News from Marshville, Monroe, Wingate, Sandy Ridge, March 16, 1920

From The Monroe Journal, Tuesday, March 16, 1920

Marshville News. . . Miss Viga Tadlock Ended Her Life. . . Clark Lumber Plant Burns

Marshville, March 15—Miss Viga Tadlock, daughter of Mr. TomTadlock, whose home is a few miles from Marshville, ended her life Saturday afternoon by drinking carbolic acid. For years Miss Tadlock had been a helpless invalid, having at various times undergone operations for the removal of both lower limbs and one arm. She was very patient during her affliction and was a most devout Christian girl, being a Methodist by faith. The poison is supposed to have been given her at her request by a servant who had not idea of her intention to take it. She was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at Gilboa, her pastor, Rev. J.J. Edwards, having charge of the services.

A mild blaze which proved to be in the engine room of the Clark lumber plant aroused the citizens of Marshville about 11:30 o’clock Thursday night. The building was burned entirely down but nothing else caught from it. This is the second time the company has had the misfortune of having half the plant destroyed by fire. The building will likely be replaced at once as in the former instance.

Mrs. Irene Marsh returned Thursday night from Raleigh where she has been on an extended visit to her daughter, Mrs. J.C. Little.

Miss Lottie Harrell returned home last week from Raleigh and immediately developed a mild case of influenza.

Mr. Frank Harrell spent Thursday in Charlotte, driving home in a new Franklin touring car.

Miss Fannie Harris arrived Monday to begin work in the millinery department of J.T. Garland & Co.

Mr. Robert Bivens, who has been occupying the Gibson cottage for a year, will move to the country in a few days.

Announcement of the approaching marriage of Mr. C.W. Baucom and Miss Janie Sanders of Monroe is of interest in Marshville as Mr. Baucom made his home here until a few years ago.

\The many friends of Mrs. Tom Green will regret to hear that she is confined to bed by injuries received in jumping from a buggy when the horse she was driving fell down. She is not seriously injured and hopes to be out in a few days.

--Mr. J.S. Harrell

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Monroe Local Intelligence

The latest report of the North Carolina geological and economic survey shows that in 1917 Union County led all of the other counties in the state in the mining of gold. This was the year when Messrs. Frank Armfield and J.C. Sikes operated the Howie mine in the capacity of receivers, and $3,030 was the value of the gold mined in that year in this county.

Col. D.P. Waters, who once made his home in Monroe, has been seriously ill for some time at a hospital in Rutherfordton. The transfusion of a quart of blood into his veins from the body of Mr. R.E. Price, editor of the Rutherford Sun, saved his life and prolonged it from three to ten years, according to a newspaper dispatch. Col. Waters once worked for both of the local papers.

The place on the county board of education made vacant by the death of Mr. A. Lex Funderburk has been filled by the appointment of Mr. John Beasley. The appointment was made yesterday by the State Board of education. Mr. Beasley has accepted and will be sworn in at the next regular meeting. The board will then consist of Messrs. B.F. Parker, P.P.W. Plyler, S.A. Lathan, Zeb M. Little, and John Beasley.

A contract for 10,000 yards of asphalt paving has been let to the Gulf Paving Company by the board of aldermen, work to commence a quickly as possible. Petitions for the paving on streets on the sewer line will be received by Mayor Sikes, and those desiring to get rid of the dust this summer had better get busy. The Gulf Paving Company laid all of the asphalt now on Monroe streets, and it was the lowest bidder for the new contract.

The audit report of receipts and disbursements of the county road commission from May 1 to Dec. 31, 1919 has been completed and will be published in Friday’s Journal. The report is very comprehensive and shows the total overhead expenses of the administration, including engineering service, was 4.907%. This is considered an excellent showing, as the engineering cost alone is usually 5% on a half million dollar contract. The report was made by a reputable Charlotte auditing firm, and is, of course, accurate in all details.

Governor T.W. Bickett has agreed to come to Monroe Sunday, March 28^th, to present the French memorial diplomas to the surviving relatives of the men from this county who were killed or died in service. The presentation of the diplomas, which will be done through the local post of the American Legion, was set for Saturday, March 27^th, but when Mr. Gilliam Craig, post commander, learned that the Governor could not come until the following Sunday he immediately changed the date to the 28^th. The services will be held in the court house at 3 p.m. Colored people, especially those who had sons in the war, are urged to attend. The gallery will be reserved for their occupancy.

The much abused, often ridiculed farm demonstrator is coming into his own. Nowadays when three county commissioners of the narrow-visioned kind fail to appreciate his services he is instantly employed by private institutions to do similar work. A case of this sort occurred recently in Rutherford county. C.C. Pruitt, the county demonstrator, was about to leave for another section of the State when a Forest City bank, knowing of his worth to farmers, persuaded him to remain and take charge of a farm department; which it created for the purpose of keeping up the demonstration work. Now Mr. Pruitt will continue to preach better farming, but will do it at the expense of this bank instead of the county. There isn’t a farm demonstrator in North Carolina who isn’t worth $5,000 a year to his county.

Mr. J.W. Fowler has just returned from the West where he bought stock for Fowler & Lee.

Mr. W.T. Stewart has moved his family to Buford township, where he will engage in farming.

Mr. S.R. Doster has moved into his new home on Windsor Street, which he recently purchased.

Mr. Charles Bundy, son of the late S.B. Bundy, has been elected vice-president of the Trinity College “Page for Governor” club.

Mr. W. Frank Benton, who is a candidate for sheriff, prior to his retirement several months ago served as deputy sheriff for 10 years.

The contest for the nomination for Sheriff is beginning to warm up. Three staunch Democrats, Messrs. Clifford Fowler, J.N. Price and J. Raymond Griffin, have already announced their candidacy, and there is a possibility of several more entrants within the next few weeks.

Mr. Will Rose and Miss Cordia A. Thompson, both of Monroe township, were married yesterday by Esq. R. H. Hargett.

Mr. Dewey McCorkle, son of Mr. E.M. McCorkle, and Miss Velma Helms, daughter of Mr. Ramsey Helms, both of Monroe, were married in Chester Sunday, March 14^th.

The masterly manner in which Mr. Oscar Richardson played the position of center on the Trinity College basket ball team was a determining factor in cinching the State championship for that institution. Mr. Richardson is a son of Mr. Pink Richardson of Buford township and is a graduate of Monroe high school.

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Monroe, Rt. 5

The Sunday School at Corinth has been steadily increasing since the decline of the influenza epidemic. To the writer’s knowledge there is not a single case of the disease in the community.

Farmers have not been doing anything in the way of plowing as the land has been so wet. However, they are beginning to clean up where it is needed so when plowing time really comes they can go to work in earnest.

Mr. Enoch Spittle of Washington, D.C., who has spent about three months with is brothers, Messrs. J.S. and R.S. Spittle, will return to his home Wednesday.

Mr. W.A. Griffin of Matthews was the week-end guest of Mr. Zeb Rape.

Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Price of Northeast Monroe township spent last Saturday and Sunday with the family of Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Richardson.

Messrs. W.J. Howie and T.R. Helms and a part of the latter’s family motored to Peachland last week and spent several days with relatives there.

Miss Minnie Lee Helms, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Helms, and Corporal John Hannah were happily married last Saturday evening at the home of the officiating magistrate, J.W. Houston. They are both splendid young people and very popular in this community. The writer extends to them best wishes and hopes they may have many years of happiness and prosperity.

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Monroe, Rt. 6. . . “Aunt Polly” Helms Dead at Age of 100. . . School Reopened

Mrs. Mary Helms, better known as “Aunt Polly,” whose sickness we gave an account of in our last letter, died Thursday at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. Bartley Helms. Mrs. Helms took grippe about four weeks ago and gradually grew worse till Thursday at noon when she gently fell asleep. He was the widow of the late Mr. Aley Helms, who died about 33 years ago. Mrs. Helms had been a member of Salem Baptist church since its organization. Her daily prayer for months past was to go to her Savior, and we feel assured that she is now resting in the sunshine of His love. She is survived by six children, one son and five daughters. The daughters are: Mesdames Bartley Helms, D.J. Helms, Daniel Helms, J.M. Stephenson and Andrew Mulls; the son is Mr. J.A. Helms. The funeral was held Saturday morning by Rev. E.C. Snyder, one mile north of Monroe, at the old homestead where she was born 100 years ago, and the body was laid to rest in the cemetery near there.

Our school reopened last Monday with a good attendance and everything has got back to about normal now; no new cases of “flu” and everybody welcoming the approaching spring weather.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Secrest are welcoming a new son at their home.

Our first service since January was held at Shiloh Sunday when Rev. A.C. Davis filled his regular appointment at 11 o’clock.

The Woman’s Missionary Society will observe a day of prayer for Home Missions next Wednesday.

Mr. Roy Garrison went to Charlotte yesterday to see his uncle, Mr. Pink Harris, who is undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Mangum and daughters, Misses Ethel and Mattie, and son Parks, spent Sunday at Mr. L.C. Polk’s.

Mrs. F.M. Helms and Mrs. Faire Holland are visiting relatives in Gastonia.

Mrs. James Garrison and daughter, Isabelle, spent Sunday and Monday of last week at Waxhaw with their uncle, Mr. Pink Spratt.

Mrs. Wherry spent several days last week in Charlotte visiting her brother.

--Busy Bee

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Personals from Wingate

Mrs. E.C. Snyder and sons, William and Herman, and Mrs. Bruce Snyder of Monroe were Wingate visitors Thursday.

Mrs. J.J. Perry who has been very sick for some time is convalescing.

Mrs. Marshall Newsome is having her house remodeled.

Mrs. Dan Tuscloud of Charlotte was the guest of Mrs. Tiny Hartsell Saturday.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyce Helms spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Womble.

Miss Johnnie Perry is the guest of her grandfather, Mr. John Wilson Helms of Monroe.

Mr. Dee Perry of Badin visited in Wingate last week.

Mrs. Jim Thomas of Peachland spent several days last week with her sister, Mrs. Neil McIntyre.

Miss Ruby Perry celebrated her birthday by having her many friends with her on Saturday. Many games were played and delicious refreshments were served and a most enjoyable occasion was spent by the younger set.

Messr. John Davis, Ester White and Ervin Sawyer, all of Winterville, N.C., entered school here last week for the Spring term. Many more students continue to arrive. Under the supervision of our most efficient principal, Prof C.M. Beach, the Wingate school is having a most successful year.

The public school reopened here Monday.

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Sandy Ridge Items

Squire D.C. Montgomery, who has been confined to his home since February 10^th, is able to be out.

Mr. Phillip Griffin caught his foot badly a few days ago when he stepped on a piece of glass.

Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Melton of Lancaster were visitors in this section last week. Mr. Melton is editor and general manager of The Lancaster News.

Messrs. W.S. Brantley and A.H Richardson will go to Baltimore in a few days to take the radium treatment for cancer. These gentlemen have been treated by Dr. James of Hamlet and have greatly improved.

The farmers of this section are hauling guano almost every day and from all appearances it seems they are going to adopt and put into practice the doctrine of the Southern Cotton Association; that is, to cut the cotton acreage and plant more food crops. With corn selling at $2 per bushel and cotton at 43 cents a pound, who hadn’t rather be a farmer than a business man in town?