Stokes County Farmers Consider Co-op Marketing Plan, Take Advantage of Dry Weather, 1922

From the Danbury Reporter, May 31, 1922

Condition of Stokes Crops…Tobacco Planting Now Well in Hand…Most of the Fertilizer In the Ground…Wheat Crop Good…Only 90 Days ‘Till Primings

Farmers have taken advantage of the last few days in which no rain has fallen to do a vast deal of work. Most of the fertilizer is now drilled, and the next shower will be the occasion of practically finishing up the setting of the plants. Plants are plentiful on every plantation, and this means that the average farmer will continue to plant as long as his land holds out, if seasons are favorable. A good many farmers are already done planting.

The wheat crop is generally good in the county. Harvest will be here in a few days now—possibly two weeks. The farmers will have ample time to handle the grain crop, as they are well up with work on tobacco and corn fields.

There is much interest expressed with regard to co-operative marketing, a new drive being on in the county this week by the organizers. District Organizer Swain has been speaking at a number of points this week. Many persons are wondering just how the association means to market the crops which it now controls—whether in case the offers it received from the big buyers should not be satisfactory, that it will attempt to build storage plants and hold, or whether it will only sell the big buyers by sample, the crops to be delivered from the barns to the drying plants, etc. It is only some 90 days until the warehouses will open, and independent primings will begin to move. No doubt this will be the most momentous year in the history of the tobacco business, and the whole country, which is interested in the great money crop of this section, will watch developments with much interest.

Veterans and Youth Swelling Voter Rolls in Dare County, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

Expect 500 Voters to Register in Dare County…Unusual Interest Being Shown in Politics This Year as Young People Register

Old timers in politics predict that upwards of 500 new voters will go on the books this month, with only two more Saturdays in which to register. At Manteo there were 33 registrations, and at Kitty Hawk, 22, with corresponding increases in other precincts.

There are only this Saturday, the 8^th, and next Saturday, the 15^th, left in which to register in order to vote in the primary of June 29^th.

Reports indicate there will be a large number of voters in just about all of the 15 precincts of the county.

One noticeable sign of the election this year is the great interest of veterans and other young voters who are showing activity in public affairs, and who feel they should have their say in the selection of the people who will run their government. People generally feel that veterans and young people should have a voice in these matters, for they are the ones who have had to bear the burdens that matter, the ones who have brought upon the nation and the world.

Death Claims D.W. Deweese, Prominent Citizen of Cherokee County, 1915

“Death Claims Prominent Citizen,” from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, May 21, 1915

D.W. Deweese, who died at his home in this city Friday morning, May 14^th, after a long illness, was born in Cherokee County more than 69 years ago. At a time the log home and the log school house were permanent features of which he was wont to speak with as much pride as a king of his palace or the university scholar of his alma mater.

He attended school at these log school houses and obtained such education as could be obtained, until the war between the states. He was fast in the belief that from these unpretentious houses and schools came the greatest intellectual, moral and political heroes.

Just at the point where boyhood and manhood met, a call of the President for volunteer troops to suppress the rebellion was made. This ambitious boy-man kissed his mother goodbye and bid adieu his friends at home, shouldered his musket and marched away to the camps of the Federal armies, where every march was a battle and every battle field a grave yard. He remained faithfully at his post until peace was declared in 1865. He held to the opinion that no state had the right to secede from the union. Therefore the best years of his young manhood were spent in the preservation of the Union. He was frank to state that it was wrong for any man to eat his bread in the sweat of another’s brow. Therefore he was an abolitionist.

The war over, he returned to the old homestead in this county, to find many of his old friends gone, the old home devastated, the people without schools, churches or laws.

But did this young soldier despair? No, he went about advising, teaching and helping until there were established schools and churches all over the county. In fact, it may be truly said of him that no one during the last 50 years of this county’s history has exerted a greater influence over the public mind than he, and may it be said to his lasting credit that when the war was over and peace declared, every spark of enmity for the Confederate soldiers died within his breast, and he ever spoke of them in the most tender and affectionate term and this spirit was fully demonstrated when he was in the general assembly of this state, he added some Confederate soldiers to the pension roll and voted to raise the pensions.

Drew Deweese has been honored with almost every office within the gift of his county people. He had by nature fine executive ability which he strengthened by culture and habit.

He possessed tact; that is he knew better than most men how to accomplish his purposes. He was a lifelong student, especially of public questions. In conversation he was clear, distinct and to the point. He made no pretentions to eloquence or display, but his utterances were plain, sensible and emphatic. So much so that the emphatic almost became the dogmatic. He always had a definite point to drive to and generally got there in good time and order. In his social life he was plain, genteel and courteous, but possessed some peculiarities, the most striking of these was that he never divulged his sorrows or troubled, if he had them, to any one but bore them silently in his own bosom. He lived a true and consistent life, it may be truly said that he set a standard by which it would be well for us to live ourselves.

He is gone. No more can we have the benefits of his wise counsels in our public meetings. No more will he be awakened by clanking steel and the sounding of horses’ hoofs. No more will he heed the call for volunteers to preserve the union.

“To the undiscovered country from whose bounds no traveler returns.”

But when the end came to these 69 years of arduous life; when the golden bowl was broken, the silver cord was loosed, and the pitcher broken at the fountain, it can be truly said that he died as he lived, and there were few if any dregs in the cup.

The funeral services which were held in the Baptist Church, which he was a devoted and consistent member, were conducted by Rev. A.C. Sherwood, the burial services being conducted by the Masonic Order, and attested the esteem in which he was held by the people of his home and the surrounding country. On the occasion the drapery of woe gave place to the beauty of flowers until the splendid little church bloomed and blossomed with festoons of roses.

Business men; the rich and the poor were there; every creed in religion and every division in politicked united in one testimonial to the memory of this splendid citizen and gallant old soldier.

“When all blandishments of life are gone, the brave live on.”

                --S.W. Lovingood

In Memory of Our Heroes

Ushers at St. Mark's AME Zion Church, Durham,Pose for Photograph, 1940

This photo, part of the Library of Congress' collection, was labeled "Ushers, Durham Church, May 1940. A little research revealed that the church was St. Mark's AME Zion Church. The church was founded in 1890 and met in the home of William and Flora Colley until a frame structure was built at Pine and Picket Streets. The brick sanctuary shown in this photo was built in 1922. Unfortunately it was demolished in 1954.  For more photos of St. Mark's AME Church and other structures in Durham, see http://www.opendurham.org/tours/milestones-along-color-line.

Average Farm Income $900 a Year in 1947; Average Non-Farm Income Was $1,400

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

About 9 percent of the national income goes to farmers, according to recent reports of the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce. Of the $200 billion, farmers receive about 18 billion. The average farm income in 1947 was $900, compared to $1,400 for non-farm people.

Gossip Column from Brevard College Newspaper, 1936

From The Clarion, Brevard College, Friday, May 22, 1936

Tell-Tales

Bobby has worked that power line on another girl.

Who said she would give the Virginia Lodge girls a nickel each if they wouldn’t dress as boys to come to amateur night?

Those boys who went on the camping trip declare that they certainly had it hard Saturday night—what with sleeping on floors and chewing that beef steak.

Bernice is Pattoning her time now.

There was more than one lonesome last week, for the basketball team was away a long time.

Who is the girl who would like to date Funderburk? She’s dark-haired, brown-eyed and is from West Asheville.

Arney has offered J.R. so much competition that J.R. has stepped out of the picture.

Johnnie McLeod doesn’t lack rings. If she doesn’t wear one, she has another.

Why did Creasman and Dillard leave church Sunday? Something about a song book. Ask them.

That waiting line the other night was girls expecting ‘phone calls. Some had luck and some didn’t.

Goforth sent Jack on an egg hunt Sunday afternoon. He found an egg for her, so that night she had a nice boiled egg sandwich, except there was no bread.

Annie Ruth and Gene are still that way about each other, even if they have been dating all year. Rather unusual.

Whose picture was that Sylvester was so tenderly carrying around on a pillow?

The Mnemosyean-Delphian party was much fun. Dark corners included.

Virginia Lodge must have been crowded Sunday night. Anyway, most of the West Hall girls had to study. Study??

Harold, Anderson and Stockton Midgett Have Kept 'Ocean Highway' Open, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

Here Is One Dare County “Ocean Highway” Its People Must Use Every Day in the Year

NO! This isn’t the proposed highway to Virginia Beach, the luxury road we are told will bring the millenium to Dare. This is a scene that happens often along the road by which travelers to and from Hatteras must be subjected constantly in transacting their affairs with the outside world.

The above picture was made one day last month just south of Oregon Inlet by Tom Grimes of Elizabeth City. There is no highway along the bare and difficult beach, and the bus driver at great risk to his equipment must resort to traveling along the ocean side, along the surf, where the sea washes up under the wheels, and sprays the gear with salt.

This is one of the occurrences that happen almost daily. The tide was rising, the sand was soft, the bus was stuck, the ocean sweeping in about it. The passengers had to get out, and by hard labor, lugged an old ocean pound net stake, 30 feet long, and as big as a telephone pole, to the scene. After strenuous work, they succeeded in prizing the bus from the quick-sand, and with old boards and wreckage under the wheels, at last got the vehicle out of the sea. Another 20 minutes and the bus would have been a total loss in the rising tide.

During the effort that was being made, one passenger, a retired Coat Guardsman, Bate Williams of Wanchese, was stunned when the heavy pole cracked down on his skull with temporary paralyzing effect.

And it is places like this that seem to be often forgotten when roads are asked for. While the 2,500 people who live in the Hatteras area suffer daily for the need of a road, new schemes are being hatched up. Talk about your ocean highway; Dare County already has one to Hatteras, but it has had no improvements since God made the world and turned it over to mankind. God is probably assumed of having done it. Man ought to be ashamed, too, that no real effort has been made to build this road to Rodanthe, and Hatteras, for here is the proof.

Praise to the Boys Who Have Kept the Bus Line Going

There are three boys from Rodanthe now living at Hatteras—Harold, Anderson and Stockton Midgett, who ought to have a monument of granite erected to their memory for their unceasing devotion to the cause of transportation for their people. They are the boys who have kept the bus line going for more than 10 years, despite the treacherous sands, the bitter winds, the salt sea which destroys their property. Theirs has been a great and tough battle against tremendous odds, but they are still going strong and after all the years of toil, are building a business that will be worth much in years to come. They paid dearly for it, and only out of the devotion to the dream of their father had of founding them a business, have they had the inspiration and courage to fight on. When mere lads, their father, the late Stockton Midgett of Rodanthe, thought up the idea for his boys.

And the folks of Hatteras Island have stuck with them, traveled on their bus in sickness and in health; in joy or in pain, battered and bruised year in and year out by the shaking up across the rough beaches.

Wealthy or Poor, Mothers Are Victims at Baby Farms, 1914

“Wealthy Unmarried Mothers Are ‘Baby Farm’ Victims Is Charge” from the May 16, 1914 issue of The Day Book of Chicago.

State’s Attorney’s Office Begins War on Baby Farming—Four Arrests Made—Investigation Alleged Oak Park Haven for Rich Girls

The state’s attorney’s office is going after the “baby farms” in Cook county. The work has been placed in charge of Ass’t State’s Attorney Eugene C. O’Reilly.

According to information now in the hands of O’Reilly there are several of the places outside the city limits where the keepers and doctor feel safe from raids by the Chicago police.

It has been brought to light that a farm exists in Oak Park to which come the wealthy unmarried mothers to deliver their children. O’Reilly will take action against this place.

Two more girl-mothers were brought into the Court of Domestic Relations this morning. One of them was Mrs. Jessie Rudeen, the mother of “Jacob,” the baby whose death in the “house of mystery” at 6108 Blackstone avenue lead to the discovery of a baby farm at that address. She has since married Jacob’s father.

The other defendant today was Miss Mary Mortell, the daughter of wealthy Aurora parents. She was arrested last night at the home of her uncle, Thomas H. Patterson, 8723 S. Racine avenue.

Their arrest followed the raid on the “house of mystery,” which resulted in the arrest of Dr. Thomas Balhatchett and Mrs. Annie Mills, the keeper. Mrs. Mills later made a statement to O’Reilly in which she exposed the entire business.

The girls were hysterical when arrested. They denied the charges at first, but, according to the police, later broke down and admitted they had become the mothers of children in the Blackstone avenue house and had accused Dr. Balhatchett of aiding them to conceal their motherhood.

Their case was continued until May 19 when they will be heard with Dr. Balhatchett and Mrs. Mills.

O’Reilly announced that no efforts would be spared by the state’s attorney’s office to fix the real guilt of “baby farming.”

“We’re going after the higher-ups in these cases,” said O’Reilly, “principally the doctors who are getting wealthy from the practice. There are two classes of these places. There are the ones to which the working girls creep when their babe is about to be born. And then there’s the other places which shake down the daughters of wealthy parents who go there to hide their disgrace. Any girl in that condition, whether she is rich or poor, is a harvest for those sorts of doctors.”

There is a rumor that a daughter of a Chicago millionaire has recently become the mother of a child in one of the “farms” on the outskirts of the city.

When this rumor was reached the City Hall detectives were sent out to trail the report. A sensational arrest is expected between now and Monday by the police.

Officer John Stege, who is working on the “baby farm” cases, announced today that he would soon come into possession of some important evidence.

Tom Graham, Leaving Senior, Looks to the Future, 1936

From The Clarion, The Brevard College Weekly, May 15, 1936

What Can We Do for Brevard College?

By Tom Graham, retiring president of the Student Council

We who are about to leave salute you, Brevard College. A part of us has gone into laying the foundation of a College which shall grow with the help of each succeeding class until someday it shall achieve wide renown. Is it possible that some of us do not realize the pressure that this brings to bear on every one of us? Success for ourselves and the College can be gained only by the best efforts of each of us throughout our only too short stay. Is it not true that we gain only as much as we venture in any enterprise; then is it practical for us to loaf on the job, only receiving a small interest from our investment and at the same time injuring others in many and devious ways?

We succeed as the College does. Unless we use our influence to shape correctly the many characteristics of college life, we too shall suffer with sluggards. Those who plan to enter universities will be allowed entrance only if the reputation of our College is good. If our College has a reputation for laxity in its rules, curriculum, and morality, a student has a poor chance of being accepted at any reputable college or university. Brevard College is judged by those students who leave here and enter other colleges or business concerns. If some students make bad records because of unpreparedness, immorality, or incompetence, many innocent competent students will be made to suffer. Is it not then to our advantage to strive always to do our best in molding the fundamental characteristics of a growing college so that in later years we shall reap a harvest of good will and honor?

We are a part of everything that we touch; we, therefore, gain because of the hard work we do in bringing honor to our College. If we could look into the future, I am sure we would be able to see many students whose characters will in many ways be shaped by rules, regulations, and traditions that we have fostered, governed, and left as our early college landmarks (our “footprints on the sands of time”). Let us, if necessary then, will to, and impart in, the corner-stone of Brevard College the best that is in us.

Army Pressing Investigation of Hospital Facilities, 1951

“Army Hospitals Said Run in Cold Blooded Manner,” from the Statesville Landmark, May 3, 1951

Washington, May 2—The army is pressing a sweeping investigation of its hospital facilities after a series of incidents that included two fatalities. There is a possibility that some military patients may be sent to civilian hospitals.

However, one army spokesman has said that many civilian hospitals apparently do not know that they can accept military patients and be paid by the government.

The army wants to know why Private Arthur Credighton (of Yazoo City, Mississippi) was refused admittance at Los Angeles County General Hospital last week. The soldier died on his way to the nearest military hospital 70 miles away.

The county superintendent of charities in Los Angeles General Hospital—Arthur Wills—says that usually military cases are not accepted. He went on…”It takes us more than a year to get paid.”

A nine-month-old boy—James Ballenger—died of influenza. His father, Sergeant Dale Ballenger, said he had been told to stand and wait with the baby until a line of soldiers had been treated. That was at the Fort MacArthur infirmary in Los Angeles.

The commandant of Fort MacArthur—Colonel Sidney Dunn—said: “The trouble is that military enlistments are increasing, while medical facilities are being cut back.”

Brock Birchfield Killed at Andrews Lumber Company's Choga Camp, 1915

Brock Birchfield Killed at Choga,” from the Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, May 21, 1915

Last night at about 10 o’clock news reached here to the effect that Andy Williams, an employee of the Andrews Lumber Company, had shot and killed Brock Birchfield, a fellow employee.

From the report it seems that Williams and Birchfield were employed at the Choga Camp of the Andrews Lumber Company, and that yesterday afternoon some difficulty arose between the two which would apparently end in a fight but was finally settled to the satisfaction of both.

From the report it seems that Birchfield came to the camp where Williams was staying and on inquiring for Williams was told that he was in bed. Birchfield then started in the direction of Williams and before he reached the bed was shot three times by Williams, dying almost instantly.

Williams immediately surrendered to the officers and was carried to Franklin and lodged in jail.

                --Andrews Sun

Dare County Schools' Largest Budget in History to Cover Repairs, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

Dare County School Budget $27,060 Meets Approval…Highest Budget in History Needed to Make Up for Omissions in Repairs

The budget submitted by the Dare County Board of Education to the Commissioners this week met their approval with little objection. It is for $27,060 with an additional $5,000 tacked on to catch up with losses resulting from the slashing of last year.

Chief among the items needed for 1948-49 are new roofs, and paint, and desks, the latter for schools which are now using boxes. E.P. White of the Board of Education stated publicly this week that in the schools of his section fully 30 students are using makeshift desks.

Some of the repairs needed, as well as desks, will cost much more than they would have cost last year, had the Board of Education had the $5,000 to spend, that was slashed off the budget.

The complete amount needed to be set up for the coming year is $32060, and is apportioned among the schools as follows:

District	Enrollment	Amount
Manteo	317	$1,350
Manns Harbor	67	$1,806
East Lake	31	$933
Kitty Hawk	131	$2,957
Colington	20	422
Wanchese	98	1,352
Stumpy Point	43	1,157
Rodanthe	57	1,762
Avon	95	2,857
Buxton	101	4,102
Hatteras	104	2,152
Roanoke Colored	79	871
Totals	1,154	$27,060

Photos From Cedar Grove Church, May 1940

Photos taken at a small church near Cedar Grove, N.C., May 1940. From the U.S. Library of Congress' online photo collection.

Brevard College Announces 'Superlatives' at Amateur Night, 1936

From The Clarion, The Brevard College Weekly, May 15, 1936

Freshmen Elect Superlatives; Amateur Night Winners Named

At the call meeting of the freshman class last Saturday, May 9, the freshman class elected class superlatives by Australian ballot, with no nominations made and each member voting for anyone he desired.

The election was conducted by two sophomores and the results were kept secret until Amateur Night, when they were announced by the president of the class as he took the sealed envelopes with the winners’ names tightly enclosed.

Winners of second places were first announced, and then the winners came to the rostrum to make their bow. Those elected were as follows:

Best-looking boy, Ward Everhart;

Best-looking girl, Bernice Brantly;

Best all-round boy, Odell Salmon;

Best all-round girl, Evelyn Smith;

Most intellectual boy, Marshall Houts;

Most intellectual girl, Evelyn Swaringen;

Most popular boy, Jack Armstrong;

Most popular girl, Satenik Nahikian;

Friendliest boy, Bill Patton;

Friendliest girl, Betty Brookshire;

Most original boy, Jack Armstrong;

Most original girl, Price Cornelius.

Entertainment for Amateur Night was given in song, dance and readings.

Jane Alexander, who played a semi-classical piano solo, was declared by the judges, Miss Rowena Orr, Mr. C. R. Douglas, and Mr. Robert Kimsey, as the winner. Miss Alexander was awarded an enlargement of herself and a school banner. Frances Goforth and Eunice McCall were second, Bessie Morrison, third; Jack Armstrong, fourth; and Alice Louise Scott, fifth. All of these were presented a school banner.

Dr. Warren Is New State Health Official, 1919

“New State Health Official,” from the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, May 29, 1919

Dr. A.J. Warren, native of Hillsboro with two years general practice and almost as long as county health officer in progressive Rowan county, comes to the State Department of Health as assistant secretary of the board and the newest executive in the department. His arrival on the job is preceded a few days by that of Mr. H.E. Miller, who become chief of the bureau of engineering and inspection, both announcements having been made at the department.

Dr. Warren steps into his new job with the reputation of having been one of the finest county health officers in the State for 16 months, if not the finest. When he surrendered the general practice in his home town, Hillsboro, after finishing at Tulane University, he went to Salisbury.

Local News from Hickory, N.C., May 1917

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 2, 1917

Local and Personal

Mr. Cedric Dellinger is spending the day in Lenoir on business.

Mr. Brem Bonner left this morning for Marion to spend several days on business.

The Needlecraft Club will meet Thursday afternoon at 3:30 with Mrs. Beverly Sustare.

Mr. E.R. Wainwright of Ashville, formerly owner of the Pastime Theatre, was a business visitor to the city today.

Mr. Burgan Witherspoon left this morning for Charlotte to take the examination for the officers’ training camp at Oglethorpe, Ga.

Mr. Claud Fox of North Iredell, who has been visiting relatives in Hickory for several days, returned home this evening.

All who can sing are requested to meet at the residence of Mrs. J. Worth Elliott’s Thursday evening at 8 o’clock to practice songs for the celebration of the opening of the white way.*

About 12 couples enjoyed a most delightful dance given last evening by the young men of Hickory in the Chero-Cola Building. Music was furnished by a Victrola and delicious punch was served throughout the evening.

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. W.A. Hall entertained about 25 children in celebration of the fifth birthday of her youngest son, Master Rufus Bryan Hall. Games were played for an hour and afterward delicious ice cream was served. The birthday cake with its five candles was at one end of the table and from a Jack Horner pie,** placed in the center of the table, each child drew a souvenir.

On Tuesday afternoon the Ladies Guild of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was entertained at the home of Mrs. W.H. Barkley with Mrs. Barkley, Mrs. J.F. Miller, Mrs. M. M. Sigmon and Mrs. B.F. Campbell as hostesses. The topic for the afternoon was “The World Goes into the Neglected Continent.” The next meeting will be held with Mrs. P. Suttlemyer.

-=-

*A section of downtown was getting streetlights. The section of town that was lit at night used to be called the "white way." 

**A Jack Horner pie was a pie-shaped container that contained favors or little toys. Each child would pull a ribbon and draw out a souvenir of the party. 

Photo of Buildings and Ground of Children's Home at Oxford, 1911

Have you find a relative who was at the Children’s Home at Oxford? You might want to contact/visit the Sallie Mae Ligon Museum and Archives and Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. Some of the collection is available online through Digital NC at: http://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/search/searchterm/Sallie%20Mae%20Ligon%20Museum%20&%20Archives%20&%20Masonic%20Home%20for%20Children%20at%20Oxford/mode/exact

This 1911 photo was taken by Walter Holladay for the Masonic Home. The buildings show the boys and girls cottages, shoe shop, print shop, and St. John’s building. Today, there is a museum for the children's home, and the home's archives are there. It is located at 600 College St., Oxford, N.C. 27565.

Dare County Funds Two Miles of Hard Surface Road from Church to Cemetery, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

Politics Bring Kitty Hawk Two Miles of Road...Commissioner Evans Promises Long-Desired Hard Surface to Cemetery

The political stir-up in Dare County is already bearing fruit—at least bringing promises. Highway Commissioner Merrill Evans came to Kitty Hawk recently and gave assurance that the long-promised and much-needed and desired two miles of hard surface road from the Baptist Church to Sound Landing by way of Austin Cemetery would soon be built.

Commissioner Evans is said to have passed the word along as he gave promise to build the road, that he hoped the folks who live on it would vote for Charley Johnson for Governor. So this would seem to indicate not only Governor Cherry’s Highway Commission is in politics for Johnson, but the latter is the Administration choice.

The Kitty Hawk section of Dare County is a strong community, with its people pulling together. United as never before, the threat of their votes being cast against any candidate brings fear and trembling. It was this community which started the ball rolling in Dare County against the so-called ring, when they rose in their might and came to Manteo to the courthouse to demand that their school be turned over to them last fall. There is no mistaking what they mean, they speak up, and it was no wonder that they are now getting their badly needed road promised them.

We Do Not Measure Profits and Happiness In Terms of Dollars and Cents, 1936

The “Profits of Life,” from the editorial page of The Clarion, The Brevard College Weekly, May 22, 1936. Editor-in-chief William Davis; Associate editors Odell Salmon and Evelyn Swaringen.

In the course of a single lifetime, there are few persons who are able to profiteer to any great extent financially. If our total happiness were dependent on financial well-being, there would be only a meager percent of our population really happy. We are glad that we do not measure profits and happiness in terms of dollars and cents. Our greatest values and profits for attainment in life are intangible.

What then, are the several profits to be sought by every individual? First, we would choose a good name. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” The starting point toward success and profiteering lies within every individual’s self, you are the pilot of your life’s destiny! “I am the captain of my soul.” All too often young persons get the idea that what they do early in life doesn’t matter much anyway. Every young person intends to grow into a noble character some time later. If we could only realize that what we are now determines our course in the future, we would act differently oftentimes. A good name which is the corner stone of our character building is a lifetime’s attainment. It is a pure profit which every person must seek.

Secondly, friendships are real profits. Friendship cannot be bought, thank goodness! In order to be a part of a genuine friendship, a person must sacrifice oftentimes to show herself friendly. It is a give and take affair. The rewards of true friendship are inestimable. It is one of our most valuable aspirations—yes, it is intangible! It is not a monetary bargain.

Thirdly, we hasten to give the supreme profit for which life was created, and it is inclusive of a great many others we could mention. The greatest profit of all life is “Eternal Life,” which is the reward of life well lived. It comes at the end of our journey. If our ideals are in this direction and we are reaching toward this major profit with an uttermost ability, all other worthwhile profits to be gained in life automatically lie in our pathway.

Therefore, let us determine as young persons to begin now toward true profiteering. A life invested in finding real values is never empty or hopeless. Let us not set ourselves to the task of seeking early fame or honor; but through constant persistence in an effort to gain genuine profits, we will find ourselves happy and serviceable.

Names Drawn for Jury Duty in Dare County Include 11 Women, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948. Women on the jury…this made the front page of the newspaper.

11 Women to Serve on Dare Jury This Month

Names of 11 women have been drawn for jury service at the term of Dare Superior Court which convenes May 24^th at Manteo. They are Mrs. Nellie Prigden of Nags Head, Miss Virgie Perry of Kitty Hawk, Mrs. Katherine Midgett and Mrs Edna Gray of Buxton, Mrs. Sophia T. Evans, Mrs. Vivian Ryder of Manteo, Mrs. Walter Beacham of Kitty Hawk, Mrs. Florine Hoper and Mrs. Lula Hooper of Stumpy Point, Mrs. Lillian Daniels of Wanchese, and Mrs. Mamie Midgett of Avon.

Men drawn for duty are: Jennings Midgett of Rodanthe, Jepp Gamiel of Colington, Shank Austin Holmes Gaskine and Dan Oden of Hatteras; Spurgeon Meekins of Stumpy Point; Lonnie Sears, W.R. Knight, Norwood Stowe, Sam E. Midgett and Rev. John Alfred Farrow of Manteo; Bunyan Williams of Frisco; L. Douglas of Salvo; Charlie Spruill of Duck; Adolphus Hines of Kitty Hawk; Clarence Midgett Sr. of Waves; Dallas Tillett and Bart Garrison of Wanchese; Cary Gray of Avon; A.B. Tillett and Alvey Gard of Manns Harbor; S.C. Basnight of Mashoes; Jim Rogers of Colington; and Hooker Creef and Cleve Smith of East Lake.

Happy Mother's Day

Burlington Women Sending War Relief, Bundles for Britain, 1941

“Bundles for Britain Getting Underway” in the May 26, 1941, issue of the Burlington Daily Times-News

Mrs. W.T. Cheatham of Brookwood who has consented to be chairman of the local unit of Bundles for Britain has this week received a letter from Mrs. Wales Latham, national president, authorizing the Burlington group to go ahead with its organization.

Preliminary plans are now being completed for an active unit of Bundles for Britain in Alamance county. This movement was inspired at a meeting of the Belle Lettres book club to which other interested persons in town were invited. At this meeting Mrs. Willis Slone and Mrs. Matt Wall of High Point gave a full account of the unit’s work in High Point.

Since that time local persons have had one meeting to get the organization started.

L.J. Blakey, cashier of the National Bank of Burlington, will serve as treasurer and Mrs. L.J. Blakey was assistant treasurer. Mrs. Joe Kelly will be secretary and Mrs. Walter Williams assistant secretary.

Various committee women are being contacted. M.B. Smith has granted the use of his building which was formerly occupied by Jerry’s Sport shop on Main street opposite the Alamance hotel, and this will be local headquarters for the work.

Some women of Graham, Haw River, Elon College and Mebane have expressed a desire to cooperate. With such good groundwork, the Alamance county unit bids fair to be a strong link in the chain bearing relief to the war sufferers in Britain.

Roy Griffin Describes Typical Funeral in Greensboro, N.C., 1915

Look Over Your Shoulder, One-Nine-0-0: Greensboro at the Turn of the Century, by Roy Griffin, published in 1970. Recollections and photographs from Greensboro from 1890 to 1892 and 1915-1917; page 46

A man dies. His body is brought home from the undertaker’s. This is the custom. His casket-clad body will be “on view” for his last two or three days before burial. Friends and relatives will come from near and far. Neighbors will appear from up the street and down the street, and from the other side of the block. Flowers will fill every available container on every available spot. The sweet, sweet fragrance fills the room and hides in one’s nostrils for days.

In the room in which the corpse lies, the windows are raised or lowered so fresh air will help erase the smell of death. The window curtains and the green shades wave softly in the breeze, as if they are waving good-bye to a friend. A relative or a friend stands silently by the casket and shoos a fly away from the still, waxen face. Occasionally, someone will walk over and pat the cold hand folded over the still heart.

The kitchen table, the stove, the sideboard, are all filled to overflowing with food the sympathizers have brought in. A steady stream of sorrowful, but food-loving, people visit the kitchen and with food-filled mouths express their sorrow to the family. The coffee pot bubbles continuously; and those who ae “sitting up” the night never let go their cup.

The men-folks sit around smoking and chewing tobacco, and compliments for the departed one fills the air. The women folk huddle together and all agree that he “had a good heart.” The children, not knowing or understanding the sad faces and tears, very quietly—just eat!

And, the man, who had never been quite able to provide enough for his family, looking out from the great dark beyond, thinks, “I have never seen so many lovely flowers…I have never seen so many people come to visit...I have never seen so much food…I must ask this question: why not flower, and love, and understanding, and food for a man, while he is living.”

Hickory Home Fire Caused by Defective Flue, 1917

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 2, 1917

Fire This Morning Caused Some Damage

Fire this morning at 8:45 did damage amounting to between $400 and $500, Chief Yoder estimated, to the residence on Ninth Avenue occupied by Capt. L.C. Furman. Most of the damage was caused by water.

The blaze started between the ceiling and roof of the house and was hard for the firemen to get at. It had made considerable headway before it was discovered, and for a few minutes the firemen worked desperately to put the fire out. A defective flue was held responsible.

Mrs. Furman and Mrs. C.R. Howell, who room there, both were ill, and the excitement affected them adversely.

The house is owned by Mrs. H.C. Dixon.

Although Chief Lentz, who was at the station when the alarm came in, rang the bell as vigorously as possible, firemen said later that a new alarm is needed. The sound of the bell does not carry far enough, and it is difficult to make the members hear it.

Dare County Tax Increased to Pay Up Old Bills, 1948

The Coastland Times, Manteo, N.C., published Friday, May 7, 1948

Big Jump in Taxes Now Faces Dare, In Order to Pay Up Old Bills

Amount of Levy Needed for Next Fiscal Year Must be Set One-Fourth to One-Third More than This Year; Failure to Live Within Budget, and Diversion of Appropriated Money to Other Projects Bringing Headaches to Taxpayers.

Prospects are that Dare County’s taxpayers face another raise this year, which will really pinch where the hair is short. There are old bills to be paid, long delayed repairs to school buildings needed, and many other things to require cash as never before.

On the county’s present valuation of $3.5 million, it may be necessary to increase the rate by one dollar on the hundred dollars of property valuation, which will bring the tax rate up from $2.25 to $3.25, which means that the average home valued at $1,000 will cost the taxpayer $32.50 a year, not to speak of any additional taxes on personal property. Unless there is a considerable increase in property values, the tax rate will have to be even more, in order to pay out.

This increase may be necessary to raise the not less than $35,000 extra that will be needed next year to help the county bring in the funds needed to begin catching up with unpaid bills for the last two years.

The shortage of sufficient income to pay bills is the result of several causes. First among them is the custom of spending more than the current budget, with no safe margin of allowances for taxes not paid in from current levies.

Had the budget been set at something like 25 per cent less than anticipated revenue, the county might have come out on top at the end of each year. But this has not been done. On the other hand, there has been a periodic diversion of funds to new projects that were not provided for when the budget was made up at the beginning of the year.

The result is, the school funds are some $7,000 short of the money needed to pay the preceeding year’s bills.

The county is short some $40,000 needed to keep its bond interest and previously planned curtailment of bonds paid. The result is that the county is now having to float a new bond issue of $321,000 to replace the outstanding bonds, whereby it hopes to get a small reduction in interest and rates and thereby stave off interest payments and get a breathing spell for a couple of years. At the end of this period, it is hoped that the increase in property on the beaches may have brought in sufficient revenue to start making its payments on time.

As matters now stand, it appears that there must be some drastic curtailment of expenses in the county, for to continue on the present operating plan may only result in further financial disaster.

Does the Negro Appreciate Being Able To Vote, Asks Newspaper, 1942

From the editorial page of The Future Outlook newspaper from Greensboro, N.C., J.F. Johnson Editor and publisher, May 16, 1942

The Paradox of Politics

“That which is hardest to get is usually appreciated the most.” This proverb is true in thousands of ordinary everyday happenings. For instance, remember how you prized that bicycle you earned by selling newspapers? Remember how sweet that peppermint stick tasted after that dose of castor oil? Yes, that which is hardest to get is usually appreciated the most. Usually, but not so in politics. For an example, just look how hard it was to obtain the vote for the Negro in the United States. Look how difficult it is even now for the Negro to exercise his constitutional right of suffrage in other Southern localities. North Carolina has attained a fair, equal basis for Negro and white votes after many years of contention. Does the Negro voter respond? Very slightly. The Negro voter must be the exception that proves the validity of the previously mentioned proverb.

It has been hard to get the Negro into the field of politics. When the Constitution was framed there was controversy as to how the Negro should be counted to give him representation in the Lower House on the basis of number. The North fearing that the South would be too powerful if all her slaves were counted, wished to base the number of representatives from each state on the number in the white population. The South wishing to have as many representatives in the House as possible, wished to count all of her population—white and colored. A compromise was the only way out. Accordingly, both North and South agreed that it would be fair if each slave was counted as 3/5ths of a man—or that every 100 slaves would be equal (as far as political representation was concerned) to 300 whites. So the slave was represented in the House of Representatives. But the Negro could not vote, and those men who were placed in the House on the basis of the Negro population did not look out for the slaves but for the interests of the plantation owners.

After the Civil War, the slave was free—he was a citizen of the United States and the state wherein he resided—by way of amendment to the Constitution. Yet he could not vote. Not until the 15^th amendment was put through did the Negro have the right to vote.

Many whites did not want the Negro to vote. They adopted many plans to keep the Negro from the polls, especially in the South. The Ku Klux Klan rode afield brandishing its fiery cross promising death to the brave Negroes who approached the polls. A little plan known as “Constitutional interpretation” was being heinously practiced. The Negro applicant for the vote was made to interpret a given passage from the constitution. Sounds like a fair basis of application, doesn’t it? Yet the person who judge the Negro’s interpretation was white—he didn’t want the Negro to vote—no matter what the Negro said the Judge ruled it as “insensible interpretation.” And what chance was there to fight back? The ‘grandfather clause’ was another method of elimination of the Negro voter. The registrar at the polls would ask “Did your father or grandfather vote in 1867?” If the answer was “yes” then it was all right for the applicant to vote. If the answer was “no” the applicant was denied the vote also. The catch? How many Negroes voted in 1867? That was before the 15^th amendment which said the vote should be extended to all citizens of the United States regardless of race, creed, or color. In some communities a high poll tax was required of Negro voters thus cutting out the element that really needed to exercise the vote—those underprivileged, down-trodden, economic problem children of the Southern states. Today many of these methods have been deemed unconstitutional. Does the Negro vote? NO!

But let it not be said that even today it is a simple matter for the Negro to vote everywhere in the United States. In Florida a few years ago machine guns were set up about the polls as “cordial invitations” for the Negroes to stay away were extended! Black faced dummies were hung from trees showing what would be done to the Negro that dared to vote. Pleasant situation, isn’t it?

That the white people in such communities should be so eager to curtail the Negro vote means definitely that the Negro vote can be powerful. Why not vote then? Why not make use of the right granted you by amendment to the constitution? Why grumble about misgovernment? Make the government one of your own choosing. Register and vote in the coming election. Don’t be a pawn in the game of politics—be a potent factor. . .you’ll come out on top every time!

That is the hardest to get is appreciated the most—PROVE IT!

Elaine Johnson Nominates Her Mother for Mother of the Year, 1951

The Statesville Landmark invited nominations for Mother of the Year in May 1951. The following letter from Elaine Johnson nominates her mother, Mrs. Claude C. Johnson.

My mother, Mrs. Claude C. Johnson of New Hope, I nominate as Iredell Mother of the Year. I sincerely believe that you cannot find, in all the world, a more deserving mother.

She has been a member of the Baptist church since her early girlhood. She graduated at the Harmony school and on July 4, 1936, she married Mr. Claude C. Johnson. They were married 13 years before his accidental death, October, 1949. Left a widow with five small children, she has been mother and father in the home and has done, and continues to do, a wonderful job. She has many friends and is an ever-willing neighbor. Her ability to sew, to cook and to can has helped in many ways in her own family and with others too.

I nominate my mother, Mrs. Claude C. Johnson as Iredell Mother of the Year.

                --Elaine Johnson

Proud New Nurses, Rex Hospital School of Nursing, 1942

From “The story of Rex,” a history of Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C., http://rexhealthcarefoundation.com/our-story/.

The graduating class, May 19, 1942. From left to right, first row: Ruby Johnson, Lee Lowdermilk, Ruth C. Parker, Mildred Jones, Meredith McCleney, Mildred McCleney, Ethel Jane Britt.

Second Row: Velma Bright, Edith Conner, Laura Keith, Helen Yelverton, Olene Garner.

Third Row: Patty Mae Connor, Verna Holloman, Elizabeth Overby, Mary Carlton, Bonnie Bullard, Sallie Beale, Annie Mae Minton, Mary Frances Worley.

Fourth Row: Maudie O’Neal, Beal Walker, Virginia Carney, Emily Dark, Ina Hinnett, Marjorie Edwards, Swannanoa Branch, Patsy Perkins.

Mascots in front of class: Betsy Caviness and Jimmy McGee.

Not present, but also graduating: Christine Biles, Lucille Bass, Dorothy Mumford, and Inez Parrish.

UNC REX Healthcare springs from one man’s single act of generosity. More than 175 years ago, John Rex, a tanner by trade, acted on that desire to lift up his fellow man by making a bequest.

“I give and bequeath…all money belonging to me…to provide a comfortable retreat for the sick and afflicted poor belonging to the City of Raleigh in which they may have the benefit of skillful medical aid and proper attention.”
– John T. Rex, 1771–1839

“Mr. Rex was one of those unobtrusive, modest men who pursue, undisturbed, the even tenor of their way, content with discharging the duty they owe to society and studiously avoiding public notoriety.”
– Raleigh Register, February 1839

The hospital founded by John Rex opened in 1894 in a converted residence with a staff of seven. Today, Rex facilities in seven towns and cities — Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Garner, Knightdale, Wakefield, Holly Springs — take John Rex’s vision of hope and healing to more than 1 million residents.

Merchants, Chamber of Commerce, Community Club Setting Up Baby Welfare Station in Hickory, 1917

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 2, 1917

Tag! You’re it! What? A friend to little children.

That’s what a tag will mean on Saturday. All day Saturday everyone who comes to town will have an opportunity to be tagged and prove in a practical way his love for little children, his interest in their welfare, his civic pride, and his patriotism as an American citizen. All of these things are very closely allied with child welfare work. If a fearful epidemic should break out among Hickory babies how strenuously ever citizen would work, how eagerly every man, woman, and child in the community would strive to help wipe it out! Yet more babies die through ignorance and neglect than from any epidemic the world has ever seen. It is impossible to estimate what it would be worth to Hickory if every mother in the community could learn thoroughly the science of baby care. It would mean that every Hickory home would be clean and sanitary, all of Hickory’s babies would be healthy and happy, Hickory’s children would be bright and sturdy, and Hickory’s young men and young women would be capable, strong and intelligent. The observance of baby week is a long stride in the right direction, but the establishment of permanent child welfare work is the surest means to the desired end. The following plan has been suggested as one of several possible ways of beginning baby welfare work here in Hickory.

With the cooperation of the merchants, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Club, establish a comfortable, sanitary rest room for women and children and manage it as a Baby Welfare Station. The room should be simple but comfortably furnished with several rocking chairs and a couple of small beds in which baby could sleep while the mother rests and the father does his trading. On a certain day or days of each week have in attendance a trained nurse prepared to answer all questions in regard to the care of children. At all times have at the room a supply of Board of Health publications, U.S. bulletins, and leaflets, etc., published by the life insurance companies covering every branch of child service—feeding, teething, care of eye, ear, nose and throat, care during sickness, nursing of contagious diseases, the importance of sanitary conditions in the home, etc., etc. Then if there is sufficient financial support, have a child clinic on certain days of each week, at which time a reputable physician would examine and prescribe for sick babies free of charge.

The above would in all probability prove nearly as efficacious as similar work in other communities where they have succeeded in reducing infant mortality as much as 50 per cent. Think of saving one-half of the Hickory babies, that under present conditions are doomed to die this very summer! Every cent that is taken in on Saturday through the sale of tags will go toward furthering some such plan as suggested above. So come out prepared to pay anything from 10 cents to $100, and in this way do your share to save the babies.

P.H. Gwynn Jr. Offers Advice to Brevard College Students, 1936

From The Clarion, The Brevard College Weekly, May 22, 1936

Last Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, Dr. P.H. Gwynn Jr., head of the Department of Education at Davidson College, was a visitor on our campus. He spoke at the assembly period on Friday and Saturday and held individual conference with those who were interested.

Dr. Gwynn stated that a successful living is a series of adjustments, and listed four of the most important adjustments that man must make. The first is growing up; and he showed us how we must be physical competent, be dominated by one central purpose, and suffer without whining.

Second, we have to learn how to get along with other people. He said that we fear loneliness and must learn to appreciate people for themselves; we must share and work for others for the sheer joy of doing it.

The third one was the choice of a mate in life.

The fourth and last point of Dr. Gwynn’s talk was based on one’s relationship to the universe. He stated that we must strive for the things worthwhile and learn the intangible value of the soul.