SPANISH AMERICAN WAR CAMP, BANKS, CHURCH REVIVAL, STORE MOVE MADE PAGE 1 IN 1930

By Dallas Bogan

Reprinted with Permission from Dallas Bogan.  This article was published in the LaFollette Press.

   This week we shall cover some of the items listed on the front page of the LaFollette Press, dated January 16, 1930. This might of interest to most readers because of the many names mentioned. 

     We shall begin by listing several names from the Spanish American War. A camp, called the James E. Artis Camp, was installed on January 11, 1930, with Captain Winston Baird, of Company H, Sixth Immune Volunteer Regiment, being elected Commander of the new camp, it being an extension of the United Spanish American Veterans. Frank Bibee, of Jacksboro, and J.C. Claxton, of Lafollette, were elected Senior Vice Commander and Junior Vice Commander, respectively. 

     (Captain Baird was Clerk and Master of Campbell County and had long been an exceptional figure in public life).

     Other officers elected were: C.R. Burris, of LaFollette, George Heatherly, of Lafollette, and William Gilbreath of Jellico, trustees; George W. Artis, of Newcomb, officer of the day; Henry Phillips of Jacksboro, officer of the guard; S.H. Bowman, of LaFollette, Adjutant, C.S. Jacobs, of LaFollette, quartermaster; Mose Lovett, of Jacksboro, historian; C.R. Burris, of LaFollette, quarter master sergeant; J.G. Baird, Alex Heatherly and A.J. Showman, all of LaFollette, color sergeants; George M. Baird, of LaFollette, Sergeant Major; A.J. Sherpf, of LaFollette, Chaplain; L.M. Ward, of Vasper, chief musician, and William Walden, of LaFollette, surgeon.

     The new camp was installed after several weeks of undertaking, and began its first year with a roll of thirty members. 

PEOPLES NATIONAL BANK

      W.A.W. Carden was re-elected to the chairmanship of the board of the Peoples National Bank on January 13, 1930. G.B. Gallaher and David Reynolds were re-elected president and cashier, respectively. Other officers elected were H.G. Murray, Vice-President; Walker Cu-ick [sic], assistant cashier. Board of Directors elected were W.A.W. Carden, G.B. Gallaher, H.G. Murray, David Reynolds, E.E. Hill, R. L. Sharp, S.A. Mars, John L. Ausmus, and S.S. Pratt. 

FIRST STATE BANK

     Dr. R.L. Gallaher, of Caryville, was re-elected President of the First State Bank of Caryville. Other officers re-elected were Leonard Cross, Vice-President; Wm. F. Sharp, second Vice-President, Dewey Lumpkins, Cashier, and Miss Mamie Shultz, Assistant Cashier. Elected Directors were R.L. Gallaher, Leonard Cross, Wm. F. Sharp, Dewey Lumpkins, M.D. McGhee, Condy Lindsey, G.W. Pickle, J.W. Goins and M.H. Irwin.

PRESBYTERIAN REVIVAL

     A Revival Meeting at the Presbyterian Church opened on January 13, 1930, with the arrival of the Reverend B.M. Larson, of Athens. The meeting had been well attended every night during the week. 

     Prayer meetings were set up in the homes of the people. On January 17, the meetings were to be held at 2 o'clock in the homes of W.D. Barton, Central Street, Ridenour's on Rose Hill, and Bert Longmire on Sunshine. The Saturday evening schedule was arranged at 6:45 at the homes of A.E. Ahlers, Tennessee Ave., and Mrs. Hoskins and Bob Dankney's. Brother Larson received nothing but high praise for his preaching. 

SMITH HARDWARE

     The Smith Hardware Company will occupy, after February 1, [1930] the Central Avenue building formerly occupied by the Farmer's National Bank, according to a lease announced by Louis Balloff, owner of the building. 

     The hardware company has been located for several years in the Central Avenue building adjoining the LaFollette Grocery. Moving of the stock of goods will begin as soon as the new quarters are in readiness, according to Paul W. Smith, manager of the store.

ELK VALLEY COAL AND IRON COMPANY

     Z.D. Baird was elected President of the Elk Valley Coal and Iron Company last week at the annual meeting of the company. Other officers were Frank W. Jarnigan, Vice-President and Winston Baird, Secretary, Treasurer. These officers were elected for the 13th consecutive term, receiving the honor every year since 1900.

TOBACCO PRICES

     A sharp decline in tobacco leaf prices was felt on the local market floor of the Tri-County tobacco warehouse this week, the closing on averages dropping from around 26 cents to 23 cents a pound. The depression felt here is one of a general decline in the tobacco market throughout the state.

     The local floor opened the week with a sale of 106,000 pounds at an average of 22 cents, and was closing the week with a sale of more than 50,000 pounds at a price ranging around the previous sale. This week's sales bring the total sold in LaFollette to more than 900,000 pounds, with more than $225,000 released from the house to farmers.

     Bad selling weather, heavy tobacco and the general decline in the market price are blamed for the lower price paid for the week 

(A special thanks to the folks at the Campbell County Historical Society for their input.)