Richard C. Parham
THE BEGINNING
In the early years of Biltmore Industries, Mr. Fred Seely had a very valuable employee. He was a Cherokee Indian by the name of Henry Bradley Parham. Henry and a brother, Irving, had left the Indian Reservation to become part of the "white mans' world." The two brothers had a farming operation in the Leicester section but Henry decided he could make a better living in the cotton mill. Henry and two sisters, Nanny and Meg, worked at a mill at Elk Mtn. until Henry left to join Mr. Fred Seely at Biltmore Industries.
Henry had knowledge of millwork and likely experience in weaving, from the Indian Reservation. Henry was a good "all around man". He quickly learned to operate the machinery and was also available to help in the construction of all the buildings. In 1930, at about the age of 50, Henry Parham died suddenly and unexpectedly at his breakfast table with cerebral hemorrhage.
At work the previous day, Henry, in addition to his regular duties, had helped carry and place a lot of heavy material for the extension of the dye house. He was a hard worker!
The morning he died, a stray cat came by. Henry Parham petted the cat and told his wife to make sure the cat was fed! He was a kind and loving man. The cat was never seen again?
Mr. Seely was very supportive and understanding with the Parham family at this time because, their loss was his also. Mr. Seely helped Mrs.Carrie Parham and her children financially, and with clothing and shoes.
Richard C. Parham was nine years old when he lost his father. At this tender age he was so much impressed with Mr. Seely's kindness during this tragedy, that he is eternally grateful. Mr. Seely told Richard that when he became of working age, which was 16, to come to Biltmore Industries and he would see about a job for him.
Richard Cornelius Parham: named after King Richard the Lionhearted and Cornelius of Acts in the New Testament, was born February 10, 1921, in the Craggy area near Asheville. By the time he was ten years old, he had lived in three different places and attended three different schools.
EARLY MEMORIES
Richard remembers a lot about his father. He knows his father loved his wife and family and would never have left them by choice. . Richard was too young to remember but he had two baby sisters, Ruby and Ruth, who died before they were a year old. He doesn't remember the cause of their death but knows it was some kind of fever. Richard himself had whooping cough and croup as a child.
Richard's earliest memories are from about the age of five. He remembers his father getting him a tricycle and how he made tracks in the mud with it. He remembers it was cold and the tracks would freeze overnight. Richard would ride in the tracks he made the day before.
Richard was about 8 years old when his father got his little sons a brand new wagon with red wheels and sideboards. He and his brother took it to the top of the steep hill where they lived. Richard warned his brother that they were taking a big chance. On the way down, one of the wheels hit a rock and his brother lost control. They crashed their new wagon into the side of a house. The wagon was a total loss. The boys were banged up and bruised but okay. He remembers his father telling his mother that the wagon was a waste of money.
Richard remembers the scooter his father got him and the accident he had with it. He was coming down steep Hillside Street and decided he would jump off! He did and his foot landed on a broken glass jar. His father, who had come home from work ran fast to him, and carried him to the house. A neighbor, who was a nurse, came over and bandaged the very bad cut. His father held him for a long time and did so every day when he got off work. His father usually went to work before daylight and came home after dark, five days every week. He worked an extra half-day on Saturday. He took care of his family.
EARLY RELIGION
Richard never became acquainted with his Native-American ancestors. He knows of the resentment his mother's father had toward his father, Henry. Richard knows his father was a good and honest man.
Richard remembers his mother taking her children to church. He remembers the congregations as being very spiritual. Sometimes the attending ones would shout and shake. He remembers hiding under the pews at times when things he didn't understand took place. His father didn't attend church very much but his mother was a regular. His mother wanted her children to know about "spiritual life."
Richard has often wondered about his father and Native-American worship. He doesn't know a lot about the Indians and their relationship with the Creator. He believes there is always a Bigger Plan.
In his early years, Richard was baptized in the Faith. Afterward he saw many that professed, but did not practice their religion.
ADJUSTING
Richard's mother re-married about a year after his father died. His stepfather was a stone mason who did much of the stonework in and around Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Industries.
The adjusted family moved to a house on Beaverdam Road and later to a house in a hollow between Sunset and Patton Mountains. Their home was near and above the Inn and Industries.
YOUTH
Richard was not always a "little angel" in his young years. He and some of his friends threw rocks at the town boys when they ventured onto what they considered "their territory". Richard and his friends had fun running them off "their" mountain.
Once they saw two people at the rock-quarry and thought it was more kids that had wondered up there. Richard picked up a red-clay clod and threw it and hit one of them between the shoulder blades. When the couple stood up, they were big grown-ups! The one Richard had hit looked well over six feet tall! The two big fellows chased Richard and his friend for a long distance. Only their knowledge of the mountain and how to run through a thicket saved them from a real trouncing. These guys were real mad and wanted to hang Richard and his friend "out to dry!"
Richard had to run 'like a rabbit' to get away.
Richard usually had Saturday afternoons to do as he wanted. He liked to go to the movies. His hero was Buck Jones, a western star of his time. Buck Jones didn't get too mushy with the women! Richard pretended to be Buck Jones and his brother was another star, Bob Steele. They wrestled. Richard usually won and got in trouble, because his mother knew this was just a bunch of stuff!
Richard and his brothers or friends would find ways to see the movies.
If they didn't have money, they would improvise and find work. One of the businessmen they could depend on was Harry Blomberg. Harry had a car dealership on Market Street and they would stop by to see if he might be good for a movie ticket. He usually was. Harry would not ever, just give them the fare, but made them work doing odd jobs to earn their way. There was always some sweeping, cleaning, or moving that needed to be done, and Harry would put the boys to work. Richard appreciates the lessons he learned from earning his way to the movies. Harry would usually give each of the boys a quarter. At that time, a quarter would buy two hamburgers at 5 cents each, a drink for 5 cents, and the admission to the movie was a dime! Everyone profited, Harry by helping the youngsters, and the boys for earning their way.
On one occasion, Richard went by himself to see the movie "Dracula" with Bella Lugosi. There were not many travelers on the path up Sunset Mtn. and Richard was alone this night. The wind was blowing softly and it was dark. As he was walking up the path, he stopped a second for a breather. A small forked branch fell down and landed on Richard's neck. He thought Dracula had surely got him! He was home real fast!!!!
He tells of another time he was walking home alone at night. His way took him past a cemetery. From the direction of the graveyard, he could hear something that sounded like a moan. He really wanted to run home, but his curiosity would not allow him to go on without finding out what it was. He crept toward the noise and saw something white. At first, he actually thought he was seeing a ghost. He really didn't know what to do. It kept making the moaning sound and Richard picked up a stick and threw it toward the white object. The object bolted away. When it moved, Richard saw it was a white calf. He was very relieved!!!
SCHOOLING
By age 13, Richard was not school-minded and he began skipping this inconvenience. School itself was okay to him but he felt many of the other kids considered them-selves to be better than he. Some would make fun and jests about the clothes he wore and the lunches he brought. His overalls were ragged and worn but they were always clean. His lunch of cornbread and milk and fresh vegetables was probably more delicious and nutritious than their loaf bread (light-bread) sandwiches but they hadn't learned better. After awhile he began leaving home, as if going to school, but would stop at the Grove Park Inn horse barn and stay there until time to return. The man in charge of the barn would trade his light-bread sandwiches for Richard's home made lunches. Richard made a pal but was soon caught up with for his negligence. He then had to go to work with his stepfather.
In addition to helping take care of farming chores, he began working as a mason's helper. He was paid one dollar a day and his stepfather charged him three dollars a week for room and board.
LEAVING HIS HOME
When Richard was 14, his stepfather decided he, his brother Howard and his stepbrother Dave, needed a whipping for something they had, or rather, had not done. The stepfather whipped the two brothers but Richard felt it was not deserved and wouldn't allow himself to be treated in this way. He even picked up a "tater digger" to defend himself.
Richard had to leave his mother and his home because of this incident. A few years later, Mr. Seely told the stepfather that he was wrong and should have treated Richard better.
Richard moved in with a sister and did a lot of odd jobs during the next two years. He was willing to do any job to earn his keep. For a few months, he was hired to attend the tollgate on Sunset Mountain. During this time, he was able to spend some time with his mother without being charged for his board. Richard had a good mother.
MAKING MUSIC
Richard is a guitar player. He took his first lessons from a professional named "Panhandle Pete". Pete traded or gave Richard an early "Gibson Guitar". Richard learned to play on this instrument. He was doing well until some kids knocked it over and broke it. He traded the broken guitar to another friend for a 22- caliber pistol.
He wanted the pistol to "bluff" someone where he worked at the tollgate. Richard was only a kid and the guy there was overbearing. He told Richard he was going to "kick his butt"! The bluff worked but his mother found out and he had to get rid of the gun. The fellow who gave Richard trouble liked to stick his head into the cars he stopped. Once he stopped some folks and put his head in. The driver knocked him out cold. He didn't do that anymore. He didn't bother Richard anymore either.
The fellow, who got the guitar, restored it to original condition, and no amount of talking could get the instrument back. Richard wanted it badly but they had made a deal. Richard still plays occasionally.
BEING HIRED at BILTMORE INDUSTRIES
At age 15, Richard was hired to dig a basement for Robert Stevens, manager of the Industries. When he completed this job, Mr. Stevens told him that Mr Seely wanted him to come see him. He was hired immediately in October 1936, for a wage of 35 cents an hour.
Because of the past, Richard had retained utmost respect for Mr. Seely, and was glad to be a part of the Biltmore Industries.
Richard was to be his father's replacement and started by being trained on the same machine Henry Parham had used. This was the "picker machine". This machine is an important start of wool processing.
While learning, one of Richard's statements, was so amusing that his trainer lost his false teeth and tobacco in the machine. Richard said the fellow got his teeth out but lost his 'chaw'. Richard was willing to do any of the different jobs and got experience in all the different phases of cloth making. He also helped on the grounds and worked as night watchman. He tried weaving for a few weeks and decided it was not for him. He asked to be allowed to do other jobs.
ROMANCE
Richard Parham has always been a handsome fellow. In his younger years, he had quite a few lady admirers. Once he dated a girl who had an identical twin. One evening he went to pick her up and was driving down the road when the girl said, "Wait a minute, you've got the wrong one!" Richard said, "Are you sure?". The girl said, "Yes, I'm sure. I'm not my sister." "Well, "Richard said, "You both look just alike and act just alike so I don't reckon it makes any difference."
Richard took her home and found her sister and mother having a big laugh. Richard didn't go back.
Once Richard went out with a very beautiful girl and was so proud until she gave him a big kiss. He had been sick on tobacco before and, this girl had snuff in her mouth! "Whew", that ended that relationship.
Another girl who worked at Biltmore Industries liked to dance. Her nickname was "Jitterbug". She had her cap set for Richard's attention but he decided she was too fast for him. He told her he had two left feet. What an excuse!
For about three years, Richard dated the daughter of a man who owned a trucking company. The girl and her father were making wedding plans. The father was going to give Richard a new one and a half-ton truck to get him started in the business. This plan might have come to be had not something happened that changed all that. A new girl came to work at the Industries.
This is Tilda
When Tilda Ingle appeared, Richard knew she had come for him. It was love at first sight. Richard and Tilda were married in 1941, with Fred Seely's personal blessing. Mr. Seely gave Richard two hundred dollars and Tilda one hundred dollars as a wedding gift. He also gave Tilda three homespun suit-coats and gave them both a week off with pay. Mr. Seely knew they belonged together. Tilda had been 'nanny' for Mr. and Mrs. Seely's grandchildren. They all called her "Tillie". The newlyweds came back to work after only three days.
The girl named "Jitterbug" was very unhappy because of this turn of events.
EXPERIENCE WITH FRED SEELY
Because of his own personal experience, Richard Parham knew Fred Seely as a leader he could willingly follow. Richard knows of many charities Fred Seely supported. He recalls numerous instances in which Mr. Seely helped individuals. When circumstances would allow, no one but Mr. Seely, and the ones helped, knew of it. Many times this help was in the form of employee loans and the money was never deducted from their pay. When a real need was there, Mr. Seely took care of his employees and others. Richard's own opinion and knowledge is that, Mr. Seely always tried to be fair and do what was right in any situation. It was a traumatic time for the Industries when Mr. Seely passed on.
EXPERIENCE W- LATER INDUSTRIES MANAGEMENT
Richard only talked with Fred Seely Jr. a few times. Fred Jr. had the impossible task of trying to fill his father's shoes. As far as Richard was concerned, there was only one Fred Seely.
The manager of the Industries, considered it his duty to be a part of any of the happenings on the property. Once the sewer was clogged and the workmen had done some backbreaking work digging out the pipes. They had found the stoppage and had plugged the bottom end. The manager came and offered to help. The workmen told him to pull out the plug when the time came. When they knew the pipe was not clogged they told the manager to pull the plug. He did and the pressure came through the pipe and sprayed him with the sewage. Mr. Fred Seely Sr. told the manager to go home and take a bath. Mr. Seely told the workmen that he knew what had been done and they should be ashamed of themselves. He seemed to enjoy the prank also.
Once a heavy piece of metal fell on Richard's foot. It almost tore one of his toes off. His foot was numb and he took his blood-filled shoe off. The general manager, Mr. Stevens, almost fainted when he saw the injury. "Get him to the hospital right now!" Mr. Stevens said.
Richard was taken to the hospital, but they sent him to the company doctor who wanted to amputate the torn toe. Richard told the doctor to try to save it. It was saved!
Mr. Stevens told the other workers that Richard was the toughest man he had ever seen. He called Richard back to work while he was still on crutches. At the time, it seemed the work just couldn't get done, without Richard Parham there.
There is a 3' diameter clay tile tunnel that leads from the boiler room to the dye house. The tunnel is probably in excess of one hundred yards long. When the tile was laid, a worker became stuck while putting mortar on the joints. It was a major problem getting him out! The tile carried the steam pipes into the washroom and dye house. No one liked the idea of going into the tunnel. The time came when an intercom was needed to relay messages to and from the dye house. Not a soul would volunteer to carry the wire through the tunnel. Finally, Richard saw no one else to do it,, so he agreed to take the trip. He said it was some experience. He got extremely hot about half way through. There was no light. He had to stop and rest. Richard became nervous because he thought it would be a bad place to meet his end. Finally he regained enough strength to continue. He was a hero of sorts to the other workers and enjoyed his fame, until it was decided that a phone line was needed. Must we guess who got the job? It wasn't as bad the second time because of previous experience, but Richard said he thought he was crazy for doing it the first time. He knew he was crazy for doing it again!
SERVICE
Richard worked for Biltmore Industries until November 1942, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor.
From 1942 until 1946, Richard was at war in defense of his ideals. He vividly remembers the horrors of the war, the sacrifices made, and the ones who didn't get to come home. He remembers the training, the forced marches, the weapons, the landing craft, and the costs of the battles. He remembers the Philippine natives who were guerilla fighters and how tough, mean, and determined they were to beat the Japanese invaders.
Richard was a good soldier. He earned the rank of sergeant and was offered more stripes with an office type job if he would re-enlist. Richard declined this promising career because he wanted more than anything to be home with his wife and his daughters.
THE RETURN
In 1946, Richard returned to his job but found it was not the same. Mr. Seely was gone and so was his leadership. Richard had a family and wanted to use his G.I. benefits for schooling, but met resistance from Industries management. After about a year, he found another to sponsor his education and left Biltmore Industries.
MOVING ON
After leaving Biltmore Industries, Richard went to work for Post Machinery and Foundry. He stayed with Mr. Post from 1947 until 1954.
While working for Mr. Post, Richard became seriously ill with stomach problems. He felt this sickness was due to his wartime experiences and especially the times of having to drink impure water. The doctors removed a large part of his ulcerated stomach and told him that his hard-working days were over.
Richard knew from what he had observed that "there were more old soldiers and even old drunks than there were old doctors."
He defied their advice and went back to doing what he knew to do. This amazed the doctors, his employer and his family. Richard used his G.I. benefits for schooling to learn all he could about foundry work and the pouring of melted metal. He earned a diploma in Foundry work from the school.
Because of necessity, Richard paid heed to the V.A. doctors who advised him that the extreme atmosphere of foundry work was detrimental to the skin condition that had been contracted during the
war in the South Pacific. He received a Veteran's Administration pension for this skin problem. For about a year he worked for the V.A. and took nurse training at the Oteen V.A. Hospital.
Richard went back to the Post Foundry but left after a short while. He continued to use what he had learned along with his own talents to produce ornamental metal and also some large orders for man-hole covers that were needed by surrounding towns.
. After about a year, he went to work for Hicks Mfg. Co. as a security guard. In 1964, after about seven years, this company closed its plant and moved away.
Richard did some work in construction and, in 1965, went to work for Stencil Corporation in the security department. He stayed with Stencil for 20 years and retired in 1985.
FAMILY
Richard and Tilda shared their lives for 59 years until her body gave out at the age of 82. Her spirit never wavered until the end. She had a wonderful nature and cared about people. Those who knew her always felt better after talking with Tilda. She was very intelligent and quoted poetry from memory. She had the ability to compose and remember her own poems that she stored in her heart. Most were too personal to write down and she took them with her. They were deep and touching poems about life.
Richard feels blessed to have been able to spend all those years with this lady. She was everything he needed to make it in this world. They worked together building their homes and raising their two daughters, Martha and Kathleen. They were blessed with three grandsons; Lee, Jamie, and Brian. They also have a granddaughter, Dale. They have three great-grandsons; Blane, Jake, Justin, and a great-grand daughter Nikki.
Richard loves his family.
Richard is a good concrete mason and carpenter. With his own work and resources, he built homes for his family. He sold the first house he built and built another.
In 1983, Richard and his family lost their home to fire and he had to start all over again as family homebuilder. It was devastating to lose their home and belongings, but when the going gets tough, the tough keep going. Richard built again.
LATER RELIGION
Up until about he was 40 years of age, Richard had known what most preachers taught and the results. He realized that there was more to it than professing. He became more interested and hungry for the real knowledge. He began earnestly reading the Holy Scriptures himself. A preacher he respected told him to pray for understanding. Richard found that to have peace inside, one must love God and his neighbor.
Richard doesn't feel he was called to preach. He cannot figure out why the whole world cannot see the simplicity of the way we should live.
Richard says that anyone who knows, "everything about anything", is not to be trusted.
POWERS THAT BE
When Richard perceives that wrong is being done, he tries to take the problem to its source. In years past, laws were changed that provided for the sale of alcoholic beverages until late night and on Sundays. Richard obtained an audience with the Chairman of the County Commission. The Chairman had made it known in his campaign, that he was a church deacon. With this credential to get elected, Richard hoped this man would understand. At this meeting, Richard told of his concerns about the making of alcohol so readily available in the community and to the youth especially. The Chairman assured Richard that enough police would be hired to get the problem users off the street. Richard tried to explain to the Chairman that this was backward thinking and if the products were not so available that there would not be so many problems. During the conversation, Richard realized that to the commissioner, it was not a question of right and wrong, but a question of taxes and money. He thanked the commissioner for his time. The Commission Chairman made Richard an honorary N.C. Colonel and gave him a certificate. Richard threw the distinction in the trash.
At another time, Richard made an appointment to see his Congressman. Richard's beef this time was about the Social Security Program and the penalty for being a Notch Baby. He asked the Congressman several questions concerning this and other Government programs. The Congressman didn't or couldn't give a satisfactory answer to any of the questions. Richard thanked the man for his time and was leaving when the Congressman asked Richard a question, "What do you think of our president?". Richard answered straightforward, "not much at all." "What do you mean? The president gave you a tax cut." The Congressman said. Richard answered, "He did not give me a tax cut! A man I work with makes $35,000 a year and he gets twenty dollars more a week. I make less than $12,000 and I get 1 dollar and eighty cents a week more on my check. The federal tax on gas went up 3 cents on the gallon and the utilities raised their rates. It costs me more now, than it did before." The congressman didn't have anything else to say. The assistant who was supposed to be taking notes smiled and winked at Richard as he left the office.
Richard Parham went to war for his God and Country. He welcomes the opportunity to tell any bureaucrat or bureaucracy why he was willing to serve. "I went for freedom, yes freedom. I went for my family and all the families. I went to war and experienced all the atrocities so no one could tell me what to do or how to do it as long is it does no damage to one of my neighbors. I try to help my neighbors and above all, I am for real peace."
EXPERIENCE SINCE 1986
In 1986, Richard visited Biltmore Industries to reminisce and reflect.
He talked with some of the employees and was informed of an opening.
This was a part-time position as Homespun Museum attendant. Being retired, Richard had some spare time and thought it might be interesting to return to the place he had begun, so many years before. He talked with the manager and began working some on weekends. "It was as if a weaver's knot had been tied. His thread was once again on the shuttle."
Because of past experience, Richard is perfect for the job. His first-hand knowledge allows visitors a genuine encounter with history..
Harry Blomberg was the owner and in poor health when Richard came back. He regrets that he did not have the opportunity to talk with Mr. Blomberg about the Industries. Richard feels sorry that he didn't get to
tell Mr. Blomberg how clearly he remembers getting to see the movies as a young boy because of him, and, how big the quarters were to a youngster, at that special time.
After a while, Richard began working more hours and also helping some with maintenance.
Richard feels deep gratitude that this history of the Biltmore Industries has been kept for posterity. He has an understanding and knowledge of his surroundings that is only his to share. He considers it a great privilege to be at the Industries.
THOSE IN CHARGE
In making his living, Richard Parham has only known work. He has been a loyal employee to many good people. He earned some of his first quarters from Harry Blomberg. He earned a position at Biltmore Industries from Fred Seely. Mr. Post, at the foundry, was a good man to work for. Other supervisors at Hicks Mfg. and Stencil Corp. could depend on Richard to do his job. Richard had many good leaders in the Army.
With all his experience, Richard does not hesitate to say that Buddy, Marilyn, Barbara, Sherry and Vanessa make the work environment, as good as it can get. Richard has learned what to appreciate and he appreciates those who care about people, more than anything. Richard appreciates being allowed to continue being part of Biltmore Industries.
SUMMATION
Richard's father taught him at a very young age to give a day's work for a day's pay. This is his basic philosophy.
All types of visitors enjoy the museums. One afternoon, two couples came up the road and were a "boisterous" lot. They most likely had been into the Wild Turkey and were the kind of folks who have a good time at others expense.
Richard greeted the visitors and one said, "How are you?"
"Pretty good," was Richard's reply.
The guy who spoke then said smartly, "Pretty good huh, well, what good have you done lately?" The others in the group snickered at the question.
Richard didn't have to think what he should say, the message poured out of him. In just a few well-structured words, he preached a most powerful sermon.
Richard looked the man straight in the eye. " I have been reading my Bible every day for the last forty years. The Bible tells me that Only God is Good. I try to live, only as The Good I know, would have me."
Four, over blown balloons, suddenly had a pin stuck in them. Their pompous nature became very humble. They walked through the museums very carefully and only spoke in whispers. They gave a nice donation and left with seriousness instead of silliness.
The fire he holds and the light it shines is his, and he shares it generously with everyone.