Monday, April 30, 2018

Preliminary Hearing in Southport Murder Case, 1935

From the Southport State Port Pilot, April 24, 1935

Preliminary Hearing in Murder Case to Be Held in Recorder’s Court Before Judge Peter Rouark

A preliminary hearing will be held today (Wednesday) before Judge Peter Rouark for Willie Mae Gaskins and Albert Daniels, both colored, who are charged with the murder of Chederick Gaskins, also colored.

The killing occurred in the turpentine plant in the Gaskins’ shanty on the evening of January 20. Willie Mae Gaskins, wife of the murdered negro, told officers that she killed her husband in self defense. She made her confession before a coroner’s jury and was ordered held for trial in Superior Court.

Two years ago while Superior Court was in session here, the grand jury brought an indictment against Albert Daniels, father of Willie Mae Gaskins, charging him with the murder. The hearing was set for last Wednesday but important witnesses were unable to appear and the matter was postponed for a week.

Other Cases

The only case disposed of was that against Austin Davis, white for reckless driving and driving under the influence of liquor. He was given six months in jail. This sentence was suspended upon the payment of the costs in his case and upon the further condition that the defendant remain of good behavior.

The case against H.K. Kelly, white, for violating the game laws was continued for two weeks.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Augusta Raymond, 4-H Club Member, Will Travel to Washington, D.C., 1927

“Why Farm Life Is Looking Up in Tarheelia,” from The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, April 1, 1927
Miss Augusta Raymond
Two out of 14,000 agricultural and home economics club girls in North Carolina will get free trips to Washington in June as guests of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This newspaper told about one of them, Miss Lela Paul, of Pungo, a few weeks ago. The other one is Miss Augusta Raymond of Hertford County, whose picture appears in this newspaper this week.
Take a good look at Augusta. She is only 17 years old, is well developed for her age, has a hearty appetite, is full of pep, full of delightful and wholesome deviltry, and is always ready for a good time. But when a year’s study of the 14,000 club girls on the farms of North Carolina was completed by State and Federal agents, Augusta Raymond was one of the two girls choses for outstanding leadership.
Augusta Raymond is a born leader and a tireless worker. When asked to take any part of any community activity she never holds back or says that she ‘can’t.’ She responds to any call with a vim, alacrity, and intelligence that easily gives her leadership. Everybody steps aside for Augusta when Augusta is on the job, because they know that Augusts will get the job done. At the same time Augusta can always command all the assistance she needs in any community enterprise because people generally are glad to help those who help themselves and, then too, people naturally follow a cheerful leader.
In conducting club meetings, making public demonstrations or speaking in public, young Miss Raymond is easily at home and can hold an audience against time. At a district meeting of club girls in Washington she gave a public demonstration showing all the required steps in preparing an invalid’s tray. Incidentally she showed her audience how to fix up a dose of castor oil so as to make it palatable, concluding the demonstration by taking the dose herself, licking the spoon and smacking her lips hen the dose went down.
In food preservation, home decoration, cookery, dress making and other domestic activities she is without a peer in her county, making a personal record for which thousands of other club girls on the farms of North Carolina are happily striving.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Commencement Exercises Begin at Bolivia High School, 1935

From the Southport State Port Pilot, April 24, 1935
Bolivia School Closes May 3rd…Earliest Closing Date for White Schools of County…Recitation-Declamation Contests to be Held on Friday Night of This Week
Commencement exercises at the Bolivia High School get underway on Friday night of this week when the annual recitation and declamation contests will be held in the school auditorium. The graduation exercises, the final feature of the commencement program, will be held on Friday evening, May 3.
There is a keen interest in the contests to be held Friday night. Five students will compete in the recitation contest. They are: Grace Harvath, Jese Lesh, Evelyn Willetts, Irene Harvath and Ethel Sowell. Four boys have entered the declamation contest. They are John Johnson, J.G. White, Marvin Watkins and Carl Galloway.
The remainder of the commencement program for the school is as follows: On Sunday afternoon, April 28, at 2:30 o’clock, the Baccalaureate sermon will be delivered by Dr. C.H. Story of Wilmington; on Thursday evening the annual class day exercises will be held; at 11 o’clock Friday morning, May 3, the seventh grade graduation exercises will be held followed by the senior graduation exercises in the evening at 8 o’clock.

Friday, April 27, 2018

We're Going to Enforce Laws, Warns Mayor Cline, 1917

“Notice to Automobile Drivers,” from the Hickory Daily Record, April 27, 1917

Notice is hereby given to automobile drivers that on or after this date, all ordnances of the town of Granite Falls relating to speed limits, closed mufflers, etc., will be strictly enforced. Also state laws relating to license numbers.
April 23rd, 1917
            --D.M. Cline, Mayor

Supreme Court Examining Segregation Laws , 1917

“Segregation Laws Attacked in Court,” from the Hickory Daily Record, April 27, 1917

Washington, April 27 (AP)—Validity of many cities’ negro segregation ordinances was ordered today before the Supreme Court. The test case heard was that of the constitutionality of Louisville, Ky., ordinance establishing zones for whites and negroes. Atlanta, Richmond, New Orleans and other southern cities have similar ordinances.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

News of Marshall Field & Co. Employees, Spray, N.C., 1945

The Mill Whistle, April 9, 1945. Issued every two weeks by and for the employees of Marshall Field & Company, Manufacturing Division, Spray, N.C.

Finishing Mill by Beulah McBride

Pvt. James Andrew Hopkins, who recently spent 14 days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Hopkins of Draper Road, has been sent to Fort Meade, Md. Best of luck to you, Andrew.

Beauford Hawkins, who is with the Merchant Marines, is spending a 14-day leave at home with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ike Hawkins on Church Street, Spray.

Mrs. Ola Saul spent Monday in Roanoke shopping with her sister, Mrs. R.C. Martin of Martinsville.

Mr. and Mrs. J.T. McBride spent Easter Sunday with relatives at Madison, N.C.

Miss Kathleen Stowe spent the day in Aken Summit Sunday. We wonder who she was visiting.

Mrs. Howard Flynn spent the weekend in Roanoke with Mr. and Mrs. Otis Grogan and sister Mrs. Roy Johnson.

Mr. and Mrs. Moses Biggs and children and Jewell Dehart visited Mr. Dehart’s sister at Memorial Hospital at Danville Sunday

Woolen Mill by Annie Crews

We wonder how everyone is feeling after the Easter holidays. Shhh!! Don’t tell us—we understand how it is. But we do hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.

Mr. and Mrs. Walker Macy visited relatives in Elkin, N.C., during the week-end.

Mrs. Johnny Dimatto of Wilmington, Delaware, visited her mother, Mrs. Lillie Lemmons, during the holiday.

Pvt. Bethel Washburn, formerly of the Weave room, is home on a 30-day furlough after spending quite a time in Europe.

Misses Lorene and Lizza Shorter of Danville, Va., were week-end guests of Mrs. M.L. Reid.

Mrs. Minnie Martin visited her brother Pvt. Raymond Sawyers who is just back from overseas, in Reidsville Sunday.

Mrs. Susanna Belcher tells us she has bought a mule and all the farming tools to go with it. If you want any plowing done, just call 99-R.

Edna Kiser visited friends in Reidsville during the holidays.

Bettye Jones visited friends in Greensboro for the week-end.

Pvt. C.L. Kendrick was home on leave for the holidays. He is now stationed at Fort Dix, N.J.

Miss Edna Patterson of High Point has week-end guest of Mrs. Addie Harbour.

C.N. Henrietta Shively was home during the Easter holidays. She is in training at the Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

We welcome Elaine Pulliam to our mill as a new employee of the Spinning department.

Miss Carolyn Nichols had as week-end guests Mrs. Mabel Cooper and daughter Betty, and Miss Evelyn Cooper, all of Martinsville, Va.

Sgt. Jesse Whitlow, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Berry, is spending a 12-day furlough with his family.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Burton visited Mr. Burton’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Burton of Axton, Va., Sunday.

Mrs. Lorene Bailey visited friends in Martinsville, Va., Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Webb had as week-end guests Mr. Webb’s mother, Mrs. Mary Webb and sister Miss Alice Webb of Huntersville, N.C.

Pvt. Thomas Barnes, formerly of the Card room, is home on furlough after finishing his basic training.

Central Warehouse by Maybud Stanley

S 2/c Robert L. Whitt of the Navy is spending a short furlough with his wife. While here he called on friends at the Central Warehouse where he worked before entering service.

Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Cooke of Martinsville, Va., spent the week-end with Mrs. Clifford Emerson of Leaksville.

Mrs. Verlie Shelor and Miss Violet Key of Martinsville, Va., spent the week-end with Mrs. Irva Hopkins of Railroad Street.

Coxswain Kermit Thompson of the Navy spent the Easter holidays with his mother, Mrs. Mary Thompson.

Mrs. Alice Weddle of Floyd, Va., was a recent visitor of her sister, Mrs. A.C. Boone.

Mrs. Lou Fair of Thomasville spent the week-end with relatives in Leaksville.

M/Sgt. Melvin Fair is visiting his sisters, Mrs. Clifford Shipton and Mrs. Stacey Nelson. Jimmy Robertson of the Merchant Marines, a friend of Sgt. Fair’s spent a few days with him here.

Mrs. R.N. Brown has been on the sick list for the past few days. We hope she will soon be back with us.

Joe Miller spent the past week-end with Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Newman.

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Booker and son Charles, and Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Stanley spent the Easter holidays with Mr. Stanley’s mother at Nola, Va.

Karastan Mill by Frances Watson

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Duke and son and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Merriman spent Easter Sunday in Winston-Salem.

Miss Edmonia Turner was in Greensboro shopping Saturday.

Melvin Cox of Pulaski, Va., and Junior Moore spent the Easter season in the home of the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Cox.

Mrs. Billy Turner and Sgt. Enos Griffith spent the week with their parents at Woolwine, Va.

Members of the Karastan Shipping Department are very happy for Mrs. Snoda Martin that her son Jack, of the Merchant Marines, is home on furlough. Mrs. Martin and Jack visited Edwin Martin and family, of Atlanta, Ga., last week.

The Shipping Department has a new man, Cecil Butler, working with them. We’re glad to have you, Cecil.

The Shipping Department has heard a rumor that “Our Frances” is walking down the aisle soon. Well, all we have to say is “that fellow in Detroit is a lucky guy.” And Frances—we think he’s o.k. too.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian Puffenberger of Richmond, Va., and Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Clifton and children spent the Easter season with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Snead.

Louis J. Cole, S 2/c, spent last week-end with his parents near Axton. He has just returned to duty after being confined to the hospital for 32 days for sinus treatment.

Ann Kerley, who is in training at Mercy Hospital, Charlotte, N.C., spent the Easter holidays with her parents on the Reidsville Road.

Hilda Joyce, Doris Joyce, Mrs. Harvey Joyce, Mrs. Howard Hobson and Mrs. Randolph Beck spent Sunday in Winston-Salem with Mrs. John Hartman, who is in City Hospital suffering with a broken hip.

Abalene Meeks, Glenn Wilson and Elmore Gunn visited the former’s sister, Mrs. D.E. Wall, at Sanatorium, N.C., during the Easter holidays.

Vergie Jones spent the week-end with her aunt, Mrs. L.D. Bolden, at Greensboro, N.C.

Annie Joyce spent the week-end with relatives at Kimball, W. Va.

Stella Jones, Ella Gillie, Lessie Shelton and Kay Shelton spent the Easter holidays with relatives at Roanoke, Va.

Johnnie Coleman and Billy Coleman, Flossie Fuller, Bettie Ann and Bobby Fuller spent Saturday in Danville, Va.

The Setting and Winding departments express deep and heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Ollie Vernon in the loss of her father, Claiborne Hubbard.

The Carver’s welcome an old carver back to their department. She is Miss Helen Steele. Hope you’ll like us, Helen.

James Rickman, S F 1/c, son of Mrs. Emma Rickman, recently received his present rating.

Pvt. Oliver Dunovant, stationed at Fort Bragg, spent Sunday with his sister, Mrs. Everette Roberts.

Bleachery by Charlotte Martin

Mrs. Eliza Washburn and daughter Sunshine spent the Easter holidays with her sister, Mrs. Roy Crews in Martinsville, Va.

Mrs. John Martin and grandchildren Barbara Ann and Billy Martin, spent the week-end with her daughter, Mrs. Arthur French and family in Danville, Va.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Richardson and children Doris and Harold, of High Point, spent Sunday with the former’s brother, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Richardson.

Mrs. Dick Fowler and daughter “Dot” spent the week-end with her mother, Mrs. R.H. Richardson.

Roy Casteen is an operative patient at Leaksville Hospital. Hurry back, we miss you.

Elice Smith and Elvie Underwood visited Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Powell in Hampton, Va., recently.

Magdalene Bowman and daughter June visited Mrs. Estredge Martin in Fieldale during the week-end.
Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Gilley and Mrs. J.B. Campbell spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. William Fitzgerald of Wesley Park.

Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Smith and daughter Agnes recently visited Mrs. Smith’s mother, Mrs. C.H. Milam in Durham, N.C.

Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Fisher and family visited the latter’s mother, Mrs. R.P. Barker in Stoneville.
Tessie McBride spent Saturday in Danville, Va.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Crews and daughter Anne, Ollie Houchins and Marian Matthews went shopping in Greensboro Saturday.

Mrs. Lavina Dishmond and daughter Jackie, Mrs. Ora Atkins visited their sister, Mrs. Harkday in Raleigh over the holidays.

Cpl. Joe Knight has written his parents Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Knight that he has arrived safely in Italy.

J.M. Knight and daughter Sue visited Calvin Knight, director of Religious Education at Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham recently.

Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Ferguson of Vinton, Va., were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. R.L. Land Easter Monday.

Mrs. P.G. Meeks and daughter Nancy visited Mrs. Meeks’ sister, Mrs. C.L. Bell, at Winston-Salem and attended the Easter Sunrise service.

We welcome Lila Pulliam as a new employee. Glad to have you with us and hope you will enjoy your work.

T/Sgt. and Mrs. Wiley Barwick announce the birth of a daughter, Joyce Lee, born April 2 at the Leaksville Hospital. Mrs. Barwick is the former Ethel Joyce of the Bleachery.

A nice young lady wishes to inform us that she DID NOT get married over the holidays as it was rumored around.

These dizzy people, what is it? Ah, Spring is in the air and everyone seems to be happy over it, although we are still yawning and stretching from being all cooped up during the winter. Off with your woolens and on with your voiles and cottons. “Good Ole Spring.”

We wish to express our sympathy to Annie Glass in the death of her father, George Glass. “The Bleachery”

Blanket Mill by Katherine Turner

Mr and Mrs. George Johnson and son Walter, of Reidsville, spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Johnson in Draper.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stultz are wearing a very broad smile now—a little grandson, John Spencer Jr., arrived Friday, March 30 to Mr. and Mrs. John Spencer Carter.

T/Sgt. Kermit Willis is home on furlough after many months overseas.

Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Hamrick enjoyed the week-end in Winston-Salem visiting relatives.

Mrs. Gladys Leary had with her for the week-end her nephew Pvt. Howard C. Leary.

Mrs. R.F. Turner is spending a few days in Waynesboro, Va.

Miss Pauline Willis of Washington, D.C., is with her parents for the week.

Mr. and Mrs. John Talbott and daughter Deanne of Baltimore, Md., are visiting Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Talbott.

Miss Magdalene Hall spent the week-end at her home in Altavesta, Va.

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Blackwell and children spent the week-end at Roanoke, Va.

Miss Irene Howell visited in Mt. Airy over the week-end.

Mrs. Dillard Stulz and daughter Ann Marie left with her husband Pvt. Stulz for an extended stay at his base in Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Funderbuck, Ernest Funderbuck and Audrey Cochran visited in Pittsboro, N.C., over the week-end to attend a golden wedding anniversary.

Ernest Funderbuck, Lorene and Estelle Funderbuck, Ann Hudson, Robert Hudson and L.G. Esters visited at Black Mountain and Asheville, N.C. Easter Monday.

Rucker Wilson is improving nicely in the Veteran’s Hospital, Fayetteville, N.C.

Miss Hilda Smith spent the week-end in Martinsville, Va. We would like to have seen her at the masquerade party.

Miss Lottie Mae Minter, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Gold Minter, who is attending Hollingsworth Commercial School, Charlotte, spent Easter holidays in their home.

Ruby Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ferrel Moore, who is attending Hollingsworth Commercial School, Charlotte, spent the week-end at home.

Friends of Mrs. Hope Flinchum are happy to see her return to work after being out sick for several weeks.

Mrs. Daniel Atkins of Washington, D.C., spent the Easter holidays in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Riddle.

S/Sgt. James Cannaday spent the holidays with his wife and relatives.

Mrs. Edna Atkins and Mrs. Lessie Walker are on the sick list. Hurry and get well.

Nantucket Building by W.A. Gardner

Ho hum! Spring is here, and from the looks of various items this column will be a travelogue.
Lucille Booker went to Washington to gaze at the cherry blossoms. They were so interesting that the train left Lucille at the platform in Washington.

Helen Redman and Jeanette Edwards went to Martinsville and came back by the Morgan Ford Road.

Somebody ought to tell Tom Dillon that four girls (with corsages) are just too heavy for these weary tired. Anyway, that might explain why he had two flats on that particular day. However it was a blessing in disguise as it made them late for church and they had to sit on the front row.

FLASH! Joe Armolt, or demon draftsman, decided to burn off the grass rather than cut it, on his country manor in Martinsville. Results: one 4-alarm fire, 2 boxwoods, 2 eyebrows and a singed conscience. Maybe Waymon Smith, our Fire Chief, could give him a book on “How to Fight Fire in Six Easy Lessons.”

Mary Hundley went to Greensboro one Sunday to hear the concert and one Sunday not to. What Sunday did you enjoy the most, Mary? Who is he?

Robert Bunn got a tire certificate but either his gas is ow or he has a strict moral sense as he was seen in a bee-you-tiful suit taking the bus for??? You wouldn’t use your car, would you Robert? And too, why take such a large bag? It looked big enough for the average woman to take away for a whole week!

A trifle belated, but Nellie Kirby (and Woodrow) have a daughter. Name: Elizabeth Jane.

Frances Byrd marries our extemporanure of the Laboratory. Doc Byrd made this announcement. Congratulations to her and to you too, Red, for having such a lovely daughter.

Wivian Rakestraw, Ann D. Grogan, Malvene Ferguson, Inez Land and Helen Litaker spent Easter Monday in Greensboro. They must have spent more than that because they related going to the picture show. But how did Helen find time to go with Lester in town?

Stella spent the night in Roanoke. Is it cooler in Virginia, Stella, or are there other attractions?

Cuma Odell had a visit from Margaret Andrews Dixon. Quite a few remember her as our attractive telephone operator from way, way back yonder.

How many miles does Dummy Newman walk from his office down to, near, at, or where, or sometimes near Central Supply? Maybe he just likes to see the trains coming in and going out. (Nope, like to see the buses that go to Cary, N.C.)

Chug Latham had a trip to Chicago and came back looking quite refreshed. He couldn’t have worked very hard on that particular trip.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse G. Land wish to express to all their sincere appreciation and thanks for the cards and flowers sent in memory of their son, William D. Land.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Families Quarantined Due to Contagious Diseases, Union County, 1918

“Report of Quarantine Officer,” from the Monroe Journal, April 5, 1918. “R” followed by a number means the person lived in a rural free delivery route. Entire families were quarantined to prevent spreading the contagious diseases, not just the sick family members.

During the month of March the following cases of contagious diseases have been reported in Union County:
Whooping Cough
Nettie Starnes, Katherine Starnes, Estelle Starnes, Rachael Helms, Dewey Helms, Bessie Stegall, Troy Stegall, Indian Trail;
Beulah Helms, Child of Jarvis Pressley, R1, Indian Trail;
Baby of H.J. Hallman, David Perkins, Emmet Ashcraft, Baby of Graham Hearon, Baby of Frank Marsh, Marshville;
Wilson Porter, Robert Payne, Helen Freeman, Lillian Warren, Wade Cress Jr. (Col.), B.C. Hinson Jr., Margaret Laney, Monroe;
Blanche Foard, R18, Matthews;
Mrs. Joseph Haigler, Unionville.
Diphtheria
Miss Kate Shepherd, Monroe
Scarlet Fever
Baby of Copeland Helms, R1, Indian Trail;
Curtis Partridge, R3, Monroe;
Minnie Drake, Monroe;
Joseph Haley, R1, Wingate.
Mumps
Eula Brooks, R2, Unionville
Smallpox
Fred Haley (Col.) R6, Monroe
-

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

McCall Patterns Style News, April, 1924


Sit Still, Be Quiet, and Listen; It's Just Good Manners, 1935

From the editorial page of the Southport State Port Pilot, April 24, 1935, James M. Harper Jr., editor

The Public Nuisance

Bad manners in its most annoying form is seen in the person who makes a nuisance of himself at a public gathering. Usually one who so conducts himself is an exhibitionist, seeking the spotlight of attention.

You know the type: The person who keeps up a whispered conversation with his neighbor while a speech is in progress; the fidgety person who can’t or won’t sit still during a meeting; and the person who must get up from his seat, stumble over the feet and legs of others two or three times during the course of an hour.

The worst of these is the whisperer. People who attend public meetings are usually present because they are interested in the program to be presented. Whispered comments never help any program and often make it impossible for others to hear. It is always confusing to a speaker to have whispering competition for the attention of his audience.

This is the time of year when commencement programs are being held in the schools. Some students are making their first public appearance; for all who take part in the programs, it is a chance for self-expression and they have earned their chance with a year of hard work. Attend their exercises, but remember that it is their show. Don’t try to steal the spotlight from them.



Monday, April 23, 2018

Man Who Killed His Cousin Surrenders in Mecklenburg County, 1918

“Bonner Wentz Gave Up to Mecklenburg Sheriff,” published in The Monroe Journal, April 9, 1918

Man Who Killed His Cousin Following Quarrel Over Some Land Has Been Apprehended—Is Composed—Draft Classification at the Root of Trouble—Eight Perforations in Dead Man’s Body—It Is Said Bonner Became Angered at Will’s Reference to His Father
Sheriff Griffith went to Charlotte this morning to bring back Bonner Wentz, slayer of his cousin Will Wentz, who surrendered to the Mecklenburg County authorities on the afternoon of the shooting yesterday. The killing, which took place at the home of Will Wentz, was the outgrowth of a quarrel over rented land.
An autopsy held by Dr. S.A. Stevens late yesterday afternoon revealed eight perforations of Wentz’ body, though it is believed only five shots were fired from the pistol.
The tragedy occurred on the farm of the aunty of both of the men, Mrs. Rufe Wentz, in Goose Creek township near the Vance township line. Will Wentz, the dead man, had recently rented the land after Bonner Wentz, expecting to go to war, had given it up. This, it is believed, was the cause of the killing, as the latter, having been given deferred classification on the grounds of agricultural pursuits, wanted to regain possession of the land to keep out of war.
Wentz Composed
According to the following account in this morning’s Charlotte Observer, Bonner Wentz, as he sat in his cell in the Mecklenburg jail, was composed:
As a result of what was said to have been a dispute over a misunderstanding about the draft registration or about who should work a certain piece of land, Bill Wentz, a prominent young farmer living in Union County, just across the southern part of the Mecklenburg County line, was shot to death yesterday morning about eight o’clock by his cousin, Bonner Wentz of Pineville, as the two stood in front of Bill Wentz’ house, his wife witnessing the affair, according to information gathered at the sheriff’s office in Charlotte last night.
Mr. Wentz was said to have been shot a number of times. He, rushing into the house after receiving the wounds, dropped to the floor, dead, death having been almost instant.
What information about the shooting could be obtained yesterday indicated that only the wife witnessed the killing, and the particulars about the shooting are lacking.
Bonner Wentz, after shooting his cousin, returned to Pineville, went to his father, Wash Wentz, a well-known citizen of that place, and told him what he had done. The father notified Sheriff N.W. Wallace, who dispatched Deputy Sheriffs V.P. Fesperman and P.P. Patterson to Pineville, they bringing Bonner Wentz to Charlotte last evening. He was placed in the county jail. The sheriff of Union County is expected in the city today to get Wentz and take him to Monroe, where he is scheduled to face trial, as the killing occurred in that county.
As far as could be learned, the two men had been quarreling in front of Bill Wentz’s home either about some difference over the draft registration or about who should work a piece of land. Reports about the affair differed as to which of the two matters the men fell out over. Bonner Wentz is said to have drawn an automatic pistol and fired a number of shots into the body of his cousin.
The man who is charged with doing the shooting seemed very composed last evening when placed in the county jail by Deputy Sheriffs Fesperman and Patterson. No statement was obtained from him as to his motive for killing his cousin as he did not seem to care to talk about the matter.
Information obtained seemed that both men were prominent in the sections of the county in which they lived, and it is not known that they had been on disagreeable terms.
No attempt whatever was made by Bonner Wentz to escape after shooting his cousin, it was reported, he going almost directly to his father, with whom he lived most of the time, and telling him about the shooting. His father advised him to remain at home until the officers came for him, and the father, after consulting with his son, came to Charlotte and told Sheriff Wallace about the affair.
Was There a Quarrel?
Bonner Wentz last year worked the farm of his aunt, Mrs. Rufe Wentz. Being in the draft age and single, he was placed in class 1 by the local exemption board. Thinking that he would have to go to the camp, he left his aunt’s farm, stating that he was going to enlist, it is said. After he had left, Mrs. Wentz, with whom he had lived and whose land he had worked, engaged Will Wentz to take his place on the farm and also rented other parts of the farm to different parties. Instead of volunteering Bonner Wentz succeeded in getting placed in class 4 of the draft on account of agricultural pursuits. Complaining affidavits have been filed with the exemption board against this reclassification. After he was notified of his reclassification he returned to the home of his aunt and tried to get the place he had formerly held on the farm back, so it is said.
Several times, it is said, Bonner and Will came to a quarrel concerning their affairs. Yesterday morning Mrs. Wentz noticed them standing on the well curb some distance away quarreling. She called to them to stop, it is said, and come to the house.
Bonner Wentz, it is said, was about half way to the house, carrying a bucket of water, when Will Wentz is reported to have said, “You are just like your old father, sneaking around trying to break up his trade.” At this Bonner is said to have placed his water on the ground, pulled a pistol and began firing. The wife of the dead man was an eye witness to the affair. Bonner continued to fire, following Will around the house, it is stated. Will succeeded in reaching the kitchen door and fell inside, dead. There were three bullet holes in his back, and through the side of the neck, which must have cut the jugular vein, and one grazed his arm.
It is said that after he had emptied his pistol he went into the house, reloaded it, bade his aunt good-bye, telling her that he might not see her any more and left.
Sheriff Jule Griffith and Capt. Will Howie went up to the scene of the shooting a little later to arrest the guilty man, but he had already left that county. On their return to Monroe it was learned that Bonner had retained J.D. McCall of Charlotte as counsel and that he had also retained Stack & Parker as attorneys, phoning them. It is thought that as the shooting occurred about 7 o’clock that Bonner made his way to Indian Trail, about four miles away, where he boarded the 8 o’clock train for Charlotte. Sheriff Griffith is of the opinion, however, that Wentz walked to Pineville, the home of his father, where he was taken into custody by the officers.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

County Welcomes White Students to Southport for Commencement Day Exercises, 1935

From the editorial page of the Southport State Port Pilot, April 24, 1935, James M. Harper Jr., editor

A Good Practice

Next Tuesday, Southport will have as her guests more than 2,000 white school children of the county as they gather here for their annual County Commencement Day exercises. We welcome the boys and girls and their teachers to Southport for that day.

Some counties in North Carolina have abandoned the County Commencement Day programs altogether. We are glad that Brunswick County is not one of them. It is our opinion that competition is still the surest means whereby to bring out the best qualities of the average boy or girl. In the heart of every individual is an inborn desire to excel.

Elsewhere in today’s State Port Pilot will be found a complete program for the day’s activities. Officials in charge have arranged a program that will give every boy and girl a chance to enter some form of competition. There is a close balance between the literary exercises and the athletic events.

Southport citizens can do much to help make the day a success by attending the exercises, especially the literary contests, which will be held in the high school building. The recitations and declamations should be of particular interest and the reading contests and spelling match should also be well worth hearing.

Nothing is more discouraging than to read, recite or declaim to empty seats. Make it a point to attend just as many features of the County Commencement Day program as possible.

Wood, Shepherd of Holly Springs End Up in Wake County Jail, 1905

The Caucasian, Clinton, N.C., April 20, 1905

Man and Woman in Jail

Deputy Sheriff Stephen’s of Wake County, while out collecting taxes Saturday, seized a sow and pigs, and thereby hangs the tale as related by a reporter on the Post

“The horse and wagon seizure case in Holly Springs township has resulted thus far in F.M. Wood, the man concerned, and Ida Shepherd, the woman who lived with him and who kept Deputy Sheriff Stephens’ horse and wagon from his sons at the point of her pistol, being lodged in Wake County jail awaiting trial on claim and deliver proceedings, forcible trespass and unlawful co-habitation.

It will be remembered that Woods had refused to pay his taxes long overdue to Deputy Sheriff Stephens who had there upon levied upon a sow and five pigs. Before Mr. Stephens could notify Sheriff Page of his action, Woods came to town and paid his taxes. The deputy, as soon as he heard this from Sheriff Page, sent his two boys with the pigs in his wagon to return the property. Woods was not there but the Ida Shepherd was, and she drove the boys off and would not allow them to get the wagon, saying, revolver in hand, that if they entered the lot again she would shoot them.

That was Saturday and that night the deputy came to Raleigh and secured a writ of claim and delivery, and a warrant from Magistrate Separk for a forcible trespass.

The claim and delivery papers, being for a civil action, could not be served on Sunday, but the forcible trespass warrant charged a crime, and that could be and was served on Sunday morning early by Deputy Sheriff Joseph J. Dupree. When the deputy went in the house he saw a pistol on the mantel piece and put it in his pocket. He experienced no trouble. Woods asked where his pistol was and the deputy told him he had it; that was all.

The man and woman were brought to the court-house here, where Justice of the Peace Separk committed them to jail in default of $200 bond pending a hearing by him on Wednesday at 12 o’clock. Later the magistrate issued a warrant charging the couple with illegal cohabitation.

Yesterday Deputy Sheriff Stephens went to the house and got his horse and wagon.”

Friday, April 20, 2018

New Hanover Grand Jury Says Purge Wilmington Police Force, Improve Jail and Schools, 1905

From the Raleigh Post, as reprinted in The Caucasian, Clinton, N.C., April 20, 1905

Sensational Report by New Hanover Grand Jury

Wilmington, N.C., Apr. 8, Special—The grand jury of the superior court made a most sensational report to-day, in part saying:

"We recommend that the city police force be purged of several unworthy and incapable men who may be better fitted for other employment. We also urge the enforcement of the recent vagrancy law. It is a disgrace to the county that no facilities have been provided for cleansing prisoners upon their admittance. We respectfully recommend that the jail be supplied with a bath room, that all prisoners be compelled immediately to use it and be clad in jail garments. We respectfully report that upon personal inspection we have ascertained that the public school facilities of the city are inadequate to the needs of the rapidly increasing white population. Many of the local teachers have nearly doubled the number of pupils in their charge to which they should properly be assigned. Notwithstanding this, there are still several hundred children without school facilities, growing up in idleness and with many instances of sinful or criminal tendencies.”

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Prof. Howard Odum Explains Way of the South, 1947

A review of “The Way of the South” by Hoard W. Odum, April 20, 1947, The New York Times. The review of the book was written by Herbert Lyons

Dr. Odum has devoted his life to the study of Southern resources (both human and physical) and the most productive means of employing them. In an unused sense of the term, therefore, he is a professional Southerner. His investigations, conducted from the stronghold of the Southern academic conscience, the University of North Carolina, have made him one of the great men of American sociology. The effect of his studies on the South is growing; his is one of the most beneficent and changing influences at work in the Southern regions.

From such a man—humane, steadfast and tireless in the gathering of vital data about the most tumultuous of our sections—any book is welcome. This one has been eagerly awaited, for it promised to be a synthesis of Dr. Odum’s work. It is disappointing to have to report that, despite many enlightening passages, “The Way of the South” seems more a diffusion than a synthesis of his ideas. He has tried, unfortunately, to combine the Whitmanesque manner of his novels (“Rainbow Round My Shoulder” is the best remembered) with the plodding, repetitious approach of such systematic works as “American Regionalism.” As he points out in his final chapter, he has used “freely both form and substance from previous writings.” The substance is integrated enough; the form, so curiously mixed, makes difficult and occasionally irritating reading.

But the book’s unevenness has a deeper source. Toward the close “The Way of the South” exhibits a discouragement at odds with Dr. Odum’s earlier sober optimism. The cause of his dismay is the sudden renewal of bitter ideological friction between North and South. He is in evident agreement with an unnamed Southern writer whom he quotes as saying: “My belief is that people in other sections are beginning to regard the South with cold distaste that is worse than hatred.” An immediate emotional tension, rather than a considered judgement, must be responsible for the declaration, given virtually without preparations, that “it is not possible to approximate the balanced culture necessary to guarantee the Negro equal opportunity in America in any other way than through the migration from the South to all other regions of perhaps one-half its total Negro population.”

Directly afterward Dr. Odum acknowledges that he considers “such a program of planned migration” unrealistic. But he goes on to say that “such a program must be faced frankly and something of its equivalent must be planned if there is to be anything like the balance and equilibrium in this area of Negro-white relationships in the United States, and if stark tragedy is to be avoided in the present trends.” Even in a book devoted largely to recapitulations, it is astonishing that Dr. Odum’s entire discussion of “planned voluntary migration” is only about as long as a newspaper editorial. 
Obviously, Dr. Odum feels that the need for social peace between North and South is overwhelmingly urgent—so urgent as to plunge him into what a lesser man might be called loose thinking.

The wave of criticism against Southern mores would appear to have had consequences that the critics did not foresee. In more detached moments Dr. Odum is amiably aware that the northern portion of the United States seldom has anything on its own conscience and only confesses other people’s sins. It is clear, however, that he is disheartened by the current intensity of inter-regional conflicts.

Throughout most of the book Dr. Odum is explaining the South rather than seeking panaceas for conflicts between the sections. He is not an apologist for the South; he is an analyst. In the role of investigator, he is without equal. No one is a surer guide to the complex of forces that have produced the region’s “biracial culture.” And no one, when intra-sectional planning is under discussion, is less prejudiced and more clear-sighted. His discouragement, it is hoped, is only temporary. But it is there, and it cannot be ignored by those who, like himself, dream of bringing about “the regional equality and balance of America.”


Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Gaylord-Nurney Couple Wed in Distinctive Military Ceremony, April 18, 1900

Roanoke Beacon, Plymouth, N.C., April 27, 1900

A Military Marriage

On Wednesday evening April 18th Grace Episcopal Church was the scene of a beautiful and novel marriage, the contracting parties being Miss Sarah Frances Gaylord the beautiful daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Gaylord, and Mr. W.T. Nurney, one of the popular young drummers of Company “E.”

The church was artistically decorated and all the attendants were military men in full uniform. At 8 o’clock the bridal party arrived at the church and entered as follows: the Color Sergeant entered the rear door and marched to the center of the church where he held the Stars and Stripes between two large arches of evergreens. Following the flag came the drummers beating a soft yet lively quick-step march; they took positions just behind the colors, on either side. Then came Capt. J.E. Reid with a division of his company. As they passed under the flag Lt. Jackson with a division of the company entered from the north entrance and Lt. Mizell with a division entered from the south entrance, passing down the side aisles in single file they formed a double column as they passed under the flag, following the division of Capt. Reid to the chancel, where a heart was formed, as near as possible, by the entire company.

As the drums ceased the notes of the organ, under the artistic touch of Mrs. F.A. Boyle, filled the church with the wedding march and the bride, leaning on the arm of her father, entered the northern entrance, and the groom, with his brother, Mr. B.F. Nurney, entered from the south, marching to the center, while, as they passed under the flag the bride took the groom’s arm and they marched to the chancel rail where they met the rector, Mr. Tolson, who, according to the beautiful ritual of that church, pronounced them man and wife. During the ceremony the flag was held in position directly over the bride.

As the bridal party marched down the center aisle and out at the northern entrance, the organ ceased and the drums took up the notes. Capt. Reid wheeled his men down the center aisle in double column. Lts. Jackson and Mizell marched their divisions in cross line, passing down the side aisles to the center, there meeting, formed in double column in the rear of Capt. Reid’s division, and all passed out the rear entrance.

The ushers, in military costumes, Messrs. P.W. Brinkley and W.F. Ausbon, were unable to place the large number of people in the church. The building was packed to its utmost capacity.

Immediately after the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents, where the happy couple received the congratulations of their many friends. They were also the recipients of many handsome and costly presents.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Sound of the Pistol More Frequent Than Song of the Mockingbird in Asheville, N.C., 1905

The Caucasian, Clinton, N.C., April 20, 1905

“The Sound of the Pistol is More Frequent than Song of the Mocking-bird.”

Asheville, N.C., April 17—Asheville witnessed a touch of lawlessness late Saturday night and early Sunday morning that resulted in the killing of a negro named Butler Maxwell on Mountain Street, the serious and perhaps fatal wounding of W.A. Atkins, a white man, on Southside Avenue, the attack and serious injury of another negro of Valley Street, and the shooting of two women and a negro boys on “Greasy Corner.”

Three of the crimes, including the unprovoked killing of Maxwell, are believed to have been committed by two white men, non-residents of Asheville, who, followed by a dog, went looking for trouble and who after finding it succeeded in evading the police and making their escape.

The killing of Maxwell was the last of the desperate acts of the men and occurred shortly before one o’clock Sunday morning. Upon being notified of this last occurrence and feeling sure that the same men were responsible for Maxwell’s death who stabbed Atkins and assaulted the negro on Valley street, the police force went to work on meagre clues while Sheriff Reed and his deputies went hunting for the murders.

After working on the cases for several hours, clues were obtained that led the officers to suspicion Mac Brooks and Walter Barber, two white men of the Avery’s Creek section of the county, who were in town Saturday.

Brooks was arrested yesterday afternoon and Barber to-day.

Discussed at Home Economics Agents Meeting, Greensboro, 1917

From the Roanoke Rapids Herald, April 13, 1917

The Home Economics Teachers Meeting in Greensboro to-day and to-morrow will include:

--How We Get the Co-operation of the Different Organization in the State, Mrs. Jane S. McKimmon, State Home Demonstration Agent.

--The County Worker and Her Success in Demonstrating Food Values and the Preparation of Foods, Miss Minnie L. Jamison, Assistant in Home Demonstration Work.

--The Home Demonstration Agent and Farm-Life Home Economics Teacher—Miss Grace E. Shaeffer, Assistant in Home Demonstration Work.

--The Personality and Training of the Home Demonstration Agent—Mrs. J.H. Henley, Field Agent.

--The Business Side of Home Demonstration Work, Mrs. E.T. Smith of Wayne County and Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris of Halifax County.

--How I Reach the Woman on the Farm, Mrs. Rosalind A. Redfearn of Anson County and Mrs. W.B. Lamb of Sampson County.

--Co-operative Sources in the County, Miss Grace A. Bradford of Moore County and Miss Lizzie Jo. Roddick of Forsyth County.

--The Canning Clubs and the Country Schools, Miss Eunice E. Penny of Davidson County and Miss Margaret M. McLucas of Surry County.

--Home Demonstration Work as an Inspirational Source of Home Economics in the Rural School, Miss H. Celeste Henkel of Iredell County and Miss Annie Lee Rankin of Mecklenburg County.

Monday, April 16, 2018

Lula Adams on Death of 15-Month-Old Kissie Greene, 1904

Watauga Democrat, Thursday, April 7, 1904

In Memory

At 2 o’clock on the morning of Feb. 15th the pale angel Death rowed his phantom boat across the mystic river, entered the happy home of Mr. G. Wiseman Greene, and carried away the pure spirit of little Kissie.

Her stay on earth was a brief one, only about 15 months, yet brief as it was, the little form had twined itself around the hearts of those who knew her, and the home will deem desolate and lonely without the childish prattle of little Kissie.

Some times we wonder why it is that those tender buds are torn from the parent tree when they are being cultivated with such care, but some where in the eternal summer land our Father has a place to plant them where they will bloom in fadeless beauty.

We sympathize with the bereaved father, brother and sister, where home is left lonely again by the relentless hand of Death, but would console them with the fact that if they are true to the Master, they will meet their darling again, for he who has provided a balmy South for the birds to which they fly intuitively, with blind hope and trust, has provided a shelter for us, where we may meet the loved and lost and realize our soul’s dreams.

Yet ever the lonely way, over the unknown sea we call Death, He will guide us save to a haven, a land immortal, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
                                                                                                                                                            -------Lula Adams, Hangaman, N.C.


Sunday, April 15, 2018

Indian Trail News from the Monroe Journal, 1918

“Happenings of the Week in Vance,” from the Monroe Journal, April 9, 1918.
Indian Trail—Spring has now opened up and the farmers are now showing their part in beginning to do their best in the work. The farmers of this section are adopting the slogan of planting more foodstuffs and less of that plant—cotton—which the Southerner has depended upon so long for what he has in life and which has brought more than thousands of people to dire poverty. The war will in all probability be a blessing to humanity in that it will teach several of the most needed principles of life and living to those who have for all the past been doing things on no systematic way whatever and thereby leaving themselves as a people that think there is nothing in life worth living for except just the meagre things of the world that provides them food and raiment, and certainly we find this class get just what they are looking for and nothing worthwhile. We feel that while the war is devastating all Europe and at the same time leaving it in a very mixed and mangled form, when the things of the present are over and peace reigns then we will be in the best state of affairs and especially the southern farmer who is observing the best ways to do things, for the affairs of today are teaching the rudiments of successful farming and saving, which will be learned and forever remembered by the coming generations.
On Thursday night of last week a social gathering was given in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Kendall in honor of one of our best friends, Mr. Stacy B. Orr, who left Sunday morning for Camp Jackson. Quite a number of the young people from in around the village attended and the evening was spent playing games, which were enjoyed by those who ministered them but the victims of the occasion did not appreciate getting their best clothes soaked with water which was the source of fun for those who enjoyed it. Some left early on account of the way the games were played and report that they do not wish to attend any more socials which are to be carried on on this basis of fun-for-the-other-fellow.
Mr. D.P. Hartis of near here had a slight stroke of paralysis while on his way to Charlotte one day last week, which has rendered him unable to do any work. The stroke took effect in the face, making it impossible to shut one eye. We hope our friend will continue to improve as he has for the last few days.
Preparations are fastly being made for the commencement exercises to be held at Indian Trail. We have had a fine session of school this season save the bad weather which caused a great deal if irregular attendance. The exercises will be somewhat short but nevertheless we are hoping to give those who are able to attend something worth coming for. A short play will be given after the day program on Friday, the 12th. We are able to have with us some of the best speakers that the county affords, who will speak on the day program.
Messrs. Frank Tomberlin, Samuel Lemmond, and Burkett Crowell went with Mr. Stacy B. Orr to Monroe Sunday morning, arriving just before the train left carrying a large crowd of soldiers. Mr. Orr left many of his friends in tears, but as it has been with many other boys who have gone before him, he happened to be one who were chosen to fight for this country’s liberty.
Quite a large crowd were present at the speaking and showing of pictures on the screen of the Presbyterian Church  last night, given on behalf of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Barium Springs by Miss Hudson, who is one of the officers of the place. She gave a fine lecture in connection with the great work which is being done there and also giving the pictures to show exactly how things are arranged for the large number of children being taken care of in that place.
The exercises given on last Sunday night at the Methodist Church were fine and an exceedingly large crowd enjoyed what was said and done. After the program carried was out, the pastor, Rev. A.J. Farington, made a short talk. The honor of getting the program up was awarded to Miss Kate Crowell.
Miss Wilma Harkey was in the village Sunday from Charlotte where she is clerking for her uncle there.
Miss Mamie Ross, who has been here with her aunt, left last Monday afternoon for her home near Wingate.
--Ignatius

Saturday, April 14, 2018

County Commissioner's Cattle Dipping Vat Dynamited By Someone Who Objected to New Rule, 1918

“Lawlessness in Craven County,” from the Monroe Journal, April 5, 1918
“John, you be easy! If you try to get me you will get your next meal in hell!” This was a note left for John E. Daugherty, Craven County commissioner, by a party who Thursday night dynamited a dipping vat on his far a few miles west of New Bern. This is the fifth vat to be destroyed within the past week, and reports have it that others have been destroyed in the lower part of the county.
The Federal government, in connection with the State Department of Agriculture, has been conducting a campaign for the extermination of the cattle tick and vats were provided where cattle were dipped in a solution to destroy the ticks, which are destructive to cattle. Some of the Craven County citizens objected to the law and the lawless element have been destroying the dipping vats, just as lawless element in some sections of east Carolina have resisted the enforcement of the stock law.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Fashionable Clothes for the Girl on Rations, 1940s


Walter Lankford Recommends Republicans Drop Negroes From the Party, 1900


Roanoke Beacon, Plymouth, N.C., April 13, 1900

Republicans Will Vote for the Amendment

Western Republicans especially are showing independence. This week’s Shelby Aurora contains this card from a life-long Republican:

Editor Aurora: I have been a Republican for 20 years and want it understood that I am in favor of the amendment. I believe if we drop the negro, our party will be strengthened in the South. I believe in white supremacy and the leading principles of the Republican Party. I am a subscriber of the Aurora.
            --Walter Lankford

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Let County Board Decide If Each Couple Is Fit to Marry, 1900


From the Charlotte Observer as reprinted in the Roanoke Beacon, Plymouth, N.C., April 13, 1900

Proposition to Regulate Marriages

The Governor of Colorado is credited with a purpose to include in his next message to the legislature a recommendation that there be established in each county a board with power to examine all persons contemplating matrimony, with authority to refuse license to such persons as it may find physically and mentally unfit to get married we all talk more or less about paternalism, but this is a government taking charge of the citizen right. All states, perhaps, have laws forbidding the marriage of insane persons under age, and this, of course, is altogether proper, but further than this the state has nothing to do with the purposes of those who may be matrimonially inclined. That is strictly the business of the contracting parties, their parents or guardians. If the right of government to regulate marriages to the extent suggested is conceded, there would be no limit to which it might not invade the rights of the individual. We believe that in years long gone it was a rule among the Moravians of this state that when a young man concluded that he wanted to get married he laid his case before the church council and it selected a wife for him. That was a large waiver of personal rights; at the same time the applicant made it voluntary, or if he were not willing to make it he had the option of quitting the communion. Indeed, it is further told that a young Moravian named Waugh did not like the girl selected as a wife for him and in consequence seceded from the church, and, after the fashion of Romulus and Remus, founded a city of his own—the present Waughtown.

The Governor of Colorado would, however, arbitrarily forbid marriages in certain cases, though both parties were willing, and capable of making the contract, which is going a step further than was ever known before in history, civil or ecclesiastical.

Dirty Milk Sold in Elizabeth City, Says City Milk Inspector, 1927


From The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, April 1, 1927
One reason for dirty milk sold in Elizabeth City, declares L.L. Hedgepeth, city milk and water inspector, is the low price of much of the milk sold.
Milk is sold as cheap as 10 cents a quart in Elizabeth City and it is absolutely impossible to produce reasonably clean and safe milk at such a low price, says Mr. Hedgepeth.
The dairyman who produces and sells milk at 10 cents a quart is not able to maintain his dairy according to modern or reasonable sanitary requirements.
Ten cent milk will soon be a thing of the past in Elizabeth City if the city milk inspector has his way about it.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

From the Classrooms of Highlands School, April 10, 1942


Class notes from The Mountain Trail, the newspaper of Highlands School, published April 10, 1942.

First Grade

We made Easter baskets in our room this week. We are going to hunt eggs on Monday.
                --Lester Carver

Second Grade

We are going to have a newspaper of our own. It will be printed every day and will be seen on our bulletin board. Our paper will be called “The Tattler” because it tells everything.

We went to Harris Lake on an Easter Egg Hunt. Cleo McCall and Richard Crane won prizes for finding the most eggs. We dyed the eggs ourselves in the school room.

Third Grade

We have finished our scrap books and had them checked. The best ones were Tudor Hall’s, Hazel Johnson’s, Martha Howard’s, and Leon Talley’s.
                --Charles Wood

We had an egg hunt. We had a good time. L.B. Wilson won the prize. The prize was a ball.
                --Hazel Johnson

Fourth Grade

The Fourth Grade enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday afternoon, April the third. The prize winners were Effie Jenkins and Maude Talley.

We took a hike on April the sixth to study Nature. We saw many flowers and birds. We hiked around the Ravanel Lake section.

The Fourth Grade played the Fifth Grade in a game of basketball on April the seventh. They beat us 16 to 2.

Our spring freize is very pretty. In this freize we have tried to catch the spirit of spring. We show how the winds, the rain, the flowers, the birds, and the trees all make up spring. Those who worked on this freize are Effie Jenkins, Hazel McCall, Patsy Hays, Kathleen Potts, Margaret McDowell, L.C. Howard, David Bridgman, Maude Talley, Neville Wilson, Charlie Ray Norton, Martha Holt, Mary B. Cook, and Ray Reese.

At last everybody has finished his geography notebook. The 7th Grade judged them the prize winners were Effie Jenkins and Patsy Hayes, first prizes, and Mary B. Cook, Margaret McDowell, and Hazel McCall, second prizes.

We have a corner in our room where only the best art work goes. We call this our “Art Corner.” Those who have done work worthy of this corner are Vivian McCall, Effie Jenkins, Ray Reese, and David Bridgman.

Fifth Grade

We have nine new books for our library. They are Karoo the Kangaroo, Story Pictures of Transportation, Peter Makes Good, Story Pictures of our Neighbors, Sniffy The Story of a Skunk, Sir Noble the Police Horse, Colonial Twins of Virginia, the Cat and the Kitten, Pioneer Twins, and The Beaver Twins. We are very glad to get them. They are very nice books to read.
                --Bernice Keener

We have elected a new president for our club. Clarence Miller is president, Pauline Crowe is vice-president, and Mary Crunkleton is secretary. We elect officers once every month. We carry our club on daily and hope we can carry it on right.
                --Marveta Crisp

We are having a contest on reading. We all read each day for two weeks. Then we selected the two best ones from them to go on the contest. There were five boys and five girls. We are going to read next Friday to find the best boy and the best girl.
                --Doris Keener

On April 6 we went to the Harborson Lake to have our Easter Egg Hunt and to have a picnic. We enjoyed hunting the eggs and our picnic lunch very much. After lunch we played until it was time to come back to the school.
                --Bernice Keener

Sixth Grade

The Sixth and Fifth Grade boys had a basket ball game the other day. The score was 12 to 10 in favor of the Fifth Grade.

The Sixth Grade went to Sunset April 6 on an Easter Egg Hunt. Mary Gibson found the most eggs.

Seventh Grade

The Seventh Grade seems to be studying much more than they were at the beginning of school. They seem to realize that the end of the term is drawing near. Many of us feel we don’t want to be sitting in here next year.

On March 31 the Seventh Grade Glee Club participated in the play, “The Firebug,” by singing “America.”

We are very glad to have Vella Mae McCall back in school after a few days absences because of illness.

On Monday, April 6, the Seventh Grade enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the orcharge above Trillium Lodge. Harold Pogers won the prize after finding twelve eggs.
                --Doris Hedden

Eight Grade

Miss Musch was very surprised when she came into the room on Wednesday which was April Fool’s Day.

The girls are looking forward to the game with Glenville Friday, April 11. They are looking forward to having team suits next year also.

Ninth Grade

Several of the pupils of the Ninth Grade attended the Presbyterian Rally in Asheville Monday afternoon. They were Nancy Potts, Buddy Thompson, Jack Bridgman, and Maxie Wright.
The books we are required to make in English are due April 15 and they’re driving us wild! We sympathize more and more with the eleventh graders who made magazines and the tenth graders who made newspapers.

We are also enjoying teaching each other literature!!??

Our history class is taking up a complete and thorough study of the World War I. We believe that this study will help us to understand the conditions of the world today to a greater extent.

We can hardly wait for test week to come. That’s the truth but there’s a catch to it. It will mean one more month of school gone. Seven down and one to go!

Tenth Grade

We are very glad to have Leona Norton back to school with us.

The Tenth Grade members have been selling magazines in order to raise money for the Junior-Senior Banquet. A movie was given April 7 for the benefit of the banquet.

We are very sorry to hear that Helena Speed and Marie McCall have stopped school.

Eleventh Grade

All eleventh graders are asked to attend school as regularly as possible for the remainder of the year. 

We won’t mention names but last week about a third of the class had to stay after school and copy for twenty minutes for being tardy so often. No, we aren’t proud of ourselves.

We are really getting anxious about our class rings. How we wish they’d come!!

Marian Norton has bene absent several days this month because of a sickness.

The question that is continually on Malcom Zoellner’s lips is “Why don’t those dames like me?”

All of us are sorry that Alice Gibson is not in school.

Say! Aren’t we glad that Jessie, Reba, Bud, and Mario don’t look at school as they did in The Firebug!

Jessie Potts and Mary Hunt enjoyed a trip to Asheville this week to attend a C.E. Rally.