Rutherford Weekly

OUR 22 nd YEAR • ISSUE NO. 42 • OCTOBER 16, 2014 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE WE PROUDLY SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WE PROUDLY SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Mu tt s 704-482-7882 The Official North Carolina Fall Liver Mush Festival Historic Court Square in Uptown Shelby, NC October 18th 8 am to 4 pm * Live Music * Pet Activities * Little Miss Liver Mush Pageant * Pumpkin Painting * Liver Mush * Inflatables * Human Hamster Wheel * Banjo Petting Zoo * Pet Parade and Costume Contest * Food and Craft Vendors * Liver Mush Eating Contest 4G 4G 828-202-5597 • 828-245-4696 nationwide coverage unlimited talk, text, web plans available 644 SOUTH BROADWAY ST. • FOREST CITY EZ WIRELESS EZ WIRELESS TALK MORE PAY LESS MON.-FRI. 9-6 • SAT. 10-2 ©Community First Media Community First Media NOW AVAILABLE nationwide cellular After 45 Years Under Water The Fabled Lake Lure Apple Truck Is Back On Land! Who ever thought that a man's apple truck would ever become a center of Rutherford County folklore? Well, it happened and for years there was a lot of talk about "Mr. Ledbetter, the apple farmer whose 1917 Reo Truck was at the bottom, stuck in the mud, of Lake Lure. Some people weren't sure, others were positive that the truck was still there. Now Lake Lure has a surface area of 717 acres and its' elevation is 911 feet! It is cuddled by some beautiful mountains. Mrs. Elizabeth Morse is credited with naming Lake Lure. She was the wife of Dr. Luciuis B. Morse who in 1902 together with his brothers Hiram and Asahel purchased 64k acres around Chimney Rock for the sum of $500. They later acquired 8,000 more acres. It was all about the healthful environment. By 1910 the town population was a mere 1,192. An apple farmer, Barzellie Ledbetter had six sons, Charles, Carl, Sidney, Claude, Marvin and Billy, who two or three times a week would haul apples to Hendersonville. In 1917 he bought a Reo Truck to do the hauling. Being there wasn't much transportation in the community, Mr. Ledbetter would also lend a hand delivering ice, groceries and other produce throughout the mountains. When anyone died he would take the time and go to Rutherfordton and bring back a casket. When it was decided to build the lake, the Ledbetter's homeplace was bought out. A man thought he might buy the Reo Truck and Mr. Ledbetter let him take it and try it out. After the family had moved, the man brought the truck back and was undecided about purchasing the truck. The good old apple truck was parked on the road near the old Ledbetter homestead. When the man didn't buy the truck the road was already under water and it was a difficult task to move the beloved apple truck. Mr. Ledbetter thought it was too much work to move it and "just left it there and let them flood over it." The Ledbetter boys often talked about going back and find the apple truck now axle- deep in mud under 55 feet of water! Finally Charles Ledbetter, living in Shelby, decided to "give it a try!" He wanted to bring up his daddy's 1917 Reo apple truck and restore it. With the help of the Shelby Skin Divers Club and a magnet, he found his dad's truck! Finally, the truck was attached to a raft, raised and with the aid of two boats the Reo was floated down the lake a mile and a half and pulled out and up on land! It wasn't much to look at but the second phase began. With determination and dedicated, the Ledbetter's restored the truck to "like new condition". With it's 27.4 horsepower engine the famous "Apple Truck Of Lake Lure" hit the road. It was truly an amazing achievement. Where is the truck now? It has been loaned and displayed at the Bennett Classic Museum in Forest City. You can visit and check out this marvel of the past and Lake Lure! By M.A. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com By M.A. Andrews • maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com The fully restored Lake Lure 1917 Reo "Apple" truck at the Bennett Classic Museum in Forest City. Th f ll t d L k L 1917 R "A l " t k t th Old photo of Charles Ledbetter behind the wheel driving his daddy's restored "Apple"truck. The Spirit Of America Rally is sponsored by Jim Owens at Top Dog Fast Foods; 351 Oakland Road in Spindale (across from Duke Power). The show is FREE with all donations going to THE AMERICAN CANER SOCIETY - The Rutherford County Chapter. Also donations of canned food and a winter coat drive for the needy will be accepted. The event is Saturday, October 18th and gates will open at 11AM. Music will start at 2PM until 8PM. Bring your lawn chairs. No alcohol permitted. Top Dog will be open during the event with restroom facilities and also will be serving food. Featuring music by BLUES UNDERGROUND with classic rock and roll and rhythm and blues music. Also featuring HOME GROWN BLUE GRASS playing country and gospel music, along with other groups. And a special appearance featuring "The Best of Elvis". PRINCE has announced that he will present a Motown Review, and also a special performance of the "Supremes" with there Greatest Hits. If you have a band that would like to participate or for more information call Top Dog at 828-287-8668. Come out and let's re-new our SPIRIT IN AMERICA and bring hope to our brothers and sisters. Article provided by: Jim Owens Article provided by: Jim Owens All Proceeds Benefit The American Cancer Society Forest City Walmart Shopping Center 145 Plaza Drive M-F 9-9, Sat 9-6, Sun 12-6 (828) 288-2061 $ 5 .99 Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. Valid at Forest City location only. OFFER EXPIRES: 3/31/14 OFFER EXPIRES: 11-9-14 World's largest salon brand! ANY HAIRCUT $ 6. 99 Orchard Park 5 th Annual Car Show Swap Meet Fair presents Saturday, Saturday, October 18 October 18 11 11 AM AM - 6 - 6 PM PM 957 Whitesides Rd • Forest City 957 Whitesides Rd • Forest City 828-287-2640 828-287-2640 828-429-3976 828-429-3976 www.orchardparks.com www.orchardparks.com Carnival Games Face Painting Cornhole INFL ATABLES INFL ATABLES FREE RIDES FREE RIDES Horse Shoes Live Music Food • Bake Sale Pumpkin Carving Cars•Trucks Bikes Rat Rods Tractors Only $20 registration • Judging at 2pm For pre-registration and swap meet reservations contact IAuto Collision Center 1070 US Hwy 74A Bypass Spindale 828-286-3041, 828-429-3867 www.iautocollisioncenter.com A multi-charity event hosted by Gilkey Baptist Church

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