Measles, Mumps, Whooping Cough Epidemic in Some Places of N.C., May 19, 1926

Measles Gain Over State, Says Report. . . Shelby Has Run of Mumps, Whooping Cough Above Usual in Various Sections of State

While in Shelby and about over Cleveland county many cases of mumps are reported, measles and whooping cough seem to be more plentiful than usual over other sections of North Carolina.

A dispatch from Raleigh states that Measles and whooping cough are on the increase rather than decreasing in the State, according to the report for the week ending May 15 made public by the Board of Health, in which 340 cases of measles and 305 cases of whooping cough are reported. The figures for the same week last year show but 29 cases of measles and only 110 cases of whooping cough; while the expectancy figures, estimated on the average number of cases of those diseases in the same week taken over a period of 15 years, show that according to this average there should not be more than 240 cases of measles and no more than 240 cases of whooping cough. Both of these expectancy figures are exceeded in this week’s report.

The measles epidemic seems to be largely centered in the following counties: Forsyth, with 44 cases; Pitt, 40 cases; Robeson, 34 cases; Guilford, 16, and in the two cities, where Greensboro leads with 35 cases, while Asheville, New Bern, Durham and Winston-Salem have 10 cases each.

The whooping cough epidemic is centered almost entirely in Carteret county, where there are 97 cases, of which 53 are on Harker’s island, while 44 are in the county at large. There are 19 cases in Davidson county. Among the cities, Durham has the most whooping cough cases with 17, while Asheville and Raleigh each have 14 and Winston-Salem 12.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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Four Nurses Graduate from Shelby Hospital Training School, May 19, 1926

Large Crowds See Nurses Graduate. . . Exercises Held at Central School Auditorium. . . Reception Follows at Home for Nurses

The graduating exercises of the second class of nurses to graduate at the Shelby hospital were held Tuesday evening in the Central school auditorium with a large crowd in attendance.

The four nurses graduating from the training school at the Shelby hospital were:

Minnie Ada McCoy

Margaret Eunice Crowder

Sarah Roberts

Maggie Sue Atkinson

The graduating program was operated with selections by the Shelby High School orchestra and invocation by Dr. H.K. Boyer of Central Methodist church. Prof. J.C. Newton, who made the graduating address, was then introduced by Hon. Clyde R. Hoey, who presided over the exercises.

Mr. Newton’s instructive and interesting address was followed by the presentation of diplomas by Dr. E.B. Lattimore, president of the hospital staff. Miss Ella H. MacNichols, superintendent of the hospital training department, and the benediction was by Rev. H.N. McDiarmid. There were other musical selections by the orchestra, a violin solo by Mrs. John Schenck Jr., and a vocal solo by Mrs. Ben Suttle.

Following the exercises, a large number of Shelby people together with visitors and friends of the graduates gathered at the nurses’ home on the hospital campus for a big reception that followed.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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Monkey Stays at Local Hotel as Pet, Not a Guest, May 19, 1926

Evolution Guest at Local Hotel

W.H. Kerr, behind the desk of the Central Hotel, in this city, being indifferent as to the issue of evolution, allowed a guest with a monkey to register at the hostelry Monday. It is said to be the first monkey every entertained in Shelby. The traveler with the reputed ancestor of man was George D. Sherrill of Asheville, traveling thither form Miami. Walking into the hotel Sherrill asked if it would be necessary to register the monkey. He also asked what the rates for such guests were. Kerr told him if he really believed the animal was his ancestor, the usual rate would be charged, but if he wanted to class him with dogs, cats and other pets, no registration would be necessary.

No name appears on the register for the visitor, who is said to have been very human like and well behaved.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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Directors of Resort Hotel Meeting to Discuss Replacement for Henry Vanstory, June 19, 1926

Resort Hotel Will Continue Service. . . Cleveland Springs Officials Will Plan Future Management of Big Shelby Resort Hotel

A meeting of the directors of the Cleveland Springs Hotel company will be held soon for the purpose of selecting a manager and planning the future operation of the big resort hotel following the tragic death of Mr. Henry L Vanstory, for several years proprietor of the hostelry.

Just what plan the directors will pursue is unknown, and they themselves are probably not aware as yet as to definite plans.

A meeting of the directors had been scheduled for Tuesday to consider other business matters, probably in connection with the development work of Cleveland Springs Estates, which centers around the hotel, but this meeting was called off following the announcement of Mr. Vanstory’s death.

However, directors communicated with say that a manager and plan of operation will be selected at the meeting and that the hostelry will continue to operate as heretofore. Just whether it will be operated by a manager for the company or a lessee is not known as yet.

The operation of the hotel continues without interruption and will be continued, officials say. Mr. J.C.(?) Vanstory, brother of Mr. Henry Vanstory, is here from Goldsboro and will be in conference with the directors this week. In all probability he will continue his lease with an experienced hotel manager in charge. Mr. Vanstory operates the Hotel Goldsboro and the Hotel Kennon at Goldsboro, and is one of the most successful and widely known hotel men in the state.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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Funeral Services for Henry Vanstory Were Held at His Mother's Home, May 19, 1926

Vanstory Funeral Held on Tuesday. . . Services Held at Mother’s Home in Lincolnton, Burial There, Many Shelby People Attend

The funeral services of Mr. Henry L. Vanstory, proprietor of Cleveland Springs hotel, were held Tuesday afternoon at 5 o’clock at the residence of his mother in Lincolnton. Burial was in the cemetery there.

The services were in charge of Dr. H.K. Boyer, pastor of the Shelby Central Methodist church. Many Lincolnton friends and relatives gathered to pay their final respects to the man well known over the entire section and in addition to Lincolnton home folks, scores of friends from Shelby and elsewhere over the state were in attendance. The floral tribute was unusually large and beautiful.

Served Well Here

The deceased was for four years proprietor of the Cleveland Springs hotel and during that time became the friend of hundreds of local people in addition to his large acquaintance among commercial travelers and tourists. Prior to coming here Mr. Vanstory was assistant manager of the Grove Park Inn at Asheville and before that was connected with hotels at Connelly Springs, Greensboro, Newton and elsewhere over the state, being one of the best known hotel keepers in the Carolinas.

Body Not Brought Here

The body of Mr. Vanstory was not brought to Shelby following his tragic death Monday afternoon at his farm in Catawba county, where he fatally shot himself with a single-barrel shot gun. The remains were taken from the farm to his mother’s home in Lincolnton, where the funeral services were held.

Full details of the suicide have it that Mr. and Mrs. Vanstory with the two younger children and chauffeur left the hotel here about 2:30 in the afternoon. Immediately upon arriving at a negro tenant house on the farm in Catawba, it is said that Mrs. Vanstory proceeded to a well in the yard for the purpose of securing a drink of water. While there she heard a gun fire in the tenant house, the tenants being away at the time, and upon entering found her husband dead upon the floor. Ner him lay the single-barrel shotgun which had been discharged. A small limb had been cut from a tree and was used in touching the trigger of the gun, the muzzle being held against the head near the right eye, the full load taking effect in that portion of the head. A pistol with cartridges were found in his pocket. It is said that on previous visits to the farm Mr. Vanstory had used the shot-gun to shoot birds and knew of its location in the house over the mantle-piece.

Mental depression of some time brought about through financial worry is thought to have been back of the tragic deed. The deceased was of a reserved nature and usually kept his troubles and worries to himself, the continued mental worrying, it is thought, having finally overcome the stronger will of his personality.

Shelby along with the entire section sympathizes with Mrs. Vanstory and her attractive children in their tragic sorrow and loss.

Surviving in the immediate family are Mrs. Vanstory and four young children: Margaret, James, Violet and Lola Kate. Mrs. Vanstory and children returned to the hotel Monday evening, while Margaret, the eldest child, is now confined with mumps.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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J.W. Gibbs, 77, Has Died of Asthma, May 19, 1925

Dr. Gibbs’ Father Dies of Asthma

Mr. J.W. Gibbs, who lives near Mars Hill in the Asheville vicinity, father of Dr. Gibbs, J.C. Gibbs, and Mrs. Hudson Blanton, all of Shelby, died Sunday last at his home from asthma. He was in his 77th year. Dr. Gibbs said he had been a sufferer of asthma for 10 years. The burial took place Monday, with all the Shelby members of the family attending.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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Lee Hamrick Accepts Job at Kester Furniture Company, May 19, 1926

Lee Hamrick with High Point Firm

Lee R. Hamrick, manager of the furniture department of Gilmer’s for the past year and a half, has accepted a position with the Kester Furniture Company of High Point, and will leave to take up his new job the first of June.

Hamrick is a Shelby “boy,” who has made good. He has put over such a job of salesmanship at Gilmer’s that the way was paved for his new undertaking. He has many friends in this section who will be glad to hear of his success.

From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Wednesday, May 19, 1926

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