Thursday, February 15, 1950
FIELD NOTES
Friend Johnie Keen writes in from Chicago for the know-how of the well-nigh lost art of smoke curing meat with hickory wood. It appears like store bought creosote mixture – liquid smoke to be daubed on with a brush – had done out that labor of love; the springtime chore of smoking the year’s supply of meat. The big idea behind such processing was to discourage the bugs and to favor an acquired taste for a flavor of creosote.
In this community of long past generation, the older colored men were past masters in the art of smoking meat to a flavor disgusting to bugs and pleasing to the taste of men. Some held that smoking should be a continuous performance, day and night, with smoke rolling all the time, for best results. Another would run day shifts only; to let the meat “sweat” of night. They said this was to give a good sticking surface for more smoke…
The procedure in smoking meat was to bring into the smoke house one of the heavy fifty-gallon iron kettles from the sugar camp. Set the pot on rocks and pour in about three pecks of live coals. Lay on your hickory and whatever else and watch it smoke.
Through long years of using on meat cured against bugs by daub and smear treatment with factory smoke juice, taste becomes too perverted and depraved to appreciate the delicate flavor of homegrown, hand cured, hickory smoked meat.
UNIVERSITY MEETING
The Pocahontas County Know Our University supper meeting at Hillsboro High School last Friday night was largely attended and a big success in every way.
Adolph Cooper was the toastmaster. Response from the Ruritans was by Richard McNeel; from the Lions by Richard F. Currence; and from the Rotarians by Walter Jett.
The oldest university graduate present was Henry Beard, class of 1918. He spoke of his day at the University when it had a capacity attendance of 500. One year, he was the only student from Pocahontas County. Last year, there were 39 students from our county…
HONOR STUDENT
Rex White, of Minnehaha Springs, a student in Concord State College, stands eighth in the freshman class off 336 with a rating of 2.5 honor points. Rex is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. White. He graduated from Marlinton High School, class of 1948.
BROWNSBURG
Miss Virginia Walker was honored with a birthday dinner Saturday night at the home of her sister, Mrs. Sallie McChesney.
Mr. and Mrs. George H. Walker celebrated their seventh anniversary at their home January 22 with a lovely dinner. Their guests were Misses Virginia and Hazel McChesney, Houston Jefferson and Dale Boggs.
Little Ruth McChesney celebrated her seventh birthday February 4. Those present were Ann, Bernice and Philomine Walker, Sharon, Mary Frances and Isaac Cashwell, Jr., Gene and Sally Faye Stewart, Mildred, Carl, Edward and Wilbur Boggs, Johnny and Gloria Boggs and Mrs. Jane Boggs. A delightful time was had by all, and many nice presents were received.
Early Walker is confined to his home due to an eye injury received while cutting wood.
VALENTINE PARTY
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Camper honored their son, Charles Lowell, with a Valentine Party, at their home on Second Avenue. Games were enjoyed by the children after which refreshments consisting of ice cream, cookies, popcorn, candy and pop were served by Mrs. Camper and Mrs. Crede Dunbrack.
Guests were Sue Ann Withers, Barbara Ray, Mary Sharon Sharp, Joan Grimes, Terry Beard, Jimmy Yeager, Jerry Withers, Steve McCarty, Georgie Cochran, Emmett Lee Fitzgerald and Berton Smith.
BEAVER SEALING
A representative of the Conservation Commission will be at the courthouse Monday for the purpose of sealing beaver skins, according to conservation officer John Casto. This arrangement is made for the convenience of those who have pelts for sealing as required by state law. Under the law, all pelts must be sealed with-in 30 days after the trapping season…
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Luther Gray Geiger, of Cass, a daughter.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Alvon Richard Dean, of Marlinton, a son, Richard Cecil.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Orval Dale May, of Marlinton, a son, David Hamilton.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lacy Pugh, of Arbovale, a daughter, Bonita Faye.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Junior Harper Lambert, of Arbovale, a son, Johnny Paul.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Hunter McQuain, of Dunmore, a son.
DEATHS
Mrs. Annie Muller Wal-ker, aged 60 years, died February 8, 1950, at her home in Montreat. Burial was in the Hollywood cemetery in Richmond. The Walkers have many friends in Pocahontas County. Dr. J. M. Walker is a former pastor of the Marlinton Presbyterian Church.
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David Mathew Hale, aged 54 years, died at the Cleveland Clinic, February 5, 1950. He had been ill for many months. Funeral service from the Marlinton Presbyterian Church with burial in Mountain View Cemetery… He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Glenna Barnes.