Newspapers / The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, … / March 15, 1956, edition 1 / Page 17
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???- THE WAYNESVILLE MOUNTAINEER J. T. Bridges Found Happiness In Setting Type About Haywood Folk Veteran Printer Operated First Linotype Here Bjr W. CURTIS RUSS James Thomas Bridges, an 84 year-old retired printer, has a memory like an elephant. He never forgets. I learned this 25 years ago when I came to work on The Mountaineer. I was told early the first day: "If you want to know the initials of any person, or their address in Haywood, just ask Mr. Bridges." The possessor of this keen memory retired from active work in the composing room nine years ago. Needless to say, "the walking encyclopaedia" has been missed many, many times. The original plans were to write this story near July 13?his birth day, but after learning he now bad more time on his hands for an interview than he' would have later, the date for the story was stepped up. When his 84th birth day rolls around in July he plans to be pretty busy. He has a lot of fishing plans, and a schedule that is designed to make up for some time which he missed a few years ago. Then too, even with his good memory, it might be difficult to get him to talk as much about the past in the middle of the fishing season. Mr. Bridges would not spin a yarn about fishing, no sir, but then after all. he reserves the right as a fisherman to discuss the sub ject in his own way, using such figures and facts as he deems necessary for the moment. He came to Haywood from Pisgah forest in 1885, where he was born, (1872) and attended school here, working part-time in the woolen mill operated and owned by his father. Thomas Yancey Bridges and D. M. Killian. The plant was about where the J. T. BRIDGES Ice Plant now stands. At the age of 18 he had seen enough of the printing office, then owned By J. D. Boone and Z. V. Rogers, to feel he would like to be a printer. The more he thought of print ing, the less interested he became in his part-time job in the woolen mill. He applied for a job in the printing office and was hired as a type setter. His interest in print ing enabled him to catch on fast. He set type under the red glow of a kerosene lamp nine hours a day for a salary of $5 per month. A greener pasture loomed on the horizon, as a job as linesman for the local telephone company opened up. The firm was owned by the late S. C- Satterthwaite and John Swift. The telephone company was rapidly expanding, and he helped build the line to Dillsboro. He strung more wire than any other man, and climbed every telephone pole between Waynesville and Can ton. Bobby Howell, Jonathans Creek, was the other lineman. In 1894 he married Miss Sarah Rixie Miller, and he decided that perhaps he had better go on back to the printing office, because he had never been quite as happy elsewhere. He kept on setting type, and preparing forms for the men to use on the press. He knew presses, but was so fast at setting type that he seldom ran a press. In 1905 the shop turned to the mechanical age, and bought a Lino type machine. Mr. Bridges helped the factory man install the intricate machine, and learned to operate it in a short time. He operated this'machine until it was traded for another in 1937, and he called the Linotype "Old Maude." He gave several reasons for picking such a name, but always clarified it by adding, "it was just a fool notion." Linotype operators were scarce, and once when Mr. Bridges was serving on the grand jury, the new operator could not get the machine to work all day, and had to wait for Mr. Bridges to get off from court and tighten one small screw. Mr. Bridges trained several men on the Linotype, and he kept on setting type, often for two news papers, which were printed in the q(me plant. * About 1914 he and the publisher did not agree as to salary, so Mr. Bridges decided to go into the lumber business. The man that replaced Mr. Bridges in the newspaper compos ing room did not have the ex perience necessary for the job, and instead of the paper coming out on Thursday, it was still on the press Saturday afternoon. The press was hand operated, and a large Negro turned the crank that powered the press. The press aoted as if it had brakes on. Mr. Bridges took one look at the stubborn machine, and then whispered to the Negro: "Get a wrench and turn that bolt a half turn to the left and see what happens." The bolt was turned and the press rolled like a new one. Mr. Bridges had been at the lumber plant two weeks when the publisher qame for him, pleading that he return to work. The en tire composing room staff was out with flu. Mr. Bridges went on back, did all the mechanical work, got the paper out on time, and stayed on until 1918, when Uncle Sam needed Linotype operators in the Govern ment Printing Office in Washing ton. The Kaizer was playing havoc in France and Mr. Bridges felt he had to go to Washington to do his part in winning the war, and as he put it, "our son Henry was over there, too." When he returned from Wash ington his job in Waynesville was filled, so he worked in Canton that summer, coming back to the publisher, J. D. Boone that fall. Mr. Bridges is a modest man, and keeps his opinions pretty much to himself, but when asked for an expression, you'll get one, but per haps not always what you might expect?he gives it straight. That leads up to the time when he was fired?the first time he was ever fired. He tells it: "I was working for W. A. Band, and it was during the hot A1 Smith and Herbert Hoover election' cam paign. Mr. Band was for Smith, and I could not agree# but I kept quiet about the matter. "When Mr. Band asked me how I was going to vote, I'told him very politely that although a Demo crat, I would be forced to cast my vote for Mr. Smith's opponent. I was told I would not be needed any longer." In a few weeks, however, the publisher was back begging the Linotype operator to return to work?the election was over. He remained on the newspaper until he retired in November 1947. He helped move the plant to about .eight different places in (Continued on page 8) FERGUSON RAMEY COMPLETING AIR FORCE BASIC TRAINING at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, are Arnold H. Ferguson (left), son of Mrs. Violet Ilannah'of Waynesville, and James L, Ramey, brother of Jack Ramey of Lake Junaluska. Federation Stockholders Meeting Set Here Saturday The Annual Farmers Federation stockholder meeting for Haywood County will be held Saturday, March 17th, beginning at 10 a.m. In the Waynesville Store, It has been announced by James Mc Clure Clarke, Farmers Federation Executive Vice-President. The Waynesville and Canton Store committees will be up fors re-election at which time new members may be added to the committees. One county director will be nominated and voted upon at the annua) meeting of all Farmers Federation stockholders scheduled for the Buncombe County Court house In Asheville on March 24th beginning at 10 a.m. Each county in the Farmers Federation territory is represented by two county directors who serve two year terms with one of the directors up for re-election each year. Business reports will be giv en by Farmers Federation offic ials. Music will be furnished by Pan handle Pete and the Farmers Fed eration String Band during the meeting and free baby chicks will ? 1 be given as door prises. Interesting and helpful talks on fanning will be given by exten sion personnel, Federation offic ials and other farming authorities All stockholders, patrons and persons interested in the Fanners Federation and its many pro grams are invited to attend the meeting. Now serving as Haywood County directors are Herschel Hipps, Route 1, Canton and F. A. Justice, Route 1, Clyde. Members of the Waynesville and Canton Store committee are David Burch, Rt. 1, Canton; C. C. Burn ett. Rt. 3, Canton; D. M. Clark, Route 1, Canton; Charley Evans, Rt 1, Canton; Roy Haynes, Rt. 1, Clyde; Herschel Hipps, Rt. 1, Can ton; Velt Holland, Rt. 1, Canton; Howard Jaynes, Rt. 1, Canton; Russell Kinsland, Rt. 2. Canton; Fred Mann, Rt. 1, Canton; P. C. Mann, Clyde; Dr. Roy Moore, Rt. 1, Canton; Roy A. Robinson, Rt. 2, Clyde; R. E. Sentellc, Rt. 3, Can ton; Julian Smathers, Clyde; R. I. Smathers, Rt. 3, Canton; Jasper Trull, Canton; W. K. Boone, Rt. 1 fack M. Sentelle Named Head Of WNC Masonic Unit Jack M. Sentelle of Clyde, was ?lected Venerable Master of the tsheville Lodge of Perfection, iVaynesville; D. J. Boyd, Rt. 2, IVaynesville; Glenn Boyd, Rt. 2, IVaynesville; Jute Boyd, Rt. 2, IVaynesville; Tom Brummitt, Rt: I, Clyde; N. W. Carver, Rt. 2, IVaynesville; Albert Ferguson, Rt. 1, Clyde; C. S. Green, Rt. 1, Clyde; Faraday Green, Rt. 1, Clyde; Jim Harrell, Rt. 2, Waynesville; Grover Hogan, Rt. 2, Waynesville; R. W. Howell,' Rt. 1, Waynesville; Glenn James, Rt. 2, Waynesville; F. A. Justice, Rt. 1, Clyde; Will Leather wood. Rt. 2, Waynesville; A. J. McCracken, Waynesville; Devoe McElroy, Rt. 2. Waynesville; Mrs. Lucy Medford. Rt. 1, Waynesville; Furman Noland, Rt. 1. Clyde; Glenn Palmer, Clyde; William Os (Continued on page 8) Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite at a meeting recently in the Ma sonic Temple in Asheville. He succeeds V. P. Fullbright of Bre vard. Mr. Sentelle, Is employed by Champion Fibre Co., as freight rate clerk. He is also an officer in the Asheville Consistory, Bun combe Chapter Rose Croix and Asheville Council of Kadosh. He is class Marshal at the Spring and Fall reunions held each year and also takes leading parts in the fourth, fifth, 21st, 24th, 30th and 31st degrees. And is a past mas ter of Clyde masonic lodge No. 453 and takes part in conferring all three degrees. The newly elected and appointed officers were installed by Edwin Fincher, 33rd degree of Clyde and Henry R. Henderson, 32nd degree, KCCH, Brevard served as marshal. - , t KURT CANS - "The Store of Quality" &&&&&&&& FOR THE SPRING BARGAIN FESTIVAL 100 EXPANSION WATCH BANDS Latest Styles ALL GUARANTEED LADIES' AND MEN'S ? 337? OFF fcf-fyuU * ^ j C W * V C ? ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT of HAYWOOD GROCERY COMPANY * ln$ide Painting as the local distributor for NOW? BERRY BROTHERS v J/ y _ PAINTS I " ' ' . ... ' . ' >. . V " ' ? ? ? buf definitely!! the full line of berry brothers wl^flu|/ paints will be available at your fy sati n local grocery store There's NO "PAINTY" ODOR And It's DRY IN 20 MINUTES! I You've Read About It! w- . ? ? ? Soon It On TV! '"Heard Raves On It! ' *. ^. lit* kAl^A iH If ipiTTIf "M WliPj fl'?" kMMMlt't JIUIII II II Yea, this newest deret-f opment In Interior point -.?? b arta.lly MM... jelled . foli no that it cling* to tha brush or roller ... and yet it flown out liko magic when it's applied to walb, ceilings and wuodwinfc in tha aanal way. Gone b the nominees, the meaeineea and untidiaaas that yon always aaeociatad with painting. With Jelbd Magic yon can enjoy carefree painting! Mmw W'v Oof If I.,, mi YOITM INVITO to (mm to for a foaiMitiatioa and Ma At larpaai
The Waynesville Mountaineer (Waynesville, N.C.)
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March 15, 1956, edition 1
17
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