Mrs. James Vernon Closing 'Barbara Villa' and Headed to Detroit for Summer, May 28, 1925

Mrs. James Vernon is leaving the latter part of the week for Detroit, Mich., where she will spend the summer months in the magnificent new home just completed. Barbara Villa will be closed for this summer.

From the front page of The Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., May 28, 1925

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Tragic Explosion and Fire Traps Coal Miners in Sanford, May 27, 1925

70 Miners Entombed at Sanford. . . Two Explosions Are Followed by Fire This Morning; All in Mine May be Dead. . . Six Bodies Removed from Raging Inferno; Governor Orders Troops to Scene. . . Rescue Equipment Will be Rushed by Airplane to Scene of Disaster at Order of Governor; Lack of Equipment Handicaps Rescue Work as Smoke Pours from Cervices and Only One Gas Mask Is Available. . . Hysterical Wives, Families and Relatives Crowd Vicinity Shaft. . . Every Government Agency Has Been Ordered Into Action; Heavy Loss of Life Is Feared as Fire and Fumes Choke Shaft; Bodies Recovered Were Those of Men Who Happened to be Working Near Mouth of Mine

By Staff Correspondent

Sanford, N.C., May 27—Most of the 71 miners entombed in the Carolina mine here today and perhaps all of them are believed to be dead. The terrific nature of the explosion and the raging nature of the fire which has now spread through the workings are believed to have sealed their dooms, unless cave-ins have temporarily saved some of the men from the fumes and flames. Rescue work will be slow because of the lack of equipment here and th time needed to get it here.

Captain Barbour Ready

Whether the local machine gun company of the North Carolina National Guard will go to Sanford was not known here this afternoon. Captain L.H. Barbour, commander of the local company, stated about 2:30 o’clock.

“I have heard indirectly about the explosion,” Captain Barbour stated, “but I have received no orders to carry my company to the scene of the disaster.”

“I am ready for any call to duty.”

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Sanford, May 27—At 3 o’clock this afternoon the troops that were ordered out by Governor McLean about noon had not arrived here. However, it is expected that the troops will put in their appearance before night fall, and will assume charge of keeping order, among the thousands who are flocking here from various cities of this section of the state.

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Sanford, N.C., May 27—With virtually the entire population of Sanford at the Carolina Coal company mine, six miles from town, only meagre details sifted through to Sanford this afternoon on the mine disaster this morning, which is said to have killed or entombed from 50 to 75 miners. Six bodies have brought to the mouth of the mine.

According to information received by Chief of Police Parker of Sanford, two explosions in rapid succession shortly after 10 o’clock today closed the shaft. Chief Parker notified Secretary to the Governor, England at Raleigh, and Governor McLean and troops were rushed to the scene.

Hysterical women and wailing children crowded about the mouth of the mine, awaiting the word as to the fate of their husbands, fathers and sweethearts, trapped as they worked far below the surface of the earth. Voluntary guards maintained safety lines and rescue teams worked in shifts. Apparently no danger of the two hours after the explosions.

The accident this morning was the first that has occurred at the mine since it was opened about two years ago. However, several minor accidents have occurred at the old mine of the company, but none recently. Today’s accident is the worst that has ever occurred at any of the local mines.

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By International News Service

Washington, May 27—Seventy-one minors were trapped today in the Carolina Coal company’s mine at Sanford, N.C., of which six have been recovered dead according to telephonic advices received here by the bureau of mines.

The men were trapped in an explosion which was almost immediately followed by fire, bureau officials said. A heavy loss of life is feared because the mine has no facilities for fighting fires and has but one gas mask, it was stated by Dr. T.T. Read, safety service director of the bureau.

Rush Equipment from West Virginia

A rescue car loaded with first aid equipment and experienced men was immediately ordered prepared at Thomas, West Virginia, and J.J. Forbes, engineer of the bureau at Birmingham, Ala., ordered to rush to Thomas to assume charge of the car by 4 p.m. today.

Because there is no engineering equipment available near Thomas, the start of the rescue expedition will not be made before 4 o’clock.

Railroads have been ordered to give the car right of way over all traffic and it is expected to reach Raleigh early tomorrow morning.

The men are trapped in the mine at the present time with rescuers unable to materially aid because of a lack of equipment and the raging fire which began immediately after the explosion partially tore down the walls of the shaft.

Worst In State’s History

The six bodies recovered were those of miners working near the mouth of the shaft, according to bureau officials.

The disaster was said to be one of the worst ones in the history of the North Carolina coal district.

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Raleigh, N.C., May 27—Between 50 and 75 men were entombed in the mine of the Carolina Coal company at Sanford, 45 miles from here today by a terrific gas explosion which wrecked the mouth of the shaft.

Yellow fumes were issuing from crevasses and hampering the work of rescuers when calls for assistance were sent to state officials here.

State troops were dispatched by Governor McLean.

No information could be obtained as to the number of dead and injured from the meagre reports received here. Some said as high as 65 men were buried by the blast, while the information in the hands of the adjutant general placed the number at 50.

Guards on Duty

The Lee county sheriff’s office said guards had been sent from there to the mine to keep back the crowds from the entrance to the shaft.

Governor McLean announced after a long distance telephone conversation with officials of the United States Bureau of Mines at Washington that rescue equipment would be rushed to Sanford by airplane.

Adjutant-General J.B. Van Metts and a corps of engineers from the state highway department were ordered to Sanford to take complete charge of the rescue operations.

General Metts left with instructions to order out such national guard troops from Raleigh, Red Springs, Raeford and Parkton as are necessary to get the men out. No information had reached Raleigh this afternoon as to whether the trapped men are dead or alive, but it is feared that, on account of the comparatively poor development of the mine that all were killed.

Every agency of the state government available has been ordered into action, Governor McLean said.

From the front page of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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Fines and Sentences in Durham Court, May 27, 1925

Hays Can’t Pay Another’s Tax. . . I.I. Coaker Is Given Two Sentences of 30 Days Each on Failure to Pay $5 Fines

It’s tough luck when a fellow keeps a friend’s dog while the rend is spending a term on the roads and then has go to jail because of the lack of enough money to pay the tax on the friend’s dog. That is the condition Jim Hays, colored, found himself I this morning when he was tried in recorder’s court on the charge of failing to pay dog tax. Jim said the dog was not his but another fellow’s who had roomed at his house before the fellow was sent to the roads. It was explained to him that the tax on the dog would have to be paid because it stayed at his house. Jim didn’t have enough money to pay the tax and costs, and he went up to the guardhouse until it could be arranged.

--For the second time George Howard was called out and failed to answer to a charge of failing to pay his dog tax.

--J.I. Coaker was given two sentences of 30 days each, in the workhouse in exchange for two fines of $5 and costs each, which were imposed Tuesday morning on charges of drunkenness and illegal possession of whiskey. Coaker rode into trouble on a local train arriving here yesterday morning. The officials were called to the station to take him from the coach because of his condition.

--Three were four charges against G.H. Scoggins, three of which he plead guilty to and not guilty to the other charge. He was fined $5 and costs on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon, the charge to which he plead not guilty. The court ruled that the pocket knife he was carrying was too long. Judgement was suspended upon payment of the costs and the sum of $4 to the Durham Public Service company for injury done to a safety post. A fine of $10 and costs was imposed for illegal possession [of alcohol], and he was fined $50 and costs for driving while intoxicated. In addition, he was given a sentence of 30 days in jail with capias to issue at any time within six months if he drives a car within that time. The automobile he was driving at the time he was arrested last night was ordered confiscated and sold according to process of law.

From page 2 of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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Only Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Justice Left Court Smiling, May 27, 1925

Jordan Is Fined Total of $116.10. . . Operator of Bus Line Appeals Case Charging Speeding and Reckless Driving

W.P. Jordan, operator of the Jordan bus line between Durham and Chapel Hill, was fined $25 and costs and ordered to pay C.T. Council the sum of $91.10 for injury done his property when the case charging him with speeding and reckless driving was tried in recorder’s court this morning. The charge resulted from an automobile accident which occurred on the Chapel Hill road on the afternoon of April 19. It was alleged that Mr. Jordan, who was driving one of his buses at the time, attempted to pass between an auto ahead of him, as he was going towards Chapel Hill, and the Nash sedan of the prosecuting witness, being driven by Mrs. C.T. Councill in the direction of Durham.

--Following the announcement of the fines, counsel for the defendant, Hunter Martin, gave notice of appeal and bond was fixed at $200.

--John Gooch was fined $5 and costs on a charge of disorderly conduct.

--Clyde Justice, colored, was present to answer to a complaint and peace warren [probably meant warrant], and his wife was also present. They informed the court that their differences had all been fixed up and she wanted to not pros the case. This was done and they left the court room smiling and happy.

--Judgment was suspended upon payment of the costs and the check involved in the case against J.M. Airheart, charged with giving a worthless church. [surely means a worthless check].

-- The case against R.G. Teasley, charging a similar offense, was continued until June 1.

--H.J. Jones was fined $5 and costs for speeding.

--Edward Alston, colored, was left off with payment of the costs. He was charged with injury to property.

From page 2 of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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Hillside Park School Graduates 15 Seniors, May 27, 1925

Hillside Park School Closes Today; 15 Will Graduate

The Hillside Park colored school will come to a close this afternoon with the annual commencement exercises. Fifteen members of the senior class will be awarded their diplomas, it has been announced.

The students who will graduate in the academic department will be: Sterling Gordon, Clandessie Green, Julia James, Nannine James, Virgie Jones, Theodore Page.

From the commercial department the following will receive their diplomas: Annie Allen, Mabel Guy, Wilhemnia Ingram, Lizzie Jones, Evelyn Laws, Geneva Ledbetter, Georgia Monroe, William Pratt, Marie Ruffin.

From page 2 of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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Mrs. C.L. Haywood to Head Parent-Teachers Council, May 27, 1925

Parent-Teachers Council Elect Officers at Meet. . . Mrs. C.L. Haywood Selected to Succeed Mrs. H.A. Foushee as President

At the last meeting of the council of Parent-Teachers associations all the schools in the city, held Tuesday evening in the chamber of commerce assembly hall, officers for the coming year were elected and reports from the various committees were heard.

Mrs. C.L. Haywood was elected to the presidency of the council to succeed Mrs. H.A. Foushee, the retiring president. Other officers elected were as follows: Mrs. H.C. Satterfield, vice-president; Mrs. D.R. Ivey, secretary; Miss Myrtle Allright, treasurer; and Mrs. L.C. Oldham, auditor.

From page 2 of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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Dr. C.F. Smithson Jailed for Failure to Pay Alimony, May 27, 1925

Dentist Goes to Jail

Charlotte, May 27—Dr. C.F. Smithson, prominent dentist, was sent to jail Tuesday afternoon on order of arrest signed by Judge N.A. Sinclair at Wilson, who has adjudged the Charlotte dentist in contempt of court for alleged failure to pay $100 monthly alimony installments for five months to his former wife in Nash county. The order of arrest carried with it a sentence of 30 days in jail, which will be served in Nash county jail, according to order received here from Judge Sinclair.

From page 4 of the Durham Sun, May 27, 1925

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