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Entered at Post Office. Franklin. N. C.. u second claaa matter
Published every Tburma?y by The Franklin Pre?
Franklin, If. C. Telephone 24
NoW for the next hundred years!
But before we start that, please, time for a deep
breath !
Talk about working together: Even the weather
was cooperative.
Well, we "lived through it", but the be-bonneted
and the be-bearded literally "never will look the
same".
Progress picture of the week: Town officials, a
long with employes, after a hard day's work, out
between midnight and 2 a. m. scrubbing the streets.
Our Centennial
Well, it .was Franklin's birthday, but it was all
Macon County's party ? and what a party it was!
It was everybody's celebration, and everybody
helped make it the outstanding success it was.
From the lowliest citizen at the head of the farth
est Macon County creek to the governor of the
state, from the tiniest baby in the parade to Frank
lin's five nonagenarians (what memories they must
have had as they paraded, heads held high, to the
cheers of a thrilled crowd!), there was perfect co
operation.
And so this piece will list no particular individ
uals as due the credit. Not that there aren't names
that should be singled out for praise; the trouble is
there are so many who did so much, a complete list
would have no end. A few persons, of course, had
to carry most of the responsibility and do more
than their share of the work, but they would be the
first to say that all their planning, all their efforts,
would have been valueless without the read}- coop
eration and the enthusiastic interest of people
throughout this county.
As the chairman of one important feature of the
observance put it, when he was congratulated on its
success: "Don't congratulate, me: congratulate the
people of Macon County ? they did it."
? ? ?
Three full days, with Franklin crowded as it has
never been crowded before ? thousands of people
here for three full days, with never a fight, never
an accident, never even the semblance of disorder.
What a commentary that is on the character and
the high standards of citizenship of Macon County
people !
? * *
The celebration not only was what one tourist
called it, "a good show" ; it demonstrated a lot of
things.
Among others, it proved, once again, that people
here are quick to recognize ability and worth, re
gardless of other things ; and that this community
has a remarkable facility in absorbing new blood
and new ideas, and making them its own.
Because it so happens that the co-chairmen of the
event ? the men who got such marvelous coopera
tion from the people of the entire county ? are
both relative newcomers here. Yet no fifth genera
tion descendant of the pioneer settlers could have
been more insistent than these two that the celebra
tion should be genuine, should reflect the real tra
ditions and flavor of this tradition-respecting and
flavorsome place.
Perhaps the parade was no better than other
features : perhaps it came in for such lavish praise
because it was the most spectacular feature. How
ever that may be, persons who had seen mammoth
parades, costing tens of thousands of dollars, in
great cities remarked that this one was as fine as
any the* had ever seen. It was so fine because it
was in such perfect keeping with the spirit of the
occasion, btcause it so truthfully portrayed the his
tory of a century in this particular spot.
? ? ?
That parade, incidentally, quite possibly was the
last link between a Franklin and a Macon County
long afflicted with an inferiority complex and the
confident, wholesome, happy Franklin and Macon
County of the future. Because people here proved
to the world, and to themselves, that, with no
outside aid, they have the originality, the ingenuity,
and the willingness to take painstaking care that
make it possible for them to do a really superb job,
whatever they set their hands to.
A Good Neighbor
One of those who would have delighted most in
the Centennial celebration lacked a few days of
living to see it. Though he was not a native, Rufus
Coleman Green was the very embodiment of some
of the finest traditions, some of the distinctive
traits of Macon County people.
Born in the Green's Creek community, in Jackson
County, he spent most of his life here. Self-taught,
he became a fine craftsman in wood and an expert
machinist, one who was satisfied with nothing
short of excellence. He was something of a pioneer,
too, in experimenting with new gadgets and meth
ods. adding to the skill of his hands the aid of
whatever was best and latest in equipment.
Another side of his nature was not so well
known, perhaps, because of his retiring nature. It
was illustrated, a good many years ago, when he
learned a competitive shop was about to open here.
Immediately he called on his competitor to offer
aid in setting up the new shop.
"And", recalled the competitor the other day, "he
always was ready to help, anybody, at any time" ?
a true good neighbor.
? Letters
A HAND FOR MR. BRADY
Editor, The Press:
I think the people of Macon County should be proud of and
take their hats off to J. P. Brady and Holland McSwain for
being head of and putting over one of the best events Frank
lin has ever had, the Centennial celebration. It was a great
success.
While a lot of people are due credit, all agree that Mr.
Brady was on the job, all the time, everywhere. Let's give him
a hand.
PRELO DRYMAN
SAYS MASON'S DON'T OWN IT
Dear Weimar:
Seeing that the Masons are planning to tear down the old
hall reminds me of the story I am going to tell you: ?
It seems the Masons do not own the Masonic Temple. Many
years ago, Jule Robinson and I tried to buy the building from
the Masons. We were part of the group which started the
Franklin Library and kept it going for many years. Uncle
John Cunningham, who will still be remembered by many of
our older Franklin residents, told us that the land had been
donated by Captain Addington. The building was put up by
an organization called "Sons of " (I cannot re
member the rest of the name, but Uncle John was the last
survivor of that group). He 'said that the lower floor was
to be used as a schoolroom, and the upper for the Masonic
Temple. According to the terms of the gift of the land, if
at any time the building was abandoned for school pur
poses, it was to revert to the Addington heirs.
With that information, Uncle John urged us to see if we
could buy it for the Library while he was still alive to vouch
for this story. We approached prominent members of the
lodge, but they were not willing to turn loose of something,
even though they did not own it.
I can understand people not wanting to see the old build
ing torn down, and I have always wanted the library to own
it. I feel that now is the time for the Masons to get out and
go build their own. I can swear to the truth of what I am
writing.
Very truly,
KATE R. HOBART
San Diego, Calif.,
June 12, 1955,
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The name of the organization to which
Mrs. Hobart refers was "Sons of Temperance".)
OTHERS' OPINIONS
About Our Centennial
HEART OF AMERICA
(Asheville Times, June 15)
THE THREE-DAY celebration of the centennial of Frank
lin, countyseat of Macon County, starts tomorrow. In that ex
cited community this is a stupendous event packed with thrills
and historical significance, pride and love for a noble past,
fond hopes and courageous plans for a brighter future. All
of North Carolina, and particularly this great mountain re
gion, has a deep interest in this gala birthday party.
The entire program for this great shindig is typical of the
town of Franklin and the independent folks thereof. This
affair is strictly of and by the people of the community.
They're putting on the whole show themselves. They wouldn't
consider professional direction, high pressure promotions,
gaudy carnival stuff or a honky-tonk midway. If it's a bit
homespun, says the Centennial committee, so much the bet
ter?that'll be the Franklin spirit of 1855.
? ? ? .
The Franklin Press, edited by Weimar Jones, has published
an elaborate "Franklin Centennial Edition" which is not only
a magnificent program and promotion for the celebration but
an attractive and comprehensive history of the Franklin com
munity from its earliest days until now.
Everybody, everywhere, of course, is Invited to this celebra
tion. Read a portion of the official invitation which takes
up a full page of The Franklin Press:
"An Invitation . . .
"Perhaps there is no better way for us to phrase this in
vitation than to revert to the picturesque Elizabethan English
once common here in the mountains.
"In that sturdy mountain speech of the long ago, then ?
"This here's yore Invite to our Franklin Centennial Cele
bration, June 16, 17, 18.
"We'd shoire be proud to have ye.
"Hit'll start soon In the mornln' on Thursday, so aim to git
here the day before. And they hain't no tellin' when ltH wind
up Saturday night, so don't be in no hurry to git back home.
"Fact is, when you get here, we hope you'll set a spell.
8tay all summer, why don't you?
"So . . .
"You'uns come, and bring the young'uns ? and if you can't
come, write ?
"Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Franklin, N. C."
* ? ?
This century-old town, by the way, now has a population of
2,550. In 1920 the population was 773, in 1890 it was 281. It's a
growing place these days. Governor Hodges will dedicate
Franklin's new town hall tomorrow.
One of the grandest things about Franklin is that it has
a community flavor, spirit and character all Its own. Editor
Jones has put it in these words in his Centennial Edition
editorial:
. . of all the things bequeathed to us by the old Frank
lin, the most important were intangible ? a sense of honesty
and of honor, the courage to face and overcome obstacles,
and thirst for knowledge and respect for the free mind. From
the very first, parents here have sent their sons and daugh
ters to college. And always there have been among us those
who questioned, those who refused to accept a thing Just be
come somebody said it was true.
? * ?
"In travail, yesterday gave birth to today. And today is
the parent of tomorrow.
"The first of these truths inspires gratitude.
"The second carries with it responsibility."
Hello, free America, come over and get acquainted with a
magnificent little mountain town chip off the most inde
pendent and courageous portion of the old block. Where is
the real heart and spirit and glory of the true America to
day?
It can be found in a lot of places all over the land. But
for the next three days, at least, there's no more promising
spot to look for it than in Franklin, N. C.
FAITHFUL TO SPIRIT
(Asheville Citizen, June 18)
. . of all the things bequeathed to us by the old
Franklin , the most important were intangible? a sense of
honesty and of honor, the courage to face and overcome
obstacles, and thirst for knowledge and respect for the free
mind. From the very first, parents here have sent their
sons and daughters to college. And always there have
been among us those who questioned, those who refused
to accept a thing just because somebody said it was true."
? Editorial, in centennial edition, The Franklin Press.
* * *
Today is the first of the three days of the celebration
Franklin, countyseat of Macon County, is holding as that
thriving town's centennial. Those who have observed some
of the preparations will tell you that it is not to be just an
other municipal anniversary occasion. And those who have
read even casually the centennial edition of The Franklin Press
will support the verdict that not often, indeed rarely, have a
community and its newspaper so well succeeded in trans
mitting to the outward and visible program the inner spirit
and tradition of that which they celebrate.
They are celebrating in Franklin those things which The
Press's editor, Weimar Jones, so aptly expresses in the words
quoted at the top of this article. They are remembering, and
they are also depicting in numerous artistic ways, the life,
the environment but above all the character and sagacious
courage of the pioneer settlers of Franklin 100 years ago.
With materials for the centennial close around them, and
particularly with a community whose people are still in large
measure homogeneous, old and new families of the town and
county admirably planned and brought forth a centennial
faithful to the pioneer independence, to the spirit of do it
yourself or with the help of the neighbors.
The centennial reveals no highpower promotion, no up-to
the minute advertising slogans ? even the advertisements in
The Press are as carefully written as the text of that news
paper's history of Franklin past and present. In pictures and
general typography, the centennial edition is marked by a
high order of excellence.
The centennial celebration is worthy of big attendance
from all the other Western North Carolina communities.
CONGRATULATIONS FROM HAYWOOD
(Waynesville Mountaineer, June 13)
Our neighboring county seat of Franklin, just across the
Cowee Mountain, is all set for a colorful and exciting ob
servance of their centennial on Thursday to Saturday of
this week. ^
The program as published in the current issue of The
Franklin Press gives promise of being full of interest from
beginning to end. There will be parades, a centennial king and
queen, together with the Brushy Brothers and Belles of the
Bustle. We have seen a few of the men with their beards
and hats which were the vogue 100 years ago, and this much
must be said of the citizens of Franklin, they are going all the
way in the matter of making the occasion authentic.
Governor Hodges will be the speaker in Thursday after
noon, with festivities every night and activities throughout
all three days.
Hie program should induce hundreds of former Frank
linians back home for the three days, in addition to drawing
scores of nearby neighbors.
The history of Franklin is extremely interesting, and from
recent activities in the~fcusiness and civic life of the town, the
future is extremely bright.
From Haywood goes warm congratulations on this important
occasion, and best wishes for many, many successful years of
progresBive growth and prosperity.
News Making
As It Looks
To A Maconite
? By BOB SbOAN
The Centennial, to sum it up,
surpassed everyone's expectations,
I think. The town of Franklin
owes the people of Macon County
a great big vote of thanks for &
wonderful celebration.
Individuals who worked long,
hard and unselfishly to get the
big job done are too numerous to
mention.
It may seem a little out of
place, but, be that as it may. I
would like to single out one per
son who I think made the Cen
tennia) possible
? John Brady.
When any
phase of the
program began
to lag, he mov
ed in and got
things rolling
again.
Early in the
planning of
this program
an individual,
representing a
Sloan
company that makes a business
of staging programs similar to the
one we had, offered to stage our
Centennial for a fee of $5000. In
discussing the matter with Mr.
Brady, the company representa
tive said that we could not piit
on the celebration without some
professional aid, that unless some
company was hired to do the job,
the show would be a flop. Brady,
with something of a defiant at
titude, told the man he could and
would.
Nothing would ever give me
more pleasure than to have had
that man spend last Thursday,
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
here. He would not have gone to
the barbecue; he would be too
full from eating crow. Without
belittling the work done by many,
many others, I think that we all
owe John Brady a big round of
applause ? Bud, my hat's off to
you.
? * *
I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank everyone
who took part or watched the pa
rade. It was the finest coopera
tion I have ever seen. Many, many
people have spoken of the orderly
manner of the crowds who viewed
the parade. I have told them it
was just our "Macon County man
ners."
Again, thanks to all the wond
erful people who worked so hard
to make the parade possible.
Do You
Remember?
(Looking backward through
the files of The Press)
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Mrs. J. B. Hardman, of Har
mony Grove, Ga., arrived Mon
day evening to spend a few
weeks with her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. H. G. Trotter.
Mrs. James S. Coleman and
Miss Sarah Coleman, of Ashe
ville, are here to attend the
Elias-Jones wedding, and to
visit relatives a few days.
E. D. Franks has resigned as
carrier of R. F. D. No. 1, route,
and R. M. Ledford has been ap
pointed to succeed him. Mr.
Ledford entered upon his duties
Friday last.
25 YEARS AGO
Miss Emily Burnside, of Troy,
S. C., has accepted a position
as stenographer to Mr. Frank
Cook. ? Highlands Item.
Mr. Geronimo Ray, brother of
J. Frank Ray, Jr., is visiting
relatives in Franklin and ex
pects to be here for several
weeks. This Is Mr. Ray's first
visit to Macon County In 11
years. He has Been employed
in the State of Washington.
Another name for the Frank
lin Terrace is Honeymoon Hill.
Three brides and grooms are
spending their honeymoons at
this popular resort hotel.
10 TEARS AGO
Miss Joan Wlckenden, of
Chichester, England, and S/Sgt.
Rafe B. Teague, of Prentiss,
Macon County, were married at
St. Bartholomews in Chichester
on March 19.
Mrs. Eva Mae Porter, of
Washington, D. C., has been
spending several days with her
sister, Mrs. Carl Cabe, and Mr.
Cabe, and her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. St. Clair Anderson, before
going to Berkley, Calif., where
she will enter the University of
California.
Dr. and Mrs. Clark Foreman
and children are here for the
season and have opened the
Foreman summer home In Lin
denwood Park. ? Highlands Item.