In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Oct. 3, 2012, Scout: The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals once again was trying to stop the Possum Drop on New Year’s Eve in Brasstown. This time, the animal rights group sued the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission over organizer Clay Logan’s trapping of an opossum for the annual event. Update: A state law was later approved making all possum hunts legal during that time period, but the event shut down a few years ago anyway – with PETA fighting the Possum Drop all the way to its end.
- The Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department was approved to add rescue services, such as extracting people trapped inside vehicles after accidents.
- Cherokee Scout columnist Wally Avett wrote about how there was a whole lot of vote buying during past elections in Cherokee County, which included alcohol and folding money.
- The Scout’s series on local communities highlighted Bellview, where some businesses found success on the highway to Blairsville, Ga.
Oct. 4, 2012, Journal: An early morning fire destroyed a mobile home in Marble. “The cause is going to be undetermined because there’s nothing left,” Valleytown Fire Chief Steve Bias said.
- Ray Frazier, a board member with the Andrews Volunteer Fire Department, questioned whether the Valleytown Volunteer Fire Department should also operate a rescue squad.
25 years ago – Oct. 1, 1997, Scout: An autopsy on 5-year-old Jacob Krause of Bellview led to the arrest of his caretaker – David Clinton England, 25, of Murphy, who was charged with second-degree murder.
- Alex Bryant, 18, and Ryan O’Keefe, 16, facing murder charges in the death of Cherokee County pawn shop owner Daniel Green, were formally charged with the shooting death. The state was seeking the death penalty against Bryant, but O’Keefe was a juvenile.
- The Shields family of Ranger was named the Mountain Region Conservation Farm Family of the Year by the N.C. Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. Update: The Shields family still operates the local dairy farm.
Oct. 2, 1997, Journal: Nord Davis Jr., who was well known as head of the patriotic group Northport Teams, died from cancer at age 65. He was buried on private property off of Flying Colors Drive in Andrews.
- Andrews’ newly hired water and sewer clerk decided she didn’t want to move from Asheville after all, so the board of aldermen hired local resident Jamie Simpson instead.
50 years ago – Oct. 5, 1972, Scout: A Haywood County insurance salesman became the first traffic fatality of the year when his car plunged down a bank and crashed into a tree between Marble and Murphy.
- Clay County started construction of a new jail, with local vocational students helping along the way.
- John Boring was selected by the Cherokee County Democratic Party to fill the unexpired term of the late Commissioner W.T. Moore.
Oct. 3, 1972, Journal: Glennson “Dude” Hardin was out on a $2,000 bond after being charged with several felony counts following a raid of his home and property on Beaver Creek. About 50 pounds of unharvested marijuana was discovered in the raid. Update: Many locals say “Dude” was the most feared man in town.
- A very hot, smoky fire damaged both the Andrews Florist Shop and adjoining Ledford Cleaners on Main Street in Andrews. Quick repairs were made, and only one customer’s clothing was ruined.
– Publisher David Brown