’s Corner in Brasstown continued after a court rejected a motion to dismiss filed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Update: PETA had been challenging the use of a live opossum at the event, which is no longer held, for more than a decade.
Dec. 19, 2013, Journal: Joel Deese of Ranger, a local officer for almost seven years, was promoted to Andrews police chief. “I want to do the Lord’s will,” Deese said.
- Lea-Anna Stafford, 20, of Andrews, suffered a severe asthma attack on Dec. 3 that left her in a coma for five days. But in a modern-day Christmas miracle, she was able to spend the holiday with her family.
25 years ago – Dec. 16, 1998, Scout: Morris Vaughn Hughes, 53, of Murphy, was a “victim of fire” when the doublewide mobile home he was staying in caught fire. Johnny Haigler, owner of the home, escaped the blaze.
- Students from Murphy Elementary School suffered only minor injuries when their bus collided with a tractor-trailer on U.S. 19/129 near the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department. Shortly after that wreck, another tractor-trailer jackknifed and ended up in a nearby ditch while trying to avoid the crashed vehicles.
- The Cherokee County Board of Education set the 1998-99 budget at $22.5 million, a 5.6 percent overall increase from the previous year.
Dec. 17, 1998, Journal: Three fugitives captured in Graham County may have had stealing in Cherokee County on their minds, as photos of local businesses were found during the raid.
- The Andrews Board of Aldermen considered refunding deposits for town water service if the customers paid on time for a certain period.
50 years ago – Dec. 20, 1973, Scout: The Native Textiles plant in Murphy, originally known as Rimco, was closing down. About 98 local residents were looking for jobs as a result.
- Ervin Whitener of Boiling Springs escaped from Haywood County Prison – for a second time – only to be captured without incident. He was in jail on a manslaughter conviction.
- Nada Pullium was the first woman hired to work at the Murphy Police Department. She was going to answer the phone, plus serve as a records clerk and dispatcher, freeing officers from duties at the station.
Dec. 19, 1973, Journal: This edition is sadly missing from our files.
– Publisher David Brown