West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 66

West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 66 by Charlie Miller

____August 28, 1930 – The hardest hail storm any of the old timers ever witnessed or heard of in West Jefferson fell Saturday noon. Hail was estimated at a 2-inch depth over the entire town. 

____April 28, 1931 – Thomas Pearce, 94, a Civil War Veteran who served with Company A 40th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was found dead Sunday morning at his home near West Jefferson. (Thomas was born June 17, 1836. his father, Samuel, was born in 1799 in Kentucky. The Pearce’s were early settlers of the West Jefferson area.) 

____April 28, 1931 – “Ohio Bell To Buy Home Phone Company.” A petition was filed with the PUCO to purchase the property of the West Jefferson Home Telephone Company.”- The West Jefferson Home Telephone Company was organized about 30 years ago by Mr. Boyd, Harvey Pence, and Ligget to provide phone service for West Jefferson and surrounding areas. About 25 years ago, a competing concern, The Farmer’s Telephone Company, was formed and constructed lines and maintained an exchange at West Jefferson, Resaca, and Hillard. In 1915 West Jefferson seceded from the Resaca and Hillard Farmers and entered into a contract with the West Jefferson Home Telephone Co. On July 1, 1915, the two exchanges were combined. R.W. Boyd is President and W. L. Cary is Secretary – Treasurer. Elmer Moore is the Plant Chief, and Lillie Millikin is the Chief Operator. 

____ July 8, 1931 – The new reinforced concrete bridge to replace the present bridge over Little Darby Creek on E. Main Street, has an estimated cost of $28,083.30. The length of the improvement is 625 feet, with a 52-foot roadbed and a 4.5-foot sidewalk. The date of completion is set for November 30, 1931. 

____July 30, 1931 – Matthew W. Stutson, 83, Mayor of West Jefferson, dies at his home at this place, Sunday morning following an illness of cancer of the throat. 

____August 16, 1931 – Seven places were raided Tuesday night by dry officers with six dry hauls and in the seventh, only a few bottles of home brew were found! 

____September 17, 1931 – A community fire engine was purchased Tuesday night at a meeting held at the Mayor’s office. Through the efforts of a solicitor, pledges in the sum of nearly $5,000 have been made for the purchase of a new community fire engine, a 350 gal. pumper and chemical engine for the whole community to be used by the communities between Rome and Lafayette. It’s possible that the fire company at this place will be reorganized, then four men will be trained to operate the outfit, and each of the other communities will have the assistance of the other firemen. The officers for the Community Fire Department elected at a meeting held a few weeks ago were Sam Feder, President, and R. I. Blauser, Secretary. 

____October 29, 1931 – The following is from Recob’s Meat Market: Fresh Callies-10c lb. Smoked Callies-12 1/2c lb. Bacon-17c lb. Loin Pork Chops-20c lb. Shoulder Chops-17c. lb. Sausage-15c lb. Hamburger-12c. lb. Frankfurters- 15c. lb.