Fires Raging in 12 Mountain Counties, Nov. 21, 1924

Many Forest Fires Giving Much Trouble in the Mountains

Forest fires have been raging in the nearby mountains during the past week or more. During the day the sky has been partly hazed with smoke from burning debris on the mountain side, while at night great red blazes can be seen winding their slow and tortuous way across the nearby mountains. The fires are closer than they have been during the past several years. A great many acres of land have been burned over, and considerable damage has been done. The unusual dry weather of the fall has contributed largely to the continued burning blazes.

But not only near Murphy, but at other places in the county have fires been raging. The first of the week district fire warden C.I. Peterson of Asheville reported that wardens in this county had checked 10 fires, which had burned over some 500 acres of mountain land; in Haywood, there have been 12 fires covering about 2,300 acres; Clay, four fires covering 250 acres; Henderson, three fires covering 250 acres; Transylvania, three fires covering 900 acres; Polk, four fires covering 40 acres, and Madison, one fire covering 100 acres.

The fires this year are reported as being worse than last year. Some wardens claim they have been worse than they have seen in a number of years. The damage has been done to second growth principally.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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Company Buys Town's Hydro-Electric Power Plant, Nov. 21, 1924

Power Plant Is Sold. . . Carolina-Tennessee Power Co. Contracts Notla Development

One of the largest business transactions completed in this section in some time was consummated the first of the week when negotiations were completed whereby the Carolina-Tennessee Power Company purchased the hydro-electric plant of the town of Murphy. The present consideration was $200,000 and other rights and privileges, which will make the consideration greatly exceed this sum, according terms of the contract, to be made public this week. The mayor and town council have already signed the contract of sale on the part of the town but an election has been called for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the voters of the action of the city officials.

The proposition of selling the power plant on Notla River came up some weeks ago but there was little prospect of a sale until early in the month when President W.V.N. Powelson of the Carolina-Tennessee Power Company approached city authorities and made an offer to purchase the plant. Terms of sale and terms upon which the power company would buy the plant were exchanged between the contracting parties and showed a rather wide difference, but these differences were ironed out at a conference between the mayor and the power company at its New York office and the contract was formally approved by the board of commissioners this week.

The election has been called for December 23rd. For the purpose of the election a new registration is called. T.W. Axley has been appointed registrar and H.D. akin and Sid Pendley judges to hold the election.

By the terms of the contract, the power company obligates itself to pay all interest charges and liquidate all bonds issued for the purpose of building the city power plant and pay the town the difference between the amount of the outstanding bonds and $200,000. The power company also obligates itself to furnish the city free street lights for a period of sixty years, which is the length of the franchise granted the power company by the city. The power company is to make bond to guarantee its faithful performance of its part of the contract.

The city plant consists of a certain dam on Notla River, about three miles from the city power house, generators of approximately 500 horsepower capacity, riparian and other rights along the river, transmission lines, meters, poles, and other equipment necessary in the generating and distribution of electrical energy. Along with the plant, the Carolina-Tennessee Power Company received a franchise to use the city streets for a period of 50 years for poles and transmission lines and all contracts the city has for supplying electrical energy. The sale of the plant will become effective January 1, 1925, if the voters approve of the sale, and there is every indication that such will be the case.

The sale of this plant has much more significance than appears on the surface. It means the active entrance of New York capital int this area and will no doubt hasten the development of the Hiawansee River down which are ?? daily thousands of horsepower of energy awaiting to be harnessed and put to work. The Carolina-Tennessee Power Company has been in this field for 10 . . . . (can’t read several lines) right to develop the river. The purchase of the power plant of the town, it is believed here, is the first step toward getting under way huge developments down the Hiawassee river. It is believed that power from the Notla dam will be used in constructing the first large dam down the Hiawassee. This will be of tremendous benefit to Murphy and Cherokee County and this whole section as it will undoubtedly bring in other industries and create much taxable wealth in the county, utilize our natural resources and furnish labor to many of our people. The Carolina Tennessee Power Company is a North Carolina corporation owned by New York capital.

The city power plant was constructed in 1919 and 1920 and generates about 500 horsepower of electrical power. It is expected that its capacity will soon be increased by the new owners.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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Mayor Fain Asks Murphy Residents to Conserve Water, Nov. 21, 1924

Proclamation by the Mayor

Whereas, the continued dry weather has caused a shortage in our city water supply, and

Whereas, an adequate water supply is necessary for the health and comfort of the people of the Town of Murphy, and Whereas, a wise use of our water supply during the present emergency will probably render it sufficient for drinking, cooking and other absolutely necessary purposes,

Now, Therefore, I, W.M. Fain, Mayor of the Town of Murphy do hereby proclaim a shortage in our water supply and call upon the people of the Town to cease using water except for absolutely necessary purposes. Garages, business houses, public places of every description and character, together with all residents of the Town are asked to use just as little water as is absolutely necessary until the emergency is relieved by rain. With the cooperation of every individual user of water, it is believed that we can go through the present emergency without taking action to regulate the use of water. The help of every good citizen is asked to the end that this may not become necessary.

Done, this 19th day of November 1924

W.M. Fain, Mayor

B.W. Sipe, Clerk

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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L.J. Hall Appointed Street Tax Collector, Nov. 21, 1924

Hall Appointed Street Tax Collector

L.J. Hall was at a recent meeting of the town council appointed street tax collector for the present year, and the receipt and summons books were turned over to him the first of this week.

All person between the ages of 21 and 45 years are required to pay street taxes or to work the equivalent on the streets of the town of Murphy. The tax is $6 a year.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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Pat Cearley Buys General Store, Nov. 21, 1924

Pat Cearley Buys Townson General Store

Mr. Pat Cearley recently purchased the general store of the Murphy Coal and Ice Company, beyond the Hiawassee River, and the tie contract of the same company. Mr. Cearley has enlarged the stock of goods and is giving the business his whole attention. He will continue to buy crossties.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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Minstrel Show Nov. 22, 1924, to Benefit Hayesville High School

Minstrel to be Given at Hayesville Nov. 22

A very humorous and thrilling entertainment is to be given at the Hayesville High School auditorium Saturday evening, November 22nd.

This entertainment, in the form of a negro minstrel, is being very carefully planned and will be rendered by the students of the Hayesville High School. The proceeds will be used for additions to the library and for athletic equipment. Mrs. W.R. Anderson and Miss Madelaine Pinson are the directors of the performance. The program, for which a small admission will be charged, will begin at 7:30 o’clock.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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Golden Rule Department Store Opening, Nov. 21, 1924

Department Store to be Opened in Near Future

The Golden Rule Store is the name of the new department store that is to open its doors in the Grant building adjoining the Murphy Bakery and the Davidson and Carringer Grocery. The building is now being remodeled and painted, and the window display space and shelving put in order. The store will probably open its doors before the first of December.

G.R. and J.D. Rowan are the proprietors of this new business house. They have been in the goods business a long time, having come here from Black Mountain, N.C. The new store will feature ladies’ ready-to-wear, although a full line of men’s clothing, shoes, etc., will be in the stock.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, November 21, 1924

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