In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – June 20, 2012, Scout: George Bookwalter, 47, of Murphy, was killed when his pickup ran off U.S. 64 West near Arby’s restaurant. The cause of the wreck was undetermined.
- Shawn Morrow, 37, of Murphy, was killed when a tree damaged by the tornado in March fell down and rolled over him while he was cutting trees at a home near Doyle’s Cedar Hill Restaurant on Andrews Road.
- Debbie Thigpen, 51, of Murphy, set a new world record for her age group with a bench-press of 135 pounds. She won a total of five titles and world records during the Southern Powerlifting Federation’s national championships.
June 21, 2012, Journal: Husband and wife Cody and Megan Rogers were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide at their home in Stecoah. Megan, 23, was a graduate of the Andrews High School Class of 2007.
- Before U.S. Marine Michael Reid of Andrews became a paramedic, he served with President George W. Bush’s helicopter squad.
- Former Huddle House employee Wayland Joseph Davis of Andrews was charged with robbing the restaurant while using a shotgun at 3:30 a.m.
25 years ago – June 18, 1997, Scout: Cherokee County was working to recycle more in an effort to meet a state requirement to lower the amount of garbage in the landfill.
- Raymond R. Maney, 37, of Murphy, was behind bars in Fannin County, Ga., after being accused of theft, forgery and burglary. He was captured after fleeing on foot with a small box of yellow pills on him.
- Local attorneys, as well as the Cherokee Scout, encouraged the 30th Prosecutorial District to be split into two districts – with Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon and Swain countries in one, Haywood and Jackson in the other. Update: The Scout has continued to endorse this proposal over the years.
June 19, 1997, Journal: Six people were arrested outside of Sunland Subdivision in Andrews after two gun-related incidents, with one shot being fired that hit a bystander in the hand.
- The 40th edition of the Western North Carolina Wagon Train prepared to head out for another horse-riding adventure.
50 years ago – June 22, 1972, Scout: The Cherokee Scout sponsored a survey of direct dialing and Westco Telephone Co. flunked, with calls only having a 57 percent chance of success. Update: Public hearings were set on proposed rate increases by Westco and Western Carolina Telephone.
- Dr. Walter Mauney of Murphy broke his leg when his vehicle collided with a tree on the grounds of Murphy Elementary School. No charges were filed.
- The Scout’s Ridgerunner column talked about finding 200 pounds of marijuana in Andrews. One officer jokingly suggested that the weed be sold to pay for a new radio system.
June 21, 1972, Journal: The Wildcat Club in Andrews was sponsoring the charitable giveaway of a 1972 Ford Pinto sports model. Tickets were $2 each or three for $5.
- Doris Teas, a native of Andrews, made the cut for the semifinal round of the Tennessee State Women’s Golf Championship.
Modern update: “This Week in Local History” on June 8 included an item about Cal’s Supermarket in Murphy being robbed of $2,000 in cigarettes and change. Steven Stiles, 19, of Murphy, was arrested a week later and charged with stealing 850 cartons of smokes.
Stiles came to the Cherokee Scout office on June 14 and shared the official court document that he was found not guilty of the “trumped up” charge on Nov. 8, 1972. After attending Tri-County Community College, Stiles worked with Lockheed Martin in Georgia for many years before retiring to Blairsville a year ago.
In Cherokee County, history comes to life every week. Thanks for stopping by, Steven, and congratulations for not letting that teenage incident affect the rest of your life.
– Publisher David Brown