Jerry Bledsoe (born 1941) is an American author and journalist known for several true crime titles based on murders in his native state of North Carolina.
His journalism career, which spanned over 20 years, included newspaper work the North Carolina Cities of Kannapolis, Charlotte, and Greensboro and work at Esquire magazine. Bledsoe also contributes investigative reports to the Rhinoceros Times, including a multi-part series detailing the controversies surrounding the Greensboro Police Department.
His first published book was the stock car book The World's Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book published by Doubleday in 1975. His Book Bitter Blood was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted as a television movie. Bledsoe established Down Home Press to publish books about North Carolina.
He and his wife, Linda, live in Randolph County, North Carolina. (from Wikipedia)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Jerome Davis - Famous People from Randolph County
Jerome Davis
"World Champion Bull Rider"
The following information about Mr. Davis is from his web site http://www.jeromedavis.com/meet_jerome.asp
"Jerome was born on August 10, 1972 in Colorado Springs, CO where his father was stationed in the military. Six months after his birth, he and his family moved back to Archdale, NC to the Davis Family Ranch where he grew up and still lives today.
Hobbies and interests growing up included racing motorcross, hunting and fishing, and following NASCAR. Of course, his biggest interest was bull riding in the rodeo. When asked as young child what he wanted to become when he grew up, Jerome always responded, "I want to be a bull rider".
Jerome rode his first bull at the age of eleven. He didn't stay on for the full 8 seconds, but knew at that point he was going to be a bull rider. When riding just his fourth bull, he was able to make it for the full eight seconds. He participated in 12-15 rodeos per year.
Jerome won his first buckle as a freshmen in High School. He also roped calves and team roped during his High School days. He rode in the 1989 National High School Finals in Pueblo, Colorado(see the Photo Gallery) and was named the North Carolina State Rodeo Champion in 1990.
Jerome attended Odessa Junior College in Odessa, Texas. As a freshman, he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Bull Riding Championship. After his freshman year of college in 1992, Jerome took his bull riding to the next level and turned pro- joining the PRCA.
In 1993, during a PRCA Event in Del Rio, Texas, Jerome was cast in his first movie as a stunt double for Luke Perry in the movie "Eight Seconds" (see the Photo Gallery).
Jerome's shining moment was in 1995 when he became the 1995 PRCA World Bull Riding Champion. He continued to rip through PRCA and PBR. He was ranked in the top five each year in the PRCA since 1993 and was a National Finals qualifier since '94 in the PBR(more Career Stats).
Tragedy struck on March 14, 1998, when Jerome was thrown from a bull breaking his neck. The injury left him with paralysis from the chest down (more about The Accident). Although Jerome is paralyzed, nothing can keep him down. He is a true inspiration of how you should live your life and keep moving forward with a positive outlook. He inspired his wife Tiffany, as they were married October 17, 1998. He also inspired the PBR- as he was awarded the "Ring of Honor" during the 1998 PBR Finals.
Jerome continues to contribute his part in the bull riding circuit. He is a Stock Contractor, contracting some of the toughest bulls in the PBR. He continues to make personal appearences at events and socials. Throughout his career, Jerome has been profiled in many magazines (People, Sports Illustrated, etc...) and has made several television appearances on shows such as Disovery, Extra and TNN with Gary Chapman. Jerome hosts his own Rodeo every year in August, The Jerome Davis Invitational, at the Davis family Ranch in Archdale, North Carolina."
"World Champion Bull Rider"
The following information about Mr. Davis is from his web site http://www.jeromedavis.com/meet_jerome.asp
"Jerome was born on August 10, 1972 in Colorado Springs, CO where his father was stationed in the military. Six months after his birth, he and his family moved back to Archdale, NC to the Davis Family Ranch where he grew up and still lives today.
Hobbies and interests growing up included racing motorcross, hunting and fishing, and following NASCAR. Of course, his biggest interest was bull riding in the rodeo. When asked as young child what he wanted to become when he grew up, Jerome always responded, "I want to be a bull rider".
Jerome rode his first bull at the age of eleven. He didn't stay on for the full 8 seconds, but knew at that point he was going to be a bull rider. When riding just his fourth bull, he was able to make it for the full eight seconds. He participated in 12-15 rodeos per year.
Jerome won his first buckle as a freshmen in High School. He also roped calves and team roped during his High School days. He rode in the 1989 National High School Finals in Pueblo, Colorado(see the Photo Gallery) and was named the North Carolina State Rodeo Champion in 1990.
Jerome attended Odessa Junior College in Odessa, Texas. As a freshman, he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association's Bull Riding Championship. After his freshman year of college in 1992, Jerome took his bull riding to the next level and turned pro- joining the PRCA.
In 1993, during a PRCA Event in Del Rio, Texas, Jerome was cast in his first movie as a stunt double for Luke Perry in the movie "Eight Seconds" (see the Photo Gallery).
Jerome's shining moment was in 1995 when he became the 1995 PRCA World Bull Riding Champion. He continued to rip through PRCA and PBR. He was ranked in the top five each year in the PRCA since 1993 and was a National Finals qualifier since '94 in the PBR(more Career Stats).
Tragedy struck on March 14, 1998, when Jerome was thrown from a bull breaking his neck. The injury left him with paralysis from the chest down (more about The Accident). Although Jerome is paralyzed, nothing can keep him down. He is a true inspiration of how you should live your life and keep moving forward with a positive outlook. He inspired his wife Tiffany, as they were married October 17, 1998. He also inspired the PBR- as he was awarded the "Ring of Honor" during the 1998 PBR Finals.
Jerome continues to contribute his part in the bull riding circuit. He is a Stock Contractor, contracting some of the toughest bulls in the PBR. He continues to make personal appearences at events and socials. Throughout his career, Jerome has been profiled in many magazines (People, Sports Illustrated, etc...) and has made several television appearances on shows such as Disovery, Extra and TNN with Gary Chapman. Jerome hosts his own Rodeo every year in August, The Jerome Davis Invitational, at the Davis family Ranch in Archdale, North Carolina."
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Richard Petty - Famous People from Randolph County
Here is information about Richard Petty from http://www.answers.com/topic/richard-petty
* Born: 2 July 1937
* Birthplace: Level Cross, North Carolina
* Best Known As: Seven-time winner of the Daytona 500
Richard Petty is known to NASCAR fans as "The King" and as the driver of "Ol' 43." He became a record-breaking legend over three decades of auto racing. Petty, the son of driver Lee Petty, drove his first professional race in 1958. In 1959 he was named Rookie of the Year, and over his lengthy career he won 200 NASCAR races. He also won the Daytona 500 seven times and won the Winston Cup championship seven times (a record later equalled by Dale Earnhardt). Over time Petty became a media icon, known almost as much for his cowboy hats and wraparound sunglasses as for his exploits on the track. He retired from driving in 1992, but continued in the sport as the owner of Petty Racing. After retiring, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the U.S.'s highest civilian award.
Petty's son Kyle also became a professional auto racer... Richard's grandson Adam Petty (the son of Kyle) was 19 years old when he was killed on 12 May 2000 during a practice run at New Hampshire International Speedway... Richard Petty was the 1996 Republican candidate for secretary of state in North Carolina, but lost to Democrat Elaine Marshall... Petty added his voice to the 2006 Pixar animated film Cars, playing the champion car known as "The King."
I actually grew up down the road from Mr. Petty, yet never actually saw him until I lived in Winston-Salem during collage and saw him at a car store I work at. He was there about a car he'd purchased for his wife. That time I still didn't meet him, only saw him. Everyone always says he is the nicest guy to talk to.
* Born: 2 July 1937
* Birthplace: Level Cross, North Carolina
* Best Known As: Seven-time winner of the Daytona 500
Richard Petty is known to NASCAR fans as "The King" and as the driver of "Ol' 43." He became a record-breaking legend over three decades of auto racing. Petty, the son of driver Lee Petty, drove his first professional race in 1958. In 1959 he was named Rookie of the Year, and over his lengthy career he won 200 NASCAR races. He also won the Daytona 500 seven times and won the Winston Cup championship seven times (a record later equalled by Dale Earnhardt). Over time Petty became a media icon, known almost as much for his cowboy hats and wraparound sunglasses as for his exploits on the track. He retired from driving in 1992, but continued in the sport as the owner of Petty Racing. After retiring, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the U.S.'s highest civilian award.
Petty's son Kyle also became a professional auto racer... Richard's grandson Adam Petty (the son of Kyle) was 19 years old when he was killed on 12 May 2000 during a practice run at New Hampshire International Speedway... Richard Petty was the 1996 Republican candidate for secretary of state in North Carolina, but lost to Democrat Elaine Marshall... Petty added his voice to the 2006 Pixar animated film Cars, playing the champion car known as "The King."
I actually grew up down the road from Mr. Petty, yet never actually saw him until I lived in Winston-Salem during collage and saw him at a car store I work at. He was there about a car he'd purchased for his wife. That time I still didn't meet him, only saw him. Everyone always says he is the nicest guy to talk to.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Gold in Randolph County! - Maps
There's gold in them there hills, we'll at least according to this 1896 map I found. Here is the link. Below is the map zoomed in to Randolph County. The red dots are supposed to be gold deposits. This map is titled "Preliminary Map Showing Location of Principal Gold Deposits in North Carolina" and is "From the records of the state Geological Survey. [Raleigh]: N.C. Geological Survey, 1896. (Baltimore, Md. : Lith. by A. Hoen & Co.). NCC call number Cm912g G618n."
Friday, August 14, 2009
Topographical Maps - Maps of Randolph County
I've always liked these maps. I'm not sure why. Sometimes they can be used to identify the distant hill you can see from a certain vantage point. Or, you can also see the general lay of the land around your area of interest. Below is a topographic map of Asheboro, NC. This link takes you to the U.S. Geological Survey Store where you can select any location and either order or download for free the maps available for that region. Its a neat tool.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Randolph GIS - Maps of Randolph County
One thing I've been thoroughly impressed with about Randolph County is it's online GIS (Geographic Information System). The Randolph GIS is basically a map that collects all kinds of county information that is comprised mostly of county records and county tax records. As the Randolph GIS site says "Our system is a collaborative effort of the Randolph County Computer Services, Tax, Addressing, Planning and Development, and Elections Departments and is designed to provide citizen access to real property information such as ownership, assessment, and parcel mapping."
You can check out property lines and tax information on houses. The system is very useful if you are shopping for real estate or housing. The property details page even has a picture of the house you may be shopping for. You can find info that in times past could only be found by taking a trip to the county tax office, county courthouse, or county office (who knows which). If you navigate to the GIS main page be sure to click on the "Access Randolph County GIS" link at the top or bottom of the page to access the system. Or this link will take you there too.
Here is a screenshot of what the Randolph County GIS page looks like once you've accessed the system.
You can check out property lines and tax information on houses. The system is very useful if you are shopping for real estate or housing. The property details page even has a picture of the house you may be shopping for. You can find info that in times past could only be found by taking a trip to the county tax office, county courthouse, or county office (who knows which). If you navigate to the GIS main page be sure to click on the "Access Randolph County GIS" link at the top or bottom of the page to access the system. Or this link will take you there too.
Here is a screenshot of what the Randolph County GIS page looks like once you've accessed the system.
Maps of Randolph County
Maps are a helpful genre of artwork, maybe more helpful to some than to others. It is amazing the plethora of maps available for a given locale. Randolph County deserves to have an online place where its maps can be located. I've hated trying to find a certain map I've viewed before and have a hard time finding it. I'll find it again and link to it here. Over the next little bit I'll discover many of the maps showing Randolph County and put directions to them here.
To start with, there is good ol Google. Here is the Google map of Randolph County, NC.
View Larger Map
To start with, there is good ol Google. Here is the Google map of Randolph County, NC.
View Larger Map
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