Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 23, 1995 TAG: 9511240007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For 50 years, Charlsie Lester owned the antebellum Yellow Sulphur Springs resort at the edge of town, where Confederate generals and Southern gentry once came to take the healing waters of mountain springs. Nearly two years ago, Lester died, and the contents of her home and hotel go on the block Saturday at 9 a.m. sharp. The auction will be held at the Holiday Inn in Blacksburg.
"There are many items," said auctioneer Carl McNeil. "It'll be a long day."
Walnut furniture, old washing bowls and pitchers - even a Victorian fainting couch are for sale. And don't forget the 1950 Chrysler New Yorker, purchased new.
During his visit to the hotel to look over the contents, McNeil discovered a yellowing flier that advertised the public sale in which Lester bought out her sister's half of the resort back in 1941. Their father had purchased Yellow Sulphur Springs, which had closed for business in 1923.
Lester rented many of the cottages on the property to students at old VPI. In the early '70s, Gibson Worsham rode his bike from Squires' Student Center out to the former spa, ended up renting a cottage, and has lived there ever since. He now owns his cottage, courtesy of the Lester will.
"It's real nostalgic to see a lot of [her] things," Worsham said.
Like "all the stuff from her kitchen," where he used to settle in for a talk. Look for it at auction.
As for the resort property itself, the gentleman named in Lester's estate still has his option to buy, said Lester's niece and executrix, Edith Allen Amend.
"My aunt wanted it to be an oasis" for Montgomery County, Amend said.
by CNB