The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 17

By MARY CHERRY ALLEN The Appomattox. Iron Works Supply at 20-28 Old has the distinction probably of being the only family-established and owned industry of its kind in the is one of the oldest one- family businesses in Petersburg, having been founded by Esek Steere in 1872. Esek Steere came' to Petersburg from Oswego County, N. Y. Young, energetic and skilled in his trade, he built and equipped an iron foundry: for the manufacture of agricultural a machine shop was added to meet the demands for the growing lumber and tobacco industries.

The first plant was located on the north side of Old St close to the Norfolk and' Western railroad tracks and the Appomattox River, providing excellent shipping facilities. Its patronage came chiefly from a half dozen concerns engaged in the tobacco business, the peanut and lumber industries and planters. Needed More Space The industry grew and prospered, necessitating larger space for its operations. So, about the year 1900 the firm purchased the property at 20 to 28 Old not far from the point of its origin. At this time the business was conducted by Esek Steere and his eon, Albert Lippett Steere, under state charter.

Later, another son, Charles H. Steere, who died this last May, came into the business. Later i A. Leslie Steere, grandson of Esek Steere and son of Albert L. Steere, joined the firm.

Today, A. Leslie Steere-is president and general manager of the corporation of which he and his sister, Mrs. Frederick A. Sapp, of Petersburg, are sole owners. In the beginning the company operated an iron and brass foundry, specializing in sawmills and sawmill machinery, plow castings 'and all kinds of farm machinery and tools which were handmade throughout.

Also repair parts needed by various local plants. At the turn of the present century the peanut industry, began to demand modern type of labor-saving machinery for handling its products. From the foundry and machine shop of the Appomattox Iron Works came such inventions as the Appomattox peanut sheller, cleaner and separator. For nearly half a century--until World War II when the firm was unable to get materials these inventions were shipped all over the world. Hundreds were exported to South Africa, others were shipped to Siam, Japan, Australia, Russia, and peanuts are for commercial purposes.

Builds Sawmills The company still builds in its plant complete sawmills, one of which is presently under construction. The firm operates a machine shop capable of making not only machine parts used in sawmills, but conveyors, gearing and repair parts. The industrial supply end of the business was developed in 1900 when the plant was moved to the present location. Today the company is distributor of industrial and mill supplies needed in plants Same Family 14 Get Marriage Licenses in Week A total of 14 marriage licenses was issued last week by Mrs. Ruth M.

Bailey, clerk of Hustings Court. Marriage licenses issued to White persons were: Earl Randall Robinette and Louella Mae Nunn, 1 both of Petersburg; Charles Andrew Hartman, of Fort Lee, and Barbara Ann Jordan, of Petersburg; Irving Starr and Thelma Jackson Perkinson, both of Petersburg; Lester David Pecht Jr. and Nancy Elizabeth Blankenship, both of Petersburg; Calvin Nathaniel der Jr. and Dolly Newlin Beck, both of Petersburg; Floyd Robert Sheppard, of Richmond, and Minnie Belle Sizemore, of Petersburg. Henry Chatard Scott of Richmond, and Nancy Dolvin Evans, of Petersburg; William Earl Pope, and Brenda Mae Southall, both of Petersburg; William John Evans, of Cabool, and Mary Elizabeth Kennedy, of S.

James Percival Haddon, of Dinwiddie, and Peggy Fultz Harrison, of Petersburg; and Harvey Harold Guctzhe, of Fort Lee, and Margaret May Magdic, of Menomonee Falls, Wis. Three marriage licenses were issued to Negroes: Leroy Wison, of Disputanta, and Mattie Viola Hill, of Petersburg; Robert Herman Taylor and Virginia Seabron Russell, both of Petersburg; Bernard Shands and Margie Marie Hatfield, both of Petersburg. Radio Ministers For Week Listed (Hopewell Bureau) i The Rev. I. C.

Collins, pastor of the Church of God, will be the speaker the first three days this week on Morning Devotions over WHAP. The program is presented except Sunday, at m. The time is given by ihe station. the last throe days, the speaker will be the. Rev.

0. T. Spence, pastor 'of Pentecostal Holiness-Church. of First Baptist Church, of which the Rev. C.

R. Stevens pastor, will ha broadcast this morning at 11 o'clock. located in this area. It specializes in hard-to-find items and stocks thousands and thousands of various sized bolts, screws, valves, babbit metal bars and steel pine fittings. During the years the firm has bought out several industrial supply ccompanies, including Stockdell-M Hardware Co.

and the Patterson Supply Co. The Appomattox Iron Works Supply Co. occupies a three-story building which extends from the south side of Old St. to the rear of buildings on W. Bank St.

Its plant area totals 47,000 square feet, with 37,000 square feet pf floor space. In years of its existence, in panics hard times, even during the bank holiday in 1933, it has never missed a payroll. When the banks were closed by presidential order employes of this company were paid in cash as regular as clockwork. Items In Windows In the company's display windows are a interesting items, which attract attention of passersby. These are things repre sentative of the day when the Appomattox Iron Works did a big business in stove-castings, andirons, cemetery vases, skillets, fireplace ovens and dumbells.

It still owns the original patterns and fills orders for tourists and others with- a flair for collecting such things. In iniO when the old Petersburg Iron Works discontinued business, the Appomaltox people purchased their valuable patterns. Many, of course, have been outmoded by later inventions in mechanical devices. The company's large collection of patterns includes some curious ones viewed from the vantage point of today of interest are the patterns for making steam engines and snuff mills. Outside interests of this old industry are the Hatcher's Run corn meal mill and private fishing pond, located about eight miles-out in Dinwiddie County.

The large pond, built by Albert L. Steere in 1921, is considered one of the best fishing preserves in this section of the stale. Supplied with fish by the government, 1 it is only used by members of the family and their friends. The compnny owns the house known as the Olc! Rectory, sometimes called "The Glebe," which stands on Crntcr Road at Hhc (Staff Photos by Ezzell) OLD ONE-FAMILY INDUSTRY--These scenes in, the Appomattox Iron Works 6V Supply Co. show: top photo -Lear Tucker, who has been with the company 30 years, making a roller bearing for a sawmill.

Center photo shows Benjamin Simmons, who has been associated with the firm 45 years, at pipe-threading machine. In third photo John Hill is operating a sheet metal rollina machine. Photo at bottom shows A. Leslie Steere" president and general manager, beside a ship chandler's wood-planing machine used principally for ship umbers and heavy construction which must be very accurate and true. This machine is used today for planing sawmill timbers.

approach of Blandford Cemetery. Also, since 1878 it has owned the finest molding sand pit irr- the state, located at the Old Rectory. of a human interest nature could be written about (his one-family industry which was helping to, build something solid into thc community long before a vast majority of Petersburg citizens of today were born. There is an atmosphere of another day about old firm in its old building, with many customers repre senting the second, and third anl fourth generation a sense, of continuity and stability. This one family firm, which has chnnget its operations to meet the cliang ing years, is a unique example of American Irc.c enterprise with roots deep in tiie past.

First Titmus SGhblarship A Michigan student has won the first Titmus Scholarship for study. He is Robert Stuart Glover III, of Huntinglon Woods. He will attend Williams College and rnajor in science in preparation for his chosen career. Winner of the Titmus scholarship will receive financial aid covering a four-year period at the-college of his choice. The college selected also will receive a financial grant.

The program has been instituted in cooperation with the National Merit Scholarship Foundation. More than 70 such scholarships have been established by business and industrial corporations and other groups. Fourteen thousand U. S. high schools entered some 165,000 of their best students in this year's Merit Scholarships competition.

Mcffoaca Home Vital Cog in Air Defense Appearances are often deceiving, as is the case with (he home of J. A. Hancock at 108 Bech- enut in Matoaca. His hous is minor, but important, cog in the representatives make a monthly air defense observer network in this area. Both Mr.

and Mrs. Hancock rmtn me vriuimu VL'l POSt were members of the Ground Ob- in Petersburg was disbanded, the server Corps before i disbanded recqjltly, and the observer post supervision taken over by the Air Force. Their home has been an observer post for over a year. After the corps was disbanded by the government, Mrs. Hancock, in Richmond needed a post in this area.

So we began here." The mother of two small children, Mrs, Hancock said a members of the post are strictly with the help of Mrs. Warren Cole, of Matoaca, organized a group of boys and girls, aged 12 to 14, into a volunteer skywatch group. The group, now 14 strong, participates in alerts and other functions under the direction of the Air Defense filter center in Richmond, reporting by telephone. Organized Three Months Composed largely of members of the Methodist Yough Fellowship at the Matoaca Methodist Church, the group has been organized for about three months. Mrs.

Cole is the director of the fellowship group. During alerts, the group tabulates aircraft sighted as to type, direction, heights, speed and oth- awards and certificates. The organization works during alerts in the back yard of the Hancock home. Besides Mrs. Hancock and Mrs.

Cole, the group comprises three boys and 10 girls. All Matoaca residents, they are: Bud Peterson, Don Batten, Delmer Shumate, Sue Ella Cole Bennette Sturt, Janey Dilday X'S, JSg A0 cl SKs- 0 so-fts sna Sits Fellowship Field Sumrher Program Starts Tomorrow Fellowship Field, a playground sponsored by the i a churches of Petersburg, will open for the summer tomorrow. The park, located behind old Grace Church in the 500 block High will be conducted by Mrs. Coleman Woodruff, of Ettrick. Hours of the park are 9 a.

m. un til noon and 2 p. m. to 5 p. m.

Monday through Friday. Handicrafts again will be the specialty of the program. girls may learn to sew, make rugs, work with shells, and the boys can do wood and leather work. Athletic equipment also will be available. There are no age limits, b.u Mrs.

Woodruff says the children attending the park range from pre-school age to mid-teens. sr factors. The alerts are supple- menlcd by Sunday sessions under Mrs. Hancock. The group has isit to the post.

Mrs. Hancock, whose husband is an instructor at Fort Lee, said, "When the Ground Observer post on a volunteer basis, but can toward silver wings, The-'Progress-Index; Heights, Sunday, June, 15, 1358 17 (buff Photo by Sloan) Alfred Hcrase Points Out Bees Which Have Taken Possession Of Former Chicken House During 10-Year Period They Have Built Huge Honeycomb Behind Wall, Ceiling Boards Alfred Haase Wants To Evict Contrary Squatter Bees Is Alfred Haase, of Dinwiddie County, a beekeeper, or isn't he? That is the question. Haase, lives on Boydton Plank Road about one half mile from Petersburg's city limits, has had bees on his place for 10 years. But he's never been able to persuade them to live in the on the place has he ever tried Also a portion has broken off and to get any of the honey. 11 After 10 years of trying to get the bees to behave properly, he uao iiu cAjjianauon as wants to get rid of them, honey to why the bees are so set on i jil-iiw Vi AH MX.

i hives in a former chicken house fallen of its own weight. No Explanation Haase has no explanation as and all. this chicken house instead of pro- For years the bees have stored er beehives, but a in I i 15 PtflA nf in honey in this old 'chicken house in the rear of Haase's home. The comb, started in a corner, has grown so heavy it broke through the wall board of the ceiling. PI A rho Matoaca Skywatchers Are Part Of National Air Defense Network Mrs.

T. A. Hancock (left), Supervises Group During Air Alerts Sloan) Colonial Heights School Pupils Awarded Honor Certificates At an assembly of the Colonial Levy, Michele Pollard, Charlotte Heights School pupils recently Stoss, certificates were awarded to pupils of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades who made the hon-' or roll for all three report periods during the second semester of the 1957-58 session. They, are: Seventh grade: Anne i Alyce Fraser, Terrie Livesay, Betsy Blankenship, Chuckie Wall, Luther Yerger, Roddy Williams, Nancy Croom, Bradley Brooks, Mike Kirby, Dudley Vest, Rose Driskill, Brenda Porter, Jackie Smelly, Barbara Southall, Jeanette Hogan. Eighth grade: Kitty i Louise Mann, Kay Jo Westerberg, Pam Paris, Edythe Edwards, Carol Fuller, Frederick Green, Sidney Pecht, Filmore Rose, Joyce Estep, a Fowkles, Irene Reha, Starlclte Sheffield, Patricia Spain, Helen Szarama, Lowell Barnes, Thomas Carwile, Nancy Gotwald.

Catherine Gunter, Sandra Hazlett, Marsha Sharits, Kathryn. Wilkcr- son, Katie Wilkerson. Ninth grade: Henry Barbour, Dick Levy, Janet Lancaster, Emma Ruth Norton, Patty Jo Bowman, Iva 'Lee Crocker, Joanne Playgrounds Open Tomorrow In Hopewell Area (Hbpcweli Bureau) Hopewell's playgrounds wili open tomorrow for the summer season. A full staff of trained workers will be on the grounds and the program, calls for a variety of entertainment for the record number of youngsters expected daily. A training institute was held over the weekend to instruct the playground methods.

Each clay's program will be balanced between play periocis, story of many kinds of articles in nrt and 'handicraft. Last year's attendance sol. 'record preparations roll pupils for the last report period which ended on June 6 are: First honor roll seventh grade: Kay fraser, Terrie Livesay, Betsy Blankenship, Bradley Brooks, Mike i Dudley Vest, Brenda Porter, Barbara Southall, Jeanette Hogan. grade: Filmore Rose, Helen Szarama, Louise Mann, Kitty Lewis, Pam Paris, Barbara Nussey, Kay Jo Westerberg, Lowell Barnes, Nancy Gotwald, Catherine Gunter, Katie Wilkerson Ninth grade: Dick Levy Joanne Levy and Doris Smith. Second Honor roll Seventh grade: Fred Daniel, Anne Ellis Phyllis Jennings, Rex Brugh, Billy Cawthorn, Patricia Bishop, Ann Kuehn, Sue Mallory, Anita Furman, Jane Ogle tree, Jackie Smelly, Rose Driskill, Blane Chap, pell, Chuckie Wall, Roddy Williams, Luther Yerger, a Croom, Martha Meredith, Nancy Simmons, Kathy Story, Theloise Wingficld.

Eighth grade: Sidney Pecht Joyce Estep, Suzanne Judy Franklin, Irene Reha, Starlette Sheffield, Patricia a i Jerry Daniel, Ricky Greene, Betty. James, Carol Fuller, Tommy Carwile, James Faison, Greg Parker, Charlotte Austin," Betty Jean Harrison, Snndra HazlcU Diane Pcrkinson, Marsha Sharits Kathryn Wilkerson. Ninth grade: Henry Barbour Darrcll Wyatt, Kathy Goodvvyn, Jcnet Lancaster, Emma Norton, Diana Boisseau, a Bowman, Iva Lee Crocker, Michele Pollard, Andy Berkley, Charlotte Stoss. Pupils of the Colonial Heights School who had perfect attendance records, being neither absent nor tardy during the entire 1957-58 session, were awarded perfect attendance certificates. They are: Fourth grade: James Barry, over me wccKena 10 instruct ine 1 1 Vn aii supervisors in handicraft and a Tra y' or and Michael ncr.

per. grade: Danny Cannon, Danny -Davis, and instruction' in the mak- Phyllis Harris ancl Opal Angc. Rrado: Connie Grnmmer, Nelson Bnilcy and Connie Mar-J phnll. Seventh-grade: Blanc Chappcll, 4 i i i LJI, I I 1 i tlUU I I I 1 1 been made Ihis year for an even Wade Fischer. Charlie Towncs, larger number of youngsters.

I Joyce Sadler and Lee Asliby. Eighth grade: Kay Jo Wc'sler- and Patricia Storm. Ninth grade: Elizabeth Longstreet and Bonnie Lee Talum. Hopewell Project Review Is Slated (Hopewell Bureau) construction S00n pttal A i The east wing is about ready i floor. 'There's 15,000 of 'em in there.

He didn't explain.how he arrived at that figure, but a the black, moving mass in the corner would indicate there are a "powerful of bees as "busy as bees" are supposed to be. Hundreds of bees were buzzing around both inside and outside the building where they could be seen going in and out of a small, high window. If one cannot understand why the bees favor this particular, spot for making honey, there is no difficulty in understanding why they like the Haase place of many acres, with spacious lawn surrounding the house, grape arbor, fig bushes, many large old trees and other growing and blooming things. Haase is not afraid of the bees, although he's been stung a few times, and will go quite close to the hive, exercising due caution. But he admits the bees have got him beat and throw out an invitation to any beeman with know-how to come get the bees and the honey.

If somebody doesn't he's going to get rid of them somehow, even if he has to "burn 'em out." Weather Assists Repair Work on Hopewell Streets (Hopewell Bureau Good weather of the past week gave an additional boost to work on Hopewell's streets, badly in need of repair from winter damage; construction of Carter G. Woodson Schpol and preliminary work on the parking lot behind the Municipal Building. Barring recurrence of heavy rains, which plagued contractors Randol P. for any months, lost time will be madc Up on the Construction anno ewe Hos work under way in the city, it is expected. The Woodson school now is ilIB BUI1UOI now 1S for occupancy but there still is well advanced and it is not ex- much to be done on the second pected that there will be any floor and some parts of the trouble with meeting the of the school term in September Patty Leigh Watkins Counfy Girl Joins X-Ray Staff A 17-year-old Dinwiddie County girl recently joined the staff of Petersburg General Hospital as an X-ray technician after completing a year's training at the hospital.

She is Patty Leigh Watkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Watkins, of Diniwddie County.

Patty is quite enthused with her work at the hospital. She wanted to be a nurse, but after she graduated from Dinwiddie High (School last June, the (Slnff Photo by.Kzzoll) Patty Watkins, X-Ray Technician Al Hospital She Has Just Completed Developing Negative school of nursing would not accept her because she was so young just 16. With the urge of wanting to do something to help someone else, Patty decided she wanted to become an X-ray, technician. She decided on this Because she had been receiving treatment from Dr. Carroll A.

Peabody, radiologist at Petersburg General Hospital. Receives Certificate So after a year's training under Dr. Peabody, Patty Monday received certificate George E. Bokinsky, hospital administrator, showing that she had completed courses in X-ray theory and practice as recommended by the council on education of the American Medical Association. The X-ray staff at Petersburg General Hospital, under direction of Dr.

Peabody, is composed of girls who have completed courses at the hospital. It is composed of four graduates and three students! "I find this work to be most interesting. It's never said Patty. A question asked her was, "Would you recommend other young girls to become terhni-, cians?" The- answer was an emphatic "yes." Patty finds herself working on the night shift at every fourth night. "Sometime we have plenty of work to do at night, bther' times it's pretty Again she emphasized "I love it." is a member of Kenwood Methodist Church located just off Route 1 in Dinwiddie She' is president of the Petersburg sub-district of the i Youth Fellowship.

And her hobby- is sewing. make all my clothes and enjoy it," she said. --JIMMY E2ZELL.