In this week’s archives of the Cherokee Scout and Andrews Journal:
10 years ago – Sept. 14, 2011, Scout: Jimmy Dwight Crocker Jr., 43, of Murphy, was facing charges in the death of Amy Sue Hughes, who allegedly fell from and was run over by a vehicle he was driving on Spur 60 in Culberson.
- Murphy Middle School Principal Barry McClure was named the 2012 Principal of the Year. He was twice elected Teacher of the Year earlier. Update: McClure serves on the Murphy Town Council today.
- Workers with the N.C. Department of Transportation were straightening the curve on the well-traveled N.C. 294 in Hiwassee Dam.
Sept. 15, 2011, Journal: The idea of having a second ABC store in Andrews was criticized by the public. Update: A second store wasn’t opened, but the existing store did later move to U.S. 19/74.
- Many local residents reported hearing a loud explosion when a medical-grade oxygen tank was shot by someone with a high-powered rifle on Piercy Road.
25 years ago – Sept. 11, 1996, Scout: The book Summer of My German Soldier stayed on Cherokee County Schools’ reading list, despite some parents questioning the “unsavory language.”
- Shawn Michael McGrady, 21, was planning to contest being charged with involuntary manslaughter in an accident that claimed the life of Marvin Lovin of Murphy.
- Former Marble resident Matthias Ward, 14, drowned in the Mississippi River after he was caught in a strong current.
- Place kicker David Badger propelled Murphy to a 9-3 win over Smoky Mountain under the Friday night football lights. Update: Badger is Cherokee County’s health director today.
Sept. 12, 1996, Journal: Murphy native Deborah Rogers was found dead in her home, and her 14-year-old juvenile son was charged with shooting her after an argument.
- Parents and citizens met at Andrews High School and declared that corporal punishment is necessary to keep students in line.
50 years ago – Sept. 16, 1971, Scout: The Cherokee County Board of Elections was thinking about filing a lawsuit against county commissioners over paying the full salary of executive secretary Nada Pullium.
- Red Schuyler, advertising manager for the Scout, found illegal marijuana in a vehicle his son – Chris Schuyler, a Murphy High School graduate – was hired by an insurance company to drive back from Oklahoma. No charges were filed in the unwitting incident.
- The Henn Theatre was showing the Dick Van Dyke comedy movie Cold Turkey, in which Americans tried to quit smoking for 30 days in order to win $25 million.
Sept. 15, 1971, Journal: Mr. and Mrs. Eldridge Bateman, formerly of Nantahala, opened a new store in Andrews with musical instruments, fishing and hunting gear, and sports equipment.
- A picture of the 1905 Andrews baseball team found its way into print, one of the oldest known photos in Cherokee County.
- The Andrews football team was featured in the Asheville Citizen-Times as a “Smoky power,” which sparked community pride in the Wildcats’ coaches and players.
– David Brown