Table of Contents for Marshall McClung Articles

The following articles were written by Marshall McClung (email the writer) and published in The Graham Star newspaper. The following is an alphabetical listing of the articles by title.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z

- A -

A Bit of History Preserved -- August 3, 1995
Several residents of the Atoah community and others have been busy recently doing their part to see that some local history is kept intact at the Metz Cemetery. . . .

A Blue Moon
You have no doubt heard the expression “Once in a blue moon”, but do you know what it means and how the term came about?

A Place for Children -- June 30, 1994
When David and Sharon Crowe were married in 1969, they probably had no idea that they would be operating a home for children in their own home. . . .

Agnes Irons Remembers Lions Club -- January 12, 1995
Agnes Irons never thought that she would be able to see at this point in her life let alone be doing paintings and other arts and crafts that she now does. . . .

- B -

Belle Cooper - A Sweetgum Community Landmark -- September 8, 1994
It would be hard to imagine Sweetgum Community without Belle Cooper. She has been a part of the community for so long that she has indeed become a landmark. . . .

"Big Bird" Comes to Graham County -- May 4, 1995
The ultimate "Big Bird" or rather "Birds" arrived in Graham County recently. John McRae of the Atoah Community has acquired two ostriches. . . .

Bill Porter Made Christmas Special -- December 22, 1994
I feel that the following story is an appropriate one to share with you during this Christmas season for it is a story of giving in the truest sense. . . .

Brutal Murder Prompted Lynching
A brutal murder in the Mountain Creek section of Graham in the 1800’s brought about the only known lynching in Cherokee County

Bushwhackers Once Roamed Graham County
The Civil War had a fascinating impact on Graham County as well as the rest of western North Carolina and nearby areas of east Tennessee.

- C -

Caroline Jackson -- June 1, 1995
I remember seeing Caroline Jackson when I was a small child. It seems as though any church service you attended in the area, she would be there. . . .

Cartways Provided Access Through History -- August 22, 1996
People traveling Tallulah Road have no doubt noticed a side road recently named Tallulah Cartway through the 911 address system. . . .

CCC Reunion Held -- September 14, 1995
A Civilian Conservation Corps reunion was held this past Saturday at the U.S. Forest Service Work Center on Massey Branch Road. . . .

Charlie Denton Was a Living History Lesson
A study of Charlie Denton is a study of the history of the area. He was born in Benton, Tennessee in Polk County in 1868,

Cheesesquire -- January 26, 1995
Much of the history and heritage of Graham County is deeply rooted among the Cherokee. One of the most interesting and probably the oldest Cherokee in Graham County was Cheesesquire. . . .

Childhood Sweethearts Marry Forty-One Years Later -- May 4, 1995
Eulas Cook and Lucille Brackett grew up together in the Long Creek section of Graham County during the late 1940's and early 1950's. For a time they lived next door to each other. . . .

Christmas Play Write -- December 15, 1994
Many people know of Eloise Jenkins through her ministry of song and music But this talented lady also writes Christmas plays. . . .

Civil War Records Reveal Family's Struggle -- April 18, 2002
An earlier story published in the Graham Star, Civil War Tragic for Williams Family, covered the effect the Civil War had on that family. A closer look at war records reveals. . . .

County Garden -- August 10, 1995
Growing vegetable gardens has been a practice since time out of mind in Graham County. Newton and Edith Colvard who live on Junaluska Road in Robbinsville have a beautiful garden year after year, especially their beans. . . .

- D -

Dead Man's Run -- October 24, 1991
A copper plate engraving in a small block of anchored concrete at the grave on Big Huckleberry Knob tells the story. It was a bitter, cold day with snow and fog, December 11, 1899. Paul O’Neil, and Andy Sherman from Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, employees of the Heiser Lumber Company left . . . .

Dog Days -- July 19, 2001
We are in the midst of dog days now. Ask people what the term "dog days" means, and you will likely get a variety of answers . . . .

Dooley Legend Lives as Group Seeks Pardon
The story of Tom Dooley might well have faded into the pages of history and been forgotten had it not been for the ballad that became a major hit for the Kingston Trio on Capitol Records.

- E -

Eller Cove Days -- April, 2002
I spent many hours of my childhood days in Eller Cove. I grew upon nearby Atoah Creek, and when Bemis Hardwood Lumber Company built a logging road into Eller Cove from Atoah Gap . . . .

Esias George -- October 10, 1996
A well known minister in the earlier days of Graham County and surrounding areas was Esias George called "Esau" or "Easar" George by some. . . .

- F -

Fighting Forest Fires: A Dangerous Profession -- Copyright July 14, 1994
The recent deaths of several firefighters battling a forest fire in Colorado brought to mind several instances in my fire fighting career which spanned almost three decades. Even though much training goes into preparing for fighting forest fires, there is still much danger and risk involved. . . .

Frances Brown - Cades Cove Days -- February 16, 1995
Frances Brown who recently turned ninety, still has fond memories of living in Cades Cove which is now part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Frances was born in Cades Cove in 1904 . . . .

From Dropout to RN -- February 23, 1995
Two young Graham County women have just recently completed a long journey, and the trip has been a difficult and trying one with many obstacles to overcome. . . .

- G -

Gardening Time -- May, 2001
There is something about the spring of the year that causes us who were born close to the soil (and some who weren't) to experience an overwhelming urge to go dig in the earth and plant something. Why is this?

George, Cliff & Maggie -- September 22, 1994
One of the most well known and most loved couples in Graham County is Cliff and Maggie George who live in the Bear Creek community south of Robbinsville. . . .

Goat Knob -- December 7, 1995
An area we visited frequently while I was a young boy and living on Atoah was a mountain known as Goat Knob. It is located in the lower end of the Atoah Community and rises 2,980 feet in elevation. . . .

Graham County Farms -- November 30, 1995
A soil survey of Graham County dated August 1953 contains some interesting facts. The survey conducted by the Soil Conservation Service, N.C. Agricultural Experiment Station, and TVA, contains much more information than just about the soils. . . .

Graham County Forests -- December, 1995
There are some interesting remarks about the forests of Graham County contained in a report entitled "Southern Appalachian Forests" in a U.S. Geological Survey Profile compiled by H.B. Ayers and W.W. Ashe in 1905. . . .

Graham County Historic Sites -- 2001
Stewart Cabin . . . Swan Cabin . . . Hooper Bald . . . Huckleberry Knob . . . Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest . . .

Graham County Tax Fight -- June 2001
Taxes are not a very favorite item with most citizens and may be considered a necessary evil in order for society to function at best. When wrongfully accused of not paying you taxes, insult is added to injury. . . .

Graham County's Religious Roots Run Deep
Religion has played a major role in the lives of the people of Graham County since people first began settling here. To understand this, you must know something of the background of these hardy people who settled this area.

Green Family Lived in Historic Cabin
Local citizens and tourists alike have admired the Gunter Cabin in Fontana, but few around today have the distinction of having actually lived in the cabin. The Green family can.

- H -

Harry Edwards -- April 13, 1995
Harry Edwards of the Atoah community has recently acquired a new way for him to communicate. Spinal meningitis left Harry unable to hear or speak since the age of one. Harry uses sign language or written notes to communicate. . . .

Hagett Cove Was Roaming Grounds for Young Boys
One of my favorite places to roam in while a young boy on Atoah Creek was an area known as Hagett Cove. It lay directly across the valley from our hillside farm . . . .

Hard Times -- Hard Work
The early days of Graham County saw a breed of people that saw a lot of hard times and did a lot of hard work. The primary occupations in those days were farming and logging, or both. Most work was done by manual labor using primitive hand tools.

Helping Hands -- August 18, 1994
Several persons have expressed the opinion that the only time Graham County makes the news is when something bad has happened, or it is about something that casts Graham County in a bad light Well, this article is about some people doing good things. . . .

High School Wrestling -- 2001
Wrestling began in Robbinsville High School in 1975, much later than other "conventional" sports. wrestling actually got its start here as the result of another sport - football. . . .

Historic Building Coming Down -- December 21, 1995
One of Graham County's landmarks will soon be no more. The old Snowbird Supply building in Milltown which dates back to the 1920's is in the process of being torn down. . . .

- I -

In Search of the Wise Men
One mystery that continues to surround Christmas and the birth of Christ is the visit by the Wise Men. Many questions concerning the Wise Men are present today, centuries after their visit to Bethlehem.

- J -

Jar Fly Gives Song of Summer -- July 26, 2001
A sure sign that we are in the midst of summer is the insistent call of the "jar fly" probably better known to non-locals and the younger generation as the cicada. There are at least two schools of thought as to how the cicada got the local name of "jar fly". . . .

Jean Edwards: Self-Made Artist -- October 27, 1994
Graham County has many local citizens that are blessed with artistic talents. Most of these people have had little or no formal training, but developed the skills on their own. Such a person is Jean Edwards. . . .

John Brooks -- Robbinsville's “Village Blacksmith”
Many schoolchildren of earlier years were no doubt familiar with the poem written in 1842 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Village Blacksmith”. Wadsworth describes the blacksmith in his famous poem as being a strong, honest, hard working man who loved his children and . . . .

John Denton Family -- May 19, 1994
Most people are familiar with the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the part it has played in the history of Graham County. Many people, though, may not be aware of the history of the area long before it became a part of the National Forest System. . . .

John Ropetwister's Gold -- February 20, 1997
Old legends die hard, and the one about John Ropetwister and his gold is no exception. As is the case with most stories about lost mines and treasures, there are several variations as to location as well as other details. . . .

Junaluska Wreath Laying Ceremony -- November 17, 1994
A wreath laying ceremony to honor Junaluska was held November 10 by the Junaluska Friends and the VFW. Participating in the program were Jim Bowman Co-Chairman of the Junaluska Friends and Bill Anderson, historian from Western Carolina University. . . .

- K -

Katydid Night Criers -- August 2, 2001
The katydid is to the night what the cicada is to the day, filling the night with its tune. Those with a ear for music say that the katydid plays the same three notes over and over. . . .

Kirkland Bushwackers
Several groups of outlaws commonly referred to as bushwhackers operated in the mountains of what is now Graham County and nearby areas of east Tennessee. The Kirkland Bushwhackers are probably the most well known group and

- L -

Laura Phillips: Hard Work Paid Off -- February, 2, 1995
One of the most successful business persons in Graham County would have to be Laura Phillips. Our younger generations probably assume that this has always been the case with her. . . .

Lost Silver Mine -- June 2, 1994
Graham County, like most rural areas has it's share of legends and mountain mysteries. Perhaps one of the most famous of these is the legend of the DeLozier silver mine. Only one person, Edward "Neddy" DeLozier is said to have known the actual location of the mine. . . .

Lightning Bugs Light Up Summer Nights -- August 9, 2001
"Lightning bugs", better known to some as the firefly, have been blinking their little "tail lights" for quiet some time now, and will continue to do so until the end of summer. This small, soft-shelled beetle is known to entomologists as Lampyridae, the Greek word for torch. . . .

Logging Days -- Logging Ways
Logging has never been an easy profession, but when done in the rugged, mountainous terrain of western North Carolina, it is made even more difficult. Mechanized equipment including the use of helicopters in some cases has replaced much of the manual labor required in earlier days, but logging still remains an arduous task.

Long Hungry Area - Long On Tales -- March 21 , 2002
The Long Hungry area of Graham County like many other areas has a storied history. I had heard some of these stories or "tales" years ago, while others surfaced more recently. Several readers of the Graham Star contacted me with interesting information relating to Long Hungry. . . .

- M -

Mabel Hooper - More Than a Teacher -- July 28, 1994
Mabel Hooper taught school in the Graham County School for forty years, from 1942-1982. Her entire teaching career was spent in Graham County teaching the sixth grade. . . .

Mack Jordan - Young Beyond the Years -- April 20, 1995
One of the youngest "not so young" persons around would be Mack Jordan. Mack is ninety years old but you would never know it. Mack still drives, farms, and still does farm work with a mule. . . .

Mary Cable Shares Memories of Bygone Days -- April 16, 1998
Mary Cable celebrates her 87th birthday on Thursday April 16. She was born April 16, 1911. Her parents were Columbus Higdon and Texie Hall Higdon. Mary was born and lived several years of her life in the little community of Wayside. . . .

Memorial Day -- May 25, 1995
Memorial Day was first established in 1869 as a day set aside in remembrance of our war dead. May 30 is the day formally observed with the last Monday in May observed as a legal holiday in most states. Memorial Day this year has a special significance as 1995 marks the 50th anniversary of the ending of World War II. . . .

Merle Walters: Graham County's Restaurateur -- 1994
If you were to find yourself needing to know anything about the restaurant business, a person you would definitely need to talk to would be Merle Walters, the operator of Joyce Kilmer Restaurant in Robbinsville. . . .

Moody's “Stompin’ Grounds”
In the upper reaches of the Little Snowbird Creek watershed is an area known as Moody Stomp Gap. On some maps it may be called Moody Stamp Gap, but mountain people know the origin and meaning of someone’s “stomping grounds”.

Mountain Creek - A Mountain Home -- June 26, 1997
Mountain Creek has always been a mountain home for Murriel Buchanan. Indeed, she has three homes, all built years apart and all within a stone's throw of each other on the headwaters of Mountain Creek. . . .

Mountain Weather Unpredictable
One statement that you can make about our mountain weather and be reasonably sure of being correct is to say that it will be unpredictable. If you go any farther than that, you will be stretching your luck.

- N -

Nettie Jenkins -- January 26, 1995
Another talented artist in our midst in Graham County is Nettie Jenkins. Nettie has no formal training or schooling for her work. She started painting about ten years ago after watching Bob Ross painting on television. . . .

Nina Breedlove -- October 6, 1994
When you see Nina Breedlove it is hard to imagine that she is 91 years old. Her appearance and manner are that of someone much younger. . . .

Now Comes Winter
As the end of each year comes to a close, we observe two special days, one being Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Christ. But there is another day, only four days before Christmas that often goes unnoticed, unless inclement weather gets our attention.

- O -

Of Childhood Fading – A Tribute to Bill Corbin
With the passing of each person I knew as a young child, I feel a part of my childhood fading away. Such was the case with the passing of Bill Corbin last week. I was a constant visitor to their home in the Atoah community where I was born and grew up.

Of Mules and Men -- August 10, 1995
Webster describes a mule as being the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Others within earshot of some men (and women) working with mules have heard them described in other terms that we are unable to print in this newspaper. . . .

Old Lady Weatherman
There is a grave in the Carver Cemetery with an inscription on the headstone that reads “Old Lady Weatherman”, with no dates of birth and death or any other information. I have gone to this cemetery since I was a young child,

Ostrich Farm -- 1998
What began as a "two bird" operation three years ago in the Atoah Community of Graham County has expanded. The C&S Ratite Farm operated by John and Marcella McRae and daughters Carrie and Sarah now consists of fourteen ostriches. . . .

- R -

Religious Roots -- March 7, 2002
Religion has played a major role in the lives of the people of Graham County since people first began settling here. To understand this, you must know something of the background of these hardy people who settled this area. . . .

Rough, N.C. -- December 19, 1996
A section of West Buffalo was once known as "Rough", and according to stories from past and present residents of that area, it certainly was appropriately named. . . .

- S -

September Signals a Change
September marks a noticeable change in our seasons. Although the days are still warm in the afternoon, the intense heat and high humidity of August are gone. The first subtle hints of autumn color begin to appear in the leaves of some trees and shrubs such as sumac, sourwood, and dogwood.

Stratton Generation -- 2001
Each year about this timer as the Graham County Rescue Squad Ramp Festival is held, I am reminded of the dedication and service rendered by one of its most faithful and dependable members.

- T -

The Belding Tunnel -- March, 1997
Stories about gold and silver mines, and searches for minerals abound in Graham County. Their locations or if they actually exist or not is uncertain. One that for sure exists is the Belding Tunnel that was built around 1887. . . .

The Cedar Top Cross -- August 24, 2000
Cedar Top Mountain rises to an elevation of 4,008 feet and is located near the communities of West Buffalo, Straight Branch, and Huffman Creek, called Hooper Mill Creek on the map. . . .

The Drive-In -- May 27, 1999
The drive-in was a central part in the TV series "Happy Days", and the film "American Graffiti." In fact the cover of the original soundtrack for this movie has a "carhop" on the front cover, and a scene at a drive-in restaurant on the inside cover. . . .

The Johnsons -- October 8, 1994
All you have to do is mention Dewey or Easter in Stecoah or the surrounding communities and people readily know who-you are talking about without you mentioning any last name. Dewey is 95 and Easter is 92. . . .

The Michelic Search -- September 26, 2000
A search for a missing person that became what is probably the most extensive and exhausting search mission in Graham County, occurred in the autumn of 1988, just as the fall colors began to show across our mountains. . . .

The Produce People -- August 17, 1995
A favorite stopping place in Robbinsville, especially during the summertime is the produce stand operated by Bill and Eloise Corbin at Five Points. A wide variety of fresh garden produce is available this time of year. . . .

The Sheltered Grave -- May, 2002
Visit the cemetery on the hilltop above the intersection of West Buffalo Road and Huffman Creek Road, and you will see an unusual sight, a grave with a shelter built over it. This cemetery is called the Hooper Cemetery by some and the Stewart Cemetery by others. . . .

The Tatham Family -- August 25, 1994
Tatham is a very old name and dates back as far as the year 1066. It is an English name of Saxon origin and is formed from the word "tate" and the Saxon word "ham" for home and originally meant "Tate's home". . . .

Ties to Cades Cove -- June 3, 1999
Several families in Graham County can trace their roots to Cades Cove. It is not known for sure how Cades Cove got its name, although Cade is a family name scattered about east Tennessee. . .

"Tommie" & "Satch" -- May 18, 1995
Mention "Tommie" or "Satch" and most people in Graham County will know who you are talking about, especially if they are involved with a rescue squad or emergency services in any way. Mention Lowanna or Farley, their real names, and probably almost no one will know who you are talking about. . . .

Trail of History - Trail of Tears -- April 26, 2001
Participants of the upcoming twelve mile walk along the Tatham Gap Road from Andrews to Robbinsville, will be tracing a bit of dark history from our past. An effort is underway to draw more attention and interest to the history of the Cherokees in our area. . . .

Trixie -- June 22, 1995
The recent opening of Tapoco Lodge by the Codys brought to mind an individual from the past who was associated with Tapoco Lodge and indeed was a part of it for many years. . . .

- V -

Valentine's Day in Grade School, 1950’s Style
Valentine’s Day brought a mixture of both dread and anticipation to us boys in grade school in the 1950’s. We looked forward to the goodies brought to our classroom for our Valentine’s Party.

Veterans Day -- November 10, 1994
Veterans Day, November 11 : As we pause on this day to honor our country's veterans, let us reflect for a time on the high price that freedom carries with it. . . .

Veteran's Memorial -- July 6, 2000
One of the best memorials honoring the veterans of the armed forces can be found in the extreme southwestern tip of North Carolina. Located in Robbinsville, the county seat of Graham County, it is indeed a beautiful tribute to veterans. . . .

- W -

Walter West's Country Store -- April 1, 1999
Many people in Graham County especially those in the Tallulah Creek Community know about or have heard of the country store operated by Walter West and his wife Mary Campbell West. . . .

Wayne & Rena Phillips -- June 22, 1995
Wayne and Rena Phillips celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary Saturday, June 17. They were married by the Reverend Alfred Adams in his home on Ground squirrel Branch on June 17, 1935. . . .

Will Adams -- Coffin Maker -- June 23, 1994
"To every thing there is a season and a time - a time to be born, and a time to die." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2.
In the earlier days in Graham County, persons with a particular skill or talent were much in demand in their community. Such was the case of Will Adams who was skilled in making coffins or caskets as they are now known. . . .