Monday, October 30, 2017

Look Into the Flames on Halloween Night, See Your Sweetheart and Your Bride to Be


Local News From Rockingham, Magnum, Pee Dee, Ellerby, 1922

Local news from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, October 19, 1922

Minor T. Hinson will give up his position in the Savings Bank the last of this month and will go to Hamlet and assist in the Garner & Hinson Co. store for two or more months in order to familiarize himself more with the clothing and haberdashery business. He and T.C. Leak expect to open a similar business in Rockingham shortly after the New Year.

A chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was formed at Wadesboro last week with 35 charter members.

Tom Linton of Waycross, Ga., came here Sunday for a week. He has just recovered from two weeks’ illness from fever.

Addie May, 9-year-old daughter of Mr. Wayne Diggs, was operated upon at Stokes Hospital, Salisbury, October 11th, for appendicitis.

Mrs. G.G. Terry went to Raleigh Tuesday to attend the State Fair. She visited her daughter, Mrs. C.L. Andrews, at 536 North Blount St.

Pickpockets are no respecter of persons. A light-fingered artist touched Rev. W.M. Gilmore of Sanford for his purse in the Raleigh Union Depot crowd Saturday afternoon.

The Woman’s Missionary Union of the Pee Dee association met in its 28th annual session on October 5-6 with the Laurinburg Baptist church. Mrs. Lila L. Henry of Wadesboro presided.

Messrs. Claude Gore, Ozmer L. Henry, Bruce Benton, William Pittman and Baxter Rogers went from here to Charlotte last Saturday to attend the Davidson-Wake Forest football game. It was a tie, 6-6.

Veteran Sip Hart, who will be 90 years old next April 9th, is feeling good over the fact that a cancerous growth on his hand had been removed. It was under radium treatment of Dr. James at Hamlet Hospital.

The County Home of Anson county will now be run under a different system. The County Commissioners will employ a manager and pay him a salary to run the farm and look after the inmates. By the old system the home was “hired out.”

Mr. J.A. Stewart of Atlanta spent the week-end here with his daughter, Mrs. J. Addison Lambeth. Mr. Stewart formerly lived in Detroit, but for the past seven years has lived in Atlanta where he is president of the Ludden and Bates Piano Co.

Mrs. J. LeGrand Everett and Miss Easdale Shaw attended on the 11th and 12th the meeting of the committee at Raleigh on Interracial Relations. Mrs. Everett is on the state and her denominational committee, and Miss Shaw is on her denominational committee.

Ralph Hunsworth returned to Rockingham Sunday. He left here August 1st and in his travels went as far as Chicago. His friends are glad to see him back here; his singing will be a distinct addition to the music circles of the community. He has gone to work, driving a truck for the Hedrick Construction Company, and will also sing at the two Gardens—Bennettsville and Rockingham.

Sarah Wayne, 6-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Diggs, fell from her pony last Thursday and broke a bone in her arm; she suffered a similar fall about two years ago from the same pony, breaking the same arm in a different place. The arm was temporarily set last Friday and on Sunday she was carried to Charlotte so that a bone specialist could permanently set it.

“Cyclone Mack” last Sunday closed a four weeks’ revival in Richmond.

Mr. A.T. White brought the Post-Dispatch a Keiffer pear Wednesday that weighed an even two pounds.

Ledbetter school will open next Monday, 23rd. Mr. Don Culberson is principal.

The U.D.C. will meet on Monday, Oct. 23rd, at 3 o’clock at the home of Mrs. R.R. Simmons.

Born Sunday at noon, Oct. 15th to Mr. and Mrs. Ozmer L. Henry, a daughter, Sara Dockery.

Born on Thursday night, Oct. 12th, to Mr. and Mrs. Fairly Long, a daughter, Cora Stansill.

Miss Mary Louise Everett went to Raleigh Sunday night to attend a house party this week at the home of Mrs. Charles E. Johnson.

The mid-day Seaboard trains, which were taken off during the strike, are to be put back on, the first train running Nov. 1st. No. 31 will arrive at 1:08 and No. 34 at 12:35.

Wm. Harry Entwistle left Wednesday night for Greenville, S.C., to attend the textile exposition which runs from 19th to 25th. J.W. Jenkins and J.W. Porter planned to go today.

Instructor J.B. Lawrence Monday night carried ten of the Rockingham school boys to Raleigh to compete in the state-wide judging of livestock at the Fair. In the number were three of the Post-Dispatch after-school helpers, Jack, Willie and Bob Covington.

Cards have been received here by friends announcing the marriage of Miss Viola Odom at Raleigh to Mr. Paul V. Finch of Spartanburg, October 16th. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. W.P. Odom, who formerly lived here but who now lives in Raleigh.

The Methodist Orphanage Singing class was in Hamlet Sunday night, giving their entertainment at the Methodist church. Ralph Thomas, one of our town boys, being a member of the class, came over from Hamlet for a short visit, leaving early Monday morning for Henderson to play on Orphanage team against Henderson.

The Troy-Rockingham jitney bus line will hereafter be continued on through to Hamlet. The bus arrives here from Troy at 12:30, and leaves Rockingham Hotel for Hamlet at 4. Returning, it leaves Hamlet Terminal Hotel at 2, arrive here at 2:30, and taking on passengers leave at once on the return trip to Ellerby and Troy. The fare from Rockingham to Hamlet is 50 cents and Rockingham to Ellerby, 50 cents.

Three Haywood brothers, H.A., J.T., and Z.R., with their nephew Neill, drove to Columbia Saturday to visit their sister, Mrs. J.V. Davis, returning to the county Sunday. Mr. Davis, it will be recalled, was the superintendent of the Richland county home near Columbia and was killed last may 28th with a shotgun by one of the white inmates. The man was afterwards tried and sentenced to the pen for life.

Dr. Platt W. Covington, who, until recently was in charge of public health activities of the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation on the Pacific Coast, is now living at 913 North Charles St., Baltimore, Md., where he is pursuing a course leading to the degree of Doctor of Public Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Hygiene, a fellowship and study leave having been granted him for that purpose by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Mr. A.L. McDonald went to Lumberton and Elizabethtown for two days on business.

Mrs. W.C. Leak went to Raleigh Monday to be a guest at the Governor’s Mansion during Fair Week. 

Mrs. Leak was a guest at the breakfast on Tuesday morning given by Governor Morrison in honor of Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt and General Pershing.

Henry Steele, who is attending the A.E. College in Raleigh [N.C. State University], spent the week-end here with is parents.

Mrs. Fred Bynum, who has been spending 10 days with friends in Greenville, has returned to her home.

Sammie Corpening, who has been undergoing treatment at the hospital in Statesville, and staying in the meantime with his aunt, Mrs. Furches, has returned to Rockingham much improved to the delight of his many friends.

Mrs. John Watts and Miss Lillian Long spent several days in Charlotte last week.

Mrs. Katherine Horan of Washington City, mother of Mrs. Steele Lowdermilk, is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Lowdermilk for several weeks.

Mrs. Paul Allen and Miss Edith Ree of Charlotte were week-end guests of Miss Mamie Steele at her home on Washington street.

Mrs. T.A. Covington was called to the bedside of her sister, Mrs. James Beckham of Leesville, S.C., last week. Mrs. Covington returned to Rockingham Sunday night; Mrs. Beckham’s condition was much improved.

Miss Susanne Pegues arrived from Greenville, S.C., Monday night. She will be maid of honor at the Hammond-Peagues wedding October 26th.

Several homes in Rockingham were either robbed Monday afternoon and night or attempts at robbery were made. The home of W.N. Everett was entered during the afternoon and a gold watch stolen, together with a five dollar bill from Mrs. Payne’s purse. Later in the afternoon a strange negro was seen to jump from a window of the H.C. Wall residence, but it is not known whether he had gotten anything. That same night Mrs. Raeford Terry, who was in the rear of her home, heard someone tipping about in the front of the house. She ran from the rear and gave alarm, but when help came no one was fund there, nor apparently had anything been misplaced.

The Parent-Teachers association of the Zion school will give an oyster supper Friday night, 20th, at the school for the benefit of the athletic association. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Marriage Licenses

Oct. 12: Eugene Stanton and Laura Burt, colored.

Oct. 12: Royal Tyson and Lily Ingram, colored.

Oct. 14: Connie Morrison and Flossie Hailey, colored.

Oct. 14: Fulton Jackson and Betsey Simms, colored.

Oct. 18: James P. Johnson and Martha Smith, colored.

Magnum Items by Bobolink

Mrs. N.B. Stutts of Mt. Gilead spent the week-end in the community.

The Epworth League held its regular meeting at the home of Mr. D.N. Currie Sunday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Smith returned to their home Friday after an extended visit to the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Smith.

Rev. A.J. Groves spent Sunday night at the home of Mr. W.P. Johnson.

Mr. W.C. Lisk and family spent Saturday afternoon in Wadesboro.

The school children rendered a very interesting program on Mothers’ Day at the school house on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Nearly all the mothers were present to enjoy the program.

Misses Kate Johnson and Lena Harris spent Saturday in Mt. Gilead.

A social event of very much interest was the meeting of the Ladies’ Missionary society at the home of Mrs. Claudine Dockery Thursday, October 12th. Among those present aside from the regular members were Rev. and Mrs. Lacy L. Little, returned missionaries form China, and a bunch of young people representing the Epworth League. The program, which was a splendid one, was followed by some beneficial and very appropriate remarks by Mr. Little. Cake, cream, sandwiches and other dainties were served at the end of the program.

Shown at The Garden theatre, Friday and Saturday of this week, moving pictures of the cornerstone laying Oct. 11th.

Pee Dee No. 2 Items

Mr. Alex McQueen and Mrs. Rufus Wallace left Sunday morning for Raleigh to attend the State Fair.

Quite a number of girls and boys enjoyed a moonlight picnic Tuesday night; the crowd was chaperoned by Mr. J.D. Hardy and Mr. Holmes Collins.

Mr. Henry Morse is this week having his house painted.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Welch have a case of whooping cough in their home.

The girls and boys of Pee Dee No. 2 have organized a basketball team.

We are all glad to see that Mr. W.T. Tally is able to be out again.


Sorry to note that little Henry Baldwin is on the sick lest this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Young and little daughter returned from Mt. Gilead Tuesday.

Miss Lula McKenzie is now working at Rose’ 10 Cent store.

                                --Smiles

Pee Dee No. 1 Items

Messrs. David and Jim Garrett have bought out the Billy Lassiter grocery store.

Sorry to say that Miss Viola Gillis is on the sick week this week; also Mrs. J.M. Bowles.

Mr. J.W. Maske was a pleasant visitor at his brother’s, Mr. Preston Maske, Sunday.

Mr. James Parsons of Capel’s Mill was visiting his daughters here last week.

Mr. E.M. Lomax was a visitor in our section Wednesday.

Miss Glenna Davis is sick with tonsillitis.

Mrs. C.C. Reynolds and children were pleasant visitors at Mrs. S.R. Davis’ Sunday.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Braswell, a son, D.M. Jr.

Miss Edna Gibson of Hannah-Pickett was visiting in our section Saturday and Sunday.

A protracted meeting started at the M.E. church Sunday night; services being conducted by Mr. Freeman.

Ellerby News

The Athletic association has elected Mr. W.N. Hicks as president. The association considers itself very fortunate in securing such a capable leader.

Miss Nell Wilson has returned to Ellerbe to take charge of the primary work again, after two weeks absence on account of illness.

The senior class called a meeting last week and elected Paul Caudle president of the class.

Mr. Glazner and a part of the agricultural boys went to Raleigh last Monday to attend the State Fair.

Mr. T.C. Leak of Rockingham gave an interesting talk last Monday morning on “How to Make Money Grow.” The talk was enjoyed immensely by all.

In the first game of the season on the local gridiron Ellerbe decisively defeated Laurinburg by the score of 51-6. The maroon and old gold boys were unmerciful in their onslaught on the lighter Laurinburg eleven during the first half, piling up a total of 44 points. Several times Price went over for a touchdown with as many as three men swinging to him. “Red” Spivey, star tackler, was successful in scoring his first touchdown in his football career. To begin the second half, Coach Sides put his second team on the field but Laurinburg was able to score on them but one time. Pete Smith was the star of the second team. He was never in Laurinburg’s way but once, he accidentally ran against one of their men, trying to keep out of the way of another, knocking him out. He was very careful not to get in any line plays as he is very much opposed to “piling on” when he is on the bottom. The man who scored Laurinburg’s only touchdown went right by where Pete had been a second before, he was very successful in keeping out of their way. The first team took the field again to play the final eight minutes and ran the score to 51-6.

Mr. W.N. Hicks, one of the teachers of the high school, spent the week-end with relatives at Wagram.

The Ladies’ auxiliary of the Presbyterian church sold candy and cake at Mr. A.D. Spivey’s office Saturday afternoon. They cleared the sum of $33.13.

Mr. D.T. Meeks spent the week-end here with relatives.

Rev. and Mrs. Rourk and children are visiting Mrs. Rourk’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Black of Charlotte.

Mrs. Docia McCormick and little daughter, of Star, are visiting relatives in town this week.

Miss McLeod and Miss McCallum, two of the teachers, are taking care of the manse this week during the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Rourk.

Mr. Will Williams left Sunday to visit Mrs. Williams, who is in the hospital at High Point. Mrs. Williams has just undergone a very serious operation and is getting along nicely.


Mrs. T.A. Shaw is spending this week with relatives at Charlotte and Hendersonville.

Mr. T.E. Howie spent Monday and Tuesday at Waxhaw on business.

Mr. Cheek and Mr. Sykes of Elon spent the week-end with Mr. Cheek, who is one of the high school teachers.

Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Farlow spent Sunday with Mr. Rolf Farlow at Star.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Statesville Sentinal Endorses R.L. Doughton, 1914

Statesville Sentinal Endorses R.L. Doughton, October, 1914

Practically every one in this congressional district knows Hon. R.L. Doughton who ably represents it in Congress. He is a worker, a tireless worker for his district and people, his state and national, and is a sterling democrat.

Congressman Doughton is a farmer and business man by profession. He was appointed a member of the Board of Agriculture by Governor Aycock in 1903 and served six years. He was appointed a member of the board of directors of the state prison by Gov. Kitchen in 1909 and served until the beginning of his term in Congress, March 4, 1911. In these difficult positions he drew wide attention for his earnest and able work.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1908.

In 1910 he was elected to the 62nd Congress. He served on the committee on banking and currency and expenditures in the Department of Agriculture, winning the commendation of his associates. He was again elected to the 63rd Congress. He is chairman of the Committee on expenditures in the Agriculture Department, also a member of the committee on Roads and committee on Education. He is trying to make a specialty of pushing good roads legislation, and is a commanding figure in congress in that work. He is also deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare and uplift of the agricultural interests of the country.

Congressman Doughton, all over his district is recognized as a man who is deeply devoted to the advancement and betterment of our farmers, seeking always to aid in very move which will aid them. The latch string of his door in Washington is always outside.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Red Cross Public Health Nurses at Work in United States, 1922

 “Red Cross Winning in Fight for Health,” from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, October 12, 1922

Better, Stronger Citizenry Now Emerging Out of Work in United States

The American Red Cross as an evangelist of better health has looked its problem square in the face. 

How it accepted the task revealed to it in the nation’s physical condition as brought out during the World War, and conscientiously applied its activities to correct forms a vivid chapter in the forthcoming annual report. Historically and practically, nursing is basic work for the Red Cross. In its public health nursing service, in instruction in home hygiene and care of the sick, nutrition classes, first aid and life saving courses and health centers, the American Red Cross is applying effectually the lessons learned during the war and making for a healthier, stronger and better nourished citizenry.

The task of the Red Cross Public Health nurse in the 1,200 nursing services now operating throughout the country instructing their communities in health essentials and disease prevention is demonstrating the possibilities of human betterment and the great benefits of enlightenment.

During the last year 313 new public health nursing services were established by Red Cross Chapters, and several hundred services so convincingly proved their effectiveness that they were taken over by public authorities. In order to promote this work, $30,000 was allotted to provide women to prepare themselves for public nursing. The home visits made by the 1,240 nurses aggregated nearly 1,500,000, visits to schools numbered 140,000, and in six months 1,250,000 school children were inspected by these nurses and where defects were found advised examination by physicians. In rural communities this service has made a very marked advance and has won thousands of converts to approved methods of disease prevention.

In home hygiene and care of the sick, instruction fits the student in methods of proper care where illness is not so serious as to require professional service, the Red Cross conducted 3,884 classes during the last year, enrolled 2,356 instructors, 98,448 students and issued 42,656 certificates.

On June 30, 1922, nutrition service embraced 1,199 classes, with a total of 27,523 children and 2,589 enrolled dietitians. Seventy-eight food selection classes graduated 733 who received Red Cross certificates. In general health activities, Red Cross Chapters maintained 377 health centers, serving as many communities, provided 38,751 health lectures for large audiences everywhere, while clinics numbered over 10,000.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Shepherd Dugger Suggests Legislature Forbid Marriage of Cripples, People With Poor Vision, People Who Have Insanity in Family, 1914

From the Wagauga Democrat, Boone, N.C., October 22, 1914. “Cousin German” is an old-fashioned term for one’s first cousin.

From an economic view-point alone, the legislature of North Carolina should enact a stringent law against degenerating marriage. A large percentage of those under treatment in the State Hospital are the result of marriages that ought to have been prohibited by statues. Trace back the streaks of insanity in families; trace back the weak-eyed and cripples, and the one who has been so nervous from birth that it has taken the constant watchfulness of a faithful attendant to keep him from going to pieces—I say trace them back and see if they are not the offspring of parents who were closely related by blood.

Our State Legislators, when in session, are often spoken as “our Solons.” Have they merited the name? Who was Solon? He was the chiefest of the wise men of Greece. It was he who told Croesus, King of Lydia, that Tellus, a poor man who died leaving valuable children to his country was a happier man that he (Croesus) with all his gold and sumptuous furniture.

Have “our Solons” ever displayed such grit as that? No—they have created a statute forbidding a man to marry his niece, but permitting him to marry his first cousin, or cousin German. I repeat that a man’s niece is the same blood kin to him as his first cousin, but only half as much as his cousin German, and that the cousin German is the same kin as his sister, or the two parental brothers, may take back after different branches of the family.

But that does not better it, because in the second generation, the red-haired sister’s children will take after the dark-haired sister, and vice versa, showing that notwithstanding the difference in complexion, the blood is the same. But “our Solons” have never yet found it wise to stop men from marrying women who are the equivalent of their sisters.

Four years ago a high class member of the General Assembly introduced a bill to stop cousins from marrying, but other members—gentlemen, of course, by their positions—ridiculed the bill until it died in its infancy.

One of these members must have been a bachelor who had a rich cousin sweetheart; and another was unquestionably a father whose son was courting a wealthy cousin, or his daughter was being wooed by one, and of course a few web-footed and crazy children was nothing in the eyes of two modern Solons when compared with thousands of dollars to come in from the other sides of the two families.

The next time such a bill is opposed in the Legislature, just take it for granted that each member opposing it is either from a “cousin town,” or he is preparing to start a new one of his own.

Gov. Craig has put up a fight for better freight rates, better roads, and better prices for cotton—will he not espouse the cause of better children? Will he champion the passage of a law to stop degeneracy among his people and help them to tend towards the perfect man? Or will he and his successors continue to strain the resources of the State for tax money to support hospitals for that unfortunate class, that which results from imprudent marriages.

Plutarch, that most beautiful of ancient writers, tells us that one of the characteristic things that made Alexander great was his attention to little things.

Take care of the dimes and the dollars will take care of themselves. Take care of the blood of the State and the people will take care of themselves. But with continued neglect in North Carolina, finally one half of the people will have to take care of the other.

I have written these articles to benefit the people who have no more weaknesses than I, but who have at least one that I do not possess. Thanking the editor for publishing the same, and hoping there will be seed sown in good ground, I am
                Very sincerely yours, Shepherd M. Dugger

Henry Graves of Carthage to Work at Pinehurst Department Store, 1924

“Henry Graves Goes to Pinehurst” from the Friday, October 24, 1924, issue of The Pilot, Vass, N.C.

A recent addition to Pinehurst Department Store is Henry Graves of Carthage. Henry has grown up in the store business, and in going to the big store in Pinehurst he merely advances to a broader field. He has been popular as a merchant in his home town, and the management of the Pinehurst store called him over there because he was making good. Henry made an enviable name for himself in the army, as well as with the folks he was raised among.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Lakeview News from Vass Pilot, 1924

“Lakeview News” from the Friday, October 24, 1924, issue of The Pilot, Vass, N.C.

Mr. J.R. McQueen is away on a business trip to Richmond, Va.

Mesdames A.C. Cox and Guerney Richardson spent Friday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Hendren in Pinehurst.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd L. Woolley were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. McNeill Sunday.

Mr. Raymond Johnson was a caller in town Sunday evening.

Misses Helene Doughterty, Elsie Coffey, Alice Littlefield and Mrs. W.H. Coffey were visitors in Eureka Monday afternoon.

Mr. Richard Griffin of Hamlet was a pleasant visitor in town Sunday afternoon.

Misses Loula and Johnsie Eastwood, Messrs. Marvin Woodard Hiram McInnis and Steadman Ballard were the guests of Miss Ollie Seagroves of Farmville Sunday.

Miss Selma Smith had as callers Sunday afternoon Miss Vivian Mathews of Vass and Mr. Robert Leslie of N.C. State College.

Mr. J.B. Eastwood made a business trip to Sanford Tuesday.

Mesdames J.R. McQueen and W.H. McNeill spent Monday in Raleigh shopping.

Mr. Mayo of Hamlet has taken charge of the depot.

Miss Elsie had as her luncheon guest Mrs. Lloyd Woolley on Tuesday of this week.

The revival started last Monday night and an unusually large crowd attended. Mr. John Tyson is leading the singing, and now everybody knows that we are having excellent singing.

Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Blue and family visited Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McFadyen of Lobelia Sunday.

Mr. L.M. Seward is painting his house and fixing the grounds until it looks like a new place.

Messrs. Haywood and Thaddeus Fry of Carthage were visitors in town Sunday afternoon.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Gladys Avery Tillett, Former Vice Chair of Democratic National Committee, Campaigning for Gov. Adlai Stevenson, 1952

From Eleanor Roosevelt’s “My Day” column, published in various newspapers on October 28, 1952. She mentions North Carolinian Mrs. Charles Tillett in this column. Eleanor Roosevelt was, of course, the wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 
NEW YORK, Monday—I wonder if any of my readers have yet seen or heard any of the groups of volunteers and students who are campaigning for Gov. Adlai Stevenson in local "whistle stop" tours in key cities from coast to coast. There is a two-week drive in motion about which I heard from Mrs. India Edwards, vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee and director of the Women's Division. This particular project is being directed by Mrs. Charles W. Tillett of North Carolina, a former vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Between Mrs. Tillett and Al Lowenstein, former president of the National Students Association, this new idea in campaigning will add enormously to the activities during these last days before the election.
I have been interested in the mechanics of Governor Stevenson's campaign because, more than any campaign I can remember, this one has been managed and directed principally by volunteers and amateurs. The regular political organizations, so far as I can find out at least, have been less active than previously. And this may be a good thing, for if the organizations are wise they will look among those who have come willingly to work in this campaign and will pick out some new and enthusiastic workers to keep their organizations active the year round.
The United Defense Fund announced last week that American Relief for Korea, one of its member agencies, would renew its clothing collections on a large scale and that they would need large sums of money to process this clothing for shipment.
This is something in which all Americans will want to help. The story that touched me very deeply, however, was something that American G.I.s in Korea have done. The men out there contributed the money to buy the property on which the Maryknoll Sisters are operating a clinic in Pusan.
Half a world away from home, fighting for our freedom and that of the world, our boys are still materially better off than the Korean people. They see the hardships and the sorrows and the suffering and they have given what little they had to help alleviate this suffering.
Another angle to this story was very touching. This was that the Sisters of the clinic told how some of our soldiers would spend their off-duty hours helping out at the clinic because they could not bear to see the endless misery and suffering and decided on their own to pitch in and help.
It was the same way in Germany, in Japan, in every country where our men have fought and seen the people suffer. They disregarded the fact that they were enemies at war. And I am quite sure that if any of our men saw Communists, North Koreans, Chinese, even Russians suffering, they would not hesitate to relieve what suffering they could among these human beings.
It is one of the things that makes us trust the inherent goodness of the people of the United States, and I hope that nothing ever takes it away from us.
E. R.
(WORLD COPYRIGHT, 1952, BY UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART PROHIBITED.)
Eleanor Roosevelt, "My Day, October 28, 1952," The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Digital Edition (2017), accessed 10/21/2017, https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1952&_f=md002364.


Sunday, October 22, 2017

Train Cuts 2-Year-Old Morrisville Girl in Half, 1916

“Engine Cut Baby in Two,” originally published in the Greensboro News and reprinted in the Monroe Journal, October 31, 1916

Little One Turned Its Face and Looked Up as Engine Came Upon It

The story of a tragic death of a little child was filed away last night at headquarters of the division of the Southern Railway company here, in the report of the engineer who sat at the throttle of passenger train No. 139 from Goldsboro. The engineer was pulling into Morrisville, a small town 12 miles on the Greensboro side of Raleigh, yesterday afternoon, when he saw a little white bundle on the ties between the rails of the track upon which he was advancing, and he thought until almost upon it that it was a newspaper blown that way. As the locomotive advanced the little bundle twisted about and a tiny face was raised to stare into the eyes of the horrified trainman.

Then the knowledge that a baby lay there was too late. The airbrakes of course were applied and the train finally stopped with a jar which made the passengers know that something was wrong, but on one side of the rail lay the head and shoulders of the little body and on the other the remainder of it. The weight of the train had crushed the child virtually into two parts.

The baby was the 25-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Farmer, who live about 400 yards from the Southern right-of-way and about a half mile from the station at Morrisville. The child had wandered away in pursuit of some other children and tired of its rambles, had chosen the railroad track to rest. The baby was lying face downward on the crossties when the engineer first noticed it, but hearing the approaching train, and interested probably in the monster engine coming onward, the baby turned over, and, as was stated, raised its little head just in time to fall across the rail and receive the full force of the train.

The body of the child was carried to the home of its parents and the train came on to Greensboro shortly after 7 o’clock last night, bringing a saddened crew and passengers, who declared that the view of the child’s body lying mangled was the most horrible thing they had ever seen.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Kiwanians Fete Hickory Teachers, Lenoir College Faculty, 1922

“Teachers Night Observed by Kiwanians,” from the Hickory Daily Record, October 4, 1922.

With the faculty of Lenoir College and the teachers of the Hickory public schools as guests, the Kiwanis Club put on one of its big nights at its weekly dinner and spilled Pollyanna stuff left and right. Practically every place was occupied and some of the youngest newly-weds among the Kiwanians insisted that they were single as they sat with a pretty teacher on either side. He who did not enjoy his partner was without one—that’s all.

The evening started out with spirit. It was the first meeting at which Donald T. Applegate, the new president, has presided over in his official capacity and he did the honors in style. The company sang America, Dr. John C. Perry asked the divine blessing and the rest of the dinner hour was enlivened with song. Smiles went strong before the crowd packed up their troubles.

Ray Abernethy, who have Alfred Moretz credit for working out the details, had charge of the program. He asked the members of the college faculty and the teacher to introduce themselves and as the 60 or more arose they were greeted with a glad hand. The high school orchestra, good last year and better this year, furnished music and the young musicians were given a round of applause as they presented themselves.

The hall was prettily decorated for the occasion, streamers running from chandelier to chandelier, noise-makers and balloon furnished by Everette Johnson being in evidence, and the eateries, the Central Café, serving an unusually good meal.

Miss Rosa Lee Dixon drew the attendance prize. A song by Miss Bertha Deaton called for another and then Miss Virginia Allen sang one of Rob Roy Peery’s compositions, Mrs. R.S. Brown being at the piano.

President Peery spoke briefly of the work at the college, called attention to football practice and the game with Guilford Saturday and invited Hickory people to attend. He expressed his appreciation for the greater interest shown in the college by the community generally.

Dr. Peery was followed by Superintendent Carver of the city schools who expressed his thanks for the interest shown in the schools and the teachers.

Dr. R.L. Fritz, who has seen Lenoir College grow from a high school to a first class college, told of the beginnings of the institution, its gradual rise to a place of prominence in the educational life of the community and state and asserted that its larger growth was assured. He said that a graduate of the college may register for the graduate course at the University of North Carolina or any other southern university and that students from here invariably do well at the university.

Miss Bouchelle gave a pretty toast and the company adjourned.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Is North Carolina Tax Burden of $1.76 Per Inhabitant Worthwhile? 1916

“Where the Money Goes,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 31, 1916.

The burden for taxation for state support in North Carolina in 1915 averaged $1.76 per inhabitant. The average was less in only one state and greater in 46.

The figures range from $1.64 in South Carolina to $10.36 in Nevada, the average for the country-at-large being $3.85.

So reads census bureau Bulletin, The Financial Statistics of States, given to the public two weeks or so ago. It is a mine of information about the finances of North Carolina and every other state in the union.

What is covered by this $1.76 and what went with it in detail was a follows:

1.       Highways and Public Recreations, less than 1 cent.

2.       Public health and sanitation, 5 cents.

3.       Protection of person and property, 10 cents.

4.       Conservation and development of resources, 11 cents.

5.       General government—legislative, executive, judicial, 14 cents.

6.       General expenses—interest, outlays, etc., 25 cents.

7.       Charities, hospitals and corrections, 39 cents.

8.       Public education and libraries, 71 cents.

The figures are illuminating. The common notion is that tax money goes mainly to support office holders and their families, to keep fodder in the rack of the ringsters. It is an inveterate, and in places an incurable notion—or apparently.

As a matter of fact for every dollar or state revenue that goes to oil the machinery of state government in North Carolina, nine dollars come straight back to taxpayers for the education of our soldiers, our blind and deaf, the victims of tuberculosis, the insane and feeble minded, for the protection of our properties from fire, our persons from disease, and our farmers from fraud; for the regulation of financial institutions and other corporations in the interest of public security; for the development and conservation of our natural resources, the protection and development of agriculture and the general public welfare.

For all these purposes of state the tax burden in North Carolina is $1.37 per inhabitant—the price, say, of two or three circus tickets.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

North Carolinians Serving in World War II


Life magazine cover, October 28, 1940, showcased a story on life in the U.S. Navy.

According to NCpedia.org, about 2 million soldiers trained for combat at more than 100 Army, Navy, Marine and Coast Guard facilities in North Carolina during World War II. (https://www.ncpedia.org/world-war-ii-part-3-world-war-ii)


Some of the 2 million soldiers received basic training in Greensboro. The photo is from the Greensboro Historical Museum. This photo is online at www.ncmarkers.com.
And according to LearnNC.org (www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-worldwar/5889), more than 8,500 North Carolinians did not return home. The National Archives published lists of war casualties in 1946 and these are now online. The list of Army and Army Air Force dead and missing personnel are listed by county. The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard list is not broken down by county but it includes the names of all personnel wounded in action. You can search either catalog at www.archives.gov/research/catalog


Tuesday, October 17, 2017

If Parents Won’t Keep Kids Inside at Night, Police Will, 1922

“Curfew Law Is Made Effective in Lenoir,” from the Hickory Daily Record, October 4, 1922.

Lenoir, Oct. 4—Lenoir is one of the towns that has set a determination to care for the youth of the community, and especially where the parents are lax in parental authority in allowing their children to have such hours as they please, and run on the streets until late hours in the night. Hence the curfew law has been invoked, and Mayor V.D. Guire has set his foot down flat and solid, and gives out of the world that the city ordinance, No. 72, of the town of Lenoir will be strictly enforced according to the letter and spirit of the law. Therefore, he has caused the town to be posted to that effect.

Commencing with the first night of the first day of October the curfew rang, and the edict went into effect, and it says: “Children under the ages of 16 years will not be allowed on the streets after 9 o’clock at night, unless accompanied by their parents. The courthouse bell will ring at 9 o’clock each night. Children found on the streets after that hour can be found by their parents at the city lock-up if wanted.”

That’s Lenoir’s new move to keep the kiddies at home, if their parents will not look after the matter themselves.

Monday, October 16, 2017

West Hickory Mentions, October 31, 1916

“West Hickory Items,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 31, 1916.

The Ivey Mill Company sure did some shipping during the week. They shipped 106 bales averaging 1,750 yards to the bale.

Mr. Charlie Jones, who has been second hand in the spinning room several years, resigned his work and moved to Altavista, Va., to take an overseer’s job there.

Miss Captola Beck, who is taking a course at Kings Business College in Charlotte, is spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Beck.

Miss Minnie Abee spent several days at Drexel last week visiting relatives and friends.

Mr. Mart Abee of Altavistas, Va. Is here at present visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Abee.
Mr. G.T. Barger is attending federal court at Salisbury this week as a juror.

Mr. Will Lackey, who has been here several weeks visiting his mother, Mrs. J. Lackey, left for his home in Michigan Friday.

Mrs. Moore of Henrietta is spending several days with Mrs. R.F. Hicks.

Miss Jimmie Abernethy went to Chesterlee, S.C., one day last week.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Wife Died of Softening of the Brain and a Broken Heart, Writes Lucy Russell, 1922

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Oct. 19, 1922. The Woman’s Forum Conducted by Mrs. Lucy P. Russell, Rockingham, Rt. 1

By Lucy P. Russell

Mrs. Dobbins was dead. Judging from the faint smile on her thin lips she was glad of it. She had never been a robust woman, had been in a decline for a year and now the end had come. An early marriage had brought her many children; poverty added its burden to her lot of incessant care and hard work. She had been a very fair woman with soft, pale hair and pale blue eyes, never very far from tears. Her manner had been very gentle, even apologetic, and her submissiveness pained one like the submissiveness of a circus dog scourged through its tricks. At last she was “out of it all,” lying very straight and still in her small room. The only sound broke the silence was the sobbing of her children.

Two life-long friends lingered to draw the white sheet over the whiter face and to place between the wasted fingers a white jasmine flower. Then they sought to speak a few words of sympathy to the bereaved husband.

They found him on the piazza wrapped in gloom. Mr. Dobbins was a small man with a solemn and stately mien, his eyes, his nose jutted forward like a sharp boulder from the face of a granite crag and the corners of his mouth turned down like the points of a horseshoe. A grim, unsmiling man was Mr. Dobbins, especially if all about him were joyous and gay; now he appeared sadder than the saddest. The two ladies approached him with words of consolation and appreciation of the many virtues of his dead wife; they spoke of her kindness, her true friendliness, the sweetness of her character and her never failing industry.

“Yes,” replied the bereft one, “Annie was a good woman, I suppose, but she had her faults and nobody knew them better than I did. To be sure she was never a gad-about, she never belonged to these clubs and societies, she never read those novels and magazines, she never was no hand to run around the neighborhood gossiping. She went to church and sometimes to prayer meeting, she read her Bible, she stayed at home and cooked and washed and ironed and tended to her children. To be sure she never was much of a cook; I had to cook the steak and measure out the coffee and I always thought it took her longer to get out a week’s wash than anybody I ever saw. It was amazing the wood she burnt up a-ironing, just for six children and me. She was right good to wait on our lame girl but I got a sprain in my back right now from having to do all the lifting of the child. But she’s gone now and her faults lays between her and her Maker.”

Wrath and indignation flashed from the eyes of the small woman standing before her as she responded, “And she died of softening of the brain and a broken heart.”

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Taking Tobacco to Market, Storing Corn in Caswell County, 1940

These photos, taken in Caswell County in October, 1940, were taken as publicity pictures for the U.S. Farm Security Administration. They are part of the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.


Preparing tobacco to take to market on Caswell County farm, October, 1940


Gassing up to take the tobacco crop into Yanceyville.



Tobacco sold, this farmer has purchased sacks of flour and meal. The wood are tobacco sticks, which will be used for next year's crop.


Basically the same shot as above, but you can see the farmer and more of Yanceyville.



Shucking corn on the Hooper farm, Caswell County. According to a notation with this photo, the Hooper farm was located near Hightowers and Prospect Hill.



On the Hooper farm, Caswell County.



Getting corn in the crib on the Hooper farm.



This corn will provide winter feed on the Hooper farm.





Carrying a tub of shucked corn to the corn crib.





Friday, October 13, 2017

Hearings On Deepening of Pamlico and Tar Rivers, 1916

 “Hearings to Deepen Two Good Rivers,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 31, 1916

Wilmington, N.C. (AP), Oct. 31—Hearings relative to the deepening of the channel of the Pamlico and Tar rivers at or below Washington, N.C., will be held in Washington on November 15 and Greenville on November 16, according to an announcement by Major A.E. Waldon, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. In the river and harbors act approved last July, Congress provided for a preliminary examination of the Pamlico and Tar rivers with a view to providing channel depth of 11 or 12 feet, with adequate widths at or below Washington, and such additional depth and width as may be advisable up to Tarboro.


Thursday, October 12, 2017

'Social & Personal' Column from Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 4, 1922

From the “Social & Personal” Column in the Hickory Daily Record, October 4, 1922. A spreading adder snake is called an Eastern hognose snake and is harmless.

Mrs. D.A. Whisnant of Granit Falls was a Hickory visitor today.

Mrs. P.A. Healan of Lenoir is visiting her daughter, Mrs. John W. Moose.

Mrs. D.W. Holder, who was taken ill Saturday evening, is improving and was able to sit up today.

Mrs. Chas. Fort of Gastonia, who had her tonsils removed at Dr. Speas’ hospital Monday, is much improved.

Miss Beatrice Cobb was among the Morganton people her for the fair yesterday afternoon.

Mrs. H. B. Long went to Hildebran today to spend the day with Mrs. Pearl Lipe.

Mrs. F.L. Averill and little daughter of Raleigh are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Currie.

Mrs. S.L. Whitener, who has been ill since Monday, was somewhat improved today.

Miss Maye Bloomer will arrive from Asheville today to be the guest of Mrs. E.B. Justice.

Mrs. E.A. Taylor and Miss Margaret Taylor returned yesterday from Blowing Rock where they spent the summer.

Mrs. A.Y. Sigmon killed a full-grown spreading adder one day last week. She found the reptile in her back yard.

Mr. and Mrs. M.R. Rudisill of Henry River and Mrs. W.H. Little and son, Franklin, spent Monday in Lincolnton.

Owing to the fair being in progress this week the Business and Professional Women’s Club will not meet until Thursday of next week.

Mrs. Geo. C. Yoder is spending today in Newton with Mrs. L.F. Long. Mr. and Mrs. Long will leave tomorrow for California to spend the winter.

Mrs. T.W. Ebeltoft and daughter, Miss Elizabeth Ebeltoft of Shelby, left yesterday after being guests for several days of Mrs. J.L. Springs and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Hall.

The meeting of Circle No. 2 of the First Methodist Church has been postponed until the second Thursday in October. Mrs. P.C. Sharpe will be hostess at her home on Eighth Avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Stone and Mrs. M.L. Widenhouse of Concord are expected in the city today to visit Mrs. Daisy Stone. Thursday Mrs. Stone and guests will motor to Blowing Rock to spend the day.

Rev. S.B. Stroup has returned from a six weeks’ trip to Portland and the west coast, where he attended the meeting of General Convention and visited many interesting points along the way, both going and coming home. His trip from Portland was by way of the Canadian Rockies. He reports a fine trip, but is delighted to be home again. He will take charge of the services beginning tonight.

Clean Up Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Clean-Up Thursday in Hickory. The city wagons will remove all trash left near the street in boxes or other containers. If you have any trash, be ready for them.

Mrs. Simpson Returns

Mrs. R.E. Simpson returned Monday night from Roseacres, Miss., where she was called on account of the critical illness of her sister-in-law, Mrs. S.W. Crowell.

Mrs. Crowell passed away on Tuesday evening of last week. The deceased was the window of the late S.W. Crowell, a brother of Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. T.A. Mott of Hickory and Mr. A.H. Crowell of Newton. Mr. Crowell, who was a member of one of the most prominent families in this section, died a year or more ago.

Mrs. Bowman Hostess

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. D.P. Bowman was hostess at an unusually interesting and enjoyable meeting of the Ladies’ Aid and Missionary Society of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, this being the regular monthly meeting.

Mrs. Bowman’s home was beautifully decorated throughout with choice fall flowers, their vivid colorings blending prettily with the foliage and enhancing the attractive interior of the rooms in which the guests were received.

Mrs. P.C. Setzer was cordially welcomed as a new member.

The afternoon’s program was in the charge of Mrs. D.L. Russell who efficiently brought out some important and interesting facts in the lesson. The business meeting which followed was conducted by the president.

Thirty-two members were present and welcome visitors were Mrs. J.M. Deal, Mrs. Clarence Seagle, Mrs. R.K. Webb and Mrs. Tom Setzer. During the social period following the program and business, the hostess served a delicious ice course and Mrs. Setzer, Mrs. T. Bowman and little Miss Helen Flowers assisted. The next meeting will be held the first Tuesday afternoon in November.

Holy Trinity Lutheran

No services tonight as the pastor, Rev. Chas. R.W. Kegley and family are in Charlotte for a few days.

For Visiting Missionaries

Monday afternoon Mrs. G.F. Ivey opened her beautiful new home on Thirteenth Avenue to the ladies of the Methodist Church in honor of Mr. and Mrs. S.A. Stewart and family, missionaries to Japan, who are visiting in the states.

Mrs. Ivey, Mrs. Nobel Shumate and Mrs. Laurie Deal welcomed the guests at the door and invited them into rooms which were exquisitely decorated with golden rod, cosmos and potted plants.

Dr. N.J. Wright led in the devotional after which a quartet was sung by Mrs. Ivey, Mrs. Thos. Golden, Mrs. O. Simmons and Miss Edward Clemnet. Mrs. J.W. Shuford, president of the Missionary Society gave a few words of introduction, followed by Mrs. Stewart who told very interestingly of the beginning of their work in Japan. Mr. Stewart followed and told of the plans for future work which occasioned his visit to the United States to lay his plans before the board. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were both heard with interest as they told of Japan, her customs and her people.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and family gave two sons in the Japanese language after which they entered into a conversation in the native tongue. During these exercises the children were dressed in Japanese costume, heightening the effect and giving an air of realism to the sons and dialogues.

At the close of the afternoon, punch and wafers were served by Mrs. C.R. Watson who presided over the punch bowl assisted by Mrs. Laurie Deal, Miss Estelle Wolfe and Miss Edward Clement.

Capping Ceremony, School of Nursing, Class of 1957


Photo from https://www.aorn.org/

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Catawba County Scheduling Children's Health Clinic Visits, 1922

 “Many Children Take Health Clinic,” from the Hickory Daily Record, October 4, 1922

State Board of Health Tonsil and Adenoid Clinic for School Children October 10, 11, 12 and 13 at Newton

Through the bureau of medical inspection of schools it was arranged to have the school children of Catawba County have a thorough medical inspection which consisted of testing their vision, hearing, teeth, tonsils and adenoids. This inspection made known to the parents many of the remediable physical defects among their children. A total number of 700 children were found to be suffering from the effects of bad tonsils and adenoids. Through the county board of education and health it was arranged for the state board of health to do some follow up work for Catawba County school children, the state board of health now offers a plan by which school children suffering from adenoids and diseased tonsils may receive treatment, including operation by a good specialist, nursing care and accommodations in an emergency hospital in which the child remains overnight, all for the nominal cost of $12.50 and totally free in case of needy children. The above fee is charged to defray the actual cost of the clinic; no part goes to the nurses, who are paid entirely by the state board of health. This emergency hospital will be set up on the court house at Newton, one of the state’s most competent throat specialists will be sent here by the state board of health to re-examine any of the children who wish to be and only those found badly needing treatment for tonsils and adenoids will be advised to have an operation. After the specialist and family physician have decided that the child needs treatment, and the parent wishes to have this defect corrected, in order not to impair the child’s health in later life, then a thorough physical examination is made of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and temperature is taken to see if the child is in good condition to have this operation.

Every precaution is taken at these clinics. If the child is operated on, it is allowed to return home the following day, the parent being allowed to remain in the hospital all night with their children. This is a wonderful opportunity, by which the school children may receive attention in time to prevent any permanent defects in later life. Bad tonsils and adenoids will cause a great many noticeable defects, namely, weak eyes, earache, which may result in deafness, frequent sore throats, they will snore at night, breathe with their mouths open, be backward in their books at school, and as a usual thing they are not very playful, that is if it is a very bad case, and in later life it will bring on rheumatism, heart lesions, cause them to be nervous and underweight.

Now parents, will you willfully deny your child the right to develop into a healthy man or woman by neglecting the opportunity to have it examined by competent specialists, and if necessary have these remediable physical defects corrected before it has caused some incurable defect?

This opportunity of free examination for school children, and treatment if wanted and necessary is only offered by the State Board of Health once every three years. You must let Miss Ramie Williams, State Board of Health Nurse, Newton, N.C., know at once, in order to have a definite appointment. The clinic will be for four days—October 10, 11, 12 and 13. So send your names at once and you will be notified when to come for examination. Children who come to the clinic are not to have breakfast the morning they come.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

After 4 Years On the Run, Yoder Gets Drunk and Is Captured, 1916

“Yoder Captured By Officers at Last,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 31, 1916

Make (Mike?) Yoder, for four years a fugitive from justice, is once again in the hands of the law, thanks to some mean corn liquor, Chief Lentz, Sergeant Sigmon and other agencies and elements that will be enumerated later. The capture occurred on the old Brookford road and was done so rapidly that Yoder, who is regarded as a desperate character, had little time in which to flee. Sheriff Isenhower, who was attending the speaking, was notified and he and several deputies got busy at once, but the Hickory officers had their man before the sheriff could reach the scene. The sheriff carried the prisoner with him to Newton Monday night and he is in jail there.

Yoder was sentenced to 18 months by Recorder Russell something like four years ago for breaking into a Southern Railway freight car, and escaped from the roads. At intervals he has shown up at his old home and near Brookford, much to the dismay of neighbors who feared him as they would a plague. A few months ago his father died and the estate was being settled this week. In company with Bill Deitz he had gone in a buggy to sign a deed, and both the men, it is said, imbibed too freely on liquor.

They got drunk and fell out. Yoder brought out his trusty knife and aside from hopping on his friend, cut the lines and ran Deitz out of the buggy. Chief Lentz was telephoned for and he and Sergeant Sigmon set out to track him. It seems that Yoder became lost and doubled on his trail, this fact enabling the Hickory officers to reach him before the sheriff and his deputies could reach the scene.
Chief Lentz drew his big gun on the man and ordered him to throw up his hands. The hands wouldn’t go up, and while the chief covered Yoder, Sergeant Sigmon embraced him about the neck, while Mr. Lentz placed the nippers. Mr. Jules Stafford accompanied the officers, and was ready to render assistance after the fellow had been handcuffed, the chief laughingly declared.

Yoder has been a source of trouble to neighbors and has eluded capture many times. His fall from the water wagon was responsible for his undoing this time, and many telephone messages of congratulations reached the officers during the night.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Typhoid Fever Quarantined Homes in Union County, 1917

“County Must Fight Infectious Diseases,” from the Monroe Journal, Oct. 5, 1917. To help control contagious diseases, the State of North Carolina passed a law that required quarantining homes of patients with certain diseases. The following is the first monthly report from the Union County quarantine officer. The homes under quarantine are listed by the name of the homeowner, not the name of the patient in the home.

New State Law Requires Physicians and Householders to Report Cases to Dr. S.A. Stevens, County Quarantine Officer…Law Now in Force

To reduce the number of infectious diseases in the county and thereby prevent numbers of deaths and save thousands of dollars, is the task that has recently been set before the people of this county. The new State Quarantine law imposes this task, but with it, it does not impose any hardship or impossibility. It requires only that every citizen shall do his duty in reference to any contagious disease in his household or community. It presupposes that every citizen wants to see his country rid of disease as far as possible and will do all in his power to bring this about. ….

Diseases to be reported are whooping cough, measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever, smallpox, infantile paralysis, typhoid fever and cerebralspinal meningitis. Any home having a case of any of these diseases, when it has been reported, will have placed on the front of it a large yellow placard bearing the name of the disease.  ….

The names of those reported to the quarantine officer as having a contagious disease last month are:

Scarlet Fever

Robert Clark, Monroe, Route 5
Hoyle Hinson, Monroe, Route 5
Chattie N. Cason, Monroe
Janie Clark, Monroe, Route 5
Mrs. A.M. Secrest, Monroe
Earl Curlee, Monroe
Willie Hilton, Monroe
Ward McGinnis, Monroe
J.A. Griffin, Monroe
Geo. Porterfield, Monroe
Walter Bartons, Monroe
Maude Trull, Monroe
Wyatt Whitley, Monroe
W.L. Griffin, Monroe
--- McGinnis, Monroe
J.A. Griffin, three cases, Monroe
David Williams, Vance Township
Flossie Hillian, Monroe
Rossie Hargett, Monroe
---- Hargett, Monroe
John Baucom, Monroe
Kenneith Lemmond, Monroe

Diphtheria

Leanna Boyd, Vance Township
M.H. Rowell, Goose Creek

Typhoid Fever

W.E. Baucom, Goose Creek
Fred Stevens, Monroe
J.P. Spencer, Monroe
Mrs. J.P. Spencer, Monroe
Moore Bay, Monroe
---- Baucom, Monroe
Mrs. T.B. Young, Monroe
J.S. Stearns, 2 cases, Monroe
Arthur Helms, Monroe
Three cases at Hasty’s, Monroe
Vance Simpson, Monroe
Lula Griffin, Monroe
Easter Griffin, Monroe.

A placard placed on a house not only requires the patient and children of the household to stay within certain bounds, but it also prohibits outsiders from entering the house in question or allowing their children to enter or go beyond certain limits. Whether you are afraid of the disease or not, has nothing to do with it—the law says for you to keep away except under certain conditions and a failure to obey will render you liable to indictment. In conclusion, I wish again to ask the co-operation of everybody in carrying out the provisions of this law to the end that you may have healthier children and better schools.
                --Very respectfully, S.A. Stevens, Quarantine Officer, Union County, N.C.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Claude Gore Asks, Have We Forgotten the Common Good? 1922

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Oct. 19, 1922

By Claude Gore

Rockingham is a beautiful town, its people are above average in intelligence and possess more of this world’s goods than most people; but we are on an insane hunt for pleasures and on the wrong trail even for that. In this mad rush for pleasure we have discarded our one-time good community spirit, we have thrown it aside as if to lighten our load in the race to get that which will give us more to eat, more to wear, more to see, and more than the Jones’s haven’t got.  It is no longer a race to keep up with the Jones’s but a race to out-do the Jones’s. When a project come up that is designed to better our community the best of us prey upon it with the idea of getting all the personal benefit we can and, many times, it is at the expense of our neighbors. The common good seems to have been forgotten. It is a rush for personal gain, generally a money gain with a belief that money can buy happiness. It cannot be exchanged for that commodity. Money buys things that stimulate our desire for happiness and when the effect of that stimulant dies down we are worse off than we were before. Happiness comes from a deed well done; a piece of work well done; a kindly deed; even a kindly deed done with money leave a bitter tinge and happiness would be nearer complete if the money could have been left out.

Several years ago, I was on the train, bound for Wilmington and the train stopped at Lumberton. There was a very old woman in the seat opposite me and she asked if this was Lumberton. I told her yes and she said, ‘I was to get off at Lumberton,’ and I asked her why she did not get off. She said she could not walk; so I picked her up in my arms and took her off the train. The conductor said, ‘Why I forgot that old lady.’ There was no one to meet her, so while the conductor held the train, I carried that old lady still in my arms several hundred feet to the waiting room and did not put her down until the agent promised me that he would take care of her. It was after midnight. When the conductor signed that train ahead and I swung into my seat I felt much better. Did I make that old lady happy? No. I relieved her distress and made myself happy.

In addition to acts of kindness there is only one thing in the world that can make a man happy. That is love of his work. I pity the man who does not love his work. The grandest feeling in the world is to go home at night thinking on the way that you have done a good day’s work; done it well; a little better than you ever did before and better than anyone else could have done it—and then on top of that to get a good night’s rest and wake up in the morning with an eagerness to get on the job again and see if you can do even a little better today than you did the day before. Oh, how I pity the man who considers his work a drudge and considers payday and Saturday afternoon the only day worth while.

Our people do not appreciate large employers of labor as they should. These men are real benefactors. A red-blooded, true man, does not want anything given to him. He wants a chance to work and fair pay for what he does. Large employers of labor distribute more happiness than we realize. Ask any man who was recently on strike and he will tell you how difficult it is to loaf and be happy.

We should rebuild our community spirit. There are many ways in which we can help. Our town council is doing lots of construction work and we are indulging in lots of destructive criticism. Some of them are beginning to feel like they have a thankless job. Let us back them up with constructive criticism.

Our policemen receive almost no co-operation. Let us help them by obeying the speed laws, the parking laws and other laws that we are continually breaking.

Let us discard that selfish personal gain policy and deliver our influence to the policy that will bring the most good to the community. We must improve our schools more; we must improve our church property. Let us cultivate that neighborly feeling, which makes one feel so much better and the world look so much brighter. Let us abandon that policy of banishing the lawless and try to live so that they can not be lawless. Let us uphold the arm of our solicitor and not convict him before he has been heard. May we all realize what a mistake it is to think at the rate of 248.5 miles an hour ourselves better than the other fellow.

May we keep our school athletics pure and not let our desire to win smother our desire to be honest. May we enjoy the game but not let our excitement interfere with giving our opponent a square deal and the game if we can not win it fairly and as gentlemen should.

Screw up our courage and determine that we will fight vice and the customs that have not yet become vices but have a tendency that way. Fight them forever and a day or until they are completely banished from our community. Pray that the thoughtless age will be made shorter. Try to demolish that idea that the boy is all right; he can get along but the girl must be protected. There is no protection for the girl unless the boys are made clean. Shame on a town that will accept a man who has run away with another man’s wife and will not accept the wife. Where is our community spirit when we will not act for the common good?

And now with Francis Kimball, let us all say ‘a sacred burden in this life ye bear. Look on it, lift it, bear it solemnly. Stand up and walk beneath it steadfastly; fail not for sorrow, falter not for sin; but onward, upward till the goal ye win.’


Let us remember that happiness is the reward of right living, right thinking, right acting and that these then can not be right without work and our community will benefit whether we will or no.