Compiled by Ben Robinson

25 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

Wednesday, Sept. 26, 1984

• Easley agreed to fund a study by two Clemson University professors of ideas to revitalize downtown. The study was estimated to cost around $200.

• State and local officials approved plans fot the proposed Easley Middle Branch sewage treatment plant.

• Residents of Wyatt Acres subdivision in Easley complaied because School District of Pickens County maps had the children from the subdivision going to Forest Acres Elementary instead of the newly-built West End Elementary, which was about one-tenth of a mile away from the subdivision. A parent claimed his children had to meet the bus at 6 a.m. for the trip to Forest Acres.

• Laurens defeated Easley 3-0. Other scores: Wren 12, West-Oak 0; Hillcrest 21, Pickens 0; Pendleton 18, Liberty 15; and Daniel 23, Walhalla 6.

• Obituaries were printed for Charles Edward Robinson, Mary Ann Adcox, Minnie Lee Holcombe Adams, James Frank Williams, Tillman Lee Dixon Jr., William Tave Batson, Arnell Rice Stephens, Clara Bell Putnam, Bernice Dodgens Mathis, Jack Wilbur Cashion, the Rev. Julian Attaway Cave, Amanda Elizabeth Stamey, Grayson Smith, Else Mae Cothran Stanton, Millie Chasteen Grant, Downs Hanna, Joe Neal Page, Chris Moore Lewis and William Byson Austin.

• Nancy Thurmond, wife of Sen. Strom Thurmond, held a meeting in Pickens to bring awareness to the increasing number of missing children.

• In an article about local historian John McCravey, the 77-year-old said, “I wish I could live my life all over again.”

• Wedding announcements included:

-- Sherrie Lynn Bayne to John David Brock;

-- Ginnie Whitfield to Donald Dodd;

-- Vera Robin Brown to Fred Arthur Patterson;

-- Kimberly Ann Caldwell to Ronald Kevin Gilstrap; and

-- Tommy Lane Gullette to Danny Harold Merritt.

• Mr. and Mrs. Reece E. Chafin celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary;

• Birth announcements were made for Adrianne Diane Haskett, Amber Javon Wilkins and Sidney Eugene Church Jr.

• Birthdays noted included David Anthony Jennins 1, Georgeette Sonjetta Shumate 3, Michael Phillip Goodnough 3 and Asley Amanda Holliday 1.

50 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1959

• The Pickens County Legislative Delegation announced plans for the building of a new county courthouse. The one used at the time — first built in 1891, with additions made in 1915 and 1935 — was recommended to be torn down as a fire hazard.

• A jury ruled the death of Easley Police Officer Woodrow Nalley to be a murder and the death of his asailant Calvin sweeney to be a suicide.

• Cleatus Brazzell, general manager of WELP radio in Easley, was chosen to lead the Christmas Seal campaign for Pickens County.

• The country cemetery off US 123 near Crosswell, known as “Old Easley Cemetery,” was being restored by local volunteers. William King Easley, whom the city was named after, is buried there.

• Bobby Norris of Easley was named advertising manager of The Easley Progress.

• Easley defeated Fairforest 21-12 in football. Other scores were Pickens 20, Liberty 6; Daniel 26, Palmetto 0; Blue Ridge 38, Dacusville 6; And Travelers Rest 27, Wren 6.

• Obituaries were printed for Lloyd D. Jones, Jessie Rufus Simmons, Ezra Cleveland Gardner, William Raymond Ashley, Sam Jones Nalley and James Arthur Robinson.

• A birth announcment was printed for Ginger Louise Houston. Reggie Nalley celebrated her 11th bithday.

• Mrs. T.O Carter retired as the head of the nursery at Easley First Baptist Church. She had organized the church’s first nursery 35 years earlier, and had been its director ever since.

75 Years Ago

The Easley Progress

Thursday, Sept. 27, 1934

• The “Great Textile Strike” ended. Many mills across the South refused to rehire those who had been on strike.

• Jeff F. Harris died.

• Young Julien D. Wyatt, who would one day own The Easley Progress, wrote a story about his recent trip to Mexico.

• Easley defeated Holly Springs 26-0.