Backward Glances: Talking books, a heart transplant and moonshine still in stories from the past
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
120 years ago
On July 10th, Almond Masonic Lodge had a public installation of officers. About 100 members of the craft and a large congregation assembled in Almond church at 10 a.m. Hon. J. Thomas Heflin, Alabama’s greatest young orator, was the first speaker, and for one hour we listened to as fine an oration as we ever heard. After music by the choir, and prayer by the chaplain, we repaired to the grove, where the good women had prepared us a feast that could not be excelled, in either quantity or quality. Without the efforts of the good women, our efforts to better mankind would be a failure. Hon. J. P. Oliver installed the officers of Almond Lodge according to the ritueal in a very impressive manner.
*****
It seems that the Democratic party constantly seeks defeat and is never so happy as when concocting some scheme to bring about that result. It looks almost like a forgone conclusion that W. J. Bryan will be nominated for president at the next national convention of the party, and as a fellow named Patrick Henry once said, “judging by experience,” he is almost as sure to be defeated as he is nominated. The Republicans would ask no easier job than putting Bryan to sleep again and re-electing Teddy in 1908.
100 years ago
While state and county politics is occupying the center of the stage, it is well for Roanoke voters to consider the importance to us of city politics. Sometimes people take this matter very lightly, as one to be joked about merely. This is a mistake. It is all right, of course, to have the usual amount of fun along with the campaign, but when it comes to making a decision as to what to do the utmost care and most conscientious thought should be given. The city government is a huge corporation. It handles thousands upon thousands of dollars in the various departments annually. It is a business proposition of considerable magnitude. Those to whose hands these vital interests are entrusted should be both progressive and conservative – not on extremes either way.
*****
Former Governor and Senator B.B. Comer will speak in Roanoke at the City Hall at 10 o’clock next Wednesday, July 28, in the interest of Senator Carmichael for governor. Mr. Comer is one of the state’s most distinguished citizens. Many will be glad of the opportunity of hearing him again.
80 years ago
The paving of Georgia Route 34 from near Newnan to Franklin will complete half of the unpaved eastern gap in the Southwest Gateway Highway, according to Arthur H. Surprise, secretary of the Southwest Gateway Association. The Southwest Gateway highway still lacks a definite location between Franklin and Rock Mills, which includes the accepted junction point for Georgia Highway 34 and Alabama Highway 63. However, Mr. Surprise says that they willing to determine a definite meeting place for the two roads. The Franklin-Rock Mills gap promises to be the last unpaved link in the Southwest Gateway, Mr. Surprise says. The bridge at Wadley will probably be opened early this fall.
*****
Only 50 percent of the people in the United States can swim at all; yet this is the season when young and old flock to the beaches and pools, regardless of their knowledge of water technique. Of the 50 percent who swim, only 10 percent swim well. The safety of these untrained bathers is left to the lifeguard – if one is present. Is it any wonder that approximately 7,000 persons drown every year? Most drownings occur during May, June, July and August, for it is during these months that 80 million Americans go “swimming.”
60 years ago
“Talking books” mean so much to one Roanoke resident that she wants to do all she can to tell other visually handicapped people about them. That is why Mrs. W. J. Mann called the Leader recently and suggested a story on a library service many people do not know is available for the blind or near-blind. The correct name of this service is “Talking Book Series for the Visually Handicapped.” It is made available by the Library of Congress through outlets in various parts of the country. Mrs. Mann, now in her 80’s, has been receiving “talking books” since 1958. Anyone who meets the qualifications and fills out an application will receive a supply of “books” (records) and a machine for playing them. The visually handicapped person will also receive a catalog of books and will asked to check at least 50 titles so that the library can get some idea of his reading tastes. Later he will receive monthly listings of new books to check. After a shipment of books has been “read,” it is mailed back to the library.
*****
Army Pvt. Joe S. Thompson, who is a 1960 graduate of Woodland High School, completed advanced infantry training, including a week of guerrilla warfare training at Fort Polk, La., July 2. During his guerrilla training he lived under simulated Vietnam conditions for five days, fighting off attacks and conducting raids on “enemy” villages. He was taught methods of removing booby traps, setting ambushes and avoiding enemy ambushes. The 25-year-old soldier entered the Army in January 1966.
40 years ago
Clarence Tucker – and his new heart – are home. Clarence came home from Birmingham on July 11, just six weeks after receiving the heart of a 15-year-old boy in a six-hour operation by Dr. James Kirklin. Tucker’s story is one of a modern miracle of medical science, a heart transplant. Tucker is only the 103rd person to have received such an operation at the University of Alabama hospital and the 23rd this year. Tucker’s diagnosis was cardiomyopathy, an illness resulting in severe weakness and failure of the heart muscle, probably brought on by a viral infection. He was evaluated and found to be a suitable patient for a heart transplant. He was put on a waiting list. On June 2 UAB Hospital called. A 15-year-old Birmingham boy had been severely injured in an accident and had been declared brain dead. His parents wished to donate his organs for transplantation. His heart was a match for Tucker. After a two-hour trip to Birmingham, Tucker was prepared for surgery, and six hours later had beating within his 43-year-old chest a 15-year-old heart.
20 years ago
Randolph County Sheriff’s Office investigators were looking into what was reported to be a suspicious house fire in the Bacon Level community on Saturday when the discovered a moonshine still. Matthew Sean Czik, 33, told authorities that he believed a fire that damaged the bedroom and bathroom of his trailer was suspicious because his Glock 9mm pistol was missing. While checking into the fire investigators discovered the still hidden in the back yard. The still, which made 200-proof moonshine, was designed through the help of Foxfire books, Czik told the investigators. He has been producing moonshine since this spring. Czik was arrested and charged with possession of a still (felony) and possession of marijuana (misdemeanor). The pistol has since been recovered, and the fire is still under investigation.
Related Posts
