Record #:

8222

Author(s):

Proctor, Richard C.

Abstract:

Many North Carolina traditions and superstitions are observed during the Christmas season. Proctor highlights several of these folktales. Included are holiday charms such as using the previous year's Christmas Yule log, stepping into a house with your right foot, wearing a new suit, tasting plum pudding, and eating mince pie. It is a good omen if Christmas falls on Sunday but bad if it falls on Saturday. Included also are actions that will result in bad luck such as pruning evergreens, having a loaf of bread break while cutting it, and crossing your knife and fork while they are on a table. Superstitions surround not only Christmas but New Years as well. For example, if a dark-haired man comes to your house New Year's morning, it is a good sign, but if a woman or a light-haired man comes the following year will not go well.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p7-9, il

Subject(s):

Superstition

Record #:

8223

Author(s):

Thompson, Herb

Abstract:

On the night of June 12, 1928, the town of Mooresville welcomed an unexpected visitor. Captain Emilio Carranza, a famous Mexican pilot, attempted to fly non-stop from Mexico City to Washington, D.C. Flying in his plane, the “Excelsior-Mexico”, Carranza hoped to place Mexico in aviation history. This did not happen. While flying over North Carolina, Carranza ran into dense fog and made an emergency landing in Mooresville. The following day, the national press flooded the town before Carranza continued toward Washington D.C. Although he did not accomplish his goal, Carranza was welcomed as a hero when he landed in Washington. After staying in the United States for a month, Carranza decided to attempt another non-stop flight from New York to Mexico City. After taking off on July 13, 1928, Carranza failed to land in Mexico as expected. The wreckage of his plane was found soon found. He had flown only 100 miles before fatally crashing in New Jersey.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p10-12, por

Subject(s):

Air pilots--Mooresville

Record #:

8224

Author(s):

Aulis, Jack

Abstract:

The Shannonhouse home in Pasquotank County is rumored to be cursed and given its history, this may be true. Thomas Shannonhouse built his home along the Albemarle Sound in 1816 and left it to his son, John. Ellanora, John's daughter, was given a pony by her father for her 16th birthday August 7, 1866. Six weeks later, Ellanora was thrown from the pony and sustained fatal injuries, dying in the home on September 20. Ellanora's death pained John dearly, and he cursed the home, wishing that anyone who inhabited it in the future know the pain he felt. Since then, at least one member of every family that has lived in the Shannonhouse home has died inside it. Many of these deaths have been mysterious, with un\r\nknown sounds coming from within the home and disappearing when an occupant died. Some occupants have seen a teenage girl, dressed in white, riding a horse by the house but later found out that no one was there. The last person to experience the home's curse died in 1969. Since then the empty house has fallen into ruin.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p13-14, il

Subject(s):

Haunted houses--Pasquotank County

Record #:

8225

Author(s):

Arthur, Billy

Abstract:

Born near Scotland Neck, Halifax County, in 1829, Peter Evans Smith became an ingenious inventor. He developed a new drill bit that decreased the time it took to cut through iron, a new cotton planter, a spark arrestor for wood-burning locomotives, and a railcar switching device. His most famous invention was a lighted buoy which was patented in 1876. Smith placed lighted buoys in New York's harbor but never received the one hundred thousand dollars promised to him. Throughout his life, Smith always kept the Sabbath and never worked on projects on Sundays. Because of his Christian beliefs, he did not sue the state of New York over unpaid royalties.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p14-15, por

Subject(s):

Inventors--Scotland Neck

Record #:

8226

Author(s):

Davis, Curtis Carroll

Abstract:

Elizabeth L. F. Ellet recently published The Women of the American Revolution. In this book, Ellet describes the lives of several extraordinary women. This article focuses on one of these women, Polly Slocumb, wife of colonial army captain Ezekiel Slocumb. Polly remained at their plantation outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, while Ezekiel served in the military. Following the battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781, Mrs. Slocumb encountered the notorious Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who made camp on her property and quartered in the Slocumb home. Tarleton commanded three troops of British dragoons and was known for his cruelty toward both soldiers and civilians. Mrs. Slocumb withstood Tarleton's tirades against the American rebels with her terse banter. Contrary to his reputation, Tarleton did not burn and destroy the property but left the home intact.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p16-18, il, por

Subject(s):

North Carolina--History--American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

Record #:

8227

Author(s):

Timblin, Carol

Abstract:

The Sheer Bliss Craft Center recently opened in Banner Elk. The center is named after and directed by gemologist Dot Bliss. Sheer Bliss is a non-profit corporation representing over fifty craftpersons. These men and women use the center to sell and market their crafts. In exchange, part of their profits go toward supporting the Sheer Bliss company. The center also functions as an educational center, where the Mayland Technical Institute offers instructional classes. Focusing on quality craftsmanship, consignors have developed a good working relationship with Sheer Bliss and rarely use written contracts between themselves and the center. A trusting relationship, therefore, has developed among all those involved in the Sheer Bliss Craft Center.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p22-24, por

Subject(s):

Artisans--Banner Elk

Record #:

8269

Author(s):

Roberson, Gail L.

Abstract:

The Sunny Side Oyster Bar in Washington is well known throughout the region. Run by C. T. Roberson, the restaurant specializes in steamed oysters and shrimp. Roberson has operated the store since 1945, when he took over the restaurant from his parents. What has made the Sunny Side such a success is the quality of food and a special “secret” sauce. Visitors can find the restaurant tucked away on the corner of Highway 64 and Highway 17.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 7, Dec 1984, p24-25, por

Subject(s):

Restaurants--Washington