Cecil McClure, 17, Killed by Prohibition Agent Josh Crisp, July 23, 1926

Tomotla Boy Killed by Prohibition Agent. . . Cecil McClure Shot Wednesday by John Crisp. . . Federal Prohibition Officer Under $5,000 Bond; Funeral for McClure Thursday

Cecil McClure, 17 years old, was fatally shot by Josh Crisp, Federal Prohibition Enforcement Agent, at his home in Tomotla Wednesday afternoon about 2:30 o’clock eastern time.

Young McClure was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McClure, and was well known in the county.

Crisp, whose home is at Robbinsville, Graham County, is also well known in Western North Carolina, where he has long been connected with the Prohibition Enforcement department of the Federal government.

McClure was shot twice, the bullets taking effect in the right breast about three inches apart. Physicians attending stated that the ball entering the upper portion of the breast punctured the lung, and the one entering the lower breast passed through the body and lodged just under the skin in the back.

Little hope was held for McClure’s recovery, and he died at 8:15, 7 hours and 45 minutes after the shooting took place.

Crisp reported the affair to Sheriff Morrow, and with the concurrence of Solicitor Davis his bond was fixed at $5,000. Crisp would make no statement with regard to the affair, other than that it had to be done, and the other two officers who were with him at the time likewise reserved comment. It is understood that Crisp claims self defense as the motive for the shooting.

According to the statement of Sheriff Morrow, Federal Prohibition Officers Josh Crisp, Jake Deweeese and Charlie Blanton went to the McClure home Wednesday afternoon with a warrant to search the premises for whiskey and found half a gallon.

It is alleged that McClure threatened to shoot the officers and got after them with a gun, whereupon Crisp fired in self defense.

The version of the affair as told by the father of young McClure, and substantiated by the mother who was an eye witness, is to the effect that the officers had been there about 15 minutes, had found the whiskey, and Crisp and Deweese were sitting on the front steps when two of the McClure boys and a young man by the name of Haney drove up in the yard in a car, having been to Murphy.

Young McClure picked up the whiskey container and declared it was his. He then went into the house leaving the officers on the steps and secured the gun. His other met him in the hall and took the gun from him. He then secured some cartridges and the gun again and made for the door, his mother holding him and trying to pull him back into the house. Meanwhile the officers remained on the front steps and when young McClure appeared in the doorway of the hall he was met with a volley of shots from Crisp’s pistol. Crisp then ran around behind the barn at the right of the house, and the officers left.

Feeling is running high in the Tomotla community against Crisp, and it was pointed out by the father that the shooting could have been avoided if the officers had placed young McClure under arrest when he admitted it was his whiskey and prevented him from securing the gun.

Funeral services for McClure were held Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Pleasant Grove church in the Beech Creek section by the Rev. Beavers, and interment was in the churchyard.

He is survived by his father and mother, seven brothers, Lummie, Virgil, Willard, Charlie, Haden, Jake and Willie Rae; three sisters, Misses Lurlie, Ella and Laurie McClure.

Crisp is reported to have returned to his home at Robbinsville Wednesday night.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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William Faulkner Dies after Knife Fight, July 23, 1926

Dies of Stab Wounds

William Faulkner of Wofford, Ky., who was brought to the Murphy Hospital Sunday suffering with a number of flesh wounds and a serious stab in the abdomen received in a cutting fracas, died Tuesday morning about 9 o’clock.

Little is known of Faulkner or his relatives except that he was the son of John F. Faulkner of Wofford, Ky., and was working in Robbinsville.

The body was carried to Kentucky for funeral interment.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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Child Injured When Car Collides with Truck, July 23, 1926

One Hurt and Car Damaged in Collision Tuesday

The small son of R. D. Lovingood was hurt and a Ford car damaged in a collision with the Standard Oil truck on Valley River Avenue Tuesday evening about 7 o’clock on the curve at the residence of John Odell. Mr. Bradley of Andrews and another man were occupants of the Ford and Mr. Lovingood and his small son were in the truck.

The cause of the collision was said to have been due to the Bradley car attempting to pass another car, and the driver failed to see the truck coming in the opposite direction.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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Edythe Clark Injured in Car Crash, July 23, 1926

Daughter of Mrs. Dickey Hurt in Automobile Crash

Mrs. Edythe Clark of Asheville, daughter of Mrs. Nettie Dickey, was painfully hurt when a state highway truck crashed into the car in which she and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Alexander, were returning to Asheville on the highway above Sylva Monday, according to word reaching here this week.

Mrs. Clarke suffered cuts on the side of the head and temple and about the eyes. She returned to Sylva and had the wounds dressed before continuing the journey to her home in Asheville. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander were severely shaken up by the crash and their car badly damaged.

From page 2 of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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Editorial Urges Farmers to Protect Children by Eliminating Tubercular Cows, July 23, 1926

The Human Side

We have frequently stressed the economic phase of tuberculosis eradication, but the dairy farmer also has a moral responsibility to his own family and the families of others who may consume his product in the raw state. The chief danger is, of course to children, especially to children under five years of age. Listen to what Dr. Charles H. Mayo f the world-renowned clinic of Rochester, Minnesota, says concerning the eradication of bovine tuberculosis:

“I believe in pasteurization,” he says in answer to an inquiry, “but I also strongly believe in the eradication of tuberculosis animals from dairy herds. This can be done by careful testing. The testing should be repeated twice a year until the herd is free from disease. This is the only safe way for children on the farms where pasteurized milk cannot be obtained. The majority of cases of tuberculosis in the neck, intestines, and abdomen are found in children from the farms and not from the city.”

Farm fathers and mothers may well pause and consider these words of a famous surgeon who tells them that this type of tuberculosis is most often found on the farm. Does it pay to temporize and delay? Of course, all children who drink milk from tubercular cows may not acquire the disease. It is even possible that only a small percentage of them will. But what sensible and loving father would refuse to stamp out the burning brand even thought they may be only one chance in 10 that it will set the house on fire? Who would jeopardize in the slightest or run one chance in a million that his little boy or girl might be taken from him because he was neglectful in adopting reasonable precautionary methods? Many sad stories have been told. Here is one recently called to our attention, and almost any community can find a similar tragedy:

A little farm boy of two years developed a swelling on his head. Local doctors failed to discover the cause and finally the child was taken to the state children's hospital. There it was found that the trouble was due to tuberculosis. Everything that science and tender care could do failed to save the child.

The parents, recognizing the possibility of bovine origine but heretofore neglectful, immediately had their herd tuberculin tested. Several cows reacted, among them the one cow whose milk had been selected for baby because the cow seemed to be so healthy. Post-mortem revealed that this animal had tuberculous udder.

Is there a father or mother who can fail to understand the anguish and self-reproach these young parents suffered? There is no proof here, perhaps, yet there must always arise the question with these stricken parents. “If we had cleared our herd of tuberculosis, Bobbie might still be with us.” However, proof is not lacking that bovine tuberculosis is responsible for tuberculosis in people, particularly children. We give below a few references.

A German commission investigated 84 children who had died of tuberculosis. Twenty-one of these, or one-fourth, had contracted the disease from bovine sources. Several years ago an investigation revealed that in New York City there were 300 children died each year from tuberculosis of bovine origin, in addition to which there were many more that were permanently disabled through tuberculosis of the glands, bones, and joints, acquired from bovine sources. In 67 cases of tuberculosis of the bone in children under 12 years of age, an Edenborough investigation showed that 41 were of bovine origin. In the same city, out of 72 children with enlarged cervical glands, 65 showed tuberculosis of bovine origin and only seven from human germs.

“It is evident from these results,” says Dr. Ravanel, “as well as those obtained from other works, that the chief danger of infection with the bovine germ in children and especially children under five years of age. It is self-evident that practically the only source of infection in such children is the milk they drink.”

This is the human side of tuberculosis testing—a possible tragedy waiting just around the corner for the father and mother who neglect to accept the protection of which they might avail themselves. Would they place their boys and girls in jeopardy, even though it may be only a one in a million risk? Will they continue to knowingly gamble with the life of their own little children and other little children?

--From Hoard’s Dairyman, May 25, 1926, as reprinted on the editorial page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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Peoples Drug Store to Open in Murphy Aug. 1, 1926

New Drug Store for Murphy to Open August 1. . . Local Stock Company, Operating Under Name of The Peoples’ Drug Company Inc.

The announcement was made early this week that The People’s Drug Company Inc. will open for business in the new Brittain-Axley building on or before August 1st. Work on the interior of the building is rapidly nearing completion, fixtures are being installed as they arrive, and all the necessary equipment and a complete line of drugs, soda fountain accessories, etc., have been purchased, and are expected in the near future. When opened for business this new store will be one of the most completely equipped affairs of its kind west of Asheville.

The need for another drug store has long been felt in Murphy, and the widespread interest in the new enterprise, according to one of the stockholders of the company when interviewed by tis correspondent, was manifested by the ease in placing the stock when the organization was effected also. The interest expressed in the new business by many of the citizens of the community who believe in progress and have faith in the benefits of friendly competition, assures the owners of the business a friendly reception. As one of the officers of the company pointed out, this is the only city of its side known to him or to the many people who had mentioned the matter to him, that did not have two or more drug stores. It is the belief of the owners and many friends of the new business that this community is large enough to support two drug stores, with fairness to all, including the patrons who must have the things drug stores have to sell.

The company has secured Walker J. Lindeman of Washington, Indiana, as drug clerk and house manager. Mr. Lindeman, who is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, and has had 3 ½ years’ experience in filling prescriptions and in drug store management, comes from a long line of drugmen, his grandfather and father before him owning and operating several stores in Indiana. Mr. Lindeman comes well recommended both as to his ability and character. He also has an interest in the business. Mr. Porter Field Meroney will serve as one of his assistants.

Announcements as to the definite date to opening will appear in the later issues of the Scout. Editor’s Note: I wondered why the newspaper wasn’t calling Lindeman a pharmacist as he was dispensing prescription drugs, so I asked A.I. when the term pharmacist came into general use. Here’s Copilot’s explanation: The term existed in the 1800s, but it didn’t become the dominant everyday word until the 1930s. In 1926, when this article was written, newspapers, small-town stores, and everyday speech still preferred druggist, drug clerk, or drug man.

From the front page of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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News from Culberson in Cherokee Scout, July 23, 1926

Culberson

Mrs. Lester Stalcup and son Orion left Sunday for Taft, Cal., after spending several days here with friends and relatives.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foster, after spending a few days with their parents, left Tuesday for Akron, Ohio.

Mr. Bulort Mason of Young Harris, Ga., spent Saturday and Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Mason.

Deputies J. A. Cearley and Walter Lawrence destroyed several gallons of beer, just over on the Georgia side Saturday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Burt Shields, after a short visit here, left a few days ago for their home in Akron, Ohio.

Dr. L. G. Kimsey and A. J. Gaddis of Ducktown made a business trip here Tuesday.

Uncle Terry Shelton was I town one day this week.

Mr. Joe Foster has been very sick but is better at this writing.

Mrs. Lou Scott made a trip to Raleigh last week and brought home her nephew who was in the State Hospital.

J. R. Loudermilk and family motored to Maryville, Tenn., Saturday and returned Sunday.

Mrs. Luther Loudermilk and family, of Copperhill, Tenn., have moved into L.W. Shields’ house.

From page 2 of the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, July 23, 1926

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