Kevin Hensley
It is no secret that yours truly is on a quest to complete the archives of The Graham Star.
When I arrived for duty in August 2019, I was 30 pounds lighter, one hair color darker and without the first nine years of our publication in our bound volumes. As a history buff, this irked me.
At random moments throughout my time in the editor’s seat, hints have been dropped on this very page that anyone who has the missing issues from 1955-63 will get a steak dinner (the offer still stands). Several wonderful residents have came forward with back copies they had lying around the house; however, my hectic schedule only allowed me to cull out what we had and what we did not just a couple of weeks ago.
I was stunned to plug in a couple of missing issues from the 1970s and 1980s, but between the mixture of newspapers I found something that made me excited enough to quickly snap a photo of the discovery and pass it along to my regional publisher: the 35th Star ever produced.
Newspapers are such a treasure trove – especially when it comes to capturing the era in question. Dated April 13, 1956, there were 16 news items on the front page; two separate announcements for upcoming movie screenings in the area; and a trivia contest (with the answers conveniently provided below the questions).
What was the scoop in Graham County over 69 years ago? I’m glad you asked!
* Smith Howell had the top-right corner of the front page to himself. As both the Robbinsville mayor and head of Citizens Bank & Trust, Howell was quoted in a report on the town adopting an 11-part building code, saying, “These ordinances are being adopted for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of our community.” In a separate piece, Howell was recognized as one of three men from western North Carolina to graduate from the University of North Carolina School of Business Administration.
* Despite the efforts of a stakeout, Graham County Sheriff Jack Shuler was unable to capture a man in the Massey Branch community who was working a moonshine still. As Shuler closed in, the man fled on foot. The 60-gallon still was destroyed – as was four 40-gallon barrels, a new thump keg and an undisclosed amount of corn and rye meal.
* A warning was issued to all truck owners on turn signals, reflectors and lights (I only mention this because even in 2025, there are still plenty of vehicles puttering around the county in violation of those standard elements).
* The Fontana Theatre – yes, Fontana had a movie theater – was showing three movies, including Seminole Uprising. Starring George Montgomery and Karin Booth, the movie was advertised as hitting the big screen in Technicolor.
Page 3 harkened to a simpler time for finances: a one-year subscription set you back $2 if you lived in Graham County; outside the county, $3.
As I looked over what was current in 1956 – and we hit another milestone, by turning 70 this week – I was reminded just how important our role in the community is. We are the only local media source around, so the quest to complete our history is far from over – as is our quest to document history as it happens, week in and week out.
Thanks for 70 wonderful years, Graham County. Here’s to many more.
Kevin Hensley is the publisher/editor of The Graham Star. He can be reached via phone, 828-479-3383; or email, editor@grahamstar.com.