Laying Off Workers in Alamance and Durham Counties, 1939

“Thirty-Three Are To Be Cut Off WPA Roll in the County” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Number is Smallest in District; More than 250 Must Go From Durham County

The number of persons who are to be cut from Alamance county WPA rolls under the new 18-month ruling was increased to 33 today through the publication of a new list by James McGheady, head of WPA operations for the district which includes this county.

More than 250 persons, most of them in Durham county, are being sliced from the rolls under the ruling which provides for temporary dismissal of all persons other than war veterans who have continuously been on the rolls for 18 months or more.

Persons taken off are eligible to apply for reinstatement after the expiration of a month under provisions of the congressional act.

A previous list of Alamance county persons affected placed the number at 24, however, is among the smallest of any in the district.

America's Dream of Security for All, 1934

From the Editorial Page of the Burlington Daily Times-News, Monday, July 2, 1934

America’s Old Dream, Security for All

Just how far the fall congressional election will turn into a national referendum on Mr. Roosevelt’s new program for social security is a matter for the political wiseacres to forecast.

At this distance, however, two things seem more or less evident.

First, the argument is likely to be over the way of reaching this goal, rather than over the wisdom of trying to reach it at all.

Second, the tentatively outlined program looks very much like a simple extension of the oldest and most tenaciously held dream in American life.

Security for the individual in America, as Mr. Roosevelt sees it, seems to call for three things: Productive employment, protection against misfortune, and proper housing.

Over the details of this program there is room for vast argument; over the way of putting it into effect there is even more. The most conservative of capitalists and the readiest of radicals could endorse these general aims in complete accord, but they’d be apt to have a fine row trying to settle on the best way of attaining them.

Nevertheless, it is a fine thing to have this very general goal set up as an objective.

This kind of security is exactly the sort of thing that led most of our ancestors to come to the new world in the first place. They were under economic pressure in Europe; they felt themselves to be at the mercy of forces that they could never control; over there, in a new land, they hoped that they could construct a society in which human beings could have less fear of hardship of poverty, and of hunger.

The belief in that dream has been responsible for most of the optimism which is so typical of the American spirit. We have felt, for more than a century, that we were somehow building a society here in which the common man would get a better break than he ever got elsewhere.

Seeking to protect the common man against unemployment, against accidents, and against the traditional penury of old age, and trying to guarantee that he shall have a decent home to live in – what is this but an effort to make the old American dream come true?

For the next decade, at least, we shall be arguing about the best way of doing this. Maybe we’ll try Mr. Roosevelt’s way and maybe we’ll try somebody else’s.

But there can be little doubt that in one way or another we shall do our utmost to make the dream come true.

Editor Criticizes Rich "Human Vampire" in High Point, 1914

From the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

By W.L. Stamey, Editor and Publisher

The vampire fattens on the blood of its victim, so does the human vampire, but of the two the human vampire is 10 times the worse, because he knows better. Take the town vampire and look him over and think what a terrible thing he is, how loathsome to look at; think of the widows and orphans he has drawn the life’s blood from by his strategy; of the homes he has destroyed because his money-fingers clutched unmercifully at the throats of those who could not help themselves at the time but who could have come to the surface had they been given an opportunity. Think of the deep stabs inflicted by the backhand movement, of the heartaches and desperation caused by this heartless wretch, the fiend incarnate, who strolls the streets by day and lays awake at night scheming to rob and destroy his fellow man, to get an undue advantage of this or that fellow. He becomes rich, yes, but he fattens off of his poor unfortunate victims; he prospers and is looked up to by those who consider money the standard of character, but there comes a time, a time when the scores of people he has sent to an untimely grave, of those whose lives and homes have been made desolate by his iron hand, all of whom rise up before him like a thousand ghosts to destroy his soul and he retired from the state of action and sinks into the bottomless pit of destruction, to add his gnashing of teeth to the countless thousands that have preceded him. There is retribution in life just as surely as there is life itself and it comes sooner or later and if one included to such dirty tactics could stop for a few moments and take inventory the tale would perhaps be different. The question resolves itself into a solemn fact, “what’s the use of it all, what’s the use to destroy your fellow man when God put you here to help mankind” not simply to eke out a miserable existence but to be of real service. As in all other towns of any size High Point has a few such vampires and they are marked and sooner or later will reap the same reward.

-=-=-=

James Perminter, Age 103, Is Still Dancing, 1907

“Dances at 103” reprinted in the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, July 25, 1907

“I wish you would say for the benefit of certain papers and people who seem inclined to doubt the age and activeness of Mr. James Perminter,” said a citizen to a Chronicle reporter to-day, “that as I understand it his age is a matter of record, and his activity is too well known here for any kind of doubt.”

“That reminds me,” said the reporter, “that some one said the old man is not only active, but that he was seen dancing at the Veterans’ reunion at Richmond.”

“Certainly,” said the gentleman being spoken to. “I saw that and called the attention of several people to it at the time. It was up there in Saenger Hall one morning at the band concert when everybody was having a good time, and they struck up Dixie Weil. It would have made you feel good way down in your shoes to have seen our Mr. Bob Winchester, inspector squirrel-feeder policeman, swing corners with old man Perminter and the two skip around the floor like 16 year old boys.”

“And the old man can dance as well?” ventured the reporter.

“He certainly can, and get around better than many men I know that are not over 60 years. And while we are talking about active old people, I am reminded that the man who wanted to kill all the old men at 60 years, Dr. Osler, has now come out and given soup the black eye. Well, I am only hoping that he will prove as far off in condemning good soup as he was in his chloroform operation on old men. You see such cases as our dancing 103-year-old citizen, and a number of others around here make Dr. Osler feel like 30 cents.

                --Charlotte Chronicle

This New Means of Transportation Is Expensive and Most of the Money Goes Out of State, 1914

“Automobiles Costing Millions of Dollars” from the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review. The Review as in the past refuses to accept whiskey advertisements. It will neither run any ads detrimental to the business interests of High Point.

According to an estimate made last week there have been approximately 12,000 automobiles sold in North Carolina since they were first introduced in this state. In Guilford county last year there were 578 machines and in Greensboro alone there were 299 car owners. It would be a safe estimate to say that 100 automobiles were sold here during the past year.

Taken on an average each car costs about $1,000 and this means that for automobiles in this state there has been expended $12,000,000 all of which is sent out of the state, save about 20 per cent allowed agents in the state.

The cost of the upkeep and operation of the average automobile for one month is around $20. This was the estimate made by a man in Greensboro yesterday who has had a great deal of experience with automobiles. At $20 a month for repairs the cost for the year on the 12,000 machines in the state would be $2,800,000, practically every cent of which goes out of the state.

While it is true that this large amount is paid out of the state for automobiles, there is paid inot the state annually a sum of $4,000 for license by the automobile owners.

High Point alone has over 300 automobiles.

Another interesting feature connected with the large number of machines being used both for pleasure and traffic, is the fact that the prices of mules and horses are even higher today than they were before automobiles were introduced into the state.

Police Looking for Man Who Pretended 11-Year-Old Was His Wife, 1907

“An Outrageous Affair” from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, July 25, 1907

On Friday evening last Avery Powell, with the 11-year-old child of Mr. Robert Tolliver, both of Tree Top, Ashe county, came to the home of Mr. Cam Blackburn, this county, palmed themselves off as man and wife, and spent the night as such. Early Saturday morning a ‘phone message from the parents of the little girl notified Register May not to issue marriage license to the couple. Foot-sore and early they arrived a few hours later and applied for the coveted papers. On being refused, they left, going in the direction of Shull’s Mills. In less than an hour after they left, two men, relatives of the child, hove in sight, and soon procured a warrant for Powell, charging him with abduction. The warrant was placed in the hands of Officer Blankenship, who captured his game near Foscoe.

The couple was taken back to Mr. Blackburn’s without any trouble whatever, but the trouble was soon to follow. Two brothers of Powell, with others, appeared on the scene later in the night and demanded the release of the prisoner which request was promptly complied with, and the young man who is guilty of an awful crime is again at large. The father of the unfortunate child was in town Monday and told us that every effort possible would be put forth to recapture Powell. He has deposited $100 cash with the Bank of Ashe as a reward for the man or men who will affect his arrest; and the Governor will be asked to offer a like reward.

This is a most outrageous affair and we certainly do hope to hear of his arrest and to know that all the punishment provided in such cases has been meted out to him.

The little girl when last heard from was still confined to her bed as a result of the episode.

The prisoner was wrested from the custody of the Ashe county men; not from the officer who made the arrest.

The News From High Point, July 16, 1914

From the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review. Slogan in the newspaper banner: The Review is read and appreciated by that large body of people who buy four-fifths of the goods sold in High Point—the laboring people.

First Frost Oct. 8^th?

Isaac Pettiford has heard the katy-did make a noise like frost and he stalks into the Review office to prognosticate a frost on the 8^th day of October, because the tell-tale katy-did DID on the 8^th day of July in the year nineteen and fourteen. Pettiford says put it down in black and white that the first frost will occur as above mentioned, although he believes it will not be a killing frost. So jot this down in your log book and see if Isaac knows anything of the katy-did language.

Death of Well-Known Citizen

Mrs. Zimri Burns, after a long sickness, fell asleep last Friday. The deceased was born Oct. 25^th, 1852, in Davidson county, and was therefore in her 62^nd year. She was married January 23, 1884, to Mr. Zimri Burns. Five children and husband surviving. She was a good, patient, long suffering, kindly woman and no doubt now rests easy from life’s troubles and cares. Sympathy of the editor is tendered.

Citizen Dies Suddenly

Mr. Mack Lewallen died suddenly here Monday at noon at home, No. 814 South Main Street. He worked in his truck patch more than usual that morning and complained of severe pain in his breast and that he was so warm he went into the kitchen, bathed his hands and returning to his couch, died a few minutes from heart trouble. Mr. Lewallen had been a great sufferer for several years. He had lived here about 14 years, where he moved from Archdale.

Mr. Lewallen was a man of considerable means, a respected citizen and a very useful man in his community. He leaves a wife and 10 children.

Other News

--Mr. Jesse Harrison of this city has been promoted to District salesman for the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., with headquarters in Fayetteville.

--The latch string hangs on the out side, gentleman, use it often.

--The order has been placed by the committee from Washington Street M.E. church for one of the handsomest pipe organs in the south, to be installed by September when the new church will be ready for occupancy on North Main street.

--Mr. and Mrs. Frank Winekie are at Asheville for a few days.

--Died—Monday at the home of her son, Mrs. Huges, an aged citizen. The remains were carried to Reidsville Wednesday for interment.

--The editor saw a picture of Thurman Mann, taken in New York City where Mr. Mann is house surgeon in a celebrated hospital. He has put on so much flesh his friends would hardly know him. Mr. Mann will return to High Point in October, having finished his full course at that time.

--Tuesday afternoon while driving on English Street their horse became frightened and threw Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Montgomery from the buggy, both sustaining painful injuries.

--V.H. Idol has gone to Madison where he succeeds the late Rav Newby in the Bank of Madison. [It said Rav but might mean Ray.]

--The High Point Show Case Company is making an addition to its building on account of increased business.

--Masters Paul A. Stamey and Bernice Brown are visiting the family of Dr. E.L. Stamey, Greensboro.

--Asheboro--Following are some of the crops made in Randolph: Henry Davis, 540 bushels; George Richardson, 300 bushels; James Davis, 401 bushels; George Cagle, 297 bushels; D.G. Pugh and brother, 415 bushels; Charlie Hurley, 240 bushels; Scott Lineberry, 81 bushels; H.H. Davis, 557 bushels; Gaston Lineberry, 179 bushels; R.P. Foust, 169 bushels; Jasper Foust, 129 bushels. Wesley Kirkman of Sandy Creek Section, thrashed out 359 sheaves of wheat and oats. Each shock contained 10 sheaves and thrashed out 326 bushels.

--A pretty wedding took place at the home of W.C. Jones at Franklinville, Wednesday when James Allred led to the altar Miss Josie Jones. Both are among the county’s most popular young people.

--M.P. Lamb and Miss Fannie Reeves of Franklinville were married at the home of the officiating justice of the peace, W.C. Jones, Thursday morning and left on the noon train for Chatham county, where they will spend some time.

--The Clementile Roofing plant, which has been so successfully financiered and managed by Robert Cottam, has enlarged its facilities because of increased orders and the optimistic outlook for this kind of new roof. I.G. Lawrence the well-known High Point-Durham contractor, has become financially interested in this establishment, and the State charter with new incorporators was issued last week.

--Hugh Gordon of Brown Summit lost an arm and had his shoulder badly mashed by trying to catch a freight train. The old, old story of fooling with supreme danger.

--The furniture buyers have commenced to land and the manufacturers are pleased with their orders.

--Mrs. M.C. Crowson and children have returned from Elizabeth City after a sojourn of several weeks, much improved in health.

'MIss Burlington Goes Shopping' Column Combines Social News With Promotion of Products, 1934

“Miss Burlington Goes Shopping” from the July 2, 1934, issue of The Daily Times-News, Burlington, N.C.

Already numerous flags of this old U.S.A. are seeing the light of day, after being carefully put away since the last patriotic celebration. Fire crackers, gaily decorated store windows, and cars suggest to the shopper that ‘tis two days before the Fourth of July. Parades, days at the beach, and other short trips will contribute to the celebration of the day. With the red, white and blue dancing before my eyes, I have visited our shops and behold, my friends, I bring you good news of great Fourth of July specials!

Speaking of beaches, I found some of the most attractive bathing suits at the United Dollar Store! All wool…two pieces…from 96 cents to $2.98. The colors are lovely, and each suit has some particularly nice feature. Picture yourself in one of those swell $2.98 suits, and picture vacationists “sitting up and taking notice.” Becoming and water-proof caps, and beach sandals are also to be found in this up-to-date store. 

Oh, by the way, before buying your Fourth of July outfit, see the drastically reduced summer dresses and complete your wardrobe for practically nothing. It will amaze you to see this huge stock of merchandise…all with prices looking like Johnnie’s birthday cake after the party….CUT! What Specials.

It’s always fun to shop in the summer time. So many people are casually doing the same thing, and there is always time for a chat in the drug store, or even on the street. In the winter, everyone seems to be in a hurry, and no wonder, with the breezes blowing 50 miles an hour.

Mrs. A.D. Pate was a shopper down town this morning…and a little later, I saw Mrs. M.B. Smith.

Have you ever enjoyed a vacation in uncomfortable shoes? I’ll bet you haven’t. With your comfort in mind, I searched the stores for a shoe famous for comfort. Found it, too. The Vitality Shoe is a health shoe. Its built-in arch, and narrow heel insure just the right support and fit, and if your Fourth of July trip, or any other, demands walking, dancing or just lounging around, you’ll find this shoe ideal. The Quality Shop carries black ones and white ones in ties, straps…and PUMPS! They are all lovely. It isn’t every day that you find a pump which combines the two, beauty and comfort.

Seen from my car or as I dashed from a store…Lynette Warren…and a bit later, Ida Baker Williamson.

I had the pleasure this morning of meeting Katherine Conley of Marion. She is the attractive guest of Mrs. Wano E. Thorpe, and I drove down town with Mrs. Thorpe, Miss Conley and Miss Frances DuRant. All were looking lovely in cool, summer frocks.

After nosing around in all the corners of Quinn’s Furniture store, I discovered a Fourth of July special that sounds like the explosion of a sky rocket. It’s just so wonderful as the most complicated fire-works, too. During this week, Mr. Quinn will present a gift to every one who buys a suite of bed room furniture…and the gift…wait until you hear about it…it’s a boudoir chair, covered with attractive ruffle around the bottom. What a gift! But wait, you haven’t heard all. During this week you may buy one of those genuine maple, walnut or mahogany bed room suits for $5 down payment. The rest? Oh, the easiest terms you ever heard. Mr. Quinn has any style you want, and prices range from $60.50 to $125.

Mrs. Ben R. Sellars is spending two months in Montreat, at the Assembly Inn. Mrs. Walter R. Sellars is also spending the summer at her cottage there. Mrs. Bailey Sellars and pretty baby, of Athens, Ga., are her guests while Bailey is in Europe. I hope they will return by way of Burlington.

Mrs. H.W. Trollinger has as her guest Mrs. J.P. O’Brien and Miss Nancy O’Brien of Hamlet.

I saw Mrs. Herman Gibson this morning. She and Herman have recently returned from a trip to Louisiana, and their nephew, Billy Vice, of Monroe, returned with them. They report a wonderful trip.

Saw Mrs. Allen Cucullu and Mrs. Jack Austin down town this morning. They spent the weekend in Lynchburg, Va., as the guests of Mrs. Cucullu’s parents. Allen, Jack and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown were also members of the party.

Have you seen the swell new feature lights over the Carolina Theatre? New York has nothing better, and it does more to make our city look like one than anything that has been done. It is symbolic, too, of the fine service both the Carolina and Paramount give to the city. Both theatres furnish the only really cool spot to spend these warm afternoons and evenings, to say nothing of the entertainment, which is always the best…and newest. An example—I happened to find myself in one of our larger cities an evening not long ago, and thought a movie would be fun. After driving by four theatres, I returned home… I had seen all of them, either in our Carolina or Paramount. You can’t beat them!

Shoes…I understand that the brother of one of our most attractive and popular girls (blonde) will announce his marriage soon. Sorry, I can’t give you all the details, now.

It is too bad we do not see more of our Graham friends. It’s really our loss, too, you know. I had the pleasure of meeting a group of that city’s attractive daughters the other day, and I must say I do not know when I’ve enjoyed being with a group of girls more.

Hot and weary, after hurrying around all afternoon, I dropped by the Coca-Cola Bottling works, for a visit with Miss Cleo Bankhead, and she very graciously offered to revive my spirits be bringing forth a bottle of that drink most suitable for these hot afternoons. After enjoying the coca-cola, I felt more equal to more searches for more specials. And that isn’t the first time.

We arrived for a bridge club meeting the other day…one of our warmest afternoons…and the thoughtful hostess served us coca-colas right off the ice. Boy, she saved the day, lowered our temperatures, and improved our bridge…(even money, and nothing else has). Try keeping a crate of coca-colas, with a number of bottles on ice, and see how these warm days are made more livable.

I understand that Carolyn Andrews is spending the week in Chapel Hill, where she is the guest of Frances Andrews. For one so attractive, I predict a happy visit.

Rev. and Mrs. W.A. Cade and family left this morning for Myrtle Beach, where they will spend July. Mr. Cade will return Friday, but the others will visit Mrs. Cade’s sister at her cottage during the month. In fact, Mrs. Cade’s family plans a reunion with 25 members attending.

Special! Extra Special!! The S.P.U. has done it again! They’ve declared a special that is more than a special…it’s a…well, see for yourself. The Southern Public Utilities company is having a special campaign on Modern Electric Ranges that make it possible for you to buy one for 19 cents a day. These statements are remarkable facts, but until you have seen one of these ranges, you can’t really appreciate this offer. They lighten one’s kitchen duties 100 per cent, and improve the appearance of your kitchen. Do drop by the S.P.U. and take a look.

First Watermelons Sold in Elizabeth City, 1920

“First Melons Arrive” from the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent. We forget how fortunate we are to have fresh fruit and vegetables available so much of the year.

The first boat load of water melons to reach this city this season came in Wednesday on the gasboat Dixie-14, from Creswell, Washington county, and were sold at Flora’s dock. The melons were particularly nice ones, and found eager buyers here, retailing from $1 down, according to size. They were brought here by Capt. E.W. Patrick, W.D. Tarkington, and M.E. Tarkington of Creswell.

N.C. Farm Debt Adjustment Commission to Help Farmers, 1935

“Are You In Debt?” by J.W. Lamberson in the July, 1935, issue of the Carolina Co-Operator

If you are a farmer distressed by heavy debt, tell your troubles to the North Carolina Farm Debt Adjustment Commission and more than likely it can help you solve your problem.

A little over a year ago, June 12, 1934, to be exact, Governor J.C.B. Ehringhaus, keeping in step with a nationwide program of refinancing agriculture inaugurated by President F.D. Roosevelt, was appointed the North Carolina Farm Debt Adjustment Commission, composed of nine public-spritied North Carolinians.

The members of this Commission are Lionel Weil of Goldsboro, Chairman;  R.A. Doughton, Sparta, Vice-Chairman; Dr. G.W. Forster, Raleigh, Executive Secretary; J.L. Skinner, Littleton; Millard F. Jones, Rocky Mount, H.A. Millis, High Point; Julian Price, Greensboro; M.O. Blount, Bethel; and J. Allen Taylor, Wilmington.

County Committees

To facilitate this worthwhile program, the Commission secured the names of many outstanding and also public-spirited citizens in each of our counties.

From these lists Governor Ehringhaus appointed from five to seven members to serve on each of the County Committees of the North Carolina Farm Adjustment Commission.

Today there are 93 County Committees serving in the interest of financially distressed North Carolina farmers.

Nationwide Program

In 42 states there are similar Farm Debt Adjustment Commissions which are closely associated with the National Farm Credit Administration.

This new governmental credit agency has a more liberal policy for the financing and refinancing of the farmer than that followed either by the Federal Land Banks or the Joint Stock Land Banks. It provides for the customary loans through the Federal Land Banks p to 50 per cent of the appraised value of the property and 20 per cent of the appraised value of the improvements, in addition to the loans made by the Land Bank Commissioner. The Commissioner’s loan together with the customary loan of the Federal Land Bank can be as much as 75 per cent of the total appraised value of the farmer’s property.

When the maximum loan is insufficient to liquidate the outstanding indebtedness of the farmer, the local County Farm Debt Adjustment Committees attempt through voluntary adjustments to prevent the farmer from being disposed of his farm and to also aid the creditor in collecting as much of the original loan as possible.

To assist these County Committeemen, who serve without compensation, the State Commission named Harry F. Watkins of Durham, State Representative; and Joseph P. Greenleaf, Elizabeth City; Dr. J.E. Kirbye, Raleigh; and D.W. McPherson, Graham, assistant representatives.

These representatives attend as many of the County Committee meetings as possible each week and assist the members in their various Farm Debt Adjustment activities.

Mrs. Thomas O’Berry, State Emergency Relief Administrator, has cooperated and greatly assisted the Farm Debt Commission in North Carolina with the appropriation of funds for supplies and office personnel.

The County Farm Agents, County relief administrators, Rural Rehabilitation Directors, Case Workers, and other agencies have materially assisted in the voluntary Farm Debt Adjustment program in North Carolina.

First Anniversary

Dr. G.W. Forster, Executive Secretary, announced on June 12, 1935, the first anniversary of the North Carolina Farm Debt Adjustment Commission, that through agreements with creditors and in cooperation with other farm agencies, farm debts on 2,544 cases involving a total indebtedness of $7,816,535.88 had been adjusted to $5,948,825.55, saving the farmers of North Carolina $1,867,683.33, reduction of 23.89 per cent below the original amount. He also pointed out that although the creditor usually agreed to reduce the amount of the debts, most of them actually gained, since these adjustments are making possible the collection of debts which might not otherwise be collected. In addition it materially aided thousands of North Carolina farmers, who, overburdened by debt, could not conduct their farming operations successfully and be normal purchasers in their communities.

Despite this comparatively easy process to save one’s farm or refinance burdensome debts, Dr. Forster estimates that there is a larger number of North Carolina farmers today who are having their farms foreclosed on them or labor under heavy financial difficulties through ignorance of this free and convenient method of solving their financial difficulties.

A Typical Case

Now to make this article much simpler let’s take a typical case of a distressed farmer who was assisted by the Farm Debt Adjustment Commission.

Joe Doe lives on a 55-acre farm, 35 of which he uses to grow corn, tobacco, and cotton. When prices were high some six years ago, he borrowed $4,000 of his farm to make some improvements. He is unable to meet the payments on this mortgage at present and still owes the mortgage holder, the local bank, $3,350. Taxes for $89 for two years are due and several small bills mounting to around $125 are also past due.

Joe is about to lose his farm and as farming is his only occupation he can see himself serving as somebody’s tenant. By accident Joe hears of the Farm Debt Adjustment Commission and approaches his County Agent, who promptly directs him to a member of his local county committee. This committeeman listens carefully to his case and directs him to the acting secretary who files his application. His creditors are notified to meet with him before the committee at the next meeting and he is advised to have his land appraised for a loan by the Federal Land Bank.

The Federal Land Bank maximum loan on Joe’s farm is $3,200. At the meeting, the committeemen point out to his creditors that Joe is a worthy farmer trying to do the best he can. They also point out that Joe’s farm under the hammer would hardly bring this much, and urge them to make an adjustment of his debts so his loan will be sufficient to settle them all, rather than to foreclose on him or try to collect over a period of years. This is finally agreed to and $89 is set aside for taxes. The small creditor agrees to accept $90 and after careful consideration, the bank agrees to accept $3,000 in cash.

Joe has a clean slate, $21, and 20 years to meet this $3,200 loan from the Federal Land Bank at only 4 per cent interest and by easy yearly payments.

In finding a solution to a debtor’s difficulties, it may be a matter of reconstructing farm mortgages, reducing the interest rates, or providing for the debtor to make definite yearly or monthly payments. Regardless of the method employed, over 75 per cent of the cases brought before the committees have been successfully settled, and in addition a great many cases have been settled simply by the advice of committeemen.

Distressed farmers are urged to bring their cases before the committees immediately as the program is of any emergency nature and may be terminated at an early date.

Mrs. Johnson Kills Husband On Way to Church Because of His Constant Accusations of Infidelity, 1914

From the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review.

Mrs. J. Johnson Confesses…Says She Shot Husband Because He Made Life a Burden by Accusations of Infidelity

Tarboro—“I am going to tell the whole truth about the matter. I killed my husband because he had made life unbearable for me by constantly accusing me of infidelity. I am sorry I did not say this at first, but I was afraid and felt that I was alone in the world without a friend to whom I could turn.”

The foregoing statement was made by pretty Mrs. Elizabeth Early Johnson at the conclusion of a three-hour interview with her in which every phase of the case was discussed. The interview took place in her her cell in the county jail at Williamston and the confession was the first one made by the woman who on Saturday night July Fourth, killed her husband as they were riding along the road on their way to church in Martin County.

Up to this time the officers had been at a loss to find a motive for the crime. For two hours Mrs. Johnson, who is about 22 years old and an extremely pretty blonde, stoutly maintained that an unknown man killed her husband and told a well-connected story of how it took place. During this recital she showed very little emotion though stating that she was grieved at the death of her husband.

At one time during the confession Sheriff Crawford brought into the room a handbag containing two pistols and when the first one, a Savage automatic, 32 caliber, was shown to her she said it was not the one she used. This one was put back and a United States 32 caliber, nickel-plated pistol was shown her and she identified it as the one with which she had killed her husband, taking it in her hand and examining it closely. She said that she had never seen it prior to the time she saw it Saturday afternoon, and said she did not know to whom it belonged.

She also stated that no one else was connected with her in the matter and that no one offered her any suggestions.

North Carolina Calls Tobacco a Crop in Jeopardy, 1987

"Tobacco Farmers Face Tough Choices" by Ferrel Guillory in the April 5, 1987 issue of the New York Times

North Carolina tobacco farmers have grown accustomed to antismoking campaigns, but they do not expect discouraging words from their own state government. So it was something extraordinary when the State Goals and Policy Board called tobacco a ''crop whose future is in jeopardy.''

The board, an advisory body, urged the state earlier this year to get busy helping farmers grow fruits or vegetables, as opposed to tobacco. ''We conclude,'' it said, ''that either with the gradual elimination of tobacco through decreased demand, or with the swift destruction of the crop by removal of Government supports, the result for the tobacco farmer would be the same: The choice is, as it were, between death by starvation or death by hanging.''

In a state that grows two-thirds of the nation's flue-cured tobacco, the principal ingredient in cigarettes, no high officials rushed to embrace the report. Gov. James G. Martin, a Republican, has proposed three ''agricultural parks'' where farmers could not only market fruits and vegetables, bypassing the middleman, but would also have access to processing facilities. Lieut. Gov. Robert B. Jordan 3d, a Democrat, proposed a rural economic development corporation to stimulate both farming and small business.

Considerable crop diversification has already taken place in the tobacco belt of the Southeast. North Carolina, for example, has become a major producer of sweet potatoes and turkeys, and tobacco now brings in only a quarter of cash farm receipts, $700 million, down from $1.1 billion in 1980. ''We average 3,000 fewer farmers each year, many of them tobacco farmers who have simply been squeezed out,'' said the board.

Still, across the rural Southeast, tobacco farms dot the landscape. Farmers have just begun transplanting seedlings from nursery beds into rows in the ground, by hand. Tobacco has always been a labor-intensive enterprise, although gawky mechanical pickers now harvest about half the crop. 

U.S. Treasury Department Recognizes N.C. 4-H'ers Work in Savings Bond Program, 1941-1956

From the July 1956 issue of Extension Farm-News

The highest award given by the U.S. Treasury Department was presented to the North Carolina 4-H Club at the closing session of the State 4-H Club Week at State College.

Wade Hawkins of the Savings Bond Division of the Treasury Department presented the coveted award to L.H. Harrell, state 4-H leader, and Miss Nancy Johnson, retiring State 4-H Council president.

The special award is in the form of a plaque bearing an inscription of President Eisenhower’s inaugural prayer. It recognizes the achievement made by North Carolina 4-H’ers in their thrift program.

The president’s prayer contains 134 words. It was made by Dwight D. Eisenhower after he had taken the oath of office as President of the United States on January 20, 1953. In giving it, the President said he wished to “offer a little prayer of my own.” It was composed by the President on the morning of his inauguration amid the bustle of preparation for the day’s ceremony.

After the inauguration, leaders interested in the Savings Bond Program of the Treasury Department offered to undertake the job of printing and mounting the prayer to be used as an award to the thousands of volunteers who have aided the bond program since 1941. The work of printing, mounting, and transporting the prayer was donated by various industries of the United States. The prayer is in illuminated printing, and it is mounted in an eight by twelve frame made from wood taken from the inaugural stands, which were constructed of Southern pine.

Tango Instead of Beatings Is Cause of Crime, Says Judge, 1914

‘Tango as Cause of Crime’ from the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

Brooklyn Judge Blames Theft by Two Youths to Nights Given to Modern Dance

In suspending sentence in the cases of two youths who had pleaded guilty to attempted grand  larceny, County Judge Fawcett in Brooklyn listed “white lights and tango nights” in the catalogue of incentives to crime.

“You can’t expect to dance all night,” he said, “and lie abed half the day, yet always have money for your carousals, unless you steal it. And let me tell you our jails and penitentiaries are full of people with just such ideas. If your family had given you the good beatings instead of money to spend, it would have been better for you.”

The boys, John Colver, 20 years old, of 487 Hancock street, and Carlton Chapman, 16, of 362 Jefferson avenue, had been indicted for stealing money and jewelry from Adelaide Wiston, keeper of a furnished room house, where they lived for a time. They belonged to respectable families of moderate means. Both promised the judge to go home and begin again, Chapman to return to school and Colver to work. Both wore tango pumps and silk shirts when arraigned.

                --New York Sun

National and World News from the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

“National and World News” from the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent.

High Lights in the General News of the World in Pertinent Paragraphs

Railroad Men to Get More

This week the Railway Labor Board handed down its first award in the form of increased pay for virtually all of the 2 million railroad employees in the country. The increases are from 50 to 60 percent of the amount asked by the men, or between $500 and $600 million of the billion dollars they asked for. Union leaders are disappointed in that they did not get the full amount asked, and there are threats of a general railroad strike.

Finds Husband Is Her Father

Asking for the annulment of her marriage with William M. Jones, Mrs. Anna Bell Jones makes the startling charge in the Baltimore circuit court that Jones, her husband, is her real father, and not her step-father, as she thought at the time of her marriage, and she makes the unusual statement that the revelation of Jones’ identity came to her in a dream. Two children were born of the marriage, boys, 8 and 3 years old, who are said to be entirely normal and healthy. Mrs. Jones also charges that her younger sister was forced to leave on the part of her father.

Cox Is for Woman Suffrage

Governor Cox of Ohio, Democratic candidate for the presidency, several days ago assured members of the national woman’s party that he will do all in his power to bring about the ratification of the federal suffrage amendment by the legislature of Tennessee. His promise was given to a deputation from the women’s party headed by Miss Alice Paul, chairman of the party.

Kaiser’s Son Kills Himself

Prince Joachim of Holienzollern, the youngest son of former Emperor William, committed suicide at Potsdam last Sunday. Financial straits are believed to have been the reason for the deed. Joachim was born in 1890 at Berlin. He served on both the Eastern and Western fronts during the world war, and was seriously wounded in the fighting in France. After the defeat of Germany, there were rumors that the Kaiser would abdicate in favor of Joachim, who during the war was ranked as a popular hero in Germany. He was married in 1916 to Princess Marie Augustine of Anhalt, and this year it was reported that the prince had brought suit for divorce from her.

League Issue of Democrats

Following a conference this week between President Wilson and Governor James M. Cox, Democratic presidential nominee, Cox announced that he would make a determined fight for the League of Nations during the course of his approaching 90-day campaign for election, and that he will endeavor to put through the Versailles pact without emasculatory reservations. Cox and the President are reported to be in complete agreement upon the league question.

Judge Upholds State Dry Laws

State prohibition laws passed prior to the passage of the 18^th amendment to the Constitution, provided the State Laws do not directly conflict with the Federal amendment, are valid, and prosecution under State laws were upheld by Federal judge R.M. McCall of the southern district of Florida in an opinion recently rendered.

Independents Warn Harding

Claiming that it was the independent vote that defeated Hughes in 1916, an editorial in a recent issue of the New York Evening post tells Senator Warren Harding, Republican presidential nominee, that his attitude toward the League of Nations plan will make or break him for the presidency. The Post warns that unless Harding comes out flat-footedly for the league, he need not make a single speech, as far as the independent voter is concerned.

Baby Has Two Heads

With two heads, four arms and four legs upon a perfectly formed body, a baby was born this week to William and Marietta Goodman, who live near Suffolk, Va. The two well-developed heads grow out of a single neck, and the infant has two arms and two legs on each side. It is arousing much interest among the physicians of Suffolk. The Good mans have nine other children, all of whom are healthy and normal.

More Banks and Less Cafes

The city of Paris, France, is becoming a metropolis of banks instead of cafes, or, in other words, is fast becoming Americanized. Old landmarks, quaint restaurants, large cafes with broad terraces on the sidewalk where on a hot summer afternoon the Parisian sips his coffee and watches the crowds go by, are being replaced by imposing financial institutions, and Paris streets are becoming passages from one bank to another, instead of streets for the people to live in, as they were in the old days.

Democrats Figure to Win House

Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C., express themselves as of the opinion that the Democrats will win a majority in the next house of representatives with Cox and Roosevelt heading the party ticket. Members of the Democratic congressional campaign committee declare that they hope to win more than 100 districts now Republican, in which event the house will of course return to Democratic control. Representative Claud Kitchin of North Carolina and Judge Crisp of Georgia are being boosted by their respective followings for the speakership, on the strength of the Democratic chances for success. 

Judge Supports Constitutional Amendment to 'Take Negroes Out of Politics' and Opposes Vote for Women, 1914

“Recorders Court Scored by Judge” from the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review. Skip the first paragraph and read the judge’s support for a solution to the Negro problem, the constitutional amendment that will take them “out of politics” so they can concentrate on making a living and being courteous to white people. Of course, you will also see that Judge Bond is also opposed to giving women the right to vote.

Judge Bond Doesn’t Like One-Man Power Reposed in Inferior Courts…Names Dangerous Points…Mentions Innovations that Threaten the Well-Being of the U.S., Mentioning Woman Suffrage

Raleigh—Judge W.M. Bond of Edenton, charging the Wake County grand jury for a term of Wake Court for the trail of criminal cases took occasion to express his disapproval of recorder’s courts as having the effect of giving too much power to one man in passing on cases coming before these courts. He insisted that the prohibition laws must along with all the other laws be enforced. He said he had nothing to do with a man drinking moderately but that the prohibition law had been put on the statute books by the people and that the courts should see to its enforcement.

Judge Bond referred to the negroes as a “race without a flag or a country” brought here against their will. He said great care should be exercised in dealing with the negroes, a view of the peculiar circumstances under which they are in this state and the country at large. The negroes, he said, owe it to themselves to stop giving a thought to politics and go to work to make a living for themselves and those dependent on them and to maintain a courteous attitude toward the white people. He regarded the abolition of slavery as the best for both races and that the taking of negroes out of politics be the constitutional amendment was yet another very great blessing for both races.

Judge Bond discussed “dangerous innovations that threaten the well-being of the United States Government, mentioning among other things woman suffrage, Roosevelt’s initiative, referendum and recall, and the recorder’s court tendencies.

U.S. Ready to Invade Haiti and San Domingo, July 1914

“Prepare to Invade Haiti” from the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review. The United States had troops on the ground in Mexico and is preparing to invade Haiti and San Domingo. Meanwhile, in Europe, World War I is beginning.

The island of Hispaniola was divided into two European colonies with Saint-Dominque in the west, held by France; and Santo Domingo, held by Spain, in the east. The French colony declared its independence in 1804 and became Haiti, and the Spanish colony declared its independence in 1821, retaining the name San Domingo. Today, San Domingo is the Dominican Republic.

Secretary Bryan Prevails on Navy Department to Mobilize Blue-jackets

Washington—Seven hundred marines were ordered assembled at Guantanamo, Cuba, to be held in readiness for service in revolution-torn Haiti and San Domingo.

The Navy Department acted at the request of Secretary Bryan, who asked that the fleet be prepared to deal with any emergency that might arise on the turbulent island. The marines will be gathered from those now on duty in Mexican waters, and from the marine barracks in Philadelphia and Norfolk.

At Guantanamo the force will be only a day’s sail from the North coast of Haiti and San Domingo, and their proximity is expected to impress upon the revolutionary leaders the determination of the American Government to terminate their activities by forcible means unless they listen to the warnings already given. 

The situation in San Domingo has come to be regarded as almost hopeless of a cure from within, while in Haiti conditions are little better.

News From N.C. Farms, July, 1944

“What’s New in North Carolina” from the July, 1944, issue of Southern Planter

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh

J.D. Parker of Eagle Springs, Moore County, has a nice heard of Jersey cows. He also has a flock of sheep and some goats; and, it is now easy matter to provide feed for all of these on the sandy soils of his farm. He began to take stock of the situation last fall when every man with livestock and poultry began to fear the outcome of the feed situation. Mr. Parker had a nice 11-acre field conveniently located for grazing so he put the soil into tip-top condition, applied about 1,500 pounds of limestone, added 800 pounds of phosphate and 100 pounds of muriate of potash per acre. Then he planted oats, crimson clover and Austrian peas, seeding rather liberally. This spring he top-dressed the crop with 200 pounds of nitrate of soda and on April 10, he decided that the growth was large enough to turn 26 Jersey cows and six head of work stock into the field.

Two weeks later, however, the grazing was getting so far beyond the capacity of these animals that he turned in 75 sheep and 110 goats. He figured that certainly sheep and goats could eat all of everything. But the growth gained on all of these and lasted until about the end of May. Mr. Parker said he never saw so much grazing from an 11-acre piece of land—and this in the Sandhill section. He attributed the enormous production to the liberal seeding and the heavy fertilization.

Rain Makes Record Roughage Crops

But from all over North Carolina there comes similar reports of fine hay and grazing crops this past spring. Much of the cereal mixtures and winter legumes planted last fall to be plowed under for soil improvement were never turned due to the simple fact that one could not get a plow into the fields until it was too late. The rains were almost continuous up until time to plant the summer row crops. But then the weather favored the haymaker and as a result the State is harvesting one of its record crops of fine quality roughage.

H.T. Watkins of Caswell County, for instance, reports almost as good returns from 13 acres seeded to  oats, crimson clover and rye grass. He grazed 40 cows on this field last November and December and put them back on it April 1. He made the field supply grazing until late spring by dividing it into halves and grazing each half for about 10 days. He says more grazing is secured in this way.

R.L. Spencer of Columbia, Route 1, Tyrrell County, has 18 cows and 37 hogs that got most of their winter feed from 6 acres of oats, 3 acres of rutabagas and 18 acres of field gleanings. The rutabagas are especially relished by the cows in mid-winter when there is a lack of succulent feed.

W.N. Shearon of Bunn, Franklin County, seeded 45 acres to crimson clover and rye grass last fall and grazed about 300 head of cattle and 300 hogs all winter. He finds that the rye grass will provide more winter and spring grazing than any other crop that he has ever planted.

Alvin R. Askew of Goldsboro, Route 2, and D.Z. Holloman of Goldsboro, Route 1, reported similar grazing results with cereal mixtures and Italian rye grass on a smaller scale but proportionately as high returns.

Some dairymen are now installing hay driers so that the hay of spring and early summer will be saved despite tricky showers and thunder storms.

Water for Two By Hydraulic Ram

C.H. Boyles and Benny Jones live on adjoining farms on which there is a need for water for five milk cows, three heifers, four mules, 100 hens, 600 chickens, 29 hogs and pigs, and a beef animal. The two families and these animals require at least 500 gallons of fresh water each day but Mr. Boyles had been hauling all the water supplied to his stock and Mr. Jones had been carrying his about 800 feet. They found a free flowing spring on the Jones farm and installed a hydraulic ram at a cost of $235.38 t the two families. Now there is plenty of water for all uses and life is more sanitary and satisfying on both farms.

Mule Clinics Prove Profitable

A farmer of Martin County bought a mule from a neighbor for $75 because the mule had a lump on his jaw and the neighbor did not value the animal very highly. The buyer took the mule to the workstock clinic held in that neighborhood by animal industry specialists from State College cooperating with the county agent and the local veterinarian and had the “horse doctor” look at the lump. A tooth was extracted at a cost of $1 and the owner returned home with a work animal easily worth $300. H.M. Stamey, assistant livestock specialist, says the veterinarian found that the mule had a split tooth in which food was compacting causing all of the trouble. These clinics were held in 59 counties during the late winter and early spring when 6,549 animals were examined and many of them treated. Treatments were given at nominal cost and the owners say that excellent results were obtained.

Cotton Choppers Look Promising

Once again the machine has invaded the cotton field, historic home of hand labor, and if present experimental trials with two-row cotton choppers are successful, North Carolina farmers will use more of them in the future. A number of the machines have been purchased in widely separated parts of the State and almost universally, the owners say that they work. Clifford Hamrick of Boiling Springs, Cleveland County, has one which he says chopped his cotton all right and killed the grass at the same operation. The chopper is pulled by a tractor and requires one man to operate it so that the chopping blades may be kept set at the proper depths.

Airplane Used for Dusting Peaches

Peach growers in the Sandhills of Moore, Montgomery and Richmond counties have been saving labor this spring by having their orchards dusted by airplane. A commercial plane operator has worked in that section at the request of the orchardist and has performed a service which hardly could have been accomplished otherwise. The plane is equipped for the work and can be used to dust 100 acres of orchard trees in one hour. It takes a little more dust for the job but growers say that they get a better coverage of the trees than with the regular farm outfit. County Agent R.E. Davenport says he has observed the plane dust a 30-acre orchard in 10 minutes enveloping the trees in 600 pounds of chemicals. The dust is used for control of brown rot and curculio.

Farmer Disarms and Dunks Teen Who Aimed Rifle At Him and Is Fined for Assaulting the 13-year-old, 1920

From the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent.

Dr. F.W. Lowry, a prominent farmer, fruit grower and bird fancier whose farm and orchards are near the city limits, was fined $15 in the Recorder’s Court Monday morning for an assault on 13-year-old Harry Rollinson, a son of S.M.S. Rollinson. The evidence was that young Rollinson and another boy were shooting frogs with a rifle in a pond near the Lowry place. Dr. Lowry came upon the boys and accused them of stealing peaches and plums from his orchard. He threatened to take them to their parents, whereupon young Rollinson aimed the rifle at him. Dr. Lowry chased the youngster into the pond, soused his head in the mud and otherwise terrified him.

Dr. Lowry has the finest orchard in this section and has established the greatest temptation for small boys in this vicinity.

News From Farm Women Across N.C., 1938

“The Woman’s Touch or What Club Work Means to N.C. Farm Women” by Jane S. McKimmon, State Home Demonstration Agent and Assistant Director of Extension, N.C. State College, in the July, 1938, issue of Carolina Co-operator

What the Farm Family Eats

Sixty percent of the home demonstration club members in Granville County have filled in survey sheets designed to let them know just what the farm was producing toward supply the family’s food needs.

Records showed that 25 percent had year-‘round gardens and all families reported showed a variety of 11 fruits, 11 vegetables, and 8 root vegetables, such as turnips, beets, carrots, etc.

One and nine-tenths cows per family were owned by families, averaging 4.2 persons, and oatmeal and cornmeal were the most consistently used whole grain products. However, only 27 percent of the families used wholewheat products, though 60 percent of them raised some wheat.

One woman said she had no idea that whole-grain products were so necessary and she had never realized before that she had been throwing away food by having all of her wheat ground into white flour.

Information learned in Alamance County is that on many farms food production is so nearly adequate that little else than pepper, salt, sugar, coffee, tea, a few cereals, and fresh fruit in the winter is bought.

On the whole, the rural woman buys more green peas than any canned vegetable, and more pineapple than any canned fruit. She buys grits by the pound and vanilla by the pint, and purchases a large portion of her lard or other fat.

Canned milk is bought in spite of the cow population, and few families grow enough Irish potatoes to carry them through the year, but a large percent of farmers in Alamance grow enough wheat for home consumption.

Swain Roadside Market

Swain County farm women have found a new source of cash income in selling homemade products such as wood carvings, hand-woven baskets, and fabrics, hooked rugs, tufted chair covers, and window curtains dyed with red clay, and locally-mined copperas, buckeye dolls, socks knit from homegrown wool, cookies, cakes, homemade candy, jams, jellies, marmalades, and relishes to tourists who stop at their roadside market.

The market, establishment of which was sponsored by Mrs. Geraldine P. Hyatt, Home Demonstration Agent of the State College Extension Service, and Daisy Caldwell of the Farm Security Administration, is located on Highway No. 19 near the junction with Highway No. 107, both of which are well traveled by tourists visiting Western North Carolina, the Cherokee Indian reservation, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Sales at first were comparatively light but have been rising with the increase in tourist travel.

Jackson County

The women of Jackson County are going to sell gourds. And why not? Tourists are attracted by the lovely shaped and colored large and small ornamental gourds which are used for table decorations and for the variegated strings which hang from shelves or mantles, and the hard-shell varieties are used for bird houses, bowls, tumblers, candlesticks, and in other ingenious ways.

Fly Traps

There are always flies to annoy us when we try to sit outside our screened homes in the summer and perhaps a determination to live out of doors will make us ingenious enough to catch them.

It can be done, you know, and with easily made fly traps. These can be fashioned from wire netting and any old boards to be found around the lot, and if you will make and set these traps on the porch or other places, you can get rid of the main objection to living out of doors.

Planting Club House Grounds

Plans have been drawn for planting the Middleburg Community House Grounds. Walks and drives will be made during the summer and planting done in the fall.

The home demonstration club house at Middleburg is perhaps the largest and most complete one in the state and deserves a setting of beautiful greenery to bring out its beauty.

Keeping Up With Farm Women

Louise Bunn, 18, Edgecombe County 4-H girl who has made an outstanding record in club work, recently spoke over the National Farm and Home Hour broadcast from Washington.

In Vance County, 350 women have started flower gardens, 75 shrub propagation beds have been started, 75 lawns have been improved, and 620 shrubs have been set out.

From 127 baby chicks bought last January to be fed out as a broiler project, Lucille Johnson, a 4-H Club girl of the Smithfield section of Johnston County, has made a net profit of $20.02, reports Assistant County Agent M.E. Aycock.

Mrs. J.W. Bradshaw, Route 1, Kinston, won a first prize of $20 in a contest for proficiency in growing gardens. She was the highest scoring by an individual in the state. Second prize of $12.50 went to Mrs. Earl McCollum, Reidsville; third prize of $7.50 to Mrs. B.D. Jenkins, Route 2, Rocky Mount; and fourth prize of $5 to Mrs. Lloyd Price, Route 2, Matthews.

The husband of Mrs. B.H. Jessup of Stokes County recently installed a hydraulic ram that supplies 27 gallons of fresh spring water to their home every hour of the day.

'Our Country Doctor' by Mary Hopkins, 1919

“Our Country Doctor” by Mary M. Hopkins, as printed in the July 4, 1919, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

You’ll know him by his muddy shoes,

His clothes of last year’s style,

The weary look about him,

The sweetness of his smile.

You’ll know him when the school’s let out,

And see the children flock

To catch a cheery word from him,

And shout their “Hello, Doc!”

You’ll know him, too, at midnight,

When he rides thru’ sleet and rain,

And wades deep in a swollen stream,

To reach your bed of pain.

You’ll know him in the dawning,

Still sitting by your bed

In damp clothes—Oh, so patient—

His hand upon your head.

He was never in a hurry,

When a kindly word could cheer;

And the little jokes he saved for you

Are memories most dear.

He didn’t fall in Flanders Field,

Where crimson poppies grew;

He wore himself out, waiting

On folks like me and you.

He had no cross on Flanders Field,

“Mid poppies” crimson hue;

The cross is in the aching hearts

Of folks like me and you.

                                Mary M. Hopkins

Calf Losses Among Dairy Herd Owners, 1954

From Extension Farm-News, July 1954 issue

During 1954, dairy herd owners stand to lose $51 million from death of calves under two years of age. J.C. Osborne, head of the State College veterinary section, estimates that North Carolina farmers alone stand to lose $680,000 from calf losses.

Public Not Supporting Prohibition in Elizabeth City, 1920

“Says Jitney Drivers Favor Whiskey Traffic” and two other stories on illegal alcohol made the front page of the Elizabeth City Independent  on July 23, 1920.

Revenue Officers Say They Have Hard Time Hiring Jitneys to Raid Stills in This Vicinity

That Elizabeth City jitney drivers, most of them, are in league with illicit distillers and blockaders was the charge made here yesterday by U.S. Deputy Collector C.H. Jenkins who with five other revenue officers were here to raid stills in Camden county. The charge made by the revenue officer was inspired by the fact that only one jitney driver in town would let them have the use of a car for raiding purposes. The officers needed two cars. They finally got a second car and got away from here early yesterday morning, going into Camden county.

Mr. Jenkins intimated that this may be the last time the Federal authorities will send men into this city and section to help put down the whiskey traffic. He says the local authorities will have to look after it. He says the Federal authorities are losing interest in the situation here because they have little local support, the sympathy of the public seeming to be with the blockaders.

Speaking in the presence of a number of men yesterday morning Mr. Jenkins made the statement that Elizabeth City is the worst town in North Carolina with respect to the liquor traffic. He said his information led him that there are not less than 25 bar rooms in Elizabeth City and that prominent men in the community are financing and profiteering by the traffic in corn liquor, monkey rum and other distillations.

The revenue officer explained that the territory around Elizabeth City offers special possibilities for the concealment of the operations of the distillers. Stills are erected in the midst of almost impenetrable swamps, and in out of the way places on the meandering watercourses that penetrate uninhabited morasses and forests. It is hard to get into some of these places and the moonshiners have so many lookouts and spies in every locality that the approach of revenue officers is usually anticipated. It would take an dozen men five or six weeks to make any appreciable inroads on the liquor traffic in this vicinity, says Jenkins.

There is no evidence of whiskey being made in Elizabeth City, but whiskey is brought into the city from these nearby places in automobiles, sailing vessels and gas boats.

Some of the men engaged in the traffic are particularly bold. Prominent business men in the city have been approached and asked to handle whiskey in kegs, big profits being assured them. This newspaper has information of one such attempt to establish a prominent business connection. L.B. Perry, the Paige dealer in this city, has been repeatedly solicited by these wholesalers because his garage is considered an ideal place for handling the stuff.

The police force of Elizabeth City is entirely too inadequate for the situation and is hopelessly outclassed by the traffickers.

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Also on the front page of this issue of The Independent:

Doc Selig’s Injuries Cause Many Conjectures

While hastening down the Norfolk Southern track to Shawboro from a dance which he was attending, Dr. Julian W. Selig, well known young optometrist of this city, was painfully scratched and cut when he fell through a barbed wire culvert, which he failed to see in the darkness. He was on his way t the night train to see his parents, who were returning to Elizabeth City from Norfolk. Another version of Doc Selig’s painful accident is that a cow chased him over the barbed wire fence, which brings up the question, Why was the cow chasing him? Still another version may be found by revenue officers who are operating in the vicinity this week.

-=-

Butts Whiskey Gets One Man Killed. . .John E. Woolford Shot to Death by Man He Accused of Making Whiskey

Charles Powell Jr., 19 years old, shot and killed John E. Woolford in front of the latter’s home near Butts station Tuesday night. Witnesses say that Charles Powell Sr. and his son drove up to Woolford’s house and demanded to see “the whole Woolford family.” Mr. Woolford came out to see them. They told Woolford that they had heard that he had accused them of making whiskey. Hot words followed and the younger Powell pulled a gun and fired a bullet into the abdomen of the man with whom he had come to quarrel.

It is said that the Powells will put up a plea of self defense.

Much whiskey is being made in the vicinity of Butts station. It is said that much of this whiskey is marketed in Elizabeth city. Revenue officers have raided several stills in the vicinity of Butts, but illicit distillers don’t mind a little thing like that; they get another wash boiler and a coil of pipe and keep the fires going just the same.

The Flu, Worse Than War, 1919

“Worse Than War” from the July 4, 1919, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

“War’s Deadlier Rival, the Flu” is the title of an article by Samuel Hopkins Adams in the current number of Collier’s. The total of deaths in the United States from the influenza is more than 500,000, or ten times as many as we lost in battle during the war, and six times as many as the deaths in our army from all causes. The recent influenza epidemic was by far more fatal than any other epidemic that ever visited this country.

In the whole course of the yellow fever plague in New Orleans and the South in 1878 not as many people died as died from influenza in Philadelphia and New York alone in one week. It seems that the epidemic of last winter began in Boston. In six weeks it was in every state of the country. Philadelphia suffered worse than any other large city. The death rate in parts of Pennsylvania was as high as one percent of the population.

Everywhere the greatest fatality was among those in the strongest years of life, and usually among seemingly the most vigorous people. Few above 45 years of age were attacked. It was more deadly for men than women, more deadly for white men two to one than for negroes. Why should these things be? Nobody knows.

The flu spread over the world. Wherever a ship touched, the flu landed and began its deadly work. In one short season it killed more people than lost their lives in all the battles of the war.

What of next winter? Some people say it has run its race and left us immune. Others say that we may expect another attack though not so violent as we have had. If it comes, it will find our nation ready to fight it. The United States Public Health Service is preparing for any emergency.

Murray Family Reunion, Mebane, N.C., July 1939

“Mebane News” by Virginia Baker from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Murray Family Reunion

The annual family gathering of the Murray family was held at the home of Clay Murray near Baynes Store, 15 miles north of Mebane, on Sunday, July 23.

Fifty-nine of the kith and kin of Greensboro, Danville, Laurinburg, Burlington, Reidsville, Wagam and Mebane gathered at 10 in the morning and spent the greater part of the day in delightful fellowship.

The following members of the immediate family were present: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Vincent, Mrs. L.C. Patterson of Durham, Mrs. J.A. Murray and Mrs. A.M. Turner of Danville.

Clay Murray called the gathering to order for the formal program at 11 o’clock.

The devotional service was led by John Barnwell of Burlington, and E.S. Murray of Laurinburg read a most interesting history of the Murray family.

The presiding officer appointed a committee composed to John Barnwell, W.A. Murray, Mrs. D.M. Davidson of Gibsonville, and Mrs. Ralph Vincent to decide on a place and a time for the next annual meeting. The committee met during the noon hour and decided to meet next summer at the Cross Roads Presbyterian church on July 4th.

After the program the happy families gathered under large oak trees in Mr. Murray’s yard, where a table had been erected in the shape of the letter M. The decorations for this table were most delicious foods in great abundance and variety.

During the later afternoon there was an old-fashioned watermelon slicing, when everybody had a half and then some if he wanted it.

Mrs. Nancy Averitt of Chapel Hill came home for the week end to attend the Murray reunion at Clay Murray’s home. Her mother, Mrs. R.W. Vincent, is a sister of Mr. Murray.

34,118 N.C. Seniors on Old Age Assistance in 1939, Receiving Zero to $11 a Month

“More Than 34,000 Listed on Aged Assistance Roll in State as of Past June 30^th” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News. The Social Security Act went into effect on Aug. 14, 1935, when it was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but taxes were not collected until January 1937, when the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made. Regular monthly benefits began in January 1940, which is why the state of North Carolina was distributing somewhere between zero dollars and $11 per month in 1939. More than 10 percent of the people on the rolls as "receiving old age assistance" actually received zero dollars. 

Raleigh, July 25—North Carolina’s 34,118 people receiving old age assistance on June 30 included 8,199 new cases accepted during the fiscal year, Nathan H. Yelton, director of the division of public assistance of the State Board of Charities and Public Welfare, announced here.

Year-end figures compiled by J.S. Kirk, department statistician, showed that the 8,199 new cases to be composed of 5,821 white, 2,320 negro and 4 Indian, with men accounting for 3,693 and women for 4,506 of the number.

Of the additions to the rolls, 903 were living alone, the majority receiving from $8 to $11; while 4,360 with the majority getting grants ranging from $5 to $10, were living with relatives. At the time of the investigation, 6,876 were receiving no aid.

Listed as having no income other than their public assistance grant were 5,821 persons. While of the 2,378 receiving a small income, 515 were doing so by means of their own earnings, 505 from the sale of farm produce and 1,097 from contributions from relatives or friends.

Four hundred and ninety-four of the new cases were bedridden, 2,142 required considerable care, and 5,563 were able to care for themselves. Of the 8,199 total, 3,011 were under the care of a physician at the time of investigation.

The 19 new cases listed as being 100 years or more in age were composed of four white men, seven white women, one negro man and six negro women.

Ages of the vast majority of the new cases ranged between 65 and 85 years, while as to sex the 8,199 were divided: white—2,571 men, 3,250 women; negro—1,100 men, 1,229 women; Indian—22 men, 27 women.

Only 17 new recipients were foreign born, two of them listing Asia as their birthplace. Urban residence was allotted to 1,936 people, with 1,629 living in towns of less than 2,500 population, and 4,634 living on farms.

More men were listed among the 2,613 married recipients, while women predominated in the 4,618 widowed and the 572 single persons. Sixty-eight were divorced and 228 were separated from their former mates.

Elizabeth City Editorial Says Lynching Is No Deterrent, 1920

“Is Lynching a Deterrent?” an editorial in the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent. I think it's also important to remember that the woman in Alamance County was assaulted by a single man. Three men were being held in jail; even if one was guilty, the other two were innocent. 

A Negro possibly wrongfully accused of assault upon a white woman at Roxboro in Person county was taken from the jail at that place and lynched by a mob. It is argued that lynching is an effective example for other rape fiends. The Roxboro mob certainly made a horrible example of their victim.

Fifty miles from Roxboro, in a nearly adjoining county is the town of Graham. Last Saturday night, just a little more than a week following the Roxboro lynching, a Negro went to the home of a white family on the outskirts of Graham, forced a white man’s wife into a room at the point of a gun and committed the very crime for which the Negro was lynched at Roxboro.

The Negro who committed that crime at Graham certainly knew all about what happened to the Negro at Roxboro the week before. If the truth could be ascertained, the only effect that lynching had upon the black man was to arouse in him a hatred of the white people and a passion to commit that crime which most stirs white men’s blood.

Lynching does not deter crime. It only brutalizes and debases those citizens who engage in it.

Let it be said to the credit of the authorities of Graham and the county of Alamance, there was no lynching there. Brave officials and cool-headed citizens took the situation in hand, called in military aid promptly and a disgraceful orgy was averted.

North Carolina News, From Building Plans to an Attempted Lynching, 1920

“A Digest of Everything Worth Knowing About Old North State Folks and Things” from the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent. With the old system of typesetting, a column like this one was set as each news item came in. There was no going back to redo the column. More important items frequently appeared later in the column. In this column you will see the arrest of Sam Cox and then three items later learn that he was released. And near the end of the column you will learn that an angry mob was being held off by men with machine guns at the county jail in Graham and then two items later learn that the jail had been stormed, one man killed, and the prisoners transferred to State Prison in Raleigh. If you read the original item closely you will also learn that the three men were being held for a crime committed by a single man, and the police didn’t know which, if any of the men being held, was guilty.

--As the result of a fall into a deep well, Richard Swarringen of near Albemarle died several days ago. His spinal column was broken by the fall.

--North Carolina has nearly 3 million acres of corn planted this year, and about the same acreage of cotton, which has been a heavy sufferer from adverse weather conditions.

--To provide a reservoir for an increased water supply for Henderson, the water company of that city has just purchased 27 acres of land near Henderson, the location having been approved by the State Board of Health.

--Caught between the steering wheel of his automobile and an overhanging branch under which he accidentally backed the car, Arthur Bracy of Lumberson met sudden and horrible death the other day.

--Preparations are being made for the erection of the new State Prison four miles west of Raleigh. A new State brick mill will be put up in the next few weeks, which will manufacture the bricks for the proposed penal institution.

--A son of Dinley Bragg, who lives near Boone in Watauga county, while chopping wood with a double-bladed axe, received a deep wound from which he bled to death before aid could be administered.

--Fire losses in North Carolina during the month of June total only $360,000, according to a recent report from the State Insurance Department, while the losses for the entire United States during the month amounted to $25 million.

--Thrown from a rapidly moving trolley car by a stroke of lightning, Hugh Owen, employee of the Tidewater Power Company of Wilmington, is in a local hospital with a fractured skull and a broken shoulder. No other passengers were injured.

--Two persons were seriously hurt, one church steeple and a residence were struck, more than 100 telephones throughout the city were put out of commission, and many electric fuse plugs were burned out in a severe electrical storm which visited Asheville recently.

--Chairman Page of the State Highway Commission took 600 teachers now attending State College on a hay ride thru the country around Raleigh several days ago. The trip was made at the suggestion of Col. Fred Olds of the North Carolina department of history.

--Attacking the 1919 tax revaluation act, John J. Parker, Republican candidate for Governor, spoke at Albemarle a few days ago. Parker made the allegation that the new tax legislation created a bureaucracy for the administration of the tax laws.

--A large and venomous snake entered the home of Rev. Venable near Mount Airy last Saturday, and twice bit the 14-month-old baby who was playing about on the floor while its parents were at work in a nearby garden. Small hopes are entertained for the child’s recovery.

--The 18^th annual convention of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association was in session this week at Grove Park Inn in Asheville Monday to Wednesday. A feature of the convention was the address of Sir Auchland Geddes, British ambassador to the United States.

--Frank Petter, an Italian of Greensboro, has been placed under arrest charged with the murder of Mrs. Martha Latham of High Point, who was found dead in her bed several nights ago, her body pierced seven times with a dagger. Petter has confessed to the crime, intimating in broken English that he was actuated by jealousy.

--On July 31 the students of the University of North Carolina summer school will vote on the ratification of the Susan B. Anthony woman suffrage amendment. Since the summer school includes some 800 women, there is little doubt as to how the experimental election will go.

--Ex-soldiers, sailors and marines are urged to send in their applications to the Army Recruiting Station at Greensboro for the Victory Medal which is being awarded to all veterans of the world war. The medal is of bronze, in a handsome design, and attached to it is a ribbon in which are combined all the colors of the rainbow. Applications for the Victory medal should be accompanied by the discharge certificate of the applicant.

--Claiming that he had received a letter over the signature of a reputable Atlanta physician stating that his wife and children had died of the flu, George C. Harper of Raleigh has started divorce proceedings for separation from his wife, whom he alleges eloped with an Atlanta man who wrote the above letter to throw Harper off the track. Harper has secured his three children.

--Claiming damage to his character because of a report of an alleged shortage in his funds, Sheriff R.B. Lane of Craven county has brought suit for $100,000 damages against the auditing firm of W.P. Hilton of Norfolk, Va., according to recent dispatches from New Bern. The sheriff contends that he does not own the county one penny, while the county commissioners state he does, and are demanding an immediate settlement.

--Many of the native laborers at the Mount Airy granite quarries are said to be afraid to go to work, having been intimidated by the threats of alien labor agitators, and of various malcontent union enthusiasts. This is the first labor trouble ever experienced at the local quarries, where higher wages are paid than in other Mount Airy industry. The sympathy of the entire community is stated to be with the State granite corporation in their efforts to avoid a general strike.

--Charged with passing a worthless check in Nashville, Tenn., D. Sam Cox, prominent business man of Raleigh and president of the American Business Co., has been placed under arrest at Raleigh. It is believed that Cox will sue the city of Raleigh for false arrest, since he claims that delay in the presentation of the check was responsible for it not being honored, and he further alleges that the capias under which he was taken into custody was not addressed to any officer in North Carolina.

--Seeking to secure $85,000 worth of nitrate which had been consigned to them from South America but which had been stolen from the docks at Newport News and sold to seven North Carolina fertilizer firms, the E.I. DuPont de Nemours company of Wilmington, Del., has brought suit in the United States District Court at Raleigh against these firms for the recovery of the above amount. The nitrate was bought in good faith of the North Carolina fertilizer companies.

--In condemnation proceedings to acquire 120,451 acres of land in Cumberland and Hoke counties for the site of Camp Bragg, 750 defendants were named in a suit heard before Judge Connor of the Federal court of Raleigh last week. The vast acreage of land was taken over by the government in 1918, when it was decided to locate a training camp in the sand hill country nine miles from Fayetteville. Probably no court proceeding in North Carolina ever had more defendants than were named in this action.

--D. Sam Cox, Raleigh business man arrested upon a charge of passing a worthless check in Nashville, Tenn., has been discharged from custody by the State Supreme Court, upon the ground that Cox’s arrest and imprisonment was wholly illegal.

--Charged with an attempted criminal assault upon a 13-year-old white girl, Jerry White, a white man about 30 years old is in jail in Lexington after having been arrested at Winston-Salem, where he fled after the alleged crime. The girl was picking black berries at the time of the alleged assault.

--President Poteat of Wake Forest College announces a gift of $100,000 to the institution by the General Education Board, which will be used toward the formation of an endowment fund to provide permanent increases in professors’ salaries. The gift is conditioned upon the raising of $200,000 by the college.

--While dipping cattle in Bethel township, Beaufort county, this week, Dr. E. Heiny, veterinary inspector of the United Stated Department of Agriculture for the eradication of the cattle tick in that county, and Lewis A. Ennis, government agent, were fired upon near one of the dipping vats and narrowly escaped being killed. It is not known who fired the shots.

--Though early morning rains kept many farmers away, more than 100,000 pounds of tobacco were offered for sale Tuesday at the opening of the Lumberton tobacco market, at prices ranging up to 50 cents a pound. The grades offered were not of the best, and those in touch with the situation there believe that the price will go higher when the better part of the crop comes in.

--The Democratic executive committee will open campaign headquarters in Raleigh about August 1, according to announcement made by Chairman Tom Warren, who spent a portion of the week here. Mr. Warren has been looking for suitable office space, but so far has not found offices. He expects to return here soon and complete arrangements for opening the headquarters for the campaign.

--Fearing mob violence, the authorities of Hickory removed to the county jail at Newton last Monday Loretz Wilfong, a negro held in connection with the death of Alonzo Whitener, a well-known citizen of Brookland, who died of injuries sustained by being run over by an automobile. Wilfong admitted seeing Whitener lying in the road but says he left the white man there. Whitener is said to have been drinking.

--In the three years and seven months of his administration, Governor Bickett has pardoned 584 criminals. This figure does not include the paroles issued by the governor. During his four years in office, Gov. W.W. Kitchin pardoned 380 prisoners, and during his term Gov. Locke Craig pardoned 434. Early in his administration, Governor Bickett announced that he would be a friend to the friendless in prison. He also adopted the stand that a prisoner did not need a lawyer in presenting his case for pardon.

--Troops with machine guns are guarding the county jail at Graham to prevent mob violence to three colored men lodged there upon suspicion that one of the trio is the negro who made a brutal attack upon Mrs. A.A. Riddle near the outskirts of town Sunday night while her husband was away. The indignation of the people was shown in the gathering of an angry crowd of 100 or more men, who threatened to storm the jail Monday. Mrs. Riddle has made no positive identification of any of the prisoners.

--Governor Bickett has called a meeting of the sub committees of finance and appropriations of the house and senate to meet here on August 3, one week before the convening of the special session for the purpose of preparing bills covering the tax reform program to be completed at the special session. This committee will work with the tax commission in getting these bills ready for the special session so that they may be introduced early in the session. Three bills will be prepared. They are: 1. The bill fixing the new tax rate much lower than the old one; 2. The bill to submit a constitutional amendment to lower the limitation of taxation from 66 2/3 cents; and 3. The bill for the income tax amendment.

--One man was killed and two others are known to have been wounded when machine gunners guarding the county jail in Graham, in which were confined three negroes held as suspects in connection with the recent assault upon Mrs. A.A. Riddle, when an angry mob attacked the jail, bent upon lynching the negroes. Jim Ray, who was killed, was not a member of the mob, nor were the two known wounded men. Whether others were hit be stray bullets cannot be ascertained. Following the first attack, and after the mob had apparently dispersed, the jail was again fired upon toward midnight Sunday from a nearby corn-field. No damage was done, and the fire was not returned by the troops guarding the jail. By Monday the situation had quieted down, and Tuesday the prisoners were taken to the State Prison in Raleigh.