N.D. Ward of Rominger, N.C., Complains About High Taxes, 1922

“Who Should Foot the Bill,” N.D. Ward’s Letter to the Editor in the June 8, 1922, issue of the Watauga Democrat, Boone

Editor Democrat: The tax burden has been shifted down the line to get as much as possible on the under fellow so that the people has got to thinking that whenever any more taxes are raised they must come from the young and poorest ones in the county.

Now the people under 50 years old are taxed $6.00 in compulsory road labor and $2.37 in poll tax just because they are under 50, and an equal amount of all other taxes, if not more, for usually the little farm is valued far higher than the larger ones.

Now the question is, if compulsory labor is abolished how will the money be raised? As I have already said, the under fellows think it must all come from them, well, this is just what a great many fellows would want to do, but there are many other ways to raise money to keep up the roads and relieve the poorer fellows instead of burdening them more, and this is just the legislation we need right now and what we must have.

The man that has no home nor cow must pay just as much road tax as the man having thousands of dollars worth of property, with teams, automobiles, etc. included (I mean just as much according as he is worth) this is not fair, for a lot of fellows have no teams, no home, and not much of anything else, looking most of the time for a job at low wages, living on less than a lot of folks are spending for chewing gum, tobacco, etc.

Now if money must be raised to keep up our roads, then we must look to the fellows who have it and are making it to chip in, and relieve the poor people as possible, making fellows who use the roads most keep them up, the automobile is taxed but our county roads get none of it, the teams, bicycles and other things are taxed also but our roads get none from them, now the way to get money to keep roads up is, to tax automobiles, teams, bicycles and all official salaries from Constable to Sheriff, SCHOOL TEACHERS and Postmasters included, a tax of an official salary of 1 per cent up to $500.000 and 2 per cent for all above $500.00 would not hurt any office holder or school teacher, but would soon provide a road fund big enough to make Watauga county proud instead of ashamed of its roads, then there is the tax that is still provided for roads to go on to if it is needed.

The office holders and school teachers are the ones that are sucking the taxpayers and getting all the money, and the ones that are using the roads most and making the most money are the ones to bear the most burden, for they are prepared to bear it better than the poor people, and I am sure that the majority of the people in this country are in favor of this kind of road upkeep, and the majority must rule if we have a Government of, by, and for the people.

                --N.D. Ward, Rominger, N.C.

Saluda Telephone Company in Polk County Expands Service from 70 to 160 Drops, 1914

From the June 4, 1914, issue of the Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C.

New Switch Board

(Polk Co. News)

Owing to increased business the Saluda Telephone Co. has installed the latest design switch board made by the Western Electric Co. The new board has 160 drops, the one replaced had 70 drops.

Money Does Grow On Trees--Apple Trees in North Carolina, 1922

“A Young Man’s Apple Land” from the Asheville Citizen, June, 1922

As William Harpe Dean sees it, money grows on trees in Western North Carolina. Mr. Dean, a member of the staff of the Country Gentlemen, has visited the principal orchard regions of the United States, carefully assessing their advantages and disadvantages. And therefore when he says that, if he were planting an apple orchard, he would plant it here, the verdict cannot be set aside on the grounds of bias due to local pride and enthusiasm.

Mr. Dean is careful to explain that his conclusion is based on facts and not sentiment. His article, “Where I could plant my orchard,” in the current issue of the Country Gentleman, begins as follows:

“At the very outset I want to say that my choice location for planting an orchard would be governed entirely by practical considerations. Sentiment would play absolutely no part in it. I should select a region where I knew the soil was an apple soil, where I knew the climate was an apple climate, where water and air drainage were conducive to crop infurance, where rainfall was abundant and where, in addition to the region’s demonstrated ability to produce fruit of first quality, there existed ample markets which could be reached without dividing my income on a 50-50 basis with railroads in return for their hauling my crop clear across the continent.

“And this section of my choice is Western North Carolina which, after careful study of its assets and liabilities, appeals to me as a young man’s country merely waiting for enough young men to make it famous as any horticultural region in America.”

On several trips to the mountain sections of this State, Dean found 20 counties which met his tests for what he calls “a young man’s apple land,” with soil, climate and market opportunities requisite for success. He does not mean to say that you should plant apple trees in any field you come to, or on the summit of the high peaks. Orchards are to be adapted to the location more carefully than most other crops. If you would have a virtual guarantee against freezes, plant in a thermal belt.

When Mr. Dean has discovered about the possibilities for orcharding in Western North Carolina leaves this section without excuse for the conditions which make it possible for apple growers in the Northwest to ship their products across the continent for sale here. And what Mr. Dean has learned is becoming common knowledge. Either through the foresight of Western North Carolinians or of those in other states who take Dean’s advice, this region will some day not distant dominate the apple orchards of the South west.

Local News from Watauga County, June 9, 1910

“Local News” from the Thursday, June 9, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat. The comet mentioned in the column was Halley’s Comet.

Mrs. J.A. Woody of Shulls Mills was a guest at the Blackburn House Monday.

Mrs. Jacob Lewis and daughter of Cove Creek attended the unveiling at Lenoir last week.

The county commissioners were in session Monday and a good crowd was in town on account thereof.

The colored people of Boone are to be congratulated on having purchased for their church a nice bell.

Mrs. A.V. Bennett of Charlotte is with her daughter Mrs. James Winkler for the summer. Miss Verlie Winkler, who for several months has been in Charlotte, has returned home for summer vacation.

Miss Nora South and brother Austin left Monday evening for Hickory where they will visit relatives for a few days.

Mr. Joe Swift and wife have returned to their home at Mt. City, Tenn., after having spent several days with their daughter Mrs. J.M. May.

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Coffey represented Boone at the unveiling of the Confederate monument in Lenoir Friday, returning Saturday afternoon.

Messrs. James and Don Horton and Mr. D. Horton and family, all of Cove Creek, attended the unveiling of the Confederate monument in Lenoir last Friday and it goes without saying that they had a royal time.

Mr. Dave Norris, who for perhaps 50 years served the public in some capacity, is in very feeble health, which his numerous friends over the county will be sorry to hear indeed.

Regular communication of the Daniel Boone Chapter No. 47, O.E.S., will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. A full attendance is desired as the meeting is an important one to the order.

Mr. Willard Beach of Wilkesboro, a valued factor in The Chronicle office, is visiting home folks in Boone this week and his many friends are glad to see him. Willard used to hold down a case in the Democrat office, where he is most pleasantly remembered.

Mr. R.C. Rivers, the Democrat’s editor and publisher, is away attending the North Carolina Press Association which is in session at Wrightsville Beach this week, and if this issue of the paper falls very short of what it should be, we trust its friends will throw over it all the mantle of charity.

Mr. Waverly Morrison of Wilkesboro is visiting in town this week.

Oranges, lemons, bananas and a nice line of candies just in at Blackburn’s.

Mr. S.A. Hollar and family of Wilkesboro have been visiting relatives in the western part of the county for the past week.

Mr. Bob Madron of Johnson county, Tenn., has purchased the fine horse from Mr. J.C. Ray for $12,000 and will finish the rest of the season at the regular times and places.

The Company store is offering some extra bargains in men’s summer clothing. It will be to your advantage to examine their line if you wish to buy a summer suit.

Messrs. F.A. Linney and E.S. Coffey returned home from Lenoir Tuesday evening where they had attended the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Watauga Railway company Monday.

Two young sons of Felix Howell of Old Fields township, Ashe county, while at work in the field one day last week, met with an accident that cost one his life and seriously injured the other. A large limb blew off of a tree, falling on them.

Mr. and Mrs. Silas Green and little daughter of Silverstone spent Monday and Tuesday in town the guests of Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Greene. They also have as their guest Miss Sallie Dougherty who for some time has been visiting on Cove Creek.

Mrs. D.F. Mast and son, Mr. Claud of Valle Crucis attended the unveiling at Lenoir and were accompanied home by Miss Nora Mast, who had been in Davenport College. Miss Mast was a successful member of the Art class and brings home with her some fine work.

On last Friday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weedon of Blowing Rock, the lady friends of Miss Ola Pendley gave her a miscellaneous shower and the many pretty and useful articles received by Miss Pendley attest her popularity.

Miss Ola Pendley and Mr. Herman S. Deal were married yesterday morning at 7 o’clock in the Presbyterian church at Blowing rock, Rev. Edgar Tufts officiating, using the beautiful and impressive ceremony of his church. After the ceremony, the happy couple repaired to the Watauga Inn, the home of the bride, where a delicate and elegant breakfast was served, after which they left immediately for the home of the groom’s father in Alexander county to spend a few days, after which they will be at home at Blowing Rock. Miss Pendley is the popular daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Pendley, and Mr. Deal is an Alexander man who is in the mercantile business at Blowing Rock, where he has made many warm friends. The Democrat throws after then its best old shoe, hoping that life’s pathway may be flower strewn and that the sunshine may ever glitter over it.

Rev. W.R. Savage will hold services and preach next Sunday June 21^st in St. John’s church, Watauga River, at 11 o’clock, and in Greer’s school house near Watauga Falls post office at 3 p.m. Everybody welcome.

M.B. Blackburn is agent for the old reliable Hammer Paints and anything you need in paints and oils of any kind he will supply our needs at very close prices. He also has a stock lubricating and spindle oils for any kind of machinery.

For several evenings the comet has not been visible here but reports from Washington say it is yet visible near the equator. It is traveling in a southernly direction and is estimated to be more than 20,000,000 miles from earth.

A Rowan citizen comes forward with a story that he killed a white snake four feet long, which had coal black eyes. Time for the water wagon to back up.—Charlotte News

This snake story doesn’t beat the one below for which the Wilkesboro Chronicle is responsible: There is some excitement over a big snake said to have been seen Saturday in the lower end of the Rousseau bottom. It was the biggest ever seen in this section and had hair on its back two inches long, so those say who saw it. It whipped out several dogs and got away.

Governor Glenn is in New Jersey making a canvass for the negroes—that is for funds for a negro school in Durham. Mr. W.T. Bost, a Durham newspaper man, is his press agent.

On last Friday Alfred Mac-Rae, a member of the junior class at the University, killed himself by taking poison in a boarding house at Chapel Hill. Depression is assigned as the cause He was a grand son of the late Judge Mac-Rae.

Tribute to Charlotte Observer Editor Joseph Pearson Caldwell, 1910

“The Vacant Chair” from the Nashville Tennessean in the Thursday, June 23, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

On his return from the Press Association, Editor Varner of the Lexington Dispatch, write thus touchingly of the absence from the gathering of that distinguished editor and former lion of the Association Mr. J.P. Caldwell of the Charlotte Observer:

“Few men in any walk of life have won so large a place in the hearts of the people as Mr. J.P. Caldwell of the Charlotte Observer, who is hopelessly unwell with a malady that has robbed his magnificent mind of the powers that won for him a leading position among the foremost editors of the country. And no newspaper man in North Carolina is loved and venerated by his brethren of the press as Mr. Caldwell. Indicative of the hold he has on the people and the press was that beautiful and impressive tribute paid to him by the editors in their annual meeting at Wrightsville last week: “A vacant chair reversed to the festive board to the right hand of the toastmaster pointed mutely to a gorgeous garland of flowers, festooned with spotless white ribbon that marked his vacant place at the table. An invitation card upon which was written the one word ‘Regrets’ lay beside the inkwell and the idle pen. A hush fell upon the assembly.”

“A living force has gone from among us, and while the Observer is ably edited, there is a difference that is felt by all. Most men drop out of the world with out making a ripple; the work of most men is done as well and often better by their successors; it is rare that a man creates a place for himself that cannot be acceptably filled by others; but this vacant chair cannot be filled. Joseph Pearson Caldwell is in a class of his own. Unutterable sadness fills the hearts of those whose thoughts turn toward his work and himself as on such occasions ass that last week.”

Women's Land Army Is Ready, But Farmers Slow to Accept Them, 1944

“Editorial Comment” from the June, 1944 issue of The Southern Planter

The Women’s Land Army

Miss Nancy Tyree, Assistant State Supervisor of the Women’s Land Army for the Virginia Extension Service dashed into our office in Richmond the other day in desperation. “I’ve just visited 16 colleges in Virginia, contacted scores of groups of city women, and spoken before numerous women’s clubs,” she said, “and city women are definitely interest in helping out in the acute labor shortage on farms this summer. They want to work and are willing to learn. ‘The need is so great and the appreciation of farm people so genuine’ are the reasons most often given for their desire to sacrifice jobs at higher pay and shorter hours in town to help with the food harvest. But here’s my problem,” Miss Tyree continued. “We have the women, plenty of them, but the requests by farmers for workers from the Women’s Land Army are so slow coming in that I’m worried about work for all the women. Can’t you help me locate these patriotic, willing women workers on Virginia farms where the need is greatest?”

Every state has a Woman’s Land Army this year. In the North and the East, there this type of labor was used in agriculture last year, farmers were more than pleased! Applications are pouring in for women workers in the Valley of Virginia, where city women and girls spent their vacations last summer picking apples, tomatoes, and helping generally on farms. The work of Maryland women on farms last season attracted Nation-wide attention. But farther South our farmers, though desperately in need of farm labor, have over-looked what may be the answer to the farm labor problem—the Women’s Land Army. There are in the United States today 5,000,000 unemployed childless women, many of whom are willing to work on farms.

Three kinds of women farm workers are available: Drive-Ins who drive out in groups each morning to farms and go back to town for the night; Live-Ins, who live in the farm home like members of the farm family; and Camp Workers. There the demand is great enough to justify the expense of establishing a farm labor camp in a community, the women live together in camp and work on farms in the neighborhood. Such a camp is already in operation in Timberville, Virginia.

Miss Tyree’s predicament is typical of the Women’s Land Army leaders in all of the states. They can get the help if you want it. And if you do want it, won’t you notify your county agricultural agent or home demonstration agent immediately so that recruitments may be made now for the summer?

Little Farmers Make Big Yields

Once again the small, low-income farmers, receiving credit from the battle-scarred Farm Security Administration, have demonstrated their food producing power. For the second consecutive year FSA borrowers have increase production of food at a faster rate than the national average. The following figures just released by the U.S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics show production increases for essential commodities for 1942 and 1943:

	Percentage Increase
Product	1941 to 1942	1942 to 1943
Pork	36	56
Beef	38	43
Milk	20	18
Chickens	36	47
Eggs	31	32
Soybeans	160	37
Peanuts	88	22
Dry Beans	6	15

According to the 1940 Census 47.5 percent of all farm families in the United States produced less than $600 worth of farm products in a year, including the value of that used in the farm household. This amount was barely enough to feed and clothe the family. Certainly there was little left, after family needs were supplied, for the Army, our Allies and defense workers. Nearly a million and a half of these low-income farms are so situated that adequate farm management and credit would enable them to step-up production sharply. It is with this group of farmers that the Farm Security Administration has been working—extending credit, developing farm management plans and suggesting cropping systems. That FSA clients are pointing the way in producing food to win the war, the above figures leave no doubt.

Farm Organizations Weak in the South

Always a matter of grave concern to us is the lack of membership of Southern farmers in national farm organizations. In these days of pressure groups, agricultural policy is largely determined by farm organizations. Every piece of important agricultural legislation in Washington is whipped into final shape after receiving the criticisms and suggestions of the National Grange, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Farmers’ Union. Leaders of these three national farm organizations have done a magnificent job for agriculture in Washington.

But it is distressing to learn that the Farmers’ Union has virtually no membership in the South, the Grange has only 1.8 percent of its members in the 13 Southern States and the Farm Bureau, 30 percent of its membership in Dixie. Yet half the farm people in the United States live south of the Mason-Dixon line. How in the name of common sense can Southern farm people hope to make their interests felt in the legislative halls of the State and Nation unless they have strong, well-supported farm organizations? That’s the $64 question that only Southern farmers themselves can answer.

Attorney E.F. Aydlett of Elizabeth City to Become Pastor in Perquimans County, 1919

From the Friday, June 27, 1919 issue of the Elizabeth City Independent

Attorney E.F. Aydlett of Elizabeth City has been called to the pastorate of a country church in Perquimans County. The explanation of this unique proposition is told in the current issue of The Emancipator, the monthly journal of Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church of this city.

“Hon. E.F. Aydlett, who by the way is always interested in Church work, went with Mr. Charlie Ward, Mr. Louis Norman, and Rev. Josiah Elliott to Bethel Church Sunday afternoon of June the first. The object of this visit on the part of Mr. Aydlett was to unite this church with others making a compact field.

On arriving he found a big debt, so the first thing he did was to raise the money cash in hand to pay it off. We understand, however, that he and other visiting brethren gave a pretty large part of the indebtedness.

Mr. Norman showed them how they could have a preacher for all time, and Mr. Aydlett made such a fine speech that one of the members approached Mr. Ward to find out if Mr. Aydlett were available for their pastor. If the church extends the call, it is quite likely that Mr. and Mrs. Aydlett will live in Hertford.

They have not fully decided about taking their color man Joe along with them, but if Bethel presents them with a new Ford automobile, it is more than likely that Joe will accompany them. Certainly we wish them much joy in their newly chosen avocations.”

A.E. Greene Urges Voters to Keep Alcohol Out of North Carolina, 1910

A.E. Greene of Virgil, N.C., pleads for temperance in this letter to the editor, printed in the Watauga Democrat , Thursday, June 30, 1910.

My friends, hesitate before you vote liquor back into North Carolina again, now that it is out. It is powerful, aggressive and universal in its attacks. Tonight it enters a humble home to strike the rose from a woman’s cheek, and tomorrow challenges this great Republic of ours in the halls of Congress. Today it strikes a crust form the lips of a starving child and tomorrow levies tribute form the government itself. There is no cottage in the country humble enough to escape it—no palace strong enough to shut it out. It defies the law when it cannot coerce suffrage. It is flexible to cajole but merciless in victory. It is the mortal enemy of peace and order; the despoiler of men, the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshrieved to judgment than all the pestilence that has wasted life since God sent the plagues to Egypt, and all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.

Oh, my countrymen! Loving God and humanity, do not bring this grand old state again under the dominion of that power. It cannot profit any man by its return. It cannot uplift any industry, revive any interest, remedy any wrong. You know that it cannot. It comes to turn, and it shall profit mainly by the ruin of your son and others. It comes to mislead human souls and to crush human hearts under its rumbling wheels. It comes to bring gray-haired mothers down in shame and sorrow to the grave. It comes to turn the wife’s love into despair and her pride into shame. It comes to still the laughter on the lips of little children. It comes to stifle all the music of the home and fill it with silence and desolation. It comes to ruin your body and mind to wreck your home and it knows that it must measure its property by the swiftness and certainty with which it wreaks this work.

                --A.E. Greene, Virgil, N.C.

Women Selling Goods at the Curb Markets in Alamance and Carteret Counties, 1936

“Timely News Items” by Jane S. McKimmon, N.C. State College, as published in the June, 1936, issue of the Carolina Co-Operator

Recently the Alamance County Home Demonstration Curb Market celebrated its 13^th birthday and gave itself a large birthday cake for the occasion. Thirteen little girls dressed in rainbow colors gave favors and acted as marshalls to direct the customers around the building. Each customer was given a chance to guess the weight of the cake and nine persons guessed 10 pounds. As the weight was 10 pounds and two ounces, the cake was divided amongst the successful nine.

Favors were distributed to every buyer and consisted of a little brown paper market basket filled with paper carrots, radishes, squash, and strawberries. In it was a leaflet telling about the mount of sales each year in the past and a list of all the producers now selling in the market.

At the Alamance market two baskets of good things are given away to customers each Saturday—and two of the women sellers take it as their responsibility to fill one basket. I know you would like to draw the lucky number when I tell you that the basket contains one dressed chicken, four or five slices of ham or some other kind of meat, a dozen eggs, a cake or pie, a basket of strawberries, and several kinds of fresh vegetables.

The customers place their names in a box and at an appointed hour announced the Saturday before, the drawing takes place. The fortunate customer whose name is drawn must be present, or have someone to represent her.

Busy Summer Trade in Carteret

Sellers on the Carteret County Curb Market are making their plans now for a busy summer resort trade. The market shed has been covered with tarpaper; the building and trees have been whitewashed and two new signs painted, one to hang at the corner of Arendell Street pointing the cottagers to the market and one to be placed over the market itself. Three hundred handbills have been printed and distributed over Morehead City, Beaufort, and Atlantic Beach advertising the opening day.

Happy Father's Day

W.H. Byrd Recommends Friends Move From Western North Carolina to Montana, 1910

Do you have a relative who moved from North Carolina to Montana in 1910 or 1911? Perhaps this letter to the editor by W.H. Byrd was behind the move. “Letter from Roundup, Montana,” was printed in the Watauga Democrat , Thursday, June 30, 1910.

 Mr. Editor: I take this method to give you and other friends in Watauga a peep at old Montana, the land of cattle and sheep, wolves, prairie dogs and mosquitoes. The sheep herder and cow girl; the land of vim and git, and where a shilling is called a “bit.”

I am located at Roundup, the infant town that has just cut its two-year-old teeth. It is located on the Musselshell river in Furgus county on the Milwaukee railroad. There are four coal mines in full blast, each mine working three shifts of hands, each shift working eight hours. They get $3.60 each, while many make from $8 to $10 by contract. The coal is of a high grade and there seems to be no end to it. The town has about 35,000 population, six hotels, eight lodging or boarding houses, 15 restaurants, 18 saloons that are kept open day and night, two drug stores, two bakeries, two blacksmith shops, six livery stables, two auto garages, two laundries, three ice cream parlors, two newspapers, one theatre in which there is a performance each night, a city judge, major and four policemen.

The language here is as badly confused as was that of the builders of the Towel of Babel. However, the people are generous, with open hearts, open hands and open pocket-books, and do not mind to give six bits or a buck to a Poll in hard luck.

“But oh!” I heard some one say, “those horrible saloons.” Yes, they are here, with three cold storage houses for beer, representing three of the largest breweries in the west, each running one or two wagons daily delivering beer. Everybody drinks beer out hear the same as the people of the South drink water or milk. “But,” says one, “oh, the drunkenness.” No, the town has but little trouble with drunkards. I have seen more sand raised, hollowing and cursing from one quart in North Carolina than I’ve seen here with 18 saloons.

You young men who have got to get your start by your labor, come out to Montana. It is evidently the best state in the Union for wages and opportunities. Common laborers get $3.50 for 8 hours; carpenters $5; brick masons $6; while a blacksmith gets $2.50 for shoeing a horse. This is destined to be a great farming country. Steam and gasoline plows are running day and night. The land is being taken up as fast as it is opened, and the people are flocking here from all parts of the world.

                --W.H. Byrd, Roundup, Mont.

Education Is Key to Our Future, D.C. Mast, June 30, 1910

“The Special School Tax in Watauga” a Letter to the Editor by D.C. Mast of Sugar Grove in the Watauga Democrat, Thursday, June 30, 1910

Mr. Editor:--The Hon. Smith Hagaman made a speech last spring at the close of the Cove Creek school and chose for his subject “A new phase of country life.” Mr. Hagaman showed in a very practical and common sense way the importance of the country people, the farmers, going forward.

First, of course, he emphasized education—education in agriculture, in scientific farming, as well as in a literary way, and advocated strongly as a means of education the betterment of the public schools. This writer wants to say here that he is awfully sorry that there is a backward step in Watauga regarding the local tax. One district has voted it out and another will, perhaps, very soon. Is this, my country brother, going forward? I think not. Counties east of the Blue Ridge, many of them, such as Mecklenburg and Guilford, that are in easy touch with Charlotte and Greensboro, whose educational facilities are hardly surpassed in the South, have a large number of local tax districts, believing the public school the most effective way of educating because it reaches all classes of people. And if I had it in my power I would convince every tax-payer in Watauga that the best money he has ever spent in his life would be in educating the children—the youths upon whose shoulders the affairs of state and country will soon fall and, as I see it, it is eminently our duty as parents to prepare the next generation for usefulness. Useful! Reader, tax-payer, have you ever tried or had a desire to be useful, and do you want your children to be broad-minded, liberal-hearted, noble-thinking men and women? Then go out of your way to bring them in touch with good literature and lives of great and good men—educate them and do it by voting a special tax on yourself for that purpose, as it is the best thing we can do at present.

Again, Mr. Hagaman said the country folk should beautify their homes—make them attractive, so that our children would not want to go to town. Now we are up against it; we must tax ourselves to educate and then spend money to keep these educated boys and girls from going to town. Yes, pretty touch, but if we do it they will bring things to pass and we will be proud of them and they will call us blessed. Of course we must have money with which to do these things. Where shall we get it? First, by increasing or earnings by close application of our time to business and organization. Organization is highly important. We let the manufacturer do all the pricing, that of the raw material and also the manufactured article. Take for an example wool. We are getting this year 23 cents the pound for wool and if we buy any yarn it costs us 60 cents the pound. Here there is too much difference in the raw material and the manufactured goods. Let every man who has the wool off of one sheep and up, not in Watauga alone, but throughout the country, enter and be governed by an organization and we can get what we ought to have for our wool. Let us organize in Watauga for a forward movement in everything that helps us and our children to be more useful.

                --D.C. Mast, Sugar Grove, June 17

Local News from Hendersonville, N.C., June 4, 1914

From the editorial page of the June 4, 1914, issue of the Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C., Mutual Print Company, Publisher; Gordon F. Garlington, Manager; Noah M. Hollowell, Editor; Hendersonville, North Caro.

 Been bathing yet?

Laurel Park is again the city’s playground.

Many are the city jobs, but few there be that want them.

Hendersonville’s popularity as a convention city is rapidly growing.

If you want a job under the present city administration, now is the time to apply for it.

Some day the dear ladies will come into their own and occupy a position of power on the city school board. Sentiment is ripening.

We presume those negro voters over in Asheville are still smelling awful to political nostrils.

Southern railroad has resumed its summer schedule through Hendersonville, giving railway service every few minutes. It is about as convenient as taking a street car in large cities.

While South Carolinians are planning to open a sanitarium for feeble infants and their mothers in the mountains of North Carolina, Hendersonville might advantageously get busy and convince them of its suitableness for such an institution.

We imagine that Dr. Lesesne Smith would have a more difficult task in convincing the Hon. W.A. Smith that Saluda has 20 per cent more ozone and is 2 per cent cooler than any other mountain town, as stated in a recent Spartanburg speech, than Columbus had in convincing the Spanish court of the merits of his globular theory of the earth.

“Asheville is just beginning to feel badly about losing that congressional convention. For the first time since we can remember that city was asleep when there was something stirring.”—Waynesville Courier. And following on the heels of this is the disappointment occasioned by the loss of the next annual Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows and the North Carolina Insurance Agents association, both of which Hendersonville landed despite Asheville’s endeavor.

Those in charge of entertainment for the celebration of the Hendersonville-Spartanburg highway should take the following from the Spartanburg Herald into consideration:

“July 4^th, which is senatorial campaign day in Spartanburg, has been set for the opening of the Tryon-Saledia-Hendersonville highway. If the pilgrimage is to be the success all want it to be, the date should be changed, since there are many who would not like to miss the political festivities.”

A CITY PARK

The Democrat believes that while the Greater Hendersonville club is looking around for suitable grounds for a permanent park within the city limits it would be a good idea to look into the proposition of establishing a small park on the court house lawn. As the lawn stands, there is nothing to satisfy one but the sight of a little dead grass.

The Democrat is included to think that the board of county commissioners and the whole of Henderson County would take kindly to a development of this nature, since it would afford great comfort for court attendants who have no place to rest except in the court room or on the court house steps.

At a trifling cost the lawn could be transformed into one of the most desirable spots in the city with shade trees, lawn-swings, drinking fountains, and a pavilion for shade purposes while the young trees are growing. This would afford a resting place almost n the heart of the business district and it would no doubt be greatly appreciated by many of the thousands of visitors to Hendersonville.

EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS (CONTRIBUTED)

FUSION MOVEMENT PROPOSED

The Republicans and Progressives of the State have started a movement with the view to getting together. Messrs. John Motley Morehead and E. Carl Duncan are the mediators. These gentlemen are to formulate plans and submit them to the future meeting of the “faithful.”

Even Tom Settle has consented to co-operate with the blind followers of Col. Roosevelt and favor reconciliation. A meeting of those interested was held in Greensboro on Wednesday of last week and each participant expressed the wish that all former Republicans might again unite under a solid front against the wicked Democrats. It is said that not the slightest unpleasantness or disruptive signs appeared during the conference, the only idea being to get the old party men back in the harness together like they were when J. Ellwood Cox ran for Governor and William Howard Taft for President in 1908. Mr. Duncan generously offered to surrender his position as National Committee of the Republican party, if Progressive Committeeman Williamson would do likewise, and drop former differences entirely. Evidently Mr. Duncan is for peace at any price now, but he sang quite a different tune in Chicago two years ago. On the contrary, he sat there in the Republican convention and saw the very life “ground out” of Col. Roosevelt, without even uttering a word of protest. And this is not all. He boasted about the action of that convention, and the role he played in it, for months afterwards. But, maybe, the Progressives have forgotten about it all by this time.

There is this about the proposition of cooperation between the Republicans and Progressives: The suggestion appears to have come from the former, as the Roosevelt enthusiasts do not seem to be taking the idea seriously at all. The Colonel himself recently held a number of political conferences in Washington and remarked afterwards that “not a single Republican showed his head.” He conferred at length with the Progressives in Congress, over the political situation, and advised continued effort along the lines outlined prior to his departure for South America last year. While he declared that politics was not the object of his visit to Washington, he was noticeably careful to take time to ascertain, in so far as possible, the sentiment with reference to the policies of the Wilson administration. And singularly enough he did not seek information from any Republican.

There are well defined rumors to the effect that col. Roosevelt and his little coterie of Progressives in Congress agreed upon plans of attack upon the administration during his visit to the capital, but not a single Republican was taken into their confidence.

If the attitude of Col. Roosevelt, who is the daddy of the Progressive movement, shall be judged by his movements in Washington last week, the efforts of Messrs. Morehead, Duncan, Settle and other Tar Heel Republicans, to bring about a union of forces, will be “wasted on the desert air.” Republicans had no part in the day’s program and the Colonel saw none of them, although “it was learned” that before he left Oyster Bay a Republican member of Congress telegraphed him, asking for an appointment. He declined to discuss the suggestion, but purposely remarked that there were no Republicans in sight during the day. The view of the day’s events in Washington, it might be the part of wisdom for our North Carolina brand of stand-patters to get the ear of the Chief Moose before going too far with their reorganization program. Colonel Roosevelt is still the chief guy in the ranks of the Progressives and appears not to have surrendered any of his independent tendencies. He may be counted upon to continue in the limelight. See him before committing yourselves, boys.

Josephus Daniels Predicted a Female Governor in 1922

When he addressed the young women of Carolina College at Maxton, Josephus Daniels said he expected to live to see a woman elected governor. Daniels died in 1948. Beverly Perdue, North Carolina’s first female governor, was elected in 2008. The following is a story originally printed in The Landmark, was reprinted by the Watauga Democrat on June 8, 1922.

Declaring that he expected to live to see a woman elected Governor and make a better job of it than that some of the men have made, Mr. Josephus Daniels, talking to the young women of Carolina College at Maxton, also remarked: “Whenever a man is named as a candidate for any political office, by whatever party, if his private life is unclean I want the time to come when he will be immediately blackballed at the polls by the women voters of the country.”

Fine! We all applaud. But while we are hoping the women will do just that, we are at the same time hoping that they won’t stop to ask why the men haven’t done the same all this while instead of waiting on the women to get the ballot.

If the sisters get to talking that way, they may say some disagreeable things about the mere males who have made a pass at governing the country since the beginning and have lacked the courage to demand that all men in public life walk straight and keep clean. On the contrary, they repeatedly elect men to office whose lives are unclean; sometimes men who are little if any better than crooks, and know they are that sort when they are elected. It’s an awful confession the men make when they call the women to do for the country what they know should be done, that which is an urgent need, which they could and can do but lack the courage to do. --Landmark

Stop Mail Delivery on Sundays and Close Stores to Keep the Sabbath Holy, 1910

“Invasions of the Sabbath” from the Thursday, June 16, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

Referring to the Sunday Postal work which is conceded to be one of the responsible agencies in promoting Sabbath desecration, the New York Christian Advocate says:

Any observer who will note those who call for their mail at the carriers’ window of a city post office during the open hours on Sunday will gain some new ideas about Sunday as a rest day. He will see the Sunday automobilist receiving his mail preparatory to an all-day pleasure jaunt through the countryside.

The Hebrew business man—not the orthodox, synagogue Jew, but the unscrupulous getter of gain—takes his bundle of letters and hurries to his office or store, where his clerks are kept busy behind curtained windows filling the orders of the Sunday mail so as to overreach by one day his Sabbath-resting competitor. The boy from the Christian household is there getting the family mail, so that the folks at home may have the latest news from friends or relatives. The careless and non-church-going people are there in hope that the post may bring into the day something of business or pleasure to stir the monotony of the long hours on which even the comic supplement of the Sunday newspaper begins to pall. These and others from the queue at the carrier’s window, and later disperse to home, office and pleasure-field—or perhaps to church—each with thoughts partly or altogether preempted with secular affairs.

And what should be said for the men inside the barrier? In New York City alone 1,400 postal employees are compelled to work on Sunday. The number who forfeit their rightful Sunday rest in other cities and towns would make up a great army. Postmaster Morgan, who was once a postal clerk, says it would not be possible to conduct the business of the New York office without a certain amount of Sunday work, but he and his men and their fellow clerks and carriers throughout the country are heartily in favor of such legislation as will minimize the amount of Sunday labor and will compensate with another rest-day those who must be at their desk on the Sabbath. Bills are pending in congress which would further these ends.

But legislation would not curtail the queue at the carrier’s window. The habit of calling for Sunday mail is on the increase, and will continue to grow unless public sentiment can be aroused against it. So long as Christian people practice the habit, no movement against it will be effective, however forcibly the postal clerks may protest.

The special delivery system, which for a time insures the immediate delivery of any letter of real importance, makes absurd the pleas that the post office must be open on the Lord’s Day. For their own welfare, as well as out of consideration for the men of the service, Christian people should be willing to endure the seeming hardship of waiting until Monday morning for the uncertain lottery of the post.

We know some men, businessmen too, whose regard for the Sabbath has kept them from forming the habit of getting out their mail on Sunday. These men get along in business matters quite as well as their neighbors, and at the same maintain a sense of horror and self respect that is worth no little to a man in this life.

We need a crusade against this habit of desecrating God’s holy day. It blunts that keen and discriminating conscience which every Christian ought to cultivate, and opens the way for a thousand in-roads which if not checked will finally break down this great bulwark of our strength. The only way to preserve a Sabbath that is anything more than a mere holiday is to be very scrupulous as to its observance. It is painful to see men flicking from the church service to the post office and loading themselves down with that which, like birds of the beaten highway, will gather up and destroy the seed of truth that have fallen by the way. Let the church people heed the admonition, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”

UNC System Fails 12,500 Vets, 1946

We've all heard about the G.I. Bill that provided a college education to many World War II veterans, but most people aren't aware that many vets were excluded. In 1946, 12,500 veterans were rejected by the UNC system, not because they couldn't handle college work but because the system itself didn't have room for them. “UNC Forced to Reject 12,500 Vets in Fall” from the Monday, June 10, 1946, issue of The Robesonian, Lumberton

Chapel Hill, June 10—(AP)—Units of the consolidated University of North Carolina will be forced to reject applications of at least 12,500 veterans who wish to enroll this fall, Controller W.D. Carmichael Jr. has reported to Governor Cherry and the University trustees.

Lack of housing at the university at Chapel Hill, State college at Raleigh and woman’s collage at Greensboro was cited in the report along with the assertion that all three institutions face loss of faculty members because of the salary scale.

Flag Day Postcard, 1917

How To Improve Your Life, 1910

“How to Live” from the Thursday, June 16, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

Very few people know how to live. With the majority, life is a bare existence, colorless and sodden. With strange perversity they choose the grub state and remain in it, when they might, if they would, have wings and enter upon joys unnumbered.

Bound to the earth by self imposed burdens, encumbered by cares and worries for which they have no one to blame but themselves, they rail at Providence or fate because of the emptiness of their lives. It is a sad condition to which they thus bring themselves, and to the onlooker it is hard to say which they deserve more, blame or pity.

How tame and empty is the life of most country people! What wretched houses some of them live in, and how utterly devoid of all pleasure are the women folk of those homes! None of them knows anything about the fullness or sweetness of life. These are to be pitied, but their husbands and fathers are to be blamed. When is the good of money if it is not used to make life comfortable and pleasant? Why should a man starve his soul and the souls of his wife and children for the sake of riches?

Why postpone to the future what ought to be done today? The time will come when this grubbing for money for mere money’s sake will be seen to have been a dreadful blunder. The children raised up in ignorance and under conditions without a single refining influence, the wife old and spent or dead because of overwork, what then will one’s money be worth? The soul of all have been starved for lack of beauty, the appreciation of which the wealth of the world cannot now give. This is a beautiful planet on which we live, but only a few of us know it, because we have never been trained to look for its beauties. Our lives are pitched on a low plane, and with the most of us our life is that of the ox or the ass.—Farmers Union Sun.

High Winds Kill Winfred Howell, 1910

From the Thursday, June 9, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat

For the last several days it has been very windy in this section of the country. On Tuesday the wind blew hard enough to blow off limbs on some of the trees in some places and at other places the trees were blown down. In the southwest portion of the county, Winfred Howell, a youth 14 years old, was killed by a large limb falling on him, and his younger brother, Willard, was badly hurt by the same limb. Their father, Felix Howell, jumped from under the falling limb just in time to avoid being killed or hurt.—Jefferson Recorder

Only 18% of U.S. Population in Farming, 1946

From the Monday, June 10, 1946, issue of The Robesonian, Lumberton

Only 18 percent of the U.S. population is engaged in farming today.

Don't Let Words Hide the Facts Says Jason Heatherly of Saluda, N.C., 1914

“Words Vs. Facts” by Jas. W. Heatherly of Saluda as published in the letters to the editor of the June 4, 1914, issue of the Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C.

Editor Democrat:

Webster compiled a book of words, the majority of which are never used. Words are little sawed off chunks of wind which are misused at times to defy facts. Some people use many words with no effect while others preach sermons by their silence. Frivolous words skim over the surface, and only facts will remain and bring results. A man’s verbosity doesn’t always reveal his intellectual qualifications. The man who uses virulent prattle to vilify or ridicule the other fellow’s opinions generally sees the other fellow win out.

A weak man can talk big among his own crowd, but it takes a strong man to express his sentiments to those who oppose him. History reveals the fact that very nearly all of our great men, those who have done the most for humanity had to fight their way to recognition midst adverse circumstances and cruel opposition. It’s the laugh to hear the fellow who has accomplished naught refer to the fellow who has made good insultingly. The fellow with brains enough to do the stunt that is worth while will be knocked by the fellow that cannot do likewise. It’s perfectly natural for the fellow who lives in a shanty to envy the fellow who lives in a mansion.

God breathes His divine approval into every movement for reform and betterment of mankind. The man with a message for mankind or a mission will if he has ability and integrity eventually wear the laurels of recognition. Every reformer of the age is an intermedium. The progress of all ages has had its intermissive and few reformers live beyond their interim. Satan says: “All a man hath will he give for his life” but Satan is a liar. Every man with his heart in his work will do or die. Death has no terror for the individual who believes in himself and goes into a work full of hope and ambition. Thousands have kissed the shroud of death willingly for what they believed to be the truth, yet hailed by their enemies as teachers of error.

He’s the hero who braves the howling mob and speaks and acts according to his own convictions midst showers of abuse and adversity. The gates of oblivion are standing ajar for those who oppose the other fellow because of superior talent or misunderstanding

When John Wesley discovered that the book of Revelation taught free grace and stepped out in the by ways and hedges and handed it to all who would incline an ear to hear, a terrible howl was heard in Christendom and the strong holds of ecclesiasticism shook like a mighty earthquake had struck ‘em and the clergy unfastened their denunciatory temper with no limit as to speech.  Did John Wesley quit? Ask the next Methodist preacher you meet. And so it has been all down the ages, God has used human agents to break the fetters of pride and release those tied down by tradition and priestcraft. Now as we are about to step over from the gospel age into millennial age another voice is heard in Zion and it’s the voice of a reformer. He has the message of the hour, a message that is needed, a message that should be heeded, a message calling our attention to Bible truths that we overlooked in the past, a message that has reached every nook and corner of this old earth notwithstanding it has been abused, slandered and every thing done to stop it yet it is heard wherever you go and adherents ready to defend it at all cost and with their lives if necessary! In the years to come after prejudice, ignorance and envy have been relegated to oblivion you’ll hear the now opposers of Pastor Russell praise his efforts and works of reformation. Many preachers are already beginning to acknowledge that Russell is doing a good work—those who a year ago bitterly opposed him.

--With best wishes, Jas. W. Heatherly, Saluda, N.C.

5-Year-Old Shot to Death in Chadbourn, 1946

“Milton Parker, 5, Killed by Shotgun” from the Monday, June 10, 1946, issue of The Robesonian, Lumberton

Chadbourn—Milton Parker, five-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frankie Parker of near Orrum, was accidentally shot when a shotgun went off at the home of Tommie Waters at Barnssville Friday afternoon about 6 o’clock. He was rushed to Fairmont and died shortly after arrival at Dr. Winstein’s clinic.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the home, conducted by the Rev. Jessie Hilburn.

Surviving are his parents, two brothers, James H. Parker and Willie H. Parker, and one sister, Linda Rose Parker.

War Assets Sold to Public After WWII, 1946

“Clearance Sale” from the Monday, June 10, 1946, issue of The Robesonian, Lumberton

Scores of veterans of World War II are expected to attend the warehouse clearance site sale of miscellaneous equipment and supplies on Veterans Day, Tuesday, June 11, at the War Assets administration warehouse, 316 Lenoir St., Raleigh.

Watauga County Citizens Discuss Extension of Railroad, 1900

“Railroad Mass Meeting” by J.C. Horton from the Watauga Democrat, June 7, 1900

Pursuant to notice a good crowd of the best citizens of Watauga county, met in the court house in Boone on the 4^th of June to hear and take into consideration the propositions of the Carolina and Northwestern Railroad Company with reference to the extension of their road through Watauga county, which is now being surveyed.

The meeting was called to order by Capt. Lovill, and on motion of Sheriff W.H. Caloway was made chairman, J.C. Horton and R.C. Rivers secretaries.

Mr. Calaway explained the object of the meeting and expressed himself as favoring any project that would insure the construction of a line of Railroad through the county, that was fair, and safeguarded the interests of the taxpayers.

Mr. W.C. Ervin of Morganton addressed the meeting, explaining the project of the railroad people. He said that a prominent citizen of South Carolina, Mr. Barber, had bought the old narrow gauge road from Chester, S.C., to Lenoir, a distance of 108 miles, and that he had interested and secured the co-operation of men of capital from the North and they were planning to construct a through line from some Atlantic seaport, possibly Charleston, to the coal fields. They have already commenced placing ties and have purchased heavy steel rails to use in converting the C.&L. narrow gauge into a standard gauge road, and this work will be pushed as rapidly as possible.

They propose then to extend the road from Lenoir to cross the Blue Ridge at some practicable point into Watauga county, thence into Tennessee either by way of head of Roan creek and Mountain City, or down Watauga River to Butler, Tenn. They have a corps of engineers now at work on a survey from Cook’s Gap to Lenoir, and they are making very satisfactory progress and are well pleased with the route so far.

He said that they would ask the county to subscribe $60,000 to the capital stock of the company, and that an election be held in the near future authorizing the subscription, and the issue of that amount of county bonds to pay for the stock, said bonds to run for such period as the county authorities desire, bearing interest. He said that any line chosen would put from 30 to 40 miles of roadway within the county and that the company would not ask the subscription paid, until the road was in operation through the county, and desired to deal with us fairly and honestly in this transaction.

Col. W.S. Pearson of Morganton then spoke, giving his recollections of the time when Burke county was endeavoring to get a railway via Morganton and stated that the county voted a subscription of $50,000 to the W.N.C. road, and that they had paid it off long ago and had 28 miles of railroad in the county which was assessed at $125 per mile, and paid a tax of $2,865 into the county treasury. They also had secured other benefits in way of state institutions located there and manufacturing enterprises established which brought many thousands of dollars to his people, all of which would be lost without the railroad. He said that his county had made a mistake in not accepting a proposition recently submitted by another railroad company and thus securing a competing line, but that they hoped to get connection with the Carolina and Northwestern when it is completed.

Mr. Isaac Avery also made a short speech pointing out the great advantages that might be gained by encouraging this project. Many others in the crowd among them Capt. Lovill, E.S. Coffey, J.L. Hayes, L.H. Michael, M.B. Blackburn and A. Roten were called for and every one expressed himself as favoring a strong and decided movement on the part of the people of Watauga county to secure, if possible, the location of the new road directly through the county.

To this end it was unanimously agreed to appoint a committee of five members, whose duty it shall be to circulate petitions to secure the necessary signatures to have an election ordered on the question of subscription, and to confer with representatives of the railroad company and arrange the terms of the proposition to be submitted to the county. The committee named was composed of E.F. Lovill, M.B. Blackburn, J.P. Taylor, N.L. Mast and J.L. Hayes. The committee went to work in the crowd and soon secured about 200 names.

Quite a good crowd was present, representing different sections of the county and an earnest spirit was manifested. Mr. Ervin expressed himself as very much pleased with the intelligent interest taken in the proposed enterprise.

Frank Smith Shares Community News From Fletcher, June 4, 1914

“Fletcher News” by Frank Smith, from the June 4, 1914, issue of the Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C.

The Bank of Fletcher, a new and substantial institution, opened its doors for business on the 25^th day of May, 1914. The bank building is a handsome brick structure with an imposing front, which makes an attractive appearance and adds considerably to the looks of our town. We are proud of this institution as it fills a long-felt need in this community. Its patrons will be quick to realize its worth.

The bank was organized by Mr. M.A. Miller, an attorney prominent in banking circles and in the business world. We local people are interested in the bank and every indication points to its success. Mr. H.B. Walker comes to us from Charleston, S.C., as the cashier of the Fletcher Bank. He shows much courtesy and kindness to all whom he meets and seems much interested in every one’s welfare. We are glad to have such a man in our town and we feel he will be a great help to our community, and wish him great success.

A most beautiful wedding was solemnized in Fletcher Sunday afternoon when Miss Helen Seals, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K.R. Seals became the bride of Mr. Van Hayes of Asheville, Rev. Pruett officiating. The party left on the 5:35 train. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes wish them success and happiness.

Rev. J.A. Fry of Waynesville delivered a most excellent sermon at Patty’s chapel Sunday morning. We were glad to have Bro. Fry with us again as he served us as pastor four years.

Miss Mattie Sales has returned home after being away several months during which time she was teaching.

Missing Boy Makes His Way to New York City, 1946

“14-Year-Old Boy Disappears; Found in New York Today” from the Monday, June 10, 1946, issue of The Robesonian, Lumberton

The anxiety caused by the disappearance of Earl Kinlaw, 14, from the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kinlaw, with whom he lived on Route 5, Lumberton, yesterday about 1 o’clock was allayed with the receipt of a telegram this afternoon by Sheriff E.C. Wade from Police Inspector Martin J. Brown of New York City that the boy is in New York. The family is making arrangements for his transportation home.

Mr. Kinlaw states that Earl, a “quiet youth who never gave any trouble,” left home Sunday shortly after asking his grandfather to go with him to “High Hills,” a spot 3 miles east of Lumberton. When Mr. Kinlaw was unable to accompany him, the boy went off alone. The family became much disturbed when he failed to return by nightfall, and they were in Lumberton today seeking the aid of officers in searching for him when Sheriff Wade received the message giving his whereabouts.

Earl’s mother is dead, and his father, H.B. Kinlaw, lives at Myrtle Beach. It is not known how he got to New York. The message stated that he was “stranded” there.