-
( continued on page 2)
If you have lived a while in Henderson County and you know how
to read, you have most likely heard of the book "From the Banks of
The Oklawaha" by Frank L. FitzSimons, Sr. Perhaps you even remember
the broadcasts that are the basis for his books. In fact his book
comes in three volumes and is considered a collectors item. It is
filled with "hilarious anecdotes and tall tales; folklore and
superstitions; history of commerce and people, prominent and not so
well known; and more and more of the fabulous stories spun by “the
old man on the mountain.” The Hendersonville Lightning said. "His
three-volume collection of the same name is an essential ingredient
in the libraries of consumers of history and lore about our corner
of Southern Appalachia." From these books you can learn the history
of Henderson County and Hendersonville beginning with an Indian
legend of a "Moon-Eyed People," who inhabited the
Remember Constitution Week
September 17-23
NOTE: The pictures in the previous edition, of the Lions Club visiting the museum, were all taken by Rick Hazzard. We apologize for not giving photo
credit where due.
FitzSimons’ Brothers Donate Grandfather’s WWI Uniform to
Museum
SEPTEMBER 2015 VOLUME 5
HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
Inside this issue:
FitzSimons Donation 1
Victory in Europe Day 2
Down by the Old Mill Stream
3
Robert Morgan’s Newest Book —Dark Energy
4
Ray Taylor 5
Memorial Day Event Photos
6
Zeb Kilpatrick Story 8
BBQ Invite 11
Spotlight Volunteers 12
In Ground Kiln Found
14
Kid Pages 15
Jim the Pig in Ridges 10
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Justus
-
(WWI UNIFORM continued from page 1)
mountains of Western North Carolina before the Cherokee and
ending with stories from 1961.
If you are a relative newcomer and you have not heard the word
Oklawaha, you would not know it is from the Cherokee name,
Ochlawaha, for Mud Creek. In the 1800's many businesses in
Hendersonville used Oklawaha in their business name. One of the
many jokes FitzSimons includes in his books is this. Question: "Do
you know why the Ochlawaha always has plenty of money?" Answer:
"Because it has a bank on each side of it."
Frank L. FitzSimons, Sr. was much more than 'just an author.' He
was a Marine hero in World War I and received the Navy Cross for
his heroism. "While serving as a Corpsman with the Sixth Regiment
(Marines) ... after his gas mask and overcoat had been torn from
him by a shell fragment, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Fitzsimmons
continued the advance and exposed himself while dressing the
wounded. He was exceptionally courageous and efficient in his work
and thereby saved many lives." Apparently they spelled his name
wrong and from his grandson’s comment, this is not unusual with
their name.
According to the Hendersonville Lightning, Frank FitzSimons, Sr.
was also a "teacher, Register of Deeds, farmer, Curb Market founder
and radio broadcaster." Mr. FitzSimons was also a banker with the
Northwestern Bank. In broadcasts sponsored by the Northwestern
Bank, Mr. FitzSimons shared with the listeners of WHKP radio the
story of their county in some 5000 programs.
He was also a father and a grandfather. Frank L. FitzSimons,
Jr., his son, was in the Navy and served on PT Boats in the
Philippines in World War II. Frank L. FitzSimons III (called Hank)
was in the Navy like his father and served in Vietnam. His brother
Dunkin FitzSimons served in the Marines like his grandfather. These
two distinguished individuals have graciously decided to donate
their grandfather's WWI uniform, the one he wore at the end of the
war, to the Henderson County Heritage Museum where everyone can
enjoy it. Both the museum and all who visit will have good reason
to be grateful for their generosity.
VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY
Times News/BlueRidgeNow.com published an article on May 8th,
2015, about the Henderson
County observance of the anniversary of Victory in Europe Day
and listened to a recording of
President Harry S. Truman’s 1945 announcement concerning the
surrender
of German forces in Europe.
County Manager, Steve Wyatt, then had music from the early to
mid 1940s playing for the
remainder of the day.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dirks/Times-News.
“Never assume that you’re stuck with the way things are. Life
changes, and so can you.
- Ralph Marston
PAGE 2 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
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PAGE 3 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
DOWN BY THE OLD MILL STREAM Story and Photo By Terry Ruscin
Thomas Dulus Stepp (1878–1966), a graduate of Judson College,
served as a Dana postmaster for a brief time. With his brother,
J.H. Stepp, he formed the partnership, Stepp Brothers Cannery &
General Store.
As a Henderson County commissioner from 1927 to '30, Dulus Stepp
worked to improve roads and helped bring electricity to Dana. He
bought Ottaray Canning Company from his uncle, Jonathan Case
(1869–1942), in 1924.
Considered a milling authority, Stepp swapped acreage for the
gristmill property of Benjamin A. Merrell (1869–1935) on Tumble Bug
Creek at Saconon in 1933. He learned the trade of milling after
having worked Rhett's mill on Highland Lake in Flat Rock. A
holdover from bygone days, the Merrell-Stepp mill stands intact
today, preserved and protected by its owner, Carolyn Justus.
A monument inscribed “R.M. Stepp, Co. H 2nd N.C. Mtd. Inf. U.S.
Army” marks a plot at the Stepp-Hyder Cemetery on Round Hill. Not
far from this graveyard, water tumbles from Little Hungry River
over a ledge of granite within a subdivision known as Oleta Falls
Retreat. In 1908, a post office was established at this site — a
population center known as Oleeta.
While working the gristmill at Oleeta, Reuben Miller Stepp
(1839–1907) died suddenly, likely from a heart attack. His son,
Robert Coleman Stepp (1860–1942), resumed operations.
But the history of milling operations predates the Stepps'
tenure at Oleeta. John Jones Sr. (1764-1860), one of the early
settlers in what is now the county of Henderson (Buncombe at the
time), held more than 1,000 acres there. This included the site at
Oleeta.
Alongside the waterfall, Jones constructed the county's first
slash mill. Boards sawed at this operation furnished building
materials for the early summer mansions of Flat Rock.
Besides the mills, structures at Oleeta included the miller's
house and post office — all washed away during the 1916 flood.
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PAGE 4 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
In June, Robert Morgan (left) presented his latest book of
poetry “Dark Energy.” Carolyn Justus (photo top middle) and
Hilliard Station (photo top right) introduced the author.
Refreshments were served after the presentation and attendees had a
chance to purchase the book and have it autographed by the
author.
Photos courtesy of
Rick Hazzard
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PAGE 5 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
From the collection of The Times-News—Aug 15, 1967
Coming soon to the Heritage Museum
….. The Ridges.
-
Photo Right.
Tar Heel Junior Historians
participate in the Salute to Veterans.
SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS
PAGE 6 VOLUME 5
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News Photo courtesy of Times-News Photo
courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Hendersonville Lightning
-
VOLUME 5 PAGE 7
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Times-News
Photo courtesy of Hendersonville Lightning
-
If you would like to receive this newsletter via email please
send your email address to:
[email protected] or call 697-5007. Help save
money!!
PAGE 8 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
During the Salute to Veterans for Memorial Day at the Human
Services Building, a very special thing for me happened. The day
before the ceremony I read in the Times-News that Zeb Kilpatrick,
an Army Paratrooper, would be attending. He was a member of the
11th Airborne Division that rescued the interned Americans held
captive in the Philippines during World War II. From family stories
I knew that my Great-Aunt Sarah was one of the people that was
rescued. Sarah Powell England was the principal for Manila High
School when the islands were invaded by the Japanese. She told my
mother that the only way she survived those years in the camp was
by the kindness of her Philippine friends that would sneak food and
goods into her and other internees. After the war, Sarah wrote a
story about her time there. She wrote, “Some of my room-mates and I
crouched at the windows watching the planes—beautiful American
planes.” and, “Our hopes, our hearts, our morale went up high, high
as those planes.” On one of those planes was Zeb Kilpatrick. I
thought he might like to hear the impact of their arrival.
I emailed my older sister who then sent me a digital copy of
Aunt Sarah’s story. I then emailed Carolyn Justus and Knox Crowell
telling them that. Carolyn was excited and decided to add it to the
ceremony the next day. That’s the story behind me being introduced,
a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, and presenting to U.S.
Army Paratrooper Zeb Kilpatrick, with a copy of my Aunt Sarah’s
diary.
Later I attended a wonderful briefing and movie by Tom Nebbia at
the library telling the story of that rescue. After the show, Mayor
Barbara Volk presented a Proclamation (see next page) to Zeb
designating May 30th, 2015, “Zeb Kilpatrick Day.” As if all of that
is not enough to know how small the world is, well, Barbara Volk
presented a copy of that proclamation to Steve Hogenboom who was
also present. He and his family were also imprisoned by the
Japanese there 70 years ago.
It was quite an honor to meet both gentlemen.
It’s A Small World After All! By Phoebe Blackwell
Photo above shows Sarah Powell far right, Jeremy Powell far left
and my grandfather, Francis Foster
Powell, in the center.
-
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 9
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Jim the Pig in the Memorial Day
Parade. Jim the Pig, weighed in at 2415
pounds. The photograph of him is one of the things that will be
covered in the new “Ridges” display
at the museum. Photos courtesy of
Rick Hazzard
PAGE 10 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
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If you have not read the books “On the Banks of the
Oklawaha” (Volumes I, II and III) by Frank L. FitzSimons,
you
should. They are a wonderful collection of stories of the
founders of this area and history of the early years.
A favorite story of mine from the first volume is this one
about
Preacher Edney.
PAGE 11 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
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The above photos, taken by Rick Hazzard, are the property of the
International Lions Club and may not be copied or used in any form
without permission from the photographer.
PAGE 12 VOLUME 5
to someone who cannot afford glasses. They both do volunteer
work and extra research on the Baker-Barker Collection. Rick
canvases local merchants for coupons to give to children visiting
the museum and has created a scavenger hunt for them to do while
visiting the museum. He also belongs to the Apple Country
Woodworkers who produce 1,500 wooden toys every year to give to
Children in need at Christmas. Rick is a great photographer, See
two examples
below. The one on the left was chosen last year as the State of
North Carolina Photo of the Year in the Lions Club. The photo on
the right of the yellow swallowtail has already won for District
this year. Nancy gave me a tour of the train set-up in the Bo
Thomas Room. Bo Thomas was Nancy’s brother-in-law. With every new
scene she told me stories of her childhood spent right there.
“That’s where me and daddy went froggin’,” she told me. She showed
me where her grand-mother’s house was and told me all about the old
hosiery mill. She also told me that Rick was raised a Parton and
was cousins to Dolly Parton. If you want a tour and a great group
of stories of local life in these mountain, be sure to stop in the
museum on Saturday and ask for Nancy. Thank you Nancy and Rick for
giving of yourselves!
On Saturday, June 27th, 2015, I met two very interesting people,
Nancy Hazzard Crozier and her son, Rick Hazzard. I was interviewing
them for this article for Volunteer Spotlight but I was delightedly
impressed by the depth and width of their volunteerism. They both
volunteer at the museum; giving tours and helping. They are both in
the International Lions Club. This means if you have old used
glasses, drop them at the museum and they will recycle them to
give
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS
-
Docents… Volunteer docents are needed to lead tours and answer
questions in the rooms of the Henderson County Heritage Museum.
Docents are required to take four hours of classes. Shifts are 10
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday,
and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Visitor Hospitality Specialists… Volunteers are needed to
welcome visitors, answer questions and distribute brochures. One
hour of training is required. Shifts are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and
1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday.
Gift Shop Volunteers… Volunteers are needed to work in the
museum's gift shop. One hour of training is required. Shifts are 10
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturday
and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Exhibits and other activities… Volunteers are needed to help set
up and take down exhibits for each rotation. Volunteers are also
needed to assist with research for upcoming exhibits and also to
assist in hospitality at Special Events. To volunteer call 694-1619
Wednesday through Sunday or email to:
[email protected].
HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
Museum Gift Shop Our Heritage Museum gift shop resides in a room
of the Historic Courthouse that was
funded by the generosity and civic concern of the League of
Women Voters of Henderson
County. The shop celebrates our Guardians of the Past who
preserved and continue to enrich the heritage of Henderson County.
Books are available to purchase from such well-known local story
weavers and history preservers as
Frank FitzSimons, Louise Bailey, Terry Ruscin, Robert Morgan and
Mead Parce, just
to mention a few. New items include local jams & train
toys.
The Gift Shop is currently displaying an historic Gillespie
Rifle. Phillip Gillespie hand
crafted rifles on the banks of Henderson County's Mill's River
from circa 1836 through 1862. This example of his work is among
his
more ornate pieces, surviving in unusually fine condition. The
Gillespie family believes this to be Phillip's own rifle. This
weapon is on loan
to the Museum through the kindness of collateral descendants Tom
and Robertjohn
Gillespie and their mother, Virginia.
Board of Directors: Ms. Carolyn Justus, Chair Ms. Virginia
Gambill Mr. Tom Orr Ms. Bessie Mae Levi Bright, Treasurer Mr.
Andrew Carl Brannon Ms. JoAnn Stepp Fain Ms. Patsy Farmer Jones Ms.
Miller Medina Mr. Jim Toms Mr. J. Michael Edney, Ex-Officio -
Commissioner Representative
Our Board of Directors The Henderson County Heritage Museum
Board of Directors is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities
to the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to design and
operate a heritage and history museum in the restored Historic
Courthouse located on the block in downtown Hendersonville between
First and Second Avenues and Main and Church Streets.
Heritage Museum Staff: Knox Crowell, Museum Director, (828)
694-5007 [email protected] Sherby Merchant,
Museum Supervisor (Weekdays): 828-694-1619
[email protected] Barbara Green, Museum
Supervisor (Weekends): 828-694-1619
[email protected] Chris Czikra, Video &
Media, [email protected]
May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your
heart with beauty, may hope for-ever wipe away your tears, and,
above all, may silence make you strong. -Chief Dan George
Help Keep History Alive—Heritage Museum Volunteer
Opportunities
PAGE 13
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Back in 1979, when Frank L. FitzSimons published his third
volume of "From the Banks of The Oklawaha," he wrote about a
mystery on the Orr Farm. The Orr Family are descended from
pioneer
settlers of Henderson County who came to these mountains in the
18th Century.
The son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Orr cited in this chapter was
leveling and clearing on the farm when the bulldozer he was running
ran into masonry. He was smart enough to stop bulldozing and
begin
excavating by hand. Soon they had uncovered two brick and stone
lined kilns buried several feet down. Eventually they came upon a
stone arch that proved to be the actual furnace of a pottery kiln.
Some of the bricks they found were glazed with colors that some
thought were caused by the intense
heat in the manufacturing process.
Many wedges were found that were identified as chinks or spacers
that were once used when building arches of brick or stone.
Speculation ran wild. Some thought that these wedges were a long
forgotten and lost art of the Aztec Indians of Mexico. Some thought
that they were produced by the Cherokee Indians who once roamed
these hills. Others thought they were from two male pioneers who
built
kilns and started making clay pipes and things for trade with
the Indians. So far pieces have been sent and passed on and passed
on again for opinion or analysis in the search for facts but no
information
has been received back. Although many archeologists have been
contacted, none have visited the site to make an informed opinion.
Perhaps they have their heads in the sand somewhere else. Which
ever way it works, there remains this wonderful mystery of the
Orr Family Farm.
It’s Still a Mystery!
PAGE 14 VOLUME 5
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British Photographer Carl Warner likes to make funny pictures.
Did you recognize that everything in this
picture is food? The hot air balloons are a strawberry; a garlic
clove, a bunch of bananas, an
apple, an orange, a lime, a lemon, a pear and an onion. Can you
name the rest of the food in this
picture?
THE KID PAGES
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Can you guess what these three photos
are?
3
2 1
PAGE 15 HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM ANSWERS: Under the
Microscope: 1) CHALK 2) A FRUIT FLY FOOT 3) SALT CRYSTALS
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TO:
FROM: Henderson County Heritage Museum 1 Historic Courthouse
Square #4 Hendersonville, NC 28792
Newsletter designing and publishing by
Phoebe Blackwell
PRSRT STD US Postage
PAID Permit 42 28739
Get your copy of the latest books by different authors, flags,
toys
and so much more in our gift shop but please don’t shop
until
you drop!
September 2015Volume 5HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Inside
this issue:Page #HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Page #HENDERSON
COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Page #HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Page
#HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Page #Volume 5Volume 5Page 7Page
#HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Volume 1, Issue 1Page 9Page
#HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM Page #HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE
MUSEUM Page #Volume 5SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS HENDERSON COUNTY
HERITAGE MUSEUM Help Keep History Alive—Heritage Museum Volunteer
OpportunitiesPage #Page #Volume 5Page #HENDERSON COUNTY HERITAGE
MUSEUM
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