1941+-+1945


 * __ An everyday history of Upstate South Carolina from 1941 - 1945 __**

__1941__
 * Health Department In Report Sates Influenza Epidemic Centers Here**

According to Pickens County authorities, the cases during the week of December 29 to January 4 totals more than the average for the previous 5 years. According to the report, there has been 648 total cases reported in the county over the past three weeks. However, the city of Easley has been the hardest hit with 505 of the total 648 cases.

The disease has been raging for several weeks now and it is not showing any signs of letting up. Easley seems to be the center of the entire epidemic but in recent days there are reports of influenza in surrounding counties as well.

The Pickens County school officials have even went to the length of making the recommendation to delay the reopening of schools by a week because of the epidemic.


 * __"Health Department In Report States Influenza Epidemic Centers Here." The Easley Progress, January 9, 1941. P.1.__**


 * Free Lunch Programs Are Advocated For All Schools**

According to reports, The National Nutrition Conference for Defense made a recommendation to President Roosevelt for food needs for maximizing the health and strength of children. The recommendation urges "expansion of the free school lunch program for which the Surplus Marketing Administration supplies basic foods-dairy products, vegetables, fruits, cereals, and certain meat products."

As of right now, school lunches are provided by, and sponsored by local organizations like churches and other non-profit organizations. However,the free lunch program will be a big help to children who are in need of proper foods.


 * __"Free Lunch Programs Are Advocated Fo All Schools." The Easley Progress, June 26, 1941. P.1.__

Entire Stock McHugh's Is Damaged By Water**

The fire that is responsible for causing damage to the McHugh's Store is believed to have been caused by faulty and defective wiring. Most of the second story of the building was damaged due to the flames; however, much of the first floor was damaged mostly because of the water the firemen were using. The fire is believed to have caused between seven to ten thousand dollars in damage.

The Fire Chief said that this fire was one of the most destructive fires in Easley in the past ten years.


 * __"Entire Stock McHugh's Is Damaged By Water." The Easley Progress, June 26, 1941. P.1.__**


 * Market Planned For Pendleton Street**

Easley is looking forward to a new market that will be located on Pendleton Street. Mr. Ballentine, who purchased the land recently is planning on using Mrs.Rex Rice of Greenville to erect a brick building that will house the new market store. The new market will be located on Pendleton Street where it intersects with the road the high school is on.

The firm that Mr.Ballentine belongs to owns and operates other markets in Seneca, Woodruff, and Walhalla. The new market is much needed and will also be extemely useful in the coming years.


 * __"Market Planned For Pendleton Sreet." The Easley Progress, November 13, 1941. P.1.__**

__1942__
 * Heavy Snowstorm Ties Up Services Here On Monday**

The city of Easley and Pickens County suffered one of the worst snowstorms in recent years on Monday. According to weather reports, the snow started falling at 7 am on Monday and continued till 9 pm on Monday night. Because of the severity of the storm and winds that accompanied the snow, telephone and power systems were affected.

Many motorists were also stranded by the snowstorm and had to be rescued and towed away. However, the great news is that no one was reported to be injured because of the storm.


 * __"Heavy Snowstorm Ties Up Services Here On Monday." The Easley Progress, March 5. 1942. P.1.__**


 * Sugar Rationing In County Starts April 28**

Sugar Rationing is scheduled to start in Pickens County on April 28. Dr. M.L. Rogers, who is the chairman of the County Rationing Board stated that the rationing plans have been released to the county in anticipation for the start of the rationing on April 28. Retailers and wholesalers are scheduled to register on April 28 and 29 at the county high schools. Consumer registration is scheduled for May 4-7 at county elementary schools.

The chairman made it clear that "persons who do not register on these dates will have to wait two weeks longer to register at the County Rationing Board office." "During this time and thereafter no sugar can be purchased without the sugar rationing stamps."

The sugar rationing is due in large part to that of the war.

__**"Sugar Rationing In County Starts April 28." The Easley Progress, April 23, 1942. P.1.**__


 * Easley Man Is Awarded Carnegie Bronze Medal**

On Saturday of last week, an announcement was made by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission that stated that an Easley man had been awarded a Bronze Medal for his heroic act on September 29, 1941. On the 29th of September, Troy Pridmore saved Mayme Carter (5 years old at time) from being hit by a train. Mayme Carter was in a stalled automobile that was on a train track due to engine failure. Pridmore ran approximately 29 feet and rescued the little girl before the train smashed into the automobile.

Troy Pridmore is being revered as a hero and a life-saver. Deservingly so, he was awarded the Bronze Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for his heroic act.

__**"Easley Man Is Awarded Carnegie Bronze Medal." The Easley Progress, May 7, 1942. P.1.**__


 * Oldest Dairy In Area Discontinues Because Of Labor Shortage**

The oldest dairy farm in the Easley area has been sold due to the labor shortage of recent years. The name of the dairy is Oak Grove Dairy; and it has been sold to a Greenville firm. The dairy has been in business for 26 years and has only missed one scheduled delivery. That missed delivery was due to the poisoning of the cows.

Mr. Ariail, the previous owner, said he "was forced to sell his business because of the labor shortage, which has become worse and worse during the past year or two and especially acute since so many men have been called into service."


 * __"Oldest Dairy In Area Discontinues Because Of Labor Shortage." The Easley Progress, September 24, 1942. P.1.__**

__1943__
 * Teen Age Boys Are Required Register**

"The Selective Service law requires all young men to register hereafter on the day that they reach the eighteenth anniversary of the date of their birth." Any male that this applies to may come to the Local Board in the County Courthouse on any weekday between the hours of 8:30-5:30.

High school seniors may request to wait until the end of the semester provided that they fall between the ages of 18-20.


 * __"Teen Age Boys Are required Regster." The Pickens Sentinel, January 7, 1943. P.1.__**


 * Blackout Held Here Is Very Successful**

On Tuesday, April 14, the first successful blackout was reported in Pickens. According to Commander John C. Carey of the Pickens citizen defense corps, everything went according to plan and without a major hitch. The only hitch was when a light at a residential building was left on during the blackout simply because the owners were out of town.

Commander Carey wishes to thank everyone that participated and had a hand in the successful blackout exercise.


 * __"Blackout Held Here Is Very Successful." The Pickens Sentinel, April 15, 1943. P.1.__**


 * Big Hail Storm Does Damage In Pickens County**

On Friday afternoon, what is believed to be the heaviest hail storm in Pickens county history, visited the northern part of the county. Not only did the storm have heavy hail, it was also accompanied by heavy downpours of rain, severe winds, and lively electricity.

The hail storm is responsible for much damage throughout the county, mainly in the northern part of the county. The storm is said to have been up to 2 miles wide at the widest part of the storm.

The hail began near the old Table Rock hotel before it moved to the Elrod and white settlement areas. After passing through those regions, the storm then moved on to the Pleasant Grove church area and the Saluda river.

One reason why the storm was so severe is because of the size of the hail. There have been some reports that said some of the hail was as large as guinea eggs. Many places in the northern part of the county are said to have had several inches of ice on the ground when the storm was over.

Luckily, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities.

__**"Big Hail Storm Does Damage In Pickens County." The Pickens Sentinel, May 20, 1943. P.1.**__


 * Public Opinion In Favor Of Hospital in Pickens County**

According to recent reports, the Pickens county grand jury's statement regarding the recommendation for a public hospital in the county is being met with great acceptance. According to sources, practically everyone that has been asked about the need for a public hospital in Pickens county is in favor of the proposal. Many citizens throughout the county have been asked the question and polled about the possibility for a public hospital. However, nothing in the proposal has been finalized at this time.

__**"Public Opinion In Favor Of Hospital in Pickens County." The Pickens Sentinel, June 17, 1943. P.1.**__

__1944__
 * 65 Forest Fires Are Suppressd In Dec.**

During the last month of last year, there were reported 65 forest fires that were suppressed by the Spartanburg forest district. The Spartanburg forest district includes Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens, Oconee, Anderson, Abbeville, Laurens, Union, and Cherokee counties."

In the 65 fires, there was a total of 369.7 acres burned; making the average 5.7 acres burned in each fire. Not only was valuable timber consumed in the fire, but also personal property like homes, barns, crops, and even farm animals. Most every county in the Spartanburg forest district suffered at least one loss of personal property in one form or another.

Much more land would have been burned up if it were not for the fast actions that were displayed by the "local citizens, crew members, rangers, wardens, and volunteer mebers of the Forest Fire Fighters Service."


 * __"65 Forest Fires Are Suppressed In Dec." The Pickens Sentinel, January 27, 1944. P.1.__

Work Begins On Baptist Hospital**

The purchase of the old Six Mile hospital by the Baptists is now moving ahead. The work to repair and renovate the old hospital is scheduled to begin this week according to an announcement made last Tuesday.

The announcement also said that "all transactions had been completed and the hospital" "will be called the South Carolina Baptist hospital."


 * __"Work Begins On Baptist Hospital." The Pickens Sentinel, April 6, 1944. P.1.__**


 * Much Damage Done By Storm Near Here**

A severe storm came through the upstate around 5 pm on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy wind and hail accompanied the heavy rainfall at times. The clouds of the storm were so dark that the lights in the towns had to be turned on.

No damage has been reported in Pickens but the country-side above Pickens is a different story. There were reports of hail the size of eggs falling; while others said they witnessed hail "with jagged edges."

There was some damage throughout the rest of the upstate including Liberty. However, the most devastating news comes from Seneca where 25 year old Miss Dolly Mae Ellenburg was killed. Ellenburg's death is being blamed on a tornado that ripped through parts of Oconee county that left a 7 mile wide destruction zone. The tornado moved through approximately at 5 pm.

__**"Much Damage Done By Storm Near Here." The Pickens Sentinel, April 13, 1944. P.1.**__


 * Pickens County's Last Confederate Veteran Passes**

The last Veteran of the Civil War that lived in Pickens county has died. Buddie Evette, 100 years old, passed away at 2 pm last Friday after an illness that lasted 8 months.

Evette served under the command of both Jackson and Lee while fighting for the Confederate army.

Evette was born in Abbeville county, but his family moved to Pickens county while Evette was a small child. Ever since Evette moved to Pickens county, he has called Pickens county his home. Buddie Evette will be greatly missed.


 * __"Pickens County's Last Confederate Veteran Passes." The Pickens Sentinel, May 11, 1944. P.1.__**

__1945__
 * Hilson Named Head Of Central College**

Reverend J.B. Hilson has been named the next President of the" Central Junior College and the Wesleyan Theological school." Rev. Hilson will take over for John Franklin Chiles who was forced to retire due to health issues.

Rev. Hilson has served as pastor of the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Spartanburg since 1940. Rev. Hilson has also served several other pastorates in Spartanburg county over the past several years too.

Central College, where Rev. Hilson will serve as president, has a two year junior college for the liberal arts and a four year theological course of study.


 * __"Hilson Named Head Of Central College." The Pickens Sentinel, January 18, 1945. P.1.__

Gilstrap Pays Death Penalty For Rape**

A 29 year old taxi driver from Greenville was put to death in the electric chair on Feburary 9. The man, Charles Gilstrap, was convicted of raping an 11 year old school girl.

A Greenville circuit court jury found Gilstrap guilty of rape without recommendation of mercy. The State Supreme Court upheld this ruling as well.

Gilstrap does not believe he got justice because he was protesting that he was guilty. Gilstrap told a large group of approximately 70 people that was present to see him put to death that he was innocent. However, Gilstrap said that he was "ready to meet God."


 * __"Gilstrap Pays Death Penalty For Rape." The Pickens Sentinel, February 15, 1945. P.1.__**


 * 45 To Be Baptized At Holly Springs**

On September 16, there will be a baptismal service at Price's old mill pond on the Brevard highway. At this baptismal service, there will be 45 people getting baptized as a symbol of their faith in Christ.

Following the baptismal service, there will be a church service held at Holly Springs church. The pastor of Holly Springs church is Rev. H.A. Newton. In this service, Rev. Newton will be assisted by Rev. H.W. Ayers, who is the pastor of "the Calumet and Cateechee Baptist churches."


 * __"45 to Be Baptized At Holly Springs." The Pickens Sentinel, September 13, 1945. P.1.__**


 * Methodist Church Burns Sunday Night**

The Grace Methodist church in Pickens was completely destroyed Sunday night after a fire swept through the church. The fire was discovered at 11 pm by the pastor of the church, Rev. Hawley Lynn. The Pickens fire department responded as soon as they received the alarm, but it was too late and the flames were too hot. The Easley fire department assisted in keeping the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings.

Many church members have spoken with Mr. Marvin Gravely, who is the financial secretary of the Methodist church. These members have "pledged their support in the rebuilding of the church as soon as materials and labor are available."

Area churches and organizations have offered the pastor use of their facilities for worship and church school.

As of print, the pastor has announced that worship and church school will be held at the American Legion hall beginning at 10 am on Sunday.

__**"Methodist Church Burns Sunday Night." The Pickens Sentinel, October 18, 1945. P.1.**__