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But The FROM 'BACK YONDER'Smokestack Wasn’t MovedMany a change—everything's moved around except toaybe the boiler room and the smokestack, observed Frederick Thornton after his sentimental journey back the Firestone plant this summer. He'd been gone since the late 1920s.Mr. Thornton, now retired and living in Columbia, S* C., came with Mrs. Thornton and some other mem-bers of the family to visit here, look for old acquaintances—and to bring along two old photographs the era when he was employed here—almost six Vears before Firestone purchased the mill.Thornton came to work here in the early 1920s and stayed on the job until around 1929 when he went with Continental Can Co. in Baltimore. He retired there five years ago and moved to Columbia.His keepsake photo of the mill here appears to have been made on a quiet Sunday morning—or was it during a vacation shutdown? The group picture of the clolh-room crew is of around 1928-29 vintage.The people? Miss Marguerite Siyers, secretary to the division general manager, sought the help of her sister (Mrs. Mattie McCann—second from left, back row, and now retired) for identification of most of the persons in the group. Does anyone identify the 'unknowns'?Front, seated from left: Mrs. Clara Wilson; Unknown; Callie Oliver, Dolly Brown; Unknown; Jane Padgett. On knees, from left: Dorothy Short, Mrs. Nina Dilling, Mrs. Fay Crenshaw Sahms, Mella Francis.Gertrude Bradley, Dessie Short, Gertrude Clouse, Basha McMahann, Naomi Owens. Standing, from left: Man unknown; Mrs. Mattie McCann, Chloe Hollifield (deceased), Donnie Lytle (deceased), Mrs. Laura Haney Austin; Unknown; Mrs. - Mimms, Mrs. Carl Robinson, Mrs. Julia Leonard (deceased). Standing, far right; Mrs. Lola Hyden, the supervisor.Of this group, Mrs. Dilling (second from left, front row) is the only one still employed here.United AppealAt Firestone In OctoberCounty Goal: $348,000Benson, N. C., population around 2,500, is 30 miles northeast of Fayetteville and not far up the road from Benionville Battleground. The Johnston County town is well known for its timber and lumber industry, cottonseed mills and gins; and as an agricultural center built around the growing of cotton, tobacco and corn.Benson has other claims toMules And Cottondistinction: Each year it has the State Singing Convention in June and Mule Day Celebration in the fall. See Travel Notes, page 4, for more on the 18th annual celebration which honors the lowly (and ornery?) beast and his contribution to our way of life before and after the coming of the tractor.Rec Center Arts-Crafts ShowA two-day exhibition of garden-grown items; arts, crafts and hobby articles will be held at Firestone Recreation Center in October. The public showings, sponsored by Variety Garden Club of Firestone, begin at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 12 and 13.Exhibit-items entries are restricted to Variety Garden Club members and their families, and to a limited number of others through invitation from the sponsoring club.Mrs. W. R. Turner Sr., Variety Club leader and a past president of the group, will conduct sessions of a workshop onChristmas decorative arrangements; and speak on artflower arranging, candlemaking and other crafts.Garden specimens to be displayed include fruits, flowers, foliage, potted plants and dish gardens. There will be craft displays of nut rings, Flemish flowers and handiwork of all kinds.A “something from nothing” grouping will show scrap quilts, flowers and wreaths made from ‘tin’ cans; and other craft items from discard materials.Hobby exhibits will include woodwork items and candles.The yearly UA drive is the only general money appeal made in the plant here. Firestone peo pie have the privilege of making the one gift—one time through payroll deduction.Throughout the years, Firestone people’s combined gift toiiie unitea c-Liui t iicta icpreeiit-ed a major contribution to the campaign, with an unusually high per-person rate of giving. The “fair-share” record of giving also has been outstanding.The 1966 Firestone contribution was $32,031.41.Every year many Firestone people give volunteer service to the United effort, from the on-the-job solicitor with sign-up cards; to top leadership positions.Campaign president for 1966— More On Page 2A GIANTRising UPIn mid-August construction on the new fabric-treating unit began to rise above ground on the site of the old millpond. The first day of work of the construction crew presented the picture here — a giant steel framework reaching upward to become part of the main unit of the installation which is planned fore lectronically treating polyester tire fabric, from yarn twisted and woven here.The unit under construction is. planned for beginning operation sometime in December of this year. It will be another progress landmark at Gastonia. The first electronically - controlled fabric-treating unit, put into operation here in late 1954, was a pioneer in its field. It was the world’s firsttire-cord-treating factory of its kind.Early October is starting time for the Firestone Textiles lr*-plant campaign in this year’s Gaston County United Appeal. Through this the 15th annual United campaign, 33 halth-welfare agencies combine their fund collections into °he appeal for help which makes possible their services in1968.Gaston County United Appeal ls the new designation for the ^ampaign organization which has served the past 14 years un-the name Greater Gastonia United Fund and Council.Beyond Gastonia, the UA Serviee area now includes Dal-Harden, Lowell, Mt. Holly arid Ranlo.This year’s United Appeal goal is $348,000—up nine per cent over that of last year. The increase was called for because of rising costs generally, some added member agencies, expanded services of some agencies, and the enlarged service area with a population of almost 72,000.GASTONIA • NORTH CAROLINASEPTEMBER • 1967
Newspaper Details
Gastonia Firestone News
Gastonia, North Carolina, US
Fri, Sep 01, 1967
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Full Page
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NC, USA 02 Oct 2019
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