Robey Fesperman, 23, Killed When He Drives Car into Train Stopped at Crossing; Three Passengers in Hospital, Oct. 13, 1926

One Killed, Three Hurt as Car Hits Train at Crossing. . . Robey Fesperman Killed and Companions Hurt While Returning Home from Cabarrus Fair. . . Others All in Hospitals Now. . . Train Was Standing at the North Charlotte Crossing When Accident occurs, Train Crew Said

Charlotte, Oct. 13 (AP)—One man is dead and two women and a man are in a hospital seriously injured as a result of a speeding automobile striking the side of a motionless Southern Railway freight train at a grade crossing near here today.

The dead is Robey Fesperman, aged 23, a Charlotte city fireman. The injured are T. Wl Black, Charlotte fireman, and Mrs. Lillian McVickers and Mrs. Henry Ward, both of Charlotte.

The quartet had been attending the Cabarrus County Fair at Concord and were returning home. Trainmen who saw the accident said the automobile was running at high speed and was rammed more than halfway under a freight car which it struck. It was impossible to move the train, it was said, until the automobile had been pulled out.

The automobile is said to have been the property of Mrs. Ward, but Fesperman was said to have been driving.

Rural police said they could obtain few details of the accident. None of the injured was in condition to talk.

Fesperman’s skull was crushed and he died in an ambulance en route to a hospital. Black sustained a fractured shoulder and possible internal injuries. Mrs. McVickers’ skull was fractured, and she is unconscious. Mrs. Ward was injured internally.

The freight train is due from Asheville each day at the North Charlotte yards at 3:40 a.m. It is required to stop before entering the yard, and for a short time each morning blocks the crossing. C. I. Jones, a Salisbury textile manufacturer, was injured on March 18th in a similar accident.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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Fesperman Buried Here

The body of Robey Fesperman, Charlotte firemen killed in an auto accident early Wednesday morning, was brought to Concord for burial Thursday afternoon.

Interment was made in Union cemetery after services were held in Charlotte. The deceased has a number of relatives in Concord and Cabarrus County.

From page 2 of the Concord Daily Tribune, Oct. 15, 1926

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Taft Johnson, Prisoner Accidentally Shot by Guard, Recovering from Shattered Skull, Oct. 13, 1926

Wounded Prisoner Is Expected to Recover

Salisbury, Oct. 11—Taft Johnson of Granite Falls, who was accidentally shot by a road force guard several days ago, is improving at the Salisbury hospital and there is hope of his recovery. A rifle bullet entered his head, shattering the skull.

From the front page of the Concord Daily Tribune, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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Oscar Pearce, Who Skipped Out on $156 Hotel Bill, Captured in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 13, 1926

Guest Jumps Bill at Hotel Jones. . . Jumps Hotel Bill and Is Nabbed in Baltimore; Deputy Gentry Goes After Him. . . Claimed to be a Lawyer

Oscar E. Pearce, who is believed to be a resident of Kentucky and who several weeks ago made his debut in the town of Roxboro, representing himself as a lawyer, is now being held in Baltimore, Md., on recommendation of N. W. Br???, sheriff of Person County, on charges of having left the town of Roxboro owing the Jones Hotel a bill amounting to $156.40. This amount is alleged to have been Mr. Pearce’s total bill from the time of his registration at the hotel to the time of his hi?? departure.

Deputy Gentry left home ?? with papers to be presented to Governor McLean to be signed by him for the arrest of Mr. Pearce.

From the front page of the Roxboro Courier, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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Tobacco Farmers Did Well This Year, But Prices Aren't Guaranteed Next Year, Oct. 13, 1926

Don’t Be Fooled

Tobacco is selling well on all of the markets and the tobacco farmer is playing in luck for one time. This year it is the cotton farmer that is in hard luck. But the fact that tobacco is selling well this season is no guarantee that it will sell well next year. The pas tyear nearly every farmer in the County sowed small grain, wheat and oats, and other stuff for his stock, with the result that few farmers will have to send away for bread this year. It was wise, and we sincerely hope no farmer will fail to follow this same idea again this Fall. Don’t worry about rushing your tobacco to market, but take time to sow small grain, and if tobacco fails on you next year, you will have something to eat and to feed your stock.

You never heard of the sheriff selling out a man who had a year’s rations ahead, and it is a mighty comfortable feeling to know that you are one year ahead of the sheriff.

From the editorial page of the Roxboro Courier, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926, J. W. Noell, Editor

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Old Fiddlers Convention at Longhurst School House Oct. 23, 1926

Old Fiddlers Convention

An Old Fiddlers Convention will be held at Longhurst school house October 23rd. Everybody that plays string music is invited to attend. Bigger and better prizes will be offered than ever before. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Best banjo picking, $5 in gold

Second best banjo, $2.50

Best fiddler, $5 in gold

Second best fiddler, $2.50

Best Hawaiian music, $5 in gold

Second best Hawaiian, $2.50

Best guitar picking, $5 in gold

Second best guitar, $2.50

Best mandolin, $5 in gold

Second best mandolin, $2.50

Harp, $3

Singing, $2

Four hours of good entertainment. Come.

Editor's Note: I thought Hawaiian music sounded a bit out of place, but according to AI, "Hawaiian music was hugely popular in 1926 — nationally and in North Carolina.The steel guitar craze, radio broadcasts, sheet music, and movies made Hawaiian‑style music a mainstream fad. Rural musicians picked it up enthusiastically, and fiddlers’ conventions added Hawaiian categories because people genuinely wanted to hear it." Thanks, Copilot.

From the front page of the Roxboro Courier, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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Rev. M. C. Ellerbe Finishes Second Year in Ministry, Grateful for Kind Deeds, Helpful Words, Oct. 13, 1926

Words of Thanks and Gratitude

I am taking this privilege of saying a few words of thanks in regard to some of the church work that has been done in the village sections of Roxboro. It is true, as many individuals know, that I am a young man—my second year in the Ministry, nevertheless I feel truly grateful for all kind deeds and helpful words that have been mine during the two years that I have spent in and around Roxboro. I feel that I have tried to uphold the Ministry during this period of time, and I also tried to some constructive work in the field in which I have been appointed. The villages, as some of you may realize, need leadership, cooperation and other phases of Christian service and attention. A public worker has all tha the can do if he really gives his life to this field of service.

As the Annual Conference is near at hand, I feel that I should say in a public manner that I appreciate all helps that have been given me while passing this way. A young preacher is in a position to appreciate such kindnesses. He, above all other young men, is one who realizes what it means to have friends and comrades in life; therefore, fellow friends, I express my thanks to all who have helped me in any manner whatever while around Roxboro.

In conclusion, allow me to say this in regard to the village churches: I have learned numbers of people in these villages—and there are some good people on these hills. I trust, whether I am reappointed to this field or not, that the Christian people of Roxboro and Person County will remember the good people in the Roxboro villages, and that the fullest cooperation will exist. All these village churches are weak, the people are good and are serving God as best they can. It is my desire that every courtesy and every sympathy that can be extended will be shown these people. With every good wish and thought toward Roxboro.

I feel truly grateful to Mr. J. W. Noell, the Editor of the Roxboro Courier, for his kindnesses toward me. He has taken a great interest in me and I feel very grateful toward him. With kindest regards,

--M.C. Ellerbe

From the editorial page of the Roxboro Courier, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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Society News in Roxboro Courier Oct. 13, 1926

Society News

On Wednesday afternoon from 3:3 to 5:30, Mrs. E. R. Monroe entertained at a lovely party at the Woman’s Club Room. The room was very attractive with flowers arranged in an artistic manner. After playing Bridge and Rook for ore than an hour the hostess, assisted by Mrs. L. C. Clark and Miss Evie Long, served a delicious salad course with ice tea. Miss Monroe of Hallifax was the guest of honor.

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Mrs. L. C. Bradsher entertained the first meeting of the Friday Afternoon Pleasure Club at her country home on Friday afternoon. The living room was lovely with bright fall flowers. Four tables were placed for the game of Rook and many progressions enjoyed. The hostess, assisted by her sisters, Mrs. J. L. Atkins of Durham and Miss Dorothy Younger, served a most appetizing salad course with coffee. Dainty baskets filled with salted almonds were given as favors.

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A most interesting meeting of the Research Club occurred Wednesday afternoon of last week with Mrs. J. J. Winstead. A very important business session was first held, and final plans for entertaining the District meeting were made. The program of the afternoon consisted of three exceptionally interesting papers on the “Novel of Realism,” “Realism: It’s Meaning and Purpose” was the subject of Mrs. S. G. Winstead’s paper. She also read extracts from Howe’s Story of a County Town. The second paper, “Realism in Virginia,” was able discussed by Mrs. W. F. West. A delightful social hour followed the program. Mrs. Winstead invited the members into the dining room where cream, cake and mints were served from tables decorated with lovely fall flowers. The next meeting will be with Mrs. R. L. Wilburn.

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On Thursday afternoon October 7th, Mrs. Otis Wilkerson was hostess to the Review Club. Roll call was responded to with historical facts on Mexico and Canada, these being the countries for the afternoon study. Mrs. F. M. Shamburger had the first paper, Mexico, and Mrs. A. R. Warren had the second, Canada. Both papers showed careful preparation and a most instructive and helpful program followed. Beautiful fall roses were used as decorations. A most tempting and appetizing salad course with tea and toasted sandwiches and nuts was served.

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On Saturday afternoon at the home of her parents on North Main Street, Miss Polly Walker was hostess to several of her friends at a linen shower, as an hour to Mrs. Edwin Tucker of South Hill, Va., who prior to her marriage was Miss Rebecca Duncan of this city. The rooms were attractive with vases and bowls of fall flowers and here the guests, after a cordial greeting by the hostess, enjoyed several progressions of bridge. The tables with their dainty appointments made the hour of playing very enjoyable, tea, punch, chicken salad, sandwiches, pickles and candy. The afternoon ended with the presentation of a pretty array of gifts arranged on a silver waiter, which were given to the [honoree?].

From page 8 of the Roxboro Courier, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1926

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