Hollifield, Champion & Co. have contracted with Mr. Walter Haynes of Cliffside for the erection of a four-room bungalow on West Main Street in Forest City. Work on the building will begin next week. The house will be occupied by Mr. T.M. Queen.
Mr. J.B. Harrill, contractor, will effect a handsome five-room bungalow for Mr. A.A. Street. The house will be located near the home of Mr. J.Q.A. Collins.
From the front page of the Forest City Courier, Thursday, March 23, 1922
Whenever you say tax we are all inclined to buck, but sometimes we need to consider well before we decide to cast our vote against the increase. And that time is just now with the voters of Bethel Hill High School district. An election is to be held soon in this district raising the tax rate from 10 cents on the $100 to 30 cents on the $100. No not make the mistake of saying 30 per cent, if it is necessary to go to the limit for school purposes. Now consider well what it will mean by the school of that district. Under the present levy of 10 cents they do not have the necessary funds to carry on the school as it should be run. With the increase there would be at Bethel Hill a first class accredited high school, the only one in the County, for even the High School, run in connection with the Roxboro Graded school, is not an accredited first class high school. Here the school is in the accredited list, but not first class, so there are some few things, among them domestic science, which is not taught and is necessary to have become a first-class credited high school. So, from the matter of pride in our County, you should very much like to see the Bethel Hill High School become a first class accredited school and to do this it is necessary to vote this school proposition.
Remember further that when this tax is voted that every cent of this tax money will go to Bethel Hill High School, not a penny of it can or will be spent in any other school district in the County. You are voting for the good of our own children, and no man but what feels that his child is entitled to the very best to be had. We do not know what rate will be necessary to run the school as it should be, but granted that it will take every cent of the allowance, 30 cents on the $100, just count what your extra tax will be and see if it is not very much cheaper than you can send your child off to school elsewhere and get what you will get at home if you vote the increase.
Yes, times are hard and money is scarce, yet many of you spend more money every year on gasoline and tires than your tax will be Automobiles are largely for pleasure, while this tax is for the benefit of your child, preparing it so that it will not go out into the world handicapped for lack of knowledge. Better discard your automobile and vote the extra tax, if by voting the tax it will be necessary to take such a drastic step.
The lead editorial of the Roxboro Courier, March 22, 1922, J.W. Noell, editor.
To Whom It May Concern:
Sine and elec. to increase local tax rate for school purposes in Bethel Hill High School district has been called. I desire to put the facts before the public so that an intelligent ballot may be cast.
It has been the earnest desire of those in control of the school to make it equal to the best in the county and to meet the state requirements for an accredited school as soon as possible. With the parents, teachers and pupils co-operating we have met these requirements for the most part. We have the required library and teaching force. Our laboratory for Science and Vocational Agriculture has been accepted for the first year to be supplemented as we go further. The state requires 45 pupils in this high school, this year we have enrolled 48 and have 22 in the seventh grade to enter high school next year and only 12 finishing the Eleventh grade. Our total school enrollment for this year is 168. Our average has been greatly cut down by the epidemic that we had in school last fall and by the bad weather this spring. We have on the census in our district nearly 200 of school age and if the parents will co-operate we should make an average of more than 150 easily. I am pleased to bring these facts to the attention of those interested.
Now another point arises that must be met or we shall lose not only what we have gained, but will fall even below what our school has been for a number of years. Our local tax rate is the lowest that any local tax district in the state levies. There are numbers of places that the tax rate is $1, while our is 10 cents. The state will not help a district without a tax rate equal to the average of the state. Furthermore, the income from our present rate will not pay the interest and sinking fund on our present indebtedness. Under these circumstances the state will not lend us any more money and will not consider giving us any. Therefore without that increase in taxation, we shall have to pay the present rate for more than two generations and cut our school term to that which is required by the constitution with no high school work at all being done. On the other hand, with the increased taxation asked for the state has promised to give us a nice sum and to lend us enough to take up the notes that we have in the bank and which have to be renewed every six months. We have Dr. Highsmith’s (The State High School Inspector) word and two letters in which he says that the state stands ready to help us become an accredited school as soon as we do our part as other schools have done. This will admit our graduates to the best colleges without examination and the state will issue them certificates to teach in the public schools without examination.
In my opinion it is not necessary for this tax to run at the maximum rate of 30 cents long, for with the help promised by the state and with the increase of the indebtedness that the state should increase likewise. With the right (word obscured) as school committeemen it will decrease.
Now to express it briefly, it seems to me to mean simply as an increase in taxation for a few years or no high school. Without this increase, boys and girls finishing the seventh grade will not have a place here to go to school, a position that Bethel Hill has occupied but few years since the Civil War. Besides this we shall be dropped both by the state and county. We shall get only what the constitution requires and still pay the present local tax. The county is doing and has done more for us than we can hope for or reasonably expect them to continue unless we do more for ourselves. But with the increase we get outside help to pay our debts we establish a school that will be recognized all over the state and that will offer as good advantages for our boys and girls as they can get anywhere, we fix a positive demand for good roads throughout the district, for there is no influence that can be brought to the attention of the Highway Commission stronger than the children must have a way to get to school.
Again, all this tax money being spent in our ow community and not sent away to places that we cannot see the going of it. Every voucher, for ever account will have to be signed by at least two of the local school committee and we all can advise with them about the spending.
Now when we consider that to make the best citizens of our young people we must give them the best possible advantages along with those other conditions, which will e the cheaper, which the better business proposition, to continue the present rate of taxation without a high school, the income to be used in setting the present indebtedness, or to increase the rate and have nearly half our debt given to us. Have the advantages for the children of our community increased by giving them a better school, and especially giving to those boys and girls who can not go away form home to school opportunities they could never hope to realize in any other way?
Is there any man or woman in our district who thinks that he can afford to vote against an increase tax rate and by doing so say to the public that he does not want the masses to have the opportunity of a high school education if it should cost him a few dollars? Can any one afford to throw away the social and moral influence of high school for a few paltry dollars? Is there anyone who wishes to destroy what a number of our substantial citizens have been building for years? On April 15 at the high school building an opportunity to answer these questions by casting your ballot will be given all the qualified voters of the district.
From the front page of The Roxboro Courier, March 22, 1922
Mr. J.T. Walker will open about the 27th a grocery store on Depot Street, in the Andrews building, carrying a complete line of heavy and fancy groceries.
-=-
Handsome Stores
The store buildings on North Main Street, where are being erected by Mr. V. Kaplon, Mr. R.A. Walker and Mr. T. Owen Pass are nearing completion. These are all handsome structures and add very much to Main Street, especially imposing is the three story building of Mr. Kaplon. When Messrs. Daniels, Bullock and Watkins and Mr. T.W. Pass build in this city—which we understand they expect to do this summer, this will be easily one of the handsomest blocks in town.
From the front page of The Roxboro Courier, March 22, 1922
Last Sunday evening as D.W. Oakley and C.C. Garrett were returning from Durham, a car seemed to be headed straight for Mr. Oakley, who was driving a Ford companion he tried to get out of the way and ran into the bank, smashing the front wheel of his car. Fortunately the occupant of the Ford was not hurt, and the driver of the car causing the accident waved his hand without even slowing up his machine and said “I am sorry.”
-=-
Accident at Drug Store
On last Friday night two young men were scuffling in the Newton Wilkerson Drug Company’s drug store and in some manner one of them fell through the front window completely demolishing the plate glass. Strange to say, there was hardly a scratch on the boy who fell through the window. Those in the melee were Mr. Eldridge Day and Worth Moore.
From the front page of The Roxboro Courier, March 22, 1922
On last Wednesday morning Mr. Gilmer Masten and Miss Bertha Featherstone were married in Danville, Va. Messrs. J.W. Featherstone and Fred Masten accompanied them to Danville. Mr. Masten is one of the well known progressive young men of the town, while Mrs. Masten is one of the most popular young ladies of the younger set, being the youngest daughter of Mr. an Mrs. T.P. Featherston.
-=-
News From Jalong
Miss Evelyn Cozart spend last Saturday night in Roxboro visiting her grandmother, Mrs. Clayton, on Depot Street. Mr. E.S. Regan ad Mancy Clayton spent Saturday in South Boston, Va.
Mr. Mat Dickerson has bought a new Ford.
Come out people to the Sunday evening service at the Baptist church, beginning at 7 o’clock. You don’t know what you are missing when you miss hearing Rev. Mr. Todd.
Last Sunday morning in Sunday School we were treated with a duet sung by Ruby Walker and Jeanette Cole.
Mr. J.W. Walters took out his Ford Saturday to drive to Roxboro and he enjoyed driving so much that he did not stop until the backend of his car shed stopped him.
Miss Carrie Todd of Wake Forest spent Sunday night with Miss Evelyn Cozart.
Miss Dora Clayton of Roxboro spent Sunday in Jalong with her sister, Mrs. C.S. Cozart.
Buy your drugs from the Longhurst Drug Co. and get served right.
--Daisy
From the front page of The Roxboro Courier, March 22, 1922
Washington, March 20—Adoption of a constitutional amendment providing for the election of the President and vice president for 6-hear terms is proposed in a bill introduced today by Representative Wood, republican, Indiana.
The electoral college system would be abolished and a candidate receiving the largest aggregate vote would be President, with the candidate receiving the next highest number automatically becoming vice president.
The President would be ineligible for re-election.
From the Concord Daily Tribune, Tuesday, March 21, 1922
