Emily Morton Writes Of Her Army Service, 1918

From the editorial page of the Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 31, 1918

The within complaint of Miss Morton, a trained nurse of this city who is now with unit 65 which expects to go to France shortly, is well taken. We think we are patriotic in this good old State and we are, but there are some things that we leave off and that we should attend to, and one is a demonstration of just appreciation of those who are giving their service to their country. All the reward that a soldier gets for the highest service that he renders his country is the proud feeling that he is magnified in the opinion of  his countrymen and that that his exaltation in their minds and hearts is now that of the kind that passes with the summer zephyr or the stray breeze of a whisper over some deed done most valiantly or the woman who also braves the shot and shell and dangers to nurse that soldier should he need her care. They want to feel and know that they are enshrined in the hearts of loved ones at home. If this is not true and if we have not quite nearly depicted this, though no words of ours or any one else can adequately express the emotions of the heart and soul either in the ecstasy of delight or the utter despair, then read the letter of this young lady to Mrs. F.A. Woodard of this city and feel that we have been remised in some thing, the very best things that give spirit, zest, animation, and buoyancy to patriotism.

Dear Mrs. Woodard:

I was real glad to get your nice letter. I thought when I wrote I would have been gone before now, but I guess they like us so much they want to keep us here as long as they can. Ha! We have right much work to do, but we have a good time also. Our chief is very nice and we all think so much of her. I know it will make our work more pleasant, she seems to take so much interest in each one of us.

We are in uniform now and I think they are real pretty; so nice each one dressed just alike.

We had our dedication of our unit last Wednesday in the St. Paul church. That was the church were Washington attended when he was in N.Y. I sat just across the aisle from his pew. It was a very beautiful and impressive service, wish you could have been here to it. Our flag is beautiful. It is made of a very pretty quality of taffeta with the stars embroidered in it and gold fringe all around it. If there hasn’t been anything in the paper about it you can call Mr. Gold up and tell him. I think the home people oughth to know what unit 65 is doing and we would be glad to hear from Wilson some time. N.C. hasn’t’ done as nice about that as most of the States have done by their units and our chief has taken notice of it and she is a western woman, and we Tar Heels love old N.C. and know it is among the first of the U.S. and we want everyone to know it and feel it. I wish the people of our town and State would wake up and think what unit 65 means. We feel very proud of it and we want everyone in N.C. to feel the same way and we haven’t even had the good wishes of our Governor yet. I am enclosing our program of our service so if Mr. Gold hasn’t had it in the paper he can have it, and if the people would like our unit song and yell we will send a copy.

I hope we will hear from our town and State before we leave for the other side.

Give my love to your sister and Francis and all. Tell them to write some time.

Lovingly,

Emily

Address Unit 65 American E.F., Madison Square Hotel, N.Y.

Should State Supreme Court Justice be Ousted Because He Supports 18th Amendment? 1933

“Intolerance,” from the editorial page of the Journal-Patriot, North Wilkesboro, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 31, 1933, D.J. Carter and Julius C. Hubbard, publishers.

Prohibition is a personal matter, not in any sense a political one. If your neighbor favors repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, a few taken by not a few who are personally dry, and you favor retention of the amendment, there is no cause for bitterness between you.

In like measure, there is no reason to punish an able jurist for his views on prohibition as gossip has it that some individuals hope to do in the case of Justice Clarkson of the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Carl Goerch, a repealer, writes the brief for Judge Clarkson in the State, an opinion we believe the court of public sentiment will uphold:

“According to a little gossip that is going the rounds, there are certain individuals who are trying to devise ways and means of ousting Justice Clarkson from his position as a member of the Supreme Court bench. Rumor has it that these activities have been started because the Judge is an ardent dry and is vigorously opposed to repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.

“We believe we know North Carolina and its people fairly well. Our work takes us over a goodly portion of the state every week, and we can’t help but obtain a fairly accurate idea concerning the thoughts and sentiments of residents in various sections. We have heard some mention of this opposition to Judge Clarkson, and we are in a position to make a definite statement in connection therewith. Here it is:

“Those individuals who are trying to undermine Justice Clarkson bid fair to make themselves just as unpopular as it is possible for anyone to be in this state. The old gentleman has the respect and highest regard of practically every respectable citizen in North Carolina. His work on the Supreme Court bench has been above reproach. He is honest, fearless and conscientious. He is the kind of man who never shirks his duty, regardless of what the consequence may be.

“This paper is wet in its policies. Judge Clarkson is dry. We claim that we are entitled to our convictions on the issue of prohibition, and we cheerfully accord the Judge the same right. Or anyone else, for that matter. The fact that he disagrees with us on an issue of this kind is no reason why we should seek to oust him from a position which he has filled with such honor and distinction for such a long period of time.

“We do not believe that the move to fight Judge Clarkson is going to get very far. It doesn’t deserve to get very far. As a matter of fact, it is a decided discredit to those who are sponsoring it. We hope that they will realize this for themselves before they go too far with their efforts.”

18-Year-Old Scalded to Death at Work, 1933

“Raymond Pardue Scalded to Death,” from the Journal-Patriot, North Wilkesboro, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 31, 1933

Dies in Explosion at W.E. Sale Cannery in Little Elkin Community

Raymond Delany Pardue, almost 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Pardue of the Little Elkin community, was fatally scalded by steam in an explosion while firing a boiler at the W.E. Sale cannery, three miles west of Elkin, early yesterday morning. He died at Hugh Chatham Memorial hospital, Elkin, about noon.

George Poplin Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. George Poplin of Ronda, also an employe of the cannery, was painfully burned and bruised in the explosion.

Young Pardue, late in reaching his post, is said to have fired the boiler too rapidly for the pop off valve to take care of the excess steam. When the boiler gave away directly over the fire box, the steam covered Pardue’s body, scalding it horribly before he was hurled 20 feet away by the force. Others at the plant sustained lighter burns.

Pardue and Poplin were carried to the hospital at Elkin, the former’s condition being beyond medical aid.

The victim was the eldest child of the family and a nephew of W.E. Sale, proprietor of the cannery. Surviving are his parents, two sisters and a brother.

Funeral rites will be conducted today at 2 o’clock at Little Elkin Baptist church.

Dr. Gains Says Don't Have Teeth Pulled to Relieve Sciatica, 1933

“Mistakes” by Dr. John Joseph Gains, from the Journal-Patriot, North Wilkesboro, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 31, 1933

It is a serious mistake—repented of when it is too late to repair the damage done—to extract all the teeth or any considerable number of them—for sciatic neuritis. I have seen women have all their teeth extracted for “sciatica” and un-relieved, without ever having had a pelvic or rectal examination!

And what a raw deal the patient gets—to have the tonsils out for sciatic neuritis, regardless of the condition of the tonsil! A rotten tonsil, of course, needs extirpation—but not because of sciatic neuritis.

I have seen hundreds of foci removed from people in an effort to get rid of infecting micro-organisms—all in the fight against joint troubles, and, wholly without relief. I’ve seen many relieved by happy removals of infected glands—but fully as many have not been benefited. We should diagnose carefully. Fully half are NOT helped.

Especially do I hate to find people deprived of their teeth unnecessarily or ill-advised, or hastily. I myself am a victim, and I believe few misfortunes are greater than the loss of our natural teeth.

12 North Carolina Soldiers Killed In Action This Week, 1918

“Weekly Casualties Review,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 29, 1918

Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing as officially announced during the past week for North Carolina and Richmond County.

NORTH CAROLINA

Killed in Action

Eugene B. Gallion, Benson

William Barrett, Kings Mountain

Loman Morgan, Andrews

Ervin Christopher, Culberson

Paul Hogsed, Andrews

Wm. B. Johnson Kernersville

Will Z. Pearson, Elkville

Eason Tiney, Macclesfield

Johnnie Wilburn, Denniston

Lt. Paul C. Venable, Durham

Sergeant Karl M. Hooker, Salisbury

Alpha Thigpen, Hallsville

Died of Wounds

Carson B. Chason, Lumber Bridge

Died of Accident

Clayton W. Starr, Greensboro

Died of Disease

Fred Wilson, Fairmont

James Clarence Brown, Kannapolis

John Evans, Newbern

Henry Grier, Charlotte

Wounded Severely

Sergeant Caries Martin, Ashville

Lieut. Paul N. Montague, Winston, missing in action

Allen McDonald, Grandview

Howard C. Scott, Raleigh

Cral S. Suggs, Thomasville

Benaga G. Carrawan, Lowland

Wiley G. Sheetz, Idlewild

Raymond Barnes, Taylorsville

Curtis P. Page, Wade

Ernest Willoughby, Goldsboro

Sergeant William H. Springs, Mars Hill

Chas. H. Hampton, Winston

Daylon Sears, Apex

Wm. S. Rice, Mars Hill

John D. Adams, Wilson

Carton Johnson, Milwaukee, missing in action

Corporal Wm. Wellborn, Wilkesboro

Harrison W. Huffman, Gastonia

Ernest Snow, Reidsville

RICHMOND COUNTY

Private Linzie R. Pate, Rockingham, wounded severely.

Pate’s name appeared in the list of wounded issued last Tuesday. It will be remembered that on June 12^th his brother received a wire from the War Department stating that Linszie had been wounded May 28^th. It is not yet known whether this is a second wound he has sustained, or refers to the first; probably a second. He at one time worked at the Hannah Pickett cotton mill, and volunteered last summer.

J.L. Thompson Company Close for Duration of War for Profiteering, 1918

“Should Read the Papers,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 29, 1918

Because it has grossly profiteered by charging a margin of 40 to 60 per cent on flour, meat, etc., J.L. Thompson Co. of Dunn was last week severely censured by State Food Administrator Page and their business was closed for the duration of the war. The firm had plead ignorance of the rules, and this is what Mr. Page has to say on this line:

“The man who does not harmonize his operations with the policy of the Food Administrator cannot plead ignorance of the law after all of the publicity that has bene given the matter in the newspaper and Official Bulletin. He who pleads ignorance cannot be said to have used due diligence in informing himself of the rules and regulations. Such a man is not a practical patriot, and as a matter of war policy it is dangerous to allow him to continue in business.”

No State Fair This Year, Army Using Fairground for Tank Training, 1918

From the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 29, 1918 

There will be no State Fair at Raleigh this fall. The government has accepted the offer of the North Carolina Agricultural Society to least the Fair grounds for use in connection with the tank training camp The lease also carries an option to purchase

Active work is underway for this big tank camp. It will be made the largest in the country, and 15,000 acres north and west of the Fair grounds are being leased for the purpose. The tank camps at Gettysburg and another northern city are to be moved to our milder southern climate, to escape the rigors of the northern winter.

Bob Rivers' Observations Along King Street in Boone, 1950

“King Street” by Rob Rivers, August 17, 1950, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, N.C.

Odds and Ends: Man feeding coins into parking meter, as his lady companion hands him penny after penny from purse, inquiring each time, “Want more?” . . . Housewife bemoans the rapid rise in the cost of vittles in the raw and says there’s no sense in such . . . “Just plain hellishness, ‘twould appear to me.” . . . New display rooms of the Winkler Motor Company taking form, as strollers watch the work . . . Another patient group of sidewalk engineers hangs out right regularly at the Building and Loan building which is undergoing extensive remodeling. . . Group of children play in Boone Creek, as others engage in wrestling and even a touch of fist fighting, as the glorious institution of childhood carries on, a wholesome and unchanged carryover from a less harried era. . . Boats of most every description seen to pass through town this summer as Watauga dam provides a mecca for boatmen and fishermen. . . Lots of these little outboarders are seen trailing motor cars, some smaller ones are inverted over the tops of the sedans, but the other Sunday a huge trailer pulled by one of those might Mack moguls dragged through a beautiful little ocean-going cruiser, being shipped from the builders in Detroit to Eastern Carolina. . . Earl Norris and other highway workers repair the Poplar Grove road at the old laundry corner, and bridge crew re-floors the crossing of Boone Creek nearby. . . Both these improvements are of more than passing importance to one who regularly uses this stretch in his saunterings to and from work. . . Slightly nearsighted one plumps into plate glass door down at C.K. Marion’s Café. . . a rare tribute to the lad who does the glass polishing down there.

Unto These Hills continues to draw large numbers of Boone folks to the Cherokee Indian reservation. . . The spectacular outdoor pageant of the sufferings and tribulations of the Cherokees is good, decidedly so, and the stadium in which native stone is sued predominately, and the backdrop is the Great Smokies, enhances the worth of the stage presentation.  . . Local folks are particularly interested because the cast contains a Boone boy, Blanton Miller is one of the stellar performers with his professional portrayal of Tecumseh, fiery Shawnee warrior. . . Those who haven’t seen the show should make a trip over that way. . . There is no more spectacular ride than from Boone to Cherokee. . . Incidentally, we find that a number of Piedmont and eastern Carolina people are making the trip to Cherokee via Boone, on their return completing a sort of grand circle tour, which includes the noted parkway.

In The Old Days it was considered that when a man wore “Sunday clothes” on week days he had definitely “arrived” in so far as economic security was concerned. . . In later years the status of his wealth came to be measured by what sort of automobile he piloted along the pavement, or how many gadgets his home contained. . . We have found however, that a man’s financial troubles are most certainly over when he takes to writing his signature, deliberately, so that no man on earth can decipher it. . . Trucks loaded with coal, parked along the street, while out of state vendors stop passerbys and try to make sales. . . Onlookers try to figure out whether the standard six ton load is nearer four than five. . . Staccato bark of rifles Sunday afternoon at city dump, right smack in town, despite the fact there’s always been an ordinance. . . Need for truck lane around town grows greater as commercial traffic through the place increases. . . Heartening to know that such an artery is in the planning stage.

Bob Agle, who in his capacity as district executive for the Sams movie enterprises, is one of the town’s most consistent buyers of space in the Watauga Democrat, sends us this highly appreciated note: “May I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new

Bryant Stone Admits to Killing Wayne Norman, But Says He Was Drunk, 1933

“Stone Confesses to Killing Norman,” from the Journal-Patriot, North Wilkesboro, N.C., Thursday, Aug. 31, 1933

Blames Killing on Liquor and Pleads for Commutation of Sentence…Date for His Execution Is Set for September 8

Raleigh, Aug. 30—Bryant Stone, Wilkes county killer who had poems written about him for his capacity to love, today told Judge E.M. Gill, pardon commissioner, that he killed Wayne Norman, son-in-law of Stone, last fall in Wilkes.

The courts have found no error in the trial that landed Stone within 10 days of the electric chair. There had been an evident feud ever since Norman ran off with Stone’s girl and married her. She stood by her husband and testified against her father.

Trial Judge G.V. Cowper, who sentenced the middle-aged mountaineer, has doubt enough of all the murderous elements to recommend clemency for the fellow. Stone denied that he slew his son-in-law. But today he caved in and told Judge Gill that the killing was done with liquor as the chief aid in carrying out the plan.

Warden Honeycutt, whose long experience with prisoners has never made the prison official dogmatic as to guilt or innocence, nevertheless doubted Stone’s story. The prisoner said he did not know who killed his son-in-law. This morning when Parole Commissioner Gill visited the prison, the warden told Stone that his story did not sound right. Stone then made it rational. “I did it,” he said, and he put the big part of it on the liquor they drank.

Mrs. Norman and her mother came to Raleigh weeks ago in behalf of Stone. The daughter swore to the truth of her courthouse story, but she begged for her father’s life. She relied upon the dying statement of her husband who said her father had shot him. The elder man hid in the smokehouse and fired through the cracks. It lacked little of being assassination.

Stone is set to die September 8. He has had one reprieve of 30 days to allow an investigation. The inquiry has not helped more than his confession. There may be something that will entitle the little fellow to life imprisonment.

Tiney, Wilburn, Clayton, Starr Killed in Action, 1918

“Casualty List, August 28th,” from the Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 28, 1918

Killed in action, 74

Missing in action, 189

Wounded severely, 248

Died of wounds, 25

Died of aeroplane accident, 1

Wounded, degree undetermined, 74

Died of disease, 12

Died from accident and other causes, 6

Total, 629

NORTH CAROLINA SOLDIERS

Killed in Action

Eason Tiney, Macclesfield

Johnnie Wilburn, Denniston

Wagoner Clayton, Greensboro

W. Starr, Greensboro

Wounded Severely

William Welborn, Wilkesboro

Harrison W. Hoffman, Gastonia

Williah H. Springs, Rt. No. 2, Mars Hill

Dayton Sears, Apex

Missing in Action

Carlton Johnson, Milwaukee, N.C.

Reports Coming In Following Hurricane, 1918

“Storm on the Coast,” from the Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 28, 1918

Did Considerable Damage Late Saturday Afternoon

Morehead City, Aug. 27—Saturday afternoon and night Morehead City was visited by one of the severest wind and rain storms in the history of Eastern North Carolina. Not since the storm that washed away the Atlantic Hotel in Beaufort August 18^th, 1879, has it been equaled in total destruction to marine property. Few boats in the harbor here escaped some damage and scores of boats are total wrecks, the water front being the scene of instances in which anywhere from three to nine boats are piled ujpon each other. Businesses, commercial and residences, did not escape for several large stores were unroofed and windows blown out while at the same time homes were damaged by falling trees as well as their roofs being blown away.

Kinston, Aug. 26—Damage to crops in Lenoir, Greene, Pitt, and half a dozen other counties in this section from the storm of Saturday night and yesterday morning totals many thousands of dollars, according to reports which are coming in today. Wire service has been improved to the extent that communication with most points is possible. The 80-mile wind did far more damage than rain. Roads were left in passable condition with few exceptions.

Norfolk, Aug. 28—Fishermen arriving at Beaufort yesterday morning re-established communication with the mainland and told of the devastation caused by Saturday’s hurricane among the isolated small islands which dot the Carolina coast. They say that Ocracoke, Atlantic and Park Islands suffered most, almost every building on these tiny bits of land being either damaged or wrecked. Scores of small boats also were pounded to pieces on the beaches, but there was no loss of life. Numbers of people, however, were injured by flying timbers while attempting to save their property.

Small French Town Welcomes Lt. Bishop When He Makes Emergency Landing, 1918

“Letter from Lt. Milburn Bishop,” from the Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., Aug. 28, 1918

The following is a letter from Milburn Bishop to a young lady and we are publishing same with her permission. Mr. Bishop was on the Times staff for a while:

Well, well, what do you think of this? I have just received a letter from a Mademoiselle, and she addressed me as “my aviator Prince.” Now that’s what I call going some. Don’t you? Well it all came about like this:

I was flying along a pretty nice looking little town, and my magneto wasn’t working any too good, and it looked like a pretty good place to land and have lunch, so down I came.

About all the town declared a holiday and came out to see me. The mayor was one of the first out and seemed to think it was quite an “honor” if I would have lunch with him, and so after “much” persuasion, I reluctantly agreed to accept his hospitality and after having a gendarme (police) summonded to guard the plane, why with much pomp and livery I was escorted to said mayor’s residence.

You can just take my word for it, that I was treated like the king of some country. These people can’t do enough for you. The meal that was served was nothing short of a feast, and I was served some of the choicest wine that the country affords. (Don’t be shocked now, because they don’t drink water in this country. But it is seldom you ever see anyone drunk.)

After lunch the mechanics arrived with my new magneto, and after they had it put in, hwiy I took the plane up over the town to test it out, and, of course went through all of the stunts in the airman’s dictionary.

Well to say that I owned the town would be putting it altogether too mildly, and when I came back down why they just ran up to me and everybody clapped their hands, and shook hands with me. I almost shook my arm out of joint.

When I got ready to leave for home there was a pretty mademoiselle introduced to me by the Mayor (his niece) and she wished to have the honor of presenting me a bouquet of beautiful flowers, and wanted my address so of course I accepted the flowers (although I didn’t know what in the duce I wanted with them) and gave her my address. Business began to pick up along the flower line rather rapidly then, and when I left I only had 15 bunches, and I think if I would have delayed a few minutes longer everybody in the place would have presented me with a bouquet.

When the orderly brought us in the mail tonight one of the fellows opened this French letter (from here) and called all of the gang to heart it read. I have been teasing them ever since I received it, ecause I won’t tell them what town it is. Every one of them swear they are going to have a “forced landing” there. Guess I won’t give any of them the name until I leave there because you see I am already a hero there, and I don’t want to spoil my play house by letting anyone else in on the deal, because I might want to go back again.

After I got up over the aerodrome at home I started to bomb it with bouquets and you should have seen the boys run out to me—all of them wanting to know where I’d been.

I surely have kidded them some about being wise to the right place to land.

I hope you are getting along as well with our work as you were when you wrote me.

Won’t we have some experiences to talk over when we get together tho’?

Well, I guess you are about tired of my chatter so I will run along and hit the hay and see what tomorrow brings.

Write me real often, Cap.

Lots and lots of love,

Bish

Melvin Deese Killed, Lonnie Tucker Severely Wounded in War, 1918

“The War Comes Home to People of Union County,” From the Monroe Journal, Aug. 27, 1918. The newspaper spelled Melvin Deese’s father’s name as McNeil on first reference and McNeill on second reference. I don’t know which is correct.

Messages Received Stating That Mr. Melvin Deese of Lanes Creek Township Is Dead From Wounds and Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker of Monroe Township Is Severely Wounded

The war has come home to Union county. Within the space of 15 minutes Sunday afternoon messages were received from Washington officially reporting the death of Mr. Melvin Deese, son of Mr. McNeil Deese of Lanes Creek township from wounds received in action, and the severe wounding of Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker.

The message in regard to Mr. Deese was addressed to his father, Mr. McNeill Deese of Lanes Creek township, and read: “Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Melvin Deese, Coast Artillery Corps, died August 14^th from wounds received in action.” It was signed “Harris,” the adjutant general.

Mr. Deese is the first native of Union county to make the supreme sacrifice. Lt. Ball, who went West over there, although he seemed as one of Union’s sons, was not a native. Mr. Deese was 28 years old and unmarried. He was a member of a contingent that went from here to Camp Jackson in December of 1917. He remained at the camp for several months. He was at home on furlough in March.

Somewhere not far from No Man’s Land, Melvin Deese, the first Union county man to give his life for the cause of world civilization, sleeps today, swathed in the flag for which he died. But he did not die in vain.

A brother of the dead man, Mr. J.S. Deese, has been in France for some time. He was in a contingent which left here in September.

Mr. Henry Tucker received a telegram Sunday afternoon about 5 o’clock stating that his son, Mr. Lonnie C. Tucker, is officially reported to have been severely wounded in action on July 20. The telegram informing him of the fact read as follows: “Regret to inform you that Sergt. Lonnie C. Tucker has been severely wounded in action on July 20^th. The department has no further information.” It was signed “Harris,” the adjutant general.

Sergt. Tucker is a son of Mr. Henry Tucker of north Monroe township. He enlisted in the regular army about two years ago and saw service on the Mexican border. He was a member of the American expeditionary force which first sailed for France. The fact that he has attained the rank of sergeant, as he was referred to in the telegram, speaks well of his record as a soldier. The wounded man is well known in Monroe and throughout the county. For several years he worked as a carpenter with his brother here. He was an expert workman.

Messrs. G.M. Tucker of Monroe, W.B. Tucker of Laurinburg, Vernon Tucker of north Monroe township and Byron Tucker of Monroe are brothers of the wounded man. Sergt. Tucker was a member of the 26^th infantry.

The Charlotte Observer wrote about the Union County soldiers who died in World War I. To learn more about these men, go to https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9143849.html

Two August Hurricanes Hurt North Carolina Farmers in 1955

Extension Farm-News, a monthly newsletter for Agricultural Extension Service employees, published at North Carolina State University, September 1955 issue

Through the first week of August, and for a few days of the second, North Carolina farmers were cautiously looking forward to a bumper harvest—a welcome one that promised to reduce some of the accumulated debts of three straight years of drought, capped by a severe hurricane (Hazel) and the worst late freeze in memory.

North Carolina Extension specialists were equally happy about the way crops were looking. Many were on vacation or military leave.

The day of August 11 changed that. Hurricane Connie, after lingering off the Carolina coast for two days, moved in on the Wilmington area August 11 and out the Northeast corner the next day. In passing it reaped the record harvest that many farmers had hoped would be theirs.

When it seemed likely that Connie would affect the farming areas of North Carolina, absent specialists returned to their posts in Raleigh, which itself came under the influence of the storm Friday morning. That same morning, Director D.S. Weaver and Dean of Agriculture D.W. Colvard called a meeting of district agents and specialists. The 30 extension workers that met ad examined the potential damage realized the problem wasn’t simple. It ranged from small, but costly, things like curing fires drowned out in tobacco barns, salt water on expensive rugs, power failure to electric freezers, and salt water in an electric motor, to the obvious problems of brined crop land and corn felled by high winds.

Before the day was over, seven radio broadcasts and television appearances had been made by specialists, and two spot news stories had gone out over the Associated Press and United Press wires. Five of the broadcasts originated in the Extension Service studio at State College, and were carried throughout the state on the Civil Defense network; two went on the air over WPTF. A telecast from the State College studio of WUNC-TV was picked up by at least one other VHF station.

The news stories carried the pledge of Colvard that the college would do all possible to help farmers recover from the storm damage, and presented specific recommendations to help farmers salvage crops, equipment and furnishings.

About the time the afternoon papers were reaching flooded streets, teams of Extension specialist were on their way to the hardest hit areas. Their job was to find out the extent of the damage and render immediate assistance where they could. The results of the survey gave the governor the information he needed to take prompt action to obtain emergency relief for the agricultural areas, and it impressed on the other citizens of North Carolina the severity of the loss on farms.

Direct results of this, and a subsequent survey, were an increase of ASC cost-sharing from 50 to 75 per cent on land-plaster in the stricken counties; an extension of cost-sharing to include reclamation of salted land; and FHA disaster loans being made available to farms in the area.

Even as the Extension teams were gathering to make a formal report on their findings, Hurricane Diane struck the North Carolina coast, five days after Connie, and moved inland. It brought record, and generally unwanted, rains to cotton, corn, and tobacco fields.

It might have seemed a tardy meeting, coming as it did a day after Diane, which considerably changed the picture of destruction; but the front page play given the story on that meeting indicated the extent of Connie’s work was still news. It was a tale of almost complete destruction to the farm economy of at least one county. Based on the survey of Specialists Al Banadyga and E.R. Collins, it showed there was no obvious way to remedy the damage. In Hyde County, the two reported, farmers were still suffering from last year’s Hazel, which poured salt water on 3,500 acres of cropland. Connie raised the figure to “8,000 acres of land unfit for agricultural production.” (This was later revised to 20,000 acres when the Extension Service had totaled up the Diane destruction.)

Home gardens were completely destroyed, and in one town, farmers were already turning in mortgaged farm equipment. Emergency loans didn’t offer much help, Collins reported. The people of Hyde had borrowed last year and were depending on the 1955 crop to repay the loans. Now that was lost. Current cost-sharing rules for land-plaster to help counter-act the salt wasn’t much help. Few farmers could share a part of the cost. The situation called for something new and bold in farm disaster aid.

As Assistant Extension Director C.B. Ratchford said, “While damage to counties like Hyde is dramatic, there is damage in all of the eastern counties.” A bumper corn crop lay under water and was beginning to sprout. Low corn prices made it doubtful whether immediate harvest and sale was the complete answer. Tobacco was out of the field in most places, but in some it wasn’t; recommendations were needed on handling wet leaf. The promising cotton crop wasn’t so promising anymore. The two storms had wrung 11 million dollars out of it.

At the August 17 Extension meeting, it was agreed that a further survey on damage from both storms would be made by means of a questionnaire to county agents, who were asked to call on other agricultural workers for help. This was the mail to 47 stricken counties by that afternoon. In another week, the answers were back.

The loss to farms amounted to 62 million dollars. It was broken down into workable details that showed the agricultural agencies where their work lay.

Meantime, recognizing the need for immediate action, Gov. Luther Hodges, Director Weaver, Commissioner of Agriculture L.Y. Ballentine, Attorney General William Rodman, and others, including Representatives Graham Barden and Hubert Bonner, attended a mass meeting of farmers at Belhaven, Beaufort County. The people who could help learned first-hand the problems created by the hurricanes; agricultural agency representatives explained what they could offer under existing rules, and pledged qall speed possible in obtaining aid.

When the governor received a copy of the compilation of damage reports from county agents, he called a meeting of agricultural officials Monday afternoon, August 22. The FHA, SCS, ASC, Extension Service, and State Department of Vocational Agriculture were represented at the meeting. The group suggested that counties establish permanent committees on hurricane damage. Membership was to be composed of the chairman of the county Soil Conservation District Supervisors, Farmers Home Administration Committee, and County ASC Committee, and the membership of the Technical Agricultural committee, which is made up of the FHA supervisor, SCS technician, county ASC manager, county agent, and one vocational agriculture teacher. Four additional members were to be chosen by the other eight members.

The counties have completed the organization of these committees, and some have already submitted their recommendations.

The first assignment of the committees was to ascertain the damage done by the two hrrucanes; in most cases the Extension survey fulfilled this need:

The committees were asked to study the situation in their counties and to make recommendations for (1) immediate emergency procedures; (2) medium range steps to be taken (such as counter-acting the salt damage to permit cropping next year); and (3) long-range protection against hurricane damage.

Since the first hurricane struck, Extension specialists have been directed to give priority attention to the counties suffering damage. Through the Extension news, radio, and television services, the specialists have been regularly issuing timely recommendations to help stricken farmers earn incomes this year, and protect their equipment and household furnishings.

Not the least results of the prompt action taken by the Extension Service is the optimism displayed by farmers. The initial presence of the survey team, the subsequent action of the governor, ASC and FHA, based on the Extension reports, and most recently the establishment of local organizations on hurricane damage, have demonstrated to disheartened farmers that somebody is interested in their welfare—to the point of doing something about it.

Success as Farmer Started 16 Years Ago in Dairy Calf Club, 1945

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published in the Wilmington Morning Star  and the Charlotte Observer on Aug. 27, 1945

It started 16 years ago with a calf. The other day M.N. Lowe of Farmer, Randolph County, joined the American Guernsey Cattle Club and became the first dairyman in Randolph County to be admitted into the ranks of that select organization. But the whole thing began with one purebred calf that N.M. bought back in 1929, 16 years ago, when he joined the dairy calf club being organized in the county by E.S. “Shorty” Millsaps. The boy secured a registered, highly bred calf from T.D. Brown in Rowan County, and from that day on he determined to become a dairy farmer.

His first activity was to exhibit his calf at the little Randolph County fair that fall, where he took 19^th place in a field of 20 entries made by the club boys of that county. N.M. says he always had a thankful place in his hart for the boy who took the last place, because it kept him from being at the very bottom. But this did not discourage the young dairyman. He knew nothing then about how to groom a calf for exhibiting in the show rink; neither did he know anything about how to show a calf once he was in the ring.

Therefore, he came back the next fall and each succeeding fall until the present war emergency caused the Randolph County fairs to be cancelled. Each year, N.M. went a little higher in his winnings. He and another boy, Charles Kearns Jr., now a lieutenant in occupied Germany, became friendly rivals and they developed into two of the best cattle showmen that Randolph County has ever produced. Young Lowe continued to show his animals, all of which were the descendants of that first heifer calf. In 1939, for instance, he took first and second places for senior yearling heifers; first and second place for junior yearling heifers; third place for senior calf; first place for junior bull calf; and grand champion female of the show. “Shorty” Millsaps says he cannot recall the winnings made by this boy at succeeding fairs, but he does recall that the time he almost made a clean sweep of all the first places.

Time when on. The boy graduated from the Farmer High School in 1934 and then elected to remain with his father, Worth Lowe, on the home farm. He worked here with his father until 1936, when he decided he must do something about getting a place of his own. So he started working part time in a textile mill at Asheboro. He did not sell his small breeding herd, however, but continued to look after his animals early in the mornings and late in the evenings, before and after his work in the mill. By 1939, he had enough money to make a payment on a farm of his own, and moved there in the fall, taking his Guernseys with him. He continued his work in the mill. By 1939, he had enough aid in his farm work.

By 1943, he bought another tract adjoining his original farm, which gave him 121 acres. With this amount of land, N.M. figured that he could go ahead with his Guernsey breeding, and when labor became tight in his home community he gave up his place in the mill and now devotes his time exclusively to his farm and his Guernsey cattle.

During the same period, the young man has remodeled his home, installed electric lights, has running water, and has equipped his home in a modern, efficient manner.

This year, he built a modern barn for housing his cattle and storing his feedstuffs. Right now, he plans to build a modern milking parlor and milk house by which he can produce grade “A” milk. The building is to be constructed of glazed tile.

It is well to go back also to the time when N.M. took his cattle from the Randolph fair at Asheboro to the Piedmont District Fair at Greensboro and won almost as completely as he had at his little county fair.

Shorty Millsaps says that his recognition by the National Guernsey Breeders organization is richly deserved. And now that the young man has realized the dream of his boyhood days, what he has done is an example to other boys in that section. There is no better way in which to keep a boy interested in the farm than to give him a valuable animal of his own. Mr. Worth Lowe was wise enough to do this, an dhe has the satisfaction of seeing his own son own a farm adjoining the home place. This boy is carving a name for himself in the farming annals of Randolph County, and it all started with one little Guernsey calf, 16 years ago.

Failed Pickles Because Adulterated Vinegar's Being Sold, 1914

Imagine it’s 1914 and all the pickles you put up have failed.  You know you followed the directions carefully. What could it be? Well, it may be that your local store sold you adulterated vinegar! According to a 1914 Bulletin of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the sale of adulterated vinegar was a problem. Here’s a section from that bulletin.

Under both the State and National Food Laws vinegar is a product of standard strength made from the juice of apples—that is vinegar, and nothing else is vinegar, and nothing else can be legally sold simply as vinegar. A 4 per cent solution of acetic acid in water, colored with caramel, is not vinegar and cannot be legally sold as such. It has the acid strength of vinegar, to be sure, but instead of having the delightful flavor and odor so desirable in vinegar, it has nothing but a pungent, stinging odor and taste. So-called spirit vinegar is practically nothing but acetic acid in water, colored with caramel. Still, manufacturers and dealers want to sell it as vinegar. They also want to mix it in all proportions from 20 to 90 per cent with vinegar and sell this mixture as vinegar.

The most frequent violation of the food law to-day is the sale of these so-called vinegars as vinegar by the retail dealers of the State. If the manufacturers or jobbers were to ship these products, labeled vinegar, from one State into another they would be prosecuted under the National law.

These products, shipped in barrels, are not often labeled or branded vinegar, but are labeled what they are, though many dealers in selling them at retail sell them as vinegar. When a sample of so-called vinegar is bought by an inspector as vinegar, and the dealer is notified that he has violated the food law in the sale of a product as vinegar which was not vinegar, he almost invariably replies that the thought it was vinegar. Had he looked at the label, he would have seen that it was not vinegar.

During the year 311 samples of vinegar and so-called vinegar have been purchased from the dealers of the State and examined. The results of the examination of these samples are tabulated below. [If you want to see the table, you can see the original publication at D.H. Hill Library, N.C. State University, Raleigh.]

Dealers are cautioned that the sale of so-called vinegar or adulterated vinegar as vinegar will be prosecuted.

Extension Editor Praises Rutherford County Farmers, 1948

From the Editorial Page of the Rutherfordton News, August 26, 1948

Our good friend F.H. Jeter of the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service, Raleigh, in Monday’s Charlotte Observer on its weekly Farm Page gave Rutherford County a good boost for which we appreciate very much…. He wrote in part:

“One of North Carolina’s good farming counties is Rutherford. It is located in the southwestern part of the Piedmont section…. Rutherford is a county of small farms. It has many small industrial plants and some large ones scattered widely over area and many of the folks, perhaps someone in almost every farm family, work part time in one of these manufacturing plants. This is the way in which many of the people have come to town to own farms of their own or to have extra cash above the good living which their farm lands provide….

Rutherford was formed back in 1779 from parts of Burke and Tryon counties. It was named for General Griffith Rutherford and its agriculture, for the most part, is the same as for Cleveland except that the people pay more attrition to fruits, small fruits, berries, gardens and such crops as are adapted to smaller farms. It is a good cotton county and is fast becoming part of the great Spartanburg peach growing area. There is much fertile bottom land all along the lower reaches of the numerous streams and these lands produce excellent crops of grains, cotton and grazing crops. The whole county is favorable to the production of sweet potatoes. In fact, Rutherford is noted for the excellence of its sugar spuds and for its apples, peaches, cherries, melons and grapes. It’s a good county.

H.R. Niswonger, extension horticulturist, says Rutherford County farmers should specialize in growing fruits and berries. The market now is almost unlimited and strawberry growers can clear from $600 to $1,000 an acre where the crop is properly handled. The prevalence of freezer lockers and the fine markets provided by the many nearby textile plants offer an excellent outlet for all the berries that can be produced. Gordon McDaniel, who lives in the Bills Creek community, planted one-half an acre of strawberries two years ago and sold over $300 worth of the delicious fruit from the half-acre tract. He says he can make more money, net, from strawberries than anything he has tried so far. The secret of making money from strawberries, however, is first to get a good variety; keep down competition from grass and weeds; and then fertilize early each fall. This provides a strong, healthy crop of plants which produce well in the early spring.

But F.E. Patton, Rutherford farm agent, says that the peach crop of Rutherford has come to be very important and is expanding as a farm enterprise each succeeding year. The growers had hard luck this year, as did almost everyone who grows peaches in the foothill region. In fact, Rutherford growers harvested only about 20 per cent of a normal crop. Even so, some of them whose orchards had better air drainage secured about 70 per cent of a full crop and really made money. The best crops harvested this season were produced by Lloyd Godfrey, B.H. Champion, Fred D. Hamrick, the Robbins orchard, and others in that community. In 1947, the growers of Rutherford shipped over 100 cars of ripe peaches in addition to the great quantity sold locally and through truckers. This year, only about 25 cars were moved.

The folks in Rutherford County really give attrition to sweet potato growing. In fact, a club boy of the county, Bobby Clement of Green Hill, not only won the county prize of $25 last year but went  on to become district winner for the entire southeastern section of the state. For this he received a second $25 in cash.  His production was 159 bushels of fine sweets on one-half acre of land. Dorothy Robinson of the same Green Hill section won second county prize of $15 for the production of 112 bushels on one-half acre. The next high club boy was Earl Wilson of the Lake Lure community, who produced 81 bushels on his half-acre to get a $10 prize.

The sweet potato growers of Rutherford prefer the Louisiana strain of Porto Ricos. They have some good foundation seed and they produce a crop that is almost dripping with sugary juice. Dr. Ben Washburn, who owns the Cleghorn farm, is specializing in producing certified seed of this copper-colored strain of sweet potatoes. This past year, he grew some of the cleanest and best seed to be found in the state. Dr. Washburn uses good seed; he rotates his crop; fertilizes well; and follows the best methods of cultivation. He has the only curing house in Rutherford County operated with electric current and says that this method not only saves time and labor but that the cost is reasonable and that it is easy to keep the curing house at an even temperature both during the curing period of fall as well as during the follow-up storage period of winter.

The cotton growers of the county used 10,000 pounds of new Coker Wilt seed, directly from the breeder this year. This cotton is being grown by 37 men who are increasing it and will keep the seed pure so that other growers may have the same good seed available next year. The boll weevil has not done so much damage in the county this year. Last season, the growers lost several thousand dollars because of the attacks by the pest, but Jack Camp of Union township used Benzene Hexachloride at a cost of about $5 an acre and harvested a bale of lint per acre while his neighbors got only about a bale from every four acres.

Mother-Daughter Matching Dresses in Style in 1957

Mother-Daughter Matching Dresses from 1957. 

Notice Mom's short white gloves and her hat, held in her right hand. I was going to say something about them heading off to church, but that's not a church hat.

Estate of the Late W.W. Reavis at Auction, 1910

“Sale of Personal Property” from the Henderson Gold Leaf, Thursday, August 25, 1910

Thomas J. Haskins, administrator, advertises to sell the personal property belonging to the estate of the late W.W. Reavis, consisting of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, a small lot of merchandise, store fixtures, farming tools and implements, wagons, buggies, carts, watches, clocks, bank stock, cotton mill stock, etc., by public auction to the highest bidder for cash on Monday, September 19^th, 1910. Sale will take place in front of the store house on Wyche alley, formerly occupied by Mr. Reavis, beginning at 10 o’clock a.m. A.C. Zollicoffer, attorney.

H.J. Hartmaier Continuing Reavis Meat Market Stand, 1910

“Continues Business for Himself” from the Henderson Gold Leaf, Thursday, August 25, 1910

Mr. H.J. Hartmaier announces that he has rented the Reavis meat market stand and will continue business on his own account. He has opened again and is ready to serve his customers as usual. It will be Mr. Hartmaier’s aim to handle the very best meets to be had, and the business will receive his personal attention as heretofore. The new proprietor needs no introduction. He has been so long and favorably known in connection with Reavis’ meat market that his name is suggestive to choice roasts and tender steaks.

Farmers' Institute, R.A.P. Cooley of Nash, From Editorial Page of Gold Leaf, 1910

From the editorial page of the Henderson Gold Leaf, Thursday, August 25, 1910, by Thad R. Manning

The Durham Herald has not said a truer thing that when it declares that one farmers’ institute, well attended, is worth more to a community that all the political meetings that will be held this fall.

And this from the Wilmington Star is good: “The Republican party had a new birth at Greensboro.” That’s nothing. Just consider who hung around and got possession of the kid.

R.A.P. Cooley of Nash published a card in which he announces himself an independent candidate for Congress from this (Fourth) district. This will perhaps cause no surprise. The gentleman seems to be a sort of perennial candidate, and if no party will run him he will run himself. He had an ambition to be solicitor for this district and has several times been a candidate. Time before the last he was perhaps more talked about in that connection than he had ever been before but failed of the nomination. The last time he was even more prominently in the lime light it seemed, but when the time for making the nomination came Mr. Cooley’s name was not put before the convention. He was beaten again and apparently he took his medicine like a man as he had done before. He was not satisfied, however, and takes this method of showing his disgruntlement. Mr. Cooley has made a mistake in pursuing the course he has. He will be beaten and his sore toe will be bigger and tenderer after the election in November than it is now.

Mr. Cooley’s claims have been recognized. The Republicans of Nash have endorsed him for Congress. This may help to swell his bosom with pride in the years to come when he looks back upon the time when he “also ran.”

From the Durham Sun: “The Democratic party cannot be held responsible for the near-beer industry yet it is a fact that it is a matter that is being winked at in many towns.

The Democratic party is responsible for the condition that brought about near-beer. But you can’t make some people believe the substitute is worse—more injurious to health—than the real article. Those who know anything about the matter have a different opinion, though.

What Boy Scouts Can Do to Help Win War, 1918

“How Scouts Can Help Nation,” from Scout News and Bulletin, as reprinted in the Hickory Daily Record, Scotland Neck, N.C., August 23, 1918

Offer your services to some gardener as a patrol. He will be able to pay you for your labor. Make his crop the best in your neighborhood. Show the world that the Boy Scouts can rise to any emergency.

Plant a garden at home. No matter how small the space. Forego the flower garden this season. Plant vegetables. If you have no garden, use a window box. You will be delighted with the results no matter how small the crop. Do it now.

Offer your services to your teacher to help in securing the necessary information to establish school and home gardens. Don’t be a slacker.

Ask your city officials to organize to help conserve the food supply of our country. Have then offer vacant space for cultivation. Show your patriotism. Arouse theirs.

Before N.D. Hicks Reported for Duty, He Donated His Books to Rockingham Public Library, 1918

“Rockingham Public Library” by Mrs. Lucy P. Russell, Librarian, from the Hickory Daily Record, August, 1918

In these parlous times when we give everything we can think of to the soldiers, so gladly and cheerfully, it is pleasant to record the name of one soldier who thought it “more blessed to give than to receive.” A few days before Mr. N.D. Hicks left his boyhood behind him to become a man in the service of his country he came into the library with his arms full of books, 27 in all, and placed them on the shelves for the benefit of the boys who count the hours until they can get a new book. Was that not a timely and thoughtful gift?

Our neighboring town of Carthage has a library of 2,000 volumes; it is under the management of the Woman’s Club and the books are largely gifts of the women of Carthage.

Aberdeen has a library built and endowed by Mr. Frank Page, father of Walter, “Chris,” Henry,Frank and Robert; we all know the “Page boys” and we all know the reputation of the family for keen business acumen and clear-eyed common sense, and this successful, practical business man could think of no better gift to his home town than a library.

Our readers now number over 300, which means that nearly 10 per cent of our population is using the books, less than 1,000, which we offer to them. We have readers at Pee Dee, Entwistle, Roberdel 2 and 2, Ellerbe and several on the R.F.D. routes. Within a few days we will have for the children the beauriful “Oz” books by Frank Baum and for the grown ups we will have 20 of the most recent “best sellers.” By the way, have you enjoyed the keen wit of Corra Harris in her last book, “Making Her His Wife”? She knows women so well—that is as well as anybody ever knows the unknowable.

Privates Shuford, Menzies, Rudisill Qualify as Truck Drivers, 1918

“Three North Carolinians Made Truck Drivers,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Scotland Neck, N.C., August 24, 1918

Mrs. J.W. Shuford today received a letter from Private Donald Shuford, 105^th engineers, dated July 28, in which he announces that Privates Charles Menzies, John Rudisill and himself have passed the examination for motor truck drivers and in company with six other men are stationed some distance from the rest of the company. He is just as safe as he can be in France, he writes his mother, and more than that, he has the finest job he has had at all.

The boys draw their rations from the Hickory company and have them prepared by a company closer by. They have been thrown with many of the finest soldiers in the world, Donald says, but he hands it to the Scotch lads, some of whom have been on the job since 1914. The Scotch are favorites with Mr. Shuford’s crowd.

An event of great interest in camp was the arrival of a bundle of Records sent by Mr. J.W. Shuford. Major Lyerly, Lieutenant Cilley and all the boys of the company, learning of the good tidings, hit it to Donald’s tent and read all the copies eagerly. Donald says he finds pleasure in reading them again.

Records are being sent regularly to soldiers by parents, and it is hoped that every boy from the county is able to see them.

Naval Seaplane Patrol Station to be Established at Morehead City, 1918

“Aerial Patrol Station at Morehead City Camp,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Scotland Neck, N.C., August 24, 1918

Governor Bickett authorized the statement last evening that he had tendered to the United States navy department the use of Camp Glenn, Morehead City, for the establishment of a naval seaplane patrol station and training camp, and says that just as soon as some minor local adjustments are made as to environments, the order designating this new federal enterprise for North Carolina will issue, and probably $2 million will be expended in equipping the station and training camp.

It developed that government representatives have been looking into the availability of this location for the station some time, and specially detailed officers inspected the camp in company with Adjutant General Young of the North Carolina National guard, only a few days ago. The officials were enthusiastic of the adaptability of the camp for the government purposes.

When established there will be maintained at this station airplanes for patrolling the coast possibly as far south as Charleston in protection against submarines.

New Steamship Sunk by Submarine 300 Miles Off Sandy Hook, 1918

“New Steamship Submarined Off Sandy Hook,” from the Commonwealth, Scotland Neck, N.C., August 23, 1918

At an Atlantic seaport, Aug. 23—The British steamship Diamond, a new vessel, has been sunk by a submarine about 300 miles off Sandy Hook.

The crew of 100 with four officers reached here aboard another steamship, which picked them up after their ship had been sunk 48 hours, during which time the men had been in the lifeboats.

The Diamond was sunk by shell fire in which several men were injured by splinter. None were killed.

The vessel was owned by the Booth Steamship Company of New York and plied between New York and South Atlantic ports.

Lt. Robert Turner Killed by an Artillery Shell, 1918

“Lieutenant Turner Was Killed by a Shell,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 22, 1918

Mrs. Robert H. Turner has received letters from two army officers, Capt. Thos. J. Gause and Capt. Robert H. Morrison, giving details of the death of her husband, Lieut. Turner, who was killed in France July 24. Lieut. Turner was an officer in Capt. Gause’s company. Capt. Morrison, who is a North Carolinan, from Lincoln County, was with young Turner when he died.

Capt. Morrison wrote: “I was with Lieut. Turner when he was killed and am the only officer who knows all of the circumstances.

“We were about one-half mile in the rear of the enemy’s line when a three-inch artillery shell came over and struck Lieut. Turner in the center of the back, going through his body. Death was instantaneous. He never knew what struck him. He had been to dinner with me and we were going back to the place where his company was located when it happened.

“I have served in the same outfit with Lieut. Turner ever since he has been in the service. He has always been a popular officer, well thought of by all officers and men, and we are all deeply grieved over losing him.” –Statesville Landmark

Five N.C. Soldiers Reported Killed in Action This Week, 1918

“Weekly Casualties Review,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 22, 1918

Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing as officially announced during the past week for North Carolina and Richmond County.

The war news the past week has each day shown an improvement. Our troops and our Allies are giving the German armies no rest, but are attacking at many points.

Before the Allied offensive began on July 18^th, the total length of the battle line, from Switzerland to the North Sea, was 250 miles. NOW by steady gains the line has been shortened to 200 miles!

The Germans have at last been driven back to the lines they occupied when they began their offensive March 21st. Lassignay was captured Wednesday, and Noyon is threatened, and will likely be in ur hands within a few days.

Gen. March, our Chief of Staff, Saturday told Congress that by sending 4,000,000 troops to France by next summer, we can end the war in the Fall of 1919! This is the first intimation given out by officials as to when we may expect the war to end. It is significant.

The total American losses in killed, wounded and injured to date number 22,567.

NORTH CAROLINA      

    

Killed in Action

Joe S. Whitsen, Rosemary

Council Soles, Taber

James Alley, Sparta

Corporal Hubert Lee Moore, Canton

Corporal Alvin R. Canady, Bug Hill

Wounded Severely/Missing

Corporal Dewey R. Roark, Ashland

John Brown, Hayes, missing

Morris Watkins, McLeansville, missing

Sergeant Wm. H. Springs, Mars Hill

Perry W. English, Faust

Sergeant Hannable Davis, Marshall, missing

Sergeant Clarence R. Suddreth, Lenoir

Corporal Clyde Evins Lupton, Newbern

Sergeant W. Goodman, Salisbury

Jestie William Stallings, Gilky

Jesse Avery, Duke

Lieut. Elliott B. Clark of Weldon who three weeks ago had been reported as killed in action is not dead. Instead he is rapidly recovering from a wound in the right shoulder received July 19^th.

Corp. Willie Shankle Killed in Fighting Around Chateau-Thierry, 1918

“Supreme Sacrifice,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 22, 1918. Photo from https://www.vintag.es/2017/08/amazing-studio-portrait-photos-of-north.html

Another Richmond County Lad Reported Dead on the Battlefields of France—Willie W. Shankle

It is reported, on apparently good authority, that Corporal Willie W. Shankle was killed in battle in France July 20^th. There has been no official notification or confirmation of his death, the news coming to his sister, Mrs. Pearl Tyson, at Norwood, in a letter from Corporal Jacob Crowell Shankle.

Crowell Shankle’s letter was dated July 26^th, and in it he stated that his cousin, Willie was killed as they side by side were advancing in battle. Both belonged to Co. L, 16^th infantry. It is presumed the death occurred in the fighting around Chateau-Thierry.

Willie Shankle was a manly fellow, just 21 last Sept. 26^th. He was six feet tall, weighed 200 pounds and looked every inch a soldier. That he fell with his face to the enemy was a foregone conclusion with those who knew Willie Shankle.

His mother, Mrs. Sallie Shankle, has made her home in Rockingham with her daughter, Mrs. Joe A. Porter, for many years. In April, 1917, young Shankle, while working at Badin, visited his mother here, and while returning to Badin struck up with a bunch of fellows who were on their way to Greensboro to enlist. He forthwith joined them, volunteered at Greensboro, was then sent to Fort Thomas Kentucky, later to San Antonio, Texas, then in June, 1917, to France, being among the first to go across. He has written many letter home to his relative, in all of which he evidenced the same cheerfulness that made him popular with his mates while a student at Rockingham school.

Today's Army Casualty List Has Sgts. Martin of Asheville and Goodman of Salisbury Wounded Severely, 1918

“Army Casualty List Today Numbers 194,” from the Hickory Daily Record, Aug. 11, 1918

By the Associated Press

Washington, Aug. 22—The second section of the army casualty list today shows:

Killed in action, 11; missing in action, 71; wounded severely, 81; died of wounds, 6; wounded degree undetermined, 25; total, 194.

The list includes the name of Sergeant Caries Martin of Asheville, who were wounded severely.

The morning list published today contained the name of Sergeant George W. Goodman of Salisbury, wounded severely.

Why Gasoline Has Jumped From 16 Cents a Gallon to 27 Cents in One Year, 1916

“Gas,” from the editorial page of the Monroe Journal, August 15, 1916, Monroe, N.C.

A year ago, gasoline was selling in Monroe for 16 cents a gallon. Since that time the price climbed till it reached 27 cents, and there it hung a long time. It has made a slight start downward and is selling at 25 cents. On this point the New York World says:

But why does gasoline suddenly become cheaper after as suddenly becoming dear? That is the prize puzzle of a system of price-fixing of which the oil industry has furnished many examples. The present reduction is attributed to increased production and a slackening for the demand for the fuel for the military needs of Europe. But certainly the domestic demand both for industrial and pleasure uses has enormously increased. The decline in price of crude oil has been slight, and it is not assumed that the long established and efficiently managed producing companies have only at this late day effected economies which make its production cheaper. Why, then, does gasoline cost less now than a month or a week ago?

Gasoline is more than ever a public necessity. The recent extreme fluctuations in its price have inspired Congressional inquiries. The Federal Trade Commission has just finished an investigation of methods of production and conditions of cost. Yet the mystery remains at most half solved. A good way to clear it up might be to subject the entire oil industry to Federal supervision.

If every State in which oil lands are located were to put a tax on every acre of oil bearing land based upon the rate at which such lands sell on the market, gasoline would sell everywhere in six months at 10 cents or less per gallon. A similar method adopted for coal fields would cut the price in half in two. The trouble is that the coal and oil producing lands have been monopolized and the supply is thus shut off. No amount of government legislation is going to do any lasting good. An adequate tax on all lands would open up the supply and bust the monopoly and nothing else will.

Chatham Farmers Tour Neighboring Farms, 1949

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, Raleigh, as published in the Charlotte Observer Aug. 22, 1949. Coca cola was lowercase in the newspaper article, so I’m not sure if they meant the real Coca Cola or were just misnaming another cola drink. Also, although the article refers to mixed drinks, visitors were served nonalcoholic punch, not what we think of as alcoholic mixed drinks.

A farm tour held the other day shows that Chatham farmers have lots over which they can be thankful. Crops are good and the country folks are getting along fine.

About 150 of them gathered for the tour. They assembled at Clapp Brothers farm machinery place in Siler City, where Sam Clapp treated everybody to coca cola and ice cream. The tour then proceeded out to the farm of Lynn and Harvey Paschal near Siler City. Here they observed 7,000 laying hens in a house 40 feet wide by 500 feet long.

The house has plenty of fresh running water obtained by building a dam across a small stream just above the laying house. This water runs continuously, day and night, supplying the hens with plenty of fresh, cool water. The trough is kept clean and sanitary by the fresh water moving through it at all times. On the opposite side of this watering trough is a feeding system so arranged that a feeder box can be pushed by the weight of the hand and two feeding troughs are filled automatically. The Paschals says that with 7,000 laying hens to feed and water, it is absolutely necessary for them to save steps.

Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Edwards of Siler City, Route 2, have rearranged their farm home so as to add a bath without detracting from the general lines of the old home. Mrs. Edwards also has improved and renovated her kitchen into a new and modern workshop. She has 600 beautiful pullets, now developing into layers for the winter, out in an open range of lespedeza and soybeans. The young birds eat the green grazing and are healthy and vigorous. As the 150 guests left the Edwards home, Mrs. Edwards very thoughtfully served a cooling mixed drink.

This interest in modern farm homes continued as the visitors stopped by the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Flowers of Siler City, Route 1. The Flowers have just completed a new and modern brick home. On Route 3 from Siler City, the traveling group saw 600 fast growing turkeys on open range and 30 fine pigs developing on a pasture and a self-feeder. These two valuable crops are being grown by Fred Harris.

From pigs to turkeys, the group moved next to the farm of J.F. Boulden of Pittsboro, Route 2, were they saw one of the new 20-stanchion grade “A” barns now operating in the county. The oldest boy of the family, Robert Bouldin, is an FFA member and he and his younger brother, Charlie, are selling grade “A” milk from eight nice Jersey cows. Robert, incidentally, was awarded a trip to Kansas City for doing such a good job in dairy farming.

At the farm of T.M. Clark, Pittsboro, Route 2, the 150 travelers saw Guernsey cows on good pastures. At the farm of E.J. Clark, of the same address, they saw excellent Dixie 17 hybrid corn, and at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Alton C. Campbell, also on Pittsboro, Route 2, they observed the modern home and about 18 acres of nice alfalfa at one side.

By this time, folks were hungry, so they spread a picnic dinner on the lawn at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Durham. Just below them, as they enjoyed their dinner on this spacious lawn under the shade of the trees, was the sparkling waters of the farm fish pond. These fish ponds are becoming more and more numerous over Chatham County as the people recognize their beauty and usefulness.

The first stop after lunch was at the farm of Johnnie and Simon Burke, Pittsboro, Route 1. The guests were shown sheep, hogs, young dairy heifers and mature milk cows, all grazing on a nice permanent pasture. The various animals were harvesting their own feed from a well-developed clover and grass sod and were making money for the owners. The Burkes showed their visitors replacement pullets on open range and 29 acres of hybrid corn. It was a hot, humid afternoon and so the Burkes made fast friends by serving ample portions of cold watermelon to everyone on the tour.

The crowd next moved over to the John Strowd farm, Pittsboro, Route 2, where they saw five purebred cows and heifers owned by the Strowd twins, Wayne and Warren. These young 4-H Club boys are handling their cows like accomplished dairymen and are selling milk to provide a cash income for the farm. The boys say they will expand their present herd just as fast as possible and really get into the dairy farming when they are a bit older. The matter of refreshments was getting to be a habit by that time and the visitors had spent only a few minutes with the Strowds before they were served a delicious mixed drink.

On the Jimmie Gus farm, Chapel Hill, Route 3, the touring party saw how the owner had removed rocks from one of his fields and had used the stones to build a comfortable rock home with a central heating plant. The heating system cost only $105 and furnishes plenty of warm air through three registers to keep the home comfortable in cold weather.

C.C. Brewer, of the same address, had a field of Dixie 17 and some old-style corn at his farm. The last stop of the day was made on the farm of W.H. Meachum, Chapel Hill, Route 1. Here the group spent considerable time inspecting a new and modern dairy barn and a heard of purebred Jersey cattle on a good permanent pasture. Again, the folks all had a round of bottled drinking served by their hosts before the tour disbanded and the members departed for their own homes