![\"John](\"http:\/\/dh.wcu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/John-B.-Battle001Small.jpg\" "\\"John")
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WCU Honors Battle<\/strong><\/em> CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University\u2019s 1983 Mountain Heritage award went Saturday to John Bascomb Battle, an 86-year-old native of Jackson County who has spent a lifetime putting together a rare and all-inclusive collection of tools and wooden artifacts our mountain forebears made with them.<\/p>\n In a citation accompanying the presentation, WCU Vice Chancellor Dr. James E. Dooley, acting in absence of Chancellor Dr. H.F. Robinson, said that Battle is \u201ca man who has provided us with a strong link to the past, and the future has already been assured.\u201d<\/p>\n Presented annually during the celebration of Mountain Heritage Day at WCU, the award came as a complete surprise to the retired Whitter merchant, who is an alumnus of WCU.\u00a0 Because of the significance of the day and being a graduate of WCU, his wife Verna had suggested that they drive up to Cullowhee and take in all the festivities.\u00a0 So it was that he came to be standing on the lawn of the Chancellor\u2019s Residence at mid-afternoon with others to witness the award ceremony and hear the announcement of this year\u2019s recipient.<\/p>\n In leading up to the magic moment, Dr. Dooley pointed out that since the award was established in 1976, it had gone to authors, to preservers of mountain folk music and dance, to those who have helped keep alive in unique ways the Indian and pioneer heritages of our region, and to the region\u2019s largest newspaper.\u00a0 \u201cPublic awareness of things \u2018mountain\u2019,\u201d he said, \u201chas never been more widespread than it is today. We observe all about us the proof as young people and their elders alike admire, respect, and enjoy the arts, crafts, and social activities that reveal effectively so much of the character and fiber of those who came before us in these hills.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why,\u201d he asked, \u201cwouldn\u2019t we all have the good sense and judgment to recognize that what we have seen today in this very special celebration of mountain ways is worth keeping and passing on to each succeeding generation.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cBut,\u201d Dr. Dooley said, \u201cIt has not always been this. Not too many years ago it would have required unusual insight to set much store in a way of life that was regarded as hard and trying and, in the eyes of many, beginning to pass to better times.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery few among us,\u201d he said, \u201csaw clearly enough that, without some foresight and appropriate and timely steps, the tools, implements, instruments and devices so common to everyday life that so vividly distinguish the pioneer era would soon be lost forever.\u00a0 \u201cOur award today goes to a man who had that foresight a man who early on, sensed the need to do what he could to save as much as possible before it was too late. He placed an uncommon value on what to others were common things. And by so doing he has provided a means by which the lives of many others may be enriched.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough almost 50 years of determined and persistent effort,\u201d Dr. Dooley said, \u201cour recipient has gathered one of the most impressive collections of artifacts from this region that exists. And we thank him for what he has done.\u201d<\/p>\n Then came the moment the crowd had awaited.\u00a0 \u201cWe take great pride,\u201d he said, \u201cin presenting the 1983 Mountain Heritage Award of Western Carolina University to John Bascombe Battle.\u201d\u00a0 Then he asked Mrs. Battle to join her husband in the presentation \u201cbecause she has been a true support and helpmate in this life long endeavor.\u201d<\/p>\n The bronze tablet Dr. Dooley handed to Battle read:\u00a0 \u201cWestern Carolina University Mountain Heritage Award 1983 presented to John Bascombe Battle in recognition of outstanding contributions to the preservation and interpretation of the heritage and culture of Western North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n In 1951, while Battle was still operating his mercantile business at Whitter, he erected a hand hewn log building in the Ela community as a museum facility to house his collection and hired a man to run it, which was open to the public.\u00a0 Ten years later he retired from his mercantile business and devoted full time to his collection. He closed the museum in 1970, sold the building, and stored the collection.\u00a0 Battle\u2019s most prized piece includes a hand-made walnut cupboard made by the Rev. Ulrich Keener, the first Methodist Missionary to the Cherokee Indians, and a muzzle loadin\u2019 rifle created by Salali, the blacksmith of the Cherokees and the first Indian gunsmith in America.\u00a0 The Only other Salali rifle gun known to exist is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Asheville Citizens Times<\/em>
John Parris<\/em>
9\/25\/83<\/em>
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