90 YEARS AGO…
September, 1931
September 11, 1931: Virginia Mineral Springs Hotel Destroyed By Fire – Popular Resort Had Been Patronized By Many Here
Fire of an undetermined origin destroyed the hotel building at Virginia Mineral Springs, a mountain resort about three miles east of New Castle, early this morning.
The fire was discovered at about 3 0’clock.
No estimate has been made of the loss.
EDITOR”S NOTE: The destruction of this hotel by the flames early today will be a source of regret to many in this section of Virginia who were patrons of the resort. We have heard only one man express pleasure over its passing. He said he courted his wife there.
75 YEARS AGO…
September, 1946
September 11, 1946: Eagle Rock
Mr. and Mrs. Milton R. Morgan of Richmond were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Allen. Dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Saturday evening were Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, Misses Martha Noffsinger and Elizabeth Persinger and D. I. Persinger of Eagle Rock.
Mrs. Ozella Noffsinger is spending a few days with relatives in Roanoke.
Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Honts, Sr. had for their week-end guests: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brugh, of Nace, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Etzler of Fincastle and Mrs. Mary Fannie Jennings of Florida.
Mrs. Van Lew of Roanoke spent Friday at “Melrose” as the guest of Mrs. Vera Anson. J.W. Seay and son, J.W., Jr., left Sunday for their home in Rockwood, Tenn. after spending some time with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Seay at “Melrose.”
Many from here attended the ball game at Falling Spring Sunday played between Falling Spring and Eagle Rock. The score was 6-5 favoring Falling Spring.
50 YEARS AGO…
September, 1971
September 11, 1971: Two Ready To Run For Congress
Roanoke’s two members of the House of Delegates, Willis M. Anderson and Republican M. Caldwell Butler, are all set to oppose each other for the 6th District seat in Congress.
Now all they need is for President Nixon, as anticipated, to nominate Republican Rep. Richard H. Poff of the 6th to be a federal judge.
Butler joined Anderson in the prospective congressional field Thursday with an announcement he will not seek re-election to the general assembly, in which he has served as House Minority Leader since 1964. Anderson had said Wednesday he would not be a candidate for another term.
There may be one difference in their paths, however, in the event Poff is named to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Where Butler is likely to be unchallenged for the Republican nomination, Anderson could have opposition, for Del. William M. “Bill” Dudley of Lynchburg has announced he will seek to be the Democratic nominee.
The withdrawal of both Butler and Anderson appeared to assure two-man slates by both parties for the House seats when nominating conventions are held Monday night.
Because Roanoke voters had split their tickets in the past in electing one Democrat and one Republican, the two parties had difficulty finding candidates to oppose Anderson and Butler.
Butler, a former law partner of Gov. Linwood Holton, first was elected to the House in 1962 and became the Minority Leader the next session when, he said, “the minority got big enough to have a leader.”
He said he has no information on Poff’s expected appointment that is not generally known, but he added he believes that “we can reasonably anticipate” the appointment in the near future.
Because he intends to become a candidate for Congress, Butler said, “I cannot in good conscience ask the citizens of Roanoke to re-elect me to the House of Delegates.”
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