West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 153 by Charlie Miller

From the 1934 West Jefferson Centennial

- Greetings, West Jefferson, on your centennial. - May you continue to prosper. Expert Service by expert men. Gas & oil, three electric gas pumps, Tires & Tire Repair, and Accessories improve the appearance of your car with new accessories. Greasing, complete high-pressure greasing and lubricating. Standard Products, Atlas Tires, Battery Work. MILLER’S SERVICE STATION, M. M. Miller Prop. West Main Street. (This was Martin Miller, who is located in the building currently housing the Eye Doctor. Martin later sold a new Nash automobile at this location.)

- Liberty Bell to be Rung Thursday – For the first time in many years the West Jefferson’s “Liberty bell” will speak again when it peals out at two o’clock Thursday afternoon to spread the tidings of the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the village. The bell has been silenced since the time that the old town hall was razed to give way to the building on Main Street, which now bears the same title. (1893) After the new building was erected the bell was stored away, only the Indians know where, and it was not until a few years ago that it was discovered in its present location in the attic of Gillivan’s Hardware store. “Paddy” Gillivan, who is now managing the store, was prevailed upon to drag out the ancient bell to do its bit in the ceremonies of the week. Can’t you imagine what an interesting tale that bit of iron could tell if it could speak—how many children have scuttled away at the first clap of the curfew? How those first horses stamped the minute the gong sounded, to say flames had burst out someplace in the village in their impatience to get the firefighters to the scene of action.

Listen for the knell of the bell as it tolls out the glad tiding on the eighteenth day of October 1934.

(This bell was also brought out in 1976 for the country's 200th anniversary. It can be seen at the Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library.)

-The Coral Rebekah Lodge was instituted in 1887 with 23 charter members. Only four of these remain Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Dick, Mrs. Ella Dunn, and Mr. J. C. Jack. Mrs. Mary Fellows was the first Noble Grand; the second year, it was Mrs. Dick. Dessa McCoy is the present Noble Grand, and Florence Kell is the Vice Grand. In 1900, the enrollment was 104.

-The construction of the City Hall and Opera House was started in 1893 and finished in 1894. Lots Nos. 7 and 8 were set aside for public use by town founder Isaac Jones. For many years, this was the site of the old two-story brick building, which was finally razed to make way for the new hall. This building, in the early nineties, was considered the last work in imposing and distinctive architecture for the small town. The interior arrangement, however, was not designed to meet future requirements. This error, however, has been corrected to some extent. To the City Fathers, much credit is due for the remodeling. To date, we have a beautiful auditorium containing 3200 sq. ft. of floor surface. This hall is adapted to a myriad of uses. Local gatherings, dances, and sports, to mention a few. Special credit is due to Mr. J. M. Palmer, and also special credit should be extended to Messrs Stephen Martin, Frank Peters, and Merkle Miller (my grandfather), who have given generously of their time and offered every facility in their power for this improvement. Our citizen should extend their congratulations to this body of men for their public-spirited interest in a worthy cause. (Some bricks from the 1855 building were used in the new one.)