Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-05-08

RAStSNN3 040 VANA @0SNS ~ 49, ~
lation with the Hotel Committee and also
drawing attention to some of the opportuni-
ties In the industrial, Horticultural and agri-
cultural lines In Western North Carolina.
This book proved immensely popular from
the start, and was quickly absorbed by a pub
lie whose interest was further aroused by a
campaign of judicious newspaper advertis-
ing throughout the entire south and south
west, which was still further stimulated by
the appearance on billboards In the most
prominent cities of the States of Alabama,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ken
lucky, Louisiana, Mississippi Missouri, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee,
poster, containing a wonderfully realistic
colored portrayal of a typical mountain scene
in Western North Carolina, depicting all
phases of enjoyment offered to tourists, to-
gether with pictures of the principal hotels.
Although it win be remembered the season
of 1912 started inrmost iuanspiciously, ac-
companied by long drawn out cold, wet,
weather, that promised disappointment and
9chagrin to- our people, aaxigerous personal
campaign was continued by Mr.. Cohen well
into the month of May, with results that
proved beyond question the wisdom of the
formation of the Association, and its4appoint-
ment of MIR. Cohen to guide its sdestinies as
manager, for it is a~n2established fact that,
Notwithstanding the ~lateness of the season,
and the added detriment OF, the heavy. losses
sustained through disastrous foods by resi-
dentssin sections of the country from which
our summer tourists, never before IN. the his
tory of Western North Carolina had so many
people been gathered together to enjoy its
pleasures of climate and landscape.
The energetic action of the Association
seemed to electrify all at interest, and it is
certain that during the spring and summer
months of 1912 more money was expended in
advertising Western North Carolina than
had ever been expended in any one year pre-
viously.
Some scepticism was expressed regarding
the efficacy of the large Autograph poster as
an advertising medium, but this was quickly
set at rest when reports began to be received
of the widespread interest it caused, one
reporting that on landing from the
steamer at Savannah with no intention Of
visiting "The Land of the Sky" he was un-
able to pass a given point owing to the crowd
assembled before a window in which was dis
played one Of these huge sheets.
A rather unique testimony to the value of
the poster as an advertising medium was the
request of the largest department store in
the south, Messrs. Miller r Rhodes of Rich
mond, Va, for the privilege of using the
poster as a window background for a display
of sporting and camping material, and this
followed ply requests from many other
similar establishments, who used the poster,
and expressed satisfaction with results. while
results to Western North Carolina can
hardly be estimated.
Imitation is the sincerest form of fattery.
and a Western Railroad company showed its
appreciation of the, poster by asking for a
complete copy, and information a sto wheer
it was produced. There is no doubt but that
this poster proved a strong factor in the wave !.
OF prosperity that was inaugurated in Wes-
tern North Carolina in the spring of 1912,
and which has continued with unabated
yigor, and lends to the future a roseate hue.
Mr.. S. Hardwick, Traffic Passenger Mana
ger of the Southern Railway, who has been
with publicity work for over 81
years stated that it was the most unique and
effective piece of advertising he. had ever
seen, while Mr.. Finley, President Of the road,
expressed his strongest appreciation of it. It
would be impossible in a brief space to enum-
crate the expressions of praise that this ad.
vertising brought forth.
During the summer of 1912 the various
e