Steele-Covington Co., Grocers, Dissolves; New Company Forms, 1922

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, January 26, 1922

Effective Jan. 24^th, the firm of Steele-Covington Co., Grocers, was by mutual consent dissolved. Mr. W. Coney Steele retires from the business. Messrs. E.N. Covington and James A. Covington will continue the business under the name of Covington Bros.

Beaufort Ice Company Will Double in Size, 1920

The Beaufort News, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1920

Ice Company Will Double Size of Plant; Increase Capital Stock

A meeting of the stockholders of Beaufort Ice Company was held Monday night at which it was decided to take steps at once to double the size of its plant.

The present capacity of the factory is 10 tons a day and this will be increased to 20, thus assuring Beaufort of a plentiful supply of ice for next summer. A stock dividend of 33 1/3 percent was declared, and $4,000 worth of new stock will be sold. This increases the capital stock from $12,000 to $20,000. The directors were also authorized to borrow additional funds to use in making the enlargement of the plant.

When the ice factory was first built and for a number of years afterwards, it was plenty large enough to meet all demands, but the increased fish business here and other demands have outgrown the producing capacity of the plant. The contemplated enlargement will probably be sufficient to supply all the ice needed by the community for some time.

After a Good Year, 1920 Looks Promising

From the editorial page of The Beaufort News, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1920, William Giles Mebane, editor and publisher

Past and Future

There is no disputing the fact that in the year which has just ended Carteret County made a very considerable advance in its development. The record is here to speak for itself and while it is not as good as we desire, yet upon the whole it is satisfactory.

A sure barometer that the business of the county is on the increase is to be found in the deposits of the five banks that serve the people. Every one of these institutions shows a substantial increase in business and some of them have made tremendous gains. The banks could not grow unless the people are making more.

We have no exact figures at hand but we believe that the biggest growth in the past year has been the farming industry of the county. The high prices that cotton and tobacco have brought have been the main element in the farmers’ prosperity although other products like corn, potatoes and live stock have also contributed.

The menhaden fishing this year has proved a disappointment but the catch of food fish has been large and has been of great value to our people. There are not many manufacturing concerns in the county except the fish scrap and oil factories but the ones that are here have in the main done very well.

The outlook for another year looks encouraging. The young men are all back from the war. Work is plentiful and wages are high. Farm products will probably be high again. There are many houses to be built, roads to be constructed, crops to be cultivated and fish to be caught. The only thing needed is “the will to win” as the Germans used to say. If we have that we can get our share of the prosperity which will probably sweep over the country this year. Let’s do it.

The News cannot either think of or hope for anything better for Carteret County during the year now beginning than the improvement of our public schools. This matter is fundamental in the development and of our country. Good attendance, good buildings and equipment and particularly good teachers are the objects for which we should strive this year.

S.B. Smith Family Suffers From Typhoid, 1915

Albemarle Observer, Edenton, N.C., Jan. 8, 1915

Smith and His Typhoid

His real name was S.B. Smith. He lived in North Carolina. He was a farmer. His house was built flat upon the ground. No underneath ventilation. There was a small cellar. It was musty. Vegetables, rotten and unrotten, were stored in it. The house was heated by an “air-tight” stove. All windows were fastened down. All window cracks were caulked with rags. The barn was 328 feet from the kitchen door. There was a big pile of manure against the barn. There were maggots in the manure. 

Flies, thousands of flies, were born in the manure. In the barnyard were cows and pigs. They waded in barnyard pulp. Just 53 feet from the kitchen door was a privy. It was dilapidated. Its awful refuse spread out behind it. It was a nasty thing. It smelled horribly. Clouds of flies surrounded it. Under the back porch was a dug well. Smith didn’t know its depth. An old sock was stretched over the pump spout. It was there to strain out worms and little water bugs. The water had a funny taste. The garbage tub stood just outside the kitchen door. There were maggots in it. Flies were born there by thousands.

One day Smith’s daughter came down with typhoid fever. A doctor was employed. Medicines were purchased. Mrs. Smith did the nursing and she also cooked for her husband, her son, and a hired man. Mrs. Smith was worn out. She took typhoid. The daughter died. Mrs. Smith died. The son took typhoid. He survived. When Mrs. Smith took down a nurse was employed. She stayed after Mrs. Smith’s death to nurse the son.

The cost: Doctor’s bills: $410. Nurse: $140. Medicines: $23.60. Two funerals: $416. Court value of mother’s life (average court judgment): $4,600. Court value of the son’s life: $5,000. Loss of time (estimated: $300. Total: $10,889.60.

Does it pay to be sanitary? Does inducing sickness and early death tend to produce wealth and happiness?

America Giving Tractors to France, 1918

“Spring Plowing in France Will be Done by Tractors from America,” from the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 18, 1918.

To increase France’s crops and to lighten the burden of toil on her old men, women and children, 1,500 farm tractors will to go that country from the United States. The first hundred are already on the way, and the whole number will be in France by March, in time for the spring plowing. Deck space was provided for the first shipment on a naval transport. Schools of instruction will be organized.

The acreage sown to crops in the uninvaded portion of France in 1917 was about 10,000,000 less than in 1913, or 24.4 per cent. The increased production through the use of tractors this year is expected to greatly improve the food situation.

Lesson on Wash Day Explains Hard Water and Why North Carolina Farmers Must Lime Soil, 1915

Albemarle Observer, Edenton, N.C., Jan. 8, 1915

A Lesson from Nature by Karl Langenbeck

When wash day came around, old Mrs. Sims filled her tubs from the water barrel that caught the rain from the roof of her cabin down near North Bend way on the big Miami River. But in dry weather, she had a bad time. The boys had to fetch water from the river. Miami River water is hard as blazes and washing in it is some hard job. In the drought, the boys had to go to Cincinnati and they filled the water butt for her before they went. It was three days before wash day. Next day Jimmie and Sam Slick were fooling ‘round the yard. They had chased the chickens and shoats and gotten a licking from Mrs. Sims for general devilishness. They were mad and bound they would do “mom” a turn. So when she was taking a snooze, they up and shoveled a lot of dirt in the water but to fix her against wash day. My, wasn’t she mad when she saw it? The boys dursn’t come nigh her. Well, wash day came, the mud had settled and Mrs. Sims was highly careful how she dipped into the barrel so as not to stir it up. The boys were still keeping pretty quiet but they saw that “mom” was looking terrible pleased over the tub. “Boys,” says she, “wasn’t this here water river water?”

“Yas’m,” says Jim.

“Wall, I declare,” says Mrs. Sims, “its plum soft like rain water. I do believe that mud you ‘uns put in have took up all the hardness.”

Now, this is true and every old farmer in Ohio and Indiana knows it. But, there is much more to it, than the mere softening of water for washday. Tho it is this that tells the story, which is, that a lime-hungry soil will take lime from a natural water and leave it soft. For it is lime and magnesia in solution that makes waters hard. Wherever you find sections with river bottom lands that have a great reputation for fertility you can be sure that the river waters which overflow them, in the Spring freshets, are very hard waters bearing a fairly good percentage of lime and magnesia. These waters standing on the land loses a part of all of their lime and magnesia, which are then retained by the soil beneath. The flood waters standing on these bottoms lime them and it is easy to show it chemically.

Now, why is it that such lands have no reputation in Virginia and North Carolina east and south of the Shenandoah and Potomac flood plains. A mere glance at the analyses of the river waters of the country tells the story. The waters of the Miami, Maumee, Kentucky, Muskingum, Cumberland, Missouri and Cedar rivers of the middle west contain 6 to 12 times the amount of lime and magnesia as that contained in the Dan, the Peedee, the Roanoke and the James rivers of Virginia and North Carolina. Tho, the James gets thru its tributaries from the Valley enough lime to make it something of an exception to the rule. This is the reason why even bottom lands, as well as other lands, in the South must be limed artificially.

Unskilled, Single Men Drafted First, 1918

“War Armies to be Made Up of Young Men Without Families and Unskilled, from the Jan. 24, 1918, issue of the French Broad Hustler

Washington, January—All men for the war armies still to be raised by the United States will come from Class One under the new selective service plan. That means the nation’s fighting is to be done by young men without families dependent upon their labor for support and unskilled in necessary industrial or agricultural work.

Provost Marshal General Crowder announces the new policy in an exhaustive report upon the operation of the selective draft law submitted today to Secretary Baker and sent to congress. He says Class One should provide men for all military needs of the country and to accomplish that object urges amendment of the draft law so to provide that all men who have reached their 21^st birthday since June 5, 1917, shall be required to register for classification. Also, in the interest of fair distribution of the military burden, he proposed that the quotas of states or districts be determined hereafter on the basis of the number of men in Class One and not under population.

Million Available

Available figures indicate, the report says, that there are 1,000,000 physically and otherwise qualified men under the present registration who will be found in Class One whose questionnaires have been returned and the classification period ends February 15. To this the extension of registration to men turning 21 since June 5 of last year and thereafter will add 700,000 effective men a year.

Surpassed Expectations

General Crowder finds that the first draft surprised the highest expectations of the friends of the selective service idea. He pays high tribute not only to the thousands of civilians who have given ungrudging service in making the plan a success, but also to the high patriotism of the American people as a whole.

“At the president’s call,” he says, “all ranks of the nation, reluctantly entering the war, nevertheless instantly responded to the first call of the nation with a vigorous and unselfish co-operation that submerged all individual interest in a single endeavor toward the consummation of the national task. I take it that no great national project was ever attempted with as complete reliance upon the voluntary co-operation of the citizens for its execution.

“This law has been administered by civilians whose official relations lies only in necessary powers with which they are vested by the president’s designation of them to perform the duties that are laid upon them. They have accomplished the task. They have made some mistakes. The system offers room for improvement.

“But the great thing they were called upon to do they have done. The vaunted efficiency of absolutism of which the German empire stands as the avatar can offer nothing to compare with it. It remains the ultimate test and proof of the intrinsic political idea upon American institutions of democracy and self-government have been based.”

Analyzes Draft

Analyzing the first draft, General Crowder shows that 9,586,508 men between the ages of 21 to 31 years registered themselves. Up to late in December, only 5,870 arrests had been made of those who have sought to evade registration and that number 2,263 were released after having registered and there remain only 2,095 cases to be prosecuted. The report declares that in the final analysis it will be shown that only 0.00026 per cent of the men within draft age evaded registration.

A rough figure of 8.2 per cent is given as the number of registrants who failed to appear when called by their local boards for examination, though General Crowder hastens to explain that most of these men already are in Europe in the American, British and French armies. They did not await the draft processes in their eagerness to get into action.

“The final data will undoubtedly sow,” General Crowder adds, “that the number of those who willfully failed to appear for examination when called is insignificant.”

Large Majority Votes for Road Bonds in Rutherford County, 1918

“Rutherford County Votes Favorably on Road Bonds,” from the Jan. 24, 1918, issue of the French Broad Hustler

Henderson county is interested in the road bond election held in five townships in Rutherford county last Saturday, when every township voted for the $16,000 by a big majority. This will be supplemented by a similar amount from the federal aid fund.

The money will be spent in keeping up the Rutherford link of the road from Charlotte to Hendersonville. The road has a good grade and attention will be devoted to applying sand and building bridges.

Russians Deported, 1920

From the editorial page of The Beaufort News, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1920, William Giles Mebane, editor and publisher

Farewell Reds

Some were cursing, some singing and some weeping when the ship load of anarchists were started on their ship back to Russia from the port of New York not long since. These rascals who would overthrow the American government and who like to denounce it, like well enough to live here. They cannot pick up a good living in Russia as easily as they did here and down in their hearts they are no doubt sore at the prospects of going back to their own distracted and demoralized country. We are well rid of them though and there are a good many left here yet who ought either to be jailed or deported.

Scott, Cansler Win Junior Vegetable Growers' Competition, 1950

From Extension-Farm News, published by the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service at N.C. State University, January, 1950.

Two farm boys from Pasquotank and Iredell counties recently received sectional honors in the 1949 production and marketing contest of the National Junior Vegetable Growers Association, according to L.R. Harrill.

The boys are Seth Wilson Scott, 17, of Elizabeth City, and Billy Bryan Cansler, 16, of Troutman, each of whom won $100 of the $6,000 scholarship fund provided each year by A & P Food Stores to encourage better production and marketing of vegetables by farm youth.


The awards were presented in Washington on December 15 as the Association concluded its 15^th annual convention.

Dr. B.W. Page Re-Elected County Health Officer, 1917

“Dr. Page Re-Elected,” from the Lumberton Robesonian, Jan. 8, 1917

County Health Officer Re-elected at Meeting of Board of Education This Morning

At a meeting of the county board of health today Dr. B.W. Page was re-elected county health officer. Dr. Page has been holding this position for six years and no doubt his re-election will meet with the approval of the people of the county generally. The board of health is composed of Mayor A.E. White and Dr. T.C. Johnson of Lumberton, Dr. H.H. Hodgin of Red Springs, Prof J.R. Poole, county superintendent of public instruction, and Mr. A.J. Floyd of Fairmont, chairman of the board of county commissioners.

Flexible Flyer, The Sled That Steers

Boys', Girls' Clubs Can Help Win the War by Raising Pigs, Says J.M. McClung, 1918

“Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs” by J.M. McClung, County Agent, from the Jackson County Journal, Sylva, N.C., Jan. 18, 1918

Boys and girls, years after the war some little boy or girl may ask you: “What part did you take in the great world war?” What will your answer be? Will it be that you did nothing, or will it be that you “did your mite” by raising a pig, chickens or an acre of corn to feed the hungry soldiers who are willing to give their lives is necessary, for you and their country?

Germany has more hogs than she had at the beginning of the war, while the hog herds of the Allies have nearly all been consumed, even many of the breeding animals. The number of hogs in the U.S. has been reduced. Illinois which usually produces next to the largest number of hogs of any state in the U.S. will have a very small surplus next year.

North Carolina has been asked by the U.S. government to increase her number of hogs this year by 120,000. This means that Jackson County should raise at least 1,500 more hogs next year than usual. The boys and girls should respond to this call by joining the pig club.

The agricultural colleges have shown that hogs can be raised and fattened cheaper in the South than in any other section of the U.S. In this mild climate expensive houses are not needed, but in the North stoves are used to keep the pigs warm. Moreover, quite a variety of grazing crops can be grown, thus reducing the cost of pork production as the growing season of the South is much longer than in the North.

Since the U.S. Food Commission has given assurance that the price of hogs next fall shall be governed by the price of corn, there is no possible chance to lose in this game of raising pigs, for it means that hogs will sell for 26 cents per pound when corn is worth $2, that is 13 to 1.

Any boy between the ages of 10 and 18 years may become a pig club member, but he must procure at least one pig and care for it himself, keep a record of feed and pastures used. The pig must be weighed when it is bought as well as when sold in order to determine the gain and cost of the gain.

Each member of the club must agree to study the instructions sent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Each member should send one pig to the County Fair. The winner at the County Fair must send pigs to the State Fair. Either pure-bred or grade pigs may be provided as the club member may desire. It is important to join as soon as possible.

The Poultry and Corn Clubs are very similar to the pig clubs. As it is impossible for the County Agent to see all boys and girls of the county, this announcement is given in order that those interested may see him at his office at the Sylva Court House any Saturday or write him as Sylva for other informatio

Army Nurse Corps Needs Nurses, 1918

“Corps of Army Nurses Must be Increased Nearly 1,000 Per Cent in Year,” from the Jan. 24, 1918 issue of the French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C.

According to estimates based on an army of 1,500,000 men, 37,500 nurses will be needed. The present strength of the army nurse corps of the medical department is about 3,800. To increase this number by nearly 1,000 per cent in a year is the task faced by the corps.

Hospitals at army camps and cantonments still need nurses to bring the quota for each up to the minimum of 65 considered necessary, although since the urgent need for nurses was made public in December nearly 2,000 requests for application blanks have been received.

In order to get the enrollments up to the needed number some of the requirements heretofore imposed have been waived. According to the estimates there are between 80,000 and 90,000 registered nurses in the country and about 200,000 other graduate and practical nurses.

Five Arrested in Connection With Murder of John Testerman, 1910

“Five Landed in Jail,” from the Farmer and Mechanic newspaper, published in Raleigh, N.C., Jan. 4, 1910

Charged With Being Implicated in the Murder of John Testerman

Jefferson, Dec. 31—In connection with the murder of John Testerman, J.Wesley Parsons, C.C. Parsons, Enoch Parsons, Robert Parsons and Granville Brooks have been committed to jail. It will be remembered that Testerman was found dead by the road side recently and an investigation revealed the fact that a drunken row had taken place. Following up the investigation lead to the arrest of the above parties, all of whom have court records.

Gargle Listerine to Avoid Colds, Flu, Ad Claims

Alcohol Is Poison That Shortens Drinker's Life by Three Years, 1915

“Nine Million Lives Lost in a Year…Mr. Boyce’s Talks,” from the Albemarle Observer, Edenton, N.C., Jan. 8, 1915

An average of over nine million lives lost! That is the estimated toll of alcoholic poison in the United States and colonies in a single year. More than have been killed in any war; more than will be killed in the present war, great as its losses are.

We shudder when we read of thousands of men killed in battle. Yet alcoholic poison has been taking more lives every day, under the American flag, than have been lost on Europe’s battlefields. An average of over nine million in one year! It is a staggering statement and one which we ourselves refused to believe at first. But its truth has been forced upon us.

Alcoholic poison shortens the average life of the American people three years. Any schoolboy can work out the rest of it. Taking the 100,000,000 population of the United States and its colonies multiply that by three, the number of years cut from the average life of the American people by alcoholic poison. That gives 300,000,000 life-years annually. The average length of human life in the United States is 33 years. Divide the 300,000,000 by 33 and you have the average loss of possible life in one year. In the United States the average value of a human life is given by $5,000. Multiply the 9,000,000 by $5,000 and you have $45,000,000,000, or more than the great European war will cost if it runs three years.

In the midst of its war, Europe is better off than ever before, for the manufacture and sale of alcoholic drinks have been curtailed to the lowest point. No wonder Russia was willing to enter the war, with its alcoholic traffic abolished. By cutting out the drinking of alcoholic beverages, Russia saved a loss of 13,000,000 lives a year, while in the war the great empire cannot lose more than 2,000,000 lives a year.

When a war ends, the killing of men is over. The warfare of alcoholic poison against humanity will not end until the manufacture of all alcoholic drinks is suppressed. Nation-wide prohibition for the United States has grown much nearer within the past year. That such a proposal should receive a majority vote in the national House of Representatives in 1914 was a fact unthought of as recently as five years ago. The vote taken last week is the greatest prohibition ever scored in this country. At the next session of Congress the question will be up again. It will be an issue in the next presidential campaign. Within a few years the traffic in alcoholic poison in the United States will be totally ended.

Mrs. Gamble Ends Business Career in Lumber Manufacturing, 1918

“Mrs. Gamble Ends Long Business Career,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 2, 1918

After a career of 21 years as bookkeeper and right bower of Mr. J.A. Lentz, president of the Hickory Novelty Company, and after learning all there is to know of the lumber manufacturing business, Mrs. Carrie Gamble has retired, her resignation taking effect Monday. Mrs. Gamble has the distinction of knowing more about the timber manufacturing business—prices for the finished product, rough lumber, and all—than any other woman in the United States. She has been in the business so long that she may not be content to remain at home, but she will try.

Mrs. Gamble was more than bookkeeper for the Hickory Novelty Company. While Mr. Lentz was mayor she was his private secretary and has held a position of trust all the 21 years that she has watched and assisted in the growth of his business. Her connection with the company was marked by conscientious service and she retired with the regret of all connected with it.

A fact that makes the mother happy on the occasion of her retirement from business is that her son, Mr. Connolly Gamble, on the same day became acting general agent of the Southern and Carolina & North-Western passenger and freight stations here. If he knew telegraphy, it’s a cinch that he would be asked to continue as agent in successor to Mr. W.B. Southerland, and in the meantime he is holding the place.

Mrs. Gamble’s many friends are interested in her career and they will watch to see if the lure of the office is not too strong for her. And she doesn’t really know that herself.

News From Route 2, Lumberton, 1917

 “Indian Notes Along Route 2” from the Jan. 8, 1917 issue of the Lumberton Robesonian

We were all glad to have Miss Nancy Oxendine with us during the holidays from Fairmont. We were also glad to have Mrs. Mallie Oxendine and Miss Dortha and Miss Jessie Deese and Mr. Carson Deese with us from the fourth Sunday from Pembroke.

Mrs. Bertha Lockley and children from Lumberton spent Christmas with us.

Mr. Ashbury Rice of R. 4 from Lumberton was in town Saturday.

Chief of Police J.E. Britt of Fayetteville is a Lumberton visitor today.

Abner Chavis encourages Indians of Robeson and adjoining counties to attend a meeting at Hope’s near Pembroke on Saturday, January 20, 1917. This meeting is called to consider some very important matters and we urge that every Indian in said boundary be present.

Social and Personal News from the Beaufort News, Jan. 1, 1920

The Beaufort News, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1920

Personals

J.S. Duncan of Greensboro, who has been spending the holidays here on a visit to his mother, returned to Greensboro Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Wheatly spent the holidays with Mrs. Wheatley’s parents in Newport.

Jno. B. Respess of Washington was here this week on a visit to his brother, Judge K.J. Respess.

B.F. Perkins has been appointed census taker for Beaufort. The work of taking the census begins on the second day of January.

Rev. W.O. Hawkins, pastor of the colored Congregational churches in Burlington and Haw River, is here on a visit to his relatives. Rev. Hawkins is a native of Beaufort.

Buell Cooke of Norfolk spent the Christmas holidays here with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Cooke.

Jno. A. Royall Jr., who is a student at the University of North Carolina, spent the holidays with his parents at their place on North River.

Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Bell of Dover spent Christmas here with Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Sanders.

L.L. Garner, who is a student of Oak Ridge Institute, was in Beaufort Monday. He is spending the holidays with his parents near Newport.

Chas. M. Talmade, formerly manager of the Virginia Carolina Farms Company and who made his home here for a while, is now located in Salem, Oregon, where he has gone into business. Mrs. Talmadge and little daughter Ruth are with Mr. Talmadge in Salem. They made quite a number of friends while they were located in Beaufort and it is a matter of general regret that they did not stay here permanently.

Wallace Willis of Sealevel passed through town Tuesday from a trip to New Bern.

Wm. H. Bell of Newport spent Monday here on business.

James Hutton of Minneapolis, Minn., spent the holidays here with his mother.

Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Small passed through Tuesday enroute to New Bern for a few days visit.

K.J. Respess and David Duncan went to New Bern Tuesday to attend the Shriners meeting there this week.

C.H. Bushall spent Wednesday in New Bern attending the Shriners meeting.

Misses Lutie Jones and Emily Duncan spent Wednesday in New Bern attending the Shriners meeting.

Miss Sallie Bushall, who has been in New York City for some time, is spending several days here with her parents.

D.E. Langdale went to Cedar Point yesterday on a duck shooting trip.

Miss Emma Hill of Marshallburg, who has been at Morehead City Hospital for several days being treated, passed through Beaufort Saturday very much improved.

Mrs. J.B. Hellen of Vanceboro, who has been visiting Mrs. C.W. Manson for several days, left this morning for her home

Sealevel News

John Franklin Hamilton, at the present time is engaged in the oyster business, will soon erect a large grocery store on the corner of the central and main highway just in the business section of the town.

Mr. and Mrs. Almon Hamilton of New Bern are spending the holidays with their parents.

Keeper and Mrs. Mitchell Hamilton returned to Portsmouth Friday after spending the holidays with their parents.

U.L. Rose left Friday for Morehead City, where he will place an order with a local auto dealer for a fine car, but I expect that it will rust out before he gets a chance to drive it on any county road.

Capt. W.H. Gaskill, bird of the sound, left Monday on his way to New Bern to carry the Oyster King a fine cargo of oysters.

A.B. Taylor has a smile that has about ruined his mouth since the stork left there a fine girl.

A very delightful party was given at the home of Mrs. D.J. Gaskill Christmas eve night. Quite a number of young people attended and they all report they had a very good time.

Mrs. M.A. Taylor and son returned Saturday after spending Christmas in New Bern with her husband.

Winstein Lewis of Beaufort is spending the week end here visiting friends.

Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Small left Monday for an extended visit up the state.

Miss Fannie Robinson left Monday for Pine Level to spend the week end with her uncle Rev. S.H. Styron.

W.R. Taylor, who attends college at Norfolk, Va., will leave Wednesday to resume his studies after spending the holidays with his parents.

Julian Gaskill will leave this week for Ayden to resume his studies after spending the holidays with his parents.

Fulford Hamilton has been awarded the position as general manager of Smalls large grocery store.

North River

Andrew Wade Oriental returned home Sunday after spending several days here with relatives.

Miss Neva Willis, who is teaching near Newport, spent the holidays here with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. George Collins of Wildwood spent the week here.

William Piner of Washington is here for a few days visit to his brother, E.W. Piner.

Mrs. Paul Beachem returned home Monday from Alliance where she was called at the death of her nephew.

Mrs. Chas. Smith and son of Beaufort spent the week here.

Charles, William and E.C. Duncan of Raleigh, who have been here for a few days, returned home Monday afternoon.

Marriage Licences

There was a considerable ringing of wedding bells around this part of the county during the Christmas holidays. Assistant Register of Deeds J.R. Jinnett issued marriage permits to the following couples:

Ivey Guthrie and Annie L. Delamar of Beaufort.

Jas. V. Caffrey and Bertie Lee Richardson of Beaufort.

D.J. Word of North Harlow and Lera Garner of Newport.

H.L. Taylor of New Bern and Sallie E. Wilson of Crisfield, Md.

Guthrie-Delamar

On Christmas night, December 25^th, Mr. Ivy Guthrie and Annie Delamar were united in marriage at the home of the bride on Marsh Street. The wedding was a quiet affair, only members of their families being present. The ceremony was performed by Rev. R.F. Bumpass. The young couple are both of this place and have a large circle of friends here.

Caffrey-Richardson

Mrs. Loreno Richardson announces the marriage of her daughter, Bertie Lee, to Mr. James Vernon Caffrey Friday, December 26^th, in Beaufort.

Captain Thomas Gillikin of Marshallburg Died at His Home, 1920

The Beaufort News, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1920

Captain Thos. Gillikin Passes Away

Captain Thos. Gillikin of Marshallburg, a well-known citizen of Carteret County, died at his home there Tuesday morning. Captain Gillikin had been in declining health for some months and his end although greatly regretted was not unexpected. He was about 63 years of age. His widow and several sons and daughters survive him.

Judge Boyd Treats Doctor Lawbreaker Like Any Other Lawbreaker, 1910

“Judge Boyd Treated a Doctor Lawbreaker Like Any Other Lawbreaker—Did You Ever!” from the Farmer and Mechanic newspaper, published in Raleigh, N.C.,, Jan. 4, 1910

The Statesville Landmark is pained to note that Dr. S.A.W. Holmes of Rutherford County was convicted in the Federal Court in Charlotte last week of illicit distilling, sentenced to 15 months in the penitentiary and fined $100. Judge Boyd surely did not have before his eyes the proper respect for the medical profession when he imposed this sentence, and it is now up to the medical society of Greensboro to meet and adopt resolutions of indignation, seeing that one of the profession has been treated as a common criminal. It will be realized that when doctors in Greensboro were hauled to court to answer for improperly issuing liquor prescriptions, the medical society complained that the police used the same methods to secure the evidence as was used in the case of ordinary blind tigers. 

What difference, if any, there is between a doctor who illegally—and immorally—issues liquor prescriptions and an ordinary blind tiger, was not, however, made clear. To some minds the preference would be given to the tiger, for few of this class lay special claim to respectability. It may be, however, that the Rutherford doctor, who was probably manufacturing the material with which to fill his prescriptions, does not belong to a medical society. If he does not he will get no sympathy from the members of the organization.

9-Month-Old Daughter Falls Into Fire, 1918

“Baby Burns to Death on Coals at Newton,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 2, 1918

Newton, Jan. 1—Saturday night at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Gantt their little nine-months-old daughter was burned to death. The mother had only been out of the room a few minutes when she returned to find her child lying on a bed of coals, it having crawled to the fire and falling in face foremost. It only lived a few minutes after it was found. The little one was frightfully burned about the face and head. The funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon by Rev. M.A. Matheson of the North Newton Methodist church.

Thermometers Sunday morning registered anywhere from 1 to 8 degrees below zero. All pipes were frozen and in a number of homes the canned goods didn’t escape. Services were held in the churches, but the attendance was very small.

N.C. Farmers Who Are Improving Their Beef Cattle Stock, 1950

From Extension-Farm News, published by the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service at N.C. State University, January, 1950.

Recent purchases indicate that North Carolina farmers are continuing to improve both the quality and the number of their beef cattle stock, says L.I. Case.

Three Tar Heel breeders recently bought 12 head of purebred Hereford cattle at a dispersal sale held on the Albert Noe Farms, Pulaski, Tenn., Mr. Case said. W.K. Sturdivant of Wilkesboro bought a bull for $1,500 and a heifer calf for $1,125. P.H. Hanes Jr. of Winston-Salem bought two heifer calves, one for $1,050 and the other for $1,425. Graceland Farms, owned by M.O. Galloway and his son-in-law, D.H. Williams, both of Waynesville, bought eight head of females, five of which were winter and spring calves and the other three short yearlings, at an average of $1,227.50.

The 12 head which came to North Carolina, most of which were calves, averaged $1,225.

Hub Bell Admits to Stealing Guns, Clothing, 1918

“Admits Robbing a Clothing Store,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 1, 1918

Arrested on the charge of entering the Abernethy Hardware Company’s store on Sunday night, December 22, and making off with several pistols, Hub Bell, a young negro, confessed to Chief Lentz Monday evening of entering the Yoder-Clark Clothing Company’s store in October and carrying off some suits of clothing, a suit case, fancy ties and shirts and other odds and ends. Bell is in jail at Newton in default of bond on two charges. Bail was fixed at $500 in each case.

The negro was wearing some of the clothes he confessed to stealing from the clothing store. The chief suspected him from the first but was unable to find the evidence.

He was captured Saturday night and the pistol robbery proved on him. So far four weapons have been recovered, and it is thought a fifth will be returned to the owners soon.

It will be recalled that the person who entered the clothing store sawed a hole in the basement floor and lifted himself up by means of boxes.

Jane McKimmon, Keeping Up With Farm Women, 1938

Many older folks remember taking cod liver oil. The following includes information on the dosage for children. “A Woman’s Touch or What Club Work Means to N.C. Farm Women” by Jane S. McKimmon, N.C. State College, Raleigh, in the January, 1938, issue of Carolina Co-operator.

Cod-Liver Oil

Infants are first given a small amount of cod-liver oil when they are about two weeks to a month old and during the first three months this amount is gradually increased until the baby may be getting two or three teaspoons a day. This amount is continued at least throughout the first two years.

Many children above two need cod-liver oil during the winter months but normally they get enough sunshine in the summertime to supply them with Vitamin D. Pediatricians advise from one to three teaspoons a day for children depending upon the section of the country in which they live and the potency of the cod-liver oil. This of course must supplement a well-balanced diet.

Cod-liver oil must be given regularly every day. When the daily quota is three teaspoons a day, this may be given a teaspoon at a time after each meal. Or two teaspoons per day may be apportioned one teaspoon after breakfast and the other after the evening meal.

Tribute to Mrs. Effie Vines Gordon

On Achievement Day in that same Rocky Mount building where so many women from the country had met and supplied the tables of Rocky Mount families with delicious food, the member of home demonstration clubs gathered to unveil and present to their beloved leader a bronze tablet bearing the following inscription:

“The Rural Women of Nash and Edgecombe Counties present this tablet in grateful recognition to Mrs. Effie Vines Gordon, beloved home agent of Nash County, through whose efforts this market was organized in 1923 and the present building was erected in 1936 for the benefit of rural people.”

The Rocky Mount home demonstration market is the largest farm woman’s market in size and sales in North Carolina, and it is one of the most outstanding and successful in the United States. Its organization is good, the number and quality of products sold is high, and the spirit of friendly cooperation of the sellers is apparent everywhere.

Mrs. Gordon has been the guiding spirit of this market since its inception. She has seen it rise from a simple beginning and a small income to its present commodious building and income of more than $40,000 per year today.

Keeping Baby Quiet

Mrs. Paul Rhyne of Gaston County has found a unique method of keeping the baby amused. Recnetly it was necessary that she be in town a few days, during which time she left her baby with the two young women hostesses at the Community Center in Gastonia. They were delighted to keep him and he received so much petting and was so highly entertained during his stay that Mrs. Rhyne found it hard to get him back to his old routine when the week was over.

As a substitute for all the attention he had been receiving, his mother tried making him comfortable in his high chair, pulled up to the radio. She then tuned in on a conversation and it worked perfectly. The baby was entertained and Mrs. Rhyne could go on with her work.

Apple Treatment

Don’t forget to keep a box of apples where children can reach them before you resort to the medicine chest for laxatives.

Keeping Up With Farm Women

Welcome to Anna Carolyn Rowe from Catawba County, who recently became district home demonstration agent for the mountain district.

Camden home demonstration club women are working on their home beautification program with a vengeance, according to Miss Mary Teeter, home agent of the State College Extension Service.

Ten new club houses have been erected or remodeled from other buildings in Caswell County since home demonstration club work began there 27 months ago.

Mrs. John Woods, president of the Purly Branch Club in Caswell County sold $298 worth of home products on the Danville, Virginia, curb market in less than a year. Mrs. Woods also realized a nice profit from flowers which she makes.

A net profit of $237 from her garden during the past year was reported recently by Mrs. Wilbur Davenport, garden leader of the Swain home demonstration club near Plymouth.

The six 4-H Club girls who represented North Carolina at the National 4-H Congress in Chicago in 1937 were Helen Whitlock, Stanly County; Ada Braswell, Anson County; Louella Dickerson, Vance County; Mary Frances Thompson, Durham County; and Sarah Amelia Gainey and Pearl Simpson, Cumberland County.

Ava Gardner, Born in Johnston County, N.C., Graces Cover of Movieland Magazine, 1950

"Ava Lavina Gardner was born on December 24, 1922 in Grabtown, North Carolina, to Mary Elizabeth (née Baker) and Jonas Bailey Gardner. Born on a tobacco farm, where she got her lifelong love of earthy language and going barefoot, Ava grew up in the rural South. At age 18, her picture in the window of her brother-in- law's New York photo studio brought her to the attention of MGM, leading quickly to Hollywood and a film contract based strictly on her beauty." For the rest of this story, go to  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001257/bio

When Jurors Won't Convict, Life Becomes Cheap, 1913

From the Asheville Citizen, January, 1913

Need we wonder that human live has become so cheap in North Carolina that men do not hesitate to shoot down fathers and mothers in the presence of their children, when slayer after slayer is acquitted by maudlin jurors too easily gulled by the claim of self-defense, thin and shallow in in many cases? 

What are we coming to?

The last two years in this state, and we do not overlook our own immediate section, have presented the acquittal of one manslayer after another, and in the face of these facts we have come to the conclusion that it is a greater felony to sell whiskey than to take human life, and that the latter crime is attended with far less risk of punishment. The “tiger” invariably goes to the roads while the manslayer is too often acquitted.

We need not go into details and recall the long list of slayers who are walking abroad on the streets of North Carolina today with the mark of Cain on their brows and the absolution of juries in their hearts; they are known to all who read and hear and it is not a list which reflects any credit on the state. Irresponsible and cowardly men, emboldened by the fact that they can carry deadly weapons without fear of punishment, shoot at will and take human life with the same sang froid that they would kill a fly. If you read the newspapers you must have noted that in several cases where man killers were acquitted they were not called upon to answer the charge of carrying concealed weapons. Why not? 

The law on this subject is plain and clear, and if enforced to the letter would save many from premature graves. It is this impunity with which men may carry revolvers that has bred and developed this wholesale slaughter of humanity, and it is time the legislature of North Carolina makes the carrying of concealed weapons a penitentiary offense. Other states have done so and if we are to retain our place in the scale of enlightened and intelligent people let us put a higher value on human life and make the possession of a manslayer’s weapon a felony. Under present conditions even bill collectors, secure in the knowledge of hidden guns, can walk into the unprotected homes of honest working men and shoot at will. Not even the presence of aged mothers and wailing infants can avert the muzzles of the murder’s gun.

Why is human life held so cheaply? Because, as we have stated, mushy and incompetent juries continue to turn man killers loose on helpless and shamed communities.

How to Get a Paved Road by W.J. Groome, 1915

How to Get a Paved Road by W.J. Groome in the Progressive Farmer, as reprinted in the Albemarle Observer, Edenton, N.C., Jan. 8, 1915, “Look Forward, and Not Back”

Let me say in the first place we live eight miles from town, our market. There has been a macadam road five miles of the way. Recently a delegation of us went before our county commissioners asking that they grade and built the remaining three miles. The answer of the commissioners was, “We have not the money to go so far out and can’t built all the roads in the county now. You need and road and we would be glad to accommodate you, but all the macadam roads must be kept up.”

Of course, they were right, but we wanted to live on a good road and get rid of mud, hills, rocks and stumps, and we could not move our farms out on the macadam road. So we asked the commissioners what was the best proposition they would make us, for we were in earnest. They then agreed to put up one dollar for every one we would give in cash or work. A team was allowed $3 and shovel hands $1.25 to count against the commissioners’ cash. Then we got busy with subscriptions and in a short time we had $670 in cash and labor. Most of it was labor, which was the same to us.

In about 60 days we had built 3 ¾ miles of gravel road, which is said to be one of the best pieces of road in Guilford County. The commissioners graded and scraped the road bed and furnished the tools.

I should like to say for the benefit of any community that wants roads that you will always find your county commissioners ready to help you. But you will always find, too, some “tight wads” in every community who will not help you a penny, but will discourage you all they can. They will put the excuse that pay road tax, and that they are not able to have their families to keep up. But remember, if you want a road, and want it bad enough, you can get it.

Put yourself on the map and get out to civilization.

J.T. Setzer Taken to Hospital for Operation, 1918

“Mr. J.T. Setzer Ill, Taken to Hospital,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 1, 1918

Mr. J.T. Setzer, clerk of the court of Catawba county, was carried to Statesville in an automobile this afternoon by Dr. C.L. Hunsicker to undergo an operation in Dr. Long’s Sanatorium for appendicitis. Mr. Setzer has not been feeling the best for several days and when he came down street this morning, he felt an attack coming on. He hoped to catch No. 36 for Statesville, but it was reported many hours late and No. 22, due here at 11:25, was reported four hours late.

Mr. Setzer had had several attacks of appendicitis and an operation at this time is believed to be necessary. He was feeling the pain acutely this afternoon, when it was decided not to wait for eastbound trains, but to take the journey through the country.

His many friends in the county will hope for his speedy recovery.

T.B. Parker Apologizes for Not Answering Mail Following Hunting Accident, 1903

Letter from T.B. Parker of Raleigh

Hillsboro, Jan. 9, 1903

On December 27^th I was accidentally shot while hunting with a party of friends. Since that time I have been unable to do any business whatever except to dictate letters the last two days. My mail was detained in the post-office in Raleigh and was not forwarded to me at this place until yesterday.

This explains why many letters have not been answered, which I regret. I am now rapidly improving and hope to be able to return to Raleigh by the 19^th. Until that time the brethren will please bear with me. I will give them the best service I can under the circumstances.

                --T.B. Parker

Robeson County Home and Poor Farm, Jane McKimmon Honored for Work in Bringing Electricity to State, 1937

“Around the State” in the January, 1937, issue of the Carolina Co-Operator

SUCCESS AT ROBESON CO. “POOR FARM”

When three years ago Robeson County Commissioners wanted a manager for their County Home and Farm they turned to Duke University graduate L.D. Edens, then 40 years old, and offered him the post which carries with it the responsibility of taking care of 115 inmates as well as managing the farm.

Mr. Edens buckled down to his job with the aim to make less poor what was commonly called the “county poor farm.” He has succeeded to the extent that today the word “poor” might well be crossed out and “rich” substituted in its place.

His first thought when he took over the farm was diversification and more emphasis on live stock. Today he can point proudly to the fact that during his regime nary an egg has been bought—a flock of white leghorns supplied a sufficiency of these right on the farm.

He also keeps plenty of hogs: 12 brood sows, and one boar—and this year he will kill 60 head weighing about 15,000 pounds. Self-feeders are used in fattening the hogs, along with FCX fish meal, and Mr. Edens’ records show that his meat cost him only 5 cents a pound to produce.

Fifteen dairy cows provide milk and butter for home consumption and a registered Jersey bull keeps the quality of the herd on the upgrade.

Of crops, the harvest is bountiful, as records for 1936 show: 1,250 bushels corn, 375 bushels wheat, 40 tons hay, 700 bushels sweet potatoes, 300 bushels Irish potatoes, and 2,000 gallons of peas, beans, and peaches canned for home use.

The Robeson County Home grows all it can on its own farm, but for farm supplies it must buy it turns to the Robeson FCX. “I am a great believer in quality,” said Manager Edens, “and the best assurance I have in getting it in farm supplies is to patronize my own farm cooperative which is farmer-owned and farmer-controlled. Too, FCX feeds are approved by our own State College of Agriculture.”

ELECTRICITY COMING

Rural power lines have been rising in North Carolina at the rate of one pole every five minutes of every working day since July 1, 1935, according to the State Rural Electrification Authority.

Between 750 and 1,000 customers have received power service each month since the program was inaugurated, said Dudley Bagley, REA chairman.

HONORED FOR SERVICE

Co-workers piled another honor on the heap already won by Dr. Jane S. McKimmon, assistant director of State extension, when at their December convention they presented her with the Epsilon Sigma Phi key studded with the ruby of distinguished service to American agriculture and two diamonds significant of 25 years’ service to rural North Carolina.

The woman leader, so busy that during 25 years of extension work she has had only one vacation, was also presented with a purse of $250 with the implicit understanding that it is to be used for a vacation trip. Just where she will go Mrs. McKimmon does not yet know, though Florida is likely.

Others Honored

At the same time certificates in honor of 20 years of service were presented to the following: Mrs. Estelle T. Smith of State College; Miss Elizabeth Gainey of Cumberland County; F.E. Patton of Rutherford County; J.P. Quinerly of Columbus County; Mrs. Cornelia C. Morris, A.O. Alford, B. Troy Ferguson, O.F. McCrary, and Frank H. Jeter, all of State College.

Jack Leath Suspected of Trying to Entice Passengers with Liquor, 1918

“Alleged Liquor Seller Is Arrested Here,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 1, 1918

Jack Leath, who was chased by Chief Lentz and Sergeant Sigmon last August with a couple of cases of liquor, was picked up Monday evening as he alighted from westbound passenger train No. 21. 

When Leach and a partner were seen with the booze, they were preparing to furnish excitement for those colored people who were on an excursion train for Chester. The game was queered and Leach left town. He will be given a hearing this afternoon.

Items of Interest from Currituck to Cherokee, 1903

“State News From Currituck to Cherokee,” from The Progressive Farmer, Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, January 6, 1903

Items of Interest Gleaned from Our Correspondents and Exchanges

The people of Anson will shortly put up a $1,200 Confederate monument in the public square at Wadesboro.

The State Hospital for the Insane at Raleigh will ask the Legislature for an appropriation of $80,000 for enlargement.

The people of Dunn and vicinity are agitating the question of forming a new county with Dunn as the centre and county seat.

The first annual debate between Trinity College and Emory College of Georgia will take place in Durham at Craven Memorial Hall, Trinity College, on Easter Monday night.

The Charlotte Observer says that Mr. J.A. Abernethy of Lincolnton Saturday sold the Lincoln Cotton Mills located near that town to Mr. R.C.G. Love of Gastonia, the amount involved begin approximately $300,000.

The death of State Senator Zeb Wilson of Burnsville, Yancey County, who was killed by his brother, Hiram Wilson, two days ago leaves a vacancy in the 36^th Senatorial District. Mr. Wilson was a Republican. An election will be held January 20^th to choose his successor.

The Supreme Court as now constituted is: Chief Justice, Walter Clark of Wake County; Associate Justices R.M. Douglas of Guilford County, Walter A. Montgomery of Wake County, Henry G. Connor of Wilson County, and Platt D. Wilson of Mecklenburg County.

Asheville Courier Post: Congressman Moody is here in conference with his attorneys and others relative to his contest with Mr. Gudger. He asserts that when the returns of the recent election are properly readjusted and counted by a fair tribunal it will be shown that he has a majority of 800 over his opponent.

High Point Dispatch: The large silk mill for this place, mention of which was made in this correspondence a few days ago, is a certainty. Interested parties are here and have bought five acres of ground from Mr. J. Elwood Cox on which to erect the plant. Work on the buildings will commence at once.

Llewxam’s Raleigh Letter: Overman stock is rapidly rising in the Senatorial market, and some astute politicians tell me they now expect him to be the successful candidate for Pritchard’s seat. There has been a little talk in certain quarters about a “stampede” to Judge Walter Clark, but there is absolutely nothing in that sort of noise. It is predicted very freely here, however, that Judge Clark will be a candidate four years hence, when an eastern man is to be chosen. Indeed, Senator Simmons was told a year ago that Clark would contest with him for the seat next time.

Charlotte Observer: The Legislature is to meet week after next on Wednesday, January 7^th, and will elect a United States Senator on the 20^th. As near as the date is, there is not a man in the State who would bet on the result, except from a pure love of gambling, as two men will put two lumps of sugar on a table and make a bet as to which one a fly will light on first.

Asheville Citizen: $225,000 will be expended on the Asheville division of the Southern Railway in the way of improvements. These improvements for the most part will be in grade reduction work which has been in progress for some time, track ballasting and the laying of new steel rail. The laying of 80-pound rail between Asheville and Spartanburg will commence next week.

Charlotte Observer: That was an interesting items in the Wilmington correspondence of the Observer this week which noted the fact that four of the leading white citizens of that city were pallbearers at the funeral of a highly respected colored man. The incident ought to be told far and wide. It shows that at Wilmington, the storm center of the revolution against putting the negro in place and power, the colored man who demeans himself properly is highly regarded.

The North Carolina Association of Academies, in session in Raleigh last week, elected the following officers: President A.F. Sams of Cary, Vice-President Martin H. Holt of Oak Ridge, Secretary Professor Aldrich of Trinity Park. The Association decided to meet next year with the North Carolina Teachers’ Assembly, and to ask the latter to be given a day and night on the programme. If this request cannot be granted, the meeting will be held in advance.

Washington Correspondent, Charlotte Observer: Richmond Pearson will go to the land of the Sultan. Official announcement has been made of his appointment as Minister to Persia, one of the really attractive posts of the diplomatic service. Mr. Pearson, who has held the consulship at Genoa, with a salary attachment of $1,500, will hereafter wear the official title of Minister Resident and Consul-General to Persia, and, according to the government Blue Book, will receive a salary of $10,000 annually.

Asheville Correspondent, Charlotte Observer: The emigration movement from this section has set in and the indications are that the exodus from western North Carolina during the next few months will be the largest for years. A large number of residents form this immediate section, it is understood, will seek homes this spring in the West. The majority of the emigrants from this section go to Oklahoma and Indian Territory. Large numbers go from here to the West every fall, but as a rule they return disappointed and declaring that “there is no place like western North Carolina.”

The A. and M. College Summer School for Teachers will begin July 1^st instead of June 15^th, and will last four weeks. Instruction will be given in Agriculture and Nature Study; Manual Training; Public School Branches and Pedagogy; Model Practice School; College and High School Branches—Languages, Literature, Mathematics; Child Study, Kindergarten and Nature Study in reference to Child Training; Music, vocal and instrumental, especially sight singing and chorus. Board and lodging for four weeks, $10. Separate buildings for ladies, with baths, etc.

Colonel Olds: Being with a party of well-known North Carolinians the other day, the writer was deeply interested in their conversation, which was about the negro. One said, “We have simply cut loose from the negro. Are we doing our duty by him? Have we not two standards of morals, etc., one for the whites, the other for the negroes? If I were to employ a white woman in my house I would make strict inquiry into her character. Do any of us inquire into the character of negroes we employ? Then, too, if a white man who was about to be employed were told to be on hand the following morning and did not show up, we would be done with him and drop him, but we would not expect the negro to be punctual, and when the latter came along, say the next day, we would put him to work.”

Greensboro Telegram: The proposed trolley line connecting Greensboro with High Point and Winston begins to look as if it is going to be a sure thing. What more than anything else causes the belief that the promoters of the scheme mean business is the fact that substantial business men representing other substantial backers appeared before the Greensboro Board of Aldermen last night and secured the passage of an ordinance giving the right, privilege and franchise to locate, lay, construct, operate and maintain the portion of the line which will lie in Greensboro. The High Point-Greensboro-Winston trolley system will consist of a line from High Point to some convenient and suitable point between Winston and Greensboro. From this point one arm of the system will extend to Winston and the other to Greensboro.

The annual meeting of the State Literary and Historical Association will be held on the evening of January 23d in the music hall of the Olivia Raney Library, Raleigh. The programme is as follows: Opening address on the “Work and Possibilities of the Association” by President Henry G. Connor. Report of the “Hall of History” by Fred A. Olds. “Rural Libraries in North Carolina,” (a) Extent and Operation by J.Y. Joyner; (b) Utility and Possibilities by Mrs. J. Lindsay Patterson, (c) Discussion and Suggestions. North Carolina Biography for 1902: (a) History by D.H. Hill; (b) Poetry by H.J. Stockard; (c) Periodic Literature by I.E. Avery. Claims of a State Literature and History of our Public Schools. Election of officers. Organization of an Authors’ Club in the Association.

Concord Times: It has been generally remarked that there was more drunkenness on the streets of Concord on Christmas day than on any occasion for years. Many unthinking persons have gone so far as to say that open bar-rooms could not have been worse. Such a statement is extreme folly, and no man who thinks for a moment would make it. To show how much truth there is in this statement, we cite the fact that in Durham, which as bar-rooms, there were 33 cases in the police court December 25^th, while in Concord, which is not much smaller than Durham, there were only four. Of course, whiskey is sold and used to a certain extent as long as it is made, regardless of restrictions; but it is a fact which no one can successfully controvert that local option has been a signal success here. And it will continue so to be, so long as public sentiment is behind it.

It will interest every one who has attended a State Alliance meeting in recent years to know that our good old chaplain, Rev. W.S. Mercer, is to be married to a Norfolk lady, Miss Fannie C. Lee, this week. Long life and happiness to them!

Firemen Fight Flames in Extreme Cold, 1918

“Firemen Fought Flames in Cold,” from the Hickory Daily Record, January 1, 1918

Firemen who fought the blaze that damaged the residence of Mr. D.J. Sox, opposite the baseball ground of Lenoir College, Monday morning, encountered the worst weather they had ever experienced in combating a fire in Hickory. The water that was thrown from the hose froze as it fell, and the firemen were covered with ice. After they had done their work, Chief Lentz sent out closed automobiles to bring them to the station. There is no question about their nerve.

The fire originated about 10 o’clock in an upstairs room, used by Mr. Sox as an office, when an oil stove exploded. He had just gone down stairs for a few minutes and when he returned found the whole roof in flames. The upstairs part of the building was practically ruined by the fire, and water damaged the lower floor. Some furniture was removed from the upper story, but most of it was taken from the first floor.

Chief Yoder had not learned today the exact amount of the damage, but he thought it must have been about $1,500. There was no insurance on the residence.

Happy New Year