Thursday, September 21, 1967
Fire
Unbelievable was the word on every one’s lips as the third school fire in four months destroyed the auditorium, a classroom and two work rooms on the third floor of the Marlinton High School, burning through the roof and causing its collapse on the stairway with resultant water damage, etc. below. The fire, which started on the stage, was held by the firemen to the old portion of the building with only minor damage to the gymnasium addition. The firemen did an excellent job.
The fire whistle blew about 3:10 and it was over three hours before it was whipped.
Charles Edward McElwee and Johnny Mallow drove up to enter the building and saw the smoke and flames on the third floor.
Thanks are again in order for the help from Green Bank Observatory, Hillsboro, White Sulphur and Lewisburg Fire Departments and the many people and students who fought fire and helped remove records, books, and equipment.
Jim Walker received a bad cut on the leg in the process. Many items were carried to the Post Office and then Burns Motor Freight brought a trailer into which sewing machines, chairs, etc., were loaded. Many willing hands moved the things quickly.
Arson
Saturday’s Marlinton High School fire was called a case of arson by Captain C. L. Walker, of the State Fire Marshal’s office, in a public statement Tuesday night in the office of Superintendent of Schools Grey Cassell.
He said it had been under investigation since Saturday and they still had some other leads to explore, but there is no solution yet.
Samples of material from the stage where the fire started will be taken to Charleston for laboratory examination. In reference to the previous school fires, he stated he is sure the second fire started from the electrical wiring, and there is nothing to make them believe the first fire was anything other than accidental.
Superintendent Cassell commended the men from the State Fire Marshal’s office, Corporal Ray Heflin, Fire Chief Fred Burns and his assistant, Doug Dunbrack, all of whom were present, for their cooperation and long hours of work.
Mr. Cassell announced classes for grades 7 – 12 would start Monday if approval is received from Charleston.
Five classes will be held in the Marlinton Methodist Church basement and the Home Economics class will be in the American Legion Hall. The choice was between this and bussing the students to Green Bank and students to Green Bank and Hillsboro on a makeshift day…
Earle C. Stewart, Inspector for the Fire Marshal’s office, condemned the burned side of the building and said the other side could be used for one year only, providing new wire service from the pole is installed and a fire escape with entrances from the second and third floors is built, in addition to the ones already in place.
M.H.S. Homecoming Queen
Cheryl Ann Bailey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bailey, was elected to reign as homecoming queen when Marlinton plays White Sulphur High School Friday, September 22…
The band will help in the half-time ceremony which will include the crowning of the queen. Her attendants will be included in the ceremony. They are:
Senior attendant, Gloria Mitchell, escorted by Doug Morrison.
Junior Attendant, Della Dean, escorted by Tommy Dole.
Sophomore attendant, Terry Sharp, escorted by David Slaven.
Freshman attendant, Lillian Barb, escorted by Doug Wagner.
Eighth Grade attendant, Jo Ann Sharp, escorted by Mike Hollandsworth.
Seventh Grade attendant, Sharon Shinaberry, escorted by Claude Sharp.
Lobelia Home Demonstration Club
The Lobelia Home Demonstration Club met at the home of Mrs. Carrie Morrison, August 25, for its regular meeting.
Mrs. Clifford Hill was in charge of devotions. Her topic was Our Creator, Living Creatively, Seeing Beauty; a poem, We do Not Find But Make Happiness; a prayer, Let’s Let Go, and Let God take Over; Mrs. Hill was assisted by Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Johnnie Hill.
Gladys Hill was our lesson leader, the subject, Living Creatively Through the Middle Years.
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibby Gray Sage, of Marlinton, a daughter, named Lori Ann.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Loman Calvin Lester, of Marlinton, a son, named Loman Keith.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lee Rose, of Marlinton, a daughter, named Dreama Leona.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles David Crawford, of Mill Point a son, named Robert Paul.
DEATHS
Miss Nancy Ligon Barlow, 33, of Dunmore, a daughter of Samuel H. and Mary Margaret Price Barlow. Burial in the Edray Cemetery.
Forest “Cutch” Wooddell, 72, of Green Bank; a son of the late William Henry and Alice G. Williams Wooddell. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
Harmon B. Dilley, 69, of Dunmore, a son of the late Amos Dilley and Minnie Dilley. Burial in the Mountain View Cemetery.
James K. Marshall, 87, formerly of Hillsboro; burial in the McNeel Cemetery at Hillsboro.
