Vote

Next Thursday an election will be held to determine whether or not the citizens of Marlinton want a state liquor store here.

Marlinton has not had a liquor store for about 12 years. Conditions in town became almost intolerable while the liquor store was here before. And there is no reason to believe it would be any different.

As to the argument that the town would have so much more money, we find that in 1948 the town received $1376.61 in income from the store. That was more than used up in hiring an extra policeman that became necessary.

As proved in other towns, a store does not end bootlegging, merely cuts down the profits. A store will be only a convenience for those who drink, and I, for one, am not going to make it easier for more people to get more whiskey.

Lake

Conservation Commissioner Warden Lane, State Senator Hans McCourt and Monongahela National Forest Supervisor E. M. Oliver were here last Friday to bring problems and facts about the Williams River Lake to the local people. The Marlinton Lions Club has been pushing this project and invited them here. The proposed lake will impound 170 acres of water and will require a 35-foot dam. Because of the large amount of water coming down Williams River at certain times of the year, the dam will have to have a cement core. The engineers have estimated the cost at $300,000 which will include the cost of roads, parking and picnic areas, and sanitary facilities. This makes the cost run about $1,765 per acre of water. The other large lakes built on the National Forest –– Spruce, Summit and Sherwood –– have cost from $500 to $1,500 per acre of water, but Mr. Oliver and Dr. Lane both admitted that they were running out of sites where lakes could be built at that price.

West Virginia stands 48th among the states in the amount of surface water and the Conservation Commission is naturally interested in increasing that through water impoundments. They purchased the Warner property on Williams River last year and of course are interested in further developments. Part of the money for that purchase was federal funds made available for waterfowl development.

Several problems have to be solved before the project is put into operation. One of these concerns coal operations. The lake would not be built if there is likelihood of strip mining above it or mine drainage that would pollute water. Dr. Lane said he would check with Dr. Paul Price, State Geologist, concerning the coal deposits there and also the mineral rights on the National Forest land would be checked. The lake would take in about 120 acres of National Forest land. There is also some private land involved and he gave that job to local people to see about. And of course there is always the problem of money. This is the first year of an increase in price of hunting and fishing licenses and until this year is over the department doesn’t know whether they will have more or less money. The money from the National Forest Stamp doesn’t amount to a big amount like this and they have been spending their money on other lower cost projects that will bring more recreation possibilities to less development areas. But Dr. Lane and Senator McCourt felt sure the money could be obtained if the other obstacles were overcome.

State Winners

Two Pocahontas County 4-H club members took top honors at the Ham and Bacon Sale and Show in Clarksburg last week. Carolyn Wenger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wenger, of Arbovale, showed the Grand Champion Ham and Bill Shelton, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Shelton, of Huntersville, had the Reserve Champion Ham.

ALPINE THEATRE

“Return of the Fly”

Vincent Price

“Bandido”

Robert Mitchum ~ Ursula Thiess

“Yellowstone Kelly”

Clint Walker ~ John Russell

“Some Came Running”

Frank Sinatra ~ Dean Martin

DEATHS

Mrs. Norma Drumheller, age 85, of Cass

Mrs. Mattie E. Auldridge, age 60, of Woodrow

Mrs. Laura Pleasant Dill, age 52, of Cass

BIRTHS

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Gladwell, of Hillsboro, a daughter named Jane Elizabeth

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Plamer, of Marlinton, a daughter named Lana Michelle

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard F. Cutlip, Jr., of Marlinton, a daughter named Debra Merlene