Oct. 2, 1986
* The unemployment rate in Graham County dropped 21%, from 37.4 in July to 16.4 in August. The statistics were provided by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, which noted the county’s highest rate in 1986 had been 43% – prior to the opening of Stanley Furniture.
* Senior District Court Judge for the 30th Judicial District Robert J. Leatherwood, III., committed suicide in the parking lot of a Bryson City funeral home. Leatherwood reportedly pulled into the Bill Moody Funeral Home lot, took a shotgun from the trunk and shot himself. A note was found on the 62-year-old Leatherwood, who was a World War II veteran that had served in the 82nd Airborne.
Oct. 2, 1980
* The Graham County United Services campaign launched. Funding to be kept in Graham County included distributions to both the Graham County and Stecoah Rescue squads ($11,100); the Graham County Athletic Fund ($2,000); and the Graham County 4-H Club ($800).
Oct. 2, 1970
* The Graham County Rescue Squad was part of a dragging mission on Nantahala Lake. The body of Franklin resident Harold Green was recovered at a depth of roughly 100 feet by Graham County personnel, around 75 feet from the shoreline. Green was fishing on the lake when his boat capsized.
* Several Robbinsville Boy Scouts received Eagle Awards: Roger Anderson, Mitchell Crisp and Marshall Keever, Marty George and Terry Odom. Joe Collins was the Explorer Post 404 Advisor.
-Compiled by publisher/editor Kevin Hensley.