News Reports In And Around Monroe, Feb. 10, 1920

From The Monroe Journal, February 10, 1920

The Latest Happenings In and Around Monroe

Mr. Brooks Myers is ill with influenza.

Mr. Sebron Polk, well-known citizen of North Monroe, is seriously ill with pneumonia. His recovery is extremely doubtful.

The consensus of opinion among doctors is that the influenza epidemic is on the wane. Many people are ill, but few new cases have developed.

An improvement in the condition of Mr. E.J. Bivens, who has been seriously ill for several weeks, is reported today.

Mr. and Mrs. Brady Simpson are seriously ill at their home in Goose Creek township with pneumonia. Little hope is held out for the recovery of Mrs. Simpson, though it is believed Mr. Simpson will manage to successfully combat the disease.

Mr. Ray Funderburk, county superintendent, is ill with influenza and will not be able to be at his hoffice this week. The teachers’ meeting has been postponed until further notice. Mr. Funderburk requests teachers be prepared to stand an examination on Davis’ “Work of the Teacher,” which will be given in a few weeks.

The Monroe Iron and Metal Company has opened a branch office in Lenoir.

Mr. Fay Efird has entered the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Mass.

Next Saturday will be the last day for listing polls, personal and real property under the revaluation act for Monroe township.

The Monroe Vulcanizing company is offering a ton-tested automobile tube free during the month of February to all purchasers of Pennsylvania Vacuum cup tires.

Mr. T.L. Crowell, who has been treasurer of the Masonic Lodge for the past three years resigned last Friday at their regular meeting. Mr. Crowell’s grand-father, the late Col. A.H. Crowell, was treasurer of the lodge for a number of years over 45 years ago.

Mr. Walter McCorkle’s loyalty to the city came very near costing him his life the other day. He is a member of the fire department, and when the fire alarm was turned in Saturday, which proved to be false, he hastened to the city hall to board the fire wagon. As a result of the exposure he was again taken badly ill.

An airship passed over Monroe yesterday afternoon. It was thought by some to have been operated by Lieut. Melvin B. Maynard, the “Flying Parson,” who, the papers announced a few days ago, was coming to North Carolina to secure recruits for the army. However, it was learned this morning that he was in New York state.

Mr. George Helms died yesterday at his home on Wadesboro avenue at the advanced age of 69 years. He had been ill about a week. Funeral services were conducted this afternoon at 3 o’clock by his pastor, Rev. John W. Moore, and interment was in the Monroe cemetery. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Messrs. Rufus and Luther Helms. The deceased was a good citizen. For a number of years he was miller for J. Shute & Sons, and was in their employ when he had the misfortune to lose his right arm.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wolfe of Waxhaw are still in Spencer with Mr. Wolfe’s father, Mr. S.S. Wolfe, who has been seriously ill for several days. News received Saturday stated his condition was not improved. His many Waxhaw friends wish for him a speedy recovery.

The Gordon Insurance and Investment Company continued to win recognition from the Philadelphia Life Insurance Company, whom they represent in the two Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. The latest is a silver loving cup which is on display in the Monroe Hardware Company window. On it is the following inscription: “Presented to the Gordon Insurance and Investment Company, State Agts. For North and South Carolina for the Philadelphia Life Insurance Company, in honor of their producing five millions of paid insurance business during the year 1919.”

Mr. T.B. Sullivan writes his kinsman, Mr. P.B. Blakeney, that he plans to have the Chicago White Sox baseball team, of which he is part owner, train at Monroe in the spring of 1921. He has made a couple of visits here in the past 12 months and was so impressed with the climate that he desires to bring his players here. Mr. Sullivan is about 60 years old, is very wealthy, and in good health for a man of his years. He likes North Carolina, having bought a farm near Elizabeth City some years ago. Mr. Sullivan wants one of Mr. Blakeney’s boys to accompany his team on its South American tour this year.

The Mutual Banking and Trust Company is a new corporation with an authorized capital of $50,000, for Marshville. The incorporators are Messrs. R.C. Newsome and E.H. Moore. They plan to secure banking quarters in the building now occupied by Mr. J.M. Meigs, but it will be some time before they can commence business. Mr. Newsome is one of Marshville’s largest business men, while Mr. Moore is the Seaboard agent at that place.

Nitrate of soda will play an important part in the interesting case between a landlord and tenant, which will be heard at the civil term of Superior court next week. The landlord, Mr. J. Walter Griffin, of Lanes Creek township, is suing his tenant, Mr. H.M. Mullis, for half of the crop, alleging that he rented the land on this basis. The tenant, in his answer to the complaint of the defendant, declares Mr. Griffin promised to deliver him a certain amount of nitrate of soda to be used on the land; and that the soda was not delivered to him until the planting season was over. In consequence of Mr. Griffin’s failure to furnish him with nitrate of soda at the proper time, Mr. Mullis says he only delivered one-fourth of the crop to him.

Mr. J.L. Price, a native of Union county who has been involved in a number of real estate transactions in Gaston county for the past year or more, is lodged in jail at Gastonia, where he was placed Friday following his arrival from Spartanburg in company with a policeman. Mr. Price was arrested upon warrants sworn out by T.J. Redmond on charges of false pretenses, embezzlement, etc. There are five or six cases, and his bond in each case is $2,000. He was given a hearing this morning. Until recently Mr. Price was considered one of the most prominent business men in Gastonia. He operated on a large scale, it is said. He is well known in this county.

Bigamy is alleged in an action for divorce, instituted by Enoch Hart, colored, against his wife, Francis Perry, which has been set for the February term of court, which convenes here Feb. 16. Enoch was married October 26, 1906. Since then he learned that Francis had a living husband.

Marshville News of the Flu (by Mrs. J.S.H.)

The influenza situation, so far as the spread of the disease is concerned, is better, no new cases having developed within the past 48 hours. However a number of cases of pneumonia have developed among those who are already stricken, which is causing considerable anxiety among the citizens. Dr. Peeler of Salisbury and Dr. Lonnie Smith of Polk ton are still here doing all they can to relieve the situation. All of the local doctors are once more able to go, and three trained nurses of Atlanta are assisting the doctors dividing their time among the worst cases. Some of the ones who were first taken are able to be out again. All stores will likely reopen during the week.

Dr. and Mrs. S.B. Bivens and Dr. Stokes Hamilton spent Sunday here with relatives. Mrs. Bivens will spend the week with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. A. Marsh, who are recovering from influenza.

Seabron Blair, oldest son of Dr. M.P. Blair, is very ill with pneumonia. The latest report from him says he is holding his own.

Mr. James Morgan returned Saturday from the Presbyterian hospital in Charlotte where he has been for a month recovering from pneumonia.

Miss Pauline Estridge of Rutherfordton arrived Sunday to be with her aunt, Mrs. Frank L. Harrell. Mr. and Mrs. Harrell are recovering from influenza.

Mr. J.C. Little of Raleigh is recovering from influenza at the home of his mother near town. He came to attend the funeral of his sister-in-law, Mrs. John Little, and was taken ill almost at once. His mother has bene critically ill but is improving.

Mr. John W. McCain Jr. who has been attending Newberry College has returned home as the school has closed to prevent the spreading of influenza.

Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Massey spent Tuesday in Davidson with their son Henry who is real sick with pneumonia.

Dr. Guion, who has been real sick with pneumonia for the past few weeks, is improving fact now and is able to sit up. We hope that in a few more days he will be able to get back to his practice.

Dr. McCaine is the busiest man we know of these days. With nearly 150 cases of flu scattered around over the nearby communities he has had his hands full. Dr. Guion developing flu just before the epidemic reached its height, Dr. McCain having to do all the practice himself. He rides form early morning until late at night and then he doesn’t get all of the calls answered.

Miss Janie Shotwell, who has been at her home in Henderson recuperating from an attack of grip which she had last week, returned to take up her duties here Monday.

Mr. Olin Niven spent Sunday afternoon in Pineville with his brother, Mr. John Niven, who is sick with the grip.