r ATTEND
THE CHURCH
| ' dFr "
YOUR CftOICE
SUNDAY '
Baptist — 11 am. & 8 p.m.
Methodist — 11 am.
Presbyterian — 11 am.
Episcopal — 8-9:30-11 a.m.
Catholic — 11:15 am.
Christian Science — 11 a.m.
Air Conditioned by Nature
The ONLY Newspaper in This Wide \%irld De voted Exclusively to Promoting Highlands Area
Published in the Highest Elevat«r4nd Most Hospitable Town in Eastern America
Vol. 5
Highlands, N. C., Friday, September 21, 1962
Number 38
’ High lam
Sept 12! ■' # 8t
Sept. 13 71
Sept. 14 73
Sept. 18 73
Sept. 15—Re record
Sept. 17 71
Sept. 18 51
Sept. 19—Unit (Frost!
The Reverend! A. Rufus
Morgan, much loved and
highly xevered patriarch of
the mountains of Western
North Carolina, was the sub
ject for a feature story in
the September issue of The
Highland Churchman, off!-,
cial putoication of the Episco
pal Diocese of Western North
Carolina.
The story, written toy Helen
Freas, which is reprinted
here, should be of great in
terest to many people in the
Highlands area, and especial
ly to the many who through
the years were befriended by
this good man.
Dr. Morgan served' the lo
cal parish of the Highlands
Church of the Incarnation as
rector for a number of years.
The story is as follows:
It is hard to condense 70
productive yean of the life
of Rufus Morgan into a
magazine article. He was al
most literally “bom an Epis
copalian.” His grandparents
on both sides were Episco
palians, tals mother held a
Sunday School dan for ne
gro children at their home in
Murphy, and his IMbee was
a lay reader. His mother’s
North Carolina
there is any record1,
and her family were instru
mental in build in
ting &t. John’s
in Nonah, N. C. This church
was later tom down, bat.WM
rebuilt by Rufus {Morgan
when he returned to WN.C.
and Is now St. John’s (Car
toogecti&ye) Franklin. Many
of the original fumlahtags
were-:
time to time until It is
one of the most beautiful
little churches In the Diocese.
Rufus Morgan was bom
near (Franklin, October 16,
1085, and has always taken
pride In being a “moun
taineer.” There is a clipping
In a family scrapbook telling
that the racket on “Morgan
Hill” was caused by "Squire
Morgan” trying to run down
his son Rufus in the fall to
put shoes on him.
While in high school at
Waynesville he was a lay
reader and walked to Cullo
whpe to hold a service when
ever necssary.
He worked his way through
high school and college, be
ing valedictorian in his high
school class in Waynesville,
and graduated from the Uni
versity of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, in 1910. From
thdre he went to General
Theological Seminary in New
York, being ordained in 1813.
Later the seminary gave him
an honorary D.D. degree.
Prom 1913 to 1914 he was a
Fellow ait General Seminary
Fifty years later.
an assistant at St. Peter’s,
Church in New York City,
and also did 'graduate work
at Ooliumlbia University in
.political science.
In 1914 Rufus Morgan mar
ried Madeline Prentiss and
they went to Penland, N. C.,
where he established tlhe
Appalachian School under
Bishop Horner — a school for
mountain boys and girls. He
also had missions in Mitchell,
Avery, and Yancey counties
which he served on horse
back or on foot. Their two
children, Frances and Rufus,
JJr., were born at Penland.
From 1914 until 1940 he
served in various churches in
'South Carolina. During this
time he was executive secre
tary and general missionary
of the Diocese, editor of the
Spanish Foresters
Visit Here Sunday
Six forest engineers from
various sections of Spain
spent several hours here
Sunday consulting with Don
Peterson, District Ranger, U.
S. Forest Service.
In the United States to
learn how forestry in their
own country might be im
proved, the group has been
studying .private logging op
erations in the Adirondack
Mountains of northern New
York and the Appalachian
Mountain region from West
Virginia to North Carolina.
They had been observing
logging methods in the vici
nity of Murphy for several
days prior to their trip
through Highlands.
The study is sponsored by
the Agency for International
Development, U. S. Depart
ment of State, with technical
advice from the Forest Serv
ice, U. S. Department of Agri
culture.
Consisting of six field
leaders of the Spanish Gov
ernment’s Forestry Depart
ment, each a graduate in
forestry engineering at the
National Forestry School in
Madrid, the study group in
cludes Dr. Sebastian RICO
Fomleles (Team. leader), Al
geria (Vizcaya); Dr. An
tonio DXHZ Garcia, Segovia;
Dr. Jose Antonio BOBANIZ
Echeverrla, Madrid; Dr. Vic
tor QAlRiQEA Fernandez, Ma
drid; Dr. Miguel Angel GI
■MENO de la Pena, Madrid;
and Dr. Jose Marla PARA
Oaibello, Zaragoza.
Technical leader for the
stuity is IE. L. Dammon, a
forestry consultant at Ashe
ville ■who for 33 years was a
member of the U. S. Forest
Service until his retirement
In 1967. Mir. Demmon, along
with Mr. Joseph TameUerl,
an Interpreter, of Bridge
port, Conn., and Edward G.
Riemenschnelder, technically
trained forester assigned toy
the 'IT. S. Forest Service as car
driver, accompanied the
Spanish foresters to High
lands.
Logging In Spain, It was
reported, Is generally on a
small scale with hand tools
and heavy reliance on hum
an labor. Spanish forests
contain relatively small
sized timber, and the traes
are felled' with axes, bucked
with saws, and skidded with
animals, as little mechanical
equipment Is available.
The increased demand for
forest products there has
brought about the need for
faster, cheaper, and more
efficient methods to reduce
rising costs of practices now
■used.
■Diocesan paper, and active
in camp work, including
Kanuga, which he helped
develop.
Rufus Morgan returned to
his beloved mountains in
1940 and has served here ever
since.
Here is a man of many
parts — each stemming from
the love of and desire to
serve God. He is a builder.
In addition to building St.
John’s, Cartoogechaye, he
was responsible for restoring
St. David’s, Cullowhee, lend
ing some money from St.
John’s for this. One morning
last year at breakfast he an
nounced, .‘<1 think 111 build
a church.” This was to be
•the rebuilding of the Church
of the Ascension at Rainbow
Springs. Almost immediately
he and his grandson and
others who were interested,
cleared the plot, hauled rocks,
and the little outdoor chapel
was dedicated last Ascension
Day. It is moot interesting to
watch his projects unfold.
(Bach step is taken with de
liberation and enthusiasm.
Others are fired with interest
and donations come in—logs,
marble, a cross, manual la
bor, and money. It is really
a privilege to be a part of
these creations.
At one time, af ter his 70th
birthday. Dr. Morgan diug a
basement under hi* home al
most singlehanded, digging
out rocks so big {hat a
wrecker had to remove them,
hater someone said she was
sorry to be late in telling
him, but that a cousin had
said he would not be able to
j^d64aggeEBM6ggjaagR
w tavrNS nWB; nBiluJet Ml
swer was ‘Td have dug it
anyway.” This ssems to be
characteristic of his ven
tures.
If you are one of the sev
eral hundred on his Christ
mas card mailing list you
know that he is a poet. One
of his earlier poems was
written at Chapel Hill and is
titled “Mother.” A few years
ago some members of a for
mer church collected a num
ber of his poems .and had
■them published.
As one of his sisters says,
he is “an uneducated natur
alist.” When he goes on
hikes, he knows just when
and where to find the Walk
ing Fern and Ladies Tresses
.and greets them as one would
a friend. It is seldom that he
cannot tell the name of a
flower, tree, or bird.
One of his favorite occupa
tions seems to be farming. At
a Craftsman’s Service at
Fenland he told of being the
only member of his family
who does not make things
with his hand, but of the
joy he gets in working with
the soil and in raising things.
One of his nieces said in
amazement, “He’s not grub
bing. He’s getting joy out of
SEE NO. 1 PAGE 4
Rites Held For
Mrs. Picklesimer
Funeral services were held
Friday, September 14, for
Mrs. Georgia Picklesimer, 51,
who died Wednesday enroute
to a iSylva hospital.
A 'native of Buncombe
Oounity, she was the daugh
ter of the late H. B. and
Gertrude Bell Miller.
She wa$ married in 1951 to
Mr. Thomas Picklesimer and
the couple had made their
home for the past several
years in Whiteside Cove.
Surviving, in addition to
the husband, is a sister, Mrs.
Nick Collins of Camden, SC.
Services were held at 2 p.m.
in the Episcopal Church of
the Incarnation. Rev. Gale
D. Wehbe, rector, and Rev.
Tames Thurman, pastor of
the Highlands Methodist
Church, officiated.
Pallbearers were Eugene
Brypson Joe Bumgarner,
Steve Potts, Cameron Breed
love, Conrad McCall and
Bradi Fell.
Burial was in the White
side Cove cemetery.
Cashiers To
Have New
Post Office
Congressman Hoy A. Tay
lor has announced that bids
will he advertised September
18 for construction erf a new
post office at Cashiers. »■
Hep. Taylor said' applica
tions call for a buHding con
taining 1,200 square feet of
interior ftoorepeice; a load
ing platform area of- 06
square feet; and an outside
pawed area of 3,500 square
foet... .
The new Cashiers unit will
(be operated on a lease basis
with the Post Office Depart
ment and the successful bid
der.
Persons interested in sub
mitting bids for the con
struction project should con
tact (Mr. R. H. Wilson, assist
ant chief real estate officer,
202-M Federal Annex, At
lanta 4, Ga.
College
Claims
Highlanders
A number of Highlands
young people have entered or
returned to college during
the past few weeks.
(Western Carolina at Cullo
whee has claimed the largest
per cent, while several other
colleges and universities have
ait least one Highlands stu
dent on their list.
A/titending Western “Caro
lina are Leanne Gardner,
Gladys Sohroeder, Jessie
Hiarbison, Joan Cleaveland,
Jack Calloway, Jack Cabe,
and Ella Cabe as dormitory
students, and Woodrow and
Jane Wilson and Philip Ege
ler as commuters.
Jessie Talley is attending
Blanton’s Business College in
Asheville.
Batty Jean Crawford, John
“Norton, .and Ronnie Reese
are at Mars “Hill College.
Bob Norton has returned
to the University of South
Carolina at Columbia.
Rosa Lee Webb Is attend
ing Brevard College.
Jimmy Calloway is back at
N. C. State, while James
Newton has returned to the
University of North Carolina*
(accompanied by his wife,
Tina, who may enter the
second semester).
Margaret Ann Mitchell is
returning to Greensboro
College.
John Kahler has entered
the South Carolina1 Trade
School at Columbia to study
electronics.
Don Hopper 1s back at
Young Harris College and his
sister Wanda is enrolled
there also.
These are the ones we’ve
heard about. There may be
more.
Enrollment Announced
At Highlands School
Principal Charles Hendrix
announced Tuesday morning
that the enrollment at High
lands School shows a total of
35® students this year. . 1
Bementary grades hare an
enrollment of 277, and the
(high school, 82.
A breakdown by grades was
given as follows:. 1st grade,
46; 2nd grade, 39; 3rd grade,
28; 4th grade, 31; 5th grade,
31; 6th grade, 22; 7th grade,
34; 8th grade, 30: apodal
education class, 10; 9th grade
31; 10th grade, 18; 11th
grade, 20; and 12th grade, 13.
Resurfacing Completed;
Streets Hlitre New Look
At a cost at around $8,500,
Hhe Town of Highlands (has
just completed the resurfac
ing of all its blank topped
streets except Spring and
Pierson Drive which were
newly-surfaced last year.
Herbert James, Town Clerk,
repented Tuesday that the
work was done by the Alli
son Construction Company of
WaynesviUe. The resurfacing
of approximately 13,000
square yards was. required, at
the rate of 65 cents per
square yard.
TOWI IS... .
Pictures above show Scotsman Creek undergoing clear
ance operation by U. S. Forest Service. Looking at fallen
timber is former Wayah Banger Bill Nothstein who “drop
ped by” for a visit.
Trout Waters Improved
By Forest Service Drew
The local Forest Service
crew ihas recently completed
the removal of fallen timber
and other debris from a one
mile section of Scotsman
Creek In a project to restore
and improve some of the na
tural trout streams lying
within the Highlands Dis
trict.
Scotsman Creek, a tribu
tary of the Chattooga Riv
er, crosses the Bull Pen Road
about eight miles southeast
of Highlands. It was once a
popular fishing stream for
people of this area. During
*the past several years fallen
'trees, and the resulting ac
cumulation of brush, deed
leaves, and silt have ob
structed the - flow, and ser
iously affected its suitability
as a natural habitat for
trout. With the help of a
tractor owned by Quince
Hedden of Norton, workers
untangled and removed tim
ber jams to allow an unim
peded flow.
, When questioned .about the
project, Ranger Don Peter
son had this to say: “Scots
man Creek Is potentially
good trout water. Misuse of
the land In the past has
caused upsftjtteam erosion.
This, with falling Chestnut
and old debris from logging
baa seriously harmed the
stream for trout. Soil has
washed Into the stream be
cause of past farming, im
proper logging and accumu
lated windfall timber. To Im
prove the stream for trout it
Is necessary to narrow the
stream channel, get rid of
accumulated silt, and restore
the natural channel.”
“A wide, shallow, silty
stream just isn’t good trout
habitat. A narrow, shaded,
"ool stream with pools is
tjod trout waiter in which
trout can live, feed, and re
produce.”
Mr. Peterson stated that
the stream would be allow
ed to restore a stable, nat
ural channel this winter.
“Next summer, If funds are
available, we would like to
further improve the stream
toy putting in wing dams
which would create pools and
also add to the beauty of the
stream,” he added.
HIGHLANDS P.-T. A.
BEGINS NEW YEAH
The first P.-T.A. meeting,
of the new school year drew
an attendance of an esti
mated 100 on Thursday night
of last week, as parents and
teachers gathered to discuss
objectives for the coming
months.
With the new president, Ed.
Talley, conducting the meet
ing, recommendations from
the executive committee were,
presented which suggested
P.-T.A. help with various in
struction aids and ‘ other
items for students.
Recommendations included
the provision of material and
equipment for the teaching
of phonics in the 2nd and
3xii grade for those children
whose parents are unable to
provide them; the purchase
of certain work books for first
graders if the school does not
furnish them; the purchase
of blackout curtains for the
library iso that films may be
shown; and the help with
purchase of needed basket
ball uniforms.
It was voted to give the
executive committee the au
thority to carry out the rec
ommendations, with discre
tion, giving priority to the
phonics-instruction heeds., -
It was also voted that
members of the Junior land
Senior classes be invited to
attend meetings and take
part ip activities as student
members.
2 Injured
In Wreck
Two teen-age boya reoeiv
land Owens, 17, went oot of
control and rammed into an
embankment on the Wal
halla Road.
The Injured were Randolph
(Randy) Talley, 17, and Don
nie Sea, Id, of Satolah, Ga.
The driver, also of Satolah,
received no injuries of con
sequence, according to r—
ports.
Russell Talley, stated Mon
day that his brother, Randy,
was at that time in C. J.
Harris Community Hospital
to undergo surgery on a-brok
en arm incurred in the acci
dent. and had nreviously re
ceived seven stitches for a
cut on the back of his head.
Donnie 'Sea. he said, was
treated by Dr. Hannon in
Highlands for a cut on the
(head requiring three stitches,
and was at home.
The accident, Russell said,
occurred about 10:30 Satur
day night just south of the
‘big cut” on the Walhalla
Road. He said that the
brakes gave way on the Jeep
causing it to go out of con
trol and plunge into the em
bankment.
Work On Dam
Progresses
A spokesman for the Mirror
Lake Improvement Associa
tion stated Tuesday that ac
cording to plans, one half of
the concrete on Mirror Lake
dam would be poured by to
day and work would then
proceed on forms for the re
mainder of the dam.
"We do not believe that it
has ever been brought to the
attention of the donors, or
would-be donors,” he said,
"that contributions are de
ductible from income tax.
The Association is set up as
a non-profit company,
thereby making this true.”
"Most people have been
quite generous toward the
project,” he continued, “but
thoete who have not been
contacted and wish to do so
may make checks payable to
Mirror Lake Improvement
Association and deposit same
in the account at First Union
National Bank here. Since
■bills will be coming In ra
pidly, all financial help will
be greatly appreciated.”
Those wfho have made
donations during the past
week include Howard!' B.
Knight, H E. (Doudney, Mrs.
Lyda Harcombe, J. A. Hodges,
Mr. and Mrs. G H. Wotton,
and Mr. c. A. Young.
Students of Mrs. Mary Du
Pree’s 11th grade were
awarded the banner this
month fat having the larg
est representation of parents
present." ■ - -
An open house followed tfhe
business meeting, and1 re
freshments were served by
members of Mrs. Miller’s
Home Economics classes.
In speaking cf the P.-TA,
president Ed Talley stated
that he was much encourag
ed fay the response he had
received in selecting commit
tees. “If, the members’ will
ingness to serve is any indi
cation, we edn look forward .
" t> r goed war ahead. We
were especially pleased by
the attendance Thursday
night* and hope we can have
that mapy- present lor each
meeting.
Committees appointed fay
the president for the coming
year were: membership, Mrs.
Irene James, Mrs. Pearl Reg
ers, and Mm. Hoyt Vinson;
program, Henry deavekmd,
Glenn Shuler, and Miss Btbel
Ictty, Mbs, Su
Flnanoe, Mrs.
Misi Wilhad CUsp;
Dr. Doralea Hannon; eUltor
al ants, Mrs. Anas Bolt sad'
Iter. Clinton Bailey with
Loutoe Miller,
and Mm. Ruth, Shuler;
(4) Creative Writing: Mrs.
Neville Wilson, aim. Polly
Wax, aad Mrs. Mildred WU
Gnwnds: Mr.
P.-TA, ^
Richard ZoeUner Mrs.
LHiian MioCall:
Carnival: Mrs. aasel fttfcta.
Mrs. Dolly McCall, Barbara.
Talley and Mary Sue Dalton.
Rev. Clinton Bailey will
serve as Chaplain.
In addition to the presi
dent, other officers are vice
president, Mrs. Prank Mc
Call; secretary, Mrs. Clinton
Bailey; and treasurer, Mrs.
Edna iWhitmire.
Dues .are $1 per year, and
all interested persons are
urged to join.
Next month’s meeting will
be held on Thursday, Octo
ber 11, and will feature a
talk by Woodrow Wilson on
native gem stones.
Slides Shown
At Rotary
Edwin A. Mfenninger, of
.Stuart, Fla., and Cashiers,
entertained Rotarians at
their regular meeting Tues
day night with slides of .beau
tiful flowers from warm
countries all over the world.
Mr. Mennlnger, known as
“the flowering tree man" im
ports tree seeds from many
different countries. He has
received awards from the
American Horticultural
Council, Fairchild Tropical
Garden, and the Botanical
Garden of Rio de Janeiro for
his work with trees.
Mr. Frank Harris of Scaly
Mountain was installed as a
new member of the Oub,
with all officers taking part
in the installation. Dr. Har
ris, who received his degree
as Doctor of Veterinary Medi
cine in 1034, moved to North
Carolina from Tampa, Fla.,
in 1060 to establish perman
ent residence and continue
his veterinary practice.
His son, Buddy Harris, was
present at the meeting, and
was given special recognition
by Rotarlans for his splendid
work as a Senior Scout In
Troop 207 this summer.
Mrs. Minnie Edwards, who
is “back in the kitchen” at
Hotel Edwards since her son,
Louis has taken over the
management, was introduced
•to members and given high
praise for .the excellent meal
had prepaid for the
Club.
Sixteen visiting Rotarlans,
U r egular members, and ooe
__*1^7* !.'_H. : tiik f
1,086 DONORS HAD CONTRIBUTED $58,455.52 TO THE HOSPITAL FUND DRIVE AS OF SEPTEMBER 18