Local Wingate News from The Monroe Journal, April 2, 1918

From the front page of The Monroe Journal, April 2, 1918.

Wingate, April 1

Close Stores Early; Get Men Home

We are glad to see that the stores of Monroe and Marshville are going to close at an early hour. This is right. It gives the storekeeper a chance to get out a little, and if he is so disposed, he may work a little in his garden. Another important thing it does is to cut out a loafing place for the man who does not want to stay at home with his wife and children. Some had rather be lying around the store talking about their neighbors, telling smutty jokes, and anything to get rid of the breath than to stay at home with their families. Now, can’t Wingate follow suit with our neighboring towns? It will be a step in the right direction if our store men will just close at 7 o’clock or 6:30. Do it men.

Winfred Baucom Tells Best Auto Story Yet

One of the most interesting automobile stories we have heard for a time was told by our clever friend, Winfred Baucom, the other day. He and Mr. Frank Jones and some of Mr. Jones’ family went to Camp Sevier a few days since to visit Mr. Jones’ son, now in training there, or has been at least. On their way there they had to ascend a long steep hill. Before they reached the top of it the gas gave out on them. They were standing meditating about what tyhey should do and another car came puffing by. It did not get very far above them until it went dead for want of gas. In a few minutes more another car came rushing by. It went a little farther than the second one and it went dead. In a little while another one came rushing up. This one halted near Mr. Jones’ car. The driver jumped out saying as he did, “Are you out of gas? Well, if you are, I know what to do for a Ford. If you have any gas at all, you can back him up the hill.” They found that there was enough gas to run up the hill if it could be arranged so that the carburetor could get it. The drummer got his mouth to the place where you put the gas into the gas tank and began to blow. He had not blown many times until he told Winfred to crank the thing, and to his surprise it started. The man kept blowing and the thing kept running. The top of the hill was soon reached and the trip continued.

Now, some things puzzle us about this. We do not doubt Winfred’s story in the least. But did the may blow the gas in the tank into the carburetor, or did the car burn the gas generated by the man? Many men have enough gas to run a dozen Fords, but it is of such an inferior grade that it will not do anything but object to the thing some prudent men of God projects.

Small-Baucom Wedding

A beautiful wedding was solemnized at Glenalpine Sunday evening. The contracting parties were Mr. J. Wade Small and Miss Ona Baucom, both of the Union section. They have our best wishes.

Church News

Quite a large crowd attended the baptizing at Wombles pond last Sunday evening. Many were here from Monroe and other communities around.

The Union meeting at bethel church was well attended, and much interest was manifested in the program. Some of the speakers were absent, but those that were there made good. We do wish that all of our folks could realize the importance of this meeting. Some of our preachers do not attend, and when the preachers do not attend we cannot expect the people to go.

We are going to Roberdel this week to assist Rev. D.P. Bridges in a meeting. Rev. R.M. Haigler will conduct our prayer meeting at Marshville Thursday evening. We hope that there will be a large crowd in attendance. We must begin to arrange for our meeting to begin the third Sunday in this month. We have a splendid outfit this time, and if we get ready for the meeting, we will have an excellent one, one that will lift up the town and country round about. Brother Harrell will have Robert L. Cooper, one of the sweetest singers in this Southland, with him. Now let us get ready. If you are not right with God, get right at once. If you are not right with your brother, get right at once. Remove all of the stones and let the Spirit have its way. Much good will be done if you will.

Debate on Military Training Was a Success

The entertainment at Rock Rest last Thursday evening was quite a success. A large crowd was in attendance, and the program was real fine. We enjoyed the debate exceedingly well. It was as good as we have ever heard on the question. Ethan Eudy, Charlie Trull, Theron Eudy and Thurlow Knight were the debaters. The question was: Resolve that our boys should have one year of military training. The first named boys were on the affirmative side of the question, and the last named on the negative. The negative side gained the day. Thurlow Knight won the prize for the best speech. Miss Glennie Mangum was given the reciter’s prize. At the close of the exercises, Hon. R.W. Lemmond made a very interesting address on the war. It was one of the best we have heard. He gave the reason for the war, and showed why we shold be in it as we have not heard before.

Other Local News

Mr. W.M. Perry has a new Studebaker car. He exchanged his Ford for it, of course, paying considerable difference.

Mrs. Mattie Funderburk, who has been so seriously sick, but is now convalescent, is spending some time with Mr. G.M. Stewart’s family. She hopes to be able to go home within a week or two.

Little John Frank Brown fell the other day and broke his arm.

The lighting system has been purchased by Messrs. L.J. Smith and Z.V. McIntyre, and they are planning to have the generators manufactured here.

Mr. Z.V. McIntyre has one of the finest Guernsey bulls in this section. He is one of our up-to-date farmers. He makes wheat and corn in abundance and believes in full-blooded cattle.

The two young men’s literary societies of the Wingate school gave the Browning Society a reception last Friday evening. It was very enjoyable, so the young people say. The one theme of the evening was “The Wingate School: What It Ain’t.” Each teacher was impersonated and they say it was laughable to the last degree. Each teacher’s hobby was made clear at the students sized them up. Ice cream and cake were served at the close of the hour.

Mrs. Eugene Steward of Badin has been visiting relatives here for a few days.

Dr. Ray Griffin, formerly of Morganton, has gone to Asheville to practice his profession. He has been one of the physicians at the insane hospital at Morganton for several years, and it was with much regret that they gave him up, but he decided to work in a private sanatorium.

The Stewart home for girls has been started. The foundation was laid last week. If the railroad can manage to get the brick here, it will not be long until the walls will be up. We are anxious to see this important building completed, but what about the home for the boys? We are much afraid that we are too slow about raising the money with which to build it. But it must be built.

Miss Mary Sherrin spend a few days with her mother last week.

Oh, that the world would pray the Lord’s model prayer these days.

Misses Minnie Lee and Mabel Webb of Morven spent yesterday with their sisters who are in school here.

Bob Sullivan is spending a few days with home folks.

Ernest Robinson came home from Camp Jackson this morning. He has been discharged because of some infirmity. We are glad that Ernest could come back to his wife.

The Farmers’ Union here is in a thriving condition. Quite a large crowd was out Saturday evening. Their business manager, Mr. W.V. Williams, is moving things around for them. They get fish occasionally, order their guano by the car load, and do anything they wish. This is a great organization. Every farmer ought to be a member of it.

The W.O.W. here is getting much interest aroused now. New timber is being worked p at almost every meeting. Brethren Stewart and Todd of Charlotte were here Saturday evening, and the boys say made good talks, besides aiding in the initiation of some new members.

It will not be long until Glenalpine will have new Irish potatoes and garden peas. We have had radishes for several days.

Rev. E.C. Snyder and Mr. W.M. Perry went to Charlotte yesterday, returning the same day.

Mr. Oscar Tucker of Marshville and children, Roy and May, spent yesterday at Glenalpine.

Please notice the ad of the new garage at Wingate. We are coming to the front.