Outstanding Club Member Puts Lessons to Work in Iredell County, 1951

“An Outstanding Club Member and Her Activities” by Mrs. Clarence M. Shaver, member of Olin Club, from the Feb. 5, 1951 issue of the Statesville Landmark

Olin Club was among the first to be organized in the county. Mrs. C.A. Vanstory recalls being presented at the first meeting. Her interest in club work has been keen from the start. The demonstrations have given her many ideas and suggestions that she has put into practice in her home and surroundings.

One of her early club interests was in the year round garden. She was so successful in her first attempts that she finds herself still enjoying vegetables from her garden all seasons of the year. Her pet specialty is growing large crisp headed lettuce. Cabbage, onions, turnips, parsnips, carrots, and collards are other vegetables included in her winter garden. Strawberries although not winter maturing, are grown expertly by Mrs. Vanstory.

Through personal assistance and guidance from the home agent, she has refinished and restored to their natural beauty a number of valuable old pieces of furniture. Not only has this proved a saving but a pleasure to her family; especially since they have been handed down from generation to generation.

The project leader report son various topics are also of interest to Mrs. Vanstory. Each spring she grows baby chicks from which she keeps selected layers the following year. Dairy cows are kept on the farm and milk is sold. Mrs. Vanstory makes her own clothes and thinks everyone should know how. In spite of all the necessary work to be done, she finds time to grow a variety of flowers.

At present time, the Vanstory home is being remodeled. The old kitchen, dining room, and porch have been torn away and a new kitchen, dining room, bedroom, hall, bath fully equipped, and enclosed porch have been built essentially new. A basement has also been added under part of this new construction. The kitchen has modern cabinet, sink, electric stove, refrigerator and plenty of cabinet space. Last summer a deep freeze was added which will take care of all garden surplus and meats. Thus helping her to feed her family easier and better.

The front part of the house is yet to be remodeled. Probably a removal of the stairway and a larger living room is planned. She is keeping in mind the various color schemes Mrs. Westmoreland showed us last summer in the demonstration “Color In The Home.” She feels it will be of great help to her when she is ready to paint and fix up the inside.

Aside from the practical interest of club work in the home, Mrs. Vanstory has helped the club move forward as an organization. She was the club’s first president and has served from time to time since. Demonstrations have been given by her in absence of the home agent. Any assignment given her has always been done well and with enthusiasm. She looks forward to the special annual meetings of the club—Federation Day and Achievement Day. She has also attended Farm and Home Week in Raleigh.

Mrs Vanstory feels that being a club member has enriched her life socially and economically. She is sure it has helped her to be a more efficient wife and mother and by working with others has helped her to be a better citizen. She thinks there is plenty of inspiration and valuable information awaiting both new and old homemakers at the monthly club meetings.

Fewer North Carolinians Dying of Typhoid Fever Thanks to Vaccinations, 1922

From the Feb. 23, 1922, issue of the Rockingham Post-Dispatch

Ten years ago typhoid fever was claiming in excess of 1,000 deaths each year in North Carolina. Last year the deaths only totaled 280. This reduction is due to the great work in the State Health Department in providing free vaccination. Through this agency, 130,000 persons were immunized last year. The campaign in Richmond county immunized 2,657.

Two North Carolina Soldiers Missing In Action in Korean War, 1951

SGT. J.W. BRANTON OF STATESVILLE

“Sgt. Branton Is A Prisoner of War In Korea,” from the Feb. 5, 1951 issue of the Statesville Landmark

Mrs. W.A. Branton who lives at 694 Drake Street, had a message Saturday afternoon from the War Department stating that her son, Sergeant J.W. Branton is a prisoner of war in Korea.

A news item appearing in a State paper under date line of California listed Sgt. Branton as a prisoner of war. The item, in a category of Red propaganda, was to the effect that American Prisoners of War had written home urging that pressure be put upon congressmen to get the American soldiers out of Korea. Sgt. Branton was listed as having written to that effect to his mother, Mrs. W.A. Branton of Drake Street. All names and addresses were correct in the item, regarding Branton, but Mrs. Branton said she has received no such letter.

Sgt. Branton was reported missing in action in Korea since December 1, the message reaching his mother on January 8. He is a member of the 2^nd Division and has been in Korea since July 1950.

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SGT. CASEY JONES OF TAYLORSVILLE

“A Taylorsville Soldier Missing,” from the Feb. 5, 1951 issue of the Statesville Landmark

The Department of the Army today announced that a Taylorsville soldier is listed as missing in action in the Korean Theater of Operations. He is Sgt. Casey Jones Robinette, husband of Mrs. Mildred L. Robinette.

Should Prospective Soldiers Be Rejected Because They Can't Read? 1951

“Claims Army So-Called Mental Test Is Not A Mental Test At All,” from the Feb. 1, 1951 issue of the Statesville Landmark

Greenville, N.C., Feb. 5—“Why should a man who is making a living in a skilled trade be refused by the army because he can’t pass a true-false or a multiple-choice examination?”

This is the question being asked by a board of inquiry into the reasons for the unusually high number of draft rejections in Pitt county. The results of a study made by the board and released yesterday, claim the army’s so-called mental test is not a mental test at all—but an achievement based on a person’s ability to read.

Found among the rejects in Pitt were mechanics, shoe repairmen, bakers, cooks, and pressers. And Colonel T.H. Upton—State Selective Service Director—says he wants the board to send a report to Washington authorities. The Colonel asserts that “something certainly might come out of it.”

Elias and Roxanna Huss Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary, 1938

From the February, 1938, issue of the Carolina Co-operator

Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Elias Calvin Huss, each 90 years old, celebrated the 70^th anniversary of their wedding on January 2 at their farm home, two miles from Lincolnton.

Mr. Huss is a native of Lincolnton, a son of the late David Huss, a well-known surveyor of his day. He assisted his father in making a survey of Lincoln County in 1866, at which time township0 boundary lines were established. He served the South during the Civil War in Company I, 71^st North Carolina regiment, and took part in numerous battles in this state and Virginia.

Mr. Huss was married in 1868 to Miss Roxanna Elizabeth Connor of Cleveland County. The wedding took place in Prospect Baptist Church, the rites being performed by Rev. Thomas Dixon, father of the famous playwright and novelist. Mr. Huss was seventh in a large family of 12 children, the names of some of whom have since become well-known in the professional world.

Mr. and Mrs. Huss have resided at their present country home on a farm near Lincolnton and are confidently looking forward to their Diamond Wedding Anniversary some five years hence.

Mr. and Mrs. Huss have spent their long lives on the farm, and it is to the constant active, though conservative, routine, and regular habits of farm life that their physical and mental activity at their mature age is attributed.

T.C. Watson Injured in Fight, 1919

“Cutting Affair at West Riverside” from the Feb. 6, 1919, issue of The Watauga Democrat

On Saturday evening last at West Riverside, N.C., an altercation occurred between Mr. T.C. Watson and a near relative, Mr. Com Watson, over a small bunch of cross ties, resulting in the former being most seriously wounded by a knife in the hands of his kinsman. The wounded man was hurried to his home at Virgil, and Dr. Bingham was summoned at once. He found the patient in a rather serious condition, with a knife cut 5 ½ inches long in the abdomen and a severe stab in the shoulder. The doctor says his condition is improving and without complications thinks he will soon recover.

Ellerbe Team Triumps Over Fayetteville, 1922

“David Whips Goliath,” from the Feb. 23, 1922, issue of the Rockingham Post-Dispatch

Although the team had only two evenings of floor practice and greatly handicapped for the lack of room, they were in fine shape Friday night. The team road over 70 miles on a very cold day, and were tired and worn out when they arrived in Fayetteville, but a fine lunch and an afternoon of rest put the boys in fine shape for the approaching struggle.

“Red” Price, Star of Team, Has Narrow Escape of Life

As the team was motoring over to Fayetteville, Mr. Price stopped at a farmer’s house to get some hot water to melt the ice in his radiator. He saw where the old farmer had a barrel of hot water and decided to “roll” the water without interfering with the farmer. Just as “Red” put his head in the barrel, the farmer came around the house and mistaking him for a Duroc-Jersey, was just in the act of ducking him into the boiling water when his comrades came to his rescue.

Struggle Begins

The game started with a rush from both teams. The first goal was shot by Fayetteville after one minute of play. Ellerby then began to show the real “pep,” caging their first field goal by an accurate shot of “Red” Price a few seconds later from midfloor. Fayetteville again took the lead but was only capable of holding it for a few seconds. A field goal by Auman then put Ellerbe in the lead. The score at the end of the first half standing 13 to 7 in Ellerbe’s favor. The last half both teams entered the game with blood in their eyes, determined to win. At one time the score stood 16-14 in Ellerbe’s favor but this was as near as Fayetteville ever came to winning. The final score was 22-14 in Ellerbe’s favor.

Immediately after the game the coach of the defeated team talked to Mr. Sides and told him that he had underrated Ellerbe. He told our coach that he thought they would walk over Ellerbe and said that Ellerbe had a mighty good chance to win the State honors.

Why Should North Carolina Eat Eggs Imported from China When We Could Raise Them Here, Asks W.H. Barton, County Agent, 1922

“Farm Demonstration Department” by W.H. Barton, from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, January 26, 1922

Poultry on the Farm

It has been estimated that millions are spent annually In the United States for eggs alone. Much of this amount goes to china for imported eggs for consumption in this country.

The South produces less poultry and poultry products than any similar area in the Union. The egg is, next to milk, the greatest human food in the world judged from a nutritive point of view, and the price of eggs has more nearly been maintained at war prices than any food product of its importance in the Union. Notwithstanding this, we annually permit our families to want for this excellent food product and allow the consuming public to do likewise or go to China and other foreign countries for an inferior product, while we complain of a shortage of money in the community, which we have largely been responsible for.

We often walk 15 to 20 miles to kill a few birds, when if we had spent the same time in our back yard poultry interests, we should be better physically “fit” and fed.

Milk-fed poultry and the best article on the market bring a premium on any well-informed market. They are more nutritious, since the value of the food value of the flesh which is formed by it, according to Dr. McCollum, the greatest food specialist of our time. A well-managed farm always has the milk and is in position to not only live on “the fat of the land” but to supply it at a good profit to the consuming world.

Purebreds the Best

The best purebred well cared for hens of the country today are producing 250 to 300 eggs annually, against the average scrub hen which produces less than 50.

Even at the rate of half this production, 100 hens would lay 1,500 in one year, which at an average of even 30 cents per dozen would yield an income of $375 annually. Enough to buy all the necessities of the pantry other than what should be produced on the farm otherwise. Yes, we men “turn up our noses” at the poultry proposition now, but wait until Sir Weevil gets through with us and we shall be sneaking around to the hen roost to apologize to the old hen, and to accede to the wishes of the “better half” who has always argued that poultry pays.

Do you know that 100 good hens will produce more food in ayear than the flesh of a 1,000-pound steer? AND the steer is dead and it will require 2 years to produce another, while the hens are an asset on hand ready to repeat their performance from year to year, until age or death interferes.

If California can ship eggs to New York at a profit, we can do it too. However, it will be a long time before we produce all the eggs that the South needs.

Sir Weevil demands on each average farm a sow, a cow, 100 hens and perennial garden. Ignore this demand and suffer the consequences.

Attending Annual Meeting

The county agent has been called to headquarters for the Extension Workers’ Annual Conference Jan. 23 to Jan. 28, inclusive.
                --W.H. Barton

United States Leaving Behind Agricultural Roots, 1944

“Agriculture’s Decline Creates Big Problem” by G.W. Forster, North Carolina State College, Raleigh, as published in the February 1944 issue of The Southern Planter Magazine

One of the most dramatic events which has taken place in American life is the rapid decline of agriculture. This Nation began its existence as an agrarian society in which farm or rural people dominated its life and determined its national policies. It is true that small tradesmen, large merchants, and professional groups exerted considerable influence on national affairs, but, by and large, the country was farm minded.

This condition lasted for more than 100 years after the United States became a “free and independent Nation.” During these 100 years the Nation was engaged in the creation, through purchase, exploration and conquest, of a vast and magnificent public domain, the like of which has never before existed. This public domain had mostly disappeared by 1890. It had been transferred to private individuals and there was established a nation of small land-owning farmers. From about the turn of the Twentieth Century the relative importance of agriculture began to decline rapidly and urban forces began to gain the ascendancy.

The Battle for Population

The ascendance of urban forces is nowhere more clearly shown than in the shifts of population. “Up to 1820,” says one authority, “more than 90 percent of the working population was engaged in agriculture.” This percentage has declined steadily. In 1900, about 42 percent of the gainfully employed were engaged in farm production. Forty years later, only 21 percent of our gainfully employed persons were working in agriculture. Thus in a period of 120 years (1820 to 1940) that part of our gainfully employed people used in agriculture declined 77 percent. Since 1940 a further decline has occurred. Today (1944) probably no more than 18 percent of our gainfully employed are engaged in agricultural pursuits.

From the beginning of the Colonial period to about the beginning of the Twentieth Century the output of our farms exceeded that of urban industries. From this period on agricultural output, although increasing, declined relative to the output of urban industries. For example, from 1899 to 1919, the production of urban industries increased 95.3 percent, whereas the output of our farms increased only 37 percent. From 1919 to 1943 the disparity between industrial and agricultural output has become even more pronounced.

James M. Whitaker Died Suddenly, Feb. 7, 1904

From the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

Death of J.M. Whitaker

The sudden death of Mr. James M. Whitaker at his home near Andrews on February 7^th was a great shock to his many friends. He was apparently in good health—was well and stout, although he was in his 78^th year. He ate a hearty supper on Saturday evening, talked and laughed freely with his family that night before retiring. As was his custom, he was first up on Sunday morning and made a fire. He then lit his pipe to take his usual morning smoke. While smoking he fell from his chair. His wife, who lay in bed in the room, gave a scream, which brought his son to his side, and who found that his father was dead.

Mr. Whitaker was born in Macon county on March 1, 1826; was married to Miss Elisabeth Kimsey on May 15, 1853. In September, 1863, he enlisted in the confederate army and was a faithful soldier. In the year 1963 in a battle near Greenville, Tenn., he was shot, the bullet remaining in his person five years and four months, when it was extracted by his father and a brother at his home.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker—seven girls and one boy, all of whom survive him.

April 10, 1903, at their home one mile west of Andrews, they celebrated their golden wedding. All the children were present except the son, John, who was in the west. There were 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and other relatives present.

The deceased was out of a family of 16 children, 10 boys and six girls, all of whom grew to man and womanhood. Two boys and five girls are alive now.

His only son, John, who has been west most of the time since 1880, came home on the 14^th of last December to make a short visit home, but since his father’s death will remain to look after his affairs.

Mr. Whitaker was a man held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. In addition to his immediate family he is survived by 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery Monday, the 8^th. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

'The Kind of Farm Woman I Intend to Be' 1938

“The Kind of Farm Woman I Intend to Be” by Ruth Current, State Home Demonstration Agent, in the February, 1938, issue of Carolina Co-operator

If wishes were horses each of you would have a visit from me soon. I would come to your home, school, and club, and just guess what I would talk with you about? Entering the 1938 Essay Contest sponsored by the State Cotton Association, the FCX, and the Carolina Co-operator. Mr. Mann and his staff have selected the best subjects in which every rural boy and girl should be vitally interested. Certainly those of us who are privileged to work with you are interested in the subjects and would like to know what your ambitions, your wants and desires are in order that we may plan in a better way programs and materials that will meet your needs.

When I was in school I learned that there were certain words in the English language that were possible of comparison as “good, better, best” and “poor, poorer, poorest.” I have compared either consciously or unconsciously almost everything that has come within my range of observation since that time.

I know that you are planning to be the very best farmer and farm woman in your community. You would not be satisfied with being other than the best. In order to be the best you must start making plans now, definite plans.

But having a plan is not enough. That plan must be put into action. It must be studied and worked on, constantly taken out, re-examined, and re-composed as we grow. There are certain personal characteristics that must be thought about continually. There must be faith, courage in abundance, and self-confidence to carry forward life goals. And as you make plans for the kind of farmer and farm woman you wish to be, you should chart your course with faith, hope, and persistency.

If you will study the lives of our great leaders, you will see that they have followed a plan, a plan with a purpose, and in so doing have met with success. The future of rural North Carolina will soon fall into your hands and I am sure that you will be prepared for the responsibility you will have.

But I have said so little to you girls about your subject. In order to be the right kind of executive, and that is just what you will be, it will take first of all an appreciation and love for farm life; an understanding of the problems of homemaking and housekeeping, for work without understanding and imagination leads to drudgery and dissatisfaction.

Your home should reflect the best practices in foods and nutrition, clothing, house furnishings, home management, home beautification, and a real friendly spirit toward your neighbors and the community in which you live.

Z.T. Watson of Brookside, N.C., Praises Sarah Green, 1920

“The Work of a Noble Mother” by Z.T. Watson, The Watauga Democrat, February 12, 1920

More than 30 years ago Ferguson Green, a respected citizen residing near Virgil, died, leaving a widow and a large family of children to battle their way against adversity, incident to the absence of a husband’s and father’s love and care.

Aunt Sarah, as she was familiarly called, by her untiring energy, perseverance, and unswerving faith in God, successfully reared her children and lived to see them established in life, useful citizens of the community. As she approached the sunset of her life she had a burning desire to see the youths of her neighborhood embrace the Christian religion and lay the foundation early in life, upon which to build the structure of noble manhood and womanhood.

According to her belief that the Church of Christ was the greatest institution in the world, she freely donated one acre of land upon which she desired the erection of a church, and through her influence, willing hands and earnest hearts were blended together, and ere long, the desire of her heart was gratified. One mile east of Riverside, in Ashe county, Liberty Grove Baptist Church, a building very beautifully designed, stands as a monument to the memory of a Christian mother, as well as a beacon to the unsaved. Liberty Grove Church under the leadership of her worthy pastor, Rev. M.A. Adams, is considered one of the most progressive churches in this section. The church is practically free from wranglings and divisions which are so detrimental to the cause.

History is replete with the noble deeds of great men, but the sublimest poets and most profound scholars have failed to describe the depts. Of a mother’s love and care. We see Aunt Sarah toiling for the upbuilding of a church, through many anxieties, through many self-denials, with prayers and tears, close her life’s work and cross the river to the land beyond. Is her work done? Has her influence ceased? No, in the years to come the spirit of God will descend upon the church she helped to build, and hundreds of souls will stand up and confess their faith in Christ. Her grandchildren will see in this the flowering of her noble heart, and hear the echo of her footsteps in all the songs over sin forgiven.

There’s nothing grander than to exalt the Bible with its law of love; nothing nobler than to magnify Christ with His life of devotion to the welfare of men.

                --Z.T. Watson, Brookside, N.C.

Men Not Fit for Service, 1919

From the Feb. 6, 1919 issue of The Watauga Democrat, Boone

Dr. C.B. McNairy, Superintendent of the Kinston School for the Feeble Minded says: The selective draft has astonished us by revealing the many able-bodied men who are not capable of managing their own affairs with ordinary prudence, who in other words are feeble minded. Of the men in the selective draft from North Carolina sent to Camp Jackson, 14 per thousand were found not to be sufficiently strong mentally to fight for the country that gave them birth.

Beautiful Winter Scene, Feb. 12, 1920

“A Beautiful Scene” by J.M. Downum, The Watauga Democrat, February 12, 1920

As I sit by my window in my warm room a scene spreads out before me such as no one ever sees in the country east of the Ridge. In fact it may be stated positively that few sections are ever capable of furnishing such a scene.

It is cold and cloudy, the thermometer ranging between 20 and 30, the clouds hanging on the mountains, and the dampness from the air has crystalized on the trees and all outdoor objects….not frozen as ice usually is, for it is neither rain, hail, sleet, nor snow, but the dampness as it was wrenched from the air has crystalized somewhat similar to frost, making the entire forest look as though formed of pearl. This condition has prevailed in all its beauty for more than three days. Often the sun shines out on the scene making it one of the most gorgeous possible to behold. Such a scene is worth going many miles to see, and to the eye of the artist it must present a most tempting picture.

It is quite impossible to give in words an adequate conception of this scene to one who has never beheld it. It must be seen to be fully appreciated, and once seen will ever linger before the mind’s eye as a pleasing picture, as it were, of some fairy land, or shall we say giving us some little faint foresight of the true beauty in that wonderful country beyond the river.

                --J.M. Downum

Happy Valentine's Day

W.M. Reese Closing His Store in Mabel, N.C., 1920

“Closing-Out Sale of Groceries at Cost” by W.M. Reese, The Watauga Democrat, February 12, 1920

I have decided to quit the grocery business and instead of selling my stock in bulk to some other merchant, I am going to sell to the people at cost. This means what they cost laid down in my store. Of course this don’t mean that you can get goods as cheap as you once could but it doe3s mean that you can save from 20 to 33 per cent on the regular retail prices—for instance you will get a fine roasted coffee that sells for 37 ½ to 40 cents for 30 cents; and a 30-cent green coffee for 25 cents; 60 cent syrup for 49 cents, and other things according.

Now this is not a lot of junk. I am trying to get rid of in order to buy fresh stuff, but everything is fresh and clean and consists of heavy and fancy groceries as well as glassware, tinware, queensware, drugs and medicines, and I am going to sell out simply in order to get out of this line of business.

This sale will begin on Monday Feb. 9^th and continue until March 1^st. Nothing will be sold on time, but I will pay the market price on good produce, and give $2 per bushel for good corn.

                --W.M. Reese, Mabel, N.C.

How to Avoid Disaster, Upton G. Wilson Advises Farmers, 1938

“Farming to Live” by Upton G. Wilson in the February, 1938, Carolina Co-operator

There’s a splendid lesson to farm folk in this article by Mr. Wilson: A lesson that every North Carolina farmer would do well to learn, and learning, put into practice.

Farmers, after experiencing a moderately prosperous year, have little reason to apprehend misfortune in 1938—if they plan wisely.

Principal reason, it may be assumed, for any persons engaging in agriculture is to make a living and possibly a little besides; but first, of course, should come the living. And since living is largely a matter of food consumption, food should come first in every farmer’s crop plan.

Time was when food did come first in every farmer’s plan. Then men really farmed for a living, consuming much of what they produced. If they made plenty, then had plenty, whether markets were good or bad.

But agriculture has become principally a business of producing to sell, with farmers having plenty when markets are good and little when markets are poor.

Instead of producing food, many are producing almost altogether crops which they hope to sell profitably and then buy food with the money thus obtained. Disaster, when it overtakes them, is principally brought on by this sort of farming.

To take as much speculation as possible out of farming in 1938, farmers should attempt to grow ample food crops in addition to cash crops. On the farm, if anywhere, food in plenty should be the portion of every man, woman, and child.

The good farmer’s goal for 1938 will not be a shiny new automobile but a full granary, corn crib, and smokehouse, with plenty of feed and good cows and workstock.

Persons unfamiliar with farming practices in the South find it difficult to understand why there should be want and scarcity on the farm. They think of the farm as a place of plenty and content. Their conception of the farm is not impossible of realization.

Southern soil, even though it has been scandalously mistreated and neglected, is still capable, if rightly handled, of bountifully feeding those who till it. It is the South’s shame that many who cultivate her fields are poorly fed and housed.

A principal reason many are poorly housed and fed, we are persuaded, is lack of proper supervision by landlords of their tenants. When a tenant’s poor crop is attributable to shiftless methods of cultivating and handling, a part of the blame belongs to the landlord.

The landlord who fails to require his tenant to cultivate and handle his crop in the best manner possible not only wrongs himself but his tenant as well. It is illogical to assume that all tenants are good managers.

If, as has been said, every child has the right to be well-born, it is no less true that every farm has the right to be well-managed. The soil has rights the same as the individual, nor do the rights of the soil and the individual clash. For whatever is good for the soil is good for the individual who tends it.

The attitude of the landlord, when the temperament of the tenant will permit it, should be one of sympathy and helpfulness. It is not enough to tell a tenant to do a certain thing; he should be gold why it should be done.

Too many tenants and landlords come to the end of the year with bitterness in their hearts toward each other and with little or no profit from their year’s business partnership. “He ain’t no good,” the landlord remarks of the tenant, and the tenant, equally bitter, refers to his landlord as a skinflint and a scoundrel. Perhaps each is wrong.

The result of all this is an increase in the number of tenants and a probable decrease in their efficiency and industry, with landlords and tenants mutually suffering. For n tenant can neglect his crop without damaging his landlord and no landlord can neglect his duty to his tenant without damaging not only the latter but himself.

In 1938, therefore, both landlords and tenants should resolve to cooperate with each other more closely and to pool their efforts in giving more care to the soil. The stake of the tenant in the soil is equally as great as that of the landlord.

It Takes Very Little Brain to Find Fault, Opines the Monroe Enquirer, 1920

“Just to Make Conversation,” from the Monroe Enquirer, February 1920

Some one said recently that the current idea of polite conversation seems to be to complain about something. It is a fact that if the complaint was cut out of so-called polite conversation there would be a great deal more of good, golden silence than there is.

The servant problem, by those who do not need servants, what a wonderfully wide field of conversation that is.

The high cost of everything, by those who have never produced a morsel to eat or a thread to wear in all their lives, that’s another golden opportunity to talk and say nothing.

And then there is the weather, which God Almighty made according to his own wisdom, infinite in its scope and not according to the wishes of the little its who put up a whine if a much-needed rain spoils their plans for a joy ride in an automobile—that is a fruitful subject for the whining, fault-finding conversationalist.

And the fault-finding conversationalist is found not only in the ranks of “sassiety.” You will find in the hotel lobby, at the drug store corner, in the court house corridors, and around the stove in the grocery store, the fellows who have never read a line of the peace treaty, and who know nothing of the plan of the plan of the league of nations, except as they have caught it from the big headline of the newspapers, cussing out Wilson or condemning Lodge for their attitude toward the peace treaty or the league of nations.

It takes very little brain to find fault.

News From Beech Creek and Persimmon Creek, Feb. 23, 1904

“News from Beech Creek,” from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

Everything is moving along quietly at this place.

Some of our people have got the western fever.

Misses Cora and Mamie Payne were the guests of Misses Ella and Nettie Stiles Saturday night.

Miss Mary Revis is attending the Bellview High School.

We are having protracted meetings in this section.

The mud doesn’t stop the hauling of lumber.

J.M. Payne is arranging for some repairs on the school house.

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Horse Stolen and Other News from Persimmon Creek, 1904

From the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

Since our last letter Henry Cheatham and Callie Morrow have been married; also John decker and Ida Johnson were married on Feb. 14^th. John is a nice young man and worthy of the choice young ??? captured.

Jas. M. Decker has sold his stock of goods and land to Jno. Payne. The former has taken charge of the stock of goods at Letitia owned by Wesley Christopher, and is now moving his family, while the latter is filling his vacancy. It is said that John Decker will occupy the house vacated by Mr. Payne.

G.I. Carroll is selling out and will go to Idaho late this spring. James Picklesimer is disposing of his possessions to go to Arkansas.

Preaching at the Union church Saturday was rather poorly attended, and on account of a sick relative Pastor Crowder failed to get back Sunday. Your deponent did not go either day. Had I as well to have got drunk?

Wm. Payne and brother, Jas. H. Payne, visiting their uncle, W. Perry Payne of Ogreeta, Saturday and Sunday. They found him unable to talk on account of paralysis of some of the articulative organs. He has been in this condition for probably three months. He is very lively and can walk about quite well.

A clever thief carried away A.H. Horton’s horse on the first of February, but only kept him a day and turning him in Dr. Ball’s field. The horse appeared very tired, as if he had been traveling all the time of his absence. No arrests have been made, and probably never will be, but if there can be any evidence gotten up who did it, it certainly should be done. Mr. Horton is much prouder of his horse than he was before.

A new comer greeted Patton Stiles and his wife on the 1^st of February in the form of a bouncing baby boy.

A fine baby girl is stopping at the home of James Decker, who is all smiles.

Oscar Johnson and sister, Miss Lena, are attending school at Athens, Tenn.

It is said that one of our citizens went to mill a few days ago and forgot to take his corn. He went back home after the corn and stayed so long the miller got uneasy about him and went to see what was the matter and found that he had forgotten to go back.

                --Jory

Banks, Schools, Electricity, and Women Not Allowed to Practice Law, 1904

From the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

The 1,782 national banks throughout the country, which have been organized since March, 1900, have a combined capital of $104,000,000. It must be remembered that this capital is cash—not a drop of moisture. This is almost the only class of corporations of which that can be said

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It is a surprising fact that more than one-fifth of the entire population of the United States was enrolled in 1902 as pupils in the common schools. The exact number is 15,925,887; nor does this include all who attended school, for when the number of pupils in private schools is added, the grand total reaches 18,080,040. Is it any wonder that the public school system of this country is the admiration of nearly all the rest of the world? Inquires a writer in the New York Tribune. The amount of schooling that each individual of the population is receiving on average is a matter of general interest. In 1850, in the days of Horace Mann and his disciples in New England and elsewhere, each person received a schooling, all told, of 420 days; in 1902 each person’s education occupied 1,032 days, or 612 more days than the average person received in 1850. This means, of course, that the general average of intelligence is far higher than in former years.

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Says the Chicago Tribune: Some idea of the magnitude of the lighting branch of electrical development may be gained from a recent bulleting issued by the Bureau of the Census, which gives the statistics of central electric light and power stations in the United States from 1881 to the end of June, ???. At the time of the enumeration there were 3,620 electric stations in operation, representing a total cost of $504,740,352 for constructing and equipment. These stations furnished employment to 23,330 wage-earners, who received $14,983,112 during the year. While the details of power plant equipment are of interest to electricians and engineers, public interest will attach chiefly to the significant fact that 22.5 per cent of the total number of stations were operated under the control of municipalities, supplying 50,759 arc lamps and 1,577,451 incandescent lamps. The municipal plants represented a total cost of $22,020,472, and gave employment to 2,467 wage-earners, who were paid $1,422,341 in wages. The private stations operated 334,903 arc lamps, and 16,616,593 incandescent lamps. The gross income from private plants was, for the year ending June, 1902, $78,735,500.

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If the women of England are smarting under the refusal of the lord chancellor to admit them to the practice of law they must wring balm from the compliments and hopes quite generally tendered them from the opposite sex, declares the Boston Transcript. Almost every one of these consolers calls to mind the fact that 50 years ago it would have been extremely difficult if not impossible for a woman to be admitted to the practice of medicine in England and this alone, although it may not be strongly encouraging to the present fair petitioners, should buoy them up considerably since it seems to prove that in 50 years, at the outside, members of their sex will be as plentiful in the law as they are now in medicine. And incidental to citing the considerable struggle that women had to secure the coveted M.D., these purveyors of consolation relate any number of facts and circumstances as lights along the way of women’s progress that may convince them the time is coming when it will be theirs to grant or refuse to men the privileges for which they sue, and sometimes in vain in these days. Perhaps these chivalrous soothers of wounded ambitions have gone to unwarranted extremes in allowing that this may come to pass, but it should be said of them that “they mean well.” They are enthused, carried away it may be said, but their subject, or subjects, to bounds which they didn’t sight when they began their mission of sympathy.

Ralph Pool Writes About the Spanish Flu, 1920

“Influenza” by Ralph Pool, from the Feb. 27, 1920 issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

The influenza still is here despite the fact that Spring draws near, nor does it seem to wane. This dread and prevalent disease accompanied by cough and sneeze brings worse ills in its train. Pneumonia often follows the “flu” when convalescents fail to do the wise things that they ought; the folks who cast aside their pills too soon, had better write their wills, and have their caskets bought. A wise man will not risk his life by faring forth from home and wife, ere he is fully well. He cares not to expose himself that he may gain a little pelf* in the city, farm or dell. Albeit among us yet are fools whom neither rhyme nor reason rules, who must do bonehead things; half-well thru rain and slush they ply, who help make the death rate high, while each grave-digger sings.

Now if you care to undertake, for naught but your own worthless sake, to dodge “flu” and its ills, be cheerful in your daily place, and smile, ev’n though it hurts your face, and dislocates your gills. Live sanely and good hours keep, that you may get enough sound sleep, and take some exercise; pay heed to all that doctors say, chase groaning pessimists away, and dodge the sneezing guys. Be sure to keep your system clean, and, whether you are fat or lean, be optimistic too. In skipping pains of every name a cheerful mind is half the game, and this is up to you.

*Pelf is money or wealth

Real Estate Transfers from the Cherokee Scout Newspaper in Murphy, Feb. 23, 1904

From the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

The following real estate transfers have been recorded in the office of Register of Deeds McDonald:

$750—Charles N. Hickerson to B.A. Rickett, 14 ½ acres.

$75—J.W. Cooper heirs to W.C. Wilkes, 1 town lot in Andrews.

W.T. Whitaker to T.W. Icenhour, 1 town lot in Topton.

W.T. Whitaker to T.W. Hampton, 1 town lot in Topton.

$1,442—W.C. Pendleton and T.J. Cox of Johnson City, Tenn., to Laura J. Cover, all the chestnut oak, Spanish oak and hemlock bark and all merchantable timbers, except chestnut wood and locust timbers, on 721 acres.

A.B. Andrews and J.H. Stewart to R.L. Cooper, power of attorney to sell all the town lots in Andrews.

$55—L.P. Gilbert to Jas. Palmer, a fractional part of lot where Gilbert’s shop stands.

$150—Jas. Palmer to W.H. Woodbury, fractional part of a lot where Gilbert’s shop stands and where the Palmer stable stands.

$100—Adam Kilby to J.U. Farmer, 100 acres.

$225—J.W. Cooper executors, L.E. Mauney and wife, J.L. Wilson and wife to Sarah J. Hill 1 ¾ acre in district No. 6.

$110—Thos. F. Lang to Mrs. O.L. Hoge, 2 acres.

$140—O.L. Hoge to Richard W. Collett, 2 acres in district No. 7.

Morgan Dehart and wife to Marion C. Dehart, 50 acres in district No. 7.

$100—Caloway Boren to M.C. Dehart, certain piece of land.

$150—William Truett to W. Yancey Jones, 38 acres in District 6.

H.N. Taylor to L.D. McNabb, 1 ¼ acres in Beaverdam township.

Jno. M. Morrow to L.D. McNabb, 7 acres of land.

$250—Mrs. Cordie Angel to R.H. Sneed, lot in Murphy township.

$150—H.D. Johnson to J.T. Martin, 100 acres in Beaverdam township.

U.S. Johnson to R.E. Fleming, 30 acres in District 3.

An option from L.H. McClure and M.A. Hyatt, executors of E.P. Kincaid, deceased, conveying to R. Townsend, J.H. Brown, S.W. Smith, and A.B. Ross, all the right, title and interest of E.P. Kincaid, deceased, to tracts Nos. 13 and 25 and part of 29, except ½ acre burial ground, except part willed to E.P. Kincaid, about 35 acres.

$300—W.L. Roberts to L.F. Beal, 40 acres.

$137—John W. Ballew to H.B. Hyatt, 12 ½ acres in District 4.

$350—W.P. Walker to G.B. Collett, tract No. 54 and part of tract No. 53 in Valleytown Township and known as Washburn lands.

Local News From The Cherokee Scout, Feb. 23, 1904

From the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904. The Cherokee Scout, published every Tuesday at Murphy, North Carolina. Meroney & Towns, Editors and Proprietors. One Dollar a Year in Advance.

Thursday the ladies were out in large numbers, taking advantage of the pretty weather, and we were not a bit surprised at the rain Friday. Saturday was cold and windy, reminding us of March. It didn’t do a thing Sunday but rain. The continued rains have put the roads in bad shape.

R.L. Cooper left this morning for Asheville.

Rev. J.M. Brown of Gum Log, Ga., was in town Thursday.

J.V. Brittain killed two fine wild turkeys Saturday morning.

C.C. Bruce has sold out at Marble and moved to Andrews.

Mrs. Allie Bell and sister will occupy rooms in the Fain home place.

W.E. Howell leaves tomorrow to join the steel range men at Asheville.

John King went down to McCays, Tenn., Thursday and returned Sunday.

Allen Fain killed a wild duck the other day in the river below the bridge.

Rev. Baylus Cade will deliver his famous lecture next Sunday night at Andrews.

J.C. Wilson will move to one of the Beal cottages near the old A.K. & D. depot.

President Sharp of Young Harris College was here Wednesday on his way to Atlanta.

J.C. Wilson has his photograph tent up in front of the jail. He is doing good work.

Rev. D.P. Tate was confined to his room the past week with an attack of neuralgia.

S.E. Cover, the gentlemanly manager of the tannery at Andrews, called to see us Tuesday.

Ed Herbert of Hayesville returns to Blue Ridge this morning, where he has a position in the shops.

J.R. McLelland is completing an addition to his store house to accommodate his increasing business.

C.H. Black, with Elliott & Company at Andrews, passed through Thursday to visit relatives at Grape Creek.

The A.K. & N. trestle force commenced repair work Thursday on the trestle across the Hiwassee river.

The measles have about run out of material in Murphy. However, a few cases of mumps are lingering.

Miss Irene Blair of Sedalia, Mo., arrived Sunday for an indefinite visit to her sister, Mrs. Claude H. Miller.

“Dick” Sutherland, who is with the A.K. & N. painting gang, spent Saturday and Sunday here with his parents.

Prof. L.E. Mauney, who is teaching school at Blue Ridge, was here with his family from Friday until Sunday.

Miss Laura Smathers of Haywood county is here visiting her brother, J.L. Smathers, will remain until April.

Miss Lillian Fleming was the guest Thursday night of Miss Bird Patton, leaving Friday to visit relatives at Chattanooga.

The Tenth District Republican Congressional Convention has been called to meet at Hendersonville on the 20^th of April.

R.E. McIver died at Jonesboro, N.C., Feb. 14^th, after a short illness. Mrs. McIver is a daughter of ex-Sheriff S.W. Davidson.

The remains of Smith Thomasson, who died at Sweet Gum, Ga., passed through town Wednesday for interment at Peachtree, his former home.

The many friends of Hal Axley will be glad to learn that he is at East St. Louis, Ill. At the last moment he decided not to go to Japan.

H.H. Platt and W.T. Green of Warne, left last week for Oklahoma. They are nice young men and we wish them well in their new home.

Miss Ida Herbert, who has been in Atlanta going to school, was here Wednesday on her way home to Hayesville, accompanied by her brother Ed.

John E. Posey, with wholesale hardware firm of Dinkins & Davidson of Atlanta, arrived Friday night to spend a few days with his parents.

Mr. Byron Hawkins and family left Tuesday to make their future home at Paul’s Valley, I.T. Byron goes on a stock ranch and we trust he will strike it rich. [The I.T. in this sentence refers to Indian Territory.]

Rev. E.A. Deweese was thrown from a horse last week on Hanging-dog and pretty badly shaken up, and his many friends will be glad to learn that he will soon be out.

Rev. W.H. Baker of Peachtree was in town Thursday. He has to use crutches yet, but his foot and ankle are improving, a source of much gratification to his numerous friends.

About 30 people boarded the A.K.&N. train here last Tuesday for different points in the west. They were from surrounding counties and the Georgia line. Ticket Agent Apple informs us that something like $800 was paid for tickets.

T.J. Cooper of Chalker, Ga., arrived Friday night and has since been busy shaking hands with the friends of his boyhood days. We are glad to learn that he is doing well in the lumber business. He returns home this morning.

Our Mr. A. Don Towns received a telegram Thursday afternoon from Albany, Ga., stating that his mother, Mrs. L.A. Towns, was dead. Her maiden name was Miss Lucy Ann Brown and she was born in South Carolina in 1824 and was therefore in her 80th year. She is survived by three daughters and a son, a husband and five children having preceded her. Mother has at last found perfect rest.

Mr. B. Brook-Smith of Brunswick, Ga., formerly manager of the Dixie Drug Company, manufacturing chemists of that city, arrived last week and took charge of the prescription department of the King Drug company of our town. He was also acting assistant surgeon in the Spanish-American army and served with the Thirty-ninth U.S. Volunteers in the Philippines. Mr. Brook-Smith is a native of Jefferson county, Ala., and we welcome him to our town.

Farm News From Stokes and Bertie Counties, 1944

From “Carolina Farm Notes” by F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh,  as published in the Southern Planter, February 1944

Alfalfa Pays Like Tobacco

Alfalfa is about as profitable as tobacco and does not require nearly so much hard labor, says M.J. Fagg of Walnut Cove, Stokes County. He was led to believe this because of harvesting 141 bales of hay from an acre of the legume last season, weighing an estimated seven tons. The hay is valued at $40 a ton or $280 an acre, and this income approaches closely that which Mr. Fagg has received from his labor with tobacco.

“Then,” he added, “the hay can be fed to cows, workstock, hogs, chickens or in any other kind of livestock on the place.

Dusted Peanuts Produce Better

Speaking from a background of six years of experience, W.L. Powell of Windsor, Bertie County, says that dusting his peanut vines with sulphur has paid him well each year.

Despite the dry weather of 1943, Powell reports one of the best crops that he ever harvested. A part of this, he attributes to dusting the nuts three times with commercial dusting sulphur. From 90 acres of dusted peanuts, he harvested 2,018 bags, which is an average of 2,154 pounds of nuts or 22.4 bags an acre. The hay from the acreage dusted was of better quality in that it retained its green color better than that from the undusted area.

News From Watauga County, Feb. 19, 1920

From the Feb. 19, 1920 issue of the Watauga Democrat

Post Master David Wyke of Shulls Mills has purchased a farm in New York State and will move there in the near future.

Last Sunday was the coldest day of the winter, mercury registering 5 degrees below zero in Boone early in the morning.

Engineer W.E. Cole was called to his home in Salisbury last week on account of sickness in his family, and has not yet returned.

Miss Lina Fletcher has been the worst flu sufferer in the village, having been confined to her bed for more than a week. She, however, is now improving.

Dr. J.W. Jones left Monday for Annapolis, Md., to visit his brother, Mr. Thomas Jones, who is seriously ill with pneumonia following flu.

The home of Mr. N.C. Greene was invaded by the flu last week, four members of the family being down at the same time. All are up again with no very serious results.

Ex-Sheriff W.P. Moody has purchased of Mr. W.E. Shipley one large Martin farm located between Blowing Rock and Shulls Mills, the consideration being $15,500.

Rev. J.R. Walker informs The Democrat that the Boone Methodist Church building campaign is going forward successfully. He says that in Boone more than $8,000 has been promised. He further says that a prompt subscription will help in two or more ways.

Mr. G.M. Sudderth, cashier of the Peoples Bank and Trust Company, has sold his recently purchased home on the Green Heights to J. Pat. Hodges, who will move there as soon as the property is vacated by its former owner, Mr. W.D. Farthing. The purchase price paid by Mr. Hodges was $4,000.

Little Frank, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Adam Hodges of Boone, has been suffering for several days with spinal meningitis, but we are glad to hear that, at this writing, is somewhat improved and hopes of his early recovery are not entertained.

Mr. G.G. Greene of Lockhaven, Penn., has just been to this section buying lumber. He closed a deal with Prof. W.L. Winkler for 600,000 feet which will be cut and delivered within the next twelve months. The deal increases Mr. Winkler’s bank accounts to the amount of $24,000.

Owing to flu conditions, the services of all kinds in the different churches of the town have been declared off; and the Appalachian Theater ordered closed by Mayor Thomas B. Moore. Only three new cases have developed in town for several days, and the physicians think they have the malady well in hand.

You'll Make More Money With Hens Than Raising Tobacco or Cotton, Says N.C. Farmer, 1938

“The Editor Speaks” from the February 1938 issue of Carolina Co-operator

Money In Chicks

An interesting contribution came in the day’s mail from Jimmy Spiers, owner of Madoc Poultry Farm near Tarboro and one of the South’s leading poultrymen.

“What Shall It Be—Hens, Tobacco, or Cotton?” asks Jimmy, and then he proceeds to give us the following interesting comparison which should help us North Carolina farmers to make up our collective minds. We quote:

One hen lays 150 eggs. One egg sells for 1 ½ cents. 150 eggs sell for $2.25. 400 hens on one acre yield $900.

One acre tobacco yields 1,000 pounds. One pound sells for 25 cents. 1,000 pounds sells for $250.

One acre cotton yields 500 pounds. One pound sells for 10 cents. 500 pounds sells for $50.

“If you must plant a money crop,” adds Jimmy, “why not the hen crop, which is edible. Eggs and chickens are good to taste and very nourishing, and an excellent money crop to boot.”

To this contribution, there is little we can add except to urge our farmers to start off in their poultry venture with good chicks—U.S. Approved chicks or better. Any FCX warehouse will supply your needs.

Should Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico Become States? 1904

"Shall Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico Become States?" from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., published Tuesday, February 23, 1904

Statehood for Territories

Washington, Feb. 19—As the result of the territorial hearings for statehood, the prediction is made from reliable sources that a bill will be reported in the near future from the House Committee on Territories joining Oklahoma and Indian Territory into a single state under the name of Oklahoma. This state bill will not be admitted, however, until after the allotment of lands by the Dawes Commission has been entirely completed and the school land question has been settled. This, it is estimated, will take at least two years. The state, when admitted, as is expected, will have a population of 800,000, and will be divided into four Congressional districts. Later a bill will be reported admitting Arizona and New Mexico as a single state, but this latter proposition will not be pressed for some time.