A HISTORY OF SELMA,
NORTH CAROLINA - - PAGE 3
REUNION HELD
in
1939, three of Selma's early’ residents, the Rev. J. H.
Worley, John W. Mozingo, and J. W. O’Neal, held a reunion,
here. In that same month of May Frank Hood was elected mayor
of the municipality. Paving projects were approved through WPA
including curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. And like all other
communities, local residents followed the course of the war in
Europe, waiting with anxiety the moves being made by Adolph
Hitler. The feminine counterpart of the Legion, the American
Legion Auxiliary, was organized with Mrs. J. K. Cobb as the
first president and 19 charter members.
DR.
PERSON DIES
In
July 1939, Dr. J. 8. Persun, one of Selma's beloved and
respected physicians, died after more than 40 years of service
to the people of the community. A native of Wayne County and
graduate of Richmond Medical College, he located here in 1899
as a general practitioner. In 1906 he became associated with
Dr. George D. Vick. His wife was the former Hattie Mosely of
Kinston, and his son, James B. Person who continues to live in
Selma.
WORLD
WAR II ERA BEGINS
Selma
entered the decade of World War II by holding a drive,
including a parade, for a Legion Community . Hut, with pledges
totaling $600. A vote on liquor stores in the town was
defeated in July, but in September a court order held up ABC
store closings. As Selma's draft registration reached 3,567,
John Henry Hamilton was the first to qualify under the draft
law. And unbelievable as it may seem today, there was a
surplus of teachers in the county.
Names
making the headlines included M. L. Stancil, editor and-owner
of the Johnstonian-Sun, presented a’ loving cup for
outstanding citizenship; J. W. O'Neal, oldest resident,
celebrated 92nd birthday; E. G. Hobbs, a candidate for Senate;
O. A. Tuttle, elected lieutenant governor of Carolinas
District, Kiwanis International; Myrtle Thompson, at 14
awarded pin as youngest aviator in North Carolina.
DR. G.
D. VICK DIES
Hardly
more than a year after the death of his associate, Dr.
Person, Dr. G. D. Vick died in November of 1940. Son of one of
the earliest residents of Selma, Dr. Joshua Vick, and Rosetta
R. Vick, he was graduated from Selma High School and Jefferson
Medical College in Philadelphia. He began his practice here in
1906 and was a leading physician until his death. He also was
surgeon for the Southern and Atlantic Coast Line Railroads ,
served on the school board for many years, and was active in
the Methodist Church. He married Miss Annie Hoge in 1909 and
their two sons were George Davis Vick and Edward Hoge Vick,
the latter still practicing medicine in Philadelphia.
In
spite at the war clouds, local civic leaders carried out their
annual celebration, including a festival and Boy Scout
exhibit, at Selma's first Tri-county fair.
The
Selma Public Library took a giant step in 1941 as it joined
the State Library Board chain, agreeing to pay $12.50 per
month for use of books. Serving on the local board were Mrs.
Willye Wright, R. W. Suber, and Frank Hood. The town also
appropriated funds to the library.
Another item that caused youngsters to sigh was the approval
of the addition of a twelfth grade to all. schools in the
county. This was not mandatory but made it possible for local
units to adopt the additional grade upon request.
AIRPORT A BUSY PLACE
The
war affected changes in Selma during this year as the Aero
Corporation of Atlanta opened a Flight School at the Selma
Airport, and about 7,000 solders maneuvered in the Selma area.
Mayor B. A. Henry reported that the airport was in first class
condition for the soldiers' use.
Interestingly, Selma had ranked with Goldsboro, Raleigh and
Rocky Mount as having airports back in the mid-thirties thanks
to the interest of such men as W. I. Godwin, Tennyson Ayers,
A. Z. Thompson, Jr., R. E. Lee, Gordon Whitaker, Bill Hinton,
and Bradley Sasser, who managed the airport after the war
until his tragic death in an air collision in 1950.
Highlighting 1941 was the dedication of Selma's new $20,000
Community Center in November with Congressman Harold D.
Cooley as one of the featured speakers and W. B. Aycock in
charge of the program. Names In the news included: W. T.
Woodard, Jr., named head of the Johnston County Welfare
Department; Dr. Will H. Lassiter, who resumed his practice in
Selma after resigning as head of the County Health Unit; C. L.
Crumpler, Jr., seaman first class in the U. S. Navy, Johnston
County's first known casualty in the Second World War.
CATCH-ME-EYE EXPLOSION
(top)
The
"big boom" at Catch-Me-Eye just south of Selma dominated the
news of 1942, when on March 7 a munitions truck exploded,
causing property damage ranging to an estimated one-half
million dollars. The JohnstonianSun writer graphically
described the situation, which resulted when a car driven by
Mrs. Minnie Lewis of Raleigh ran into the munitions truck,
bursting the gas tank on the car and setting fire to both the
car and truck. Charlie Straughan, night policeman, who went to
the scene with the fire truck, reported that when he arrived
at the scene the ambulance had just left with those injured in
the wrecked and burning car. He immediately went to work with
a few others present to extinguish the fire (the fire alarm
had not been sounded, and the report stated that this was
fortunate since many more would have gone to the scene and
possibly been injured or killed). He said the munitions truck
did not appear to be burning very rapidly although the blaze
was lapping around the tires and chassis of the truck. When
the water supply had been exhausted, he used chemicals on the
truck to prevent further spread of the flames; although there
was some trace of smoke, the flames had been put out and the
fire apparently was extinguished. However, all means available
to control any fire that might be rekindled had been expended
and all were asked to stay away from the scene until they were
sure the fire was out. When it became evident that fire had
rekindled, Smithfield firemen attempted to control the blaze
until they learned the nature of the truck's cargo; then they
fell back several hundred yards. Straughan pointed out that
there were very few people present when he arrived and for
some time the scene was calm with only a few spectators on
hand, some walking around, some in the lunchroom of Gurkin's
Tavern calmly carrying on as if there were no danger. The
policeman stated that he and Raymond Avery, driver of the
truck, were walking along in front of the filling station near
Hotel Talton when the explosion went off. Throwing them to the
ground and rendering Straughan deaf. John Jeffreys, Selma's
fire chief, was also there when the explosion came, suffering
some severe bruises and lacerations.
As a.
result of the terrible accident, seven persons died and nearly
100 were injured. The reporter stated: "There is no telling
just what the damage in material losses has been to Selma and
community as the result of the blast. In Selma alone the
damage is high. In broken windows alone it will probably take
$75,000 to replace the loss, but this may be a small item as
compared to the undermining of the interior of buildings.
There is no doubt that brick walls have been weakened or
undermined by the terrific blast which sent its dagger into
the' very heart of the earth."
EVERYDAY LIFE CONTINUES
The
1942 newspapers are filled with stories on rationing, draft
notices and benefit performances. Names that deserve mention
are Mrs. Rosa Fulghum Biggs, whose novel, "I Take Thee Squaw"
was published and well received; Mrs. Willye Wright, who drove
the bookmobile on its first trip; Dr. Booker and W. H. Creech,
who purchased Selma Drug Company; Dr. Wade H. Atkinson, who
died after long and useful service to his community and
country.
Although war news continued to dominate the papers in 1943,
routine civic affairs also made some headlines. Mayor B. A.
Henry was re-elected; M. L. Wilson succeeded W. J. McLean as
principal of Richard B. Harrison School; Atkinson Memorial
Library and Community Center was dedicated, named for the late
Dr. Wade Atkinson. Business news include the opening of the
only bakery in county, operated by H. W. Everitt; moving of
Economy Furniture Company, managed by Hub Brown, to a new
location. A major death occurred in January when Clarence P.
(Star) Harper died. A leading Selma citizen for many years he
had owned and managed Selma Drug Company for 37 years before
selling in 1942. He had served as president of the North
Carolina Pharmaceutical Association in 1913, chairman of the
Highway Commission in Johnston County mayor, and member of
Board of Trustees of "Atlantic Christian College.
GIVES
LIFE FOR COUNTRY
(top)
On
July 29, 1944, Private First Class Yates Perry, son of Mr. and
Mrs. E. C. Perry, was killed in action in France. Newspaper
accounts stated that he was the first Selma boy known to have
been killed in World War II. A volunteer, young Perry had gone
into France with the DDay invasion 'forces on June 6; been
wounded, awarded the Purple Heart, and had returned to duty.
In December of that year Johnnie Evans reported to his mother
of his release as a prisoner of war, stating that he had not
been mistreated. And another leading Selma citizen, W.
Washington Hare, died in Fayetteville.
When
Johnstonian-Sun publisher Stancil and advertising manager
Herb Lowery were hospitalized in June of 1945, the local
Kiwanis Club rallied to the aid of the paper, soliciting
advertising and printing the paper with the aid of the
editor's son, Bill Stancil. Mr. Stancil, who had purchased the
paper in 1929, died in July of 1945. Howard Gaskill was named
acting editor; Bill Stancil, mechanical superintendent; and
Lucy Stancil, secretary-treasurer of the ,firm. Two months
later Gaskill was named lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis
Fourth District. In May, the Lions Club was organized with 21
members. Of this original group, Raymond M. Peedin and Thomas
W. Jordan remain active.
In
1945, Carl Worley Sr. served as a representative in the
General Assembly, Myrtle Thompson received a license as an air
pilot; Miss Virginia Smith taught Bible at Selma School, and
N. E. Smith was named basketball coach at East Carolina
College. And weakened structurally by the 1942 munitions truck
explosion, the town hall ceiling collapsed, forcing evacuation
of the staff and barricading of the street.
VETERANS RETURN
The
years 1945 and 1946 saw many World War II veterans returning
to take their places in the community. Business improved and
the Chamber of Commerce again became active. An outgrowth of
WWII was the chartering of Kermit B. Stallings Post 5955,
Veterans of Foreign Wars in February of 1946, with 82 charter
members, and Wilson (Jiggs) Broadwell as commander.
Always
eager to improve the religious aspects of their town, citizens
in 1946 contributed $1,805 for the construction of Belleview
Chapel on Lizzie Street. In April Lieutenant Colonel William
B. Aycock, who had commanded a battalion which penetrated the
Siegfried line, crossed the Rhine River and captured 3,000
prisoners, was presented the Legion of Merit for service in
the European theatre of war. Schools, never neglected here,
received a boost when citizens approved a school tax to raise
district educational standards. Business life increased with
the start of Selma Prefabricating Fire at the site of Southern
Cotton Oil Company. And death came to the Rev. J. H: Worley at
94 years of age. Again the local newspaper changed hands as
Jack and Opal Honrine purchased the. Johnstonian-Sun from the
Stancil heirs.
At Rex
Hospital in 1947, Lottie Mae McDuffy won top honors in the
nursing school. In the spring of that year O. A. Tuttle resigned
as Selma School principal after 15 years of service and was
succeeded by E. C. Jernigan.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING EMPHASIZED
The
importance of vocational training dominated the news in 1948 as
this phase of education received $19,000 of the county beer-wine
tax share. James Earp served as chairman of the county's
advisory council on vocational education, which recommended nine
vocational units rather than a central unit. Earp also was
nominated for the County Board of Education that year. In
October, Carl Worley was named chairman of the new county
hospital trustees and Dr. R. E. Earp was named to the board to
build the new hospital. And in that same year Gurley Milling
Company was organized by R. G. Gurley and the Rudy Theater was
opened by Rudolph Howell.
In the
final year of this decade, Selma solved many abuses in 'its'
court system when it abandoned the "no conviction-fee" system.
As a result the county received $2,585 from the court for school
funds, and the town of Selma obtained $2,633.14.The mayor was
"Rudolph Howell and the police chief E. R Tolley. In April, Dr.
R. E. Earp was named District Highway Commissioner by Governor
Kerr Scott and in May Dr. Allen H. Lee, Jr. began practice of
medicine here. Johnny Colones coached the Selma Junior Legion
team which won the Eastern Legion title. And in October the
Selma Boy Scout Hut, a project of the Kiwanis Club, was
dedicated. Hayden Wiggs was club president, Ed Perry,
Scoutmaster.
ANOTHER WAR
(top)
A
little less than five years after the great global war ended,
America and the people of Selma were' again plunged into wartime
activities as the Korean conflict began in 1950. Again boys not
only had to serve time training in the-art of fighting, but also
they had to go into battle. Some who had just begun to readjust
to civilian life had to return for further duty. In spite of
this fact, life in the area continued at a steady pace, with
clubs organizing, ball teams winning and losing heartbreaking
"important" games, and businesses starting and stopping. The
census showed that Selma had 2,634 residents, a 31 percent
increase over 1940.
Out on
the Atkinson plantation, Mary Atkinson Day Camp for Girl Scouts
and Brownies was opened in the summer of 1950, the realization
of a dream of Mesdames Oscar Brown and Herman Brown, leaders of
Girl Scouts at Corbett-Hatcher. The facility was made possible
through the generosity of Mrs. Wade Atkinson of Washington, who
loaned the property.
Educational facilities improved as Mrs. Leon Woodruff opened a
kindergarten with an enrollment of 25. Mrs. Lollie Williams had
conducted one the preceding year. And a sign of the times was
the replacement by a motor truck of the mule and wagon mail cart
on which John Saunders had carried the mail to trains for 15
years.
Death
claimed two prominent citizens in 1950, W. T. Woodard, Sr. and
Charles A. Corbett, both of whom had been in the mercantile
business here for many years and served on the town board,
Woodard as a commissioner and Corbett as mayor. In that same
year John N. Wiggs was appointed mayor after Bernie A. Henry,
incumbent mayor, resigned to become sheriff; and Hughes Lamm was
elected constable.
In an
effort to attract new business and industry to the area, the
town fathers in 1951 reduced both tax and light rates. And
during this year the familiar cry of the steam locomotive faded
from the scene as the railroads completed conversion to diesels.
In the business world. Brad T. Godwin bought an interest in
Associated Food Stores, naming the firm Gedwin's Superette; Clem
Gray opened a new appliance store, and Mr. and Mrs. Tom I. Davis
purchased the Johnstonian-Sun from the Jack Honrines. In May of
that year J. Hayden Wiggs was elected to the House of
Representative in Raleigh.
FIRE
DESTROYS PLANT
As the
winds of March 1952 blew, a disastrous fire struck Gurley
Milling Company, destroying the main building and causing
damage to adjacent. Structures and the spur railroad tracks.
Gurley almost immediately announced plans to rebuild his plant.
Two months later the Town Board, acting on a known need for
additional water supply, authorized a new well and filter system
which would produce 450 gallons of water per minute. A new water
tank also was bought. Among individuals making the new,were
Raleigh H. Griffin, named cashier of Branch Banking and Trust
Company; Wilbur Perkins, installed as president of the Johnston
County Shrine Club; Dr. William Howard Carter, Selma native,
honored as president of Carter Bible College in Goldsboro.
During
the year Southern Bell's office was moved into a new brick
building on Massey Street and a dial system began operation a
year later.
MYRTLE
TAKES OVER AIRPORT
Myrtle
Thompson, for whom flying is one of the greatest joys of life,
leased the Selma airport in early 1952, taking passengers on
sightseeing trips, business trips, and teaching flying. When she
married and moved to Georgia in 1960, she stated that she left
the airport in good hands because John Shallcross of Shallcross
Manufacturing Company based his plane here. The manager of the
airport in 1967 is Tommy Stancil of the Glendale community.
Also
in 1952 Louis and Maggie Abdalla moved The Quality Store into a
new building and Edmund Attayek moved Edmund's Men's Clothiers
from the old Quality Store balcony to new quarters in the same
new structure.
NO
TOLLS
Cooperation between Selma and Smithfield was improved in 1953
when toll free calls between the two towns were established by
Southern Bell and Carolina. Telephone and Telegraph Company.
A
change in principalships at Selma School occurred when E. C.
Jernigan I resigned after six' years and Rex Mitchell was named
to the post. In that same year Selma School's elementary
department was accredited. By the State Department. Other items
of interest included dedication of the Belleview Church
educational building; dedication of Tabernacle Church;
beginning of the School Boy Patrol by Lions and Kiwanians; sale
of Selma Cotton Mills to Millville Mills; reopening of Gurley
Milling Company; naming of Mrs. Graham Salmon as Selma
librarian.
"MAN
OF YEAR" AWARDS
For
the first time since the Kiwanis Club had abandoned the project,
a Man of the Year award was presented in 1954 by the
Johnstonian-Sun to Wilson "Jiggs" Broadwell for his activities
as head of Civil Defense in the area. Eight additional awards
have been presented since that time: 1955, Bobby Carter,
Morehead scholar; 1956,Herbert Ward, for service as Selma's Fire
Chief; 1957, Floyd C. Price, Jr., for industrial development;
1958, R. G. Gurley, industrial, civic and governmental services;
1960, Robert R. Hickman, civic and religious activities; 1962,
B. C. Du Bose, civic and educational services; 1965, Dennis R.
Davis, Scouting and civic leadership; 1966, Ed Crawford, civic
and religious leadership.
THE
BIG BLOW
(top)
Dominating 1954 news as a famous "Lady" by the name of Hazel who
blew straight through the area in October, leaving a trail of
damage behind. Because citizens had been amply warned of the
approach of the destructive hurricane, no lives were lost and
property damage was far less than might have been expected.
Nevertheless, store windows were cracked or blown out, the
Methodist Church lost a large section of one wall, chimneys,
walls and awnings were damaged, and water flooded almost the
entire community. Selma’s. light department worked throughout
the period and soon had power restored.
As the
year moved on the Town Board expressed interest in setting up a
planning board and in studying the possibility of a town manager
form of government. In addition, Selma's civil defense plan was
used as a statewide model.
Interest in consolidation of Selma and Smithfield Schools was
expressed and a study asked; however, these plans fell through
after the Smithfield board voted against such a merger. Keeping
up with modern methods, Richard B. Harrison School had Its first
vocational agriculture course in full swing.
In
November, Barnie Henry was re-elected sheriff of the county in a
Democratic sweep.
REMINISCENCES
Reminiscences filled several papers in 1955 as Miss Bet Vinson
told of her life on the Neuse many years ago and John Wiggs
remembered activities in Selma in 1915, the year that he and W.
T. Woodard, Sr. began their store here. In the spring primary of
1955, Joe Creech was elected mayor. Serving with him were T. 8.
Corbett, Leon Woodruff, Dr. E. N. Booker, B. T. Godwin and
Odell Strickland. The Selma Recorder's Court began operations in
June with John Wiggs as judge.
Again
hurricanes slammed into the county in August causing damage to
cotton and soybeans.
Organizations continued to develop as the VFW Auxiliary was
organized in October and the Booster Club in November. Also in
that year Mrs. Raleigh H. Griffin served as foreman of the
Johnston County Grand Jury, the second woman ever to hold such a
post in the state.
THE
GOLDEN QUEEN FESTIVAL
A
major promotion during 1956 was the National Golden Queen
Festival, which was presided over by Queen Shirley Bagwell. Many
beauties from the four major tobacco raising states entered the
Queen's contest; and Governor Orville Faubus of Arkansas was a
key speaker during the festivities. Another item of major
importance was the dedication of the new Selma School gym and
six classrooms. In addition, Selma Mills, Inc. closed and its
machinery was sold to C & H Enterprises. The mill had operated
until the middle of 1956 with Harry Young as the last manager.
A. C. Turnage, Jr. was named new town manager and Gurley Milling
Company opened a grain drying operation, the first of its kind
in the county.
Hill's
Directory in 1957 gave pertinent facts about Selma including: 18
churches, a tax rate of $1.25 and a valuation of $2,618,013.
Listed as new industries during this year were Griggs Equipment
Company, which actually started the manufacture of school,
church, and theater furniture in the old Selma Mills building in
1958 with Loyd Niles as superintendent; Selma SoyBean
Corporation, organized with local capital, started producing soy
bean oil and meal; Selma-Smithfield Industrial Development
Corporation, formed to encourage industries to move into area.
As a result, in 1958, Shallcross Manufacturing Company, an
electronics firm, started operations in a new and completely
modern building on the outskirts of Selma. Other firms in
operation were Eastern Manufacturing Company, Perry Lumber
Company, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Selma, Inc., V-C
Chemicals Company. Kingan planned to open a buying station soon.
BILLY
AYCOCK HONORED
A
social and civic highlight of 1957 was a banquet honoring Selma
native William B. Aycock who had been named chancellor of the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Guest speaker for
the occasion was Governor Luther Hodges and many other state
dignitaries attended the dinner. Still other events which
brought large numbers of people to the community were the
Fiftieth Anniversary observance of Selma Baptist Church and
Edgerton Memorial Methodist's first homecoming. At Selma
School, Rex Mitchell resigned and Willard Woodard became
principal. And a familiar public figure, Matthew Ransom (Matt)
Wall retired as Town Clerk after 27 years of service.
Merchants here became. more concerned with a tight organization
in 1958 showing this fact by approving a full time manager for
the chamber of Commerce and hiring Harry Young as the first
manager. And concern for industrial development continued as the
Selma and Smithfield Chambers planned plant dedications in June
for Shallcross and Griggs.
Two
citizens received high honors that same year. Wilbur D. Perkins
was installed as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the
Eastern Star of North Carolina; Wilson (Jiggs) Broadwell was the
first North Carolinian to receive an Air Force award as a civil
defense director.
One of
Selma's business and civic leaders, Mr. L. O. Davis, died in
1958. He came to Selma in 1929 as manager of the Lee Dry Goods
Store; in 1931 he opened his own business, Davis Department
Store. He also served on the local school board for seven years,
as a director of Branch Bank, and as an active member of Selma
Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs._Davis:s children are Jean, Frances
and Ava.
BOND
ELECTION HELD
(top)
In an
effort to update sewer and water facilities, the town held a
bond election in February, 1959 for $125,000, which was approved
by the citizens. Sports fans in that same month wept "bitter
tears" as the high school's Yellow Jackets (girls) basketball
team, coached by Virgil Payne, lost to Wake. Forest to bring to
a close a record of 40 wins without a loss.
INDUSTRIAL RECOGNITION
Selma's progress was recognized that year in the field of
industrial development and the town was presented a plaque and
$100.00 for being one of three towns in the eastern section of
the state showing more industrial progress than any others. The
award was made on television in Greenville and was received by
Mayor Joe A. Creech. Also appearing were A. Z. Thompson, Jr.,
president of the Selma Chamber of Commerce; Carl Worley, Jr.,
representing the Industrial Commission, and Tom I. Davis, local
newspaperman. Later in May a hot contest resulted in the
election of town fathers Joe Creech, mayor; H. B. Hernigan, Jr.,
W. O. Fields, Rufus Bond, James McMillan, and Dr. E. N. Booker,
commissioners.
Other
names in the news in 1959 were Billy Price, fireman of the year;
the late Wilbur Perkins, memorialized by the Eastern Star
chapter; John W. Walker, named principal of Selma School to
succeed Willard Woodard. Walker continues in this position
today.
LOW-RENT HOUSING
The
first step toward low-rent housing began when Selma Housing
commission was created by the Town Board in November with Hayden
Wiggs, B. C. DuBose and R. T. Atkins named to the Housing
Commission by the Board. In that same year Edgerton Memorial
Methodist Church kicked off a $50,000 building program to
renovate the sanctuary, educational building, and to add a
kitchen, pastor's study, and additional classrooms.
From
the one telephone which had served Selma at the old Wyoming
Hotel in the early days, the number had grown to 1700 by 1960.
And in the cold of January, a drive was begun to construct a
private swimming pool, Selma Recreation Park, with 200 members
needed for the privately financed project. Tom Jordan opened a
Dodge Agency here, Dr. Frank Kincheloe began the practice of
medicine, and Griggs Equipment Company began production of a
new line of furniture. During that same year the excellent
volunteer Fire Department answered 73 calls, 37 of them in the
rural area.
All
areas of development continued in 1961 as redevelopment of the
main business district of Selma was approved, IGA opened a
modern supermarket with Russell Edwards as manager, and Southern
Bell announced plans for expansion of local facilities. Joe
Creech was re-elected mayor; Joe Moore was named fireman of the
year; Tom Davis, publisher of the local newspaper, was appointed
Executive Director of the N. C. Democratic Party by Governor
Sanford, a post held until September 1964; and death claimed two
leading citizens, Harry Young and John Q. A. Jeffreys.
UPS
AND DOWNS
The
year 1962 saw many vitl improvements in facilities in the
community. A sixty-eight unit low-rent housing project was
approved, and a survey was started on the Moccasin Creek
watershed which promised to improve drainage in the Selma area.
During that same year the new pool opened and the junior Chamber
of Commerce was organized. A blue note crept in when the
Southern discontinued east west passenger train service. In
spite of protests all up and down the line; the railroad proved
to the satisfaction of the Utilities Commission that it was
losing money on the passenger service. Following the adoption of
a Plan D form of government in May, Hugh Gray Cooper was hired
as town manager.
POST
OFFICE MOVES AGAIN
When
the Selma Post Office moved to a modern brick building on
Raiford Street in 1963, it was the ninth move since 1872. A
dedication of the building was held in August. In a history of
the post office printed in a special edition of the
Johnstonian-Sun for the occasion, it was pointed out that the
first post office was located in a dwelling (one of the. oldest
structures in town) on the corner of Sharpe and Noble Streets.
In 1872 the post office was moved to the corner of Webb and
Noble Streets in the residence of Mr. S. H. Hood, the
postmistress being Miss Carrie Hood, who served for 17 years. In
1889, it was again moved, across the railroad to the north side
of Selma. Then there were several other moves into rented
buildings in the business district with the final change being
from a structure on Raiford Street between Railroad and Anderson
Streets to the new brick edifice on the same street, but several
blocks north. According to the Department of Archives, in
addition to postmasters already listed in this history, those
who have served included: Josiah Stancill, Doctor M. Hinnant,
John H. Parker, Georgia S. Tuck, James Corbett, Ann Z. Pearce,
William H. Etheridge, John D. Massey, Joel A. Johnson, Henry E.
Earp; and the present postmaster, Frank Hood, who was appointed
on October 1, 1945. Interestingly enough, he is a descendant to
the town's only postmistress, Miss Carrie Hood.
OIL
TERMINAL STARTED
(top)
A gain
and a loss were recorded in 1963 when the first tanks began
going up at the Selma Oil Terminal facility, valued at two and a
half million dollars, just west of the town limits; and when
AT&T announced plans to close its office here.
Selma's young people made the news that year, too, as Bobby
Carter, who .had been a Morehead Scholar at UNC-ChH and a Z.
Smno Reynolds Scholar at Bowman Grey School of Medicine, placed
in a tie for third place on the state physician's examination.
Gary Johnson was accepted for the Governor's School, and Leon
Woodruff, Jr. was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award in
football at Selma High for the second straight year. A year
later Woodruff was named a Morehead Scholar, the second Selma
High student to win this four-year college scholarship to
Carolina.
LADY
BIRD COMES TO TOWN
On an
October evening in 1964, Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President
Lyndon B. Johnson who was campaigning for election to the
highest post in the land, visited Selma on a special campaign
train. Days ahead of the visit, local committees worked busily
to ready the old Union Station area for the thousands expected
for the Whistle Stop. And when the train pulled in from the
north and shifted to the Southern for the trip on to Raleigh,
over 5,000 gay and interested spectators crowded the damp,
grassy area and streets nearby to get a glimpse of the First
Lady and other dignitaries on the campaign train.
In the
business community during 1964 Duncan A. Bracey, Jr. joined two
out-of-town businessmen in. purchasing Woodruff Hardware'
Company and beginning 'Stephens-Bracey-Congleton Hardware;
Elton Parrish Purchased Bailey Funeral Home from C. A. Bailey;
Radio Station WBZB went on the air; and Dixon Henry, Jr. joined
Henry Hardware Company. The V-C plant added a modern
granulation unit and Selma Housing Authority bonds were awarded
to a New York firm.
BOY
SCOUTS ACTIVE
Boy
Scouting, which had its beginning here in 1924 with H. Bueck as
scoutmaster, entered a very active period in 1965 when two boys
received Eagle rank and four received God and Country Awards.
The Explorer Post made the Asbury Trail trip and Scout Troop 32
entered into a variety of civic and group activities under the
leadership of Dennis Davis and Dickie Broadwell. Business growth
continued as Kenly Savings and Loan announced plans to open an
office here; Shallcross Manufacturing Company merged with
Cutler-Hammer, and 68 additional low-rent housing units were
approved. In that same year David Creech succeeded Harvey
Culpepper as Housing director; and Colonel Albert Lucas became
town manager, succeeding, Hugh G. Cooper. The town itself showed
signs of sprucing up as sixteen blocks were curbed, guttered,
and paved, and the town board approved purchase of a part of the
Mitchener property on Webb Street for construction of a town
hall.
BUSINESSES SINCE 1930
Businesses since 1930 (not including those already mentioned)
have included the following: Davis Department Store, Langley
Jewelers, Norton 5c to $5.00 Store, Clean-M-Right Cleaners,
Hicks Supply Store, Woodard and Creech Drug Co., Selma Radio and
Music Co., Selma Furniture Co., J. C.' Avery Insurance, McMillan
Motor Co., Proctor's, Warren's Gulf Service, D & B Florist,
Starling, Jordan Motor Co., Smith's Store, Olivers Market,
Woodruff and Canady Hardware, Eason's Jewelry, Abdalla's Market,
Selma Beauty Shop, Selma Style Shop, Town and Country Appliance
Center, Phillips Grocery, J. C. Betts Grocery, Odell's Cleaners.
Mac's
Esso, Chandler's 5c to $1.00 Store, Wilbur’s, Kasco Feeds, A.,
W. Mitchener,Lane's Cash Gnocery, Ideal Cleaners, Buddy s Amoco
Service, Selma Dinette, F & P Auto Parts, Thompson's Garage,
Thompson Airport Salvage, Broadwell Hose Shop, Carolyn Court,
Gene's Service Station, Brown's Place, Slaughter's Taxi,
Stancil Oil & Tire Co. (Atkins Oil Co.), Vann's Jewelers, AI-Mar
Restaurant, Selma Tire and Recapping Co., Jo's Children's Shop,
Friendly Furniture Co., D. Buren Oliver, optometry, AI's Super
Market, Monty's Mac's Cut Rate Sundries, B &' W Esso.
Selma
Poolroom, Bond Oil Co., Booker Realty Co. Brick Store, Brown
Insurance Agency, Buddy’s Auto Sales and Service, City Taxi Cab
Service, Bea's Florist, City Fish Market, Corbel! Florist
(Steve's) Oavis Jewelers, Green Jewelers, Julian V. Dean Oil
Co., E & H Candy Store, C. B.'s Place, Ellis Cabinet Shop, S. R.
Hinnant and Sons, J & C Homes, Home Milk Co., Hygrade Livestock
Buying Station, Jernigan Grocery, Jack's Gulf Service, Mac's
Gulf Service, Massey's Wheel Alignment, Medlin Tire Co., Pargas
Inc., Parrish and Bond Insurance and Realty Co., Pate's Fish
Market, Pruitt Heating and Air Conditioning, Publix Service
Station, Godwin's Red and White, Sellers Auto Parts, Selma Cab
Co.
Selma
Gift and Novelty Co., Selma Ice, Coal and Oil Co., Short's
Grill, Sullivan's Jewelers, Ward's Trucking Co., Western Auto
Associate Store, Wiggs Laundry and Cleaners, Woodard's Men's
Wear, Selma Open Air Market, Garner's Restaurant.
Doctors now serving Selma are Dr. R. D. Oliver, Dr. Allen H.
Lee, and Dr. Frank Kincheloe. Dentists are Dr. R. M. Blackman
and Dr. Jerry Wood.
NO
LONGER "OLD SOUTH"
(top)
Although a few "Yankees" had moved into the community when
earlier industries came to the area, it was 1966 and early 1967
that brought an influx of newcomers to the town. Old-timers,
used to familiar names such as Creech, Woodard, Mitchener, and
Temple, found the new names--Gandy, Sokolowski, Schreibeis, Figg--sometimes
unpronounceable and always fascinating. And when many of the
families moved into a particular section of the community, local
wits quickly nicknamed a street "Yankee Avenue." Most important,
these new families have become an integral part of the town's
activities. The industry that has brought most of the families
here is Sylvania Electric Corporation, whose new plant is
located between 1-95 and US-301 just south of Selma. In
addition, the facility, as well as other industries in the
community, has given employment to hundreds of local residents
including many young people who have been able to work during
the summer months to make "college" money.
The
year 1966 brought the first big federal aid programs to local
schools including reading programs, teacher aides, extra books
and audio-visual materials for libraries. The Headstart project
also helped improve educational levels as youngsters of
pre-school age learned how to get along with each other and to
prepare for regular school days ahead.
WE'RE
NUMBER 2
Selma
returned to the Number 2 spot in population in the county,
having 3,197 residents in 1966, an increase of 95 over the 1960
census figure. Two citizens gained top county posts. That year
when James C. Woodard, who had served as district Recorder's
Court Judge for about three years, was elected Clerk of the
Court of Johnston County, and William I Godwin was re-elected
judge of the county's Domestic Court. In the same vote, Hughes
Lamm was named district judge and Roger Strickland, constable.
E. Craig Jones, Jr. served as solicitor of the district court
from its inception until he resigned in 1966 to devote more time
to private law practice. And under the leadership of Ed
Crawford, Selma participated in the United Fund Drive, a
project which is planned to eventually include all of Johnston
County.
Always
interested in improved recreational facilities, a group of
citizens led by Crawford initiated plans for a new golf course
and club house to serve the area. In July 1967 final
negotiations for a $270,000 loan from the FHA were underway and
$30,000 in matching funds had been secured by $100 memberships
in the Johnston County Recreational Association, which will own
the facility.
CONSOLIDATION APPROVED
Hopes
that a consolidated school for Selma, Smithfield and Wilson's
Mills might be ready for occupancy by the fall of 1968 were
weakened in September of 1967 when the low bids for the
structure were above funds available. The new school, which is
to be financed by monies approved through a bond issue in 1964,
will be located on a 30-acre tract between Selma and Smithfield
on the Booker Dairy Road.
NAMES
MAKE NEWS
Individuals and organizations made much of the news during 1966
and the first half of 1967. In the former year, Linda Peedin was
named Watts Hospital "Nurse of the Year," Jiggs Broadwell was
named "Director of the Month" by N. C. Civil Defense, and Don
Hines won the "Outstanding Athlete of the Year" at N. C.
Wesleyan College. Then in 1967 Bobby Blackman received a
special citation from the Air Force Academy where he is a
student; and James C. Woodard, Jr. received his wings in the
Naval Air Corps.
Death
claimed former Sheriff B. A. Henry and civic leader Arthur
Leslie (Les) Langley during these years.
The
town's voters re-elected Hayden Wiggs, mayor; Harold Bost, H. B.
Jernigan, Jr., R. H. Griffin, and elected R. O. (Dickie)
Broadwell, commissioners in May of 1966. Others receiving
recognition during this period were W. T. Woodard, Jr., Selma
native, named to the Federal Parole Board by President Johnson;
Mrs. Helen Mullis named assistant postmaster succeeding Mrs.
Jessie Barden who retired; Captain Linwood Hall, awarded the
Silver Star.
In the
business world, J. A. Creech, Jr. returned to join his father
in Creech Drug Company as a registered pharmacist; and Holiday
Inn began construction of a large motel at intersection of 70-A
and 1-95.
WE'RE
100 YEARS OLD
(top)
No
history of Selma would be complete without a final news item. In
the spring of 1967 the Town Council approved plans for
observance of Selma's one-hundredth birthday. Members of the
commissioner to plan the celebration were appointed and work
began immediately for the September 17-24 anniversary.
Commission members were Keith Bond, R. O. Broadwell, Jr., T. B.
Corbett, James Chandler, E. R. Davis, Dixon Henry, H. B.
Jernigan, Jr., Miss Rena King, Robert Lassiter, John Walker,
John Wiggs, and Tom I. Davis, chairman. As the summer
progressed beards sprouted on the faces of most of the men, and
bonnets adorned the heads of most of the women. A strong
community togetherness developed as more and more citizens of
Selma became determined to make the Centennial Celebration the
crowning event of its first one hundred years. And on September
17, 1967, as the crowds gathered at the Selma High School
athletic field for the first Centennial event, the Community’
Services ?
Selma
in the heart of Eastern North Carolina, at the center of
east-west and north-south highways and railroads entered its
very own second century ?
Later that year ?
(The
story of a friendly, growing, and close-knit community of real
people, who think and do things---never ends)-----------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We
wish to acknowledge the assistance in writing this history: of
Mr. George Stevenson, N. C. Collection, UNC at Chapel Hill
Library; the Smithfield Herald, the News and Observer. the
Johnstonian Sun; Miss Blanche Mitchener, Mrs. J. P. Temple, Miss
Flora Hatcher, Miss Amma Stancill, Mr. B. B. Lee, Mr. I. E.
Coley, Mr. Tom Freeman, and more than a hundred other groups and
individuals who volunteered either written reports or
interviews. We are aware that some errors and omissions have
occurred; however we have made every effort to include the
material available to us. Without the cooperation of all
interested citizens this history could not have been written.
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