Rutherford County

We all experienced that.

I came to Western North Carolina into Rutherford County, managed a textile operation there, one of the last in the county that no longer exists.

So we weren't diversified enough.

And then what's happened now with Helene is tourism.

And in North Carolina, at least six reported tornadoes already amid flash flooding.

Rutherford County residents told to seek higher ground.

Linsey, dozens and dozens of trees down here in Pensacola.

There are three in front of me, two large ones behind me here, and the remnants of Isaias moving towards the north.

And in North Carolina, at least six reported tornadoes already amid flash flooding.

Rutherford County residents told to seek higher ground.

Linsey, dozens and dozens of trees down here in Pensacola.

There are three in front of me, two large ones behind me here, and the remnants of Isaias moving towards the north.

Now, this environment, of course, caused it to be a very popular space for gay men to meet up and socialize, as it operated semi-in-the-open and was less likely to be subjected to surprise raids compared to a exclusive gay club.

This led to it being a very popular hangout for 29-year-old Jack Dobbins, and Jack was born on November 17th, 1928 in Rutherford County, North Carolina to William and Alma Dobbins.

And that's the sad thing, too.

He was murdered just, like, two weeks before his 30th birthday.

Yeah.

So we were able to find out what was going on, and that's when I realized, like Highway 9, like, you know, well off of Highway 74, you know, going into Rutherford County, the different counties, and I had just come through there, believe it or not, that Thursday night.

I had come in, 'cause I was coming from Georgia where my daughter lives, and I was coming up the back way off of 26/74, and then going into the Rutherford road, which brings me into Morganton, and, and my car, it kept my direction.

I just did my direction.

Time travel.

But as we record this, you very recently did an in-person event at Rutherford County Public Library.

I

did.

And I am doing a roundup this episode of stories from Rutherford County.

This is

excellent because people at the event told me stories.

So first, as always, let's talk about the place and its people.