The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 4

Page 4 The Gaffney Ledger October 15, 1997 Of lli-i 'it 1 1 BOY, lew at Cherokee Park The Ohio River and Charleston Railroad Company' Cherokee Park on Upper Goat Island, a short distance from Cherokee Falls and near Cooperville On Broad River, opened on the 16th of June 1898 to the public The opening of Cherokee Park was a most auspicious occasion, not only for the O.R. C. Railroad, but for Cherokee County. This gift from the railroad was immediately recognized as one of the most attractive picnic grounds in the state. On opening day, the com-, pany ran excursion trains from Blacksburg and Gaffney to the park and the fare for the round trip was 20 cents.

In the open- Dr. Bobby Moss ing exercises, Maj. John F. Jones, on behalf of the railroad, presented the park to the public for use as a meeting place and pleasure ground and a representative of the county, on behalf of the public, The railroad company had built a comfortable landing and stairs on the trestle so that trains could stop and passengers embark and descend to the park. For the convenience of those who arrived at the riverside by private conveyances, the railroad had floored the train trestle from bank to bank.

Seats had been erected all over the island for the comfort of those who wished to sit and rest themselves after promenading or dancing in the pavilion. Pleasure boats had been put on the river, and a refreshment stand had been erected where soda water, ice cream, cigars, cigarettes, were offered for sale for the convenience of the pleasure seekers. In addition, swings and seesaws had been erected for the enjoyment of the little folks. The spot was an ideal one for a pleasure ground. It was literally covered with magnificent shade trees and grass.

There was about four acres of ground on the island and a good breeze passed that way continually. On the first Saturday the park was open, a train left Gaffney about 2:30 p.m. and returned from the park about 8 o'clock, in ample time for folks to do their shopping for Sunday. The park was an immediate success. For example, on the 28th of July, Cherokee Park was the 'If my dad had caught me with a gun trouble today.

"Parents are asking the mayor to set a curfew so their kids will come home on jusfcsefcWn AgitetWt? myiJfJu riven byjthe Bell and making his kids come home on tome. Mflns Band. Shnrtlv aftar'ffia arrival of the 'And kids with guns. If my daddy James Gregory is billed as "The Funniest Man in America" and most people who have seen his comedy routine probably After seeing his show this past weekend, I know my wife and I do. Some of his show pokes fun at trailers and those with weight" problems.

According to Gregory's logic, tornadoes ALWAYS hit trailer parks. "You've never seen a man in a three-piece suit being interviewed by a TV reporter after a tornado saying, Yes, it had caught me with a gun, he'd a stuck it and dared me to touch it again." Dads today are different, he said. "They're vegetarians. And they run. And they use spray 'I cant believe it's not butter, butter.

And they eat Cody Sossamon muffins. Mufffins! Muffins" Gregory said his dad was a real man and his children knew better than to disobey a man who ate a "small fried pig for breakfast" I guess probably everyone at the show could have been offended by something Gregory said, but they weren't as far as I could tell. Instead they chose to laugh at the humor that can be found in almost every situation. We all need to lighten up a little bit Like those folks that are upset about the Mr. Magoo movie being made because it is Offensive to people who don't see so well.

Or those protesting Porky Pig cartoons because they are offensive to those with speech problems. Laugh a little. Better yet, laugh a lot Youll feel better. And so will those around you. (Cody Sossamon is The Gaffney ledger executive editor.

He can be reached at 489-1131, extension 25.) was rather devastating when the blasted storm hit the west wing of my mansion.1" Gregory said his cousin wanted to manufacture 2-story trailers "in case rich people want to buy one." Somewhat plump himself, Gregory took several shots at those who could stand to lose a few pounds and diets in general. Like his aunt After one particularly big meal she flopped down on the sofa and declared she was going on a diet, "starting tomorrow. No, I can't start tomorrow, we're going to Cracker Barrel for dinner." The Funniest Man in America wove some social commentary into his routine that everyone in the crowd seemed to agree with. He doesnt care too much for the activists who want to set aside habitats for endangered species such as the spotted owl and some kind of rat "Ifs a RAT! Why does it need 500,000 acres to breed?" He has the answer to why kids get into so much train parties, the crowd proceeded to the spacious pavilion to enjoy the fascinating dances and the music. After indulging in these leisures for several hours, some visitors could be seen taking boat rides, fishing, or strolling about admiring the beautiful scenery of the park.

Others were riding up and down the railway track on a hand car, which was provided for them by the genial agent at the Cherokee Falls Railway Station. For several years Cherokee Park was a favorite gathering place during the summer months. On May 18, 1900, the day Gaffney Graded School Number One closed for the year, the students and teachers of the school spent the day on Goat Island, one of Cherokee's noted resorts which was frequently visited by schools in quest of holiday pleasures. Abig picnic and grand sports were on 1 the program. On 31 May 1900, the children of the Presbyterian Sunday School, accompanied by their parents, 1 pastor, and teachers, enjoyed an outing and picnic on Goat Island.

On May 2, 1902, a large number of young Gaffney citizens celebrated the day with a picnic at Cherokee Park on Goat Island. The committee of arrangements was composed of Waddy Roundtree, Joe Camp, Logan Warmouth, and Misses Ida Lemmons, Alie Petty, and Isabella i Blanton. The chaperones were Mrs. Camp Davis and Mrs. J.H.

Lipscomb. The park on Goat Island continued to be a favorite place for picnics, dances, late afternoon rendezvouses, and weekend gatherings for a number of years. Eventually all of Cherokee Park was destroyed by a major flood which swept Goat Island clear of all manmade structures except the massive stone pillars which held the railroad (NOTE: The above article is excerpted from the forthcoming new book titled Cherokee County Calendar, 1897-1906. Watch The Ledger for publication date.) (Dr. Bobby Moss is a retired educator and noted author and historian.

Correspondence to him may be mailed to: Dr. Bobby Moss, co The Gaffney Ledger, P.O. Box 670, Gaffney, S.C. 29342.) Counties should preserve scenic nature of Hwy. ll An advisory committee from the Appalachian Council of Governments has devised a plan to preserve the scenic nature of Highway 11, but that body has no authority to implement the plan.

Officials from the five counties traversed by the Upstate highway should take the lead from this I point They should form a committee including at least one county council member from each affected. They could start with the Council of Governments plan, evaluating the protections listed there. Then they could teach agreement on which measures to take, and the counties could enact the necessary provisions. The committee recommended installing wooden guardrails, building roadside parks and bicycle paths, buying billboards and tearing them down and enacting zoning to restrict development County councils probably will not be willing to adopt the entire plan, but some action will be necessary to preserve one of the Upstate's finest natural treasures. The road, which is also known as the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, should be seen as an economic and recreational asset There are several state parks located near or on the highway including Caesar's Head and Table Rock.

The views are inspiring The highway provides a rural and natural counterpoint to the growing urban and industrial character of much of the rest of the Upstate. It provides recreation and escape for Upstate residents and can be marketed to bring tourists to the area But we will lose those assets if the areas along the highway are subject to haphazard development Those who can prevent such deterioration along the scenic highway should do so. And that would be the five county councils. Rather than resenting being pushed by the Council of Governments, county officials should be grateful for the advice and act on their own judgment about how the highway should be protected. The dirty word will be zoning.

Resistance to zoning in the Upstate is high unjustifiably high. Zoning does not mean the government telling you what you can do with your land. It means government putting reasonable restrictions on land use so that one landowner doesn't bring down everyone else's property values with an ugly, unsafe or irritating use of the land. Zoning probably will be necessary to any effective plan to preserve the scenic nature of Highway 11. Such zoning also would protect most of the affected.

County officials should take the far-sighted view and protect this area for the Upstate's future. (Spartanburg Herald-Journal) Seeking family history help To The Editor I am seeking genealogical information on the Wilson family and would appreciate help from your readers. My father was Noah David Wilson, who told me he was bom in the Whittaker Mountain area of Blacksburg. His father was named Henry. His biological mother was dead but his stepmother was named Dorothy.

My father had two brothers and one sister. They were Walt Wilson, who did extensive traveling during his adult life but returned to his wife and two children and "settled down" in the Gastonia, N.C., area. Another brother was named Tobe, who lived at least one time in the Calhoun Falls, S.C., area and had one son and two daughters. The sister was Maggie, who married a man whose first name was Buford. They had "a whole houseful" of children and lived between Gaffney and Blacksburg.

I don't know how many siblings my grandfather, Henry, had but I know of one brother. He was John Wilson, and lived on a rather big farm near Cher-ryville, N.C. I remember visiting my grandfather Henry when he lived in a cabin on his brother John's property. The most vivid thing I remember about John was that he generated his own electricity for the farm using a generator and a nearby stream. I would appreciate data from your readers on any of the above.

My address is 12 Letcher Court, Martinsville, Va. 24112. Yours truly, John D. Wilson Bleeding the taxpayers dry Dear Cody: I'm writing in response to an article in last Monday's paper titled "City should roll back its millage rate by 19 points." You mention in the article that county residents will be paying $400,000 more in property taxes this year thanks to county council increasing the mill-age rate. I think it's about time people in Cherokee Coun-, ty wake up and start doing something about these money hungry council members! Every time you turn around they're talking about raising taxes one way or the other.

If it's not the city or county council, it's the school board. They told us if we voted for an increase in the sales tax, we could avoid an increase in the property taxes. So guess what? They turn around and say they may have to increase property taxes anyway! Have they ever thought of selling some of the numerous properties they own (and dont need) and giving us a break? I don't think all council or school members are voting yes on these tax increases, but evidently most of them are. Hopefully the voters will remember them the next time they come up for re-election. i i -r.

I thought the federal government was bleeding the taxpayers dry but they have nothing on the rule makers around here! Sincere Janis H. Nicholson The GaffneyLedger PubTisher. Louis C. Sossamon Executive Sossamon Kbnie Jordan Advertising Director. Martin Col.

Ed. H. .....1 865-1 952 F.W. Sossamon, CONGRESS shal make no law respecting an establishment of religion, orprohbting the tree the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government tor a redress of grievances. (First Amendment to The U.S.

Constitution).