What Happened 25 – 50 – 100 Years Ago This Month
June 1994 – 25 Years Ago
Engineer Tim Broome strongly advised Johnston County Commissioners to implement their plans to build a county water plant.
The North Carolina Board of Transportation gave Ray Construction Company of Charlotte the task of making left-turn lanes and drainage improvements on a 6.6-mile part of Highway 70 west of Clayton. The contract was worth $493,673.
Anita V. Royal of Benson, Chad A. Barbour of Four Oaks, Robin A. Borsos of Smithfield, Traci J. Wood of Smithfield, and Crystal L. Lane of Princeton all received degrees from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro.
The N.C. Association of Volunteer Administration named Lisa Peedin, Director of Volunteer Services at the Johnston County Mental Health Center, as “Volunteer Administrator of the Year.”
Ormond’s Furniture & Appliance store in Selma advertised Snack Tables for $11 each and Kingsdown mattresses for $79 each.
The runway at Johnston County Airport was extended to 5,500 feet.
Mwasaa D. Sherard, art teacher at Selma Elementary School and Meadow School and owner of Visual Creations by Mwasaa, won entry into the 37th annual Art Show in Rocky Mount and the “Evidence of Culture” art exhibition at Charlotte.
The Johnston County Tourism Authority agreed to help retire the Tobacco Farm Life Museum’s debt by donating $20,000 over two years.
June 1969 – 50 Years Ago
Pfc. Herman L. McClamb of Four Oaks was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other decorations for his service in Vietnam. The medals were given to his widow, Mrs. Carol McClamb.
The Guy C. Lee Manufacturing Company opened its new headquarters building on Highway 301, North Smithfield.
Smithfieldians Blanche A.P. Alexander, Baxter M. Atkinson, and Lee E. Liles joined with fellow Johnstonians Dolores M. Artis of Four Oaks, Elizabeth C. Whitley of Clayton, and William R. Oates of Selma in receiving degrees from Fayetteville State College.
The Smithfield Board of Commissioners authorized the North Carolina Local Government Commission to sell $995,000 in water bonds.
Master Sergeant Foy G. Edgerton of Kenly’s unit, the 21st Composite Wing, won the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its support of operations in Southeast Asia.
Thunderstorms unleash three inches of rain on the Smithfield-Selma area within two hours causing extensive flooding.
The Smithfield High School Band, directed by R. Lee Rogers, won fourth place at the Sun-Fun Festival in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Governor Robert W. Scott appointed Robert D. Warren, Principal of Benson High School, to sit on the North Carolina Advisory Council on Vocational Education.
June 1919 – 100 Years Ago
Miss Rachel Jordan won the Edwin Smith Pou medal, named after the slain war-hero son of Congressman Edward W. Pou, at her graduation ceremony from Turlington Graded School.
The Community Chautauqua music festival featured the Del Mar Ladies Quartet and Singing Orchestra, the Dough Boys Male Quartet, and the Haskell Indian Orchestral Band.
W.L. Woodall’s Sons shopping center in Smithfield advertised Welworth and Wirthmore voiles for $2.50 to $10.98.
The Sans Souci Book Club met at the home of Mrs. J.J. Broadhurst.
Gladys Sanders of the Elizabeth section earned an A.B. degree and a certificate in piano at Carolina College, Maxton.
George H. White returned home to Smithfield from France, where he had served with the 105th Supply Train.
J.B. Beasley, President of the Johnston Vocal Union, announced that his organization’s next session would be at Lee’s Chapel Advent Church on June 29.
A tractor demonstration was held at T.H. Atkinson’s farm, near Atkinson’s Mills, O’Neals Township.
