Monroe Manufacturing Burned; Other Happenings in Monroe, Jan. 6, 1920

From The Monroe Journal, covering Union County, N.C., Tuesday, January 6, 1920. 

Latest Happenings In and Around Monroe

--The Monroe Manufacturing company plant in the extreme eastern part of town was destroyed by fire Sunday afternoon about 4 o’clock. The plant was owned by Mr. G.M. Tucker, but there was a large amount of finished work belonging to various other parties and this was a total loss. In addition to this, the machinery and lumber was destroyed. Only by hard work the firemen managed to save the Henderson Roller Mill and other nearby buildings. The loss amounts to $30,000 with but $3,000 insurance on the entire plant and contents. This is one of the most disastrous fires Monroe has had in a long time.

--There will be a box supper at Buffalo school house Thursday night, January 8^th. The public is invited to attend.

--Mr. Y.M. Bogan of Wingate had the misfortune to lose two fingers the other day when his hand brushed against a gasoline wood saw.

--Mr. J. Frank Williams was confined to his house several days last week from the effects of an injured knee caused by the horse he was riding falling on his leg.

--There will be a box supper at Fairview school house in Marshville township Friday night, January 9^th. The proceeds will go to the school improvement fund. The public is cordially invited to attend.

--A special meeting of the colored school teachers of Union County will be held in the Morris Street graded school, January 10^th at 11 o’clock. All teachers are urged to be present.

--A telegram has been received by the manager of the Poultry Association that Judge McClave, who was scheduled to judge, is, owning to business complications, unable to attend and judge the chickens; but Judge E.F. Jacobs, manager of the celebrated Hartman Stock Farm at Columbus, Ohio, will take his place. Mr. Jacobs is one of the best known judges of poultry in the United States.

--An expert agronomist form the department of agriculture will be in this county for five days in February. He will preach soil management and proper fertilization.

--There will be a box supper at the Euto school house in New Salem township Saturday night, January 10^th. Proceeds will be used to dig a well for the school.

--Stock farmers are preparing to organize a Guernsey breeders association at Marshville, and a Jersey association at Monroe. The object of the associations will be to encourage the production of thoroughbred cattle and the ultimate intention of the promoters is to hold annual Guernsey and Jersey sales in this county.

--Mrs. H.W. Gribble of Buford township is very successful at raising poultry. Last year she sold $300 worth of chickens and eggs, and when some neighbor asked her how she managed to get her hens to lay so well she replied: “I read them the Progressive Farmer.” This paper, so well edited by Dr. Clarence Poe, should be a weekly visitor in every home in Union County. It will not only make the hens lay, but increase the productivity of the soil. No man who desires to farm intelligently can afford to be without it.

--Directors of the Bank of Wingate in session recently, declared a semi-annual dividend of 5 per cent, and added a neat sum to the surplus fund. The deposits of the bank at the close of business in 1919 were practically twice as much as the total deposits on the same date the year previous. Officers and directors of the bank are R.A. Morrow, president; W.M. Perry, vice-president; W.A. Chaney, cashier; G.M. Stewart, R.A. Morrow, W.M. Perry, S.W. Hinson, John A. Williams, J.L. Austin, J.W. Rivens, J.C. McIntire, and J.W. Chaney, directors.

--Mrs. Eleanor Bass died Sunday, December 28^th, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.B. Pierce, in Marshville. She was the widow of Mr. J.C. Bass, who died 30 years before. Funeral exercises were conducted the Monday following her death and interment was in the Bass cemetery in east Monroe township, Rev. J.A. Bivens, Rev. A. March, and Rev. A.C. Sherwood conducting the service. Mrs. Bass was the daughter of the late Abram Secrest and was a sister of Esq. J.D.A. Secrest of Monroe township. She was born in 1850. Surviving are her five children, namely, Mr. J.B. Bass of Wingate, Mrs. J.S. Baucom of Bakers, Mrs. A.E. Green of Stanly County, Mrs. J.B. Pierce, and Mrs. W.B. Griffin of Marshville.

--“Union County would have produced 45,000 bales of cotton this season had the planters fertilized their land judiciously,” declares Mr. T.J.W. Broom, county demonstrator. As it is, though, the county has equaled if not outdistanced the production record of former years, he believes. “Union County soil needs more nitrate of soda, with a top-dressing preparation,” Mr. Broom continued. “Anson count used over 2,000 tons of soda last year, and as a result, raised nearly a thousand bales more than we did. In the past Union has produced more cotton than Anson. Only 400 tons of soda were used in this county the past season, and if we would use about 10 times this amount next year, we would nearly double the size of our crop.”

--Two sick solders were released from paying poll tax this year by the county commissioners yesterday.

--Mr. T.J. Broom is preparing to order a hundred bushels of Lespedeza seed. Farmers desiring a part of the order should communicate with him at once.

--Mr. F.W. Mitchell has resigned as a member of the high school faculty and his duties have been assumed by Miss Mabel Jetton of Shelby, who is a capable teacher of large experience.

--Friends of Mr. L.D. Robinson have received letters from him stating that he is still undecided about retiring from Congress. He expects to make a public statement within a few day.

--Several citizens appeared before the commissioners Monday to get released from paying dog taxes. They claimed no dogs were around their farms. Esq. George Smith of New Salem was among the number.

--Mesdames J.E. Stack and J.F. Laney were before the county commissioners this morning urging for the installation of two phonographs, one for the colored, and one for the white, at the county home. They plan to have occasional prayer services at the home, and believe music would create more interest on these occasions. The commissioners decided to grant their request and the phonographs will be delivered this afternoon.

--Ode Austin and Will Henry, colored, once good friends, have severed relations since Saturday night when the latter shot Ode in the leg, breaking the bone above the knee. Ode is now at home recovering from his wound, and Will is out under a $400 bond. The pair were drinking, it is said, when Henry, with little or no provocation, whipped out his gun and fired at Ode. The shooting took place near the depot. Henry is a one-legged shoemaker.