Wealthy Textile Manufacturer Murders Son of Methodist Minister, 1925

From the Aug. 20, 1925 issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Business Houses Close for Funeral—300 Automobiles Follow Body to Grave—Dead Man’s Minister Father Requests No Hymns and No Eulogies

Rockingham, Aug. 18—Tributes paid to William W. Ormond, young man of Raleigh who was shot and killed here as the aftermath of a love affair that was denied, citizens of Rockingham turned their eyes today toward the October term of Superior court when W.B. Cole, wealthy mill executive, is scheduled to go on trial on a charge of murder in connection with the slaying.

Counsel for the defense already includes certain leading attorneys in North Carolina. Conferences were held by them with the defendant at which it was apparently decided not to press for the release of Cole under bail. The solicitor will be assisted by private counsel.

Rockingham, Aug. 17—The tremendous and far-reaching interest in the homicide of last Saturday wherein W.B. Cole, wealthy textile manufacturer, shot and killed W.W. (Bill) Ormond, son of a Methodist minister, as he sat quietly in his Ford roadster, unarmed, was manifested here this afternoon by the attendance at the funeral of the slain man. It was held at 4 o’clock from the Methodist church, of which is father, Rev. A.L. Ormond, had been pastor for four years.

The stores and places of business of the city were closed for an hour, from 4 to 5 o’clock, during the time of the funeral out of respect to the dead young man and his parents.

Scores of friends from adjacent towns, among them President E.C. Brooks of State College, were here. The parents of the young man wished t have a simple service in a private home but bowed to the insistence of friends that it be held in the Methodist church. However, Rev. Mr. Ormond requested that no hymns be sung, and no eulogy be uttered. He simply wished to have his dead put away as quietly as possible.

But despite this, the funeral became the largest attended of any private citizen ever held in Richmond county. The church building was packed, the side aisles crowed, the ante-rooms full and several hundred on the law unable to get within. The service was extremely simple.

Dr. C.M. Hawkins, Major A. McCullen and Presiding Elder C.L. Read conducted the service, after which the hundreds of people proceeded to Eastside cemetery, final resting place of Bill Ormond.

In the procession, which had to pass by the residence of W.B. Cole, were over 300 automobiles, by actual count. The church is about three blocks from the county jail wherein is Mr. Cole.

One basic fact is locally conceded to have existed, that Bill Ormond had no worldly goods and that he and Miss Elizabeth Cole, 24, and a splendid young daughter of W.B. Cole had been going together for many months, and were generally supposed to be in love with each other. Their going together was an accepted town fact. But it appears that in more recent months Mr. Cole had objected to young Ormond keeping company with his daughter, and so sometime last winter rumor has it that Mr. Cole forbade Ormond going with her. Ormond moved to Raleigh last September, to State College. During the winter considerable feeling developed between the two men, and it is said that letters threatening physical violence had been exchanged between them. Finally, about 1^st of April or May, Mr. Cole in company with his attorney, Fred W. Bynum, are said to have gone to Raleigh to see Ormond, but found that he was in Nashville, N.C., at his father’s home.

Mr. Bynum thereupon is said to have gone alone to Nashville, and to have submitted to Bill Ormond and to his father, Rev. A.L. Ormond, a paper for signing therein Ormond agreed to relinquish his friendship for Miss Cole and agreed not to further communicate with her, make any remarks (if any had been made) about her, and to stay clear of the Cole family.

Upon signing this agreement, Mr. Bynum is said to have remarked to Rev. Mr. Ormond that “this now ends the matter, everything is settled and there is nothing more to it.” The friends of Ormond insist that since that time he has not communicate din any way with the Cole family, has stuck steadfastly to his job in Raleigh and had been to Rockingham but twice, once July 4, when the Cole family were in the mountains, and again last Saturday when he brought his younger brother Allison here to visit a young lady. He and his brother left Raleigh Saturday morning, in his Ford roadster, getting to Rockingham about 1:40 o’clock. His brother went calling whle he went to Ledbetter’s pond with some friends.

Returning to town about 5 o’clock, he at 5:10 ‘phoned Miss Laura Page Steele and made a date to call in a few minutes. He then got into his car, parked it in front of the Page garage against the curb headed east, and 50 feet east of the Manufacturers building, and was seated in his car smoking when Mr. Cole, who was on the Manufacturers building steps, saw him. Immediately Mr. cole walked eastward until he reached the car, and then getting abreast of Ormond at the car door began firing, the three bullets taking effect and Ormond expiring in a few moments.

On the other hand, friends of Mr. Cole assert that he is too conservative and level-headed a citizen ever t act hastily or ill-thoughtedly. No one ascribes any idea of temporary insanity or Harry K. Thaw derangement.

He bears the highest reputation both as a business man and churchman; his character is above reproach, and he has an intellect of the events, in so far as the public business successes would indicate as much. Friends further assert that he is obliged to have had some good cause for action, and that it will be developed in due time.

 

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Local News from the Aug. 22, 1907 Issue of the Watauga Democrat

“Local News” from the Aug. 22, 1907, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

Fine weather at present. The hay crop is all up, and a finer lot was never harvested in the county.

The Confederate reunion will convene in Boone on Thursday, Sept. 17^th.

Married on last Sunday, Linney Barnes to Miss Maude Bumgarner of Howard’s Creek.

Prof. Matheson of Durham is spending a few days in town with his sister, Mrs. Frank A. Linney.

Some cleaning up around the bank building has very much improved the appearance of that popular business house.

R.M. Greene is making some nice improvements on his dwelling by adding a new dining room and kitchen thereto.

Many of the public schools of Watauga are now in session, and the attendance is uniformly good.

Wanted: To buy a good grazing farm in Watauga county. Write or apply to J.C. Walters, Shull’s Mills, N.C.

Joseph Cook has moved his engine from Meat Camp to East Boone, and will soon be ready to go to dressing lumber, cutting shingles, etc.

Glad to see R.F.D. Inspector Plumber in town this week. He goes from here to Blowing Rock to look over some new routes that have been petitioned for.

Prof. Reid, who opened school on Flat Top on last Monday, has moved his family to Boone, where they will remain during the session. Glad to have them.

The fact that the Farmers’ Institutes in Watauga county are growing in interest each year is most encouraging, and shows that our tillers of the soil are determined to get out of the old ruts in their vocations by improving their methods of farming.

Mr. George Hardin of Jonesboro, Tenn., and Mr. Hardin Epps, his nephew, of the same town, are visiting relatives in Watauga and Ashe counties.

The County Superintendent requests us to state that he has not received any registers for the public schools, but hopes to get them this week. He will send them out as soon as he gets them.

James Watts, who has been in the standing army for more than two years, stationed at Ft. Caswell, N.C., is spending a short furlough with relatives in Watauga.

The trustees of Walnut Grove Institute have condemned in the strongest terms the habits of cigarette smoking, card playing, and kindred vices by the pupils of that institute. Good for them.

J.W. McGhee, N.N. Colvard, and Ben Hodges are at Mountain City, Tenn., working on the large brick school building that is now being erected in that hustling little city.

Hon. R.Z. Linney will address the people of Watauga at the court house in Boone the last Saturday in August at 1 p.m. on the Appalachian Park Bill. The ladies as well as the men are invited to attend.

Notice is hereby given to the road overseers of Boone township that they are required to work out their respective sections of road by the first Monday in September or they will be reported to court.—T.L. Critcher, Chairman of Road Supervisors.

The cloing exercises of the First Half session of the Girl’s Department of the Lees-McRay Institute for the year 1907 will take place on Friday night, Aug. 23^rd. To these exercises the good people of Watauga re cordially invited.

With the great oil prospects on Cove Creek and vicinity, the macadam road from Lenoir to Blowing Rock almost a certainty and a railroad from Mountain City, Tenn., to Boone within our reach, the good peole of Watauga have much reason for rejoicing.

W.E. Shipley of Valle Crucis, who has handled more than 3,000 head of sheep this season, returned last week from a buying expedition in Buncombe and other counties and now has a flock of more than 300 head of fine sheep on his pretty valley farm.

The base ball players of Blowing Rock and Cool Springs met on the Blowing Rock Diamond last Saturday in a match game. The game resulted in 12 to 0 in favor of Cool Springs. The same teams will play on the Blowing Rock diamond next Saturday.

We are much pleased to know that Miss Jennie Matthews of Mecklenburg county has been added to the Training School faculty. She is a graduate of two or three of our North Carolina colleges and has taken a post-graduate course at Chevy Chase College, Washington City. The regular faculty were all re-elected and the prospects are good for a fine opening Sept. 3^rd.

Dr. Ballard, who, for some time, has been in the mercantile business at Silver Stone, this county, was arrested for obtaining goods under false pretense, taken to Jefferson for trial and brought back to Boone and released on bond for his appearance at trial early on October. Attys. W.R. Lovill and J.C. Fletcher appeared for him.

The Rev. Hugh A. Dobbin will preach his first sermons as a minister of God on Sunday, August 25^th at Church of the Holy Cross at 11 a.m. and St. John’s church at 3 p.m. Mr. Dobbin, who has spent a number of years doing faithful work as a layman at Valle Crucis, is too well known in Watauga to need an introduction, but all rejoice with him in his advancement to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church and bid him God speed in his new life work.

Miss Creelman of Saluda College was one of the pleasant callers at our office on Monday. She is here in the interest of Skyland Institute at Blowing Rock, and informs us that the school will be open on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1907. Miss Andrews of Highland College, Ky., has been chosen as principal, and the faculty will be composed of four teachers and a matron. The school has been discontinued for the past two years and many of its former patrons and friends will be glad to know that its doors are again open to the boys and girls of the county.

Through the courtesy of its author Shepherd M. Dugger, the revised edition of “The Balsam Groves of the Grandfather” is on our des. It has not yet been our pleasure to peruse its interesting pages in full and note its superiority over the first edition, but we are safe in saying that it is a great improvement and should be in the library of every lover of the hills and dells of Western North Carolina. Mr. Dugger has expended quite a sum of money on this new edition, and the people at large, especially those in Watauga and adjacent counties, should purchase it at the very low price of $1.25. Splendid binding, good print, and lovely engravings go to add to the popularity of the handsome book.

Mr. Greene, general agent for the Swift 1904 Clothes Washer Co., with Mr. G.C. Winkler, sub-agent, were in town Tuesday in the interest of his business. Washing was done at different homes, ours and number, and, to say the least, we were enough pleased with the labor-saving device to purchase one without question. It does its work easily, quickly, and without damage to the garments. In fact, we had our only one-dollar bill washed with a tub of soiled clothes, and when it emerged from the tub and wringer it was clean, crisp and had the appearance of just issued from the U.S. Treasury. The washer is a decided success in our opinion, and should be in the homes of all our people.

Mr. N.L. Mast was in town Monday and told us that the Oil Company will begin boreing on his property early in the next month. The lumber for the derricks and 150 cords of wood have been ordered t the site decided upon for the first well, and experts from different oil-producing sections of the United States are satisfied that oil will be found in great quantities. The amount of land desired by the company has not yet been quite secured in that section, but options are still being taken almost daily. Calvin J. Cottrell is taking options for the same company in the vicinity of Boone, and is succeeding very well indeed. Why it is that any man would fail to give this company a chance to develop the hidden wealth on their property we are unable to say, and we are pleased to state that the little prejudice that has been existing among our people in this county against the oil company is rapidly subsiding and the options are again being taken right along in the Cove Creek section.

Man Who Passed Bad Check Says He Was "Crazed With Dope" 1925

From the Aug. 20, 1925 issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C. The mayor’s name is spelled Bristol in this article and Britol in another article on the same page of the paper.

Check Flasher Nabbed Here.

J.M. Kincaid Comes to Grief as Result of Attempt to Exchange Worthless Paper for Good Money—Woman Companion Allowed to Go—Theft of $40 Gives Officers Another Thrill.

Statesville experienced two sensational thrills in rapid succession Tuesday afternoon. Soon after three o’clock it was rumored that Eagle and Milholland had lost two $20 bills and the police officers were scouring the town to apprehend the guilty party. A small boy, residing in the Bloomfield section, had last been seen in the store and he was naturally suspected of the crim.

The boy was found at his home and a thorough examination by the officers brought no convincing evidence that he had taken the $40 in cash. He was therefore released and the officers have so far been unable to find any clue as to the identity of the thief.

Scarcely had the excitement from the theft mentioned subsided when the local police force and county officers got busy in the matter of locating a check flasher who had passed a $50 check on the Lazenby-Montgomery Hardware Company.

The check on the First National Bank was signed by J.M. Kincaid, who pretended that he wanted to buy a lawnmower and a few other articles amounting to $12.65. The man received from the hardware company the difference in cash between the check and the bill and proceeded on his course. Just a few minutes after Kincaid left the store, Mr. L.K. Lazenby found that J.M. Kincaid had no account in the First National Bank here. It was learned that Kincaid had also tried without success to pass worthless checks on the Conner-Bryant Hardware Company, J.B. Fraley, Gilmers and other local business men.

Interest in the case spread like wildfire until Kincaid and the woman with whom he had been traveling as husband and wife were arrested about 6:30 p.m. as they were taking a jitney for Salisbury at the Vance Hotel. It was found that the pair were both under the influence of drugs or strong drink, and they were taken to the city lockup where they occupied separate cells during the night.

Kincaid was identified by a traveling man as being a machinist residing in Richmond, Va., and the he was of a good family. In Mayor’s court this morning, Kincaid stated that he was born and reared in Burke county where many of his relatives now reside. He stated that he had lived for some time in Richmond, Va., and that he was visiting in this section of the State when he was “roped in” by the woman with whom he had passed as his wife, registering at the hotel here as J.H. Brown and wife. The woman gave her name as Mrs. Ninette Ballinger and stated that she had been adopted as a member of the Ballinger family living near Greenville, S.C. She claimed that she and Kincaid were married near Hickory last Sunday.

Next morning at 9 o’clock, Kincaid and the woman were given a hearing in Mayor Bristol’s court. Kincaid confessed to passing the check, but stated that at the time he was crazed with dope which the woman gave him. He said he was from the well-known and highly respected family of Kincaids in Burke county, the Mayor stating that he knew the man’s father and other relatives. Mr. L.K. Lazenby, when placed on the witness stand, testified to selling the man a lawn mower and other articles amounting to $12.65, giving Kincaid $27.35 in cash and a check for $10 in exchange for the check signed by J.M. Kincaid for $50 on the First National Bank. Mr. Lazenby explained that the name Kincaid was good and the man appeared to be all right, therefore he accepted the check without question and never got uneasy until after the fellow had left the store.

The woman confessed to being addicted to the dope habit and stated that she was a widow.

The police officers testified to having found $77 in cash on Kincaid when he was arrested Tuesday evening. The Mayor therefore ordered, from this amount, that all who had suffered losses at the hands of the check flasher be fully reimbursed, that the officers buy a ticket for the woman back to Greenville, S.C., and that Kincaid be held for trial in Recorder’s court next Monday under a $300 bond. Kincaid was unable to put up the bond and was taken to the county jail until he can arrange the bond. The mayor told Kincaid that he would give him a six-months road sentence if he had the power.

Also in The Landmark:

Other Towns Want Kincaid...Check Flasher Detained Here Wanted in Morganton and Hickory When Statesville Is Through With Him

From lasts reports of additional charges from Morganton and Hickory against J.M. Kincaid, who is being held in jail under a $300 bond for issuing worthless checks in Statesville Tuesday, it is likely that Kincaid will be detained for some time in his native Piedmont section of the state.

Sheriff Alexander has been notified by the sheriff of Burke county to hold Kincaid on warrants for giving worthless checks and beating a board bill.

Today the news comes from Hickory that Kincaid was free with his check flashing there, having been charged with signing the name of well-known grocer near Hickory to a check issued to the Abernathy Hardware Company. He was also charged with working the same “stunt” on a Hickory dry goods establishment.

Kincaid’s home is said to be in Richmond, Va. He was born and raised in Burke county, he states.

"This is the most flagrant miscarrage of justice I have ever seen in my court," Judge R. Hunt Parker Tells Jury, 1933

Editorial from the Aug. 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

A Jury Denounced

It is good to know that judges have the courage to expose the flagrant miscarriages of justice frequently made by juries. A 15-year-old boy was on trial in Hertford county Superior court for manslaughter. He was charged with driving his truck into a filling station and killing a man. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Judge R. Hunt Parker turned to the jury and said:

“Gentlemen, I am sorely disappointed at your verdict. This is the most flagrant miscarriage of justice I have ever seen in my court. The evidence in this case was plain, unmistakable and uncontradicted, that the boy was driving his truck contrary to law, that he left the highway and struck this man and caused his death; and yet you have said this boy is not guilty. Gentlemen, you are discharged.”

Two days before, in the same court, a negro was convicted of manslaughter. He was driving a motor vehicle that struck and killed a man. There was conflict of evidence in the negro’s case as to the speed of the truck and the position of the man who was killed.

No evidence was offered in behalf of the white boy. Four witnesses testified that he was violating the traffic laws when his truck left the highway and struck and killed a man standing in a filling station. Evidently the boy was freed because of his youth and because he is white. That was not the province of the jury, of course. It is the business of the jury to return a verdict according to the evidence. It is for the court to extend consideration, if any is to be extended. Too many juries return verdicts based on sympathy or prejudice. Then the negro was called for sentence, Judge Parker said:

“I have had before me this week two cases of manslaughter growing out of killings by truck; one a negro, the other a white boy, and perhaps of the two the boy is guiltier. The boy is free at the hands of the jury, and it now becomes my duty to sentence this negro.”

The natural reaction in view of the flagrant miscarriage of justice in a similar case would be to give the negro light punishment. He could have been sentenced to a few months in jail. But it is no excuse for one guilty person that another escapes. So the sentence for the negro was three to five years at hard labor, which is reasonable and just. The rebuke to the Hertford county jury will be remembered and it is improbable that another jury in the county will soon again deliberately disregard the evidence and the law because they have allowed sympathy or racial feeling to becloud their sense of right. That jury, it may be assumed, well knew that it had no right morally or legally to declare guiltless one who was unquestionably guilty under the evidence.

Watauga County May Get a High School, But Should It Be Two Years or Four? 1907

From editorial page of the Aug. 22, 1907, issue of the Watauga Democrat, R.C. Rivers, Proprietor

Last Monday the Board of Education met to discuss and consider the high school proposition. Representatives from Cove Creek, Walnut Grove, Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock and Boone were present asking for the school. Each of these places seems to be prepared to entertain it, but on account of one question the matter was left open—Does the local tax and the funds from the State all have to be applied to the High School instruction?

The law provides for all students having completed the public school course. Due regard must be given to advantages, such as location, buildings, teaching force and general equipment. There are only two things for the Board of Education to consider as we see it. One to put the funds together locate the school in the center of the county, and open it to the entire community; the other, make two schools of second grade and put one in the east and the other in the west. The Board of Education is somewhat inclined to make two schools, and wherever the school goes, the people must raise $250 by local tax or private subscription.

The Appalachian Training School does not give free tuition to any student who does not agree to teach two years in the public schools. There is one other feature, the teacher in the High School must have a High School certificate. The certificate is not issued by the county superintendent but by the Examining Board of the state.

Perhaps the list of subjects required to be taught would be of interest to some of us:

First year: Arithmetic, Algebra, English History, English Grammar and Composition, Latin, and Introduction to Science.

Second year: Algebra, Ancient History to 800 A.D., English Composition and Literature, Latin, Physical Geography.

Third year: Algebra, Plain Geometry, History, English Composition and Literature, Latin, one Modern Language, and Physics.

Fourth year: Geometry, American History and Civics, English Composition, Rhetoric and Literature, Latin, French or German, Physics or Agriculture.

The above is an extensive course. While we are willing for our town to get the school, we are not making any fight for it. Unless the whole county would see it best to create only one school and put it in the center, we think the Board of Education ought to make two schools of lower grades. They would mean the course mapped out in the first two years above, and to each of these school a smaller amount of money could be given.

Finally, we have no preference about the matter. We shall be delighted to see it located anywhere. There is no room for division in Watauga.

State Farmers' Convention in Raleigh, 1907

“State Farmers’ Convention” from the Aug. 22, 1907, issue of the Watauga Democrat. A&M College in Raleigh is North Carolina State University, and a stereopticon is an early version of the slide projector.

The fifth annual meeting of the State Farmers’ Convention will be held at the A&M College, Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 28^th, 29^th, and 30^th, 1907.

The cheap railroads already in effect and fact that rooms and meals will be furnished those who desire them at the college at actual cost and that an attractive program is assured should result  in making this the largest gathering of farmers ever held in the State for the study of strictly agricultural problems.

The features of the opening sessions, Wednesday morning at 10:30 o’clock, will be an address of welcome by Governor R.B. Glenn, and the annual address of the president by Ashley Hore of Clayton.

Wednesday afternoon will be devoted to the study of corn and small grains, and instructive addresses will be made by prominent farmers and agricultural teachers.

Wednesday night at 8:30 o’clock there will either be an address by some speaker of note or a stereopticon lecture illustrating modern methods of progress and development in agriculture. Thursday forenoon will be taken up with the study of horticulture, fruit growing, trucking, etc.

Thursday afternoon there will be special meetings for the growers of cotton and tobacco. Splendid programs have been prepared for both meetings, and Director North of Washington, D.C., will be present and discuss the collection of crop reports or some kindred subjects.

Thursday night at 8:30 o’clock will occur one of the most attractive features of the convention. Hon. W.M. Hays, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., will deliver an address on Improvements in Rural Affairs.

Friday will be livestock day. The morning session will be devoted to the annual meeting of the State Dairymen’s Association and a very entertaining and instructive program has been arranged. Professor Ed H. Webster, Chief of the Dairy Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, will be present and address the meeting. Friday afternoon will be devoted to the study of general livestock problems and the organization of a State Live Stock Company.

There is another feature of the convention which should not be overlooked. On Thursday and Friday there will be special meetings for the women from the farm homes, and a splendid program of an entertaining and instructive nature already issued insures a good time to those who attend. Those wishing further information relating to this feature of the convention should write to either Mrs. F.L. Steven, President, or Mrs. Walter Grimes, Secretary, at Raleigh.

Complete programs of this important farmers meeting will be issued shortly and every farmer in the state who can possibly do so will find it to his interest and enjoyment to attend this meeting.

Community Cans Food to Help Feed Needy in Iredell County, 1933

From the August 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

All relief canning projects in Iredell County, except the canning of produce from community gardens, are suspended this week to permit canning leaders to make a survey of canning done in their respective townships.

During the week each canning leader is asked to pay visits to the home of needy families for whom relief canning has been done this summer, check over the stock of canned food—in tin and glass—on the shelves, and make report to the welfare department. This survey is being made in order that information may be available as to distribution of the canned food among individual families, need for further canning, etc.

International Health Board to Study County Work in Malaria and Hookworm in North Carolina, 1922

From the August 3, 1922, issue of the Watauga Democrat, Boone. Malaria and hookworm were serious problems in North Carolina in 1922.

North Carolina will probably furnish one county in which the International Health Board will work out over a five year period, with the expenditure of approximately $15,000 annually, what will come to be the ideal plan for county health work, as the result of conferences to be held between Dr. W.S. Rankin, state health officer, and Dr. Wilson G. Smillie, representing the international.

No particular county will urged upon Dr. Smillie when he confers with Dr. Rankin, but from among the number of counties that present conditions that are particularly interesting to him, Dr. Smilley will probably designate one in which the work will be undertaken. Several counties in the state offer health, economic, and social conditions in line with the requirements.


Malaria and hook worm are two principal disease that the International Health Board desires to study from the standpoint of public health that cannot be observed in any but southern states. Tuberculosis and other diseases are as prevalent in other sections, but here will be found conditions upon which every phase of health work is brought to bear.

80 Treated For Tonsils at Training School, Watauga County, 1921

“Training School Items” by J.M. Downum, from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, Aug. 25, 1921

Miss Williams, a nurse with the State Board of Health, who is largely responsible for the good work of the Clinic here, made splendid talks to the school during the past week on the work that the Clinic has done and is doing in the state, stating that 3,000 operations had been performed and only one death had resulted in the entire number, showing thus the great efficacy of those in charge. The clinic at the school building last week treated successfully 80 cases suffering with their tonsils and other kindred troubles.

Prof. Griffin of the State Board of Education was with us at the school last week and to a great delight and benefit of all made a talk to the teacher-students.

In the recent absence of your correspondent quite a number of distinguished visitors were at the school, much to the pleasure and benefit of all who heard them. In addition to those mentioned last week, Misses Kate Finley and Carrie Wright, both former teachers, have been here. Editor Zeb Green of the Marshville Home spent Saturday night in Boone, having brought his son for the fall term of school.

Early on Tuesday morning of last week the public school house at Foscoe was burned, and the tragic feature about it is that some think it was set on fire owing to a feud among the patrons. We would rather believe that it happened otherwise than that any one would be guilty of an act so foreign to the best interests of all, especially for the children concerned. Another building has been secured and the school is progressing.

Prof. Roy M. Brown, who was for a number of years professor of English in the Training School, is now a field agent of the State Department of Public Welfare.

We were glad to see the Rev. W.A. Lambeth, pastor of the Methodist church at High Point at the school last week.

President Dougherty, who has recently been on a trip to Tennessee, have a good talk to the students during the past week.

Rev. and Mrs. Brinkman received a heavy pounding on Wednesday of last week from the Methodists of the town and school. They are surviving with a happy smile.

On Friday the Industrial Arts Department of the Summer School gave an exhibit of its work which was a very fine display for the varied work in that department, which was in charge of Miss DeBerry.

The second term of the summer school came to a close last week after having done most excellent work. 

The two terms of the school this summer are considered the best we have had thus far, 260 being enrolled in the state school, and with those in the county school more than 400 took work here during the summer.

Relief Workers to Make 30 Cents an Hour...For One Eight-Hour Day a Week, 1933

“Relief Workers to Get 30 Cents an Hour” from the Aug. 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

But Number of Days of Work Per Week Will be Cut from Three to One for This Week…Work May Be Discontinued Altogether

Mrs. E.M. Land, Iredell county welfare superintendent, has received instructions from Ronald B. Wilson, acting director the Governor’s Office of Relief, that, effective this week, minimum wages paid for employment on work relief projects shall be 30 cents an hour with an eight hour day. This is in accordance with Rule 4 of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

The governor’s office of relief at the same time advises welfare superintendents, within the superintendent’s discretion and with the advice of advisory councils, superintendents have authority to discontinue all work relief projects after this week, but in all projects that are continued the directions of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration must be followed as to rates of pay, hours of work and age limit.

Mrs. Land announced this morning that, during this present week, work relief projects will be so arranged as to provide each worker with one eight-hour day for which under the new schedule the wage will be $2.40. Heretofore workers have had three days of work per week at 75 cents per day, amounting to $2.25.

Announcement as to whether or not projects will be continued after this week will be made later.

5-Year-Old Left to Watch Baby Accidentally Shoots Him, 1925

From the Aug. 20, 1925, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Discharge from Gun Enters Infant’s Head When Boy Pulls Trigger of Gun While Playing With It

Rocky Mount, Aug. 18—Essett Colbert, 11-month-old infant, fatally shot yesterday when his 5 ½ year old brother began playing with a loaded shotgun at the Colbert home near this city, was buried this afternoon in the Powell burying ground near the child’s home.

The infant, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Colbert, was killed yesterday, and investigation by authorities led to the conclusion that the child’s death was accidental. It appears that its brother was left to watch the baby when the father went to the farm and the mother into the kitchen to attend to daily chores and that when the parents left the bedroom the 5 ½ year old boy reached beneath the mattress of the bed, and taking there from his father’s gun, snapped it. The discharge entered the baby’s head, making large wounds and killing the child.

The story told by the child who had the gun at the time it went off was that he had been in the habit of sneaking the gun from beneath the mattress where his father kept it whenever his parents were not at home, and playing with it. It appears, however, that until several days ago the gun was kept empty but that at that time Mr. Colbert loaded it with the intention of using it in case of emergency. Yesterday the lad took the gun from its hiding place, as was his custom, but when he snapped it it went off, and caused the death of his infant brother.

At the Watauga County Home, 1921

“The New County Home,” from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, Aug. 25, 1921

The walls of the new county home are almost complete, and it is the purpose of the contractors and the Board of county commissioners to have it ready to be occupied by winter, the lower story at least. The building will be a commodious affair, and is beautifully located on a gently rolling plot of ground on the poor house farm right near the Boone Trail Highway. The rooms are amply large and will be heated by a furnace. A splendid flow of pure water will furnish the baths, kitchen, etc., of the institution, and when completed the building will present a very pleasing appearance.

It was our pleasure last Sunday afternoon, in company with Rev. Edgar Tufts, Mr. J.D. Councill and Mrs. Mary Jurney to visit the inmates of the home. All of them who have reasoning powers seem to be happy over the prospects of soon moving into their new quarters. They say they are furnished with plenty of good food, that Mr. and Mrs. Brown, the keeper and his wife, show them every kindness. The rooms are dark and forbidding, but everything looks reasonably clean and comfortable. 

In the home are two rather striking personages, Mr. James Andrews, who has been there for a quarter of a century, and the little blind woman, Miss Mary Hartley, who has spent the past 15 years there and at the State institution for the blind at Raleigh. 

Mr. Andrews is a man of intelligence and has been a great reader, but recently his eyes have failed to such an extent that he confines his reading almost entirely to the Bible. He has been prone upon his back for many years, but he bears it uncomplainingly.

Miss Hartley, the blind woman, entertained us with Bible readings which were well rendered, the perforated characters being traced by the fore finger on her right hand. A wonderful procedure.

Mr. Tufts preached a short but very timely sermon to the unfortunates, which was much enjoyed by all of them, they being very solicitous that he come again, which he promised to do on the third afternoon next month.

Child Murders in Jefferson and Child Abuse in Ranlo Mill Village, 1933

For those who think the past was golden, here are two items about abuse of children. In the first, a young wife admits to killing her two infant sons because her husband didn't like "boy babies." In the second story, a father beat his 8-month-old son for an hour with a leather strap  "because he cried all the time and it bothered me.”

“Mother Is Charged with Double Murder” from the Aug. 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Jefferson, Aug. 7—Affidavits charging murder to a young farm wife and her 55-year-old husband were prepared Saturday after the woman glibly told Sheriff C.H. Blanche that she had killed her two infant sons within the last year and a half.

The mother said she was led to commit the crimes because her husband complained of the fretting of the children and because he did not like “boy babies.”

The strange tale was unfolded after a physician discovered that four-months-old Mertis Fleming Jr. had died yesterday afternoon of strangulation at the home of his parents.

Without display of emotion, Mrs. Aleeta Fleming told Sheriff Blanche she had choked Mertis Jr. death with the belt of her dress. Then she admitted she gave poison to another son, Louis, also four months old, in February, 1932. The child died immediately, she said.

Both Fleming and his wife are in the county jail here. Neither showed any emotion over the crimes, but Fleming stoutly denied any complicity.

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 “Father Arrested for Beating Baby” from the Aug. 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Gastonia, Aug. 10—Accused of beating his eight months old son, Jimmie, unmercifully for an hour with a leather strap, Dewey Graham, 27, of the Ranlo Mill Village was in jail today charged with assault with intent to kill.

“I beat him because he cried all the time and it bothered me,” said the father.

Officers went to the Graham’s home and arrested him yesterday after neighbors had telephoned them that he had beaten the child incessantly for an hour.

Although the child’s body was a mass of bruises, physicians said there were no dangerous wounds and the baby would recover.

As Christians, We Must Look After Our Neighbor's Health Says Rev. G.W. Lay, 1919

From “Civic Consciousness” by Rev. G.W. Lay in the August, 1919, issue of The Health Bulletin, published by the North Carolina State Board of Health

It takes good, conscientious men to secure good health for a community. There is no glory in it; you never know what you have done except by the bare figures of the annual death record, and you get no credit for what you have done. Besides, if ten men in each thousand have been saved, no one man feels that he was the particular one who was saved. No one feels grateful at all, he could only feel so in a general way towards the community at a whole. The man who picks up a piece of glass form the road does not know whose tire did not get punctured, and those who follow him are ignorant of the danger from which they were saved. But if a doctor saves a man’s life by performing a difficult operation or by carrying him successfully through a dangerous illness, the doctor gets credit for what he has done and has a right to feel proud of it, while the patient will always feel truly grateful to the man who saved his life.

Prevention required intelligence of a docile and humble kind. The man who hold tenaciously and expresses vehemently half-baked opinions on matters of which he is really ignorant, is a danger to the health of a community. He thinks he knows more than the doctor who is a specialist, and he feels that his empty utterances are entitled to respect. He opposes good doctors and is a follower of the latest school of quackery, and does not believe in vaccination against smallpox or typhoid, or that malaria is caused by a mosquito and typhoid carried by flies. He is a great clog against any forward movement. He is a wicked man. God has not use for a fool, and it is made clear in the Bible that the fool is a sinner just as plainly as that the sinner is a fool.

Success in the prevention of disease depends on that universal feeling of moral responsibility that believes in the necessity of obedience to every law just because it is the law. There is no direct connection between health and cutting the grass and spoiling the neighbor’s lawn, or dropping paper on the sidewalk. But where people perform these amiable tricks, or leave the road and make ruts in the lawn with their automobiles, or try to beat the cop and evade the traffic laws, the health record will probably be poor.

To secure health every citizen must feel that the town is his town and that he has a duty towards every one in it just as much as towards his own wife and children. He just obey every law himself and he must see that every one else obeys the law and that every law is enforced on everybody all the time. If the best citizens play cards for money or allow liquor to be sold in clubs or match nickels for soda water, while the poor negro is severely punished for shooting craps or for getting a drink for a thirsty stranger, it is not to be wondered at if the average man concludes that no moral principle is involved and that law enforcement is a mere matter of expediency and favoritism.
….
Unfortunately, while we may ascertain who breaks a specific law, we can seldom tell who was the direct cause of a particular case of contagious disease. Someone has caused the sickness and perhaps the death of a fellow-being, usually an innocent child. No one can be sued for damaged or persecuted for man-slaughter. The guilty escape punishment and even the consciousness of guilt.
….
I cannot be safe unless I make my neighbor safe; his health is necessary to my health. I must work for the good of all, even though there may be some slight underlying selfish motive, and thus I am compelled to live the Christian life. I am foolish if I do not protect myself absolutely against smallpox and typhoid, and, when necessary, against diphtheria; but for most communicable diseases I must depend on the condition of all in my community. Complete success will only come with entire unselfishness. I must be vaccinated against typhoid, not simply for my own sake, but to support the right, to set a good example and to prevent the possibility of giving the disease to others.

Finally, each man is personally responsible to God for his neighbor’s health. I cannot put it off on “they” or “put it up to God.” That mysterious “they” is the bugbear of all reform. When a citizen says “They ought to do something,” we know we have found someone who evades contentedly his own moral responsibility. “They” means “me.” “They” to this man means everyone except himself. If everyone takes that ground, everyone is exempt and no one is responsible.

God is all-powerful, but He has taken each of us into partnership…. Do we dare say that it is God’s will that the cruel murderer shot down the harmless man? Is it not then a profane impertinence to say that it is God’s will that a little child died of preventable disease when it was given him by another child whose parents deliberately allowed him to break quarantine and give the disease to passers-by? It is God’s will that we should keep His laws and obey religiously the laws of man. If I live by the Christian law, I am working for health; and I cannot work successfully for health unless I feel my full moral responsibility to live in all ways by the Christian law.

Gibsonville Toddler Drowns Behind Home, 1939

“Little Girl Loses her Life in Back of the Home” from the August 8, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Betty Janet Gerringer Wandered from Mother; Quickly Found But Efforts To Revive Failed

Betty Janet Gerringer, 1 ½ year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd M. Gerringer of Gibsonville was drowned yesterday in a small creek back of the Gerringer home when she wandered away from her mother for a few minutes, it was learned today.

Though found in the creek a few minutes after she was missed, all effort to revive her proved futile.

Funeral services were slated to have been held at the home at 4 o’clock this afternoon by Rev. C.E. Anderson. Interment followed in the Gibsonville city cemetery.

Surviving in addition the parents are two brothers, Bobby Lee and Buddy Charles Gerringer of the home; four grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. N.L. Gerringer of Gibsonville and Mr. and Mrs. D.L. Williams of Elon College, Route 1.

Joseph and Margaret Goodman Celebrate 56th Wedding Anniversary, 1933

Goodmans Celebrate 56^th Anniversary of Their Marriage” from the Aug. 11, 1933, issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Mooresville, Aug. 9—Esquire J.A.B. Goodman is 76 today. He was married 56 years ago today on the day he was 20. There was a quiet birthday dinner and family reunion, August 9, at the Goodman home on North Broad street. Only members of the immediate family were present—Mr. and Mrs. J.A.B. Goodman, Prof. and Mrs. Reuben A. Goodman, Newberry College, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. W. Badger Goodman and Miss Vernie Goodman of Mooresville.

Something like this was published 56 years ago today:

“Joseph A.B. Goodman of Cabarrus county and Miss Margaret O. Lipe, oldest daughter of Mr. Jos. A. and Mrs. Amanda Mills Lipe, were united in marriage on August the ninth, 1877, at the residence of the bride’s parents at Amity Hill by Esq. J. Allanson White, in the presence of a large crowd of relatives and friends. A sumptuous dinner was served to all present.”

And they have been married ever since and never had a death in the family.

Comings and Goings of Local Folk, Watauga, Aug. 25, 1921

 “Local Affairs” from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, Aug. 25, 1921

Court Monday week.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Austin E. South last Wednesday night a baby girl.

The Boone Trail Highway is again being given a thorough machining by Mr. Conrad Yates.

The fall term of the A.T.S. opened Tuesday morning, with a large student body in attendance.

Misses Hattie and Ruth Bingham of Amantha are spending a few days visiting friends and relatives in Johnson City, Tenn.

Misses Lillie Beach and Carrie Bingham of Mast and Amantha, respectively, were pleasant callers at our office last Saturday.

Mr. John F. Harden attended Sunday school and preaching last Sunday for the first time in more than two months, owing to a severe hurt he received on one of his legs.

Mr. T. Hlll farthing is now a happy man, his wife and little son having arrived, and the trio are comfortably located at the pleasant home of Mr. Farthing’s sister, Mrs. J.M. Moretz.

Mrs. Dr. Anders and the children left for their winter home in Gastonia, the doctor’s mother, who makes her home with him, remaining in Watauga for the present.

Rev. W.A. Stanbury of Wilmington, who with his family is visiting his parents in Boone, will preach for Rev. Brinkman in the court house next Saturday. Mr. Stanbury is a fine preacher and being a native-born Wataugan we are all justly proud of him. Hear him.

M. Shaler Gilley returned from Statesville Saturday where his wife underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Long Sanatorium last week. He tells us that she passed through the ordeal well, and was getting along very nicely indeed.

On June 22, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. Schmit left Seattle, Wash., in a Ford car bound for Watauga, to visit the lady’s father, Mr. James Andrews, an inmate of the county home, and arrived here on Aug. 2. Save the replacement of some casings the little machine made the trip in good shape. Tell this to Henry Ford.

The little 15-months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Winkler fell down the stairs at their home on Saturday and broke the chin and jaw bones. The distressed young parents left early Sunday for Statesville, taking the little sufferer to Long’s Sanitorium, hoping to get the delicate piece of surgery performed that they could not get done locally.

Mrs. Conley G. Brown, who has, twice before, taken treatment at the State Hospital at Morganton, was remanded to that institution on Monday of last week, she being in a terrible condition, mentally. Mrs. Brown, formerly Miss Bessie McGhee, is a splendid woman and her many friends are distressed at the return of her mental derangement.

Mr. R.H. Beckton and little son Harrison Beckton of Goldsboro are visiting relatives in Statesville and Stony Point.

Rev. and Mrs. R.E. Huey of Lake Placid, Fla., who are spending the vacation at Huntersville, were visitors in Statesville this week, guests of Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Austin on Richmond Hill. Mrs. Knox of Huntersville was here with Mr. and Mrs. Huey.

Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Tomlin and daughters, Mary Norman and Joyce Tomlin; Mrs. Tomlin’s niece Jean Montgomery of Charlotte; and Mrs. Albert Fanjoy and children left Wednesday morning for Wrightsville Beach to spend some time. They have taken a cottage at the beach.

Mrs. W.L. King and children have gone to Rock Springs to attend a camp meeting. They expect to return Monday.

Misses Mildred and Dorothy Steele of Cleveland are visiting Miss Hannah Bryant at her home on the Turnersburg Road.

Mrs. Harry Abernathy and little son Harry Abernathy Jr. and Mrs. Abernathy’s mother Mrs. W.L. Frazier of Hickory left today for Lamar, S.C., for a visit to Mrs. G.G. Harris.

Mrs. Walter Penley and Miss Elizabeth Fox of Asheville are spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph V. Moore.

Mr. Harry Padgett, manager of Belk’s department store, will leave Saturday for New York on a buying trip for his store. He will be away for a week or 10 days.

Mrs. S.H. Garrison and Mrs. Frank Powell and children, Donald and Ray Powell, spent Tuesday in Derita, attending the Garrison reunion. Mrs. Powell and children returned home the first of the week from Asheville, where they spent a week with Mr. Powell. Little Janie Neal Powell remained in Asheville for a few days’ visit to her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Garrison.

J.H. Wall Jr. of Burlington is visiting Clifton Troutman Jr.

Mrs. R.E. Armfield went to Elkin Wednesday to spend two weeks with her daughter, Mrs. R.M. Chatham.

Mrs. Geo. R. Eaton, Misses Hessie Blankenship, Mabel Poston and Lucy Howard will go to Asheville today to attend a Bible conference at Ben Tappen. They will be accompanied to Asheville by Miss Adelia Fleming, who will visit Mrs. R.P. Smith.

Miss Elizabeth Mills has returned home from Mocksville, where she visited Miss Dorothy Blanton.

Miss Jewel Hipps, who has been visiting Miss Caroline c. Long, and Miss Louise Killian, who has been the guest of Miss Mary McElwee, returned Wednesday to their homes in Waynesville.

Mrs. I.T. Mann and daughters, Misses Marguerite and Frances Mann of High Point, who have been visiting Mrs. Mann’s sister, Mrs. G.A. Lazenby, returned home Wednesday. They were accompanied by Mrs. Lazenby, Misses Corelli and Percie Lazenby and Glenn Lazenby Jr., who will visit Mrs. Lazenby’s mother, Mrs. H.C. Pitts in High Point.

Mrs. John I. Fairly and son, John L. Jr. of Richmond, who have been visiting Mrs. Fairly’s mother, Mrs. E.G. Gilmer, and her sister, Mrs. Clarence Stimson, left Wednesday for Laurinburg to visit relatives of Mr. Fairly before returning home.

Mr. Neil S. Sowers of the law firm of Land & Sowers, has gone to Chapel Hill to study the new bank legislation under Professor Roscoe Turner Steffens, who is considered one of the leading authorities in the country on banking laws.

Miss Elba Henninger has returned home from Boston where she conducted the Little Theatre term of the Curry School of Expression.

Mr. Jimmie Moore of Raleigh is spending a few days here with his grandmother, Mrs. C.P. Moore.

Miss Melva Lyerly of Asheville is visiting Misses Phyllis and Ella Connor.

Mrs. G.C. Bernard of Kannapolis is spending this week here as the guest of Mrs. J.M. Deaton. Mrs. Bernard, prior to her marriage, was Miss Ruth Brooks, and was formerly a member of the city schools faculty.

Miss Helen Moore of Charlotte and Miss Sylvia Livingstone of Wilkesboro are guests of Misses Frances and Arleen Somers at their home on Buffalo Shoals road.

Mr. J.H. Hall Jr., who has been visiting his parents here, has returned to Blacksburg, Va., where he is a member of the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Rev. Payne Brown of Charleston, West Virginia, is here for a visit to his father, Rev. Dr. E.D. Brown.

Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Cochran Sr. have returned from a motor trip to points in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They visited Bluefield, Huntington, Wheeling and other points in West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Princeton, N.J., and stopped in Kimball, West Virginia, to see Mrs. J. Bruce Cockran. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were away for a week

Miss Kathryn Johnston of Hickory is spending two weeks here visiting her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Waugh and other relatives and friends. Miss Johnston returned the first of August from a visit to the Century of Progress in Chicago.

Mrs. Lee Rankin of Statesville and her sister, Mrs. James Lowrance of Mt. Ulla spent the weekend at Wrightsville Beach.

Mr. L. Spiro left Monday for New York on a buying trip for his store. He will be gone about 10 days.

Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Hendley of Greensboro are visiting Mr. Hendley’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Hendley in Statesville and Mrs. Hendley’s father, Mr. H.M. Harris at Elmwood.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Ralph Harris of Wilmington, Delaware, are visiting Mr. Harris’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Harris in the Loray community.

Mrs. T.W. Ruffin and three daughters of Raleigh are visiting Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Crowell.

Mrs. W.M. Barringer has returned from a visit to friends in Erwin. She was accompanied home by Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Boyd and sons, Bill, Dick and Bob Boyd, who returned to Erwin Wednesday.

Mr. Worth Barrow of Gastonia spent the week-end with his mother, Mrs. Martie Barrow on Fourth Street. Mr. Barrow holds a position with a music company in Gastonia.

Mrs. J.H. Cornell and sons, James and John Cornell of Wilmington, Delaware, are here to spend a week with Mrs. Cornell’s mother, Mrs. J.F. Anderson.

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Brown and daughter, Miss Nina Brown of Troutman, left Tuesday for Chicago to visit the Century of Progress Exposition.

Miss Requa Duke of Atlanta, Ga., and Miss Cornelia Duke of Raleigh are visiting their mother, Mrs. J.C. Duke.

Miss Ruamie Squires of Wake Forest is visiting Misses Hazel Herndon and Sue Stuart Moore.

Mr. Allen Knox is at home from Los Angeles, Calif., where he spent the past two years.

Mrs. Idell Bailey of Statesville has returned home after a few days visit with her sister, Mrs. B.P. Sherrill.

Miss Lucile Stevenson is visiting her aunt, Mrs. W.B. Norris in Turnersburg.

Mrs. J.L. Watts has returned from a visit to relatives in Deep Gap, Watauga county.

Misses Margaret and Barbara Boland are visiting friends in Concord.

Mrs. J.W. Walters has returned from a three week’s stay in Greensboro with her daughters, Misses Lillian and Rebecca Walters. Miss Lillian Walters accompanied her home for a two weeks’ vacation.

Miss Pink Matheson returned Monday to Kannapolis after spending a week at her home here.

Rev. D.A. Oakley of Lenoir spent Monday night here at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Lazenby.

Miss May Stevenson of the Davis Hospital staff returned to Statesville Tuesday after spending a week here at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Stevenson.

Mr. John Fox and son, Mr. Horace Fox, and Mr. T.L. Tomlinson and son, Mr. Charles Tomlinson, went to the mountains last Thursday to spend some days. They are camping near Jefferson.

Miss Rachel Oakley of Lenoir has returned to her home after spending a week visiting at the home of her friend, Miss Rosemary Wooten. Miss Wooten returned with her to spend a week in Lenoir.

Mr. James Barrier left last week for a visit to relatives in Pennsylvania and will return by way of Washington, D.C., to visit her sister, Mrs. N.H. Kendell.

Little Miss Laura May Wooten is spending this week in Statesville at the home of her uncle, Mr. Oscar Mills.

Mrs. W.C. Lackey and son, Mr. Jack Lackey, returned last night after spending a few days in Winston-Salem at the home of Mrs. Lackey’s daughter, Mrs. Paul Mechum. 

Should ‘I Was Drunk, Your Honor’ Excuse Illegal Behavior? 1925

From the editorial page of the Aug. 20, 1925 issue of The Landmark, Statesville, N.C.

Down at Charlotte a man who put his hands on a young girl in a picture show was arrested. He explained that he was unconscious of what he was doing after he and his friends had consumed $10 worth of liquor, which he had bought.

In other words, he confessed to three offenses—buying liquor, drinking liquor and insulting a girl. Fined $10 for the purchase of liquor, judgment suspended for drunkenness. For laying his hands on the girl, which was assault, nothing done. Of course the punishment will make no impression on the man if he is disposed to repeat. There is no deterring effect in a fine of $10. The light sentence was of course because the man was drunk. It has for so long been the practice to overlook the conduct of a man under the influence of liquor, unless the offense is very grave, that we can’t get away from the custom, even though the last has never recognized drunkenness as an excuse—not in the old days when the sale of liquor was legalized. By excusing it now we excuse at one and the same time several offenses, some of them serious.

It is a violation of law to buy liquor, a violation to carry it around, a violation to drink to excess. And the buying and drinking means that we are upholding law violators, contributing to an unlawful business and helping to keep it going, aiding and abetting in lawlessness, encouraging defiance of the law and all the evils growing out of trampling the law under foot. That is the most serious of all; that’s what buying and drinking liquor mean. Those who engage in that, who defend it or condone it in any respect, are contributing not only to the evils growing out of the liquor traffic and the use of liquor, but they are actually contributing to the breakdown of law and recognized government authority.

But hypocrites that we are, we do not take this law seriously. Many who shouted for it never intended to take it seriously. And to all the sins mentioned is added hypocrisy, for which it is difficult to escape the damnation of hell, if we accept the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

With Europe at War, What Will Become of Current Crops? 1914

One hundred years ago, World War I had begun in Europe but the United States was not yet involved. The war meant that farmers had lost European markets for their crops. Here's what Washington was going to do to help farmers. From the Aug. 13, 1914 issue of The High Point Review.

Farmers Need Aid….Government Urges Consumption of As Much Cotton As Possible at Home….It Is Not Making Promises….Situation Looks Very Dark, But Special Efforts Will Be Made to Dispose of All the Crops

Washington—The Washington Government is going to appeal to the cotton manufacturers of this country to start up every spindle and loom available and consume as much of the cotton crop now ripening as possible. If the European war gets in full swing the one class of farmers in this country likely to suffer most are the cotton growers, for the mills in foreign countries involved in the war will be shut down. The following figures on the consumption of cotton show the situation.

The aggregate supply of cotton in 1913 was 16,225,734 bales, distributed as follows: Exported, 8,800,966, and consumed at home, 5,786,330, with a balance on hand and some burned and otherwise disposed of.

Foreign countries exported from this country cotton as follows:

United Kingdom, 3,653,216; Germany, 2,350,761; France, 1,014,834; Italy, 478,894; Spain, 298,435; Belgium, 214,245; Russia, 70,625; Austria-Hungary, 109,202; Japan, 374,802; Canada, 148,292; and Mexico, 19,995. Small lots went to other countries.

Up to this time the countries involved in the war are Austria-Hungary, Servia, Russia, Germany, France and Great Britain. These are the countries that use most of our cotton. Therefore, it is readily seen that the cotton planter will be hit a hard blow unless the American mills can take care of the crop.

The situation is not promising, but the Government is going to make special efforts to get all the mills in the United States going.

The home mill will prove a god-send to the American cotton grower in this great crisis.

The following from the last annual report of the Bureau of Census on cotton, for the year ending August 31, tells the story in plain language:

For the year ending August 31, 193, the supply of cotton in the United States amounted to 16,225,734 bales. The largest amount shown for any year covered by the table was 17,896,226 bales for 1912, and the smallest amount was 12,188,021 bales for 1910. The large supply for 1912 was due to the magnitude of the crop of 1911, while that for 1913 was due to the size of the crop in 1912, which the second largest in the history of the country. It was also due to some extent to the increased stocks carried forward from the preceding year. The differences in the supply of cotton for the years shown practically represent the variations in the crops produced in the United States, since the differences in the stocks carried forward and in the imports are too small to affect the total materially.

Thomas Brown, 2-year-old Wilford Homer Respess and 91-year-old Mrs. Josephine Pearce Photos, 1940

From the August 1940 issue of the Carolina Co-operator

Readers of the Carolina Co-operator were paid $1 for each photograph published on this page. Thomas F. Brown of Asheboro, Star Route, is shown here with his 33-year-old mule. The photograph was sent in by E.C. Gann of Route 1, Asheboro.

A new way of getting to an egg is illustrated here by 2-year-old Wilford Homer Respess. His sister, Geraldine Respess of Pike Road, gets a dollar for sending us the photo.

Mrs. Josephine Pearce, despite her 91 years, enjoys good health on the farm of her son, J.W. Pearce of Wake Forest. The photograph was contributed by her granddaughter, Pearlee Pearce.

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Matton's: 'Finest Drug Store in State' 1914

“Matton’s Finest Drug Store in State” from the Aug. 6, 1914 issue of The High Point Review.

The scores of people who responded to the invitation to “come and make yourself at home” last night at the formal opening of the magnificent drug store of the Matton Drug Company were simply astonished at the beauty displayed within the walls of this well known and popular drug store, which hasn’t a rival within the confines of the old North State.

Three months ago Mr. Geo. A. Matton, the genial manager and principal owner, who for the past 25 years has kept in the fore rank of drug stores, decided that High Point was entitled to the best drug store and incidentally his long service in the business made him feel as if he too would like to have his efforts crowned with success and continue the next quarter of the century in much more pleasant and altogether comfy surroundings.

The dream came true within a short time and today after tearing up and tearing down, placing and replacing (because business was continued during the whole procedure) he can stand at one end of his modern drug store and view with pride any and everything that his eyes rest upon.

The store is fitted with English Buffet wall casing, mahogany finished and resplendent with crystal glass and mirrors taking up the least possible room and housing everything needed in the most convenient manner. 

There are soda booths with marble foot rests, marble slaps around the bottom of wall casings, show case windows, tile flooring, indirect lighting system, large gold painted ceiling urns with lights, attached with massive gold painted chains, globes dispersing soft, mellow lights around the edges of the ceiling, etc. In fact everything is a picture of loveliness and convenience. No detail is overlooked. A modern clear counter service fountain has also been installed which is in keeping with the other fixtures which go to make up one of the prettiest drug stores in the south, of which Mr. Matton and the city are justly proud.

Top of the morning to you and your business Doctor. At the opening last night drinks, cigars and cream were given to all comers and a feeling of good cheer and reciprocal relations was manifest.

Dixie Griffith, the expert soft drink and ice cream dispenser, had things well in shape, assisted by Messers. Chas. Matton and Brock and reinforced by Mr. Tucker, and the boss and young Tucker in order to dispense the good things on time. That is a line up hard to beat at anytime, the clerks of this popular drug store.

Building Boom in Hickory, 1921

“A Real Building Boom in Hickory” from the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, Aug. 25, 1921

More than 100 New Houses Have Been Completed in the Last Six Months—Sidewalk and Street Work—Several Small Manufacturing Plants Have Found Homes Here During the Last 12 Months

Hickory—With more than 100 new homes erected in Hickory during the first six months of the present year and with many others to be built between now and winter, Hickory is experiencing the fastest growth in its history. Never before, according to local people, has there been so much construction in progress here, most of the new residences going up inside the town and the others in the suburbs.

There would even be more building if the banks and building and loan associations were able to finance all demands. As it is between 115 and 125 new homes will be added before the end of the present year.

While there has been marked construction of residence houses, only a few business buildings have been put up. A few small manufacturing plants have found homes here during the year, but no new storehouses have been erected. If the Eleventh avenue development is completed a dozen business houses will be started during the winter and early spring, it is said.

There has been much sidewalk and street work done, a construction company being on the last lap of a contract calling for the expenditure of $175,000. The municipal building and auditorium, the latter was a seating capacity of 1,200, will be ready within six weeks, it is expected.

Adulterated and Mislabeled Products on Shelves in North Carolina Stores, 1914

You go to the store and buy olive oil, but it turns out that the bottle contains cotton-seed oil. Does this matter to you? The N.C. Department of Agriculture was trying to help consumers with this issue in 1914. “Sweet Oil and Sweet Oil Substitutes” from the Bulletin of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, 1914

Sweet oil is olive oil. Any oil other than olive oil branded sweet oil would be misbranded. It is not correct to label cotton-seed oil sweet oil, and elsewhere on the label describe the true character of the oil.

There seems to have been a difference of opinion as to what constitutes sweet oil. The Department in 1911 made an investigation of the subject and found that the oily oil to which the term “sweet oil” may be correctly applied is olive oil. The United States Department of Agriculture in food inspection decision No. 139 has since that time held that any oil other than olive oil is misbranded when sold under the name “Sweet Oil,” and it is not correct to label cotton-seed oil as “sweet oil” and then elsewhere place on the label words to describe the true character of the oil.

This department does not wish to in any way discriminate against cotton-seed oil, for it is a good food product and justly deserves the good name it bears; but it is not sweet oil and cannot be legally sold as such.

In addition to selling cotton-seed oil as olive oil, margarine was being sold as butter, coffee containing chickory was sold as pure coffee, and reduced fat ice cream and cheese was sold as full fat ice cream and cheese (the full-fat variety being more desirable to consumers in 1914). Margarine and chickory coffee, and reduced fat ice cream and cheese were all legal products; they just had to be properly labeled. 

News From Around the State, Aug. 25, 1921

News from around the state in the Thursday, Aug. 25, 1921, issue of the Watauga Democrat

Clinton—Mrs. Cora Jernigan on trial for the murder of Quimby Sewell, whom she had accused of the ruin of her daughter, Ruby Jernigan, 13 years of age, was given a verdict of acquittal by a jury in superior court. She departed at once for her home in the county, a free woman, to carry the glad tidings to her other children, her friends and relatives.

Raleigh—Road building operations in North Carolina right now in point of extent and intensity are of proportions to surprise a man who stays at home closely, once he does take an automobile trip across the state, according to William H. Richardson of Raleigh, private secretary of Governor Morrison.

Fayetteville—It is settled that Fayetteville is to exist under a real “blue” regime. It having been reported to an adjourned meeting of the board of aldermen, attended by large delegations for and against the Sunday closing law, that the Kennedy amendment to the Sunday statutes had really been passed by the legislature. It was announced by Mayor E.R. MacKeithan that the law will be enforced rigorously.

Winston-Salem—Evangelist McLendon, who closed a four weeks’ meeting at North Wilkesboro, received a purse of $5,000. In addition, $3,600 was raised for expenses. Hundreds made professions of religion and thousands of church members were reclaimed. Many alleged blockaders destroyed their stills, following their conversion.

Concord—Edgar Wallace, legislative representative of the American Federation of Labor, with headquarters in Washington, arrived in Concord for the purpose of making a careful and full investigation of the strike situation, and also for the purpose of lending his good offices toward settling the strike.

Greensboro—At the closing session of the fifth congress of the Southern Tariff association, resolutions urging a “fair” tariff on southern products and a continuation of the dye embargo were unanimously adopted, and a committee to carry these resolutions to congress was authorized.

Raleigh—Whiskey still holds high place as a cause of law violation in Raleigh, according to reports of the police department, and while there has been a reduction in the percentage of whiskey cases since March, 26 per cent of the arrests in July were due to whiskey or its complications.

Henderson—A big supply of toxin-antitoxin for diphtheria has been ordered by the county health department from the State Laboratory preparatory for beginning a campaign against that disease in this county before the school opens next fall.

Spencer—A large barn of John Hunberry, near South river, was struck by lightning and burned with a loss of several thousand dollars. Besides the valuable building, 10 bales of cotton, 300 bushels of wheat and several hundred bushels of corn were burned, with a large amount of feed stuff, machinery and other property. By quick work after the blaze started, the horses, cattle and livestock were saved. The loss falls heavily on Mr. Hunberry as he carried but little insurance.

Does Government Have the Right to Regulate Driving? 1914 and 1940

Editorial in the August 1940 issue of the Carolina Co-operator calls for regulation of automobile drivers. We expect drivers to have passed driving exams, to have insurance, and to follow traffic laws, but this wasn't always true. Drunk driving used to excuse someone from blame in an accident! And some thought any regulation or restriction of driving rights was unconstitutional. The following editorial points out the deadly consequences of automobile accident, and it is followed by a mention of a 1914 lawsuit before the North Carolina Supreme Court arguing that traffic restrictions (speed limits, etc.) in Asheville were unconstitutional.

We came across some figures a short time ago that gave us quite a jolt. In these days of large figures, figures aren’t always so impressive, but in substance these particular figures amounted to this:

Since 1776 the United States has been at war for a total of 15 years, but since 1925, a 15-year period of peace, more persons have been killed in automobile accidents in this country than were killed in our armies during 15 years of war.

Now North Carolina is notoriously famed for its high accident rate. That our accident rate is unduly high is determined by the fact that auto insurance rates in this State are considerably higher than those in most other states, and insurance rates, as you know, are necessarily based on accident rates.

It is also a fact that the requirements for an auto driver’s license in many other states are much more stringent than our own. There must be some cause for our high accident rate, one that exacts about three lives a day within the boundaries of North Carolina, and it seems reasonable that there must be some relation between our license requirements and our high fatality toll. This logic was confirmed, in our opinion, when we discussed the matter recently with an attorney who has handled many accident cases, and who told us that many of the accidents in our own state involve drivers who cannot even read or write more than their own names. These persons may legally operate an automobile under all conditions and yet they could not possibly read a warning sign, the simple rules of safe driving, or be familiar with the grave problem involved in highway crashes.

When we consider the fact that our own army and navy frequently invest more money in training a pilot than in building the plane he operates, it seems reasonable that we can continue to expect wholesale slaughter on our highways until we tighten the requirements for automobile operation.

“Constitutionality of Traffic Ordinances” from the Municipal Journal & Public Works, Volume 37, Dec. 10, 1914

Asheville, N.C.—Two citizens recently arrested charged with violation of the traffic ordinances will test the constitutionality of the city ordinance regulating traffic, carrying the cases in which they were the defendants in the Superior Court to the Supreme Court of North Carolina. The cases recently were appealed to the Superior Court from the police court.

Farm Life High Schools Established in North Carolina, 1914

From the Aug. 13, 1914, issue of The Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C. To see pictures from the Cary and Red Oak Farm House schools, go to http://ncpedia.org/farm-life-schools.  The term “Farm Life” remains in the names of various elementary schools around in North Carolina. Take a look at today’s students/schools: http://vanceborofarmlife.weebly.com/ and  http://www.greatschools.org/north-carolina/carthage/1359-Sandhills-Farm-Life-Elementary-School/

Sentiment Growing for Henderson Co. Farm Life School…Farm Life School Rally to be Held at Mills River Aug. 28; Farmers to Attend; Work Outlined

Sentiment is rapidly moulding for a Farm Life school in Henderson county. The campaign for such an institution will be opened at Mills River school house at 10 o’clock on the morning of August 28.

Interesting addresses will be made along more progressive methods of educational work and the farmers and their families of Henderson county are urged to attend this meeting prepared to spend the full day and enjoy and profit by the occasion to the utmost.

Prof. W.H. Cale made an address at the opening of Mills River academy last Monday and in the course of his talk called attention to the needs of such an institution.

Nothing of a definite nature has been done toward organizing such an institution, but sentiment is developing and plans and purposes and the requirements will be fully outlined at the Mills River meeting.

The views of the Democrat are given on the editorial page while the following from the Progressive Farmer of last week sets out clearly the prominent features of Farm Life schools, the number in the state and the progress they are making:

The most remarkable feature of North Carolina’s educational progress the last 12 months has been the rapid establishment of farm life schools. In conversation with the Editor of the Progressive Farmer last week State Superintendent Joyner declared that the movement is going just as fast as he wants it to go;--that is to say, just as fast as it is possible to get the schools properly organized and manned; in fact, it is hard to keep up with the movement. Under the act of the Legislature of 1913, the State appropriates $2,500 to any one farm life high school in any county properly organized and equipped, and for which the community likewise raises $2,500 annually for maintenance. Or if there is more than one properly organized farm life school in the county, the State appropriate of $2,500 is divided between them.

Asked to give us a statement of the school situation for use in this “Educational Special,” Mr. S.S. Alderman, assistant to Dr. Joyner, said:

“The county farm life school, giving to boys instruction in practical agriculture with a real farm for laboratory work, and to the girls, training in the arts of home-making and house-keeping, is becoming one of the most influential agents in North Carolina in making rural education efficient, in refashioning rural living conditions, and in making agriculture scientific, satisfying, and profitable.

“Six farm life schools are already operating in the State; 10 more will be ready to open next fall, four or five counties have campaigns on foot, and every few days a new county begins to organize forces to establish one of these schools.

“The farm life school in North Carolina is a first-class rural high school in which the regular course of study prescribed for the State high schools is followed, with the addition of the faculty and equipment necessary for giving efficient practical instruction in farming, in preparation of the soil, planting, fertilizing, harvesting, the care and breeding of livestock, and in general farm management to the boys and, to the girls, courses in sewing, cooking, and practical domestic economy. The essentials of a cultural high school course are stressed, but with them are blended these practical courses.

“Only one school has been established under the general law, that at Vanceboro in Craven county. This county issued bonds to provide the equipment and the school has just completed a successful year under the principalship of Dr. J.E. Turlington. Three schools were established immediately in Guilford county under the special act of 1911, at Jamestown, Pleasant Garden and Monticello. These have been in operation for their third year and at least two of them have had striking success.

“Two schools were established under the extended 1913 act in the fall of last year: Lowe’s Grove in Durham county and Harmony in Iredell. These have been in successful operation for a year. Other schools have already been provided for under this act and will be opened next fall, as follows: Philadelphus in Robeson County, China Grove in Rowan; Cary and Wakelon in Wake; Aulander in Bertie; Pineville in Mecklenburg; Lillington in Harnett; Rock Ridge in Wilson; Startown in Catawba; Red Oak in Nash; and Edenton in Chowan.

“So there is every prospect of having 16 or 17 farm life schools in the state next year. In several of these counties which did not have a six months school term, and which could not therefore take the maintenance fund from the public school fund as Guilford and Durham had done, the county commissioners were induced to appropriate the $2,500 out of the county treasury.”