The Shadow
Echoes of the Past is a collection of historical articles curated from The Virginian Review and other publications archived since 1914. You may be exposed to content that you find offensive or objectionable. For historical purposes and accuracy, articles are reprinted in their original, unedited form, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the publisher.
100 Years Ago
September 1924
TO START WORK SOON ON WHITE SULPHUR ROAD
Midland Trail Temporary Bridges Are Complete
A contract for the building of a macadam road from Crow Place, by way of Allegheny Station, to the West Virginia line, a stretch of six miles, and the first section of the White Sulphur Road to be built under the plan of the State Highway Commission to complete the building of the Midland Trail within three years, will be let within the next two weeks, members of the County Board of Supervisors have been informed. The sum of $100,000 was allotted out of this year’s funds for the building of this six miles of road.
The last of three temporary bridges over streams crossing the White Sulphur Road, between Covington and the state border was completed yesterday, and T. M. Gathright, members of the Board of Supervisors, was the first person to drive his car over the road without having to ford a stream between Covington and the state line. In the past, during rainy seasons, it has often been impossible to ford one or two of these streams. these temporary bridges will be replaced next year by concrete bridges.
75 Years Ago
September 1949
8-Point Buck Invades Covington Early This Morning Loses Antler
An eight- point buck swam the Jackson River and ran up Main Street past Town Hall about six o’clock this morning.
The 150-pound buck slipped on the wet pavement and ran into the wall of the Kay-Bee Store at the corner of Main and Maple. Then he brushed a fire hydrant and dashed across Main Street, where he circled a lamp post running up the steps of the Peoples Bank Building.
He hit the heavy front door of the bank, broke an antler, and bounced back three feet, John Christian, janitor of the People Bank said.
“That young man tried to come right in here,” Christian said. ” I thought he was looking for an apartment. If that young man had gotten in here, I expect he would have torn something up.” The big buck left blood stains on the door window and scratched up the door and the concrete steps before running around the corner of the bank building and down Maple Avenue toward the Jackson River.
50 Years Ago
September 1974
Supervisors Hear Request from Brentwood Residents
A delegation from Brentwood which was not on the original agenda was given the opportunity to air complaints about overcrowding and poor maintenance on school buses and hazardous road conditions in the area by unanimous consent of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors Tues night. Douglas Bryant served as spokesman. The Board was sympathetic but took no immediate action, noting that bus problems are a school board responsibility.
Earlier the board had voted to go into executive session to consider interest rates short-term water and sewer notes, since competitive bidding was involved. They then come back into session to accept the low bid of the First National Bank of Clifton Forge of seven per cent interest on $200.000 worth of notes, as recommended by Commonwealth’s Attorney C. W. Allison Jr.
25 Years Ago
September 1999
Sheriff Butch Simpson To Run For Re-Election
Alleghany County Sheriff C. E. “Butch” Simpson Jr. today announced he is seeking re-election in the Nov. 2 general election.
Sheriff Simpson, 48 was originally hired on Aug. 1, 1972 by the late Sheriff Max W. Swoope At age 21 and worked his way up through the ranks until his appointment as sheriff on Aug. 1, 1994. Simpson was elected sheriff in the 1995 general election with 80 percent of the vote.
Simpson lives at 94 Ferrol Ave., Westgate, with his wife, the former Brenda Howard. They have two children, Tiffany, a sophomore at Roanoke College, and B.J., a junior at Alleghany High School.
Simpson has taken over 2,000 hours training and instruction in law enforcement related courses over the past 27 years.
Simpson said in his announcement statement: “I find being Sheriff a rewarding job, but my greatest satisfaction comes from helping people, This has been true all my life. I had the opportunity of working under three sheriffs, Max Swoope, Leon Smith, and Danny Warlitner, before becoming sheriff in 1994. Each taught me a great deal. Also, I am surrounded by an excellent staff with over 415 years combined experience”`
