Saturday, June 30, 2018

The Truth About That Lion Loose in the Woods in Goose Creek, 1918

“Sketches” from the Monroe Journal, June 28, 1918

The Lion in Goose Creek Township
To this day, says Judge W.O. Lemmond, the people in the Union Grove section in Goose Creek township believe that a lion or some other ferocious animal was at large in the woods back of the store of Lonnie Helms, now of Charlotte, which he used to keep in August, 1903. It was about a week after the circus had been in Monroe when several of the residents of that section, including Crawford Ford, Cy Ford and George Rowell, who were sitting around Helm’s store, heard a noise that sounded like a lion roaring. They were frightened but stayed at the store a while longer to discuss the unexpected phenomena. A few agreed that it was a lion in the woods, while others were equally positive that it was a tiger. Anyway, all concluded that it was a wild animal and that it had escaped from the circus.
The next morning the whole neighborhood was stirred over the news that a wild animal was in the wood back of Helm’s store. A few went so far as to positively state that they had seen tracks where the lion had crossed the road. Mothers warned their children to keep away from the woods. Men oiled their guns. Lonnie came to Monroe after some shells loaded with large shot. The community was armed, ready for the menacing foe.
A still larger crowd gathered at the store that night. A few doubted the tale, but they were quickly convinced when they heard a low growl, a cry sounding as if it came from a choked animal. It sounded louder than it did the night before, and everybody was visibly frightened. Action was needed, and the gathering dispersed that night, but not before all had agreed  to meet the next night, armed to the teeth, to search out the lair of the animal.
At this point Judge Lemmond stopped his narrative long enough to acquaint his hearers with the real state of affairs. His grandfather had brought a huge horn over with him when he came from Ireland, and it was still in the family. Tom Lemmond, his brother, had discovered that a noise, similar to the growl of a wild animal, could be made by pouring a pint of water down into the horn. A visit to the circus the week before had given him an idea, which resulted in the scare thrown into the crowd gathered arund the store, as has been related. Tom Lemmond had secreted himself in the woods back of the store, and was the cause of the devilment. No one, except Judge Lemmond, was taken into his confidence. The community, to this day, does not know the real story.
It was a noble little band of warriors that gathered the third night to hunt for the lion. Lonnie Helms was commander-in-chief. The army was divided into companies, each company having a captain. They scoured the woods but it was a vain search. They had about given up the hope of finding the animal, and had started back to the store when from down in the swamps came the now familiar growl. Instantly they were back in the woods. Judge Lemmond, who had a part to perform, slipped off from his company, and wandered into the woods, where he found his brother Tom. They waited there until the valiant army had gone back to the store, concluding that the lion was not to be found. Then Judge Lemmond threw a black laprobe over his shoulder, creeping to the edge of the woods as he did so. Tom followed him. When they reached the edge of the woods, on which spots numbers of anxious eyes were riveted, hoping to secure a glimpse of the animal, Tom blew his horn, and Judge Lemmond, dressed like a bear, jumped from the bushes. This act threw consternation in the camp. Lonnie Helms raced down a pasture, through a branch, and over a fence, refusing to stop until he was exhausted. Others raced to their homes, barring their door after they got in. At this point Judge Lemmond dropped his role, fired his gun into the air, and raced down the road. Anxious eyes peered out from windows at the racing figure, feeling certain that he was being pursued by the vicious animal.
“And,” finished the Judge, “it was a long, long time afterwards before people felt perfectly safe in that community.”
Sarah Redwine Sets the Example
Miss Sarah Redwine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Redwine, is a patriotic young lady. Besides serving the Red Cross in many ways, she practices economy at home. During the war she as decided not to drive her automobile for pleasure in order to save gasoline for the government. Her example is worthy of emulation by other Monroe people. There is entirely too much joy-riding, and it should be stopped. Everyone knows how difficult at times it is to secure gasoline for necessary purposes, and if every car owner would cut down their gas consumption a gallon a day the saving would be enough to provide against such a shortage.
Must We Be Reminded to Pray?
Do Christian American people have to be reminded to pray for their boys? All over the country it seems that the good people have decided that a whistle must be blown or a bell rung to remind them that it is time to pray for Allied success. This is a Mohammedan custom, but one would never have thought that Christians would have adopted it. In the land of the Sultan a bell rings at certain hours, and the Mohammedan population drops to its knees to offer supplication to their god. The Christian has never needed a reminder to pray; his prayers are usually offered in the quiet of his home during the evening hour. And is there a mother who hasn’t offered a silent prayer every day, every hour, for her son in France?
Oh, Johnny! Why Do You Lag?
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Why do you lag?
Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Run to the flag!
Your country’s calling, can’t you hear?
Don’t stay behind while others do all the fighting.
Start to Oh, Johnny! Oh, Johnny! Get right in line,
And help to crush the foe,
You’re a big husky chap,
Uncle Sam’s in a scrap,
You must Go! Johnny, Go! Johnny, Go!


How Tariff Affects Cost of Ready-Made Clothes, 1910

From the Watauga Democrat , Thursday, June 30, 1910.

Only $120,000,000! That’s all the wearers of ready made clothing will have to pay this summer in excess of former prices as a result of the passage of the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill.


Friday, June 29, 2018

Ethel Mae Lowry, Louise Outlaw Were June Brides, 1936



“Strictly Personal,” from The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., June 19, 1936

Miss Ethel Mae Lowry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Lowry Jr. of Weeksville, who will be married Sunday evening, June 21st, to Mr. Thomas William Foster. The wedding will be solemnized at Salem Baptist Church. (Photo by Frisby)

One of the loveliest of this year’s crop of June brides in Elizabeth City is Mrs. Henry Hobson Sandridge, above, who before her marriage at Christ Episcopal Church on Saturday night, June 6, was Miss Louise Outlaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Outlaw of Riverside Avenue, this city. (Frisby photo)

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Payne, Marion Overman and Dick Dozier spent last week end at Nags Head.
Commander J.A. Price, Captain Walter Ethridge, James Evans Blades and Albert Gard left Wednesday afternoon for New York to attend the Louis-Schmeling fight.

Beware, girls, no flirting with the new highway patrolman C.W. Gibson, as he has a very attractive wife. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have an apartment with Mrs. Gladys S. Daniels on West Church Street.
Mrs. Howard Bullock, Mrs. Evelyn Carter and Mrs. Sanford Dale spent last week end in Rocky Mount and attended the wedding of Mrs. Bullock’s sister, Miss Louise Barthalemew.

Charlie Burcher of Norfolk spent the week end with his parents on Ehringhaus Street.

Among the students receiving honors at Duke University were J.W. Brown Jr. of Gatesville and Ralph E. Baum of Kitty Hawk.

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Mathis of Manteo spent Wednesday in this city.

Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Saunders returned Monday night from Charlotte where they had been called for the funeral of Mr. Saunders’ brother-in-law, Earl Lanford.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Matthew Weeks have moved to Apt. 5, Perry Apartment.

Albert Lassiter of Miami, Fla., and Lockwood Lassiter of  Baltimore are visiting Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Twiford on Burgess Street.

Mrs. Lannie Livermore of Columbia is visiting Miss Lillian Alexander at her home on Cypress Street.

Mr. and Mrs. Copeland (Edna) Newbern are spending the summer with Mrs. Newbern’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Creekmore at Moyock.

Bill Daniels, Dail Bembury and Kennett Jarvis have opened a little store at Nags Head for the summer.

Wanda Miller left Wednesday to visit friends in Raleigh.

Mrs. J.J. Combs and children, Toot and Joe John of Raleigh are visiting Mrs. Combs’ parents, Judge and Mrs. I.M. Meekins on West Main Street.

Lillian Wilkins took her office force to Kitty Hawk for the week end.

Mrs. Ruth Margaret Way of Orangeburg, S.C., has been spending a week with Mrs. Clay Foreman on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Clay Foreman, Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Foreman, Mrs. Mollie Bartlett and Mrs. Way spent the week end at Virginia Beach.

Mrs. Phyllis McMullan Howard has returned to Nags Head after being ill at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P.W. McMullan on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cyrus Aydlett, Carolyn Kramer, Jane Sawyer, Jay Scott, Lockett Blackwell, Ruth Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith spent the week end at Aydletts cottage at Kitty Hawk Beach.

Mary Owens and Beany Creecy spent the week end at Nags Head as the guests of Mrs. Graham Bell.

Mr. and Mrs. Holland Webster and little daughter Grace Holland have been spending this week in Lexington, N.C., as the guest of Mr. Webster’s parents. They also visited in Winston-Salem.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl (Virginia Peele) Scarborough have returned to their home at Wash Woods Coast Guard station after visiting Mr. Scarborough’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Scarborough on Pearl Street.

Mr. and Mrs. M.U. Sanders and Mr. and Mrs. Claude Duke spent last week end at Nags Head.

Mrs. Ben Goodwin, Mrs. John Marshall and baby, Mrs. Harvey Goodwin and twins are spending some time at Cyrus Aydlett’s cottage at Kitty Hawk Beach.

Mrs. James Brayshaw and her grandson James Rodney Brayshaw of Newark, Del., are spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Foreman on Riverside Drive.

Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Reid of Newport News, Va., spent the week end with Mr. Reid’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Reid on Route 1.

Mrs. Virginia Wood of this city has been granted an absolute divorce from John L. Wood of this county.

Mrs. Walter Cohoon and Mrs. William Anderson entertained on Wednesday afternoon for Mrs. W.H. Doyle of Finley, Ohio, a house guest of Mrs. Fred Lowe. Bridge was enjoyed at ten tables and delightful refreshments in the nature of a salad course were served. Miss Mary Owens won the high score prize and Mrs. George Turner won the second high score prize. Mrs. Doyle was presented with the guest prize.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Filing of False Tax Returns Is Widespread Says Editor, 1918

“False Tax Returns,” from the editorial page of the Monroe Journal, June 28, 1918, John Beasley, editor

The writer, while looking through a pile of War Savings Stamps soliciting cards, on which were listed the tax returns of the inhabitants of a certain Monroe ward, was surprised at the amount which some apparently wealthy men returned their property for taxation. One man, whose holdings are generally estimated to be in excess of $150,000, had given his property at $40,000. Another citizen who was known to possess at least $3,000 worth of taxable property had given his holdings at the modest sum of $300, one-tenth of their actual worth. A well-known citizen, whose home is luxuriously furnished, made affidavit that his household goods, including musical instruments, were worth only $70!
The wealthy are not the only guilty ones. Many citizens in modest circumstances gave in their property at amounts ranging from $10 to $100. In fact, so far as the writer knows no one in that pile of names had reported their holdings to be worth over one-fourth of their real value. These returns, it must be remembered, were declared to be true on the oath of each property owner. No one is at fault except the taxpayers and the system.
As a result of this practice of giving small returns, the tax rate of Monroe is advertised far and wide as exorbitant. Besides this it works no especial harm other than to force a few conscientious citizens, who give in their property at full value, to pay more than their share of taxes.
The system ought to be changed. The tax rate in Monroe is really no higher than in other sections but the world does not know it. Outsiders look at the rate alone, and not the rate on the amount of returns. By introducing a reform, Union County people would be relieved of the necessity of making false returns, and the community would cease to receive the bad advertising it now gets. The only way to eradicate the evil would be to appoint an assessing board with full authority to make a minute inspection of the holdings of each person. Make the additional requirement of the board that it list property at its real value, and the taxation would be equalized.

Local Preacher Arrested for Sermon Being Too Soft on Germans, 1918

“Local Preacher Arrested,” from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Thursday afternoon, June 27, 1918

A white man who worked in Pee Dee Mill No. 1 named W. Tom Collins was arrested last Friday afternoon in the mill by Deputy Marshal Tomlinson of Fayetteville and carried before U.S. Commissioner Guthrie. He is charged with using words in a sermon on June 9th at a school house near Morven that were calculated to give aid and comfort to the enemy (Germans). Mr. Guthrie required him to give a $500 bond for his appearance for trial on July 5th.

News of Richmond County Soldiers, 1918

“Richmond County Soldiers” column, from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Thursday afternoon, June 27, 1918

W.B. Cole of Rockingham, but who was registered in Union County and sent to Camp Jackson with a Union squad last Sept. 1st, has recently been promoted from a sergeant-major at Camp Sevier to a field clerk of the 81st division.

One of the first things done to newly drafted men after reaching camp is to line them up and a cathartic pill is given each. And he must take this dry, no water. Next morning the men are given their first inoculation against fever.

Relatives of Ed F. Helms received word Saturday that he had been wounded in action in France. He volunteered about three years ago and served for quite a while on the Mexican border. Last June he was sent to France. He was from Union County and is a brother of T.R. Helms of Rockingham.

Wm. Covington has been promoted to sergeant in the 615th Aero Squadron, Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. He writes the Post-Dispatch that he has missed but one copy during the many months he has been in the Lone Star State. The paper invariably reaches him on Mondays and it is more eagerly looked for than Christmas chow would be.

Manly F. Haywood was sent to Camp Jackson March 6th in a squad of Richmond County men On April 26th he was transferred from the 19th company to the 31st company of the 156th Depot Brigade. He is mess sergeant of his company and says his is the best company in the entire brigade and he wishes all the Richmond County boys could be in it. Army life is agreeing with and making a man of Man-ly.

Relatives here received a card 10 days ago stating that Ellis Thomas had landed safely in France. He is a stenographer to the chief surgeon, medical detachment of the 30th division. Ellis was one of the 14 white men sent from Richmond County to Camp Jackson March 31st. He was in France almost within two months after being sent to camp. His friends hope the war will soon end so that he can return and begin the practice of law, the license for which he secured last February.

The address of Samuel Franklin Key is now “Advance Gas Depot No. 1, A.P.O. No 712, American Expeditionary Force France.” Frank was sent in the draft from Richmond County to camp last Sept. 19th, and has been in France now over three months. His brother, Edwin Lowder, is also in the service, having volunteered in June of last year. His mother, Mrs. Cornelius H. Key of Ellerbe, Rt., received a card June 17th stating that he had landed safely in France; he is in the 105th Engineers. Marvin, who will be 20 Oct. 21st, is Mrs. Key’s only remaining son at home. Her husband died March 30th.

Robert Stancill, more lovingly known to some of his school-day friends as “Sweetie,” spent Saturday and Sunday at home here. Robert is attached to Brigade headquarters in the personnel office at Camp Jackson. He was one of the “124” sent from Richmond County May 25th. He asked to be allowed to remain with the other fellows, as thereby he would see active service in France sooner, but was refused. Office men are hard to get. The men prefer the chance of going “over the top” to the routine life. Robert was an efficient assistant in the Bank of Pee Dee Here, and will be equally efficient in the army clerical work.

Watt Parsons saw an eclipse of the sun all by himself a few days ago at Camp Jackson, also several million extra stars. A boxing contest was in progress and each drafted man was told he must take part Presently a little fellow stepped into the ring. Now Watt and his A & E. College days was somewhat of a boxer and seeing the little fellow and fancying himself superior in skill and size he decided this to be his chance. “Watch me lay him out,” remarked he to William Harry Entwhistle, as he nonchalantly donned the gloves and crawled under the ropes. Zip, Biff, Bang! And here the curtain had best drop. Watt hasn’t yet realized just when, where or how he was hit, but that he was walloped good and plenty, his feelings and a darkened eye bore witness. Watt says that clothes may sometimes make the man but SIZE never does!

Twelve of the 97 men sent to Camp Jackson May 25th from Union County have been returned home, physically rejected.

Joe Coley came from Camp Jackson Monday night, returning Tuesday night. On the same train going to camp was his brother, Percy, one of the 15 sent by the exemption board Tuesday night.

In the casualty list published June 25th were the names of Edward L. Sledge of Asheboro and Lt. George A. Ball of Monroe, killed in action June 6th. Lt. Ball was a son of Rev. W.H. Ball at one time rector of the Rockingham Episcopal Church.

Fred Simons, one of the 72 colored drafted men sent to Camp Grant, Illinois March 30, returned home last Tuesday, having been discharged from camp for physical reasons. The bulk of the Richmond County colored men who went at that time have been sent “across.”

A Richmond County colored man says he knows what war is. He said he had been in two church festival fights broke down acres of undergrowth in flight from a raided still, been a cook in the Spanish American War, and to clap the climax had been married three times. Said he wouldn’t mind, after all this, going into a little thing like this war.

Walter Warburton went to Wilmington Sunday night and Monday was examined for enlistment into the Naval Reserves. He returned here Monday night and expects to be called within the next 30 days. He went to Raleigh last week to enlist in the Navy as a printer, but could not get in in that capacity. Walter will be 21 next October 13th, and for several years has been foreman in Smith’s Print Shop.

Frank Biggs, who volunteered from Marlboro County last October, has recently been promoted to sergeant-clerk in the Quartermasters Department at Camp Jackson. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Biggs of this city. Rather strange, and yet practically every fellow who is assigned to clerical work in camp chaffs at it. They all with one accord prefer the more active military life, with the more immediate prospect of going “over yonder.” And this is the case with Frank; he wants to go to France.

Two deserters were carried to Camp Jackson last Thursday by Mr. Hal Ledbetter, who accompanied them in the capacity of mediator and intercessor. One, Jasper Grant, left camp last fall, and the other, Tom Leviner from Scotland County, more recently left camp. Both patriotically decided they had rather return to service than lay out, and so voluntarily presented themselves to the Richmond County Exemption Board and asked to be sent back to camp. They returned at their own expense last Thursday with Mr. Ledbetter going as a “friend at court.” Arriving there they found that their company had been sent to Camp Sevier, so they were allowed to go there and rejoin it.

Willie Gwynne Head a few weeks ago was examined at Wilmington for enlistment into the Navy and was allowed to return home until he should receive orders. These came last week, and Saturday he left for Charleston, S.C., to report in the hospital corps at the Navy Yard.

Ben Stubbs and Corbett Hinson struck town last Saturday but will return to their naval training tonight. These two Rockingham fellows volunteered and were went last January 7th to Newport, Rhode Island, and kept there in training for four months. The last of April they were sent to the electrical school at Brooklyn and on May 30th transferred to the new school six miles from Norfolk, at the Jamestown site. This electrical school fits the men for any kind of electrical work and turns out about 20 graduates each week. There are 12 companies there, 160 to the company. Uncle Sam is training these men for service on submarines, electrically driven battleships, destroyers, etc. The course requires about 10 months’ study. And so thorough is the electrical training that the instruction given there will be most valuable to those so fortunate as to be trained by our government. Both Ben and Corbett like the life and are not only glad to be in training for service for our country but at the same time receiving a real profession. Their address is “Electrical School, Navy Operating base, Hampton Roads, Va.” Ben is in the 5th company, Corbett in the 2nd. Their brigade headquarters is the Jamestown Exposition History building with barracks surrounding it. You who journeyed to the Exposition in 1937 can visualize it.

John Lloyd Hill of Hamlet, was placed in class three on account of the poor health of his father. But recently his father had so much improved that his son felt he could enter the service. He voluntarily presented himself to the exemption board of Richmond County and asked to be reclassified into Class one. This was done and young Hill will be sent to Camp Jackson in the squad of 15 on June 25th.
Dr. F.O. Hellier, pastor of the Laural Hill and Smyra Presbyterian Churches in Scotland County, has volunteered for Y.M.C.A. work overseas, and has been ordered to report in New York July 9th.

A number of Richmond County boys at Camp Jackson were sent to Camp Sevier at Greenville last Monday morning to help fill up the 81st division. It seems probable that this division will be sent across shortly, as it is up to the required strength now. Among those the Post-Dispatch knows to have been transferred are: Watt Parsons, Cole Nichols, William Stanback, Jim Little, William Dockery, Wm. Harry Endwistle, Red Shackleford, Jim McKenzie, Jake Pearson, Hill Atkinson, Snell Brown, John Hammonds, Daniel Sneed, Victor Coltraine, W. Mutchison, Marcus Little, Watt Davis, and W.C. Nichols. W.C. Nichols and Watt Parsons’ address is Co. C., 324th inft. Wm. Dockery’s is Co. L, 322nd inft. At Camp Jackson the boys were in two large companies, but the transfer has separated them, and at Sevier they were placed in various companies. About 40 of the 124 who went to Jackson May 25th are still there.

Private David S. Graham, aged 43, of the Marine Corps, was killed in action June 6th at the fight at Ghateau Thierry. He was a son of Professor and Mrs. Alexander Graham of Charlotte.

Casualties in the American army overseas, including the list made public June 23rd, totaled 8,634, as compared with 8,085 to the week previous. This does not include the marine casualty list, which numbers about 1,000. The total number who have died of disease is 1,268, a remarkably small number of deaths from disease when it is considered that we have over 1 million in France. The killed in action number 1,312 (including 291 lost as sea.) Prisoners 365; wounded 4,811.

Three government hospital trains have been outfitted by the Pullman Company, and one of them made its first trip with 124 empyema patients from Camp Lee to the new government hospital as Asheville last Sunday. Empyema is a disease resulting from pneumonia or pleurisy, abcess often forming in the lungs. The mountain climate of Asheville is thought to be beneficial. The train of mixed cars includes an equipped operating room, kitchen, dining and sleeping cars, and is a perfect hospital on wheels. This item is mentioned simply to show our country is preparing to comfortably take care of the wounded or diseased soldiers.


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

11-Year-Old Joseph Dempsey Claims Ford V-8 for His Mom, 1936


“The Winner,” from The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., June 19, 1936

As happy as any war veteran receiving his bonus bonds or any farmer receiving his potato money was 11-year-old Joseph Dempsey of Brook Avenue, this city, when he stepped forward Wednesday afternoon to claim the Ford V-8 automobile given away by Elizabeth City merchants at the conclusion of the trade and gift campaign they had been sponsoring since April 4. Young Dempsy, holding the winning coupon for his mother, who was at home with a sick headache, is shown beside the Ford a few minutes after being presented with the keys. He is a son of Joseph F. Dempsy, who is employed at the Hotel Fort Raleigh in Manteo. His mother teaches school here. The Dempseys had no tickets at all except a long string of consecutive numbers they got when they bought a new electric refrigerator recently. The winning ticket was about halfway thru this string.

Lawmakers in Washington Not Considering the People's Interests, 1910

“Their Own Convenience, Not the People” from the Editorial Page of the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, June 23, 1910

The following dispatch from Washington shows how little the people’s interests are considered by the lawmakers at Washington and how well they look after their own conveniences at the people’s expense. The Senate refuses $150,000 for the reclamation of 50,000,000 acres of land, but appropriates $3,600,000 to give its members a better view of a railroad depot:
“An amendment carrying in appropriation $150,000 to show the people of the South how to drain and reclaim 50,000,000 acres of the most valuable land in the United States was kept out of the sundry civil bill by reason of the opposition of Senator Hale of Maine. The amendment was one introduced in the Senate by Senator Foscer of Louisiana and endorsed by Southern Senators. With the elimination of the drainage amendment, there was incorporated in the same bill by the same Senator from Maine an amendment appropriating $3,600,000 for the purchase of 11 city blocks to afford a better view of the new Union station from the Capitol and office building occupied by Senators. The amendment that was eliminated from the bill by the Senator from main would have resulted in the development of 50,000,000 acres of the richest and most productive land in the entire country, thus adding hundreds of millions in dollars to the wealth of the nation. The amendment incorporated in the bill at the instance of Senator Hale satisfied the whim of a few Senators. The first amendment endorsed by the farmers of the country, three large delegations having come to Washington from the South and Southwest and appeared before committees of Congress to urge the importance of the appropriation for a survey with the object of proving how this waste land may be drained for settlers and home seekers. The 2nd amendment is endorsed largely by people who live in Washington City.”

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Cliffside Mills Adding 500 Additional Looms, 1926

The Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., “Published Every Week in the Mountain Paradise,” Thursday afternoon, June 17, 1926. At the top of the banner: Tryon Has a Year Round Climate Equal to the Riviera.

Cotton Mills Enlarge at Town of Cliffside
Cliffside, N.C., June 16—Work is progressing rapidly in the enlargement of Cliffside mills, about 500 additional looms now being installed to manufacture Terry towels. It has also been decided to install a finishing plant and bleacher. The total expenditures, according to plans approved recently, exceeded $600,000, the machinery alone costing approximately $300,000. Should this enlarged plant make necessary the use of more power than is included in the maximum contract now in effect with the Cliffside Mills, it is known that the Blue Ridge Power Company will be in position to supply any part of the 13,000,000 k.w.h. to be available next October upon completion of the hydro-electric plant being installed at Lake Lure, 25 miles west of here. The Lake Lure dam is to be over 100 feet high and is now about half way completed, and Paul L. Holland, engineer in charge at Chimney Rock, expects to begin accumulating a partial head of water this summer.

J.M. Clung Explains How Raising Hogs Can Be Profitable, 1918

June 7, 1918, from the Jackson County Journal

By J.M. McClung, Jackson County Agent
Hogs are often considered unprofitable simply because they are given unsanitary quarters, the dry lot feeding system is resorted to, or they are turned on pasture and managed like ruminants without receiving any concentrates as a supplement to their ration. Neither system should be followed, but a combination of the two that is swine should always receive a grain ration, even when running on the best pasture.
Economy is of prime importance in any enterprise, for it means gain or loss. When we “hog off” crops and the hogs do their own harvesting, hence we save labor. At the present high cost of labor this means a great saving. Hogs in fields were they harvest their own food gain nearly 30 percent more rapidly than those fed in yards, and require less grain for a pound of pork.
The cost of fencing seems to be the main obstacle preventing farmers from grazing hogs, yet the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station found that the ratio for fencing hogs compared to husking the corn was 1 to 2.5. As pointed out by W.W. Shay three years ago when 39-inch woven wire cost $8 per 40rod bail, pork was eight cents per pound. Today, a 40-rod bail of similar fencing cost $16, and pork is 17 cents per pound. It took just 100 pound of pork to buy a bail then. It takes less now.
Duggar at the Alabama Experiment Station in his experiments with hogs on forage crops found that soy beans gave better returns than any other crop used. Soy beans should be planted May 20 to June 14 in rows just wide enough for the cultivator to pass between the rows and cultivated as corn. The crop may be planted with a corn planter and should be rather thick in the rows. The pigs should be turned on the soy beans in time to eat all the leaves before frost.
Rape is one of our best forage crops for pigs. It should e sown 5 pounds to the acre on some of the best land available in August. This will furnish grazing for winter and early spring till clover is ready to grace. The latter will furnish pasture till the soy beans are ready for the pigs.
If no clover is available for spring pasture, sow two bushels of oats, 5 pounds of rape, and 6 pounds of red clover per acre as early in the spring as possible. When the crop is 8 to 10 inches high, it is ready to graze and will furnish pasture till the soy beans are ready to graze.
In discussing “hogging off” crops we must not overlook the fact that the excrement of the pigs is distributed quite uniformly over the field and that it contains nearly all the fertilizing materials of the food consumed. Then, too, nearly all the dry matter from which humus is formed is returned to the land. Consequently the productivity of the land is being constantly increased.
Hogs should be provide with plenty of fresh water all the time.
--J.M. McClung, County Agent.


Monday, June 25, 2018

Need Ice? A 10-Room House for $20 a Month? 1914

The Goldboro Weekly Argus, Thursday evening, June 25, 1914

Want Ads

HAIR DRESSING—Ladies desiring to have their hair shampooed and dressed, or otherwise attended to can be served by calling on Mrs. P.M. Thompson at 111 George Street; or she will call at the homes of any desiring her services.

POSITION WANTED—A young man desires position as stenographer or book keeper. Can give reference. Address “K” in care of Argus

LOCAL VIEWS—Post cards giving views of Goldsboro—12 different subjects. Hicks & Hawley—the place you will eventually trade.

FOR RENT—Two furnished rooms with convenience 1 ½ blocks of depot. P.H. Crawford at N.E. Bradford’s office.

FOR RENT—Newly completed two-story seven room dwelling on Oak Street. Electric lights and water works. Apply to Mrs. W.P. Wrenn.

FURNISHED ROOMS—Three furnished rooms, with bath, electric lights. Delightful neighborhood. Apply at 210 S. William Street.

SUMMER SCHOOL—Individual instruction and coaching in any public school subject during summer months. O.V. Hicks, corner West Centre and Ash Streets. Phone 478-L.

CORN FOR SALE—At my farm in Stony Creek township. Apply to me at store of H. Weil & Bros. R. Jack Smith.

WANTED—Second-hand Remington, Underwood or L.C. Smith typewriter. Apply at Argus office.

HELP WANTED—Men wanted to visit trade with our cigars. Salary $25 weekly to start. Cordelle Cigar Co., Station D New York City

FOR RENT—One 10-room house on Pine Street east. All modern improvements. $20 per month. Apply to J.E. Peterson.

ICE—A.B. Austin & Co. We have furnished Ice to Goldsboro patrons for years. We are again at your service. Prompt and free delivery. Phone 107.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Photo of Mrs. Nancy Hilbert, Daughter Rita and Son Delmar Harrell, 1936



June, 1936, The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C.

Mrs. Nancy Hilbert and her two children, Rita age five and a half years and Delmar Harrell, age three years. Mrs. Hilbert is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Harrell, RFD 3, Elizabeth City. She is a graduate of Elizabeth City High School, Class of ’27, and completed the business course at Eastman School of Business, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She is employed as a Senior Clerk at the WPA offices in Elizabeth City and is a Notary Public. (Frisby photo)

D.V. Davis of Fork, N.C., Shares 49 Years Knowledge Working With Tobacco, 1914

The Goldsboro Weekly Argus, Thursday evening, June 25, 1914

Forty nine years ago I began growing tobacco. A few years later I decided that there were certain days better than others on which to cut tobacco for it to cure up nicely and have a rich, waxy and heavy body. To find out the way to tell these dates, and to tell them ahead has been a hard job but I was finally successful.

To explain, let me say that tobacco has an oily substance which is its natural possession. It has a sap (water) like other vegetation. When the sap raises, it runs the oil out through the pores of the leaves on the principle that oil and water won’t mix, and oil being the lighter is pushed out by the sap. 

Tobacco cut and cured in this state will be light and “chaffy,” for you see, there is nothing but sap in the tobacco and when cured this sap is gone. It evaporates and leaves the tobacco light and worthless. But to cut tobacco when the sap is down and the oil has full sway, you can cure it up nicely and with a heavy body; it will be rich and “waxy.” This happens because the tobacco is full of oil instead of sap, and the oil can’t evaporate and remains in the leaf to make it rich and heavy.

It has been my experience that we must cut tobacco when there is oil in it, if we expect to have oil in it when cured. For instance, you have experienced cutting one week and have excellent luck and then cut a few days later, probably off the same piece of ground and with riper tobacco, and have no luck at all.

I shall be pleased to answer any correspondence from tobacco growers who may want to write me, provided postage is sent for reply.


Saturday, June 23, 2018

Salisbury Woman Donates Late Husband's Machines, Tools, to Industrial School at Valle Crucis, 1910

From the Thursday, June 23, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

Mrs. Peter A. Ferecks of Salisbury has donated to Bishop Horner for his Industrial School at Valle Crucis, the machinery, tools, and hardware from the shops of her late husband, Peter A. Fereicks, and last week shipped to the school 14 machines and 37 boxes of tools and supplies. The school in question is a grand institution, and is doing a noble work.
The last name was spelled Ferecks on first reference and Fereicks on second; I don’t know which is correct.

Kansas Farmers Growing So Much They Need Help Harvesting, 1910

“A Kansas Idea” reprinted from the Nashville Tennessean in the Thursday, June 23, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

Poor farms are so scantily patronized in Kansas that counties have been at a loss to make proper use of the property….
The State Agricultural College saw its opportunity, and by act of the legislature was authorized to take over the unusual poor farms for county experiment stations, where farmers are shown in a thoroughly practical way the most modern agricultural methods.
Professors from the Agricultural College deliver lectures and give demonstrations at each of the stations once a month thro’ the growing season, and domestic science instructors give lectures for the women of the farming districts and afford an opportunity for the fuller discussion of all the problems of the farm home.
What a happy substitute for the miserable poor farm the experiment station is, with its broad acres of corn, wheat, and forage crops adapted to the cattle-feeding sections. Half of the country farms in Kansas are now used for the demonstration of model farming methods, and Governor Stubbs is hopeful that even a larger number may be turned into social and educational centers next year.
Many of the young men and women in rural Kansas have never seen a saloon. The sunflower State has never believed in filling its poor farms and asylums with alcoholic lunatics, paupers, and other derelicts whose downfall was traceable directly to liquor. It abolished the legalized saloon long ago, with the result that many of the new counties have never even found it necessary to establish a poor farm.
Kansas has recently issued a call for 20,000 harvest hands to help care for its wheat crop. There is work there for all who are able and willing to work, and the man who wants to prove the anti-saloon movement a failure had better not take Kansas as his text.

What Will the Future Look Like? 1930


Friday, June 22, 2018

Purebred Vs. Scrub Cattle in Polk County, 1926

The Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., “Published Every Week in the Mountain Paradise,” Thursday afternoon, June 17, 1926. At the top of the banner: Tryon Has a Year Round Climate Equal to the Riviera.

Purebred Versus Scrub Cattle in Polk County
Keeping livestock on the farm is absolutely necessary if soil fertility is to be maintained, and it is just as easy and certainly more economical to keep purebred stock as it is scrub stock. This applies to all kinds of livestock, be it cattle, pigs, or poultry. Good stock is not only a source of personal pride and satisfaction, but it enhances the agricultural value of the community or county where it is found. It is a unit of measure in agricultural progressiveness.
Dairying is one phase of farming that is neglected in Polk County. Recent statistics show there are 1,225 farms in the county, and only six of them are carrying on dairying; that have as many as 10 cows and make it, there are just six farmers who have dairying as their main source of income. Practically every farmer in the county owns one or two cows, and in the latter case he has some milk or butter to place on the local market occasionally.
Unfortunately, there are very few registered cows in the county, and most of them are owned by one dairyman. In fact, this county ranks low in the number of purebred cows when compared to other counties in the state. Why do our cattle stay at such a low ebb? Principally because we permit the use of scrub sires and as a consequence we get a crop of calves that, when mature, will produce no more or richer milk than their dams. Of course, there are exceptions. A recent survey has shown there are approximately 20 scrub or grade sires in Polk County against two registered ones. This is certainly a wide ratio, and we should endeavor to better our condition by replacing the scrub with the more desirable and profitable purebred. A registered sire costs more than a grade. However, the offspring is likewise more valuable. We know that a well bred cow will usually produce more milk and amilk richer in butter-fat than her degraded sister.
The county agent is planning to hold two meetings in the county next week, to which all farmers are invited, especially those interested in promoting the dairy business and in getting better bulls and cows on their farms. Important phases of dairy work, such as feeding, pastures, marketing dairy products and the possibilities of establishing a cream station in our county, will be discussed.
The dates and places of the meetings are:
Green’s Creek School, Tuesday, June 22, 8:15 p.m.
Courthouse at Columbus, Wednesday, June 23, 2:30 p.m.
The speakers at these meetings will be Mr. F.R. Farnham, dairy specialist for Western North Carolina; Mr. J.D. Kelly, agricultural agent for the Southern Railway, and Mr. J.R. Same, pasture specialist.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Hens Lay More Eggs When Their Houses Are Lit, 1923



“Putting Lights in Hen Houses,” from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., on June 8, 1923. The Mazda lamp had a brighter, whiter light than other incandescent bulbs of the time. The illustration is from a 1917 ink blotter, and it was not used in the Cherokee Scout.

Practical Tests Clearly Show That More Eggs Result With Artificial Illumination…Prolong Hens’ Activity…On One Farm More Eggs Were Produced This Way Every Month in the Year Except April and May

Keeping the hens awake by placing electric lights in the hen house has been tested in actual use so long that it can now be described as an accepted practice among many poultrymen. There are reports by this time that show a decided increase in egg production during the winter—the period of shorter days for all creatures—as a direct result of illuminating the chicken houses.

The sleeping hours of hens, it has been observed, stretch unbrokenly from sunset to sunrise. Doubtless that is the way primitive man used to live before artificial light was invented to prolong his waking hours. Without light to see by it wasn’t worth while to ignore sleep, for who would want to stay awake in the dark?

Mazda Lamps Used

So with the hens, and hence progressive chicken farmers began to experiment with artificial lights in the hen houses. Electric incandescent lights of the Mazda type were used. It was found that if the light was free from glare and evenly diffused it would imitate daylight and keep the hens active. The length of the feeding day was increased so that the hens had a longer period of exercise, obtained a larger supply of food nutrients and therefore had a greater quantity of egg-producing ingredients.

Comparative Test

On one chicken farm this method was tried successfully on a three-hour basis—that is, the electric lights were kept on from 6 to 9 o’clock every evening.

The results showed that during September the eggs laid by hens in the electrically lighted hen house were twice as many as those produced by the hens in hen houses without electric lights. It was also found that only in April were more eggs produced by the “daylight hens” than by the “electric light hens.”

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Frank Chunn Kills Hortense Roueche, Then Himself, 1912

“Chunn’s Act Deliberate,” from The Mebane Leader, published Thursday, June 20, 1912

Fired Several Bullets in Victim’s Body, Then Reloaded Pistol

Fuller examination of the body of Miss Burnadette Roueche of Salisbury, who was killed last Sunday night by her lover, Frank Chunn, revealed the fact that she was not struck in the head as was first thought by some blunt instrument, but instead three bullets ploughed their way through her head. These three shots, it is thought, were fired in rapid succession, after which he was doing when Mr. Gable and Miss Hortense Roueche ran up to investigate the trouble. After driving the away, Mr. Chunn returned to the prostrate form of his sweetheart and fired one more bullet into her body before blowing his own brains out.

Young Chunn talked to friends Saturday of doing something desperate, but they tried to persuade him out of it.

1,500 Souls Lost on Titanic and 1,500 North Carolinians Lost Last Year to Typhoid Fever, 1912

“Startling Statistics,” from The Mebane Leader, published Thursday, June 20, 1912

The health department of North Carolina in its bulletin of June the 17th gives some very startling information in reference to typhoid fever. It comments upon how the world was shocked then the Titanic went down with 1,500 souls, but it says last hear there were 1,500 victims of typhoid fever in North Carolina, that from the 20,000 who suffered from the disease. Proper precautions would have saved the lives of all.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

William Briggs, 12, Has Drowned, 1914

The Goldboro Weekly Argus, Thursday evening, June 25, 1914

Durham Lad Drowns

Durham, June 22—William Briggs, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Briggs of this city, was drowned in a branch of the northern section of town late this afternoon. The body was found by a party of searchers half a mile below where he was seen to leap into the creek.

He was alone but women workers in the Pearl Cotton Mills saw him jump into the branch, and it was these women that gave the alarm. Ordinarily there is no water in this branch, but it had been swelled to almost river size by the recent hard rains.

Carolina Farm Notes From Across the State, 1944

“Carolina Farm Notes" by F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published in the June 1944 issue of The Southern Planter

Successful fat stock shows at Rocky Mount, Lumberton and Kinston in Eastern North Carolina, together with increased interest in the annual show and sale held by the North Carolina Hereford Breeders’ Association at Statesville attest to the genuine progress which North Carolina farm folks are making in their efforts to build a lasting livestock industry. More than 900 persons attended the showing of 100 head of purebred Herefords at Statesville. Twelve bulls and 38 females were sold for an average price of $573 per head with a yearling heifer bred on Morrocroft Farm in Mecklenburg County bringing the top price of $1,600.
Among the three eastern fat stock shows, the one at Kinston was probably the best. Joe C. Johnson, 18-year-old 4-H club member, son of Calbert Johnson of Four Oaks, Route 3, Johnson County, won the grand champion ribbon for showing the best of the 73 steers at halter. Joe was completing his “boot” training at a Navy Trade School at Sampson, New York, when it became time for the Kinston Show. He told his commanding officer about the Hereford calf that he had fed and fattened and then showed the officer a picture of the prize winning animal which he had entered two years ago. His pleas were so successful that he was granted a furlough to attend the show. Instead of going home, Joe got to Kinston just as the judging started and was overjoyed to see his animal win the purple ribbon. At the auction on the following day, buyers paid 56 cents a pound for the steer. Blanche Johnson, Joe’s sister, exhibited the reserve champion, and a cousin, Ivan Lassiter, of the same community, won third place with his Shorthorn steer. Johnston County won first prize in the county contest.
There also were seven pens of three steers each in the open classes and 119 head of fat hogs in the Kinston Show. W.D. Cobb of LaGrange, Greene County, won first place in the open contest with a pen of three Durocs. The reserve grand champion and the 4-H champion, also a Duroc, were shown by Josie Galloway, a 16-year-old 4-H Club girl of Waltonburg, Greene County. The showmanship contest was a walk-a-way for Sullivan Fisher of Red Oak.
War Bonds To Boost Cotton
When it became evident that farmers of Johnston County intended to reduce drastically their acreage of cotton to where total plantings in the county would not exceed 60 percent of that grown in 1943, leading growers, buyers, oil mill operators, fertilizer manufacturers, merchants and others held a meeting to see what should be done. As a result, a contest was begin in which a $100 Warm Bond was offered in each township of the county for the person making the highest yield on five acres and a $500 Bond was offered as a county prize. Each prize is to go to the actual grower of the staple, whether he be share cropper or landowner.
Good Timber Is Old Age Insurance
A good growth of timber in the farm woodland cannot be surpassed as a source of old age insurance, believes C.H. Sykes of Chapel Hill, Route 1, Orange County. Mr. Sykes is now over 70 years of age. He can no longer work hard in the fields nor can he hire adequate labor for his farm because of the manpower shortage. But he has learned that timber can be made to pay and it requires very little labor except an eternal watchfulness for forest fires. Some time ago, Mr. Sykes divided his woodland into three lots and sold the timber from the first of these about five years ago. He plans to sell the marketable trees from the second block within the next few weeks, and will market those from the third block at some future date. He told Extension Farm Forester F.J. Cook that the income from these trees should take care of his needs in excellent fashion.
Water Sketch Comes To Life
One snowy day in the winter of 1939, H.M. Ellis, assistant agricultural engineer, used a child’s school pad in the home of L.D. Herring of Sampson County to sketch a water supply system from a flowing well providing 3 gallons of water a minute. Mr. Herring did not have the well at the time but said he could dig one exactly where he wanted it. Ellis realized that this does not always happen but he provided the sketch and continued on his way. Mr. Herring drilled a well that provided 4 gallons of water a minute and used the sketch to install a water system. The other day Mr. Ellis was again in that territory and heard that Mr. Herring’s neighbor, H.S. Gavin of Magnolia, Route 1, had a well flowing 10 gallons a minute and wanted to install running water in the home. The engineer visited the Gavin home where he found a system already installed and working well. It was based on the same sketch Mr. Ellis had planned for Neighbor Herring on that snowy day in late 1939.


Monday, June 18, 2018

Personal News From Polk County, N.C., June 17, 1926

The Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., “Published Every Week in the Mountain Paradise,” Thursday afternoon, June 17, 1926.

Town and Country Personalographs
Green’s Creek
Messrs. Noah Branscombe and Otis Henderson have returned from A&E College for the summer vacation. We extend to them a hearty welcome.
Mr. and Mrs. Grover Jackson of Inman, S.C., spent Saturday with Mr. Jackson’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Sam McClure have as their guests Mrs. McClure’s brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Page of Campbello, S.C.
Mrs. Roland Feagan and baby are on the sick list, the baby having been quite ill with smallpox. We hope they will soon be well again.
Miss Ila Gibs of Spindale, N.C., spent the week-end at home with her parents and sisters, Mr. and Mrs. M.R. Gibs and family.
Dr. W.T. Head has returned from Atlanta, where he attended a medical meeting, or series of meetings, last week.
Mr. Rufus Bryant and his granddaughter, Miss Villie Sue Covington, of Henrietta, N.C., were visitors in this community Saturday.
Rev. John M. Walker of Boiling Springs, N.C., was a business visitor Monday. Mr. Walker is pleasantly remembered here, having done much in the interest of our school when we were working to get it up to its present standing.
Rev. H.G. Melton of Boiling Springs, N.C., was here for a short time Saturday afternoon. Mr. Melton is the newly elected pastor of the Green’s Creek Church, and will begin his work here the first of July. The present pastor, Rev. J.J. Slattery, has resigned on account of poor health. His pastorate here ended with the fourth Sunday in June. Services thereafter will be each third Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, each first Sunday afternoon, and Saturday afternoon before each third Sunday. A hearty invitation is extended to all to attend these services, and also Sunday School each Sunday at 10 o’clock in the forenoon.
Mrs. Howard Dead
Mrs. E.V. Howard was born August 16, 1853, and died June 4, 1926, being 72 years, 9 months, and 18 days old. She was married to Mr. J.T. Splawn February 14, 1871. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Delia Miller of Shelby, N.C., and Miss Christine Splawn, who died at the age of seven years. Mr. Splawn also died years before his widow, about the year 1892. She was married a second time to Mr. A.L. Hoard, who preceded her to the grave some time ago.
She had been sick for six or eight weeks, and died on the home of her brother, Rev. T.M. Hester in Spindale, N.C., with whom she made her home.
She joined the Baptist Church in early life, being a charter member of Green’s River Baptist Church, and was a faithful and devoted Christian.
Mrs. Howard was a daughter of the late J.M. and S.J. Hester. Two brothers and two sisters survive her: Messrs J.P. and T.M. Hester, and Mesdames M.J. Owens of Columbus, N.C., and M.I. Harris of Chesnee, S.C.
Funeral services at Green’s Creek Baptist Church, Polk County, were conducted Sunday afternoon by Rev. M.M. Huntley of Spindale, N.C. A large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friend attended, giving testimony of their love and regard in many floral tributes, which were tastefully arranged by Mr. Z. Backuele of Chesnee, the undertaker who had charge of the remains.
Fishtop
We are very dry here. Gardens are suffering badly, as almost all are on upland. However, there is plenty of beans, beets, some cabbage and potatoes for home use and some to spare.
Early peaches are coming in, though small on account of the dry weather. They are well flavored.
Cotton is doing fine; a very good stand and clean.
Bees are gathering and storing a lot of fine honey.
Fishers are plentiful, but the fish of usable size are scarce.
Two more rattlers killed since last report.
E.J. Fisher and wife of St. Petersburg, Fla., are visiting the latter’s home folks and neighbors for a few days.
Preaching here today by the pastor, G. Russell of Saluda.
Many of the small streams have dried up. Gad’s Creek is lower now than it was last year.
Fire was set on Miss Beulah Bradley’s place recently, destroying some valuable timber. This makes the fifth time fire has been set on her land this season.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Three Little Boys, Free to Good Homes, 1916

"Special Notices,” from the June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.

Wanted—Homes for three little boys. Father dead and mother unable to make living. The boys are 3, 5 and 7 years of age. Only good Christian homes desired, where children will be cared for and properly reared. Miss Nealie Robinson, Wingate, N.C. Phone 82.

Our Community Needs a Public Library, Says Mrs. Phifer, 1916

“The Need of a Public Library” by Mrs. Roscoe Phifer, from the June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.

Any consideration of a public library project is complimentary to a community, showing, as it does, a sense of civic responsibility and a desire for future progress, which are commendable. There are few communities which would not provide for a public library if its advantages were appreciated, for it is a remedy for many ills and is all embracing in its scope. It is an educational institution, it vitalizes school work, and continues the pupil’s education throughout life. It is a home missionary sending its messengers, the books, into every home and shop. It not only sends help, but opens its doors to every man, woman and child.
In most towns there are scores of young men and boys whose evenings are spent in loafing about the streets, and to these, the library offers an attractive meeting place where the time may be spent with jolly wise friends in the books. It provides a wholesome substitute for vicious shows and other questionable amusements, it substitutes better for poorer reading, and provides story hours for the children who are eager to hear before they are able to read. It also increases the earning capacity of people by supplying information and advice on the work they are doing. One of the most important services a library can render is the industrial service. If the librarian and trustees desire to help the people, their first duty is to study the industries of the city and find out just what literature will be of service to those people. After finding out what sort of work the people are doing, they will get the books on the trades, arts, mechanics, etc., and advertise them. The librarian will also issue lists of books on carpentry and distribute them to men who would be interested in such books. Lists of books on horticulture will go to the florist, lists of books on poultry to the poultryman and lists of books on textiles to the textile workers and designers. Such a course has been successfully carried out as is shown in the case of a young man who borrowed from the library three books on machinery. His salary increased to $2.50 per day and he said, “Three months hence when I have mastered these books, I will get $3.50 per day and I shall be worth it too.” A young fellow in a textile mill, who frequented the library invented and patented three loom devices and was promoted to assistant superintendent.
So you see the old idea of a library as a placid storehouse of books used only by scholars, or those who cared enough for reading to pay for the privilege, has given way to a new idea—that of a live, active institution, aiming to supply the books needed by the community, supported, not by a few, but by the entire community, and for the free use of any responsible person. It is for use of all ages, from the little tot, who wants picture books and first readers, to the old man and woman who find a taste for reading a great pleasure. It is for all classes, the workman, the farmer, the plumber, the business man, as well as the lawyer, the doctor or the minister. The library has been well called “the true university of the people,” for its usefulness as an educational force is only limited by its resources and the capacity of its librarian to put what it contains at the command of the public.
Again the library can be made to exert a great civic force. In the small town especially it is true that the library with its rooms for meetings of various kinds is made a sort of civic center. The children are taught to care for public property by keeping the books clean, and to have clean hands when using them; also to respect the rights of others by keeping quiet when in the building.
No feature of modern library development is more important than work with the children. Librarians who work for the intellectual growth of mankind must devote their energies toward instilling the “library habit” in the child, who is the most important factor in the community. The children will be effective friends of the library in their homes now, and as men and women they will have a deep interest in it which shall be for all time. The taste for reading of a man or woman is already formed, but the child, as a rule, is ready to read anything you suggest. He does not clamor for something new, his mind is open to receive any influence that may be brought to bear upon it. If the child’s reading is controlled by the co-operation of parent, teacher and librarian, he will have little pleasure in reading some of our modern fiction.
The public libraries are doing a large work for the recreation and pleasure of the people, too, and this is by no means to be counted a small contribution. But the spreading of information, the encouragement of city betterment, the development of patriotism, giving an opportunity for the increasing of intelligence, enabling one to act wisely upon public questions, furnishing material for the formation of independent opinion upon political and social conditions of our own day, these are some of the functions of the public library that are of the highest value.
                                --Mrs. Roscoe Phifer
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