Safeblowers Break Into Farmers Ginning and Produce Company, Elizabeth City, 1920

“Burglars Attempt to Crack Safe Here,” from the July 23, 1920 issue of the Elizabeth City Independent.

Safeblowers who are believed to be members of a gang who have recently entered a number of country stores and post offices in Northeastern North Carolina and Tidewater Virginia, entered the office of the Farmers Ginning and Produce Co. at the end of Main street last Sunday night, drilled one hole thru the door of the safe, and started two others, when, evidently frightened away, they left the job unfinished. The local police found no clue as to their identity when they visited the scene of the attempted robbery the next morning.

After 40 Years Absence, Tom Garner Recognizes Only Two Old Faces in Elizabeth City, 1920

“Back to Betsy After Forty Years Absence…Recognizes Only Two Faces and the Plastering in The Southern Hotel,” from the July 23, 1920 issue of the Elizabeth City Independent.

Tom Garner, who ran a newspaper in Elizabeth City forty years ago was in Elizabeth City this week for the first time in 39 years. He came to renew acquaintances in the old town and found only two of them living: J.T. McCabe and M.B. Culpepper. He tried his best to find something that looked like Elizabeth City 40 years ago, but the only thing that looked like old times was the Southern Hotel. Even the plastering and the plumbing in that hostelry seemed familiar to him.

Mr. Garner went from Elizabeth city to Western Virginia in the mining section of that state, established a successful paper. He was getting along fine with it until strikes became the order of the day out there. He says that recently it has been worth an editor’s life to write about the strikes and there has been little else of local interest to write about. He sold his paper a few weeks ago for $40,000 and will take the rest of his life easy. He is now 60 years old.

16-Year-Old's Essay Earns Guilford County Farm Youth a College Scholarship, 1939

Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

The state championship and a prize of $100 in cash and a one-year tuition scholarship to North Carolina State College has been awarded to John Robert Borum, a 16-year-old Guilford County farm youth, who has been declared winner in the state finals in the 112^th annual Cooperative Essay contest.

Three other contestants tied for second place in delivering orally the essays that had won them school, county, and district prizes. The second-place winners, each receiving $25, were: Mario Crowder of Cherryville, Jack Fisler of Ivanhoe (Sampson County) and Horace Edward Moore of Rocky Mount. All finalists spoke on the contest subject “How Rural Life in North Carolina May Be Enriched,” and their prizes were presented by Col. John W. Harrelson, administrative dean of State college.

In his essay on enriching rural life, Borum advocated a six-point program, including soil building, live-at-home farming, more livestock, winter farming, more farm processing, and co-operative purchasing and marketing.

“We shall never be content until all farm people in farm homes, better barns, better livestock, better farm machinery and more leisure, in order that they may have a chance for the abundant life contemplated for each man from the beginning.”

North Carolina farmers, Borum said, “have been very dependent. They produce a crop but have nothing to say about the price it brings. They buy at retail and sell at wholesale. We can do nothing about this condition as individuals, but this problem requires group action…. Industry is 85 per cent organized, consists of 11 per cent of our population and received 22 per cent of the national income. Agriculture is 25 per cent organized, consists of 25 per cent of our population and receives 11 per cent of our national income. Does organization pay? It is your only opportunity to protect the income.”

Social News From High Point, N.C., July 23, 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

Herbert Spencer, an employee of the Southern railway, had the misfortune to get his foot painfully mashed Monday. He was taken to the hospital.

W.J. Crowson, a prominent citizen of Sumter, S.C., and a manufacturer of shoes, is the guest of his son, M.C. Crowson, cashier of the Home Banking company.

J.R. Young, government inspector of buildings, who is superintending the construction of the post office building at Monroe, spent Sunday with his family.

Miss Nichols of Panama arrived today and will be the guest of Mrs. Joseph Wheaver on Steele Street.

E.B. Coler of New York, L.C. Daly of Baltimore, together with Messers. E.C. Deal and W.E. Price were in the city this week. These gentlemen spent Sunday at High Rock, the terminal of their road.

Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Lynch have returned from Rutherfordton, where they spent two weeks at the home place of Mr. Lynch.

Messers. Gant and Joyner of Greensboro were here Saturday on business with Mrs. Jarrell, who qualified as administratix of the late Mrs. W.D. Simmons.

Lieut. Ely Denton, who has been stationed near the Mexican border, has been commissioned to Honolulu Hawaiian Islands after August 1. Ely is an old High Point boy, having been raised here.

Charles Osborne, a well-known citizen living on Willow Brook Street, died suddenly Friday night. Deceased was reared near Abbots Creek and was widely known.

Benjamin C. Ridge, former chief of police here, is now with the Southern Railway Company, with headquarters at Spencer.

Dr. Martha Moore and little daughter, from Charlotte, are guests of W.A. Ring.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wineski have returned from a week’s vacation in the western part of the State.

Mrs. R.M. Noble of Chicago, who has been the guest of Mrs. A.M. Rankin for the past six weeks, has returned home.

Miss Lillian Smith and Sheriff G. Johnson were united in marriage Monday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Smith.

The garage of the People’s Motor Car Company is nearing completion.

Greensboro voted $100,000 improvement bonds Tuesday.

The finishing touches are being put on the residence of Miss Venetia Smith in the Quaker Grove.

Misses Nell and Leona Muse are the guests of Miss Virginia and Dorothy Henley at Jackson Springs.

Mrs. W.W. Mosely of Lynchburg is visiting her mother, Mrs. Lineback on East Washington street.

The young people of west side Baptist church gave a melon party Tuesday night.

Geo. T. Penny purchased the Dougan Davis property on South Main street Tuesday afternoon at a public sale.

The Red Men had a very impressive service Monday night in connection with the removal of the emblems of mourning form the charter on account of the death of Dr. J.R. Reitzel. Several Red Men paid tribute to the life of their departed brother.

Senator Stone, chairman of the senate foreign relations committee, does not want the “mighty” Teddy to muddle negotiations by butting in on the Columbia matter.

Geo. E. Hood of Wayne County was named yesterday as the regular nominee of the Democratic party in the 3^rd Congressional district.

Leonard, Beavans, Stamey Co. has a new ad on this page telling of a wonderful value-giving sale commencing at their store tomorrow and continuing to the close of the following week only. Better read it and then go to this store and save big money on seasonable merchandise.

We urgently request all of our readers to peruse carefully the article on the editorial page headed “North Carolina Sloppy with Opportunities.” We wish that every citizen of North Carolina could read the article. It would be an inspiration to all.

Messrs. Blackwelder and Carrol have been elected as new patrolmen on the local police force, doing night duty.

The Military Boys of High Point left Monday night for Morehead City, expecting to be gone for about 10 days. We wish them a pleasant encampment.

Matton Drug Company has installed a new soda fountain which is in every way up-to-date.

J.C. Mills, employed at the Review office, spent Sunday in Reidsville with his mother.

Company M, High Point Rifles, left Monday night for a 10-days camp at Camp Glenn.

George Matton Jr. of the American Leaf Tobacco Company of Richmond, Va., is visiting home folks this week.

ROUTE 2, CITY

We had fine rains last Monday and Tuesday but the drought impaired the early crops. The prospects of corn is good this year, glad to note.

Ivey Cashatt and Ross Davis spent Sunday at Burnett’s Chapel.

Miss Rankin of Greensboro spent a few days with the family of Ivey Cashatt.

Marvin Kivett and Miss Lillie White attended the Children’s day exercises at Burnett’s Chapel Sunday.

Miss Mary Plummer of Randleman spent a delightful week with Miss Kivett.

Miss L. Salene Kivett is visiting relatives in Winston-Salem.

Harrison Jones is spending his vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Kivett.

Miss Myrtle Davis has been visiting her friends Misses Smith of High Point.

W.L. Kivett spent Saturday night at Greensboro with his sister, Mrs. D.M. Hollady.

E. Rothrock, who has been sick, is improving some, glad to note.

Mrs. W.L. Kivett spent Monday in Greensboro.

Mrs. E.M. Brower of High Point spent Sun day with her sister, Mrs. E.S. Wilson.

Motor Matt’s Enemies, or the Struggle for the Right, by Stanley R. Matthews, 1909

New inventions have always found their way into popular fiction, and “Motor Matt’s Enemies, or the Struggle for the Right” by Stanley R. Matthews is a good example. Published in Motor Stories July 24, 1909, readers could find thrilling adventure and motor fiction for just five cents. The magazine has been reproduced online at  http://www.gutenberg.org/files/50941/50941-h/50941-h.htm

According to the Dime Novel Companion, Motor Matt, whose real name was Matt King, was a young mechanical genius whose adventures took him to Arizona to the Bahamas and from Brazil to Cape Horn. He was an expert with all sorts of motors, from motorcycles, cars, airplanes and even a submarine. Associates were young Chub McReady, one-legged Welcome Perkins, the German Carl Pretzel, and Canadian Dick Ferral. Matt was featured in all 32 issues of Motor Stories and two issues of Brave and Bold. The author Stanley R. Matthews was actually William Wallace Cook (1867-1933). 

Local Woman Pens Ode to July, 1914

“July,” a Poem by Peggy,” published in the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

July

Summer’s roof is endless clear,

   Thousands starry lamps appear,

In a stretch of brilliant beams,

   July’s drapery it seems,

Is the fairest noiseless trail,

   That colored flowers can hail,

Festooned blossoms loosely blown,

   Floating drifting whirling show,

Warble is an unknown voice

   July is glad nature’s choice.

                                --“Peggy”

Idol Family in Guilford County, N.C., 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

There is quite a large family of Idols scattered throughout all this section of Guilford county. The sound of the name may not be considered very complimentary as far as a bustling, busy age is concerned, but never has a member of the Idol family been known to waste time, or idle. A young man near here by this cognomen, whose given-name is Eugene, and who has worked his way with much credit through Park College, Mo., and graduated there this spring with honor, has just sailed from New York to accept a position as teacher in one educational institution located in Santiago, Chile.

11 Men Passed Examinations, Now Qualified to Use Police Radio Patrol System, 1939

“Eleven Men Pass Tests Qualifying for Police Radio” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Personnel to handle the police radio patrol system approved yesterday as an official part of the local department’s equipment will be picked from a list of 11 men qualified through examination, Chief of Police Carl Stanford indicated today.

All but one of the dozen officers submitting papers in an examination two weeks ago passed requirements satisfactorily, according to a report forwarded here from Durham by examining officials.

At a later date, Stanford said, the exam may be given to other members of the department in order to ensure adequately qualified replacements, and any appointments made at the present time will be merely on a temporary basis.

The radio system was formally accepted yesterday afternoon at the completion of technical and practical tests, and will be put into operation almost immediately.

The set-up will require nine qualified men in addition to Chief Sanford, in order to have one man in each of the two patrol cars on all of the three shifts, and a qualified man on the desk on each of the three shifts.

Those given passing examination marks are Chief Stanford; Capt. T.J. Davis, Sergt. J.T. Winningham, Sergeant Ed. Ausley, and Officers A.H. Garner, Jack Hall, J.L. Craven, R.L. Barham, H.T. Hanna, L.W. Poteat and E.D. Poe.

White School Enrollment Up 68%, 'Colored' Enrollment Down 50%, Concord, N.C., 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

Concord—Mr. J.B. Long, principal of the No. 2 graded school, has completed his work of taking the school census and population of Concord.

Concord’s population, as reported by Mr. Long, is 9,046. The government census gave it as 8,715. Mr. Long’s figures gathered while taking the school census, Mayor Hartsell having engaged him to take the population.

The school census shows 2,289 white school children in Concord and 547 colored. There are 660 white children in the city between 8 and 12 years of age. The white children show an increase of 68 over last year and the colored show a decrease of 50.

Mr. Long states that illiteracy among the white children shows a large decrease and that the compulsory school law is being well observed.

County Physician Vaccinates 65 People Against Typhoid in Pleasant Garden, N.C., 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

Greensboro—County Physician W.M. Jones gave 65 people of the Pleasant Garden community anti-typhoid vaccine. These people responded without any solicitation and no notice except the mere statement that the county health officer would be present at the time to administer the vaccine to those who desired it. Doctor Jones said that if the offer to vaccinate had been made four years ago there would have been no response whatever and people would have scored “the fake.”

Five Uncontested Divorces Granted in Alamance County Courtroom, 1939

“County Court in Jury Session as Divorces Granted” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Neither of Five Cases Contested; Two Year Separation Clause Basis for Breaking Bonds

Grinding out divorces with remarkable speed a civil court jury this morning granted legal separation to five couples in less than an hour.

All five of the divorces were given on the basis of at least two years separation. Neither was contested.

The separations were as follows:

G.E. Love from Grace Love; Ruby S. McFadyen from D.F. McFayden; K.F. Young from Clara Bell Young; Mrs. Ola Martin from J. Frank Martin; and Robert Hazel, negro, from Lula Hazel.

The jury session of court is held once each month, usually on the third Tuesday. Last week it was postponed, however, until today.

Rev. Sidney Love to Speak on "The Daughter Thou Gaveth Me" 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

A lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Sidney Love, Secretary of the Carolina Prisoner’s Aid Society, his subject being, “The Daughter Thou Gaveth Me.” This lecture will give a descriptive account of the life of a Salem girl now serving a term on one of our county farms. It is thrilling, interesting and instructive. The lecture will be delivered on purpose to show the need of passing a law to pay wives and children of prisoners money earned by the convict.

Rev. Sidney Love is recognized as one of the best orators in the State. The lecture is for men only. No charges for admission and it will start sharp at 5:00 p.m.

Rev. Sidney Love to Speak on "The Daughter Tough Gaveth Me" 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

A lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Sidney Love, Secretary of the Carolina Prisoner’s Aid Society, his subject being, “The Daughter Thou Gaveth Me.” This lecture will give a descriptive account of the life of a Salem girl now serving a term on one of our county farms. It is thrilling, interesting and instructive. The lecture will be delivered on purpose to show the need of passing a law to pay wives and children of prisoners money earned by the convict.

Rev. Sidney Love is recognized as one of the best orators in the State. The lecture is for men only. No charges for admission and it will start sharp at 5:00 p.m.

Frank Jeter's "Personal Mention" Column from Extension Farm-News, July 1955

“Personal Mention” by Frank Jeter, Agricultural Extension Service Editor at N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published in Extension Farm-News, July 1955. If you want an image of the page for your files, it's below the story.

He retired July 1, but every morning about 8 o’clock you can see Roy Dearstyne walk in in to his office in Scott Hall. “So what,” he retorts. “I didn’t say I’d quit work, did I?” It was a wonderful dinner the college staff tendered Roy at the Youth Center of the State Fairgrounds. . . .196 of us there by actual count and a handsome purse presented to the veteran poultry leader. . .a great fellow who retires full of years and honor.

So does our “Miss Hattie.” The girls in the Division of Ag. Information had a little party for her. There were one or two short talks, gifts were presented, and Mrs. Smith came by the next morning to say goodbye with one of the most original cartoons yet seen in this office.

One of our best Farm and Home Weeks. . .that 47^th annual event! Only 345 men and 1,291 women registered. What to do? If our people are not interested in this type of meeting anymore, despite yards of publicity of every kind, lots of personal letters, and much personal effort, then the event should be dropped from the college calendar. Secretary Fred Sloan, President Loy Howard of the Farmers’ Convention, and Mrs. E.P. Gibson, charming and energetic home demonstration president, did a wonderful job preparing the program and planning the week. Evidently the people are getting their information in the various other meetings, achievement days, institutes, short courses, field demonstrations and the like. The old Farm Convention, so long a great event for rural North Carolina, seems a thing of the past. Every year we hold a “wake” over the remains. Every year, the new officers dislike for it to die on their hands, so we try again. Here’s a vote to drop it and let’s move ahead with something else. An equal amount of work and nervous energy could well be used to a better advantage in some other area.

The ladies had a wonderful Farm and Home Week. It was an all-day affair, broken by a delightful luncheon tendered by Dr. Frank Graham and the other speakers in the College Union. Mrs. Theta Barnard of Clay County stole the show. Mrs. J.C. Berryhill of Charlotte, the new president of the State Home Demonstration Federation, Ellis Vestal, new president of the State Farmers’ Convention, wonderful selections. Also wonderful tobacco meetings at the several branch stations. . .upwards of a thousand growers at each meeting.

A great indoctrination week for youthful, starry-eyed youngsters entering Extension for the first time. It’s good to see them catching something of the spirit of those who have made the Service what it is today. . .better still, to see them realizing that a new day is dawning for Extension and on the solid foundation of the past, a still greater superstructure is being erected.

Over a hundred farm and home agents here for the three weeks’ refresher course. . .45 in our course on the effective use of information media. . .a sharp group. We had a good time together and learned something from one another.

Glenn Hardesty of Rowan says you get more out of this Extension job than your monthly salary. Glenn happened to recall a job vacancy when one of his club boys had been graduated from high school and despaired of finding a job. . .badly needed, too. Glenn called, arranged an interview, the boy got the job. His previous record as a 4-H club member did him no harm at all, not at all.

Among the loud anthems of praise over 139 tobacco, Charley Raper plays a cracked record. The variety is susceptible to Fusarium wilt, he says, and one or two Columbus growers have lost heavily for this reason.

“Big Nick” Nicholson of Union finds a pullet, now laying, that was hatched with only one wing. No sign of any rudimentary wing on the left side. We have often heard the old saying, “A bird can’t fly with one wing,” but that’s another story.

Have you heard the one about William Lamm’s cat? Get Steve Lewis to tell you. Steve tells how Bill utilized one of the desk drawers in the Goldsboro Extension office as a kitten nursery.

Radio brings blessings to the old. Bob Love of Transylvania tells about Jim Mull, a 90-year-old farmer with failing eyesight, who keeps up with the latest in good farming by listening to the farm program on the radio.

“General” Grant must not be overlooked in the current series of Extension stories and tells of honey bees which spend the past winter on the top of a dead pine. The bees, says the General, spent the winter in a comb about the size of a man’s head built late last summer and fastened to the pine. And it was cold in North Carolina last winter.

Bertie, incidentally, will have a real peanut growing contest this season with $100 in cash offered to four prize winners.

Ever head of “gate fever”? It’s a new disease prevalent now in Yancey County, says Bill Bledsoe, assistant agent, but it’s a delight to the Extension office as more strong gates are hung to more pasture entrances.

For 33 years and 15 days, Ewing “Shorty” Millsaps has served Randolph County. He retired on July 2 and Ben Jenkins returned to the Extension fold to carry on in Shorty’s place. They are getting a bit too modern in Randolph, however. Douglas Young, assistant agent, wanted to take a look over the county so he accepted a plane ride from Garland Allen of Ramseur and learned more about the topography of the county in an hour and a half than he ever knew before.

We are happy to have Bill Carpenter back in the editorial office as head of the publications section. Bill earned his Masters at Wisconsin this past winter and is now on the job filling the place made vacant when Lyman Noordhoff accepted a position in Washington.

That piece of red meat given to Governor Hodges by Dean Colvard and Jim Graham of the Hereford Association came from Catawba County. Please don’t forget that, or you earn the stern disapproval of Frank (The Hat) Harris. Nancy Johnson of Catawba fed and exhibited the steer and sold it for $40 a hundred pounds after winning the grand champion ribbon at the Catawba-Iredell Livestock Show on May 25.

Pender County will issue $100,000 in bonds for an agricultural building and library. J.N. Honeycutt says a referendum to decide the question will be held on October 1. R.M. Ritchie of our Extension Engineering Office has designed the building.

John Gorman of Leicester, Buncombe County, won the $100 first prize this year in the Western Carolina Timber Stand Improvement Contest.

Fifty people labored two days to provide a suitable recreation park back of Wilson’s new Agricultural Center and it was here that Bill Lewis and Mrs. Ona Humphrey worked with the farm leaders of the county to stage their very successful county-wide farm picnic. .  .a greater occasion that usual because of those two $1,000 prizes for being the outstanding county of the year in rural progress.

Again speaking of progress, the farm folks of Forsyth County hired two big passenger planes to visit the Coker Seed Farm at Hartsville, South Carolina. Sam Mitchiner said they mainly wanted to see how 139 tobacco was being cured and handled.

The home demonstration club women of Mecklenburg County dedicated their special edition of the Mecklenburg Times to B. Arp Lowrance. Bill Arp owns the paper but was powerless, as are we all, when the good ladies told him they were running that particular show.

Forty years after he began the Extension program in Pitt County, June 1, 1915, B. Troy Ferguson, retired district agent, went back to visit old scenes and found few that were as they were when he began to work.

Speaking of veterans, we were glad to have a letter from J.D. McVean, first pig club agent in the state, and now a farm agent at Chestertown, Maryland.

Finally, a big, big day in Chowan. . .county elimination contests, a country picnic dinner, recreation and all sorts of good times arranged by R.S. Marsh and Mrs. Clara Boswell. Mrs. Boswell is now in the florist business as of July 1 and invited you to come by when in Edenton.

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John A. Christian, native of Dubois, Pa., has been appointed as Extension animal husbandry specialist at N.C. State College. He will specialize in meats’ work. Before accepting his present appointment, Christian was an associate professor at the University of Connecticut for nine years. A veteran of World War II, he was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1946 with the rank of captain. Christian graduated from Penn State College in 1942 and received his M.S. Degree from the same institution in 1947. He is married and the father of four daughters.

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Peanut Support Prices

The 1955 crop of peanuts produced in North Carolina will be supported at a national average of not less than $244.80 a ton, F.C. Hall of the state ASC office, has announced.

Communities Suffer When People Buy Goods Through Catalogs Rather Than in Local Stores, 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

That which is not desired cannot be said to possess a value. But that which is desirable and in demand possesses a value according to its desirability—the value being regulated by the demand.

Farm lands vary in values according to their location, their productive qualities and their accessibility to the markets.

The character of crops must be regulated according to the market at hand and every community necessarily directs the character of the product brought to town by the farmers.

There must be a market for the farmer. There must be some place where he can realize on his crops and receive in exchange a fair value in money or such merchandise as will supply the necessities of those dependent on his efforts—to say nothing of the luxuries that have become practically necessities.

The day has gone by when the farmer and his family raised and produced by home manufacture all the things needed. We have become creatures of conditions entirely new. We must have stylish clothing to take the place of the home-spun worn by our forefathers. We must have pianos and organs, upholstered furniture, chinaware, crockery, tinware, aluminum utensils, self-binding harvesters, threshing machines, together with modern machinery and tools of all kinds. Our wives and daughters must have millinery and all sorts of fol-der-rols which, bless them, they are entitled to have and to wear.

Our day is no longer a period of appreciation of beauty unadorned or a disregard for the good things of life. We need, or we think we need, which is the same thing, a lot of things which cannot be produced on the farm, therefore we incline our motives and endeavors to obtain such things.

In answer to the demand for such things we have established communities for a general exchange of these things; for the exchange of the farm products for money and for merchandise. Now that we have established a standard of values for everything we figure everything in dollars and cents and if we are dealing with a storekeeper who carries a stock of the things we require and wish to buy and who wishes to buy that which we have to sell, there is no bother about making the deal.

In our community we have storekeepers who have equipped their places of business with everything we need. They have invested their money in merchandise just as the farmers have invested their money and their time in lands and machinery and cattle and in crops.

In this manner there has been created a certain market for a proportion of the crops raised by our farmers. The marketing of the balance of the crops is readily attended to by the mere fact that we have a community, a headquarters for buying and selling; the greater the size of the community, the better facilities.

If a community is poor and unprosperous, then the farmer cannot market his crops so profitably.

The prosperity of a community rests entirely with the people in that community, this, of course, including those who live on the outskirts and who really form a part of the community, because of the fact that they do their marketing there. If they bring their products to the community market and sell them there and then spend their money with the local business men, the community will grow and prosper. Land values will increase and the earnest toilers and workers will become wealthy.

But if either the farmers or the storekeepers fail to do their full share in the way of complying with the business requirements then there will be a lack of success and the community will not grow or prosper. Land values will not increase.

There is a division of responsibility, practically equal. The interests of the storekeepers and of the farmers must come together. Without a due appreciation of these requirements, no community can look for progress.

If the storekeepers do not carry the merchandise ready to meet the requirements of the farmers they realize that they cannot expect to do the business. But the failure is not here.

The great trouble in our community, now, is that the shower of mail order catalogues has descended on the land and the farmers are included to believe that no harm can come of diverting their trade from the local storekeepers to the mail order houses in the big cities.

We must keep our money in circulation in our own town. We must protect our local storekeepers. We must create and build up conditions of prosperity right here at home or there will be no increase in land values. In fact, they will decrease if we send our money to the mail order houses.

If we desire prosperity, we must help to create it ourselves by spending our money at home.

Stameys Enjoy Country Dinner and Family Reunion, 1914

“Pleasant Outing Sunday” by W.L. Stamey, Editor and Publisher, from the Thursday, July 16, 1914, issue of the High Point Review. Wouldn't you love to sit under that big tree and listen to these folks talk about their lives? 

The editor with his family Sunday attended a family reunion at the home of his aunt, Mrs. J.T. Herrin, four miles north of Greensboro, on the Burlington road.

An old fashioned country dinner was served out in the open, under a big tree and surrounded by nature’s wonderful painting of trees, grass and flower.

The guest of honor was Mrs. Belzorah Stamey, mother of the editor’s father, the late Rev. P.F.W. Stamey, who though 86 years has a very few grey strands in her hair and is sprightly as the average woman of 50.

Those attending and enjoying the day immensely were Mrs. Dr. E.L. Stamey of Greensboro; Mrs. J.T. Herrin, daughter of grandma Stamey; Dewey Herrin of Winston, grandson; Master Paul and W.L. Stamey Jr., great grand sons, of High Point; Dorothy and Mamie Frances Stamey, grat grand daughters; Mrs. W.R. Wix and daughter of High Point, grand daughter and great grand daughter respectively; Mr. and Mrs. Alexander and Mr. and Mrs. Dodson and daughter, neighbors; Mr. J.T. Herrin. Dr. E.L. Stamey, a son, was prevented from attending owing to urgent duties at home. There are six of Grandma Stamey’s children still living; some 40 grandchildren, and about 30 great-grandchildren. She will visit awhile in Greensboro and nearby points and later come on to High Point, and probably go to Lincoln and Catawba counties to renew acquaintances of 50 years ago.

Grandma Stamey is a sister of Supt. Thornwell Haynes’ father.

Money Sought So Negro 4-H Boys Can Compete in Cleveland, Ohio, 1939

“Seeking to Send Negro 4-H Boys to Enter Judging” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Plans are now under way in the county for the raising of necessary funds to send two negro 4-H club boys to the international poultry congress in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 2, where they will compete in demonstration contests with other such teams from other states.

Alamance, Craven, and Hertford counties are the only areas in North Carolina which will be so represented at the meeting. This county was selected by R.E. Jones, negro 4-H club specialist.

The two youths of this county, who as yet have not been named, will present a consumption demonstration entitled “An Egg Drink for Lunch.” The demonstration was prepared by B.A. Hall, acting county agent.

During Hall’s absence due to summer school attendance at Hampton Institute, J.W. Jeffries, negro county agent, who is now on leave of absence, is assisting the boys in the perfection of their demonstration. 

Hall, who has been in summer school for about three weeks, is slated to return this week.

White 4-H Boys Touring World's Fair, Other Places of Interest in New York, 1939

“Young Tar Heel Club Members Go to New York” from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

The Young Tar Heel Farmers’ club from Alexander-Wilson school and additional boys from the Wilson and surrounding community left yesterday morning on a trip to the World’s Fair and places of interest in New York. They will stop at Mt. Vernon, Washington, D.C., and on up the Hudson to West Point and Poughkeepsie, N.Y. In the party were S.A. Cooper, agriculture instructor, Aubrey Isley, Stanly Neese, Buddy Wood, Ross Coble, Parker Wood, Wilton Holmes, Elma Albright, Alexander Hamby, Walter McPherson, Casey Johnson, G.C. Hill, Vernon Whitsell, Arlie Phillips, Alfred Worth, Billie Phillips, Odell Whitsell, A.D. Johnson, Maurice Courtenier, and Willard Mundy.

Will Kinston Be Overrun with Rats if Rat-Catching Dogs Are Taxed? Or Overrun with Rat-Catching Dogs if They Are Not Taxed? 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

Kinston—When would a rat dog be a rat dog? Is a question that the local police are not willing to debate. A suggestion that rat-catching dogs be exempted from taxation has met with prompt protect from the officers, who are now taking toll at the rate of $1 a head on the canine population of Kinston, which numbers about 350 outside of the canine tax-dodgers. If the rat destroyers were exempted, a statement from police headquarters says, there would be innumerable rat dogs.

Put Baby on a 'Strict Regimen of Sodas and Other Sugary Carbonated Beverages' for a Lifetime of Guaranteed Happiness

Why give your baby boring milk when you could give him a soda? “Laboratory tests over the last few years have proven that babies who started drinking soda during the early formative period have a much higher chance of gaining acceptance and “fitting in” during those awkward pre-teen and teen years. So, do yourself a favor. Do your child a favor. Start them on a strict regimen of sodas and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness.”

Granny Lewis Began a Sunday School Program for Area Children, Glen Hope Baptist Church Was Later Established, 1925

Glen Hope Baptist Church, mentioned in the previous posting, began in 1925 when a woman started a Sunday school for children in the Piedmont Heights community around Burlington Mills. Here is the story from the church's web page: http://www.glenhope.org/our-history

The Sunday School of Glen Hope Baptist Church was established in June 1925 following a religious census that was taken of the growing Piedmont Heights Community. The community sprang up around the Burlington Mills, which was opened in 1923.  Due to transportation difficulties the Mill provided housing for their employees at a cost of $1 to $2.50 per week.

One of the residents of the community, Mrs. A.E. (Granny) Lewis, gathered the increasing number of children around her each Sunday for a Bible lesson and prayer that God would send someone to establish a church in the community. On one of those Sundays, Mr. John Bayliff heard the prayer and approached his pastor at the Methodist church about starting a church. When he realized that his pastor was not interested, he visited the First Baptist Church where Rev. Buck was very receptive.

Bible study was offered each week along with worship services led by Rev. Robert Councilman, a ministerial student assisting Rev. Buck at First Baptist. This new church was called Burlington Mills Baptist Church. However, in 1926 hard times hit the community and many individuals were forced to leave the area in search of employment elsewhere. When Rev. Councilman returned to school there was no one to conduct the worship service. The Bible study continued each week, but members attended worship in other places.

On September 13, 1927 a group of young adults from Pamona Baptist Church in Greensboro visited the Bible Study group in Piedmont Heights. At the end of the session it was disclosed to the Burlington group that the Sunday School teacher from Greensboro that morning had recently felt the call of God into the ministry.  When asked if he would preach for them that morning, George Washington Swinney stood and preached extemporaneously a sermon title “Prepare to Meet Thy God.” So impressed were they that they asked Mr. Swinney to return the next Sunday. So began a ministry that would last 42 years.  The church was reorganized as the Glen Hope Baptist Church taking their name from the Glen Hope School in the neighborhood.

Through the years, God has continued to bless the prayer of Granny Lewis and broadened the ministry and outreach of the Glen Hope Baptist Church.

Revivals at Glenhope and Belmont Baptist Churches, 1939

Revivals at Glenhope and Belmont Baptist Churches from the Tuesday, July 25, 1939, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Rev. G.W. Swinney Conducting Revival in Chatham County

Rev. G.W. Swinney, pastor of the Glenhope Baptist church, began a 10-day revival at the Hickory Grove Baptist church in Chatham county last night.

The Glenhope pastor, who for some time has been doing quite a bit of evangelistic work, began his 19^th consecutive week of revival meetings with this series of services.

Bookings have been made to occupy the pastor’s entire time from now through the first week in November.

Rev. Wayne Curtis Conducting Revival at Belmont Church

Rev. Wayne Curtis is conducting a series of revival services at the Belmont Baptist church, and large groups are attending, it was announced today. The revival operated on Sunday night, and will probably continue for two weeks.

The musical portion of the services is being conducted by Bill Burke and Eddie Wiggs, and is a special feature of each meeting.

The public is invited to the services held each night at 7:30 o’clock.

Giving His Clerk a Raise, Retiring Director of the Mint Says She Taught Him How to Do His Job, 1907

From the Watauga Democrat, July 25, 1907

The first instance on record where a woman was ever given a $2,000 clerkship under the government, developed in Washington this week. Miss Margaret Kelly, a special clerk to the Director of the Mint, was recommended for promotion by Geo. Roberts, the retiring director of the Mint, and the promotion was made by Secretary Cortelyou who raised Miss Kelly from the $1,000 to the $2,000 grade. Such a jump for a woman was unheard of in the government service, but Director Roberts when approached on the subject, said it was merely paying for efficiency, and perhaps not paying as much as the efficiency deserved. He said that Miss Kelly was in the director’s office as a clerk when he came there and that all he knew as Director of the Mint he had learned from her. This was a rather startling admission for a bureau chief to make, but it might be duplicated by many other chiefs if they would give their principal clerks the credit due them. He said Miss Kelly was just as competent of being Director the Mint as anybody, and he was glad she was getting paid in proportion to her services. This ought to be encouraging news for a good many women in the government service in Washington and elsewhere, for it at least indicates that there is no tendency to side track them on account of their sex and that efficient work when seen is rewarded.

Charles Bullard Drowns in Pond, 1914

From the Thursday, July 23, 1914, issue of the High Point Review

The body of Charles Bullard, the young white man who was drowned Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia pond north of the city, was discovered Sunday and was carried to Elkin where the funeral and interment occurred. It was carried to the home of Houston Haynes, White Oak, where he and Mrs. Bullard were boarding.

The search was given up Saturday night at 10 o’clock after the pond had been dragged. The flood gate was opened in the hope that enough water would run off to enable searchers to find his body, but Sunday morning the pond had lowered but 2 ½ feet.

Dynamiting was resorted to and two blasts were made on the surface of the water. In 20 minutes after the last blast the body came to the surface in the middle of the lake, several feet from where he went under.

Gov. Hoey Urges 4-H'ers to Remain on the Farm and Remain in North Carolina, Probably 1938

Hoey Urges Farm Youths to Remain on Farm, in State. Clyde R. Hoey was governor of North Carolina from 1937 to 1941, when he became a Senator. North Carolina State College is now called North Carolina State University and it is in Raleigh.

Raleigh, July 25—(AP)—Governor Hoey urged 1,035 farm boys and girls today to stay on the farm, remain in the state, and aid in building a greater North Carolina.

“There is a greater opportunity on the farm today than ever before,” Governor Hoey told the young people at their first general session of the 25^th annual 4-H short course at North Carolina State college. “The privations of farm life are being greatly reduced.”

Archie Prevatte, a Robeson county farm boy who heads the state 4-H organization, introduced the governor, and after the governor’s speech pledged him the support of the 4-H clubs in building a great state.

The governor upheld the sales tax as the only means through which each citizen contributes to the administrative, educational, institutional and welfare branches of the government. He told the young delegates in brief where the state gets its money, how much from each of the main sources, and where it is spent.

Conferences and class instruction occupied most of the day, with songs and games planned after vesper services tonight.

Celebrating the Fourth of July, Vienna, Va., 1921

Folks celebrating the 4th of July in Vienna, Virginia, 1921. 

C.W. Gaither to be Secretary-Treasurer of Newly-Incorporated Auto & Gas Engine Works, 1920

“Leaves Rail Road for the Auto” from the July 23, 1920, issue of the Elizabeth City Independent.

Elizabeth City gains and Hertford loses a valuable citizen in C.W. Gaither who has come from Hertford to Elizabeth City to take the office of secretary-treasurer of the Auto & Gas Engine Works, Inc., of which he is a stockholder. Mr. Gaither is 42 years old and this is the second job he has held in his life. He went to work for the Norfolk Southern R.R. at Hertford when he was 12 years old and when he was 21 years old he was holding down the agency for the company and doing the telegraph trick at that point. He had become so identified with the Norfolk Southern that he might have remained a fixture if his brother W.G. Gaither, cashier of the First & Citizens National Bank of this city, hadn’t convinced him that Elizabeth City is a better field for pep and perseverance of the Gaither variety. Mr. Gaither entered upon his new duties last week and will remove his family to Elizabeth City as soon as he can find a home for them. The Auto & Gas Engine Works was recently incorporated and its officers under the incorporation are W.P. Skinner, president; T.J. Jones, vice president; C.W. Gaither, secretary-treasurer.

Drawing of Draft Numbers for War, 1917

“The Drawing of the Draft Numbers at Washington,” from the High Point Review, July 26, 1917.

The drawing of the prospective soldiers for the United States took place in Washington Friday. Every man who was registered on June 5^th was drawn, therefore the list stands the same as ion that day, when each was given a liability number, in the order they registered. For instance, the first man registered was given No. 1, the second No. 2, and so on. The drawing Friday established in addition to the liability number, a service number, which was placed in red ink by the local draft boards on the back of the cards and forwarded to Washington. It was these numbers that were drawn Friday. No. 258 was the first service number drawn at Washington and of course this was liability number 1. The next number drawn was liability number 2, and so on. When the various quotas for the army are to be secured the boards will commence with the government’s liability number 1 and on down the list until enough men are secured, from each district, barring exemptions, when the drafting will cease and those whose names have not been reached this time will likely be reserved for future use. The number on the left of your name designates the liability number.

The Review will be pleased to give any party the information desired as to his numbers or anything pertaining to the draft that we can. Every time a number was drawn Friday, it represented 42,000 men, as there are 42,000 draft districts in the country and the same numbers were used for all the districts.

Happy Fourth of July

This Fourth of July image can only be from July 4, 1908 to July 4, 1911 because the flags have 46 stars. Our flag received its 46th star November 16, 1907 when Oklahoma gained statehood. The 46-star American flag flew from that date until January 6, 1912, when the New Mexico Territory became the state of New Mexico. Arizona was added on Valentine's Day of the same year, giving the United States a 48-star flag. Alaska and Hawaii were the final states joining the Union in 1959. The lyrics on the image are from America and were written by Samuel Frances Smith in 1831 when he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. The melody was from the British anthem, "God Save the Queen." The Star Spangled Banner wasn't adopted as our official national anthem until 1931.

Children Should Be at Home Working, Not Wandering Around the Community, 1916

“Conservation” by Mrs. F.B. Ashcraft, from the June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.

(A paper read before the Woman’s Club and published by special request.)

I shall not attempt to discuss conservation in its broadest sense. As it pertains to our forests, our mountains, our Niagara Falls, not even Monroe’s shady trees, for they have been ruthlessly sacrificed for a block of cement. To simplify the word it means to save, to preserve. So today I want to make the application very practical. I want to discuss a very vital side of conservation, namely, the saving of our Monroe boys and girls, and Monroe’s yards, gardens, streets, alleys and public grounds.

For the second time I present my views to an organization of public-spirited women. It is not a fine spun theory of mine, but as I am very much a home-lady, I should say it is a home-spun theory, for I have given it right much serious and sometimes unpleasant thought. There are people who object to anything that calls for money, or more money, this might appeal to them as it requires no extra outlay of money but, is neither a money saving scheme.

It is this—That the children of the public schools be graded or given credit on their monthly reports for work done in their home or around their homes, that is, domestic work, physical and manual labor, to enumerate: cooking, sweeping, washing dishes, sewing, cutting wood, carrying it in, cleaning yards and side-walks, and the backs of the premises, working in the flower yard or garden, in fact, anything that children and young people can and should do.

Some one may say, what is the object of this? I should say:

Firstly—To teach our boys and girls habits of industry, to teach them to be able to appreciate a well-kept sanitary home and something of what the mother has to do in the home.

Secondly—To teach them to stay at home contentedly and thereby keep them off the streets and intruding on others who wish to have their children work and study.

Thirdly—To teach them that work is honorable and a credit to them. If there are parents who have plenty of servants and it is not necessary for their children to work, let them show their public spirit by going out and helping beautify our town. We observe there are side walks that are disreputable.

Fourthly—To teach our boys and girls that it is unbecoming and a reflection on their home training to be seen on the streets of Monroe every afternoon and often at night, loafing at some corner, or at the picture show, ice cream counters, post office, or at the depot. It would be far more to their credit to be at home and relieve mother or father of some of the domestic cares.

Fifthly—It will partly or largely solve the servant problem and alone with other good reasons save money these war times. But some one says, how can I keep my boy or girl at home and employed when some John or Mary is always calling to them to come and let’s go up town, or play ball, or to walk, or to the depot, or picture show or something else.

It seems to me that some such system inaugurated in our public schools would be greatly beneficial to the children, the parents and the community. It would prove especially good if adopted in our mill and colored schools. Miss Sowman, the expert sent out by the United States government, recommends home gardening from a money making basis. I argue it for the conservation of our boys and girls. It has been dinned in our ears always that the smartest men came from the rural districts. Why? It is not because they are born with more brains, but mix their brains with their muscle and thereby saved from the devil’s work-shop. Listen! We cannot vote, but we can be training our future city officials.

The children need the work and the work needs the children.

                                --Mrs. F.B. Ashcraft

Woman's Club Wants to Change Municipal Government and Hire City Manager, 1916

“Commission Government,” from the June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.

Have we not sat still, folded our hands and abused long enough? Shall we not try to solve the problem of municipal government on a brand new plan? Practically every American city has its group of men who are enthusiastically organizing some endeavor to secure the commission form of government for their towns. This government, while it may not be ideal, is so much better than the forms of government which preceded it in the various cities that the officials have been bombarded with questions by mail to such an extent that it has been bombarded with questions by mail to such an extent that it has been necessary to publish pamphlets as an answer to enquiries. Unquestionably the plan is popular wherever tried.

The essential features of the commission plan are economy, efficiency, control of public servants and of public funds and permanency of public improvements. Wards are abolished. The government is put on a sound business basis. The manager must run the city on an efficient business basis and he is directly responsible to the people for the business success or failure of the corporation. To make any business enterprise pay the cost of equipment and of operation must be kept within the limit of business economy. Wastefulness must be avoided.

All servants and helpers that are not actually profitable to the city should be gotten rid of just as a clerk or any other servant would be. The business efficiency of the commission plan secures employees that can render regular, efficient service. It does not allow the practice of furnishing jobs to friends or relatives; but the proposition is exactly reversed and men who can and will render the most valuable service are sought to take the jobs. The police show inefficiency if they arrest a stranger or a harmless countryman merely for intoxication and then allow prominent citizens or home boys to take in the town driving fast or cursing and threatening. This is inefficient police service. The ladies of the Woman’s Club think all violators of law should be treated alike instead of locking up the stranger or the countryman without bond and sending the prominent citizen home or letting him stay in the street. It is said that our street force wastes a thousand dollars a year or more in inefficiency and waste of time. We have been told that under the present system of government the aldermen can spend money for any old thing that suits them just whenever they take a notion. All they have to do is get the mayor to sign notes, checks or vouchers.

After a year of managerial work for Tarboro, J.H. Jacocks shows a good record in supervision of the town’s affairs. June 1, 1915, the town owed notes and the banks $3,167; fire truck note $2,026; miscellaneous bills $2,050; a total of $6,237.69. May 1^st this year those bills had all been paid and the miscellaneous bills amounted only to $850. The town on the first of the month owed $4,487.69 less than on June 12^th last year.

Other cities can be cited which show equally fine reports under the commission form of management and the sooner Monroe gets the commission government the sooner will the city enter an era of progress and growth that will be the pride of all of us.

Put a Little Piece of 'Country' in the Town of Monroe in the Form of Parks and Playgrounds, 1916

“Parks and Playgrounds” by Mrs. Roscoe Phiffer, from the June 16, 1916 issue of The Monroe Journal.

Mr. John Nolen, an eminent landscape architect of Cambridge, Mass., says, “Every city worthy of the name has public parks of some sort, and they are now recognized as a necessity of city life, just as streets and water and schools are a necessity. In nothing is a school so permanently benefitted as in the relation of sites and the construction of an adequate system of playgrounds and pleasure parks. The creation of a satisfactory park system is one of the most difficult and responsible duties that ever comes to a town or city government. No one nowadays doubts the necessity of city parks and playgrounds, and recent investigations give final and convincing evidence that parks pay as a municipal investment, pay directly in dollars and cents.”

One of our most public-spirited citizens has tried for years to induce the city government to buy a certain tract of land, lying close in, to be used as a public park. The people generally realize that a bad situation will confront us one of these days, when we will become a closely built community, without breathing space for the public. No bits of the natural world, no little piece of “country” left. It seems almost a necessity that the municipality acquire land for this purpose before the price becomes prohibitive. This has been diligently preached by men and women of vision, who hope that it is not already too late. Providing park space is perhaps as necessary as some other things only we got started doing other things with the money. Space for outdoor recreation is badly needed, a place for the necessary habit of human assembling in crowds; place for the children to play, following the imperative law of their nature, place for the absolutely necessary business of courtship, a place for old age to sit apart in peace and undisturbed contemplation.

“The boy without a playground is father of the man without a job.” A boy must have something to do. If he cannot get a job during vacation, the playground helps to solve his problem. There is nothing better for a child in any way than to be taught good wholesome, constructive play.

“What! Teach children how to play?” This skeptical exclamation greets one who tries to present this new idea, and it is hard to convince some that what was good enough for our fathers is not good enough for us. The child is entitled to all the advantages that have been worked out for his benefit, just as well as we are to our modern conveniences in our homes, our offices and business houses.

The playground is a positive factor in lessening juvenile delinquency. While a child is on the playground he is not breaking windows, obstructing street traffic with his games, his use of language is much more restrained and he cannot smoke cigarettes. If this restraining influence is only exercised for an hour a day on several hundred boys, whose environment is bad, it is worth while. Those who have followed the subject closely unite in speaking a good word for the restraining influence of the playground upon the children who attend them.

The law of the directed playground is that every child must play and play fair. The child is by nature a social being and he would rather take part and “play fair” than be isolated. The usual story of the playground is that it is started by the philanthropic workers, then turned over to the city.

Our city is growing and we should look well to the public amusements of our people and provide them that wholesome, healthful recreation which is necessary in every community.

Raeford, N.C., has been presented with a magnificent gift, a tract of several acres of long leaf forest,near the center of the town, which will be used for a park and bear the name of the donor, Maj. J.W. McLaughlin.

Dr. Woods Hutchinson says: “Never till we are ready to graduate from the university of life, which ought not to be before 65 or 70, should we cease to regard play as one of our major electives. Play makes the child into a man, and keeps the man into a child, growing and improving all his life long.”

                --Mrs. Roscoe Phiffer