Kingsport Times-News from Kingsport, Tennessee • 4

i rr A vv Oa 4-A KINGSPORT toipSrNE WS Sunday January 23 1963 Are Coming OufIn The Open DrafMPdHdefetib-RaisrTlMrNam i ty JX By SHIRLEY PRICE Times-News Rogersville Bureau a band of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors or from the ancient CaHhagenians or from Sir Walter Raleighs Lost til -a! ft i He has traced his ancestry back to Vardy Collins and Shepherd Gibson but I havent gone beyond Collins said Earl Turner who has taught school at Vardy for a number of years said that the drama script would be a histocial mystery drama some things will never be known -x y' 'v v' The Rev Conner pastor of First Methodist Church in Sneedville said the drama on the Melungeons would be the biggest thing thats" happened to Hancock County since the Civil War Conner has visions of a theater for the drama motels and restaurants bridle trails playgrounds golf courses and a chair lift ot the top of Newmans Ridge What they want to do in Hancock County to quote Conner is lift the Melungeon narhe from shame to the hall of fame WaV i 4: '4 4 a Colony of Roanoke Other legends link the Melungeons with DeSotos party and another with Prince Madoc the Welsh chieftain who sailed westward in the 12th century reached the mouth of the Mississippi and moved into the interior of the wilderness They have even been linked with the lost tribes of Israel Another less-romantic legend is that they are simply the result of miscegenation among the French Spanish and English outcasts who hung around the fringes of early Virginia and North Carolina settlements But whatever their origin the group eventually settled in Hanqock County along Newmans Ridge and in settlements known as Blackwater Snake Hollow and Vardy There is evidence that two patriarchs of the clan lived on the ridge before 1790 Far from being savages their acquiring of land making wills owning slaves and securing marriage license paying taxes are on record in Rogersville and in various historical documents The Vardy Collins and Shep Gibsons were probably the first two Melungeon families to settle in the area Gibsons last will and testament is on file in Rogersville naming Collins as executor The Melungeon cabins were small crude dwellings made of notched logs and dobbed with clay The house of one of the better-known Melungeons is among those still standing today and the drama association plans to restore the cabin of Aunt Mahala Mullins for a museum Aunt Mahala is reported to have been a huge woman weighing anywhere from 400 to 800 pounds she seems to get heavier with each new story Tales about Aunt Mahala and her moonshining are many she was able to manufacture and sell the white lightnin without fear of prosecution because she was too big to be taken through the door of her cabin When she died about 1900 the tale goes they had to remove the chimney from one end of her cabin to get her out Her grave is in a cemetery not far down the ridge from her cabin Collins said I think a lot of people really are happy that they are Melungeons SNEEDVILLE Sure Im a Melungeon and proud oHt Probably for the first time in history this statement came from one of a group of East Tennessee mountain-folk whose history and origin is steeped in legend and mystery Heretofore Melungeon was a fighting word in Hancock County and even in adjoining Hawkins County You just dont ask a fellow if hes a Melungeon North of Sneedville high on a mountain known as Newmans Ridge this group of people have lived and survived in what some would call primitive conditions Their poverty and their lack of education have been a product of their isolation from the world outside Hancock County and more or less from their neighbors in the county itself Now plans are underway for an out-door drama at Sneedville based on the Melungeon story and on the frontier way of life as depicted by the Melungeons Carson-Newman College received a Federal grant to survey the possibilities of such a drama as a means to improve the socio-economic climate of Hancock County And when Collins a supervisor in the Hancock County School system and co-chairman of a committee promoting the drama made the above statement regarding his Melungeon heritage he opened a door to overcoming the stigma which has been attached for centuries to a people maligned by the society surrounding them Although the drama committee has not decided definitely possibilities are that the drama will be based on Jesse Stuarts book Daughter of the Legend Stuarts story of a Melungeon girl and her marriage to an outsider is set on Newmans Ridge in Hancock County although Stuart never mentions Melungeon or the locale This strange clan of people settled in Hancock County before Tennessee became a state For nearly 200 years their origin has been the subject of speculation and today no one can actually say where they originated Henry Price a Rogersville attorney gathered material for a paper on the Melungeons calling it The Vanishing Colony of Newmans Ridge 0 44- -A nfu Jirviv lArjYj'ifYyiftfiiii SHES THE MOST FAMOUS MELUNGEON probably the biggest too In his collection of theories as to the origin of the Melungeons Price said they could be mistaken for either Caucasian Negro or Indian but that as a people they do not seem to be any of these You might not know a Melungeon if you met him Usually they have dark skin straight black hair olive-like hue complexions coal black brown deep purple or grey eyes The theories of their origin are many and varied Among the legends are those that say they are descended from PLAY MAY BE TAKEN FROM THIS BOOK Collins and Conner look at it Mm AS DEADLINE NEARS Qitison Of YeariJn 'Ui -V if Few On Citys Wise County Is Asbiiry for Church Hill and Id hate to lose what weve already gained Albert Ragle said Im old and not able to work I cant afford to pay the taxes Mrs Fannie Light said To tell you the truth I don't hardly know what its all about Theres too much expense and you cant get the law when you want it CHURCH HILL With only a few days remaining to register to vote on this citys fate the pro and con campaigns are virtually nonexistent For those not now registered to vote Thursday is the last day The election on March 2 will ask voters to decide if they want Church Hill to remain a city or return to an unincorporated status By GEORGE DALTON Times-News Correspondent WISE Commonwealths Attorney Kenneth Asbury was named Wise Countys Citizen of the Year for 1967 Friday night at the annual dinner meeting of the Wise County Chamber of Commerce at at Kelly High School ALDERMAN Lyle Harris said Im 100 per cent for the charter We have a horse- and-buggy crowd dealing with a horse-and-buggy law! They are attempting to harness the progressive people of Church Hill! Kelly High School He was selected by a committee headed by Lincoln Kiser of Big Stone Gap from among nominees suggested by citizens in letters to the committee Kiser commented that Asbury has so many years of excellent work behind him that he was surprised he had not been chosen for the honor before Among his specific accomplishments in 1967 mentioned in the citation were his service as chairman of the local advisory committee appointed to work toward development of a health put things like taxes up to a vote of the people Christian said Other petitioners comments: Woodrow Messick said I signed the petition to do away with the charter to avoid high taxation and the public indebtedness which is more than the people are able to pay They are spending too much at one time Id be in fafor of the city government if they would collect the state money for roads and what it is supposed to be spent for FRANK MILLER said I dont think we ought to have a city I want it to be a county like it was They might cut out us having hogs and chickens new leadership in Church Hill so theyd use what money they get in a little more sensible way We dont need the property for the city hall they should have waited til they got out of debt We don't need two policemen sitting down there or a new cruiser Im close to retirement and will have to leave Church Hill if theres a big property tax Dwytt Davidson said Biggest reason I have is the tax and sewer It should come before the people let the people speak out Although most of the arguments seem to be against high or new taxation the fate of Church Hill itself and not the tax is in the balance on March 2 KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS James Marsh said Church Hill is headed down hill The-way I see it a lot of stuff is wasted like two policemen I may be countrified about raising taxes but one thing leads to another somebody is going to pay all their life Alderman Claud Roller said No comment An independent Newspaper Published Every Sunday center for the county director of the Wise County Fair president of the Community Advisory Council of the Wise-Appalachian Regional Hostpial and various other civic and philanthropic activities He previously had been selected by the Wise Kiwanis Club as Kiwanian of the Year New officers of the chamber were installed at the dinner They are Jim Manicure of Wise president Roy Wells Wise first vice president Robert Isaac Norton second vice president and Virgil Grow secretary-treasurer About 225 persons attending the dinner heard Dr Marshal Hahn Jr President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute tell about the growth of Virginias educational resources under the subject Decision for Tomorrow 230-226 Market Street Kingsport Tenn 27662 Phone 226-8121 SUBSCRIPTION RATES BY CARRIERS SUNDAY TIMES-NEWS with TIMES (Afternoon) Or NEWS (Morning) One Week Alderman Carter Feagins said Im for retaining our city charter Its unthinkable to even consider doing away with our city charter and losing the progress our town has made all the hundreds of hours thats been put in at the present and past city council meetings ROBBINS said I dont object to Church Hill being incorporated I do object to them putting a big tax in I think we need some Second Class Postage Paid at Kingsport 37660 MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES FIRST POSTAL ZONE ONLY ARE YOU READY FOR BUT CITY officials dont seem to have much to say in the citys favor about the issue One alderman even gave a flat no comment And even some of the 99 persons who signed the petition which asked for the referendum on the city charter haye no comments and denials of signing the petition The petition needing only 25 signatures was circulated after the Board of Mayor and Aldermen proposed a city property tax The property tax failed to pass the council but the petition was submitted to the county election commissioners nevertheless THE OWL ANDTHEy PUSSYCAT 3 Mo 6 Mo 1 Yr Dally Without Sunday 250 850 1600 Dally With Sunday 600 1050 2000 News services: United Press Inter-nelional Chicago Dally News Newspaper Enterprise Association Republication ot all matter herein Is prohibited without the express consent of the owner Fewer 6 Surprise Storms: Radar For Weatherman 6 YOLMWAQfR OP mo Edwin a chairman of the Planning Commission said A vote to repeal the Church Hill city charter would be a step backward and a costly waste We want to look ahead for more improvements for the people of Church Hill and not return it to a town where the county says what will be done in our town I feel Church Hill has all the potentials of becoming a really wonderful place to live and bring up a family for it has the nicest people I have known I am proud to live in Church Hill For City storms heavy rain or snow within a radius of more than 100 miles The $16 million radar station is one of two planned for Tennessee and 11 for the entire country It will relay its signals from an antenna on the mountain to special receiving equipment at the airport The city officials had these comments: BLOUNTVILLE The airport weatherman is going to get radar to help him heaven knows he could use it The weatherman has forecast none of Kingsports three snowstorms so far this year Before the snowstorm last week the weatherman predicted occasional light rain ending Wednesday it ended with five inches of snow Against Gty MAYOR James Crowe said Ive been working for the city now for eight years We have a wonderful opportunity to build a fine city Alderman Noe said People working together on the city charter can provide for themselves the good things of life with less expenditure than any other way Alderman Sam Smith said I would hate to see the charter go because we would miss it Alderman Bobby Green said Were just beginning to grow I see great things AT PRESENT this is the only major area of the southeast that does not have radar coverage Johnson said Because of our limited facilities much of our information now has to be generalized he continued we simply cannot pinpoint movements at a moments notice With this radar system we can keep a close watch on storms and other factors as they develop and move within our own area Johnson predicted So when the radar goes into operation within the next 18 months as planned brighter days may be ahead-or at least well know when its going to snow BUT HELP is on the way Environmental Sciences Services Association told the weatherman this week it had approved construction of a new high-power" radar weather station on Holston Mountain range southeast of Bristol to serve the Tri-City area It will be a tremendous aid to observation said Jerry Johnson head weatherman at the Tri-City Airport who gives the forecasts for the area The new station Johnson said will provide forecasters with continuous surveillance of the location intensity and movement of ONE OF the originators of the petition Christian said the reason for the petition 'is people dont have a say they (the mayor and aldermen) keep cramming it down our throats The idea behind the repealing the present charter for Church Hill is to reorganize the city and write into the charter something to -J 5v i Its Red White And Blue WALTON For New School Cougars A HUMIDIFIERS BLOUNTVILLE School colors for Sullivan Countys two neir consolidated high schools chosen by vote of the faculty and- students of the old schools they will replace were approved by thfe County Board of Education meeting Friday night No other sedan can make this statement For Central High School they will be Tennessee orange find off white Those Who will Wttend East High School chose a patriotic color scheme of red white and blue The Montclair is easily installed on the Return Air Duct of a warm air heating system It goes on automatically when the furnace blower goes 6n and converts 80 pounds of water into high quality vapor each day under normal cold weather con ditions Because the i Walton Montclair creates vapor By positive centrifugal atomization its capacity is completely unaffected by temperature relative humidity or velocity of air "One trunk 3o a car" has been sedan dogma ever since sedans began lAnd why pot? Isn't it obvious that a car-cdn't have two trunks? After all how can you add a trunk without subtracting dn engine?) Well you know how much we worry about dogma So our new VW Fostbbck Sedan rot only has two good-sized trunks but -since'even d'Volkswagei? can't get along without an engine an engine (What we did was to make the engine -only 16 -inches high and tuck it under- lealhthereartrunU Ot course while our Fostback may be the first two-trunked sedan-it's still a Volkswagen Soitcan make acoupleof more statements most other sedans can't make Gas mileage: up to 27 mpg the price: $232150 But best of all with this car what you gain in function you don't-lose in style Shut both trunks and you have a dashing little fastback Believers in the "one trunk to cor''" dogma can cqjhus heretics But at least were gopd'-Iodking her' eicskv 'Y The school board also' approved the choice of Cougars as the nickname for Central which will consolidate the present Holston and Blountville High Schools next rfall A nickname forr East has not yet been chosen' SCHOOL'S NAMESAKE ALL COPPER DOME DISCHARGE -The present -Blountville RESERVOIRS SHUTS OFF AND FILLS AUTO MATICALLY STRINGENT QUALITY CONTROL SOLID SEAMLESS COPPER RESERVOIR coach Jerry Fprd previously had been chosen- as head coach for Central However two of Fords assistants at HARRY MILLS INC IUA 128 STONE DRIVE HEATING i SHEET METAL WORK i ROOFING i AIR CONDITIONING 1 1 00 Industry Drive Just off Hwy 81 1 Phone 247-41 76 KINGSPORt 'Elected as football for East-which consolidate the former Bluff City Holston Valley and Mary Hughes High schools yas a 1 Bhadley now coach at Graham High i School ini Biuefieid Va 'i V-iV PHONE 2474135 Sl''-r Blountville Wallace Ketron and Norman Tunnell will be transferred to: East to help Bradley 'shape up 'the teams there yj AJotmianrtiittiMd im il tAdf 4 lomf loabii i -I refill price test coajt POE kxil Sixes otner leir delivery ctwges l( iny UV'M 'V r-'- 'A Ai a'-' V-' I if' IVtl' r-1' vv A' AH i 'c' 2 AiA1 Mi" 'i 'v 'V' A I A 6 i i i.