The WATAUGA DEMOCRAT was and (I believe) still is the local newspaper for Watauga County, North Carolina. I found a website that has scanned their weekly issues from August 22, 1888 to December 28, 1922. Most issues (that I have looked through) are only 4 pages. As would be expected, it covers world and local events. BUT, it also covers "local" news (pg 3). This section includes stories such as births, deaths, want ads, homes for sale, who is on vacation, who drove through town, who is visiting who, and even who shot a 23lb turkey. Pretty much covers every aspect of life in Watauga County. It was in the local news section that I found the obituary/death notice of my GGG Grandfather Smith W. Coffey. I hope someone else will find this helpful with their search!

The site is: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82007642/