County history book's authors to sign copies of new edition

Jackson County, Webster history groups win state award

By Lynn Hotaling

First published in 1987, this year's update of the out-of-print volume includes a new chapter that completes the county's history through the year 2000 as well as some 16 additional photographs and completely updated appendices, said Western Carolina Professor Emeritus Max Williams, who edited both editions.

"I'm delighted to see the Jackson County history book back in print," Williams said. "I think it gives people in the county - whether native or adopted - an understanding of the county's past and of the prospects for its future."

A total of 15 professional and amateur historians collaborated to produce the volume, and most of them will be on hand Sunday, Williams said.

Vernon Hoyle, author of "A Place To Call Home," a paperback published by the association this past summer, will sign copies of his memoir, which is the second book in a planned paperback series.

Former Sylva Herald News Editor J.D. McRorie, author of the society's first paperback, "Knowing Jackson County," published a year ago, also wrote a chapter in the history book that deals with the formation of the county and towns and is expected to attend Sunday's gathering.

Other chapter authors are Jim Horton, "Physical and Natural Aspects"; George Frizzell, "The Native American Experience"; Tyler Blethen and Curtis Wood, "The Pioneer Experience to 1851"; John Bell, "Economic Activities" and "Economic Development"; Gordon McKinney, "Politics" and "Society and Social Groups"; Cliff Lovin, "Religion"; Jean Ellen Forrister, "Education"; James and Barbara Dooley, "The Cultural Arts"; John Slater, "Communications"; the late Kent Coward, "The Community in Crisis"; and the late John Parris, "Folklore and Folkways."

Sunday's program will begin with brief remarks by Williams about publication of the history book and the association's paperback series. Following Williams's talk, Hoyle will read selections from his memoir, "A Place To Call Home."

Williams described the preparation of "The History of Jackson County" as "writing history by committee," and said "it was easy with these folks. I didn't know that so many with this kind of talent could work so harmoniously." None of the authors received any compensation other than copies of the books, Williams said.

"Working on this book is probably the thing I've enjoyed most in my scholarly career because of the cooperation of everyone involved," Williams said. "I take pride in it, and I think it needed doing because there's a dearth of material about Western North Carolina."

WCU history professor Richard Starnes wrote the Sesquicentennial Edition's new chapter, "Towards the New Century," and said that while he found the experience enjoyable, it was also challenging.

"The rest of the chapters are subject-based and cover a long period," Starnes said. "I had to cover a variety of different things over a short period of time, historically speaking."

Historians are trained to look at things over time, Starnes said, but because he was dealing with only 13 years, from 1987 to 2000, he was unable to place events in context.

Starnes is from Asheville and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in history from WCU in 1992 and 1994, respectively. In writing the new chapter, he renewed his ties to Jackson County, he said.

With so many topics to cover, Starnes said the thread that ties his chapter together is "continuity in change."

"Many think mountain communities are static - that they don't change," Starnes said. "But in the last 20 years Jackson County is very different. I found the tension between continuity and change fascinating at the local level. The day will come, if it's not already here, when more people will live here who are from somewhere else."

The first edition of "The History of Jackson County" was almost universally praised, Starnes said, but a few reviewers noted that it seemed to be a "narrative of a march toward progress."

"One reviewer commented that it was surprising that the county 'existed for so long without controversy.' I ended up with all the controversy - like the county manager change and school consolidation - so we've addressed that concern."

In doing his research, Starnes said he relied on The Sylva Herald.

"The best source for local news remains the local newspaper," he said.

For its work is publishing "The History of Jackson County" and two history-themed paperbacks, as well as the many events planned this year in conjunction with the county's Sesquicentennial, the Historical Association recently received the prestigious Albert Ray Newsome Award from the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies. Joe Rhinehart of Webster, president of the Association, accepted the award in Raleigh.

Co-recipient of the award was the Webster Historical Society, which sponsored or co-sponsored many of the events that commemorated Jackson County's 150th birthday. Rhinehart is also president of Webster's history group.

Funding for the Sesquicentennial Edition was provided by Rhinehart and his brother, Jim, through an endowment left by their late parents, Joe and Kate Rhinehart. The volume is dedicated to the people of Jackson County in memory of Joe and Kate Rhinehart. Proceeds from the Sesquicentennial Edition will go into a special fund to help ensure that the volume remains in print, Williams said.

"The History of Jackson County" is available at a cost of $40 through City Lights or from members of the Historical Association.

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