West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 118 by Charlie Miller
____January 23, 1924 – Excerpts from a story concerning the retirement of “Bird’ Clark----
Albert ‘Bird’ Clark, veteran night watchman of this village, retired from night duty on January 1st after 34 years of service. The date of his retirement, New Year’s Day, was also the 68th anniversary of his birth. He has served under the following mayors: Wm. Stutson, George Gillivan, Henry Culp, Jacob Martin, L. D. Hull, John T. Gregg, A. F Green, and H. G. Putnam. One of Bird’s voluntary bits of service that have been faithfully carried out for so long that it was looked upon as part of his duty was acting as a “Community Alarm Clock.” For many years, he has called upon those who wished to be up at an early hour to go to work, catch a train, go squirrel hunting, or fish at daybreak. He has recovered many stolen automobiles and has arrested six motor car thieves, and 23 horse thieves have been captured by the officer. He has engaged in several gun battles and has preserved as a treasured possession a piece of metal from a suspender, which saved his life by stopping a bullet.
‘Bird’ was on the job every minute of the night, and it was almost impossible to get into town without him seeing you. Perhaps you would think you had him fooled, and then the next night, he would tell you how you went home and the time. We take off our hat to this ol’ boy, for he has been the town and the peoples’ most loyal servant for the past 34 years.
____In 1924, the West Jefferson News was part of The Madison Press and was edited by Mr. Paul V. Miller, whose office was located in the Metropolitan Building located on the southeast corner of Main and Walnut Streets.
____May 8, 1924 – The West Jefferson Senior Class of ‘24 will be having 33 members graduate. This is the largest number yet to graduate.
____May 15, 1924 – Gasoline is selling for 20c. per gallon at the Headley-Maddux Garage.
____July 7, 1924 – Over 4,000 people attended the 4th of July celebration in West Jeff, which boasted over 200 events. The celebration was under the auspices of the West Jefferson Commercial Club.
____July 10, 1924 - The Commercial Bank has the distinction of being the first bank in the county, and probably the country to receive a deposit by air mail. It was sent from Seattle, Washington, and required 24 cents postage.
____July 25, 1924 – A campaign has begun to improve Edgewater Park. Tables and benches will be constructed, and a building 30’ X 40’ has been donated by T. C. Gregg and H. L. Thurman and is to be remodeled as a shelter house. A new bathing beach is underway under the direction of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Flower beds have been placed, and ball diamonds have been constructed. (Edgewater Park sat on the west side of the Middle Pike and just on the south side of Little Darby Creek. The West Jefferson football team played here until the field where the Ox Roast is now held was purchased, and a playing field was created.)