Making Sure North Carolina Teachers Didn't Have Tuberculosis, 1919

When I started teaching school in 1970, teachers had to be screened for tuberculosis. This was a new practice in 1919. Requiring screening for TB was a new practice, begun in 1919. From the November, 1919, issue of The Health Bulletin, published by the North Carolina State Board of Health

Taking effect October 1, 1919, the law now requires a teacher to file with the county superintendent of schools a health certificate stating freedom from tuberculosis or other contagious disease. Below we are publishing the proper form upon which this certificate may be written. The signature of any reputable physician should be accepted by the superintendent. In preparing the form to be used we have not undertaken to prescribe how a physician may reach his conclusions, but properly leave that for each physician to decide for himself. The law requires that when a teacher presents himself or herself to the county physician or county health officer, whether a whole-time official or not, he must make the examination without charge to the teacher. This is fair because the law is primarily devised to protect the public. The Attorney-General has ruled that the county commissioners must provide the compensation to be paid the county physician for the work, when not a whole-time official, and if not covered in the regular contract to perform the duties of county physician. Of course, when a teacher prefers the examination by a private physician the compensation is a matter entirely between the teacher and the physician.

Pilgrims Establish Thanksgiving After Doing Away With Christmas, 1919

“Origin of Thanksgiving as a Great Social and Religious Festival Lost in Antiquity” by Rev. Thomas B. Gregory, as printed in the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, November 26, 1919

The great social and religious festival known as Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims and Puritans of New England. The sentiment of gratitude for favors granted is as old as humanity, and ages before the Massachusetts settlers were born mankind was in the habit of expressing its thankfulness by some form of public celebration. But the institution of Thanksgiving as an annual festival of thanks and praise for blessings received at the hands of the Great Author of our being had its origin among the founders of New England.

For reasons which were “good and sufficient” unto themselves, the Puritans abolished Christmas, and feeling the need of some other day to replace it, they instituted Thanksgiving day. After the first harvest of the New England colonies Governor Bradford ordered a public rejoicing with prayer and praise. This was in October or November, 1621. On July 30, 1623 was held the second Thanksgiving, the first ever appointed by a governor in an authoritative way. On February 22, 1631, there occurred in Boston the first Thanksgiving celebration of which any written account remains among the colonial archives. The first regular Thanksgiving proclamation was printed in Massachusetts in 1677.

The first Thanksgiving proclamation ever issued by a president of the United States was by George Washington in 1795. From Massachusetts the custom spread to other colonies. In 1830 the governor of New York appointed a day for public thanksgiving and other northern states quickly followed.

Happy Thanksgiving, 1908

 

The Thanksgiving Day feast illustrated in this 1908 card begins with chicken consomme  and trout, and it ends with pumpkin pie and ice cream. The main course was turkey with cranberry sauce, spinach, succotash, and mashed potatoes. Beverages were tea, coffee, milk, and "good old cider." The proposed toast was "Eat drink and don't feel lost. This only comes yearly, so don't mind the cost."

Aim Is to Draft Fewer Farmers, 1918

“Draft to Operate in Favor of Farmers” from the French Broad Hustler, March 28, 1918

In emphasizing the need for increased production, and the Nation’s dependence upon the farmers, President Wilson recently said:

“Out of 13,800,000 men engaged in farm industries, 205,000 men have been drafted, or about 1.48 per cent of the whole number.

“In addition to these, there have been volunteers, and the farmers have lost a considerable number of laborers because the wages paid in industrial pursuits drew them away. In order to relieve the farming industry as far as possible from further drains of labor, the new draft regulations have been drawn with a view to taking from the farms an even smaller proportion of men, and it is my hope that the local classifications with a view of lightening the load upon the farmers to the utmost extent.

Draft Lists for Henderson County, 1918

“Latest Draft News” from the French Broad Hustler, March 28, 1918

Henderson county will feel the effects of the second draft on April 1, when eight young men will be drafted into the service and entrained for Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

The exemption board has provided against drafting heavily on agricultural forces. In the list below the names of 10 men are given but the two substitutes will not be drafted provided the other eight men put in their appearance on April 1. If all do not appear the law will take its course in search of them and the first or second substitute, or both if necessary, will be inducted into service to complete the quota of eight.

Following are the names of those drafted, the two substitutes, and their order numbers:

8, Clarence O. Liverette, Columbus, Ga.

45, Harley R. Thompson, Waynesville, Rt. 4.

54, Earl Owens, Tuxedo.

56, Lewis King Potts, Hendersonville.

65, Willie L. Sexton, Hendersonville.

77, Clinton M. Bryson, Newport News, Va.

86, Clarence F. Bowen, Horse Shoe.

104, Benjamin H. Morgan, Hopewell, Va.

Substitutes

110 Charles Rymer, Hendersonville.

111 Oscar W. Cody, Hendersonville.

Seven Colored Men

Seven colored men will be entrained on March 29 for Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., as though under the first draft. There were no accommodations for these men, hence the delay in their training. There are two colored substitutes. They will not be called upon to go provided the other seven are entrained, but nine colored persons are summoned to put in their appearance on March 29. One of the most trustworthy of the number will be named by the exemption board to look after the other men en route to camp.

The names of the colored men to go, the two substitutes, and order numbers are given below:

3, Press Green, Hendersonville.

7, Charles McClure, Hendersonville.

11, Solomon Colleton, Fletcher, R.F.D.

12, John D. Cooley, St. Petersburg, Fla.

32, Eli Dillard, Brickton.

48, Wraston Ellis, Hendersonville.

51, Arley Gray, Rutherfordton, Rt. 2.

Substitutes

59, Lucius Craig, Hendersonville.

66, General Ezell Fant, Spartanburg, S.C.

Compulsory Voting, Military Training, Citizenship Needed To Preserve Our Nation, 1918

“War Talks By Uncle Dan,” from the Jan. 17, 1918, issue of the French Broad Hustler

Jimmie and a German Boy Clash….Must Do Three Things to Save Country

It was a warm evening, so Uncle Dan went out to a lawn seat under the spreading branches of the great tree that suggested the farm’s name of Oak Hill. Billie and Jimmie had been laying for him, so Uncle Dan was captured by the boys on short order.

“Say, Uncle Dan,” Billie began. “We had a red-hot argument at school yesterday with Carl Newman. Carl said that German schools were miles ahead of our schools and that no one could come up to the educated German. Well, Jimmie got hot under the collar and handed it back to him good and plenty. Jimmie said if their education taught them to torpedo Lusitanias, sink hospital ships, murder hundreds of women and children, make slaves of the Belgians, poison wells, destroy fruit trees and commit all sorts of crimes, then we did not want that kind of education here. What do you think about it, Uncle Dan? I told Jimmie you spent a lot of time in Europe and knew all about schools, so give us your opinion.”

“Well,” replied Uncle Dan, deliberately, “the German schools are very thorough. They furnish exceedingly valuable and practical instruction. The industrial training given there is probably the best to be found. The schools as a whole, however, in my opinion, appeal to the head only, and never to the heart. The aim and trend is to make the individual blindly submissive to the Prussian plan of world domination. They teach that it is the destiny of Germany to rule the world, and that to the glory and advance of Germany, in this plan, all things must give way; that the Kaiser as head of the state can do no wrong if he carries forward the plan of world control.

Some of the greatest teachers and preachers even defend and justify her heartless crushing of Belgians and the many other atrocious crimes she has committed in this war. Thank God, our American education reaches both the head and the heart. It is an education with a soul, and w must maintain the high ideals we have fixed. In a word, in Germany, the people are taught that they exist for the government, while here the government exists to serve the people.”

“Just wait a minute,” interrupted Billie. “Say that again slowly, so I can write it down.”

Uncle Dan smilingly complied.

Billie exclaimed, “Now we will hand that nut out for Carl to crack. Carl, you know has a very smart father who keeps him posted on the German arguments. Carl said our government was only an experiment anyway; that it would not last 20 years, and that it might burst up any old time. Jimmie asked him if Germany was so mighty good, why did they not go back there to live.”

“Our government will go on forever, won’t it, Uncle Dan?”

“Now,” said Uncle Dan, “you are raising a big question, and one that has troubled me for years. Our government is still in the experimental stage. In fact, it is the greatest experiment ever undertaken, and if popular government is to be successful, a few things must be done, otherwise, to paraphrase the great Lincoln, the government of the people, by the people and for the people will perish. It is my firm conviction,” said Uncle Dan in a very impressive manner, “that if our country is to go on, as we hope and pray, we must very quickly to at least three things, and I will name them in the order of importance as it appears to me:

“First, adopt compulsory universal military training of all young men physically fit before they reach the age of 20 years.

“Next, require that every foreigner who comes here to live must within a reasonable time, say a year, declare his intention of becoming an American citizen and take the necessary steps to do so, thereby, from that moment, assuming all the obligations of citizenship of our country, and that means he must defend our flag upon equal terms with our native born, and if he is not willing to do this, he should be sent back from whence he came.”

“That’s the stuff,” exclaimed Billie.

“And, finally, enact such legislation as will make voting compulsory. Popular government is based upon the participation of all and the rule of the majority, and democracy cannot continue and be successful unless we live up to the spirit of the institution.

“The first step, however, is the passage of the Chamberlain bill for universal military training. If you will get the leading citizen, and especially the editor of your paper, to write personal letters to your congressman and both senators, urging their support, it will help enormously.

“I see by the morning papers,” said Uncle Dan, “that the Rotary clubs of the entire country, the livest, most efficient organization to be found, have unanimously decided to get back of the Chamberlain bill and give it loyal and enthusiastic support. The will work with the Universal Military Training league to accomplish this important piece of legislation, which will do more than anything else to make us a real nation with a common viewpoint, bring us back to sane living, and teach us the patriotism of service.”

See and Hear FDR's Declaration of War Before Congress or a Film on Negro Colleges in Wartime

Some of the videos from the FDR Presidential Library are online. You can see and hear President Roosevelt’s declaration of war before a Joint Session of Congress on Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhtuMrMVJDk

We focus so much on the attack on Pearl Harbor, we forget that Japan, immediately after attacking Pearl Harbor, that the same day Japan also attacked American ships San Francisco and Hawaii, and Malaysia, Hong Kong, Guam, The Philippine Islands, Wake Island, and the next morning they struck Midway Island.

“Negro Colleges in Wartime,” a film made by the Office of War Information in 1943, during World War II, features students at Tuskeegee Institute, Prairie View College in Texas, and Hampton Institute in Virginia. Students were trained for work in the armed services and war industries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I1L8ZzKO3E&list=PL6B7AA9BFEA6BC976&index=57

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Don't Ignore Our Soldiers, 1917

“Knitting for the Kaiser” by Caroline Tecknor of the Vigilantes, from the Watauga Democrat, November 22, 1917

Now there is a big drive on to secure sweaters for our boys in camp, and for those going off to France. Our soldiers, who are going to stand between us and the guns, are cold. The Red Cross is calling for a million helmets and sweaters, and thousands of devoted women are working overtime to try to fill this great demand. Wool is expensive, some of our women are going without the things they want, yes need, in order that they may buy it. Some of our women would gladly knit if they could buy the necessary wool but they have not the money. And in the meantime, there are thousands of women able bodied and well to do, knitting pro-German sweaters for themselves. Knitting for Germany!

A few days since I visited the worsted counters of several of our big department stores to get some wool to finish up a soldier’s sweater. Before those counters I found that women were lined up three deep purchasing wool and needles. I looked at them with satisfaction; our women were certainly awake to the needs of our “boys.”

And then! I suddenly discovered that they were buying pale greens, and pinks, and blues; only one woman in a dozen was calling for the gray or khaki.

There were scraps of conversation which greeted my astonished ears: “I am going to make yellow trimmed in white!” “Nell, you look sweet in green.” “I’ve got a pattern that fits like a glove.” “I’ve made me a red one, and a blue, and now I am going to make a black.”

I turned away in wonder. I couldn’t at first understand. They were well dressed, well fed and seemingly intelligent and well intentioned.

What was the explanation? There must be some sufficient reason.

Suddenly, all in an instant, the answer was flashed upon me. “They are knitting for Germany! They are making sweaters for the Kaiser! I’m glad none of my friends are doing it! If you know any one who is, just tell her that Mary Murphy, Red Cross commissioner in Paris, has cabled: “We need at once 1,500,000 sweaters, 1,500,000 mufflers, 1,500,000 pairs of socks, 1,500,000 wristlets—they must come before cold weather. Every one here looks to America. We urge you on behalf of our soldiers and those of our allies who suffer in their frozen trenches, and also on behalf of thousands of French and Belgian refugees. Begin shipping at once.”

Farm News From Across North Carolina, November 1935

“Around the State” from the Nov. 1935 issue of Carolina Co-operator, a farm magazine. And in case you are wondering, only 20 percent of North Carolina farmers owned a radio in 1935.

All over North Carolina farmers who have radios are turning their dials each day at 2 o’clock to get “Carolina Farm Features,” a series of radio broadcasts instituted by the State Extension Service.

The first part of the 15-minute program each day is devoted to some specialist at State college who talks on a timely subject. Agricultural news reports form the State and nation are given during the latter part of the broadcast.

The program was started over Raleigh’s WPTF, but arrangements are now being completed to enable other radio stations over the State to present the feature.

As director of these farm radio programs, Frank Jeter picked Gene Knight, a graduate of State College and a former Goldsboro newspaper man, as announcer.

Around the State

Day by day the fame of George Watts Hill’s Quail Roost Farm grows and now we read that Rowan County farmers have just bought three of his bulls.

There’s a marked increase in the production of horses and mules in McDowell County, which is in line with the good advice of Earl H. Hostetler.

If Rowan and McDowell county farmers run shy of feed for their horses and cattle, they can just turn to Lincoln County where farmers have planted more than 1,000 pounds of alfalfa this fall.

When he left that highly cooperative country of his birth—Norway—H. Sivertsen, now of Autryville, N.C. brought with him a faith in the cooperative movement and now as one of the directors of the State Cotton Association he is very active in cooperative work.

Congratulations to Nora Miller, former home agent in Pender County, upon the fine reception being given her recently published book, “The Girl in the Rural Family.“

New County Agents

Seventeen new assistant county agents and one new full county agent have been added to the State College Agricultural Extension Service staff within the past few months.

The new agent is George W. Miller of Bridgewater, Va., who went to Madison County to succeed Earle Brintnall, who has been transferred t Catawba County.

The new assistants are Edwin P. Barnes, Orange County; A.N. Harrell, Davidson; W.P. Albright, Richmond; A.S. Knowles, Wayne; S.L. Homewood, Cumberland; C.W. Overman, Nash; H.L. Riddle, Burke; W.H. Kimrey and H.G. Dargan, Alamance; Z.S. Johnson, Rockingham; C.L. Davis, Forsyth; W.H. Shearin, Columbus; Cecil M. Salley, Durham C.D. Griggs, Pitt; M.A. Morgan, Craven; W.C. Boyce, Franklin; and J.E. Zimmerman, Caswell.

Grangers

Grangers from all over the State have nothing but praise for their brethren in the land of the Brushy Mountains as they return to their homes to tell the neighbors of the doings of the seventh annual Grange convention in North Wilkesboro.

“That fellow Jerman certainly knows how to give visitors a royal welcome,” was the usual comment. It referred to J.M. Jerman, Pomona Master of the Wilkes Grange, who with the cooperation of other Wilkes Grangers treated the visiting brethren to a picnic spread.

The people of North Wilkesboro also rallied to the cause of making the Grangers welcome. Many of the delegates were taken into private homes and given food and shelter. Some of the citizens of North Wilkesboro who did not have sufficient room in their homes insisted on sending delegates to the Wilkes Hotel, calling the clerk in the meantime to tell him to “send the bill to me.”

Next year’s convention is some ways in the offing, but Raleigh citizens aim to make the grangers feel right at home, too.

New Specialists at N.C. State College

Three assistant specialists have been added to the State College division of home demonstration work, Dr. Jane S. McKimmon has announced. The new specialists, with headquarters at State College are:

Miss Sallie Brooks, former Onslow County home agent for six years, assistant specialist in foods and nutrition.

Miss Mamie N. Whisnant, who was Rowan County home agent for over four years, assistant specialist in home management.

Miss Julia McIver, home agent in Scotland and Pamlico counties for five years, assistant clothing specialist.

 

The War to End All Wars Ends, 1918

 “Terms of the Armistice” Rockingham Post-Dispatch Extra Edition, November 11, 1918

Proclamation by President

At 10 o’clock this morning President Wilson issued the following proclamation:

“My Fellow Countrymen:

The Armistice was signed this morning. Everything for which America has fought has been accomplished. It will not be our fortunate duty to assist by example, by sober, friendly counsel and by material aid in the establishment of a just Democracy throughout the world.”

Wilson Explains Terms

President Wilson appeared before a joint session of the Senate and House at one o’clock today and read to them the agreement which ends the world war. This agreement completely disarms the Huns on land and sea. Exactly 19 months ago the President appeared before a joint session and gave his reasons why the world should be made safe against the Huns.

There are 11 specifications in the Armistice. Briefly, they include the following points: Evacuation of all invaded territory. Withdrawal of German forces to left bank of Rhine and surrender of all supplies of war. Abandonment by Germany of treaties of Bucharest, made with Roumanians, and Brest-Litovsk, made with Russians.

Naval Terms

The naval terms call for the surrender of 160 submarines, 50 destroyers, 6 battle cruisers, 10 battle ships, 8 light cruisers, and other small craft. All Allied vessels in German hands to be surrendered. Germany is required t at once notify all Neutrals that they are at liberty to trade on the seas with the Allies.

Financial Terms

The financial terms require restitution for all damages done by German armies. The return of cash taken from the National Bank of Belgium, and the return of gold taken from Russia and Roumania.

Military Terms

The military terms include the surrender of 5,000 guns, one-half of field and one-half light guns. Surrender of 30,000 machine guns, 3,000 flame-throwers, 2,000 air-planes, 5,000 locomotives, 50,000 wagons, 10,000 motor lorries. Free use of Alsace-Lorraine railways and the stores of coal and iron therein.

Repatriation of Prisoners

Immediate repatriation of prisoners without reciprocal action by Allies. This means that all Allied prisoners now held by Germany must be at once surrendered; but German prisoners now held by Allies will continue to be held.

Withdrawal of Germans

German forces must withdraw at once to left bank of Rhine. Allies shall hold Coblentz, Cologne, Mayence and the chief crossings of the Rhine; also shall hold all bridge-heads in radius of 30 kilometers of Rhine. All German forces to withdraw at once from Russia, Roumania and Turkey, and from East Africa within a month.

Deported Natives to Be Returned

All deported French and Belgians to be returned to their homes within 14 days.

Reveal Location of Mines

The location of all mines, poisoned wells, etc., to be at once revealed.

 

“Local Items” also on the same page as this article

Provost Marshall Crowder at noon, by order of the President, cancelled all outstanding draft calls, stopping the immediate movement of drafted men to camps. Therefore the men in Richmond county called to go to camps within the next 10 days will not have to go.

There will be a prayer service of thanksgiving at the Methodist church at 7 o’clock. YOU are invited.

Mass meeting will be held at the court house at 8 o’clock for the United War Work Campaign. The brass band will furnish music. Splendid speakers will address the crowd, explaining how it is even just as necessary that the United War Fund Drive succeed now that the peace is declared. The conditions that confront the nation will be outlined. It will be an extremely patriotic rally.

As a gentle reminder, do your Christmas shopping early.

If you have not already contributed to the war work campaign, do it now.

Keep up the food-saving. It will be a long time before normal conditions are restored.

The uppermost thought with the American mother now is “when will my boy come home?”

By the way, while rejoicing, don’t lose sight of your W.S.S. pledge. Fill it between now and Christmas.

Tobe Mosely says he imagines Germany and her allies feel like a fellow does when he has made a bad horse trade.

The Kaiser once said he was “just like Napoleon.” The Allies ought to be able to accommodate him at St. Helena.

Somebody stole a jug of liquor from Ellick Hellwanger Saturday night. Raz Barlow is suspected of the theft, as he was seen with his head tied up Sunday.

In the excitement of the present, bear in mind that the “flu” is still prevalent, and that another epidemic could easily start again. When you go home tonight, gargle your throat with salt water; it MIGHT be a preventative.

A word about the difference in time in France and Richmond county. When it is 12 o’clock in Rockingham, noon, it is 5 o’clock p.m. in Paris, 5 o’clock in London, 5:20 in Amsterdam, and 6 o’clock in Berlin.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 12^th, has been set aside by President Wilson as Tri-Color Day, and it will be celebrated as a fitting tribute to the people of the French Republic who have so valiantly battled for freedom.

Cotton ginned in Richmond county to Nov. 1^st was 10,633 bales, as compared with 7,167 to same date last year. Owing to the chaotic condition of the world today, the stock and cotton markets of New York and Liverpool were not opened. They will remain closed until Thursday morning. 16 bales cotton bought at Rockingham today. Price 27 ¾ c.

Three marriage licenses were issued Saturday, two whites, one colored:

Percy L. Dawkins and Susie E. Thompson, white.

Jno. R. Brasswell and Danie Bell Chandler, white.

Henry Fairley and Maggie Willis, colored.

Getting Electricity to the 85 Percent of American Farms That Do Not Have It, 1935

“Rural Electrification” by Roy H. Park in the November, 1935, issue of Carolina Co-operator

Versatile servant that it is, electricity can perform many services on the farm. And farmers all over the State are anxious to get power lines. If you don’t believe this just go up to Dudley Bagley’s office in Raleigh and watch the delegates pour in.

Only 15 percent of the farms in America have electric facilities.

Only 15 percent have water piped into the house.

And only 20 percent have radios.

The above are government percentages—percentages that the government has set out to hoist with the leverage power being supplied by the Rural Electrification Authority and its fund of $100,000,000 appropriated by Congress.

Figures for North and South Carolina are not available, but there is no reason to believe that the percentage of farms having electrical facilities is any higher in the Carolinas—if as high—than it is in the other states of the nation.

The man who has charge of the work of harnessing electricity and bringing it into the farm homes of North Carolina as a versatile servant is Dudley E. Bagley, a farmer who has operated his farm at Moyock in such a manner that not so long ago one of the national farm magazines sent a writer there to interview him and then devoted three pages to what he had accomplished.

And Mr. Bagley is not unacquainted with the value electricity can be to the farmer. For years a Delco plant supplied him with electric current and only recently was “juice” from a power company substituted. Incidentally, Mr. Bagley installed his own Delco plant, even to the wiring, and the power company’s expert pronounced it an A-1 job when he came around to inspect the wiring prior to connecting the power line.

One Line Built

Electricity is already sizzling through the wires of one rural electrification project completed about two months ago under the supervision of the North Carolina Rural Electrification Authority. This line is in Orange County and extends out into the country about 10 miles east of Carrboro and for the time being will serve some 29 families, although within a few months as many as 40 families are expected to be served by it. A second line is now in construction in Wilson County.

And how, you ask, can a community start getting electric service?

The first step is simply a question of finding out if the community can use enough current to measure up to the requirements of the Federal program. That is: The income from the new line during its first year must be equal to 20 percent of the total cost of the extension. The average cost of constructing rural power lines has been estimated at a little over $1,000 per mile.

A number of communities in North Carolina have already been surveyed to determine whether or not the demand for current is sufficient to meet the federal requirement. If your community has not been surveyed, and you want the convenience of electricity, you are advised to write to the Rural Electrification Authority, Raleigh, N.C., for survey blanks.

“In starting a movement to get a power line, it must be realized that lights alone are not profitable,” Mr. Bagley said.

“The rural home gets a reasonable rate by using enough electrical appliances such as refrigerators and motors. For under the Federal program the gross income from all the consumers on the line for the first year must amount to 20 percent or one-fifth of the total charge of the extension. Thus a minimum charge per month is paid by each user and all these charges together should in a year make up one-fifth of the cost of the extension.

“If only lights were used, this minimum charge would not make lights very economical, but since this minimum charge allows the use of more current per month than lights would take, it is possible to use current for perhaps a refrigerator, an iron, and a water pump without paying over the minimum charge. If still more current is needed than the minimum charge provides for, the extra cost will usually be small.”

Under the plan the Rural Electrification Authority will advance government money to communities for use in building extension lines. However, Mr. Bagley said, that it now appears as though the main power companies will be willing to build a larger number of these lines.

Mr. Bagley made the point clear that the government is not “handing out” this money, but that it expects all loans to be repaid and must be satisfied that they will be repaid before a loan is granted.

The Authority will also lend money to consumers for the purchase of such electrical appliances of ranges, refrigerators, and water heaters, and of electrical farm machinery.

What Electricity Can Do

Electricity will be an invaluable service to the farm homes of North Carolina.

Ten cents worth of electric energy at 10 cents per KWH, according to an electrical expert, will do any one of the following:

Pump 1,200 gallons of water.

Wash clothes for family of five for three weeks.

Cook tow meals for a family of five.

Operate the household refrigerator two days.

Operate a 75-watt lamp 44 hours.

Milk a cow for three days.

Cool 40 gallons of milk a day.

Hoist 10 tons of hay.

Grind 400 pounds of feed.

Run a 200-egg incubator three days.

Run a 200-chick brooder two days.

Warm 2 gallons poultry water for 60 hours.

Grade 400 bushels of apples.

Wash 600 bushels of apples.

Grade 1,500 bushels of potatoes.

Photos of Old Railroad Stations in Swain, McDowell and Hoke Counties

 

Jarretts Railroad Station, Swain County, 1896

 

Old Fort Railroad Station, McDowell County, around 1949

 

Train Between Old Fort Station and Ridgecrest, April 17, 1949

 

Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad Station, Hoke County, September 1956

 

 

The News from Horse Shoe, N.C., 1917

“News From Horse Shoe,” from the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper.

Mrs. L.E. Davenport is confined to her room with tonsillitis.

Miss Annie Laurie Johnson is attending the Spartanburg fair at Spartanburg, S.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett Moffitt of Brevard spent the week end with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Moffitt.

Rev. Louis P. Jimison left Thursday for Spartanburg, where he will hold a series of meetings at Duncan Memorial church.

Miss Flora Murray, who is attending school at Brevard Institute, is visiting her aunt, Miss T.P. Jimison.

Mr. Fred Merritt of Pisgah Forest spent the week end visiting friends in Horse Shoe.

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Johnson of Asheville spent Sunday with home folks.

Mrs. Alice Duncan was called to Arden Monday on account of the serious illness of her sister, Mrs. Polly Jones.

The new public school building is nearing completion. It is a modern, three-roo9m building, which would do credit to any community. School is expected to open in a short time. Miss Maude Duncan has been elected principal.

Tom Duncan and wife of Asheville are visiting at this place.

Appeal Goes Out to Fund State's Orphanages, 1917

“A Reasonable Appeal,” from the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper.

The people of North Carolina have never failed to tread the path of duty open to them. To each and every call to service, they have responded with liberality and cheerfulness. Her young men are covering themselves with glory by evidences of devotion to the flag, in word and action, and will give a splendid account of themselves at every turn of the way towards a lasting peace. Her captains of industry and her sons of toil have opened their hearts to the Liberty Loan, the Red Cross, and the cause espoused by the Young Men’s Christian Association. Her noble women have dedicated themselves to the service of their country and are showing to the world a love for human freedom that is beautiful to contemplate. The cries of heartbroken mothers, starving children, outraged daughters, and tortured fathers, in unspeakable need beyond the ocean wave, have fallen upon sympathetic ears throughout our Christian land. With our people, the first consideration is the honor of the flag, the safety of the Nation, and peace to all the world. And it is well for without self-sacrifice true happiness may not be attained in this world.

But while the measure of the Nation’s honor and the Nation’s heart is being taken, in relation to world conditions of today, let us not overlook the urgent needs of fatherless and motherless at our own doors. For after all, charity begins at home. Let us not overlook the hundreds of dependent children whom the orphanages of our State are training for individual efficiency and good citizenship. Every one of these institutions needs better equipment and larger support, and every one of them is besieged with applications for admission which must be denied for lack of means. Their capacity must be increased, or else hundreds of children now wandering the highways and by-ways subject to every evil temptation the world has to offer, will be neglected and probably irretrievably lost. We cannot—we will not—forget, for the Master says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ye have done it unto Me.” We are admonished to conserve the products of the farm, the forest, the factory and the mine. It is not equally—aye, vastly more—important to conserve the future manhood and womanhood of North Carolina. Shall the orphaned children of this glorious old commonwealth be handicapped for life because, in their tender years, they did not have the sheltering care and culture of an orphan home?

The North Carolina Orphan Association again calls upon every man, woman, and child in the State to contribute on, or near, Thanksgiving Day at least one day’s income (more if they will; less if they can do no better) to the orphanage of his or her choice. The need for such a call was never more urgent than now. Expense necessary to the maintenance of every orphan home in the State has increased, while the responsibilities have multiplied. So, let not the day pass without making a thank-offering to your Master, by denying yourself some pleasure, some luxury, even some necessity, to help the helpless become what their God and your God intended they should attain in this life and in the life to come.

This is a reasonable request for any one can share with the orphans the earnings of one day out of 265. It is practicable for the rich and poor alike can participate in it. The business and professional man, the farmer, the landlord, the lender, the wage earner, the salaried worker, the housewife, the news and messenger boys—EVERYBODY, old and young, of all creeds and classes, may united in beautiful co-operation for the support of a needed civic and Christian philanthropy. Let North Carolina make the approaching Thanksgiving a day of historic importance; a day on which the hearts of the people were opened to the little ones whom our splendid orphan homes are endeavoring to save from degeneracy and oblivion.

To this end we call upon the editors of our papers, daily and weekly, secular and religious, to give the widest possible publicity to this movement, which is philanthropic in purpose and State-wide in extent; we call upon all church leaders of all denominations, including pastors, Sunday school superintendents, women workers, and others of influence, to urge the giving of a day’s income to some one of our orphanages; we call upon the officers of the various fraternal orders to bring this appeal to the attention of each man in their membership and enlist his support of this modest offering; we respectfully request all superintendents and teachers of secular schools, colleges, and universities to induce their students and friends to unit with them in giving a day’s work or wages to the needy orphans of North Carolina. We invoke the cooperation of doctors, merchants, public officials, and all others with local following to pass the word along, with the Divine injunction: “Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones shall perish.” Actions speak louder than words.

            M.L. Shipman, James R. Young, John D. Berry, A.S. Barnes, Livingston Johnson, Raleigh, N.C. Publicity Committee

List of Orphanages

Baptist Orphanage, Rev. M.L. Kesler, Supt., Thomasville.

Methodist Orphanage, Rev. A.S. Barnes, Supt., Raleigh.

Presbyterian Orphanage, Rev. W.T. Walker, Supt., Barium Springs.

Methodist Orphanage, W. Thompson, Supt., Winston-Salem.

Methodist Protestant Home, H.A. Garrett, Supt., High Point.

Oxford Orphan Asylum, R.L. Brown, Supt., Oxford.

Christian Orphanage, C.D. Johnston, Supt., Elon College.

Odd Fellows Home, C.O. Baird, Supt., Goldsboro.

Pythian Home, C.W. Pender, Supt., Clayton.

Eleida Orphanage, Rev. L.P. Compton, Supt., Asheville.

Children’s Home Society, L.H. Putnam, Supt., Greensboro.

Nazareth Orphans’ Home, Rev. W.B. Werner, Supt., Crescent.

Nazareth Orphanage, Rev. Geo. A. Woods, Supt., Raleigh.

Mountain Orphanage, A.H. Temple, Supt., Balfour.

Falcon Orphanage, C.B. Strickyand, Supt., Falcon.

News from Town and Country in the Watauga Democrat, Nov. 22, 1917

“Town and Country,” from the Watauga Democrat, November 22, 1917

The ‘possum crop in Watauga has been ripe for some time, and a large number of fine ones having been garnered in this immediate vicinity. One enterprising hunter having eight in a pen more than a week ago and was skill a-ketchin’ nightly when last heard from.

On Friday evening last a very interesting match game of basket ball was played in the Manual Traning building at the A.T.S., the contestants being the Lenoir and Boone teams, the result being 21 to 36 in favor of Boone. An admission fee of 25 cents was charged, the proceeds going to the Athletic Association of the school, which amounted to a very neat sum.

Mrs. R.F. Edmisten, who, some time since, returned from Rose Dale, Ind., was accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Evans, of that town, who is still here and may spend the winter at the Edmisten home, just east of town. The lady was formerly Miss Ray, daughter of Mr. Wm. Ray, a former resident of this section, and her friends are enjoying her visit very much.

Is your son or brother now in the corps getting The Democrat each week? If not, we feel sure that it would be much appreciated if you will send it to them. One dollar pays for it one year, although it may follow a soldier boy to the shell-torn fields or trenches of France. Think of this, and make them feel thankful for the present from a loved one at home.

Hon. Robert L. Doughton, member of congress from this district, spent Friday night and a part of the day Saturday in the village, coming to visit his two sons and a daughter, who are in school here, but availed himself of the opportunity of shaking hands with many of his friends here. He tells The Democrat that he will move his family to Washington early in December.

Mr. A.Z. Davis, formerly of Watauga, but residing for the past three years at Post Falls, Idaho, has returned to his native hearth and proposes to make his home here again. He was a business caller at this office the latter part of last week, and told The Democrat that, since his return to Cove Creek more than two weeks ago, one of his sons has been right sick, but at that time he was thought to be improving. Glad to know that Mr. Davis and family are back in Watauga, they having had their fill of the West.

Miss Mary Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.G. Gragg of Boone, left last Friday for Cary, Wake county, where she will engage in teaching during the winter, her school opening last Monday. The young lady is well qualified, for a long while a student of the A.T.S., and we predict for her great success in her chosen vocation.

Mr. Luther Bingham of Battery E, Field Artillery, stationed at Greenville, S.C., passed thru the village last Saturday en route to his home at Amantha, where he will enjoy a few day’s furlough. Always glad to see the soldier boys, but the return of Luther brought to mind a fact that we had over looked. There is a number of Bingham boys from the Cove Creek section now in military service, and, without exception, they are there of their own free will, having volunteered to a man. Some fighting blood in that family, sure.

Housewives Promise They Won't Waste Food During WW 1, 1917

“Food Pledge Campaign,” from the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper.

Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 29—Food Pledge Campaign week in North Carolina was ushered in under most favorable circumstances Saturday, the first day being observed as Food Information and Registration Day. Reports from many counties of the State show that enthusiastic meetings were held at the school houses and that thousands of housewives took the first opportunity offered to pledge their co-operation for service at home to win the war.

The State has been thoroughly organized for this campaign and those who are acquainted with the extent of Food Administrator Henry A. Page’s organization and preparations declare that not only will the results of the campaign be far-reaching insofar as the saving and substitution of foodstuffs are concerned, but that a more intimate sympathy upon the part of the people generally will be established, each individual being shown by facts and figures that the services that may be rendered by them at home are just as important as the service that will be rendered by the soldiers in the front ranks.

“The service asked of the people at home is so simple and so easy,” stated Mr. Page to your correspondent, “that our people have been slow to realize just how vital and necessary it is. The co-operation we ask of the housewife and the consumer of food will help to win the war—and to win it quicker and with a smaller loss of life. Surely our government, our soldiers and the mothers of these soldiers, have a right to demand and expect the fullest and most cheerful co-operation, especially when one remembers that the course we ask all housewives to pursue is the wise course from the standpoint of economy and health.”

The pledge card which each housewife is asked to sign this week is simple, imposing no onerous or impossible obligation upon the signer. It reads as follows:

“To the Food Adminstrator:

“I am glad to join you in the service of food conservation for our nation and I hereby accept membership in the United States Food Administration, pledging myself to carry out the directions and advice of the Food Administration in my home, in so far as my circumstances permit.”

There are no fees or dues to be paid. The Food Administration wishes to have all those actually handling food in the home.

The home instruction card, which contains in a nut-shell the suggestions and advice of the Food Administration with a clear and succinct explanation of the “wheretofore” will be presented to every housewife, even to those who did not sign the pledge cards. Those who do sign the pledge cards will be entitled to receive also a membership card in the Food Administration.

Patriotism and Charity, 1917

“Patriotism and Charity,” from the Nov. 8, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper.

There has never been a moment since the subscription to the first issue of Liberty Bonds bearing 3 ½ percent interest was doubled when any doubt existed in the minds of the people that the second issue, bearing 4%, would not be readily taken. The American people are business people and a third, or even a fourth issue of Liberty Bonds, if they shall yield a fairly liberal rate of interest, would be readily taken because, if for no other reason, they would offer a safe investment and it is “safety first” with the American dollar as a rule.

The bond issues thus far have been business propositions—money-making and money-saving propositions. All, or nearly all of this money is to be spent in the United States and big business, little business, the rich man, the poor man—EVERYONE—will get back many times the amount he has put in, through the ordinary channels of trade, in larger profits and higher wages than he ever dreamed of before. In the first place he will double his original investment in 17 years at 4%. In the second place, he can re-invest his money in subsequent issues at the same, or better, rate. In the third place, he will have all of America as his surety. Such an investment savors, therefore, more of good business than of patriotism, for patriotism is zealous and UNSELFISH devotion to one’s country.

The only classes not profiting thus far, financially, on account of this war are: First, the soldiers and sailors who have UNSELFISHLY subscribed and dedicated their lives to the cause; second, those belonging to the clerical forces who must remain at their desks with no salary raise to meet the 85 to 90% increase in the cost of living, yet who UNSELFISHLY stint themselves to buy a $50 Liberty Bond. These men are the patriots of the day.

Recently articles have appeared in the newspapers calling attention to the urgent needs of various orphanages of the State and appealing to the citizens of the commonwealth to set aside only one day’s earnings to this righteous cause, as a Thanksgiving offering, to be used in caring for the fatherless and motherless waifs at our own doors. We are looking forward, with interest, to learn how much will be invested in this greatest of charities—our orphan homes—which is an investment that promises no monetary reward.

We feel that every one who subscribed to the Liberty Loan from a zealous and an UNSELFISH desire to serve his country in the crisis will cheerfully answer the call to aid in this noble work at home, thus placing himself on record for performing an unselfish, charitable, Christian act, worthy of a zealous patriot, who stands for the conservation of the manhood and womanhood of North Carolina.

Citizens and patriots, take the case.

Current Comment

Let no article of food reach the scrap barrel. Conservation is the order of the day. Do your bit.

With an expenditure of two billions a month to prosecute the war, Uncle Sam will be asking for another Liberty Loan before spring. But he can get all the money needed for the asking as long as there is a dollar left in the country.

The food administration proposes to cut off supplies to all dealers who are not satisfied with reasonable margins. A step in the right direction and taken none too soon. The consumer has been the “goat” long enough.

Our people measured fully up to expectations in the second Liberty Loan campaign. When duty calls they never fail to answer.

Poor old Russia is practically “down and out.” She started out well, but traitors early in the conflict delivered her into the hands of the enemy and now the entire Russian population is sorely pressed by the Austro-German invasion. The allies will have to fight this war hereafter without the aid of Russia. Internal dissensions have been her undoing. Too many “La Follettes” over there.

The congress of the United States committed an unpardonable blunder in delaying action up on the President’s preparedness measure so long. The idea of talking all summer to enact needed legislation for the prosecution of the war is ridiculous and every obstructionist ought to be retired at the conclusion of his present term. However, this doesn’t include Zeb Weaver, the progressive and patriotic member from the 10^th North Carolina district. He is not guilty.

Country Boys Do Worse Than City Boys In Physicial Fitness for Armed Service, 1917

“Country Boys Show Up Worse Than City Boys,” from the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper. Price Five Cents.

Selective Draft Examinations Find More Country Boys With Defects—Medical School Inspection Made Difference

Country boys according to recent draft data, showed up worse in their physical examinations for army service than did city boys. A greater per cent of young men from country were found unfit for military service because of physical defects than was the case with young men raised in cities. Dr. J.A. Nydegger of the United States Public Health Service, who is an authority for the comparison, accounts for this difference through the lack of medical inspection in the country schools. He says:

“While in this country most of the city schools have adopted medical inspection, most of the rural institutions have none. In this lies the fact that insanitary defects which are today barring men from the United States forces. Defective eyes, teeth, ears and throats among the youth of rural communities have been found to be due largely to conditions in the rural schools. Improper desks and seats also have caused much spinal curvature, leading to other faulty conditions. These conditions ought to be corrected at once, and school children all over the country should be examined because defects arising at their period of life as a rule cannot be overcome later.”

The State Board of Health says that this is just another surprise that the physical examinations incident to the selective draft have made known. “Everybody expected a reasonable number of rejections on account of physical unfitness among our young men,” says the board, but as they were the pick of our flock and the best of our manhood, we were more than surprised when it was learned that something like a third failed to qualify.

“This convinced us that something had to be done particularly for our young men who are now in the making. Many suggestions have been offered but medical school inspection out-weighs them all. That the country boys at least will be expected to city boy is a more evident reason that a state wide Medical School Inspection law is what is needed.

“North Carolina is probably the only State that has this law. Beginning November 1, this law goes into effect in 35 counties, and should another draft be necessary in the next several years, North Carolina’s country boys will at least be expected to show up their city cousins.”

NC State Board of Health Calls Neglecting Health of Poor Un-American and Un-Christian, 1919

“Not Able to Pay!” from the November, 1919, issue of The Health Bulletin, published by the North Carolina State Board of Health

Classification of School Children Into Well-to-do and Indigent is Un-American, Un-Democratic, Un-Christian

No zydogactile bird of the order Psittacci ever told himself  “Pretty Polly!” with more satisfaction than otherwise responsible people derive from mouthing “Not able to pay.” It is unction to their souls. It is balm for many a troubled conscience.

“O, yes, this hospital offers free treatment to those who are not able to pay,” says the President of the Board of Visitors, adding, of course, “except a small fee to take care of incidentals.”

“Special provision for those who are not able to pay”; the “worthy poor”; “children of the poor”; “for charity” are a few of the canting generalities which cover a multitude of the sins of omission.

The North Carolina State Board of Health is neither Bolshevik nor Prussian; nor is its mission the setting of a wrong world right. But some of us who have played the game of life in the rough—who have practiced medicine and occasionally ourselves bound up a wound, as well as sat on “the rail” and watched the big men operate—have so often been balked in a sincere attempt to render honest service by the trite, satisfied reply, “Oh, yes, if he is not able to pay,” that we have become convinced that the expression itself is a howling hypocrite.

Suffering humanity means just exactly nothing to us, but suffering individuals whom it is partly our duty to assist mean everything. This peculiarly applies to the correction of common physical defects of thousands of school children in North Carolina.

Chicago Speculators Ask Government to Bail Them Out, 1917

“Egg Speculators,” from the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. Reprinted from the Nashville Banner.

The Chicago egg speculators are said to be discomfited because of their underestimate of the egg supply. To guard against loss they are appealing to the government to make eggs an army ration.

Eggs are a wholesome food, and the soldiers are entitled to be well fed. Looking to the good of the army, the proposition is entitled to consideration, but in so far as the egg speculators are concerned, they deserve no sympathy, and it is in an exhibition of rare nerve that they should appeal to the government to help them out of trouble.

The Chicago cold storage houses, it is reported, are caught with a great surplus of eggs. Last summer they gambled on a shortage in eggs and expected a great rise in prices, coincident with the generally ascendant scale, but the industries then, under the stimulating care of the frugal farmer, has frustrated their schemes, and now it is alleged that they are losing $400 a carload under present and prospective prices. This situation, it is alleged, has caused an appeal to the government to take over their surplus stock for army rations and to fix a price that will insure them a profit. The public will be pleased with the fixing of the price of any food to the consumer but to fix a price that would raise the cost to the consumer and help the speculators would likely cause a storm of protest.

The present price of eggs may be too low to afford the expected profit to the cold storage speculators, but not for the public necessities. The retail prices in Nashville have been for some time considerably above the price that prevailed at this season in the days before the war.

If there is a great surplus of eggs in the cold storage houses, as reported, they should be forced on the market.

The Race for the Presidency in 1904

 

 

Tragedy in Winston-Salem, The Election, and Other News in the Cherokee Scout, 1904

News from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1904

The city of Winston-Salem was visited Wednesday by a terrible accident. The north wall of the reservoir burst with a roar and millions of gallons of water swooped down upon 50 houses adjacent, drowning 13 people and injuring scores of others.

Today the election is being held, so hurrah, for—we, us and company!

Whiskey will flow freely today, and many men will be killed and scores wounded.

What is to become of the mighty host of political speakers? After today they will be out of a job.

With nine presidential tickets in the field today, every voter ought to be satisfied. Take your choice.

The Baltic sea fleet is rushing to certain destruction, and Russia is as well aware of this fact as any one else. [Japan and Russia were at war.]

Many a man will cast his first ballot today, and many a man his last one. Such is the uncertainty of life.

Atlanta is experiencing an epidemic of assaults and burglaries, and the police always arrive just after it happened.

We are for anything that will build up Murphy and keep up the growth that she is now experiencing.

The total valuation of real estate in North Carolina as returned for taxes is $220,303,339, an increase of $32,000,000.

Agitate the electric light and waterworks question, now that the election is about over. Nothing was ever accomplished without agitation.

Several of the airships at the St. Louis fair have made short but successful trips. In a short while airships will take the place of automobiles as a mode of travel.

The North sea incident between Russia and England is at last to be settled by a court of inquiry, and it is probably that Admiral Geo. Dewey will be made a member of the court.

It is fortunate the mean things said by opposing political speakers will soon be forgotten. But we can truthfully say that the campaign just closed was cleaner than many of its predecessors.

The history of the assaults on Port Arthur since the first of last August tells of desperate fighting by desperate men. It is now only a question of a short while until it must surrender.

President Roosevelt has issued his proclamation calling upon the people to observe November 24^th as a day of Thanksgiving. Crops have been bountiful and the times are prosperous. Altogether each individual has much to be thankful for and the Giver of good gifts should not be forgotten.

Farm News from Lenoir, Columbus and Rowan Counties, 1944

From the November 1944 issue in The Southern Planter

Down in Lenoir County, John E. Smith has a permanent pasture consisting 40 acres seeded to Dallas grass, Kentucky bluegrass, white Dutch clover and lespedeza. All summer, this 40 acres has provided adequate grazing for 65 head of Angus beef cattle and the other day, Mr. Smith cut an average of a ton of good hay per acre from the pasture. The beef cattle could not keep it grazed down. Edmund Aycock, farm agent, says the pasture is one of the best that he has seen in the State and shows what may be expected when a pasture soil is well prepared for seeding, if fertilized, and heavily seeded. The pasture has been clipped regularly all summer and few weeds can be seen in it. “It definitely answers the question as to whether an Eastern Carolina crop farmer can have a good pasture,” Aycock said.

Forestry Management

“The other day a colored farmer came into my office and asked that our extension forester come out to his place and estimate the timber trees available on an 85-acre tract on his farm,” observed Charles D. Raper, farm agent in Columbus County.

The farmer wanted the forester to help him sell his timber to best advantage because, as he reasoned, there is a demand for all of the lumber that can be cut at this time, and he said, “I owe a little on my farm and I figure this is one of the best ways I can get out of debt.”

The owner only wanted to sell enough of the trees to pay off his debt so that he could meet the after-war situation without owing anyone.

Cows Gather Hay

Winter grazing and winter hay production are reducing the cost of producing milk in Rowan County because they help to increase the milk flow and because the cows can harvest the crops more economically than does the scarce and high-priced labor. For that reason, the acreage to small grains and clovers has been greatly increased throughout the county this fall.

The experience of C.A. Brown of Cleveland is a good example. Mr. Brown seeded 7 ½ acres of good land to a mixture of barley, vetch and rye grass in august of last year and because he seeded early, he was able to get considerable grazing that fall as well as the following spring. He removed the cows from the field early enough to harvest a crop of barley for grain and produced 36 bushels an acre. The field had previously supplied over 1,900 cow-days of grazing.

What’s More Important Than Free Dental Care for Children? The Circus and Farm Work, 1919

"Circus Day in Alamance, Fodder Pulling in Wilkes, and Tobacco Curing in Pitt,”  from the November, 1919, issue of The Health Bulletin, published by the North Carolina State Board of Health

Dentist reporting for one week from Alamance said, “Finished Hawfield school and moved to Pinetop Friday morning where I was scheduled to be Friday and Saturday. Found school closed and teachers and children gone to Burlington to see circus.”

Certainly more cheerful than a report from there one year ago would have been. Then the schools were closed on account of influenza. But it is not encouraging from a “better teeth” standpoint. However, what excuse could the “Old Boys” at Pinetop have found for going to the circus if the children had remained in school?

From Wilkes the nurse reported on one occasion, “I do not know how many of the schools are stopping a month for ‘fodder pulling’ but I believe a majority of country schools.” Later experience proved her prediction abundantly correct. But we respectfully pass that report on to Dr. Clarence Poe and his corps of Progressive Farmer workers, with the suggestion that they keep up the fight against the foolish practice of fodder pulling by anybody, let alone by the children who ought to be in school. Lay it on, Poe! The darkest hour of course is said to be before the dawn breaks.

From Pitt the dentist reported in July that “Tobacco curing is the order of the day in …. Neighborhood. Worked there two days: first day very little response although one family of seven children, four between 6 and 13, and therefore entitled to treatment, lived just across road from schoolhouse. Father said all were busy in tobacco and unless I moved my outfit across the road and worked at noon none of them could come. All had teeth in deplorable condition. None in this community seem to appreciate the need for such work for the care of their children. What a contrast to the experience in Grifton. There they have a splendid school building, everybody was interested, and Prof. W.G. Coltrane was there to give me plenty of assistance. It does not seem possible that the two places could lie in the same county.”

There you have an unconscious diagnosis and prescription all in one short letter. If every school district in North Carolina had a W.G. Coltrane or a G.R. Wheeler in it as head of the schools, in 10 years the course of North Carolina history would begin to be written in a different vein for the next thousand years.

There is no better place than just here to state again that a majority of men who are really able to take their children to dentists regularly for dental treatment never do it, and it requires the hardiest sort of urging to get these same people to take their children to the free clinics and get the advantage of absolutely free treatment.

Men who would walk a mile to pick up a nickel in the road will suffer a free clinic to be held within a hundred yards of their door, and unless some public worker urges them to take advantage of $30 worth of free work for their children’s teeth (and it will be worth that many thousands to the children later in life), they passively fail to take advantage of the opportunity. This we find to be the prime need for educational work. Our idea is to get the little fellows of six years old into the dental chair, and therefore make a dental patient for some dentist at regular intervals for life.

Everyday Folk Support Their Country and Their Soldiers, Buying $5 Billion in Second Liberty Drive, 1917

“Liberty Loan Subscriptions Carried Far Beyond Goal,” from the front page of the Nov. 1, 1917, issue of The French Broad Hustler. The Hustler, Henderson County’s Leading Newspaper. Price Five Cents. Five billion dollars is a huge amount of money today; imagine what it was like to raise that much back in 1917.

Banks Veritably Swamped by Buyers up to Late Closing Hour Saturday Night—Ten Million Subscribers

Washington, October 27—The Liberty loan apparently has passed the $5,000,000,000 mark.

A last day drive of titanic proportions throughout the nation rounded up more than $1,000,000,000, and was believed to have earned the total several hundred million dollars beyond the maximum sum treasury officials had hoped for.

Federal reserve banks were struggling tonight under an avalanche of last minute subscriptions to form some idea of the grand total. Indications are that they will not complete their tabulations for several days.

At least 8,000,000 persons throughout the country wrote their names on application blanks. How many more final count, several days hence. The number may be as high as 10,000,000.

Each of the 12 districts appeared to have passed its minimum, and indications were that most of them had exceeded the maximum as well.

The treasury’s tabulation of returns, based upon the estimates received from the reserve banks, showed a total of $4,555,000,000. This was admitted to be an under-statement of the result. At the hour the tabulation was made, subscribers were standing in line in thousands of cities and towns throughout the country and most of the 26,000 banks were swamped with unreported subscriptions.

The treasury’s compilation by districts follows:

Boston, $500,000,000; New York, $1,500,000,000; Philadelphia, $425,000,000; Richmond, $180,000,000; Atlanta, $100,000,000; Chicago, $550,000,000; St. Louis, $200,000,000; Minneapolis, $130,000,000; Kansas City, $160,000,000; Dallas, $85,000,000; and San Francisco, $26\75,000,000.

“Subscriptions to the second Liberty loan probably have passed $5,000,000,000,” said a treasury statement.

“From every district came the report that it was almost impossible to estimate totals, as the subscriptions were pouring in so rapidly that it was with the greatest difficulty they were even being recorded.

“New sales were being reported by telephone, telegraph and messenger, it was declared, from coast to coast. None was so bold as to say it would be possible to give an accurate accounting of all sales before next Wednesday.”

Wednesday is the day on which bank subscriptions must have reached the district federal reserve banks.

“With its maximum safety passed at sundown,” the statement continued, “the New York district went forging ahead by artificial light, bent on running up a total of hundreds of millions more. An enormous volume of business was being conducted tonight.”

Subsequent to the issue of this statement, officials were informed by telephone that New York’s total would run up to $1,650,000,000. This would swell the department’s figures to $4,705,000,000.

“Cleveland furnished one of the eleventh hour surprises,” the statement added. “This district’s total bids fair to go high over the maximum of $500,000,000.

“Chicago, somewhat disappointed at its slow start toward its maximum of $700,000,000, buckled down hard today to come as near that mark as possible. Workers had not entirely lost hope tonight of taking rank with other leaders, but the task looked difficult.

“Atlanta wired they were swamped with long distance telephone orders and with telegraphic orders and that all the banks were staying open until 9 o’clock. Optimistic observers thought that the district might reach its maximum quota of $135,000,000.

“Indications tonight were that soldiers has subscribed $75,000,000 and sailors $6,000,000.”

American Soldiers in Occupied Japan, 1945

My father was one of the occupying forces in Japan. He was still in school when the war began, so he entered it late. He was with the forces who landed in The Philippines, helping to keep Gen. McArthur's famous promise, "I shall return." And then, when the war ended and men were shipped home, he was sent to Japan as part of the occupying forces. To his surprise, he loved the Japanese people and he always wanted to see Japan again.

 

The first issue of Newsweek magazine was issued Feb. 17, 1933. In 2003, Newsweek hit its high mark, publishing more than 4 million copies. After years of hard times, Newsweek merged with the online publication The Daily Beast. Dec. 31, 2010 was the date of the final print issue in the United States.