U.S. Roads Poorer than France's Roads, 1910

“How to Improve Roads” reprinted from the Progressive Farmer magazine in the Thursday, June 23, 1910, issue of the Watauga Democrat.

To show what we are paying for bad roads, to an extract from a recent report on the United States Senate committee on agriculture, which has been investigating this matter, may be given.

“Over the bad roads of the United States a team of in the worst hauling season is able to transport on average only about 800 or 900 pounds while in France every good draft horse is expected to be able to draw 3,306 pounds a distance of 18 ½ miles any day of the year.”

In spite of these facts the United States only spends about $90,000,000 a year from all sources on public road building. We spend more than that on our navy, more on our army and more for pensions for soldiers in these days of peace. We have reached the point for action, the time for mere talk has passed.

In this connection we wish to again state that the indifference of the south to the value of the split-log road drag is beyond understanding. It is no longer an experiment. It is cheap, and consequently practically our only available means of maintaining good roads, and yet we ignore it almost completely. We must for generations depend on dirt roads throughout the greater part of the south. Hard surface roads are better, but too expensive, in most sections, for many years to come. In the split log drag we have a simple means of maintaining our dirt roads in good condition at a trifling expense after they have been drained and shaped, and yet we refuse to avail ourselves of this proved method. Some have explained that the reason is that the drag is too simple. It is a fact that no one can appreciate its value who has not seen it properly used, but it does seem that we should learn more quickly. If the split-log drag were an experiment, there might be some reason in the failure of our road authorities to begin its use, but when any method has been proved the best known, by hears of extensive trial, the failure to adopt it, by those having the care of our roads, is simply inexcusable stupidity.

Send a postal for Farmers’ bulletin No. 321, “The Use of the Split-Log Drag on Earth Roads” and start agitating the matter among your neighbors.

High Point Should Follow Greensboro's Lead and Ban Ice Cream Cone Push Carts, 1916

"Ice Cream Cone Push Carts Dangerous," from the front page of the June 1, 1916, issue of The Review, High Point, N.C.

Did you ever stop to think that the push carts selling ice-cream cones are a menace to the public's health, or at least those who patronize them?

Take a dry, dusty street, and all streets are in this condition when there isn't frequent rains, and when the ice cream can is opened and the cones and cream exposed dangerous dust naturally gets into the cream and on the cones and this is taken into the stomach, possibly laden with disease germs. No matter how careful the seller is such things will happen.

The City Council should require glass covered wagons and every safeguard thrown around such wagons or refuse to grant this disease-breeding wagons license to do business. Greensboro has refused to grant the ice cream cone push carts license for another year and HIgh Point would do well to take the matter in hand.

The best thing is to refuse them license. We are not careful enough of our people's health anyway.

The Review has repeatedly called the City Council's attention to such matters of health. We have tried to get a monthly analysis of the milk and butter supply just like all other towns who care something for the health of its citizens, towns which place the public's health beyond dollars and cents.

It looks like High Point is retrograding in this all important step and surely it is high time we were doing something.

How Women Transformed Cotton Bags into Family Clothing, 1930s

From the Greenville Gazette’s online story at www.greenvillegazette.com. To read the complete story and see more photos of items made from flour sacks, go to the newspaper's online site.

In the 1930s, flour was stored in sacks with highly colorful patterns, and few people may realize that these patters were very intentional, and served a specific purpose. During this period of time, money was very hard to come by, for many.

Even those who did have good jobs would have to reuse many of the items they were purchased to save face. It was a time when recycling wasn’t just encouraged, it was a vital part of life that was economically necessary for most families. They found ways to make sticks of gum last longer, and they would often grow their own veggies and herbs to avoid buying things at the market. But they got even craftier, when times were hard:

Some women who lived in the 1930s found ways to make money for their families, and the found ways to make sure everyone had the clothing and essentials that were necessary to survive. Flour would be in sacks that were made of cotton. Women began using the sacks to make clothing. The sacks were often used to make clothing for children because of their small size, but if pieced together, then they could be used for adult’s clothing as well.

As companies began seeing these women using their sacks for clothing, they started adding colorful patterns to the sacks so that women would have something different besides white to make clothes out of. There were also patterns on the bags that women could use to make toys for children so that they would have something for Christmas and a birthday. It was a clever money saving move on the women’s part, and a clever business growth tactic on the flour company’s part – everybody won!

High Point Boy Scouts Enjoying Camp in Randolph County, 1916

"With Young America in the Wilds of Historic Randolph Section" by Paul A. Stamey, from the front page of the June 1, 1916, issue of The Review, High Point, N.C. The newspaper's slogan, printed in the banner, is "The Review is read and appreciated by that large body of people who buy four-fifths of the goods sold in High Point---the laboring people."

Scouts of High Point Having the Time of Their Lives on the Banks of Uwharrie

The seven patrols of the Boy Scouts of America from High Point are having the time of their lives in annual encampment near the well-known Hoover Hill gold mine in Randolph county. The tents are pitched on Carraway mountain in plain view of Shepherd mountain, in a thickly wooded location, with the peaceful Uwharrie river at the foot and smaller streams here and there gliding down the mountain sides; with cool springs studding the hill like diamonds from which to quench the thirst.

Verily, the Scouts are located in an isolated place and it would take a keen insight of the Aborigine to trail them in their lair if it were not for the country roads that lead you in sight of the place. As it is the modern paleface does some tall scouting to find the temporary quarters of the High Point aggravation and many there be from the Furniture city who have journeyed several leagues out of the way in trying to locate us.

Daniel Boone never blazed a better path than did the advance guard of the Scouts who felled many trees in order to make a possible road from the foot of old Carraway to its crest to establish a village of half a hundred souls overnight with nothing but white canvas for temporary homes.

As has been stated there are seven patrols here under the leadership of Scout Master W.M. Marr; three patrols of the first troup, Bob Whites, Whippoorwills, Crows. Those constituting the Bob Whites are: Howard Hicks, Arthur Kirkman, Carlton Kirkman, Neil Edwards, Bryce Bennett, Frank Weedon, Lanton Dalton and Moreland Lynch.

The Whippoorwills--Clifton Jones, Earl Smith, James Lyon, Gettie Strickland, Dewey Hoffman, Lyman Redding, Max Wall and Herbert Fields.

The Crows--George Wood, Williard thomas, Reid Marsh, Sam Moore, Dewey Foust, Alex Rankin and Shelton Woodson.

There are three patrols in the second troup: Eagles, Stags and Wolfs.

The Eagles are represented by Samuel Davis, Charles Welborn, Wilbur Jones, Earl McFarland, Dick Johnson, Clarence Smith, James McAnally, Van Sheets and Harold Gilliam.

The Stags--Dewey Dodamead, Paul Stamey, Royster Tucker, Robert Marshall, William Lee Smith, Chas. McAnally and Roiy Gilliam.

The Wolfs--Clarence Schultheis, Brooks Reitzel, Paul Gurley, Clyde Norman, John Bennett, Raymond Rike and Albert Owen.

There are only two patrols in the third troup and only one represented--the Owls--who are encamped with the Wolfs, viz: Rupert Pickens, Cary Meredith and Neil Williams.
The following is a sample of each day's program:

Morning--5:35 first call; 6 reveille; 6:05 assembly; 6:15 morning dip; 7 breakfast; 7:45 clean up tents; 8 assembly; 8:05 inspection of tents; 8:20 announcements; 8:25 to 12 noon letter writing, scout work, etc.

Afternoon--12:15 dinner; 1:15 assembly, scout work; 3:15 recall and swimming call; 5:15 recall; 6:15 supper; 7:15 first call; 7:30 assembly; 9:15 tatoo; 9:30 taps.

The patrol that has the best cleaned up tent gets to raise the flag each morning, following the inspection.

P.V. Kirkman, who has been assisting the past week, left Sunday.

Councilman S.L. Davis came down Saturday and returned Sunday. He enjoyed a dip or two with the boys.

Scout Master Combs of Bryson City spent the week with us, leaving Sunday. Chester Massey of the same town was also a visitor.

Other visitors Sunday were: Mr. and Mrs. Dutton, Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Farriss and James, who took a dip with the Scouts; Mr. and Mrs. P.H. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Smith and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Stamey and children; Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Norman, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Owen and family; Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Briles, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Field, Messrs. Edwards, Carrick, June Barker and others.

The Scouts were glad to see their parents and friends and there be many who are expecting parcel post packages of good things to eat this week from home. That does not mean that we do not get good substantial food here, but you know it's the little extras from home that fill in the gaps of a gnawing stomach such as little America has.

Gee, but didn't that chicken and old fashioned dumplings taste good Sunday evening. Royster Tucker and Bill Smith said they ate so many that they couldn't well articulate. "You see," said they, "those dumplings were so greasy that they just slid down our throats so fast that our pouches were full to overflowing before we knew it! But" said they, "when digestion commenced a half hour later we knew full well that very little room had been left for gastric juices to flow."
But enough for this time.

-=-

"A Trip to the Rendezvous of the Boy Scouts," from the front page of the June 1, 1916, issue of The Review, High Point, N.C. 

Sunday afternoon the editor visited the Boy Scouts of High Point and America on Carraway mountain in Randolph county, and after taking several circuitous routes, several of which were wrong, finally found our destinatio and a happy lot of red blood young Americans. Some were taking their afternoon dip in the pond, others fishing, throwing horse shoes, "cleaning up," lounging around or suiting their several inclinations.

On the top of the mountains were some dozen tents, a splendid scout wagon donated by A.T. Wishart, benches and seats hewn from nature's local workshop, while 100 feet further down was the kitchen and commissary and the cook busily engaged in making chicken dumplings to go with the several cooked chickens for the evening meal. There were a large number of visitors and the boys were real glad to see the home folks. The weather was pretty warm, even on the mountain but at nights blankets are comfortable the boys say.

Scout Master Marr has the boys under good control and they are on their honor to be and act as real Boy Scouts. We took several pictures of the surrounds which are reproduced here. Owing to the dark like in the woods they are not as sharp as desired, but will give the reader an insight into things. The boys have a pet king snake which they are very fond of and many of them carry it around their necks, especially Carlton Kirkman, who is dubbed the snake charmer. In the picture Miss Lillian Smith is shown holding the snake--a very large one, too.

The kitchen is also shown with the head cook busy "drapping" dumplings into the pot. One picture shows Paul Stamey of the Stag Patrol, standing in front of their tent. The others are general views of the "tented city" on the Carraway. There is a high jumper and a scrappy boxer in the crowd and consequently there is enough talent displayed to break the monotony. Mail is received every day and the boys keep posted on things back at home.

Just as we were leaving there came down the pike an aggregate of hatless, shirtless, stockingless, shoeless Scouts with harps, drum, tin cans, bugle, etc., on parade around the mountain side as the last hour of activity ere the sun disappeared behind old father Shepherd and left a pleasing recollection as we journeyed back to the hot, dusty city.

Willing Workers Club Members Make Jam, Pack Beans and Carrots, and Ice Cakes at Mrs. Ross' Home, 1921

“Willing Workers Club,” from the June 30, 1921 issue of the Rockingham Post-Dispatch

On the afternoon of the 23rd of June the Willing Workers Club of the Mangum Community met at the home of Mrs. D.M. Ross.

On arrival a half hour or longer was spent in talking and laughing and there was a spirit of cheer on every face.

When Mrs. Covington called order then we knew we were to hear something good. She gave us some good points on saving time on floors, such as oiled floors and linoleum. She said there were so many more important things for the house wife to conserve her strength for, it was very necessary to have the floors made easy to be cleaned and not have to be scoured every week as some seem to persist in doing. Then she gave us good ideas on how to make old window shades look like new ones and also more on pretty rugs. One rug begun by one in the community was put on exhibition. After a good many useful and interesting points on this line were given, our hostess Mrs. Ross announced the stove was ready and water hot, so in spite of the hot afternoon, all moved into the kitchen where we made black berry jam, packed beans and carrots, and iced cakes. Such a time as we did have and our hostess was everywhere you wanted her to be in giving aid in the way of boilers, pans, clothes, dishes, egg-beaters, etc. etc.

All too soon the time for departure rolled around and Mrs. D.N. Currie asked to have the next meeting.

Four new members were added to our list and as guests the following added to the merriment of our club: Mrs. Isham Scarboro, Mt. Gilead, N.C., Mrs. Claudius Dockery, Mrs. Joe Andrews, Mrs. Tom Baldwin, Mrs. Nita Greene, Misses Jennie and Neil Matherson, Mrs. Cal Stutts, Miss Maggie Covington, Miss Elizabeth Maynor, and for the first time in its existence we had one gentleman. He proved himself so obliging and helpful we feel like saying, “John, come to our next meeting."

Our club is progressing and let everyone take more interest and lend all the aid he can in making it one of the best in the State. We have the material—all you need is the work to do. You may know this by our name.

All will long remember the kind hospitality of Mrs. Ross in opening her home to us and I am sure every member will join me in thanking her for the good time we had while there.
--One of the Members

Pasquotank Extension Homemakers Award Five Scholarships, 1985

From the Tarheel Homemakers, January-March 1986 issue

PASQUOTANK AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS—At the June county council meeting Pasquotank EH presented five scholarships totaling $1,632 including two to adults, two to high school seniors to a school of their choice, and one to College of Albemarle, a local college. Mary Bundy, above right, scholarship chairman, and Delores Ferrell, left, county council president, presented awards to (left to right) Sharon Spence, Deborah Scott, Clay Hodges, Benjamin Thomas and Martin Butts.

Seventh Grader Montrose Ballard's Essay on Evils of Alcohol, Tobacco, 1916

Seventh Grader Montrose Ballard's Essay "Why Business Men Demand Abstinence on the Part of Their Employees." Montrose was a student at South Main Street School in High Point, 1916

When one man employs another in any capacity whatever, his first thought is efficiency because every one wants the maximum amount of work for the least amount expended and it is a well known fact that one addicted to intoxicants is usually physically unfit for any position requiring an active brain and steady nerve.

Medical experts have proved beyond a doubt that intoxicants dull the brain, make the nerves unsteady, quicken the heart action, thus overworking that important organ, and affect the eyesight, often causing total blindness.

An employer demands abstinence on the part of his employees because he wants men whom he can trust, men who will do their best to carry out his wishes without having to have someone stand over them with a goad-stick.

They want sober men because they want honest men who would steal neither time nor money, if they had the opportunity, and it is only among men of intemperate habits that thieving and dishonesty are found.

Neither do business men want employees who smoke. A visit to any manufacturing plant will prove this, for one of the first things to greet the eye is a sign which reads "Notice--No Smoking Allowed." Why is smoking prohibited? In the first place, the owners realize the danger to their buildings, from the match carelessly thrown aside after lighting the pipe or cigarette, and often from the partially burned cigarette.

Pick up almost any paper giving an account of a fire (and they nearly all do) and how often do we see this, "The fire is thought to have been caused by some one carelessly throwing aside a lighted match or the stub of a cigarette."

And again it affects the nervous system as badly if not worse than whiskey, making a complete wreck of the victim, causing early death or insanity.

Circus managers, always looking out for something out of the ordinary secure these poor emaciated wrecks, who have puffed the deadly "coffin tack" so long that the public is willing to pay to see the human monstrosity called the "Cigarette Fiend."

No business man with the right spirit, and with the proper amount of pride in his business would care to have his associates know that his work was done by a lot of immoral and physical wrecks, such as whiskey and tobacco make of men.

Imagine walking into your bank to transact some business and being confronted by one of the employees with red face and blood-shot eyes and a (hic) in his voice. You would not wait until you got home to telephone the directors what you thought of them. No you'd change your place of business before going home.

Suppose on going into a store, a clerk starts toward you, but staggers around and finally falls, at the same time emitting fearful oaths. You would not wait or care to see whether he ever got up or not, and if all the clerks were like that you would never go into that store again.  Or if he was the only one you would not hesitate to ask the owner to discharge him.

Again, prospective business men like to see their employees prosper and they know that any man who spends his money for drink will never prosper, but on the contrary, let a prosperous man begin drinking and before he realizes it himself, he is a pauper. If it were only what he spent for his whiskey this would not be so, but one vice leads to another and the first think he knows he is gambling and then betting on the races and so on down until he dies from delirium tremens, or takes his own life.

Then think of the loss in money, spent for whiskey or tobacco.

Why, if the money wasted in the United States for these two evils alone was spent in arming and equipping our army and navy, we would have no cause whatever to fear an invasion from any one country or countries combined.

But alas! all these precious dollars go to quench the thirst, and satisfy the inordinate craving for whiskey and tobacco, while thousands of helpless children beg for bread and while other thousands toil in sweatshops in order that their fathers may have their daily glass of rum. And Uncle Sam tries to wage war with the pen instead of the sword.

Visit the jails, the chain-gangs, the penitentiaries, ask the poor wretches why they are there. In nearly every case they will tell you that whiskey started them on the downward road.

Trace the origin of all the great disasters of the world and in almost every instance, whiskey has been the direct or indirect cause.

Take the case of the "Titanic", for instance. They were drinking, dancing and making merry, deluded into the belief that no harm could come to them. Had each officer and sailor been sober and on his job, that dreadful disaster would never have happened, with its attending loss of life and prosperity.
Railroad officials want men with active brains, and clear vision to run their trains in order to avoid wrecks which cause them so much loss in destroyed property and damage suits.

Who would care to enter a passenger train, even for a short distance, knowing that the man at the throttle was under the influence of whiskey?

May the day soon come when employers shall demand total abstinence on the part of their employees, both during and after working hours.