Newspaper Page Text
®he ^umtneruiUe News
f ^5*1976
VOLUME XCII - NUMBER XV
Indi^try Exhibit Will Feature Textiles by Riegel
Believed to be the oldest
textile operation in the state,
Riegel Textile Corp, will be
among more than 20 pioneer
Georgia firms being honored
June 14-July 4 at a special
Bicentennial Industry Exhibit
at Neiman-Marcus in Atlanta.
The exhibit is the world
famous specialty store’s way of
saluting a cross section of early
Georgia industry still in oper
ation today, said Larry
Scchatzman, vice president and
manager of the Lenox Square
store.
“We wanted to involve a
-
JI - ** '
-J
4L_ i v t *
' ^k jMI
The photo above was taken by a staff photographer
in March, I 960, after the entire roadbed collapsed on
a section of U. S. Highway 27 across Taylor’s Ridge.
Slides had begun in the area several weeks before,
causing the road to be closed to traffic. More than 16
Remodeling Is Announced
For Police Headquarters
Bids will be opened Monday
at City Kall from construction
firms seeking to remodel the
interior of the Summerville
Police Department.
The Summerville City Coun
cil has approved the remodel
ing plans, which calls for the
paneling of the radio room
office and intoximeter room at
the station. Other improve
ments include a new floor
cover, the replacement of the
two main doors and some
painting.
According to Chief Clarence
Starkey, the remodeling plans
include the moving of the
location of the radio room to a
room which connects the
station with the fire depart
ment.
f'he low bidder must knock
out a partition in the current
intoximeter room, he said, and
build a countertop for public
Democratic Hopefuls Seek Primary Victories
The long, hot summer began
Wednesday for almost half a
hundred political hopefuls in
Chattooga County who n^w
head down the campaign trail
toward the Aug. 10 Demo
cratic primary.
The qualifying deadline of
noon Wednesday left some of
the incumbents without oppo
sition. For others it will mean a
hard-fought campaign.
In the race for state repre
sentative, incumbent Johnny
Crawford is being challenged
by three opponents, Ray Giles,
Jerry Money, and Joe Pullen
Jr.
A newcomer to politics,
Wayne (Pete) Denson is seeking
to unseat incumbent Harry
Powell in the race for com
missioner of roads and revenue.
Incumbent Sheriff Gary
McConnell is also faced with
three opponents. Gene Nix of
£ g if the living history of the
o “ that would represent the
“* ican way of life. Each
® J ipating company rePre
s' a field of manufacturing
C § ade endeavor which has
j significant contributions
w S e overall growth of the
•“ > economy,” he added.
Riegel’s history began in
October, 1845, when three
men, Judge Spencer Marsh,
Andrew Allgood, and Col.
William K. Briers decided to
invest $25,000 in the
construction and operation of
a-textile mill.
THIS IS HOW IT BEGAN IN 1960
access. The present radio room
will be used as an office for
patrolmen to write up reports,
he added.
“This is very much needed,”
said Starkey on Friday. “It
really looks bad; it’s just worn
out.”
NO ESTIMATE
He declined to put a price
estimate on the remodeling
job.
The police station, follow
ing the addition of new safety
devices, recently passed a state
fire marshall’s inspection,
Starkey said.
Council to Meet
The Summerville City Coun
cil is scheduled to meet in
regular session at 7 p.m.
Monday in the conference
room at City Hall.
Irion, James Pierce of
Summerville, and L. D.
Ragland of Lyerly are seeking
nomination to the sheriff’s
office.
Larry Durham, completing
his first term as tax com
missioner, is being chaDenged
for that office by Ray Hall,
Route I, Trion. Hall is now a
member of the Chattoga
County Board of Education.
Three incumbents, Superior
Court Clerk Sam L. (Lann)
Cordle Jr., Probate Court
Judge Jon Payne, and Super
intendent of Schools John W.
(Bill) King are running un
opposed in the Democratic
primary.
Two candidates are seeking
the office of coroner, being
vacated by Roosevelt Young
after a long tenure. Sidney
Cooper of Summerville and
Earle Rainwater of Trion have
SUMMERVILLE, CHATTOOGA COUNTY, GEORGIA 30747 THURSDAY. JUNE 10, 1976
The chosen site for the mill
was on the banks of the Chat
tooga River, the present
location of the town of Trion.
The original structure as a two
story yarn mill with 600
spindles and 40 employees.
From that h u m b 1 e
beginning more than 100 years
ago, Riegel has become a giant
in the textile industry.
On display at the exhibit
will be an array of interesting
artifacts of Georgia industry:
vintage turpentine collecting
vessels, original plates for print
ing Confederate money, a 1 740
years later, the problem has not been solved and the
highway is kept open only by a continual filling
process. The man in the picture is the late Jim
Watkins Sr.
A large metal door has been
fitted over the boiler in the jail
in recent days. Fire routes, fire
extinguishers and exits were all
marked in preparation for the
inspection.
In addition, the chief re
ported, a screen mesh has been
placed over the barred
windows of the jail cell area.
Starkey said the precaution
was taken to make sure contra
band is not being handed to
prisoners through the windows
which look out onto a side area
of the building.
POLICE BLOTTER
The Summerville Police
Department reported a total of
25 arrests over the week ended
Tuesday, with traffic violations
dominating the period.
Traffic-related arrests in
clude three speeding violations
and single charges for the fol
lowing driving on a revoked
qualified for the office of
coroner.
Sue Spivey is unopposed in
her bid for reelection to the
District 1 (Summerville) seat
on the Chattooga County
Board of Education.
In the race for District 5,
the only other seat up for grabs
this year, Gail P Allen, Gary
Gordon, and William D. (Bill)
Mitchell are vying for that seat.
Incumbent A. D. Hedger is not
seeking reelection.
Five candidates have quali
fied for the nomination as
justice of the peace of the
92Sth GM District (Summer
ville). They are Andy E. Bailey,
Donnie Ray Fowler, Charles
(Curly) Hunter, Gene Kellett,
and Mary Woodham.
Jess Emory is an unopposed
candidate as justice of the
peace of the 870th GM District
(Trion) \nd incumbent Archie
ballast brick, and the first sack
of refined sugar, to name a
few.
“This exhibit promises an
unique panorama of early
Georgia industry,” according
to commissioner Milton Folds
of the Georgia Bureau of
Industry and Trade. “It gives
us an opportunity to pay
special tribute to the strong
partnership of progress and
prosperity that these pioneer
companies and Georgia have
enjoyed in the past and to
renew our commitments for an
equally rewarding future
license, driving without proof
of no-fault insurance, leaving
the scene of an accident, im
proper passing, driving without
a license, reckless driving, fail
ure to stop for an emergency
vehicle, failure to yield the
right of way, and driving the
wrong way on a one-way
street.
Other charges handled by
the department included three
arrests for driving under the
influence and five arrests for
disorderly conduct.
The police also served out
three rearrest orders.
Board to Meet
The Chattooga County
Board of Education is sched
uled to meet in regular session
at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the
conference room of the Educa
tion Building.
L. Noles is the only candidate
to qualify as JP of the 1216th
GM District (Dirtseller).
The lineup for the six seats
on the Chattooga County
Democratic Executive Com
mittee from the Summerville
district is:
Post I, Katherine Camp
Post 2, Tom Hogg, Post 3,
Steve Snapp; Post 4, Bill Black
well; Post 5, Ed Kyser. Post 6,
Earl (Bill) Self
Candidates for posts one
and two will be elected for
four years. Candidates for
posts three, four, five, and six
will be elected for two years.
In the Trion district, the
lineup looks like this: Post I,
W. H. McCauley ; Post 2, Ted
H Martin; Post 3, Carlton
Vines; and Post 4, Carl E. Rag
land.
The Lyerly district shows
this lineup: Post 1, James S.
together.”
History buffs will find
ample romance in the susty
files and storerooms of the
representative group of firms
which were selected to partici
pate by the Georgia Depart
ment of Industry and Trade.
Georgia Railroad Bank and
Trust in Augusta, the oldest
financial institution south of
Philadelphia, still owns the
original plates used to print
Confederate money.
Savannah Foods and
Industries are situated on an
historic plantation originally
Mountain Headache
Remains ‘Uncured’
After Sixteen Years
By WOODROW ESPY
Local motorists are keeping
their fingers crossed until it can
be determined whether or not
the latest plan to cure a 16-
year-old traffic headache on
Taylor’s Ridge will finally end
in a solution to the perplexing
problem.
It all began more than a
decade and a half ago when
dirt, trees, and rocks began fall
ing onto a section of U. S.
Highway 27, near the top of
the mountain.
After an inspection by State
Highway Department engi
neers, the road was closed to
traffic on Feb. 6, 1960, after
further slides threatened.
. story in The Summerville
News of that time stated:
“The landslides along U. S.
Highway 27 on Taylor’s Ridge
were inspected Tuesday by a
group of State Highway
Department engineers, but no
decision has been made about
how to handle the situation.
“Although the highway
could be cleared for traffic,
SHD engineers said, the road
was closed because of the
threat of continuing dangerous
slides. In addition, some slip
ping below the highway has
started, threatening to break
off sections of the road itself.
“The slides are occurring in
several locations along the
road. Some dirt that had
slipped from low banks was
removed from the highway last
week. The latest falls are from
higher, steeper banks near the
top, and include big rocks.”
The situation remained
fairly stable for several weeks,
and an old highway, aban
doned many years ago, was im
proved to serve as a temporary
bypass.
Highway engineers con
tinued to “study” the situa
tion, but apparently no defi
nite plans for a solution were
being proposed. Another news
story on Feb. 18, 1960, stated
“No plans have been made
for correcting the slides on
Taylor’s Ridge.
“Although there have been
no major slides yet, rocks con
tinue to tall occasionally, and
there is the threat of massive
slides.
“Highway officials were
here last week to study the
situation, but one SHD engi
neer said no decision had been
made about how to correct the
problem.”
The real trouble caine
during March of 1960. At that
Taylor; Post 2, Hill Caldwell,
Post 3, no candidate.
In the Menlo district, A,B
Day is seeking Post I, Claude
Baker is a candidate for Post 2,
and no candidate qualified for
Post 3.
N,E. Peddycoart and
Rachael Peddycoart are candi
dates for the two posts in
Haywood district.
In the Dirttown district,
Gary Gordon is a candidate for
Post I on the executive com
mittee. No candidate is listed
for Post 2.
W. H. Abernathy and Archie
Noles are candidates for the
two posts in the Dirtseller
district.
In the Seminole district,
Doyle Gayler and Lillian
Rowlls are candidates for the
two posts.
Pat Brison and Mrs. Bob
owned by a pioneer Scotsman
and his Indian wife.
While a 1929 flood
destroyed most of the Merry
Co.’s 1899 birthright papers,
one ballast brick, dating back
to 1740, survives. It was used
as a pattern to make the first
bricks of Georgia clay.
Some mighty oaks of
Georgia industry have grown
from strange little acorns.
Delta Air Lines began as a
crop-dusting operation in
Macon in 1924. The brothers
who invented the kraft paper
bag founded Union Camp
time, the roadbed in the area
of the slides collapsed across its
entire width (see photo at left).
That event resulted in
another visit by SHD officials.
And that time they were joined
by representatives of the
Federal Bureau of Public
Roads.
The Summerville News
reported on March 20, 1960:
“The roadbed on U. S.
Highway 27 on Taylor’s Ridge
has completely collapsed. The
section began sinking shortly
after the slides started earlier
this year. The most severe drop
has come in the past two
weeks. A week ago, only half
of the roadbed had sunk.
An SHD official said “we
might have a solution.”
After that, a series of filling,
planning, and more filling
began. It would be interesting
to know just how many tons of
“fill” material has been
dumped in the slide area over
Food Store
Ownership
Is Changed
A large supermarket in
Downtown Shopping Center
changed ownership May 29
with the purchase of Reece’s
Downtown Foods by Ray
mond Murphy, Alvin Dooley,
and Sidney Dooley.
Originally from Athens,
Tenn., Murphy managed the
supermarket for 16 months in
1971-72 when it was owned by
Shop-Rite.
He lives in Summerville and
is married to the former Wanda
Adams of Trion. They have
five children: Cheryl and Ray
mond Murphy Jr. and Cindy,
Gwenette, and Paula Adams.
Alvin Dooley is a native of
Chattooga County and a grad
uate of Chattooga High School.
He is married to the former
Donnie V. Railey of Summer
ville and lives on Route 3.
The Rev. Sidney Dooley is
also a native of Chattooga
County. A former pastor at
Sardis Baptist Church, he is
now serving the Bryant (Ala.)
Baptist Church. He also lives
on Route 3.
The new owners have sched
uled their grand opening next
week.
Bnson are seeking the two
posts in ( oldwater district
The Teloga lineup shows
W II Gilreath and E,J. Hemp
hill as candidates for the two
posts.
State Sen. E.G. Summers
apparently is running un
opposed in his bid for
reelection. Since senatorial
candidates qualify in Atlanta,
it could not be definitely
determined if there was a last
minute candidate.
Incumbent District
Attorney Earl Self is being
opposed by Roger Auman and
William M (Bill) ( ampbell
Voters in Dade, Walker, and
Catoosa counties will also cast
ballots for that office.
Potential voters have until
July 9 to register and be
eligible to vote in the Aug 10
primary and runoff (if
necessary).
Corp., which now owns forests
and paper mills.
And Georgia has its share of
‘‘oldies.” The Augusta
Chronicle is the fifth oldest
daily newspaper in the United
State. W.SB radio was a pioneer
in electronic media.
Each company invited to
participate represents a field of
manufacturing or .trade.
Although the ownership may
have changed, each was begun
in Georgia before 1951, and is
still in operation.
A preview reception
the past 16 years.
At one point in time, it was
decided to build a new road off
the mountain to connect with
Highway 27 north of Trion at
the Mountain View inter
section. After planning for the
northway Georgia toll highway
began, the plan to relocate a
portion of the highway was
tabled. And apparently that
plan now has been buried along
with the vast amount of money
that was wasted on tollway
study.
Last fall, a new report
stated that the latest plan tor
correcting the problem on
Taylor’s Ridge was to install
drainage pipes in the area and
to relocate the roadbed about
30 feet into the mountainside.
A news report at that time
stated that DOT engineers a
LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS
DEADLINE IS NEARING
The deadline for submitting items to be used in the
special Bicentennial edition of The Summerville News is
June 1 5.
Anyone who has old pictures (most can be processed
and returned immediately) or stories of events that would
be appropriate for the occasion.
Ihe special edition is scheduled for July I.
*♦ • ♦
HOSPITAL ADDS SERVICE
Chattooga County Hospital has signed a eontiaet with
Tennessee Therapy Associates, Inc., ot Chattanooga to
provide a full-service respiratory therapy department al Ihe
local facility, Administrator Steve Snapp announced this
week.
“This is one of the services that folks have had to go to
Rome and Chattanooga to obtain in the past,” he added.
The department will be staffed with tour registered
technicians, Steve Walls, ARRI Steve Hayes, (RI I.
ARRT; Jack Higdon, ASRT; and lorn Jimmerson. ARR I
ASRT.
“These men come highly recommended,” Snapp said,
“and will be available to offer both in- and out-patient
services at the hospital. They will also be available to
lecture to schools and civic organizations, and can provide
services to homehound patients.”
According to the administrator, some of the services the
hospital can now provide are arterial blood gasses, pulmo
nary function testing, IPPB treatment, to name a tew.
“We are happy to be able to make these services
available to our community,” Snapp added. “We invite any
interested person to call or visit Ihe respiratory therapy
department at the hospital.”
* * *
TRION COLLECTING BILLS
Trion Mayor J. C. (Jake) Woods said this week that there
has been some “confusion” in regard to paying Georgia
Power Co. bills under the new method ot mailing bills first
class.
“This is to advise all concerned that we aie continuing lo
collect the power bills at the Town Hall office. We are
proud to continue to offer this service to you.
HP
Primary U’76
PRICE 15c
honoring executives of the
participating companies will be
hosted by Neiman-Marcus’
Atlanta store on June 14.
Exhibit hours are daily
during Neiman-Marcus store
hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
Monday, Thursday, and Friday
until 9:30 p.m. June 14 anil
15. The public is invited to
attend. There is no admission
charge.
project, scheduled to begin
about Nov. 15, would include
both a draining process and a
relocation of the highway onto
a more solid foundation
“would eliminate about 90
percent of the sliding.”
Because there is no visual
I evidence of that project being
; under way, we asked Rep.
Johnny (’rawfold what infor
mation he had regarding
1 present plans to correct the
perennial problem.
Rep. Crawford said district
engineer John Wade of Carters
ville told him that DO I “will
be putting in more dram pipes
this month. They have already
been ordered and should
arrived in about two weeks,”
I Wade said. He added that the
(Continued On Page 2)