This week, we will continue looking at life at Company 363 through the CCC Camp newsletters, Rocky Hollow and The Knob, and clippings from the Floyd Press; these excerpts are taken verbatim from the publications.
Floyd Press, Volume 49, Number 31, 1 August 1940, “Five Floyd boys were taken to the CCC Camp at Woolwine July 29, this additional quota permitted 3 colored and 2 whites to go. The white boys were Fillmore Huff and Fred Adkins, the colored boys were Ivan Stuart, Randolph Stuart, and Robert Gibson.
Floyd Press, Volume 49, Number 41, 10 October 1940, “Edd Lee Moore, of the CCC Camp at Woolwine, Va., spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Moore.”
Floyd Press, Volume 49, Number 49, 5 December 1940, “Glen Dickerson of the CCC camp Woolwine spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dickerson.”
Rocky Hollow, Volume 1, Number 1, 1 September 1939, “The big trouble with the CCC is that so many of the men get the idea that they get a dollar a day and that is all that matters and that they get that dollar the same, whether they work or just kill time. This is a deliberately erroneous idea and one that will bring woe to him who pursues it. To derive the fullest advantage from our enrollment in the Civilian Conservation Corps, we must realize that even though our prime consideration in enrolling was for the monetary compensation by which we would benefit, we have another important mission to fulfill. We are not here just to have something to do, we are here doing a job which is of great value to our country, A job that, despite its great present benefit, has its greatest justification in the effect that it will have on the future of our nation. Ours is a work that can never be forgotten. The very nature of it is such that it would of necessity to be written on the pages of history. Fellows, we are making history, now and if our record is to be something to be proud of then, we must do our best. We must make for ourselves a vision of the future and picture in our minds what difference it makes, whether or not we do our job well. A little serious thought on the subject will show that we can, by diligently performing our duties, improve both ourselves and our nation, and in the right way and show America that the CCC is something to be proud of.
Knob, Volume 2, Number 2, 1 February 1940 “Foy Boyd, an enrollee of this company had a very severe attack of tonsilitis the other weekend while Dr. Russo was in Roanoke, Va on weekend leave. Since we do not have telephone facilities, Kiblinger, the camp Radio Operator put W3IFZ” on the air” and was promptly answered by W3BTM of that city. After explaining the situation briefly to W3BTM, a call was made to the Doctor’s home and it was learned that he had gone to Simpsons, Va., The long-distance operator then put in a call to Simpsons, Va and it was learned that Dr. Russo had just left for Roanoke. Several homes along the way were contacted by long-distance and when the Doctor was seen driving along the highway in his car, he was halted by one of the many residents who were on the lookout for him. He went to the nearest telephone and contacted long- distance who then connected him with W3BTM, and first aid instructions were given directly through the radio-telephone hookup to Lt. Willoughby who was in the Radio Room at W3IFZ. Clyde Knowles, our CCC camp hospital orderly, carried out the instructions as ordered and in a short time the Doctor arrived to continue the treatment and bring relief to the patient who has having marked difficulty in breathing.”
Foy Edward Boyd, the patient, and Clyde Knowles, the hospital orderly for the camp, were also first cousins. Foy was the son of Harry and Manilla Boyd of the Bent section of Patrick County, the paternal grandson of James Andrew and Sarah Susan Jones Boyd, and the maternal grandson of John Harley and Martha Ann Handy Boyd. Clyde Winfred Knowles was the son of Wilson Eldridge Knowles and Lillian Boyd, the paternal grandson of Charles Reed and Sarah West Knowles, and the maternal grandson of James Andrew and Sarah Susan Jones Boyd.
Knob, Volume 2, Number 3, 1 March 1940, “Elaborate plans are underway for one of the largest days ever to be held at this camp, during the first week of April. The camp will be open to visitors and all parents, friends, and sweethearts of the enrollees. Letters have been prepared by the Education Department in the form of invitations and will be mailed to all the parents. On the day of April 5th, there will be speeches by the leading citizens of Patrick County and in the afternoon they will be escorted to the Blue Ridge Park to view the work of their sons. Dinner will be served for all comers, sweethearts included. So, let’s everybody be on our toes to show people that the CCC is worthy of so many remarks as has been heard lately.”
The young men of Company 363 took great pride in the work that was done in Rock Castle. I sincerely hope the Rocky Knob Housekeeping Cabins these young men built can be saved. Please write to your federal and state legislators to let them know these historical buildings must be preserved. Woody may be reached at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or (276) 692-9626.
In the photo of the CCC Camp enrollees, there are at least two errors. Marvin Harris, my great uncle by marriage, should be the second from the right in the bottom row. This leaves a mystery as to who else was incorrectly labeled, possibly Carlos or James Harmon?
