O.P. McArthur True Hero in Emporium Department Store Fire, July 31, 1923

Mr. McArthur Was a Real Hero

Asheville, July 27—O.P. McArthur, former Greensboro business man, who suffered a broken right ankle and left leg and was severely burned in the fire which destroyed the Emporium department store here was resting as well today as could be expected.

Clerks and others in the store give Mr. McArthur praise for his fearlessness and heroism in the face of danger. It develops that he was last to leave. While the fire was literally eating into his back he aided lady clerks to safety from the second floor window, screening them with his body from the flames. Mr. McArthur fell from a window ledge to the sidewalk below.

With the last trapped employe out of the building, Mr. McArthur leaped for the window. His clothing was on fire and his back was blistered. He seized the window ledge hoping to swing upon a ladder, but the hot stone burned his hands and he fell.

At the Mission hospital today it was reported that while Mr. McArthur was seriously hurt he will recover though it will be weeks before he is able to leave the institution.

From The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923

Good Schools as Sound an Investment for Farmers as Fertilizer, Machinery, Says Editor, July 31, 1923

A Sound Investment for Farmers

We hear a good deal these days about ways in which farmers can invest money in fertilizer, farm machinery, thoroughbred stock and the like so as to get a better return on their investment in land and labor. With this movement all who are interested in farm life are in agreement. More power and success to it? Speaking of investments, this is a good time for farmers to check up on the investment they are making in their school. Boys and girls need a better school home than the cattle and hogs; they need good tools, good blackboards, plenty of books, shop and noon-lunch equipment, and other things to work with. Most of all they need a good teacher—one who has a good education as a foundation and special training for teaching added to that. They need a school term nine months in length, too, and a teacher who has maturity and experience and native ability as well as education.

A good school investment pays a high return. Now is the time to consider this for next year’s school. Estimate the returns in terms of better and happier boys and girls on the farms.

From the editorial page of The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923, John D. Gold, editor.

Wilson Times Says Col. Bruton Entitled to His Opinion on Co-ops, July 31, 1923

The Co-Ops Criticize Col. Bruton

The Wayne County Co-ops in convention assembled have passed resolutions scoring Col. John F. Bruton of this city for a speech made by him at a recent picnic held by the warehousemen of eastern North Carolina at Silver Lake Park near this city. Col. Bruton said in his speech that he felt for the poor widow and those who had not been able to collect their tobacco money from the Co-ops.

Col. Bruton when interviewed on the subject, said that he had already expressed his views and that had nothing more to add, and that if he was wrong time would tell, but that he was curious to know what public office he held which precluded him from expressing a personal opinion on a subject which affects the property rights of his own county people?

Col. Bruton has the same right to express his opinion as Sapiro, who maligned the tobacco warehousemen of Wilson for not turning their warehouses over to his Association at a price to be fixed by the Association. Sapiro certainly talked about them, when the property belonged to them, and they had spent years in building up their business, which he would destroy over night.

Col. Bruton certainly has a right to criticize a system which takes the money of the farmer, which belongs to some merchant, who in turn owes his bank and the merchant can’t pay the bank, because the farmer can’t pay the merchant.

Col. Bruton certainly has the right to criticize a system that pays its farmer members in driblets and then not as much as they receive cash on the open market, and he sees distress, anxiety and embarrassment on every side because of this failure to pay.

Col. Bruton is a member of the regional reserve board and has been a banker for years. His experience in finance and general conditions makes his opinion worth while on any subject. He merely expressed his opinion after years of experience, and like the Editor of The Times believes that the Co-operative marketing system as it is now being handled is impossible of success, and that marketing tobacco by this method will never be successful for the reason that tobacco must be sorted out for the various dealers and various types of tobaccos separately, and the tobacco which goes to England and the continent from here which constitutes 80 per cent of the amount sold on this market must be put up in a different way from the rest.

Finally, the citizen has the right to an opinion of The Times to criticize any system that hurts him or those around him, because we are all dependent on one the other, and the prosperity of one affects the prosperity of the whole.

From the editorial page of The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923, John D. Gold, editor.

D.K. Peel Charged With Attempt to Kill George Holland, July 31, 1923

Charged With Attempt to Kill

Sheriff Glover and Deputy Barnes have returned from Kinston, where they brought back D.K. Peel who is charged with an assault on George W. Holland about two years ago. Holland lives above Finch’s Mill and the trouble ensued in a drunken brawl.

From The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923

Wilson Golfers Beat Tarboro Golfers, July 31, 1923

Wilson Golfers Turned in Another Victory

The Wilson golfers turned in another victory yesterday afternoon when they handed the Tarboro golfers a 25 to 8 drubbing. The Tarboro team received their first defeat of the season at the hands of the local players, who have showed their superiority over all other Eastern North Carolina by turning in a clean slate up to date, winning all their matches.

The local players are highly elated over their victory of yesterday and without a doubt they stand as the champions of the Eastern North Carolina Association. Fayettville has formed a golf team and is making an attempt to join the Eastern Carolina Association.

The score follows:

Mr. Pennington won from Mr. Smith, 1.

Mr. W.B. Orgain defeated Mr. W.H. Holderness, 2.

Mr. Frank Williams won from Mr. G.C. Blow, 2.

Mr. B.G. Field defeated Mr. M. Carstaphen, 3.

Mr. N.M. Schaum won from Mr. S. Howard, 3.

Mr. George Stanton defeated Mr. S. Howard Jr., 2.

Mr. G. Holderness was defeated by Mr. George Lucas, 2.

Mr. B. Whitaker defeated Mr. Holderness, 1.

Mr. J. Caney Brown was defeated by Mr. G.L. McGhee, 2.

Mr. Bert Bateman defeated Mr. P. Thomas, 2.

Mr. T. Sawyers was defeated by Mr. Ashley Young, 1.

Mr. F.N. Bridgers defeated Mr. Willis Powell, 2.

Mr. Ernest Taylor was defeated by Mr. Tom Davis, 1.

Mr. T.B. Jaycock was defeated by Mr. Zollie Winstead, 2.

From the front page of The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923

Enterprise Lodge Officers, July 31, 1923

Enterprise Lodge Installs Officers. . . Special Committees Will be Announced Later; Work on Degrees Will Start the First Wednesday in August

The Enterprise Lodge No. 44 met last night with the installation of officers for the ensuring term as an important item of business. The officers installed were as follows:

Mr. W.T. Spillers, sitting past grand.

Mr. G.W. Crist, noble grand.

Mr. Frank D. Farmer, vice grand.

Mr. W.E. Barbour, recording secretary (for life).

Mr. W.C. Pearson, financial secretary.

Mr. John W. Jomp, treasurer.

Mr. Geo. Tatum, chaplain.

Mr. E.E. Liverman, warden.

Mr. E.C. Thackston, warden.

Supporters to noble grand. Mr. Needham Watson (right), Mr. Oliver G. Rand (left), Mr. C.R. Watson (vice grand supporter); Mr. John B. Mumford (left), Mr. R.N. Norris (sean supporter), Mr. W.A. Norris (right sean supporter), Mr. R.A. Norris (left sean supporter).

Trustees, Messrs. B.E. Howard, Calvin Woodard, J.W.W. Thompson;

From The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923. The newspaper printed the article as above, without a photograph. If you have the photograph, you can use the caption to identify the people. Also, the article ended with a semi-colon instead of a period. I don’t know if there was supposed to be more printed.

Daisy Bell Raper, 8, Celebrates Birthday, July 31, 1923

A Delightful Party

Little Daisy Bell Raper, the charming daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Raper, gave a most delightful party Wednesday afternoon from 4 to 6 o’clock in celebration of her eighth birthday.

The guests arrived at the home of the little hostess on Hill street at the appointed hour. A number of pretty and useful gifts were presented the honoree.

The children were taken by automobile to Contentnea Park and there delicious refreshments were served which were enjoyed by all. This was followed by many enjoyable games and bathing. When the time came for departure the little guests declared they had had a most pleasant time and wished their little hostess many more happy birthdays.

From the front page of The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923

Visiting in Wilson, July 31, 1923

Here on a Visit

Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Farmer of Asheville, formerly of Wilson, is here on a visit to Messrs. S.J. and J.H. Watson. She is looking well and is very active though advanced in years. Mrs. Farmer is the relict of Mr. W.E. Farmer, who was for years Coast Line Agent at this place. Mrs. Farmer moved from here 16 years ago and now lives in Asheville with her children. Her daughter, Miss Ruth Farmers, was recently married and also resides in Asheville.

She has several children and the young men followed in the footsteps of their father, and are with the Coast Line, with the exception of one who is an auditor for Sprunt and Sons of Wilmington.

Mrs. Farmer has a number of grandchildren and several great grand children.

From the front page of The Wilson Times, July 31, 1923. If Mrs. W.E. Farmer is the widow (relict) of Mr. W.E. Farmer, how can Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Farmer be visiting?

Wilson Times, Tuesday, July 31, 1923

Lottie Hawkins, Born in Henderson, N.C., on Her Wedding Day

Charlotte Hawkins Brown "Wedding Day"

Educator (1883–1961)

Was an American educator and academic. Born Lottie Hawkins in Henderson, North Carolina, in the late 1880s her family moved north to settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts. An exceptional student in a very white world, during her senior year of high school, Alice Freeman Palmer, a former Wellesley College president, provided financial support to enable her to further her education at the State Normal School in Salem. In 1901 Charlotte Hawkins accepted a teaching position in a one-room school in the rural community of Sedalia, North Carolina. In 1911 she married fellow teacher Edward S. Brown, but the marriage did not last. Her dedication to educating young African Americans led to the tiny school evolving to become an accredited school and junior college, renamed the Palmer Memorial Institute in honor of her benefactor. In 1915, the prominent Boston financier and philanthropist Galen L. Stone learned of her work and became the Institute's most important benefactor. Charlotte Hawkins Brown devoted her life to the improvement of the African American community's social standing and was active in the National Council of Negro Women. Among her numerous institutional efforts, she served on the national board of the Young Women's Christian Association, the first black woman to do so. In 1952 Brown retired as president of Palmer Memorial Institute. She died at Greensboro, North Carolina in 1961 from heart problems, aged 77.

She was also the great aunt of singer Natalie Cole. Ms. Brown raised Natalie’s mother Maria and her sisters (her brother’s children) when their mother died in childbirth."

Photo and story from www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089367273568; downloaded July 26, 2023

Home Demonstration Club Members Learn How to Make Mattresses, 1940

In 1940 Home Demonstration Club members learn how to make mattresses for home use. Home Demonstration Clubs in North Carolina were an educational program organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension Service at N.C. State University, Raleigh, and later N.C. A & T State University in Greensboro. They taught farm women better methods for gardening, home canning, nutrition, cooking, sewing, home nursing and improving their communities. The Tomato Clubs for girls taught cultivation and safe home canning procedures of tomatoes, and they were a forerunner of Extension’s 4-H program.

History of Chatham County, Pittsboro, July 29, 1923

Diversified Farming and Manufacturing in Chatham. . . Pittsboro Is One of State’s Most Aristocratic Towns and Has an Interesting History

Chatham county like her neighboring counties of Guilford and Wake, is said to owe its 4existence to the war of the Regulators. After this conflict, the royal governor was impressed with the wisdom of adopting measures by which the people would not have occasion to congregate in large numbers in any one place, especially was this true as to the people of Orange, so that the colonial assembly at its session of 1770 created several new counties, among which was Chatham, named in honor of the Earl of Chatham.

The caption of the act providing for the creation of the county is as follows:

“An act for establishing a new county between Campbleton and Hillsborough, by taking the Southern part of the inhabitants of Orange county, and by erecting the same into a distinct county and St. Bartholomew’s Parish.” The reason set for the passage of this act appears in the preamble, which is:

“Whereas, the great extent of the county of Orange render the attendance of the inhabitants of the southern part thereof to do public duties extremely difficult and expensive.”

It was provided that the new county should begin its existence on the 1st day of April 1771, and machinery was devised for the creation of inferior courts of pleas and quarter sessions, the appointment of county officers, and commissioners were to be chosen with authority to locate the place where a court house, jail and stocks were to be built, and to have erected such public necessities.

The court house was erected at a point about one mile south of the present town of Pittsboro, and in the early days of the county’s career the capital was designated as “Chatham Court House.” The old court house was removed to the present town of Pittsboro in 1812, and a brick structure was erected as the official seat of government. This last structure was torn down or blown down by a storm and the present court house erected in 1881. The original court house, which has been used as a store house, newspaper office, garage and meat market still stands on the principal street of the village and is in a good state of preservation. It was in this building that the court martial was assembled that was captured by the Troy guerilla, David Fanning, and it was there that Lord Cornwallis camped on his retreat from the battle of Guilford Court House.

Chatham did her full part in the war of the Revolution, her sons being represented in every battle from Moore’s Creek Bridge to Yorktown, and at least two battles were fought on her soil, i.e. that at Lindley’s or Alston’s mill where the patriot forces intercepted the Tories, who had captured Governor Burke and the other state officials at Hillsboro and sought to secure their release, and the skirmish known in history as “Pile’s Hacking Match.”

The citizenship of Chatham has always been characterized by a patriotic devotion to duty; and when called upon to defend their country and its liberties her sons have never failed to respond to the call of country, as if it were the call of God. In the great civil conflict more of her sons wore the gray of the Confederate solder than she had voters at the beginning of the conflict, and were literally “First at Bethel, farthest at Gettysburg and last at Appomatox,” the immortal 26th regiment having two companies from Chatham in its organization.

In the World war the men from Chatham fought for the selfsame freedom for which their forefathers fought in the Revolution and for the same ideals for which their fathers of the Civil war fought. Many nation immediately after the call for volunteers was sounded by President Woodrow Wilson. Throwing away all thoughts of the dangers they were to encounter and forsaking homes and work for a cause they felt to be just, they joined numerous outfits. Practically every branch of the service had a Chathamite in it. They were found in the infentray and they were also found in the artillery. Twenty-five men from the county enlisted at the firstg call in Battery “C” 1st North Carolina artillery which was later changed to the 113th Field Artillery. Under Major L.P. McLendon, who was promoted from the rank of first lieutenant to captain after he had recruited the battery to war strength, the men underwent a period of intensive training to fit them for the hardships and the duties that lay before them. Under his able leadership they developed into soldiers that were the pride of the regiment. Aftrer they had crossed the Atlantic and had taken their place alongside the other fighting units, they continued to acquit themselves in a manner that reflected only credit. There were men from Chatham in the other branches of the service also.

That the men from Chatham and all those who went towards making up Battery “C” were of big calibre is shown in the history of the 113th field Artillery, published at the end of the war. The name of the man in this instance is one that is familiar to every man, woman and child in Chatham county. He is William R. Thompson, superintendent of schools of the county. There were other men of like calibre from the county but the part of history that refers to him bespeaks of the high type of men who have responded to the call of the nation in all of the wars of the past. The history says as follows:

“It is unfair to mention any one man, but I feel that the whole battery would approve of what I say about Mess Sergeant Thompson. While the battery was being mobilized at Durham he attended church one Sunday in the country community where he was reared. The preacher, unfortunately for him, took the opportunity to say some very unpatriotic and totally untrue things about the army and, as he expressed it, “the false patriotism of the men who were enlisting.” Thompson stood it as long as he could and then arose and said:

“Well, Mr. ____, I am sorry to interrupt you, but I want to say that after services are over I will have something to say about the army and will be glad if those who care to hear me will remain.”

“It is needless to say that every man, woman and child, including the preacher, stayed to hear Thompson. He told them that patriotism was kin to religion, that it was a great pity that our arm as a whole and the individuals composing it should be accused of all sort of vice as he indicated. That it seemed to him that the church’s duty was to try to remedy the evil rather than to keep men from performing tier patriotic duty by enlisting that he was beyond the draft age.”

This bespeaks in glowing terms of character such as was displayed by all of the men from Chatham county. Besides being patriotic, they were fighters and they entered into the struggle against Kaiserism and autocracy with the same enthusiasm and vim that marked them in civilian life.

Big Men from Chatham

Chatham has been the birthplace of many men who have achieved distinction, both in and outside the state. Governor Charles Manley, as were his brothers, the distinguished jurist, Judge Mathias E. Manley, Dr. Manley the eminent divine, were all natives of the county. Abraham Renches, for 14 years a member of congress, territorial governor of New Mexico and United States minister to Portugal was a native of Chatham, as was Hugh McQueen, attorney general of the state; James Faunterroy Taylor, prominent lawyer and also attorney general of the state; Isham W. Garrett, United States senator from the state and brigadier general in the Confederate army; Dr. John Manning, members of congress and for many years head of the law department of the state university; Thomas B. Womack, judge of the superior court; William F. Strowd, member of the constitutional convention of 1875 and for many years representative in congress; Alexander McIver, professor of mathematics at the state university, and superintendent of public instruction for the state, and many other of the state’s wisest, ablest and most useful citizens first saw the light of day on Chatham soil.

Nor are her sons who have achieved fame and success in public life confined to the “Brave days old,” as illustrated by the fact that Joseph M. Dixon, governor of the state of Montana at this time and formerly a representative in congress and member of the United States senate, was born and reared in Chatham, and also the gallant Major Chrles M. Stedman, representative of the imperial 5th district in congress and the only Confederate soldier now serving in the national congress. General George McIver, distinguished American soldier, is a native of Chatham, and in all walks of life, in any section of the republic, some son of Chatham will be found, and he is always proud of the land of his birth and invariably reflects credit upon it.

The Mayor

A.C. Ray is Pittsboro’s highest official. He was elected mayor of the town in the May election. He is one of Chatham’s most prominent attorneys and a director of one of the banks of Pittsboro.

Its Origin

Chatham county was cut off of Orange county and portions of Alamance and Lee counties were taken from Chatham to form these counties. The country was created in 1770. It now has an area of about 800 square miles and has a population of approximately 24,000 people. There are six incorporated towns within the confines of the country. The county is primarily an agricultural center with many products raised. Cotton and tobacco are the chief crops and many prosperous farmers live throughout the county. The county has considerable manufacturing, but this is of secondary importance although the mills are a large source of revenue for the county.

eresting Facts

Pittsboro is the county seat of the county. With a population of approximately 600 people, all wide awake, live and fir believers of their town, the affairs of the county are being operated by officials selected from among the best men of the county. Here the court house is located and all cases coming before the superior court are handled there. The little town is one of the state’s oldest and most aristocratic. Dating back before the Revolutionary War, the county has always been a potent factor in all matters of the state and community. There are a people in whose breasts stir blood of men and women who blazed the trail to America, those ancestors being among the first to settle in the state of North Carolina.

Very little manufacturing is done in Pittsboro, this phase of the county’s activities being left to Siler City. Farming is the chief occupation of the people. Many of them live in the town and attend to their farming. In the towns are one oil mill and two planning mills. The little town is important from a historical viewpoint and the inhabitants feel no little price in the fact that many things were done that had an important bearing on the shaping of the nation’s and the state’s destiny. Many old buildings, erected years ago, are still standing, monuments of that other day. While they are not being kept n the manner befitting such important memorials of the early days of our nation’s history, they are in excellent state of preservation. The citizens point with p ride to these various buildings and tell of their connection with the history of Pittsboro. A visit to the town by a reporter from the Herald developed, however, that not all of the residents there knew the historical importance of one of the buildings—the old court house.

The old court house, a picture of which will be seen on this page, was erected prior to the Revolution at a point about one mile from the town. Later with the founding of Pittsboro in 1812 the building was removed to a site in the town where it played a big part in the early life of the community and numbers of trials were held in it, some of which had a direct bearing in the fight of the colonies for liberty. Chatham county was a center of turmoil during the Revolutionary days and the court house played its part.

Pittsboro has one of the oldest lodges of Masons in the state. The lodge was originally known as Independence lodge No. 1. While it bore this name the members participated in laying the cornerstone of the old East building of the state University in the year 1793. This old building is said to be the oldest dormitory in the nation and the announcement that it will be saved despite its age and bad condition is a source of much gratification to the people of Pittsboro as well as of the entire state. The present lodge is known as Columbus lodge No. 102. It was characterized in 1837 and many Masons of repute have been members of it and many others have attended session of lodge held there. In 1837 the lodge received its charter and in the following year the temple was erected. The same building is now being used by the lodge. It is one of the landmarks of the town. The lodge has a membership of 50 members.

hians Organized

A lodge of Pythians was recently organized in the town and is known as Chatham lodge No. 189.

ngs Are Changing

Many homes of the old type of architecture are still to be found throughout the town. Pittsboro is not altogether ancient and antiquated in looks for with the old are now found modern structures, showing that the people are not altogether clinging to tradition to the point of retarding the town’s progress. Many of the men who have filled important places the life of the state and hwo now occupy high offices are from Chatham. Durham has numerous Chathamites listed among its citizenry as have the other larger cities of the state. Some of the old homes occupied when they were youths and lived in Pittsboro still stand.

Well Lighted

Pittsboro has the best lighted streets of any town of like size in the state of North Carolina, citizens of that town declare. A trip there is all that is necessary to see that they have grounds for their claim for lights are found throughout the town, located so that they give the best of service.

The town derives practically all of its revenue from the farms although the taxable value of the town property is listed at about $700,000. The entire county has a taxable value of approximately $15,000,000. The tax rate is not high.

The Pride of Chatham

Chatham county has one of the best and most modern county homes in the state. The plant was erected at cost of about $50,000 for which bonds were issued. It is located 1 ½ miles from Pittsboro. The style of architecture is somewhat different from similar institutions. The middle section of the building is two stories in height and is occupied by the superintendent, John W. Johnson, and his family. One story wings are built at each end of the middle section with one of them being used for white prisoners and the other for colored inmates. The structure is of brick and is a beautiful building. It has been in use for only a few months, having been completed last December.

The superintendent was formerly register of deeds for Chatham county, which office he held for 17 years. During the time that he has been head of the county home he has shown marked ability in handling the institution and the inmates. The atmosphere of contentment pervades the home and through the kindly influence of the superintendent, good discipline is had.

Good Hotel Facilities

Pittsboro boasts of three active hostelries. This is more than most of the towns of like size can boast of. The Blair hotel is the newest one. It is constructed of brick, and two stories in height and occupies a position in the heart of the town. The Exline hotel is the town’s oldest establishment. For years it has enjoyed an excellent reputation through its excellent cuisine. Travelers passing through stop over for meals and by word of moth spoken by one traveler to another, the hotel has become known among the knights of the grip as well as other. The Burns House is the other hostelry and it is catering to its part of the business.

Sound Banks

Two banks with aggregate resources of $478,730.55 do business in Pittsboro. Both of them are sound institutions, and are headed by some of the strongest men in the community, men who are capable of keeping faith with the trust imposed in them by those who entrust their savings into their keeping. The two institutions are the Bank of Pittsboro and the Farmers’ bank.

The Bank of Pittsboro has total resources of $307,730.55 and capital stock of $20,000. A.H. London is president, James L. Griffin, vice-president and cashier, and W.L. Farrell, assistant cashier.

The Farmers’ bank has total resources of $108,000 and capital stock of $10,000. T.M. Bland is president, A.C. Ray is vice-president and J.D. Edwards is cashier. This bank was established in 1919 and is showing steady growth in depositors as well as in the money handled.

A Church Town

Five churches take care of the religious side of the community’s life. They are the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal. All of them are headed by strong and well-liked preachers. The Episcopal church is the oldest of the town and around it clings much tradition. In the grave yard surrounding the church are the remains of many of the state’s greatest men, men whose ability as leaders was well established and men upon whose shoulders fell the weight of the cares of state. So great is the love of Chatamites for the county of their birth that many of them are brought back at their deaths and buried amid the scenes of their youth. Some of the graves date back to before the Civil war. The other churches are strong ones, having large and active memberships.

W.E. Allen is pastor of the Episcopal church, and he is one of the best liked and most able pastors of the county. R.C. Gordon administers to the flock of the Baptist church and his church is one of the most active of the community. Rev. J.J. Bone, pastor of the Methodist church, is well beloved by the entire community and he is playing a big part in the spiritual upbuild of the town.

Rev. Jones Barkley has a loyal and active membership behind him in his work as pastor of the Presbyterian church and through their combined efforts much is being done for the good of the community.

In most of the churches’ services are held at certain times each month as the pastors are circuit riders. Their services are given in various sections of the county and they are bulwarks of strength for the right wherever they appear.

The Government

Pittsboro is governed by six city fathers under the aldermanic form of government. A.C. Ray, the mayor, is head of the government and behind him are five of the town’s best known and most active men. They make the laws for the community and handle all affairs pertaining to the town. The town functions under the state municipal act, having no special act for the town. All laws are made so as not to conflict with the state laws.

The town has just purchased a street sprinkler and it has already been placed in use. Mayor Ray declared in an interview that while the town has no hard surface pavement the sprinkler is of great service. He expressed hope that within the not far distant future that the town would enter the list of towns with permanent paved street.

The city fathers hold one meeting a month at which time ordinances are enacted to cover needs that may have arisen since the prior meeting and to hear requests and complaints from any of the citizenship having anything to bring before it. Other meetings are held subject to the call of the mayor.

Sheriff’s Work

If it was not for blockaders and liquor law violators Sheriff G.W. Blair would not have very much to do, it was stated by a resident of the town. Moonshiners are apparently the chief cause of worry on the part of the intrepid sheriff and many of these men who are earning their livelihood through ?? the fiery liquid commonly termed liquor but which should be labeled “lye” are being brought before the bar of justice. Sheriff Blair is fearless in his work of running down blockaders and is making the county an excellent officers. He is now serving for his second term.

Chatham county has the distinction of having had at one time for a short period a woman sheriff. She forsook the duties of office in order that she might enter domestic life as the wife of one of the county’s leading citizens.

Pittsboro and Chatham county as a whole is a law abiding section. People for the most part have a regard for law and order and assist rather than deter the officers in the performance of their course, that makes less desirable element which makes trouble. But these are comparatively few considering the population of the county.

All offenders of the law are tried before magistrate’s court and from this court they are set up to the superior court when appeals are taken or when the evidence introduced shows to the court that the case merits action on the part of the jury. Five terms of superior court are held a year with two special terms.

The jail wherein are incarcerated those who fail to live up to the law is located near the court house. The present building was erected in 1881.

J. Dewey Dorsett is clerk of superior court. Originally coming from Siler City, sister town of Pittsboro, he has entered into the life of Pittsboro. He entered politics at the last county election and succeeded James L. Griffin, veteran clerk of the county. Mr. Griffin has served as clerk for 20 years and was one of the most efficient and best liked clerks the county has ever had. He gave up the job to enter the state legislature and is serving with the body in the senate. Mr. Dorsett is one of the county’s youngest officers but during the short time he has held the clerkship he has shown marked ability in the handling of the affairs of the county pertaining to his office. He was inducted into office in March of last year.

Vets Get Pensions

Conclusive proof that Chatham county furnished her quota of men for all of the American wars, is shown by the large number of Confederate veterans and widows who are now getting pensions from the state. The line of gray clad warriors is slowly dwindling, as is the case in all sections, but a number of the stalwart old veterans who followed Lee at Appomattox and who were with General Johnston when he surrendered to “Sherman at the Bennett place near Durham still survive the attacks of father time. The roster of pensioners for Chatham county shows that 166 Confederate veterans and wives of deceased Confederate soldiers are now living within the confines of the county. They are securing money from the state twice every year. This year they are getting $17,430 as a mark of appreciation on the part of the state for their valiant services to the state and the south in the conflict between the states.

Good School System

Chatham County has 114 schools, both white and colored. These schools are manned by 210 teachers, 149 of whom are white. The county has three standard high schools, they being located in the towns of Pittsboro, Siler City and Bonlee. There are four non-standard schools but plans are in the making for standardizing them. W.R. Thompson is superintendent of the school system. Unlike the system of schools in Durham county having a county superintendent and a city superintendent, all of the schools of Chatham are conducted under one systems, w ith one head.

. . . .

From the Durham Morning Herald, July 29, 1923

Durham Morning Herald, July 29, 1923 Section Front

Childless Hickory Couple Resolve to Adopt Infant Left at Their Door, July 29, 1923

Leaves Baby to Brighten Family. . . Hickory Man and Woman Adopt Child Left at Their Home by Strangers

By the Associated Press

Hickory, N.C., July 28—“I am leaving a daughter here three weeks old; take good care of her,” said a note found with an infant by Mr. and Mrs. William O. Hoyle at 3:30 o’clock in the morning at their home two miles north of town.

A suitcase containing handsome dresses and underwear, a can of milk, bottles, nipples and instructions for feeding, was nearby. Mr. Hoyle, who is an automobile mechanic and childless, said that he and his wife desired to adopt the child.

Adrian J. Rink, a brother-in-law of the Hoyles and also childless, said he heard a large automobile at his home a mile away half an hour earlier but that his dogs apparently frightened the visitors away. He found tracks of a man and a woman, he said. That apparently is the only clue to the persons who left the infant at the Hoyle home.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923

Dr. Allen Arrested in California on Mann White Slave Act Violations, July 29, 1923

Dr. H.B. Allen and Mrs. Helen Cruze; Myrtle Cruze and Myrtle Enloe

A sensation has been caused by the arrest, in Los Angeles, Ca., of Dr. Helon B. Allen, who posed as the philanthropic manager of schools for mountain children in Virginia and North Carolina. It is ascertained that Dr. Allen, who has adopted 57 boys and girls—mostly girls—between 13 and 17, secured more than $200,000 from charitably inclined persons in Pittsburgh and in Ohio for his schools. It is charged he took Mrs. Helen Cruze, a young divorcee; Myrtle Cruze, 18, and Myrtle Enloe, 18, to California, in violation of the Mann white slave act. California dispatches indicate that revelations will surpass those of the “House of David” may be expected.

From page 3 of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923

Grand Dragon E.F. Randolph on Alleged Klan Detective, July 29, 1923

Grand Dragon Combats with Alleged Detective of Ku Klux in Prison

Lumberton, N.C., July 28—E.F. Randolph, reputed grand dragon of the North Carolina realm of the ku klux klan arrived here late today and held a conference in the county jail with H.L. Tallaferro, alleged klan detective, who has been confined during the last seven days in default of $5,000 appeal bond fixed by judge Sinclair, following conviction last Saturday on a charge of tampering with state’s witnesses in the noted “women flogging” case, tried last week.

Randolph’s conference with Taliferro followed a conference with the latter’s counsel. Reports that officials of the klan from Atlanta also visited the jail today could not be confirmed, but several men were seen to enter the jail from an automobile bearing a Georgia license number.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923. Klan detective’s name spelled Tallaferro and Talliferro in newspaper.

Fix Problems But Leave McBrayer in Charge of State TB Sanatorium, July 29, 1923

Committee Report Shows Sanatorium Doing Great Work. . . Charles Not Sufficient to Warrant Recommending McBrayer’s Removal. . . Bees Being Charged for Examinations—Committee Recommends Such Be Turned in to Sanitorium Fund

Asheville, N.C., July 27—Declaring that the charges against the management of the state sanatorium for tuberculosis “are not sufficient to warrant this committee in recommending” the removal of Dr. L.B. McBrayer from the position of superintendent of the institution, the special committee appointed by the legislature to investigate charged which had been preferred, tonight made its report public through Governor Cameron Morrison.

The committee, however, did not entirely absolve Dr. McBrayer, for it found that “Dr. McBrayer and his son Lewis McBrayer, have violated section 4,390 of the consolidated statutes of North Carolina of 1919, technically in trading with business enterprises in which they have a pecuniary interest,” adding that “your committee does not find any moral turpitude in connection with said transactions.”

Another charge brought against Dr. McBrayer and which was sustained by the committee was that he “has used at different intervals portions of the maintenance funds of this institution for the purchase and maintenance of automobiles used in connection with the institution, which transaction was either authorized or sanctions by the state board of health.”

The committee also found that “nepotism has been practiced at the state sanatorium, but they further find from the evidence that at time it was inaugurated at said institution the conditions were such as to justify it, but they further find from the evidence that the conditions which justified it have ceased to exist, and they, therefor, recommend that the practice thereof be discontinued.”

The report of the committee declared that Dr. McBrayer is doing a great work for the state at the progress and improvement had been noted at the institution since he took charge in 1914, it having become one of the leading institutions of its kind in the country.

Touching on various offices of which Dr. McBrayer holds in addition to that of superintendent of the institution, the report recommends that he be paid a sufficient salary as to enable him to give up all outside employment and that whatever remuneration he receives from positions he holds which are not inconsistent with his duties as superintendent be turned over to the funds of the sanatorium.

Following in the full report of the special sanatorium committee to Governor Morrison, and made public here tonight:

“We, the undersigned members of the committee appointed by joint resolution of the house of representatives and senate of North Carolina the session of 1923, authorized and directed to investigate the charges made against the management of the state sanatorium for tuberculosis at Sanatorium, N.C., report that we held several sessions of the legislature and afterwards met n the city of Raleigh and secured evidence both of the proponents of the resolution and the respondents, and w herewith transmit with our report to you a copy of the evidence taken as said hearings.

“It is the opinion of your committee that, as shown by the evidence, the state sanatorium for tuberculosis is doing great work for the state, and that it has made considerable progress and improvement under the management of Dr. McBrayer since he took charge of this institution in 1914; that at the time he took charge of the institution it was in a somewhat dilapidated condition, due to the fact that the appropriations theretofore made for this institution were insufficient to meet the demands and needs thereof, and that after Dr. McBrayer took charge, and at his solicitation and instigation, the state increased the appropriations, and under his management and expenditure of the funds it developed into one of the leading institutions of its character in the country, and the evidence before the committee abundantly shows that this institution has done a great work for the state of North Carolina, and in the opinion of this committee the charges against the management of this institution by Dr. McBrayer are not sufficient to warrant this committee in recommending his removal from said institution.

“But your committee does find as a fact that Dr. McBrayer and his son, Lewis McBrayer, have violated section 439 of the consolidated statutes of North Carolina of 1919, technically, in trading with business enterprises in which they had a pecuniary interest, but our committee does not find any moral turpitude in connection with said transactions.

“Your committee finds that Dr. McBrayer has used at different intervals portions of the maintenance funds of this institution for the purchase and maintenance of automobiles used in connection with the institution, which transaction was either authorized or sanctioned by the state board of health. Your committee is on of the opinion that neither the state sanatorium at Sanatorium, N.C., nor, in their opinion, any other public institution in North Carolina, should be permitted to use maintenance funds for such purposes, it having been suggested during said hearing that other public institutions are doing so. “It is also the opinion of the committee that the practice of trading with enterprises with which the heads of the institutions are connected, should be strongly condemned by the board of directors who have charge thereof.

. . . .

“Since the appointment of this committee and since its last meeting Dr. E.M. McIver, a member of this committee, has died, and Hon. W.D. Purden, another member thereof, is in Baltimore with his mother, who is ill in a hospital, and he is therefore, unable to attend the final meeting, and for these reasons neither of said members have signed this report.

This 26th day of July, 1923.

T.C. Bowie, Chairman

P.D. Ebbs

U.A. Harrison

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923. The governor’s summer residence is in Asheville, so the report is released from there rather than Raleigh.

Trial Set for Garrett Brothers Accused of Killing Baptist Minister, July 29, 1923

Adjutant General Orders Guards to Return for Trial. . . Little Virginia Village Quiet After Exciting Week During Preliminary Skirmishes in Trial of Garrett Brothers—State Issues Subpoenas for 18 Witnesses—Names Not Revealed

By the Associated Press

Cumberland Court House, Va., July 28—This little village, nestling in the heart of a prosperous tobacco area, and a center of interest the past week during the preliminary skirmishes in the murder trial of Robert and Larkin Garrett, charged with slaying Edward Sylvester Pierce, pastor of five Baptist churches, was practically deserted today and tonight, a large portion of the population were in Farmville, 18 miles away, attending a circus.

All the legendary quiet of the county village prevailed today where yesterday the first decisive legal battle of the trial was fought. The quaint little courthouse was deserted except for the occasional visit of a few newspaper men and court attaches, who remained here for the resumption of the trial Monday.

Only two of the principal actors in the drama of Cumberland were seen during the day. They were Robert Garrett, one of the defendants, and Milton P. Bonifant, the special prosecutor. Their meeting in the court room was a bit dramatic.

Mr. Bonifant had visited the court room in search of a paper he had lost yesterday, and Mr. Garrett, who is clerk of the court, joined him in the search. No words passed between the prosecutor and the man whose life he is seeking on behalf of the Commonwealth for the death of the minister.

Outstanding developments in the case today were the announcement that the state had issued subpoenas for 18 witnesses, whose names were not revealed, that Judge B.D. White presiding at the trial, had required Adjutant General Sale to make provisions for the return of the special officers from Lynchburg, Petersburg and Portsmouth, when the trial is resumed, and Mr. Bounifant’s statement that he believed the trial would be completed next week.

Judge B.D. White’s decision denying the prosecution a change of venue for the trial of R.C. and L.C. Garrett, alleged slayers of the Rev. E.S. Pierce, Baptist minister, having disposed of that troublesome stumbling block, interest in the case turned today to the possibility of getting a jury and the line the defense will take.

Judge White after entering his order denying the change of venue, and in which he stated the state had not convinced him that a fair and impartial trial of the Garretts could not be had in Cumberland county, adjourned court yesterday until Monday morning and today the court house was as deserted as the village itself.

The jury venire has been summoned for Monday but few believe that many, if any jurors can be obtained from the first panel of 24 as the manner in which their names were drawn for service was one of the chief points of attack by the prosecution in trying to convince the court that the state could not get a fair deal here. Efforts were made so show that most of the jurors who had been called to service in the last two or three years were friends or partisans of the Garrets and were handpicked. However, with this contention evidently in mind, Judge White stated after his order had been issued that if the regular venire does not result in a jury being selected he will himself draw a venire and have them summoned by the sheriff.

Some observers here have claimed that it is not possible to get a jury out of the entire county though there are 859 white men in the county qualified for jury service, but they say it will be hard to find any one who has not discussed the Pierce shooting or expressed an opinion.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923

-=-

Cumberland Passed Quiet Sabbath and Little Village Waits with Serenity for Great Murder Trial. . . Ruled by the Presiding Judge that Case Will be Tried at Home Accepted. . . Little Discussion. . . People Seem to be Anticipating Hot Disturbance in Collection with Trial of Alleged Murderers

Cumberland Court House, Va., July 29—Cumberland slumbered serenely through a bright, sultry sabbath today, and tonight there was nothing to indicate that on tomorrow a murder case which has developed into one of the most talked of criminal cases in the history of Virginia will come to trial.

After a week of intense excitement which reached its height late Friday when Judge B.D. White, sitting in the county circuit court, held that Robert O. and Larkin C. Garrett, both county officers, and leading business men of the community were entitled to trial in their home county for the allege murder of Rev. Edward S. Pierce, Baptist minister, and therewith denied the state a change of venue, the little village today, as yesterday, was back to its normal quiet, waiting sensation to come.

What little discussion of the Garrett case there was today centered around the possibilities of getting a jury form the venire of 120 men already summoned—and possibly from more, that will have to be summoned. The regular venire of 24 was summoned several weeks ago and it is considered unlikely that few of any of them will be acceptable as jurors because of the attack by the state on the manner of their selection.

All preparations for the trial were complete tonight, in fact most of them had been for several days. The prospective jurors will report at 10 a.m. tomorrow and the witnesses at the same hour Tuesday, thus indicating that the court hopes to be able to obtain a jury in one day.

Judge White before he left Cumberland Friday arranged with state authorities for the return tomorrow morning of the special guard of police officers from Petersburg, Portsmouth and Lynchburg and the trial will be conducted under the same rules that applied when the two days hearings of the change of venue motion was being heard.

All persons will be searched for arms before they are admitted to the court room and only those who can be seated will be permitted to enter. As before the guards or a regular county deputy sheriff will be stationed a few feet apart in the court room and other guards and deputies will be on duty outside to keep the overflow crowd from assembling on the courthouse green.

The only principals in the drama that will open in the old courthouse tomorrow in evidence today were Larkin Garrett and W.M. Justice Jr., one of the defense counsel, who paid a brief visit in the morning to the local hotel. Robert Garrett spent the day at home, where he had Dr. Justis as his guest, the latter having returned from Richmond last night. Saturday and today were the two quietest days the Garrett brothers have experienced since the fateful morning of June 5, when they became the central figures in a tragedy that has rendered the whole county into two bitter factions and attracted wide interest both within and without the state.

The shooting of Mr. Pierce, pastor of five Baptist churches in the county, was the culmination of a political and business feud, according to evidence adduced at various court actions since the arrest of the Garretts.

It was in connection with statements concerning the feud the minister is alleged to have made from the pulpit that the Garrett brothers went to is home on the day of the shooting. A fist fight and shooting affray resulted in which Mr. Pierce was killed and Robert Garrett wounded. The Garretts claim self-defense and say they were in the act of leaving, after Pierce and Larkin Garrett had fought with their fists, when the preacher ran not the house and returned with a shot gun and pistol.

-=-

Cumberland Court House, Va., July 29—Principal actors in the Garrett trial, which will begin tomorrow, are:

Judge B.D. White of Princess Anne county, who was specially assigned by Governor E. Lee Trinkle to this term of the Cumberland county circuit court, and who will preside.

Robert O. Garrett, clerk of county court, merchant, flour mill owner and active in politics, defendant.

Larkin C. Garret, county commissioner in chancery, and partner with his brother in many business activities, also a defendant.

Mrs. Edward Sylvester Pierce, widow of the minister, with whose murder the Garretts are charged, an eye witness of the shooting, witness for the prosecution.

Allen M. Chandler, farm implement salesman for a Richmond firm, who was shot and seriously wounded on the county road at night last May 3, allegedly in mistake for Larkin Garrett, a witness for the defense.

J.A. Tillman Jr. of Powhatan county, named to act as clerk of court in place of Robert Garrett.

King Adams, 80-year-old sheriff, charged with the duties of summoning of jurors and witnesses.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Monday, July 30, 1923

Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923

Durham Morning Herald Sports Page, July 29, 1923

Cartoons in the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, July 29, 1923

Hairstyles for Teenagers, 1910, to Bobbed Hairstyles, 1924

HAIRSTYLES FOR TEENAGERS, 1910

BOBBED HAIRSTYLES, 1924

Baseball Meeting Monday to Decide if Elizabeth City Team Will Continue, July 28, 1923

Baseball Mass Meet to be Held Monday. . . At 8 O’clock at Courthouse; Fans Decide Whether Baseball Will Continue

Baseball fans who want to see real baseball in Elizabeth City for the rest of the season are asked to attend a mass meeting to be held at the courthouse Monday night at 8 o’clock.

The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether Elizabeth City wishes to continue baseball for the month of August.

Fans in Elizabeth City for the past four weeks have been witnessing a style of baseball that is just about as good as the big league stuff itself, and attendance has been very good except during threatening weather.

But the baseball association is up against a few hard facts. Without a fence around the baseball park, the experience of the last month has proven that expenses cannot be met on gate receipts. The two days that games scheduled were not played on account of rain were the days on which no rain insurance was carried. The fact is insurance for games has to be taken out five days ahead of time and many of the games scheduled have not been arranged for that many days ahead.

But the experience of Elizabeth City is not being able to meet expenses on gate receipts is the experience of practically every baseball association of semi-professional baseball in other parts of the State. For instance, Bill Poyner of Poplar Branch, who before signing up with the local fans, was employed by the baseball club of the little town of Marion, says something like a dozen men, forked out $50 bucks apiece to start things off.

Tom Nelson, president of the club here, has been watching the financial status of the club here with some suspicion and on Friday gave the visitors supper without expense to the association. “This is the most hospitable town I’ve ever been in,” the manager of the visiting club said Friday afternoon, “and we certainly want another game with you next week.”

The advertising value of a good ball team in Elizabeth City is not properly appreciated—perhaps. For instance, the record of the local team this season has been hailed as far as Charlotte, and games in Elizabeth City have brought fans here from several adjoining counties.

The Edenton aggression has disbanded for the rest of the season bhut the Norfolk police, Roanoke Rapids, and the South Norfolk teams are all anxious to play in Elizabeth City next week.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

Congressman Ward to Speak at Pleasure Day, Aug. 4, 1923

HALLET S. WARD, SPEAKER AT PLEASURE DAY

Hallet S. Ward Speaker of Day. . . 2,000 People Expected to Hear Him Next Saturday, Which Is Pleasure Day in Currituck County

Congressman Hallet S. Ward will be the principal speaker on “Pleasure Day”, which is to be observed at Bible School Park of the Church of Christ at Point Harbor, Currituck County, on Saturday, August 4.

Congressman Ward is one of the most popular speakers in the First Congressional District, and the news that he is to speak in Currituck on this occasion will add to the number who are planning to attend the celebration. Plans are being made to take of not less than 2,000 people, and already workmen are engaged in erecting a speaker’s stand and seats for those wo will hear Congressman Ward.

Besides the speechmaking, other events scheduled for the day will add to the interest in the occasion. Chief, perhaps, among these are the boat races, in which provision will be made for every type of craft that it is desired to enter and prizes will be awarded in each class of race in which there are participants. Owners of speedy craft may enter their boats during the morning of the day, the races taking place in the afternoon.

Dinner, of course, will be provided on the ground, and everybody who knows Currituck knows that provision will be ample. The charge of dinner and other refreshments, say those in charge of arrangements, will be reasonable and nobody need fear that there will not be enough to eat and to spare for all who attend. Besides a good country dinner, other things that will be provided in abundance are confectionery, cool drinks, ice cream, fruit and homemade pies and cake.

The park at which Pleasure Day is to be observed is situated in a beautiful grove near what is known as the Indian Old Fort. From the waterfront, one may get a view of Albemarle, Croatan and Currituck Sounds, while in the distance gleam the white sands of Kill Devil Hill, where the Wright Brothers made their epoch-making experiments with the first successful heavier-than-air flying machine. The wide scope of water surrounding the park makes it one of the coolest places in Currituck County or anywhere in the Albemarle region short of the ocean.

Bathing, boat-riding and fishing are some of the things that are counted on to make the occasion a real pleasure day to those of all ages who attend.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

Sweet Potato Sales Look Promising, July 28, 1923

Sweet Potato Shipments Now Total 500 Barrels. . . Movement to Northern Market Gaining Headway with Indications of Reduced Crop but Higher Prices than Last Year—Big Currituck Cotton Crop

Nearly 500 barrels of sweet potatoes had been shipped to Northern markets at 2 o’clock Saturday. All of these potatoes were from Currituck County. One hundred and nine barrels were shipped on Friday and 300 had been loaded at 11 o’clock Saturday.

“Prospects as to prices are the best I have ever seen,” N. Howard Smith said Saturday afternoon. “The best grade of potato is bringing $10 a barrel on the Northern market. It is my opinion tha the market will remain high if the farmers will keep the trash off the market. But if the poor grade potatoes are shipped in any large quantity, the market is sure to drop and if it ever gets down it will be hard to bring it up again. The price paid for the poorer grade of potato is exceptionally low this year.”

“I can see no reason why there should be any rush of the potato to the market,” S.G. Scott of Brock & Scott said Saturday morning. “Sweet potatoes next week will be in better condition than they are this week, but I do not think they will be properly developed until week after next. The Eastern Shore potatoes will not get to the market before the 20th of August, and shipments from every state South of us are extremely light except in Alabama and the quantity of potatoes moving from that state is averaging only a few cars a day. If sweets are graded and dug after they are mature I believe the market will bring an average price of $6 a barrel for the next two weeks, but if farmers continue to dig potatoes before they are mature and rush them to market before grading them, you may look for a slump in the market.”

J.B. Owens, former Currituckian who still spends a considerable part of his time in that county, says that the sweet potato acreage is about 30 per cent less than last year. “But prospects are that the total shipments will be greater as last year only half of some of the crops were dug. The farmers in Currituck this year, on an average, will raise practically enough corn for their own needs. Cotton has been planted, too, and the Currituck crop, I believe, has a better color than that of Pasquotank. The farmers of Currituck last year, after losing heavily on sweet and Irish potatoes, made up their minds that they would not again put all their money crop acreage on Irish and sweet potatoes.”

Former Sheriff Bob Griggs of Harbiner, himself a large potato grower, who shipped the first potatoes from Currituck last year, is in no such hurry this year, believing that the market will hold up, if the farmers will grade their potatoes and keep trash off the market, for several weeks yet. Last year Mr. Griggs shipped 30 barrels on August 19 that sold at $10 a barrel and on august 25 shipped more than 100 barrels which sold at $7 a barrel. Beginning early, Mr. Griggs was able to dispose of most of his crop before ethe price got so low as to make shipping unprofitable, whereas most growers left half their potatoes in the ground for the hogs to harvest and in isolated instances less than 10 per cent of the crop was dug. This year, however, Mr. Griggs has not yet dug his first potatoes, a reporter for The Advance learned while the former sheriff was in the city Saturday.

Though believing that prospects indicate a fair yield of potatoes this year if rains do not become excessive, Mr. Griggs thinks that the acreage this year has been greatly overestimated in newspaper reports and by the public generally. He thinks that this year’s sweet potato acreage is hardly more than half and perhaps little over a third of last year’s. “In some instances, growers planted only one barrel of potatoes this year to 10 last year,” he said.

The loss in potato acreage is offset by the gain in cotton acreage, according to Mr. Griggs. He says that 10 acres of cotton this year is planted to one last year and that the crop gives promise of being the biggest and best in Currituck’s history.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

County Commissioners Ask Sheriff Long to Resign, July 28, 1923

Ask Person County Sheriff to Resign

Raleigh, July 28—The county commissioners yesterday asked Sheriff J. Melvin Long of Person County to resign his office because of reports of his alleged misconduct, advices received here state.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

Body of James Copeland Found Near Harkers Isle, July 28, 1923

Body of James Copeland Found Near Harkers Isle

Beaufort, July 26—The body of James Copeland of the Tug Juno, who was drowned in Beaufort Inlet last Sunday afternoon, was recovered yesterday. Driven by winds and tide, the body had floated five miles and reached Harkers Island Tuesday evening.

Willis Nelson, a fisherman, saw a squall coming up and getting out to see that his boat was secure, found the corpse tangled up in his anchor chain. He reported the discovery and this morning the coroner and a boat from the Coast Guard station went to the spot and brought the body here. It was considerably swollen and crabs or fish had bitten the face. The remains of the unfortunate man have been shipped to his relatives at Southport.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

Jacob Cox, 73, Has Died, July 28, 1923

Jacob Cox Dead

Jacob Cox died at 6 o’clock Friday at the Community Hospital after being at the hospital for two weeks and having been sick since last March. Mr. Cox was 73 years old and is survived by is wife, who before her marriage was Miss Margaret McHarney of Currituck; two daughters, Mrs. G.C. Dowdy and Miss Ruth Cox of this city; three sons, David Cox of Brookyn, N.Y., Luther Cox of Los Angeles, Cal., and Hal and Jacob Jr. of this city; and by two sisters, Mrs. John Flora and Mrs. Ed Snow of Norfolk.

Mr. Cox was born and raised in Currituck and moved to this city five years ago. The funeral will be conducted at the home on Morgan street Sunday at 1 o’clock, by Dr. S.H. Templeman, and burial services at the grave by the Masons. Interment will be made in Hollywood.

From the front page of the Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., Saturday, July 28, 1923

Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., July 28, 1923

Reidsville-Danville Highway Celebration in Guerrant Springs, July 28, 1923

Reidsville-Danville Highway Celebration

Ruffin, July 28—a new bond of amity between the peoples of Reidsville and Danville, Va., was formed yesterday in the picturesque setting of Guerrant Springs, a few miles from here, where an old-fashioned fete champete was held by the people of the two communities and farmers from the surrounding section in honor of the completion of the Reidsville Road, a 17-mile stretch from that city to the Virginia line.

From the front page of the Tri-City Daily Gazette, Saturday, July 28, 1923. A fete champetre (French) is an outdoor entertainment, a large garden party.

Garrett Brothers to be Tried in Cumberland Court, July 28, 1923

Cumberland Court Will Try Garrett Brothers as Change of Venue Was Not Granted

Associated Press

Cumberland Courthouse, Va., July 28—Judge White’s Decision denying the commonwealth the motion for a change of venue in the Garrett trial having disposed of a troublesome stumbling block. Interest in the case turned to the possibility of getting a jury and the line the defense will take.

Judge White, after declaring the state had not convinced him that a fair and impartial trial could not be had in Cumberland County, late yesterday adjourned court until Monday morning at 10 o’clock.

From the front page of the Tri-City Daily Gazette, Saturday, July 28, 1923.

Tri-City Daily Gazette, July 28, 1923

In Superior Court, Judge James L. Webb, Presiding, July 27, 1923

Criminal Docket Is Disposed Of. . . Several to Henderson County Roads. . . Trial of Civil Cases Started Thursday Morning. . . McNeely Gets Eight Months

The criminal docket was finished in Superior Court Wednesday afternoon and the trial of civil cases was started Thursday morning. Quite a number of cases were disposed of and in most cases sentences were imposed by Judge James L. Webb, presiding.

Cleveland County men sentenced to serve on the chain gang are sent to Henderson County through arrangements made with that county. Only a few defendants were sentenced to this county, however, a number being sentenced to the Cleveland County jail with privilege granted to the county commissioners to hire them out. There are yet several defendants to be sentenced.

John McNeely, Grover negro, who submitted to a charge of manslaughter, was given a sentence of eight months in the county jail, commissioners being granted privilege of hiring him out. Evidence tended to show that McNeely had a great deal of provocation to kill the negro with whose murder he was charged, and there was some evidence tending to show that the murder might have been in self defense.

A number of defendants, who had been required at previous terms of court to appear and show good behavior, were called and satisfied the court that their behavior has been satisfactory. Several cases were continued for one reason and another until the October term.

Criminal cases called for trial and the results of each case follow:

Jim Green, possessing whiskey, plead guilty.

S.A. Poston, possessing whiskey, costs.

Gibb Jones, driving car while under the influence of whiskey, acquitted.

William Kennedy, larceny, found guilty.

Brownie Thompson, having whiskey, $40 and costs.

Ed Hamrick, disorderly conduct, costs.

W.P. Cogdale, violating prohibition laws, $150 and costs.

P.W. Jolly, violating prohibition laws, $400 and costs.

Paul Hamrick, buggery, acquitted.

William Kennedy, larceny, four months on Henderson County roads.

Shuford Mayhew, immoral conduct, five months in the county jail, to be hired out.

Furman Millwood, false pretense, costs.

Lloyd McGinnis, bigamy, eight months in county jail, to be hired out.

Glenn Hoffman, embezzlement, seven months on the Henderson County roads.

Henry Lathers, assault with intent to commit rape, six months on the Henderson County roads.

Earl Rankin, larceny, seven months in the county jail to be employed by Sheriff Logan. Rankin is a 72-year-old negro who was convicted of a number of petty larcenies.

Tom Wilson, immoral conduct, was required to pay the costs in his case and in that of Rosa Griffith, convicted with him. He is also required to show good behavior. A sentence of eight months in jail was imposed on the girl if she be found in Cleveland County after this week. She was given a ticket to her home and left Tuesday.

Onzie Davis, drunkenness, costs.

May White and Grace Davis, assault and battery and vagrancy, costs.

Vance London, having whiskey, plead guilty.

Dewey Black, larceny of automobile, plead guilty and judgment was continued until October term at which time J.W. Richardson and John Richardson will be tried for a similar offense. Black is wanted as a witness at this time.

Brantley Spake, having whiskey, costs.

John Walker, Aaron Brackett and Raymond Brackett were acquitted of a charge of manufacturing whiskey.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923. In case you’re wondering, buggery is a “crime against nature,” meaning oral or anal sexual contact.

1,000 Men Working on Mountain Island Dam, July 27, 1923

Mountain Island Dam, photo taken in 1925 by George Ivey, from the Robinson-Spangler North Carolina Room Image Collection, www.cmsstory.org

1,000 Men Working on Mountain Island Dam

The Mountain Island development, a few miles out of Mount Holly, is hardly more than 75 per cent completed; but is still being pushed with all the vigor possible to men and money. In all there are close to 1,000 men on the work, and counting the various mechanical appliances that are in active service, the constructive effectiveness engaged probably amounts to 10,000 men. The big power house is now standing high up against the mighty concrete dam, which stretches several hundred yards across the river which looks like an insignificant stream from the top of the works. Hundreds of visitors drive out on Sundays to see the progress of the work. When the plant is completed it is expected to develop the equivalent of 80,000 horsepower.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923. Manmade Mountain Island Lake, formed by the dam, today provides drinking water for over 1 million people in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and Mount Holly and Gastonia in Gaston County, and generates hydro-electric power for the nearby region.

False Report Says Negroes Coming to Lynch Ed Perry, July 27, 1923

Wild Rumor Proved Without Foundation. . . Sheriff Logan Gets Telephone Message Predicting Attempt at Raiding Jail

Somebody either got scared or wanted to start a little excitement Monday night. Anyway Sheriff Logan received a telephone message Monday night that negroes of Kings Mountain were coming to Shelby to take Ed Perry, who killed a negro near Kings Mountain Monday afternoon, out of jail and lynch him.

The person who did the telephoning did not give his name and hung up immediately after giving the information. While Sheriff Logan refused to place any credence in the report, he took precautions to see that no trouble would arise. Several officers stayed up until a late hour.

Enquires made at Kings Mountain resulted in information being obtained that there was absolutely no nothing to the report.

The grand jury on Tuesday morning reported a true bill against Perry, who is charged with murder, and he will be tried at the next term of court.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

State Prison Camps in Fine Shape, Says State Board of Health, July 27, 1923

State Prison Camps Are in Fine Shape. . . Board of Health Finds All Camps, Including the One at Rock Quarry, to be in Fine Condition

Sanitary conditions in the camps maintained in various sections of the state by the state prison are excellent, according to the findings of the inspectors of the state board of health.

Official inspections by representatives of the health department have recently been completed by nine of the 12 camps which are now in operation. The average sanitary score according to reports is 96.4.

The nine camps, together with the name of the supervisor in charge and the score, follow:

Caldonia farm, C.J. Rhem, 94

Cary farm, Jesse Hilliard, 96

Timberlake, E.L. High, 93

Penland, J.B. Holloway, 97

Shelby, L.H. Champion, 97

Mount Holly, N.E. Ranes, 95

Durham, K.B. Ewing, 99

Mount Olive, T.F. Cates, 98

Hiddenite, F.C. Berry, 98

The points scored are based on location, construction, water supply, food and nutritional condition of prisoners, clothing, bedding, bathing facilities, sleep and recreational privileges, disposal of sewage, absence of vermin, screening against flies and mosquitoes, physical records of prisoner, vaccination against typhoid fever and smallpox, and absence of tuberculosis and syphilis.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Lincoln County Happenings, July 27, 1923

Lincoln County Items of Late Happenings. . . Store Is Robbed—Merchants Take Wednesday Afternoons for Holidays—Nonstop Laying Hen

Lincoln Co. News, July 20

Mrs. J.C. Martin of North Brook, who was a Lincolnton visitor Monday, reported that the tent meeting which closed last week at Toluca was very successful. Evangelist Dawkins reported 130 conversions during the meeting.

Mrs. Frank Love has as guests her mother and sister, Mrs. John Dover and Miss Katherine Dover of Shelby and Mrs. Shelby Smith and little daughter, Jane, of Jacksonville, Fla.

The condition of Senator W.A. Graham Jr., patient at Charlotte sanitorium, is reported today as unchanged. He has been reported in a rather serious condition for the past several days.

Robert S. Abernethy Jr. has sufficiently recovered from a recent operation for appendicitis at the Lincoln hospital to return to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Abernethy, where he is recuperating nicely.

Mr. G.T. Wise of Lincolnton R-1, one of our diversified farmers, was a Lincolnton visitor Tuesday. He coaxed from the soil cotton, corn, hay, wheat. His wheat panned out fine, getting 315 bushesl from 16 acres. He sowed the blue stem.

The store of Howard and Prim, located one mile west of Catawba River in Lincoln county, was robbed of about $25 worth of goods last Tuesday night. A crowbar was used to open the door. The only clue is a lead pencil lost at the scene by one of the robbers. Sardine cans were found on the ground in the woods across the river in Mecklenburg, and it is supposed the cans were from the store.

Mr. W.A. Mauney, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Kings Mountain, who is 82 years of age, spent Monday and Tuesday here with his son Mr. D. Hunter Mauney, and was present for the opening of the new court house. Mr. Mauney had a peculiar interest in the proceedings. His father, the late David Mauney, sold a bill of lumber used in erecting the court house torn away for the present building. Mr. W.A. Mauney hauled the lumber to Lincolnton from the Mauney mill located then between Cherryville and Waco.

Mr. J.P. Gates of Long Shoals has a Plymouth Rock hen that breaks the record for nonstop laying. This prized dominecker began last January 15, and has laid an egg every day until July 15th. On the 17th this hen decided to take a rest by staying on the nest; she is on a setting spree, and begs for some of her eggs back that she may hatch out some biddies for Lincoln county fair. Mr. Gates has a fortune ahead selling settings of eggs from his Plymouth Rock.

The stores and business houses of Lincolnton close their doors Wednesday afternoons during July and August. This plan is mainly for the purpose of giving clerks and proprietors an opportunity for alittle outing each week. Store hours are very long, especially on Saturday, when the storekeepers are on the go all day and far into the night. The closing each Wednesday afternoon will afford a little time also for gardening or other diversions, such as fishing, etc., and the patrons will no doubt be glad to cooperate with the new arrangement by doing their trading Wednesday morning.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Alton Metcalf, 19; Cynthia Earl, Martha Wright, Have Died, July 27, 1923

Talented Young Musician Passes. . . Mr. Alton Metcalf, Musical Genius, Succumbs at the Age of 19 Years—Buried Yesterday

Alton Vearu Metcalf, talented young Shelby merchant, died Tuesday morning at 8:15 o’clock at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will V. Metcalf on Lee street, following an illness which has extended over a period of years, but it was not until a few days ago that his condition was thought to be hopeless. Mr. Metcalf was born in this county July 9th, 1904, and was only a few days over 19 years of age, in the bloom of young manhood and at the beginning of what was declared by music leaders to be a prominent career in the music world. He loved music and could play any instrument, but his favorites were piano and violin. When he left the Shelby high school, he went to Peabody normal in Baltimore, Md., to further pursue his studies in music, but his failing health forced him to return. He was so wrapped up in his musical career that he practiced and studied the lives and compositions of the world's leading composers morning, night and noon, until his fond parents would persuade him to rest.

The parental devotion to young Alton was beautiful. They loved him as only a parent can love a child, not only because of their parenthood, but because of his genius and his enfeebled health.

Alton was a member of the First Baptist church and a regular attendant upon the Sunday school and church services. He was assistant musical director in the Sunday school and contributed to the splendid musical programs at all religious gatherings when his health would permit.

Alton was a high-toned Christian gentleman, loved by all who knew him. His untimely death was a source of deepest sorrow to his many friends and in testimony of their esteem for him, a great crowd attended his funeral conducted at the home of his parents on Lee street Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock by Rev. R.L. Lemons, pastor of First Baptist church, assisted by Rev. A.L. Stanford.

The floral offering was rich and beautiful, emblematic of his short but radiant life.

The following friends serves a pall bearers:

Maurice Weathers, Max Washburn, Harold Hamrick, Hackett Wilson, Robert Hord and Robert Hartness.

Flower girls: Misses Flossie Grice, Mayme Roberts, Elizabeth Suttle, Maybell Hartness, Eugenia Holland, May Washburn, Mrs. Julian Hord and Mrs. William McCord.

-=-

Mrs. D.M. Earl Dies at Home Near Earl. . . Devoted Christian Woman Dies After Illness Lasting for a Long Time—Funeral Held Tuesday

Mrs. Cynthia Earl, wife of Mr. D.M. Earl, who lives in No. 3 township, near Earl, died at her home Monday afternoon about 2 o’clock after an illness lasting more than a year. Mrs. Earl, who is survived by her husband and five children, was a devoted Christian woman. Shortly before she died she stated that only the separation from her husband and children caused her worry.

The funeral was held at 12:30 o’clock Tuesday at New Hope church, Earl, Rev. Rush Padgett conducting the services, and interment was made in the church cemetery. An unusually large crowd attended the services and the floral offering was profuse and beautiful.

-=-

Gaffney Woman Died as She Sat in Chair

Gaffney Ledger

Mrs. Martha Wright, wife of G.W. Wright, died suddenly Friday at her home near the Cherokee Avenue Baptist church. The funeral and burial took place Saturday morning at Abingdon Creek Baptist church, the funeral being preached by Dr. F.C. Hickson and the interment being in charge of P.S. Courtney, funeral director.

Mrs. Write had been an invalid for several years, having suffered a fall that resulted in her being crippled a number of years ago. Despite her affliction, she did her housework while sitting in a rolling chair. She was engaged in scouring the floor Friday when death came. She died in the chair. Dr. B.R. Brown, who was called, said death resulted from natural causes.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Hoyle Reunion to be Held Aug. 23, 1923, at Belwood Schoolhouse

Hoyle Reunion

The Hoyle reunion will be held at Belwood schoolhouse on Thursday, August 23. The public is invited to attend and to bring well-filled baskets. The Hoyle reunion is an annual affair and many people attend every year.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Rock Springs Is Oldest Camp Ground in World, Says N.C. Christian Advocate, July 27, 1923

Rock Springs Is Oldest Camp Ground in the World

Rock Springs Camp meeting in Lincoln County has been going on for a long term of years everybody here about knew, but the North Carolina Christian Advocate goes back and in keeping history straight gives Lincoln County the record in the world for camp meeting, when the Advocate says:

“Rock Springs is the oldest camp ground in the world. At Rehobeth in Lincoln County Daniel Asbury, William McKendree (afterward bishop), Nicholas Watters, William Fulford, and James Hall, a leader in that day among the Presbyterians of Iredell County, held a camp meeting in 1794. The following year, 1795, another camp meeting was held at Bethel, about a mile from Rock Springs, and these were direct forerunners of the present camp ground.

From the front page of the Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, July 27, 1923

Summer Sales at Brevard and at Fannings in Shelby , Friday, July 27, 1923

J. McN. Johnson Tells of Railroad Trip Through Colorado and New Mexico, July 26, 1923

LUCIEN MAXWELL, who won the hand of Miss Beaubien

Impressions of the Great West. . . Tells of the Interesting Things He Saw in Colorado and New Mexico

By J. McN. Johnson

On the 18th of June, I was up at 5 o’clock, and was surprised to find that we had been delayed five hours on account of a washout; and that we were still in Colorado. But for this delay we would not have seen the state of Colorado at all, for it was about night when we entered the state from the Kansas side, and by schedule time we would have been in New Mexico before day. So even a delay in a journey may not be without its blessing.

The land is as level as a table, but we can see the dim outline of very high mountains far in the North--west. The vegetation is comparatively sparse, but still sufficient to support large herds and flocks. The only wood in sight is the ever present sage brush. It is not the same as our Salvius Officinalis, or garden sage, that is so suggestive of home-make sausage; but its foliage looks not unlike our garden thyme, yet it is sweetly aromatic, and it seems to me it ought to be valuable as a savory herb.

At the town of Earl, the recent rains had washed great gullies in the soil, which showed the rich loam to extend six feet deep and more, and mind you, these rains are few and far between; and as we approach nearer the foot of the mountains, rain rarely ever falls, and here we see the first irrigation ditch. The scene of water spreads an emerald green mantel over all the adjacent lands. We are now in plain view of the Two Brothers Mountains, and are nearing the town of Trinidad, where we have our first plain view of the regulation Mexican adobe dwelling houses.

Trinidad, (A Spanish word meaning Trinity), is a fine town of about 15,000 population. This is the headquarters of John C. Fremont, the “Woolly Horse,” when he was exploring the Southern Rocky Mountains, soon after the discovery of gold in California, where the slogan of the Forty-Niners was “Pike’s Peak or Bust.” It is a county seat of Las Animas county, (meaning the life). It is new, as a town, but old as a fort. The first settlement dates from 1862, and it is the gateway of Raton Pass, pronounced Raw-toon, which carries us over the Rocky Mountains.

We stopped here 20 minutes to get the usual assistance to make the mighty grade which is just before us. Here we began the climb by which we ascend 1,600 feet in 15 miles, and in order to make the grade, we take on two additional locomotives at Trinidad, one a standard locomotive in front of our regular locomotive, and one a strong specially built “pusher,” in the rear, a low built machine with five drivers on each side; and with this assistance we start up the mountain.

I ought to mention that the country in which Trinidad is located is one of the richest in the United States—to whit—Las Animas county. It produces annually 3 million sheep and so much corn I can’t remember it. Besides it has a court house that would make our new Moore county court house look like 30 cents! But you are to remember that I am not telling that here. I make them know that our Moore county court house is so great and fine that it would make |Trinidad’s poor little half a million dollars court house look more like 15 cents than the well rounded sum of 30 cents. Like Dan McLauchlin’s story about the sick mule that came so near dying: After the mile had recovered one hillbilly of a horse doctor said to his assistant: “I wouldn’t give 15 cents for that mule at 10 o’clock last night.’

The assistant answered: “I wouldn’t a’ begin to give 15 cents for him!”

Some of you will remember that Dan McLauchlin in criticizing my former letters on Scotland, said “the little old sorry things” I wrote were the best part of my letters. I was wondering if this short story would be little enough, and sorry enough to claim his commendation.

At Trinidad before reaching the fine depot, we see Sisters Hospital on the left, and in the park on the right is the statue of Kit Carson, the noted pioneer, for whom the city of Carson is named. Fisher’s peak towers 3,000 feet above the city. The peak is named for an artillery officer in General (word obscured) army, and just north of the town is a very high promontory named Simpson’s rest, so called for an old pioneer buried on its summit.

Across Las Animas river on the right hand side of the railway are high bluffs where in 1866 the settlers fought a sanguine battle with the Butte Indians. The pamphlet that is my informant does not give the result of the battle; but it is significant that the Ute Indians are gone, and the settlers are still there. Time is always the best umpire.

Ascending the steep gradient, we arrive at the mining town of Starkville, which is notable as being in the edge of the great Maxwell Grant of one and three-quarter million acres where in the old times the most lavish entertainment was given to all travelers. This princely grant of land was first secured by a French gentleman named Beaubien, and Maxwell married his daughter. The name Beaubien—literally Beautiful Good—I’ll bet Mr. Maxwell, when he married that rich heiress, said to himself: “Pretty Good.”

Passing Wooten, a mining village on the Old Santa Fe Trail, we came to the state line between Colorado and New Mexico, and immediately enter into the Raton Tunnel, which bores directly through the comb of the mountain, and for a little over half a mile we are in total darkness; and while in this tunnel we pass over the highest point on the Sante Fe railway from Chicago to California,--and so emerge into daylight and into New Mexico,--having dismissed our “pusher” before we entered the tunnel, we now “shuck” out our extra locomotive, and roll down the mountain towards Albuquerque in great style.

All my life I had thought of New Mexico as a desert, and of no value to the United States except to answer as a stopper to fill up a mighty hole in the earth, but soon after entering the state borders I found out that I “had another think coming.” New Mexico has more coal that France and Belgium combined, and more than all of Germany. Just think of half the world fighting over the coal of the Ruhr valley, and other coal fields in Central Europe, when our sparsely settled state of New Mexico with its wealth of coal, as well as the other requisites for world progress, beckoning with both hands for the brawn of France, Belgium and Germany to come and take it, and exploit it for the world’s advancement! There would be no France, no Belgium, no Germany, no ill will, and neither thought of war, nor causes of war, but a vast Brotherhood under the Star Spangled Banner—the God-blessedest Flag that ever floated over a free people! Go West, Young Man!”

The Santa Fe railroad on which we are travelling enters the state of New Mexico near Raton tunnel, and traverses the state in a south-westward direction to Albuquerque, thence north-westward to the town of Gallup—but I am anticipating.

Almost as soon as we enter New Mexico we are in the rainless belt, and it is more interesting to look at the preparations for irrigation than to examine and write about the towns we pass through. Indeed I took very few notes on any subject other than the irrigation dams and ditches.

The town of Maxwell, named of course, for the Mr. Maxwell who married the rich Mrs. Beaubien, is the headquarters of an irrigation plant that irrigates 23,000 acres, and makes the whole territory blossom like a rose.

The town of French, the next we pass after Maxwell, is the headquarters of the Antelope Valley Irrigation District, and makes a veritable garden of another large territory of country. The water for these projects are from the head streams of the Red River.

At Comer, we see the wonderful effects of irrigation and the water for this district comes from Lake Charette Irrigation Reservoir, which supplies 43,000 acres with the lifegiving fluid. The town of Wagon Mount must claim more particular, if momentary interest: It is an important camping site on the Old Santa Fe Trail, and it has its name from the fact that there are two high hills, one on either side of the town, that resemble at a distance, the old prairie schooner. They tell us that in the old days this was a favorite ren- (line obscured) and dance themselves into a fury before going into battle.

At Comer, we see the wonderful effects of irrigation and the water for this district comes from Lake Charette Irrigation Reservoir, which supplies 43,000 acres with the lifegiving fluid. The town of Wagon Mount must claim more particular, if momentary interest: It is an important camping site on the Old Santa Fe Trail, and it has its name from the fact that there are two high hills, one on either side of the town, that resemble at a distance, the old prairie schooner. They tell us that in the old days this was a favorite ren- (line obscured) and dance themselves into a fury before going into battle.

Valmora in the Tubercular Sanitorium that has become not only nationally known, but is now famous the world over for the cure of the Great White Plague. I think, but am not quite sure, that our own Roy Ritter spent his last days at that town of Valmora.

The next town I have note of is Las Vegas. I had to remember it, for our Pullman car we are riding in has the same name. Las Vegas is the Spanish for The Meadow—or a more free translation would be The Vegetables, and this place was so named for the reason that even in pre-irrigation days this spot was an oasis in the desert. There are about 10,000 people resident in Las Vegas, which is the county seat of San Miguel county.

Strange to say, one of the most important industries of this place, far south as it is, is the harvesting of natural ice. Gallinus Canyon is at this place, and its sheer walls prevent the sun from shining into the gorge by day to melt the ice that forms by night; and thus the ice accumulates, and is harvested all summer. The railroads for five to six hundred miles each way are supplied by ice from this natural source.

I have no notes of any places after this until we arrive at Albuquerque, and I feel altogether unworthy of the attempt to even dip my brush in the paint to touch this shrine for haven’t I told you that my friend Bion H. Butler was type setter at this town 40 years ago? That fact in itself makes the city a sacred shrine, and for a tyro like myself to presume to splash where the great have painted, is almost blasphemy.

A part of the Koran was written at Medina: But for this Medina would have been no more than another Arabian village; but Medina is a shrine! The town of Ecclefecan has become a sacred Shrine solely because it was there Burns wrote “The Lass of Ecclefeccan,”—and by the same token, Albuquerque will owe its renown in the future to the fact that the best editorial writer in the Southern States was a type setter in that town during the harmless administration of Chester A. Arthur.

Next week we will visit the Grand Canyon of Arizona.

--J. McN. Johnson, Coronade, California

From the front page of The Moore County News, Carthage, N.C., July 26, 1923. The town of Ecclefechan was spelled Ecclefecan and Ecclefeccan in the article. The photos below are postcards of old the Alvarado and Franciscan hotels in Albuquerque, downloaded from the Web.