Dr. J.W. Peacock, Who Killed Chief of Police, Sent to Insane Asylum, June 24, 1921

Sent to Insane Asylum for Life. . . Slayer of Thomasville Policeman Must Spend Remainder of Life with Other Criminal Madmen

Greensboro, June 24—Dr. J.W. Peacock, who was acquitted of the murder of J.E. Taylor, Thomasville chief of police, by a Rowan county jury at Lexington week before last, was committed to the asylum for the criminal insane in Raleigh for the remainder of his life by Judge T.B. Finley after a hearing held here yesterday afternoon, the order being signed by Judge Finley about 3 o’clock.

Dr. Peacock was in the courtroom, being in the custody of Sheriff Fred S. Sink of Davidson county. He did not show very much interest in the discussion but appeared slightly nervous, rubbing his hands together frequently.

In announcing his decision to place Dr. Peacock in an insane asylum Judge Finley declared that this action was not done to punish the defendant who had been acquitted of the charge of murder by a jury but to protect society; that experts had testified that Dr. Peacock was insane, that he suffered from an insidious nervous disease which is progressive; that he is likely to lose his senses on slight provocation on account of the disease from which he is suffering.

Judge Finley declared that the jury acquitted him solely on the testimony of experts who declared him crazy and that if he is not now crazy, as Mr. Raper contended, he is likely to become a menace to society as he could pretend to have a lapse of sanity, perform any crime and plead insanity as an excuse.

No evidence was presented nor was the testimony of the alienists at the trial rad, all attorneys agreeing that Judge Finley, wh presided over the trial at Lexington, was familiar with the case.

Mr. Raper, who was chief counsel for Dr. Peacock at the Lexington trial and whose chief defense in his speech to the jury, it is said, was the plea of insanity, protested vigorously against the commitment order. He declared that there was no evidence that Dr. Peacock is now an insane man. He told the court that he had no doubt but every alienist who testified during the Lexington trial would now declare Dr. Peacock a sane man. He furthermore declared that every expert testifying at the trial admitted on cross-examination that Dr. Peacock was not insane; that he had been only temporarily insane.

Clyde R. Hoey, attorney for the prosecution, according to Mr. Raper, told the jury that Dr. Peacock was a sane man. Mr. Raper asked Judge Finley to forget about the crime. He contended that a jury of men had acquitted him and that for this reason he could not be held liable to any punishment for the crime.

Mr. Raper contended that Dr. Peacock was made temporarily insane by reason of the burning of his barn the night before the murder of Chief Taylor occurred; that on account of the nature of the disease from which the murderer was suffering his mind was unbalanced by the incident. However, Mr. Raper declared that he does not now believe Dr. Peacock is a menace to society and that he believed he would not have any other outbreaks.

Solicitor Bowen spoke but a few minutes. He declared that he was astounded at the remarks of Mr. Raper. Mr. Raper, stated Mr. Bower, hammered the idea of insanity into the minds of the jury and succeeded in obtaining a verdict of not guilty for his client, a man who had committed one of the most horrible crimes occurring in North Carolina in many years. Mr. Raper made the point during the trial, declared the solicitor, that paranoia is a progressive disease. He claimed at that time that the disease, combined with the excitement on account of the fire, caused Dr. Peacock to murder a man in cold blood and yet, said Mr. Bower, this same attorney actually comes before the same judge who presided over the trial and declares that Dr. Peacock is now a sane man; that he is not a menace to society; and that although he admits that one bit of excitement drove him to commit murder he does not believe it will happen again. Mr. Bower declared that it would be a travesty on justice for Dr. Peacock to be turned loose and he asked Judge Finley to merely consider the evidence given by the witnesses for the defense during the trial at Lexington.

H. Hoyle Sink, appearing with Solicitor Bower, stated that one of the principal arguments made by lawyers for the defense during the hearing at Lexington, including Mr. Raper himself, was that Dr. Peacock would be confined in an insane asylum for life if he were acquitted. One of the attorneys for the defense, John J. Parker, told the jury that if they acquitted the defendant he would not ask that he be turned loose, declared Mr. Sink. The jury accepted the statement and acquitted Dr. Peacock, said Mr. Sink, and now one of his attorneys asks that he be turned loose.

Dr. Peacock was taken to Raleigh yesterday afternoon on No. 22 leaving Greensboro about 4 o’clock. He was accompanied by Sheriff Sink. No members of his family were present at the hearing yesterday and only a few people heard the arguments which were made just prior to the convening of Superior court for the afternoon. Judge Finley stated that by the order of commitment Dr. Peacock could be released from the asylum by only two methods. A special act of the legislature would have to be passed or a writ of habeas corpus issued and signed by the solicitor.

From the front page of The Mount Airy News, Thursday, June 40, 1921. Dr. Peacock would escape from the Hospital for the Dangerous Insane at Central Prison in Raleigh in August 1922. He settled in Florida, but when discovered there fled again to California, which refused to extradite him because he'd escaped from a hospital rather than a prison. California didn't allowed him to practice medicine again, but he got a job as a "first aid caregiver at Bully Hill Mine in northern California's Shasta County. Around noon on September 21, 1928, while assisting in the recovery of two derailed ore cars at Bully Hill, the coupling pin attached to a locomotive disconnected, its heavy steel cable striking Peacock across the chest and head. He was transported to Redding, California, where he died seven hours later" Christopher T. Yarbrough wrote on the website Find a Grave. He also said that Wint Capel wrote a book "The Good Doctor's Downfall." You can read more about Dr. Peacock at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97263715/james-walter-peacock.

Cline, Halley, Foreacre Have Died, June 30, 1921

Deaths-Funerals

BLAKIE CLINE

Blakie Genola, the 10-months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Cline of East Nineth street, near Seigle, died at 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at the home of her parents after a short illness.

A brief funeral service will be held at the First Reformed church by Rev. Shuford Peeler, pastor of the church, Friday at 1 o’clock. The body will be sent to Concord for interment in the cemetery there. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are from Concord.

PETER H. HALLEY

Peter H. Halley, department manager of the Grinnell company, known locally as the General Fire Extinguisher Company, died at his home, 409 East Boulevard, Thursday morning at 9:30 o’clock. He was 64 years old.

Funeral services will be held at the residence Friday afternoon at 5 o’clock by Rev. E.A. Penick, rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal church, officiating. Following the services, the body will be shipped Friday night on Southern train No. 32 to Long Island for interment.

Mr. Halley was born in New York City July 23,1856. He married Miss Larua Van Houston of that city March 30, 1880, moving to Charlotte 18 years ago. He was widely known throughout the city.

The deceased was a member of the Rotary Club, Manufacturer’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Oasis Mystic Shrine, Charlotte Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and many other fraternal orders and other organizations of the city.

Surviving him are his wife, one daughter and a sister. His daughter is Miss Laura Halley and the sister, Miss Agnes Halley, both of Charlotte.

W.W. FOREACRE

W.W. Foreacre, connected with the Southern Railway offices, died suddenly in his room at the Piedmont hotel Thursday morning at 6:15 o’clock. Death was due to heart trouble, with which he had been suffering for many years. He was 53 years old.

The body will be shipped to Atlanta, Ga., for funeral services and interment Thursday night.

The deceased was a brother of the late W.N. Foreacre, formerly general manager of the Southern Railway Lines East, who died about nine months ago.

Surviving him are one sister and four children in Atlanta, and one sister in New York city.

From The Charlotte News, Thursday afternoon, June 30, 1921

Minister's Son Improving at Saranac Lake, N.Y., June 30, 1921

Young Abernathy Improving

Salisbury, June 30—Rev. J.E. Abernethy has returned from Saranac Lake, N.Y. where he went to see his son, Horace, who is ill at that place. The young man, who has been ill for some months, appears to be improving, but will have to remain there for some time yet.

From The Charlotte News, Thursday afternoon, June 30, 1921. Last name spelled Abernathy in newspaper headline and Abernethy in article. I don’t know which is correct.

Charlotte Students to Get Free Dental Care, June 30, 1921

School Clinic To Open in Fall. . . Junior Red Cross Raises Funds for Starting Up Dental Work

The free dental clinic for school children, made possible through the raising of funds by the Junior Red Cross, is expected to be in operation when the schools open next September for the fall term, Superintendent H.P. Harding announced in his annual report to the school board Wednesday night.

The children in the Junior Red Cross have been working three years to raise funds to provide the dental clinic for the schools.

“About $2,500 has been raised and we propose with the approval of this board to make a start in September,” the superintendent reported. “Request as made that the board sponsor the attempt and help finance it in a small way towards the end of the school year if it should be necessary.

“It has been conclusively proven that a great many diseases and a great many cases of retardation in schools are caused by bad teeth,” Mr. Harding reported. “I believe the dental clinic started by the Junior Red Cross will be so far reaching in the good accomplished that this board will eventually make it a permanent part of the school organization.”

The report also commends the cooperation of Miss Anne Pierce, librarian of Carnegie library, and the teachers of the first year high school in giving the children of those classes detailed instruction in the use of the library, car index, files, reference books and general system for doing research work. This plan will be made a regular part of the school course, Mr. Harding announced.

From The Charlotte News, Thursday afternoon, June 30, 1921

Pine Lumber Co. Plant, 2 Million Feet of Lumber Destroyed by Fire, June 30, 1921

New Bern Plant Burns

New Bern, June 30—The Pine Lumber Company’s plant and about 2 million feet of lumber were destroyed by fire early yesterday, which, for a time, threatened the entire mill district of New Bern. The loss is estimated at $175,000, with about $50,000 insurance.

From the front page of The Charlotte News, June 30, 1921

Thomasboro Cannery To Turn Out 2,000 Cans of Vegetables, June 29, 1921

Local Cannery Open for Work. . . Thomasboro Plant Has Capacity of 2,000 Cans a Day

The Thomasboro Cannery, located at Thomasboro, adjoining Chadwick-Hoskins, began operations Tuesday with a capacity of 2,000 cans a day of one-, two-, and three-pounds weight and with facilities for increasing the output by the addition of more cooking vats and sealing machines.

Organization of the company and plans for its operation have been under way for some time. The plant is one of the new industries of Charlotte, and is expected to expand with the demand on the part of farmers and others to dispose of their vegetables at the plant.

J.E. Thomas is president of the company and one of its organizers. Frank Hovis is vice-president. Other officers are A.H. Freeman, B.T. Price and J.M. McCord.

Thursday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock there will be a meeting of the stockholders at the plant, where a demonstration will be given as to the method of operation of the plant. Abut 76 stockholders own the stock already subscribed.

The company has contracted for 150 acres of tomatoes, 52 acres of beans, bearing three crops annually, and 10 acres of beets.

The plant will can the fruits and vegetables as they come in during the summer and sell them during the fall months. Recently the company recurved a shipment of 55,000 cans in one car load. These cans can be sealed at the rate of one every eight seconds.

From The Charlotte News, June 29, 1921

Exposition Planned for Charlotte's Movie Industry, June 28, 1921

Movie Men Will Stage Big Show. . . Producers Arrange for an Exposition Here Next December

A four-day motion picture exposition with all members of the motion picture industry in Charlotte participating and with many stars of the moving picture world here, to say nothing of the latest devices and accomplishments in screendom’s history, will be staged here beginning December 12, if plans adopted Monday night here are carried out.

Theatre owners, theatre managers, musicians, exhibitors and all others connected with the movie industry here assembled and talked and voted in favor of the project, which was born at the Exhibitors League Convention recently at Wrightsville, where it was agreed Charlotte was the logical place for the exposition because of the big development of the movie business here. R.D. Craver, local theatrical magnate, was authorized to go to New York and arrange for all details necessary to make the thing a success so far as participation of outsiders is concerned.

Mr. Craver was also made permanent chairman of the ways and means committee, and F. Alton Abbott, head of the Exhibitors Exchange, was made permanent secretary. Mr. Craver will report July 11 at the next meeting to be held at the Schofield Music house on South Tryon street, how the suggestions has been received at movie headquarters in the metropolis.

C.S. Lee was made chairman of the publicity committee at the meeting Monday night, and H.R. Schofield, manager of the Schofield Music company, was made chairman of the finance committee.

Other members of the ways and means committee are L.G. Schofield, E.F. Dardine, E.E. Heller, J.A. Prince, J.C. Conn, Frank Bryan, Otto Haas, T.O. Tuttle, J.E. McCormick, T.L. Barron, I.C. Lowe, E.H. Riley, J.S. Carroll, J.C. Carroll, and Cameron Price.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

Dick Crawford, a "Tough Bird," Gets Another Six Months, June 27, 1921

Dick Crawford, a “Tough Bird,” Brought Before Judge

One of the toughest characters in the history of the Charlotte police court threw those present at the session of that body into an uproar Monday morning. He was Dick Crawford, a long, lean, peculiar looking negro who could easily use his lips for a straw in a glass of lemonade. Larceny was the charge against him.

The court scarcely noticed him when he sauntered up before Judge Jones. The entire room was quiet.

“Solemnly swear the evidence given in the case against Dick Crawford to be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God,” murmured the Judge, when suddenly—bang!! The old tattered Bible, which was the most antique object in the room, received the surprise of its life. With a hasty kiss even too harsh for a mother-in-law, dick slammed the Gospel of Truth down upon the table with such force that the court room snapped to attention as if Napoleon Bonaparte himself had suddenly entered. Judge Jones was amazed. He gazed at the negro a moment and said:

“Looks like you’re mad about it, eh?”

There wasn’t any question abut that. The fabled frog that swelled up the size of a cow had no claims whatever on the record. The negro’s lips were extended.

When he got on the witness stand, he told more lies in five minutes than Ananias told in 67 years.

“Ever been up before?” asked Solicitor Guthrie.

“I ain’t,” said the negro.

But the solicitor knew his record and first made him confess that he had broken into a box car and stole a lot of snuff. He received 12 months for that.

Next he made him confess that he had stolen some dry goods. He had received six months for that.

Next he made him confess that he was implicated n a butter and eggs theft from a woman’s back porch.

“Dat was Sam Jenkins don dat,” declared the negro.

“Well, they got you for it, didn’t they?” asked the solicitor.

“But I got out o’ dat. Dey let me loose.”

“When did they let you loose?”

“In six months,” confessed the negro.

By the time he came down off the stand he had confessed that he had stolen most everything, from a bottle of milk to the caboose on a freight train. He was so mad that he would have scared the Wild Man of Borneo to death. As he came down off the stand, Judge Jones said:

“Six months!”

The negro stopped for a second in his tracks. He asked the judge again what he had given him. Then with a look of bewilderment he walked square up in front of the judge’s stand and exclaimed, “Well, I’ll be darn.”

And the judge had to knock his gavel 26 times to restore order in the court room.

From The Charlotte News, June 27, 1921

Remains of Lt. Davis Summers, Killed in France, Returned for Burial, June 29, 1921

LIEUT. DAVIS K. SUMMERS

The body of First Lieutenant Davis K. Summers, said to have been the first doctor killed in the A.E.F. in France, is expected to arrive in Charlotte Wednesday night from New York, according to a telegram received by J.M. Harry Undertaking Company from a relative.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, if the body arrives in time. Doctors in the World war are expected to serve as pallbearers.

Dr. Summers was killed in France March 1, 1918. The American Legion post at Chattanooga, Tenn., is named in is honor as the first man from that city to lose his life in the war.

The father of the dead officer was the late J.A. Summers of this city, who died here in 1914. His mother and one brother, F.B. Summers, of Jonesboro, Ga., are expected here for the service. He also has another brother, A.C. Summers.

From The Charlotte News, June 29, 1921. A.E.F. stands for American Expeditionary Forces, which was the term used to describe all American soldiers fighting overseas on World War I. The photo is from https://etvma.org/veterans/davis-k-summers-6434/. To read more about Lt. Summers, go to that site.

If D.J. Carpenter's Not Guilty of Having Whiskey, Who Gets the Five Quarts of Whiskey Seized From His Safe? June 29, 1921

Not Guilty But Can’t Get Liquor

When D.J. Carpenter, former army salvage man, was declared not guilty of receiving more than one quart of whiskey in 15 days by Judge Laurence Jones in the police court Wednesday morning, the question of what to do with the five quarts found in Carpenter’s safe proved a puzzle to the judge.

Carpenter’s salvage store on West Trade street went into the hands of a receiver some time ago, and later the whiskey was found in his safe there by officers. By law, Frank Kennedy, receiver of the goods in the store, has charge of the whiskey.

As it cannot be sold under the law, however, the booze is not an asset to the receiver and is therefore not wanted.

As Carpenter was found not guilty, officials are not empowered to take his whiskey away from him, but as Carpenter has not asked for it back, the alcoholic beverage still nestles in the police station. According to Mr. Kennedy, the final ownership of the whiskey rests between Carpenter and the officers.

From The Charlotte News, June 29, 1921

Phillips Couple Charged With Harboring a 15-Year-Old Girl, June 28, 1921

Negro Man and Wife Held for Harboring

Charged with contributing to the delinquency of a 15-year-old negro girl, Lum Phillips, a negro, and his wife, Mary, were given 90 days on the roads and 30 days in jail, respectively, by Judge Laurence Jones in the police court Tuesday morning. It was brought out in the evidence that Phillips had “slipped” louis Grant, a 14-year-old girl, from the home of her mother and carried her to his home, where it was alleged he kept her. His wife knew of his actions and aided him, it was alleged. Louise, the daughter, proved a hard witness to question on the witness stand and her remarks to the questions asked her kept the court in turmoil for several minutes.

“Don’t you know that you had been loitering around on the streets of this city before this thing happened?” asked one attorney.

“Where did you see me?” shot back the witness.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921. The 15-year-old is Louis on first reference and Louise on second in the newspaper article.

Alex Mitchell Under Bond of $1,000 For Stealing $53.20 From Silas Hagner, June 28, 1921

Highwayman Is Held Under Bond of $1,000

Charged with highway robbery Alex Mitchell, negro, was bound over to the superior court under a bond of $1,000 after probable cause had been found in the police court Tuesday morning by Judge Laurence Jones.

It was brought out that Mitchell had snatched a pocketbook containing $53.20 from Silas Hagner, a young man who had been in Charlotte only a few weeks. Officer Moser, brother-in-law of the young man, was notified and apprehension of the negro resulted.

A small negro boy was lying on a back porch near the scene of the robbery on Third street at the time, and testified against the negro. He declared he knew Mitchell, and, after relating what had happened, swore that Mitchell was the man had committed the crime.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

Miss Martha Creighton, Piedmont Home Demonstration Agent, Moves to Charlotte, June 27, 1921

Miss Creighton Has Offices Here Now

The headquarters of the Piedmont district in home demonstration work for North Carolina was formally transferred from Greensboro to Charlotte Monday when Miss Martha Creighton, agent for the Piedmont district, came to Charlotte to open the office here.

For the present Miss Creighton’s headquarters will be in the office of the farm demonstration office. Later an office will be equipped for her in the courthouse, according to current expectation.

Miss Creighton will have jurisdiction over 13 counties. They are Mecklenburg, Rockingham, Forsyth, Guilford, Rowan, Cabarrus, Iredell, Catawba, Lincoln, Cleveland, Gaston and Davidson.

Miss Creighton says North Carolina’s record in home demonstration work is widely known and that the state is credited with setting the pace in many phases of this work. This is borne out by the fact that numbers of publications have recently sent special writers here to look into the work.

During the summer many home demonstrations in the counties over which Miss Creighton has jurisdiction will hold encampments where members of boys’ and girls’ demonstration clubs will be taught useful ideas in economics and in household work. Miss Creighton will attend many of these encampments.

From The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

J.O. Mosteller Fined for Keeping Liquor for Sale, June 27, 1921

Mosteller Is to Pay Big Fine. . . First Street Market Owner Also Has Sentence Hanging Over His Head

Convicted of having liquor and keeping it for sale, J.O. Mosteller, white meat market owner, was fined $500 and costs in police court Monday in the first case and sentenced to six months on the county roads in the second case. The last sentence was suspended, however, on good behavior for 12 months.

Detectives Moser and West received anonymous letters telling them of whiskey at Mosteller’s market on East First street, between Caldwell and Davidson. They apprehended Mosteller at the ball game Saturday afternoon, served a warrant on him and took him to the police office, where he was required to put up a bond of $500. Lee Hunter, negro meat cutter at the market, also was arrested and put under $500 bond. Hunter was released, however, when Mosteller declared that he had nothing to do with the liquor.

At Mosteller’s place 11 fruit jars containing a half gallon of corn whiskey were found. Besides this about 24 empty fruit jars, which smelled strongly of whiskey, were discovered in his place.

Seven or eight character witnesses were put on the stand who swore that Mosteller’s character was good. The evidence offered by the state, however, was enough to convince Judge Laurence Jones that the man was guilty. Mosteller declared that the liquor was for his own personal use, but the 24 empty fruit jars in his place helped turn the tide against him.

Mosteller was ordered to report at the first court each month and swear to his good behavior. If at any time he is brought into police court for breaking the law, the sentence of six months on the road will immediately go not effect.

From The Charlotte News, June 27, 1921

"Drunkest Negro" Fined $5 and Costs, June 27, 1921

“Drunkest Negro” Is Fined $5 and Costs

Declared by Officer L.E. Moser to be the drunkest negro ever brought into the local police station, Jeann Connor, who hasn’t realized yet what it’s all about was fined $5 and costs for his spree by Judge Jones in the police court Monday morning. “I never saw anything like it before,” declared Officer Moser on the witness stand. “We literally had to haul him in. He was lying on a front porch on Second street in Brooklyn when we discovered him. I touched him gently with my finger and he rolled down the steps and out into the yard. He was as limp as a dish rag. We pulled him this way and that trying to get him into a car. He stretched like a rubber band. He was put in the back of the car like a sack of meal. It took a big part of the police force to haul him into the jail.”

This happened Saturday night. Connor came to his senses Sunday afternoon with the events of his spree a gap in his memory. When given an opportunity to question Officer Moser on the witness stand Monday morning, he asked a score of questions as to his actions while he was drunk. When he had found out everything he exclaimed, “I’ll be dog-gone.”

From The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

Mint Hill Store Robbed of $2,000 Worth of Goods While Employe Sleeps on Premises, June 28, 1921

Robbers Strip Mint Hill Store. . . About $2,000 Worth of Goods Taken While Employe Sleeps Near By

Thieves entered the general merchandise store of S.C. Alexander at Mint Hill Monday night and stole around $2,000 worth of automobile supplies, tobaccos and produce. A man was sleeping in a room in the rear of the store at the time, Mr. Alexander reported to the Charlotte police Tuesday morning.

The robbery, while believe to have been committed sometime after midnight, was not discovered until the store was opened for the day Tuesday. Consequently, not the slightest clue could be obtained which might lead to the apprehension of the robbers. Neither was it possible to indicate how many were in the gang nor how many automobiles were used to carry away the booth, although the amount of goods stolen led the police to believe that two or three cars carried the thieves to the store.

A list of the stolen supplies, as furnished the police by Mr. Alexander, follows:

Twenty automobile tubes, size 30 by 3 1/2; 15 blow out patches; 24 tubes of repair patched; 40 pounds Maxwell House coffee; 200 boxes of Chesterfield cigarettes; 100 packages of smoking tobaccos; 3 ½ gallons Texas motor oils; a 5-gallon can of gasoline; Philadelphia batteries, two boxes spark plugs, one box of valves, 12 cans of cement and a big assortment of cakes, salmons and canned goods.

The thieves left two sacks of canned goods and a sack of flour sitting on te porch of the store.

The Alexander store is located at the forks of two roads in Mint Hill and is one of the largest general merchandise stores n the county. In addition to the Charlotte police, Sheriff W.O. Cochran’s office also was notified and rural policemen made an investigation.

The thieves evidently were familiar with the surroundings and made a safe getaway without leaving the slightest clue. Entrance into the store was effected through the front doors, the locks on which were broken.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

High Point Furniture Exposition Paying Off, June 28, 1921

Genius of High Point

During the furniture exposition which the hustling and enterprising geniuses of High Point have been promoting for the past few days, it is estimated that $1,200,000 worth of furniture has been sold. Visitors came from far and near and sales of furniture were made to parties from all sections of the country. This may not only be taken as a strong indication that we are pacing it back toward that subtle and somewhat indefinable point of “normalcy,” but that when it comes to manufacturing and selling furniture, High Point is in a call all to itself in this country, leaving Grand Rapids, Mich., aside. And some of these days, if High Point continues its present gait, there is not going to be any exception at all. Grand Rapids, too, will have been left in the trail of the bristling little city up the way.

From the editorial page of The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921. W.C. Dowd, president and general manager; Julian S. Miller, editor; Jasper C. Hutto, city editor; and W.M. Bell, advertising manager.

Barnes, Staten, Coleman Arrested on Liquor Charges, June 28, 1921

Three Negroes and Liquor Captured

Three negroes and a Chandler roadster were taken by policemen Tuesday when two gallons of liquor were found on board the machine. The arrest followed an exciting chase, during which the negroes attempted to escape from the county over two or three highways south of the city. They were caught near Cathey’s store on the Pineville road.

The negroes arrested with Johnny Barnes, owner of the machine; Jim Staten and Alfred Coleman. They will be tried in the police court Wednesday.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

Home Demonstration Club Members Inspect County Home, June 28, 1921

County Home Inspected Today. . . Members of Committee Informally Declare Conditions Could Be Worse

The first investigation of the County Home by a committee representing organizations the county authorized to see and report whether conditions at the home were as bad as have been reported, was made Monday afternoon. Some time ago the home demonstration clubs of Sardis and Carmel, two rural communities of the county and members of the county Federation of Rural Clubs, appointed a joint committee to visit the home and see how it was conducted and whether conditions were such as members of the Mecklenburg grand jury have reported once or twice with the last half year.

The joint committee consisted of Mrs. W.S. Pharr, Mrs. John M. Walker, Mrs. A.B. Hood Sr., and Miss Mary Miller. Miss Marion Davis, home demonstration agent of the county, accompanied the committee and one or two others also were members of the party.

The committee was received by Mr. and Mrs. White, who are in charge of the home, and who conducted the visitors over every department of the institutin. The committee visited and talked to the inmates, both white and negro, in the various wards of the main building and then were taken to investigate the smaller buildings where the insane and semi-insane (were housed).

Some of the members of the committee expressed themselves as agreeably surprised to find the institution so well managed, in view of criticisms that have been publicly made. It was the opinion of the committee that there is need for much better and more extensive equipment in several parts of the institution and that it can not be put on the high plane of efficiency worthy of the county without the expenditure of more money on both equipment and employes. The committee expressed entire approval of the efficiency shown by Mr. and Mrs. White in the management of the institution with the facilities at their command. These observations were made by members of the committee privately and were no part of the formal report the members of the committee will make to their organizations.

Several groups of visitors to the Home recently have reported marked improvement in certain details that had been strongly complained of by the Mecklenburg grand jury in a recent report.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

Judge Calls Brigerman "Scoundrel" After He Steals Cerny's Wife, Beats Up Cerny, June 1921

Man Loses Wife and Gets Licking. . . Fritz Brigerman Accused of Disrupting Family Life of Ernest Cerny

Taking a man’s wife first and beating him up after was some of the evidence brought to light Monday morning in the police court. Brigerman was found guilty and fined $25 and costs.

But that was only the beginning of his trouble, for he was placed under a $200 bond for living as man and wife with Mrs. Ernest Cerny, wife of the man whom he assaulted. Mrs. Cerny was placed under a $50 bond.

The spider began to weave his web six months ago when Brigerman, a former employee of the Hayman meat market on Tryon street, entered the home of Ernest Cerny as a boarder. Cerny ran a tailoring shop on West Trade street at the time. Four months later Cerny caught his wife in the embrace of Brigerman, according to the evidence.

“I will go,” said Cerny to his wife. “You will come to your senses before long and regret this. Then I will come back to you.”

His departure was hastened by Brigerman, who is alleged to have chased him out of the house. Cerny went to Winston-Salem. Sunday, he returned. Walking along the street he beheld his wife and Brigerman promenading. Brigerman beheld him also. The family reunion was not pleasant. Cerny was badly beat up by Brigerman, who then strolled off with Mrs. Cerny, the spoils of the battle. So went the evidence.

D.B. Paul and J.F. Newell assisted the solicitor in his prosecution of Brigerman and brought out the charge that Brigerman and Mrs. Cerny had been living as man and wife since the real husband was chased off the premises.

Mrs. Cerny and Brigerman sat side by side at the trial. The new charges against them will be taken up in the court Tuesday morning.

From the Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

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Brigerman Case Is Before Judge. . . Former Market Man Pronounced “Scoundrel” by Recorder at Hearing

Charged with living together as man and wife, Fritz Brigerman, former employe of Felix Hayman’s meat market, and Mrs. Ernest Cerney were required to renew their bonds of $200 and $25 respectively, while decision in the case is being held over until Wednesday morning by Judge Laurence Jones in the police court. The case was declared to be “serious” by Judge Jones.

According to the evidence, Brigerman entered the home of Mr. Cerny as a boarder last September. A few weeks later Cerny beheld Brigerman with his arm around his wife. With suspicions aroused, Cerny kept his eyes opened. One one occasion he caught Brigerman kissing his wife, and observed numerous incidents tending to show affection between the two.

“I got so I could hardly restrain myself,” said Cerny on the witness stand. “I would almost go insane at times. Finally they admitted outright that they intended to get married, and things go so bad that I was forced to leave the house.” Several witnesses testified that Brigerman had spoked of Mrs. Cerny as “his wife.” When asked why he talked of a married woman that way, it is alleged he replied:

“Well, I don’t care whether she gets a divorce or not—we’re going to be married in two weeks.”

The case grew interesting when Col. T.L. Kirkpatrick began to sharply question the witnesses, and many personal back-bites sprang up. In attempting to show that a man’s arm around another man’s wife meant nothing, Col. Kirkpatrick asked one witness the following:

“Put your arm around a girl occasionally, don’t you?”

“No, sir,” emphatically replied the witness.

“Well, you have done it, haven’t you?”

“I never had my arm around a girl in my life,” declared the witness, as the court broke into an uproar.

“Come down,” commanded Col. Kirkpatrick, as he made a sweeping bow to the floor.

Several character witnesses for Cerny were put on the stand, all of whom testified that his character was good.

One of these witnesses, however, told of an incident that he had seen in the Cerny home. He declared that he was there once when Mrs. Cerny got mad at something her husband had said and deliberately spit into his face.

Mrs. Cerny’s two grown sons were present at the trial, but did not take the stand. On one occasion one of the boys shouted in derision at his father on the witness stand and had to be called down.

“They are being paid to do it,” said his father.

As soon as the evidence was in, Col. Kirkpatrick told the judge that when it was all boiled down he had absolutely nothing.

“I’ve got one of the biggest scoundrels that ever came into this court,” replied Judge Jones, “and if there is any possible way I can convict him, I am going to do it.”

Judgment will be rendered in the case Wednesday morning, according to the announcement.

From The Charlotte News, Tuesday, June 28, 1921

Brigerman Turned Loose On Charge

Final judgment in the case of Fritz Brigerman, former employe of the Felix Hayman Meat Market, charged with Mrs. Ernest Cerny, with living together as man and wife, pronounced them not guilty. The decision in the case was held over from Tuesday’s trial at the police court by Judge Jones, who stated that he desired to hunt up possible grounds on which to convict the duo.

Although cases were cited by prosecuting attorneys similar to the one in question in which convictions were brought one, Judge Jones held that there was not enough evidence to find the defendants guilty. He expressed is regret at the result, however, as he declared he had seldom seen cases where he wanted to see a conviction more than in the one before him. “When such conditions like this begin to exist among upright citizens of the community, it is time something should be done,” he said.

Brigerman is alleged to have entered the home of the Cerny’s as a boarder, later winning the affections of Mrs. Cerny and driving the husband, Ernest Cerny, a former local tailor, out of the house.

From The Charlotte News, June 29, 1921

Peg Leg Graham Leaves Message for Confederate Comrades, June 27, 1921

Peg Leg Graham Is In Dying Condition

Rutherford, June 27—Col. Peg Leg Graham continues very ill here. He gave his final message to his Confederate comrades today.

“Tell my comrades in the Charlotte camp I will not meet with them any more. See that I am put away all right. Would like for my Sunday school at Pineville to attend my funeral. I want to be buried in my new Confederate uniform, which the Daughters gave me at Sharon. I will soon cross over the river.”

From The Charlotte News, June 27, 1921. Daughters of the Confederacy organization gave Graham his new Confederate uniform.

Cost of Sugar Has Declined, June 27, 1921

Cost of Living

The Concord Tribune presents a very interesting comparison of retail food prices today and this time a year ago in the form of an advertisement taken from the window of a grocery firm in Kannapolis. This advertisement shows, on the one hand, that 100 pounds of sugar this time last year was $30, whereas today this same 100 pounds of sugar costs $8, and if a purchaser is disposed to spend today the $30 which were required for a bag of sugar last year, he will get in addition to the guard, 98 pounds of good flour, one peck of ground coffee, 16 pounds of rice, 10 packaged corn flakes, a bushel of Iris potatoes, 12 cans of corn, 12 cans of pork and beans, 7 cans of sauerkraut, 6 packages of washing powder, 6 cakes of soap, 8 pounds of lard, 10 pounds of syrup, 8 quarts of white beans, one broom, and a half bushel of meal—all of these items in the aggregate being worth only $30.

Verily, it would appear that the cost of living is not as high as it is “cussed out” to be.

From The Charlotte News editorial page, Monday, June 27, 1921

Will Cunningham, Charlotte Barber, Accused of Bigamy, June 27, 1921

Negro, Safe for 17 Years, Is Accused

Claiming to be his first wife to whom he was married 21 years ago, a woman giving her name as Nannie Cunningham issued a warrant Monday against Will Cunningham, negro barber, charging him with bigamy.

The warrant charges Cunningham with marrying Minnie Franklin without obtaining a divorce from his first wife, Nannie Cunningham.

Cunningham’s first wife claims she has been living in Rock Hill and only recently discovered that Cunningham was in Charlotte. Friends of the barber said, however, that she has known for years he was married again, the two having parted prior to his second marriage.

Cunningham has lived in Charlotte for many years and is favorably known here among both white people and negroes. He has been a barber for Henry Warren for years and has generally been recognized as a negro who commanded the respect of both races. He will be tried before Recorder Jones Tuesday.

From The Charlotte News, June 27, 1921

Bogue Crook Claims Chandler Car Bootleggers Used, Says It Was Stolen, June 28, 1921

B. Crook Claims Auto Being Held. . . Car Captured in Liquor Chase Belongs to Seventh Street Man

The Chandler auto which Deputy Sheriff Vic Fesperman and Rural Policemen C.G. Brown and Louis Johnson fell heir to on the Monroe road, seven miles from the city, on Friday night after two men had fled from this place, leaving eight gallons of good corn whiskey in eight fruit jars has been claimed.

Bogue Crook, a young man of East Seventh street, has identified the car as his and says it was stolen from his place on East Seventh street Friday night. It is in the custody of the sheriff’s office, in accordance with the North Carolina law which provides that all vehicles known to have been used in the transportation or handling of liquor shall be confiscated and sold. It had not been determined at the sheriff’s office at noon Monday whether the car would be handled over to Mr. Crook at once, or whether it would be held for further investigation.

Crook was a defendant in superior court here about a year ago in a case wherein the state charged him with being connected in a liquor transaction. He was adjudged not guilty. No warrant has been drawn in connection with the finding of the eight gallons of liquor and the Chandler car, although the officer saw two men get out of the car and chased them.

The officers, following a clue which they had picked up somewhere, went out on the Monroe road a little before midnight Friday night and drove out about seven miles, parking their car at the road side, out of view of the road, and waited for an expected automobile. In accordance with their expectations, a car came into hearing about 1 o’clock from Charlotte. It as this car which stopped presently, and from which two men got out. They went into a thicket, in which is a former gold pit. The officers followed them, but the two men took fright and broke all sprinting records getting away. The eight quarts of liquor were brought in, along with the car the two men had abandoned, which proved to be the Chandler which Crook says belongs to him. The auto license records show it as his, bearing his license tag.

The officers went back to the thicket Saturday, but found no new evidence.

From The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921 -=- Bogue S. Crook Turned Loose. . . Man Who Has Figured in Several Liquor Incidents Gets Away Again

Bogue S. Crook, whose Chandler car was found by deputy sheriffs and officers seven miles from Charlotte on the Monroe road at 1 o’clock last Saturday morning, near where the officers found eight gallons of corn liquor, was up Wednesday morning on a charge of selling liquor. The case was heard by Magistrate F.B. Alexander, who dismissed the case, the defendant having proved what was to the magistrate a satisfactory alibi.

The complaining witness against Crook in the trial before ‘Squire Alexander was J.W. Broom, who claimed that Crook sold a pint of corn liquor to his son, a minor. A young man named Williams said he s aw Crook selling young Broom the liquor and the Broom boy himself declared Crook sold it to him.

The defendant said he was not in Charlotte night before last at the hour when the alleged sale of liquor took place. The state’s witnesses said it was about 9:30 o’clock. Crook’s witnesses said that early that evening Crook and others went to a chicken stew near Newells and didn’t get back to Charlotte until after 11 o’clock.

Squire Alexander held the one pint of liquor when the case was dismissed. Attorney J.L. DeLaney, who had been retained by Mr. Broom to prosecute the case, started to reach for the liquor to hand it to his client. The magistrate told him to let it alone and that the liquor would remain in possession of the court to be poured into the sewer. Mr. DeLaney was going to insist that his client Broom had a right to he liquor and the magistrate called for Constable Emery, with the intention he said afterward of having the attorney arrested and charged with contempt of court had he taken the liquor.

Plummer Steward was attorney for the defendant.

The defendant in the case admitted he had been up before on a charge of selling liquor. One of the cases was in superior court, criminal session, about a year ago, but was acquitted.

He went to the sheriff’s office Monday morning and claimed the Chandler car that the officers found Saturday morning on the Monroe road. He said it had been stolen from him Friday night.

The defendant was connected with an escapade several months ago with a drunk woman, as a result of which his license as a jitney driver was taken away by the city.

From The Charlotte News, June 29, 1921

'Put and Take' Gambling Fad Hits Charlotte, June 27, 1921

New Gambling Device Is Rage. . . “Put and Take,” Popular New Game Gets Attention of Judge Jones

The latest “fad” in the city is “Put and Take”—which “put” four young Charlotte men into the police court Monday morning where $5 was “taken” from each by Judge Laurence Jones.

The young men were brought in by Officer Earnhardt for shooting crap, but on the stand they confessed that they were really playing “Put and Take.” A look of utter bewilderment overspread the face of every lawyer and police officer in the court room. For several minutes blank astonishment alone was noticeable in the court room.

Suddenly a bright look came into he eyes of Judge Laurence Jones and he said:

“I know what that is. Believe me, you can lose a pile of money at it. Let me see that thing.”

The “thing” was handed to him. And the eager souls in the court room crowded around. It was evident that the solution could best be secured from an examination of the defendants, and one was put on the stand.

D.B. Smith, local attorney, took the “thing” and approached the witness stand. He held it up to the light. It resembled a small steel top. On its six sides were cut the following:

“Put One,” “Take One,” “Put Two,” Take Two”, “Put All” and “Take All.”

GAME IS EXPLAINED

“What does 'put one' mean?" he asked the defendant.

“It means that whoever is spinning the top puts in a nickel, dime or whatever he is playing for,” returned the defendant. “Take one means that whoever is spinning the top takes out that amount from the pot.”

“Well, what does 'put all' mean?” asked Mr. Smith.

“It means everybody puts in a nickel,” replied the defendant as the laughter went up in the court room. "Take all means that the person who is spinning to top takes the entire pot.”

As the questioning continued, it was brought out that the small gambling device was a means by which “filthy lucre” could exchange hands so fast that it might be mistaken for a sleight-of-hand trick.

This is the first time “Put and Take" has put the players in court, but the fad has taken in Charlotte. At first the small tops were hand made and cut from wood, but, as the fascination of the game grew, small steel or bronze tops of fine workmanship began to appear. The game has become so popular and so widely known that at least five Charlotte stores have the tops for sale. Poker, dice, and other forms of gambling are tame to the new “Put and Take.” According to reliable experts, the small top is beginning to be as common as a pocket handkerchief in the “jeans” of those who enjoy the thrill of a game of chance. The game is said to have New York, Chicago and many other large cities in its grip.

SOME GO HIGHER

Instead of “Put One” and “Put Two,” some of the tops have “Put Three” and “Put Four” on them, and when six or seven people are playing with a dime as the unit of exchange, the game reaches big proportions. One local man has seen a game of this kind where $20 was considered a small amount in the pot at one time. The entire crowd would keep “putting” until the floor would be literally covered with money. Suddenly some lucky player would spin the top, and as it rolled over on the side to do its last fantastic motion, the magic words “Take All” would cast almost a spell over the assemblage. The lucky player would then scrape up enough cool cash to take a summer vacation.

Officials of the police court are wondering who will be taken next in “Put and Take” and put before the judge. Was Monday morning’s incident a forerunner of “Putters and Takers”? Will gambling be revolutionized?

“We shall see what we shall see,” said Judge Jones with a merry wink.

From The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

Bud Abernathy, Chain Gang Trusty, Gets 60 More Days After Disturbance at Ball Game, June 27, 1921

Bud Abernathy Gets 60 Days. . . Negro Trusty Who Jumped Jim Paxton at Ball Park Has More “Time”

Bud Abernathy, negro chain gang trusty, had his share in the interesting events of the police court Monday morning when he was brought up on enough charges to keep him breaking rocks until he goes stone blind. Resisting an officer, assault and drunkenness were some of them.

According to the evidence in the case, Abernathy was sentenced to the roads for nine years seven annums ago after conviction of highway robbery. A worthless brass stick pin had been taken from him by Officer Paxton at the time of his arrest. He had never forgotten it. Receiving permission to come to town Saturday, he in some manner got drunk and looked Officer Paxton up at the ball game Saturday.

A quick fight ensued, in which the negro had almost succeeded in snatching Officer Paxton’s pistol from his holster when Officers Bradley and Riley came to the rescue. Abernathy had been accompanied to the ball park by his two brothers, Joe and Hale, and another negro, Jean Connor. This “gang” began to close in on the officers when they were leaving the park, and pistols had to be drawn on them to keep them back.

The most interesting part of the case, however, was revealed in court. It was disclosed that Abernathy was a trusty on the chain gang—and yet had attempted 20 times to escape since he went there seven years ago. “Sometimes I runs and sometimes I don’t,” he explained to the court.

When it was disclosed that he had held up the ball game for five minutes by his conduct, Judge Jones showed keen interest. “I’ll give him 60 days,” he said.

And it took several minutes for the applause of the court room to die away.

From The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

Trial of 18 Baseball Players Accused of Throwing 1919 World Series, June 27, 1921

Selecting Jury to Try 18 Players for Alleged Throwing of 1919 World Series

Chicago, June 27—Trial of 18 baseball players and alleged gamblers indicted in connection with the 1919 world’s series scandal went over until Wednesday after 10 of the defendants had appeared in court today for the opening of the trial. The delay was caused by Judge Friend’s ruling that Carl Zork of St. Louis, one of the defendants, must be in court on Wednesday morning. Counsel for Zork and for Ben Franklin, another defendant, had presented affidavits that their clients were too ill to appear. Judge Friend also ordered the state to report on Franklin’s condition at the same time.

Chicago, June 27—with a special venire of prospective jurors ready for examination, the case of the 18 ball players, alleged gamblers and others indicted in connection with the 1919 world series baseball scandal was to be called to trial today by Judge Hugo Friend, of the criminal court.

The 18 men indicted by the two Cook county grand juries which investigated the case were:

Chick Gandil, White Sox first baseman in 1919.

Eddie Cicotte and Claude Williams, White Sox pitchers.

Swede Risberg, White Sox shortstop.

Buck Weaver, White Sox third baseman.

Happy Felsch and Joe Jackson, White Sox outfielders.

Fred McMullin, White Sox utility player.

William Burns, former major league first baseman.

Abe Attell, David Zelser, Louis and Ben Levi, Carl Zork, Ben Franklin, Rachel Brown and Joseph J. Sullivan, alleged gamblers, who are charged with organizing the reported conspiracy.

Zork and Franklin were not expected at the trial, although under bond, both having sent affidavits that they were too ill to come here from their homes in St. Louis.

Brown, Sullivan and Barnes never apprehended, while Attell won his fight against extradition from New York and Chase’s fight against extradition from California was not contested by the authorities there and will not be tried unless they voluntarily appear. All the others were under bond and their attorneys said they would appear for trial.

The taking of testimony is not expected to start for at least a week, attorneys for both sides estimating that it would take at least that long to get a jury.

Of the 18 defendants, all but the four—Lewis, Zork, Franklin and Zesler—were indicted last September when the first grand jury investigation was made. The state was not ready to prosecute when the trial was called and a second grand jury probe resulted in indictment of the 13 originally known and also of the Levis, Zork, Franklin and Zesler.

From the front page of The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921. Last name was spelled Burns on first reference and Barnes on second reference in the newspaper.

E.G. Lancaster, 50, Dies of Injuries Sustained in Madison Saturday, Monday, June, 27, 1921

Farmer Dies From Injuries

Winston-Salem, June 27—E.G. Lancaster, 50, a Rockingham county farmer, died at a local hospital this morning from injuries sustained in Madison Saturday afternoon when his automobile, in which he was loading a bag of cement, was struck by a car driven by Mrs. R.B. Webster. Lancaster’s machine was thrown against him, breaking his leg, and he was also hurled against a brick wall of a store, fracturing his skull, the latter injury resulting in death.

From the front page of The Charlotte News, Monday, June 27, 1921

Message in Bottle Indicates Pirates Roam Atlantic, Capturing Ships, 1921

Believe Pirates Roam in Atlantic. . . Maine Fisherman Gives Credence to Theory of Cape Hatteras Sailors

Portland, Maine, June 21—The theory that pirates are afloat in the North Atlantic has found credence here. Believe in this explanation of the fate of the recently missing shops has grown with the establishment of the fact that a message in a bottle picked up two months ago north of Cape Hatteras purposing to explain the disappearance of the crew of the five-masted schooner Carroll A. Dearing, mystery ship of Diamond Shoals, was written by Henry Bates of Isleboro, Maine, a member of that crew. Questions of its genuineness was settled today by handwriting experts who compared it with letters written by Bates.

The unsigned note stated that the schooner had been captured by an oil burning craft, something like a subchaser, that the members of the crew who were hiding all over the ship with no chance to escape were being handcuffed and that everything was being taken off.

Through the efforts of Mrs. William M. Wormwell, of this city, wife of the captain of the Deering, and friends, the investigation was started by the State Department, the Department of Commerce, the coast guard and other government agencies to establish the fate of the missing crew, which consisted of 12 men besides the captain. They are working on the theory that the oil steamer ?? which disappeared in the same locality at about the same time while bound from Texas to Boston, was captured by the same pirate crew.

From the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, June 24, 1921

Smithfield Banks Combining, H.C. Cooper Returning to Wilmington, June, 1921

Smithfield Banks Will Combine in Near Future. . . Will Form One Strong Banking Institution for the Town

Smithfield, June 22—Smithfield now has one strong banking institution as a result of the meetings yesterday of the shareholders of the First National Bank and of the Central Bank and Trust company, the action taken being the unanimous decision of both banks. The new institution, which will have an authorized capital of $200,000 and a paid in surplus of $50,000, will do a general banking and trust business. The merger will occasion changes in the organization, a steering committee from both banks having been appointed to make recommendations.

This committee, which will also select a name for the new concern, is as follows:

First National: R.P. Holding, T.R. Hood, F.K. Broadhurst, J.J. Broadhurst and J.H.R. Tomlinson;

Central Bank and Trust Co.: Messrs. N.B. Grantham, H.C. Cooper, W.H. Lassiter, S.C. Turnage and W.H. Austin.

In view of the fact that H.C. Cooper, who has been cashier of the Central Bank and Trust Company for more than a year, handed in his resignation, R.P. Holding was elected cashier of that bank until the merger is completed.

Mr. Cooper has proven efficient in his position as cashier of this bank. The business of the bank has prospered under his management and the directors were reluctant to accept his resignation. Mr. Cooper goes back to his home in Wilmington, where he will be in a bank in that city which his father, Lieut. Governor W.B. Cooper is president.

Smithfield will lose a citizen who has taken a lively interest in all civic matters, he being president of the chamber of commerce, and his many friends here wish him continued success as he returns to his former home.

From the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, June 24, 1921

June Wedding Bells Ringing, 1921

Advertisement from the June 1921 issue of The Ladies Home Journal

LINDSEY-BRAY WEDDING

The evening of June 21 saw the wedding at the church of the Holy Cross, Tryon, of Miss Violet Bray to Mr. Edward Samuel Lindsey, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Norwood Bowne. It was a very lovely evening, perfumed with honeysuckle and mimosa, and the friends of the young couple came in the early starlight to the church, finding the altar and the altar-rail, the rood-screen and organ loft trimmed with softly burning candles. Candles burned, too, in the double sconces about the walls. Then decorations of the church were rhododendron, bamboo, ivy and white roses.

Miss Suzannah Wetmore of Asheville was at the organ and played as introductory music portions of Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger” from Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata and the andante from Beethoven’s Sonata Opus 26. Measures of Lohengrin Chorus announced the wedding procession. The groom and his best man, Richard C. Coker of Hartsville, S.C., awaiting the party, which was led by the groomsman, Julian B. Hester od Tryon, Gordon B. Crowell of Lincolnton, N.C., John K. Gray of Gastonia, N.C., and John B. Lindsey of Frankfort, Kay. Following them came the bride’s attendants, Misses Elizabeth Bowne of Tryon, and Frances Geitner of Hickory, N.C., in two-toned taffeta of Nile green with bandeaux of tulle, then Miss Virginia C. Allen of Hickory and Mrs. Paul Curran Smith (Dorothy, nee Doubleday) of Glasford, Ill., in orchid two-toned taffeta and orchid tulle bandeaux. The maid of honor, Miss Mary E. Lindsey, sister of the groom, followed alone in a frock of blue with bouquet of pink roses. Then came the bride with her father, Henry Martin Bray.

The bride’s gown was of ivory satin, trimmed with rose point lace and pearls, her veil of tulle with duchess lace held in place by a wreath of orange blossoms, her flowers a shower bouquet of bride’s roses and maidenhair ferns.

The ceremony included the exchange of rings and was accompanied by the soft-played nocturne from Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Shumann’s “Evening Song.” Then came the happy recessional of Mendlessohn’s Wedding March.

A reception to intimate friends followed at the home of the bride’s parents.

The young couple will spend the summer in Tryon, at the home of the groom’s father, William Lindsey, one of the oldest settlers, and president of the Bank of Tryon. At the opening of the academic year at the University of North Carolina the young couple will leave for Chapel Hill, where they will live, and where F.S. Lindsey is a member of the faculty in the Department of English.

From the Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., June 24, 1921

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WILLIAMSON-HARTIS

A marriage of interest to a wide circle of friends took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. S.O. Robinson, 400 East Ninth street, Thursday night, when Miss Alice Hartis, niece of Mr. Robinson, became the bride of Robert B. Williamson, of this city.

The ceremony was performed by Rev. W.R. Shelton, pastor of Brevard Street Methodist church, in the presence of a large company of friends of the bride and groom. Immediately following the ceremony a reception was tendered in honor of the bride and groom and the wedding party. Afterward Mr. and Mrs. Williamson left for Asheville, where they will spend some days before returning to Charlotte. They will go to housekeeping soon after they return.

Mrs. Williamson is a graduate nurse, having trained at the Charlotte Sanatorium Training School for Nurses. She is a native of Union county, a daughter of Mr. Thomas Hartis, and is widely known and popular with a large circle of friend here and elsewhere. Mr. Williamson is a native of Matthews but has been in Charlotte for a number of years and holds a responsible position with the Charlotte Water Works department.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921

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PECK-LITTLE

Salisbury, June 22—Felix Brevard Peck and Miss Annie James Little were married Tuesday afternoon at the home of the bride’s sister, Mrs. J.W. Lyerly. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J.A. Palmer, of Thomasville. The bride is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Little of Newton. During the past year she taught school at Spencer. Mr. Peck is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Peck, the later now Mrs. G.M. Moose of near Mt. Pleasant. He has finished his second year in Central Theological Seminary at Dayton, Ohio, and is now doing work in a Reformed church in a suburb of Hickory. The bride and groom are both graduates of Catawba College, class of ’19. They will live at Hickory until Mr. Peck resumes his studies at Dayton in the fall when they will move to that place.

From The Charlotte News, Wednesday, June 22, 1921

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McLEOD-McKAY

The home of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. McDonald at Duke was the scene of a pretty marriage last Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, when their sister, Miss Sara Cranor McKay, became the bride of Mr. John D. McLeod. The ceremony was performed by Rev. R.A. McLeod, brother of the groom.

Mrs. McLeod is the daughter of Mr. Neill McKay, formerly of Carthage but now residing at Duke. Mr. McLeod is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John McLeod of Vass, Route 1. He is a graduate of Davidson College and during the late war won the rank of lieutenant.

Immediately after the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. McLeod motored to Raleigh to take the train to Washington. They will be at home to their friends after June 20th at Hemp. Mr. McLeod will have charge of Elise high school at that place.

From The Pilot, Vass, N.C., June 17, 1921

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Louie Graves Weds Miss Mildred Moses

Chapel Hill, June 18—In a quiet ceremony witnessed by only a few immediate friends and relatives, Miss Mildred Moses of chapel Hill and Louis Graves of New York were married here late this afternoon at the home of Miss Moses. The Rev. W.D. Moss of the Chapel Hill Presbyterian church performed the ceremony.

Miss Moses is a daughter of Edward Pearson Moses, well known as an educator in North Carolina and other Southern states, where he has been one of the pioneers in public school work. Mr. Graves is a son of the late Prof. Ralph H. Graves and of Mrs. Julia Hooper Graves, who now lives in Philadelphia. Since he graduated from the University at North Carolina, he has been a newspaper and magazine writer in New York.

His election to the University faculty as a professor of journalism was announced at commencement. Mr. and Mrs. Graves will live in Chapel Hill.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday morning, June 19, 1921

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Miss Ola Herron and Mr. John McDowell Wed

A marriage notable interest throughout Mecklenburg and contiguous counties was that of Miss Olda Herron of Steel Creek and Laurinburg, and Mr. John McDowell of Steel Creek, which was solemnized Thursday evening at 6 o’clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter McEachin of Laurinburg, the latter a sister of the bride, Rev. Mr. Craige, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Laurinburg officiating.

The marriage was characterized by simplicity and dignity, the ceremony simple but impressive, and witnessed by an assemblage of kindred and friends representative of the most prominent folk of Laurinburg and this section. There were no attendants and no music. The bride and groom entered together. The bride was strikingly handsome in a stylish dress of dark blue tricotine with hat to match, and her corsage of Bride’s roses and lilies of the valley. Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was tendered the bride and groom by Mr. and Mrs. McEachin, there being about 75 present. The house was beautifully decorated with garden flowers, roses rich and rare filling baskets and vases n the drawing room, dining room and halls. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell left later in the evening for Charlotte, and from there went by auto to Steel Creek, where Mr. McDowell has a beautiful home in the center of one of the largest plantations in the section. There they will reside. The bride is a daughter of the late Dr. I.W. Herron, one of the most prominent men of Steel Creek and head of a family which commanded the esteem, admiration and friendship of all Mecklenburg. Reared in a refined and cultured home the bride grew to womanhood with high ideals and richly did she realize them. She devoted herself to books—to reading and teaching—and she is known as one of the most cultured and charming women of the county and of her adopted home, Laurinburg. She was given in marriage by her only brother, Dr. A.M. Herron of Charlotte.

The groom is a son of the late Robert McDowell, and a grandson of General McDowell, and on his mother’s side a grandson of General William Neal, and great-grandson of Jane Parks, wife of Capt. John Parks, his forebears, paternally and maternally, being among the leading patriots of Revolutionary days.

Mr. McDowell is esteemed as one of Mecklenburg’s first citizens. He commands the highest respect and friendship from all classes of men. He has been an elder in historic Old Steel church for years, and a leader in all affairs of church or state.

Among those who attended the wedding from this section were Dr. A.M. Herron, Mrs. S.J. Lowe, a sister of Mr. McDowell, Miss Hattie Cooper, Mrs. Plato Price, and Miss Pearl Gallant.

From The Charlotte News, Sunday morning, June 19, 1921

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Weldon the Scene of a Beautiful Wedding

Weldon, June 26—Weldon society was out en masse Wednesday evening to witness the marriage of Miss Margaret Frances Johnston, the lovely daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Alfred Johnston, to Earle Cliffod James of Elkin.

Ferns, feathery white flowers, cathedral candles arranged by artists’ hands, had transformed the handsome Baptist church into a bower of loveliness. Prior to the ceremony, which was impressively performed by Rev. J.G. Blalock, pastor of the bride, a musical program including Lohengrin’s bridal chorus was beautifully rendered.

There were a number of attendants who preceded the bride, who was given away by her father.

She wore a gown of ivory duchess satin with berths of real lace and long court train. Her veil was Russian coronet style of real lace with a wreath of organbe blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet of Bride roses and orchids. She was met at the altar by the bridegroom, who entered with his best man, Basil Watkins. Throughout the ceremony “Believe me If All Those Endearing Charms,” was softly rendered.

Mrs. James, one of the most beautiful young women in eastern North Carolina, is a Meredith College graduate, and an artist of unusual ability.

Mr. James, one of Elkin’s foremost young lawyers, a Wake Forest graduate, rendered valuable service in the aviation department in the late war.

After a short wedding trip, this popular young couple will be at home at Elkin. The bride groom is the son of Mrs. Charles James of Mount Airy. His mother attended the marriage and the reception which was given by the bride’s parents Tuesday evening.

From The Mount Airy News, June 30, 1921.

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MARTIN-HANKS

The marriage of Miss Iris Love Martin to Olin Hanks took place in a hotel in Greensboro last Thursday, her father, John A. Martin of this city, and a few friends being the only witnesses.

Immediately after the ceremony they took the northbound train for Ocean View, N.J., to visit the groom’s mother, after which they will make their home in Charlotte, where the groom, who is a general manager of a machinery company, makes his headquarters.

The bride is a native of this city and was educated at Salem college. She was attending summer school in Greensboro prior to her marriage.

From The Mount Airy News, June 30, 1921.

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FOLGER-POOLE

Dobson, June 24—Miss Juliet Lois Folger of Dobson and Samuel Irwin Poole of Greensboro were united in marriage in the Methodist church tonight, the beautiful ring ceremony having been performed by Dr. S.B. Turrentine, president of Greensboro college for women.

Prior to the ceremony, Rev. Eugene I. Olive of Mount Airy sang “Oh, Promise Me” and “Because,” accompanied by Miss Annie Folger. The wedding march from Lohengrin was played by Miss Folger as the bridal party entered the church and continued during the ceremony. Mendelsson’s wedding march was used as a recessional.

Quite a number of attendants preceded the bride, who entered with her mother, Mrs. Sallie Freeman Folger. The bride was attractively attired in white duchess satin, her veil caught with orange blossoms. She carried a shower bouquet of sweet peas and lilies of the valley.

After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Poole left by automobile for Greensboro, where they will make their future home.

From The Mount Airy News, June 30, 1921.

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Poole-Lyday Marriage

Dr. W.W. Lyday on Tuesday received a telegram from is son, Dr. Emmett Lyday of Gastonia, announcing the news of his marriage to Miss Naomi Poole of Greensboro. Miss Poole had been principal of the high school at Gastonia.

After the ceremony at Greensboro, the married couple left for a northern tour, which will include New York, Niagara Falls, and a visit to the Dempsey-Carpentier fight. They will be here about the 7th of this month.

From the Brevard News, Friday, July 1, 1921

Watson Edwards, 83, Has Died, June 11, 1921

W.C. EDWARDS

W.C. Edwards of Tryon, Route 1, departed this life June 11, 1921, age 83 years. Uncle Watson was a confederate soldier, serving well the cause of the South, and suffered all the long years hence from a wound he received thereby. But first and last a good soldier of Jesus Christ, ever tying to bear the banner of the great captain on to victory.

His funeral was conducted by Rev. Womack (another confederate soldier who daily walks with God) in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing friends. He now sleeps beneath the beautiful flowers at Bethlehem church. The orphan children of Joseph Edwards, of whom uncle Watson fathered and grandfathered, were brought from the orphanage to spend with him the last few days, per his request, also Oscar Allen of Georgia, Uncle Garner Clark and wife of New Prospect, and Mr. Brannon and family of Spartanburg, attended the funeral.

From the Polk County News, June 24, 1921

Agriculture in White Oak Township, June 1921

White Oak Township

By J.R. Sams, County Agent

Last week White Oak township was the center of attraction in the Polk County News. Yes, she is a red soil township. There is but little land except the red class and that of a good quality. White Oak, like Cooper Gap township, is washed to one side by Green River and the other edge perches on the high peaks up in the “Land of the skies.” From the foot of the mountain to the lower section of the township, the land is hilly and rather steep along the creeks and branches, and there is a lot of good bottom land along these creeks and branches. And all this bottom land was once valuable for the production of corn, potatoes, etc., but much of it is of little value under present management. The trouble is this, which can be easily corrected with different treatment.

The present system of cultivating these steep lands, year after year, causes such erosion by the heavy rains that come in Polk County that the soil and mc of the subsoil is carried down and deposited in the bottoms which fill the creek and branch runs, and cover the land so deep with the dead clay from the hillsides, that nothing will grow on the hills from whence the clay came, nor on the bottoms where deposited.

It seems so strange to me that otherwise sensible men will pursue such a destructive course. There is a remedy for all this, and the remedy is easy. The only trouble in the way is that to apply the remedy will require a change in the habit and manner of living among the people, and habits and customs of people in any community are hard and require a long time to change.

If our forefathers had caught a vision of beautiful fields of living green pastures and fat cattle browsing on their hills, all would have been better, but since they did not choose; but on the contrary chose to grow altogether cotton and other cultivated crops, we find conditions as they are. So the only remedy is to go back to where the evil started and correct this evil.

The soil must be rebuilt and as fast as rebuilt, sown to permanent pastures. This is the only policy that can ever reclaim the country. This will do it and do it rapidly and then it will stay built. When the hills of White Oak township are rebuilt and the bottoms reclaimed, and the farmers become interested in purebred cattle, hogs and sheep, then and not till then will the people understand what a delightful country they do have.

Perhaps the denizens of White Oak township would feel like crucifying me if I were to say that Cooper Gap and Greens Creek can beat them growing sweet potatoes, but they can. But on the other hand, White Oak is a great township for growing the clovers if they only knew it. All the farmers have to do to grow the clovers in old White Oak is to learn how, and to learn how is easy if they just wanted to. And I will say incidentally that White Oak township will never be what she ought to be until her farmers begin to grow the clovers, and other legume crops and sow the grasses on the rough and wet lands and use lime. Of course the township is so versatile in its productive power that it would take a book as big as an old style family Bible written in small type to tell the half of what she could do. Ye Saluda and Cooper Gap apple fellows, don’t grow ashy when I say White Oak township can produce just as fine apples and peaches, grapes, strawberries, etc., as any country elsewhere.

Mili Springs, the capital of the township, is the seat of the White Oak community club that is doing so much for the uplift of the township. They have already organized their fair for this fall and are laying plans for other projects that will be uplifting to the entire community. Taken all around, White Oak township is a great place to live and enjoy life as you go along.

From the front page of the Polk County News, June 24, 1921

Metal Structure Looked Like "Huge Red-Hot Stove" June 25, 1921

Firemen Fight Blaze at Mill. . . “Hull Fibre” Caught Late Friday and Has Been Burning Ever Since

Firemen were still fighting a smoldering fire Saturday in the “hull fibre” building at the Buckeye Cotton Oil Company, where flames originated about 6 o’clock Friday evening. A stream of water was kept on the cotton hulls throughout the night. The slowness with which the product burns and the difficulty in extinguishing it likely will cause it to burn for some days, firemen said.

The damage and loss could not be estimated Saturday morning by officers of the company. They said it would run quite high but no figures could be given. Asked if they considered it would reach $10,000, they replied that it would be far in excess of that amount.

An unusual method of fire-fighting was developed Friday night when policemen were called out with riot guns to shoot holes in the galvanized iron sides of the building in order to permit the throwing of water into the structure. The great heat of the walls made work by firemen with pickaxes impossible. The riot guns, loaded with buckshot, were successful in blowing big holes in the walls through which streams of water could be thrown with effect.

A low grade of cotton known as “hull fiber” was stored in the two-story building. It was this which caught on fire. The fibre was valued at about $10,000, according to an estimate.

The fire in the building heating the galvanizing iron walls made the structure appear like a huge red-hot stove. The lack of openings at strategic points in the walls necessitated the use of the riot guns to blow holes at places where fire would be thrown upon the slow-burning fire.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921

Wind, Hail Damage Corn, Cotton Crops, Store, Garage in Providence, June 25, 1921

Wind and Hail Hit Providence. . . Crops Damaged and Horses and Cattle Are Made Frantic

A storm approaching tornado proportions visited a section of lower Providence township Friday afternoon, with high wind and a heavy hail doing considerable damage to growing crops. Information to this effect was brought to the city Saturday by L.H. Robinson and other citizens of lower Providence.

The storm in its fiercest aspect began about the J.A. Blakeney plantation and extended eastward across the township, taking in the plantations of L.H. Robinson, W.T. Robinson, L.C. Kimball and others. The hail came down in heavy showers, it is stated, and hands working about three miles from the homestead on the Blakeney planation had quite an experience when they started to the barn riding the miles they had been plowing. As the hail beat down on them, the mules refused to go into the shower and stopped, turning round and trying to go back away from the shower of pelting icicles. The plow hands had to dismount and hold the animals under the limbs of low trees nearby to somewhat break the force of the hail and prevent the animals from becoming frantic.

The wind struck the rural store of W.S. Robinson and damaged it considerable. It also struck the garage on the L.H. Robinson plantation and partially wrecked it. For some minutes the wind blew a heavy gale.

The hail did much damage to both corn and cotton, according to Mr. Robinson, over a stretch of considerable territory.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921

A.M. Whitesides Calls Police When He Finds Still on His Own Farm, June 25, 1921

Found Big Still Running on His Own Farm

Gastonia, June 25—A large blockade still operating at full blast was discovered yesterday morning by Mr. A.M. Whitesides and his son, while walking over his farm in the upper part of York count in Kings Mountain township, just across the South Carolina line. It was a copper still of 40-gallon capacity and was well concealed in a thicket. The still with a few gallons of whiskey and from 50 to 75 gallons of beer was captured by officers from Clover but the operators escaped.

Mr. Whitesides and son had started to look over their farm and woodland in Kings Mountain township and were walking along a blind path near an old road when he happened to look to one side and saw the fire of the still which was operating in full blast not more than 15 or 20 feet from him. He called his son, who was a short distance away picking blackberries, and the two walked up to examine the still.

While they were standing there looking over the still a rock of about the size of a man’s fist whizzed by Mr. Whitesides from the top of the hill, nearly striking him. He rushed up to the top of the hill and fired the gun which he happened to have with him in the direction which the missile came but could see no one. Until this incident, Mr. Whitesides had intended going about his business and reporting the still after finishing looking over his farm, but aroused by the attempt at injury, they hastened to their car, which was about a mile away, and drove to Bethany where they telephone to officers at Clover.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921

If You Are Missing a Chandler, Stop By Sheriff's Office, June 25, 1921

Auto and Liquor Are Captured. . . County Officers Take Up Car and Eight Gallons of Whiskey

The sheriff’s office is in possession of a handsome, good-as-new Chandler touring car and eight gallons of liquor, which were found Saturday morning at 1 o’clock seven miles from the city on a plantation belonging to J.B. McLaughlin, chairman of the board of county commissioners. The officers who made the haul were Deputy Sheriff Vic Fesperman and Rural Policemen C.G. Brown and Louis Johnson.

The officers Friday got in a Ford touring car belonging to the sheriff’s office and headed out East Seventh street and out the Monroe road. This was a little before midnight and the officers drove on the Monroe road about six miles. They drove into a by-path beside the main highway and parked there. They were following and working on a clue they had been nursing for some time.

About 1 o’clock the steady hum of a motor sounded, coming from Charlotte and the officers sat up and took notice. They detected the motor as one whose sound they had for some time been making themselves familiar.

They allowed the approaching car to pass on by and they followed at a considerable distance. As they had anticipated, the Chandler stopped when a point about the seventh mile post was reached and two men got out and went into a big thicket, wherein is an ancient mine pit, relic of the days when gold mining was a common pursuit in North Carolina.

Bringing their Ford to a halt beside the car, the officers ran into the thicket after the two men. There was only one miscalculation made by the officers. They had no idea that two ordinary men could make such speed through the thicket as did the two men they were after. They went through the thicket like a tornado and the officers found it useless to try to follow them.

The officers found eight gallons of liquor in fruit jars. They brought this and the Chandler car back to Charlotte. They are keenly awaiting to see who will claim the car. If no one calls for it, the sheriff’s office is in one good Chandler touring car.

The liquor was appraised good liquor as the white lightning variety goes. It will be poured in the sewer.

The officers went back to the thicket on the Monroe road Saturday morning to see what else could be found there.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921. The car was later claimed by Bogue Crook, who said the car was stolen.

Tafts Sell Old David Henderson Plantation for $18,121, June 25, 1921

Long Creek Farm Is Sold for $18,121

One of the largest farms in the county changed hands Friday when papers were filed at the clerk of court’s office conveying a part of the old David Henderson plantation on the Statesville road in Long Creek township from the ownership of W.M. Taft and wife, Mrs. Alice S. Taft, to F.J., Joe L. Blythe and Paul N.H. Ward.

The conveyance was contained in a deed that disposed of two tracts. One tract contains 110 acres and the other 100 acres. The property is considered highly valuable as farming land and is at present at an advanced stage of cultivation. For years it has been one of the big plantations of the county. The buyers will cultivate it, it is understood, on an elaborate scale. The price paid was $18,121.25.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921; $18,121 in 1921 would be worth $243,365 in 2021, according to dollartimes.com.

Officers of Phalanx, Excelsior, Joppa Lodges, Charlotte, N.C., June 25, 1921

Edwards Aids In Installing Officers

R.F. Edwards of Crumpler, grand lecturer of the Grand Masonic Lodge of North Carolina, officiated at installation ceremonies for officers of Phalanx, Joppa and Excelsior lodges of Masons in the temple Friday night. A large crowd of members were present for the joint session.

The following is the list of the new officers:

Phalanx Lodge No. 31—J.B. Marshall, master; R.L. Braswell, senior warden; Frank Gregson, junior warden; W.B. Hall, treasurer; F.William, E. Cullingford, deacon; Rev. Daniel Iverson, chaplain; I.W. Bingham and J.M. Chestnut, stewards; R.W. Smith, tiler.

Excelsior Lodge No. 261—H.A. Franklin, master; J.L. Alexander, senior warden; Howard Morrison, junior warden; W.E. Harvell, treasurer; B.W. Barnett, secretary; L.O. Puckett, senior deacon; J.H. Bradley, junior deacon; J.A. Sharpe, chaplain; J.L. Thomason and F.A. Martin Jr., stewards, and J.W. Pope, tiler.

Joppa Lodge No. 530—F.O. Steele, master; W.L. Hogan, senior warden; Roy Saunders, junior warden; W.M. Sigmon, treasurer; W.J. Grant, secretary; T.E. Blakely, senior deacon; W.L. Davidson Jr., junior deacon; F.S. Neal Jr. and F.C. Cates, stewards, and W.R. Clark, tiler.

From The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921. The newspaper spelled the lodge Excelsor, but when I looked it up on the lodge’s website, it was spelled Excelsior. I don’t know which was correct in 1921.

Mecklenburg County Fairs, Home-Coming Events, June 25, 1921

County Fairs

Premier lists of the Mecklenburg county fairs and home-coming events which have come to hand show versatility of gifts awaiting those who propose to have exhibits at these township fairs and remind us, in the meantime, that these events have developed extensively and are now rates as featuresome attractions of the fall months in parts of the county where they are held. The county organization having these fairs in hand is composed of Mr. Ray Lee, president; M.M. Knox, vice-president; Mrs. Lindsay Parks, secretary; and Miss Pearl Caldwell, treasurer. Fairs this fall are to be held at the Observer school house; Huntersville community house; Back Creek school house; and the Dixie, Park Road and Sharon community houses.

From the editorial page of The Charlotte News, June 25, 1921

Miss Bridge, Miss Lemley Leave Training School Staff to Become Home Demonstration Agents in Harnett, Washington Counties, June 24, 1921

New Home Demonstration Agent Comes to Harnett

Miss Bridge, the former domestic science teacher of the Training School, has gone into county demonstration work and is now in Lillington, Harnett County. Miss Lemley, the matron, has also accepted work in this line and goes to Washington County.

From the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, June 24, 1921

Spurgeon Edmonston Walking Bear Cub About Brevard, June 24, 1921

Bear Excites Interest

A small black bear was captured recently on the government reserve by Spurgeon Edmondson and brought to town. Fortunately for the captor, the mother bear was absent at the time, as otherwise the capture might have resulted in some unpleasantness. A little animal, only a few months old, was left in the care of J.W. Smith, where it is safely housed in a box with wire over the opening. Occasionally young Bruin is taken out and led about with a halter around his neck, when he excites the interest and curiosity of everybody on the street. Young as he is, he has developed a set of teeth and knows how to use them if the occasion demands; but he is not usually vicious and seems to make friends readily.

Being the property of Uncle Sam, Bruin will be taken, after a brief sojourn in civilization, to Buck Springs near Mount Pisgah.

From the front page of The Brevard News, June 24, 1921

Miss Lula Higgins of Asheville Trained African Native Who Became Episcopal Bishop Yesterday, 1921

Asheville Woman Trained Bishop. . . Product of African Jungle Elected to Highest Office in Episcopal Church

New York, June 22—From African tribesman to Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church is the remarkable record of Rev. Theophilus Momolu Gardiner, D.D., who will be consecrated Bishop Suffragan of Liberia in the Church of the Incarnation, New York, on June 23.

An interesting feature to North Carolinians is the fact that Miss Lula Higgins of Asheville was formerly a teacher at St. John’s School, Cape Mount, Liberia, and that it was under her instructions that Dr. Gardiner began his climb to fame.

Dr. Gardiner’s election to the Episcopate is one of the romances of the domestic and foreign missionary society of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, and by a curious coincidence it comes in the year of the centenarian(?) anniversary of the organization of the society. He was born about 50 years ago in the Vey Tribe of Liberia. As a babe, he was carried about the jungle in his mother’s arms, and lived the primitive life of his people. At the age of 10 he came under the notice of the missionaries at St. John’s Mission at Cape Mount, Liberia, who taught him his letters. That was in the early eighties. By 1890 he had learned to read and write, whereupon, to escape the influence of relatives who adhered to paganism, he was removed to Cape Palmas, where his education was continued.

By successive stages he served as catechist and teacher at Ghedibo, an interior station, and at Camp Palmas, and as one of the faculty of Cuttington Collegiate and Divinity School being subsequently made a deacon and then advanced, in 1906, to the priesthood and put in charge of Mr. Vaughn chapel, the historic station of the mission, when he was transferred to St. James Church, Hoffman. He was elected Suffragan Bishop early this year; and thus happens that, in the heart of New York city, Thursday morning, this native of the African wilds will be made a Bishop of the church and commissioned to go back to Africa and preach Christianity among his native tribesmen who are strong in the Mohammadan faith. Church men regard the elevation of this child of the jungle to Episcopal honors as one of the most significant exhibits of the importance of the Missionary movement in this anniversary year of the Episcopal Missionary society.

Dr. Gardiner will be consecrated by the venerable Bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle, presiding bishop of the church, 84 years old, who for 54 years has been engaged in the mission field, 20 years of which were spent in the Rocky Mountain section of the United states in the days before the railroads penetrated that region. He will be assisted by Bishops Manning of New York and Matthews of New Jersey, and by Bishop Overs of Liberia, who has just been made a member of the Educational Commission of that State by the President of Liberia. Another participant will be the Rev. F.W. Elligor, rector of All Saints Church, Willilamsbridge, N.Y., who was a schoolmate of Dr. Gardiner at St. John’s School, Cape Mount, Liberia, in the early days.

From the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, June 24, 1921

Mrs. R.C. Simmons, Mrs. B.T. Egerton Obituaries, June 24, 1921

Mrs. R.C. Simmons Died Last Week. . . Death Comes at Home of Brother at Etowah, While She Was Returning to Brevard

Mrs. R.C. Simmons died last Friday evening, June 17, at the home of her brother, Thos. S. Gash, of Etowah. She had stopped there on her way from Hendersonville, returning to Brevard, when she was attacked with colitis, death resulting in a few days.

Mrs. Simmons had spent the winter in Hendersonville with her only daughter, Mrs. W.C. Jordan. For a number of years her home has been in Brevard with the family of O.L. Erwin, her cousin. She was also an aunt of Mr. Erwin’s first wife, and after her death had done a mother’s part in the home in rearing of the children.

Mrs. Simmons was born in October 1839, being at the time of her death in her 82nd year. Her early childhood was spent in the Etowah section, but her parents dying when she was quite young she was taken into the home of her uncle, O.L. Erwin, father of Mr. Erwin of Brevard. The Erwin home at that time was near Cherryfield, at what is now known as the Brook’s place. She grew up into late womanhood in the Erwin family and from their home went forth as a bride just before the civil war, leaving this county and living for a while in Georgia. Her husband was a Confederate soldier, was taken prisoner, and it was supposedly died in prison. They had only one child.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Simmons returned to her old home, and has since been identified with this section. Of a large family of brothers and sisters only two survive: T.S. Gash of Etowah and Mrs. Hattie B. Moore of Macon County. The funeral services were held Sunday morning at the Brevard Methodist church, of which she had been a member for years. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. A.S. Raper, assisted by Rev. J.R. Hay, who paid a brief but eloquent tribute to the life and character of the departed lady. Mr. Hay condensed into a few words the description of a Christian life spent in doing good for others, closing with the statement that if she could now speak, she would ascribe the praise to Christ.

Interment followed at Oak Grove cemetery. The pall bearers were R.H. Eachary, D.L. English, John Maxwell, Fred Johnson, F.P. Sledge, E.E. Lewis.

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Mrs. B.T. Egerton Died Last Friday. . . Death Occurred at Merriweather Hospital—Leaves Record of Christian Character

Mrs. B.T. Egerton died on Friday of last week at the Merriweather hospital in Asheville after a long illness. Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at Shaws Creek Methodist Church near Yale, conducted by Presiding Elder W.H. Willis, assisted by Rev. W.A. Thomas of Rosman. Interment followed at the cemetery of the church.

The pall bearers at the funeral were all members of the brotherhood of locomotive engineers, of which Mr. Egerton himself was a member. They were: J.H. Sullivan, J.F. Hendrix, Joe Daugherty, Troy Muse, R.G. Handley (?), and H.C. Ranson.

Mrs. Egerton was buried at her old home church cemetery and the large congregation of people from that community bore testimony to the esteem in which she was held there. The same testimony was borne by the large number of Brevard people attending the ceremony. The occasion was one of more than usual sadness, many of the congregation being affected to the point of weeping.

Mrs. Egerton was born May 31, 1873, and was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Bronson Broyles of Yale. She was married to B.T. Egerton 20 years ago, spending the greater part of her married life in Brevard. About three years ago her place of residence was changed to Lake Toxaway.

It was during the 17 or more years passed here that Mrs. Egerton formed some of her closest friendships and did the greatest work of her life. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and was actively engaged in its every department. A brilliant Bible student, a teacher of excellence qualifications and a liberal giver to every church cause, she became a leader in religious activities and left a record of inspiration among her acquaintances.

Mrs. Egerton is survived by her husband, one sister, Miss Addie Broyles, and one brother, Albert Broyles, the two latter residing in Henderson County.

From the front page of The Brevard News, June 24, 1921

S.F. Allison Receives R.R. Car of Steers from C.R. McNeely, June 24, 1921

Carload of Cattle

S.F. Allison this week received a carload of cattle from C.R. McNeely of Lake Toxaway. They were raised on Mr. McNeely’s farm in South Carolina, just across the state line. All these big steers will be sacrificed by Mr. Allison to the cause of satisfying the appetite for beef in Brevard.

From the front page of The Brevard News, June 24, 1921

News Briefs From Haw River, June 23, 1921

Haw River Items

Haw River won from Gibsonville last Saturday. First team played at Gibsonville and second team played Gibsonville here. First team, 10 to 1; second team, 9 to 5.

Miss Dulcie Cooke returned home from Watts Hospital, Durham, Saturday night. She is getting along fine.

Miss Ola Self of Greensboro visited here Sunday.

Mesdames O.F. Clapp and V.M. Euliss of Graham spent the weekend here visiting Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Mya.

Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Best returned home Saturday after spending a few days in the eastern part of the State.

Mr. A.A. Neese is preparing to open the Theatre formerly known as “Dixie” Theatre. The name for the show is unknown at present.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Blalock, a daughter, Marie Bonte, last Friday, June 17.

Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Neese left Monday for Lexington. Mr. Neese will attend the furniture show in High Point, while Mrs. Neese is to visit in Lexington for about two weeks.

It was reported Tuesday that Mrs. Jas. M. May was dying but it was later learned that she was better. She is seriously ill at present writing. Mrs. May has been sick for several months and often has sinking spells. It is hoped that she will soon recover.

J.V. Keck left Wednesday morning on the 3 o’clock train for Greensboro, where he is to attend court.

From The Alamance Gleaner, Graham, N.C., June 23, 1921

Americans Now Eating Average of 100 Pounds of Sugar a Year, 1921

By the U.S. Press

Washington, June 17—Sugar consumption in the United States will make a new high record in the fiscal year ending with this month. The quantity imported from foreign countries, says a statement by the National City Bank of New York was greater in the 10 months for which figures are now available than in the corresponding period of any preceding year. The domestic production of the year was bigger than ever before and the exportation only about half that of the corresponding 10 months of the preceding year.

We may not be surprised if the official figures showing the average per capita consumption in the fiscal year 1921 run up nearly to 100 pounds per capita, against 91 ½ pounds per capita in fiscal year 1920, the former high record year; 82 pounds in 1919, and 89 pounds per capita in the high record pre-war year 1914.

From The Commonwealth, Scotland Neck, N.C., June 17, 1921. By comparison, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the average American now consumes between 150 and 170 pounds of refined sugars each year.

Mrs. James Plummer, Salisbury, and Mr. R.O. Deitz, Statesville, Have Died, June 22, 1921

MRS. JAMES PLUMMER

Salisbury, June 22—The funeral of Mrs. James Plummer was conducted from First Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock by Dr. T.F. Marr. Mrs. Plummer died Monday night after an illness of three months. She is survived by her husband, who is a well-known druggist of this city, and five daughters, Mrs. E.L. Foil and Mrs. H.C. Morgan of Salisbury, Mrs. M.M. Mask of Spencer, Mrs. G.C. Winecoff of Gastonia, and Mrs. J.C. Windson of St. Augustine, Fla.

R.O. DEITZ

Statesville, June 22—The remains of R.O. Deitz, who died yesterday morning at 10 o’clock at Elon College, arrived in Statesville on No. 35 last night and will be buried this morning in Oakwood cemetery, funeral services being conducted from the First A.R.P. church at 11 o’clock by the pastor, Rev. J.H. Pressley.

Mr. Deitz had been to Chapel Hill to witness the graduation from the University of North Carolina of his son, R.O. Deitz Jr. While attending a ball game, Mr. Deitz became ill and started home in his automobile. On arriving at Elon College Thursday is condition became so bad that he was unable to go further. He gradually grew worse until the end Tuesday morning.

Mr. Deitz was 48 years of age. He was a son of the late Julius Deitz of Statesville. He is survived by his wife, one son, R.O. Deitz Jr., and one daughter, Miss Sarah Deitz. He had been with Statesville House Furnishing Company for more than 20 years. He was a leader in the various activities of the church and in the local lodges, Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World.

From The Charlotte News, Wednesday, June 22, 1921

Buying An Electric Plant for Your Farm, June 1921

In 1921 electric companies didn't serve areas outside of towns and cities, so country folk had to buy their own electric plant--a small motor that would generate electricity. The following article helped farmers purchase the correct motor. In 1935 President Roosevelt signed an executive order to create the Rural Electrification Administration, designed to bring electricity and telephone service to rural areas that existing electric and telephone companies didn't serve because they cost more than they were worth. The next year, Congress passed The Rural Electrification Act. Cooperatives were funded, and the lines went up.

Buying an Electric Plant for Average North Carolina Farm

Power plants are built to supply any demand of power, and the average size farm electric plant will furnish only two to three and a half horsepower. A farmer wants an electric plant to furnish lights for his house, two or three out—buildings and a barn. Also he will expect his plant to supply power for operating a water system for the house and barn, running a washing machine, churn, cream separator, grindstone, and for heating an iron and possibly to run other small electronic devices requiring a small amount of power. A 2 to 3 ½ horsepower plant would fill the bill if this were all, but in addition there is an ensilage cutter and a wood saw to drive, the ensilage cutter taking 15 horsepower and the saw 5 horsepower, or a total of about 17 horsepower required in plant capacity, provided everything is not operated at once.

A MATTER OF ECONOMY

In order that a power plant shall deliver the most power for the least money it is necessary that it run at very nearly full load all the time. Now if one should get a 17 horsepower plant for the case cited above, then it would operate practically all the time in supplying a load of around 2 horsepower and only seldom would it be called on to drive the saw and ensilage cutter and thus be loaded up to capacity. Fifteen horsepower would therefore remain idle most of the time although paid for in the original investment which cost many times as much as a plant would when large enough to furnish the average needs. The farm electric manufacturers have taken this matter into consideration in designing the small plants and this fact accounts for their limited capacity when recommended for home use.

We would suggest that a separate engine or, if available, a tractor be used for all heavy power work and that the plant purchased for the home only be large enough to supply the daily needs for power.

--W.C.W.

From The University of North Carolina News Letter, Chapel Hill, June 22, 1921