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S AND PRESS

vspaper of Character -i— AY, FEBRUARY 5, 1954

The Stanly News Established 1890

Stanly Herald Established 1919

NEWS AND PRESS GETS PLAQUE FOR BEST FEATURES Fred T. Morgan (right), feature writer for the Stanly News and Press, is shown as he received a plaque for Best Features presented to this newspaper at the North Carolina Press Institute banquet in Durham last Friday night. Edwin Gill, state treasurer, acting for Governor W. B. Umstead, made the presentation. The News and Press won two other honors in the semi-weekly division contest, having been awarded second place in photography, and third place for editorial page. . i^.

—Staff Photo—Ivey.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1952 -

STANLY C. &1AINL.JC NEWS 1MUWO AND AINU PRESS, r t U L S S , ALBEMARLE, A L t f E M A K L U , N. JN. U.

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David Coble, Father of 32 ChadrenTDved On Long Creek ^—**. i

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cenrurv t tho cnnc aan^ .. ___ . . . j^sii«:jis^:»taiss^^ <uu^ aa penfury h e sons n d dJ «a u. .g. Lh<t e^r s lingen, Ulne, Hoffenheim, a n d of David Coble c a m e forth. They Suinheim. There they spelled grew u p , married, a n d some of their n a m e Kobel a n d Gobel. t h e m reared large families of Apparently they came t o Ameritheir own. But none of the child- ca before t h e Revolutionary w a r ren even c a m e close to e q u a l i n g a n d first Settled in Pennsylvania. t h e vastness of t h e fairuly of which they were a member.

Settled in Guilford George Coble migrated to For m a n y decades now sleepyafter eyed youngsters h a v e been lured North Carolina sometime

By Fred T. Morgan to sleep b y t h i s legend, their t h e year 1751 a n d settled n e a r Not every generation in Stanly imagery touched by visiopi of a n the Coble's L u t h e r a n church I n county, which w a s county produces a family of 32 old Tog house "on"a h u n t i n g I Guilford ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ thP k n o w n a s Orange county a t t h a t children a l l stemming from t h e with children. ^Although xne o n fairy same parent. Yet, a hundred chronicle h a s t a k- e nnougn time. George w a s only one of t h e y e a r s ago, the first dozen or so tale aspects, t h e authenticity qf several Cobles w h o c a m e t o North Carolina a b o u t t h a t t i m e , David Coble's three wives a n d m e m b e r s of a family of this size were being reared u p on t h e 32 children h a s remained un- for m u c h later a widely-publiwest b a n k of Long creek in t h e challenged through t h e years. cised controversary w a s to arise Records, t h o u g h m e a g e r a r i l over one of t h e Cobles who left s o u t h e r n section of t h e county.

It is doubtful if there are very second-hand, h a v e been preserv- [his l a n d s leased in Pennsylvania. m a n y recorded instances in o u r ed b y descendants of t h e Coble , David Coble t h e First w a s a cbuntry of families of greater family a n d list t h e wives, thp y o u n g l a d ' w h e n h i s father died In 1774. According to t h e story, children, a n d their b i r t h s M proportions. he r a n a w a y from home a n d David Coble w a s born March Today when a family of four to settle in Montgom, »— is considered a large family, it 28, 1814 a t t h e old Coble "home-, BBr m e south —,, stead on a knoll about one miff y county, now S t a n l y county. seems amazing a n d incredible - - - - - . n o r t h of St. Martin's I u t h e r a r The exact location of his homet h a t a family of && c h u d r e n [ c j l u r c h j j e w a s a m e m b e r of ft stead is t h e elevated knoll on t h e could have survived t h e UhardJ " " " family' of seven children. His present St. Martin road directly s h i p s a n d crudeness t h a t prevailed a century ago. But de-brothers a n d sisters were Jacob, across t h e h i g h w a y from t h e s p i t e their primitive circumstan- Elizabeth, John, Crate, Mary, a n d home of Roy Tucker. There he ces, all b u t two of t h e 32 grew one other sister who married a (.married M a r t h a Bray a n d took his bride to live on his farm conto m a t u r i t y and spread prosperi- Cagle David Coble's father w a s Matingh eof 307 acres. On t h e t y over Stanly county a s elsen a m e d David a n d his mother wasL^22_i built, a house of logs where.

M a r t h a Bray. David Coble, seni- cut from h i s own forest a n d Greatest Patriarch The family w a s t h a t of David or, was the son of George CoMe erected cabins for his slaves, deslave Coble, greatest patriarch in who died in 1774. The CoblesH p e n d i n g primarily upon natives of t h e southern labor for a livelihood.

OLD DAVID COBLE HOME—Here In this c r u m b l i n g structure o n . a hill near Long creek i n SouthM a n l y ' s history. For over half were part of G e r m a n y around Nord- | Some of h i s slaves i ern Stanly county were b o m the 32 children of patriarch David Coble. Built i n the 1830's of handwere bewn logs a n d rough pine boards a n d with a stone chimney a t each end, t h e old house a huneration in Stanly County produces Charles a n d h i s wife, Pol a n d dred years ago echoed with the laughter of the first dozen children of this large family. Around a family of 32 children all stemher child, Mary, Patience, John, 1 j this house were clustered a n outside kitchen, smokehouse, grainery, sheds a n d a h u g e barn where sjj Gil, Chloe, Eleanor, Lewis, Jon, j were manufactured a l l food and clothing used b y the family- Today it s t a n d s forlorn a n d a b a n ming from the same parent. Yet, " Elleck, Allen, Riley a n d E d m u n d . I doned, d o n e d . save s a v e for for rats r a t i a»»»«< MntiiM is~n a — field * » - u of - a r a b l e land, a hundred years ago, the first n d reptiles, Only two of t h e 32 children born here w He also owned a married couple survive today. dozen or so members of a family nj called by t h e Coble family of this size were being reared up "Mom a n d Dad." These t w o en the west bank of Long Creek were given to h i s grandson /willed him also t h e 307 acres of on Long creek and built a sub- for nearby farmers. T h e chaff in the southern section of the counE p h r i a m Coble, a n d they raised (land consisting of the Coble home stantial 1 a n d 1-2 story log a n d a l l improvements on t h e house to house t h e h u g e family h a d to be separated from t h e ty.

10 children of their own. wheat by m e a n s of a hand-operIt is doubtful if there are very David Coble senior died in Feb- (farm. t h a t w a s to come. ruary, 1842. In his will he left > Not much is known about t h e many recorded instances in our A list of t h e wives a s well a s ated windmill. After t h e use of his wife Martha five slaves, his (children except t h e patriarch the children of David Coble is) t h e thresh w a s discontinued, t h e country of families of greater prohousehold a n d kitchen furniture, iDavid Coble Jr., who w a s mar- contained in a n old school reg-J the long boom or "sweep" to portions. one bay mare, one cow, two hogs, jried three times a n d sired 32 ister now in t h e h a n d s of Pauj/J which the m u l e had been hitchToday when a family of four is and the first choice of his sheep ^children.

Hartsell of Locust, who is a deconsidered a large family, it seems and geese. His other personal Left Home Early scendant of t h e old m a n David. amazing and incredible, that a famproperty a n d t h e remainder of David Jr., apparently married The dates of their births are also ily of 32 children could have surhis slaves were t o be .divided and left home a t a n early age for given. Mr. Hartsell says t h e vived the hardships that prevailed equally a m o n g his five children his first child is listed a s being n a m e s were copied into t h e reg-1 Mi a century ago. But despite their then living as well as his grand- born in 1834 w h e n h e w a s about ister from t h e old Coble f a m i l y ! Call, son, Ephriam Coble, who seemed 20 years of a g e . He acquired j Bible which w a s in too b a d a! port primitive circumstances, all but to be a favorite with him a s h e considerable land further south I state of repair to preserve. was two of the 32 grew to maturity and Though t h e accuracy of t h e i Jfligl spread prosperity over Stanly counnames, dates, a n d their order of j to M The original Coble homestead ty as elsewhere. a p p e a r a n c e m a y be questioned, i n e a r St. Martin burned to t h e OVER HALF CENTURY H t h e list in t h e register r e m a i n s j ground one windy d a y in 1949 The family was that of David m*****em- -^_r___E, ,• | | t h e most t a n g i b l e a n d complete j destroying relics a n d handiwork Coble, greatest patriarch in Stanof a century ago.

S S S ^ S ^ P ' ^ S P ^ ^ ^ S ^ ^ S ^ a S piece of evidence t h a t h a s so far I ley's history. For over half a ceni come to light concerning t h e But the old home of the patritury the sons and daughters of Here in this crumbling arch David Coble still s t a n d s on old manufactured all food and cloth family.

David Coble came forth. They ture on a hill near Long the hill on the west side of Long Iter ing used by the family. Toda, O n e other source of informagrew up, married, and some of in Southern Stanly County! £ * * n e a * t J ? | residence of Paul I of it stands forlorn and abandoned tion, t h a t of t h e official census i ". ^"UUI,,J> B a r b e e Amid a sea of ripening leA save for rats and reptiles in : of Stanly county for t h e year them reared large families of their own. But none of the children even born the 32 children of pat| g r a i n a n d guarded b y o n e lone I U e field of arable land. Only two <! of 1850, sheds some light o n t h e W4 came close to equaling the vast- David Coble. Built in the w a l n u t tree, the old house where j [ V the 32 children born here su family of David Coble.

There is some disparity b e - ! Una ; ness of the family of which they of hand-hewn logs and n 32 children w e r e born and reared L . vive today.

(Fred Morgan Ph tween these two documents. yield pine boards and with a h a s b e e n s a d l y neglected. T h e t ere "* were a member. to).

The official census in t h e form] roof h a s fallen in a n d t h e outRecords, though meager and Stanly county public l i b r a r y ; ert C second-hand, have been preserved, America before the Revolu s i d e r o c k chimney h a s crumbled, anej child died at birth - 1842; lists t h e children of David Coble by descendants of the Coble fam- War and first settled in p revealing t h e massive h a n d - pom 8. David - 1843; 9. Penny M and their ages a s of J u n e 1, 1850, j Go h e w n logs which constitute t h e pich .1843; ily anfl list the children, and their vania. a s follows: Elizabeth-19, J a m e s I Caro of t h e structure. In- pair 10. Elizabeth - 1846; 11. Ja< F.-15, Rosenna-13, Mary N. -12, J lette David Jr., apparently ^ ^framework ^^^^ births.

181John R. -11, William M.-9, DavidT Os£ David Coble was born March and left home at an early age for to preserve. Tnough^ne, accuracy T. - 1147; 12. Ephrian "i r — T *f "i T:: '--— ••—"• ~~j-^mj*w trie,fe 28, 1814 at the old Coble home- his first child is listed as being of the names, dates, and their or- 13. Martin Alexander - 1853; Eliser i&i I E p h r i a m -under one year of age priso Catherine 1855; 15 stead on a knoll about one mile born in 1834 when he was about der, of appearance may be ques17 Danipl' The wife of David Coble is not |j Smf ^ ^ north of St. Martin's Lutheran 20 years of age. He acquired con- tioned, the list in the register re- 16. Henry T. - 1857 "" 'listed in t h i s census. Either she j church. He was a member of a siderable land further south on mains the most tangible and com- - 1858; 18. Juley M. - 1860; was dead or inadvertently o m i t - , the great Long Creek and built a substantial plete piece of evidence that has Israel - 1866; 20. Alva - 1867| family of seven children.

David Coble's father was named story and a half log house to so far come to light concerning 21. Millard Filmore - 1869; ' ^nt n u m b e r of children by each f The Titus - 1870; 23. Hennetty - 18 of David's three wives seems to I tery David and his mother was Martha house the huge family that was to the family. have been well remembered. His I being Following is a list of the 3224. Linsay - 1873; 25. Ely - 18first Bray. The eldeY David was thecome.

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Dony Filipi 187& 27..

Rebel j ^ o bwife ™ h 'w a s Penny H a r w o o d ! shoul SCHOOL REGISTER children and the year of their son of George Coble who died in im seven children. 1 A list of the children of David birth as taken from the pages of Isabelle - 1879; 28. AHys - 1? I H o w e v e r t h e "seventh child m i Byi 1774. The Cobles were native of the southern part of Germany Coble is contained in an old school the nlcr school register: 29. Gilliam -1883; 30. Adam (tn.|this m a r r i a g e a p p a r e n t l y d i i S | ly w' "FS ^ ^ around Nordlingen, Ulne, Hoffen- register now in the hands of Paul 1. Eva - 1834; 2. James F. - - 1886; an unnamed infant for no record is found of it. His second wife, the gf heim, and Suinheim. There they Hartsell of Locust, who is a de-1835; 3. Rosey. - 1836; 4. Mary 31. Unnamed Elizabeth Barbee, bore h i m 11 ply b spelled their name Kobel and Go- scendant of the old man David. M. - 1838; 5. John R. - 1939; 6. infancy; children. Malinda Hinson, h i s grav? bel. Apparently they came to The dates of their births are also William M. - 1840; 7. Unnamed 32. Julina — 1889. third wife who survived h i m , bore h i m fourteen sons a n d daughters.

List of Children Following is a list of t h e 32 children a n d t h e year of their I birth a s t a k e n from t h e pages of I the old school register.

1. Eva—1834.

J a m e s F.—1835.

Rosey J.—1836.

Mary M.—1838.

John R.—1839.

William M.—1840.

No record.

David—1843.

Penny M.—1843.

Elizabeth—1846.

Jacob T.—1847.

Ephriam—1850.

Martin* Alexander—1853.

Catharine—1855.

Eliser—1856.

Henry T.—1857.

Daniel A.—1858.

Juley M.—1860.

Iseral—1866.

Alva—1867.

Millard Filmore—1869.

Titus—1870.

Hennetty—1872.

Linsay—1873.

Ely—1876.

Dony Filipi—1878.

Rebecey Isabelle—1879.

Allys—1880.

Gilliam—1883.

Adam (twin)—1886.

Unnamed twin t h a t died in infancy.

Julina—1889.

David Coble w a s 20 years ofI age when h i s first child w a s born. He w a s 75 years old a t t h e birth of his last child.

Old Home May Still Be Seen

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The only t h i n g t h a t m a d e him | stand out from the other m e n of I his d a y w a s h i s large familyHe w a s a poor m a n a s considering his possessions, yet he matle a living for his family from thel soil.

A few people today remember seeing t h e old m a n David and J playing with h i s later children.

They s a y he w a s of medium height a n d build a n d w a s spry of limb and mind right u p until his death. Some s a y h e wore a | short beard in h i s latter years.

Stopping Place His house there on the hill w a s a favorite stopping place for farmers on their w a y t o Coble's Mill on Rocky River. T h e log house stood amid big trees with the kitchen a p a r t from t h e m a i n house. Nearby w a s t h e smokehouse, grainery, sheda,. a n d a h u g e log barn. Facilities werel a t h a n d for m a n u f a c t u r i n g all clothing for the family a n d pre-j serving foods for use in t h e winr ter. j In the barn w a s a crude thresh ng machine, operated by m u l e | power, which threshed grain for the family a n d did custom work

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ed became a favorite merry-go- for t h e Confederate cause. While. in t r a i n i n g a t Salisbury h e suf-j round for t h e children.

David Coble attended t h e St.fered a n a t t a c k of t h e measles (Continued o n P a g e 12-A) Martin's L u t h e r a n church a n d his l a s t wife w e n t to t h e Jones Hill Primitive Baptist church i n t h e neighborhood. Some of t h e Coble children a t t e n d e d t h e old Howard school i n t h a t vicinity.

The nearest store in t h e latter years of David Coble's life w a s at | John Efird's mill on Long creek or a t Rocky River Springs.

Of E p h r i a m Coble, David Coble Junior's nephew, more is known.

He w a s a lad of about 17 w h e n his grandfather died a n d left h i m t h e Coble homestead. With I t h e help of slaves h e built a nice log house with a long front porch which connected t o t h e kitchen.

In 1849 h e married Mary ,Ann Catherine Efird a n d brought h e r to h i s n e w home. At dark t h e neighbors serenaded t h e m with a "belling" using every kind of noise-making instrument they could l a y their h a n d s on.

To t h e m were born three I children, Daniel, Elizabeth, a n d Titus. His wife died w h e n quite I young a n d h e m a r r i e d t h e second time. With h i s children Elizabeth and Titus i n the buggy I beside h i m , h e traveled to t h e home of Elizabeth Cornell w h o lived on a farm where t h e present town of Cooleemee i s now located.

They were married there. On t h e long return trip they p u t Elizabeth in t h e foot of the buggy a n d Titus s a t on t h e s e a t between t h e bride a n d groom. To this union were born two children, Mary a n d E p h r i a m .

Ephriam Coble w a s t h e school master for t h e county schools near St. Martin a n d h e took h i s d a u g h t e r Elizabeth with h i m when h e "boarded out" a w a y from home for days a t a time.

In Civil War In the war between the states,] Ephriam enlisted a t Albem

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ^LBEMARLE, N. C.

*KlDAY, JUNE

20, 1952

on M a m . V*. 1890. Uncle Pink j side t h e rat-infested r e m a i n s of Boone of t h e Barbee's Grove the old home can be seen t h e church community, built t n e (Continued from P a e e =5-A) mitered joists, wooden pegs, a n d coffin for him a s he h a d done for t h r e e other m e m b e r s of t h e I continued irom r a g e o A J hand-wrought iron-hinges. ,,and w a s told to come back home it i s said t h a t Dr. E p h r i a m | i u l V ' " c c " " — - - - - - v * c until he recovered. He was sick Burris from Rocky River Springs family, a n d t h e body ot t h e old] in bed w h e n his slaves got into officiated at t h e birth of one of m a n w a s h a u l e d in a two-horse I a ruckus and his wife was unable the last children of David Coble w a g o n to St. Martin's church ]to quiet t h e m . Although feeble The birth occurred late a t night cemetery. A preacher Moser conand anemic, he got up, w e n t to and t h e supple old m a n , then i n l ducted t h e last rites. | the slave quarters a n d restored his 70's, stayed close by the Today t h e passer-by on t h e i order. But the day w a s foggy doctor, ' worried, fretful, and dusty road t h a t w i n d s p a s t t h e and d a m p a n d this exposure anxious as a n y young' m a n cwaena t h e r - b l a c k e n e d Coble h o m e II m a d e his condition grow worse, would have been l ° ° k u p o n t h e r e m a i n s of t h e He died a few days later. born t h e 32 0 f t h e 32 children born to this J ° " ^ p w h w e w e r e Some of t h e early Cobles who m a n , only two are alive today. o^l dJ 1 a ^t n a r °c lh uo^f vSSt aa n^I vy 1 cfoiu,nit fy 5 n d j came to North Carolina from Mrs. Alice Coble Shankle, 28th P Pennsylvania sold their lands child in the family, lives just off \t | there while others, at least one of the Badin road a few miles from I j t h e m , leased his l a n d s £pr a Albemarle. Gilliam Coble, 29th fe period of 99 vears. The leaded child, lives on a farm n e a r Pales- f | l a n d s developed into rich oil a n d tine in Stanly county. Both v/ereij coal fields, towns sprang up, and | very young when their father U (the property became exceedingly died a n d they have few remem-K i£Dh r i i ^ ; , f i 1 valuable. brances of him.

Moss of thprn, V f t . - j 5 - ^ r » 0 & f i e y T circuit, presided. last year and was When the. Jease ended, a n at: old m a n David Coble died ^ ' Y ° r k ' ] U d g e o f * h e 8 D r t h * d i c i * l tempt was made, presumably, m£ to find the rightful heirs to the ingf Pennsylvania property worth thd millions. Some 30-40 years ago ant a m e e t i n g of all North Carolina ind Cobles was held in Greensboro. 1 i The purpose of t h e meeting, asj pla announced by t h e newspapers, tec w a s to review all evidence and David Coble was 20 years of sou line-up the rightful heirs. The age when his first child was born. daj Cobles were told to bring all the He was 75 years old at the birth exe evidence they could get together of bis last child. to link t h e m with their foreSoi i fathers who c a m e from PennThe only thing that made him sylvania. stand out from the other men of . Among the Stanly county Cobles his day was his large family. He lea who attended t h e important was. a poor man as considering fiek m e e t i n g were Titus and Millard I his possessions, yet he made a SUA Coble. "Phey carried with t h e m living for his family from the ing' old letters, family Bible records, resR soil.

1 a n d various other documents to help s u b s t a n t i a t e their claims.

A few people today remember resi All t h e evidence w a s placed seeing the old man David and 1 upon a large table a n d reviewed. playing with his later children. teri T h a t from Stanly looked most j They say he was of medium prejj favorable of all. But during the | height and build and was spry of W i i course of the meeting the -Stanly limb and mind right up until his T evidence vanished. It could n o t , death. Some say he wore a short be I be found.

Without written beard in his latter years. documents to prove their claims, t h e Stanly county Cobles return-!

It is said that Dr. Ephriam Bured from t h e m e e t i n g emptyris from Rocky River Springs of- M h a n d e d a n d the great w e a l t h in ficiated at the birth of one of the Cali P e n n s y l v a n i a fell into o t h e r last children of David Coble. The portl hands. birth occurred late at night and wast House Burned the supple old man, then in his fliglThe original Coble homestead 70's, stayed close by the doctor, to M n e a r St. Martin burned to the worried, fretful, and anxious as ground one windy day in 1949 any young man would have been. destroying relics a n d handiwork of a century ago.

ONLY TWO REMAIN But the old home of the patriOf the 32 children born to this Here in this crumbling arch David Coble still s t a n d s on old manufactured all food and clothing used by the family. Today man, only two are alhre today. fter the hill on the west side of Long tare on a hill near Long it stands forlorn and abandoned, Mrs. Alice Coble Shankle, 28th »„ a«..ti. A ._ C4..i„ r>/...«*J creek near the residence of Paul II of in Southern Stanly County B a r b e e A m i d a s e a o f r i p e n i n g i I S save for rats and reptiles in a child in the family, lives just oif born the 32 children of palj grain and guarded by one lone l^ field of arable land. Only two of the Badin road a few miles frjm David Coble. Built in the] w a l n u t tree, the old house where | C h . the 32 children born here sur- Albemarle Gilliam Coble, the 29th W£ of hand-hewn logs and r< 32 children were born a n d reared f. • vive today. (Fred Morgan Pho- child, lives on a farm near Pales- Una pine boards and with t | h a s been sadly neglected. The to). tine in Stanly County. Both were yield roof h a s fallen in a n d t h e out- 1 very young when their father died formj child died at birth 1842; America before the RevolJ side rock chimney h a s crumbled, L i . and they have few remembrances ert O Gof 8.

David 1843; 9.

Penny M. of him.

War and first settled in P revealing h e massive he a tnhde- | I™ |" hewn logs twhich constitute Caro 1h -1843; vania. framework of t h e structure . In-'l"The old man David Coble died lette 10. Elizabeth - 1846; 11. Jacob David Jr., apparently r[ March 20, 1890. Uncle Pink Boone Os to preserve.

Though the, accuracy T. - 1847; 12. Ephrian - 1850; and left home at an early age for of th« Barbee's Grove community his first child is listed as being of the names, dates, and their or- 13. Martin Alexander - 1853; 14. built the coffin for him as he had trie, tl born in 1834 when he was about der, of appearance may be ques- Catherine -1855; 15. Eliser -1856; done for three other members of priso 20 years of age. He acquired con- tioned, the list in the register re- 16. Henry T. - 1857; 17. Daniel A. the family, and the body of the Sui' siderable land further south on mains the most tangible and com- - 1858; 18. JuleyiM. - 1860; 19. old man was hauled in a two- the * greai Long Creek and built a substantial plete piece of evidence that has Israel - 1866; 20. Alva - 1867; horse wagon to St. Martin's chdrch story and a half log house to so fat come to light concerning 21. Millard Filmore - 1869; 22. cemetery. A preacher Moser con- The tery I Titus - 1870; 23. Hennetty - 1872; house the huge family that was to the family. beins Following is a list of the 32 24. Linsay - 1873; 25. Ely - 187<B; ducted the last rites. come. children and the year of their 26. Dony Filipi - 187JI; 27. Rebecey Today the passer-by on the dusty shoul SCHOOL REGISTER A list of the children of David birth as taken from the pages of Isabelle - 1879; 28. Allys - 1880; road that winds past the weather- Byil 29. Gilliam - 1883; 30. Adam (twin) blackened Coble home can look ly w.

Coble is contained in an old school the .old; school register: upon the remains of the house " F | 1886; 1.

Eva 1834; 2.

James F. register now in the hands of Paul Hartsell of Locust, who is a de- 1835; 3. Rosey. - 1836; 4. Mary 31. Unnamed twin that died in where were born the 32 children the g[ of David Cobel, grand old patri- ply b scendant of the old man David. M. - 1838; 5. John R. - 1939; 6. infancy; arch of Stanly County. grave The dates of their births are also William M. - 1840; 7. Unnamed 32. Julina — 1889.

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By FRED T. MORGAN ALBEMARLE — Not every generation in Stanly County produces a family of 32 children all stemming from the same parent. Yet, a hundred years ago, the first dozen or so members of a family of this size were being reared up on the west bank of Long Creek in the southern section of tne county.

It is doubtful if there are very many recorded instances in our country of families of greater proportions.

Today when a family of four is considered a large family, it seems amazing and incredible, that a family of 32 children could have survived the hardships that prevailed a century ago. But despite their primitive circumstances, all but two of the 32 grew to maturity and spread prosperity over Stanly county as elsewhere.

OVER HALF CENTURY The family was that of David Coble, greatest patriarch in Stanley's history. For over half a century the sons and daughters of David Coble came forth. They grew up, married, and some of them reared large families of their own. But none of the children even came close to equaling the vastness of the family of which they were a member.

Records, though meager and second-hand, have been preserved by descendants of the Coble family and list the children, and their births, David Coble was born March 28, 1814 at the old Coble homestead on a knoll about one mile north of St. Martin's Lutheran church. He was a member of a family of seven children.

David Coble's father was named David and his mother was Martha Bray. The elder David was the son of George Coble who died in 1774. The Cobles were native of the southern part of Germany around Nordlingen, Ulne, Hoffenheim, and Suinheim. There they spelled their name Kobel and Gobel. Apparently they came to

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^ y FRED T. MORGAN ^LiBEMARLE — Not every generation in Stanly County produces a family of 32 children all stemming ;frcfm the same parent. Yet, a hundred years ago, the first dozen or so members of a family of this size were being reared up en the west bank of Long Creek in the southern section of tne county.

It is doubtful If there are very many recorded instances in our country of families of greater proportions.

Today when a family of four is considered a large family, it seems amazing and incredible, that a family of 32 children could have survived the hardships that prevailed a century ago. But despite their primitive circumstances, all but two of the 32 grew to maturity and spread prosperity over Stanly county as elsewhere.

OVER fiALF CENTURY The family was that of David Coble, greatest patriarch in Stanley's history. For over half a century the sons and daughters of David Coble came forth. They grew up, married, and some of them reared large families of their own. But none of the children even came close to equaling the vastness of the family of which they were a member.

Records, though meager and second-hand, have been preserved by descendants of the Coble family and list the children, and their births, David Coble was born March 28, 1814 at the old Coble homestead on a knoll about one mile north of St. Martin's Lutheran church. He was a member of a family of seven children.

David Cc-ble's father was named David and his mother was Martha Bray. The elder David was the son of George Coble who died in 1774. The Cobles were native of the southern part of Germany around Nordlingen, Ulne, Hoffenhelm, and Suinheim. There they spelled their name Kobel and Gobel. Apparently they came to

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Soil, The only thing that made him stand out from the other men of lea his day was his large family. He fiea, was. a poor man as considering sui bis possessions, yet he made a ing living for his family from the resf soil. resi A few people today remember l\ seeing the old man David and fer% playing with his later children. P r e S They say he was of medium W i l height and build and was spry of 11 limb and mind right up until his be I death. Some say he wore a short beard in his latter years.

It is said that Dr. Ephriam Bur1 ris from Rocky River Springs of- M Calif ficiated at the birth of one of the last children of David Coble. The port! birth occurred late at night and wast the supple old man, then in his fligl.

70's, stayed close by the doctor, to \ | worried, fretful, and anxious as any young man would have been.

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Here in this crumbling structure on a hill near Long Creek in Southern Stanly County were born the 32 children of patriarch David Coble. Built in the 1830's of hand-hewn logs and r o u g h pine boards and with a stone

chimney at each end the old house echoed with the laughter of the first dozen children of this large family over a hundred years ago. Around this house were clustered an outside kitchen, smokehouse, grainery, sheds and a huge barn where were

America before the Revolutionary War and first settled in Pennsylvania.

David Jr., apparently married and left home at an early age for his first child is listed as being born in 1834 when he was about 20 years of age. He acquired considerable land further south on Long Creek and built a substantial story and a half log house to house the huge family that was to come.

SCHOOL REGISTER A list of the children of David Coble is contained in an old school register now in the hands of Paul Hartsell of Locust, who is a descendant of the old man David.

The dates of their births are also

given. Mr. Hartsell says the names were copied into the register from the old Coble family Bible which was in too bad a state of repair to preserve. Though the, accuracy of the names, dates, and their order, of appearance may be questioned, the list in the register remains the most tangible and complete piece of evidence that has so far come to light concerning the family.

Following is a list of the 32 children and the year of their birth as taken from the pages of the .old* school register: 1. Eva - 1834; 2. James F. 1835; 3. Rosey. - 1836; 4. Mary M. - 1838; 5. John R. - 1939; 6.

William M. - 1840; 7. Unnamed

ONLY TWO REMAIN Of the 32 children bom to this man, only two are alftre today.

Mrs. Alice Coble Shankle, 28th child in the family, lives just off the Badin road a few miles frjm Albemarle, Gilliam Coble, the 29th child, lives on a farm near Palestine in Stanly County. Both were very young when their father died child died at birth • 1842; and they have few remembrances 8. David - 1843; 9. Penny M. - of him. .1843; 10. Elizabeth - 1846; 11. Jacob The old man David Coble died T. - 1847; 12. Ephrian - 1850; March 20, 1890. Uncle Pink Boone 13. Martin Alexander - 1853; 14. of th"? Barbee's Grove community Catherine - 1855; 15. Eliser - 1856; built the coffin for him as he had 16. Henry T. - 1857; 17. Daniel A. done for three other members of - 1858; 18. J u l e y M. - 1860; 19. the family, and the body of the old man was hauled in a twoIsrael - 1866; 20. Alva - 1867; horse wagon to St. Martin's church 21. Millard F i l m o r e - 1869; 22.

Titus - 1870; 23. Hennetty - 1872; cemetery. A preacher Moser con24. Linsay - 1S73; 25. E l y - 1876; ducted the last rites.

26. Dony Filipi - 187JI; 27. Rebecey Today the passer-by on the dusty Isabelle - 1879; 28. Allys - 1880; road that winds past the weather29. Gilliam - 1883; 30. A d a m (twin) blackened Coble home can look - 1886; upon the remains of the house 31. Unnamed twin that died in where were born the 32 children infancy; I of David Cobel, grand old patriarch of Stanly County.

32. Julina — 1889. manufactured all food and clothing used by the family. Today it stands forlorn and abandoned, save for rats and reptiles in a field of arable land. Only two of the 32 children born here survive today. (Fred Morgan Photo).

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Page 8-A

STANLY NEWS AND PR

'Great Cyclone Of '48* Spread Death And Destruction«Throughout The Area by the damage wrought by the half a dozen miles away at the ed timber. Pine knots, used to terrific winds. foot of Buck mountain. One of start fires, were salvaged from James Thomas and wife, who the Lowder girl's hats was blown the route of the storm for years lived in the Union Grove church into Randolph county. Some- afterward. section, were in bed when the one there recognized the hat and People described the sound of storm struck. They awoke with sent it back to the Lowder girl. the tornado as resembling the rain pouring down upon them. A mirror from the house turned noise of a thousand hissing locoThe sides and roof of their house up in a fish trap in the river and motives. The black night was were gone with only the floor bits of furniture continued to split by a continuous glow of appear in'far away places. and their bed remaining. lightning which revealed much Filling the river with debris, of the destruction as it happened.

Ripping off a few housetops and snapping trees like match- the tornado bobbed up and down Hard rains followed the center wood, the storm crossed south of along the course of the Uwharrie of the destructive,elements. PeoAlbemarle and continued on to- river for a ways and then veer- ple caught out in the open huged off and visited havoc among ged trees, or flattened in ditches ward the river.

Col. John B. Simpson had a the homes in the Uwharrie set- or against banks. new house under construction tlement. Reports indicate that Livestock approached their near, the junction of the present old Buck mountain was left with stables with misgivings the next Badin-Swift Island road a few only a little fuzz clinging to its day at dusk, wondering if anmiles east of Albemarle. He had bare sides. Several homes were other such catastrophe would the house near enough^ along wrecked. The father of T. B. Mul- billet them around in their stalls that he had moved*his "family linix, who lives near the Morrow again that night.

Chickens, and belongings there. When the Mountain Park road, was penned blown fat afield, came straggling storm hit, the structure was com- by falling logs inside his home, back up to the roost that night pletely demolished and had to but not seriously injured. A almost tiptoeing, and with their f cousin of Mr. Mullinix's was kill- heads cocked cautiously to thel be entirely rebuilt. ed when the storm toppled a wind. Many a cow looked for aj Trees Crushed House. chimney down upon her. barn that wasn't there.

At the Henry Shankle place Examined Damage.

Where the twister originated! about one mile south of Jess Next morning the people near and where it finally blew itself* Mills' house on the Swift Island road, the cyclone unleased its the path of the storm took stock out was not determined. Some!

Neighbors jsay it 'started far south in thei fury and toppled two huge locust of their damage. trees over on top of the Shankle poured in to help rebuild the Pacific ocean and ripped its way I house. C. L. Shankle was camp- homes and improvise shelters. clear across the continent to t h e ! ing overnight in Charlotte that Doctors were busy with the in- Atlantic. night on a trip to buy summer jured. Dead cattle were lugged Some people have vague recol- j F O I l povisions for his household. His off to gullies and buried. Great lections of two men on horse- P w « « wife and her sister, Sis Ross, were gaps were torn in rail fences en- back who came through Stanly alone in the house when the two closing the fields and miles of county tracing the path" of dev trees crushed through the roof good timber laid to waste. In- astation left by the storm. of the house and trapped them quiries were made about kin in For months and years afterinside. They escaped injury, distant places. ward, the Night of Terror, the When the people got together, Big Wind; or the Big Cyclone, as | but were unable to extract themselves from the wreckage of the comparing damage in different it was referred to, was the main tizens of his day in house. The next morning, Char- parts of the county, many strange topic of conversation wherever/ere the Hearnes, lie Broughton, a Negro who lived things were learned about the people gathered. And to t h i s h B i v e n s P a x k e r s , on the plantation, came, and pranks of the cyclone. At one day there can be found traces of ' . , with his axe, chopped his way home everything was blown away the damage left by the Big Wind tfevicks, Huneycutts, into the house and freed the two except the floor and a chest. All on its course through Ste jmers whose names WdmOn who were none the worse the contents of the chest were county.

A p r vital part of Albegone with the exception of the for their experience. fefet thought was oi inane s citizenry. family Bible.

A flock of. chickens that roosted Albemarle seems much more All that was left of one home- Is here. To his sorin a large cedar tree near the f them had passed I like home than does the big city. site was 'a portion of the floor Shankle place were blown so far were others with I Here everyone seems happy and away that it took them until and the quilt table upon which •dged the gap of two carefree. Up there, he says the nightfall the next day to find a stack of quilts remained hardad bis evenings were people, many of them, are. ly ruffled at all.

Somewhere in their way back home.

At this point the tornado ap- western Stanly a- strange snake, asant reminiscence. wealthy, but at the same time lonely and unhappy. He rides a parently took a swing up the the likes of which had never been i ot Missouri river and headed straight for the seen before in this country, was i Missouri, Mr. Neff jam-packed subway underground mountain increasing in force and found. Many who saw the snake larle his home for for nine miles to his office each fury as it went. On the way it believed it came from some place before going to NCw day and uses the same means of bowled over the home of one- far in the south, or, as some ex- uas one of the first conveyance to return. How much more pleasant it would be to armed Green Almond and left pressed it, "from some island in its in Stanly county walk along tree-lined and flower. . - I t o r m H a d p a s s e d , o n e of t h e Co- the log home of Herbert Kearns the ocean". * During the night of the storm, I at the Lutheran bordered streets in the fresh air Iey boys started for the damaged In shambles. Old Mrs. Nancy barn to see to the stock when a Kearns, mother of Herbert, was one lady, fearing for the safety bemarle. He helped with people smiling greetings at of her kin some distance away, pipe organ in the you. flash of lightning stopped him painfully injured.

Musical Talent Undiminished by its destruc- jerked a shawl off its hook and ame from someplace abruptly with one foot poised out darted out through the rain and Another thing that impresses over the yawning well, the curb tive patiuthrough the county, the wind to see about them.

By the of which had been blown away. tornado hit the mountain, strip- time she arrived her shawl had he Albemarle Normal I Mr. Neff with Albemarle is the At the other side of the Locust ping it clean of timber and un- vanished. Next morning they |al Institute was pri- musical talent and ability presfor girls, Mr. ent in the city. He keeps track of community, Jake Hartsell was dergrowth on the west and south found that her shawl had hook- chool killed by the falling logs of his sides. The twisting winds rav- ed upon • music there. Miss the goings on in his favorite home at the door and house. His wife, in the same aged the mountain with such unraveleda asnail Miss Northrup were 'town through the medium of the she ran through the force that much of the timber on night. room, was uninjured.

• s , he says, and he Stanly New and Press. He's onthe opposite side of the mountain Roared Eastward.

House timbers were found pleasant hours spent ly been a subscriber for about Bobbing up and down, the tor- was blown off. Next morning it driven in the ground so deep that Jguidance. Love for three years now and regrets that nado roared on eastward through presented a haggled and picked- they had to be sawed off so as im into nearby cities he didn't subscribe many years the Big Lick section without too chicken appearance. Only a few not to impede cultivation. Chim- LSder circle of friends, ago.

While in Albemarle Mr. Neff much destruction except for the broken and splintered trees artel neys remained at some home- regular patron at woodlands. In the Laura Smith scant undergrowth remained. steads with no house in sight tractions at the old made Hotel Albemarle his headquarters, and visited in the section.east of Oakboro two el- Thereafter, up until the time the One home was wrecked in which I in the city. derly Hinson women Hved alone property was purchased by Mor- there was a woman with a day- strial as well as the homes of his friends in the city. ih an old log house. One was row of Albemarle, the wind- old baby. Uninjured, the woman jiwth of the city has A little man with thinning gray sick in bed. As the storm struck, swept mountain was called called to the men of the house rtenal. In his travels hair, Mrs. Neff Is an erudite the able bodied one tried to hold "Naked" mountain. who improvised a rude shelter ;h, Mr. Neff says he gentleman of the old days. His Dave Lowder House. the door closed and was crushed appearance and speech speak of Continuing its path of woe and over the high-posted bed to keep I city that would comby the weight of falling logs. the torrenfc^of ^ain off the infant [Albemarle. H ^ r e W g ° ° d . breeding M'-fcA The top and sides of the house destruction, the tornado howled and its mother.

Jossing streets of Pnor to his departure, Mr. Neff were blown away leaving only down upon the 16-room Dave At one place a new buggy was the floor. Strangely, the covers Lowder house on the knoll above swept off the ground and firmly mud on stepping remarked that he might come upon the bed on the sick woman the river ferry. Someone had just lodged in the branches of an oak V Albemarle's streets b a < * i n * h e not too distant future come out of the big house and tree. Another breath of the tor- e- as are commonlv a were not even disturbed. make Albemarle his home Another old lady, Mrs. Saljly left a door open. It seemed the nado smote the oak and toppled fny city. before old age deprives him of a l l / Robbins, of the same neighbor- tornado swooped inside and ex- it to the ground, crushing the of life's enjoyments.'

Aj hood, was crushed in her home ploded and showered parts of carriage. * the house in every direction.

In another home, a baby lying Several occupants of the house in bed between its parents was were critically hurt. Rebecca ldlled by flying debris. The two Lowder's cheek was lacerated adults were unharmed. and the jawbone dislodged. Her One shack near the river, in sister, Josephine, suffered a bruis-, which there was a woman with a ed and dislocated hip. The girls small child, was untouched byl were taken to the Kron sisters, the devastation of the storm, alAddle and Elizabeth, who nurs- though the big Dave Lowder ed them back to health. Mrs. house only a short distance away J Lowder, who was sick with the was practically obliterated. It grip, suffered exposure in the is said that the woman was on high winds and cold rain and her knees praying. she died a few days later.

At some homes, the logs facParts of the old Lowder house ing broadside against the path were found across the river in of the wind were jammed to t h e | Montgomery county.

Bedding other end of the house smashing and clothes were wrapped everything in the way. Logs facaround tree branches for miles ing the force of the wind lengthacross the river. A table was wise were left intact. Through found at the foot of a hill miles forests the storm left a path of away. A chicken rooster, belong- mangled timber and uprooted ing to Dave Lowder was found trees. Undergrowth was twisted off at the ground. For years the path of the tornado could be traced by the succession of huge clayroots and the maze of smarl-

By FRED T. MORGAN About mid-afternoon on February 19, 1884, Stanly county people cast worried glances at the very dlark bank of clouds hanging low over the western horizon. A continuous rumble of thunder could be heard far off.

Alarmed wfves called their husbands and children from the woods and newgrounds where they were working.

Farm chores were done up early and the stock secured inside the barns. From their windows and doors, the people in the sparsely settled countryside watched with growing concern the approach of the ominuous clouds and the menacing thunder. w . - It was no ordinary storm. The sky was too black and the thunder too incessant. The wind rose higher, bringing with it the smell -of rain, and rifled through the leafless branches of the trees with a moaning sound.

Uneasiness Reigned.

Dusk came and the evening meals were hastily eaten with a return to the vigil at the windows and doors. Children were put to bed early. Fires on the hearths were allowed to die low and the feeble light of candles and lamps was dimmed. Mothers nervously sewed and knitted while the men pretended casualness as they puffed upon homemade pipes filled with homegrown tobacco. Uneasiness was upon every face.

Lightning flashed outside and torrents of rain fell spasmodically. The wind grew fierce.

Thunder rolled long and deafeningly. Hardly had the glow from one bolt of lightning faded before another streak of yellow split the dark night Then the tornado hit. It was" the "Great Cyclone of '84"! With it came death and destruction as it literally cut a swath through Stanly county from West t#East.

On the hilltop at Locust Level the stout log home of old man William Coley, in which were gathered a number of people, was ripped to shreds with the logs scattered like so many ''^straws. Miraculously no one was 'Injured. After the fury of the

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FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1952

Francis N. Neff, Former Citizen Of Albemarle, Finds Progress Here

By FRED T. MORGAN Francis N. Neff of New York City recently spent a few days "back home" in the city of Albemarle after an absence of nearly 40 years.

The transformation that has taken place in that interval he terms as "amazing".

"Nowhere", he says, "have I seen a city with such civic pride, with such clean and shady streets, and such magnificent churches. It's a joy to me to see the progress and prosperity that is so evident here."

Mr. Neff left Albemarle in October, 1912, and has made his home in the big city since that time. There he is associated with

the Cannon Mills New York office and has been with them for 35 years. "Other than vacations, I've never missed a day at my desk during those 35 years", he recalls.

Upon arriving in Albemarle, Mr. Neff's first thought was of his old friends here. To his sorrow many of them had passed on. But there were others with whom he bridged the gap of two score years and his evenings were spent in pleasant reminiscenceNative of Missouri A -native of Missouri, Mr. Neff made Albemarle his home for a few years before going to New York. He was one of the first pipe organists in Stanly county and played at the Lutheran church in Albemarle. He helped install the pipe organ in the church. It came from someplace in Maryland.

Although the Albemarle Normal and Industrial Institute was primarily a school for girls, Mr. Neff studied music there. Miss Ufford and Miss Northrup were great teachers, he says, and he remembers pleasant hours spent under their guidance. Love for music led him into nearby cities and into a wider circle of friends.

He was a regular patron at musical attractions at the old Opera House in the city.

The industrial as well as the cultural growth of the city has been phenomenal. In his travels in the North, Mr. Neff says he has seen no city that would compare with Albemarle. He remembers crossing streets of ankle-deep mud on stepping stones. Now Albemarle's streets are as fine as are commonly found in any city.

Leading citizens of his day in Albemarle were the Hearnes, Efirds, Smiths, Bivens,. Parkers, Starnes, Bostiwicks, Huneycutts, and many others whose names are still a vital part of Albe- | marle's citizenry.

Albemarle seems much more j like home than does the big city.

Here everyone seems happy and carefree. Up there, he says the people, many of them, are wealthy, but at the same time lonely and unhappy. He rides a jam-packed subway underground for nine miles to his office each day and uses the same means of conveyance to return. How much more pleasant it would be to walk along tree-lined and flower- | bordered streets in the fresh air with people smiling greetings a t : you.

Musical Talent Another thing that impresses | Mr. Neff with Albemarle is the musical talent and ability present in the city. He keeps track of the goings on in his favorite home town through the medium of the Stanly New and Press. He's only been a subscriber for about three years now and regrets that he didn't subscribe many years ago.

While in Albemarle Mr. Neff made Hotel Albemarle his headquarters, and visited in the homes of his friends in the city.

A little man with thinning gray hair, Mrs. Neff Is an erudite gentleman of the old days. His appearance and speech speak of good breeding.

Prior to his departure, Mr. Neff remarked that he might come back in the not too distant future and make Albemarle his home before old age deprives him of all of life's enjoyments. /J

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Page 10-A

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, ft c.

this part of the state, has now moved. The limit on bass isj. been polluted to the extent that eight per person and they mustr the stream no longer has any be over 12 inches long. For all attraction to fishemen. Foreign other game fish in the county, I matter entering the river far up- there is a daily limit of 20 perl stream has ruined many a mile person per species. However, I of good fishing ground in this there is a total daily limit, in-1 county. Audible consternation elusive, of 25 fish per person. has been aroused in Stanly resiMr. Furr states that lake Till-| dents by this continued pollution. ery has now been stocked with Which produces better results— the free-spawning species of -*I fishing from the bank, or from white bass obtained from the ious chord with people of all Other popular places are a boat? From the bank, say men Tennessee Wildlife Commission.

The fluctuation of the water ages in all lands for there is a around the three dams on the j in a position to know. level on the lake does not interuniversal liking on the part of river, at Lowder's ferry, the More From Shore fere with the spawning of these humans to go fishing. bridge on highway 27, and In Stanly county by far the Wide Variety around Indian Mound on the I most fishing is done from the fish as it does with other species. to Mr. Furr, fishing All the way from the scrub- Norwood-Swift Island road. shore with the conventional pole, in According North Carolina runs into big Length of Trips pole - and-can-of-worms fisherr I line, and hook baited with min- business and a large amount of man to the polished sportsman How long does a fishing trip nows, worms, and dpugh. This revenue is collected annually with his elegant lures and ped- last? It depends. Maybe all day, type of fishing is most common antic knowledge succumb to the or maybe just an hour. Patience with ordinary folk. The whole from the sale of licenses.

By FRED T. MORGAN. lure of the open waters and se- is usually the determining fact- family can enjoy it. The kids Old City Lake cluded lakes as warm weather or. A real fisherman, it is said, can romp in the woods while "Let's go fishing."

One of the most sought after Those are magical words along and sunny skies create the urge wouldn't begin to become dis- the older members of the family fishing in the county, within him. couraged after only an hour of relax in the shade, their poles it seems,grounds about this time of year. is the city water A most popular incentive to fruitless fishing. propped at the water's edge, and lake some distanceoldwest They'll make the gardener of AlbeMany Stanly county public keep an eye on their corks as marle. Judging from the numbdrop his tools and start smiling head for the fishing grounds is the escape from work and diswell as on their neighbor's. workers hit the river bank beas he visions a shady nook with of recent arrests for fishing Most boat fishing is done close er fore daybreak and fish for an playful bass erupting on the agreeable surroundings. there, the lake holds enticement "This time we'll get the big hour or two before time to leave up to the shore of the lake. Only surface. for a great number of fishermen one," they all say determinedly. for work. This group says the comparatively few fish are The impact of the words upon For many weeks now Albe- early morning hours are by far caught out in the miles of open | who surreptitiously fish the lake the miserable owes who sweat marle for the big ones purported to and Stanly county citizens the best time of day to catch water in the lakes. and swear with the lawnmower have been roam the depths there. And big journeying to the fish.

There are numerous well stock is comforting. Gleefully they nearby lakes and streams to try ones have been taken from the More fishing is done, however, I ed private lakes in the county lake, no question about it. relax.

A smile will slowly their luck at the Isaac Walton where the fishing is excellent after working hours in the aftersmooth out the furrows of frown sport. On an average, their luck Albemarle and Stanly county noon when everyone is eager to and is entirely under the super- officialdom on their faces and they look' like has been good. remain adamant "on get a hook in the water. Many vision of the owner. Rank ama- the proposition they wonder why they hadn't of public fishing The lakes on the Yadkin and parties take a picnic supper and teurs can usually pull out gobs thought of going fishing sooner. Pee Dee river are of course the fish after dark. Others depend in the city lake.

Probably only With a kick at the tortuous mow.- favorite places to most home upon their skill with the hook ! of fish from these lakes. a sharp manifestation of public Does a real, down-to-earth er, they'll wipe their prespiring county fishermen.

The one and line to provide them with sportsman enjoy fishing in a sentiment would move them to brow and nine times out of ten most popular spot seems to food from the lake and go preon the matter. small lake where his. game is action say they're ready to go.

Faced with prosecution if. apbe the region around Whitney pared to cook it. Possibly they hemmed up? If he does • fish fishing on the city iiDven grandmother perks up on the upper. Badin lake. In return hungry sometimes. there, will he get the same kick prehended lake, many people obsessed with and tire kids become excited as addition to people from Stanly Overnight fishing parties are out of a catch as he does when a fishing trip is contemplated. county, the lake at Whitney is common on the Badin and Till- he snags a big one in the river? that desire do the next best they go up to the head Fishing equipment dealers gloat frequented by fishermen from ery lakes.

Honest-to-goodness sportsmen, thing; of the and fish in Long and prosper. throughout Piedmont North CaroRocky river, once known as one as a rule, shun the small lakes creek lake just off the restricted The phrase strikes a harmon- lina. of the best fishing streams in and the too-easy conquest and property. prefer to stalk their prey out in Fishing outside the county the open waters in a natural habitat. There they match wits has become popular with many with the fish in his home grounds Stanly fishermen who take their and pit their knowledge and boats and tackle to the lakes and rivers in the eastern and western skill against his cunning.; parts of the state for a weekend Contrasted to the sportsman, or a few days. The huge Santeewho observes all the rules' and Cooper lake in South Carolina STANLY N E W S A N D PRESS, A L B E M A R L E , N. C. limits, other men go after fish attracts a goodly of with devious methods. With the Stanly residents whonumber bring back gun, gig, dynamite, poison, and glowing reports of the fishing electricity. No matter how illegimate and destructive their there.

Others like the deep sea fishmethods may be, they are interested only in taking back a ing at the beach. Still others string of fish in a hurry. With travel only moderately to Blewett them fishing takes on a com- Falls and the High Rock lake mercial aspect and they experi- and Little river in Montgomery ence not the thrill of the sports- county. man.

Contests Held License.

Some of the sporting goods About licenses. Stanly resi- places in Albemarle sponsor condents who use live bait and fish tests each month to select the within their county are not re- biggest catch in the county. Conquired to have licenses. If any testants must register beforetype of artificial bait is used, hand and weigh in their fish! licenses are required. For fish- there. Only game fish are eling outside the home county, a gible to enter. Nominal prizes state license is required. are awarded to the winners in The use of seins, nets, baskets, each category monthly. gigs, and all other such devices Game fish in Stanly county! used to take fish must be author- have been identified as bass, ized by a special fishing license. bream, white perch, and white Baskets are limited to two per and black crappie. Other fish person. are designated as coarse fish.

Trot lines come under the Not many people relish the sospecial fishing license category called grabbling around suband are lawful provided cut merged rocks and stumps'to trap bait is used. Suckers may be fish in close places and take gigged during" certain times of them by hand. Poisonous water the year in designated streams in moccasins are apt to be encount- j the county. Game fish are to be I ered in this way. Yet, with •taken only by the hook. some it is a favorite way of fish"Little Bob" Furr, Stanly rep- ing and in small streams many resentative of the State Wildlife fish are caught in this manner.

Resources Commission, says that Fishing remains one of the the limit on crappies in the Badin most popular pastimes of the and Tillery lakes has been re- average person. The cost of the sport can be expensive or insigPAGE MANUFACTURING COMPANY—An outgrowth of a small cabinet and woodworking shop, nificant as he chooses to make the Page Manufacturing company, manufacturers of church furniture, has in the last 10 years it. To enjoy it requires no social, | grown into one of the leading industries of Stanly county. The firm now enjoys a good business educational, or political alignthroughout the eastern United States. The company is located on Monro* street in West Albemarle. ments. The sport is free to ' —Staff Photo. everyone.

Boat trailers and cars with rainbows of poles tied over their tops \and loaded with jubilant fishermen are an everyday sight through the streets of Albemarle.

They're headed for the lake and a fling ,at the fishing sport.

Next time, notice the joy and exaltation mirrored in the eyes and upon the countenance of the person when you hear that faBy FRED T. MORGAN iar phrase let's Steady growth and r a p i d [business expansion during the last few years has placed the ifojXjW^M-'.'•M'Mr/lt;-.

Page Cabinet company in Albemarle, manufacturers of church furniture, among the leading industries of Stanly county.

A recent renovation program completed this year gives the plant, located on Monroe street in West Albemarle, a modernistic and imposing appearance.

Many improvements and enlargements have been completed, or are in the process of being completed.

Cement blocks, bricks, and masonry have replaced the frame structure and considera b l y more space has been included in the new building.

Other recent improvements in' elude a new lumber shed which measures 36 by 40 feet, a bathroom and a shower room, and a CHURCH ALTAR—This handsome, finely finished, and engraved commodious office compart* church altar is only one of the many quality products of the ment on the street level.

Page company. All types of church furniture are manufactured New Machinery including pevfrs, communion tables, rostrums, tables, chairs, altars, Approximately $5,000 worth of etc. ' T h e company delivers and installs the furniture. new machinery has been added' (to the facilities of the plant this year. The company has 23 j full time employees to handle its.output of products.

The plant contains a full line df efficient machines used in

Fishing Is Favorite Sport Of Mcmy Residents of This Area

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Page Cabinet Shop Manufacturers Big Variety Of Church!Furniture

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Wide Variety Everything in the church furniture line is manufactured by the company, including pews, chairs, communion tables, I rostrums, altars, etc. A large volume of these items are turned out weekly and they are built on an assembly-line basis.

In addition to covering the state of North Carolina, the j company has dpne business as far away as Miami, Florida,] Iowa, and Detroit, Michigan. A special crew is maintained to deliver and install the furniture. . >*, Mr. Page began the business about 1930 in a little 12 by 20 building near his present plant.

At first he built cabinets, chests and anything that people wanted. He began making church pews about 1937 and was enjoying a good business When a fire destroyed his shop and equipment in 1939. He rebuilt his shop and overhauled his machinery and had begun to get a start' back in the church furniture business when world war II interfered. During the war when help and materials were scarce, he went back to building (anything that he could get the materials to make and could sell.

After the War From time to time he added to his shop and improved his equipment. Following the close of the war, he foresaw a good business in his field and appropriated his resources toward it.

His venture blossomed out into a big business and has continued to grow up until the present dfry.

STANLY NEWS AND PREH

FRIDAY, AUGUST- 8, 1952

Primitive Threshing Machine Is Property Of Western Stanly Man

the smooth wooden rollers a r e somewhat uneven from countless bundles of wheat t h a t have passed between them. The rollers and other integral parts of the machine a r e made of blackgum, Mr. Morgan- believes.

The top part of the box-like I j machine can be lifted off, reveal- ' ing the stout-looking paddle wheel i with its many crossarms. Except for a few rotting boards on the top covering, deterioration has been negligible on the old thresher. The old wooden hopper at the front of the machine where .the wheat was fed in, has been torn off in years past, but Mr. Morgan still has the outside frames of it, which were fastened j to the front of the machine with pegs. y.'i In the latter years of the machine's use, someone must have realized the advantage of tacking metal strips on the forward edges of the crossarms which beat out the grain.

The now rusty metal strips are fastened on with ! homemade nails.

As machines of this type were replaced with more efficient methods of threshing grain, they 11 were discarded and subsequently, destroyed.- How his grandfather's] old thresher escaped being b u r n ^ ed or destroyed through thes many years, Mr. Morgan* d o e s / know. He has tried to p r e s e / it since it came into his p c / sion many years ago.

By FRED T. MORGAN A primitive threshing machine, probably the only one of its kind in existence in Stanly county today, has been preserved by D. J. Morgan, who lives on t h e Big Lick-Liberty Hill road in western Stanly.

The odd-looking old thresher belonged to his grandfather, Gideon Morgan, and has come down through the family into the hands of the present owner. He believes it is close on to 150 years old, or maybe older. H e keeps it stored in an out of the way place in an old building on his farm.

Mr. Morgan doesn»t remember ever seeing the machine in operation. I t had already been replaced by newer models before his day. He doesn't know why the crude wooden object was retained after it became obsolete. But he is glad t h a t it was. The thing is a curiosity for folks to look a t nowadays.

Description Given Less than waist high and only a few feet in length, the machine PRIMITIVE THRESHER—This crude m a c h i n e w a s once used by is built almost entirely of forest the grandfather of D. J. Morgan of the Big Lick community. The pine timber. The base support oval-shaped top part of the machine, which contained another boards measure over 20 inches in . roller, w a s removed when t h e picture w a s m a d e . The base b o a r d s , width and are about two and one- of t h e machine, which is believed to be well over 100 years old, half inches thick. Timber of t h a t a r e of solid pine a n d m e a s u r e over 20 inches in width. size and quality just isn't avail- ^_r I , - J ^ ^ V ' - r ^ r - i v ^ ' —Staff Photo. able in the county today, Mr. Morgan points out. Some black the wheel knocked the wheat | and did custom work for farmers. County Newspaper of Character gum was also used in the con- heads off the s t r a w . a n d scrubbed j His thresher, it11 is said, was the struction also. It. has an oval- them against the wall. Wheat, last one to be used in this p a r t of N. C , TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1952 shaped top t h a t houses the quaint straw and chaff were all forced the country. threshing mechanism. on back by the paddles and dropAll Mr. Morgan knows about According to Mr. Morgan, the ped through the opening. On the the-antique thresher is w h a t has machine was designed to sit per- floor below, the rough straw was been handed down to him. Tradim a n e n t l y up in the b a r n l o f t with I forked off. The remaining pile tion has it that a man by the i! a special opening under it through of chaff and wheat had to be run name of Reap who lived in fhe w'hich fell the wheat, straw and | through a hand "windmill to sepa- present Red Cross area, was a woodworker and he made the old chaff together. I t was powered j r a t e the chaff from the wheat, threshing machines as Well as othby a long wooden boom which Threshed Slowly mules pulled around in circles.

Mr. Morgan says in all proba- er objects.

Whoever the manufacturer was, By an arrangement of wooden bility the machine would not gears, belts, and pulleys, turning j thresh out i more than 20 to 25 he was highly skilled at his trade, of the boom operated the thresh- bushels of wheat per day, if that for the old machine embodies exer. Wheat was spread out in the much. Even so, it was a promi- cellent workmanship. Its framewooden hopper in a thin layer nent farmer who owned one of work is mitered and intricately with the heads forward and was the machines: Other farmers fitted together in a fashion t h a t fed between two rollers, contriv- would bring their wheat to him would never budge. Many wooden pegs, are used on the paddle ed to turn in opposite directions, to have it threshed.

Inside, a wheel with many woodCrude as the machine was, , it wheel inside the machine.

Well Worn en crossarms rotated on the main1 was better than beating the grain shaft with the projecting cross out over a barrel manually, or Quite noticeable is'< the fact arms having only, a slight clear- using stock to trample it out. that the machine has seen wear. ance against the side of the inside j According to heresay, Eben P a r t s subjected to strain show wall. The blunt crossarms on ' Morgan owned a similar thresher unmistakable signs of wear and „„»..„ o r s m o u i i o n proDiems were war ••***-* -- ; ; z encountered. Sales soared u p - t h a t is t h e end in view. • w a r d a n d m a n y n i g h t s t h e two The t a g s represent s o m e excelm e n h a d to work l a t e to keep t h e lent w o r k m a n s h i p a n d are a supply a h e a d of t h e d e m a n d . tribute to t h e ingenuity of t h e Then, competition reared its m e n w h o designed a n d m a n u bleary h e a d upon t h e contemp- facture t h e m . orary scene. Tags, somewhat Usually such novelties are . similar to t h e i r own, were a p - evanescent, b u t these t a g s conp e a r i n g in other parts of t h e tinue to sell consistently a n d are state. Apparently someone else proving more popular by t h e day. w a s seeking to capitalize on their None other of the several types idea. of t a g s which are now b e i n g sold Faced w i t h t h i s situation, they elsewhere in t h e state will apdecided upon a renovation of proach t h e m a s to q u a l i t y a n d ef-. W«TH CAROLINA—Robert Morris, originator of t h e v a c a t i o n l a n d . their tag. Keeping in m i n d t h a t fectiveness.

I *bown in their little workshop in Albemarle t u r n i n g out t h e Variety Vacationla, t h e purpose of t h e t a g w a s to The orieinal idea c a m e f r o m l a v e P ^ v e n so popular with motorists in North Carol boost t h e variety v a c a t i o n l a n d Morris a n d Smith ih Albemarle, | * ^ ™ ! t e s t h * • " • « » w W 1 « Sml **» p l a c e s the completed t a g s on t h e rack in the ba existing in t h e state. Smith w e n t " n r t t h P v still h a v e t h e best va- *L F l v e s e P a « r t » screening operations a r e necessary to finish one tag. At t h e u p to work on t h e n e w version of M t i o n l l n d t M Tho two Albemarle m e n h a v e m a n u f a c t u r e d t h o u s a n d s -the tag. far.

• t a g s which are being displayed on tho front of automobiles t h r o u g h o u t t h e stc After a period of designing Their new model sadly -trans—Staff Photo—Morgar a n d rejecting, he a t l a s t c a m e cends t h e now drab-looking s t a t e u p w i t h a n innovation t h a t w a s sign t h a t greets t h e visitor on • w h a t he wanted. every major h i g h w a y into North New Version Carolina. The designers of t h a t T h e n e w version requires m u c h big sign could well t a k e lessons more intricate screen work, b u t from Morris a n d Smith. A Morris, a n expert, adroitly reDistribution Problems produced Smith's design upon the Distribution problems a r e ^ silk screens a n d w a s soon gear- p a r a m o u n t w i t h them) ed u p for production. Five dif- are getting t b ^ l! ironeH „the . two! in IContinn^ mind— j •2£^age2-Aj

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fllbemarlians Boost State A My Vacationland' By Tags

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Albemarlians Boost Variety Vacationland ferent screening operations, m (Continued from Page One) the huge welcome sign and the addition to the primer coats, are fact that N. C. vehicles had only necessary to turn out one of the new tags one 1952 license plate.

The new tag exemplifies well Then the idea came! Why not make a miniature sign like the the original idea, actually showbig one, say about the size of ing the vacationlands that exist a license tag, to fill that vacant- in the state. A red blob of the looking place on the front of outline of the state occupies a central position and the whiteautomobiles?

He toyed with the idea and lettered phrase "North Carolina^ eemkmamammM V • ^^aaaaW **m*» ^ « f c ^ » talked at over with Smith. They Variety Vacationland" stands out in, blob relief upon the state - A Stanly County Newspaper of Character — agreed it could be done. and the green foreground. Down ;tnly Observer Reduced State Sign ALBEMARLE, N. C , TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1952 On paper Smith reduced the big along the outer banks of the out- •shed 1881 line, whitecaps lazily roll in state sign to the approximate size from the deep blue ocean to the of a license tag. It looked good. white sands of the beach where - Then, ordering the necessary ma- gayly-colored beach umbrellas terials, they retired to Smith's dot the shore. garage for their workship.

Overhead in the cool, blue sky, Using the sencil and silk screen fluffy white clouds sail along to process and working at night and the westernmost part of the state on holidays, they put Morris' idea where high, green mountains and into application. Both men are giant trees stand guard over a experienced sign painters and magnificent dual highway which silk screen men, therefore it re- symbolizes the acessibility of quired only a short time for them the grand scenery awaiting the to get in,to production. Their eager vacationeers. metal, the paint - grip variety, All in all, the tag presents a they obtained pre-cut except for fresh, vista and is dethe corners which had to be cidedlyinviting attention-getting.

Beyond rounded. Then came the prim- doubt they will arouse interest er coats, followed by the several in those visitors who are unsilk screen operations. aware of the state's attractions.

Attractive vacationland tags Further, by observing the tags, came from beneath that silk the visitor will be induced to inscreen by the hundreds. . They vestigate those things which the found a ready market, although tag so skillfully portrays. And some distribution problems were that is the end in view. encountered. Sales soared upThe tags represent some excelward and many nights the two men had to work late to keep the lent workmanship and are a tribute to the ingenuity of the supply ahead of the demand.

Then, competition reared its men who designed and manubleary head upon the contemp- facture them.

Usually such novelties are orary scene. Tags, somewhat similar to their own, were ap- evanescent, but these tags conpearing in other parts of the tinue to sell consistently and are state. Apparently someone else proving more popular by the day. was seeking to capitalize on their None other of the several types of tags which are now being sold MmwmmmmwmmaWkWkWa%WamiaWa^ idea.

Faced with this situation, they elsewhere in the state will ap- FORTH CAROLINA—Robert Morris, originator of the vacationland tags, and Roy Smi decided upon a renovation of proach them as to quality and ef- I shown in their little workshop in Albemarle turning out the Variety Vacationla, their tag. Keeping in mind that fectiveness. jave proven so popular with motorists in North Carolina. Morris, an experienced s the purpose of the tag was to The original idea came from operates the screen while Smith places the completed tags on the rack in the ba boost the variety vacationland Morris and Smith in Albemarle, f. Five separate screening operations are necessary to finish one tag. At the up; existing in the state, Smith went and they still have the best va- een yet unfinished tags. Tho two Albemarle men have manufactured thousands to work on the new version of cationland tag on the market by I' tags which care being displayed on the front of automobiles throughout the st< the tag. far.

—Staff Photo—Morgar After a period of designing Their new model sadly -transand rejecting, he at last came cends the now drab-looking state up with an innovation that was sign that greets the visitor on what he wanted. every major highway into North New Version Carolina. The designers of that The new version requires much big sign could well take lessons more intricate screen work, but from Morris and Smith, jfc, Distribution Problems Morris, an expert, adroitly re_ produced Smith's design upon the Distribution problems are. still, 1' silk screens and was soon gear- paramount with, them, but they ed up for production. Five dif- are getting the kinks pretty well ironed- out and now the tags, meeting with instantaneous popularity; are rapidly becoming more widespread in the state.

Dealers are requesting shipments regularly.

The many hundreds of the old type tags that were sold in Albemarle and Stanly county, as r^TAIJLY COUNTY ^OALI elsewhere, are now being replaced by most motorists with the hewer version. On the back of the latest tags a sticker reads "Boost Your State" and gives directions how to preserve the finish on the tag.

Still operating on a spare time basis in their little shop behind Smith's home in West Albemarle, the men see no immediate end to their business. As long as motorists keep requesting the tags, they'll fill the orders.

Their interest in the tags springs not altogether from a commercial angle, but from a genuine desire to bolster the state's not too stable vacationland ego. They know first hand of the state's long range program of highway beautification and vacationland promotion. As faithful members pf the highway organization, they are lending commendable support to it.

Down at some appropriate place in the Hall of Fame at Raleigh where memorials are erected to great Carolinians, the Highway Commission should reserve a niche for a plaque or a bust of Morris and Smith in honor of their efforts in the state's behalf. ^mmmmm^mu

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Albemarlians Boost State A pty Vacationland' By Tags

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NLY NEWS A> The Stanly Observer Established 1881

- A Stanly County Newspaper of Character — ALBEMARLE, N. C, TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1952

BOOSTING NORTH CAROLINA—.Robert Morris, originator of the vacationland tags, and Roy Smit f designer, are shown in their little workshop in Albemarle turning out the Variety Vacationlail j tags which have proven so popular with motorists in North Carolina. Morris, an experienced si screen man, operates the screen while Smith places the completed tags on the rack in the bac ground to dry. Five separate screening operations are necessary to finish one tag. At the upij < left may be seen yet unfinished tags. The two Albemarle men have manufactured thousands i I the attractive tags which are being displayed on the front of automobiles throughout the sta j —Staff Photo—Morgan| 3

Two libemarlians Boost State As 1 'Variety Vacationland By Tags Idea Grew Into Large Business Smith And Morris Turning Out Very Attractive Adver' tising Auto Plate.

By FRED T. MORGAN Every Chamber of Commerc^ I official in North Carolina should* have a word of praise for two Albemarle men. They deserve praise.

Whatever sleepy state department it is that seeks to attract tourists and propagate the vacationland wonders of the tar heel state should roll out the royal carpet to these two men and receive them amid cheering and showers of ticker tape and with all the accompanying adulation I shown a returned war general.

Such a recepition would be entirely in order.

It is doubtful if very many other ordinary citizens have contributed so much in so short a time to the promotion of their state as a vacationland.

Who in central North Carolina hasn't seen one of the attractive "North Carolina-Variety Vacationland" tags that have replaced th£ front license plate on thousands of N. C. Vehicles?

They are going into every section of the state.

Morris and Smith The two Albemarle men who are behind this rapid-fife boost to their state are Robert Morris, who conceived the idea, and Roy Smith who largely designed the tag and has aided in its production. Both men are employed at the Seventh Highway division sign headquarters near Albemarle.

It all began back early last fall when it became apparent that N. C. vehicles would have only one license plate for 1952.

Along about that time, Morris and Smith, who work as sign painter and sign shop foreman respectively, were helping to get out several of the huge official "welcoming" signs that are placed at the state line on every U. S. highway into North CaroI lina.

Superimposed upon a dark green background is a bright red scale of the state and in conspacious lettres across the broad j face of the sign are the words, "Welcome to North Carolina, Variety Vacationland".

Morris associated the two things together in his mind— (Continued on Page 2-A)

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

Page 12-A

Old Drew Morgan Made History In Early Days Of Stanly County <8>

the warm sunshine plus an extra N 0 te The assistance of Mrs. heavy dinner and the lay down by G. D. B. Reynolds in supplying the fence to rest. Drew, dropping information and aiding in the around to see how his new hired preparation of this story is gratehand was making out, came upon fully acknowledged. him slumbering peacefully in the

By FRED T. MORGAN meager shade of the rail fence. He stepped to the edge of the woods Since the story on Drew Morgand cUt a long keen hickory. Coman appeared in the News and ing back, he lit in upon the unPress in February of this year, suspecting man and administered many other tales have unfolded a sound whipping. about this "mighty man" of Stanly county who was 43 years old Men came from great distances tvhen the county was formed. His to hunt deer and buffalo and OLD CHAIR — This homemade name is emblazoned across much smaller game in the famed Morg- chair, still sturdy and usable, of the early history of the country an woods. Sometimes they would was once used as a desk chair along Rdcky river in what is now spend a week camping and Hunt- by Drew Morgan's lawyer, ArStanly and Union counties. ing in the vast reaches of the deep chie Robertson. It is now own* It appears that his honesty and forests controlled by Drew Morg- ed by Clyde Morgan, a descendfiner traits of character have an. It comes by hearsay that the ant of Drew, who lives near the sometimes been overshadowed by last buffalo in this territory was Morgan MiU on Rocky river. the tales of his uncouthness that killed in the Morgan woods near have been pressed to .the foreRocky river. level. They unloaded the salt upfront by those who retain only Flocks of Sheep on the ferry. Drew plunged his that which is derogatory for the Drew's large flocks of sheep horse into the stream at the place sake of a big yarn. ranged over the grassy hills and 'where she indicated and felt out He was a big man, doing everymeadows for miles on both sides the crossing there. He made it thing in a big way. He was stable of Rocky river. Once a hermit hcross and motioned for his wagand influential. Everyone rejectwho lived in a shack in the big ons to follow. Each wagon made ed Drew Morgan and admired his woods let a fire get started out of it safely. On the other side they abilities. His heart was as big as control and it Spread from the reloaded their salt and continued the thousands of acres that he woods near the river all the way their journey west. controlled and his sensitivity to to the present little town of New Darkies often drove Drew' /] the needs of his fellowmen led to Salem in Union county. Much wagons for him. One of them many benevolent acts. game and timber was destrojted. was named Wess. Early one cold Most of the sheep happened to be morning when they were camped-: Helped Others near the river at that time and far down on the trail, Wess awoke!

At a Morgan family reunion escaped by jumping into the first. The early morning chill held at the Morgan Memorial water. made him shiver. He needed at church a few years ago, a neighOnce Drew was asked why he sip out of the potent brandy jug|' bor got up and told of ^an incident bought up all the farms and land that he knew was always stand-j that revealed a true' insight into adjoining his vast holdings. He is ard equipment on a wagon trip. the general make-up of the old said to have replied that poor He found the jug tucked in thei: ancestor being honored. A man land around him was better than footboard of one wagon. He look-j by the name of Bill Smith had sorry/ neighbors. / ed around. Other members of I been married for little more than Drew himself was not much of the party had not stirred. He a year and he and his wife and young baby were in grave need. OLD MORGAN SAFE—In this huge strong box Drew Morgan a hunter. However, occasionally smacked his lips in anticipation.

Bill was in dire need of a horse once kept his gold and valuable papers. It is believed to have he did go out for a kill. One au- But the cob stopper came out of I that could behad for $60. He had once belonged to pirates and been handed down for generations tumn he went out in the woods the jug with a resounding thud managed to share crop for the in the Morgan family. Still in use today, the massive safe is near his home and baited a shal- which registered upon several of I —Staff Photo. especially | low trench in a little clearing and the light sleepers, past year and get by, but he had owned by a businessman in Wingate. took up vigilance behind an un- Drew. He recognized the sound H no prospects for the spring ahead. obtrusive blind. Soon a wild in an instance, although he could j He went to iJrew and asked for To support this unfounded turkey and her brood of near not see Wess and the jug. "Well, 1 a loan of $60 with which to buy pirate theory, there is in use togrown ones came in sight. All of bring it on out," he thundered in the horse, offering a mortgage day a massive iron safe which them approached from the same the direction of the sound, "and and other securities. Old Man was once a permanent fixture of side and lined up and began eat- let's all have a drink."

Drew didn't utter a word of pro- the Drew Morgan belongings. It. ing the bait of crushed wheat and test or advise. He just pulled out is constructed of solid sheets of Hinson Controversy corn from the bottom of the a small bag and reached Bill $60 iron and reinforced with broad Reflecting the pride and importstraight trench.

Drew fired his old in gold. The money aided Bill iron strips.. Round bolt heads ance with which Drew surround| gun and when the smoke cleared and set him on his feet. Later, center each junction of the strips -away he saw the turkeys all. flut- ed himself, the story is told that perhaps several years, he was and are present over every four tering together on the ground. old man Bill Hinson, a man of able to repay the loan. inches of the outside surface of There were fifteen in all. The means who lived between the the safe as well as the inner door.

When out riding over his vast tellers of this story cannot be Morgan mill and Monroe, wanted plantation, Drew would often dis- The four-inch thick outside door shaken on this point. The story to have the road that came by~j mount from his familiar riding is opened by a solid bronze key still stays with the old gun, now the Morgan mill named after himwhicH* weighs half a pound and horse and take the handles of a owned by Drew's great great self. And he almost succeeded. plowstock .from the hands of one fits into a secret keyhole. The grandson of Hanflet. He bagged This chagrined Drew. It was a of his slaves and break sod for a inner door, two inches in thickall fifteen birds with one shot. He* rank insult to his standing in the f ness, sports a huge iron ring for distance with the darky dutifully returned home and sent out neg- community. Folks in the commuleading his horse behind. Or he a handle and must be opened by roes to bring in his kill. When nity predicted hectic repercussions would take a broad-faced hoe another secret means.

Drew hunted, it was usually for from Drew and they were right.

When other designs failed, Drew from a negro and wield it for a The interior of the safe, measfresh meat, not for sport. took it to the courts and with his : few moments while the wide-eyed uring about 20 by 25 inches, is The Morgan home on the Stan- lawyer battled Hinson for days. darky beamed around at his com- of metal except for a walnut ly county side of Rocky river was He finally won out and succeeded | panions. *£/v shelf and drawer. Standing some a popular lodging place for county in having the road named after 37 inches high, the safe roughly Drew's vast holdings on both and state court officials on their himself. To this day, the road, sides of Rocky river numbered measures about 28 inches square. vjay through this section of the now a hard-surfaced state highIt probably weighs upward of half many thousands of acres and his country. Every wayfarer was way, is known as the Morgan Mill slave population was unequaled a ton and is moved only with TOMBSTONE—Located in the hospitably treated. road. great difficulty.

This ancient original Morgan family gravethroughout the entire territory.

Judge Buckson Drew was married at an early His big mill and trading post on safe, which once protected the yard at the rear of the present Judge Buckson, on his way age to Peggy Heglar. and raised the river near his home was the gold and valuable papers of Drew day Morgan Memorial church, nucleus of trade and community Morgan, has been likened unto this weathered slab of granite from Montgomery to Mecklenburg two sons, Henry and Ellison, and life for. many miles around. Mail the treasure chest of a sea captain marks the final resting place of county courts, often made it a one daughter, Catherine, who sometimes accumulated at the of the old days. It is nOw in the the mighty Drew Morgan, an point to stop overnight at the married Mike Dry. Another son.

Morgan Mill for neighbors,. trap- possession of a business man in outstanding figure in the Rocky Morgan home. Late one cold eve- I Charlie, died when only a few pers, "prospectors, peddlers, and Wingate whose g r a n d f a t h e r river country a hundred years ning when Drew was out around years of age. Tradition has it that ago. his barn getting things bedded the little fellow became deathly plain fortune hunters in this terri- bought it at the Morgan sale-. down for the night and perhaps ill and the grieved father hastily tory who often called for it only Unschooled and able only to once or twice a year. The fame write his name, Drew was never- Drew told what he thought of any- giving orders and swearing in his dispatched a slave by horseback and products of his extensive tan- theless progressive in the practi- one's judgement who would sow firey voice, someone whispered to for Cheraw to bring back a good I yard and leatherworks spread cal things of life. He began the oats so early in the fall. He ques- him to not cuss so loud that Judge doctor to treat the ailing child. throughout the length and breadth practice of accumulating by buy- tioned the wisdom of Mr. Tucker's Buckson was at the big gate. The slave stopped only long of the state. His seven huge four- ing and selling at an early age dad and his early oat sowing. Drew scoffed, "Judge Buckson. enough to change to a fresh horse horse wagons were a common and continued so until his death. Probably that evening as he re- Who's Judge Buckson? Is he bet- at the relay stations along the same route traveled by Drew's sight along the trails to Cheraw, He prospered head and shoulders turned, he stopped and chatted, ter than Drew Morgan?"

Fayetteville, and even to the above any contemporary of that awhile. Mr. Tucker's dad, LeonDuring the war, when the south wagons. He got the doctor and coastal towns in North and South section. ard, thought a lot of "Uncle was being starved into submission headed back, again swapping Carolina. by the blockading ships, it is be- horses along the way. But the Drew."

Employed Lawyer boy Charlie was dead upon their It is said that Drew Morgan Morgan's Tannery He also remembers on one trip lieved that Drew Morgan traded arrival back at the Morgan directly with the English governMorgan's tannery was an ex- was the first man in North Caro- to the Morgan plantation he saw home. The horse that the slave tensive business for that day. lina to. employ a full time lawyer a young red and white spotted ment. With his seven wagons had ridden died from the demands loaded with hides and leather Brown Traywick was the shoe- to handle his affairs. Drew hired bull at Drew's barn which had made of him on the last lap on maker. Not only was he kept the lawyer, Archie Robertson, the longest horns that he had ever goods, tallow, dried fruit, knit the journey. woolen sox, and many other items right from the school room where seen on an animal.

That bull, he busy from daylight to dark, but Many outsiders often lived in of produce, he would guide his he had a number of boys working he was teaching in Cabarrus says could not go through an ordi- wagon train unerringly to a se- the Morgan home. Among them under him as apprentices and county and the bachelor' lawyer nary stable door without turning cluded inlet on the coast or up the was Dr. C. M. Gust and his daughlearning the trade as cobblers*1 devoted himself entirely to the his head sideways and poking his river and there for the ar- ter, Jeanette, of Germany. John | harness and saddle makers. James task of keeping the plantation on horns through horizontally. Mr. rival of the ship.wait How he timed Morgan, grandson of Drew, and a sound basis and consummating Tucker says that since that time Goodman Sr. was the "boss" of his arrival with that of the ship Jeanette, fell in love and were the legal affairs of his employer. he has been all over the state of the big tanyard until he»was calland how the ship managed to run married. They were the parents ed into the Confederate army. Ashley Tucker, 87-year-old resi- Texas three times, but in all his through the blockade is unknown. of 13 children. John, the son of dent of Albemarle, remembers travels he has never seen an aniLater, John Underwood, grandBut he never failed to return with Henry, died in 1908. father of the present Albemarle camping overnight at the Morgan mal with longer horns than his wagons loaded with food and Slaves Left on Rocky river on several oc- Drew's bull. citizen John Underwood Sr., took mill articles that most of the people casions.

Usually the mill was so After the Civil war when many One of Drew's slaves is said to over the tanyard and moved his that a farmer coming .from have been instrumental in start- of the south were without. of Drew's slaves left him, he was family to the Morgan plantation, busy some distance had to spend the ing what is now known as the People in western Stanly coun- forced to hire negroes to suppleoccupying the house built for the night there in order to get his "Tony" variety of apple. The ty did not suffer the inconveni- ment his labor supply. Many of tanner. grinding done, for the mill oper- slave was out in the forest cut- encies and shortages that were them he hired from the densly Shoes were made for every mem- ated night and day. Mr. Tucker prevalent elsewhere in the coun- colored section around Cotjfebnvilie ber of the plantation, for sale at and his dad often slept inside the ting wood and saw a young sprout try.

Once the women complained in Stanly county. Aged negroes which looked different from the the Morgan Mill store, and for building and were lulled to sleep about the scarcity of needles, scis- today, remember hearing their other growth around.

Before hauling to the markets down east. by the creaking machinery . leaving the woods that evening, sors, knives and forks. Before forefathers speak of the mighty During the war between the on his next trip, Drew Drew Morgan. states, Drew -kept his leather- Mr. Tucker distinctly remem- he dug up the sprout and took it leaving told the women that he'd bring Drew died December 18, 1880, back to the main house with him works going night and day, supply- bers seeing old man Drew at the some of those items if he in the 83rd year of his life. News ing the Southern troops with a milt on one occasion. He des- and asked "Massah" Drew if he back to go all the way to England of his death came as a great volume of quality leather goods. cribed him as being heavy built could set it out and see what kind had after them. And he had them up- shock to the people of that counof fruit it brought forth.

"Put it His harness and saddles brought and of medium height. He was try. The great Drew Morgan top prices at the markets. His red-faced and wore a wide brim over there in the corner of the on his return. was dead. White and colored Though Cheraw and Fayettegarden where the fools won't plow black hat.

If he liked you, Mr. tannery supplied other harness alike came to his funeral to look shops with wagon loads of tanned Tucker said, he would curse you. it up," Drew retorted. The slave ville were the most frequent des- upon the old man for the last He did not carry any sort of gun who found the sprout was named tinations, it was often necessary hides. time.

They buried him i in the for the wagons to journey on to Tony. .

Hence when the tree Drew Morgan was more than or weapon when Mr. Tucker saw brought forth fine apples, they Charleston and Wilmington for family graveyard at the present him. just a man or a unique figure. He were called Tony apples after the certain important items. Travel- Morgan Memorial church on the was the major support of many He remembers the time that a slave. "• Other sprouts grew from ing along the water courses, the old homestead. His wife, who people in the Rocky river section drought forced the mill to curtail this tree and now the Tony apple wagons would sometimes meet died two years later, is buried bewho largely depended upon him to operations because of the lack of tree variety has spread far and the ship on its way to the inland side him. Many of the later Mormarket their produce and to bring water. Drew had his men fell a wide. port. In that event, the transfer gan descendants are buried t h e m back the necessities of life, plus a long forest pine which he hoped fo of goods was made right at the The land Drew possessed at his Some people, remembering the throw out into the river at an anfew luxuries. point contact. death was divided among his] of their forefathers, insist] Drewof usually rode horseback in children. A quantity of gold Born in 1798, Drew was the son gle so as to channel more water tales that the old negro saying "more advance of his wagons. Some- three that Drew kept in his home disof Johnathan Morgan who was down the race to the mill. Rocks rain more rest" originated on the the son of Goen Morgan. Goen were to be piled around the log Morgan plantation. A negro lad times he would arrive at the appeared the night following his first settled on Clark's creek near an,d a sort of temporary dam by tiie name of Samuel was sup- markets and sell his goods sight burial. Who got the gold has i£ unseen and have the stock brought been the subject of much specuthe Pee Dee river in Montgomery built.

Starting with the small end, posed to have made that utter- for the return trip before his lation through the years. county. Later Goen had land apparently when he was unThe contents of the old home condemned and Hcense granted by they began to load the log on a ance, aware of the master's presence. wagons got there. were scattered far and wide and the state for a mill site on Rocky wagon to take it to the river's But Salt Incident Drew overheard the remark, remained the object of much river and moved his family there. edge. But the log was so ponder- or perhaps was not quite sure of Once, when salt could not be have contention up until the present It would add color and immense ous they could not lift it and what he had heard. "What was obtained at Cheraw, the wagons interest, if it could be proven that could not back the wagon up un- that you said, boy," he asked. set out for Charleston where a1]* time. One lady in Albemarle, tohas in her possession a much Drew's forebearers were descend- der it far enough. Drew, then in Overwhelmed by the sudden pres- shipment of the precious substance day, sought-after old cupboard that ed of the distinguished gentry of his late 70's, lay down on his ence of h,is master, Samuel hastwas awaiting transfer.

With sea pirates from off the high seas back under the log and put both ily stammered, "I say mo' rain their wagons loaded with salt on was once a prominent fixture in the Morgan home. Another has who apparently wearied of their feet up against it. The men and mo' grass, Massah." the return trip, they came to a the grandfather clock and the buccaneering and settled in the mules kept a backward pressure swollen river which had to be massive sideboard. quiet coves along the Carolina on the wagon. As Drew lifted Expected Work crossed.

The ferry at the crosscoast. Maybe he is a wee bit of the log a mite with his feet, they Drew expected a man to work ing was rickety and of insufficient Handsome Uniform kin to pirate Sir Henry Morgan inched the wagon backward and when hired out to him. Likewise size and capacity to ferry across A very handsome uniform and who played around the mouth of finally succeeded in loading it. when the hired man went to a wagon load of salt and a team. a three-cornered hat with a the Cape Fear river quite freDrew's table, Drew expected him Only a frail lone woman was plume turned up among Drew's Strong Cuss Words quently in the old days. Many an to have a heaping plateful before to operate the ferry. She unusual possessions. It was much Drew, with other riders, had to inland waterway was known to pass Mr. Tucker's father's house him with his eyes on more. The present consented to take the salt across too small in^size to have been have been a pirate rendevous in on his way to Albemarle to at- story goes that early one spring if it was unloaded upon the ferry, worn by Drew unless it was in those days. The name Morgan is tend court. Early in the fall one he hired a young man and put him but the wagons \vould have to his younger years. The costume a common one in some sections day, Mr. Tucker and his dad were to work grubbing in a newground. cross by some other means.

She has been variously identified as of the eastern part of the state. out sowing oats when Drew came The man, a little heavy-set and pointed out a place where wagons being a state militia or RevoluOld Iron Safe along. With strong cuss words, not too ambitious, succumbed to had forded the stream at aaiormal tionary war uniform, or a pirate

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Six-Year-Old Is Veteran Milker

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any Persons Tried To Secure old From Old HJ & H. Diggin «Y-

By FRED T. MORGAN Part II Fame of the Hearne and Hathcock mines near Albemarle spread far and wide. Men came to the mine from as far away as the famed Cripple Creek diggins in Colorado.

In September, 1895, Dr. Earl L. Woods of Pueblo, Colorado took an option on a section of land owned by Samuel A. Culp which joined the mine property. The following year Woods transferred |-fcis-.. option to the Little Fritz Gold Mining company, also of Pueblo, Colorado. Woods evidently became a stockholder in the company for he is later referred to as the secretary of the company.

Another mysterious figure connected with the mine was that of Dr. Mathieu Sonvlelle of Paris, France. Very little is known of him.- Whether his interest in the mine was legitimate, or solely for purposes of stock manipulation is uncertain. He traveled a good bit and did not control the property for any length of time.

In 1896, C. A. Shankle conveyed to Sonvielle a tract of land known as the "Lowder gold mine tract", which was previously owned by one A. E. Freeman. Then Sonvielle set about dickering with Ben Wilson for an option on the Hearne and Hathcock mine^„..r. j Wilson, who "lived "ifi"~CTarksTony Whitley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Whitley ofi StanJ burg, West Virginia, could not County, is only six years old, but he has been a regular milker come to Albemarle so he wrote men, don't you think that whei his Dad's farm for more than three years. It all started one moa a letter to W. H. Hearne of Al- them at heavy expense because U«, h a w the assurance of i ing when he sat down on the stool near acow, grabbedtwona| we were assured that the gold at assurance bemarle authorizing him- to act Ms and began pulling like his father. He's being doing it as his agent and sell the property the bottom of them was very rich s d o S h a r f r o y m your* p r i c ^ o g e e and 1£ 1& nothing interfere with his twice-a-da, to Sonvielle for the sum of $14,- which we did not find to be true. am told te.ui that t h a t you vnu held hfilJ (Photo by Fred T. Morgan.) $15,000?s IT am 000. Hearne was to get ten per It is simply low grade ore and it Vvtio allege*} at $25,000, then $20,000, cent as. his commission. The nothing more and so I suppose it $18,000, then to $15,000, and thefj undergrowth have all but obliter- came to AM that is on the H. and H. property—the transfer was made a few days one occasion you are said to ated signs of the gigantic ope- ed limousifc a later, but Sonveille held only shafts which are nearly filled up. on have offered it to a gentleman rations carried on there at one Sibley about tl optional rights on the property. If the party owning' this property without faith of *heii t condition for $12,000 in time. will give me a reasonable opLater in November, 1896, he Prespecting has continued on ed the sample; cash, one-fourth in hand.and the transferred his option to the portunity at a reasonable price, residue in 6, 12 and 18 months the property right up to the pres- But Swarte f I will put modern machinery and American Gold Mining company ent time, but speculation on it promise The s for 2,000 shares of stock in the a full force of hands, and make with interest. has abated since the mine prop- returner) and .

"In view of the circumstances erty came into the hands of R. been heard:of•& company. Then In June, 1897, in such tests as a practical miner would require, as soon as it can and my situation here, I beg that L. Sibley of Albemarle. the city of St. Louis, Mo. before lawyer sinqe.

Notary Public Grace E. Hoover, be done, but this would require you will 'give me the earliest posSeveral years after McLure had tal at the very shortest period about sible answer that you can. Tis abandoned the mine, John W. theMany Dr. Sonvielle for a "valuable conrichnesi sideration" paid in hand, trans- a year and a half, and then to true that I can get the Dr. King Brown was authorized,as attorney story has it I h a t ferred all his title, rights, and in- assure you gentlemen of my good property and perhaps others, but in power to clear up the affairs day night in the terests in the property to one Ira faith, I will insert in my con- I tell you frankly that my plans of the mine and settle with thel blast was sej tract a provision to commence would be much better subserved stockholders. The property was" J. Hedrick. •• the work of development with by having the H. and H. Also I sold at public auction at the mine. A l a r | Experimental Basis ore was unco^ The American Gold Mining proper -machinery within forty would be much delighted if Col. courthouse door in Albemarle in men were press days and to proscute it with Davidson's sons, of whom you company evidently worked the July, 1918. The Sibley Manu- find. However] mine only on an experimental vigor, to pay you one-half of the speak in terms of high praise, facturing company purchased it tion on the mini basis for soon they conveyed the profits during the option and ex- would run down with you and see for the timber that it contain- run out at midij option to Louis S. McLure of San tend the opportunity of your me at the mine. ed. Later, in 1919, R. L. Sibley in- Due to some lejj "Very truly yours, Diego, Calif. The transfer was agent having access to the mindividually purchased the prop- the op«£Siors Signed, recorded in Kansas City, Kansas, ing, milling etc., at any time, and erty from the company and ob- renewrnelease a n B further, if we should cease opL. ,S. McLURE." and signed by Ira J. Hedrick, tained a clear deed to it. the mine was arm president of the company and L. erations for the period of sixty One by one the Davidson heirs, In 1933-34 considerable pros- rich ore samples days at any one time or sixty B. Ridge, secretary. were by this time scattered pecting was done along the out- back into the sh? other than Sundays in six who McLure, an experienced min- days throughout the eastern United crop of veins and a 5-stamp mill) doors made to col that it shall operate a s States, signed i n g man, investigated the prop- months, the option agree- erected. The gold occurred as trance. D. B. Han a forfeiture of our lease or operty thoroughly, then he wanted ment and transferred their inter- free gold in the quartz and was make the heavy dooj to buy the Hearne and Hathcock tion. /-Jir-G est in the mine to McLure under readily amendable to amalga- the mine up. mine from Wilson and the David"I also note what you say the terms outlined in his letter. mation. At several places along Mr. Sibley has in son heirs. about the taxes on the property Wilson later sold his three- the vein the gold occurred in sufvarious testimonfl Following is a letter that he which have been paid by you ex- tenths interest in the 239% acres ficient quantity to be easily dis- sion who worked the mir cept that Mr. Charles Davidson of the mine property to McLure cernible without the aid of the things ofinwhich wrote to Wilson about the mine: tl "Albemarle, N. C. has paid for the last two years; for $4,500. The Porter owners al- lenses.

One of them, that and these must be reembursed so sold their interest to McLure.

In 1935, H. J. Bryson, state July 3, 1897 before you would consent to give Under the terms of the option, geoligist, had this to say about Howell, reads as folk "Col. B. Wilson, an option. I will pay this amount McLure could have purchased the the Hearne and Hathcock mine, assayer at the Hearne Clarksburg, W. Va.' upon accepting the option, and entire property for $14,000 if he "These properties have possi cock mine during the §h "Dear Sir; operated it. ifct also pay the taxes upon the elected to do so. jbilities, provided an equitable McLure the gold ore and f o u n M -am "T have read and considered property during this option.

To what extent McLure decontract could be had with the with a good deal of care your reof it was worth six t h o M -ad "I also note that the owners of veloped the mine is not known,' owners." cent letter to Mr. Hearne and enlars per ton. J remerr >er .,. however he did operate somethe property are adults with the Along in the mid-1930's when closures relating to the Hearne as much as four poi inds pail successfully for a period. the property was under a $100,000 time and frequently Sel and Hathcock property belonging exception of a few infant grand- what Apparently .the next owner, or bond to H. Burwell Reid of the pounds or more at ojjfee to you and Col. Davidson's heirs children of Col. Davidson's, and situated near here. As you have that the party accepting the op- operator was the Little Fritz Gold District of Columbia, different fine specimens of ore , aapt been advised bv Mr. Hearne T tion will have to do so upon the Mining company of the state of sections of t h e crone-rtvu. ™r*m -. hr—r —*-*- •*--

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Many Persons Tried To Secure!

Gold From Old H. & H. Diggings

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By FRED T. MORGAN Port II Fame of the Hearne and Hathcock mines near Albemarle spread far and wide. Men came to the mine from as far away as i he famed Cripple Creek diggins in Colorado.

In September, 1895, Dr. Earl L.| Woods of Pueblo, Colorado took ATX option on a section of land owned by Samuel A. Culp which joined the mine property. The following year Woods transferred [ -bis option to the Little Fritz Gold Mining company, also of Pueblo, Colorado. Woods evidently became a stockholder in ihe company for he is later referred to a s the secretary of the company.

Another mysterious figure connected with the mine was that of Dr. Mathieu Sonvielle of Paris, France. Very little is known of him. Whether his interest in the mine was legitimate, or solely for purposes of stock manipulation is uncertain. He traveled a good ,bit and did not control , the property for any length of er mining areas. The task of mov' time. ing the huge boiler fell to Tom !> In 1896, C. A. Shankle conveyJohnson, Albemarle livery man, ed to Sonvielle a tract of land who used sixteen head of horses known as the "Lowder gold mine and mules to pull the boiler uptract", which was previously ownon a heavy wagon built esed by one A. "E. Freeman. Then pecially for the job by the Sibley Sonvielle set about dickering with Brothers company of Albemarle.

Ben Wilson for an option on the It is said thai? the boiler was Hearne and Hathcock mine. ,mrich samples and ' rep taken to Montgomery County.

Wilson, who lived in" Clarksburg, West Virginia, could not The high towers over the shafts wrote to. Mr. Sibley reque. that the samples be lent to come to Albemarle so he wrote men, don't you think that when remained erect .for a long time a letter to W. H. Hearne of Al- them at heavy expense because vou have the assurance of a and sections of the old tramway for examination. He iromise bemarle authorizing him to act we were assured that the gold at diligent test, you ought to abate stood solidly for many years. have them in the rturn tl a s his agent and sell the property the bottom, of them was very rich somewhat from your price of Water rose over the rich ore that two days after he recaed th< to Sonvielle for the sum of $14,- which we did not find to be true. $15,000? I am told that you held men say lies at the bottom of the A lady lawyer from Chariot 000. Hearne was to get ten per It is simply low grade ore and it at $25,000, then $20,000, then shafts and today the forest and who allegedly represent! Swar cent as his commission. The nothing more and so I suppose it $18,000, then to $15,000, and that undergrowth have all but obliter- came to Albemarle in athaffeu. transfer was made a few days is on the H. and H. property—the on one occasion you are said to ated signs of the gigantic ope- ed limousine and approuhed Mi later, but Sonveille held only shafts which are nearly filled up. have offered it to a gentleman rations carried on there at one Sibley about the sampl&Onthe faith pf their proposals,te turnoptional rights on the property. If the party owning this property without condition for $12,000 in time. ed the samples over to tk lady.: Later in November, 1896, he will give me a reasonable op- cash, one-fourth in hand.a'nd the Prespecting has continued on I portunity at a reasonable price, But Swartz failed totaphis\. transferred his option to *L*~ the property right up to the presL U C | -E — , , , i aj residue in 6, 12 and 18 months American Gold Mining company T will put modern machinery and with interest. ent time, but speculation on it promise. The samples wennwot for 2,000 shares of stock in the a full force of hands, and make has abated since the mine prop- returned and no word has ever 1.

"In view of the circumstances erty came into the hands of R. been heard of Swartz or the lady \ company. Then in June, 1897, in such tests as a practical miner lawyer since. the city of St. Louis, Mo. before would require, as soon as it can and my situation here, I beg that L. Sibley of Albemarle.

Notary Public Grace E. Hoover, be done, but this would require you will "give me the earliest pos- Several years after McLure had Many talete are still told pi Dr. Sonvielle for a "valuable con- at the very shortest period about sible answer that you can. Tis abandoned the mine, John W. the richness of the mine. One sideration" paid in hand, trans- a year and a half, and then to true that I can get the Dr. King Brown was authorizedas attorney story has it that late one Saturferred all his title, rights, and in- assure you gentlemen of my good property and perhaps others, but in power to clear up the affairs day night in the spring, a huge terests in the property to one Ira faith, I will insert in my con- I tell you frankly that my plans of the mine and settle with the blast was set off down in the tract a provision to commence would be much better subserved stockholders. The property was" mine. A large amount of rich.

J. Hedrick. •> the work of development with by having the H. and H. Also I sold at public auction at the ore was uncovered. Only a few!

Experimented Bosis machinery within fortv would be much delighted if Col. courthouse door in Albemarle in The American Gold Mining proper were present to witness the days and to proscute it with Davidson's sons, of whom you July, 1918. The Sibley Manu- men company evidently worked the vigor, find. the lease or oppay you one-half of the speak in terms- of high praise, facturing company purchased it tion onHowever, mipe only on an experimental profits to the mine is said to have during the option and ex- would run down with you and see for the timber that it contain- run out at midnight basis tor soon they conveyed the tend the that night. opportunity of your ed. Later, in 1919, R. L. Sibley in- Due to some legal technicality! option to Louis S. McLure of San agent having access to the min- me at the mine.

"Very truly yours, dividually purchased the prop-1 the opj^alors were ..^.unable, to:: Diego, Calif. The transfer was ing, milling etc., at any time, and Signed, erty from the company and ob- renew tH#lease and consequently recorded in Kansas City, Kansas, further, should cease opL. ,S. McLURE:" tained a clear deed to it. and signed by Ira J. Hedrick, erations ifforwe the mine was abandoned. Thel period °f sixty In 1933-34 considerable pros- rich ore samples were dumped | One by one the Davidson heirs, president of the company and L. days at anythe one time or sixty who were by this time scattered pecting was done along the outB. Ridge, secretary. into the shaft and heavy other than Sundays in six throughout the eastern United crop of veins and a 5-stamp mill back doors made to cover the enMcLure, an experienced min- days months, that it shall operate as ing man, investigated the prop- a forfeiture of our lease or op- States, signed the option agree- erected. The gold occurred a s trance. D. B. Harwood helped, ment and transferred their inter- free gold in the quartz and was make the heavy doors and close erty thoroughly, then he wanted tion. est in the mine to McLure under readily amendable to amalga- the mine up. to buy the Hearne and Hathcock "I also note what you say the terms outlined in his letter. mation. At several places along mine from Wilson and the DavidMr. Sibley has in his po»ses. J about the taxes on the property Wilson later sold his three- the vein the gold occurred in suf- sion various testimonials of pen I son heirs.

Following is a letter that he which have been paid by you ex- tenths interest in the 239% acres ficient quantity to be easily dis- who worked in the mine andjaw I wrote to Wilson about the mine: cept that Mr. Charles Davidson of the mine property to McLurfe cernible without the aid of the things of which they spak. f One of them, that of J A. I "Albemarle, N. C. has paid for the last two years; for $4,500. The Porter owners al- lenses. and these must be reembursed so sold their interest to McLure.

In 1935, H. J. Bryson, state Howell, reads as follows: "I a s £ July 3, 1897 before you would consent to give Under the terms of the option, geoligist, had this to say about assayer at the Hearne and Hi. "Col. B. Wilson, an option. I will pay this amount McLure could have purchased the the Hearne and Hathcock mine, cock mine during the time R. Clarksburg, W. Va.' upon accepting the option, and entire property for $14,000 if he "These properties have possi- McLure operated it. I examp "Dear Sir; also pay the taxes upon the elected to do so. bilities, provided an equitable the gold ore and found t h e f ; "I have read and considered property during this option.

To what extent McLure de- contract could be had with the of it was worth six thousand . / with a good deal of care your realso note that the owners of veloped the mine is not known, owners." lars per ton. J remember mel• [*] cent letter to Mr. Hearne and en- the"I property however he did operate someAlong in the mid-1930's when as much as four pounds a t / are adults with the closures relating to the Hearne exception of a few infant grand- what successfully for a period. the property was under a $100,000 time and frequently melted' and Hathcock property belonging children of Col. Davidson's, and Apparently ,the next owner, or bond to H. Burwell Reid of the pounds or more at once. 1 4 \ l to you and Col. Davidson's heirs that the party accepting the op- operator was the Little Fritz Gold District of Columbia, different fine specimens of ore dumkj "ituated near here. As you have tion will have to do so upon the Mining company of the state of sections of the property were into the shaft the day thej~| been advised by Mr. Hearne, I faith the guardians of the minors Colorado. In the latter part of thoroughly prospected to test out back shut down the mine and made| have an optional contract on the would consent to a friendly suit 1898 the Little Fritz Gold Mining the content of gold. Very rich doors and closed it tjfLowder or Shankle property ad- in which the title of the minors company consolidated with the specimens of gold ore were heavy W. B. Talbert, who wDrke<ri joining yours and am making could be transferred with that of Huneycutt Placer and Lode Gold brought out. Some of the rich- there in charge of the1 night shift,! vigorous explorations with en- the adults.

Mining company, a duly organiz- est of the samples were stolen testified that he saw one patic. gine and modern appliances with corporation under the laws of one night by a man who took ular lot of about one and on$i "Considering what I have heard ed a sufficient force of men to test the of Colorado, and form- them to Salisbury and tried to half bushels of very high fiadd of the integrity of Col. Davidson ed astate what there is in the property. company known as the sell them to a jeweler. ore, which was richly inters i-xe<j| and family, and what I know of "I find a low grade of ore which Fritz - Huneycutt Gold Mining Other samples Mr. Sibley took with gold. In order to separft^ can only be worked to advantage you by reputation and from the company. Fred Betts was presi- to Raleigh and showed to Mr. the gold from the rock It v by milling it in large quantities. business people of this neigh- dent of the company andf E. L. Bryson who said they were some necessary to beat it with a hanJ "From present indications this borhood, I would be willing to ac- Woods" secretary. of the richest specimens of gold mer and then twist the gold jf property will not contain suf- cept the option upon these conIn April, 1900, the Fritz-Huney- he had ever seen in the state. get the rock out of it. ditions.

Of course, I would conficient quantity to justify percutt company transferred the A German to whom Mr. Sibley It seems almost unbelievaM manent operations and for this cent to a provision of the con- property to S. R. Baldwin of Los showed one of the samples said that the mine could be left idj tract not tc commit any unnecesreason I would like to have an Angeles, Calif. Baldwin, in June, that if such ore was discovered in if it produced ore worth ''m option on the Hearne and Hath- sary waste; but I would expect 1902, conveyed the property to his country, the property would thousand dollars per ton. Minj cock, or the H. and H. as it Is to have the right to use such W. A. Wagoner. be diamond drilled to a depth of say that ore worth as low as timber on the land as would be called down here, so that if I After the operations ceased at 3,000 feet if necessary to test out per ton Js profitable to work] could command a similar amount necessary for mining purposes; the mine, the machinery remain- its content of gold.

But through a long period] and if by possibility I should of low grade ore there, I might I ed intact for nearly a year, then A Joseph Swartz of Philanow, the Red Hill has q be justified in purchasing both not purchase the property to re- h t ^ g gold and moved off to oth- delphia, Penn., learned of the years sistently remained vacant of move any machinery therefrom properties arid establishing a extensive mining operations^ i n case I left. permanent mining business here. basks in the stories that "Your opinion expressed to Mr. "I tell you frankly what I told of its richness. Whend want. I have been a practical Hearne that six months is ample old mining men get togethef miner -since boyhood; first in time in which to make an ex- i this vicinity, their faces brigq Colorado, Montana, California, ploration of this property would their voices grow excited, be very good frotn a lawyer's and Mexico where my brother they speak In glowing terr and myself have valuable Inter- standpoint, but it don't apply in the gold that lies under thej ests which you and your friends mining. Let me illustrate; in all face of the old Red Hill. can ascertain by applying to precious metal mines, the value in ore schutes which are of Mr. Sibley has long want] the Bank of Commerce in St. lies variable lengths, and often see just what the old shaft Louis, Mo. changing position from a regular of the house contains. HeJ "I came to North Carolina upon or perpendicular dip from one he would like to correspont the belief that it was richer than side to the other. To ascertain a reliable mining engineer 1 found it to be, but having made the location of these ore schutes I ieopenlng the old shaft. some explorations, want to make we are compelled to sink shafts a more .thorough test. As it down through the hard quartz turned out the former work done rock, harder to mine and more on the Shankle mine is of no than limstone; and to make a value, but rather a deteriment; success of our explorations we we were induced to clean out two would have to go to considerable of the i old shafts and retimber depth in both of these mines to secure the requisite amount of I ore for successful mining operations, and then again it will become necessary to extend the levels along the line of the vein underground, which can only be I done by expensive tunneling' Lowest down payment! much of the refuse of which Lowest monthly payment! would have to be moved at large cost out through the shaft.

Priced hundreds of dollars less "If you do not understand my than any other full-size car! illustration, you have a practical freight and local taxes extra U ^ H mining man in your neighborhood, show this letter to him and he will explain it to you.

"I should have explained that oftentimes where a gold or silver vein starts down a perpendicular line, or nearly so to a given disSee it at your Kaiser-Frazer dealer tance that it jumps from one side to the other and seems to have run out, and the only remedy for the miner is to stop operation, or to tunnel on one and sometimes on both sides to find it. This is| not uncommon, but is expensive.

"Now about your price; after H. & M. your property has been hawked and peddled about, and gone Kaiser-Frazer Motors through the hands of so many 1832 E. Main St.

Albemarle, N. C

LITTLE FELLOW WITH A BIG PULL

Stanly Man Helped Jeff Davis To Gross Yadkin fit Civil War Close

By FRED T. MORGAN . ."It WAS Jeff Davis," the old man snorted, "twern't none

other?.'

It may sound far-fetched, but six-yearoid Tony Whinsy, sqn of Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Whitley, has been milking for half his lifetime, for over three years now, he has milked one and sometimes two cows each night and morning on his father's farm near Love's Grove Church in western Stanly County. It all began one day shortly after bis third birthday when Tony went with hfc dad to the barn to milk as he had been doing. But this time he sat down on the stool near a cow and grabbed two handfuls and began pulling like his dad. He's been doing it ever ?ince and he lets nothing interfere with his milking appointment at the barn each night and morning. Tony was six on February 19.

(Fred T. Morgan Photo.)

LI TTLE

FELLOW VVI™ £ ^ ^ ^ . » 3 5 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ but rix-yeor-old Tony ^ ^ 7 / ^ 1 5ltime. For ova? three | W » ley. has been milking tor halfJus w e n me ^ M now. he has milked one ™ * M ^ ^ £ ° G r o v e church in weemorning on h i . fathers { «b £ « « £ ° d a y shortly after bis third tern Stanly county. It aU ^a?.f",!,<i *I the barn to milk as he S S h d a y whrn Tony wenwithi h » J £ & ^ \ J \ J . stool near a had been doing. • " * * * " • , * £ £ and beaan pulling lUce his dad. cow and grabbed two * » < " ^ ' n . n * e ^ n o t h i n g " i n t e r f e r e with He's been doing it oversince a n d . h ^ * * ~ * 3 J J a n d m o m i n g . his minting appointment at tne Dam Tony w « *** on February is. ,.."^i/•ju'.^l^.^' '~?Z

-M-hW'

He spoke positively. His dignity was ruffled by this blunt question as to the accuracy of the name. He glowered balefully at his interrogator for a moment before settling back in his chair.

Then his eyes glossed over and everything within range of his vision was subordinated to the pictures that were r u n n i n g through his mind. He talked for a. long time. . . J It was Jeff Davis, none other.

That fact is well acertained. The old man's memory is not deceptive.

3J)£ ' -. •'i£': , ' ' The old man Is William H. Mil'sknown familiarly as "Uncle Bill,"' ajid he is-85 years old. He lives With his i daughter some distance above t h e Stanly County Home on the.- old Salisbury road. He is a life-long resident of Stanly county. ._ ._J* y ' The story involves his uncle, H|n"ry Mills, a Stanly county man.j and the president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. It happened on April 17, 1865, a short time before the collapse of the Confederate armies.

Got Story First-Hand Old man Bill got the story firsthand from.his Uncle Henry and he doesn't doubt for an instance the accuracy of his Uncle's story.

"I've heard Uncle Henry sit an<J tell that yarn a hundred times, at least, and every time* it was the same. 'Course, he might've colored it up a bit here and there, but what he told about the,erossing was the absolute truth. : ";"V There is little reason to doubt the tale in its entirety. It closely I coincides with the history books which, for the most part, give only a brief sentence to the crossing in HISTORIC OLD PADDLE—Mrs. Dwight Morris of Albemarle displays the crude pine paddle which her great grandfather. Henry question. " . . . crossed the Yadkin river by. Mills, a native Stanly county man, used to row Jefferson Davis, the railroad bridge. . ." one vol- president of the Confederate States of America, across the Yadume states, referring to Davis and kin river near Salisbury on April 17, 1865. —Staff Photo—Ivey. his cabinet members.

The accuracy of this statement was kept for many years by memis questionable. Did horsemen or Guarded the River Crossing of the family, and perhaps carriages use this means of crossToo old to go into active battle bers ing rivers, even in that day? with the Confederate army, he it is still retained today by some Union forces had advanced upon was called into the Home Guard of the descendants of Henry Richmond and were pressing and stationed at Salisbury. As a Mills.

The rough paddle, which was southward. President ©avis and Lieutenant in the Home Guard, members of his Cabinet were rap- he was charged with guarding the used by ..Henry to guide the flat idly moving southward to estab- Yadkin river crossing and round- across thPriver, has been perlish a new stronghold. The presi- ing up deserters in a wide terri- served and is now in the possession of A. C. Lentz, Albemarle dent's wife and child had already tory out from Salisbury. man. It is gnarled and been taken by carriage to CharlHenry, yelled for someone to business otte, N. C, where they were fetch a board or paddle which he worn smooth from much handling. awaiting the president's arrival. could use to help guide the flat l Mr. Lentz keeps the ancient relic What remained of the Confeder- across the river. Someone ripped in his clothing store in Albemarle ate treasury had been removed a board off an old barn nearby] apd knows the story behind 4 t e ^ from the Charlotte mint and was and hastily fashioned a etude 1• "He is the grandson of Henry ' on its way by train and wagon to paddle from it. With a volunteer Mills, the rftan who set Jeff DaviS Florida. or two, he set out and made the across the Yadkin river.

Left Greensboro other shore.

At Greensboro, which the presiThe president and his Cabinet dent and his party had left two members boarded the flat. Presior three days previously, Davis dent Davis stood right beside had given Johnston permission to Henry and appeared to place imnegotiate the surender of his plicit faith in Henry's ability to armies to Sherman. Greensboro handle the craft safely. | had not proven tQQ hospitable to * r'When uncle Henry g^ave • an | the president as the rumor had pj.der to his helpers, Jeff Davis preceded him there that he was woulcfrepeat -it," old man Bill giving up the fight. There was a said. "And when he spoke, there bitterness toward him. was ' 'ho- fooling . around, they However, many people in the moved." south knew the end was at hand.

Sparked to their best efforts by Surely the fleeing leaders of the the presence of the great presiConfederacy knew it. Flight to dent and spurred on by his clipescape the vengefiriness of the in- ped, military emphasis to Henry's dignant Union was the object. orders, the men made the return Red mud from recent rains im- trip - across the angry waters withpeded their progress as they ap- out mishap. proached the Yadkin river near Pleased at the courageous efSalisbury.

They traveled o n forts of the men, president Davis horseback and in an inconspicious commended them highly. He gave carriage. The president was said Henry a silver dollar, not as a reto have been dressed somberly, ward, but as a keepsake and a without any attempt at disguise. rememberance".

It is said that, under his hat, he "That's how the story always wore a dark shawl which fell began," old man Bill reflected, iv ^loosely about his shoulders. with that silver dollar. .Uncle A pompous decoy carriage is be- Henry liked to londle..-the dollar lieved to have preceded them at and show it off io'Tolks and say a considerable distance. They that it .was given to him by presitraveled circumspectly, aware of dent Jeff Davis."

General Stoneman's recent raid Kept Silver Dollar. . through that section of t h e Henry kept the silver do" country.

They f m ; i i A j t h c _ ^ ^ i ^ ^ ^ j | | ^ ^

I SX I

-91

pa

Stanly%an Helped Jeff Davis To Cross Yadkin fit Civil War Close

By FRED T. MORGAN ; ."It WAS Jeff Davis," the old man snorted, "twern't none

other."

•

LITTLE FELLOW WITH A BIG PULL—It m a y sound far-fetched, but six-year-old Tony Whitley, son of Mr. a n d Mrs. Roy C. Whitley, h a s been milking for half h i s lifetime. Fox over three y e a r s now, h e h a s milked one a n d sometimes two cows each n i g h t a n d morning on h i s father's farm near Love's Grove church in western Stanly county. It all b e g a n one d a y shortly after his third b i r t h d a y w h e n Tony w e n t w i t h his d a d to t h e b a r n to m i l k a s h e h a d been doing. But t h i s time he eat down on t h e stool n e a r a cow a n d grabbed two handfuls a n d b e g a n pulling like h i s d a d .

He's been doing it ever since a n d h e lets nothing Interfere w i t h h i s milking a p p o i n t m e n t a t t h e b a r n each night a n d morning.

Tony w a s six on February 19.

M&

p~l

He spoke positively. His dignity was rtiffled by this blunt question as to the accuracy of the name. He glowered balefully at his interrogator for a moment before settling back in his chair.

Then his eyes glossed over and everything within range of his vision wa£ subordinated to the pictures t h a t were r u n n i n g through his mind. He talked for a long time. . . S I t was Jeff Davis, none other.

T h a t fact is well acertained. The old man's memory is not deceptive.

The old man Is William H. Mills known familiarly as- "'Uncle Bill," and he is 85 years old. He lives with, his„-daughter some distance abpv'e'.-the Stanly County Home on the.- olid Salisbury road. He. is a lffe-long resident of Stanly county. ' .

The. story involves his uncle, Hfnpy .Mills, a Stanly county man, and the president of t h e Confederate S t a t e s of America, Jefferson Davis. I t happened on April 17, 1865, a short time before the collapse of the Confederate armies.

•;$&? Got Story First-Hand Old man Bill got the story firsthand from his Uncle Henry and he doesn't doubt for an instance the accuracy of his Uncle's story.

"I've heard Uncle Henry sit ancj tell t h a t yarn a hundred times, a t least, and every time "it was the same. 'Course, he might've colored it up a bit here and there, but w h a t he told a b o u t the.crossing was the absolute truth. : ;7;There is little reason to doubt the tale in its entirety. I t closely coincides with the history books I Which, for the most part, give only | HISTORIC OLD PADDLE—Mrs. Dwight Morris of Albemarle disa brief sentfence to the crossing in plays the crude pine paddle which her g r e a t grandfather. Henry question. " . . . crossed the Yadkin river by. Mills, a native Stanly county m a n , used to row Jefferson Davis, the railroad bridge. . ." one vol- president of t h e Confederate States of America, across t h e Yadume states, referring to Davis and kin river near Salisbury on April 17, 1865. —Staff Photo—Ivey. his cabinet members.

The accuracy of this statement was kept for many years by memGuarded the River Crossing is questionable. Did horsemen or bers of the family, and perhaps carriages use this meaps of crossToo old to go into active battle it is still'retained today by some ing rivers, even in that day? with the Confederate army, he Union forces had advanced upon was called into the Home Guard of the descendants of Henry Richmond and were pressing and stationed at Salisbury. As a Mills.

The rough- paddle, which w a s southward. President ©avis and Lieutenant in the Home Guard, members of his Cabinet were rap- he was charged with guarding the used by . i j e n r y t o guide the flat idly moving southward to estab- Yadkin river crossing and round- across t h e ' r i v e r , has been per-' lish a new stronghold. The presi- ing up deserters in a wide terri- served and Is now in the possession of A. C. Lentz, Albemarle dent's wife and child had already tory out from Salisbury. business man. I t is gnarled and been taken by carriage to CharlHenry, yelled for someone to worn smooth from much handling. otte, N. C , where they were fetch a board or paddle which he I Mr. Lentz keeps the ancient relic awaiting the president's arrival. ^could ^ ^ ^ ^use ^ ^ ^to^ ^help ^ | guide the nf laat t 'i »**•• ——•-- W h a t remained of the Confederin his clothing store in Albemarle ate treasury had been removed across the river. Someone ripped H eknqws is thethegrandson of Henry off an old barn nearby ?fi£ story behind^tgfc*. from the Charlotte mint and was aandboard hastily fashioned a cpude on its way by train and wagon to paddle from it. With a voldriteert Mills; the rftan who set Jeff Davis across the Yadkin river.

Florida. or two, he set out and made the Left Greensbpro other shore.

At Greensboro, which the presiThe president and his Cabinet dent and his party had left two members boarded the flat. Presior three days previously, Davis dent Davis stood right beside had given Johnston permission to Henry and appeared to place imnegotiate the surender of his plicit faith in Henry's ability to armies to Sherman. Greensboro handle the craft safely. had not proven too hospitable to * '-Wheri uncle Henry gave • an | the president as the rumor- had prder to his helpers, Jeff Davis I preceded him t h e r e t h a t he was would* r e p e a t -it," old man Bill] giving up the fight. There w a s a said. "And when .he spoke, there j bitterness toward him. was ' 'no' fooling . around, they However, many people in the moved." south knew the end was at hand.

Sparked to their best efforts by Surely the fleeing leaders of the the presence of the great presiConfederacy knew it. Flight to dent and spurred on by his clipescape the vengefulness of the in- ped, military emphasis to Henry's dignant Union was the object. orders, the men made the r e t u r n , Red mad from recent rains im- trip" across the angry waters withpeded their progress as they ap- out mishap. ^Ilyj proached the Yadkin river near Pleased at the courageous efSalisbury.

They traveled o n forts of the men, president Davis horseback and in an inconspicious commended them highly. He gave I carriage. The president was said Henry a silver dollar, not as a reto have been dressed somberly, ward, but as a keepsake and a without any attempt at disguise. rememberance: It is said that, under his hat, he "That's how the story always wore a dark shawl which fell began," old man Bill reflected, ^loosely about his shoulders.

"With t h a t silver dollar. ..Uncle A pompous decoy carriage is be- Henry liked to fondle ••••the dollar lieved to have preceded them at and show it off to "folks and say a considerable distance. They t h a t it .was given to him by presitraveled circumspectly, aware of dent Jeff Davis."

General Stoneman's recent raid Kept Silver Dollar, through t h a t section of t h e Henry kept the silver dollai country r.i^L.t LXVLVLIICU p w s s y s s jThpy _fonnd._ih p Wkdi-n. vVollonl Ions for as long as he lived. He by spring freshets and the (regular ferryman Was reluctant to died at the age of 93 and was undertake t h e crossing even for buried in a family plot near NorThereafter, the silver dol- j such a dignitary as the president. wood. l a r came into the hands of his At this point, old man Bill's who knew the sentiment uncle Henry Mills took the situ- children al value i t had held for A1their —! ation in hand. Most of his life had been spent along the Pee De*e father.

The home w herein the silver river near Norwood -'in.,-Stanly dollar reposed caught fire aand county and he was^ thoroughly ex- burned to the ground. Recover •ed perienced, with the curents and in the ashes was a shapeless lump river craft. •• And the river near of molten silver. Somehow the his horrie was*,"wpdejrt and just as silver dollar had been exposed to dangerous as here. tremendous heat and had jnelted He could make the crossing, he in the fire. The lump of silvrwas sure of, it. i

Page 6-B

STANLY NEWS AND PEJ

Morale Transformation At Stanly Unbelievable This was identical to Cap'n Teams were formed and the boys Bass' solution to the conditions, lined up to meet outside compebut, there was the problem tition. of convincing the prison officials A-grade and honor grade men of the feasibility of the idea in or- were elgible to play ball. Whether der to get the needed equipment he was a gunman or a trustee from state funds. made no difference, he got a Jaycees Didn't Wait chance. At the time the camp beThe Jaycees didn't wait for the gan the baseball program there idea to be arbitrarily tossed were 14 C-grade men. In a matthrough the succession of diplo- ter of a few weeks, there were no matic and red tape channels to C-grade men. All wanted to play get state approval. They went in- ball, or at least watch the games. to fast action, which characterizes Cap'n Bass made one hard and their way. of handling any project. fast rule. If a boy was caught One of the first things they did arguing, or in any wise causing was to install magazine racks in a disturbance at a game, he forthe cell block and keep them filled feited his baseball playing rights with reading matter solicited from and was not even allowed to watch the games. Only one boy Albemarle homes.

Then, the baseball season came broke the rule and that was in a on and the Jaycees, headed by L. practice game at the camp.

Worth Little, launched a drive Then came the games. The for new and used baseball equip- camp's number one team met ment for the boys at the camp. many teams in the Stanly county For weeks they asked citizens league. They played at Endy and of Albemarle and Stanly county New London, and a few places to bring all kinds of baseball outside the county, including paraphernalia.

Camp Butner and Central Prison.

The season was well underway Of the 14 official games played, when the club delivered $1,000 they were victorious in eleven. worth of equipment to the camp Their conduct at the games in one quantity. In this assort- away from the camp, as attested ment were two catcher's mits, by many folks, was exthree first baseman's mits, 14 emplary at local times. No guards balls, four softballs, one catcher's accompaniedallthe though mask, one breast protector, 10 some of the players team, were gunmen. fielder's gloves, 14 new caps, 24 would have been no reason bats, 21 pairs of shoes, and 18 There for a stranger have suspected new baseball suits. Subsequent the players weretoprisoners, except contributions followed. for the prison trucks used to Lance Packing Company of transport them.

Charlotte chipped in with 21 baseThe baseball season ended beball shirts, 20 baseball pants, two fore the boys really got into good .inmates was a _toiicrk j n h Hint sliding pads, 31 pairs of sox, one W - a n f r ^ a i i y ^ f d r uTe" T h e r e ' F l y Fred T. Morgan A transformation has taken place at Stanly county prison camp 70S- during the past year.

From an outward appearance, the camp looks about the same as always. The change has been in the life within the camp.

When Superintendent Ray Bass began duty here at this first offenders' Camp on January 1, 1952, the situation was not too commendable. The' inmates ran the place.

All regulations were mocked. Kangaroo courts ruled by fear and intimidation. Breaks occurred week after week. In fact the situation was nearly out of hand when Cap'n Bass took over.

The local public had little knowledge of what went on at the camp, for the public has a way of avoiding places like prison camps until it's forced upon them.

For six weeks Cap'n Bass didn't leave the grounds, not for an instant. Much was- accomplished during that period, but it left still to be done.

Idle Time The beys had a lot of idle time on their hands, Cap'n Bass saw.

Too much. Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and weekends from mess time until lights out. What was a man to do? Sit around and think and brood and feel sorry for himself? A young man couldn't do that. Such introversion paved the way for bitterness and low morale. Unrest and escape attempts naturally followed.

Breaking the autoracy of the

Page 8-A

elty that will sell, from which they may realize some profits. But most of them just want the relief from the tension of the camp life that work in the hobby shop will bring.

A basketball court is being contemplated for the boys at the camp. The Jaycees would like to see a gymnasium built inside the camp compound for use by the boys in their free time, not only at the Albemarle camp, but at all first offender camps in the state.

It is understood that legislation to this effeet will be introduced in this session of the state legislature.

If anyone has the impression that life at the prison camp is one of ease and luxury, that idea should be discarded. A man is sent there to pay for a mistake he has made and he must toe the line in performing the work assigned to him. The advantages and disadvantages are explained to him upon his arrival. After that, he writes his own ticket by his conduct and general attitude.

Swift and effective punishment is meted out to troublemakers.

Morale at the camp today, is usually high, Cap'n Bass says.

Escapes have been cut down to much less than half that of preJaycee influence at the camp. The boys see that someone is interested in their welfare and they are grateful.

Too long ostracised by the public, the camp now gets some no-j tice and some visitors from out of the realm of society. Spurred by) the success of the Jacyees, the local public is awakening to its responsibilities. It has been amply proven at the Stanly county prison camp that the boys can be started well on the road to rehabilitation by a little interest and cooperation from the public.

I % u0?,*, m a y d o woodworking' and build a variety of novelties | For months, the boys have been planning what they will build and create in that hobby shop. Some have hopes of hitting upon a nov-

Stories Indicate Indian Hill Is Site Of Old Indian Watch Point

By Fred T, Merges Indian Hill Presbyterian church in western Stanly county stands upon a hill believed to have been the site of Indian camps many years ago. From this hill it is possible to see Morrow mountain and for miles over into Union county as well as long distances north apd west.

It is generally believed that the Indians used this point to detect enemies and to send signals of communication. Perhaps from here they could also watch the old Indian Trail, a thoroughfare for migrating IndianSyTunning eastward through Union and Anson counties. Relics have been found on the hill indicating that the red men once habitated the spot and a grave or two, supposedly of Indian Chiefs, have been known to exist there for well over a hundred years.

It is no secret that the contents of the graves have never been fully examined. Stories are told that the Chiefs were brought back here from some distant place and buried on the hill at their request. Other legends have it that they were buried here along with all their treas-

ures and belongings long before the white men invaded their territory and drove them back.

Attempts have been made to exploit the contents of the graves, but all apparently ended in failure.

Exhuming Attempted One of the first known attempts to exhume the Chiefs and loot the graves took place sometime in the 1840's. The story, as handed down through the years, goes that two or three men with digging tools and a strong determination set out to uncover the contents of the graves. They had made some [progress when suddenly the sun seemed to change positions and the sky grew dark. Greatly alarmed at the semi-darkness, the men thought it a warning for them to leave the grave alone and they left the scene in great haste.

Their story spread throughout the country and for a long time afterward everyone gave the Indian Grave Hill, as it was known, a wide berth Then, in the late 1860's following the Civil War, three men became imbibed with the white liquor easily obtainable in that country and their conversation

ux>dU| ai f > p u e sja

led to a decision to go dig in the old grave. Their courage bolstered by the booze, they set out to see with their own eyes what the graves contained.

It was a bright sunny afternoon when they began the digging. They had not dug fari when their tools struck something. Before they could in-1 vestigate, however, the sky grew exceedingly dark and a torrent of rain poured out upon them.

Sobered and soaked by the ab- j rupt change in the weather, they ran for shelter. They had j not gone fifty feet until they were out of the rain and in bright sunshine. The rain according to the stories they told, came down in that one spot.

Again the stories went around that the graves were sacred and protected by the Almighty and that something drastic would happen to anyone molesting them.

Terrible Odor Fifteen or twenty years ago, several well-known men wera standing around the grave and one of them absently poked in the grave opening with a rusty automobile exhaust pipe. While engaged in conversation with the other men, he kept lifting the pipe and letting it fall in the same spot. It gradually went lower and lower. Then it dropped again into the hole and seemed to hit an opening or vacuum and abruptly sunk about a foot into the hole.

According to the stories the men told, a gas or terrible stenfch came out of the top of the pipe. The man nearest the pipe got a whiff of the odor and was sick all the summer from it. Another man got a slight whiff and said that it was the horrlblest smell imaginable.

Some folks thought the smell could have been a pot of gas or poison that was buried with the Chief. Others decided that it might have been the odor of decayed vegetable matter that had settled in the grave over the period of years. At any rate the men beat a hasty retreat and did not go near the graves again.

When a one-room chapel, the forerunner of the present church, was built on the Indian Grave Hill in 1939, an Indian war club was used as a door prop. Later in 1948, in the excavating for the new brick building, a hard white brick was found in the

Jarth. It was smoothe and of a arger size than the convention 1 brick. It is believed to have een manufactured by the Indias.

About a mile and a half north eastward from the church at the old Huneycutt home place on a hillside near a spring of lasting water, many arrowheads, pieces of pottery, and relics have been found indicating that it was once the site of Indian camps also.

In years past, residents of the community tell of an old Indian, his wife, and two children who came to Indian Grave Hill to visit the graves om the Indian Chiefs. No one knew who he was or why he visited the place or where he came from. All that is remembered, was that he had a black bear with him that would dance.

Members of Indian Hill church have discussed errecting a marker at the grave and building a structure to house the relics that have been found in that vicinity.

Page 6-B

STANLY NEWS AND PES

elty that will sell, from which they may realize some profits. But mpst of them just want the relief from the tension of the camp life that work in the hobby shop will bring.

A basketball court is being contemplated for the boys at the camp. The Jaycees would like to l y Fred T. Morgan This was identical to Cap'n I Teams were formed and the boys see a gymnasium built inside the Bass' solution to the conditions, lined up to meet outside compe- camp compound for use by the boys in their free time, not only A transformation has taken but, there was the problem tition. at the Albemarle camp, but at all place at Stanly county prison of convincing the prison officials A-grade and honor grade men first offender camps in the state. camp 708- during' the past year. of the feasibility of the idea in orwere elgible to play ball. Whether It is understood that legislation From an outward appearance, der to get the needed equipment he was a gunman or a trustee to this effeet will be introduced the camp looks about the same from state funds. made no difference, he got a in this session of the state legisas always. The change has been Jaycees Didn't Wait chance. At the time the camp be- lature. in the life within the camp. gan the baseball program there When Superintendent Ray Bass The Jaycees didn't wait for the were If anyone has the impression 14 C-grade men. In a matidea to be arbitrarily tossed began duty here at this first ofthat life at the prison camp is ter of a few weeks, there were no fenders' Camp on January 1, 1952, through the succession of diplo- C-grade men. All wanted to play one of ease and luxury, that idea matic and red tape channels to the situation was not too comshould be discarded. A man is mendable. The' inmates ran the get state approval. They went in- ball, or at least watch the games. sent there to pay for a mistake Cap'n Bass made one hard and he has made and he must toe the place.

All regulations were to fast action, which characterizes mocked. Kangaroo courts ruled their way. of handling any project. fast rule. If a boy was caught line in performing the work asby fear and intimidation. Breaks One of the first things they did arguing, or in any wise causing signed to him. The advantages occurred week after week. In fact was to install magazine racks in a disturbance at a game, he for- and disadvantages are explained the situation "Was nearly out of the cell block and keep them filled feited his baseball playing rights to him upon his arrival. After hand when Cap'n Bass took over. with reading matter solicited from and was not even allowed to that, he writes his own ticket by watch the games. Only one boy his conduct and general attitude.

The local public had little Albemarle homes. knowledge of what went on at Then, the baseball season came broke the rule and that was in a Swift and effective punishment is the camp, for the public has a way on and the Jaycees, headed by L. practice game at the camp. meted out to troublemakers. of avoiding places like prison Worth Little, launched a drive Then came the games. The Morale at the camp today, is camps until it's forced upon them. for new and used baseball equip- camp's number one team met For six weeks Cap'n Bass didn't ment for the boys at the camp. many teams in the Stanly county usually high, Cap'n Bass says. leave the grounds, not for an in- For weeks they asked citizens league. They played at Endy and Escapes have been cut down to stant. Much was- accomplished of Albemarle and Stanly county New London, and a few places much less than half that of preduring that period, but it left to bring all kinds of baseball outside the county, including Jaycee influence at the camp. The see that someone is intereststill to be done. paraphernalia.

Camp Butner and Central Prison. boys ed in their welfare and they are The season was well underway Idle Time Of the 14 official games played, grateful. when the club delivered $1,000 they were victorious in eleven.

The beys had a lot of idle time worth Too long ostracised by the pubequipment to the camp on their hands, Cap'n Bass saw. in one ofquantity.

Their conduct at the games lic, the camp now gets some no-1 In this assortToo much. Saturday afternoons, ment were two catcher's mits, away from the camp, as attested tice and some visitors from out of Sundays, and weekends from mess three first baseman's mits, 14 by many local folks, was ex- the realm of society. Spurred by I time until lights out. What was at all times. No guards the success of the Jacyees, the four softballs, one catcher's emplary a man to do? Sit around and balls, accompanied the team, though local public is awakening to its one breast protector, 10 some of the players think and brood and feel sorry mask, were gunmen. responsibilities. It has been amply ( fielder's gloves, 14 new caps, 24 There would have been for himself? A young man bats, no reason proven at the Stanly county pri-| 21 pairs of shoes, and 18 couldn't do that. Such introver- new baseball suits. Subsequent for a stranger to have suspected son camp that the boys can be I sion paved the way for bitterness contributions followed. the players were prisoners, except started well on the road to rq-| and low morale. Unrest and for the prison trucks used to habilitation by a little interest I Lanoe Packing Company of transport them. escape attempts naturally followand cooperation' from the public. I Charlotte chipped in with 21 baseed.

The baseball season ended beball shirts, 20 baseball pants, two Breaking the autoracy of the the boys really got into good pads, 31 pairs of sax, one fore inmates vyas a tough job but jsliding form.

But it" had served its purbat bag, seven caps, and three pose. Conditions Cap'n Bass had tackled tough jobs Ibats. at the camp were before. It didn't happen all at 100 per cent better. The atmosDun-Rite Laundry and Cleaners phere was considerably brightened once, but he made headway.

Then, in the spring, members in Albemarle laundered free of and a good healthy morale perof the Albemarle Junior Chamber charge all of the wearing apparel vailed. Baseball equipment shelved, the boys began laying plans of Commerce got wind of the cir- for the boys.

Burrell's Bakery in Albemarle for the next season. cumstances at the camp and resolved to aid Superintendent Bass came over with 50 new professionFor the Jaycees, the job wasn't al league baseballs. in his cleaning up program. finished, however. They continued j Worked On Field Recreational facilities was the to bring magazines to the camp.

Work began to put in shape the In casual dress, they mingled theme the Jaycees hammered upon. Keep the men occupied in once weed-grown baseball lot just with, the boys and talked with their free time, they said. Pro- putside the cam fence. They laid them in matter of fact tones. vide them with something con- Off a diamond, erected a back Jaycees Met At Camp* structive and enjoyable to do. stop, and held practice games.

One regular Jaycee meeting was held at the camp where all the boys could see and hear what went on. Few of them knew anything ures and belongings

By Fred T. Morgan about the functioning of a civic n the fore the white men in organization. They were sobered fbolIndian Hill Presbyterian church territory and drove iv th a * and amazed. They began to un- et out in western Stanly county stands Attempts have been ma] derstand the purposes of the Club, what upon a hill believed to have ploit the contents of the] what it stood for, and what it been the site of Indian camps but all apparently e did.

Some were interested to many years ago. From this hill failure. the point of asking how they it is possible to see Morrow Exhuming Attemp might unite with such a club afmountain and for miles over inOne of the first knj ter their release. to Union county as well as long tempts to exhume the CI All in all, Cap'n Bass says, that distances north apd west. loot the graves took plaj Jaycee club meeting at the camp It is generally believed that time in the 1840's. The did more than ony other one thing the Indians used this point to handed down through tl for t h e good of the morale and detect enemies and to send sig- goes that two or three ii general attitude of the boys. nals of communication. Perhaps digging tools and a st Watchful and assidious in the from here they could also watch termination set out to pursuit of their project, the Jaythe old Indian Trail, a thorough- the contents of the grav cees are continuing their work tofare for migrating Indiahs s run- had made someTprogre ward rehabilitation at the camp, ning eastward through Union suddenly the sun sec ever stressing the need for more and Anson counties. Relics have change positions)and recreational facilities and more been found on the hill indicat- grew dark. Greatly ali outlets for the talents and abiling that the red men once habi- the semi-darkness, tl ities manifest among the boys. tated the spot and a grave or thought it a warning Hobby Shop RMOl 'Aaruitji uAimnx 'Anax two, supposedly of Indian Chiefs, to leave the grave ah Iwould j n 'sauof UAJOIDO 'jajpnsunn have been known to exist there they left the scene in gr< Work is soon to begin on a lesting $°inod—W*l* ©» »W '«©»©* for well over a hundred years. hobby shop at the camp.

AlTheir story spread th It is no secret that the con- the country and for a h ready the equipment has been retents of the graves have never afterward everyone gavi ceived and ready for use. There, ago, been fully examined. Stories are dian Grave Hill, as the boys may do woodworking, and build a variety of novelties, i e were told that Jhe Chiefs were brought known, a wide berth ai )d back here from some distant . Then, in the late 18601; For months, the boys have been V in place and buried on the hill at ing the Civil War, three planning what they will build and |ked rust yI their request. Other legends came imbibed with th< create in that hobby shop. Some \f have it that they were buried liquor easily obtainable have hopes of hitting upon a nov- While HI V^JllV^JL^,t*v*^rJl With j here along with all their treas- country and their conversation txXgClgC-tl' I hex. <-.< ]-, .>,• rcio«. .U„ _ 1 ~ ~

Morale Transformation At Stanly Prison Camp Almost Unbelievable

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Old Stanly Resident Tells Yarns Of Hunting Civil War Deserters #•South Carolina had made for him to wear when he had left home "Civil w a r stories told by old to go into battle. He had refused man-'-'"Bill:Mills have color and to spoil them by wear.. They were reality about them. Listening to too precious and too much a part him- recount one of the old tales, of his old mother. He asked t h a t one gets the impression of.having the sox be laid across his breast PAGES an '"-.impelling movie, unfolding When they buried him.

2 SECTIONS across the consciousness of his Many a man there was softened mind. t h a t day by the words of the dyingj Circulation His stories mostly concern the man from South Carolina. men who stayed home during t h e His request was carried out.

Now Over— war. Old men who, as members They had no coffin or box to of the Home Guard, protected the place his body in. They just women and children and waged wrapped his body in a blanket and war on the desterters in this coun- placed it in the grave and laid try. the sox across his breast in acAccording to him, t h e wilds ,of cordance with his request. But to Montgomery. Randolph, and Da- William Mills, t h a t looked to bad vidson counties were filled with and coarse a way to bury even ate; slackers, or men who had shirked man who had deserted his coun-/p their duty. They had regular try in battle. He broke off ariw jungles, like the latter-day. hobo armful of cedar boughs and madeTf jungles, and had hootowl systems a thick cushion over the blanketed of communication [form. Then they filled the grave Cracking these destert jungles with earth. He was buried next and rounding up and imprisoning to an old slave graveyard on a hill the men who patronized them was overlooking the .river • and his i duty of the men of the Home grave was marked with an odd Guard t h a t has apparently been h u n k of native stone. but little publicised, a t least on Somehow - the man's people in a local scale; I t was touchy, dan- South Carolina: found out w h a t gerous work With little reward had happened arid'they wrote to save a bullet in the back and long- William Mills asking if they might harbored grudges. remove the body.. B u t they never did come for it.

Old Against Young Hathcock Was Captain Mostly, it was old men against A Mr. Hathcock, father of the young men. Justice against fear and desperation. I t often turned late Dr. Hathcock of Norwood, neighbor against neighbor and set was a captain in the Home Guard. the scene for bitter feuds of long Henry Mills was a lieutenant. duration. A man who would Mills had the thankless • job of squeal .on a deserter was a marked leading the hunters in raids on man in the code of t h e hunted the deserter camps. Each time men and he had a way of meeting he was cursed and threatened, especially by the women. with an ill-timed fate.

Mr. Mills' dad, William Mills, • Finally, Mills asked the Capand his uncle, Henry Mills, did tain how it was t h a t he, Mills, this sort "of Work. They and their received all the cussing for carcompanions were known as hunt- rying but the Captain's orders ers. And hunters were dreaded and while the Captain, who was just feared in all the deserter terri- as responsible, never received any cussing. tory.

The Captain, an old man, bristlMr. Mills Was born in 1886 and in his boyhood, well remembers ed up a bit- and said "Everyone hearing t h e stories told while they knows t h a t I'm a gentleman a t were still fresh and vivid in the home and abroad." what the subjeg m a t t „ i . ^ ' ^ « 5 ^ t V £ : Mills invited Captain Hathcock L S > K A T THE R O C K I - U n l e s s we t . U ^ minds of the n a r r a t o r s .

One incident he remembers in to accompany him on a trip to it altogether « i . not the horse. A r * * * £ ^ £ * % ^ T ~ t h i s t o r i c a l interest. It d a t e s a notorious deserter's hangout.

This is no i w a s near the old Kron place )u*f particular.

S n , s e ; o ^ a ; - .» " fAenpn i«r, p i ^ stone His d a d lived on the Montgom- There they found a woman in a b ^ ? o % h e o f d % n 5 S t e oTSteny Hill m e e t i n g ^ «tnne ilor women to ery side of the Pee Dee river delicate condition. - The Captain East of Morrow mountain. The rock w a s used on the g w u n a s a s a - * v v £ y^ TbB ock The rrock has across from the present town of approached her with brisk ques- m?unt their horses, and mention is ^,„ade ot the « * k t e Dr. Kron s m a x y ^ lncidenta„y. th8 B. Mullinix. Jr., of t h e Norwood.- Deserters, apparently, tions. Her response was a volume now been moved to the present Stony Hill cnurcn. o e » o w »«* ' .

T : iust aM bit out of order lor a w o m a n were numerous in t h a t territory. of curses and recrimminations c h « m f n ? £ u n g d y is Miss Bonnie Mullinix,. danghter el: Mr. and # r s .

T. la (And don't took now, but tho saddle is Just a o n ™" His dad r a n a fishery and kept stating w h a t she thought of men Stony Hill community. fl Photo_Ivey. an old boat' tied a t t h e water's who would do such work as they w e a r i n g a skirt. It w a s the best we/fcQuld do on s h o r t notice.) edge. The boat may have been were doing.

His ego deflated, the Captain kept there as bait for deserters who., wanted to cross the river, a t mounted his horse and turned any rate, it was the downfall of away..

"How's your gentlemanship many a_ man who. proved disloyal now, Cap'n,". Mills Wanted to to the-So'uth: • • < William Mills was under oath know.

"Aw, go way and leave me to letstthe hunters know if anyone wanted to use his boat to alone, I want to rest," was the crossfthte river. And he had a way] Captain's halfhearted response.

Went Home To Plow of ge£tjjig in touch with them on W. i i i rived ri.-oH its itc n ame A w a e o n roau, (f name, wagon Early one spring Henry Mills shor.tsh$tice. a m a i n east-west artery, passed J Onfrjiay a dozen or so dirty, and other men from Stanly county by t h e grove which m a d e it a | ragggSfnen came.but-of the woods left their posts of duty with the popular meeting place. and wanted to use the boat to get Home Guard; near Salisbury arid It seems reasonable to suppose || a c r o a t ^ h e river. •. Somhow, Mills came home fo break ground and t h a t the u p p i n g block w a s placed II signa|e3 his women folks a t the plant, a crop of corn. Their plantthere in t h e grove before" any 1 housejjand one of them left un- ing finished, they returned to their building w a s erected. It was,jj : duty stations.

Captain Hathcock, seen ;1fco ;get word to the hunters needed first. It stood, according:,; irked at not having been consulted I who wjifre in the neighborhood. to tradition, slightly to the left •; Old Rock Formation about the move, t h r e a t e n e d • t b j j ;• Stalled for Time of t h e front of t h e old log church throw the book a t them or have-] To-:..stall them off, Mills said Has Historical Sigand a little nearer t h e wagon his boat was not river-worthy and them shot. road t h a n t h e church. Huge oak I nificance. he would have to patch it before "We might have found ourselves i trees stood around t h e stone and I they ?:-;Could use it. He began in deep water," he complained. the church a n d there r e m a i n s now I

By FRED T. MORGAN to work on the old craft, fearful "Not any deeper than we could ft I not even a sign of t h e s t u m p s | t h a t the men might get wise to have fought out, Sir," Mills an-' J of t h e big trees.

T h a t "Upping" blocks were a his trick before the hunters ar- swered. T h a t apparently settled I The first old church went unp e r m a n e n t fixture around t h e rived;--;:.. When the men were a t the it." der prior to 1840. Some believe earliest churches seems to b e a point of taking the boat by force, Bill Mills recalls the story J t h a t it w a s moved as early a s I fact well s u b s t a n t i a t e d . the h u n tae r s broke out of. the abput the time Jim Art Avett I' 1820, or even before, a n d quite jj They were a courtesy a n d a woods,at full run. The desert- ivas marching along with.a bunch j j possibly, this estimation is more 11 Lcanvenience.JxL.-ladifia.whQ rofo ers fled.in a body south along the of half-starved men when he saw | \ nearly correct. At any rate, the-. river.- b a n k . The h u n t e r s were something under the ice. With j j second Stony Hill church w a s I shooting a t them, but none of the his.knife,.he dug it out and found, j built at least by the year 1840, | fleeing men bothered to r e t u r n half a pone of corhbread. H e l l for there is a record of a Revothe fire, though some of them had broke the hard crust from around lutionary w a r veteran being weapons. it and shared the bread with a \ buried in the graveyard of the As the men began to scatter companion, Henry Turner. \ Site of t h e s e c o n d c h u r c h i n t h i s • y e a r . T h e l o c a t i o n of tV\\s se.cJ and disappear into the' safety of According to the Mills stories, ond Stony Hill church, w a s ap the woods, one of them,stopped a t the deserters were an unscruputhe edge of a small stream and lous men who would stop a t nolifted his gun implusively to fire. thing. Often they raided homeBut a shot from one of the hunt- steads and carried off food, swine, ers felled him and. he slumped in- cattle, clothes, and were a plague to the stream. The others con: behind the lines of their country^ tinued their- flight and escaped. fighting 'forces.

The one who fell was mortally For many years after the end of wounded, but he lived for a short the war, Mr. Mills remembers his while. He was just a young fel- father and his uncle always kept low and he knew he was dying. a gun handy and did not sit near He prayed for the man who had a lighted window a t night. B u t shot him and asked the Lord to as far as he knows they were forgive him.' He told the men t h a t ne^jer molested b y anyone with a in his breast pocket was a pair of grudge arising from their work knit wool sox t h a t his mother in with the deserters.

By FRED T. MORGAN

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Id Stony Hill Tipping Block' Is placed In Yard At Present Church

Was Used For Mounting Horses At Old Church

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Now O v e r - - / # V W Albemarle Presi Established 1922

No. 23

| LOOK AT THE ROCK I—-Unless we tell you what the subject matter is here, you are going to mis* it altogether. It is not the horse. And it is not the pretty, young miss. But rather, it is th* rock she is standing upon. This is no ordinary rock, but one of great historical interest. It dates I back to the old original site of Stony Hill meeting house, which was near the old Kron place Just lEast of Morrow mountain. The reck was used on the grounds as a stepping stone for women to Jjmount their horses, and mention is made of the rock in Dr. Kron's diary in 1835. The rock has f now been moved to the present Stony Hill church, below Morrow mountain. Incidentally, tho I charming young lady is Miss Bonnie Mullinix, danghter of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Mullinix, Jr., of tho I Stony Hill community. (And don't look now, but the saddle is just a bit out of order for a woman * wearing a skirt. It was the best we could do on short notice.)

—Staff Photo—Ivey.

{Old Stony Hill lipping Block' Is Placed In Yard At Present Church

•

rived its"name. A wagon roau, m a main east-west artery, passed* by the grove which made it a | popular meeting place.

It seems reasonable to suppose j | that the upping block was placed II there in the grove before* any i building was erected. It wasjl needed first. It stood, according I to tradition, slightly to the left I of the front of the old log church I and a little nearer the wagon I road than the church. Huge oak I trees stood around the stone and j the church and there remains now I j not even a sign of the stumps I of the big trees.

The first old church went un- I der prior to 1840. Some believe J that it was moved as early as j 1820, or even before, and quite I possibly, this estimation is morej nearly correct. At any rate, the .-.'J second Stony Hill church was l| built at least by the year 1840, j for there is a record of a Revolutionary war veteran being Ibuvied in the graveyard of the pr \ ^ * e ot tine s e c o n d church in. t h i s U • y e a r . T h e l o c a t i o n of tYns second S t o n y Hill church w a s ap-

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Was Used For Mounting Horses At Old Church Old Rock Formation Has Historical Significance.

By FRED T. MORGAN That "Upping" blocks were a permanent fixture around the earliest churches seems to be a fact well substantiated.

They were a courtesy and a convenience to ladies who rode " Horseback to the church services.

Even old mer'l who found it difficult to hoist a foot, to a high stirrup and pull themselves into the saddle used the Upping block as an easy way of mounting their steeds.

A woman, with her right leg hooked around the forward horn on the side-saddle, could carry a baby in her lap as she rode to church. Probably the husband carried one or two other children OK his mount.

The proper way of mounting the side-saddle from the block was, for the ladies of that day, something of an art. It was accomplished with poise, bearing, I and daintiness, especially among 1 the younger women. One imagl ines that, after the young maiden had been firmly seated and had taken a grip on the rein, imany a smile blossomed out at I the young man who eagerly subdued the skittish hotse during the act. Long skirts would never (Continued on Page 12-A^

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(Continued from Page one) come above their high-topped shoes.

Various Types.

It is likely that some of the upping blocks were natural formations while others were fashioned by men. They might have been in the form of stumps, stones, logs, or anything that | would lend itself to such use.

Nature seems to have fitted the | | upping block used at the original old Stony Hill Methodist church to the right heieht for ladies to ste^ upon its flinty clefts and mounT their horses. The old block, which has been preserved j to this day, is a solid piece of flint with three easily accessible j steps which anyone could mount.

To tell of the historic old up-1 ping stone is to tell something of the history of Stony Hill If Methodist church, for the two | are entwined.

Upon the authority of those w who have delved deeper into the subject than thi- article proposes | to go, meetings of the people who first organized Stony Hill I church were likelv held in the i | home of George Kirk who oper- j ated the ferry across the river near Morrow mountain. Frankie Bell, wife of George Kirk, was connected with the Ledbetters! who were among the first Methodists to settle in this section.

The names of some of these L early folks who were probably! responsible for the founding of the church were the Huckabees, | Blalocks, Kirks, Forrests, Manors, Bells, Atkins, Elliotts, . Smiths, Freemans, Stokers, Hunsuckers, Lillys, Ingrams, Rushs, Meltons, i and others. •.-.':• Passing clergymen probably: spoke to this group which met periodically to worship.

Summer Meetings.

In summer, the meetings were] held some distance west of the river in an oak grove on a knol 11 covered with flint rocks from | which the subsequent church de-1 rived its name. A wagon road, II I a main east-west artery, passed | I by the grove which made it a I! popular meeting place.

It seems reasonable to suppose |! that the upping block was placed ffi there in the grove before* any jj building was erected. It wasjj needed first. It stood, according* to tradition, slightly to the left j of the front of the old log church ' and a little nearer the wagon road than the church. Huge oak g trees stood around the stone and • the church and there remains now ! j not even a sign of the stumps ! of the big trees.

The first old church went under prior to 1840. Some believe ; that it was moved as early as I jj 1820, or even before, and quite | possibly, this estimation is more j nearly correct. At any rate, the _, second Stony Hill church wasj£ built at least by the year 1840, U for there is a record of a Revo•llutionary war veteran being j buried in the graveyard of the j site of t h e second church in t h i s I • year. The location of t h i s sec- i I ond Stony Hill church w a s ap-'} •^-proximately one-half mile s o u t h , i of t h e present church.

Stony

Hill

Methodist

church

I h a s been at Its present location j

j for close on to 70 years.

For well over a hundred years j the old upping block lay forgot- • ten in the woods adjacent to what j became known as the Lowder's I Ferry road. A few travelers with some knowledge of the' old j church might have stopped and | looked at the old stone on their | I way past the grove. But is doubtful if the old stone was ever again used for the purpose for: which it was intended.

In late years, members of Stony I Hill Methodist church have talk-] ed of moving the old stone to its rightful position in the yard of the present church.

Stone Moved.

Early this spring the project was accomplished. The stone was removed from the spot on the rocky knoll where it marked the founding of the original church and transported several j miles to it new resting place | where it now decorates the churchyard of the handsome new Stony Hill church.

The bulky boulder of flint was damaged during its century or more of loneliness there in the I woods. Possibly by falling trees or rolling logs. But the damage has been >epaired so well now that the upping block appears to be in a very natural state.

It stands today, a monument before the church door; a relic of a bygone era: a thing to awe and to wander about. It. is a thing of little significance when viewed alone; but retroactive of in- j finite significance when thought of in the light of its close association with the church.

Members of Stony Hill have: discussed erecting a permanent! inscriptior or epitaph near the upping block to tell of its connection with the early history of their church.

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1952

Mr. Harwood, says. The stock of the season's crop of furs from fur animals in Stanly county is this .sectiorr^of" the State. about depleted. Forests have "The most valuable hide of any been ravished, streams contami- animal found in Stanly county, nated,^ and more and more tyro to any extent, Mr. Horwood, says, trappers are seeking to cut in on is the mink. Prices for the mink hide range up to a maximum of the game. about $20. Muskrat hides bring "ftie population of mink and only a few dollars; coon hides muskrat in the county is a far about the same; while opossum cry from what it used to be a hides bring less than one dollar. few decades ago, he says. He re- Rabbit and squirrel hides can calls from his own experiences occasionally be sold for a bare that along about 1915, a man few cents. Only a few weasel with a string of traps could' hides come into his hands durrealize considerable income from- ing a season and on rare ochis winter's catch. casions he buys an otter hide.

But today, a man with say 60 No particular skill is needed to traps will do extra well if he properly skin an animal, Mr. catches that many muskrats and Harwood believes. You just have one-fourth that many minks. to be careful not to cut the The animals just aren't here any hide. He can skin a mink by more. himself in 10 minutes. A muskMr. Harwood has about stopped rat requires a like period of his trapping, although he likes time. A fox, he says, is about it just as well as he ever did. His the most difficult animal to skin. school-age grandchildren have Once the hide is removed from taken over the traps and they an animal, it is scraped, stretchmanifest a great liking for the ed over a special metal frame, work. One of his small grand- and hung to dry. Normally the daughters is unusually fond of hide is dried out sufficiently to the trapping game and she now keep within a week or so. |maintains a small line of traps In a good year, Mr. Harwood along with the boys. They rely handles upwards of 2,500 muskheavily on Mr. Harwood for ad- fat hides a year; 175 minks; 75 vice and depend on him to skin fcoon; 50 to 75 opossum; a dozen most of the animals they catch. i,i two weasel; and a few other For the last eight years he has fiides of various kinds. been buying hides from other The trapping season lasts from trappers and now has a regular sometime in November until string of them who dispose of ITanuary 31, but Mr. Harwood, as their season's catch to him.

Xi fur dealer, has an additional SKINNING A MUSKRAT—Rufus Harwood, Stanly county fur dealer, skins a muskrat while anSometimes he isn't successful J taonth or two in which to wind other "rat" on the table awaits,the knife. Identifiable on the wall behind him are opossum, coon, in dickering with the trappers. up his business. mink, and muskrat hides stretched to dry. At the lower left hang several steel traps used to j They hold out for higher prices, 1 If you have any hides around catch the animals. Mr. Harwood buys hides in Stanly and several neighboring counties and sells or decide to ship their hides di- your place which you prefer to them at the fur market in North Wilkesboro.

—Staff Photo. rect to the fur companies'. Oc- sell outright, rather than ship, casionally, too, other m e n inter- he says to let him know and he I ested in the fur game will come will be around to see you before along and offer a higher price the season's out. than Mr. Harwood is prepared to pay.

At the fur market at North ison's Wilkesboro, he'faces a problem too, namely, how to get the worth of his hides. The buyers I anyL there operate similar to tobacco 0 any buyers and employ many tricks

By FRED T. MORGAN there wrangle a good price for from all angles. Since the age of to swindle the unwary trapper. is the them from,the buyers. Usually, 17 (he's 62 now) he has been Frequently, he says, he has. to 1 hide About once each week, at this he realizes an adequate margin connected with the fur game. camp there for days before he [about I time of year, an amicable old of profit for his work, but someMr. Harwood lives, south of the can obtain a decent price for his ply a I man in a black A-model Ford times, he does little more than Finger section of the county hides. About mid-December-the ut thel pays a visit to trappers in Stan- break even. about two miles from the. Ca- Iprices are at their peak, he says. bring ly, Union, Anson, and Cabarrus barrus county line. His address "It's a gamble—this fur busiAt the market, it's not unusual it and I counties. He bargains for their hides, of whatever kind or ness," Rufus Harwood, Stanly is route 1, Mt, Pleasant. The to- see thousands and thousands Jly0 n bej county trapper and dealer in rolling hills and stream-fed val- of hides stacked vin long rows | quantity. * y lI furs says. "With a little wrong leys surrounding his home look throughout the big A building. ilito bis A day or so later, he and the judgment you can lose out right jas if they would support an Representatives from big com- jid on | abundance of fur-bearing ani- panies all over eastern United I A-model haul the furs to the quick." market at North Wilkesboro and And he knows the fur business mals. But such is not the case. States are on hand to look over 1 otter I

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jRufus Harwood Buys Hundreds Of Furs Each Winter In This Section

IT'S THE CUTTING THAT COUNTS

I

No partfP?Trr,*SkfrruiS"fiietraed to properly skin an animal, he believes. You just have to be careful not to cut the hide at the wrong place. He can skin a mink by himself in 10 minutes. A muskrat requires a like period of time.

A fox, he says, is the most difficult animal to skin.

Once the hide is removed, it is scraped, stretched over a special metal frame, and hung up to dry.

Normally the hide is dried out: sufficiently to keep within a week; or two.

In a good year, Mr. Harwood handles upward of 2,500 muskrat hides; 175 minks; 75 coons, 50 to 75 opossum; a dozen or two weasel; and a few other hides of various kinds..

The trapping season lasts from some time in November unto January 31, but Mr. Harwood, as a'fur dealer, has an additional month or two in which to wind up his business.

If you have any hides around your place that you prefer to sell outright, rather than ship, he says to let him know and he will be around to see you before the season's out

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Now Is The Time

Harwood Hunts Hides In Four Counties

By FRED MORGAN ALBEMARLE—Along about this time of year, Rufus Harwood, Bianly County fur dealer, pays a ^•fsit to trappers in Stanly, Union, Anson, and Cabarrus Counties. He bargains for their hides of whatever kind or quantity.

A day or so later, he and his Amodel Ford haul me furs to the market at North Wilkesboro and there wrangle a good price for them from the buyers.

Usually, he realizes an adequate margin of profit from his work, but

sometimes, he does little more than! traps will do extra well if he catches that many muskrats and break even.

He knows this fur business from one-fourth that many minks in a all angles. Since the age of 17 (he's season. The animals just aren't » 62 now) he has been connected with here any more.

Mr. Harwood's grandchildren the fur game.

The population of mink and have about taken over his trapping muskrat in the county is a far cry territory and the youngsters manifrom what it used to be a few de- fest a great liking for the work. cades ago, he says. He recalls from But of course, they rely heavily on his own experiences that along him for advice and depend upon about 1915, a man with a string of him to skin most of the animals traps could realize considerable in- they catch, come from his Winter's catch.

For the last eight years or so, But today, a man with say 60 Mr. Harwood has been buying

... IT'S THE CUTTING THAT COUNTS

I

hides from other trappers and now has a regular string of them who dispose of their season's catch to him.

MINK MOST VALUABLE The most valuable bide of any animal found in this area, to any! extent, Mr. Harwood says, is thel mink. Prices for the mink hide range up to a maximum of about! $20. Muskrat hides bring only a few dollars; coon hides .about thel same; while opossum hides bring! less than one dollar. Rabbit and I squirrel hides can occasionally be I sold for a bare few cents. Only I a few weasel hides come into his hands during a season and on rare occasions, he buys an otter hide.

No particul: skill Is needed tot properly skin an animal, he believes. You just have to be careful not to cut the hide at the) wrong place. He can skin a mink by himself in 10 minutes. A muskrat requires a like period of time, j A fox, be says, is the most difficult animal to skin.

Once the hide is removed, it is scraped, stretched over a special metal frame, and hung up to dry.]

Normally the hide is dried out] sufficiently to keep within a week! or two.

In a good year, Mr. Harwood handles upward of 2,500 muskrat] hides; 175 minks; 75 coons, 50 to 75 opossum; a dozen or two weasel; and a fpw other hides of various kinds..

The trapping season lasts froml some time in November until January 31, but Mr. Harwood, as a'fur dealer, has an additional month or two in which to wind up his business.

If you have any hides around your place that you prefer to sell outright, rather than ship, he says to let him know and he will be around to see you before the season's out.

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Page 8-A

branches outside. Then he be-i came aware of the open-mouthed j interest of his visitor and con- j tinued.

"I've still got that flute right | here now. I'll go get if and show it to you."

Granidella Wood.

Thus, 67-year-old Caleb Smith, narrator of the story, left tha

By FRED T. MORGAN room. In a few minutes he was back with the flute. "It was The round-faced oldster with made in France", he said, "of glasses and thin white hair pointgranidella wood". ed a long finger out through his j "window where the autumn breeze Rich of color and smooth as a loosed a flurry of dead leaves piece of marble, the long deliand drifted them earthward like cate instrument embodies the fina bombardment of huge colored est of materials and workman' snowflakes. ship. Its joints and tuning slides fit smugly and it looks like it "The old muster ground was could not have been in any betright out there on the lower side ter condition when it came out of if the road, among those pines," the shop of its manufacturers in tie said and turned his head to France over a hundred years ago. ieer sideways to see if his visiShiny ivory joint bands encircle ons gaze was focused in the right it at every section and it is equiplirection. "Just a stone's throw. ped with German silver keys.

It's woods now, but back then it was a meadow of several acres."

"Nine-tenths of the people who .•• Nothing disturbed the quietlook at it try to blow at the-litness of the room save the octle end," Mr. Smith says. "Of casional cozy fluttering of the course the proper place is the oil heater and the rhythmic ticklittle hole there on the side." ing of the two big clocks on the Brass - lined throughout its walls. length, the flute has a place on | "I've heard my dad and other its keyboard for each finger andfl Old folks talk about it when I thumb, in addition to the mouth. | was a kid. Folks from this disIt is equipped with a device fori trict had to assemble there every changing the tone. so often and take some form of Mr. Smith took the instrumilitary training.

The men ment in his hands and coaxed marched and drilled to the music out a reasonable facsimile of of a fife or drum. Once or twice "Dixie". and another tune or a year, they met with every group two. "That flute is priceless," he in the county and drilled togethsaid, "it couldn't be bought." < | er."

Mr. Smith returned to Big Lick "One of the young men, I've about seven years ago after an heard my dad tell it, took a lik- 1 absence, of nearly 25 years. He ing to a flute. His name was now lives in the P G. Hartsell Adam Barnhardt. He bought a house just a short distance west flute, I don't know where, in the of the old square in Big Lick. Old year 1855 and got so he could man Hartsell, Mr. Smith says, I play it right well. After that, was a casket maker and built his Adam played his flute at the own and his wife's casket. He ' muster ground and the men kept his buggy under the front I marched by the snappy sound of part of the old house. it. Adam liked his flute and the A native of Big Lick, Mr. Smith, men liked it." of the late Sidney Smith, was War Came On. . r CIVIL WAR FLUTTE—Caleb W. Smith, 67-year-old resident of son born one-half mile north of the Big Lick, holds in his hands a flute which dropped to the ground I "Then the war came on and I little village. As a kid, he walkAdam and the rest of his com- at the battle of Gettysburg when its owner, a Stanly county man. er and attended the old Big Lick Adam Barnhardt, was killed.

Mr. Smith was given the flute by rades, from around Big Lick here academy, receiving instruction had to go and make use of their a comrade of Barnhardt's and asked him to keep it as long as from professors C. J. Black, J. Y. ha lived.

—Staff Photo. practice. At Gettysburg, Adam Ervin, and D. M. Stallings. was playing his flute during a "Back a long time ago, about (of the flute once more.

Well, I ] ~ A s a member of the Big Lick charge on the enemy when he 19111 believe it was, I was passcouldn't play it much them, and Brass Band, ne flrst beat tne was shot down. A man by the I name of John Vickers saw Adam ing- the old man John's house still can't, but I did the best I drum but later played a corrlet.

P " a n l he"pfcted"upThe'fiute I one day when he called to me. could. The sound of the old in- The b a n d [ m A each Saturday afand kept it. Soon as John got a Said he had something to show strument made tears stream temoon m the academy tc. prac chance he mailed or sent the me. He got out the flute and down his cheeks and it seemed | tice Sometimes they would flute home to Adam's parents" showed it to me and told me to just break him down. He soon Harris. hitch up the "band wagon" and , "John got out without a about it. 'I won't live much died." drive all over the community scratch. When he got back to longer, Caleb,' he told me, 'and There the story stopped and while Often they his home in Cabarrus county he I want you to have this flute and the narrator gazed intently at played practicing. for school breaks during paid a visit to Adam's parents, keep it long as you live'." the floor, his mind dwelling on last of March and the first Well, he married Adam's sister "The old man didn't live but some far away topic revived by the of April, and once went all the and later the old man Barnhardt about a year after that. One day the tale. The cuckoo came out way to Millingport to play. gave the flute to John and his in the summer he came over and of the clock on the wall and anWas Busy Place. wife telling them to keep it long we sat out on the front porch. nounced the time and a gust of For a few years around 1900, as they lived."

Said he wanted to hear the sound wind rattled the naked tree Big Lick was a busy little place, he recalls. There was a big store On every corner and a public well in the square. In the winter, every home was full of boarding students. On one side of town, there was a sawdust pile that people referred to as a lit>mm tle mountain. There was an iasis "upper" and a "lower" cotton gin and a cotton seed oil mill, f m On Saturday afternoons, he mik said, riffraff from up in the wes- i Mk tern part of the county would! race their horses at full speed l through Big Lick's streets, often with three or four riders abreast. J A trot was the official speed lim-1 it for the town. Police Chief Pete Hill would mount his steed and chase the ruffians, but they invariably eluded him. ,^,»w>tovwffftgjiJg9B At the age of 14, Mr. Smith beI gan working on watches and clocks and is still at it. A travVFW RECEIVES PORTRAIT-The portzait of Lt. James P. h ° ^ - ^ ^ ^ 1 ^ ' Ste^iTiiTl eling watchmaker, Charlie John-1 Veterans of Foreign Wars post them was named, was given to the post Sunday afternoon m a J son from Indianapolis, Ind., lodgj ed at his father's home arid did IP. Williams of Albemarle, made the principal address. - T j ~ - — - .VriiTTi.^iSit Charle ! work around Big Lick for a seaVann. of Badin. district commander; James P. Lowder. Srw 'lather of the lieutenant, Cl»«les Tson. Mr. Smith, of course, watch4Tye«. of SSarlotto. state commander of the VFW; and J. S. Allen. ~ » ™ « | « " ^ ^ n ed every move he made and beSt. i gan helping him and thereby got ~— his start in the trade.

Around 1920, Mr. Smith came to Albemarle where he remained for 25 years. Three of those years were spent as watch repairman at Mears Jewelry store in Albemarle. Then he got a hankering to move back to -his] old home town and consequently bought the old Hartsell place.

Today, two unusual clocks grace the walls of one of thej room's in his house. One he made from a watchmakers' big emblem' which came from Atlanta, Ga. The other is a handsome handcarved cuckoo clock which has one bird to announce the hour, and another to toll off the quarter hours. It winds by weights and was made in Germany. Mrs. Smith whom he says has the "say so" about this timepiece, has refused $100 for it.

Old Chest.

Another family heirloom is an old chest made of solid English walnut lumber. It was. owned by .his great great grandfather, Mosey Orsborn, who purchased it at Burkett's sale three years before the Revolutionary war.

The old chest, which he believes came from England, is still sound as a dollar.

Also somewhat of ,an inventor, Mr. Smith has built a replica of a box camera using parts off old cameras. It will work, too. Some years ago, he built a five-string] musical instrument which he called a tromboneharp. He even corresponded with the patent of-1 flee concerning the patentability of his invention.

He still wants to build another harp. The harp, he says, will make the sweetest music ever heard. All he needs is two good boards, one-quarter of an inch j in thickness, 28 inches long, and j 10 inches wide. But they must be of good quality wood, like i poplar or ash.

Mr. Smith still fixes a clock now and then at his home in Bick Lick. Bust mostly he and his wife just take it easy. "Big Lick," he says, "just ain't what it used to be."

Old Flute Used In Civil Wai Is Prized Possession Of Caleb Smith

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STANLY NEWS AND PR1

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Stanly Herald Established 1919

Albemarle Press Established 1922

7,000 No. 80

VFW RECEIVES PORTRAIT—The portrait of Lt. James P. Lowder, Jr.. of Norwood, for whom the Veterans of Foreign Wars post there was named, was given to tho post Sunday afternoon in a I special unveiling ceremony attended by a large number of VFW leaders and members. Staton VP. Williams of Albemarle, made the principal address. Shown here with the picture are J. M. Vann, of Badin, district commander; James P. Lowder, Sr., father of the lieutenant; Charles T. wyers, of Charlotte, state commander of tho VFW; and J. S. Allen, commander of the Norwood \ >t.

—Staff Photo—Morgan.

ANCIENT MILL STILL STANDS STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

MR. AND MRS. W. L. DENNIS

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Dennis Observe Golden Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lee Den- I fruit punch, cake, and nuts by nis of route 2, Albemarle, cele- Mrs. H. C. Camp, Mrs. Julian brated their golden wedding an- ' Swaringen, Mrs. C. M. Pearson, niversary on December 2, 1952. | Miss Ruth Whitley, and Miss PaThey were married at 3 p. m. ! tricia Dennis.

The dining room table was covWednesday, December 2, 1902, by Rev. Greene Morton, a Primitive ered with a hand-embroidered Baptist minister. The ceremony linen cloth. Surrounded by fern was performed at the home of and yellow flowers, the threetiered wedding cake was topped the bride.

Mrs. Dennis is the former Cora by the golden numeral "50". YelBelle Griffin, daughter of the low snap dragons and chryslate Atlas M. Griffin and Mary anthemums completed the dining Elizabeth Weisner Griffin. Mr. room decorations.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis received Dennis is I the son of the late Henry J. Dennis and Martha their guests in the living room which was decorated with gold Elizabeth Hearne Dennis. magnolia leaves and seasona The couple have three chil- greenery. # dren, Bollian T. Dennis of SalisMrs. Dennis wore a black suit bury, Radford R. Dennis of Albe-! with and white accessories marie, and Mrs. H. C. Whitley of j and black a corsage of yellow rose Albemarle.

They have eight j buds. grandchildren, Mrs. C. M. Pear-J " Mrs. Dennis, who is 68 years son of Troy, Larry and Patricia j of age, was formerly employed Dennis, Ruth and Donna Sue by the Wiscassett Mills company Whitley, and Mrs. Julian Swar-1 of Albemarle.

She retired in ingen, all of Albemarle; Eddie 1950 after 52 years of service to Dennis of Salisbury, and Bi'l: the company.

She is affectionateDennis of the U. S. Navy. ly known as "Mama" Dennis to All the children and grandchil-1 her many friends. dren, with the exception of Bill Mr. Dennis, who recently obDennis, were present at the open' served his 75th birthday, is em house given Mr. and Mrs. Dennis i ployed by the North Carolina at their home on the Palestine Finishing company at Salisbury road on Sunday, December 21. At present, he is on leave of From 2 until 5 p. m. Sunday, absence, but expects to return to a large number of friends and his work soon. relatives called to congratulate! Both Mr. and Mrs. Dennis are, the couple. Guests were greeted' members of the Seventh Day as the door by Mrs. H. C. Whit- Adventist church where they ley and directed to the dining I have been active members fxd room where they were served I the past 40 years. e

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George Hinson,86, Grinds On, N And On, And On, On Saturdays .kept his children out of school to rocks were slow, hut they ground

By FRED T. MORGAN Early every help him on the farm. George was the sweetest meal you ever tasted, ALBEMARLE Saturday morning an old man with the oldest of the six children, and, Mr. Hinson says. shaggy hair and a long white beard though he received no formal edu- Modern grinding machines run can be seen crossing highway 27 cation, learned to handle machinery so fast that the grain is heated near taberty Hill church in Stanly quite well. which causfc a loss in the quality County.

When he became older, he want- of it. Much of the heart of the Straight *s a rail, wiry and ed a mill of his own. On his many kernel of wheat and corn is tough as whit-leather, he walks excursions up Stony Run Creek, he screened out of modern floyjr and slowly, but steadily. had noticed the narrow gorge meal, he says. And that is the He has become as familiar a where the banks rose steeply from best part. He points out that even sight as the rising sun to the peo- the water's edge. It was an iedal rat, and mice leave the outside and ple of that vicinity, for he has been location for a miUV There had been Cat the center of the kernels. Cercoming that way practically every a mill there before, he discovered, tainly it would be good for huday for the last 40-odd years. but the dam had washed out and mans.

"There goes Old Man Hinson the building had burned.

The existence of the picturesque up to his mill," the people will say; He purchased the tract of land little mill there on the creek near Eighty-six-year-old George Hin- surrounding the location and with son disappears into the woods on the help of his sons and relatives, the highway is unknown to many the north side of the road. His mill threw a dam across the narrow people. Occasionally people who cannot be seen from the highway. creek bed and erected his mill and have not been there in a long time S o m e mornings he walks up water wheel on the west bank, at revisit it just to see what changes have been made. The roof, covthrough the churchyard and down its present location. a shady path through the woods. At first they used waterpower ered with corroded tin and warped Other days, he takes the old wag- to run the machines, but soon shingles, lets in both the sunshine on road opposite D. P. Burris' added a steam engine as an auxil- and rain. Though dilapidated and store and follows it a quarter-mile iary" power unit. When the water unsteady, the mill serves the purup to <his mill on Stony Run creek. gave out, they switched to the pose of Mr. Hinson just as good as a brand new mill. And he likes it a MILL A SPECTACLE steam engine and carried on op- whole lot better.

The mill is no less a spectacle erations without a break.

Mr. Hinson himself attracts than Mr. Hinson. It clings pre- x, T IN 1909 cariously to the steep hillside -ris- For the first few years after "he: much attention from strangers. He ing abruptly from the creek. The built the mill in the year 1909, it hasn't shaved in over 60 years. His weather - blackened old building, was the only mill in that vicinity. children do not remember seeing perched on stilts high above the The Barbee mill on Big Bear him clean-shaven. Long white hair creek bed, leans crookedly and Creek, three miles to the south, hangs down to his shoulders and a looks as if it would topple back- was his closest competitor. Farm- battered hat is usually clamped ward into the creek at the slightest ers from all over the country^pa- upon his head. Over a year ago, he stumbled onto a bumble-bee's nest pressure. Moss-covered hand-split tronized his mill there. pine shingles cover the north side His dam there on Stony Run in the woods near his mill and the swarming bees nearly stung him to of the roof and trees protrude right through the roof and tower above created a wide lake and backed death. He still feels the effects of water up the creek for nearly a their concentrated stinging upon the old building. mile. In Summer, the customers his body and head.

From a big pile of slabs, Mr. to his mill would fish and go in Hinson brings wood to fire up the "a-washing" while waiting for their Earlier this year he went to the boiler of the steam engine, located grinding, and on Sundays the mill- doctor for the first time in his life at the open end of a long shed out pond was a favorite swimming on account of sickness. The doc said he was in excellent condition from the main building, and work pond for the boys. up a head of steam for the first His mill operated daily and did a for a man of his age. v customer of the morning. volume of business for many many Feeling younger'than ever this Soon, his son Paul and members years until other mills sprang up year, Mr. Hinson is preparing to of his family arrive with a jug of and syphoned off much of his trade. set up a molasses mill near his fresh water and vittles for the noon For the past several years now, home and make molasses again meal. They open the doors and hit mill has run only one day per this Fall after an absence of about windows in the musty old building week. But that one day is a busy eight years at the job: to let in sunlight and air, and get day. 1 He invites you to come out and things in readiness for the milling SPEED RUINS MEAL look over his mill on Saturdays and operations.

Inside his mill can be seen many bring your grinding with you too.

From either direction along the antique-looking grinding machines, brush-choked old road by the mill, each of which has been replaced people of the vicinity bring their by a speedier model. His first corn grinding needs to Mr. Hinson. mill, for which he paid $30, is a There will be mules and wagons, compact set of heavy stones. The tractors and trailer, trucks, cars, and other vehicles crowded into the small space carved out of the] hillside ..before the mill door.

PULSATES WITH ACTIVITY The old building pulsates with activity. The old 12-horsepower steam engine peps up and sends the long belt whinning over its pulleys. Milling machines whirr and labor as bushels of grain are fed into them. The old house teeters and shakes upon its flimsy foundations.

Paul handles the steam engine while Mr. Hinson and his daughterin-law perform the feeding and sacking operations. Agile, despite his 86 years, Mr. Hinson lugs heavy sacks of grain and feed across the floor with surprising stamina. An ancient black felt hat keeps the laden dust fog out of his eyes and off his head. His gnarled hands expertly tie the filled feed sacks.

Generally," business is rushing throughout the morning and early afternoon. During any slack periods, the boiler furnace fs kept simmering so the head of steam will not fall too low. Down late when the sun drops toward the west and shadows of gloom creep up the creek to the mill, Mr. Hinson and his helpers close up shop and head back for their home, about a mile distant.

The mill operates for the- public only one day a week, on Saturdays, bat Mr. Hinson usually takes the two-mile jaunt up to his mill and back once each day. He has worked at the old mill so many years, it seems odd to him not to go there every day and just putter ai i nd the old building for a while.

C; . him at the mill some, day wi' jre he can have a good seat on a sack if feed and get him to tell you about his mill.

INTERESTED IN MACHINERY He has always been interested in machinery, he says, and used to work at sawmills and molasses nulls when a youngster. His father Daniel Hinson, a veteran of the Civile War, was a poor man and

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STANLY NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1952

ways. He bemuses himself b;j fanciful talk about how rich hi is. He will lead you to believe] that he has millions; that his1] fortunes are vaster than those of Ford and Rockefeller. He says that his investments will soon be bringing him in a million dollars a day; that no one can equal his status as a millionaire.

While in this vein of talk, he mentions* that he has millions in

By FRED T. MORGAN property and real estate; that he owns railroads, truck lines, drug He looks horrible, fantastic, stores, that he owns property in bizarre. Enough to drive a child High Point, Wadesboro, Charlotte, into a frenzy or an adult inSouth Carolina, or whatever place doors. that happprts to cross his mind.

They call him a preacher—this He watches closely, too, to see aged Negro man who wears what effect his nonsense has on dresses and robes. And well he his listeners. may be, for few people have the He carries a typewritten sheet temerity to approach him, say, of paper that he sometimes shows even to meet him on the sideto people. The paper is headed, walk.

"To Whom It May Concern" and They say that he calls himself it lists a portion of his alleged God and says that he is sanctifortunes totaling up in the thoufield and holy. sands and millions of dollars.

Ominous tales are told that he If questioned, Preacher will say carries an axe on his person to that he pursues his simple life fend off vandals and thieves who I merely so that his relatives and seek to lay hands on his money other persons will not find him or to do him harm. ! and beg him loose from his forChildren are scared into subj tunes. ~ He carries just enough mission by tales of this' weird money on hisvperson to "get me old Negro man who roams the through," as he says. streets and byways in search of To see and hear Preacher rebellious youngsters. Adults preach a sermon is a memorable like to invent myriad stories experience. First he removes his about him and gossip about his bedraggled old hat and stands eccentricities. straight with his long arms, en* For half a century this living cased in their layers of danky I landmark of the city of Albeclothing, stretched out high and I marie has been padding about wide before him. Then he goes the streets of the city. His measthrough a weird ceremony of ured footsteps are like the tickchats and mumblings. His sering of time; like the years softmon, begins with something about ly falling into an endless abyess.

I John preaching in the wilderness Seems Ageless and finally ends with some remark He seems timeless, ageless; about "you can't get through life like the coming and going of the on flowery beds of ease." seasons.

Throughout his sermon, PreachPacing along the sidewalk, ofer paces puppet-like back and ten in his bare feet or in disforth and sometimes jumps a foot carded, mismatched shoes, he freor more off the ground. Occasquently carries a grass scythe ionally his voice reaches a high over his shoulder and a garden pitch and echoes loudly. Not all tool in his hand. Always, he of his sermon is understandable. wears long, ragged, and patched At times he mumbles incoherent- j overcoats and dresses and keeps ly. Other times he stops and sings the residue of a shapeless, once PREACHER AT WORK—This photo of Preacher Matthew McLen- in a loud ringing voice. Apparenthigh-crowned black hat on his don, dressed in his usual sloppy garments, was taken late this ly he doesn't attempt to use words ' head. summer a s he paused at his task of splitting wood at an Albe- in his singing, but only to make A close look at this unique marle home. Ho can swing an axe with agility, quote Scripture sounds that hear some semblance specimen of humanity will con- and sing.

—Staff Photo. to singing. He preaches for a j vince you .that therejs something while, then stops and sings and I mysterious and austere about hums, then preaches some more.

"Preacher".

There seems to be right much His deep unfathomable eyes repetition in Preacher's sermon. stare out of a face that looks as.]

His preaching is punctuated by if it might be molded from the a phrase that sounds something material of a battered anvil. Belike "accept your commission and neath a wide flaring nose, a prove yourself to the Lord." At thick-lipped mouth holds a the end of his sermon, he falls to strained tooth here and there in his knees and, with bared head his head and his dusky face is bowed, mumbles a short prayer. covered with patches of white Then he will accept any donations beard. Under the much-soiled from among his hearers. headgear, his head appears white | A Recent Morning and kinky.

One chilly morning recently, His Clothing Preacher was observed full-rigged He wears several layers of in his long garments. His big feet seedy, loose-fitting garments ,all were clad in a pair of roughj soiled and smelly. Invaribly, it is cankerous, old shoes, and his legs, in the form of a dress or robe, from his ankles almost to his topped by an ill-fitting overcoat, j knees, were encased in a pair of An ancient leather belt girdles] ludicruous heavy - leather leggins. his waist. Underneath all his He wore his perennial whimsical clothing, a crUsty old woman's expression. pocketbook swings from his waist He was asked how he was feeland contains his precious being that morning. longings, a little money, odds and "Good as God, nice as God and ends, and various little trinkets never told a lie in my life," was that he has become attached to. his response. "How are you?"

He dresses in this planner beThere are people in Albemarle cause he says that it symbolizes who think of Preacher as an evil Christ's mode of dress when he i old negro, dera'nged and danger- I was on earth. ous.

They avoid him and make When he speaks, and he will excuses for his existence. Perhaps talk when spoken to, his voice the community at large frowns i is not disagreeable and he can i upon Preacher as unwanted. As I hear without too much diffi-1 being just an undesirable parasite culty. His eyesight is sufficient: that the community doesn't know still. what to do with. Possibly, there i He visits only a few select are those who have been hoping I families in search of work. OnI for years that Preacher would ly those who know him and with j die. ' whom he has associated himself But he's still alive. He's the for many years. He is careful same yesterday; today, and tomorwith whom he lodges and with DRESSED UP FOR PREACHING—Here is Preacher in his ecclesi- row. He comes and goes- with whom he eats. garb. ' Apparently he is in a happy frame of mind. Note daylight and darkness; with the Few people know anything astical tho white collar and the several layers of clothing topped by a winds and the seasons. And he about this odd character who heavy overcoat. appears'to be just about as inThe picture was made several years ago. adopted Albemarle as his partdestructive. time home over 50 years ago. his meals, he. mumbles a long Usually the cold winter months, Most natives of the city recognize blessing. He likes cornbread and him when they see him. That's he spends With friends around oysters, and his favorite delicacy, Ansonville or in Wadesboro, but about all. Not many folks even according to Miss King, is pepperknow his name. For Preacher is in the Spring, summer and fall, mint stick candy. He will devour not one to cultivate new friend- you'll find him in or around Al- it in great quanities if it is given bemarle. ship. to him, Miss King says, and he Back To His Church Mostly he works for the Kings, Regardless of where he's stay- especially likes it after his meals. the Hearnes, the Riffs, and maybe Preacher is hard^ to fool when another family or two. Some- ing, when special services or times he resides-for a spell with conference time comes at the it comes to money matters, Mr. a colored family on the Aqua- colored church below Ansonville, King says.. He expects to be paid dale road and usually spends he gets a ride and goes back for all the work he does and when Sundays with his nieces in King- there. He calls it his church and he preaches, he takes ^ p an ofsays he is the presiding Bishop fering from among his listeners, ville.

His name is Matthew McLen- there because he gives the most He has some knowledge of the don, and, according to those who money to the church. He is for- Bible and can quote scripture.

Once Preacher left Albemarle have the most intimate, kno\^l- ever seeking money to have ready edge of hini, he is about 96 years for the conferences time at his and attended the camp meeting church. at his church below Ansonville. old.

Born In Slavery One of the first men he work- During the course of the week or Born in slavery on a large plan- ed for on coming to Albemarle 10-day meeting, each of the older tation near Ansonville in Anson was James D. Hearne who died m embers of the chiirch were callcounty, Preacher, remembers that in the 1870's. Then he worked for ed upon to get up and testify behe was "about old enough to W. H. HeaVne and Sidney Hearne. fore the congregation. When it plow" when Sherman's raiders During World War I when most came Preacher's turn he began came through that part of the of the men were gone in the war, one # of his weird singsong sermcountry. His old white master, a Preacher considered it his duty ons, saying thaft he was God and McLendon, died about 80 years to stay close around the homes that he was sanctified and holy. held the floor long enough to ago. of the families he knew as a He fhe I £e*- th e congregation alarmed and He recalls well how antagonis- means of protection for ____^ Uneasy. Then, he finished his tic the whites were toward the womenfolks. speech with a series of somerNegroes after the war. "They Preacher has long been a friend would come around to every of the King family and still stays saults right down the main asile Negro's house," Preacher says, part of the time at the King home and out the door. Needless to "and ask him if he wanted to be on South Second street when he say his antics broke up the meetequal with the white man. If is in Albemarle. Once on the ing that night and for that year.

Dressing Up he said he did, they'd give him morn of the wedding of one of the 39 lashes and nearly beat h:~^ to King girls, Preacher was up at Occasionally Preacher likes to death. They come to my d**•• j daylight with a brush and bucket dress up, Mr. King says. He enhouse and he cried like,aj ba~,y. whitewashing the trunks of all joys dressing in his best garments Said he didn't want to be equal the trees around the King resi- and decking himself out in a high with the white folks. The white dence. Apparently it was his silk hat and a stiff white collar men left without beating him." way of celebrating the occasion that someone has given him.

Preacher was one of the middle or his contribution to the gaiety Every year when he comes to children in a family of 27 chil- of the day.

Albemarle, he wants to go to dren. His father was twice marPreacher's friends in Albe- Charlotte to visit three old maid ried. The first group of chil- I m aOf sisters. A fourth sister dren numbered 14~and'there were IB l a nr l e - F r a n k K i n « and Miss McLendon died some time ago. The youngest 13 in the last group. Preacher T h e c hhea vKing know Preacher best, e a s eclal is the only surviving member of y P P J a c e f i x e d one is 77 and the oldest was 88. l he large family up for him to stay at the rear of Their grandfather, John McLendon, was Preacher's and Preachtheir house and he comes and John and_Judson McLendon, de ' er's father's master at the ceased, of Kingville, were Preach- jgQes at will. Through the years, old plantation near Ansonville. they have come to know Preacher er's full brothers/and they were Preacher likes to go to Charlotte and his habits and eccentricities both well respected and subeach year and pay his respects to stantial citizens of Kingville. fairly well. the old ladies who are the deNo Bad Habits Judson and Preacher built the scendents of his former master. rock church now standing in He .has no bad habits that they The father of these ladies was Kingville with their own hands know of. He doesn't use alcohol and at^heir own expense. Many or tobacco. He is well perserved at one time a professor at the old people today remember Judson and surprisingly supple for a man Ansonville Female Academy.

McLendon and his church. of his age. He helps Mr. Frank Very religious about his duties Preacher still holds services at do odd jobs around the house to His white friends in Albemarle, the church on Sundays when he's and cuts grass in the summer Preacher makes it a point to be in Albemarle. aad rakes leaves in the fall. Mr. here at the death of anyone he is Why the brothers ever migrat- Frank says Preacher can turn acquainted with. He will help dig the grave, or be of any service ed up to Albemarle from the handsprings and somersaults.

When he sleeps, Preacher sel- of which he is capable.

Ansonville area is unknown. But Preacher is a wily, cunning felPreacher came along and he still dom disrobes. He likes to sleep makes his home jointly in Al- sitting up in a comfortable obair. low, though it may seem strange bemarle and in Anson county. in a warm place. Before eating, He derives his enjoyment in odd

Preacher Matthew McLendon Is Unique Character About City

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STANLY NEWS AND PR

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1952

the sack and tied it. The other hunters were amazed at the bulging sack. On the scales it totaled 35 pounds. But they were skeptical. They had to see this monstrous possum. Bill untied the sack, careful like, and pulled it back to reveal Pink laying there with his forepaws raised and his teeth bared in a sulking grin just Bora In 1868 like the possum he was imper"Born in '68" he said, /'about sonating. i four years after the war. My At the time Bill lived in Salisdad and my uncle Henry used to bury and ran a blacksmith shop.

I tell a lot about what happened Pink was so small that he somej around these parts in the war times fell into a wagon wheel rut days. You want to hear about in the mud and couldn't get out that?

Not now? Later, huh? by himself. He'd sleep on a- sack About me and my dog? Well, if on the workbench and never let I can get my mind to working." Bill out of his sight.

He got his mind to working, One night on his way home from though he kept saying that it work, Bill got his knife out of wasn't in shape today. His speech his pocket to scrape a torn fingerwas pleasingly old-fashioned and nail. He kept walking. Soon I he spoke words that one doesn't Pink came and reared upon his hear often these days. He'd pause legs to make Bill notice him. But at intervals to shift his legs and he was tired and he brushed the look around to see where his lit- dog aside. But Pink repeated the tle black dog was. act. At the third time, Bill beHis speech touched An many came annoyed and he stooped and interesting things that morning Struck a match. Pink had a $20 about himself and-about the coun- .bill clutched in his mouth. The money had fallen from Bill's pockty in general. et when he removed his knife.

Reared on a farm on the Pee Sensible Dog j Dee river near Norwood, he followed the same trade as his dad, "When I'd sit down and get up I that of working with wood, metal, to leave, Pink would look all i and tools. The whole region along around to see if I'd lost anything the river was his home and he out of my pockets. He had more | ranged up and down it for miles. sense than any .dozen other dogs."

Daniel Boone, he says, once Pink died at the age of nine lived in a „caye tinder the moun- years. Bill was drilling wells tain-side near--the-site of the pres- down in the Morven area at the ent Falls dam. Boone used the time. He left on Monday and cave as a sort of base from which Pink passed away on Tuesday. he hunted and explored 'in this His wife said the dog tottered area, Mr. Mills believes. The cave around Bill's bed and finally is now covered with water. He jumped up on it and lay down. also remembers visiting a unique His wife covered the dog with a spot on the Stanly side of the quilt and went out to milk. When river where three huge rocks came she came back in Pink was dead. together leaving a small alcove The talk lagged and we got outJ beneath them large enough for a to stretch our legs. By then, the person TO walk in and look hillside was dotted with "pig around. On the inside the Walls pens" of wood and the sun had BILL MILLS—Colorful 85-year- of the room were etched with the come out to warm the air. old native of Stanly county, Mr. initials of people who had visited Though Mr. Mills will soon be Mills possesses a lot of knowl- the place. It attracted lots of 85 years of age, he's far from beedge of Ufa in the county back people in those days, but it, too. ing stove up and inactive. He in the old days. is now cover'qd by the backed up maintains'a string of traps around the; farm where he lives with his water. - -J/*£*. •'$*,-" He stopped in the middle of a Mr. Mills remembers hearing his daughter on the road above Kenslab and pole bridge across a father, William .Mills, tell of the dall's church. He tends them regsmall stream and gazed contem- time that the water level in the ularly, too.

"I got something down in a box platively at t h e ' terrain from Pee Dee river rose a good half an there to where I stood. It was inch because of the eriormous now, that I don't know what it upgrade all the way! quantities of shad fish, that came is. All I know, it's got hair on its It's not a squirrel. Don't "From here on it's like going up the freshwater stream from tail. stink like a mink, and don't act the ocean to spawn.

People feastfrom South Korea into North Kolike a cat.

I'm afraid to stick ed on the shad during the season, rea," he mumbled, "but I gotta for they were easily caught. Also, my hand in to get it out until I do it." recalls that old people of his find out what it is.

He stopped, an arm's length he He seemed mightily concerned father's would catch large fish away and his eyes were fluid and from theday about how to get the thing out of river and use a part of bright. "Yeah," he said, "I rethe box without hurting it or their bone framework as a grating member you." device to prepare foods to cook. him.

Chilled and numb from the Once Caught Mink Mr. Mills talked for a long time wind whipping along the roadside, about his favorite dog, "Pink." He "Once I caught a mink in a rabwe got in the car and sat down, and the canine were a well known bit gum. Had a time getting him he with his legs wrapped up com- pair wherever they traveled in out. Didn't want to hurt him and fortably around his cane and me this part of the country. The dog damage the hide. Didn't want to with my arms dangling dh the was small, black as a crow, and get myself hurt either. So, I just wheel. Across the road from us loved a good joke as good as a took gum and all down to the on the hillside, three Negro men man. creek and held it under water were busy cutting down scrub Pink was a famous possum dog about fen minutes. That fixed pines with a power saw and stack- when hunting alone. He treed a him. 'Got $20 fer that hide." ing them "pig pen" style. He oc- 12-pounder night after the ' '3t"eame time to go and I caucasionally remarked about their other dogs inone pack had given tioned huh to be careful. He just progress and the worth of their up and left thethetrack.

Since the [grinned.- "Better go along with work. jvrj other • members of the hunting me," he inyited and his eyes held For a few moments- the conver- party had returned to the starting a,'challenge. sation drifted undirected. Then }.point, Bill decided to have sonic It took -a lot of self discipline I attempted to steer it to the old fun. Instead of .sacking up his not to yield to that 'invitation. I man's "life and his background. jHe catch, he put the possum up a. was more than half a mind to I sapling and put his dog Pink in abandon my duties for the recaught on, M mainder of the day and go with him on his carefree way into the woods to visit the rest of his

Bill Mills, Stanly Trapper, Is Full Of Stones Of Days Gone By

By FRED T. MORGAN I first saw old man Bill Mills l hat cloudy morning far over on the hillside near an old pine field.

He was fiddling around with an upended rabbit gum.

His daughter shouted to him from the front yard, "Someone here to see you." £.^ He set the box down and hollered back in response. Then he straightened and started up the edge of the field to where a path led across the marshy lowland to the road.

"He'll come out way up there at that mail box," his daughter pomted, "If you want to meet him there."

I drove to where an old road came out to the hard-surfaced road, got out of the car, and waited. .a>:,, Pretty Soon I saw him come trudging along the muddy little road -through, the woods. Even at a distance his* white'beard stood out in sharp contrast to the drab clothes helwpre. The brim of an aged felt hat almost hid his eyes.

He, used a can'e to help him along ana a little black dog trotted playfully behind him.

By now he was aware of my presence, though he had not recognized me. .

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1952

Familiar Old Tunes Are Played

By John Page On His Auto-Harp «,

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Local Man Made Harp Himself

By FRED T. MORGAN Melodious Strains of a familiar Old melody drift tantilizingly eUt " the, doorway of the long block building on Monroe street in Albemarle. Passersby arey often in-. duced to stop and listen.

Doubtlessly you will recognise! tht tune, but what kind of instrument is It? It's a string instrument, that's sure, but not one of the more common ones. ' ' People in the community can identify the sound at once. It's John R. Page, founder of the 5RAWING TIME—Children at the Day Nursery school were busy drawing, coloring. % Page Cabinet company, playing "iicture books when the photographer managed to gain their attention long enougtf one of his home-made auto-harps. »icture. The little girl at tho end of the table began crying and could not be indi The music is simple home or lead. They are, loft to light, back row, Eddie Smith. Stevie Burris, Lynette Hi country music — not the classiJmith, Benny Bowers, Kay Carpenter, Eddie Talbert, Billie Jo Talbert, Lyndia cal or finger-curling, monocle/ perrin. Front row: Douglas Brown, Jackie Gaddy, Sharon McCrady, and Stevie raising, big-city stuff that is ofI when the picture was made wore Stevie Harkey and Charles Elwood Hatley. ten disgusting to the average hometown person. The harmon.ious sounds that Mr. Page coaxes out of his home-made auto-harp are such that arouse the emotions and caress the palate. And the way Mr. Page plays makes you realize at once that there's nothing superfluous or pretentious about his style. • Now He Ploys He stands at the end of a ta* continuously through the summer. ble, possibly with his leg draped PAGE . , . AND HIS AUTOHABP—John Page, local woodworker] The facilities include sleeping over one corner, and is oblivious and musician, is shown 99 he plays his autoharp which he conquarters, bathroom, combined to all else save his fingers and structed himself. The instrument is well finished and highly workshop and play room, outdoor the strings. Or, more often, he polished, looking just os if it had come from some music store. swings and a play area. sits with the harp on his lap, Let Mr. Page plays by ear many well known and popular songs and him mount the two picks upon his is becoming quite well known locally for his music.

Identical lunches are served at gnarled and stubby fingers, adnoon and the children receive a —Staff Photo. lust the 60 strings to his satistreat of perhaps apples or cookies faction, tune up his amplifier, and once in the morning and once in then the worries and cares of the boys, in turn, are first-class wood the afternoon. A nap in the early day will melt away before the workmen and machinists. All six Children at Albemarle's newest afternoon is a must for each permeating mellowness of the are musically inclined, too. nursery, the Day Nursery School child. They may bring their own Born and reared in the Fingep at 451 East Oakwood avenue, toys to the nursery at the parmusic. and Mission section oj the counare learning individuality and ents' descretion.

Tunes like "Let Me Call You ty, Mr. Page has been in Albe- John R. strength of character, according The usual picture and color Sweetheart", "Dixie", and a va* marle for the last 40 years and itoharps. to Mrs. Ralph Carpenter, the pro- books are provided as well as riety of dusty hymns, flowing so has been engaged in the church prps. The prietor. crayons, quantities of paper, aleffortlessly and so resonantly furniture manufacturing business es.

Group unity and close co-opera- pha tbetical blocks, and modeling from the blended strings, are edi- for the last 15 years. r 1 tion follow. If one child misbe- clay. Working with the clay is fying to the heart and soul. Mr. His interest in. the auto-harps haves, none get an extra cookie the favorite pasttime of the chilPage plays from memory apd by was reawakened only recently between meals. If another flaunts dren, Mrs. Carpenter states. ear, not by virtue of any formal when he found more time to dethe discipline that is taught, it Some of the older children, have musical training. vote to some pastime. Differing may mean no trip to the park or Following the pattern of a harp from the conventional type autoplayground that day. They at- learned their ABC's and how to built many years ago by his harp, Mr. Page's version is more tempt to hold each other In count to 100. Others have acfather, George Hinton Page, a compact and minus several sets check and ostracise the violators quired unprecedented appetites and regular sleeping habits. consummate woodworker, Mr. of strings that are used on an among themselves.

Page built every piece of the unaltered instrument to effect Children from two to six years If a child has a birthday, usuharp except for the strings and the finer sounds anfl the metiof age are kept in the nursery by ally the party is held at the the metal tuning pegs. culous overtones that the cultithe day, week, or month and no nursery so all the children can His first attempt at building a vated ear likes in classical music. an Stadium child is a stranger for long in the participate. If another receives harp proved a failure as the wood Not caring for this redundancy crowd of exuberant youngsters. an over abundance of candy at he used contorted, and killed the in his music, Mr. Page incorpor* rolina Folk Some are shy and timid, while home, he will bring it to the nursery next day to share with sound which is the first requisite ated into his instrument only Dy enchantothers are bold and talkative. for a perfect instrument. The those features which would en? rely heard. I II Usually, Mrs. Carpenter says, it his friends. Everything possible next time he used the right type able him to play the sweet, simtakes a new child about two days is done to encourage the child to of wood, properly dried and aged. ple music like his dad used to has had an or so to become accustomed to like his stay at the nursery and For durability and to avoid any play and like he has been assothe new environment, bilt then he many are reluctant to leave when dings things bucking UP tendencies! he peg- ciated with all his life, loosens up and is at home with their parents call for them in the afternoon. ged the instrument together, Bespectacled and plain-featur- hand around I mo the group.

Currently ,there is approxithroughout its' length.

Then it ed, Mr. Page doesn't look much Opened In February mately 16 children enrolled in was sanded and polished into a like a musician. His rough fin- ige Cabinet — The nursery opened in Febru- the nursery. >• high gloss. ' Today it looks, as if I gers and hands bear the mute le, manufac- J ary of this year and has operated it might have just arrived from evidence of mistakes made while1 iture, Mr. j H among the high class company of at work around machinery and if years has j ,: instruments in a music store. his hearing has become impaired, LL -1 When it passed all tests, Mr. from countless days spent around ^lagement of Page bought him an amplifier toj roaring machines, to the extent I is sons and bring out the superb tones of the that it's hard for him to tune his I ivoting his | ely pursuits .— instrument better. He plays it at instrument properly. leisure and whenever he's in the But he gets much enjoyment II novel auto- j mood for good music. Although and consolation from plucking he is capable of playing several the strings of the unusual irisfrur half a dozen 11 Other string instruments, he sticks ] ment. He hag been invited to •roves upon | i | to the harp because it's his fa- bring his, instrument and play in ivo harps he vorite. public places in Albemarle. And, ;e his most he says, he just can't afford to Has More Time of them he Now that he has largely turn- turn the opportunities down. ;e at Chapel ed the management of his plant isic. MSDy ped-j '*'"--•• ^ ^ Hill over to- his sons, Mr. Page has foully enthrall-j y.agh ham has 66 strings.

The time for more tinkering and puttering around with things that he's wanted to work at for years.

He has made things, out of wood practically all of the 61 years of his life. He picked up the woodworking art and the musical ability from his dad. All of hip six

l)ay Nursery School Puts Stre On Discipline find Unselfish^ Children Learning teamwork

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-DRAWING TIME—Children at tho Day Nursery school were busy drawing, coloring, and lookina at nieture books when the photographer managed to gain their attention long enough to snap this Picture. The little girl at the end of the table began crying and could not bo induced to lift her lead. They are. loft to right, back row Eddio Smith, Stevie Burris, Lynette Hartsell, Brookie /Smith, Benny Bowers. Kay Carpenter, Eddie Talbert. Billie Jo Talbert. Lyndia Lucas and TiU fterrin. Front row: Douglas Brown, Jackie Gaddy. Sharon McCrady, and Stevie Brown. Absent when the picture was made were Stevie Harkey and Charles Elwood Hatley.

Staff Photo.

Day Nursery School Puts Stress | On Discipline And Unselfishness Children learning Teamwork Children at Albemarle's newest nursery, the Day Nursery School at 451 East Oakwood avenue, are learning individuality and strength of character, according to Mrs. Ralph Carpenter, the proprietor.

Group unity and close co-operation follow. If one child misbehaves, none get an extra cookie between meals. If another flaunts the discipline that is taught, it may mean no trip to the park or playground that day. They attempt to hold each other in check and ostracise the violators among themselves.

Children from two to six years of age are kept in the nursery by the day, week, or month and no child is a Stranger for long in the crowd of exuberant youngsters.

Some are shy and timid, while others are bold and talkative.

Usually, Mrs. Carpenter says, it takes a new child about two days or so to become accustomed to the new environment, bdt then he loosens up and is at home with the group. , Opened In February The nursery opened in February of this year and has operated

continuously through the summer.

The facilities include sleeping quarters, bathroom, combined workshop and play room, outdoor swings and a play area..

Identical lunches are served at noon and the children receive a treat of perhaps apples or cookies once in the morning and once in the afternoon. A nap in the early afternoon is a must for each child. They may bring their own toys to the nursery at the parents' descretion.

The usual picture and color books are provided as well as crayons, quantities of paper, alphatbetical blocks, and modeling clay. Working with the clay is the favorite pasttime of the children, Mrs. Carpenter states.

Some of the older children, have learned their ABC's and how to count to 100. Others have acquired unprecedented appetites and regular sleeping habits.

If a child has a birthday, usually the party is held at the nursery so all the children can participate. If another receives an over abundance of candy at home, he will bring it to the nursery next day to share with his friends. Everything possible is done to encourage the child to like his stay at the nursery and many are reluctant to leave when their parents call for them in the afternoon.

Currently there is approximately 16 children enrolled in the nursery.

SATISFIED—That's about all there is to say about John R. Page of Albemarle when he's tinkering with his autoharps. ; Here can be seen three of his self-made autoharps. The two directly before him are the most recent ones.

ALBEMARLE'S JOHN PAGE

Stirs Audiences With Self-Made Autoharp

By FRED T. MORGAN ALBEMARLE—Many people filing into big Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill during the recent eighth annual Carolina Folk Festival were stopped and rooted in their tracks by enchanting rhythmical music of a quality and resonance rarely heard.

It sounded almost like what one imagines the harps of angels would and since his boyhood has had an unusual knack of buildings things sound.

While thousands of people took and he has a master's hand around their seats on each of the three machinery. nights of the festival, a little Founder of the Page Cabinet middle-aged man stood on the Company of Albemarle, manufacstage beside a small table and turers of church furniture, Mr. played a queer, flat instrument Page in the last few years has that produced this gripping music. turned the active management of His was a heartwarming per- his factory over to his sons and formance. He was particularly ob- sons-in-law and is devoting his livious to the audience. He was time to more lesiurely pursuits lost in the living, marvelously like tinkering with his novel autoblended music that sprang from harps. his perfectly tuned instrument He has constructed half a dozen under his expert hand. He played or more harps and improves upon tune after tune of old, old favor' each one. The last two harps he ites. recently completed are his most AUDIENCE ENTHRALLED perfect to date. One of them he The vast audience was visibly used in his performance at Chapel affected by this music. Many peo- Hill. ple sat there delightfully enthrall- Each harp has 66 strings. The ed. Others whispered questions harps, constructed of California ack and forth. No one com- pine; maple, and walnut, are senplained. Perhaps few of them knew stitive to temperature and leaving what type of instrument it was them in direct sunlight even for a bringing forth these melodious few minutes affects their tone. sounds.

PLANS NEW TYPE When he stopped playing and left the stage, there was an uproar of Always busy with some new idea Mr. Page now has plans for buildapplause.

On the last night of the festival, ing a self-playing violin to accomhe played before an estimated pany his autoharp. With this comicrowd of 10,000 people and the ova- bination he can play his autoharp tion at the end of his perform- and the violin will automatically accompany. Or he can "fake" his ance hardly knew any bounds.

Such striking public acclamation harp, that is, go through the moof his brand of music is nothing tions of playing but deaden the new to John R. Page of Albemafrle sound, and the violin will play He has consistently wowed audi- alone. ences large and small since he Mr. Page has become widely and began making public appearances favorably known in North Carolina several years ago. f° r his appearances at folk festiThough there were 500 or more vals and country music gatherperformers at the folk festival at ings.'He takes his harps (he usual' IChapel Hill, none of them had an ly take a spare along) and creates instrument like Mr. Page's self- sensations wherever he goes. He made autoharp. Wherever he goes has come to be regarded as a perwith the harp, it-is the object of manent fixture at the Folk Festiclose scrutiny and many questions. val at Chapel Hill and a similar event at Asheville. So far, he has LIFE-TIME HOBBY A versatile wood craftsman, Mr. been about the only autoharp playiPage has been in close touch with er to perform at these gatherings. autoharps and other musical instru- At least, the only performer to Iments all his life. His father, play a self made harp of his design.

JGeorge Hinton Page, made excel- In the words of a professor lent violins and had the distinc- from Columbia University who tion of constructing a complete pi- observed Mr. Page's playing at ano with his own hands from start Chapel Hill, "He has a lot of music in his finger tips and he knows to finish.

Mr. Page inherited a lot of the how to incorporate it into the wood craftsmanship and artistry from and construction of his instruhis father. He put it into early use, ments."

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1952

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBUMAKLE, N. C.

George H. Page Was Versatile Craftsman Of Half Century Ago produce variant tones and sounds from horse collars. On the banin them. Soon, spinning wheels, jo heads, he used calf hides both large and small, came from which he tanned himself.

Works of Art. his able hands as did tracks and reels. That became his first trade Aside from the pianos, the vioand he found a ready market for lins that he made required" the his products. Then came beds, most painstaking labor. They dressers, tables, and chairs and were works of art. The fancy curl at the end of the violin neck a variety of household items. was carved just as artistically Page's Schooling.

Mr. Page's schooling didn't j and perfectly as a factory made amount to much. He went to I instrument. The sound holes schoolmaster Burt Tucker at the were as evenly spaced and as old Motley school for only a few graceful as on any violin. The months. However, booklearning violin shown in the accompanywasn't necessary for success in ing picture was made by George Hinton Page and is now owned his type of work. by his son, Jonah Page, a piano He made his owji machinery, tuner improvising many ingenious bury. and repairman of Salismethods of doing the jobs that Once in Concord, Mr. Page saw are performed today on an assembly line basis. His first wood an organ, and after looking it turning lathe was pedaled by the over closely, he told the sales* feet. John R. Page of Albemarle man that he believed he would remembers pedaling the old lathe go home and make him one like many a day for his father to it. The man said he couldn't do turn out a bed post or piece of it. It was a tough job, but Mr. work. His next powerplant for Page stuck with it for" many the machine was a horse or mule months until he finally had his and even a shelter was built over organ perfected. He used reeds the circle which the animal had from an accordian in the organ to make so the operations could and it was the only one he ever be carried on in bad weather. An- built.

In addition to building them, other time, he rigged a four-bladed waterwheel in the swift wa- Mr. Page could play expertly, ters of Bear ceek near his home every type of musical instruand located his lathe upon • a ment known to this country in small platform on the creek those days. His favorites were the violin and the accordian. Ofbank.

Most notable of Mr. Page's ac- ten he was called on to play at complishments, though he work- gatherings and school "breaks" ed on guns, watches, sewing ma- and he was never reluctant to chines, and all other devices of da so.

His father was a great one for the day, was his ability to manufacture musical instruments. fun and merriment, John Page When his inventive faculties recalls. Once George Hinton and turned in this direction, he built several other young men of the banjos, guitars, violins, auto- community went to Concord to_ see the train go through the city Mharps, pianos, and even an or- for the first time in their lives. gan. / •; . The autoharp was his most pro- Impressed and full of enthusilific instrument. He made doz- asm, they arrived back home with ens of them which were sold m the decision to build them a railConcord and elsewhere. The gui- road of their own. tars, banjos and violins that he Built Own Railroad. made were limited to a very few.

Men of the community gatherSince the piano required a ed and under the direction of great deal of time and labor to George Hinton, they felled pine construct due to its multiplicity saplings and hewed them into of parts, only possibly three or rails which were pegged to rough four were made by Mr. Page. But crossties not too closely spaced. he made with his hands every The track wound down a gentle piece about the instruments, of- slope through an old pine field ten going to great pains to obtain and was purposely made to cross the exact type of wood or mate- a trickle of a branch which gave rial that he needed. For the felt the bridge crew an excuse to that he needed in his autoharps build a trestle about six feet high and pianos, he used the liners over the low place. A wagon or

By FRED T. MORGAN George Hinton Page was a Stanly county man whose restless intellect'expressed itself in the ability to build things with his dextrous hands. A versatile craftsman with a consuming love for his work, he merits distinction from the ordinary countryman of half a century ago, for he combined a vast patience with a subtle skill and applied it to t h e never-ending tasks that he laid out before him.

Born and reared little more than a mile east of the present Oak Grove Methodist church, he had imbred in him a liking for simple things coupled with a mechanical - mindedness which was the outlet for his native talent.

As a kid, he learned to fashion whistles and flutes from reeds and wood and was soon able to

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OFF TO THE FOLK FESTIVAL ftior to his departure on Thursday, John R. Page, above, was getting his autoharps in tune and practicing up on some of the tunes he expects to play at the Eighth Annual Carolina Folk Festival a t Chapel Hill on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of this week. An expert wood craftsman, Mr. Page made all the sharps shown above and plays them in such an appealing manner that his music has brought compliments from people all over North Carolina. (See Fred Morgan's Musings on editorial page.)

Staff Photo.

GEORGE HINTON PAGE—According to John R. Page of Albemarle, this picture of his father was made by Horace Barrier in the year 1902 when his father was around 30 year old. He built both the violin he is holding and the piano. On either side of his head is the face of a tall clock upon which he was an expert repairman. The object at his right shoulder which resemble a television screen is an old-time picture with a wooden frame. The tall box at the upper right of the picture contains a pair of ladies' high-top shoes which were popular in that day. cart was built and George Hinton long winter evenings while sitturned out the flanged wooden j ting before a bright fire, he would wheels on his lathe. Special at-1 cover his lap with shaving and tention had to be given the they would spill onto the floor wheels so they would run, true and hearthstone. and wouldn't jump the rails. The Once when Mr. Page built a two-seated car would hold six new house for his family, he had people. At the end of the track, to carry part of the lumber on some three-quarters of a mile his shoulder from the Herrin saw- [ from its beginning, the rails stop- mill on Pole Bridge creek a mile ped abruptly and the cart ran off and a half away. into soft dirt which stopped it Mr. Page moved to Albemarle without endangering the occu- in the mid 1920's and built Ms pants. last musical instrument, an auThe popularity of the railroad toharp, a year later. When he grew day after day until young felt like it, he tinkered around in people as well as adults were at- his small shop at the rear of his tracted for miles over the coun- home and built odds and ends of try. Groups of six would gladly furniture. He still loved to play push the cart up the incline to the violin and accordian and ofthe starting position for the thrill ten played for his grandchildren. of the speedy ride back down. When his hands became too feeEspecially on Sunday, the rail- ble to bring music out of the inroad was used constantly from strument, he would try to interdaylight to dark. Bright moon- est his grandchildren in learning lit nights saw the car moving to play. over the rails until midnight or George Hinton Page died in Alafter. bemarle in the year 1930 when Once a man became displeased he was 58 years old. with the carryings on at the railroad and vowed he would dyna- STATE COLLEGE ANSWERS mite the trestle. Learning of TIMELY FARM QUESTIONS this, the community delegated an Question: When should I start armed man to guard the railroad trestle every night until the my second bunch of chicks for layers? threat wore off. / Gradually the attraction of the Answer: Research at N. C. railroad wore off and when the State College's School of Agricul-1 eart finally succumbed to the 'beating it took and the rails "be- ture shows that the best time of came in a bad state of repair, year is in October, according to no one seemed very interested in T. B. Morris, extension poultry reviving the place and conse ; specialist.

"However." Morris points out, quently it was abandoned. "chickens can be started-in SepFarmed, Also/ tember, November and December George Hinton farmed on a to supplement the production of small scale in addition to his the March hatched pullets." woodworking trade. But only October? hatched pullets at enough to tide his family over. State College came into product-1 His main 'Jove was found, in his ion in about 5% months and av-/ musical instruments. Often at eraged over 70 per cent product/ midday, after he had finished his ion during their first five month/ meal and was waiting for the of lay. stock to eat and rest, he would The shell texture and inter;/ take out his honed pocket knife quality were better during j and whittle out a little animal summer months than eggs tq or work on a piece of an instru- old hens that had been in ment he was making. During the duction 8 to 10 months.

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, J *$ *? tS i * 28 21 22 "' t ยง SS 2? iSS 33

OFF TO THE FOLK FESTIVAL Prior to his departure on Thursday, John R. Page, above, was getting his autoharps in tune and practicing up on some of the tunes he expects to play at the Eighth Annual Carolina Folk Festival at Chapel Hill on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of this week. An expert wood craftsman, Mr. Page made all the sharps shown above and plays them in such an appealing manner that his music has brought compliments from people all over North Carolina. (See Fred Morgan's Musings on editorial page.)

Staff Photo.

THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, RALEIGH, N. C , SUNDAY

F R I D A Y , N O V E M B E R 7, 1952

Former Resident Enjoys Hunting Old Indian Relics Throughout This Area usually on soft, loose, and sandy 1 After some amount of inspec

By FRED T. MORGAN soil. They buried their dead, j tion, George Weaver, news edi"Indian relics, just like gold, usually, in shallow graves scrap- tor, unerringly picked out thel are where you find them," G. A. ed out of sand along the river four artificial points, much to |1 Joyner, former resident of the city banks. Sometimes, they buried Mr. Joyner's surprise. of Albemarle, says with a twin- a dead Indian right under the Mr. Joyner lived in Albemarle jl kle in His eye and the hint of a sand of their wigwam floor." and attended the graded school I chuckle in his voice.

"I have found most relics in here at the time when the arj And his statement shouldn't river bottom land," Mr. Joyner f at the present Central school w be taken lightly. For the past continued. "But hillsides along considered "back in the woods".]

40 years or more he has searched the streams are productive of His father was the first engineer for both Indian relics and gold arrowheads. At times the rivers at the Wiscassett mills. He re-1 flooded and forced the village members that his first job was as an active avocation. up on the hills. While waiting in the Wiscassett Hosiery mill He has found some gold and a for the waters to recede, they where he worked for the late lot of relics.

S$^. often spent their time making Fred Gaddy.

Mr. Joyner, who now lives close arrowheads and spearpoints and For many years now, he has' to the Jackson Training school such. I have found lots of 'chip- been living near Concord and j near Concord, stopped by thepings' from their work on thehas completed over 25 years serNews and Press office on one of points." vice with Cannon mills. his recent excursions through "I'll be coming back this way Mr. Joyner has found a good this part of the country and dis- many of his relics in Stanly off and on," Mr. Joyner said pri played" some fine examples of and is a frequent visitor or to his departure. "In case 11 the fruit of his many trips along county to Morrow Mountain state park make a big find, I'll stop by and j remote river banks and bleak and the area along the Pee Dee let you know." hillsides. and Yadkin river. He also pays The small portion of his col- an occasional visit to the Indian lection that he brought with him I Mound state park near Mt. Gil consisted mostly of a heterogene- ead and says that Montgomery «„o <>,.,.<,,, of „f arrowheads »-«v,„v,«.^, with ,-itv, ao i c o u n t y i s one of h i s choicest ous array few spearpoints, tomahawks, and areas to look for the relics. He peace pipes thrown in. They has also found relics near his « » Herbert M. Doerschuk holds two of the peace pipes he found, a were attached around the borders home in Cabarrus county and River in Stanly County. The dark one is of soapstone foreign to tj of two illustrated display boards in Lincoln county. larger one, carved in the forfn of a duck, is of native stone. which depicted early Indian life. | • "Like gold," he remarks, "if you find two or three relics, in Along Streams.

"Unlike gold," the 64-year-old same spot, you can be sure there connoisseur of ancient Indian are more somewhere close." lore discoursed, "Indian relics Though he tries to keep his can be found a t pretty well de- prospecting jaunts and his relic in unfolding the story of the life fish

By FRED T. MORGAN. finable places.

They camped hunting treks separate, they ofALBEMARLE — The golf ball of the Indians in this part of the sign along streams or at big springs,} ten overlap and he finds himself rolled to the edge of the green and State through a quest for relics and j ^ for relics when he should e „one-man museum, uoerscuus xWWl\ Car<|' blooking dropped into a little drainage ditch. their consequent revelations.

Panning f° r gold. the one or two perfect specimens of The sides of the ditch were ugly Doerschuk has succeeded well in Reed Gold Mine. and red from erosion caused by a the 25 years he has been engaged hardened clay dishes used for cook- lie comparf One of his favorite prospecting ing.

The pots contain various dein the hobby. recent rain. places is in the creeks around As Herbert M. Doerschuk of Ba- Today he has one of the best signs on the exterior and some few they kne the old Reed gold mine in southof them were equipped with handin stooped to retrieve the ball, he private collections of Indian curios ern Cabarrus county. He has saw an Indian arrowhead jutting and relics in existence and he is dles. The Indians mixed a hard in and the found a few small nuggets and out from the bank, half of it con- recognized as an authority of In- grit or shale with their claytogive ontacts w he says that nearly every panfu" unfolding • • - —-- -——-fiTi."*,^ cealed by the red clay. Pulling it dian matters, particularly those it durability.

Weights, used for balance on 3 this pa from.around the old diggings refree, he wiped the mire away and Indians native to the State. some color. found that he had in his palm an In the book, "The American In- spear shafts, is another item which ;lics and veals Regardless of how much time excellent specimen of Indian ar- dian In North Carolina," published Doerschuk has in abundance. How devotes to gold hunting, howtistry.

by Duke University Press in 1947, the Indians managed to drill -succeeded he ever, his main interest lies in been smooth holes through hard stone nas Doerschuk is credited with helpLess Time Tor Golf.

Indian relics. Through his 40-odd in order to mount the weights upon ing to establish and preserve a recFrom that day in 1928, Doerschuk years of spare time searching, he gradually devoted less time to golf- ord of our Carolina Indians. The the lance is somewhat of a puzzle.,f the besf has accumulated over a peck of ^_ ing and developed a mounting fas- valume contains pictures of Doers- But they did it. Doerschuk has md relics arrowheads and spearpoints p l u s * with one of the pipes in his many fine examples of such work. cination in Indian lore and Indian chuk and some of his Indian artiinnumerable pieces of pottery, From his quarter of a century of facts. relics. it would bones, wampum, peace pipes, and study of Indian ufe here, DoersA native of Ohio and a stranger | Doerschuk's collection is as va50,000. Ai other objects that he has yet top Mr. Doerschuk believes that to Badin and the surrounding ter- ried as it is voluminous. He has chuk believes that this area was in- tion ofttuidentify. He also has about nine deed a popular place with the ritory, he had recently been trans- in his home at 48 Henderson Street, deed a popular place with the red Not con tomahawks of various sizes and Indians who lived here and the ferred to the Carolina Aluminum Badin, all types of Indian tools, men. The Indians who lived here mire his shapes, some with the grooves for IF here in their migrations have the'handle still distinguishable, htold wealth of relies of which Company plant here from the com- weapons, cooking and burial uten- and the ones who paused here in Mr. Joyner has read many robably has only begun to sam-1 pany's plant at Niagara Falls, N. Y. sils, pipes, beads, wampum, orna- their migrations have left behind books on Indian culture and cus-] Friends told him all they knew ments,-and many flat pieces of an untold wealth of relics of which Doerschuk probably has only betoms and that knowledge plus |ndians here were nomadic,- but about Indians in the area around stone with engraved designs. what he has pieced together from U m culture they began to tivc Badin and the Pee Dee-Yadkin Arrowheads are most numerous gun to sample.

Not War like. his long study of relics has en- silages along the river. In the River. Soon he made contacts with among his collection. He has them abled him to form a rather com- their uninterrupted existence other people who were interested of all types, design, and material, The earliest Indians in this secplete picture of early Indian life ven abandoned their tepees and some of which are believed to date tion were nomadic,'but as they dein this section. back as early as 2,000 years B. C. veloped in culture they began to u r e s j n which they dwelt the In addition to accumulating" He has wide trays filled with live in permanent villages along arrowheads, he has turned t o e r e w e r e n o t very warlike in Mr. spear points, knives, scrapers, the river. In the latters years of I making them and has become i ( m H e thinks they did very drills, and axes, all painstakingly their uninterrupted existence some of them even abandoned their te- woman ai adept at it. While at the News. d t h e n o n l y a s m e a n s of self chipped from hard stone.

He has boxes filled with axes and pees and built log structures in band's p2 and Press office he mixed up P. t h e e v e n t s o m e outside tribe a dozen arrowheads then d h u n t i t l g . l a n d s f ro m them., tomahawks, large and small, some which they dwelt the year around. She has sabout re Doerschuk says he hasn't grooved along each side near the Indians here were not very war- of the hJ ?f a d them out in a circle. Four like in Doerschuk's opinion. *He amassed]* the points were made by me J a l o n g the river near top \t) accommodate the handle. for Many of them, fashioned from the thinks they did very little fighting time, ii he said, "all the rest are ancient l » ™' l h i s s6 uvenir S of Inhardest of stone found in this area and then only as a means of self- space a r ^ e e if you c a n p i c k H 0 U L t h 2 ! fcjn found much closer horn, preservation and in the event that t v y th have effective cutting edges.

4 l ° L t n ™ e % s found them in Stanly, Cabarsome outside tribe tried to wrest » Assortment of Pipes. whlte n lf"~— - r.

Randolph, Montgomery with heV ™* j ^ ^ , oavidson their hunting lands from them. u One of the most interesting de(Richmond counties, partments of his collection is the For all bis relics, Doerschuk says turbed. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ doesn't know how many individual pieces See Page 11 large assortment of pipes or calu- he hasn't traveled more than 50 A hobby is good for a person, is in his enormous collection. He estimates mets of various sizes. From an miles along the Yadkin-Pee Dee Mrs. Doerschuk believes. And And by far the larger 50,000. __ examination of the pipes it .is evi- River. In fact, most of his souve- she's glad her husband has ainbeofaround them he has found himself. nirs of Indian life have been found dent that the Indians had developed hobby.

SjfMffl a high degree of artistry in themuch closer home than that. He "But I sometimes wish it was L SEARCHING le content to sit back and admire his relics has found them in Stanly, Rowan, manufacure of pipes, for some of stamp collecting," she laughs.

"Sua to pursue his hobby in a more pasive and Doerschuk's specimens r e v e a l Cabarrus, Davidson, Randolph, less ardous way, Mr. Doerschuk is still searching amazing feats of craftsmanship Montgomery, and Richmond coun- some oi ng feats of craftsmanship among the coves and hills of the Yadkin-Pee Dee considering the crude methods ties. river for better specimens and more authenuc used. .One of the pipes is carved He doesn't know how many indi- nethods used. knowledge of the early Carolina Indian. from soapstone in the form of a vidual pieces he has in his enor- carved in the form of s T i m e nt,t.£x£tta* Viyno-J- " duck; another is in the form of a mous collection. He estimates that I form of a fish. They cou\ and etchings. M taiu

Dropped Golf For Indii

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NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL PLAN

NORTH CAROLINA FOLKS

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THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, RALEIGH, N. C , SUNDAY lAWWAW.inWW^JW^Ti!

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jigineer Finds fndion defies 1 isorbing Than Pars As Hobby Herbert M. Doerschuk holds two of the peace pipes he found.along the Yadkin-Pee Dee River in Stanly County. The dark one is of soapstone foreign to the Piedmont area and the larger one, carved in the |oi^n of a duck, is of native stone.

Dropped Golf For Indian Relics

By FRED T. MORGAN. ALBEMARLE — The golf ball rolled to the edge of the green and dropped into a Utile drainage ditch.

The sides of the ditch were ugly and red from erosion caused by a recent rain.

As Herbert M. Doerschuk of Badin stooped to retrieve the ball, he saw an Indian arrowhead jutting out from the bank, half of it concealed by the red clay. Pulling it free, he wiped the mire away and found that he had in his palm an excellent specimen of Indian artistry. . Less Time For Golf.

From that day in 1928, Doerschuk gradually devoted less time to golfing and developed a mounting fascination in Indian lore and Indian relics, A native of Ohio and a stranger to Badin and the surrounding territory, he had recently been transferred to the Carolina Aluminum Company plant here from the company's plant at Niagara Falls, N. Y. Friends told iiim all they knew about Indians in the area around Badin and the Pee Dee-Yadkin River. Soon he made contacts with other people who were interested

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NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL PLAN for

NORTH CAROLINA FOLKS See Page 11

b MORGAN nil rolled to the edge of Id into a little drainage I ditch were ugly and red I a recent rain. )esschuk stooped to re's fell upon an Indian ar |m the bank, half of it yet Clay. Pulling it free, h3 Ind found that*he had in specimen of Indian ariis-

8. Mr. Doerschuk of Badin time to golfing and, conin unfolding the story of the life fish. They contain elaborate de- mounting fascination m of the Indians in this part of the signs and etchings. a relics.

State through a quest for relics and In the pottery department of his ind a stranger to Badin their consequent revelations. one-man museum, Doerschuk has Brritory, he had recently Doerschuk has succeeded well in one or two perfect specimens of [the Carolina Aluminum the 25 years he has been engaged hardened clay dishes used for cook- le company's plant at Niin the hobby. ing. The pots contain various deToday he has one of the best signs on the exterior and some few private collections of Indian curios of them were equipped with han- they knew about Indians and relics in existence and he is dles. The Indians mixed a hard in and the Pee Dee-Yadkiu recognized as an authority of In- grit or shale with their clay to give ontacts with other people dian matters, particularly those it durability. [unfolding the story of the Indians native to the State.

Weights, used for balance on i this part of the state In the book, "The American In- spear shafts, is another item which [lies and their consequent dian In North Carolina," published Doerschuk has in abundance. How

by Duke University Press in 1947, the Indians managed to drill succeeded admirably well Doerschuk is credited with help- smooth holes through hard stone nas been engaged in the ing to establish and preserve a rec- in order to mount the weights upon ord of our Carolina Indians. The the lance is somewhat of a puzzle.,f the best private collec-'valume contains pictures of Doers- But they did it. Doerschuk hasUd relics in existence and Mr. Doerschuk with one chuk and some of his Indian arti- many fine examples of such work. pipes i\n Indian matfacts.

From his quarter of a century of it would be somewhere around tion.

Doerschuk's collection is as va- study of Indian life here, Doers- 50,000. And by far the larger porried as it is voluminous. He has chuk believes that this area was in- tion of them he has found himself. i life here. Mr. Doerschuk believes, that in his home at 48 Henderson Street, deed a popular place with the red Not content to sit back and ad- rea was indeed a popular place with the I Badin, all types of Indian tools, men. The Indians who lived here mire his relics and to pursue his Hen. The Indians who lived here and the I weapons, cooking and burial uten- and the ones who paused here in hobby in a more passive and less that paused here in their migrations have sils, pipes, beads, wampum, orna- their migrations have left behind ardous way, Doeschuk is still ehind an untold wealth of relies of which [ ments, and many flat pieces of an untold wealth of relics of which searching among the coves and oerschuk probably has only begun to sam-| Doerschuk probably has only be- hills of the river for better specie stone with engraved designs. earliest Indians here were nomadic, but I Arrowheads are most numerous gun to sample. mens and for more authentic know- ;y developed in culture they began to li'-'C Not War Like. among his collection. He has them ledge of the early Carolina Indians. of all types, design, and material, The earliest Indians in tins sec- time off from his job as elec- rmanent villages along the river. In the years of their uninterrupted existence some of which are believed to date tion were nomadic,'but as they de superintendent of the Alcoa of them even abandoned their tepees and back as early as 2,000 years B. C. veloped in culture they began to trical company's big plant at Badin finds He has wide trays filled with live in permanent villages along him doing what comes naturally- log structures in which they dwelt the iround. spear points, knives, scrapers, the river. In the latters years of looking for Indian relics. drills, and axes, all painstakingly their uninterrupted existence some Mrs. Doerschuk is a tolerant Indians here were not very warlike in Sir. of them even abandoned their te woman and doesn't mind her hus- fchuk's opinion He thinks they did very I chipped from hard stone.

He has boxes filled with axes and pees and built log structures in band's periodic treks to the river. fighting and then only as means of sell tomahawks, large and small, some winch they dwelt the year around. She has even given over portions rvation and in the event some outside tribe grooved along each side near the Indians here were not very war of the house for the storage of his to wrest then* hunting lands from them., top to. accommodate the handle. like in Doerschuk's opinion. He amassed relics. But at cleaning all his relics, Mr. Doerschuk says he hasn't Many of them, fashioned from the thinks they did very little fighting time, or when she needs more ed more than 50 miles along the river near hardest of stone found in this area and then only as a means of self space and fans into the long cabi- axae. In fact, most of his souvenirs of Inpreservation and in the event that net with its >many drawers filled life have been found much closer home have effective cutting edges. some outside tribe tried to wrest with heavy stone implements, she that. He has found them in Stanly, CabarAssortment of Pipes.

One of the most interesting de- their hunting lands from them. perhaps does become a bit per- Rowan, Davidson, Randolph, Montgomery partments of his collection is the For all his rehes, Doerschuk says turbed.

Richmond counties, large assortment of pipes or calu- he hasn't traveled more than 50 A hobby is good for a person, doesn't know how many individual pieces He estimates mets of various sizes. From an miles along the Yadkin-Pee Dee Doerschuk believes. And *s in his enormous Collection.

And by far the larger examination of the pipes it is evi- River. In fact, most of his souve Mrs. she's glad her husband has a . be around 50,000. found himself. dent that tile Indians had developed nirs of Indian life have been found hobby. in of them he has a high degree of artistry in the much closer home than that. Be "But I sometimes wish it was L SEARCHING manufacure of pipes, for some of has found them in Stanly, Rowan, stamp e content to' sit back and admire his relics collecting," she laughs.

Doerschuk's specimens r e v e a l Cabarrus, Davidson, Randolph, to pursue his hobby in a more pasive and dUU amazing feats of craftsmanship Montgomery, and Richmond coun- some ui I less ardous way, Mr Doerschuk is still searching considering the crude methods ties. ng feats of craftsmanship among the coves and hills of the Yadkin-Pee De« used. .One of the pipes is carved He doesn't know how many indi- nethods used. for better specimens and more authentic] from soapstone in the form of a vidual pieces he has in his enor- j carved in the form of a river of the early Carolina Indian. duck; another is in the form of a mous collection. He estimates that form of a fish. They con- knowledge T i m p nfF f!-«»•> v ~ - — - * c j and etchings. lorn ClAUVtRU. In I

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Badin Engineer Finds Indian Relics^ More Absorbing Than Pars As Hobby

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By FRED MORGAN BADIN—The golf ball rolled to the edge of the 'green and dropped into a little drainage ditch. The sides of the ditch were ugly and red from erosion caused by a recent rain.

Ae Herbert M. Doesschuk stooped to retrieve the ball, his eyes fell upon an Indian arrowhead jutting out from the bank, half of it yet concealed by the red clay. Pulling it free, ta.3 wiped the mire away and found that'he had in his palm an excellent specimen of Indian artistry.

From that day in 1928, Mr. Doerschuk of Badin gradually devoted less time to golfing and, concurrently, developed a mounting fascination in Indian lore and Indian relics.

A native of Ohio and a stranger to Badin and the surrounding territory, he had recently been transferred to the Carolina Aluminum Company here from the company's plant at Niagra Falls, N. Y. MANY INTERESTED Friends told him all they knew about Indians in the area around Badin and the Pee Dee-Yadkiu river. Soon he made contacts' with other people who were interested in unfolding the story of the life of the Indians in this part of the state through a quest for relics and their consequent revelations.

Mr. Doerschuk has succeeded admirably well in the 25 years he has been engaged in the hobby. ' Today he has one of the best private collections of Indian curios and relics in existence and he is recognized as an authority on Indian matters, particularly those Indians native to this state.

In the book, "The American Indian In North Carolina", published by Duke University Press in 1947, Mr. Doerschuk is credited with helping to establish and preserve a record of our Carolina Indians. The volume contains pictures of Mr. Doerschuk and some of his Indian artifacts; GREAT VARIETY Mr. Doerschuk's collection is as various as it is voluminous. He has in his home at 48 Henderson Street, Badin, all types of Indian took, weapons, cooking and burial utensils, pipes, beads, wampum, ornaments, and flat pieces oi stone with engraved designs.

Arrowheads are most numerous among his collection. He has them of all types, design, and material, some of which are believed to date back as early as 2,000 years B. C. He has wide trays filled with spear points, knives, scrapers, drills, and axes, all painstakingly chipped from hard stone.

He has boxes filled with axes and tomahawks, large and small, some grooved along each side near the top to accommodate the handle. Many of them, fashioned from the hardest of stone found in this region, have effective cutting edges.

PIPE DEPT. One of the most interesting departments oi his collection is the large assortment of pipes or calumets of various sizes. From an examination of pipes it is evident that the Indians had developed a high degree of artistry in the manufacture of pipes, for some of Mr. Doerschuk's specimens reveal amazing feats of craftsmanship considering the crude methods used.

One of the pipes is carved in the form of s duck; another is in the form of a fish. They contain elaborate designs and etchings.

In 'the pottery -department of his one-man ma-' seum, Mr. Doerschuk has one or two perfect specimens of hardened clay dishes used fr>r coking. The pots contain various designs of the exterior and some few of them were once equipped with handles. The Indians mixed a hard fine grit or shale wtth their clay to give it durability.

Atlatle weights, used for balance on apear shafts,'is another item which Mr. Doerschuk nas in abundance. How the Indians managed to drill smooth holes through hard stone in order to mount the weights upon the lance is somewhat of a puzzle. But they did it. Mr. Doerschuk has many fine examples of such work.

From his quarter of a century of study of

Mr. Doerschuk with one of the pipes in his collection.

Indian life here. Mr. Doerschuk believes that this area was indeed a popular place with the Red Men. The Indians who lived here and the ones that paused here in their migrations have left behind an untold wealth of relics of which Mr. Doerschuk probably has only begun to sample.

The earliest Indians here were nomadic, but! as they developed in culture they began to li»c in permanent villages along the river. In the latter years of their uninterrupted existence some of them even abandoned their tepees and built log structures in which they dwelt tho year around.

The Indians here were not very warlike in Mr. Doerschuk's opinion He thinks they did very little fighting and then only as means of self preservation and in the event some outside tribe tried to wrest their hunting lands from them..

For all his relics, Mr. Doerschuk says he hasn't traveled "more than 90 miles along the river near his home. In fact, most of his souvenirs of Indian life have been found much closer home than that. He has found them in Stanly, Cabarrus, Rowan, Davidson, Randolph, Montgomery and Richmond counties.

He doesn't know how many individual pieces he has in his enormous collection. He estimates it to be around 50,000. And by far the larger portion of them he has found himself.

STILL SEARCHING Noe content to sit back and admire his relics and to pursue his hobby in a more pasive and less ardous way, Mr. Doerschuk is still searching among the coves and hills of the Yadkin-Pee De« river for better specimens and more authentic knowledge of the early Carolina Indian.

Time off from his pob as electrical superintendent of the Alcoa Company's hugs plant at Badin finds him doing what comes naturally—looking for Indian relics/ Mrs. Doerschuk is a tolerant woman and she doesn't mind her husband's periodic treks to the river. She has even given over portions of ti*e house for the storage of his amassed relics. Btil at cleaning time or when she needs more space and runs into the long cabinet with its many drawers filled wtth heavy stone' implements, she perhaps does become a bit perturbed.

A hobby is good for a person, Mrs. Doerschuk believes. And she's glad her husband has a hobby.

"But I sometimes wish it was stamp collecting,' she laughs.

STANLY NEWS AND VI

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1953

Old Stil

Lawyer's Spring Was Favorite Drinking Spot Long Years Ago Six Families Now Using The Water

Bj> FR ALBEMA and sevent

By FRED T. MORGAN Snore, nortl ^Itowan, Cab One hundred and seventy-five years ago and more, north-south son counties traffic through this part of the rwhat was Y country was done largely on Highway" a what was known as the "King's road leading Highway," a nondescript country /Salisbury ml road leading from the town of At any rati Salisbury into Anson county. • carts, carriaj Maybe the King used the Proof of th "highway" and maybe he didnt.

At any rate his subjects, horses, old Grand Ji carts, carriages, etc., did. road overseei Proof of this is contained in -failure to ke> an excerpt from a letter from bill reads as William D. Kizziah, U. S. mar"That for n shal of Salisbury, to Mrs. G. D. B. iwas, yet is, a Reynolds of Albemarle in which way leading Mr. Kizziah quotes an old Grand 'Salisbury in Jury bill against the road overseers, dated in 1774, for failure Luke within i to keep up the road. The ex-to the counti'; cerpt follows; all the Liege "That for many years past Lord the Kin, there was, yet is, a certain King's saris, carriag highway, leading from the town •broken and in of Salisbury in the parish of LAWYER'S SPRING TODAY—This is a recent picture of the old Lawyer's spring where the lawof due repair!. Saint Luke within the county o l yers traveling between Salisbury and Anson county would stop and "liquor up" before going furThis bill wa Rowan, to the county of Anson, ther. The spring has been equipped with an electric pump and a shelter for the past 10 years November ter used for all the Liege subjects of and it now furnishes water for six families. At the edge of tho trees back of the house is highty court, in 17' our said Lord the King, with way 52. The spring is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Story. They are shown with their chilattorney,John • their horses, carts, carriages,,etc. dren, |eft to right, Kenneth, Elaine, Darrell, Sue, and Nancy. The spring is a popular gatheris ruinous, broken and in great ing place for family reunions and other groups- mV j The court to —Staff Photo. decay for want of due repairajPool, one of the spring has been walled up tion (etc., etc.)."

So many court officials and Pool, if he acted in good faith ordered to keei and it has a small house built lawyers would stop at the spring Bill of 1774 to fulfill the order of the court, Pool, if he i over it and is equipped with an This bill was presented to the had one big job on his hands. that someone dubbed the spot electric pump. The overflow from to fulfill the c "Lawyer's Spring" and that November term of court, 1774, The notorious red mud of had one big jo has stuck with it rightup the spring is piped underground

by His Majesty's attorney, John Rowan county presented a prob- name for a few yards and empties into until the present time. lem. Numerous creeks on the Dunn. a small ditch.

Tradition has it that the The court took action and Ja- route had to be spanned or ford- lawyers would stop there and The area around the old^ cob Pool, one of the overseers, ed. A ferry probably had to be "liquor up" before coming on to spring is well kept and located* was ordered to keep the road in maintained across Rocky river. court in Albemarle or before around the spring are several] There were stumps to pull and making the remainder of the picnic tables repair. and an outdoor to dodge. pre, n o r " hills in whichever direction fireplace. Large trees surround it And care had to be given to journey and make it a pleasantly cool j through Rowan, the road through what is now they were traveling.

Tradition also has it that some place in summer. and Anson co Stanly county in order that His {largely on what Majesty's subjects might not be of the best brandy and spirits Still Popular King's highwa: unduly jostled in their coaches in the country were available This famous old spring haw the vicinity of the spring and jpuptry road le when they traveled over the in become a popular spot in recen'f men in that locality were known y into Anson rocky reaches of the county. supply it for the use of the years for gatherings of manii Along this road were, no to jiaybe the jo travelers. Perhaps they had a kinds. Mr. Story who maintain! doubt, camping places and respring, estimates tha highway anc freshment stops for it usually special "lawyer's brand" that the any rate hi •required a minimum of two days they kept in reserve for these around 30 gatherings are held? here each year, including many! s, carriages, to make the trip from Salisbury men of distinction.

So, while the horses slacked family reunions. Each year a Road Ordc to the Anson county courthouse, their thirst at the spring, the community fish fry is held hex of of this a distance of 60 miles. inbibed the fermented and as many as 350 people have raed juryj The halfway point on thisi lawyers dew of the land and a notable been known to attend this event. overseers, journey was a big spring, locat- tradition was born.

There is a movement undered about four miles south of AlPerhaps His Majesty himself way by the Stanly Historical Sobemarle on present day U. S. to have a state historical] highway 52. This spring of indulged in a little of this early ciety marker approved and erected to Stanly county fermentation.

Who cold and never-failing water nacommemorate this famous oldj turally lended itself to an over- knows? landmark on the King's High Other Old Records night camping place for travelway. ers who would arise early the ••Other evidence that the Yes, the Lawyer's Spring btibP next morning and make the oth- spring was known as Lawyer's er half of the journey.

Spring almost 200 years ago is bles on today as it has for un contained in some Anson county I known generations past. , ThJ Became Thoroughfare records dated in 1768. These Lsame water flows on from whicfc Not only did the King's sub- court records, in minute book His Majesty the King maj ha*—" jects and favorites use this road "B," pagefound 65 in the records of drunk 200 years ago. but it became a throughfare Anson county, Although the modern day uncovered for all travelers in this section. by Mrs» G. D. B. were passerby will probably not Be Reynolds of AlAmong them were lawyers, bemarle.

LAWYER'S SPRING TODAY.—This is a reThe reference to induced to stop here at this judges and other court officials Lawyer's Spring, cent picture of the ages-old Lawyer's Spring by spring which is located only a who traveled by horseback or Mrs. Reynolds, readsprovided few yards off the highway, the as follows: where lawyers going between Salisbury and by buggy to and from court sesspring is still available '0T a "The following men ordered sions at Salisbury and the An- by the court: Cornelius Robert- .those who wish a refresnin Anson County would stop and quench their son county courthouse. The An- son, James Wilson, John Jeffrey, drink thirst before going further. It now has an Today the visitor to tfesPring son county courthouse was then Goin Morgan, William Morgan, electric pump and a shelter and furnishes will find a spigot juttingout) located several miles south or Thomas Simpson, Jacob Van from the spring house a«a east of the present town of Hoos, William Thompson, Ga- drinking vessel nearby. Thei tarai Wadesboro. briel Davis, John Wilson, George invitation is tojielp youredMto Later, when Stanly county was William Yeorley, Tim- the water of the old Lawjersj formed, Albemarle figured in on Shankle, Taylor, Nathaniel Lilly and Spring. the court proceedings, too, and othy Matthew to lay, out a court held here attracted lawyers road the Raiford nearest and best way and judges from points along from the Salisbury road near or p; the route. about the Lawyer's Spring to The big spring beside the cross the Pee Dee at Swift Island road south of Albemarle was a or Davis Ford and from thence favorite stopping place for most to Matthew Raiford's ford on all the travelers. Even if they Little River where the Cross did not camp, they would stop Creek road crosses Little river whenever they passed for a re- and make a report at the next freshing drink and to water court." their Horses.

Evidently this road was built and maintained for some time and homesteads established along it for oldtimers say that there remains until this day signs of such a road.

One colorful story concerning the spring which is still remembered by a few old folks is the tale about the pot of gold buried near the spring. Two r n e n a r e said to n a v e reocea Ja\ i

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or business establishment somewhere many years ago and fled with the loot half of which was in currency and half in gold.

The gold portion of their loot evidently proved too much of a burden to the thieves, for when they stopped at the Lawyer's Spring for a drink they decided to stache it away. They obtained a small pot from somewhere and placed the gold in it and buried it near a pine tree up on a hill near the spring. Tellers of the tale say as far as is known the thieves never returned for their gold.

No Roughnecks There is no evidence that the spring was ever a place for drunken thugs and roughnecks to hang out. Drinking took place there, of course, but the permanent residents in the vicinity of the spring apparently wielded a pretty strong influence as to what was allowed at the spring.

The property upon which the! spring is located is believed to have been owned by Benjamin Ivey at one time. Later it was | owned by Arch Marbry and it is now in the hands of one of his descendants, Mrs. R. S. Story who lives only a few yards away from the famous old spring.

Shelly Russell, an oldster who has lived in the vicinity of the spring all his life, says he has known the spring to fail only on one occasion. That was when heavy blasting was done at the time the railroad was beirtg built some distance west of the spring. However, the spring remained dry for only\ a very short time.

Today the spring furnishes water for as many as six fami-j ies and is a never-failing sup- IJ ply. For the last 10 years or so'

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Old 'King Still Flow

By FRED T. MORGAN ALBEMARLE — One hundred and seventy-five years ago and more, north-south traffic through Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, and An; •son counties was done largely on what was known as the "King's Highway" a nondescript countrjj road leading from the town o{ Salisbury into Anson County.

At any rate his subjects, horses,', carts, carriages, etc., did.

Proof of this is contained in an old Grand Jury bill against the road overseers, dated in 1774, for failure to keep up the road. The bill reads as follows: "That for many years past there, was, yet is, a certain King's highway leading from the town of Salisbury in the parisL of Saint, Luke within the county of Rowan,' "to the county of Anson, used for all the Liege subjects of our said F ^ ^ ^ L A W Y E R T | P R W G ; AS; Lord the King, with their horses, mci!l]s traveling carts, carriages, etc., is ruinous, •rfus is a recent picture of the old ' ^ £ ^ S ^ r \ \ ^ ^ ^ - T t n o centuries ago. The spring has broken and in great decay for want for temiUe8 tweenequipped Salisburywith and an Anson « and * * s* % X F™2 of due repairation (etc. etc.)." been e l e £County * pumP h eJl t e^r e^dn no^ J J^ "^ * *^ ^ " * ^ ^ - ^ ^ Kenneth, . This bill was presented to the is owned by Mr. and Mrs. R.fa.b t o r y ^ a i n e i ^ ^ S u e a n d Nancy. ^November term of Rowan County court, in 1774, by His Majesty's attorney,John Dunn.

T H E SPRING ON KING'S HIGHWAY The court took action and Jacob Pool, one of the overseers, was ordered to keep the road in repair.

Pool, if he acted in good faith ! to fulfill the order of the court, 1 had one big job on Ms hands. >

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If s Water Still Fresh And Cool As It Was Nearly 2> Centuries Ago

Pool, one of the overseers, was I failure *to keep ThePool, orderedone to keep the overseers, road in repair, 1

BY FRED T. MORGAN v . « , up ,m the the road. road. The of the follows: „ ~ ~,Nov. u n n8-One r . i t l hun- fbill a i l u reads r e trt as keeD Up U1C ' " » " • . . ,he, acted,. in good „ j :„faith Pool, if to 1 ALBEMARLE, r dred and seventy-five years ago "That for many years past there fulfill the order of the court, had h u i- and more, n o r t h - s o u t h traffic was, yet is, a certain King's high- one big job on his hands. .through Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, way leading from the town of A Rugged Job Itnd Anson counties was done Salisbury in the parish o f b a i m The notorious red mud of Rowan • (largely on what was known as the Luke Within the county of Rowan, county presented a problem. NuIKing's highway", a nondescript to the coupty of Anson, used for merous creeks had to be spanned or ^untry road leadjng from Salis- all the liege subjects of our said forded. A ferry had to be mainLord the King, with their horses, tained across Rocky river. There jry into Anson county.

Kaybe iybe the jolly old King usedcarts, cam, carriages, ^ ^ ' ' ^ etc.. ^ ^ jisp ruinoua r wantwere stumps to pull and hills to highway and maybe.to didn . broke, nd £ £ « \ * f j * . . dodge. Much care had to be given of due repairation (etc. etc.)." ,any rate his subjects, horses This bill was presented to tneto the road in order that His Macarriages, etc., did.

November term of Rowan county jesty's subjects would not be unRoad Ordered Repaired court, in 1774, by His Majesty s at- duly jostled in their elegant jof of this is contained in antorney, John Dunn. coaches when they traveled over wm grand jury bill against the The court took action and Jacob the rough reaches of the country. tw? [overseers, dated in 1774, for The halfway joint on the journey from Salisbury to Anson county courthouse, a distance of 60 miles, was a big spring located about four miles south of Albe•&§& marle on present day U. S. highway 52. This spring of cold and never failing water naturally lent I itself to an overnight camping n place for the travelers who would | 'arise early next morning and make ir the remaining half of the journey. S Even if the travelers did not stop ? overnight,- they would always stop 1 LAWYER'S SPRING TODAY.—This is a rewater for six families. U. S. Highway 52 is t l f o r . refxeehing drink and to water U

mi

cent picture of the ages-old Lawyer's Spring where lawyers going between Salisbury and Anson County would stop and quench their thirst before going further. It now has an electric pump and a shelter and furnishes

*^^g9^^^^O*^^l*4^^O*m\^pk\9iX0

at the edge of the trees back of the shelter.

The spring is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Story, shown here with their children, left to right, Kenneth, Elaine, Darrell, Sue, and Nancy.

their horses.

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Lawyers Drank At Spring Among those who frequently used the spring were lawyers, judges and court officials on theur wayJo and from court sessions at Sahsburs m or Anson county. So many lawyers 9 would stop at the spring that someone named it "Lawyer*>. * « * and the name has stuck with it until the present time. ,, Tradition has it that some of the w best brandy and spirits in the coun- n try were available near the! spring\s\ 5 ? men who supplied it P e r h a p t | they had a special "Lawyers * £ ? ' " while the horses alakedl ttair thirst at the spring, the lawyers imbibed with the ferrnented| Jew of the land and a notable Jra dition was born.

Water For Six Families Today the spring furnishes water for as many as six * ^ U " * " * £ a never-failing supply. For the last 10 years the spring has been walled up and equipped with an electric Pl

r h e area around the spring is well kept and large trees make it 7 Pleasantly cool place in summer.

Located nearby are picnic tables and an outdoor fireplace.

L2 year around 30 gatherings are held there, including many | family reunions. Ana n™e V*e f l t «t h» £ , munity fish fry is hTbeen known to attract as many] aS

TSeP!s°Palemovement under wayjij M J ^ P b y S e Stanly County feci* to have a state historical imarker approved and «ected to • commemorate this famous old land i • mark on the King's Highway, "i. Yea. the Lawyer's Spring bubbles -| on as it has for unknown genera-1 tions past.

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Old 'King's Highway' Spring Still Flows After Centuries n The notorious red mud of Row- Today the spring furnishes furnis water

By FRED T. MORGAN Ci /~v„„ Vinnrlro-H an ran r nnnt.r n rscanfail a o problem r.yrsUtr.n. Ifor fOr as SLSmany IHallV as SS six Six families fai and County presented ALBEMARLE — One hundred and seventy-five years ago and Numerous creeks had to be span- is a never failing supply. For the more, north-south traffic through ned or forded. A ferry had to belast 10 years the spring has been walled up and equipped with an Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, and An- maintained across Rocky River. electric pump. son counties was done largely on There were stumps to pull and The area around the spring is hills to dodge.

Much care what was known as the "King's well kept and large trees make it Highway" a nondescript country had to be given to the road in a pleasantly cool place in summer. order that His .Majesty's subjects road leading from the town of would not be unduly jostled in their Located nearby are picnic tables /Salisbury into Anson County. elegant coaches when they travel- and an outdoor fireplace.

At any rate his subjects, horses, ed over the rough reaches of the Each year around 30 gatherings are held here, including many famcarts, carriages, etc., did. country.

Proof of this is contained in an The halfway point on the jour- ily reunions. An annual communiold Grand Jury bill against the ney from Salisbury to Anson Coun- ty fish fry is held here and this road overseers, dated in 1774, forty Courthouse, a distance of 60event has been known to attract failure to keep up the road. The miles, was a big spring located as many as 350 people.

There is a movement underbill reads as follows: about four miles south of Albe- way by the Stanly County. Histori"That for many years past there marle on present day U. S. High- cal Society to have a state his.'was, yet is, a certain King's high- way 52. This spring of cold and torical marker approved and' way leading from the town of never failing water naturally lent erected to commemorate this faSalisbury in the parisl of Saint itself to an overnight camping mous old landmark on the King's Luke within the county of Rowan, place for the travelers who would Highway. to the county of Anson, used for aris* early next morning and Yes, the Lawyer's Spring buball the Liege subjects of our said make the remaining half of thebles on as it has for unknown genLord the King, with their horses, journey. Even if the travelers did erations past. carts, carriages, etc., is ruinous, not stop overnight, they would al- Although the modern passerby broken and in great decay for want ways stop for a refreshing drink may not be induced to stop at of due repairation (etc. etc.)." and to water their horses. this- spring which is located only -. This bill was presented to the Among those who frequently a few yards off the highway, the November term of Rowan Coun- used the spring were lawyers, spring is still available for all those ty court, in 1774, by His Majesty's judges, and court officials on their wishing a refreshing drink.* Today attorney.John Dunn. way to and from court sessions the visitor will find a spigot jutThe court took action and Jacob at Salisbury or Anson County. Soting out from the spring house Pool, one of the overseers, wasmany lawyers would stop at thewall and a drinking vessel nearordered to keep the road in repair. spring that someone named it by.

Pool, if he acted in good faith "Lawyer's Spring" and the name The tadt invitation is to help to fulfill the order of the court, has stuck with it until the pres- yourself to the water of the old Lawyer's Spring. had one big job on his hands. ent time.

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LAWYER'S SPRING TODAY.—This is a recent picture of the ages-old Lawyer's Spring where lawyers going between Salisbury and Anson County would stop and quench their thirst before going further. It now has an electric pump and a shelter and furnishes

water for six families. U. S. Highway 52 is at the edge of the trees back of the shelter.

The spring is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Story, shown here with their children, left to right, Kenneth, Elaine, Darrell, Sue, and Nancy.

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

W. I. Russell, Venerable Stanly Minister, Is Now In Retirement

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By FRED T. MORGAN A plain, white-haired old minister who has pastored 10 Baptist churches in Stanly county and devoted 37 years of his life to the ministry, now lives in quiet retirement on his little farm in the country three miles west of Aquadale.

The life of retirement maybe isn't* as peaceful as he thought, but he has learned, since many years ago, to take whatever he has and therewith be content.

He's doing that now.

But the seclusion and do-nothingness of the country life there is harder for him. he says, than the life of a pastor that he has given up.

His body demanded a release from the steady pace of the duties required as the pastor of a big church and since early ini November of last year Rev. W. I J. Russell has not preached to a congregation. He is seeking, during the winter months, to regain his health and vitality at his home in the country.

Has Great Humor Those who know Mr. Russell and probably the majority of the people in Stanly codnty do know him, are . impressed with his genuine friendliness and sin-1 cerity. He is a great one for humor and he has an original way of expressing himself that thousands have come to love.

His resignation as the pastor of Anderson Grove Baptist church in the summer of 1952 IN RETIREMENT—Rev. W. J. Russell, one of Stanly county's ended 15 years of continuous best known ministers, muses through his favorite book, the Bible, j service to the church during —Staff Photo.

3€tain which time a handsome new brick - building was erected and furnislied. Prior to coming to Hope Baptist church near WhiteAnderson Grove, he spent 12 ville and during the 12 years years as pastor of New Hope he was there he served the folBaptist church near Whiteville lowing churches in the Columbus One hundred and* six is the Baptist Association: New Hope, in Columbus county. number of years that Will McCorinth, Smyrna, Pleasant Hill, A native Stanly county man, Palmire, Lendon, Kingville Negro, claims i and Pleasant Plain.

Mr. Russell was born between he has been stomping around in After his work in Columbus the present town of, Badin and this old world. county, he came back to Stanly | the Pee Dee river. His father, And, judging from his physical J. C. "Bud" Russell, was a ten- and began his pastorate at An- j appearance and his spirits, he I ant farmer and he moved to new derson Grove. He completed 15 might live fo stomp around a few locations up and down the river years as pastor of the church more. in Mr. Russell's early boyhood. before his resignation in 1952.

One-armed, thin, frail, proud, Later his family moved to AlbeNot all of his many years as and maybe a bit cynical-looking, marle and at the age of 13 Mr. a pastor have been rosy and I he seems to arrogantly toss his Russell began work in the mills trouble-free. There's been Strug- j in town, a job he held for 20 gles and hard knocks. head'at the whirligig of time and Plenty years. say that he was here first. of them. A lot of things, both| When he heeded the call to tragic and humorous, happen $n It's around two miles to uptown the ministry, Mr. Russell studied the life of a minister of the Albemarle from where he lives in at the forerunner of the present Gospel. And Mr. Russell hasn't Kingville, yet it's not uncommon Wingate Junior college during forgotten many of the things o see this ancient negro plodding the winter and spring term of that have happened during his ap the main street of the city 1915-16. After that he began to sphere of time as a pastor. ?ven in the dead of winter. Unpreach and found that his work < obtrusive, even a bit shy, he uses He first started out walking grew rapidly and also Instabili- to his churches and lodging with a cane in his good hand and seems ties to meet the needs of his his members Then, he got a to clear his path by the stare •ailing. from his penetrating eyes. car and it aided in his visits to First Church the sick and carried him to his Will's response to questions is I His first church was Taylor1* regular appointments. discourage conversation with himj Memorial Baptist church. Many As to the number of people for his speech is vague and ramothers followed. They are listed Mr. Russell has married and bling. However, by persistence j as follows: Union Grove, Bar- baptized, and the number of one can get a few understandable bee's Grove, Blackwood Chapel. funerals he has preached, he syllables out Of him.

Pleasant Grove, Mineral Springs, says he would not even attempt His father, Willis McLendon, Philadelphia, Stanfield, Poplin's a rough estimate. However, he was a slave, but Will is vague Grove, Locust, Aquadale, and does remember baptizing 31 about whether his own boyhood Rocky Mount Baptist church in people once at New Hope church was spent in slavery.

Anson county.

—25 at Mineral Springs, and 25 He says that he was 12 years He accepted a call to New at Anderson Grove. old at the outbreak of "the" war.

Organized Stanfield Church One assumes that he means the Civil war. Apparently he doesnt Mr. Russell organized Stanfield know much about it. He says Baptist church. He re-organized that he was living with his parPoplin's Grove church and aided in the organization of North ents and his sisters in South CarAlbemarle Baptist church. olina when the fighting started and that his father moved the He can't recall but two Sundays, other than fifth Sundays, family back to their old home from 1916 up until his retirenear the present town of Marshment in 1952, but that he held ville in Union county where Will from one to three services. Even was born. As to his age at that while he was serving the churches in Columbus county, he was called back to Stanly to preach funerals as often as three times a week.

Somehow during his busy Ufa, he found time to raise a large family. His first wife died in 1924 and he was married for the second time a few years later. He has nine living children. One son, Paul, plans to enter the Southeastern Baptist Theology Seminary after his graduation from Wake Forest this spring.

Mr. Russell has always been careful about one thing.

He doesn't like to see a man boast or tell "of his accomplishments.

And that includes ministers for a certainty. A person impresses | him more by modesty and reticence.

Mr. Russell wants it carefully understood that he didn't ask to > be written up in the paper. His preacher friends in the county caused it to happen.

Today, at the age of 88, Mr. Russell is busy planning the I landscaping, and other odds and j ends of work he has yet to do j at, his new home. It'll take a long time to get things settled thdre and he doesn't care for he ! likes to be occqpicd.

Just Stays at Homo His daughter lives with he l a n d his wife there and she drives the car to her work in Albemarle every day.

Since he has no near neighbors and since the car is gone most of the day he just stays at home all the time whi6h is what the doctor wants him to do anyway.

He might go back to preaching some time on after the cold weather is over if everything works out all right. But so far, he has made no promises as to what he will do in the future.

Mr. Russell began early in his ministry to practice those things about which he preached and today he is thankful for the [ countless friends that he has.

He has had many letters, cards, j visits and inquiries from his friends and acquaintances since his retirement.

He wishes to take this opportunity to express his sincere appreciation to each and every one for the kindnesses that have been shown him.

lendon. Kingville Negro, j im To More Than 100 Years *$!

Body;

(jonstrucEorT In Year 1916.

PAST THE CENTURY MARK—Will McLendon, aged resident of Kingville. claims that he is 106 years old; that he was 12 at tho outbreak of the war. Scrutinising him, one would surmiso that there is littto room to doubt his allegations.

—Starr Photo. ' • - ,

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f

I "-ne time whinh u,~*,Z

works out all r L h ?

^Whini'MUZZ/VS™

Page 4-A

Will McLendon, Kingville Negro.

Lays Claim To More Than 100 Years Still Active In Body; Lost Arm At Badin Construction In Year 1916.

One hundred and, six is the number of years that Will McLendon, Kingville Negro, claims he has been stomping around in this old world.

And, judging from his physical appearance and his spirits, he might live fa stomp around a few more. « One-armed, thin, frail, proud, and maybe a bit cynical-looking, he seems to arrogantly toss his head'at the whirligig of time and say that he was here first.

It's around two miles to uptown Albemarle from where he lives in Kingville, yet it's not uncommon o see this ancient negro plodding dp the main street of the city ?ven in the dead of winter. Un' obtrusive, even a bit shy, he uses a cane in his good hand and seems to clear his path by the stare, from his penetrating eyes.

Will's response to questions is discourage conversation with him for his speech is vague and rambling. However, by persistence one can get a few understandable syllables out Of him.

His father, Willis McLendon,. was a ' slave, but Will is vague about whether his own boyhood was spent in slavery.

He says that he was 12 years old at the outbreak of "the" war.

One assumes that he means the Civil war. Apparently he doesn't know much about it. He says that he was living with his parents and his sisters in South Carolina when the fighting started and that his father moved the family back to their old home near the present town of Marshville in Union county where Will was born. As to his age at that

FAST/THE CENTURY MARK—Will McLendon. aged resident of Kingville, claims that he is 106 years old; that he was 12 at tho outbreak of the war. Scrutinising him, one would surmise that there is little room to doubt his allegations.

—Staff Photo. time, he says he was old enough to set out grape orchards.

When his father moved the I family to Cottonville in Stanly I county, Will was a grown man.

I He lived around the village until just a few years ago when he came to Albemarle.

He recalls that his father gave him a "whupping" when he was 46 years old and that he never i lifted a hand in defense. His father died in 1912 at the age of 80.

Will lost his arm in 1916 while working on one of the big conIstruction jobs near Badin.

In 1936 his condition came to the attention Of the county Welj fare department and he began reI ceiving assistance. They arrived | at his age by having responsible persons who had known Will for many years sign affidavits which I accordingly placed his birth in I the year 1862.

Probably neither Will's nor the Welfare department's estimation | of his age is correct. But, for that matter, there's no man alive that could say for a certainty how old Will actually is.

Next time you see him on the street, take a good look and make your own guess as to his age. It might be as nearly correct as any.

Pag* 6-A"

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C. other times but during the corn harvest Milo markets are just as stable as are the corn markets and there is little danger that the market for this grain will become flooded any more than was true of corn.

Milo is-used in feeds just as corn was and still is.

A good barometer with which to gauge the popularity of milo with the farmer is-whether or not he keeps the grain for use as feed on his own farm. It is a known fact that most of the farmers who produce milo in Stanly county do retain a substantial amount of it on the farm for use as a feed in the place of corn, or along with corn. If the farmer who produces it primarily for commercial purposes, keeps it and uses it on his own farm I then that is about the most acid test that can be made of its popularity with him.

Another thing, milo grinds beautifully In a hammer mill and many producers do their own grinding and feed mixing right on the farm.

Stanly County Farmers Find M&» FitsjWell Into Program County Is Tops In State In This Crop

In the last seven years an epoch in the agricultural history of Stanly county has taken place.

It has. been a swift and decisive change for the better. .

Corn had virtually been replaced in the county by a newer and better crop called milo.

Milo has been tried, proven, I New Ahead of Corn and accepted by the progressive Ask a fanner in Stanly county farmers of the county and it is j today how many acres of milo he here to stay. j had this year. He may say 30, This epoch-making trend in [ or he may say 130.

Stanly county can be attributed Ask him how many acres of to no one but the farmers themcorn he had. He'll probably say selves, for it was they who started 10 or 20. the milo ball rolling by first That's about the ratio that planting this versatile row crop] milo is running ahead of corn about 1946. Each year since that in Stanly county as a whole.

1 time, milo acreage in the county Next, ask the farmer how many has increased and its popularity acres of corn he plans to plant as a money crop as well a s a next year.

- home use crop is growing by leaps Like as not he'll tall you that and bounds. he doesn't intend to plant any The present year, 1953, has been com next year. a banner milo year in this county That's the way the trend is from the standpoint of acreage. FINK MILO CROP — Lloyd Traywick and his daughter, Delores, are shown examining some of the headed—more mild and less corn.

Farm leaders estimate conserva- lush milo grown in Mr. Traywick's field in Stanly county. Fields such as tho one above have been However, there is an eventual tively that 17,000 acres ware seed- a common sight in Stanly for the last several years and this year a record 17,000 to 20,000 acres of limit to the milo production. Agried to milo here this year. Other Btlto wore harvested in the county. Mild is rapidly gaining ln popularity with Stanly farmers; cultural men say that not so men who have their finger tips lt is replacing corn, and it fits ideally into the farm program. many more thousands of acres can be devoted to milo without on the agricultural - heartbeat of of up to 80 bushels per acre have Prior to 1946, there was a very r type. The foliage on the combine the county say that the figure not been uncommon even in the small amount of milo grown here milo stops about midway on the throwing the county farm prowould be more at unusually dry season this year, on an experimental basis only. gram out of balance. They also IH acres. ho mm-* nearly v,^o„i„ correct•• -" plant and leaves the head of say that corn is too good a crop 20,000 These figures indicate that in fact, Torrence Almond of the grain entirely free of foliage and to be entirely rooted out of the mmon Yield Is Good Average per acre yield in the there has been well over three- Endy section of the county said it is therefore easily accessible farm picture and there will al- 20,000 county | s estimated at 40 bush- quarters of a million bushels of that he grew some milo about 18 to the cutter bar of the combine. ways be corn, planted in Stanly son. els. However, reports of* yields] milo harvested in Stanly county years ago. This milo was the The head of grain of this type county. this fall. In a dollars and cents "goose-neck" or crooked head va- is also straight and erect. \ Several years ago when milo _ =j, wvalue, this would represent up- riety and was swallowed by the In 1946, an Albemarle seed was just beginning to take hold taken place. It has been a decisive croi a r d s o f $1,500,000. foliage of the plant by the time change for the bettel^^^^^^^^— o t €1 Stanly county produced about it reached maturity. It present- dealer imported 100 bags of certi- in Stanly county, state and fedcombine milo seed from San eral agricultural agencies were one-half of the total amount of ed a problem at harvest time. fied Corn has virtually been replaced Antonio, Texas. This seed stock trying to sell the farmers on vain the county by a newer and better It milo produced . in the state of When the combine reels hit the had been especially bred and rieties of hybrid corn. But the groAi North Carolina this year.

Neighcrooked heads, th'e heads would crop called milo, which has been evolved for the arid areas of Tex- farmers had found a crop they just boring Union county is the next be thrown helter-skelter and tried, proven, and accepted by the as and Arizona. It was known liked better—milo—and they took highest milo-producing county, much of the grain was lost. The to be highly drought resistant. it in preference to the corn recprogressive farmers of the county c o r n Together these two counties pro- fact that the foliage of the plant It had over d u c e to be to withstand the hot | ommendations. The milo "craze" pr more and is here to stay. time something like 90 per cent engulfed the head of grain meant and dry climates of the regions spread and intensified and even of all milo grown in North Carthat when moisture got into the ITiis e p o c h - m a k i n g trend in s u of these two The adapta- today state agricultural leaders | olina. grain a n * the foliage closed bility of this states.

Stanly can be attributed to.no one seed. Stock to Stanly are looking somewhat aghast at 0 The fact is that Stanly was around it, spoilage was apt to rebut the farmers themselves, for it county seemed assured. The the prodigious growth and pop- tes over It j the first county east of the Mis-1 suit. This variety of milo proved greater portion of the 100 bags ularity of this new wonder crop. ] It maI was they who started the milo ball gend sissippi to grow milo on a com- entirely unsatisfactory and was of seed "wete sold and seeded in Only comparatively recently have 's ahead rolling by first planting this versa- hard mercial scale. Since 1946 the j not widely 'Mm--,-. -grown ehere.

— , Stanly county. Results were they come to recognize and sane-' finer extile row crop about 1946. Each year n o t j crop has spread to adjoining _, T e combme of Jreparedf i TWTPTR^; A • z -n—i. ? tyP milo which heartening. Next year more seed I tion it. since that time, milo acreage in \i smaliy | counties and is how grown at is the type now being grown in w a s ordered and more acres seedthe county has increased and its , £«°Ple in Stanly county, the ' a isolated spots ^ ^throughout ^»w the Stanly county, can be readily dis- j ed. So tol.

In emer-n popularity as a money crop as well j Piedmont section of the state. languished from the goose-necked | S n c S S l S S a g ! S g l f s g ? the ^ ^ ^ as a home use crop is growing by praises of milo all grain [ increasing in the county. | and rightly so. leaps and bounds. ^spedeza y -several years-agTTwhen milo was Let's consider for a moment the I L < d enough toy, just beginning to take hold in king way milo fits into the farm picAverage 40 Bushels An Acre HStif T.-'tWo!J y.

Holding it '6v*r for a hay, The Stanly, state and federal agricul- e art ture. As has been said,' it i^ j iffmj Tike or seed crop, the stubble land can,, " p r e s e n t year has been a tural agencies were trying to sell 'men h i g h l y d r o u g h t r e s i s t a n t . I t n e e d s j Hfc-., banner milo year in this county be broken and a. crop of milo seed-a the farmers on varieties of hybrid who rain, of course, to produce bump-1 l-grown in ed in its place. The milo will stir from the standpoint of acreage. corn. But the farmers had found , by er yields but it can withstand y County have time to mature and be har_ Farm leaders estimate conservasomething they liked better—milo jrcro dry Weather' much longer and st of the vested in time for another of small tively that 17,000 to 20,000 acres —and they took it in preference to e tha better than corn. When corn »n a com- grain to be sown in the field. were seeded here this year. ounty yields are cut .75 per cent by the crop All in all, milo,fits into the farm the corn recommendations.

Average per acre yield in the j llaity drought, milo yields would be cut I counties program much better than corn. county this year is estimated at 40 • CTop'Wweil as a ho: by only an approximately 25 ted spots As Stanly is essentially a small bushels. However, reports of yields is growing by leaps it per cent. tection of grain and lespedeza county, milo up to 80 bushels have not been unThe present year, 19 fits in ideally as it can be plantcommon even in the unusually dry a banner milo year ir ed, cultivated, and harvested with the twoSeason. from the standpoint 'grfiraf; ro- the same machinery used for the These figures indicate there has Farm leaders estimalj | cticed on other small grain crops as well [been well over three-quarters of a lively that 17,000 acres! cycle is as for lespedeza. On the other ed to milo here this (million bushels of milo harvested pa, and hand, a corn harvester is a dead men say the figure Woj in Stanly County this fall. In a ijrain too, piece of equipment in all other J dollars and cents value, this would and this times but during the corn harvest. trepri upwards of $1,500,000.

Iter small Ask a farmer in Stanly County W today how many acres of mile he m Stanly Is Milo King had this year. He may say 30, or v StanJ „ *«**~f^ied about one-half he may say 130.

-milo proAsk him how many acres of corn he had. He'll probably say

^Wl03dS * > * * » * *

s

OREENSBORQ,

NORTH

CAROLINA

't&tr

3

°?, 'ffj

most Newspaper of The Carolinas SEC

MILO GROWS LUSH ON STANLY COUNTY FARMS Lloyd Traywick and his daughter, Delores, examine some of the lush milo grown on Mr. Traywick's farm ta Stanly County. From 17,000 to 20,000 acres of milo were harvested in that county this year.

Milo Fast Replacing Corn In Stanly

Lo FIELD on,the farm of Lloyd of the grain. Fields like this were a common sight this year and a total record of 20,000 ttanly County, who is shown

BY FRED T. MORGAN —— tlon t«««plan ~i,_ that •»--*is' practiced "-- on most acres of milo was harvested this season. liter, Delores, examining some ALBEMARLE, Nov. 1—In the last Stanly farms. The cycle is small over for a hay or seed crop, the peven years an epoch in the agricul- grain, lespedeza, and milo. ' Milo is stubble land can be broken and a tural history of Stanly County has a small grain, too, but it is a rowcrop of milo seeded in its place. taken place. It has been a decisive crop and this distinguishes it from As Stanly is essentially a small grain and lespedeza county, milo change for the better. other small grains. fits in ideally as it can be planted, Corn has virtually been replaced It is easier and less expensive to in ihe county by a newer and better grow than corn and it brings in cultivated and harvested with the crop called milo, which has been just as much or more money as same machinery used for other small grain. On the other hand, a P M A D ^ A V tried, proven, and accepted by the IllMAAVMVMA*!

A V . A M tem i-U* „«,i^,i lLf,kwrirtr.

VV1 l l i c f 1C brings in just as much or more uncommon even in the unusually progressive farmers of the county corn. It has distinct advantages corn harvester is a dead piece of r. MORGAN money per acre as corn. dry season this year. over corn, giving the farmer extra equipment at all other times but J— In the last and is here to stay. time to get his land prepared for a during the corn harvest..

ADVANTAGES CITED $1,500,000 CROP ipoch in the agriThis e p o c h - m a k i n g trend in subsequent crop of small grain. pf Stanly County These figures indicate that there It has distinct advantages over' Ask a farmer in Stanly County IStanly can be attributed to.no one Good As Emergency Crop It has been a has been well over three-quarters corn in the rotation plan. It mabut the farmers themselves, for it It is also regarded as an emer- how many acres of milo he had e change for theof a million bushels of milo har- tures from 30 to 60 days ahead was they who started the milo ball gency crop. After the small grain this year. He may say 30, or he vested in Stanly this fall. In a dol- of corn. This gives the farmer ex-p rolling by first planting this versa- harvest if the stand of lespedeza is may say 130. Ask him how many (ally been replac- lars and cents value, this would tra time to get his land prepared!-}! tile row crop about 1946. Each year not good enough to justify holding acres of corn he had. He'll prob- by a newer and represent upwards of $1,500,000. for a subsequent crop of small \t} ably say 10 or 20.

•a Isince that time, milo acreage in 1(1 milo.

Stanly produced about one-half of grain.

That's about the ratio that milo cried, proven, and the total amount of milo produc- It is also regarded as an emer-n j the county has increased and its is running ahead of corn in Stanly progressive fami- ed in the state of North Carolina gency crop. After the small grainh {popularity as a money crop as well County as a whole. ly and it is here this year. Neighboring Union Coun- harvest if the stand of lespedeza y as a home use crop is growing by Several years ago when milo was ty is the next highest milo-pro- on the field is not good enough toy( leaps and bounds. just beginning to take hold in ducing county. Together the two justify holding it over for a hay, (ting trend in Stan1 Average 40 Bushels An Acre Stanly, state and federal agricul- e attributed* to no counties produce something like or seed crop, the stubble land : canlcJ The p r e s e n t year has been a " seed 3de| tural agencies were trying to sell 'mers themselves, 90 per cent of all milo grown in be broken and a. crop of- milo. banner milo year in this county ed in its place. The milo will stST] nr ? the farmers on varieties of hybrid who started the North Carolina. from the standpoint of acreage. 1 corn. But the farmers had found : by first planting The fact is that Stanly County have time to mature and be h a r s | in time for another of smallj Farm leaders estimate conserva- 1 something they liked better—milo W crop about 1946. was the first county east of the vested grain to be sown in the field. f tively that 17,000 to 20,000 acres e that time, milo Mississippi to grow milo on a com—and they took it in preference to All in all, milo.fits into.the farm'! were seeded here this year. ounty has increasmercial scale. Since 1946 the crop the corn recommendations. tlaity as a money has spread to adjoining counties program much better than corn/ Average per acre yield in the 1 - " crbp -as wen as a home use crop and is now grown at isolated spots As Stanly is essentially a small county this year is estimated at 40 It is growing by leaps and bounds. throughout the Piedmont section of grain and lespedeza county, milo bushels. However, reports of yields fits in ideally as it can be plantThe present year, 1953, has been the state. up to 80 bushels have not been uned, cultivated, and harvested with a banner milo year in the county Milo fits in ideally'with the twocommon even in the unusually dry a m e machinery used for the the from the standpoint of acreage. year, row crop^sWll gra'ii'ro-l1^ ssame machinery used fc season. othe SI a11 Farm leaders estimate conserva- tation plan nlan Dracticed onl F P S r a m crops _ as well that is practiced on 1 These figures indicate there has tively that 17,000 acres were seed- most Stanly farms. The cycle is as for lespedeza. On the other [been well over three-quarters of a ed to milo here this year. Other — small grain, lespedeza, and hand, a corn harvester is a dead million bushels of milo harvested men say the figure would be more milo. Milo is a small grain too, piece of equipment in all other in Stanly County this fall. In a nearly correct at 20,000. but milo is a row crop and this times but during the corn harvest. dollars and cents value, this would Average per acre yield in the distringuishes it from other small Ask a farmer in Stanly County represent upwards of $1,500,000. today how many acres of milo be county is estimated at 40 bushels. grains.

Stanly Is Milo King However, reports of yields up to Milo is easier and less expen- had this year. He may say 30, or Stanly produced about one-half 80 bushels per acre'have aot been sive to grow than corn and it he may say 130. the total amount of milo proAsk him how many acres of corn he had. He'll probably say duced in North Carolina this year.

'Neighboring Union County is the next highest milo - p r o d u c i n g county. Together the two counties &d something like 90 per ST or all the milo grown in the te.

TMilo fits in Ideally wj Tear, row crop—sm^

Is New Wonder Crop ftanly County Farmers n

»

THIS IS A MILO FIELD on the farm of Lloyd Traywick in Stanly County, who is shown with his daughter, Delores, examining some

of the grain. Fields like this,were a common sight this year and a total record of 20,000 acres of milo was harvested this season.

Milo Is New Wonder Crop For Stanly County Farmers Bv FRED T. MORGAN Mnnr.iv ,„-..

• the ^ unusually „ brings . . . . as much or more By (uncommon even in in just ALBEMARLE — In the last dry season this year, money per acre as corn. seven years an epoch in the agri$1,500,000 CROP ADVANTAGES CITED eultural history of Stanly County These figures indicate that there It has distinct advantages over has taken place. It has been a has been well over three-quarters corn in the rotation plan. It mawwmi and decisive change for the 0f a minion bushels of milo har- tures from 30 to 60 days ahead better. i^^^^^^^^^mmmmum vested in Stanly this fall. In a dol of corn. This gives the farmer ex-i Corn has virtually been replac- lars and cents value, this would tra time to get his land prepared^ ed in the county by a newer and represent upwards of $1,500,000. for a subsequent crop of small fri better crop called milo.

• J Stanly produced about one-half of grain.

Milo has been tried, proven, and the total amount of milo produc- It is also regarded as an emer-n accepted by the progressive farm- ed in the state of North Carolina gency crop. After the small grain|| ers of the county and it is here this year. Neighboring Union Coun- harvest if the stand of lespedeza yi to stay. ty is the next highest milo-pro- on the field is not good enough toy.

This epoch-making trend in Stan- ducing county. Together the two justify holding it over for a hay^l ly County can be attributed to no counties produce something like or seed crop, the stubble land canlc| one but fhe farmers themselves, 90 per cent of all milo grown in be broken and a. crop of milo seed-a] for it was they who started the North Carolina. ed in its place. The milo will stir milo ball rolling by first planting The fact is that Stanly County have time to mature and be h a r e this versatile row crop about 1946. was the first county east of the vested in time for another of smallj Each year since that time, milo Mississippi to grow milo on a com- grain to be sown in the field.

J acreage in the county has increas- mercial scale. Since 1946 the crop All in all, milo,fits into the farm ed and its populaity as a money has spread to adjoining counties program much better than corn. crop as well as a home use crop and is now grown at isolated spots As Stanly is essentially a small is growing by leaps and bounds. throughout the Piedmont section of grain and lespedeza county, milo The present year, 1953, has been the state. fits in ideally as it can be planta banner milo year in the county Milo fits in ideally with the two- ed, cultivated, and harvested ^ t h from the standpoint of acreage. year,, row crop — small grain ro- the same machinery used for the Farm leaders estimate conserva- tation plan that is practiced on other small grain crops as well tively that 17,000 acres were seed- most Stanly farms. The cycle is as for lespedeza. On the other ed to milo here this year. Other — small lespedeza, and hand, a corn harvester is a dead men say the figure Would be more milo. Milo grain, is a small grain too, piece of equipment in all other nearly correct at 20,000. but milo is a row crop and this times but during the corn harvest.

Average per acre yield in the distringuishes it from other small Ask a farmer in Stanly County today how many acres of milo be county is estimated at 40 bushels. grains.

However, reports of yields up to Milo is easier and less expen- had this year. He may say 30, or 80 bushels per acre' have not been sive to grow than corn and it he may say 130.

Ask him how many acres of corn he had. He'll probably say 10 or 20.

FAR. AHEAD OF CORN That's about the ratio that milo is running ahead of corn in Stanly County as a whole.

Next, ask the farmer how much corn he plans to have next year.

Like as not he'll tell you that he doesn't intend to plant any corn next year.

That's the way the trend is headed — more milo and less corn.

Several years ago when milo was just beginning to take hold in Stanly County, state and federal agriculture agencies were trying to sell the farmers on varieties of hybrid corn. But the farm- s ers had found a crop they liked g better — milo — and they took it >v in preference to the corn recom-'' mendations. The milo "craze" spread and intensified and even today state agricultural leaders are looking somewhat aghast at the prodigious growth and popularity of this new wonder crop. Only comparatively recently have they come to recognize and sanction it.

People in Stanly County, the milo capital of North Carolina, are singing the praises of milo and rightly so.

Pasre

6-A

STANLY

N E W S AND

PK1

Albemarle Lions Club Chartered In 1922; Has |Record Of Service

By FRED T. MORGAN Late in April, 1922 a representative group of Albemarle business and professional m e n met in P J. Huneycutt's store for a n organizational m e e t i n g of t h e Albemarle Lions club.

About 25 Albemarle m e n were present t h a t n i g h t Fifty w a s t h e u s u a l number with which to start a Lions club, b u t t h e town of Albemarle w a s permitted to organize a club with only 25 members due to its comparatively small population, Fred T. Davie, of Chicago, genSome descretion is used about Some Wear Shackles eral field organizer in charge of t h e organizational work In Some few* of the boys wear working the boys in places t h a t nly I shackles a n d chains about their are too public, especially n e a r North and South Carolina a n d oys legs which limit their steps a n d towns. Honor grade men m i n u s other states presided t h a t night cks m a k e t h e ascent into the truck the guard usually do this work. a n d assisted in the completion the quite awkward. of t h e Albemarle organization.

Sometimes, a m o n g t h e best of the Membership for the n e w club had groups, the temptation to leave "Bean" cans, containing food ate been worked up in Albemarle overrides better j u d g m e n t and a irt- for t h e boys a n d guards, are boy will leave at t h e first oplargely by Or. F. A. Henley of placed on each truck. The food, High Point who laid t h e groundin special m e t a l containers, will.] portunity.

CLUB PRESIDENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;W. A. (Bill) em s t a y hot until noon. work for the new Lions clubs. LIONS DISTRICT GOVERNORâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; If there were, at the local L y m a n D. Austin, district govSecond In Stote Lyon, executive of Wiscassett iutcamp, enough facilities to keep I Everything in readiness, t h e ernor of District 31-D, is t h e Mills company, hi president of the trucks, six or seven in all, leave all the i n m a t e s occupied, posThe new Lions club formed in busiest Lion ln t h e Albemarle iulAlbemarle that night w a s t h e d u b a t present. H e is travelt h e Albemarle Lions club t h i s ttne for their work destinations. At sibly they would not h a v e to on the roads. If t h e c a m p ] second such club in t h e state. i n g m o r e t h a n 1,000 miles a year. He succeeded M. T. Mc- led t h e work site, t h e guard reclaims work h a d sufficient farming land, a VWnston-Salem had organized a m o n t h visiting clubs a n d perhis g u n a n d watches the boys jrry Daniel. another Wiscassett a n d thereby begins his c a n n i n g factory, clothes factory, club about two weeks earlier. forming official duties. fe. dismount m a n , in June. day of watching nearly every or-some such self-supporting enCharlotte followed shortly With the move t h e boys m a k e . terprise, perhaps all t h e i n m a t e s t h e third Lions club in t h e state. Albemarle club which w a s thel pgcould be absorbed. But such is Oldest In Albemarle Usually t h e boys converge and n o t t h e case.

Following is a list of charter second to be organized in t h e or m e m b e r s who signed u p t h a t state. Dr. C. S. Lawrence of I "The Albemarle Lions club Is un- remove t h e big cage frame from As it is now, t h e h i g h w a y n i g h t : J. D. Bivens, A. C. Huney- Winston - Salem, who was the proud t h a t it is t h e second old- at t h e truck body so t h a t t h e truck .maintenance department and est Lions club in North Carolina, m a y be used for hauling. cutt, J. C. Hall, S. Wolfe, J. A. first District Governor of Distt h e prison camp are inter-deLittle, C. M. Lentz, W. L. Mann, I rict 31 of Lions International, t h e oldest civic club in Albe- to In addition to the. guard, a pendent. One gets a c h e a p ' s u p B. B. LeFeaux, A. C. Heath, G. presented t h e Charter to t h e Al- m a r l e a n d h a s a m e m b e r s h i p foreman a n d driver accompany ply of labor, in fact, an over she D. B. Rejjitaolds, O. J. Sikes, J. bemarle club at a m e e t i n g in larger t h a n a n y other club in t h e in. each squad. The 'foreman di- a b u n d a n c e of labor. The othei M. Boyett, Charles A. Reap, R. w h a t w a s then t h e Central Ho- city. And further, t h a t it is as- ap rects t h e work while t h e driver derives its operating expenses M. Wolfe L. M. McEwen, C. W. tel. M. J. Harris w a s t h e club's sociated with Lions Internation- K- distributes tools, a n d does the as well as keeping its Gaddy, S. T. How611, A. L. Pat- first president a n d J. E. Ewing al, the largest service organiza- U- necessary driving and hauling. therefrom inmates occupied. t e r s o n L. S. Whitworth, W. J. w a s its first secretary. Both of j tion in t h e world."

One water boy, a n honor grade dCotton, L. M. Almond, W. P. these m e n served for one year. I One soon realize the futility of 111 m a n , as a rule accompanies trying to enumerate, in a n offHorton, J. E. Ewing, M. J. Harris, They are now deceased. ar each, squad. h a n d e d manner," t h e benevolena n d R. L. Brown.

At t h e noon meal, t h e boys "The club h a d rough sledding Of this number, only two, O. in its very first year, so much cies and contributions the Albe- ng of are grouped to eat t h e hot food m a r l e Lions club h a s m a d e in J. Sikes Sr. and A. L. Patterson, t h a t a t one m e e t i n g d u r i n g t h a t ' a n d light bread, with t h e guard and welfare work h- ever watchful, sitting at a vanta r e still members of the club. year there were only three mem- charitable The first elected officers of t h e j bers present. These few persist- a m o n g the citizens of t h e city age point with his h a n d never day club were: M. J. Harris; presi- ed however, and the club contin- and county. Seldom a far from t h e gun. dent; Dr. J. C. Hall, first vice- ued. Club m e e t i n g s were held passes but someone is benefited trReturning to t h e c a m p in t h e president; Mayor 0 . J. Sikes, on t h e second floor of t h e com- either directly or indirectly by le- late afternoon, one truck at a Jen this club.

It h a s a n d will consecond vice-president; R. L. Im u n i t y building located on South t i m e pulls u p before t h e gate to third vice-president; J. E. Ewing ' Second street, a n d t h e ladies of tinue to be the parent of m a n y {ut disgorge its cargo of tired young list secretary; A. L. Patterson, treas- the Albemarle W o m a n s club notable community projects.

One m a n at a time goes] The Albemarle Lions club is fee men. urer; J. M. Boyett, sergeant-at- served t h e dinners. The meetforward, pauses at t h e gate to m a r m s ; and W. J. Cotton, Lion ings were later held a t t h e Al- one of approximately 9,700 clubs t n t be searched, t h e n goes on to t h e tamer. b e m a r l e Normal a n d Industrial which m a k e u p Liona Internati- ble cell btock.

Charter night w a s held soon Institute, and the Lions were onal, t h e largest service organiAgain a check is m a d e to see thereafter with a banquet and served by the young l a d i e s of zation in t h e world. Lions In- eds t h a t all m e n t h a t were t a k e n ternational h a s something like appropriate c e r e m p n i s a n d t h e t h a t school. Later the meetings out are returned \o t h e fold. n e w Albemarle Lions club set were held in t h e b a s e m e n t of the a half million members a n d h a s lbs, Idle Ten Hours Per Day out to work for the welfare of Presbyterian church. In more clubs in 37 foreign countries. {do Ten hours a day is t h e work There is a possibility of clubs berecent years, m e e t i n g s h a v e been t h e people Albemarle and Stanly county and to justify itself in continued. Except for t h e period ing established in five other F is scheduled for these men, t h o u g h in t h e early 30's t h e club h a s countries before t h e year is out. | of this s t a n d a r d is s o m e w h a t ret h e eyes of t h e citizens. ired duced in winter a n d overlapped Purpose Given m a i n t a i n e d a reasonable m e m Brief History t h e during t h e long days of summer. behship.

The purpose of Lions InternaFollowing is a brief' history of sly.

Prior to t h e fall of 1952, t h e | tional is to create good will a n d " T h e Albemarle Lions club h a s t h e Albemarle Lions club, writ1 in boys worked on the roads until | relations between all tteep ten e a r l y this year by the l a t e furnished to District 31 of Lions good noon on Saturdays. But since W. L. Mann of Albemarle, which International, three zone chair- countries. A s m a l l percentage fow. t h e -highway m a i n t e n a n c e deof the dues of the Albemarle U y a gives much insight into t h e ups men, four Deputy District Govp a r t m e n t h a s been on a five-day a n d downs of the club throuh- ernors, one District Governor, club m e m b e r s is used for e x - L u c k week basis, t h e boys no longer tention work in t h e United StatesC i u a ( a n d a State C h a i r m a n of W h i t e out its 30 years of existence. tage. go out a t all on Saturdays.

"The Albemrle Lions club w a s Cane a n d Blind Fund Campaign. and foreign countries.

They are not t a k e n out on One fact of which Lions In-i day organized and chartered in April, The Albemarle club is this year I rainy days and if rain overtakes ternational is quite proud, i s by (1952) offering to District 31-D s U 9 2 2 . The Winston-Salem l i o n s [ t h e m on t h e job, they are reYjlub, the first to be organized in a candidate for District Governor t h a t not one of these 37 countries^uad turned to c a m p . All t h e cage) h a s taken u p a r m s a g a i n s t a n - f t h e \forth Carolina, sponsored t h e 'JOT t h e coming year. curother since Lions clubs h a v e beeneked trucks are provided with there. f gt t a i n s to keep out t h e r a i n and I The Albemarle club this yearUber wind.

Most of t h e gun merf are A, celebrated its 30th anniversary, fcks.

Meeting are held a t Hotel Al- t h e B, and Q grade men. A m a n | b e m a r l e each Wednesday at led, comes to t h e local c a m p a s A12:15 with a program a n d lunch- i to grade. Both A-grade a n d Honor eon. uck grade m e n get 10 days gain Current officers in t h e club I bow t i m e a m o n t h a n d are allowed are: William A. Lyon, presi-1 t h e to write three letters per week.

If a m a n demotes himself to Bd e n t ; Wallace H- Biggers,' first vice-president; William R. Dobbs, r a grade, his gain t i m e is cut to second vice-president; Joe O. ad- five days and his letters to two Ivester, third vice-president; Ell ked per week. If he is further deF. Wilson, secretary: H. Dewey the moted to C-grade, h e forfeits all gain t i m e a n d is allowed to Fesperman, treasurer; Clarence write only one letter per week.

E. Morris, Lion Tamer; H. Toby Webb, Tailtwister; a n d Millard T. McDaniel i m m e d i a t e past president One-year directors are: Ernest "Bear" Knotts a n d Harry Harris; two-year directors are Keith Wolfe a n d Hubert L. Fesperman.

Two men of t h e Albemarle club are International officers.

They are Lyman D. Austin, District Governor; and George O. Stovall, Cabinet secretary-treasurer.

Current membership in the Alb e m a r l e Lions club is approxim a t e l y 110.

Impressive Record "The club h a d a very impressive record during the years from I 1924 to 1929 and during t h a t period carried on various acttv-j ities. An a n n u a l Easter egg j hunt, for the children of the town w a s one of t h e activities. Also, during this period the club ob-.

I tained a $500 donation from both | the county and the town. This money wa3 used in helping underprivileged children, the blind, and in other welfare work. Since i t h a t time the club h a s raised its own funds. A more recent, and probably t h e largest endeavor, j w a s the Youth Center, organized during World War II a n d continued until t h e opening of the YMCA in 1950. A current project is t h e raising of $2600 to be [used to purchase a Rescue Truck I for t h e city of Albemarle a n d Stanly county.

'During t h e early 30's, in t h e depression years, the club had a very serious let down a n d m i g h t h a v e lost its charter, b u t a s in t h e first year of its history, t h e few persisted and the club still held a t Hotel Albemarle.

tanly Prison Camp Tasks Under

r iSTANLY NEWS AND PK1

V

S P \rtered Service

Page 6-B

Men At Stanly Prison Camp Work M Varied Tasks Under Guards Some descretion is used about Some Wear Shackles

By FRED T. MORGAN Some few* of the boys wear working the boys in places that "Gun" men at the Stanly shackles and chains about their are too public, especially near county prison camp are the boys legs which limit their steps and towns. Honor grade men minus who ride in the big cage trucks make the ascent into the truck the guard usually do this work. and work under guard on the Sometimes, among the best of roads in Stanly county under the quite awkward.

"Bean" cans, containing food groups, the temptation to leave supervision of the local. State Highway Maintenance depart- for the boys and guards, are overrides better judgment and a placed on each truck. The food, boy will leave at the first opment personnel. in special metal containers, will] portunity.

You've -. probably seen them stay If there were, at the local hot until noon. cutting right-of-ways and putcamp, enough facilities to keep Everything in readiness, the ting in piping, and filling in the all the inmates occupied, postrucks, six or seven in all, leave beaten out places on the shoulsibly they would not have to ders of roads in the county. One for their work destinations. At work on the roads. If the camp group of them is also assigned the work site, the guard reclaims had sufficient farming land, a his gun and watches the boys to work at the state rock quarry canning factory, clothes factory, on Rocky river below Aquadale. dismount and thereby begins his or-some such self-supporting enday of watching nearly every Every able-bodied man at the move the boys make. terprise, perhaps all the inmates} camp, except those assigned reg>could be absorbed. But such is Usually the boys converge and not the case. ular duties around the camp or at the highway shops, works un- i remove the big cage frame from As it is now, the highway der the gun on the roads or at I the truck body so that the truck .maintenance department and may be used for hauling. the rock quarry. the prison camp are inter-de-1 In addition to the guard, a I pendent. One gets a cheap'sup-1 These boys are "hired" out to the highway department at the foreman and driver accompany ply of labor, in fact, an over-1 rate of $3.60 per day per man. each squad. The foreman di-1 abundance of labor. The other Out of the money the local camp rects the work while the driver derives its operating expenses receives for its men, it is ex- distributes tools, and does the therefrom as well as keeping its, pected- to operate. The camp su- necessary driving and hauling. inmates occupied. perintendent knows approxi- One water boy, an honor grade mately how many men he will man, as a rule accompanies | have hired out during the year each squad.

At the noon meal, the boys' and he figures his operating budget accordingly, allowing, pf are grouped to eat the hot food course, for holidays, bad weath- and light bread, with the guard ever watchful, sitting at a vanter, sickness, transfers, etc. age point with his hand never Labor. Surplus This sometimes works a bur- far from the gun.

Returning to the camp in the den upon the maintenance department. They have more men late afternoon, one truck at a than they actually need.

But I time pulls up before the gate to 'thejr take them. The men must disgorge its cargo of tired young be absorbed somewhere. The ' men. One man at a time goes highway department feels com- I forward, pauses at the gate to pelled to take whatever amount be searched, then goes on to the of men the camp has available I cell blbck. regardless of whether it needs Again a check is made to see them or not. that all men that were taken Therefore, on a lot of jobs, out are returned to the fold. most of the squad stands idle Ten Hours Per Day while one or two of the boys do Ten hours a day is the work the actual work. Since there is scheduled for these men, though j only one guard, the squad, of this standard is somewhat resay 12 men, can't be scattered duced in winter and overlapped | and different segments of the during the long days of summer. | job carried on simultaneously.

Prior to the fall of 1952, thej The boys must stay grouped in order for the one guard to keep | boys worked on the roads until j them under surveillance. How- noon on Saturdays. But since 'ever, on jobs like right-of-way the highway maintenance decutting, ditch digging, t/uck partment has been on a five-day loading, etc., most of the squad week basis, the boys no longer can be used to good advantage. go out at all on Saturdays.

They are not taken out on The gun men begin their day rainy days a'nd if rain overtakes after mess in the mornings by I them on job, they are relining up, according to squad turned to the All the cage numbers, on the walk before the trucks are camp. provided with curcell block. After being checked tains to keep out the rain and out, they come forward, a wind: squad at a time, and clamber Most of the gun meri are A, up into the ready cage trucks.

When the truck is filled and the B, and ( 0 grade men. A man cage door securely fastened, comes fo the local camp as Aeach guard surrenders his gun to grade. Both A-grade and Honor the men in the cab of the truck grade men get 10 days gain and takes his seat in the narrow time a month and are allowed niche at the outside rear of the to write three letters per week.

If a man demotes himself to Bcage. grade, his gain time is cut to Meantime, guards, alert for a five days and his letters to two possible break during the load- per week.

If he is further deing process, have been stationed moted to C-grade, he forfeits all at strategic places around the gain time and is allowed to area. write only one letter per week.

Presently there are only a few C-grade men at the local camp.

Some of the boys prefer to re| main under the gun rather than be elevated to honor grade and be assigned to regular jobs at the camp and at the highway shops.

Like Quarry Work There is much speculation among the gun men as to who | will be assigned to the rock quarry squad. The rock hole is I the most popular choice among the b( J as it involves less work than le other jobs. And, too, is /iore or less away from the public.

STANLY NEWS AND PRE?

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1953

Control Of Beetle Is Subject Of Meeting Thursday Nightj upon'the roots of crops. The larva in this fertilizer therefore it is lis most destructive to crops dur- safe for all types of crops, An interested gorup of farmers ing the months of May, June, safe for all types of crops. and landholders, most of them and July when the plants are that the use of insecticide ferjfrom" the beetle infested area tender and are beginning to de- tilizer increase their crop yields. south of Albemarle, gathered in velop their root system The use ot insecticide' fertilisthe- court room of the - Stanly Several Methods ers by farmers not in the incounty Courthouse Thursday Mr. Autry and Mr. Wilson ex- fested area but clbse by is also night at 7:30 and heard experts discuss ways and means of com- plained the several methods of advocated by the entomologists batting the White-Fringed bee- combatting the beetles. The as a means of preventing the most effective one and the one beetles from spreading. Farmers tle., [that is recommended is the ap- in the outlying sections in the This beetle has inflicted con- plication of 10 pounds of DDT direction i n ' which the beetles siderable damage in a 1,000-acre per acre of land. This DDT, if are spreading are urged to use portion of land along the Nor- purchased by the landholder, will some method of treatment in orwood road and its presence con- I be applied by government men der that their land may not bestitutes a serious threat to the with government equipment. For come infested. farmers of the county.

Many questions were asked best results it is applied on newThe beetles can be stopped | ly broken soil. Immediately aft* about the factors involved in the and they can be eradicated—this er the application, the soil should quarantine which is in effect Was the theme of the meeting be stirred again by plowing or here in this infested area. In all and the landholders present were bogging in order to get the in- areas known to be infested by the told in detail what they should secticide well mixed into the White-Fringed beetle, both state do to expedite the eradication soil. If the DDT remains on top and federal quarantines are program. of the soil} sunshine will kill its placed in effect. The state is Leading the discussion at the j potency. This method of treat- interested in confining the beetle meeting were the following men: j ment is relatively inexpensive to that area and in eradicating it.

Vernon Huneycutt, Stanly coun- and will provide control for at The federal government is interested in preventing its propaty farm agent; Lawrence W. Wil- least five years. son, local district supervisor with In fields and areas where cul- gation to other points and states.

While the boundaries of the the Bureau of Entomology and tivation is not desirable or pracPlant Quarantine division of the tical at this time, such as newly infested area here have not been U. S. Department of Agriculture; sown alfalfa or permanent pas- definitely established, the area and H. V. Autry, government ture grasses, the treatment pro- roughly includes all the land entomologist from Mecklenburg I cedures is more complex, al- from South Fifth street extension county. though it can still be handled to Union Chapel Methodist church Life History quite effectively by following the on the Norwood road and in the directions from Albemarle Mr. Wilson who has been at j entomologist's recommendations. other airport to the Aquadale road. work for the past few days in In these cadfes, the experts recom- Once area has been comthe soil treatment program mend that the areas be sprayed pletelythe inspected, definite bounagainst the beetles, gave a brief with granulated or emulsified dary lines will be made and the life history of the pests. He said' insecticides in the proper pro- area will be mapped and pubthey were from South America portions. These insecticides are lished. and were first discovered in the not harmful to cattle and proMovement* Forbidden United States in 1936 when a vides effective control. county agent in Florida found Mr. Wilson said he would be The movement of all live beethe beetles. This county agent happy to advise and help farm- tles out of the quarantined area sent some of the bugs to the ers in applying the insecticide in is strictly forbidden. If a perAgriculture department in Wash- areas that do not lend themselves son in this area wishes to take ington and this touched off the to immediate cultivation. a beetle to another part of the White-Fringed beetle project Insecticide fertilizers were dis- country to show it to someone, sponsored by the federal govern- j cussed at length as another ef- he had better first submerge the ment. fective means of controlling the beetle in a vial of alcohol or The beetles were first discover- beetles. These fertilizers which kerosene. If he transports a live ed in North Carolina in 1942 at have the necessary insecticides beetle he will be violating the Wilmington and later at Hope premixed in them, are new in laws of the quarantine. Live Mills. They did severe damage, North Carolina but they have beetles may be romoved from the to crops in this area; The dam- been' successfully used in other area only for scientific purposes age has now been halted by the states. This fertilizer can be approved by the Department of property treatments. The beetles applied at planting time. How- Agricuhure. have now spread to other parts ever, it is necessary to continue Regarding the movement of this method of treatment for sevof the state. farm machinery and produce in eral years in order to completely Mr. Autry stated that there are and out of the infested area, this approximately 25,000 acres of cover a field. As well as the will be supervised by Mr. Wilson. other treatments, insecticide ferland in North Carolina now unMr. Wilson stated that the mader White-Fringed beetle quarn- tilizer is fatal to all soil-in- chines may have to be certified tine. In the United States, there habiting insects as well as to and this will often require washare around 300,000 acres of land the White-Fringed beetle. ing and cleaning the equipment Insecticide Fertiliser under quarantine because of the before it leaves the area. He beetle. Most of this land is conTreatment of soil with insec- said that it would be an imposfined to eight southeastern states. ticide fertilizer is calculated to sibility for him to prevent at all Mr. Wilson explained the four distribute two pounds of DDT per movements of such equipmenr stages in the life cycle of the bee- acre. This fertilizer cannot be and that the cooperation of the tie—the egg, larva, pupa, and purchased locally, that is, the farmers would be necessary to adult. Two of these are active dealer does not keep it in stock. control this phase of the program. stages, the larva and the adult. It can be obtained by special or- He emphasized the fact that one The beetle does its damage while der through the dealer. Roots of live beetle or one egg left dingin the larva stage by feeding plants will not absorb the DDT ing to dirt or debris on a piece

By FBED T. MORGAN

milo field borders the roaa »V -'«? in which hardly any of tho crop has survived.1 loft and H. V. Autry. entomologist with the d u m p of vegetation for the beetles. Many; week when tho above ^picture was made. N been reported by residents in this area. L in exterminating the beetles by having th<

of machinery leaving the area could start a new infestation elsewhere.

Mr. Wilson is authorized t approve the movement of ma chinery out of the area as wel, as approving and supervising th treatment of produce before it marketed. In some cases, h said it might be necessary to s| up special cleaning, and trea ment stations where the produc may be treated and approve Lespedeza seed may require har dling in this manner.

The entomologists stated th treatment of soil and nursef] stock at Peck's and Harwood florist had been completed an that all stock coming from thes] two local shops was safe an approved for distribution.

Seldom In Woods One farmer.asked if the beef ties infested wooded areas. He] was told that the beetles seldom] penetrated wooded areas. Usual-] ly where the undergrowth stopped near the edge of the woods, the beetles had also stopped.

However, it was pointed out that the beetles had been known to walk across a small patch of Character woods in order to get to a field on the other side. It was pointed kST 18, 195? out that if the edge of the woods is sprayed and the adjacent field is adequately treated, the beetles can be controlled.

Colored slides were shown of crops and garden failures in the local infested area and of the beetles themselves. Other slides taken in other infested, areas showed severe crop damages inflicte'd by the beetles.- Some of the slides contracted the results obtained by the use of insecticide fertilizer and the non-use of insecticide fertilizer. Where the fertilizer was not used, hardly any of the crop had survived the ravages of the beetles. In the same field where the fertilizer had been used the crops were healthy and productive.

Methods of applying the insecticide were also shown and commented on by the entomologist. Close-up views were shown of the beetle in most of their- life stages and pictures of their dam/ ages to roots and foliage were displayed.

Prolific Egg Layers One of the entomologists at the meeting pointed out that one of the beetles can lay from 500 to 1,500 eggs. All the eggs are fertile. The eggs hatch from two weeks on up and the young larvae-enter the soil where they remain throughout the winter usually burrowed deep enough to escape freezes. Early in the' spring they become active and begin feeding upon the tender pively proven that roots of plants. Sometimes the, S is the opinion of larvae are in such vast numbers cent weeks. This that they prevent the plant fromf juarter-acre circle coming up, but usually the plant' mt of Agriculture, comes up but wilts and dies] arlotte, inspect a or is unproductive because the d in this field last larvae have sapped its vitality; den failures have isked to cooperate by attacking its roots.

—Staff Photo.

In the event conditions are not right and the larva does not find enough nourishment, it can remain in the soil for another complete cycle and emerge from the soil at the same time the following year.

Full grown adult beetles emerge from the larvae in the early summer and they begin laying eggs almost immediately.

All the beetles are female and all of them lay eggs. The adult beetles do comparatively little I damage to the foliage although ! in heavily populated areas they j I have been known to violently j plant foliage. Seldom does an adult beetle survive the winter. • j The adult beetles usually die jwithin a few months after reaching adulthood.

Much interest was manifested by the farmers and other citizens present for the meeting and they were given valuable information in regard to treating their soil and in controlling the spread of the beetles in this locality.

Mr. Wilson stated that he would be available at any time to help the farmers in any problem relating to the beetles and that a good deal of his time would be spent in the fields helping apply the insecticide. He j has an office in the jury room back of the main court room in the courthouse and will be there from 8 until 8:30 a.m. each morning. At other times, those wishing to contact him should leave word at the county agent's office. ,\.\ Mr. Autry and Mr. Wilson agreed that with a reasonable amount of cooperation from each farmer and landholder in the infested area, the infestation could be reduced and controlled to the point where no crop damage would result within a period of two years.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER

Control OfiBeetle Is Of Meeting Trj

By FRED T. MORGAN An interested gorup of farmers and landholders, most of them from the beetle infested area south of Albemarle, gathered in the court room of the-Stanly county Courthouse Thursday night at 7:30 and heard expert* discuss ways and means of c- 0 batting the White-Frin(re»"^'t^,

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NEWS AN

— A Stanly County Newspaper of Character — ALBEMARLE, N. C, TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1953

PROBABLE WHITE-FRINGED BEETLE DAMAGE—While it has not been positively proven that white-fringed beetles were responsible for the failure of the milo crop above, this is the opinion of all the agricultural men ana entomologists who have inspected the field in recent weeks. This milo field borders the road between Peck's florist and highway 52 and has a quarter-acre circle in which hardly any of the crop has survived. J. A. Harris, of the State Department of Agriculture, left, and H. V. Autry, entomologist with the U. S. Bureau of Agriculture in Charlotte, inspect a clump of vegetation for the beetles. Many, many of the adult beetles were found in this field .last week when the above picture was made. Numerous instances of crop and garden failures have been reported by residents in this area. Landholders in this vicinity will be asked to cooperate in exterminating the beetles by having their soil treated with DDT this fall.

—Staff Photo.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1953

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBEMARLE. N. C.

annually and spend tremendous other for yellow. An air compres- come up with anything very sound sums of money on equipment, ma- sor forces the paint through the or practical in the way of protecterials, and manpower to get the spray guns. tion for center line crews. Public job done.

The machine operator sits at the education in center line work in For instance, one mile of white rear of the machine and tends the the form of a public relations proskipped center line costs the state guns and dispenses protective Z- gram might be one avenue of apapproximately $50. One mile of guards on the freshly-painted line. proach to the problem. solid yellow line costs around $72. It is his job to keep the lines of The men who paint the lines Probably no accurate figure of the uniform width and thickness and aren't asking for much. They total number of miles of* center to start and stop the yellow bar- have a job to do and they must lines on numbered highways as rier lines at the right places. do it, regardless. They only ask well as on county roads that reUp front, the driver sits inside for courtesy and due consideraquire painting in the state, is a plexi-glass enclosed cab and tion when you meet them on the | available, but the figures, if they looks directly down just to the road. Give them a break, Mr. were compiled, would be stagger- right of the inside of his left front Motorist. ing. Considering these facts, one wheel at the guide which he uses can readily see that painting the to follow the old faded line. If white and yellow lines in the mid- the driver keeps his front guide on dle of the state's roads is no small the line, then the guns which are and inexpensive undertakingaligned with the guide, will follow Highway divisions in the state and paint true on the course of are largely autonomous when it the old line which is being followcomes to the methods of painting ed. the center lines in their territories.

Safety Factors

By FRED T. MORGAN Some of the divisions have novel Safety factors incorporated on and devious methods of applying the machine are blinking yellow A rollicking, loose-jointed, noisy the lines on the roadways. Some and red warning lights which can contraption with blinking lights divisions have factory-made ma- be and red flags flying all over it as much as a mile away, chines for the purpose while other red seen comes rambling down the center flags, and directional signs ! divisions do the job just as well of the highway toward you. tell the motorists on which and even better with homemade which What do you do? to pass. In addition, at each rigs. Getting the lines down on side Take a firm grip on the wheel, of the work area, large signs the highways is the objective and end shower down on your horn, and are placed the shoulder of the the traffic line crews try to find road tellingon the say to yourself, "What's he trying that the easiest and safest means of center line work motorists to do—run me off the road with is in progress doing this. that thing?" ahead.

Thatl^ about the normal reacCurrently, due to the vastly in- Despite all the precautions used, tion. creased mileage of-center lines in many motorists seem bent upon Maybe you slow up a bit, and, the state, the trend appears to be flattening the center line crew still thinking that you're being quantity instead of quality. While under their wheels. There is the "road-hogged", you give vent to the current center lines that di- "pre-occupied businessman" who your feelings with another blast on vide our highways may not have doesn't realize any work is in prothe hotfh. that straight-as-a-die appearance gress on the road until he is withBut the horn doesn't seem to that was the order of the days a in a few feet of the crew. There CENTER LINE MACHINE IN ACTION—Above is a recent picture help much. This queer-looking TAIL END OF THE JOB—James Earnhardt rides on the seat few years ago, they are just as ef- is the "I-won't-be-budged-an-inch" j of the new center line machine built and put into service by the road "monster" doesn't give over bitched low on the rear of the paint supply track and picks up fective in keeping opposing lanes type of motorist who is determinlocal Highway division this summer. It can paint three lines as you expect. It seems implac- the rubber Z-guards from the dried line to complete the center- of traffic separated. ed to stick to his rightful half of (at once, it has extra maneuverability, and is a decided improve- able as doom. It comes on menac- lining operations on this particular stretch of road. The track In the Tenth Highway Division, the road. There is the harrassed m e n t over older models. The operator, "Red" Morgan, is stand- ingly and boldly. driver is J. D. Yow, foreman of the local Highway division center the outgrowth of the old Seventh truck driver who knows that to ling up to leek at the line conditions ahead of the machine.

T^ie "thing" seems to generate line crew. In addition to painting center linos in Anson, Union. Division, which has its headquar- pull over half off the pavement rrhe driver inside tho cab which keeps out the wind, dust and an • expression on its countenance Mecklenburg, and Cabarrus counties, the crew paints lines on ters in Albemarle, Stanly county, means that he must slack on his rain, is Huston Yow. The machine is capable of completely which says something like this: all numbered highways in Stanly county as well as on paved center line painting has reached a speed and lose valuable time. tainting in one operation more than 20 miles of roadway per "One of us is going to have to pull county roads that have a sufficient amount of traffic to war* zenith unequaied by few if any There is the tenderfoot driver who —Staff Photo. 'ay. Designed and built locally, it ranks as one of the foremost over, Bub, and it ain't gonna be rant it. other highway division in the is naive and who is apt to do harm Jne." . -.he-painting machines in the. state.

—Staff Photo. state.

This division has long been to the center line crew through When you're still a few yards the road in a uniform mannert disturbed by the milling, reckless, in a place of leadership in the sheer .inexperience to roadway and off a man may pop up over the Around sharp curves, over hill- millitant, confused array of high- state as far as center line paint- driving conditions. And there is .Baints the lines. tops, across bridges, it's the same way traffic which endlessly perse- ing techniques are concerned. the perennial careless motorists Ijier of fact, very, very top of the vehicle or around on — equally dividing the highway cutes them. one side.

He has an irate look on who just doesn't care.

New Machine yjhvy the jobs of the men and adding to your driving comThey must be this way. Their #je center line machines his face. He points very plainly fort, Center lines on the highways of lives depend upon calmness and The most recent innovation of North Carolina are here to stay. „,vays of North Carolina, and determinedly for you to pull the center line men in this division over off the pavement and pass Again you think of how you al- the right reaction at the right thankless and unrewardAt least until the traffic engineers like you're supposed to do. Some- most ran that machine down by time. These reflexes come spon- is the completion last spring of a figure out some better means of what taken aback, you do as you your stubborn persistence not to taneuosly and instinctively from heavy-duty paint machine, built keeping the traffic separated on ^ N _ Ut are bidden. He scowls at you as be "hogged" off the pavement. seasoned experience. They know upon a Chevrolet pick-up chasis. the highways.

Until the engie men are a nervy and you go by.

You shudder. You don't envy the that a wrong move or an unsteady which outperforms anything yet neers accomplish this, center line it.

They are calloused introduced in the state on the crews must paint and maintain J3 Now that you're past the jobs of the fellows who operate hand means disaster. iminous traffic which center line painting horizon. It these lines. And they must do "thing" you can see what's going the machine that paints the lines.

Not every run-of-the-mill felP^erously dose by them on. was designed and built by the local * As a matter of fact, very, very low makes a traffic line man. Still center line men. Proof that it this and cope with traffic at the [ They are accustomed "Oh, they're painting the white same time for it isn't practical fewer can qualify for a center line few people envy the jobs of the death by inches every line," you say, "that's what they're works well, is the fact that it has to bar traffic from a road that is men who man the center line ma- machine operator or driver.

A while on the job.

Well, well!"

The man who drives and op- been in continuous use through- being centerhhed, although doing chines on the highways of North t be this way. Their doing.

You glance back at the ma- Carolina. Theirs is a thankless erates the machine that paints the out the summer in the five-county this, would relieve the crews of 1 upon calmness and chine, still on its course down the Tenth Division area. and danger. ' ction at the right time] middle of the road, a bit sheepish- and unrewarding job. Daily they center, lines on the bighway is This new machine is the succes- much vexation Vary Hazardous usually in the "don't-give-a-damn" rub elbows with death in the form es come spontaneously ly. You ought to stop and apolocategory, to use typical highway sor of several older center line Too little emphasis has been rely from seasoned ex- gize for your rude manners you of you, you, and you—the motor- vernacular. must be possess- machines developed and used by placed upon center line painting ' ey know that a wrong think. But no, they're too busy. ist who use the highways upon ed of steady He nerves and a stable the division for a number of years. in the past and particularly upon which they work. unsteady hand means They had much rather I'd go on equanimity as well as a reservoir It utilizes designs and techniques the hazards that the men who Traffic line men are a nervy of resourcefulness. And and get out of the way and not since employed on all the previous marun-of-the-mill type of clutter up the road. You step on and hardened lot. They are cal- there are usually one or more chines and it embodies devices that paint the lines face. Until the loused to the voluminous traffic other men on the machine when it are the result of the knowledge motoring public learns that the the accelerator. which swoops dangerously close by is in operation, he can never lose and experience of center line men lines are painted by men and maSticks to Center chines in the middle of the roads, them on the rbad. They are ac- sight of the fact that he as driver, down through the years.

As you pass on, you note the the center line crews of state and customed to escaping death by i0 is responsible for their safety as Equipped with three spray guns, nation will continue to be at the fresh paint and "the rubber Zfdth and thickn. . guards lying on or near the line inches every few minutes while on well as his own. it paints a continuous skipped mercy of the traveling public And job. They have acclimated white line and, in the same opera- that public, as center line men (top the yellow b ? S i ? g to discourage motorists from the themselves to being at least hourBig Business. tion, can paint solid yellow barright places, -3 crossing it. You begin to notice ly sandwiched between two opposCenter line painting in North rier lines on either side of the well know, is a ruthless one. hOw the white center line, some- ing tractor-trailer trucks and al- Carolina Unclosed Cab Highway safety men have given ranks up in the big busi- white line at no-passing zones. It Ahe driver sits inside aj times flanked by one or two yel- most being ground up like meat ness field. The state paints many has two 30-gallon capacity paint center line painting some little /enclosed cab and looks: low lines, sticks to the center of I in a sausage mill. They are un-, thousands of miles of center lines tanks, one for white paint and the attention but they have failed to /wn just to the right of [ten 11011 Dili, U.W.-3 - f a * » < — v . — - —-« tier «ot. AndTfie-tmi*u " ' — 7 ( of his left front wheel up with anything which give the The new center-line mac g e G r i d ' s greatest buyer .and private en, m f summer by the Tenth H /de which he uses to fol- crews sufficient protection. • Slier of goods in the international to destroy nA It is in action on Highw fld faded line.

Public education in center line market I 1952, this count*? ac- would COD-LQJ / devices Incorporated on work through a public relatiena up behind is "Red" Mor counted for 15 per cent of all im- event in j 0J /ne are blinking yellow and program might be one avenue of JS20percentnfallexnorts.

V Jjng lights which can be approach to the problem. s mUch as a mile away, The men who paint the lines and conspicuous signs aren't asking for much. They have 11 the motorists on which a job to do and must do it, regard- uj pass. In addition, at each less. They only ask for courtesy the work area, large signs and due consideration when you J> c ted at the edge of the road meet thera on toe road.

I mptorists that center line Give them a break, Mr. Motorist B

Putting Center Line In Highway One Of State's Hazardous Occupations

•

Motorists Urged To Be Careful

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THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, RALEIGH, N. C , SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 25, 1953.

IV—3

It's Rough Way to Make Living down the middle of the road. Ypu fellow makes a center line man.

By FRED T. MORGAN. ALBEMARLE — A rollicking, ought to go back and apologize for Still fewer can qualify for a center loose-jointed, noisy contraption with your rude manners, you think. But line machine operator or driver. blinking lights and red flags flying no, they're too busy. They had Center line painting in North all over it comes rambling down much rather I'd go on and get out Carolina ranks up in the big busithe center of the highway toward of the way and not clutter up the ness field. The state paints many road. You step on the accelerator. thousands of miles of center lines you.

What do you do?

As you pass. on, you note the annually and spends tremendous Take a firm grip on the wheel, fresh paint and the rubber Z-guards sums of money on equipment, mashower down on your horn, and say lying on or near the line to dis- terials, and manpower to get the to yourself, "What's he trying to d a courage motorists from crossing it. job done.

—run me off the • road with that You begin to notice how the white . For instance, one mile of white thing?" line, sometimes flanked by one or skipped center line costs the State That's about the normal reac- two yellow lines, sticks to the cen- approximately $50. One mile of ter of the road in a uniform man- solid yellow line costs around $72.* tion.

Maybe you slow up a bit and, still ner. Around sharp curves, over hill- Probably ho accurate figure of the thinking that you're being "road- tops, across bridges, it's the same total number of miles of center hogged," you give vent to your feel- —equally dividing the highway and lines on numbered highways as well ings with another blast on the horn. adding to your driving comfort as on county roads that require But the horn doesn't seem to help Again you think of how yon al- painting in the state, is available much. This queer-looking road most ran that machine down by but the figures, if they were com"monster" doesn't give over as you your stubborn persistence not to be piled, would be staggering. expect. It seems implacable as "hogged" off the pavement. You Highway divisions in the state are doom. It comes on menacingly and shudder. You don't envy the jobs largely autonomous when it comes of the fellows who operate the ma- to the methods of painting the cenboldly.

The "thing" seems to generate chine that paints the lines. ter lines in their territories. Some an expression on its countenance As a matter of fact, very, very of the divisions have novel and which says something like this: few people envy the jobs of the men methods of applying the lines on the "One of us is going to have to pull who man the center line machines roadways. Some divisions have facover, Bub, an it ain't gonna be on the highways of North Carolina. tory-made machines for the purTheirs is a thankless and unreward- pose while other divisions get the me." ing job.

Pull Off Pavement. job done just as well and even betHardened Lot. When you're still a few yards ter with homemade rigs. Getting a man may pop up over the top Center line men are a nervy and the lines down on the roadways [ the vehicle or around on one hardened lot. They are calloused is the objective and the center line e. He has an irate look on his to the voluminous traffic which crews try to find the easiest and He points very plainly and swoops dangerously close by them safest means of doing this. minedly for you to putt over on the road. They are accustomed In the Tenth Highway Division, he pavement and pass like to escaping death by indies every the outgrowth of tee old Seventh supposed to do. Somewhat few minutes while on the job.

Division, which has its headquarack, you do as you are bid- <They must be this way. Their ters in Albemarle, center line paintcowls at you as you go by. lives depend upon calmness and ing has reached a point unequaled \ you're past the "tiling" the right reaction at the right time. by few if any other highway diviThese reflexes come spontaneously sions in the state. what's going on. painting the white and instinctively from seasoned ex- The mosj; recent innovation of the "that's what they're perience. They know that a wrong center line men in thi^ division is move or an unsteady hand means the completion, last spring, of a 11!" ly, you glance back disaster. heavy-duty paint machine, built on still on its course Not every run-of-the-mill type of a pick-up truck chasis, which outperforms anything yet introduced in the State on center line painting.

It was designed and built by members of the line crew. Proof that it width and thicrcv works and works well, is the fact cisely stop the yellow B

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right places.

Enclosed Cab the driver alts inside a enclosed cab and looks awn just to the right of : of his left front wheel 'ide which he uses to fol>ld faded line. devices incorporated on ine are blinking yellow and ning lights which can be as much as a mile away, s and conspicuous signs ill the motorists on which pass. In addition, at each the work area, large signs ced at the edge of the road motorists that center line

the mercy of the tra Highway safety men have given center line work some little attention but they have failed to come up with anything which give the crews sufficient protection.

Public education in center line work through a public relatiena program might be one avenue of approach to the problem.

The men who paint the lines aren't asking for much. They have a job to do and must do it, regardless, They only ask for courtesy and due consideration when you meet them on the road.

Give them a break, Mr. Motorist.

This odd-looking contraption is t h e center-line machine of t h e T e n t h Highway Division at Albemarle. that it has been in continuous use throughout the summer in the fivecounty Tenth Division area.

This new machine is the successor of several older center line machines developed and used by the division for a number of years. It utilizes designs and techniques employed on all the previous machines and it embodies devices that are the result of tee knowledge and experience of center line men down through the years.

Three Spray Guns.

Equipped with three spray guns, it paints a continuous white skipped line and, in the same operation, can paint solid yellow barrier lines on either side of the white line at nopassing zones. It has two 30-gallon capacity paint tanks, one for white paint and the other for yellow. An air compressor forces the paint through the spray guns.

The machine operator sits at the rear of the machine and tends tee spray guns and dispenses protec-

HERE IS TH The new center-line maq summer by the Tenth H It is in action on Highw up behind is "Red" Mon (y AI

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tive Z-guards on the freshly painted line. It is his job to keep the lines of uniform width and thickness and to start and stop the barrier lines at the right places.

Up front, the driver sits inside a plexi-glass enclosed cab and looks directly down last to the right of the inside of his left front wheel at the guide which he uses to follow the old faded line. If tee driver keeps his front guide on tee line, teen tee guns which ar aligned with the guide, will follow and paint true on tee course of the old line which is being followed.

Safety devices incorporated on the machine are blinking yellow and red warning lights which can be seen as much as a mile away, red flags, and conspicuous signs which tell the motorists on which side to pass. In addition, at each end of tee work area, large signs are placed on tee side of the roadtelling the motorists teat center lie work is in progress ahead.

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[Marcus jultr) mist to I B; York, sayAidK [lie to Maindi. g ^ k ^ greatest buyer and private e n L seUer of goods in the international to destroy my I market ^ 1952, this ? « * ' £ would con counted for 15 per cent of all W eve:3t in )06 IQI ^ 20 Per cent of-aU exnorUu -

toports fell 20 per ceff 1937-3& recession, 30 per cem^

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GREENSBORO

R 2 5, 1 9 5 3

DAILY

NEWS,

GREENSBORO,

NORTH

CAROLINA

FEATURE S E C T I O N — P A G E

9

MOTORUSTS, GIVE^MABfiEAK!

Men Who Paint Center Road Lines Work For Safety-But At Own Risk

•

BY FRED T, MORGAN either side of the white line at no- work is in progress ahead.

ALBEMABLE, Oct. 24—A rollick- passing zones. It has two 30-gallon But despite all the precautions, ing, loose-Jointed, noisy contraption paint tanks, one for white pain) and many motorists still seem bent upon with blinking lights and red flags the other for yellow. An air com* flattening center line crews under flying- all over it comes rambling pressor forces the paint through their wheels. down the highway toward you. the guns.

Give Crews A Break The machine operator sits at the Too little emphasis has been What do you do?

Take a firm grip on the wheel, rear of the machine and tends the placed on center line painting, parpush down on your horn, and say spray guns and dispenses protective ticularly the hazards tha crews face. to yourself, "What's he trying to Z-guards on the freshly painted Until the motoring public learns do—run me off the read with that line. It is his job to keep the lines that the lines are painted where of uniform width and thickness and they are by men and machines in thing?"

That's about the normal reaction. to start and stop the yellow barrier the middle of the roads, the center - Maybe you slow up a bit and, still lines at the right places. line crews will continue to be at Enclosed Cab thinking you're b e i n g "roadthe mercy of the traveling public. hogged," give vent to your feelings] Up frontf, the driver sits inside a Highway safety men have given with another blast on the horn. plexi-glass enclosed cab and looks center line work some little at'Monster' Moves On directly down just to the right of tention but they have failed to come But the horn doesn't seem to the inside of his left front wheel up with anything which give the help much. This queer-looking road at the guide which he uses to fol- crews sufficient protection "monster" doesn't give over as you low the old faded line.

Public education 'in center line expect. It seems implacable as doom- Safety devices incorporated on work through a public relations It comes on menacingly. the machine are blinking yellow and program might be one avenue of The "thing" seems to generate an red warning lights which can be approach to the problem. expression on its countenance which seen for as much as a mile away, The men who paint the lines says, "One of us is going«to have red flags and conspicuous signs aren't asking for much. They have to pull over, Bub, and it ain't gonna which tell the motorists on which a job to do and must do it, regardbe me." side to pass. In addition, at each less. They only ask for courtesy When you're still a few yards off end of the work area, large signs and due consideration when you a man may pop up over the macaine are placed at the edge of the road meet them on the road. or around on one side. He has an telling motorists that center line Give them a break, Mr. Motorist. irate look on his face. He points very plainly and determinedly for you to pull over off the pavement.

Somewhat taken back, you do as you are bidden.

Now that 'you're past the "thing" you can see what's going on. It's painting a white line down the middle of the road.

Performance Noted As you pass ph, you note th* rubber Z-guards lying on or near the fresh line to discourage motorists from crossing it. You begin to notice how the white lAie, sometimes flanked by one or two yellow lines, sticks to the center of tb* road in a uniform manner. Around sharp curves, over hilltops, across bridges, it's ithe same—equally di* viding the highway and adding to your driving safety.

Again you think of how you almost ran that machine down by y o v stubborn persistence not to be "hogged" off the pavement. You shudder. You don't envy those fellows who man the centeMine jnachines on the highways of North i\^arolipa. Daily they rub elbows ^eth in the form of you, you, and you•>rj« motorists Center-line paintKL North Carolina ranks up in the ness field. The state painti i •Hi; thousands of miles of center lines annually and spends tremendous sums of money for equipment, materials and manpower to get the job done.

For instance, one mile of white skipped center Ijne costs the state approximately $50. One mile of solid yellow line "costs around $7a.\ Different Methods Highway divisions in the state are largely autonomous when it comes to the methods of painting the l i n o in their territories. Some of the divisions have novel and devious methods of applying t h t lines on the roadways. Some of the diviiJons have ftctOJT-made machines for the purpose while other divisions get ' I t h e job done as well and even bet^ l ter w i t t homemtdg rigs.

The Tenth Highway Division the Outgrowth Of the old Seventh Division, which has headquarters taj Albemarle, Stanly County, has long •or been a leader in the state in center t i e line painting techniques. |eThe mpjrt recent innovation by |o- the men in this division is the com-1 ls- pjtotion, last spring, of a hfeavyl d duty paint machine, built upW a ay Chevrolet pick-up truck chassis, ch winch outperforms anything yet ine trodueed in the state. It wg« del o - signed and built by members of the Ire lineja-ew. Proof that it works and works well, i s the fact that it has been in continuous o p e r a t i o n throughout the summer in the five, county Tenth Divjgien area.

Machine Described Equipped with three spray g u n s It!paints g continuous skipped white Hne and, in the same operation can paint solid yellow barrier l i n e s on

i

HERE IS THE MACHINE WHICH HELPS TO PAINT TH8EUNB.LONG STATE HIGHWAYS The new center-line machine, built in the spring and put into use this summer by the Tenth Highway Division, is shown in the left photo.

It-is in action on Highway 8 near Albemarle. The operator standing up behind is "Red" Morgan; the driver is Houston Yow. The right

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D CO B

picture sows the taild of the line painting operations. Here James Earnhard rides on jjat hitched low on the rear of the paint supply truck anlpicks uppbber Z-guards from the dried line.' The truck driver, JD,Yow,jkman of the center line crew in the division.

RTAVTY

NEWS ANT> PRESS. 'ALBEMARLE, N. C.

>TTE NEWS

Natural Looking Flowers Result From Red Cross Woman's Hobby V i o l e n t l y iOctober 26, 1953

Section Two

In

ila Weekend

Several months ago, Mrs. Paul ! H. Tucker of the Red Cross community admired a beautiful artificial rose worn by her daughter j who was paying her a visit.

To Mrs. Tucker the rose lookj ed as if it might have been pluck- j ed from a rose garden that morning, although she knew it was!

I artificial. She spoke of her admiration of the flower.

Then came Mother's Day and ; the daughter who lives in Char-' lotte, returned for another visit, bringing a Mother's Day gift packK : I ageMrs. TUcker opened it and gasped at the beauty of the handsome sunburst rose she found in the box. Holding it. she turned! to her daughter, "Why didn't you bringi the materials these are made from so I. could try it?"

Delving further into the package, Mrs. Tucker discovered that I her daughter had anticipated her request and had included the materials for her to go right to work trying her hand at'manufacturing I IT TAKES KNACK—But Mrs; Paul H. Tucker of the Red Cross comthe flowers that she. admired so! munity has that knack.' Here she is busily engaged in making much.

L*f*v.an artificial rose from the materials in her lap. On the table That launched her on a flower- in the left foreground are other materials and three packages making avocation that has proven of unused wood fibre may bo seen in the center of the picture. both profitable and immensely en- In tho background may be seen some of her finished flowers. joyable.

Ak;L Although tho roses, carnations, and camellias cannot be viewed Natural Craftsman -\ I in their true perspective in this picture, they are indeed lovely.

—Staff Photo.

A natural craftsman at such* work, Mrs. Tucker mastered thel: says. technique in a minimum of time, I The 28-year-old unmarried though she admits that the first I veteran of World War II and a few flowers she made had flaws * „ w . s „ _. . , two-year hitch with the Air and looked ragged and were not Marketing No Trouble Force, was captured July 5, as lovely to look at as the near- Marketing her flowers has pre 1950, after eluding pursuers perfect specimens she now turns !:ed no trouble for Mrs. Tuck In fact, the demand is far for hours following a battle in out.

The thing about her flowers, ad of the supply. Nearly ev- which the North Koreans overaside from their beauty and per- jne who sees her flowers are ran a small unit of UN troops. fection, is their wearability. They :inated by them. She has sold For the first few months he Kannapolis, and his fellow UN prisoners can be soiled, doused, even trampl- u in Concord, ed and then be brought back to | rlotte, Albemarle, and all over were kept at small villages, their original loveliness. If the j community in which she lives. g each one a little farther north flower becomes still and loses some any people have received her j j than the last. of its lustre, a couple hours in the »rs as gifts, On Oct. 31, 1950, he and about refrigerator will put new life in-1 njiwayj But 6ince the ma- 765 other. UN prisoners, includI s require some outlay of ing approximately 60 missionto the petals.

Her flowers are made from For- Ital and the act of making aries and members of the Red mosan wood fibre which comes in n takes time and skill, she Cross and Salvation Army, bepackages of paper-thin square jtt't think it's unreasonable to gan the long march north. In sheets. The fibre is extremely ce a charge for the flowers, charge of them was a North pliable, having a residue of mois- he gets requests for colors Korean major whom they nick•conflict with nature — like ture in it, and can be rolled, wadnamed the "Tiger".

Old "Rex" the hound, knew his master, Sgt. Marvin E. Talbert, ded, and shaped into any fashion :k roses or pink roses with when the latter recently returned home after over three years as The Tiger told them that ow buds.

But she fills the ordesired. The fibre can be obtaineveryone must make the march, a prisoner of war of the North Koreans and Chinese Communists. ed in any color or may be pur- i regardless. Right now the that the strong must carry the He is the son ot Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Talbert and is on convalescence land is greatest for roses, chased varigated. weak and the young help the leave from Walter Reed Hospital. er creations actually feel like Other materials Mrs. Tucker The petals feel like real old. Anyone disobeying orders uses in her work are green leaves, Iers. s and the leaves like real would suffer the most rigorous take notes and study. They munist holidays, they were givfern, wire, bud tips, tape, glue, 'es.

They look so real that you discipline. They were not long were actually termed "students" en an apple or a piece of hard scissors, shears and other miscel- almost their fragrance in learning that the rigorous and the political instructors candy. The "pros" received spelaneous items. Most of her ma- •envisioninhale made strenuous efforts to make cial favors. the bush from which discipline meant death* terials and accessories she obtains • were plucked. Probably The Chinese became more the their doctrine soak in on the from a hobby shop in Charlotte. rage person would have to 80 ARE SHOT lenient when it became appar"students".

She makes roses, camellias, garMany of the prisoners who to distinguish them as Prisoners who were obsequious ent that the peace negotiations denias, carnations, and orchids. (closely fell by the wayside were shot. ficial. going through. They were Orchids are the most difficult to |rs.

Marvin remembers that at least to the instructors and camp were Tucker is co-operative taken south to a place near the authorities were called "promake and she makes them only by 80 people, including one womspecial order. She can make one lit teaching other people the an, were shot by the Tiger gressives" by the other men. truce grounds and members of "Rice Ball Communists" was the "pro" group sifted in among of the other flower types in ap- Fer-making technique. She has himself. another name for them. Accord- those scheduled for repatriation. proximately IS minutes' provided ght her two daughters-in-law They arrived at a village on Then came the day of freeshe has previously cut the ma- I has promised to teach the the Yalu River near the Chi- ing to^Maifvm some 30 per cent terial according to pattern. She hnique to a lady in Albemarle, nese anj of the prisoners were in this dom, the trip across the Pacific, usually works this way, cutting [he wood fibre has been scarce the docking at San Francisco, category. out a supply of pieces then as- gy and that has cut her pro,,'Addequn os ui, and his journey to Walter Reed "This "pro" group controlled sembling them into creations thjt(^°p_ ™™ewhat. And the auI'antJO -id '10,. all the meager forms of enter- where he was reunited with ^inn season is a busy time on the emulate mother nature •app tainment and sports afforded his folks.

• . d m where Mrs. Tucker lives. She -ms iiuiraoo o in the camp. They censored Marvin hasn't made up his has three cows to milk, all the - ;dui3^e UB ut A the mail and were the go-be- mind about any further service housework to do and numerous |-;uao9J sijid guj! tween between the undisciplined with the armed forces. A lot other chores. Only a small amount depends upon his health, he of spare time is available to de-1 -daajs jo jnjpueq e paMOflBAVs OI\N prisoners and the Communists. say s. vote to the flowers. 'joiunf too^s qgiq OArpwue BB sj RED HOLIDAY TREATS At present he is on convalesTotally aside from the com- '91 page "AY &im ifatft 3SVD Marvin says all the very limmercial viewpoint of the flowerited forms of recreation avail- cence leave from Walter Reed * * * making, she likes the work. able to the prisoners were for Hospital at Washington, D. C. T H keen- on making them as propaganda purposes. On very He is to report back there on qsei Xne aieiduiajuoo no£ ajopq psunoD ajniBiu JO] JIBM ma -3U* special occasions such as Com- Nov. 5. o| uiaq; 3)IJM JO jasiApe looips JO UBiuXgjap jno£ jpisuoD 'suiaj

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JTTE NEWS

ST A NTT NEWS ANT> PRESS. 'ALBEMARLE, N. C.

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nday, October 26, 1 9 5 3

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Several months ago, Mrs. H. Tucker of the Red Cross munity admired a beautiful ficial rose worn by herT^. who was pay To Mrs ed as if it

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artificial ration of the^ ^**L 9> » » t P c i tx'tL a w v Then came —*9 rt rt. "£, •> r: the daughter wh% £ * • & & * * - « • W ; lotte, returned IjDo' •PP.f *P »i o. o ^ bringing a Mother^? tf age.

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By FRED T. MORGAN Mrs. Tucker opea^* opetf^ ^ rt„. ^ ^-^^iV -^ -*-"t ALBEMARLE — "You got gasped at the b e a u t \ ^ . * ^ . ^ ^ along all right as long as you some sunburst rose Si<fi, "^ •& "%<$, **,*ov> hoorayed Communism and kowthe box. Holding i l . m 0 A <**> o towed to their suggestions." to her daughter, "Why!.% & ^ ° These are the words of Sgt. \ ^ v* °,.-ir bring the materials ?%& *3 Marvin E. Talbert, referring to made from so 1 could tl his treatment as a prisoner of Delving f urtner into trn^. j^>i war of the North Koreans and \ age, Mrs. T u c k * discoveries^^T5, 'tfi%^k discover%'?i>- ^%i. ti>% <5."™' the Chinese Communists. '.' tfv her daughter haM anticipal*^* &, rtaa^.

Marvin knows. He just reJ^V tP request and hadMicluded tn cently got back to his Stanly terials for her to gp right to County farm home after three j^ring her hand aT^Bianufact Oi years, one month, and 20 days the flowers that sn'e, admire as a prisoner of war. much.

L*^'"« He hates Communism ferThat launched her on a flow »>4 w im vently and all things related making avocation that has prove!, ^ *r fJr to Communism.

4 / both profitable and immensely ten Vk "The co-existence of Comjoyable. f^T Natural Craftsman munism and democratic govrt B ernment is impossible," he A natural craftsman at such saysv work, Mrs. Tucker mastered the The 28-year-old unmarried technique in a minimum of time, though she admits that the first veteran of World War II and a few flowers she made had flaws two-year hitch with the Air and looked ragged and were n o t . - Marketing No Trouble [ ^ ^ Force,, was captured July 5, as lovely to look at as the near- Marketing her flowers has pre- 1950, after eluding pursuers perfect specimens she now turns ted no trouble for Mrs. Tuck- for hours following a battle in In fact, the* demand is far which the North Koreans overThe thing about her flowers, ad of the supply. Nearly ev- ran a small unit of UN troops.

R aside from their beauty and per- ane who sees her flowers are For the first few months he I fection, is their wearability. They :inat.ed by them. She has sold and his fellow UN prisoners Kannapolis, I can be soiled, doused, even trampl- M in Concord, rlotte,^—^^ssxw.

Albemarle, and all over were kept at small villages, I ed and then be brought back to,— each one a little farther north I their original loveliness. If the | community in which she lives. than the last.

I flower becomes still and loses some 'any people have received her On Oct. 31, 1950, he and about jj of its lustre, a couple hours in the I #rs as gifts. She likes to give refrigerator will put new life in- ® away. But since the ma-1 765 other UN prisoners, includ: «»» require -MAmii^A ioine coma OUtlcty Of |r ™*~ i.-.!— 60 e n mission».;n^iAM ing~ approximately to the petals. |i Ms Her flowers are made from For-' l*M and the act of making | aries and members of the Red mosan wood fibre which comes in «$ takes time and skill, she Cross and Salvation Army, bepackages of paper-thin square # t think it s unreasonable to gan the long march north. In sheets. The fibre is extremely i§ a charge for the flowers, charge of them was a North pliable, having a residue of mois-1 B£ gets requests for colors Korean major whom they nickwith nature - - like named the "Tiger".

OM "Rex" the hound, knew his master, Sgt. Marvin E. Talbert, j ture in it, and can be rolled, wad- :kconflict or pink i*oses with when the latter recently returned home after over three years as ded, and shaped into any fashion •w roses The Tiger told them that buds. But she fills the ora prisoner of war of the North Koreans and Chinese Communists. desired. The fibre can be obtain- s regardless. now the everyone must make the march, He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Talbert and is on convalescence I ed in any color or may be pur- land is greatest Right that the strong must carry the for roses. leave from Walter Reed Hospital. chased varigated. creations actually feel like weak and the young • help the Other materials Mrs. Tucker er old.

Anyone disobeying orders The petals feel like real take notes and study. They munist holidays, they were givuses in her work are green leaves, ers. and the leaves like real would suffer the most rigorous were actually termed "students" en an apple or a piece of hard fern, wire, bud tips, tape, glue, lis They look so real that you discipline. They were not long and the political instructors candy. The "pros" received spescissors, shears and other miscel- BS. •almost their fragrance! in learning that the rigorous made strenuous efforts to make cial favors. laneous items. Most of her ma- •envisioninhale the bush from which discipline meant death* The Chinese became more terials and accessories she obtains I were plucked. Probably their doctrine soak in on the the 80 ARE SHOT lenient when it became apparfrom a hobby shop in Charlotte. "students". person would have to Many of the prisoners who She makes roses, camellias, gar- jfage Prisoners who were obsequious ent that the peace negotiations closely to distinguish them as fell by the wayside were shot. denias, carnations, and orchids. Ificial. to the instructors and camp were going through. They were Marvin remembers that at least Orchids are the most difficult to were called "pro- taken south to a place near the make and she makes them only by P - Tucker is co-operative 80 people, including one wom- authorities gressives" by the other men. truce grounds and members of special order. She can make one ut teaching other people the an, were shot by the Tiger "pro" group sifted in among "Rice Ball Communists" was the of the other flower types in ap- rer-making technique. She has himself. those scheduled for repatriation. another name for them. Accordproximately 15 minutes' provided ght her two daughters-in-law They arrived at a village on ing to Marvin some 30 per cent Then came the day of free| has promised to teach the l she has previously cut the mathe Yalu River near the Chidom, the trip across the Pacific, terial according to pattern. She hnique to a lady in Albemarle, nese and Russian border where of the prisoners were in this the docking at San Francisco, the wood fibre has been scarce! category. usually works this way, cutting they spent the better part of This "pro" group controlled and his journey to Walter Reed out a supply of pieces then as- >ly and that has cut her pro- a year. Many of the number Jition somewhat.

And the auall the meager forms of enter- where he was reunited with sembling them into creations that Ijfnn season is a busy time on the died from starvation and ill- tainment and sports afforded his folks. emulate mother nature. jirm where Mrs. Tucker lives. She i treatment and the others got in the camp. They censored Marvin hasn't made up his has three cows to milk, all the j only about one-half a cup of mind about any further service the mail and were the go-behousework to do and numerous grain or millet once each day. with the armed forces. A lot other chores. Only a small amount At one time Marvin said he tween between the undisciplined depends upon his health, he prisoners and the Communists. of spare time is available to dewas-swollen and ill with dysensays. vote to the flowers. tery and weighed only 93 RED HOLIDAY TREATS At present he is on convalesMarvin says all the very limTotally aside from the compounds. The fact that Marvin cence leave from Walter Reed ited forms of reereation availmercial viewpoint of the flowerspeaks the German tongue may Hospital at Washington, D. C. able to the prisoners were for making, she likes the work. be one reason why he is alive "I'll keep on making them as today. A Korean doctor who propaganda purposes. On very He is to report back there on special occasions such as Com- Nov. 5. spoke German, became interested in Marvin because of their ability to speak a kindred tongue and he treated Marvin for his illness.

CHINESE FED BETTER In October, 1951, the 265 prisoners that were left of the original number were taken by boat down the Yalu River to what' was known as "Camp Three" and turned over to the Chinese Communists. Here they fared better and had enough food to eat.

They were required to attend classes in Socialism for three or four hours each day and

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1-953

STANLY NEWS AND PRE!

Homecoming At Randall's Was A Memorable Affair ,, By Fred T. Morgan In the peacefulness and solitude of the early Sabbath morning the little white church lifted up its cross-topped spire to the heavens. Sunlight reflected from its steep tin roof and play'fed over its shingle-covered belfrey.

Its doors and windows wore opened. Short wing additions,on either side of the rear of the building made it look like it was slowly settling down to rest after a weary journey.

Over the front door hung a sign. Though the sign had been vandalized by the scratching out of the first letter in each of the three words, one knew it said: Randall's* Methodist Church.

The grounds were policed and clean. Underneath the big oaks and cedars in the church yard stood two long bare tables. Nearby was the old well,/ covered now and equipped with an electric pump.

Past the rear of the building, the dusty church yard extended into the cemetery where weather- PART OF RANDALL'S HOMECOMING CROWD—Shown here are just a few of the people who ed monuments bore such names crowded around the lengthy tables on the churchyard at Randall's Methodist church Sunday in as Snuggs, Allen, Swaringen, observance of the Homecoming and Dedication program there. This picture was snapped as the Lentz, and Randall. crowd began to thin after filling plates with heaps of picnic delicacies. Around a thousand perFields dark'with crops bordered, sons came to the services at the little church on the shores of Lake Tillery which is 192 years the cemetery.

Beyond the cemetery and the old. The new pews and other improvements on the interior of the church were dedicated Sundayfields, almost on every side, low front, you'd look just like your kets, and bags from the cars and eled abroad and had visited hills pushed their snouts to the placed their contents on the long places of religious significance. horizon forming a panoramic father, son." tables. Tubs filled with ice and He told of seeing the dungeon Welcome Given "setting for this little church in water were uncovered and paper which had held the Apostle Paul A young man, tall, strong, and cups and the broad level field. A house, a prisoner in Rome, of seeing the dippers made ready. virile, stood at the steps shaka barn, and a pasture could be worn chains said to have held 'A minister returned t^hanks and seen here and "there. In one ing hands with folks and say- there was a surge for the tables. this stalwart man of God, of ing, "It's good to see you."

He direction the yellowish (waters of There was chicken and ham, viewing the stone upon, which Lake Tillery attracted the eye. meant it. A product of this pork and lamb, salads and Paul's head had been severed, church and this community, he Cars Begin Arriving crackers and riee, pickles and of the springs of water with was now pasfor of a circuit in cheese, Cars began arriving, slowly^at another part of the state. This and sandwiches, olives and which Paul had baptized believfirst, bringing with them a cloud homecoming to him was some- macaroni, beans and cauliflow- ers while he was yet a prisoner. e r ^ corn and potatoes, salt and of yellow dust which did not thing dear.

The quartet sang again. Peobread, sweets and pastries, and ple drifted out of the hot church. settle over the half-mile expanse Singing began iriside the lemonade, tea, and water. of road the day through.

The services were over.

Children stood on tiptoe to A truck came and deposited church and people drifted in.

Pictures were taken. More milk' cans and tin tubs filled Others stayed outside to talk, peek up at the food on the tabltes. talking. More questions. Goodhowever.

Grown-ups with their hands fill- byes were exchanged. with ice and water.

Cars started. Horns honked.

Soon, enough people were pres- x Strangely, no bell tolled. Per- ed, ambled by the fringe of the ent so that laughter echoed haps there was no bell in the milling crowd with speculative Children were called. Dust fogglances at the tables. ged up. People waved. Drivers around the church and little belfrey of the little church. groups stood chatting.

Although the commentary was There were those who because were impatient.

Soon the noise subsided and Out of necessity, some men be- good and the singing uplifting, of infirmities and frailties, were gan to supervise the parking of people inside the church did not unable to stand the competitive again the little church was alone the cars which now arrived with give their full attention to the stress of the crowd and sat at a in the field. more regularity. Vacant space Sunday school proceedings. Too table of their own apart from A somewhat different atmosthe throngs. Still, they were a phere hung around it now. It in the cemetery was utilized and much was astir outside. still the cars came. % looked different. A slight breeze Outside the crowd swelled. part of the crowd. .

Again groups formed. Men and riffled through the cedars and Young girls in their finery came Parking procedures were abanfrom the cars and greeted their doned and the newcomers park- women walked slowly about chased scraps of "paper over the friends. Older women, with their ed wherever they could find suf- looking for someone they knew dusty church yard upon which hats, their bouquets, and their [ficent space on the grounds or or had heard was there. Men lay the innumerable footprints tend jokes and laughed. Many of the visitors. dignity, picked their way over along the dusty road in front. the tuffy, brown grass and looked The cemetery looked different, Babies wailed. Mothers scold- visited the old graveyard to seek around for familiar faces. ed as. young children paddled in out the names of relatives on the too. Here and there at the base The men were more somberly the dust. Girls giggled and granite slabs. Handshakes and of a weather-blackened tombstorie were fresh and pretty flowdressed but they were livelier in trouped over the grounds. From greetings were many. their conversations and their re- everywhere came the bustling As one drifted through the ers—signs of a, homecoming. sponses to greetings. hum of conversation like a breeze crowd, snatches of conversation Signs of memories and of love. could be heard.

Groups stood around talking. rustling in the treetops.

"Molly wanted to come but one "Which/ one of your sons is it ..

Already the day was hot and lives in Norfolk, Uncle Andy?" clammy and perspiration made of the kids was sick."

"Now let's see — Mike — his "Looks like the dogs have been your clothes stick to your, body father was the one that settled nibbling on your ear there." in an uncomfortable way. * 'Let'er burn down,' that's a Singing began again, this time over close to—." saying us older fellers won't ever with a more versatile hand at ."Is this Martha? Well I'll be forget around here.' " the piano, and the church filled "Bo^, run and find your maw.

"You still like pickled hog's rapidly. The overflow crowd, and feet, misier Bill?" it was large, stood outside on the Tell her Aunt Josie wants to "If you had a little less hair shady side of the building and see her."

"These rasin brans is the best on top and a lot less belly out in sat under the trees in portable [eating Fve^had in a_long timeJ*: chairs. s The minister, a clean-cut, The Remains • wholesome, immaculately dressGradual^, the boxes and pans, ed young man, spoke pleasantly and baskets and bags, were reand inspiringly of "Flowers in packed with the remains of the the Garden of Mernpries." Then meal and returned to the cars. the dedicatory remarks, the pray- Paper cups, plates, and napkins ers, the dismissal, and the long- and scraps of food littered the awaited lunch. ground around the table area.

Tobacco smoke hung in the stuffy Picnic Time Men and women, boys and air and voices buzzed on and on. girls, brought boxes, pans, bas- Babies lay on pallets in the shade of the church and were guarded from the trampling feet.

Singing by the quartet drew^ people back inside the church.

Soon the pews were filled and another church full of people were on the outside. Some peeked in the windows. Others sat in the portable chairs. Others were in aNbig way of talking. A few looked full and sleepy.

A distinguished looking gentleman st epped behind the sacred rostrum and told the people of his travels in Biblical lands and of the places he had visited where Jesus had been. He told of the lands of the two great rivers, of Egypt, of Jerusalem and Jerhico, and of a rock with a spring of water flowing from it.

Some among the congregation looked impressed. Others looked hot and bothered.

Another Traveler More singing, and then another gentleman of renown took the podium and addressed the congregation in a louder and livelier voice. He', too, had trav-

STANLY NEWS AND PRE!

Page '4-A

Stanly Man Has Chinchilla Ranch Near Anderson Grove •

Animals Are Very High* Priced

By Fred T. Morgan Chinchillas, furry bluish-gray little creatures worth their weigh1 in gold, are now being successfully raised in Stanly county for the first time by J. T. Shaver in the Anderson Grove commu"'ttlty off the Swift Island road.

Mr.. Shaver has only a few chinchillas at this time. He started out in a small way in the business because you always start out in a small way in the chinchilla business, unless you have a lot Of money or a lot of nerve. And a goodly 'portion of both makes it easier.

For instance, he paid $1,500 for a pair of bred Chinchillas in January of this year. You read the figure right—$1,500 for two chinchillas.

A six-month-old pair of chinchillas are worth $1,200. »**:••-• £*&** At four months of age a pair will bring $800.

You can see by this that not many people are likely candidates for chinchilla farmers.

Takes Nerve It does take a lot of nerve. TWO VALUABLE ANIMALS—The two chinchillas J. T. Shaver is holding are worth around $1,500 • Many thousands of dollars are to any chinchilla farmer. Notice that Mr. Shaver is holding them by tho tail. To grasp them tied up in just a few delicate around the body might injure their fur which is the most valuable fur In the world. Beside him animals. Or, as Mr. Shaver are the special cages ln which the chinchillas live. They drink from the water bottles attached to terms it, it may be "just plain lack of sense" that makes a fel- the side of tho cages. The jars on the table contain the two types of special food which the anilow risk his life's savings in mals eat in addition to hay. Above the table is the air-conditioning unit which keeps the insulated chinchilla raising. room between 50 and 70 degrees the year around. All precautions are taken with tho delicate aniIt takes preparations, also, to mals to safeguard the modest fortune that is invested in just a few of them. ~<l —Staff Photo. go into the chinchilla business.

Iti different from raising chick- a rabbit, a mouse, and a squirrel or four pounds? A lot of people They drink water from bottles ens or hogs. The chinchilla is a all at the same time. His head would guess this. But you're attached TO the cages. sensitive fellow in regard to ears and his long whiskers wrong.

Each animal takes a bath evtemperature. He can't stand the and similar to those of a rabbit.

The average adult chinchilla, ery day in a special preparation hot weather like we have here in are is mouselike in his overall according to Mr. Shaver, weighs that looks like sand. When the Stanly county during the sum- He appearance and in his slim only a surprising 22 ounces! sand pan is put into his cage, mer. He must be kept cool. This limbs, the forelegs being shorter Mr. Shaver says ft you had the he hops in and frelicks and turns means air-conditioned quarters than the hind. His tail is long pelt Of a chinchilla in one hand over and over like a weary mule lor the animals if it is done the and bushy and comprises about and a sheet of ordinary typing wallowing in the dust. This right way. # one-third of his overall length. paper in the other hand you keeps his fur clean and free from Temperatures rauch above 85 In color he is a pearly-gray, could not tell any difference in excess oil. degrees are usually fatal to the ranging from a mottled dark gray the weight.

Prior to his venture into the chinchilla. But the cold—he can on top to a silvery white near his Native of South America business, Mr. Shaver traveled to take it. He has been known to skin. There is a slight variance The chinchilla is a native of many parts of the state to oblive in 50-below-zero weather.

Mr. Shaver has a small air- in shades in this color pattern Andes mountains of western and serve the techniques of other conditioned building near his but all chinchillas conform to southern South America, prin- chinchilla raisers. He secured his cipally in the countries of Peru, equipment, prepared his buildhome where he keeps his chin- it without exception.

Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. In ing, and bought his first pair of Can Bo Petted chillas in special wire cages.

They are segregated in regard The chinchilla is gentle, spor- their natural habitat, they live chinchillas in January. He now to age and breeding status, rfe tive, and clean in habits. He in deep rocky burrows at alti- nas a total of 14. He usually keeps the temperature of the 1 loses none of his gaiety in cap- tudes above 8,000 feet and are buys one from another raiser room between 50 and 70 degrees tivity. With training and at- herbivorous by nature. The ani- to match every one that he raises. the year around as this has tention, he can be made into a mals have how become so scarce Keeping the animals* in th? proven to be the best tempera- pet and taught tricks like/sitting that the Chilean government pro- right temperature is the moss ture for»the animals for breeding up on his haunches and jeating hibits hunting alnd rigidly con- important thing in chinchilla rail trols their exportation. purposes. out of a spoon. ing. Mr. Shaver has this solved) Mr. Shaver knows the story be- with his air-conditioning unit!

Perhaps you have never seen The pelt of the chinchilla is hind their coming to this coun- If there was a power failure on a chinchilla. He reminds you of what puts the high price on his try.

A United States engineer his line it would take some littw head. However, at the present was working on a. project in the time for the temperature in hW time not many chinchillas, at Andes and saw the natives with well-insulated building to ri* least not those raised by ranch- a few ofi the chinchillas.

He to the danger point. If wori ers belonging to the National knew enough about fur to reacame to worst, he could place Chinchilla Breeding Association lize that the chilchilla would be pitchers of ice in the cages $nd like Mr. Shaver, are being sold extremely valuable as a fur- the animals would hover around for their pelts. N.C.B.A. members bearing animal.

He got permis- tr^e pitchers and keep cool. Some\ all over the U. S. sell them only sion from the government of the people, he says, even raise chinfor breeding purposes. country to catch a few of the chillas on a small scale by keepFrom 42 to 82 hairs grow from animals and bring them to the the same root on the chinchilla. United States. He and a group ing vessels filled with ice in Were you to close your eyes and of assistants spent three years their cages.

Mr. Shaver works at Badin and gently rub your fingers over the at the task and succeeded in outer portion of his fur you would capturing 18 chinchillas alive. raises ttie chinchillas in his not know you had touched any- They reached the United States spare time. They don't require thing at all. His fur is that soft with only 11 of them. That was so much of your time once youj and silky! This may sound like in 1923. From that beginning get set up to handle them, her exaggeration,, but it has been they have increased to an esti- says. amply proven.

He has plans for a larger build mated 250,000 in the states toing and is looking forward to th What woud you think an day. adult chinchilla weighs by a Chinchillas increase quite rap- day when he will have 100 pair furred and fully teethed at birth. idly due to their fecundity. The of breeders which he figures wi" When only four hours old they average pair of adult breeders give him an annual crop oi glance at the two chinchillas Mr. have about three litters of young around 500 baby chinchillas.1 Shaver is holding in the ac- per year. The number in tho litAnother thing, you've got | companying picture? Two, three, ter ranges from one to five, how- like these little high-priM ever, the average for this sec- bundles of fur in order to rai | tion of the country is about two. them successfully. And Five young per pair per year is Shaver likes them. So fai considered good. The young are hasn't lost a one. about equally divided between male and female. All young chinchillas are tattooed and registered by N. C. B. A. members.

The young are born 111 days after conception. They are fully can jump six to eight inches high. By the time they are three davs old they are climbing and running all over the cage the same as the adults. They can be bred and have their first litter of young 'at 12 months.

An average pair of breeders is good for about 10 years of productivity.

Choosey About Mating Female chinchillas are choosey about their mating partners. For instance one female has "been known to reject, by killing, as many as eight males before she found I a partner to her liking.

Once a pair ^are found to be , compatible they should be left together permanently.

Chinchillas at Mr. Shaver's ranch are fed a special all-vegetable preparation in pellet form, as well as a wheat germ and oat meal supplement and some ha

Stanly News And Press

,,, <-ffel

3

STANLY CITIZENS ARE CONCERNED OVER BUFFALO CREEK POLLUTION #

V

By FRED T. MORGAN Stanly county citizens along polluted Rocky River may take vicarious consolation in the lact that citizens of Concord and vicinity have galvanized into action in recent weeks and demanded of the city fathers that something be done about the grossly contaminate ed condition of Irish Buffalo creek which flows through that city.

Rocky river receives the major portion of its pollution from Irish Buffalo creek. Whatever amount of pollution enters Buffalo creek also enters Rocky river and comes down through Stanly county.

While the amount of the pollution is in less concentrated form by the time it reaches Stanly county, it has enough toxicity to create many undesirable conditions. Fish have been killed on numerous occasions. Cattle have died from drinking the water in the river. During dry spells the river area 'smells to high heaven.

The pollution of Rocky river cannot be controlled in Stanly county.

It must be controlled at its source which is in the urban and indus-. trial areas of Cabarrus county.

Therefore effected citizens in this county should be interested in what the folks up there are doing about it.

IRISH BUFFALO CREEK Irish Buffalo creek flows through or near the city of Kannapolis land it flows through the city of Concord. In Concord many homes are situated near the creek. These people nearest the creek are the Hies who initiated the complaints.

In the last two months or so, many of these people who live near the creek have risen up and spoken out publicly and vociferiously against the menace of the creek. ajThey claim that the situation ik% the creek has been growing progressively worse. .They say that children have developed bad coughs which they attribute to the dastardly stuff in the creek.

They say that the creek generates an odor that is almost unbear1 able and that at certain times it gets worse. $t Scum, apparently caused by the filth in the creek, settles on the houses near the stream and necessitates that windows be kept closed to prevent the scum from | invading the inside of the houses, | they say.

On Tuesday and -Thursday nights I they claim that the dyes tuffs, industrial waste, sewage, or whatEever the foreign matter is, is re-

leased into the creek and the resulting stench is terrible to breathe.

What have they done about it?

GONE TO ALDERMEN They have gone in numbers to the sanctuary of the city aldermen and banged their collective fists on the desk and demanded relief.

What has been the response of the Concord city aldermen?

At the present time they are stewing — yes, stewing — under the pressure that has been brought to bear on the matter . by the public and the press.

It# appears that they will not be allowed to wiggle out from under 'this gun barrel of public censure until a compromise is reached, one that is acceptable to the citizens and one that showes good faith.

Concord Mayor Zack L. Rob-' erts said recently that the Buffalo creek situation in Concord will be cleared up during his administration. While the length of his administration is not known, it will need to be a lengthy one if he makes good his commitment.

Abatement and control of stream pollution si a slow and involved process.

Earl C. Hubbard, executive secretary of the North Carolina State Stream Sanitation committee, was in Concord recently conferring with the city officials. Mr. Hubbard has been in Albemarle on stream pollution work in the past.

He suggested to the Concord officials that the city of Concord initiate studies which will enable it to determine the most pracaical and economical method of sewage treatment.

Mr. Hubbard also told them that after all streams in the Yadkin river basin are classified, and this includes Irish Buffalo .creek and Rocky river, all municipalities and industries Contributing to the pollution of the water of the basin will be called upon to install necessary treatment facilities to bring the quality of the water in line with the standards of the classes into which the waters are placed.

This classification is expected to be completed in six months.

GRAND JURY REPORT A Cabarrus County Grand jury a few days ago termed the Buffalo creek and Rocky river problem one of widespread interest and urged that every effort be made by the city of Concord and the officials of the county to relieve or totally cure the bad situation. The Grand Jury's report said in part: "We

think this (the pollution problem) is the number one in Cabarrus county. The area along these streams are suffering bad effects."

In commenting on the Irish Buffalo creek pollution, Concord's Mayor Roberts said this: "I feel sure the problem is not without a solution but it's going to take a lot of thought and discussion, a lot oi investigation and planning — and I'm afraid a lot of money."

Tentative estimates of the amount of money Concord will have to spend to construct a treatment plant capable of meeting that city's needs run as high as one-half million dollars.

Currently, the Concord city fathers have done these things: The mayor has committed himself to clearing up the situation during his administration.

A sample of the stuff that has been settling on houses near the creek has been sent for analysis to the U. S. Department of Health.

The city has agreed to consider the suggestion that the city initiate .studies to determine the most practical and economical method of handling its sewage.

COMMITTEE NAMED And a committee composed of members of the board of aldermen has been or will be appointed to work with citizens apd representatives of the N. C. and U. S. Department of Health in an attempt to arrive at a solution to the creek problem.

These things were brought about not by initiative on the part of the city- officials, but because ' of pressure from private citizens and publicity from the Concord press.

The furore now raging in Concord over this matter shows no signs of abating until definite action is taken. The citizens are quite justified in their complaints and probably there is little exaggeration in their description of the conditions caused by the creek. One thing is sure—sooner or later the contributors of pollution to this creek will have to concede and take remedial steps.

One statement attributed to Mr. Hubbard in his conference with the Concord officials was: "It's (stream pollution) a universal problem — more or less — facing cities all over the industrial Piedmont area."

Definitely this does not exclude the city of Albemarle. Albemarle' city councilmen might do weii to mull this fact over in their minds.

Down The River—Piece At A Time Every time the water rises, the old plank ford bridge at j Love's Old Mill crossing on Rocky River southeast of StanI field weakens and a piece of it • drifts down the river.

The only one of its type J known to exist on he river to| day, it has been impassable i for over two years now, since i a section of it washed out dur1 ing a flood about six weeks 1 after it had been rebuilt by

the State Highway Commission.

A ford bridge of one type or another has been maintained here spasmodically for the last 50 years or more. Originally, its unkeep was in the hands of the residents along the shores of Stanly and Union counties, then the county road system took it over, and in recent years it has been maintained by the state.

What d i s t i n g u i s h e s this

bridge from other low water bridges is the fact that this one is built right down on the rocks of the river bed itself.

Water can be seen pouring over the side of the wooden structure.

The road on each side of the river is being graded and graveled for hardsurfacing, but no new bridge is in sight.

The picture was made from the Stanly side.—(Story and photo by Fred T. Morgan)

53

cky River Residents rom Concord Actions Is and it flows through the pf Concord. In Concord homes are situated near eek. These people nearest eek are the ones who inI the complaints. In the vo months or so, many of people who live near the have risen up and spoken iblicly and vociferiously it the menace of the creek, f claim that the situation creek has been growing psively worse. f say that children have bed bad coughs which retribute to the dastardly n thhe creek. r say that the creek genan odor, that is almost unite and that at certain it gets worse, n, apparently caused by th in the creek, settles on [uses near the stream and itates that windows be Dosed to prevent the scum Invading the inside of the s, they say.

Iiort these people say Irish 6 creek has lqpg been a te which may have impairi health of the residents in icinity, not to mention the ge to property and real es-

What have they done about it?

Gone to Aldermen They have gone in numbers to the sanctuary of the city aldermen and' banged their collective fists on the desk and demanded relief.

What has been the response of the Concord city aldermen?

At the present time they are stewing — yes, stewing — under the pressure that has been brought to bear on the matter by the public and the press.

It appears that they will not be allowed to wiggle out from under this gun barrel of public censure until a compromise is reached, one that is acceptable to the citizens and one that' shows good faith.

Concord Mayor Zack L. Roberts said recently that the Buf-1 falo creek situation in Concord will be cleared up during his administration. While the length of his administration is not known, it will need to be a | lengthy one if he makes good his commitment.

Abatement and control of stream pollution is a slow and involved process.

Earl C. Hubbard, executiv% secretary of the North Carolina State Stream Sanitation committee, was in Concord recently Tuesday and Thursday conferring with, the city officials.

I they claim that the dye- Mr. Hubbard has been in Albeindustrial waste, sewage, marle on stream pollution work latever the foreign matter in the past. He suggested to the released into the creek and Concord officials that the city of ^suiting stench is terrible Concord initiate studies which athe. iwill enable it to determine the most practical and economical method of sewage treatment.

Mr. Hubbard also told them that after all streams in the Yadkin river basin are classified, and this includes Irish Buffalo creek and Rocky river, all municipalities and industries contributing to the pollution of the water of the basin will be called upon to install necessary treatment facilities to bring the quality ot the water in line with the standards of the classes into which the waters are placed. This classification is expected to be complete in six months.

Grand Jury Report A Cabarrus county Grand Jury a few days ago termed the Buffalo creek and Rocky river problem one of widespread interest and urged that every effort be made by the city of Concord and i the officials of the county to relieve or totally cure the bad situation. The Grand Jury's report said in part: "We think this (the pollution problem) is the number one problem in Cabarrus county. The area along these streams are suffering bad effects."

In commenting on the Irish Buffalo creek pollution, Concord's Mayor Roberts said'this: "I feel sure the problem is not without *a solution but it's going, to take a lot of thought and discussion, a lot of investigation and planning—and I'm afraid a lot of.mow-M-"

TUESDAY,. SEPTEMBER 1, 1953

Relief For Rocky River Residents May Result From Concord Actions

By FRED T. MORGAN Stanly county citizens along polluted Rocky river may take vicarious consolation in the fact that citizens of Concord and vicinity have galvanized into action in recentf weeks and demanded of the city fathers that something be done about the grossly contaminated condition of Irish Buffalo creek which flows through that city, Rocky river receives the major portion of its pollution from Irish Buffalo creek. Whatever amount of pollution enters .Buffalo creek also enters Ro€ky river and comes down through Stanly county.

While' the amount of the pollution" is in less concentrated form by the time it reaches Stanly county, it has enough toxicity to create many undesirable conditions. Fish have been killed on numerous occasions. Cattle have died from drinking the water in the river. h'i During 1dry spells the river area smells fo high heaven.

The pollution of ROcky river cannot/be controlled in Stanly county. It must be controlled at its source which is in the urban and industrialized areas of Cabarrus county. Therefore effected citizens in this county should be interested in what the folks up there are doing about it.

Irish Buffalo Creek Irish Buffalo creek flows through "or near the city of KanpSS-l:

•

Down The River—Piece At A Time Every time the water rises, the old plank ford bridge at Love's Old Mill crossing on Rocky River southeast of Stanfield weakens and a piece of it drifts down the river.

The only one of its type known to exist on he river tot day, it has been impassable I for over two years now, since a section of it washed out during a flood about six weeks after it had been rebuilt by

the State Highway Commission.

A ford bridge of one type or another has been maintained here spasmodically for the last 50 years or more. Originally, its unkeep was in the hands of the residents along the shores of Stanly and Union counties, then the county road system took it over, and in recent years it has been maintained by the state.

What d i s t i n g u i s h e s this

bridge from other low water " bridges is the fact that this one is built right down on the rocks of the river bed itself.

Water can be seen pouring over the side of the wooden structure.

The road on each side of the river is being graded and graveled for hardsurfacing, but no new bridge is in sight.

The picture was made from the Stanly side.—(Story and photo by Fred T. Morgan)

napolis and it iflows through the city of Concord. In Concord many homes are situated near the creek. These people nearest the creek are the ones who initiated the complaints. In the last two months or so, many of these people who live near the creek have risen up and spoken out publicly and vociferiously against the menace of the creek.

• They claim that the situation in the creek has been growing progressively worse.

Tney say that children have developed bad coughs which they attribute to the dastardly stuff in thhe creek.

They say that the creek generates an odor that is almost unbearable and that at certain times it gets worse.

Scum, apparently caused by the filth in the creek, settles on the houses near the stream and necessitates that windows be kept closed to prevent the scum from invading the inside of the houses, they say.

In short these people say Irish Buffalo creek has lqpg b/een a menace which may have impaired the health of the residents in the vicinity, not to mention the damage to property and real estate.

On Tuesday and Thursday nights they claim that the dyestuffs, industrial waste, sewage, or whatever the foreign matter is, is released into the creek and the resulting stench is terrible to breathe.

What have they done about ij?> Gone to Aldermen They have gone in numbers to th£ sanctuary of the city aldermen and banged their collective fists on the desk and demanded relief.

What has been the response of the Concord city aldermen?

At the present time they are stewing — yes, stewing — under the pressure that has been brought t o ' bear on the matter by the public and the press.

It appears that they will not be allowed to wiggle out from under this gun barrel of public censure until a compromise is reached, one that is acceptable to the citizens and one that shows good faith.

Concord Mayor Zack L. Roberts said recently that the Buffalo creek situation in Concord will be cleared up during his administration. While the length of his administration is not known, it will need to be a lengthy one if he makes good his commitment.

Abatement and control of stream pollution is a slow and involved process.

Earl C. Hubbard, executive secretary of the North Carolina State Stream Sanitation committee, was in Concord recently cdnferring with, the city officials.

Mr. Hubbard has been in Albemarle on stream pollution work in the past. He suggested to the Concord officials that the city of Concord initiate studies which will enable it to determine the most practical and economical method of sewage treatment.

Mr. Hubbard also told | them that after all streams in the Yadkin river basin are classified, and this Includes Irish Buffalo creek and Rocky river, all municipalities and industries contributing to the pollution of the water of the basin will be called upon to install necessary treatment facilities to bring tho quality of the water in line with the standards of the classes into which the waters are placed. This classification is expected to be complete in six months.

Grand Jury Report A Cabarrus county Grand Jury a few days ago termed the Buffalo creek and Rocky river problem one of widespread interest and urged that every effort be made by the city of Concord and the officials of the county to relieve or totally cure the bad situation. The Grand Jury's report said in part: "We think this (the pollution problem) is the] number one problem in Cabarrus county. The area along these streams are suffering bad effects."

In commenting on the Irish Buffalo creek pollution, Concord's Mayor Roberts said this: "I feel sure the problem is not without 'a solution but it's going to take a lot of thought and discussion, a lot of investigation and planning-—and I'm afraid a lot of money."

Tentative estimates of the amount of money Concord will have to spend to construct a treatment plant capable of meeting that city's needs run as high I as one and one-half million dollars.

Currently, the Concord city fathers have done these things: The mayor has committed himself to clearing up the situation during his administration.

A sample of the stuff that has been settling on houses near the creek has been sent jar analysis to the U. S. Department of Health.

The city has agreed to consider the suggestion that the city initiate studies to determine the most practical and economical method of handling its sewage.

Committee Named And a committee composed of members of the .board of aldermen has been or will be appointed to work with citizens and representatives of the N. C.! and U. S. Department of Health in an attempt to arrive at a solution to the creek problem.

These things were • brought about not by initiative on the part of the city officials, but because of pressure from private citizens and publicity from the Concord press.

The furore now raging in Concord over this matter shows no signs of abating until definite action is taken. The citizens are quite justified in their complaints and probably there is little exaggeration in their description of the conditions caused by the creek. One thing is sure—sooner or lated the contributors of pollution to this creek will have to concede and take, remedial steps.

One statement attributed to Mr. Hubbard in his conference with the Concord officials was: "It's (stream pollution) a universal problem—more or less—facing cities all over the industrial Piedmont area."

Definitely this does not exclude t h e city of Albemarle Albemarle city councilmen might do well to mull this fact over inj their minds.

«

#

Down The River—Piece At A Time Every time the water rises, the old plank ford bridge at Love's Old Mill crossing on Rocky River southeast of Stanfield weakens and a piece of it drifts down the river.

The only one of its type known to exist on he river today, it has been Impassable | for over two years now, since 1 a section of it washed out during a flood about six weeks. after it had been rebuilt by

the State Highway Commission.

A ford bridge of one type or another has been maintained here spasmodically for the last 50 years or more. Originally, its unkeep was in the hands of the residents along the shores of Stanly and TJnion counties, then the county road system took it over, and in recent years it has been maintained by the state.

What d i s t i n g uishes this

bridge from other tow water bridges is the fact that this one is built right down on the rocks of the river bed itself.

Water can be seen pouring over the side of the wooden structure.

The road on each side of the river is being graded and graveled for hardsurfacing, but no new bridge is in sight.

The picture was made from the Stanly side.—(Story and photo by Fred T. Morgan)

. .Ig'WWfWff

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SEVENTY-THIRD YEAR

The Second Century Established June 10, 1880

Tne sisniy -tmtrrcr Established 1881

CHEAPEST'WAY TO CROSS CONTINENT

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'.V^V tROSSED THE NATION—Harvey Ferrell, 22-year-old Air Force man. and the 1935 Plymouth e L Wth the sleeper attachment on top, recently arrived in Albemarle after a 3,100-mile jaunt a f | i » i Ihe nation from Spokane, Wash. At the end of his 30-day leave which he is spending w i t h p $ p i t e j > ^ parents. Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Ferrell of 222 Glenn street, Harvey plans to point the Plymouth's fe&^^^iar"*^^ black toward Spokane via U. S. highway 10. He put the Plymouth together himself from pattm^M^^^y^^fkijro junked cars.

—Staff P h / ^ f t ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ K f i - : ? ^ (Continued * from Page On"• ®$mmmmMmM^$.~ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ _ , . . . « • w • ffflB T T / H a r v e y Ferrell, 22-year-old Air Force Man. j trip he didn't see another*- O 1 S ^ f ^ m 3 F 1 / O M ? T F H 1 H I < n d h i s 1 9 3 5 m o d e l C0U P e w i t h t h e s , p e P e f like It. i 4 i I l l i O . i l U f o n toP> h a s arrived in Albemarle after a 3,100p , H A y C i l r « U i JL\# The sleeper is called a Flf mile jaunt across the nation from Spokane, Wash.

Bac carrier and is ™*nM**f|iV«-— _ 4*_^ /JAt the end of his 36-day leave, which he is spendby a concern in Seattle, Wash¥ ¥ • C l ^ ^ - ^ ^ — l i - . .H_ "

ing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Ferrell, Harvey plans to point the ancient chariot's nose baek toward Spokane via U. S. Highway 10. He put the rambling wreck together from parts of two junked cars.

Sett IV'K^tf U niQlie Oleeper 1/6 V J=or Albemarle Airman plied by his friends before] mattress and the pup tent..: * j-^X Harvey Ferrell

; left on "*^T nation-span ; fact, most of his needs were s I jaunt. ' — JH —— *?**- « H » live him a car N One man gave him a c a r i ' f , J lST^**;^— rr>ce a I for company, another a dig utor, ompany, another M ^ ^a — dfti1 ^ * O S S e a iMatlOll another some plugs.™ he carried a battery of p ' parts for the Plymouth — j tubes, fuel pump, oil, pj Unique Bed Attracted starter, coll, extra gas and'io Attention On Long But, for all his provisions! didnt' need a thing. Not i't'i Journey. of trouble along the way. jj£ flat or a misfire. The Plj-^ji

By FRED T. MORGAN purred like a kitten over m tains and deserts, through Thirty-one hundred miles and borroughs. across the nation in a Plymouth The i w only ran? thing nixrrg that orox -I i c o u p l e of 1935 v i n t a g e is t h e story him concern was engine*' oferre Airman Second Class Harvey through the deserts of t h f *, ,11. son of Mr. and Mrs. H F Often he would be driving:, *erreii of 222 Glenn street, Albein temperatures reaching 1 J m a r ^ e I H e m a d e the trip at an avergrees He had to ._ take ! ™ strfl al mostats out of his engi age speed of 45 miles per hour reduce his speed to 35 m in slightly less than six days He left Spokane, Wash., where hour to keep his engine f| cessive heating. At nig" he is stationed at Fairchild Air-r-g Force base on Wednesday, July j | ever, he made up the 1 1, at 8 p.m. and arrived at hfe for he cbuld cruise up to home in Albemarle on Tuesday, per hour.

July 7, at 4 p.m.

Drove at Night a meal did he miss along Usually he didn't stop, theNotway and he slept comfortat night until after midnl ably at night as can be seen the most he slept any nj from the accompanying photo. the trip was five hours. he slept right up there on of sleep didn't bother h top,Yes,away from bears and prowlsaid, he was too anxiou ing animals.

The tarpaulin covhome.

- ering the mattress was raised at For the entire trip, he s a night in an inverted V-shaped for gasoline. He doesn't tent which sheltered him from how many gallons t h a t l rain and mosquitos. It was cool, sents due to the variaJ too, in his lofty sleeping position, prices. When he .left 3 in fact, so cool that he usually gasoline was selling for | needed a blanket for he slept in per gallon. The lowest j the mountains most of the paid was in Kansas wl nights. gasoline price-slashing w Attention-Getter in full bloom. The lowea That bed on top of his car he found there was 18 cei made the Plymouth an attengallontion-getter. Everywhere he stopHe added eight quarts a ped he had to explain what it his engine on the trip. was, how it worked and where / Harvey has owned thel it came from. And on the entire outh for about a year and (Continued on Page Two>_ In fact, he owned two Plyu of identical model and style. He .gave $50 for each of them. He J then made one good car out of the two, with a lot of junk parts left over which he sold. All his time away from his duties in Special Services at the Fairchild base was spent in preparing the Plymouth for the trip home. Harvey came home about a year

2-ln-l Jalopy Spans U. S. ff

From Washington

anipered coup* of 1935 vintage l^ention-getter everywhere he through the deserts of the West 1 3 (with a novel sleeping attachment stopped. ^^^^^^^^^^^^mmM solved this by taking the thermo Ion top purred into Albemarle one His sleeping perch was lofty, stats out of the engine and reduc |day recently after a 3,100-mile away from the bears and prowling ing his speed to about 35 miles pei [jaunt across the nation from Spo- animals. A tarpaulin sheltered him hour. At night when it was cool kane, Wash. from rain and mosquitos and af- he could step his speed up •« "The driver, 22-year-old Harvey forded privacy. about 55 miles per hour. ferrell, son of Mr." and Mrs. H. F. LOW-COST TRIP Ferrell of 222 Glenn St., hopped out and' breathed a little prayer of He paid a total of $39 for gasoline on the trip, from 36 cents per thanksgiving. He'd made it. «* gallon in Washington to 18 cents He had left Fairchild Air Force per gallon in Kansas where a gasoBase at Spokane, where he was among the dealers. He added stationed in the Air Force, about eight quarts of oil to his engine J four hours less than six days ear- on the trip. lier. He'd had $95 in his pocket, a load of spare parts and bright an- Along the way, he had several ticipations for the 30-day leave close calls and saw a lot of crazy driving. Drivers in the West are ahead of him. much more curteous than those He had slept about five hours east of the Mississippi, Harvey each night, stopped regularly for says. meals, but at all other times had kept eating up the miles eastward Harvey has owned the car for at a steady 45-mile-an-hour clip. about a year and a half. In fact, he started out with two cars of Back in Spokane, friends had identical model and style. He paid loaded him down with spare parts $50 each for them. Then he made — a coil, starter, enerator, fuel one good car out of the two and ipump, oil pump, plugs,, and extra had a lot of spare parts left over. tires and tubes.

When his friends' learned of his But he didn't need a thing. Not plans to drive the car home, they a flat or a misfire on the entire aided him materially, providing journey.

I __ many things he would need, inOne friend gave him the sleep- cluding the sleeper fnd a car radio j ing attachment, designed to mount to keep him company.

CHEAPEST WAY TO CROSS CONTINENT

Harvey Ferrell (Continued from Page One) trip he didn't see another one like it.

The sleeper is called a Pig-ABac carrier and is manufactured by a concern In Seattle, Wash. It was given to Harvey by civilian friends in Spokane as was the mattress and the pup tent. In fact, most of his needs were supplied by his friends before he left on the nation-spanning jaunt.

One man gave him a car radio for company, another a distributor, another some plugs. And he carried a battery of spare parts for the Plymouth — tires, tubes, fuel pump, oil pump, starter, coil, extra gas and oil.

But, for all his provisions, he didnt' need a thing. Not a speck of trouble along the way. Not a flat or a misfire. The Plymouth purred like a kitten over mountains and deserts, through cities and borroughs.

The only thing that caused him concern was engine' heat through the deserts of the west Often he would be driving along in .temperatures reaching 110 degrees. He had to take the ther-l mostats out of his engine and reduce his speed to 35 miles per hour to keep his engine from excessive heating. At night, however, he made up the lost time for he could cruise up to 55 miles per hour.

Drove at Night Usually he didn't stop driving at night until after midnight and the most he slept any night on the trip was five hours. The toss of sleep didn't bother him, he said, he was too anxious to get home.

For the entire trip, he spent $38 for gasoline. He doesnt know how many gallons that represents due to the variance in prices. When he .left Spokane gasoline was selling for 36 cents per gallon. Tile lowest price he paid was in Kansas where a gasoline price-slashing war was m full bloom. The lowest price he found there was 18 cents per gallon.

He added eight quarts of oil to his engine on the trip.

Harvey has owned the Plymouth for about a year and a half.

In fact, he owned two Plymouths of identical model and style. He gave $50 for each of them. He then made one good car out of the two, with a lot of junk parts left over which he sold. All his time away from his duties in Special Services at the Fairchild base was spent in preparing the Plymouth for the trip home. Hari v e y came home about a year n ago, but at that time the PTymouth was not in condition to I drive. He'd had in mind driving it home since he first laid eyes on the car.

Then, with his 30-day leave coming up he got the car in topnotch condition and pulled out for home. Roughly, he hit the following cities in his route home: Spokane, Missoula, Butte, Sheridan, Omaha, Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis, Louisville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Albemarle.

Some of the most impressive scenery he saw along the way was at Custer's Battleground in Montana.

He had some fairly close calls l along the way and saw at least one highway accident. Western drivers are more, courteous than Idrivers east of the Mississippi river, Harvey says.

The 22-year-old air force man is a 1951 graduate of Albemarle high school. He worked part time at the Albemarle airport before volunteering for a fouryear hitch in the air force in July, 1951.

Harvey has a consuming interest in automobiles and is happiest when he is behind the wheel or in the midst of pulling a remodeling job on a car as he did to the Plymouth. Give him a car to work on and he's satisfled.

At the end of July, Harvey plans to drive the Plymouth back to Spokane. On the way back, he plans to intersect U. S. Highway 10 up near Minneapolis and follow it all the way back .to Spokane.

_-*»*^-s$te^yii&&^# Harvey Ferrell, 22-year-old Air Force Man, ind his 1935 model coupe with the sleeper on top, has arrived in Albemarle after a 3,100mile jaunt across the nation from Spokane, Wash.

At the end of his 30-day leave, which he is Spend-

ing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Ferrell, Harvey plans to point the ancient chariot's nose baek toward Spokane via U. S. Highway 10. He put the rambling wreck together from parts of two junked cars.

For Albemarle Airman

2-ln-l Jalopy Spans U.S.

By FRED MORGAN on top of the car. It made him The only thing that gave him ALBEMARLE — A sleek and conspicious and proved to be an any concern, was engine heal pampered coup* of 1935 vintage attention - getter everywhere he through the deserts of the West. H< with a novel sleeping attachment stopped. solved this by taking the thermo on top purred into Albemarle one His sleeping perch was lofty, stats out of the engine and reduc day recently after a 3,100-mile away from the bears and prowling ing his speed to about 35 miles pei jaunt across the nation from Spo- animals. A tarpaulin sheltered him hour. At night when it was cool kane, Wash. from rain and mosquitos and af- he could step his speed up t< 'The driver, 22-year-old Harvey forded privacy. about 55 miles per hour.

Ferrell, son of Mr." and Mrs. H. F. LOW-COST TRIP Ferrell of 222 Glenn St., hopped out and' breathed a little prayer of He paid a total of $39 for gasoline on the trip, from 36 cents per thanksgiving. He'd made it. S |> gallon in Washington to 18 cents He had left Fairchild Air Force per gallon in Kansas where a gaso| Base at Spokane, where he was among the dealers. He added stationed in the Air Force, about eight quarts of oil to his engine four hours less than six days ear- on the trip. lier. He'd had $95 in his pocket, a load of spare parts and bright an- Along the way, he had several ticipations for the 30-day leave close calls and saw a lot of crazy driving. Drivers in the West are ahead ot him. much more curteous than those He had slept about five hours east of the Mississippi, Harvey each night, stopped regularly for says. meals, but at all other times had kept eating up the miles eastward Harvey has owned the car for at a steady 45-mile-an-hour clip. about a year and a half. In fact, he started out with two cars of Back in Spokane, friends had identical model and style. He paid j loaded him down with spare parts $50 each for them. Then he made, — a coil, starter, enerator, fuel one good car out of the two and' •pump, oil pump, plugs, and extra had a lot of spare, parts left over. tires and tubes.

When his friends learned of his But he didn't need a thing. Not plans to drive the ear home, they a flat or a misfire on the entire aided him materially, providing journey. * ._ many things he would need, inOne friend gave him the sleep- cluding the sleeper and a car radio ing attachment, designed to mount to keep him company.

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBEMARLE. N. C.

Page 6-A

occupations of this area, b u t t h e dates a r e more or less speculative and allow for a lot of overlapping.

The oldest of these cultures goes back to about 5,000 years ago.

Occasionally there is found a relic t h a t does not fit in the general p a t t e r n laid out for t h a t p a r ticular period. This can possibly be a t t r i b u t e d to outside influence a$. nomadic tribes passed through this area from time to time.

Town Creek Mound and village a s it iz being reconstructed today was the center of the religious and political activities of a tribe of Indians known as the Pee Dee tribe who lived here in Piedmont Carolina from about 1500 to 16o0.

Indians from all over the Piedmont area and from up and down the Pee Dee river congregated here for their periodic ceremonies.

This was the only large burial mound located in this entire area.

Burial and medicinal rites seemed to play an important p a r t in their lives.

Burial Huts Burials were apparently m a d e in the floor of the many burial huts inside the village stockade.

The location of m a n y of t h e h u t s has been determined in this way as well as by the post holes used to support the structures. Children were buried in large urns many of which have been found.

The bones of the skeletons have been found in varying positions, some with trinkets and weapons with them.

Mr. Sargent says t h a t the Pee Dee Indians' were related linguistically and culturally to the Creek Indians of Georgia. Many other older and more primitive races of Indians preceded the Pee Dee to the Town Creek site but none of them developed as high a degree of culture, or laid as. much stress STOCKADE ENTRANCE—This view shows the northern entrance on the religious ceremonies and through the stockade. The lookout tower in the topmost part of burial rites as the Pee Dee. the circular poles of the entrance has not been completed. A The object of the current resto- pole PARK RELICS—Howard Sargent, park ranger, examines a few fence like the above surrounds the entire mound village ration program a t the park, acof the. many arrow points and other stone implements found in which comprises an acre or more.

—Starr Photo. the village or along the nearby banks of Little river. Mr. Sar- cording to Mr. Sargent, is to. regent is 'an ex-student of anthropology and archeaology from Yale construct as accurately as posand he has enthusiastic plans for the development of the park. sible the Mound Village as the regard to w h a t facilities a r e avail-1 Pee Dee Indians used it. The site able a t t h e p a r k and picnickers —Staff Photo. has already been mapped out in a r e advised to bring their own fairly close detail with practical- drinking w a t e r as none is* availWork on restoring the village rected the work there.

Artifacts found on the site of ly all the burial huts, the rec- able a t the p a r k a t this time. has been going on intermittently since the site was given to the the village lead archaeologists to tangular inner stockades, and the However, there is much of interstate as a park by L. D. Frutchey believe t h a t t h e area^ had been positions of every post and struc- est a t t h e p a r k to t h e a v e r a g e visiin 1936. H. M. Doerschuk of Ba- under continuous occupation by ture almost exactly determined. tor. The size and peculiar shape In determining these things, many of the burial mound is interestdin, past president of t h e N. C. Indians for the past 5,000 years, details of their building techniques from the earliest known culture The upright pole stockade || Archaeological society, and Prof. and materials used have also been ing. right u p until the historic Indians a t t r a c t s the eye from afar. InJoffre L. Coe of the University were displaced by the coming ascertained. side t h e little museum t h e visitor of North Carolina,Vi-have been the who of the white man. Successive Burial Temple will find an array of typical relics leading influences behind the in- layers of implements found in the One of the next projects of t h e terest in the park and have di- soil here give credence to this be- work a t the park will be the found in the a r e a w i t h placards explaining them. He will also lief.. building of the burial temple on find many pictures and drawings Each successive occupation or top of the mound, according to of t h e valliage in various stages of culture of Indians left their tools, Mr. Sargent. H e hopes this will reconstruction. And if you h a v e weapons, and domestic remains in begin soon. Models of the temple any question" concerning the Int h e soil where they lived. They have been built by the archae- dians who lived here, rest assured] may have occupied the land for ologists who have worked at the t h a t Mr. Sargent can answer it. a few score years or a few hun- site in the past and their interpreStill, it appears t h a t t h e pub dred.' Unfailingly, they left signs tations show it to be an almost will have a long long w a i t be of their presence behind them and square thatched hut with an open- lie fore the village is finally complet those signs can be read like a ing facing "the south and a fire ed unless the work schedule takes book by the archaeologists. Every pit in the center of the floor. on unprecedented proportions. arrow point, stone implement, bit On schedule too. is t h e comof pottery, charred piece of wood, pletion of the southern entrance or bone, tells a story to these; and lookout tower. Also, the rusmen. '$*£. tic museum now inside the stocklit Layers ade will be moved outside- the The men who have carefully stockade and quartered in a more building.

Finally, and thoroughly sifted the soil a t appropriate Town Creek Indian Mound vil- when the entire mound village is lag k n e w w h a t they were look completed, it should be an au-l ing for. The relics nearest the thentic replica of the village as surface of the soil were, of course, it stood and was used about 400 "«:'y left by t h e latest occupation of years ago.

Mr. Sargent has enthusiastic Indians. Researchers classify the soil in layers of perhaps 10 inches plans for the future development in depth or more. All relics found of the park. He would like to in these layers are regarded as see the work on the restoration belonging to the same occupation. agenda stepped up'.

A native of Lake Sunapee, N. H., Relics found in the different layers show progressive changes and he did work a t Yale in 1950 and improvements from the earliest to received his master's degree from I the. latest respectively. Among Michigan university in 1951. Dur-I some of the top-most relics have fng the summers of 1951-52 he been found brass ornaments and worked with the New Hampshire beads of European manufacture Archaeological Survey in New which indicate the influx of t h e England. I n 1947 he also did work white men in their settling of this a t the University of New Mexico and familiarized himself with the territory.

In the different layers or Indian lore of t h a t section.

Although, the park has limited periods, changes are noted in the shape and design of a r r o w points, facilities, he invites picnickers and pottery, and other implements. campers to use it as they see fit.

Dates have been placed on these Campers should query him first in

Work Is Resumed On Project To Restore Town Creek Mound Sargent Is New Ranger For Park

By FRED T. MORGAN Restoration work on Town Creek Indian Mound near Mt. Gilead, one of North Carolina's newest and smallest state parks, has apparently been at a standstill for the last year or so.

At least t h a t is the' impression one gets if he visited the park in the summer of 1952 and then again recently this summer.

The area is weed-grown and has a general Overall shabby appearance.

To date, the outside stockade of treated cedar and cypress poles has been completed around the site of the village except for the southern entrance and lookout tower.

The mound itself has been restored to w h a t is believed to be its original size and shape.

Signs have been erected on the county road bordering t h e - p a r k property proclaiming it to be a state park.

Those are about the only discernible improvements t h a t have ,been m$de in the last while.

New Ranger However, there is some hope t h a t the restoration may continue.

The park has a new ranger in charge in the person of Howard Sargent, an energetic young fellow with a vast store of Indian knowledge and a vast enthusiasm for Indian lore and archaeological research. H e is full of plans, ideas, and requests* to push the j work on to completion.

Though Mr. Sargent has been at the park only since June, he knows the park history from s t a r t to finish, and he likes to talk Indians.

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Page 14-A

STANLY NEWS AND PR

iRLE. N. C.

LANDMARK TO BE REMOVED—The above picture, believed to have been taken about 40 years ago, shows the Pennington house in its original location at the corner of North Second and East North streets. At left, standing beside his cow near the fence, is Uncle Noah Pennington. The lady at the extreme right is his wife. The little girl, second from right, is their daughter, Mrs.

Mabel Pennington Crews who now lives in Winston-Salem. 'Efforts are being made to learn the identity of the other people in tht picture but so far their names have not 'been ascertained Now located at 108 East North street, the old house will soon, be torn down and a new building for the Home Builders' Assocfd tion erected on the site. >l;i

One Of Oldest Homes In Albemarle Will Give Way To Business Building <s>-

Pennington House Will Be Torn Down

By FRED T. MORGAN The mighty instrument of progress will soon, obliterate one of the oldest, if not the oldest, habitable homes in Albemarle.

Scheduled for the axe is the old residence at 108 East North street.

The historic old one-story frame dwelling, which for some years has been, the home of the Blanton family, is to be torn down and a modern business building erected on the site by the Home Builders association.

With its passing wilL go one of the landmarks of the city of Albemarle.

Older residents of the city know the house as the old Noah Pennington home and many people here today remember "Uncle Noah" and his good "wife, Josephine Mauldijn Pennington. They lived in this old house for many decades.

Faced The Hotel Not so very many years, ago this old house stood on the corner of North Second and East North streets facing Hotel Albemarle. A wire fence, with white posts enclosed it. Outside this fence a well-traveled sod walkway went by the house on two sides and at the corner a little wooden bridge spanned the ugly side ditch.

A thing like Wilhelm's Esso station had*not been dreamed of and such things as pavement, parking meters, and street lights were unheard of. Mule-drawn vehicles crawled by and women in long dresses dodged the mud puddles on the sidewalk.

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To the south of the Pennington home were some sheds and small buildings which housed a harness shop where shoes and saddles were made. There, also, stood the town's first Chinese laundry and at one time a bakery was operated there.

Going back prior to the time that itr. Pennington purchased the property, records show that the house and lot.were owned by W. W. Russell. From reports of older people, Mr. Russell operated what was known as a "grog" shop or whiskey emporitim in*this same house.

Deed in 1890 Mr. Pennington, a native of Rowan county, came to Stanty at an early age and after other ventures in this county, he purchased the Russell property! The deed for the property is dated July 21, 1890, and gives the following description of it: ''Located in the town of Albemarle and No. 36 as per plat of said town of Albemarle, adjoining the Methodist church lot, Sidney Austian, and others, fronting the Salisbury road 103% feet in width and running back to said Austian's lot 164 feet."

At some time during the early history of the structure, the Sons of Temperance used a part of the house, or at least, a part of the lot, to hold their meetings.

Uncle Noah Pennington died in 1929 and his wife died about three years later.

House Was Moved Progress then pushed the old house aside. It was moved from the corner to its present location at 108 East North street. The service station was built on the site, streets and sidewalks paved, street lights erected and other modern innovations made in the sectiojj^ But the old house wasn't moved far enough. Today it is- again a

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stumbling block to progress and \ of kids around Albemarle have c a r ^ t h e kind you expansion. This time it won't be bung car owners than the two children of Mr. and, moved intact further up the iTheir car has a real gasoline motor and will chug street. It is to be taken apart d bv a motor designed to drive a lawn mower. Needtimber by timber and hauled section of town have gathered to share in * • " » — away with its parts to be salvaged *s on the classy H W car. J * ™ j ^ & a ^ T * p and discarded.

Though a back porch has been added afid other rmnor alterations have been made through the years, it still looks much the same as it did 50 years ago.

The contract for the new building has been let and demolition work to wipe the old house from Albemarle's skyline will begin at any time.

J, L w i t h a gasoline, Mr. Crowell says, would make pushed down and when the pedatingB the major ex- any effort at assembly h n e p r o - al is released it acts a s a brake r —' duction impractical at this time. on the clutch, thus making it er on -Montgomery "However", Mr. Crowell chided quite safe for even a youngster ie days.

Mr. Pope, "that's the way Henry to operate. That is, it will be safe as long as it isn't driven out ightly more than a Ford got his start."

Frankie and Cathy The workshop at Stanly dairies, into the street in competition Idren of Mr. and Mrs. operated by Mr. Crowell, provid- 5vith iull-sized autos. And Mr. Ivell, have had the ed the site for the construction Crowell says ample warning has] >t is estimated that and it took about three weeks, been given about getting into the fidred i children have working during spare time, to street.

Jt's a husby little vehicle. Two j 'put the car together. children can sit in the back and How It Is Made one in the driver's seat and it • 4 The frame for the vehicle is will chug along as if it had no •^channel steel and the motor is load at all. Frankie has rigged •oV-% one-and-one-half-horse lawn a way to hitch a coaster wagon Mftm power motor, mounted securely to the car as a trailer and often • • • under the big hood. The body is three children ride the wagonJaVm I sjoiseolcovered with sheet copper and Too, the car will pull quite al •Wf \\a% „oi*psthe car has wheels designed for steep hill with a full load. a wheelbarrow.

The power is applied to the!

• • i [ The accelerator is also designed rear wheels by means of a chain ^ \ y 'Maxuthat it feeds more gas when

i Real Motor Is lent In Albemarle

—S66T* "j iooLi

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STANLY NEWS AND PR

i

CITY'S YOUNGEST AUTOIST—Perhaps plenty of kids around Albemarle have ears—the kind you pedal—but we have not seen two prouder young ear owners than the two children of Mr. a n d , Mrs. Arthur Crowell on Montgomery avenue. Their ear has a real gasoline motor and will chug along at about eight miles an hour, propelled by a motor designed to drive a lawn mower. Needless to state, the children from all over that section of town have gathered to share in the fun— and a few grown-ups have tried to hitch rides on the classy little car. It was built by James Pope in tiie workshop at Stanly Dairies.

—Staff Photo—Weaver.

Small Auto With Real Motor Is Creating Excitement In Albemarle A little car with a gasoline Mr. Crowell says, would make motor is creating the major ex- any effort at assembly line procitement over on Montgomery duction impractical at this time, "However", Mr. Crowell chided avenue these days.

In the slightly more than a Mr. Pope, "that's the way Henry week that Frankie and Cathy Ford got his start."

The workshop at Stanly dairies, Crowell, children of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Crowell, have had the operated by Mr. Crowell, providlittle car it is estimated that ed the site for the construction several hundred children have and it took about three weeks, seen it and not a few grown-ups working during spare time, to have asked to be permitted to put the car together. ride in it.

How It Is Mode Needless to say, Frankie, the The frame for the vehicle is Six-year-old driver, is the envy channel steel and the motor is of every other kid his age in Al- a one-and-one-half-horse lawn bemarle, not to mention plenty mower motor, mounted securely of them who are older than he. under the big hood. The body is He steps to the front of the covered with sheet copper and car and cranks it in a very bus- the car has wheels designed for iness-like manner, returns the a wheelbarrow.

The accelerator is also designed cranking rope to its place and takes his seat. Then, in a twink- that it feeds more gas when ling he has mashed on the accelerator and the ltitle car is put-putting about the yard, guided quite expertly by the youthful driver.

Oval Drive Frankie has worked out a sort of ovad track for his car in the front yard of the Crowell home, using the sidewalk as one side of the oval. Mrs. Crowell has haraly become resigned to the treatment the car gives the grass in its repeated circling about the yard but Mr. Crowell is a bit more pholosophical. J , It appears that I will have a lawn mower for soon. I'll put a want ad in the News and Press," he said.

The little car, painted a brilliant, fire-truck red, is ingeniously constructed to metal and £rill stand a lot of rough usage, a will probably get it if its popularity continues at the rate ihown the first week. The designer and builder was James pope, although Mr. Crowell obained the idea from Salisbury, where such minature oars ' are |quite a fad just now.

The Work of finding and assembling suitable parts consumed as much time as actually putting it together. This fact,

pushed down and when the pedal is released it acts as a brake on the clutch, thus making it quite safe for even a youngster f; to operate. That is, it will be I safe as long as it isn't driven out I into the street in competition! with rull-sized autos. And Mr. J Crowell says ample warning has] been given about getting into the street.

It's a husby little vehicle. Two | children can sit in the back and one in the driver's seat and it I will chug along as if it had no ! load at all. Frankie has rigged a way to Tiitch a coaster wagon to the car as a trailer and often three children ride the wagon.

Too, the car will pull quite a steep hill with a full loa<J. The power is applied to the! rear wheels by means of a chain

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STAMLX NEWS AL\D PRESS. ALBEMARLE, N. C.

Blind Worker Bottoms Chairs As Means Of Earning His Livelihood

IS AND PE ewspaper of Character FRIDAY, JULY 31, 1953

The Stanly Hat** Established 1890

"I've never felt that I had to give up. I've always felt" that I could do anything I tried to do.

There have been lesser statements of a person's outlook on life.

These words came from 18year- Marcus Ingram, victim 9f congenital blindness, as his adroit fingers guided a long silver of tough cane around the top rungs of a chair to form an intricate diamond weave chair bottom pattern.

Particles of water were thrown in the air and tendrels of cane reduced to pliability by the hot water, slapped the sides of the small tub beside his chair as Marcus drew the strip under and over the rungs. Where the piece ended, he expertly knotted on the end of another. His knife, he [Tkept on the floor at the end of VAis chair leg. \^ V r h e r e are certain distinct ad\\ M»Uges in being totally blind," \\ TMPUs says. "For instance, down \3$*e school when the matron slights out boys' that doesn't iA U s ' . W e have our books.

,<t^rVabx o n r*ading. after AT WORK ON CHAIR BOTTOM—Here Marcus, who is totally blind is getting started on a new chair bottom. The stool at ^ >D' *« IW*—' e r ielt """»* °. n e end of a right shows a sample of his completed work.

—Staff Photo.

e I °an and rejected it and , < H Pulled until the other end t^ rt e o u t of the tub before

L then

"Mayb* we-can't hit the basket bail goal everytime or clink a ringer around the horseshoe i peg, but we like to try."

Marcus lives with his mother I and step-father and his two brothers and one sister on the Hatley farm a few miles west of Albemarle in Stanly cou&ty.

That is, he lives there during his summer vacatiqiX from the State School for the Blind and Deaf at Raleigh. For the past 12 years, he has spent the major portion of the year, from around the first of September until early in June, at the school where he has consistently remained among the top few honor students of the school.

The end of this school year was no exception. I^e has a report card which his eyes cannot see but which he will show to the visitor upon request that contains grades that would bring envy to the eyes of any sighted student.

There's no boasting or vanity about him when he casually remarks to you that it was the best report card in the entire school... which had an enrolment of ap-\k proximately 270 students last|| year.

His report shows A's on chair caneing, mathematics, s o c i a l studies, science, typewriting, and an A plus on English.

His B's are all B pluses which are on chorus, broommaking, and physical education.

• Likewise his report shows the highest of marks on personality and general self deportment.

Marcus says that school has meant everything to him. And he has taken advantage of everything it had to offer. He can type at the rate of 40 words per minute. He has learned to read, write, memorize, sing, weave, bottom chairs, make brooms, bang out tunes on the piano and do iust about anything that any blind person can do.

He sings in the chorus at the school and is a member of a quartet which has made appearances in the eastern part of the state.

He listens avidly to the radio and television programs and be littles the folks who fail to an swer the questions on the soap box programs. He knows a lot about big league baseball and is a Yankee fan.

Lectures and speeches that he likes, he obtains a copy and memorizes them. He avidly devours sciencer sociology, and law. After, one more year at the school, he hopes to enter college and pre pare himself for a teaching career. There is also a possibility that he might study law, he says.

In his braille writing, Marcus uses a small slate\vith several rows of square holes with inden tures in the sides. A sheet of heavy paper is clamped in the slate and various combinations of dots are punched into the paper which can be read by a reader of Braille.

Marcus says he prefers to <write by this method rather than by a Braille typewriter.

If Marcus isn't bottoming chairs or out playing ball or helping catch chickens on the farm where he lives, you can usually find him reading one of the many braille library books that he can borrow.

He'll read aloud for you if you'll ask him. There's no awkard pauses in his reading. He reads with a gift of expression and feeling and with, all the facility of a normal person reading a normal book.

The Albemarle Lions club has bought clothes for Marcus and aided him in other ways for several years. They are now seeking to help him obtain more work during his summer vacation.

Chair bottoming is one of Marcus' specialties. • If you have any old chairs, or new ones for that matter, that need new bottoms, Marcus is the man to see.

As a convenience to the people of Albemarle who would like to furnish Marcus with some work to do, a collection station has been set up at the West Albemarle Firestone station. Chairs for Marcus to bottom may be left here and they will be returned here once they are finished.

ANSON-STANLY BOTTLENECK RErv

ONE-THIRD CQMOUTZMjfO*^ contractors, said last week that work on widening the. 1 highway _ m .1 I aim.

52 bridge across Rocky river was approximately one-third finished. Construction on the structure which wm will be ucture wnicn w widened «*»«.»«. to •«-*«••» •»» c o n t i n u e u n t i l In Dea roadway width of 26 feet, *is expected to continue until In De —Staff Photo.

Photo. cember. c e m o e r . jmmMmrwamM\mm*T**arv< —Staff

Widening Ot Rocky River Bridge Progressing Well — — M

Work on the widening of the highway 52 bridge across Rocky • river between Stanly and Anson counties is continuing at a steady Dace with the construction reported to be. about one-third com•;*:-*--ewg „ .':11||1S111 pleted.

From 18 to 26 feet in width provides a lot more comfort .- for motorists «.__«_ and a. truckers ,.., h i g hover ^-„ this river -bridge on heavily traveled highway 52 near Norwood in Stanly County. The re-cently widened bridge links Stanly and Anson counties over Rocky River. The original structure was built.in 1923 with an inside roadway

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-,,-'1 Dickerson, Inc., contractors for "^ the job, has a crew of men and I machines busy extending the piers I of the old bridge and pouring < I concrete.

A , . ,'ss^.^'" A The present bridge was built m, £ '-»* „' 11922 and has long been a traffic bottleneck due to its narrow 17-foot roadway, width of less than 18 it will be widened to a roadway' completed this month width of 26 feet and in. addition an over-all width of 3 will have a two-foot curb on re-modeled bridge wi either side, making a total widtn the bridge fleer wiU of'30 feet from railing to railing.

•• ' Once the widening is completed, Morgan — Photo) a flexible wearing surface will be applied to the floor of the bridge and from all outward appearances the structure will look like a brandnew bridge instead of one {'whose foundation is 31 years

I old.

Work on the bridge began near the end of May and is expected to continue until in December. Tim Spurlin is in charge of the construction at the bridge.

Mr. Spurlin says thaf the bridge will not be closed to traffic during the construction.' *f JTT, S

STANLY N E W S AMD PRESS. A L B E M A R L E . N . C.

Blind Worker Bottoms Chairs As Means Of 1anting His Livelihood

S AND PE

"I've never felt that I had to give up. I've always felt that I could do anything I tried to do."

There have been lesser state ments of a person's outlook or life.

These words came from 18year- Marcus Ingram, victim of congenital blindness, a s his adroit fingers guided a long silver of tough cane around the top rungs of a chair to form- a n intricate diamond weave chair bottom pattern.

Particles of water were thrown in the air and tendrels of cane reduced to pliability by the hot water, slapped the sides of the small tub beside his chair as Marcus drew the strip under and over the rungs. Where the piece ended, he expertly knotted on the end of another. His knife, he kept on the floor at the end of Wis chair leg. |\ "There are certain distinct adl\ vss.t^ges in being totally blind," j I Jto~«s says. "For instance, down \i\\. ieA«cho01 when the matron ksay lights out boys' that doesn't We Kj(P Us- rigltt have our books. on iMMwa^-™tor readAg.after 1S3UV3N < ? \ & f , " » turned out same

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From 18 to 26 feet in width provides a lot more comfort for motorists and truckers over this river bridge on heavily traveled highway 52 near Norwood in Stanly County. The recently widened bridge links Stanly and Anson counties over Rocky River. The original structure was built in 1923 with.an inside roadway

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width of less than 18 feet. Widening work was completed this month and the bridge now has an over-all width of 32 feet. Approaches to the re-modeled bridge will undergo alteration and the bridge floor will be re-surfaced. (Fred T. Morgan Photo)

Page 11-B

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 195S

Stanly Solite Plant At Aquadale Attracting Wide Attention Work Now Progressing Rapidly

By FRED T. MORGAN A heretofore isolated Hundred acres of woods and hilto along the Norfolk-Southern railroaq two miles west of Aquadale in Stanly county is today commanding state-wide attention as the site of the first Solite lightweight aggregate manufacturing plant in North Carolina and one of the first few in the nation.

Many men and machines are ^$!?-»%3t pushing the construction Of the million-dollar Carolina Solite Corporation plant at a rapid pace 'mm and officials of the company nope to have the plant in partial operation by November of this year. mg.

Giant steam shovels, bulldozers, and blasting crews are tearing away at a rocky bluff adjacent to the railroad in preparation for a half-mile long siding. rFramed against the horizon, a huge stiff-armed derrick sends EXCAVATIHG MACHINERY—Huge execrating machines, like the giant steam shovel shown In the its steel-buttressed booms up- foregroundhave been at work for many weeks, cutting a plant site out of the rocky hillside along ward like the outline of an in- he^ailroad. Under the shovel <oom can be seen tbe^tonus for the concrete foundations of perfant skyscraper. manent plant installations. At, e left is a large derrick wMeh assists the workmen and which ^iU be usde as a permanent pd »f the plant operations. At the extreme right background is the Pouring Concrete.

-Staff Photo.

Underneath, workmen are buil- shack which serves as tempordi Mont office and supply room. ding forms and pouring concrete for the thick pillars which will this time. Much use will be support the hoppers and long made of conveyors in handling ^H ^H the raw materials. kilns of the plant operation.

Other developments of the Electric and acetylene torches company ^^H ^^| ^—W ^^H ^^H ^^H at this site will be the flash, crackle and buzz all over building of a dam 45 feet high the area. ^^^| ^^^fl ^^H ^^H ^^H ^^H ^^H ^ ^ | ^—m and 385 feet long which is calAir compressors alternately culated to impound 80 -million roar and idle. gallons of water and have a shore ^^H ^^m ^—W^^H ^^H ^ ^ ^ | ^ H ^^H ^ ^ | Dust fogs up as air drills hum- line of approximately one mile mer away at room-like bouldlers and a half. The water will be ^^H ^^H ^—W^^H ^^H ^ ^ ^ | ^ H ^^H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | along the railroad cut. used for cooling the huge pulverBattered dump trucks grind izing machines and other equip^^H ^—m ^ H ^^H ^^H ^ ^ ^ | ^ H ^^H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H over rough terrian carrying tons ment and be used also for recof earth and rock to dump on reational purposes. an ever extending fill' along ithe ^^m ^ H ^^H ^^H ^•H ^^H ^ H ^^H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^ ^ | All labor, with the exception ^H tracks in the other direction of supervisory personnel, will be where a bulldozer packs, pushes, recruited locally and the number ^ H ^^m ^—m ^^H ^ H ^^H ^ H ^^H ^ ^ | ^^y ^^H ^^B and shapes. of men employed will vary as the Transfer trucks, their drivtwi construction progresses. ^^H ^^H ^—W^^H ^^H ^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^^H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^^| shaken and tossed from the ride Completion of the plant and into this hard-to-get-to construc- the product it turns out Is expect^—m ^^H ^—W^ H ^ ^ | ^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H ^^H ^^H tion site, unload materials at ed to stimulate labor and constrategic points. struction not only in Stanly coun^^H ^—m ^^H ^^H ^ ^ | ^^H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H ^ ^ | ^^H Workmen run, and shout and ty and .North Carolina, but wave. throughout the eastern United ^—W^ H ^ H ^—W^ ^ | ^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ H ^ ^ | ^^H ^^H Cleared ground around the lo- States. cation is dotted with large pieces Many local people are visitin'/j I of equipment waiting its point of •tfhe site of the plant and viewirj ^—W^^m ^^H ^ H ^mm ^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^^H ^ ^ | ^^H entry into the gigantic opera- jwith awe the transformati tions. *hat is taking place here or ^^^H wAOt ^^H HHj HH H H HH ^ ^ | H I ^^H ^ H | ^^H And on the other side of the •previously unnoticed hill on j tracks up on the hillside in a Norfolk-Southern line. shack amid the trees is R. F. Gibson who is in charge of these multitudinous operations.

Mr. Gibson is construction engineer, designer, foreman, steam ^^^H ^H ^ H ^—m^—m ^ H ^ ^ | ^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ H ^ H ^ ^ | ^^B shovel operator, and handyman all wrapped up in one. And he's ^^H ^M ^^H ^—m^—W^—W^ H ^^H ^ H ^ H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H not a tenderfoot at the work. He supervised the building of the ^^H ^^H ^ H ^ H ^—m^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H company's plant at Greenbremo Bluff, Va., the first Solite producing lightweight aggregate plant ^^H ^^B ^^^| ^—W^—m^^H ^ H ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^ ^ | ^^H ^ ^ | in the United States.

You won't find him in the shack much, except When he runs 'into an unforeseen problem in the construction. Then he pulls up a stool to the draft board and gets out rule, compass, pencil, ^^^H and graph paper and works out the kinks. He designs and redesigns as the construction progresses. Usually, though, he's out in the sun with the workmen.

This Stanly county plant will be a subsidiary of the Southern Lightweight Aggregate Corporation of Richmond, va., manufacturers of Solite lightweight aggregate for structural concrete, refractory concrete, floor systems, and other building uses.

Not a By-Product.

Solite, trade name for the product, is a manufactured | lightweight aggregate. It is not a by-product. Solite is pro- j duced by expansively burning the raw material (a type of slate rock) until it forms masses made up of millions of tiny air cells with vitrified partitions. The resulting masses are allowed to cool normally, thereby producing a thoroughly annealed product without quenching. These cellular masses are crushed and screened to sizes and then are ready for use as a concrete aggregate. ^^^H The use of Solite in structural work results in substantial economy duevto the tremendous reduction of dead load.

Two kilns are to be put into operation at the Aquadale plant as a starter, but other kilns and operational units will be added after the plant begins to function. Expansion is expected to continue at the plant for several years. Five kilna wll leventually be put into operation and the way the location is mapped out a total of 10 kilns could be accom^^^H modated at the site, according to Mr. Gibson.

The kilns, larger than those at other plants of the company, will be 135 feet long and eight feet in diameter. They will be positioned at right angles to the railroad siding and will be pitched slightly toward the railroad.

Trucks will bring the raw material to big silos at the upper-end ^^^H II of these kilns where it will be conveyed Into the slowly revolving kilns. In the kilns it is subjected to temperatures up to V 000 degrees- Fahrenheit for an hour and it emerges in red hot molten pieces. It is then allowed to cool normally and afterward crushed to desired sizes and loadecf into railroad cars and is ready for shipment.

Requires Certain Ingredient.

Not all slate rock, although It appears to have similar physical | qualities, is adaptable to this process. It requires a certain almost undefinable Ingredient.

Liickily the hills in this section of Stanly county abound in the II required type of stone. Extensive tests were made by company men, assisted by N. C. StatevGeologists, to insure a sufficient de-J] posit of this material for manyr years to come.

Quarry operations at the plant will be similar to other quarry-1 ing being done in the county atj

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SITE OF SOLITE PLANT—This hillside about two miles west of Aquadale on the Norfolk-South* em railroad is a beehive of activity these days as the construction site of the million-dollar Carolina Solite Corporation plant, the state's first. Here workmen are building forms and pouring con* crete for huge pillars that will support the plant units. On the kill IB the background can be seen sections of the 135-foot kilns that will be used in the operations. A half-mile long siding is to be built adjacent to the railroad.

—Staff Photo.

away the r; half-n Fra huge steel-1 the ou Und ing f 01 the th DRILLING HOLES—Air drill operators Cecil Thomas (left) and port th Robert Watson drill holes into the cumbersome boulders pre* the tne pla paratory to blasting. This is an example of how rocky the area Elect is along the railroad cut where a wide section must be excavated I El flash, to prepare for a railroad siding. Some of this same type slate llflasl rock will be used in the manufacture of the Solite lightweight aggregate at this plant.

—Staff Photo. '

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|aU |epfing SITE OF SOLITE PLANT—This hillside on JJie Norfolk Southern Railroad in southern hew Stanly County is a beehive of acticity these days as the construction site of the million-dollar linaCarolina Solite Corporation plant* the State's first. land Itced 22. pnd, local ^ern aling 25th and 1 n is belor n tors ALBEMARLE, July 6—A hereto- ing lightweight aggregate plant in slightly toward the railroad. Trucks wher will bring the raw material to big self i" ivith fore isolated hundred acres of the United States. pen woods and hills along the Norfolk- The Stanly County plant will b e silos at the upper end of these office where it will be conveyed into Lafc-..

Southern railroad in southern a subsidiary of the Southern Light- kilnsslowly revolving kilns. In the the Stanly County is today command- weight Aggregate Corporation of the kilns it is subjected to temperatures read Richmond, Va., manufacturers of madt ing State-wide attention as the site to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit for lotte lare of the first Solite lightweight ag- Solite lightweight aggregate for up an hour and it emerges in red hot structural concrete, refractory con|the gregate manufacturing plant in that} molten pieces. It is then allowed bougt:' /e North Carolina and one of the first crete, floor systems 'and other to cool normally and afterward him building uses.

Sse few in the nation.

The use of Solite in structural crushed to desired sizes and loaded a pi.

Many men and machines are work results in substantial econ- into railroad cars and is ready for him pushing the construction of the omy due to the tremendous reduc- shipment. unco rmillion-dollar Carolina Solite Cor- tion of dead load.

Not all slate roek, although it ing I se is- poration plant at a rapid pace and Two kilns are to be put into op- appears to have similar physical Thb t- officials of the company hope to eration' at the Stanly plant as a qualities, is adaptable t o this pro- manf |>ld have the plant in partial operation starter, but other kilns and opera- cess. It requires a certain almost sporj November of this year. tlonai units will be added after undefinable ingredient. Luckily the as byGiant steam shovels, bulldozers, the plant begins to function. Expan- hills in mis section of Stanly County been ng and blasting crews are tearing sion is. expected to continue at the abound in the, required type of curej away at a rocky bluff adjacent to plant for several years. Five kilns stone. Extensive tests were made man infor the railroad in preparation for a wiH eventually be put into opera- by company men, assisted by N.fronr* tion and the way the location is C. State geologists, to insure a half-mile long siding.

Framed against the horizon, a mapped out, a total of 10 kilns sufficient deposit of this material been ingtq huge stiff-armed derrick sends its could be accommodated at the site, for many years to come.

Me steel-buttressed booms upward like according to Gibson.

Quarrying operations will be simthe outline of an infant skyscraper. The kilns, larger than those at ilar to other quarrying being done lice I Underneath, workmen are build- other plants, will be 135 feet long in the country. Much use will be COOpi-i ing forms and pouring concrete for and eight feet in diameter. They made of conveyors in handling the sulte> thou;! the thick pillars which will s u p will be positioned at right angles raw material. ported port the hoppers and long kilns of to the railroad and will be pitche Another development of the com- to avis the plant operations. pany at this site-wiS be the buildElectric and acetylene torches ing of a dam 45 feet high and 385 flash, crackle and buzz all over feet long which is calculated to imthe area. pound 80 million gallons of water ditior^| Air compressors alternately roar and have a shore line of approxi- assoi{|] and idle. mately one and a half miles. todaj jv Dust fogs up as air drills hammer Completion of the plant and the orial ly away at room-like boulders along product it terns out is expected to with I the railroad cut. stimulate labor and construction tinuel Battered dump trucks grind over not only in Stanly County and North gen M rough terrain carrying tons of Carolina, but throughout the east- late 4P earth and rock to dump on an ever Brew ern United States. extending fill along the tracks in Many people in Stanly County the other direction where a bull-, and vicinity a r e visiting the site dozers packs, shapes, and pushes. of the plant and viewing with awe Transfer trucks, their drivers the transformation that is takin shaken and tossed from the ride place here on a previously \s into this hard-to-get-to construction noticed hill on the Norfolk-Southe site, unload materials at strategic line. points.

And on the other side of the tracks on'the hillside in a shack! amid the trees is R. F . Gibson, who is in charge of these multitudinous operations.

Gibson is construction engineer, designer, foreman, steam shovel operator and handyman all in one.

And he's no tenderfoot at the work.

He supervised the building of thel company's plant at Greenbremo Bluff, Va., the first Solite produc-

Work On Solite Plant Moves Ahead

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBEMARLE. N. C. bins that are approved for loansn by the PMA. Already in Stanly county there have been approximately 30 of these bins erected for use by! grain farmers. Loans have beenj obtained on most of these through the local PMA office.

Farmers with large acreages are realizing more and more that in order for them to get the highest prices and to capitalize to the fullest upon their produce, storage facilities and the right kind of equipment are necessary.

SSS, ALBEMARLE,- N. G.

GRAIN BINS ON PARKER FARM—These four 1,500-bushel capacity storage bins on the W. T. Parker farm .north of the Canton church road are typical of the type now being introduced on Stanly county farms. They are impregnable against all the common infestations of grain. They are equipped with doors underneath, on one side and at the top for the filling up and extracting of the grain. A conveyor to move the grain into and out of the bins is an important part of these operations. Mr. Parker is shown standing by the first bin in the picture.

—Staff Photo.

Patker Elects Bins Foi Storing Small Grain On His Stanly Farm Typical of the metal grain storage bins now being used to some extent on Stanly county farms, are the four 1,500-bushel capacity circular metal bins on the farm of W. T. Parker in the Canton church community.

Mr. Parker completed the erection of his bins just in time to hold a portion of his grain harvest this summer. \ His bins, which he purchased through a local dealer, are situated upon a permanent cement block foundation and are approximately 12 feet high exclus-, ive of the foundation.

Has Conveyor.

With the bins, Mr. Parker has a conveyor which will move 1,500 bushels of grain per hour. It will put the grain into the big bins and take it out again and VJoad^t upon trucks for the market. Handling small grain is prac-

tically a one-man operation on the Parker farm. Mr. Parker did not have a bin on his combine this harvest but he plans to get one before the harvest time next year. Then one man can harvest the grain, store it, and market it.

This summer, he harvested around 3,500 bushels of small grain and he has around 75 acres of milo to harvest yet.

He likes the metal storage bins.

"If your grain is in good condition when you put it in there, it will last indefinitely," he says.

The bins are fire-proof, water ptoof, rat-proof, and insect-proof.

If need be, a portable dryer cari be hooked up to the underneath side of the bins and the grain dried to some degree while there.

These bins, of the type being used by Mr. Parker, are designed to take care of a pressing need of the grain farmer. That need

is adequate storage space for his harvested grain.

Get Lowest Price.

Farmers who take their grain to market right from the field, or the ones who store it in sacks for short periods, receive only the lowest price paid for grain.

Farmers who can hold their grain in good condition for several months can realize up to 50 cents more per bushel than the fieldto-market farmers receive.

The Stanly county PMA office will loan farmers up to 80 per cent of the cost of the bins. The 9 till m c y O U 7*2*' P " J - K c k l e r « • m a k e »'*» b i . shop near Ken loan can be repaid in four equal h . ««•!*.. J E * t a l ? n ? * h a p e l t t * * s t o c k •* W * l a t h e - Shavings annual instalments at "an inter- >« rilT\\ w ^ 6 " ° f JKL0* * * • * « » • * ©nf in the past. Husbands nWre 0| est rate of four per cent. In K £ « £ « £ < m d d »"«ble than the ones you buy in mor • evere dama9 ta the wif ize OI case of hardships, the loan can be extended for a period of one —Staff Photo. year. The PMA will also loan the farmer money on grain stored! in these bins.

There are three dealers in AlIbemarle who handle the type of

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ickler Is Becoming Known As The Rolling Pin Man'

By FRED T. MORGAN Currently, he estimates that he lit has given away around 100 of the oDoc Frank Pickler is known far rolling pins that he has turned out a and wide in Stanly county—as Doc on his lathe. nt Frank Pickler, that is.

And wdth each one he gives In the last year or two, how- away, his reputation grows as the es ever, he has become known furth- rolling pin man" of Stanly counrs er and wider as the "Rolling I^n*? ty. * ••->• .'* at man. * He .makes rolling pins of any fie 1 size and shape and gives them ng away to children and grown-ups |w, alike. By now his pins have pr, spread to many parts of the state fbeand some perhaps to more distant <ars c points. ack He endeavors to autograph jyer each one with his name in,ink; on «ucthe little end. He or his wife to, usually try to keep a record of Hranwho receives them, although sometimes they fail to put the recipient's name down and later t h e n a m e of the person eludes -IB

* "***

STANLY "NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE,

NTC?

.tic ROLLING PIN MAN—If it's a rolling pin you want, D. F. Pickler can make it in his shop near KenIn church. Here he checks on the size of pin taking shape in the stock of his lathe. Shavings tes dall's piled high underneath the lathe from numbers of pins he's turned out in the past. Husbands as are bewarel The rolling pins he makes are a tot more solid and durable than the ones you buy in er- a store and are, therefore, capable of inflicting more severe damage In ease the wife seizes one as is a weapon. What's more, he*gives them away.

—Staff Photo. of | :he rge

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Doc Frank Pickler Is Becoming Known As The Rolling Pin Man'

Currently, he estimates that he

By FRID T. MORGAN lit has given awa^y around 100 of the oDoc Frank Pickler is known far rolling pins that he has turned out a and wide in Stanly county—as Doc on his lathe. nt Frank Pickler, that is.

And with each one he gives In the last year or two, how- away, his reputation grows as the es ever, he has become known furth- "rolling pin man" of Stanly counrs er and wider as the "Rolling P4n"» ty. , at man.

He makes rolling pins of any ig Ll size and shape and gives them, d away to children and grown-ups alike. By now his pins have spread to many parts of the state and some perhaps to more distant points.

He endeavors to autograph each one with his name iruink; on the little end. He or his wife usually try to keep a record of who receives them, although sometimes they fail to put the recipient's name down and later the name of the person eludes them.

Little girls receive the small play-house size rolling pins. Old maids and old bachelors receive them too, as do newly-married ^ ^ ^about ^ ^ anybody couples and just that visits Mr, Pickler and wants one.

Mr. Pickler likes to give things to people. He likes to meet people and talk to them and help them if he can. If people like his rolling pins then he's happy to give them away.

His Hobby Making the attractive little rollpins is a hobby for him. ing Old people like to play same as children," he says. "Making the rolling pins is my way of playing."

He does a good job of it.

Smoothed down and sanded, the rolling pins look as if they might have come from a toy store or a kitchen supply place.

The rolling pins are made on an old lathe in a shop at Mr. Pickler's home near Kendall's Baptist church. He can turn one out all sanded and finished in an hour.

Could do it. quicker but he takes his time. Something that he gives away, he wants, it to look acceptable.

Seasoned dogwood or sourwood is often what he uses to make the pins. He prefers for it to have been cut and seasoned for at least two years. New green wood which he has used in the past, most always splits and an ugly crack results in the body of the rolling pin which renders it useless. Poplar wood makes pretty white pins but Mr. Pickler says poplar doesn't work too well in the lathe and is apt to spoil the pin right at the last.

Sometime ago Mr. Pickler carried one of his larger and more commercial type rolling pins to Hotel Albemarle. Mr. Richards, the" boss, wasn't in so he asked the office girl the way to thel kitchen. In the kitchen, he asked to see their rolling pin. They brought out a haggard-looking rolling pin with loose handles that would come out with little provocation.

Mr. Pickler held up his new and solid rolling pin. "I brought one of my rolling pins along," he said. "Thought if mine was better than yours I would let you keep it for a while and try it out and see how you like it."

Would Fight To Keep It A week or two later he was back in town and dropped by the hotel. ^ Mr. Richards was there and accompanied him to the kitchen. ^iU "Just checking up to see if you'd used by rolling pin yet," he said tol the cooks. * One of the colored cooks held the rolling pin aloft. "Don't you take this rolling pin away from us. We'll fight to keep it."

He found the rolling pin condition of the Stanly County hospital kitchen much the same as the hotel had been. He presented them with one of his new pins and latest reports are that the kitchen personnel wouldn't take anything for it.

Mr. Pickler was 78 years old last April. He has been working around machines and making things from wood ever since the time he spent five years working in the shop of his father-in-law, who was the father of E. C. Miller, well-known machinist of Albemarle. That was around 50 years ago. .# He made a rolling pin back 1 then too, the first he had ever made. It.wasn't much of a success as Mrs. Pickler can testify to, and he didn't attempt to make another until recent years

Proofing Bottle One of the officers "scouted around the location and directly he came back dangling a little bottle on a string. "This is their proofing bottle," he said.

"The raw stuff coming out the bottom of the condensor must be proofed down or diluted with water until it gets to the desired strength. By catching some in this bottle and shaking it and watching the beads or bubbles, they can tell when they get it proofed down to the right point."

"When all the strong stuff is run off they can tell when the weak stuff starts by testing it with the proof bottle. Then the fire is kicked out, the spent mash cleaned out of the still, and she's mashed down again and ready for another run soon as the mash gets right"

By FRED T. MORGAN This still was estimated to be from 450- to 500-gallon capacity.

I answered the phone the other "The average yield in whiskey of day and Deputy Sheriff Joe E. a still of this sort is around ten per cent of its capacity," an ofCarter said: "We got a humdinger ficer said. "So, on a good run of a still waiting for us. Bring they ought to get about 50 galyour camera and let's go." lons of moonshine. And I would That's how I found myself insay they could make a run here volved in this most recent stillabout once a week. raiding episode.

"Where our trouble conies in is like this. The operators of a still Just as soon as the boys stopped of this size don't have to actually ^ ^ ^ STANLY MOONSHINE OUTFIT • and bought two sticks of dynamite be here at the still over a dozen before we left town, I knew this The men shown around the still above are not the operators of it. They are the men who had hours at the most during the was to be a one-trip affair. a hand in discovering and destroying it. Left to right they are,. Sheriff P. E Herrin, Depu y Her^ week.

Mashing a still down takes After a 15 - minute cruise only a.few minutes. Then they bie Morgan, and Deputy Joe E. Carter. The still, full o\ prime mash and ready to run, was locafc through a cold bleak countryside, don't have to come back to it for the -car stopped at the roadside four or five days until they think m West Center township. A 450-gallon affair, it was equipped with two copper condensers wh and everyone got out but one offoi the mash is about ready to run off. is rather unusual for a still of this size. This still is typical of illegal submarine distilleries ficer who took the car on around —Staff Yhol Running it off takes only a few in this county. .i_ to leave it at another point and hours. Then it's mashed down to approach the still from the opagain and they're gone. Our probposite side. In the woods a disAccording to the officers, thi&\ lem is catching the operators here tance, the party split and I acstill probably netted the operator during the few hours that they companied an officer up to one something over $100 each run. have to be here." point on the preimeter of the still And these operators are a sly More than half of this amount area. Two other officers circled. bunch," another officer said. "It's would be clear profit. Outlets for The man who had left the car hard to visit a still without itheir rns product, both wholesale and was to come down and flush the knowing it. This still should have retail, are numerous. The money operators. been in operation this morning. comes too easily for him to give I It wasn't a long wait this time.

The mash is over ready. Yet no up the game easily.

There was no one at the still. one was, here. Somehow they; What makes the moonshiner's I We converged upon it from all knew it had been found and that product in such great demand is 1 that it can be purchased much sides and I got my first look at we had our eye on it." cheaper than the legal whiskey a genuine moonshine manufacturBlowing It Up* ing plant.

A dynamite blast and a fusillad) • store tax-paid whiskey. Federal!

To say the least, I was a bit of axe blows later, the still was excise tax on a gallon of legal! taken aback. I expected somereduced to a jumble of splitede.1 whiskey is over $10. This puts!

AFTER THE BLAST thing bigger and more impressive. wood and misshapen metal. Foui- the price of legal whiskey out off The sight of the still exploded all A stick of dynamite and a flurry of lusty blows with an axe smelling beer or mash was splat reach of many consumers who! my preconceived notions about and the still looked like this. Nothing of any usefulness can tered all over the trees and grountl then turn to the bootlegger forj how a still looked. around the location. What instal- their needs,- The bootlegger caiu A fire-blackened, wooden affair be salvaged from this pile of rubble. But does this mean that lations had not been sufficiently undercut the whiskey store pricjj re-enforced by strips of metal, it the bootlegger is put out of business for good? No. It just damaged by the dynamite blast re- by a wide margin and still make Im sat amid the bushes down in a means that he has to start all over again.

—Staff Photo. ceived the fury of the axe yielded big profit. Bootlegging is a i steep ravine beside a little stream by an old-time still chopper-upper. enormously profitable business a r 1 of clear water. Around it lay a water. In these drums were the up underneath and kept at a cer- Wooden kegs were bashed fn, it is flourishing as it has nevrT disgusting array of trash, an old copper condensors. On the outside tain desired temperature. Some metal drums were batted full of flourished before. |SS stirring may be necessary also, to stub of a broom, decayed card- bottom of each drum was an outand the copper condensors When the officers had wrecWr»it board boxes, rags, old kegs, and a let for substance passing through keep the mash from burning if the holes, havoc at the still, leaving nothi* | were chopped up. fire gets too hot. The heat causes large bucket filled with jars. the condensors. of usefulness behind, they conrr1 -* "Roughly, I'd say we caused cated the copper and we star* " A keg covered a round hole in If I understood the workings of the alcohol content of the mash $125 worth of damage,*^ w a l k i n U a well-defined the center of the top of the wood- the system correctly, as explained to rise as steam or vapor through him, about otucer saia m^mmmm ,, g P well-defined pi en still. This, the officers said was to me by the officers, here's how the cap and into the doubling keg one officer said. alo e )n ''If he's like a lot of other boot-| "g * i ? f t ^^K_ _hms id% *!. where the "cap" fitted down over it worked, roughly: When the where there is more mash. Still path , ^ ^ ^ ^ _ a t h e n d e d a t t h e the still. The cap had an outlet mash, composed of bran, sugar, in the vapor form, it goes on into leggers I know," another man said! house £ , t»™yard ° ^l up on tthe road which ran into a small keg near- yeast, and various optional in- the worm or condensors which are "he'll be set up and back in op- I ViniiQo "You'd think that just this pg, un nn the road. ve by known as the "doubling" keg. gredients, reaches its peak fer- surrounded by cold water. Here eration at a new location in a from the house down to the sal Leaving this keg were two outlets mentation stage it must be run off the vapor condenses to a liquid week from now. What we've done would be enough to convict td of pipe running into two identical orwit will spoil and be lost. At and comes out the bottom outlets here today has just put him out of fellow of operating the still," hbusiness temporarily." large upright drums filled with this certain stage, the still is fired as pure high proof alcohol. officer said. "Obviously, the n!" that lives here at least knesj trbu bie at" n'i'gfit. about the still. But it's usun-] offi<3"F™[?TF"nTe[^^ a* at a strategic That day ended my still-hunting hard to get a conviction with point with these words 'When duty with the officers. What made more evidence." a. the boys on the other side flush it doubly disappointing is the fact # .them, they'll be apt to come this that I didn't even get to see the Sympathize With Officers d d way right into our laps.* If they still at all. Probably didn't get In drawing up conclusions do, pick you out one and latch within four or five hundred yards this moonshining business I cj onto him. Tell him you're an of- of it. wholly -in- sympathy with the ca ficer of the law and order him to fibers. They have a tough ffl Next day, the officers went back stop. If he don't, chase him down I on their hands in coping with tW and finding no one at the still, they and if he acts rough, bat him over destroyed spreading illicit traffic and marf it. the head with a stick. If you facture of non-tax paid spirits. E" Moonshiners Shrewd need help just holler, I'll be down every still that's discovered th , in the woods a ways."

I learned from the officers that is at least one other that CL He vanished on down in the moonshiners are a shrewd and tinues to spout out its "popsktl woods to Thy right and I c r o u c h e dclu^IPt Y 1°*'^ T h a t fo f *t *h ? rt» d l f f l : product. For every one that's i down on some rocks in the bed of *? ™?& °"? ^ stills and down by the officers, there rrj a little stream and looked out over examine it without their knowing be two or three to crop up in'jf about it. And once they believe the shoulder-high banks. place. Seems like the country It was a strange sort of feeling. they have been discovered, they full of them. j.

Here I was a definite instru- give the still a wide birth. It A fine and the costs don't m mentality of the law in this plan takes a lot of skill on the part of the bootlegger that's caught m to snare these bootleggers. They the officers to trap them. convicted. It makes him ml had accepted me and given me a What I wanted was some, excrafty and cunning. And as n vital point to guard. They were citement. Maybe some yelling, customers, the heavy tax and a depending upon me to keep the shooting, running, and chasing. price of legal whiskey is drivj gap closed if the men at the still And I wanted to see the still and more and more customers his \» fled my way. I would try it for all get the boys to explain how it j Suffice it to say that I d I was worth, too. worked to me before they chop- j contemplate going into the mf Tension mounted as the waiting ped it up. But that'll have to wait I shining business nor even cons] srsji" " ing any of the moonshiner's duct, a /"• I didn't realize it at: the fhJ but while I was fooling aiv^l the still after the dynamite blast had obliterated it, drops of t^ beer fell off the trees on me atj|| fumes of the potent stiff satur^l ed my clothes. When I got ba^ to town, people at the shop aiffl on the streets sniffed and level q| unspoken accusations at me a: I could feel them watching me see how straight I walked.

A;t home, my wife immediate]] caught the peculiar odor abouj me and made me stand off at i distance while she scrutinized mi up and down and sideways. Then was both alarm and suspicion her voice and in her eyes when she said: "What have you been doing?" And I had some explaining to do.

That was on Saturday. The next morning, quite thoughtlessly I wore some Of the same clothes to church. While no one made any remarks, in my hearing, about how I smelled, I'm sure there must have been some dark and uncomplimentary thoughts about the activities I was engaged in that led to the way I smelled.

14-A

STANLY NEWSAND PRESS, ALBEMARLE," N. G, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1954

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Stanly Moonshiners Lead Rough Life, Make It Tough On Officers

By FRED T. MORGAN

"I've heard tell of moonshiners flushing and found to be a little pushing officers into vats of boil- short of the prime stage. "It'll be Not until recently did I have ing beer, kicking firecoals in ready to go by tomorrow," w a s any inkling of the rough &nd un- their faces, and gunfighting with their opinion. certain life t h a t Stanly county them for hours."

No one else went u p t o t h e still. moonshiners lead.

"A friend of mine chased a The fewer tracks, t h e better.

But now I do, although I only moonshiner one time tor a mile "We'll catch them here tomorsaw one side or one phase of this through t h e woods. He didn't row," some one said. "They'll be moonshiner versus t h e law pano- know where t h e fellow w a s head- sure to r u n it off tomorrow." r a m a t h a t has been going on ed but he was determiried to We attacked t h e long hill back since t h e manufacture of non-tax- catch him. The fellow led him t o to the car. "Old Granddad," somepaid whiskey became frowned on another still where there was a one termed the small mountain.

Bunch of men busy making a r u n . It was a rough trek. Back in towOf by t h e law.

While this is a far cry from a They ganged up on him and work- they pledged me to secrecy and Sunday school lesson, t h e central ed him over good. Took him six said w e d t r y again t h e next day.

The Second Day t r u t h of this situation could be m o n t h s t o get over t h e b e a t i n g stated thusly: Moonshiner, when they .gave him."

The nejgt morning was much t h e They glanced a t me out of t h e same. W e followed t h e same prothe long a r m of t h e l a w reaches corner of their eyes.

6 u t I didn't out for you, you're a "goner". cedure and approached t h e still T h a t observation is the result of admit to too much fear. area with stealth. W e waited and The, driver left t h e main road the flushing boys c a m e back my limited experience m the game at a point where there w a s hardly a few days ago and as applied to empty h a n d e d again. any signs of a road at all. A fairStanly county.

"The cold weather must have I wasn't on the moonshining ly late model, the c a r took a beat- delayed t h e fermentation of t h e ing over t h e rough narrow wagon ride. I was on t h e side of l a w mash," t h e ATU m a n said. " I t and order and prosecution for law- road. Low limbs flayed it on would do to r u n today b u t it will either side.

Stumps and mudholes breakers, particularly moonshinw e r e skirted e x p e r t l ^ by the still be all right tomorrow o r ers. next day,'' For months I had made known driver. Small pine trees skidded We plodded back u p t h e side of by t h e c a r with scant inches to niy desires t o accompany t h e of- spare on either side. I learned to "Old Granddad" for a second time ficers of the Stanly Sheriff's deg r e a t respect for the man's and to t h e c a r and away. On t h e p a r t m e n t on a still raid. One have way back t h e r e w a s much sepcudriving ability. day they-said: "We got a big one lation about when the still would Half a mile or more into t h e r u n and if t h e operators were wise located and she oughta be ready woods, we abandoned t h e car' and to r u n this morning. Wanta g o ? " t h a t it w a s being watched.

Of course I did and before long started down a steep hill on foot.

The third morning was t h e last I found myself in t h e midst of a It was still about a mile to o u r time I could accompany t h e ofdestination.

Cigarettes were excarload of veteran still-hunting ficers and I was hoping for a kill. officers on trfe way to add one tinguished. Conversation was low So were t h e others. B u t we were a n d hushed.

The dry leaves m a d e more destroyed still to their list.

There was no one a big fuss u n d e r t h e t r a m p i n g disappointed.

There was one ATU m a n in the feet. at t h e still. "It's gotta be ruri t o party, t h e others were local men. day or tomorrow or t h e mash will We followed a deep ravine down spoil," one of the officers said.

All Old H a n d s ' the hill to where it emptied into give them one ? more They were old hands, a t hunting a wide hollow and stopped for a "We'll .S stills. I t w a s m y first trip and b r i e f consultation. T h e party split chance," "If it's not running tomorrow, they were a w a r e of it. \ a n d l r e c e i v e d a few words of cauthen'we'll know they're wise to u s *aJ*^ ?f ^ e s o f f l c e r s 8?* »h«>* tion and instruction. P a r t of t h e and we'll go ahead and cut it and beaten by t h e men who are m e n m o v e d o f f t 0 c i r c l e a r o u n d down," another said. "They could surprised a t stills, somebody s a i d a n d a p p r o a c h t h e still from t h e run it this afternoon or tonight Yeah when you surprise a man o p p o ^ s i d e . but I don't think so. A still large a t a still and h e knows it s t h e . . a s Included I_ .W as t h a t will take a good half day law, no telling what he's liable I found t h a t I had become a to r u n and it would be a lot of to do.' part of t h e offense stratagem. An trouble a t night."

I officer left me a t a strategic T h a t day ended my still-hunting | point with these words: "When dqty with t h e officers. What made the boys on the other side flush it doubly disappointing is t h e fact them, they'll be apt to come this t h a t I didn't even get to see t h e way right into o u r laps.* If they still a t all. Probably didn't get do, pick you o u t one and latch within four or five hundred yards onto him. Tell him you're a n of- of it. ficer of t h e law and order him to Next day, t h e officers went back stop. If he don't, chase him down and finding no one at the still, they and if he acts rough, bat him over destroyed it.

-the head with a stick. If you Moonshiners Shrewd need help Just holler, I'll be down I leariied from t h e officers t h a t in t h e woods a ways."

He vanished on down in the I moonshiners a r e a shrewd and woods to rfly right and I crouched | crafty lot. That's why it's diffidown on some rocks in the bed of cult to find one of their stills and a little stream and looked out over examine it without their knowing about it. And once they believe the shoulder-high banks. they been discovered they I t was a strange sort of feeling. give thave h e still a wide birth. I t Here I was a definite instru- takes a lot of skill on t h e p a r t of mentality of the law in this plan the officers to t r a p them. to snare these bootleggers. They What I wanted was some, exhad accepted me and given me a vital point to g u a r d They were citement. Maybe some yelling,, depending upon me to keep the shooting, running, and chasing. gap closed if t h e men a t t h e still j And I wanted to see the'still and fled my way. I would try it "for all get t h e boys to explain how iti worked to me before they chop- j I was worth, too. it up. But that'll ha^ve to wait I Tension mounted as the waiting j ped another time. About the only Pgrew long-and tiresome I shift-: for good I got out three trips t o | ed position from time to time to the vicinity ofoft hmy e still as the keep my feet and legs from becom- fresh air of the woods w and t h e ing numb. The woods were silent exercise it took to climb "Old and still as a tomb. The little | Granddad." But I enjoyed every I bfook babbled along over the minute of it. rocks under by feet. Four t a l l Let; me know when you got a white birches soared up from the sure-fire under your sights, creek band blow m e . Upward, a n boys. I'd still to go along for t h e inextricable mass of naked experience.like can r u n like a scared branches were latticed over a turkey and II'll do my best t o hold bright blue sky. down whatever post you assign m e Time Passsed Slowly Nothing happened. The wind tp.What's more, I can keep mum. rose slightly and played a dirge in the pinetops. The direful sound of t h e wind in t h e pine needles was punctuated by the rat-a-tatt a t of a pileated woodpecker on a gum sapling a dozen trees away.

Feeling cramped, I shifted positions again and blew by breath on cold fingers. A chunk of red soil tumbled down the band and rattled on t h e damp leaves near t h e edge of the water. I gathered some ice tuffs from the bank and dropped them into the water and watched them melt. The moving reflections of the water, cast byl the sun on a big root protruding from the bank, c a u g h t m y eye. An airplane droned faintly overhead.

Every moment I saw in the forest ahead of me, I imagined to be someone fleeing through the woods. The monotony of the waiting grew heavy and dull. I began to wonder why it took so long to flush a few meifat work a t a still.

Then a brown-coated human form merged out of the woods, followed by another and another.

Tension M t me. I recognized | them as members of our party. We ' gathered and learned that! the still had • been unmanned. The wash had been investigated by t h e officers w h o were to have done t H

•

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBEMARLE. N. C.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1953

Albemarle Man To Play Santa Claus' is due the Huckabee Lumber company, Stanly Hardware Company, Wiscassett Mills, and Lillian Mills, for the assistance they gave in the way of reduced prices or outright gifts iqi the project.

To the people who visited hi* basement and saw the toys and wanted to buy them for their children, Mr. Daniel said "No." 'They are not for sale; they are to be given away," he told them.

The Stanly county welfare department is co-operating by furnishing Mr. Daniel a list of needy families with children who would be thrilled and made glad by a gift of the toys.

Aided by case workers of the department, Mr. Daniel plans to distribute the toys to deserving children in the county a day or two before Christmas.

Has Made Many Toys This Year

•

A one - man Christmas Cheer project has been going on all year long at the home of W. A. "Chunk" Daniel on North Ninth street in Albemarle.

Nothing gigantic or ostentatious. Just a little project and a sincere one.

It springs from a natural pursuit of Mr. Daniel's — a hobby— and from an altruistic outlook on life.

What delight and titillation would enter the heart of a child if he could just get a glimpse into the basement workshop of Mr. Daniel's.

Joyous anticipation would mirror in his eyes and he would look and look and look.

He'd see lifelike hopping rabbits, complete with whiskers, long ears, fluffy tail, and all.

He'd see dark green alligators with, their gaping mouths, their glistening saw-like teeth, and their long movable bodies, come wiggling across the floor.

He'd see miniature tractortrailer trucks of bright colors and varied designs, some parked, some jackknifed, some unhooked.

He'd see wagons and doll cribs, and bronco horses with wild gleams in their eyes.

A large table in the basement shop holds scores of such toys.

Others have already been wrapped and packaged in boxes. One or two are yet to be finished and lack paint. x Machinery Around in the other part of the shop can be seen the machinery—drills, planers, a band saw, hand tools, work benches, and materials.

And if it's ', on a week-end, you'll see Mr. Daniel puttering and tinkering around in the shop. He'll have a cigar in his mouth and a pleasurable expression on his face.

He's been working there on the week-ends and in his spare time since February of this year Iwhen he first began work on the §.50 or more toys he now has ompleted.

Prior to that he made other ys intermittently and he has g experience and a ' natural

"No Kick That Wenr" "I could turn them over to the county-wide Christmas Cheer project, or to some civic club for distribution, but there wouldn't be as much kick in it that way," he said.

And certainly there wouldn't be. When Mr. Daniel has devoted his spare time for an entire year on the toys he does want to be in on the "kick" of the project which will be the joy that the toys will bring.

"There's not much to tell about it," Mr. Daniel says, "It's just a hobby."

But it's more than that. It's a fine philanthropic gesture of good will and love. And a shrug of dismissal or a modest evasion doesn't hide that fact.

Mr. Daniel will play Santa Claus in a great way this Christmas.

(

CUTTING OUT THE PIECES—There's more to building toys than meets the eye. It take* skill and craftsmanship. Mr. Daniel spent a large number of man hours working with his machines and tools in turning out the scores of toys that he now has completed. And he enjoyed every minute of it.

—Staff Photo. bent at making things of wood.

His home contains bedroom suits and other furniture which are products of his hands and his shop.

In the construction of the hopping rabbits and the wiggling alligators, Mr. Daniel had a blueprint to go by. He built and completed 27 hopping rabbits and 28 wiggling 'gators.

For the other toys, he didn't have any model. He was guided by inspiration and a mental outline of the toy he wanted to build. He just made the first one, changed and revised It to his satisfaction, then used it as a pattern for the rest.

He made 27 tractor - trailer

trucks, 28 doll cribs, 26 small wagons, four large wagons, and 27 bronco horses. These were in addition to the 27 rabbits and the 28 'gators.

Assembly Line Once he got his pattern or model for a particular toy completed, he used the assembly line or mass production method of building them. There were large numbers of parts to cut out, sanding to do, holes to drill, then the gluing and nailing together. The painting proved to be the most tedious part of the task as each toy required several different colors.

Page 7-A

THE WAY HE LUCES XT—Engulfed by some of the toys he has made in his shop during the past year. Mr. Daniel use. his paint brush to toueh up a scratched toy so that it will be a fresh and untarnished gift to some underpriviledged child this Christmas season. If JOB look closely- you can distinguish trucks, wagons. doU cribs, alligators, rabbits, and horses. All of them were made hr Mr. Daniel this year and he plans to distribute them to children at Christmastime. * —Stan Photo.

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ADpsanj, appDnbY Wiscassett Mills, and LilH»!M suedQ Apug jy,Mills, for the assistance they

"No Kick That Way" "I could turn them over to the county-wide Christmas Cheer -aqiV 'SSBJ A"uiuiif—sappuj, project, or to some civic club for •aniASBiuoqj, 's;uno^, P I O J B H distribution, but there wouldn't . . . |e in the way of reduced prices lai-iBiuaqiv 'UUAT A;;o :s3uijds be as much kick in it that way," Z ) u t r i g h t g t i r fl r " e w ? .the project. he said. u m u B g 'uosajjng UIAIBQ IsqodBU ;B ui3aq saUiB3 K;unoD n v ' ! ine eo -UOD ° P P^ h ° visited his ''-UBH 'soajBUBq;y a ; a g - ~ s p u g ij And certainly there wouldn't the 0 n d -UOT M 3 N JB pOOMJON—OX -Q3J V n«»«* *** » » J ^ * . be.

When Mr. Daniel has devotjuouipaij m n o s ted to bu AvaM i sB uUIDBVT—7T ^ i y t h « m f ° r their ed his spare tjhne for an entire : saqoBOD aauaaajuoo a q ; A"q uopuoT % -1 JM- + !H B tl SL q a j - - m l^TPTi Mr Daniel s said "No" ren m r uamei am iNO Apug JB uopuoq Mavr—6 qa j ' year on the toys he does want pajaajas SB suma; a q ; J O J MO^I -jsajo "They are not for sale; they to be in on the "kick" of the 'uiaa; a q ; uo J to be g i v e n away," he told project which will be the joy paoBfd aaaM n B 'suoijjsod a q ; jo 1l-aapia ;e uopuoq Max—c qag e m that the toys will bring. uop * auo J O J sa;oA jo jaquinu auiss a q ; "There's not much to tell about -uoq M3>x ; B piayqaiH—Z q a j : The Stanly county welfare depaAiaoaj sjaA*B[d XBJaAas ajaq^w •uopuoT; artment is co-operating by fur- it," Mr. Daniel says, "It's just a •uoijoaps juouipaig a q ; ishing Mr. Daniel a list of hobby." jo aoioqa snouiiuaun A"iuo a q ; SBM Majvj J B jJOdSui[ifj\[- 62 usr • "PPT/eedy families with children But it's more than that. It's a 'auiOH s.uajpiPO jo uiBjSad n j g u vho would be thrilled and m a d e fine philanthropic gesture of •OM) p e q uo;3uixaT -sduiBqo ZS61 •-UB;S JB uopuoT A I 3 M - 9 Z *£ good will and love. And a shrug 'sqodBUUBJi SBM q n p .iBjs-riB am -UOT AV ? M »» a i « P » n B v - « Z ««£ ^ a « i f t <* **• toy& uop M Aided by case workers of the of dismissal or a modest evasion uo saaXeid aajqj M1?M juouipsjet q^nos a q ; ut ajaetuaqiv 3uff! BJ X • u o q AV3NT »» ojoq>fBO~~ 6r "POOM department, Mr. Daniel plans to doesn't hide that fact. j-dfitribute the toys to deserving I Mr. Daniel will play Santa ST 'Xgiatis Pie S B O A V ; p e ql o u' rt ff ua xe er t j o / _ J O j s x » -*T.X children in the county a day or Claus in a great way this Christa a u a j a j u o Q * uoa^ssAV two before Christmas. mas.

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Page 7-A

#

THE WAY HE LIKES IT—Engulfed by some of the toys he has made in his shop during the past year, Mr. Daniel usee his paint brash to touch up a scratched toy so that it will be a fresh a n d untarnished gift to some underpriviledged child this Christmas season. If you look closely, you com distinguish trucks, wagons, doll cribs, alligators, rabbits, and horses. All of them were made

by Mr. Daniel, this year and he plans to distribute them to children at Christmastime.

-Staff Photo.

10-A

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C , FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1954

Mrs. C. C. Burris. Nearing 81( Looks Back On Remarkable Achievements

By FRED T. MORGAN

Not every old' woman who lives alone in a big house on a hill Is as interesting a person as Mrs. Conrad C. Burris who lives alone in a nine-room house on the road between Albemarle and Badin.

She'll be 81 years old in June.

"Look," she says.

She lifts both a.rms straight up over her head, fingers outstretched. She starts bending forward and doesn't stop until all her fingers on both hands are touching the floor.

"See, my knees are straight."

Her knees are straight.

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"I'll bet a lot of women half my age couldn't do that," she said as she straightens. fV^ With her fingers and arms, she begins to do other exercises designed to keep her fingers and limbs supple. But the ability to manipulate her old limbs and to perform gymnastic feats is not the only unusual thing about this woman. Mrs. Burris is talented in more ways than on the physical side.

Gifted Person.

A visit with her will convince you that she is a gifted person.

She talks in a rich, cultured voice and she laughs a lot. Her hair is thick and white as snow. Her face is lined and weathered. Her eyes contain a merry twinkle.

Mrs. Burris lives for the most part in one big room in the middle of her house. She 'has a stove there and a bed and a radio, magazines, books, newspapers, and a collection of other odds and ends and keepsakes. She likes to listen to good music and good preaching over the radio and to keep abreast of the news in the papers.

In good light, she can read without the aid of glasses. A big gray car which she calls "Sir Thomas", keeps her company.

Much wall space in her room Is taken up with framed paintings, some pencil sketches, some watercolors, and some in oils. They reveal a marked skill with the brush, a high degree of excellence hn perspective, and a sensitivity to detail. The pictures are all by Mrs. Burris' hand.

Another room in the house contains more and better pictures that have come from her hand. There is one of a smiling lady holding flowers, one of a brown pier and the ocean, one of a dish of bananas, and a large one of mountain scene showing a stream, some rocks and trees, and an old miuV Tables and bookcases in this room hold yellowed .tablets and worn portfolios filled with pencil sketchings and practice drawings.

A shelf contains the works of the masterful poets and worthy prose accomplishments of favorite authors of the past.

"I read the works of Bryon through from cover to cover when I was a child," Mrs. Burris said. "I sprawled before the hearth and mother would throw fresh chips on the fire to make a brighter glow for me to read by."

- Started Drawing Early.

She became aware of her artistry with a pencil or brush at an early age. One night she lay by the fireside with a pencil and paper. Her pencil formed on the paper the likeness of a broom near'her. Her mother saw her drawing and commented very favorably upon it. She practiced daily and her skill with a pencil and water colors grew.

Mrs. Burris is the former Miss Leola Atkins, daughter of the late A. S. and Sarah Cornelia Lilly Atkins of Montgomery county. She was born on the Montgomery shore of the Pee Dee in a little com-

munity called Zion. When she was 10 years old, her family moved across the river to Norwood where she was reared, educated, and lived for many decades.

At the age of 17, she left Norwood for a year in school at Woman's college in Greensboro. That was in the early 1890's and it was her first ride on a train and her first time to be away from home for any length of time.

At college, she studied art under learned instructors and consistently stayed at the head of her class. She took field trips with the teachers and turned out some pieces of art that brought praise from officials of the school. She just missed winning a scholarship in an art contest whieh would have m'eant an additional year at the school.

Back at Norwood, she taught MRS. C. C. BURRIS AND PAINTINGS school under professor R. L. Smith and worked in the post office for Mrs. Burris who'll be 81 in June, displays a few of her remaining paintings. They were about eight years. Everyone af- painted many years ago and have been hanging in her home on the Badin rpad where they are fectionately referred to her as seldom seen by visitors. Most of her paintings—she has turned out a volume of them, large in "Miss Ola". size and striking in quality—have been given away to friends. These few still keep her company in her large house where she lives alone. Each of the paintings has a story behind its conTaught Sunday School. ception and creation.

—Staff Photo. v When she was 18 years old, she was appointed to teach the young on it for a moment then each one She is truly thankful "for that.

She has long ago stopped mixing children in the Norwood Metho- of them said "Miss Ola" was the bod provided her with a ready- up colors and applying the brush dist church and she held this posi- most loved woman that had ever made family which, Mrs. Burris to the canvas. The years during tion as teacher for the next 25 left their town. safas, came "Cheaper by the doz- and immediately following her years. She is proud of the fine schooling at W. C. in Greensboro citizens her former pupils have That, of course, is flattery, Mrs. erf'. were the most productive ones in grown up to be. Some of them Burris says. And she isn't the type Since her husband died about regard to her painting. She has of person who consciously seeks five years ago, Mrs. Burris has follow: given away most of her paintings, been living alone in the big old Walter Lee Lanier and Clegg flattery or .praise. all the good ones, she says, and a house.

She has been advised to Step-Children Love Her. Avett, members of the Western N. hilve a family move in and live lot of friends and relatives now C. Conference of the Methodist y/ith her but she says she likes it have samples of her work hangShe is proud of one thing—that church. her step-clrildren love her and all right by herself. Anyway, some- ing in their homes.

Erskine Smith and Hal Turner, see to it that she is never in need. one visits her most every day.

Some of her former students reprominent Albemarle attorneys.

Dr. W. N. McKenzie of Albemarle.

Henry Dunlap, now a dentist in Georgia.

Whiteman Vick, postmaster at Norwood.

Robert L. Vick, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Albemarle.

Will Whitley, member of a bank in Troy.

O. Gaines Whitley, city engi-1 neer tor the city of Albemarle.

W. T. (Billy) Lilly, Albemarle architect.

George Harley, missionary to Africa.

Other of her formeV pupils are local ministers and prominent farmers and merchants.

Louise Avett said "Miss Ola"' was the inspiration that caused her to be a missionary in China, j Many girls frdm her classes have j made school teachers and trained \nurses.

When "Miss Ola", as most Nor-! wood people called her, was married in March, 1926, the grown members of her classes gave her a fine silver pitcher for a wedding present.

Several years after she was mar-! ried, a Norwood man who lived on the same street she had lived on, said he was on the street onel night with several other men when I one of them asked: "Who is thel most loved woman who has ever! left Norwood?" They speculated i —vl»

member "Miss Ola" on her birthday or at Christmas and send her cards and gifts. Often when she is walking on the streets of Albemarle on her infrequent visits, a former student will stop her and talk.

She laeks a lot of being shut off from the world. Daily newspapers and a trusty radio keep her company plus her cat, the stopping of the mailman before her door and the visits of a neighbor, Mrs* Vida Kirk.

Mrs. Burris invites you to pay her a visit when you're passing on the road near her home.

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS. ALBEMARLE, N. C FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 19, 1954

5-A

Snakes, Frogs Take Important Place| In This Classroom Students Learn Nature In New London Class

By FRED T. MORGAN A little green snake glides its way over a student's notebook and rears its head this way and t h a t . ' But the girl student at the desk apparently doesn't notice. •* Nor does anyone in the classroom. All heads are bent to the task of reading or writing compositions.

The little snake wiggles on over the notebook and flicks its long keen tail against the student's moving pencil.

"G'wan Eustace," she said to him in a hushed whisper, "don't pester me when I'm writing".

But Eustace was in a pestering mood and he wormed his way on over the notebook, through the metal rings, and under the sheets of paper^ Then the snake crossed from the notebook to the student's free hand wherever it was, found? Wasn't which was resting on the desk. she afraid of a snake?

"A little bit, at first," she adThe girl just closed her fingers loosely and familiarly around the mits, "but not any more. Snakes like Eustace make good; clean snake and let it ejrtwine itself pets." around her fingers and wrist. You take a few steps on into the Not once did she look at it. She room and your foot collides! with was still concentrating on her something hard, yet movable. You writing on t h e desk. look down, and if you're a woman, you probably shriek and stagTurtles, Too Two turtles come clomping ger backward. across the floor, picking their way Won't Hurt You under desks and over the feet of "Fraijcis won't hurt you," a lad says and picks the turtle; up. students.

But nobody pays the turtles any Francis, alarmed by the trampling mind. Not in this classroom. For foot, is nothing but a hard'tight snakes and turtles and their kin- shell. After a little coaxing, he dred are about as common as stu- opens up and sticks out an ugly dents here. The students live with head with fiery eyes. Then out comes a foot, followed by another, them every day.

As a casual visitor to this sixth and another, and another and pretgrade classroom in New London ty soon he's flailing the air for school in Stanly county, you'd be solid footing.

The boy tells you about Franshaken right out of your lethargy and probably have a lot of your cis and his companion. Frances.

"We named them like that beyet inhibitions trampled on. To say the least, the goings-on in this cause at first we thought they sixth grade differ rather -widely w e r e male and female. Now we from classroom procedure in oth- know that both are female. You er sixth grades in Stanly county c a n tell by their red eyes and the' and in a lot of other counties too, j recessed place underneath." for that matter.

How old are*they?

For instance you might notice "Francis is about 12 years old that Eustace the snake, as ^ e and Frances is about 23 or 24. You crawls up the girl's arm or can tell by these ridges on the top browses among her books and pa- of their shells. Some turtles Uve pers, flicks his tongue out quite to be 75 and 80 years old-" often. You ask her why he sticks What does a turtle eat? his tongue out so much.

"Carrots, tomatoes, snails, frogs, "That's his way of listening/' and all kinds of insects. They eat she would answer without any both vegetable and meat." hesitation. "He hears with his Skirting the desk with the snake tongue. He feels the vibrations in and watching the floor and keepthe air with his tongue." ing an eye over your shoulder, you But jeepers! Fondling a snake! go, at a student's beckoning, over Hadn't she been taught to club a to the window where sits a large snake to death whenever and terrarium. Two students remove

„ther attribute stressed in this Classroom. An artist nin his own right, Mr. Trott guides and nui tures the creative talent of his young students be it painting, music, or reSculpture, writing, ' AJ^-the^arts^jj-fi^atlated ar -MrtnrcL^fiuUic (jjiejchord iz£ s tMm! *|5e has discovered unusual talent among the\students in his rlass One young lad, Charles Haven, is a budding genius at painting and creative work. Charles is • direct descendent of the famous American artist, Thomas Eakins.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic are not neglected in this classroom. Nor are history, geography, health, and the regular sixth grade subjects. All have taken on a new 1 tflint of allurement in the intriguing glow of nature.

During Mr. Trott's short lectures 0n birds, the students learn the invaluable practice of note-taking, (frter, in putting together the facts they have learned, they learn to express themselves in EXAMINING THE CLASS TERRARIUM writing and add to their vocabulary. In plotting the migrations of Wayne Smith, left, points to the blooming strawberry plant birds they learn geography and climates. Arithmetic comes in over which the class became quite excited recently. Douglas numerous ways. They learn how Miller, right, has his eyes on one of the three snakes inside the 2 do research, how to assemble terrarium. The terrarium contains all types of grasses, mosses, RESULTS OF NATURE PROJECTS and evaluate. They learn about and insects and is a never-ending source of fascination to the —Staff Photo.

These students of Mr. Trott's sixth grade at New London hold typical products of their studies health and survival, and all about students.* in nature. Douglas Miller holds a screech owl box, Bonnie Bunch displays her booklet on the Red the massive rhyme and rhythm of Eyed Vireo, Gail Mahathey has a booklet on her favorite bird the Indigo Bunting, and Barbara nature. Too, they come to realize is firm when it comes to discipli- j Mr. Trott's approach to sixth their own place in nature's plan. nary matters.. grade teaching is not of the arbi—Staff Photo. k Hatley holds a box designed for the Blue Bird.

Other Subjects Discipline to him is the atrnos-j trary, Spur-of-the-moment quality. . The students reacLstorjes in his- phere in wHich the child can do He knows of its effectiveness by the glass top. Inside you see a He is nature's way of keeping the bird booklets. Many of them have tory and geography arid.'theh--in- h}sj best work. And this doesn't pastiteaching experience. The reverdant garden of mosses, grasses, bird population in balance with neat, well-written, and illustrat- terpret impressions--hi. the mean the rigid, straight-backed, sults of the teaching techniques plants, bark, sticks, rocks, and a the other wildlife. Snakes have ed booklets on birds. Some stu- form of their drawings which are hung eyes-forward attention that is still he uses in the sixth grade at New a purpose in nature's plan, they dents have favorite birds and they little pool of clear water. Right in the center, there's a blooming will tell you, as do turtles and assemble all avail able information bn-the• bulletin boa rd,- -Or else prevalent in some classrooms. It London school are quite evident about the bird, and written and they write original ^ j * " ^ > j " - does mean in Mr. Trott's class- and will stand any test foi strawberry plant. This seems hawks»and other mammals. displayed their own individual act them as the interpretation of room, on occasion, that all the thoroughness. ironical, for right outside the winThey learn some astounding style, theyin retain While the students are proud it in booklet some significant event. This is a desks are shoved over in a pile on dow there's a cold February wind facts.

Like an opossum's young form. ho^gUr- way stamping an important one side of the room and the stu- of all their wildlife in the classblowing. are so tiny that five of them can historical happenings on the mem- dents sprawl down on the floor room, they are particularly fond The students sense your ques- be held }n a teaspoon when they Bird Booklets ori e§". of. the students in an unfor- with paper and pencil, or water- of Eustiace. He was named Eusttions, so they begin briefing you are born. Most people think ra- There's nothing skimpy about gettable way. s colors, and paint a dish of fruit or ace after a character they studied on the terrarium. dar is relatively new, but these these booklets. They contain The walls of the room are filled a bird nest that rests on the win- about whose name was Eustace children know that plain old bats charts and diagrams showing the with drawings and paintings ^W dow ledge. And all the while, Beauchamp Oonkley.

Other Terrarium Items "We got three snakes in here that fly around their homes and migration paths and places of the clipped picture&iAnd wildlif$jiems. Francis and Frances are moping Pinned on the wallboard, the but you probably can't see them barns have been using radar for birds, the seasons of the migra- T t e r e ^ » a chart on the \vall upon around in betweep the students for they're down under the grass centuries. They, know that som^ tions, and other pertinent factors which .is recorded the incorrect and Eustace is curling playfully students have a prize trophy—a dried shiveled snake skin that and moss." He reaches down and migrating birds fly from the Unit- that require considerable research. use of the English language by around a girl's fingers.

Eustace shed just recently. lifts a patch of moss and a small ed States to Africa without stop- The booklets contain prose com- each student in the rooni/ This brown snake glides out and be- ping and that a certain type of positions on the physical appearAnother surprising thing, the Sadly Inadequate similar novelties are conginsjarcling around the enclosure. bird, the Peregrine Falcon or ance of the birds, their mating and' parents of the children are .beIt is Mr. Trott's belief that eletrivances of the students'*flTern'"Watch," the other boy says. Duck Hawk, has been clocked at habits, their songs, their young, serfr***"* coming educated in nature, too. mentary education in regard to naHe lifts a long piece1 of bark high 185 miles per hour. their nests, their feeding habits, You might wonder about disci- ture and the student's relation tQ One of the boy students tool; enough so you can * see a small their enemies, and other character- pline. But discipline in this class- nature is sadly inadequate. It Eustace home to keep over Each morning, Mr. Trott gives istics. green frog underneath. "He thinks In short, they know about the students a fiveto sevenis no problem at all. Youth- not only needs reactivating but a holiday and without knowing^ we don't know he's under there." all there is to know about their room minute talk on a different type of ful Mr. Trott is soft-spoken and drastic revolution. It needs a shot the reaction of his parenj| Two lizzards scamper about in favorite b i r d s . ^ immeasurable gentle and big- in the arm with a powerful drug be. the enclosure. "We've got spiders bird. The students take notes and -(Continued ong then add the compositions to their Art and artistic culture is anhearted.

But at the same time he called "realistic approach.'". and bugs in here ( too, for ,the snakes and frogs and lizzards to eat."

A student- points to the inside wall of the terrarium. "We put an insect in here and it laid some eggs on the wall."

Looking close you cap make out a patch of tiny eggs clinging to the wall. If you're lucky, one of the eggs may hatch while' you're "watching. A bright orange little creature appears from the end of the egg cell and dangles there.

"He'll change color in about an hour," a st-uderrtrsaysr- "'The other-1 day we saw one after he changed to a darker color but then he disappeared and we don't know what happened to him."

Another student gets your attention. "Here," he says, leading you'to a corner table upon which is* a. heterogenous array of other articles, "is where we raise a lot of the food that we feed our pets."

Feed For Pets He picks up a jar with the lid punched full of holes and unscrews the top. The jar is about threefourths full of ordinary meal. He pours the meal out on a papgr and rakes through^ it and directly tosses out two -or three adult "mealworms". "They lay eggs in the meal and the eggs hatch quickly. They multiply real fast. We _

feed t h e w o r m s to t h e frogs a n d l i z z a r d s . "

snakes,

Another thing about this classroom. You'll have to look closely to find the teacher. A sweeping glance around the room won't bring the teacher into focus. In fact, about the only way you'll find the teacher is to scrutinize SO YOU SEE A SNAKE the students row by row in the Well, Carolyn Hatley, the student, does too but it doesn't dis- elimination process. Even then, turb her in the least. She and Eustace, the snake, are old you won't know for sure. friends. Eustace likes to play hide and seek in the papers on If you search diligently, you may finally decide that the boy there in herxlesk and to curl around Carolyn's fingers. —Staff Photo. one of the desks must be the teacher. He looks a bit older than the other students. That's just gotta be him, you decide.

You're right. The man you've singled out to be teacher of this unique sixth grade classroom is L. John Trott, Jr., a naturalist of note and a zealous student of nature. He is the instigator of all I these nature and wildlife activities.

He'd pass for a student a n y time. Slight of build, he fits easily into one of the student's desks, His teacher's desk up in one corner of the room is just mostly for the I record. i ** Mr. Trott likes nature and I what's" more, he likes to teach na-1 ture. He's been doing it for many years.

Although only 26 years of age. he is recognized as an authority on birds, flowers, and wildlife in general. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and has taught nature in summer camps and in a private school in Florida.

Students in the sixth grade age I group are most receptive to studies in nature and conservation, he says. The 31 students in his class at New London are the most >Hf.;iV MW?-^-ll?x^i secure, intelligent, and emotional-1 ly stable children that.he has ever '&$£$ taught.

Learning Is Fun Learning is fun in Mr. Trott's class, as any of his students will be quick to tell you. Theyt miss the classroom and its attractions on week-ends and on holidays. And the enthusiasm generated in the students by the nature studies teaches them more than even they realize.

AND TURTLES TOO! They learn that nature is balhave f o r o ,as ambitious during art period as the student in the anced. They learn they lori-^d, Melvin Whitley (in dark jacket) and Roger Her- grown up with a lot of false befonr ipotted shirt) take time out to fondle their hard-shelled, liefs and supersitions. For inshiilnsd classmates, Francis and Frances. That's Francis stance, that a Blue Jay is a mean Or j i mean leg behind her as she heads toward Melvin. bird because he preys on the young ! .Prances' Anvway, any of the students could tell yoii. of other birds. The Blue Jay isn't mean, the children will tell you.

—Staff Photo. :

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1953

STANLY NEWS AND PRE

Stanly People Closely Tied To Wreck Of Old Number 97

over, he caught train 40 back t o Greensboro and was ready to board 97 when she came southward again on the next trip.

Mr. Lentz didn't make it public just why, but t h e wreck of t h e 97 near Danville t h a t morning finished his career as a railway mail clerk. He just faded out of the business.

I t is-believed that the late John Norwood, of Norwood, also rode the 97 as a young m a n b u t this has not been authenticated.

It is understood locally t h a t Jennings J. Dunlap was invited.to appear on a television network program commemorating t h e 50th anniversary of t h e wreck of t h e old 97.

• <e>Geouge T. Dunlap, Jr., a retired reach Monroe on time t o pilot 97 railroad engineer of Black Moun- back down the line. tain; Dr. Henry Dunlap, a retired Still hale and hearty today a t dentist of Florida; Mrs. J. N. Lilly the age of 87, Mr. Kritzer lives at of Fayetteville; and Vera Mae Spencer. He retired in 1937 after Haywood of Florida. a half century of unblemished A picture of Dr. Dunlap and a service with the Southern railroad story about him and the Wreck of and with about 47 of those years People in Stanly county have the Old 97 appeared in the Wash- spent as an engineer. He still probably been humming the tune ington Star Pictorial magazine, drives his c a r from Spencer to Aland singing the phrases of the issue date October 25, 1953. A bemarle t o visit his son, Everette "Wreck of the Old 97" ever since copy of the article was loaned to L. Kritzer, regularly. the News and Press by Mrs. it was written 40-odd years ago.

F u l l Throttle, Any person who can hum or Thomas L. Kirk of route 2, AlbeSo, engineer Joe Broady took 97 whistle or "carry" a tune in any marle. instead of Mr. Kritzer. And he The information contained in m a n n e r h a s probably found 97 full throttle, Ignoring the himself going over those fa- this story plus a chat with A. C. gave steep grades and t h e dangerous miliar words at some time or oth- Lentz;- proprietor of t h e Allen winding track. No one had ever Clothing store, of whose connecer. The song h a s a sort of captiseen old 97 careen down the rails vating tang about it that makes tion with the 97 more will be so fast—90 miles an hour accordit a favorite of ballad singers and told later, threw some new lighfr ing to legend. Ahead lay a threeon the old story and it might prove country people everywhere. interesting even to those who m i l e ' g r a d e on White Oak moun"Great old song," local people have read about the wreck before. tain and at the bottom a 75-fOQt have said. "Famous old wreck."

Carrying nothing but mail and trestle across Cherrystone creek.

That's about as far as the in- express, the 97 had a mile-a-minAll during this perilous ride, Mr. terest of the average person goes. ute schedule-from New York City Dunlap was in his mail car workAn that's only natural. to New Orleans. If it arrived a t ing on the mail.

What a lot of people don't know its destination behind schedule, "We had the mail ready to b e | is t h a t Stanly county ties in pret- the company was penalized $50. unloaded he said. " I ty closely with the wreck of the Therefore crews handling the 97 went to tahteDanville," r e a r of the c a r and« : , old 97. were handpicked and were repri- was resting on some mail sacks .g| The only m a n to crawl out of manded for any tardiness. So, That probably saved me. T h e r e | | t h a t immortal wreck unhurt and Number 97 literally flew over the were five in our car. Two w e r e § | the sole remaining survivor of rough single track road on its 1,- killed and two hurt." t h a t wreck is a Stanly county 350-mile journey between these At the curve approaching th man. two points. trestle, old 97—engine, two mai He is Jennings J. Dunlap. Mr. and two baggage cars and an ex Set Clocks By No. 97.

Dunlap is 74 years 'old. Son of car—left the rails, missel So rigidly did the crews keep 97 press the late Mr. and. Mrs. George T. the trestle, and plummeted intl Dunlap, he was born and reared on schedule that the people along the ravine of Cherrystone creekyl in the Norwood section of Stanly the Southern line could set their county. He left here at a n early clocks by her shrill whistle as she near Danville. Within seconds, m l BETHEL CHURCH CORNERSTONE age for a career in the railway burned the air through t h e coun- was a mass of burning, broken postal service, a calling which he tryside. Keeping on time was t h e wreckage.

1 L e r a n ChUrCh b u i J d i n on S Nine men were killed. Two died still follows a t the Washington pride of every crew. All traffic ab0ve a n d m e m b 1 ' " ' « s of t h e old church gathered Terminal Company at Union Sta- on the line gave 97 the right of later. A number were injured. nZ Only one man, Jennings J. Dun- one shown i n t h e center. Some old documents w e r f s e a ed way. tion, Dashington, D. C. On Sunday, September 27, 1903, lap, crawled from t h e wreckage I C O H V I H ^ I n * i n t h e b a < * * ™ ^ w a s erected. KneeHng Cousin of Doctor. unhurt.

He is a cousin of Dr. V. L. Dun- she left Washington, D. C. on His narrow escape in the wreck schedule.

On the way something lap of Albemarle. He has the deter Mr. Dunlap. Within a following brothers and sisters, all happened—it's not clear just w h a t didn't few days, he was back on t h e former residents of Stanly county:, —and old 97 was an hour behind Southern line sorting the mail. schedule when a new crew took —staff P h o t a Retired In 1941. ' over a t Monroe, Va., to bring the train into Spencer, N. C.,' a disIn 1941, he retired from t h e ' tance of 166 miles. postal service.

During World.

Engineer Joe Broady settled W a r I I he went back t o work iny himself on the right side of t h e the mail department of the W a s l v cab of engine No. 1102, which ington Terminal company a t Unpulled train 97, with the determi- ion Station where he is still emnation to make up for t h e lost ployed. F o r the last 45 years he time on the r u n to Spencer. has lived a t 2023 North Capitol Right here w e digress from t h e street in the city of Washington. story for a moment to bring you.

Within months after t h e tragic another Stanly county tie-in. wreck, the most celebrated in rail- p e n t s of o u r church h a v e I Thomas Henry Kritzer, father road history, the tune "The Wreck 1 ruined by t h e dampness j of Everette L. Kritzer, well of Old 97" began to be sung and lime. Looks like everything II known Albemarle citizen and played in the country and soon it I 1 * molded a n d decayed. I I manager of Purcell's Drug store, swept over the land in a tidal 1 believe a n y of i t c a n b e I would have been engineer on 97 wave of popularity. Later v a r - I that fateful day but for t h e hand ious men claimed authorship of I m u s t y contents of t h e hole I of fate. the song and court litigation was e old corner stone h a d been I C. P. Gary, better known as continued in the disputes until jjpor 82 years, some of t h e I "Parson Gary," was the regular in recent years.

Wr..-, said. T h e crumbling docu- I m a n for t h e Monroe-Spencer r u n Following the famous wreck. $ were identified by some I of..97. However, Mr. Gary had to engineer Thomas Henry Kr/tzer i small bible a n d h y m n a l pull a dining c a r south on an piloted train 97 for three /ear'-IS said t h e documents were I emergency. So Mr. Kritzer w a s y i t h o u t once leaving t h e r a l s . , ^ small Bibles. At a n y rate ordered to go to Monroe and bring Getting back to Mr. Lena, / ous m i n d s were satisfied' 97 back to Spencer on t h a t ill- learn t h a t he Was waiting ^**e were no frogs nor money. fated Sunday. But engineer Krit- Greensboro to board 97 tlat zer never reached Monroe. Some of the wreck. Mr. Lentzwor Jntil l a s t week, t h e h u g e corstone h a d supported one trouble with the track a t Ruffin as a mail clerk on 97 fron/Gre delayed him and he was unable to

Norwood Man Sole Survivor Of Famed Wreck

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roWTSin I 5 e ,t oo rl dn bduoi wl dni « S - the one rwJ° ^ ' w a s comber 1I 887 4^ d d r 6 L d l c a t e d *» Govern5 a - T h e pastor a t t h a t time w a s Rev. P. A . Storbel.

History Related.

SL XW* h e l d u p s o t h e y could, see. o l d women sputtered be0V ve , K ? f « ^ t h e ^ u e history of th were « i £ e r e?8y s u u n a b l e t o se. :„ < ;V, P P o s e d to be a fro* this old church goes back almost 150 y e a r s a g o t o t h e y e a r 1806 m it, someone said. according to written historical "Lots of people t h i n k there'll ? h ^ ^ t e ?*, t h e c h u r c h n o w in n t h e r e too iL^°"*LL > " someone

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STANLY NEWS AND PRE! over, he caught train 40 back to Greensboro and was ready to board 97 when she came southward again on the next trip.

Mr. Lentz didn't make it public just why, but the wreck of the j 97 near Danville that morning finished his career as a railway mail fclerk. He just faded out or the business.

T , It is-believed that the late John Norwood, of Norwood, also rode

• J u k i W n v iHi §E5™ osre 'Jai

OLD NEW BETHEL CHURCH CORNERSTONE Following the sale of the old New Bethel Evangelical Lutheran church building on Saturday afternoon, the purchaser, James Arthur Poplin, left above, and members of the old church gathered around and opened up the cornerstone shown in the center. Some old documents were sealed In the cornerstone $2 years ago when the church building in the background was erected. Kneeling on the right side of the stone is W. A. Cody who is 74 years of age and a lifelong member of the church. Looking on behind Mr. Cody are Mrs. Cora Plyler, 75, and Mrs. J. A. Shoe, 83. These two ladies have also attended the old church since childhood. The opening of the cornerstone was a historic and suspenseful moment for members, of the church.

-^-Staff' Photo.

Old Church Cornerstone Yielded Only Two Musty Bibles Saturdayu

The man with the crowbar documents of our church have had to ask the crowd to stand been ruined by the dampness back a little for people were hov- and time. Looks like everything ering so close around him that here is molded and decayed. I don't believe any of it can be he hadn't room to work.

Reluctantly, the crowd drew read." back a little but the tenseness of The musty contents of the hole /the moment made them forget in the old corner stone had been the admonition and soon they there for 82 years, some of the were back peering over the man's folks said. The crumbling docushoulders and pressing against ments were identified by some the huge slab of slate rock be- as a small bible and hymnal.

Others said the documents were fore him.

This thick hunk of slate was two small Bibles. At any rate, the corner stone of old New curious minds were satisfied.

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran There were no frogs nor money. church in northwestern Stanly Until last week, the huge cor' county and the ceremony, at hand ner stone had supported one was the opening of the corner corner of old New Bethel Evangelstone to see what it contained. ical Lutheran church for 82 Again the man dug his crow- years. The old building, the one bar into the crumbling cement now to be torn down, was comholding a thin slab of slate onto pleted and dedicated in Novemthe level top surface of the larg- ber, 1874. The pastor at that er slab. time was Rev. P. A. Storbel.

People stood on tiptoes. Kids History Related. cried to be held up so they could However, the true history of see. Old women sputtered bethis old church goes back almost cause they were unable to se.

"Tliere's supposed to be a frog 150 years ago to the year 1806, according to written historical in it," someone said.

"Lots of people think there'll documents of the church now in be money in there too," someone the hands of its membership. The history of the^t!hurch was transelse said. lated by the pastor in charge, G. Beside New Building.

D. Bernheim, from the German Afternoon sunlight glinted tongue into the English language. back off the faded white surface This translation was reviewed of the old church from under and its authenticity verified by which the corner stone came. Im- William Gerhardt at W. C. U. mediately adjacent to it stood academy on June 24, 1858. the unfinished,upper portion of The church was organized and a handsome new brick church.

Cars were parked all over the founded near the eastern Cagrounds and on the roadside out barrus and western Montgomery front. Auctioneers who had just county lines at the Bear and Buffinished auctioning off the old falo creeks and, the records state, church building and. its furnish- it was named after the foreings, stood by curious to see what fathers of its founders. Evithe corner stone held in its dently the church was dedicated slatey bosom. Suspense hung on the 19 or 20th of March, 1806.

George Boger was the minister thick in the air.

Under the stress of the "next at that time.

Visitors to the church along chunk, the covering slab gave and the crowbar pried it loose. A its early days were Rev. Charles bystander" took it and leaned it Augustus, Theophilus Storch, and against the mother stone. The Rev. William Myer. crowd had pressed too close and Apparently a split developed again more freedom of move- in the old church and in the early ment was asked of the men do- 1870's a segment of the membering the work. ship or the original church came Next, the punching crowbar two miles away and founded the hit a metal covering and the me- second Bethel Evangelical Luthtalic clink brought another surge eran church which has been from the crowd. After a few mo- known through the last fourments, the metal covering was score years or more as the New removed and there lay revealed Bethel Evangelical Lutheran a hole in the middle of the rock. church. This is the church which It looked to be about five by was sold at public auction on seven inches in size and about Saturday and which is scheduled Ave inches deep, carved right out to be torn down within the next of the heart of the big slab 90 days. slate.

The membership of the church Laying his tool aside, the man has been holding services in the bent and slowly put his hand basement of the new church now in the hole and removed its con- under construction for some tents. time and proceeds derived from "What is it? What is it?" was the auction sale will be applied the question that ran like fire on the cost of the construction. through the backward fringes of Work is progressing steadily the crowd. "See anything yet," on the new brick church and the old folks asked. members hope to have it comCrumbling Documents. pleted later in the yeax.

In the man's hand lay musty, crumbling fragments of old docAmong the birds that can be uments. He held the remains up taught to talk are the piping over his head so everyone could crows of Australia, the mynah see. "Folks," he said stepping parrot, some species of jays, maup on the corner stone, "the old caws, and even starlings.

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C, TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1354

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Marshall Coggins Lives Lonely Life In Tumble-Down Shack Beside Road

By FSED T. MORGAN You non-home owners, if you're discouraged at the high house rent y o u V having to pay these days, come out and take a look I at what Marshall Coggin* to doI ing. H e i got high rentals licked.

He lives quite happily and pays only a monthly rental rate of one dollar and twenty-five Ce How does he do it? Well, 'that's the story. ... .

The truth is, Marshall i s n t too hard to please when it comes to liV Thl ?itt" te hiil upon which he •lives on this rustic back,country • road about two miles south of Badin, is nothing impr«five as hills go. It's just a little knob of a hill on the flank of a much lar g C p e rched' upon^ the hill to a shack which to rather impressive. Really, ifs not even a good shack. It's just a crumbling, unpainted hang-together affair that teeters upon its decayed foundaf{ tidns. It looks like something '1 that a group of 10-year-olds K would build out in the woods as headquarters for the gang, only

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Marshall Coggins* the grayhaired old colored inhabitant of I this abode, might be regarded as I an extra-ordinary man, too, as I human beings go. Day alter I pleasurable day, he lives in and I around this hovel of a home and . more or less lets the rest of the I world go by.

He isn't exactly a hermit. He I doesn't go out of his way to I avoid people. But neither is he •: swamped with company. OccaItionally his sister from High I point visits him on Sunday and •infrequently one of his colored or (•white friends will stop by for a •few moments. Maybe once every two Weeks, he manages to walk K p to Badin and back, and he averages coming into Albemarle once every two or three months.

But he's never lonely.

"Whenever I feels a lonesome coming on, I gits up and does something", Marshall says.

Moves With Difficulty There's a lot of gray in Marshalls hair and .the baggy i clothes that encase his tall, lean frame are tattered and patched.

He moves with some difficulty. i His hands are gnarled and scar!red and his voice is full of ex| pression and heartiness.

Marshall isn't too concerned I that his rented house is lacking [ many comforts and conveniences. l i t doesn't bother Tiim that the windows ate broken and patched, that the roof leaks, that there is ho water or electricity, or that the porch floor is rotted into the ground. He's used to it. He's oeen living here for four or five Wears. • -. \Perhaps about the most no•'ceable thing about the shack, ide from its astonishing degree /dilapidation, is the conglomer/ m of gadgets and trinkets rounding it.

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READY FOR'A TRIP TO THE SPRING On his merry home-made wheelbarrow, Marshall pushes two wooden buckets to his source of drinking water, a spring more than a half-mile away. He makes the trip maybe two or three times a week. The wheelbarrow is also used for hauling woodf The projection in front of the wheel is for a counterweight to balance the load.

—Staff Photo.

You'll see a bird house perch- member of a family of nine chiled here and there — not normal dren. He had four brothers and bird houses, but weird ones fash- four sisters but he's "lost track ioned from nail kegs, tin, anid of" most of them now. other odds and ends.

"We cleared a lot of land when There is a circular squirrel I was a boy. My daddy learned cage, roughly sewed together me to chop with an axe. Lots from old wire. It rotates upon of folks when they chop a tree an iron bar fastened between two down, chop it way up above the prongs of a cedar branch. No ground but my daddy could chop squirrel is in the cage at the it off right level with the ground present time and Marshall.is still or a little bit.lower. He learned me to chop a tree dowd* like on the lookout for a young one that." to keep for a pet.

1910 ("I think that's when At another point, up above a it In was"), he went to Florida and little bush in the backyard, you'li sawmilied in the Florida cypress see a heavily painted model air-\ woods for eight years. Then he plane with not one, but three i came back to Stanly county and propellors, two of which are ec-J went to work on a construction centrically placed. One or twof gang with the Carolina Alumiof them may be turning if the num company at Badin. He quit. wind to blowing. ^___ several times and went up to "™Around'"the"back porch there Pittsburgh, Pa., to. work. He is a cluster of garden tools all would stay there for two or three with crude wooden handles. months, or until it got cold, then There is a long-shanked old log- he'd come back to Badin and go ging hook, a file with a hard to work. knotty handle, a rotted old ice j He doesn't know how long he box, and a bed of sweet potatoes , L o r k e d for the aluminum com over which Marshall spends conrf\ __ siderable time coaxing them ir- / / i t neither sw-»w«uunwi to growth. /fnpany. H o W t lonely.

In a little wire pen under on vet I feels a lonesonie lower corner of the house ;/ on, I gits up and does big rooster paces and mut ,ng," he says, ters. He wakes Marshall a 3-s a lot of gray in Mardawn every morning. The roost lhair and the baggy clothes er is lucky to be alive. Marshal| n c a s e yg tali, lean frame raised a little patch ot corn inhered and patched. He his garden whidhand he every digs yea>> ancf wiJ;h difficulty. His works by hand, fendhands r l e d a n d 8C^neA Ws he tries to get a few chickens ttf.l s £ ^j rf expression and keep during .the winter so h e * will have a supply of eggs. "I?psf: . ,. . 2 „ „ „ „ . „ . J keep a close watch on my corn">aU isn't too .concerned he says, "and if I see that thelis rented heuse is lacking hens are going to eat it up be-pmforts and conveniences, fore the winter's over, I begins isn't bother him that the killing them off and eating rs are broken <and patched, them. le roof leaks, that there;' is |J The old rooster survived because: "It got too late and the wekther got too hot and I was afraid if I killed him and cooked him, he wouldnt keep until I could eat him all up."

His Wheelbarrow For hauling up dead firewood from out of the old fields and woods around his home> Marshall rigged up a long wheelbarrow with a niche for a coun* ter weight out beyond the wheel so the load could be balanced and pushed easier. A lot of the mild winter days he spends hauling up poles of wood to store for the cold weather.

"It got terribly cold back ln the winter", he said. "I nearly froze to death."

He uses the same wheelbarrow I to haul his drinking water from a spring located a good half-mile away. Two wooden buckets are fastened on the rough bed of the contraption and covers are placed upon the buckets to keep the water from spilling out.

The spring is so far away and his health is "gitting so ragged", Marshall doesn't make a trip to the spring for a supply of water but only about twice a week, or Whenever his water gives out.

"There was another spring about half as far away but it got so full of wiggletails that they run me off from it. I put a box of salt in the water and it helped some, but then they com* right back. I believe everyone ought to drink good, pure water."

Marshall sits on an ancient chair in the rubble of his backyard and a little sparrow jumps and chirps around his feet. He and the sparrow are on very friendly terms but: "It won't let me touch.it yet. A sparrow won't build in one of my houses. He wants to build his nest outside."

A family of bluebirds occupy a small, white birdhouse that is perched on an extension from the sagging eaves of the porch roof.

"I think the 'she' bird is setting on the nest now", Marshall says.

"Bluebirds are pretty slick."

Marshall can't read or write and he hasn't taken much note of the years that have passed in his life. "I reckon I'm about 77 years old. That's the best I know."

He was born and reared In Montgomery * county between Troy and Candor and he was a

"LET ME IIVE IN MT HOUSE BT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD" It looks shoddy, but Marshall Coggins says it's good enough for him. Marshall is shown at the lower left as he examines some of his "grabbling" size Irish potatoes. He digs Ms garden by hand from start to finish and raises good vegetables. Truthful and sincere, Marshall could readily be called "a friend to man".

—Staff Photo. pany. "I worked until they re* tired me. Must've been eight Or 10 years ago when I stopped."

Since then he has been subsisting on a small monthly check! from the state.

Marshall was never married.

"I always believed in gitting up and going when I got ready."

Battery Radio One of his principal enjoyments now comes from the battery radio set that his nephew gave him. "I told him I didn't want it at first, but he brought it anyway and now I'm glad he did. I hear lots of things that I like. Sometimes I hear somfe names and news from over . in Montgomery county that I know about."

The radio helps him keep up [with the time of day and the weeks and months, too. "I'll hear them tell the time and maybe mention a date and then I can figure out what day it is."

He loves the music he hears on the radio. "I catch myself pattin' and raising sand when that good music comes on. I enjoys that singing, oh-oooo-ooo.

I like it better'n preaching."

"There's still a lot of good people in the world", Marshall says, "a lot of good people. The [white folks hereabouts are good to me. They help me a lot. Back in the winter when the snow was on the ground I was a setting in here about to freeze and feeling mighty bad. The1 fire was about to go out and I didn't have no wood and not hardly anything to eat. Didn't have no help and I didn't know what I was gonna do. I was about ready to shed some tears when I heard someone holler from down on the road. It "was one of my white friends. He gave me two rabbits and some ham meat."

He has some definite religious convictions. "I've learned that

you better work God in front, cause if you don't work God in front you're gonna git messed up bad. He can help you git shet of a lot of pain and worry, but He won't take all of it off of you.

I've dealt with Him long enough to know."

But he has troubles. "Sometimes it seems like I'm not good for nothing but to have trouble.

I'm so bad to break things that I've borrowed. I borrowed a plow and a team from one of my white neighbors and I broke the plow over a snag. It hurt me so to have to take it back to him thataway."

Stands Erect Marshall stands erect and stretches his long arms and looks I upward. "That old saying 'once a man and twice >a child', I know exactly what that means."

Since the weather turned warm some time ago, Marshall has been gardening out near a grove of peach trees near the back of his hpuse. He rises at dawn, or | before ("my rooster, he crows at 4 o'clock"), and digs for an hour or so before it gets hot. He prepares his ground with a mattock and plants corn in hills instead of rpws. One recent year he said he made 40 bushels otsweet potatoes off just a small plot of ground back of his . house- "I likes to work", he says.

"A man's got to have some pleasure, too. I like the radio and I like to have people read to me."

Sometimes, Marshall gets a visitor to read to him from a tattered, old hide-bound volume that belonged to his father. He calls it a history of the world.

"I've lived up to a lot of things in that book and a lot of others I've worked against." Whenever he can, he attends services at a colored church near Morrow Mountain State park.

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IT LOOKS SHODDY, but Marshall Coggins says it's good enough for him. Marshall is shown at lower left as he examines some "grab-

FOR $15 A YEAR

bling" size Irish potatoes. Though 77 years old, he digs his garden by hand from start to finish and rabies good vegetables.

I

Man Gets Sunshine (And Rain) In His House By The Side Of The Road

+

By FRED T. MORGAN BADIN — You non - home own ers, if you're discouraged at the high house rent you're having to pay these days, come out and take a look at what Marshall Coggins Is doing. He's got high rentals licked.

He lives quite happily on a rustic back-country road atpout two miles south of Badin in Stanly County and pays only a monthly rental rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents.

How does he do it? Well, that's the story.

The truth is, Marshall isn't too hard to please when it comes to living quarters.

NO HERMIT He isn't exactly a hermit. He doesn't go out of his way to avoid people. But neither is he swamped with company. He isn't lonely, "Whenever I feels a lonesorne coming on, I gits up and does something," he says.

There's a lot of gray in Marshall's hair and the baggy clothes that encase his tali, lean frame are tattered and patched. He moves with difficulty. His hands are gnarled and scarred and his voice is full of expression and heartiness.

Marshall isn't too concerned that his rented house is lacking many comforts and conveniences.

It doesn't bother him that the windows are broken and patched, that the roof leaks, that tbierejis no water or electricity, or that the porch floor is rotted into the WATER IS FREE FOR ONE who is willing to haul it more ground. He's used to it. He's been living here for four or five years. than half a mile from a spring. Marshall Goggins rigged up this Perhaps the most noticeable wheel with a projection out in front to carry a counterweight and thing about the shack, aside from make the load balance and roll easier. its astonishing degree of dilipida- but he's "lost track" of most of gonna git messed up bad. He can tion, is the conglomeration of gadg- them now. help you git shet of a lot of pain ets and trinkets surrounding it. He worked for the Carolina and worry, but he won't take all They are the handiwork of Mar- Aluminum Company of Badin un- of it off you. I've dealt with him shall who likes to tinker. til they retired him. "Must've long enough to know."

A BALANCED BARROW been eight or 10 years ago I Marshall s t a n d s erect and stretches his long arms. "That old For hauling up dead firewood stopped." from out of the old fields and Since then he's been subsisting saying 'once a man and twice a woods around his home, Mar- on a small monthly pension check child', I know exactly what that means." shall rigged up a long wheelbarrow from the country or state. with a niche for a counterweight One of his principal enjoyments Since the weather turned warm, out beyond the wheel so the load now is listening to the old battery Marshall has been gardening out could be balanced and pushed eas- radio set. Ms nephew gave him. It near the back of his house. Be ier. He used the same contraption helps him ieep up with the time rises at dawn, or before ("My to haul his drinking water from of day and the weeks and months. rooster, he crows at 4 o'clock?); a spring located a good half-mile "I'll hear them tell the time and and digs for an hour or so until it away. Two wooden buckets are maybe mention a date and then gets hot. One recent year he says hitched on the bed of the wheel- I can figure out what day it is." he made 40 bushels of sweet pobarrow and covers are placed on He loves the music he hears on tatoes off a small plot of ground. the buckets to keep the water from the radio. "I catch myself pattia "I likes to work," he says. splashing out. and raising sand when that good The old house he lives in is a The spring is so far away and music comes on . I enjoys that spectacle of ruin and neglect. It his health is "gittkV so ragged" good music, oh-ooooooo. I likes it lets in the sunshine and the rain.

"But ft's good enough for me." he doesn't make the trip to the better'n preaching."

Marshall is a peaceful and conspring for water but only once or WORK GOD IN FRONT twice a week or whenever his wa- He has some definite religious tented fellow. He isn't asking for convictions. "I've learned that you much. All he wants is to be alter gives out.

Marshall sits on an ancient better work God in front, 'cause if lowed to live in his house by the homemade chair in the rubble of you don't work God in front you're side of the road. bis backyard and a little sparrow jumps and chirps around his. feet He and the sparrow are on vetf friendly terms but: "He won't let me touch 'im yet."

A BLUEBIRD NEST A family of bluebirds occupy a small, white birdhouse perched on an extension from the sagging eaves of the porch roof.

Marshall can't read or write and he hasn' n meuontktteaohetfch he hasn't taken much note of the years that passed in his life. "I reckon I'm about 77 years old.

That's the best I know."

He was born and reared in Montgomery County between Troy and Candor and he was a member ot a family of nine children. He had four brothers and four sisters

FRIDAY, M A Y 22, 1953 STANLY

NEWS A N D PRI

Tall Fish Tales Begin; liYou Don't Believe It Just Read This

conscious of a n y footing a s I walked to where the finger pointed. I just went. What I s a w w a s t h e most vivid t h i n g I recall out of t h e whole weird experience. It w a s just like o u t ot a comic book or a fantastic movie. Out of the apterture I s a w g i a n t golden objects, half moons, a s o i i , i_"-,"5-Y hFor F ^ 0ohvinns , ^ 1 0 " 5 ^rpasnni. « s -n._ t h e ifellow palls of fire, comets, a n d other t h a t told us t h e t a l e t h a t aDthings a l l enveloped i n inky pears below wouldn't permit u s blackness. I don't know whethhis n a e in wit£*i ? connection rocky clefts along t h e cove w e r e O I I o . . . 4 _ ~ * J • . m. . .. er I w a s looking u p or down or w i t h it, so we're b r e a k i n g our a n unlikely place to dig for fish- all s w i m m i n g off together. . ^ ^ sideways. No words c a n d e rules a n d letting h i m b a l k i n "I w a s dazed a n d stupified. I scribe t h e majesty of w h a t I H e might find a a n o n y m i t y for t h e s a k e of bring- gi nr gu b worms. felt weak a n d tottery a n d m ysaw. . T h e n I w a s drawn a w a y worm or a n insect, h e ing you t h e story t h a t h«» tnind cheek hurt e fish's t h o u g h t , b u t then he might u n i „ - » .where - - = - 5t h, — - ~ - fin « » from t h e place a n d a third luml l t m o us. We think it's a dilly ,T,UM ,. *W"' 9' 1 cover a rattler or a conoerhead cut cut m mee. . But Butdon't don't write write m meeoff off inous spot took u p t h e conversaat s t h K v l ^ f S ?a "r "n * J tt x ca ca tml ye ai ns ka f o r ? " s o ^ ihnegn a n d he dismissed t h e ? S J ™t fo e dt e l 1y e t N o™ ' n o t a l l tion. t by a wJ^^rfhw ^ ' nd i&f' J his eyes fell on a LS g * long ' 'You do look amused,' it said, we gobbled it u p .

I little bush with red berries o n • -a-" u « i WILH r e a Denies on , • 'and t h e ludicrous a m a z e m e n t on "" "—^•"' — .T w a s setting there trying t o We know w h a t you're pnincr *n I " P , t h e b a n k behind him. He L .1x , w a s setting there trying t o your face would bring l a u g h t e r ink when y o u finish £ » , £ » » h a d heard of fish being attract- oHf " t h*L1l . saa n d t r y m g to w a k e u p o u t to even t h e stoic bones of t h e y t h iiss piece. piece. We We tt hh oo uu gg hh tt the t h e s<=a™f !;? J? red. It It w w aa ss ,1 «*• .". crazy « » < * dream «^«un I1 t hrnought a m f L™ £t hy a aa nn yy tt hhh iienn gg red. o u g h t II Space God.' How h e could see t h i n g s w h e n w e heard it «i u *** decided. He got P Ys aes Um ow uht e no f I s a w t h i s t h i n e the expression on m y face I do if you w a n t t o u«T of t h e round berries " P t h e water. Now not know unless m y face w a s a ^ ' ' , r ycuss viun g« to us m,'t our afnr a J Ehandful s S M we're t ™ m £ H " n g thern on his hook g ask m e j o describe i t inaglow too a n d if i t w a s I w a s b — j1 tell u s we're t r y i n g t o compete . - Deads ——«**w on vn a <x string. suing, The m e nsn v—-" 1 can t. 111 tel] y onot u aware of it. The expression iiite fish ; "etaii. with t h e science-fiction maga- m i g h t even itrw a s a b i g Just w h a tt 1 I s a w which weren't much on t h e faces of t h e luminous micrlit «,,„„ think xl.:-.- ax _ T. what zine field go right a h e a d . h e ba g—a w k--«,y worm some osort, h eI " r ~~ e top I boys didn't change a s f a r a s I ' • « * « ! vof i curium u n . Tier *w£* of v»x it.

11, W Wh I lai ltL J But we'd like t o offer one oth- •*. x.x ] o o k e d bi„ hn„M s a w er excuse for p r i n t i n g this tale. thought. s a w looked big over a s a house could see. I couldn't see their While w e aren't m a k i n g a n y Our v,a.~ « u i / : a n d oval shaped, k i n d a likp a lips good enough to tell b u t I guess they moved when they bald s t a t e m e n t a b o u t its verac •r!_ur nero i s a verbose c h a p a—wpll likp an , , , ? . » U K e ~ a talked. Their vocal expressions . flying saucer i v i n e flat ^ ^ l did change, however, a n d i t w u u l 1 U | v e r a c . with intelligent diction a n d with seemed they were all in a humorous vein.

But t h e y were strange voices.

W had proof. All I h a d to do w a s t ' 'First, to answer some of y o i r turn out t h e light a n d m y h e a d el 0 the ? S , X T t o wh^lesl^/^t ed'T t V ^ berry-load-, t a t c t e d i a a t i ' t f S alfd obvious questions, this m a c h i n e I cation He talkpH„riu £ als iH £d h o o k b a c k out a n d nothing telescoped out in a th in ea%e in which you a r e traveling would glow like a full moon. h "And she's got it now. Not a s ' serioJsneVs he f r oft^E£ d e a d l y h a p p e n e d for a minute. Then, p l a n k affair toward m e f w a s would, i n your own l a n g u a g e thed at • m o u t h anH V? t hae now 1 you m at hyi s think I'm crazy too scared t o move I frit Tiul be called t h e Home. It lives' bad a s me, but she's got it. I ke 1 b S t K e v t S h wheThl l°-? t "u^ ^ happened! Thel r u n n i n g b u t I d i d n ' t ft stoo a n d breathes a n d t h i n k s with saw o n e side of her face glowPoint i n l h e storv ** h l t * Mgh Z ?^ te r fu ^ eT °.f th% I a * e a r c u n d P « i a t m y feet a n d something an intelligence far superior t o ing last night a n d it's spreadTake V « I/ I P * d almost k s i m u l t a n e - said 'come aboard.' I don't know hat I ing. ing. I1 forgot forgot to towarn warn her her tthat 'dulftv , n / ? l1e lt .s g r t p o n y ° u r ere- 1p uo fk eyd with fish-fish, man.' Some I where t h e w o r d , > a L T i l 0 ! a n y of us. Its speed in a n y me- the Home guys said i t w a s condium is illimitable. a n in-1 tagidus. S h e h a s a time p u t t i n g . . . . . M ^ . . ^ . . ; From x-x\jaaa €4x1 III" SH. 2 L S *t o r y t r a i ? ° riding down d° big as I was. They j u m p ......~ z i o o cc n i n e pcruCTTlg calcuable distance in space you n,5?h * Here goes: h a n d frolicked like fairies could be returned to your earth- t t e kids t o bed. Has t o switch self vJhlni, ^hfe n t s aAshing by him- dancing It looked like a wild rodeo w a v Tn « h u THe only more panoramic b u t once I mounted it, i t felt ly fishing grounds within t h e ths light out a n d duck o u t of T y s , i s t h e best ' ^ 5 * USPH r?nJL - a. chose a littlea n d more u n h e a r d of. Seemed solid a s a sidewalk.

I didn't space of one minute. The Home the room in a hurry. We have U a rem 1 ' S n n' th2 \, ^ o t e secJ. ^ the air w a s full of flying w a n t to go.

Instinct warned m e is effectively insulated against to be careful a t night not t o get he Badl lake fi s all stress. It is, w e think, a per- in a n y shadows when anyone sib?e 1 ^ ? > acces, hOne big 'un h i t m e i n t h e against it.

But something over cai see us. It's a danged nuisS i d h W / t h Tb yu g ah t h e woods chest and his fln cut a gash on which I h a d no control drew m e fect machine.'

I ajce. a l c a You can't remember every n a s s a b l i ° Kb r u s h ^ n almost i m . m yaTcheek.

See, it's just nowl to t h a t slit of a door. The inside e<i to Our purpose wherever w e go tfne.

Svlr Shioh o u r - cfish o k e d trail \f* * heal.

Knocked m e w a s gloomy a n d I sensed some l ^ Z, • " herman trav- b a c k o n m y haunches. They even I mysterious m e c h a n i s m closing in space i s not to exploit b u t to "I'm still going fishing. B u t eled b y jeep. jumped plum out of the lake the door behind m e . Then a l l observe. Our visits are friendly, Im t a k i n g a crowd with irfe. No a n d b tuasih uiiu, wc pieier, unt h eThe start. for some Waves started l a p - w a s dark except for several l u m - unobtrusive, a n d , we prefer^ un-1 n*bre of this fishing alone for flsh But b i t good rightreason from p "m! Jg i a Jeesdy . fflopping in t h e rocks announced a n d undetected. From me. ^ ^ ^ ^ h ee couldn't catch a n ysome t h i n greason His ar a" dy biv i Pshh e s1- e ueWet s'as vc ea uassn estarted d by tl h start. But for ae p - inous spots around m e . The a i r our original base at—' h e never | «r can tell by t h e w a y you're inside h a d a queer t a n g b u t i t cork bobbed u n d e r t h e surfacf £ ^ % « > d I moved t u n e a n d a g a i n »nH h* «,,ii"f^cc,! . e I hack. back. "If they could've m a d e a w a s not uncomfortable. I could finished for a red light flashed, k'oking a t m e you think I'm Well, think w h a t you time and a g a m a n d h e pulled it s o u n d i bet they would've been perceive a faint h u m m i n g on a n d off somewhere a n d t h e batfy. o u t to s e e it g l e a m i n g in t h e yelling bloody murder, l u m i n o u s spot w h o h a d been Ike. I know w h a t I been sound. sunshine free of bait or game. ' _. _ .w.v.r i ueen t a l k i n g disappeared.

'Unfortu- «n~-"—** -'«»•»•nnoi He e x a m i n e d i t a n d everything "Then I thought of m y hook "Then one of t h e luminous nate,' o n e of t h e other l u m i -through. I won't forget those looked a l l right. H e expertly and, dodging flying fish, I jerked spots spoke to me. 'Greetings,' i t nous spots said. T h e Home pre ,nsh jumping, that ride i n t h e attached a n o t h e r wiggling min- it o u t of t h e water a n d scram- said. I m u m b l e d a feeble hello. vents u s T r o m m a k i n g T m T s t a k e fef' f h o s + e 1 " m i n o u s « u y s - a » d now a n d tossed t h e hook back bled back u p t o t h e b a n k o u t My eyes were becoming better a n d m y late comp!nlon w a l ftSPS?, 0 U t a t a 1 1 t h o s e P l a n e t s A d th SG heads into t h e still w a t e r a n d imme- Qf t h e way. In a m i n u t e or two adjusted to the m u r k y gloom a n d about to m a k e a S f i t a f f W h l / f S S i i S T™ ? „ mo5E £ cum neaus 3 „. diately t h e cork started hobbling t h e commotion stopped about a s I decided t h a t t h e luminous spot " e snould have said w a s t h a t wj talking t o me. I shudder w h e n again. Try a s h e would h e suddenly a s it h a d begun a n d a s similar to a h u m a n head. do not choose t o reveal o u r 6 » I think of it. But I'll be telling couldn't catch t h e flsh or what- all w a s quiet except around t h e w to m y grandchildren.

I'm certain t h a t i t w a s similar gin or our purposes or anything it "And Zz il *-""-"Minnow m e n s naftor or whata n w a s auiet exepnt arrfm-./i •*,„ ever it was. m i « . I cuges prfrM "And speaking speaking of of tt hh aa tt lumilumi it.

But u w anei 4 minnow ' h e T—— d " " u utoTe^r " f d g e ? °of ^ o T S S s 2 ? . -now - • t-h,a t I reflect _ upon ^ . about o u r mode of life. Thel nous stuff, I hope you haven't iL aw the now h e fed t o t h e u n d e r w a t e r lunging stories t h a t you will tell your caught i t from m e here t a l k i n g now n e led t o t h e u n r i P r w . t » l lunmnor n d tossing on t h e I . head w a »s a«al-lx' yJ\JW o u could tuuxu see set d i W d n i « f r l l t i , f i n a l - y w h e n h e ground 6 aMost of t h e m soon earthling companions of this ex- to you. Don't look so scared, M . I It ft just lUSt tapered taDPFPd nff iri+« ^ a i off into nothing. h s P hanH fritthe 1 m i n n o w bucket 1 flopped back into t h e w a t e r "The voice w a s l o w a n d son- perience will cause them -suffi-jt won't hurt you. Just look in h ^ J x a n ^ f e l ^ o n ^ e m p t y water.

"Seems like t h e n I s a w a j orous a n d with perfect equani- cient alarm.'

"Another spot spoke: *We mity w h e n it spoke again. It said: 'Doubtless you a r e per- could keep you here under obplexed a t t h e spectacle in which servation for a week or a year,} from ^yourj you now find yourself. But h a v e b u t your absence *M> .Ml/111 UUl no fear. It will be explained to earthly locality would cause you a n d y o u will n o t bae l a r m a n d w e dislike t o a l a r m harmed.' e a r t h l i n g s unduly. You will b e "Then another luminous spot returned there shortly.' took over. 'It m i g h t a m u s e you "The Home h u m m e d a n d purto know t h a t you are n o w four red a n d there w a s a crackle like j hundred million miles a w a y electricity makes. Then, before) from your fishing grounds,' it m y startled eyes a patch of light said, 'although less t h a n five bloomed over m y shoulder a n d m i n u t e s of your time h a s elaps- I felt t h e breeze coming i n t h e ed since you came aboard.' The opening. I still couldn't s e e astounding s t a t e m e n t so befud- much inside except j u s t a t t h e dled mxxxtz e t hmaetn . I'm not sure ^whail door where I h a d come i n at. xa~*^x*-\A x i~n^~—-^—.^ LOCUST GETS N E W FIRE TRUCK—It just what til h a p p e n e d next. Anyway there 'You are a t liberty to go, o n e began as j u s t a n o t h e r project by t h e LoCamden's p ^ e r e more words a n d then a of t h e luminous boys said, ' b u t ' A dav o r tV i u ™ m o u s flnger pointed.

Just first let us offer another word of \ cust Lions Club b u t it ended u p in a whjilA aay o r v a flnger, mind you. I w a s n ' t explanation. We were here obwind of frenzied activity. Locust Lions beduced t h e n ^ ^ * * ^ ^ - . ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ serving m a r i n e life in your fresh i g a n a m o v e m e n t t o t a i s e funds t o purwater lake i n this quiet cove Camden to make delivery. T h e new -truck when t h e fish became violently chase a fire truck for their community arrived last Friday, just 10 days after t h e disturbed d u e to some external a n d money a n d pledges rolled i n so fast project was begun. Cirl S. H a m m o n d factor. Prior to t h a t w e a m u s e d t h e y w e r e stunned. They placed a n a d ourselves a t picking t h e min(left), chief of t h e Camden F i r e Departnows off your hook. For a moi n T h e Observer a n d got a n i m m e d i a t e ' m e n t is presenting t h e bill of sale for t h e m e n t or two we couldn't discern response from t h e city of Camden, S. C , truck to R. A. Burleson, president of t h e t h e reason for t h e reaction of which h a d a n extra fire truck on its hands. / l o c u s t Lions Club. (Photo b y F r e d T. t h e fish. Then a m o v e m e n t of Negotiations proved t h a t t h e truck was t h e Home told u s . It w a s one of Morgan) the involuntary excrements of the Home a n d t h a t substance r e , leased into t h e water caused t h e fish to a c t a s they did. You m i g h t have t h o u g h t your berry: loaded hook w a s responsible, b u t such Was not t h e case. Once w e I became a w a r e of w h a t h a d h a p - j ' pened w e retreived t h e sub-^ stance a n d t h e flsh stopped j u m p i n g a n d left this area. We surfaced t o give you some explanation of t h e freak a n d then decided you should be our guesjr for a few m o m e n t s since t h e Home h a d acted so rudely.' T h e voice turned sheepish a n d I'll bet there w a s a grin somewhere on the face or in t h e m i n d s of t h a t l u m i n o u s spot a s i t said: 'Those excrements a r e embarrassing and inexcusable.

T h a t is t h e only imperfection yet to be ironed out of t h e Home a n d one I fear t h a t will never be conquered a s i t concerns i t s personal comfort. We apologize to you, , e a r t h m a n , for t h e unseemly behaviour of our Home.' '"' 'One last word of warning.

Our luminosity i s contagious and you will be plagued with i t for s o m e ' time to come. I t will i not bother you in open light, b u t in darkness your face and especially your eyes will glow like ours.

I Unfortunately we can give you no antidote for i t other t h a n t o tell you t h a t i t s intensity will gradually decrease. Your companionship h a s been most e n joyable, e a r t h m a n .

We leave you with reluctance. Farewell.'

"Afternoon sunlight hit m e in the face a s I stumbled out thei door a n d walked down t h e g a n g plank. I s a w green trees framed a g a i n s t t h e blue s k y a n d heard the wind blowing and saw the lake. My feet touched land a n d I turned and looked back. B u t ! the Home h a d disappeared. I h a d n ' t heard a sound either. I i don't know if i t went u p i n t h e j air or down i n t h e water b u t it [ w a s gone. It m a y still be out [there in t h e lake continuing its] observation for a l l I know. If it i s I don't care to r u n into it again.

"My watch said 4:30 a n d I w a s stunned to realize t h a t I had been a w a y from this cove only about 25 m i n u t e s from t h e t i m e t h e fish began acting u p .

It seemed much longer. And, brother, four hundred million miles, t h a t i s a w a y !

I got i n t h e j e e p a n d drove home like I w a s i n a trance. I kept i n t h e bright lights till t h e kids went to b e d t h a t night; When I cut off t h e light a n d started t o g e t in bed m y wife let out a shriek a n d I k n e w m y face w a s shining like those guys in t h e Home said it would. I turned t h e light back on a n d told t h e whole story j to m y wife just like I've told itj to you. She wouldn't believe m e a t first, b u t then s h e did for I

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had proof. All I had to do was r turn out the light and my head '•-would glow like a full moon.

"And she's got it now. Not as] *d as me, but she's got it. I w one side of her face glow-1 g last night and it's spreadg. I forgot to warn her that (e Home guys said it was congidus. She has a time putting re kids to bed. Has to switch le light out and duck out of |» room in a hurry. We have be careful at night not to get any shadows when anyone in see us. It's a danged nuisace. You can't remember everyme.

"I'm still going fishing. But m taking a crowd with rrfe. No bore of this fishing alone for le. | "I can tell by the way you're 'joking at me you think I'm i>atty. Well, think what you jfike. I know what I been /through. I won't forget those /fish jumping, that ride in the I Home, those luminous guys, and looking out at all those.planets and things. And those heads talking to me. I shudder when I think of it. But I'll be telling it to my grandchildren.

"And speaking of that luminous stuff, I hope you haven't caught it from me here talking to you. Don't look so scared.

It won't hun you. Just look in

•

LOCUST GETS NEW FIRE TRUCK—It began as just another project by the Locust Lions Club but it ended up in a whrilwind of frenzied activity. Locust Lions began a movement to Vaise funds to purchase a fire truck for their community and money and pledges rolled in so fast they were stunned. They placed an ad in The Observer and got -an immediate response from the city of Camden, S. C, which had an extra fire truck on its hands.

Negotiations proved ..that the truck was :

just what the Locust citizens wanted, but Camden's price of $2,500 was a little high.; A day or two more of fund raising produced the necessary money and they told Camden to make delivery. The new truck arrived last Friday, just 10 days after the project was begun. Carl S. Hammond (left), chief of the Camden Fire Department is presenting the bill of sale for the truck to R. A. Burleson, president of the Locust Lions Club. (Photo by Fred T. Morgan)

^ " J J ^ ^ M ^ W S ^ W ^ ^ s T A L B e M A B L E . N. C.. FRIDAY, APHIL **> 19S4

New London Negro Remembered Now As A Mathematical Wizard

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"It was a gift," folks said of I t h e local celebrity of the time.

Jonse's figuring ability. .

People never tired of asking him Jonse Mauney has been dead for They say you could stand and questions, He told them how many crossapproximately 35-40 years, but he quote long lists of numbers to is a character the people of New Jonse as long as you cared to and ties and rails t h e r e were on the London and vicinity will long re- when you finished he could give railroad between New London and you the total.

Salisbury. AH Jonse needed to member.

I t is remembered t h a t Jonse know was the average number of People under around 40 years of aee can't remember seeing Jonse would stand at the railroad near ties per rail and the length Of the tor" he was dead and buried m the New London and absorb the num- rail. He knew t h a t i t was 24 colored eraveyard west of the vil- . bers on each freight car t h a t pass- miles by rail from New London lage about that time But they ed by. Perhaps there were several i to Salisbury, Another question w a s : If it have heard much of his prowess dozen cars add from five to 10 numerals in the number on each i t a k e s a locomotive drive wheel 14 tfrom their forebears. individual car. B u t just as soon U e e t t o m a k e one complete revo Jonse was a freak of nature A as the l a s t car passed, Jonse could lution, how many revolutions mathematical ^ ; * \ ™ t l \ give the total of all the numbers. would it make between New LonH e proved a help to many build- don and Salisbury? Jonse gave ^ u T a s t r l o S sums in an ers. He was good at estimating the answer before the questioner instant. • j and figuring the amounts of ma- could bat his eyes.

He did it quite apart from any terials it would take to go in a Talbert's Question normal procedure. When asked given space.

Brack Talbert, elderly New I ™e™nswer to a perplexing riddle Give him the dimensions of a "THE ROBE"—AT THE BADIN ROAD DRIVE-IN , o f f f g u r e s . Jonse w o u l d d r o p his wall, the size of t h e windows and London resident, recalls Jonse One of t h e finest motion pictures of all time, "The Robe", : bead a little or either rmse his doors to go ••• at., »..v* ™, would ..

1 very distinctly. Back in 1909, he in it, and he head and look up. Sometimes ne tell you in two winks of the eye posed this question to Jonse: If is now showing at the Badin Road Drive-In theatre, the only the• would say: "Let me ^ . " a n d - m ^ how many bricks it would take he had started on Jhorseback in atre in a 35-mile radius equipped to show CinemaScope pictures, t h e scratch his head. Then h e d to build it. I t made no difference | the year one, A.D., how far would according to the owner and operator, G. L. Faw. T h e film, star•rive you the answer J u s t like, •how high or long the wall was, he have traveled on the way from ring Victor Mature and J e a n Simmons, is scheduled a t t h e local * : j t h l t . I n less time t h a n it take* either. the earth to the sun, figuring the theatre t h r o u g h Monday, M a y 3. i to tell about it. sun at 90 million miles away?

Give him the sjze of a roof and Abe stopped and shook his head.

Infallible Accuracy I n other words, how far would h e would tell you how m a n y , "No suh. J 5 i t too cold and snowy.

W h a t made him more amazing wooden shingles would be re- he have traveled by horseback on [was his infallible accuracy. Many We didn't enjoy ourselves much." the way from the earth to the [and devious methods were employ- quired to cover it. j pretty l a w n . . . a m a n cultivatsun in 1909 years, providing he Stalks i n Cornfield ed to check on Jonse's accuracy ' ing his Irish potatoes . . . a girl If the corn stalks in your field' maintained a steady rate of 1 but the results never varied. H e were 14 inches a p a r t in the rows travel? .^^^—. in shorts.. ..^^^_ II was " - _7.„.,,.

-riLrhi.

His answers Locust hoves into view. At t h e and the rows were two feet a p a r t I t didn't faze Jonse a particle. always right, attractive h o m e of Mrs. A. J. stood whatever acid test anyone and you knew the size of the field He evidently knew about the maxiBy FRED T. MORGAN ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ I Furr in Locust, I knocked on t h e bleared to m a k e on them. Never Jonse could tell you like a flash m u m number of miles a man on notes of ^a harrassed front door a n d t h e n step back to many stalks were in the field horseback could cover in a day., Hurried ,.*„ I was he known to be wrong in his how »w m t m j BLCUAO "-CTTC xxx ..........

I xiOITStJUaCK. c o c a o rova m a <u>; "" run a d m i r e t h e riot of blazing azaleas I (calculations.

His ability to give effortless an- S oon as Mr. Talbert finished stat- reporter on a hurtling bordering t h e porch. When I i Otherwise, the old colored swers to all such knotty problems through the hot county . . . n g h i s q u e s t i o n , Jonse began unfinally looked back to t h e door, I hrithmetitaah was r a t h e r ignorant. made him a well known attraction iraveling Stopped in a t Clarence Freethe answer there stood Mrs. Furr looking a t Some people say he didn't have throughout t h e New London secm a n ' s place on Stony Run creek.

-. T Jb t t th b t f common sense enough to come in You h a v e to ford old Stony Run me. I don't know how long s h e e SE J ^ N S " K 3 S i r S f £ £ " his reJouSonT J o ^ e ^ a f it getting into a n d out of Mr. Free- h a d been watching. ' out of, t h e rain.

I n s i d e her spacious living m .One m a n employed Jonse to i AZ~~JZ-~ZZJ. ed somewhere around one-sixth of m a n ' s place a n d t h e w a t e r s of room, she showed m e a n ancient „ t h e creek look cool a n d inyigC u l t i v a t e some young corn for him T V O NewrLondon'men"connived I orating. The creek h a s a solid hand-printed song book, a prize canaJ^JS^^LxVSSZ and said of the contract: "He * S a S T & ™ U « -eats . of her h u s b a n d ' s . The •would run his plow this way and yankee Negroes, visiting in New t . rock bottom a t t h e ford a n d possession tQ t o n e over on old old cloth or bound volume t h a t and plow up more corn t h a n \ London, to r e m a r k t h a t if they "" Jonse one time. They sat up for there's no worry about gett n g is tattered apaper n d yellowed b u t it had Jonse back in New York with he cultivated. I had to make him I several hours one night figuring s t a l e d .

Who'd jmind getting , unhitch and go to the house. He j them they could make a fortune out the answer to a problem they stalled, though, in a s pretty a h a s survived t h e ravages of time a n d pilfering children rerharkwith him. . . . . . .. « l n / t A nc That' ".just couldn't do it." ably well. The book contains Tradition ha« it t h a t Jonse re- w e r e g o i n * t o a s k h i m " J t W M t h e p l a C e a S t h * t ?

— Jonse was the son of Cad and one about the old hen who laid 12 Mr. Freeman, who>operates a t h e music to dozens of old tunes.

- H e t t i e Mauney. He and his f a t h - ' fused numerous lucurative Offers e s a n d __ ^ ^ a m o n g the ^ hatched 12 little chicks, woodworks shop and a molasses '3er were the former slaves of Vol to travel ^ i ? h o a i S s S and E VJ.ut.no i a i u jL*zt L 5 5 a i n i i n , < , v . » -—~ — Ea th best-loved religious S v a—7—= r t o i ; ",T o Tr"*'% i s r He% referred to | f , <? | <*ick_ laid 12 eggs I mill, told m e to remind folks I some of which are h y m n s s u n g ajMauney, one of the pioneer white I v.. h "a Z~ZZ*.&Z.. * 1 ana natcnea 12 chicks, and so on t h a t if t h e y w a n t e d t o m a k e a t 'settlers in the New London' area. remain at would a t New London and w o u l d ,aa nn dQ 0n„a t c on ef a c o u r s i t w a s based good crop of cane t h i s year to today. At the back of t h e book are several p a g e s of index a n d t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t a l l the p l a n t their, cane during t h e full In his youth, Jonse worked with \ not stray far from the little vil-1 titles. One p a g e contains the his dad a t the old Mauney mill on l a |f- , . b, „ . . „ • , eggs hatched and all the chicks moon in May. n a m e of Mathias Furr. Mr. Furr the Yadkin river four miles east People who were acquainted u « d T h e y f i g u r e d i t u p i n t o t h e ' 3^M »y. not salvaged the old book from t h e While Mi. Freeman m a of New London. Cad's ex-master, with Jonse respected his indelible ^ * J cked know all there is to know home of his "father.

Vol Mauney, the grandfather of memory. His memory was of the b m i o n s a n th / d o j u b l e c h e a b o u t molasses - m a k i n g , he J T. B. Mauney, gave him 10 acres bear-trap variety, especiallywhere t h e i r f i gs u r i l l ^g t b e s u r e they 4 wteer de Passed by the barber shop in correct Ne t d they pi en of land and built for him and his birth dates were^concerned. If t h e p r o b l e m t o old Jonse, asking knows enough about t h e busiLocust. It w a s full of long* ness t h a t h e is regarded a s one s family a big two-story house you around New ^lu,r i l | | * what w h n t t fthe a p t ntotal tfl1 nunumber n fof haired fellows a w a i t i n g their »- - lived . . _ .London . „ and |ihhim of t h e best sorghum-makers in which' Was situated near where h a d been born during his memoiy t u r n in t h e chair. But everychick8 w o u l d b e a t t h e e n d of i this p a r t of t h e country.

He •Jthe present Culp Lumber company span, he never forgot the de-1 thing's full in Locust. A more . h a s m a d e molasses for years c e r t a i n n u m b e r o f c y c l e s - i s located on the northern outthriving place I never did see. tafls surrounding your birth. j s e didn't waste much time on on e n d a n d cane-growers from on skirts of the village.

Battin' the breeze south on as far a w a y a s Asheboro bring F o r instance, a man asked h i m . it H e dropped his head a Httle Many elderly residents in New N. C. 200 toward Stanfield . . . their cane to h i m fox process. „ and began unfurling the answer.

London today remember "Uncle" "When was I born, Jonse? a church . . . a p l u m b i n g place ing.

Cad and "Aunt" Hettie and the^r a Jonse moment thena tsaid: ere | T h e i r m o u t h s p o p p e d o p e n i n looked him "You closelyw for . . . a photographer's residence About two years ago, Mr. "children. They were good neigh- born the day they hung the bety amazement. He was quoting the . . . a store . . . a lake on t h e F r e e m a n gave m e a q u a r t bors and kept a clean home. Jonse in the school house." same figure they had obtained. s a m p l e of his b r a n d of moleft with a little island in it had a t least one brother, Fred, And he was right', too. . . . a n old a b a n d o n e d airport But not quite. Jonse ended u p j lasses. Ahhhh — the memory : and several sisters, among .them If the m a n wanted more specific with one more on the right . . . freshly turned than Jonse," they had. they of t h a t q u a r t of sorghum still wrong, Cam, Lou, Liz, Laura, and Maime. information about the date of his told farmland . . . shoulder - h i g h "You're him. does things to me. I didn't All the children were bright and birth, Jonse could tell him t h e day s m a l l grain . • . another church Jonse dropped his head for a ask h i m for them; h e Just vol', intelligent but Jonse was the only of the week and month, the hour m o m e n t as if recapitulating, t h e n on the left a n d Stanfield e n - ' t one with any impressive abnormal- of the day or night, and if there looked up. "No, I'm not wrong,"' unteered. Maybe I can pull •elopes me. strings a n d m a k e it convenient l i.ity. was a snow on the ground, or a he said. to go back b y Mr. Freeman's Dwight Osborne, prominent No one remembers a t w h a t age cold wind blowing, or a bright "But we figured it out," they this fall a b o u t molasses-mak- [Stahfield citizen a n d businessI Jonse's peculiarity in the realm of moon shining. s a i d "We got it here in black and I ing time.

• man, w a s smiling like h e h a d a L (figures began to manifest itself.

Reminded About Birthday An interesting a n d pictur- houseful of customers, although white. We know we're right. i iThere is a story t h a t he went to J He made it a point to go to t h e } You've got one' more than us." esque place out a t the Free- his furniture store w a s vacant -* School for a short time, but this is j homes of everyone who had a i Jonse looked a t them sharply, w h e n I walked in. We got to unlikely as school facilities for birthday coming up and remind "You forgot to count t h e first old m a n mill. ^ ^ Back ^ ^ ^ ^ on ^ ^ ^t h^e h i g h w a y and I t a l k i n g about t h e break-ins t h a t • colored children 100 years ago {t h e m of it. Or he would m e e t | b e n i » b e said I were practically non-existent. The them on the streets of the village ThPv w ^ f l a b h e r t r a s t e d i heading west . . . a Buick zooms h a p p e n e d out there a week or * .two ago. Dwight said h e c a m e a ,eacher would give a problem in and tell them. "Tomorrow (or next rainbow of a n d examined his doors w h e n h e arithmetic and Jonse would give Tuesday) is your birthday," he J Ve answer quick as the words left j would tell them, "bake a sweet known New London man who has ^ " „ . •'„„„_' I n L , out behind | heard about t h e places being lived in the same house there for ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ w ^ T a 1 robbed. But no one' h a d tamper*r mouth. Try as she would, the cake and save m e a piece." reel-type l a w n mower in - ed with his store as far as h e acher could not get Jonse t o ! Usually his birthday reminders the past 56 years, emphasized I could tell. plain how he arrived a t the were pleasant ones, except pos- I Jonse's accuracy. "He was never Mumbled to Himself • I wrong," Mr. Russell said. "I was South on 200 some more iwer. sibly m in tne the case w of imue some of the i around smiy ui "«= around him him aa lot lot and ana heard heard of oi a | Some people recall t h a t he j a c 7oss "the railroad . . down a \ Couldn't Read ox Writ* young ladies who did not care to | l o t o f the questions he would an- m m n b l e d as if talking to himself h nmm there's m e r e s a n apple orchard A thi*~led "j»ruT "he truth was t h a t Jonse could be reminded publicly of their age• | g w e r a n d j never knew him to be Wyx*xx~ hile he — *Mms , 1; -fH° ' I on a• •-hillside ••••. . . . . . . * a" steep hillside, _ split -x~- wood ., ana';"" folks to believe t h a t he may have L ^ explain any of his answers. H e In his l a t t e r ^ y e a r ^ J b n s e wanted J w r o n g o n anything." k e d b£ j folks to believe t h a t F been counting off t h e seconds or .

I not read or write. A pencil a token or gift in response to_ his a l i t t l e n i c h e £ff t h e r o a d . a .o, jQjjg e w a g never married. At the number of pieces of wood t h a t it nothing to him except just birthday reminders. You could ask the deatft of his parents, he con t u r n t o t h e right and pretty tfcon w of making meaningless him your age and he'd tell you. tinued living in the same old he could split m order to enable R e e c e H u n e y c u t t ' s nine-acre fish% His mind seemed to be Then he would say: "Gimme a| home, staying with his married m m to tell when the hour was up. i n g l a k e c o m e g i n ^ ^ to grasp figures only. But nickel." h e r e aarree ppe er h , brothers brothers and ana sisters. sisters, He we earned j$ u t this seems unlikely. uniiKeiy. H n ii ss | $There r haappss aa couple coupie His lightning calculations inin a little money doing odd jobs for ability iim figures or numerals, to tell when, t h e hour was dozen people fishing around t h e ponderous„ figures made him w oral or written, j m d he _*;[the white folks around the village, j u p w a s just another of the mys- edges of t h e lake. The s u n is fjryorit-^tommunityjandmark and l ssimulaf* thei . |J but lie could not \Hseiy hancHe his j teri;es associated with Jonse. (] w a r m cind t h e ^ - a t e r ' s calm. And b'ilhYg'.' O n e ' y b u . i a l SJLiU »n«tn«ei another man man •fe-flieftiliers remembers) tt hh ee fish-are SkT" \ 1.m—. . S*ni flsh-are b'ilhig. : lad pulls a carp One t h a t 'ybuAg looks Jonse's T r a d i n g j t h a i Jonse worked his fingers like it m i g hout t weigh three pounds.

R. B. "Shack" Ritchie, of Albe- whenever someone would ask him marie, used to operate a store a t a question and he believes t h a t in Over on a glass-enclosed — J — -—4.1. j I s o m e unfathomable way the old I TVT„„ New TLondon with u:_ his i—xt brother and showcase on t h e wall of a he well remembers old Jonse colored man used his fingers to building, a r e a t least 50 pictrading at the store. "He would give him the answers; Again it tures of people with big buy an axe handle or a pair of seems unlikely. catches m a d e a t the lake. shoes once in a while," Mr. Ritchie School professors and visiting There are a b o u t half a dozen I said, "but that's about eui all nhe pictures of prize-winners holduau a o u u u i e educators e a u c a r o r s would w o u i u rrub u n their m e n heads nwui ing h a m s awarded for the bigwould ever buy unless his folks in bewilderment at Jonse's spon I sent him there with orders to buy taneous answers to any staggering gest catch.

Mr. Huneycutt, a pleasant something else." mathematical problems t h r u s t a t g r a y i n g m a n , said t h a t seven According to Mr. Ritchie, Jonse him. cut cordwood during the winter a t -Suave Yankees, engaged in con- years ago the lake w a s noth|45 cents per cord. He could cut struction work on the Yadkin river ing b u t a wilderness. This is t h e third year it has been open around three cords — ~per r*-* day ^*".y and « n « he n c at Whitney and Badin, would observe «the pas always i Was a l w a v s on hand h a n d for fni» his l-.lt- mpay .-.,. to„„.,„ . . phenomenon of Jonse and — for public fishing. He said I when the men came around to would try to persuade him to go there were approximately 30, back north with them in order 000 pounds of carp a n d catfish I measure his wood.

Jonse has been variously de- t h a t they might capitalize upon in t o e lake, some weighing u p scribed as a tall, rangy Negro his gift. But Jonse consistently to 35 pounds. Mr. Huneycutt also operates a t t h e l a k e a big [with no bad habits. He was al- refused. ways cleanly dressed and free of _ There is a kind of hazy recollec- lodge t h a t will r a n k with t h e any mischief and was above re- tion in the village of New London best of e a t i n g places in the proach in his conduct. mmmm. laoour about some professors from a big county. " e 0or some institution of Ii „ One of his principal occupations college m s u i u u o n ux . , m h n „ s a nn , 1 > ome J was splitting stove learning, coming to New London Stopped at a fa r m h o u s e i a n a waa , chopping uiuyping and ana spurring — r - . stove , t Q & w d y j o M e » w h o ^ ^ w e r e | d u s t y A r o a d a n d a s k e d directions d u s t y roau a n u a-wcu v... wpod ' — — —around — - - ™ » ~ . New -.-W.T London M V . 1 U U J I homes.

1IV1111CS. T ~ : _ J two X HT e- carried axes, one to chop or , ^ what ^ ^ ^ the ^ „ result of their study IiiJ. W 'iibuu\.M of CLa Wtow-headed kid with a sweaty face who held a ball b a t I the wood and the other to split the I was, no one "seems "able"to"""re s_ i.,-„ \*„„A «v««» In his hand^ "Yes, b e s a i d . "See I j blocks. At the peak of the stove member wood splitting season, he had a Whether Jonse's genius extend- t h a t house over there? You go on down t h a t w a y and on over number of homes to wo|-k, splited number of homes to work, split- e d into ^ ^ ^ algebra, geometry frac- t h e road a n d go till you come ting fqr an hour or t w o a t each tions, or higher forms of mathe**«.«. * « _ ~ ~ 1 ...

X _. . . . higher forms of m a t h e place and telling t h e m : "That'll matics is not definitely known. up to a crossroads. Then you keep you in wood until I get back There seems to be no memory go over t h i s w a y a n d he lives right over there on t h e hill." around." rr^" „ . : „_ I record of his dealing with any Folks using t h e road between T. B. Mauney, prominent Albe- highly complex problem in the Frankie Green's store on highmarie attorney, remembers, when- higher brackets of mathematics w a y 200 a n d t h e Stanfield-Big he was a small boy, that old Jonse The simpler forms of arithmetic I J W ^ ^ e intor^meToJ'gh would come to his father s home were his forte LiicK roaa are in IUI ="" | regularly to cut stove wood and ^Perhaps no one ever lived in the ^ " t o w ^ B i g ^ c k . . . stopto ,remind members of the family New London community who made L*»d a t t h l h o m f of Billy Ander|p of their birthdays.

— a more vivid impression and w h o dson • " - " - and — ^ his »a n d• -Mr. Anderson There -was a peculiarity about I is remembered with -»—= more f o n d boys were tinkering with a n old tITC old *his T wood ™ ~ ~ £splitting " — ™ ? that some •""""" EpeoT J I nostalgia "^T*T' 6 T- than •""*",the colored tractor They didn't w a n t to stop pie remember. They say you could arithmetician, Jonse Mauney.

Cer- t h e tractor motor. because it n e v e r tell Jonse to split wood for an .

— —*--' another ^ ^ m I g h t n o t start a g a i n under ^ ^ ^its ^^^ 2tamly , ^there " was ^ hour, and although Jonse didn't person there who was regarded as o w ^ p o w e r , so we h a d to talk own a timepiece nor have one in more or mmmar h »a«— n oja*J.__as ld a curiosity" t+> :-._ to .._ be t__ heard *.X^~A nvM | l o u d *i enough over his possession, he stopped work T t h e noise of t h e tractor engine: Jonse. i •° •-^— ——«—* right on the dot when the hour I t was a bitter, snowy day when A solid, likable fellow, Mr. Anw a s up. People actually timed derson. him. He worked steadily at his they buried old Jonse in the colorBig Lick and boyhood memed cemetery west of the village.

A task until the hour was up, then __, friend . . „ of „» „vr..o^.«, jjo.o»eu by uy I orieS . . . Liberty L.IOI „ Hill Primitive colored Jonse's passed he'd toss the last piece of wood a white household on his return Baptist church . . . t h e D. P. Bur aside ,^—.and stand up like it was — , from the funeral and a member of ris store a n d Stony Run creek . . the most natural thing in the the household said to him: "Was Pleasant Grove church and Frog world for him to know when the there a big crowd at the burying, Pond . . . seems Frog Pond comhour was up. |Abe?" ' m u n l t y h a s gained a couple of

By FRED T. MORGAN

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• • • Liberty Hill p t K J ^ 8 lh uo nf de r a I **<*• member S » a ps tt iosr te c h u dr c h • •1 t1h e 1> t h l r e ? H C r o"w *d a *» l ^ ^ w £ 8 3f e a a n * " ^ " J " " " C t Abe™" * thebiu-jSnt S l i t Grove church a e our y m g , | Pond . . . seems Frog Po; munity has gained a ct

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Jonse Was New London Mathematical Wizard

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ALBEMARLE — Jonse Mauney them at lightning speed. has been dead for approximately "It was a gift," folks said of His lightning calculations in ponderous figures made him a favor40 years but he is^ a character the Jonse's figuring ability. people around New London in Jonse would stand near the rail- ite community landmark and the Stanly County will long remember. road at New London and absorb local celebrity of the time. People Jonse was a freak of nature. A the numbers on^feach freight car never tired of asking him questions. mathematical wizard. He was a that passed by. Perhaps there He told them how many crossmastermind at figures — able to were several dozen cars and from ties and rails there were on the compute astronimical sums in an five to 10 numerals in the number Yadkin Railroad between New Lonon each car. But just as soon as don and Salisbury, a distance of instant.

He did it quite apart from any the last car passed, Jonse could 24 miles. normal procedure. When asked give the total of all the numbers. Brack Talbert, elderly New Lonthe answer to a perplexing riddle 'Give him the dimensions of a don resident, posed this question of figures, Jonse would drop his wall, the size of the windows and to Jonse back in 1909: "If he had head a little. Sometimes he would doors to go fn it, and he would tell started on horseback in the year say: "Let me see," and maybe you in two winks of the eye how one, A. D., how far would he have scratch his head. Then he would many bricks would be requirecfcto traveled on the way from the earth give you the answer. Just like that. build it. It made no difference how to .the sun, figuring the sun at 90 In less time than it takes to tell high or long the wall was either. million miles away?" about it.

Tell him the size of a roof and In other words, how far would What made him more amazing* he would tell you how many wood- he have traveled by horseback on was his infallible accuracy. Many en shingles would be required to the way from the earth to the sun in 1909 years, providing he mainand devious methods were em- Cover it. ployed to check on Jonse's ac- If the corn stalks in your field tained a steady rate of travel? curacy but the results never va- were 14 inches apart in the rows It didn't faze Jonse a particle. and the rows were two feet apart He evidently knew the maximum ried. He was always right.

Apart from figures, the old col- and you knew the size of the field number of miles a man on horseored arithmetician was rather ig- Jonse could tell you like a flash back could cover in a day. Soon norant. Jonse was the son of Cad how many stalks there were in the as Mr. Talbert finished stating his question, Jonse had the answer. and Hettie Mauney. He and bis field. father were former slaves of Vol Tradition has it that Jonse re Mr. Talbert said to the best of Mauney, one of the pioneer white fused numerous lucurative offers his recollection, Jonse had it figsettlers in the New London area to travel as an attraction with ured that he would have traveled No one remembers at what age carnivals and shows of various about one-sixth of the 90-millionJonse's peculiarity in the realm sorts. He preferred to remain at mile-journey. of figures began to manifest itself New London and woulcknot stray Perhaps no one ever lived in the New London community who made but tradition has it that he began far from the little village. to astount people from an early He had a beartrap memory a more vivid impression and who age with his answers to tough math where birth dates were concerned. is remembered with more nostalproblems. Try as they would, peo- You could ask him when you were gia than the old colored arithmeple could not get Jonse to explain born, if you had been born in his tician Jonse Mauney. Certainly 'how he arrived ai his answers. memory span, and he would tell there was never another person The truth was that Jonse could you the day of the week and month, in the village who was regarded not explain any of his • answers. the hour of the day or night, and as more of a "curiosity" than old He could not read or write, any- if there was a snow on the ground, Jonse.

Ithing .except numbers: His mind or a cold wind blowing, or a bright Jonse lies buried today in an unseemed to be able to grasp figures moon shining. He made it a point marked grave in the colored only. But give him figures, oral or to go to the homes of everyone cemetery west of the village of written, and he could assimulate who had a birthday coming up and New London.

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Stanly County Slate Becomes An Important Building Factor

Eg* By FRED T. MORGAN as a boon to the building indus- While its product is creating somewhat of a sensation in the ALBEMARLE — After more than try. fix months of full-scale, round- Recent construction projects in building circles, the plant itself is the-clock operation, the Carolina this state in which Solite blocks an undisguised blessing to Stanly Solite plant near Aquadale in Stan- were used were the Westinghouse County.

UTILIZES SLATE ly County is still unable to meet plant at Raleigh, the Western Electhe demands for its product that tric plant at Winston-Salem, and The plant utilizes native slate are coming from the building in- the William Neal Reynolds Colise- formations, a natural raw material which underlies sections of this um at N. C. State College. dustry in North Carolina. ' With two giant eght-foot by 135- The Aquadale plant, located two county in seeminly unlimited quanfoot kilns (regarded as perhaps the miles west of Aquadale on the tities. longest in the industry) belching Norfolk-Southern railroad, is a sub- It provides employment for a out red hot molten material at the sidiary of the Southern Lightweight total of 32 men, all but three of are local men. rate of from 55 to 60 carloads of Aggregate Corporation of Rich- whom It has put Stanly County on the finished material per week, the mond, Va. Construction work on map as the location of the only the plant began in May, 1953 and plant still lacks much of satisfying plant of this type in the state of the demands of contractors and the plant began production in late North Carolina. The next nearest November of that year.

More than builders in this area. a year of exploratory work by plant is at Bremo Bluff, Va., the The product of the plant, known company representatives, assisted parent plant of the company. by the trade name of Solite light-! by N. C. state geologists, preceded Plans are under way for the weight aggregate, is in extensive' the selection of the site for the development of the approximate ly 235 acres of land the company use and has been readily accepted plant. owns around the plant site. Three lakes will be constructed and stocked with fish, and other recreational facilities will be provided.

All the terrain around the plant and quarry is being developed with an eye to beautification and conservation.

The plant quarry, a yawning hole in the hillside from which the Monhauled to crushers. In lower photo, storroe type slate is blasted and hauled OPERATION SOLITE—Pictured are two out by truck, lies about 800 feet scenes of operation at the Carolina Solite age silos for raw material and coal can be south of the plant processing in- plant near Aquadale in Stanly County. In seen at left, and below them are the long stallations. Slate deposits have been top photo, big shovel and trucks tear away kilns. In center is the screening tower and explored here to a depth of 180 at right the crushers whicli, take the slate feet and is believed to extend unwanted surface deposits to reach the as it comes from the quarry. true slate strata which is blasted loose and beyond.

"Stripping", which is the removal product is done to any large ex- the Southern Lightweight Aggre- superintendent of the company^ of the overburden of undesirable tent at the Aquadale plant and surface soil and rock until the the product is loaded as produced. gate Corp. and of the Carolina "Aquadale Solite plant true slate strata lies exposed, pre Practically shipments go out Solite Corp. The company main- term that has come to ha cedes the quarrying operations. by rail and all this creates great ad- tains a sales office in Charlotte familiar, favorable, and per: In addition to the two kilns now ditional tonnage for the Norfolk- with Charles B. Law as sales rep- ring to the people of Stanly fJb in operation at the plant, three Southern railroad. resentative. R. F. Gibson is general and this section of the Stat other units are on the ground ready Ninety-eight per cent of the presfor future expansion which is being contemplated by the company. ent output of the plant is sold in the state of North Carolina.

OPERATIONS DESCRIBED John W. Roberts is president of A. Cabell Ford, director of sales for the company, gives this description of the manufacturing process: "After the slate is blasted from the ground and crushed and screened to proper size, it is fed into giant revolving kilns.

"Here, it is fired at temperatures up to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit and emerges red hot. During this intense firing process, steam and gases are expanded in the mineral, thereby causing the slate to ex pand. This expansion results in the formation of millions of tiny cells, making the slate lighter in weight as well as a natural insulator and sound absorber.

"The resulting masses are allowed to cool normally, thus producing a thoroughly annealed product.

Because of this carefully controlled manufacturing process, masonry units made from Solite are fire proof, rust and stain proof, as well as strong and durable, plus the fact I that they are chemically inert." \ No stockpiling of the finished

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Beits Flourish On Stanly Farm

BY FRED IQEGAN , ALBEMARLE, A 3 0-"He's doing the best job i i e b e r r y line of anyone in the st that I know about."

H. R. Niswongej, 0 r e tired in anuary as head of tlH^rtfeulture apartment of Sfcte:ollege, Rath, made that; dement last mer concerning R to Mason, anding b e r r k i d u c e r of dale in S t a n l y t ^ .

• week, d u r i n i , j L t o M a . farm, John A Jifa suc. to Ni SW ongei| m .de almost the same 4 e i « t He it Mason ha] tae largest (rtUest berri and best Bias seen ywhere in

picked from his 200 second-year in late August or early September.]

He is cautious about cultivation. plants.

A retired Marine Corps veteran "Shallow cultivation i s best," he with over 30 years of active and says, "but keep all the weeds out," reserve duty to his credit, Mason On the dewberry side of his berry has been growing strawberries on patch, Mason has 200 vigorous Carohis 52-acre farm near Aquadale for lina dewberry plants which hortisix years. Most of his open land he culture experts say should produce rents out to grain and cotton farm- around 500 quarts this season. ers and devotes his time to the His dewberries are spaced four production of berries and fruits. feet apart in rows six feet apart.

In 1951, he obtained 100 of the The canes of two plants are tied to new Albritton plants /from State a six-foot post centered between College and from them he has set them. This method, however, someout over 3,600 other plants and sold what crowds the plants and Mason around 25,000 plants at a penny thinks it would have been better to each. place one post to each plant.

So much in demand are Mason's Soon as the berries are picked, berries that he is filling orders re- the canes, new growth as well as ceived a yeaj; ago. He averages old, are cut off at the ground and turning away half a dozen people burned. In the spring when new ,the end o f p c u r r e n t each day who come to his farm growth starts, the canes are trained I season, a b o t l m i d . j U n e , seeking a few crates of berries. in bundles on the ground until .a .man who A> ws these His customers this year are placing few weeks prior to maturity when they are tied up on the posts where I». expects tojmve har- their orders for next season. id 1,500 quartlof straw- "I believe I could have sold 5,000 the fruit ripens and is easily picked.

IP his one-eidith acre Quarts during a two-week period Mason says the plants are good for ets 25 cents jjpr quart, here recently if I had had them," 10 to 12 years of such cycles.

There is likewise a terrific de^ o m many ieBS plants Mason said. f*0 sold 764 quarts of He is high in praise of the Al- mand for his dewberries and he is «**• Also last year. britton variety. "Best strawberry able to serve only a fraction of the Q u a r t s of dewberriei that's ever been introduced," he customers that come his way. says.

Mason has no irrigation system for his berry patch but does mulch ^aw9K them thoroughly in the fall and this protection, he says, gives the lants a head start and extra vigor in the spring.

As for fertilizer, he follows the recommended application of one gallon of 5-10-10 per 100 feet of row *~*

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE. tt. C. FRIDAY, APRIL 9. 1954

Badin Man Carves Wooden Shoes; Has Unusual Knack At Whittling

By FRED T. MORGAN "You just take a block of wood I and start whittling."

So says W. D. Kitchin, Badin woodcarver and creater• • of the popular miniature wooden, shoes that have originated from his home in Badin and are now in 46 states and four foreign countries.

He says that's about all there is to it. But don't let his modesty fool you. There's more. A lot more.

"If you've got a picture in your mind of what you want to carve, it helps some."

That's the way he starts to work. He first has a vivid mental image of what he's going to carve out of that block of wood that he holds in his hand. A few hours later, he turns out a finished piece of carving and it nr w r «*— — K i t c h i n - carves. They rahge in will be identical with his orig[ good index of the types o ^ ^ t t o n shoes in the upper right g C a r v m g j h e inal mental impression.

Here is a good index of the types * «'A * llittle ittle U n f l p k with w i t h the knife length, knack lerigth from 2% 2 I inches to to.five inches^, N o t e- ^ rfof ^painstaking; £ o n g ™ the shoes five inches *w» W O?InKn Q«- * ~ ^" ^f ' rt f and tools makes it go faster, details of the shoe so realistically r e q u ^ e s n e and address on tne * too." f$K the carving tools. Mr. Kitchin usuaUyJ " * * ^ people/alljver^he^n^^.^ ^ ^ ftom That's the crux of the matter. and he has received notes of appren«*i a " = = = Anyone can whittle on a piece of wood. And anyone can be the A I " " „" riiita progenitor of a quite dazzling Seldom can you tell any differ- United A S 2 ence in the two shoes, either.

T is retirSneS the men in mental impression. Transformh His tools include several ing that impression into something concrete and tangible for pocket knives, special blades, hobby, g ^ i j T p „ w e r l « n e d other people to see is where the awls, scrapers, eyelet punchers, ing tools. But he n ^ - t o d g sandpaper, and stitching instru- how to use hand car knack and the art comes in. | Not everyone has the artistry ments. All this plus a lot of back in the old days, j ^ with a carving knife that Mr. patience. work was ™ « M « 1 f f 3 t o 3 I . l People everywhere have be- still intends t o g e t ™ Kitchin possesses. In fact, very, very few people can claim close come intrigued with Bill's little U n d ITS THE CUTTING THAT COUNTS enough kin with a knife to turn shoes. Practically every home in ° ^ h 2 n ' t Teen l a c i n g J r , duef The little block of wood held in Mr. Kitchin's .left hand will out such masterpieces as come Badin has at least one of them. B l ll h a s n t u little shoes t-Propera soon be transformed into a miniature wooden shoe like the ones from Mr. Kitchin's knife. He's He has sold a few, but most of many toal^J f s t h e i shown in the foreground. To get the job done, he uses the as- an expert in the carving busi- them he just gives away. *T< mainly wood.

But ne u » rather give them away than sell ""-^^Drtment of knives and tools shown on the counter of his little ness and he specializes in little them any time," Bill comments. 1I right kind ol £ ° ° « b i n pr > . calory^sfcpgwj**.the backyard of his Badin home. A machine. sfyoes.

A During World War II, Bill I and he plans to get ^ V ^ a * ^ " trade, he has been carving little shoes for the past 15 They look real enough for a made duction soon. ' / / trips on the train visiting -Sjfir uoi? yiving most of them away to friends. —Staffi Photo little person out of "Gulliver's relatives in his native Georgia.

Travels" to put on his feet, lace He would have his pockets full | up, and wear. They have realis- of little shoes and distribute tic stitching around the soles, them to servicemen on the train. bands across the toes, eyelets, Most of the shoes contained his aces, buttons and bows, etc. name and address, and many Md ui aziseqduia o* ps)uv« - n r , Some of the shoes look like months later, he would get letthey've been worn for a time — ters thanking him for the shoes euiqo guiquioq-uioie uesui uoi^ei\ei they have wrinkles in the right and asking for more. In this -3i ..OAISSBUI,, pue, ,iue;sui„ siq) places and the toes slightly way, his little shoes went to vaPia '33111U1U100 SU0IV313H Ugl3J0^ curve up on the end. rious parts of the nation and s,3^eu3s aqi Aq sanoq aaaqi pauon.

Bill (his friends call him Bill) world. £•£ -sanb SBA saipiQ 'qo33ds S.UOXIN doesn't go in for the real fancy Bill began carving little trinJ3^JB sAep xis '61 qMBJt uo type of shoes and slippers. Most•peojqe pue JddedsM3{s[ jo Appos ueouauiy ly it's the plain everyday work kets back in 1942 at the request shoes that he makes. Usually, of two of his nieces. They were ajaq uoisnjuoa pssneo qaaads )eqx am o\ aqods uoxiN 91 ludy UQ he carves his shoes in three dis- saving little toy animals. One i s m i S.IVHM -diaq/ftAue pd^oe^e s^siunuiuioo 3 ue su 3A SSBUI UH tinctive styles — button shoes, wanted a little horse; the other slmmool aa'OaWtp m l\ I . A I .. P «,Ai i i», shoes with laces, and shoes with- wanted him to make her a toy ^zr\weD ,9n\ %em saDBp pue sauni out laces. All of them require elephant. It was a pretty big m Jo P*OW "OKI s«0 ^ u i ~ i^saagge p saaanos ao[«ui painstaking labor but the button •order for Bill who had never shoes are hardest to make. They done any hand carving before. speui sannaqoaeds e jo i n o \ i j i 8 4 1 * ? B 3 B T ° * ! P T , an LL B are the type of shoes in vogue But he tackled it. He carved a aian\ — ..Xjoieqeiai,, pue (13AIS -3i 'anqoui 'SAisseui ano uo Aiueiul horse and an elephant for the half a century ago.

-SBUI„—pssn sq spjOM. Ria\ aqx -ud einpj aq} ui K\dai ppoAv 3A\I Wood he likes best for his girls. Then he carved a pair of S ' JBAV 3\Wl ui ppoA aq} asAO ne carving is white maple and yel- shoes. He liked them best, and ..iuoisssjgge meap oi sn aiqqrasisnmunuoooin been carving little shoes m aa-unm B ... low poplar. Or if two-tone shoes he's ssDinos aoteui dtft ^SUIBSB are desired, he uses red and ever since. white cedar — when he can find Bill has a more illustrious background in carving than most a* qonpv **od O W f l M " W « Sll M S nW ^ S a p e*T it.

•OAisseui., s,&nunoa sun pauon * :pies pue peoioe It takes him eight to 10 hours folks. In fact, he has such a -uaui aq uaq* ym et «p«W. «W uojSMaSge ,Snmiumo0 guipaui ui to turn out a completed pair of full and colorful background his oi ueaui uoxm PIP uain W V ^ a ..^ot MOU,, s W ^ s m u i p e ain j ^ shoes. He gets the first one> fin- life story would be a continua- , ^ ^ ^ ^ _ ished, then turns around and tion of dramatic events as he |^jje nation HERE makes a second one just like it. forged a success out of life L j o f _ -siuiuipe . n jo w*wm ^ ^ ] ^ ^ V T ^ o T though severely handicapped F -xa seiA ao ijaauintws vie puno9 o^ '"*" A J i ^ ^ " " H " * « .xjwotDeji lie shoes length from Z 1-2 inches to five inches. Noic from an early age.

1^^^^^^^ button shoes in the upper right.

Mr. Kitchin | • He was born in Cherokee aaq^qjvv n » p 1.U8J li MOU }0 sy m a u J L •UoneDuueioo aaim* oajmb I county, Ga., April 27, 1884, son of ] \ a blacksmith. In Dalton, Ga., ^Mtnb tpnuj[ « n H euiqoopui m U3 P ^ 9J smom. ^i when he was nine years old, he] auop oq ppioo *»qM uo ^pio AVIA e *SBd/ "3*q ;* uoxiw luamsajj aaiA tried to catch a slow-moving passaidxo otttiM guides JOJ ageng ^ 5 , ^ N ' u a p i [ S 8 J d aD?A freight train for a short ride UB M 9 01 u Bl paiu^edaS « S « ~ siqx P ^ 'A " " " ^ g ^ r when he slipped and fell underneath the cars. Twenty-threefc ,,'stsam ^ 9 q 0^ qg nou a jeap agenguei cars passed over him. When t h e l -odAq Xia a\\\un Aiqgtq e aapun guone^sraiuipo em uo pasnu* iaip ^ train stopped and they pulled 1 ISJ voddns o» paaedwd /Cipuosaad sett* ^ j ^ q S3 - 0U P3JB<iui0D (V) P»q *p 1 him out, his foot and part of h i s ' leg were left behind. Gangrene set in and his leg had to be amputated near the thigh.

When he was 12, his mother died, and at the age of 13 he left home to seek his fortune in the world.

Work for a one-legged man could rarely be foundi back in the 1890's. But Bill foujhd it. He once walked 65 miles.iusing a short walking stick fori one leg, to report for work. He worked in a factory and learneq to make trunks and traveling bags, and became an expert cobbler. Later he landed a job as a m apprentice spindle carver ana he remained in the woodcarving work for many years, time and again proving himself to be more than the equal of any normal man in the trade.

An experienced spindle carver could get .work anywhere he traveled and Bill worked in a number of different states and accumulated a sheaf of high recommendations from his employers. He still possesses the yellow sheaf of papers that state "to whom it may concern" that Bill is a man of integrity and dependability and of high skill in the workshop.

In Maryville, Tenn., Bill was at his usual routine work at his 1 machine one day when the machine became fouled and the result was that both his hands were severely mangled. He realized that if his hands were made useless he would be totally out of luck. So he looked for a job less dangerous.

He went to work with the Aluminum Company of America at Maryville, (Alcoa) Tenn., on February 8, 1915. Four years later, he obtained a permanent transfer to the. Badin plant where he became foreman of the carbon rodding department.

At his retirement from active duty With the company on May 1, 1949, he had completed 34 years, two months, and 12 days' of continuous service. As far as is known, he is the only onelegged man who ever started to work with the company and remained with it until retirement age.

About 7 a. m. on the morning following his last day of work at the plant, he opened up a small grocery store in the backyard of his home and he has kept regular hours in the store ever since.

He was married on November 25, 1906, and has two daughters and two grandchildren. Bill is a member of the Badin Baptist church, the Junior Order of

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THE CHARLOTTE- (N. C.) NEWS—MONDAY, APRIL 19, 1954

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HERE IS A GOOD INDEX of the types of little shoes that Mr. Kitchin carves. They range in length from 2 1-2 inches to five inches. Note the button shoes in the upper right. Mr. Kitchin W. D. KITCHIN . . . Handy With A Knife min-

Baby Needs New Shoes?

Let Bill Whittle Some carving business, and he speBy FRED T. MORGAN BADIN — "You just take a cializes in little shoes.

They look real enough for a litblock of wood and start whittle person out of Gulliver's Travtling."

So says W. D. Kitchin, Badin els" to put on, lace up, and wear woodcarver and creator of the off. They have realistic stitching miniature wooden shoes that are around the soles, bands across now in 46 states and four foreign the toes, eyelets, laces, buttons, bows, etc. Some of the shoes countries. look like they've been worn for He says that's all there is to it.

But don't be fooled by his mod- a tune—they have wrinkles in the right places and the toes esty. There's more. A lot more.

"If you've got a picture in curl up on the end.

The wood Bill likes best for his your mind of what you want to carve; it helps some," he ex- carving is white maple and yellow poplar. Or if two-tone shoes plains.

That's the way he starts to are desired, he uses red and work. He first has a vivid men- white cedar—when he can find tal image of what he's going to it. carve out of that block of wood. EIGHT HOURS Afew hours later, he turns out a It takes him eight to 10 hours finished piece of carving and it to turn out a completed pair of will be identical with his original shoes. He gets the first one finmental impression. ished, then turns around and "A little knack with the knife 1 makes a second one just like it. and tools makes it go faster, Seldom can you tell any difference in the two shoes, either. too."

That's the crux of the matter. , His tools include several | TRANSFORMATION TOUGH pocket knives,, special blades, j Anyone can whittle on a piece awls, sdrapers, eyelet punchers, of wood. And anyone can be the and stitching instruments. All progenitor of a quite dazzling this plus a lot of patience. mental impression. "TransformBill began carving little trining that impression into some- kets back in 1942 at the request thing concrete and tangible for of two of his little nieces. One ",f the pirls wanted a toy horse; Not everyone has Mr. KitchIt was a prstty big *&& for hYs artistry with a carving knife « -tfact, aery few people can Bill who had never done any claim close enough kin with a hand earvujg before, but he talife to turn out such master- ^^l^edtheakt pieces as come from Mr. Kttch« ™nti Th«9. he carved a pair in's knife. He's an expert in the bertand^hes been carving then?

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EitablUhed Jan* 10, 1880 The Second Century

Established 1881 Th* Stanly Observer

A Stanly County Newspaper of Character ALBEMARLE, N. C , TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1954

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MONDAY, JULY 5, 1954

A NEW AND BETTER WAY OF LAYING STREET CURBS This picture was snapped last week as a crew using the new Canfleld Curb Laying Machine, finished up the job of laying curb on the recently widened highway 52 near the Stanly County hospital. The fresh curb above is sprayed with a sealing compound to prevent it from drying out too quickly and it is sawed into 20-foot sections to absorb expansion. The truck at left supplies the cement mixture which is fed into the machine by hand. The machine, developed by local highway men, can produce up to five or six feet of curb per minute and'is regarded as a great improvement over other methods of laying curb.

Staff Photo.

Local Men Invent Revolutionary New Machine For Laying Oi Curbs • * * " * -

By FRED T. MORGAN A radically new curb laying machine, characterized as revolutionary in the curb building industry, has been designed ana developed by two Albemarle men, W. E. Canfleld and Roy W. Smith, and i t is now in extensive use by the North Carolina Highway department.

A company known as the Canfield Corporation, has been formed and plans are to manufacture the new machine on a commercial basis.

Headquarters of the new company are in Salisbury.

Patents on the new machine are in the patent office at Washington and are expected to be granted soon.

The Canfleld Curb Laying Machine has been'used in Stanly county for ciifb work in the town of New London \ a n d along the recently widened-1, highway 52 leading out of Albemarle by the Stanly County hospitaL Also, it has been used in traffic channelization work at various points in the local Tenth Highway division.

Construction companies have used the machine on trial and experimental basis in the cities of Charlotte, Salisbury, and elsewhere. They have praise for its performance.

Advantages Given Advantages of the Canfleld .machine are its simplicity, its compactness, plus the fact that | t is portable and easily operated. Three men can handle it quite effectively.

It will run circles around conventional curb-laying methods requiring forms and tne Canfleld machine can produce the curb at approximately one-third the cost of the conventional method.

That's why if s creating great excitement among potential users of the machine—state highway departments, municipalities, road contractors, and land developers.

Already the machine Is being used in many parts of the country with complete satisfaction in producing low-cost curbing.

The Canfleld machine will lay up to 1,800 feet of finished curb per day. Contrast this to the approximately 100 feet of curb that is turned out by the conventional crew who must use the old type forms and one can see the vast advantages of this new device.

On top of this great production increase, the one-third overall reduction in the cost of laying the curb is a factor that has made engineers and construction men sit up and take notice.

More interest is manifested in the Canfleld Curb Laying machine than In any invention in this field in a long time.

Many Inquiries Inquiries have been received by the company from numerous large implement firms asking for rights and dealerships. Tentative plans of the company call (Continued on Page Four)

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! division engiTenth Highway kusiastic about ichine. He says • be very effectlannelization, in ' conditions, and urb where pavea/ widened, iea for the maof traffic chanL Experiments to find a praclaintaining isint intersections |c had to be uitable borders lis for these isfroblem. An aspas tried. First i in pre-hardenen a crude mapped which had j hand or truck. le success but it ( and disadvantHered it impracprovements were it machine by Mr. I. Smith and they he final version roving to be the al invention ever tg industry, most interesting ;e novel machine propulsion. Its e ground surface

A FRESH ROAD CURB IS HARD PACKED AS IT COMES OUT OF MACHINE

New Curb-Laying Machine Is Causing Excitement Among Road Contractors company of Charlotte, are using the | in overall cost is the factor than

By FRED MORGAN ALBEMARLE, — A radically machine on trial and in experi~ makes engineers and construction! new curb laying machine, charact- ments and they have high praise men sit up and take notice.

More interest is manifested inl erized as revolutionary in the for its performance.

MANY ADVANTAGES the Canfield machine than in any curb building industry, has been developed by two Albemarle men, Advantages of the Canfleld ma- invention in the curb-laying field!

W. E. Ganfield and Roy W. Smith, chine are its simplicity, its com- in a long time. and it is now in extensive use by pactness, plus the fact that it is Inquiries have been received the North Carolina Highway de- portable and easily operated. from numerous large firms asking It will run circles around con- for rights and dealerships. Tentapartment. ventional curb-laying methods rePatents on the new machine are quiring the old forms. It can pro- tive plans call for contracting with pending in the patent office in duce curb at approximately one- some large manufacturing plant for Washington and are expected to be third the cost of the conventional the immediate production of the machine and perhaps later, to granted soon. method.

A company known as the Can- That's why it's creating great establish a manufacturing plant in field Corporation, has been form- excitement among potential users' Salisbury.

LAUDED BY ENGINEER ed, with headquarters in Salisbury, — highway departments, municiand plans are to manufacture the palities, contractors, and land de- M. E. Beatty, division engineer new machine on a commercial bas- velopers. of the Tenth Highway Division, is is.

The Canfleld machine will lay up highly enthusiastic about the CanThe Canfleld Curb Laying machine to 1,800 feet of finished curb per field machine and has found it to has been used in Stanly County for day. Contrast this to the approxi- be very effective in traffic chancurb work and its traffic channeli- mately 100 feet that is turned out nelization, in certain drainage conzation work at various points by the old way and one can see ditions, and in laying new curb throughout the Tenth Highway Di- the vast advantages of this new de- where pavements have been widenvision which includes Mecklenburg vice. ed.

County. Construction companies, On top of this great production In fact, the idea for the machine including the Erwin Construction increase, the one-third reduction grew out of traffic channelization work. Experiments we*-" ed to

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New Machine (Continued from Page One) for contracting with some manufacturing plant for the immediate production of the machine and perhaps later, to establish a manufacturing plant in Salisbury.

M. E. Beatty, division engineer of the local Tenth Highway division, is enthusiastic about the Canfleld machine. He says it has proved to be very effective in traffic channelization, in certain drainage conditions, and in laying new curb where pavements have been widened.

In fact, the idea for the machine grew out of traffic channelization work.

Experiments were carried on to find a practical way of maintaining islands in important intersections where the traffic had to be channelized.

Suitable borders or retaining walls for these islands was the problem. An asphalt mixture was tried. First it was put down in pre-hardened sections. Then a crude machine was developed which had to be pulled by hand or truck.

It achieved some success but it had many flaws and disadvantages which rendered it impractical.

Successive improvements were made on the pilot machine by Mr. Canfield and Mr. Smith and they came up with the final version that today is proving to be the most revolutiortal invention ever to hit the curbing industry.

One of the most interesting things about the novel machine is its means of propulsion. Its contact with the ground surface

A FRESH ROAD CURB IS HARD PACKED AS IT COMES OUT OF MACHINE

New Curb-Laying Machine Is Causing Excitement Among Road Contractors company of Charlotte, are using the] in overall cost is the factor thatj

By FRED MORGAN ALBEMARLE, — A radically machine on trial and in experi- makes engineers and construction! new curb laying machine, charact- ments and they have high praise men sit up and take notice.

More interest is manifested in erized as revolutionary in the for its performance.

MANY ADVANTAGES the Canfield machine than in any curb building industry, has been developed by two Albemarle men, Advantages of the Canfield ma- invention in the curb-laying field W. E. Canfield and Roy W. Smith, chine are its simplicity, its com- in a long time. and it is now in extensive use by pactness, plus the fact that it is Inquiries have been received the North Carolina Highway de- portable and easily operated. from numerous large firms asking It will run circles around con- for rights and dealerships. Tentapartment. ventional curb-laying methods rePatents on the new machine are quiring the old forms. It can pro- tive plans call for contracting with pending in the patent office in duce curb at approximately one- some large manufacturing plant for Washington and are expected to be third the cost of the conventional the immediate production of the granted soon. machine and perhaps later, to method.

A company known as the Can- That's why it's creating great establish a manufacturing plant in field Corporation, has been form- excitement among potential users Salisbrry. ed, with headquarters in Salisbury, — highway departments, municiLAUDED BY ENGINEER and plans are to manufacture the palities, contractors, and land de- M. E. Beatty, division engineer new machine on a commercial bas- velopers. of the Tenth Highway Division, is is.

The Canfield machine will lay up highly enthusiastic about the CanThe Canfield Curb Laying machine to 1,800 feet of finished curb per field machine and has found it to has been used in Stanly County for day. Contrast this to the approxi- be very effective in traffic chancurb work and its traffic channeli- mately 100 feet that is turned out nelization, in certain drainage conzation work at various points by the old way and one can see ditions, and in laying new curb throughout the Tenth Highway Di- the vast advantages of this new de- where pavements have been widenvision wfuch includes Mecklenburg vice. ed.

County. Construction companies, On top of this, great production In fact, the idea for the machine including the Erwin Construction increase, the one-third reduction grew out of traffic channelization work. Experiments were" conducted to fineLa practical way of maintaining curbs around the borders of islands In highway 'ntersections. A crude manually-operated machine was developed and after successive improvements by Mr. Canfield and Mr. Smith,, there emerged the final version that today is the most talked-of innovation ever to hit the curbing industry.

One of the most interesting things about the novel machine is its means of propulsion. Its contact with the ground surface is by sled runners rather than wheels. A small engine drives a screw or auger at the bottom of a tapered hopper. A normal cement mixture, perhaps a bit drier than usual, is fed into the hopper from an accom panying truck or other conveyance The auger compresses the material and extrudes it into the curb mould under high pressure. The compaction of the mass causes the machine to move backward.

MACHINE GUIDED The operator doesn't pull it. He merely guides it along a chalked line where the curb is to be applied. The machine produces its own locomotion.

In addition to Mr. Canfield and Mr. Smith, stockholders in the company are John Henderson and Ernest L. Hardin, both of Salisbury.

Mr. Canfield is Sign Supervisor for the Tenth Highway Division and Mr. Smith is Sign Shop foreman for the division.

Both men are veteran employes of the State Highway department and have been previously recognized for their inventive abilities.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1953

Fred T. Morgan's

Musings I wonder if we have any "star- to Flagstaff, Arizona. England's gazers" in Stanly county?

Royal Observatory is moving from They're the folks- who look the city of London to a 15th Cen-j through telescopes at the moon tury castle 60 miles away from tha and stars and everything that's up big city. *above and far away.

These shifts in location are be-j According to my informants, ing made because of too much stargazing is becoming a national industrial smog and too much "craze with more people focus- glare from the street and from ing their eyepieces on Neptune, neon lights in the cities. Experts Venus, and the big yellow moon say that "seeing conditions" are 16 to 20 times more favorable in than you can shake a stick at. than in Washington, D. C. Even Grandma likes amateur (Arizona observatories are situated astronomy and some Grandmas in Many isolated spots, such as the, can amaze you with their knowl- world's largest, the 200-inch Hale, edge of what's in that space up on Palomar Mountain in Caliabove our heads. (I almost said fornia. "empty" space.)

I'd like to get that less-thanThe cost of outfitting yourself $40 telescope set up and in operafor amateur stargazing isn't too tion here before June, because in prohibitive, so I've been told. For June, the planet Mars will make less than $40.00 you can buy a its closest approach to the earth telescope, completed with tripod, in 13 years. that will produce satisfactory reProfessional astronomers all sults. In fact, with this telescope, over the world are making prepproperly focused, the moon will arations to view the spectale from appear close enough that you'll ringside seats our neighbor think you can reach out and touch Mars comes towhen within 40 million Lit. You can see the craters, the miles of the earth. In 1956, it will , mountains, and the seven seas of come within 35 Vnillion miles of the moon through this telescope, us which is the closest it ever plus a lot of other physical fea- comes. tures of the globe that are not dis- Astronomers from 14 countries cernible with the natural vision. will study Mars in an organized While the above information is effort to gain new knowledge of admittedly second-hand, it comes its atmosphere, its exact size, and from an authority who should its "changing surface features" know whereof he speaks. I have which may be evidence of some never looked through such a tele- kind of plant life existing there. scope, so I cannot substantiate The National-, Geographic Sohis facts. ciety says this in connection withBut Pd like very much to have its study of Mars: the opportunity of taking a long "In the coming year (this year), peep through the little end of a observations will be made on all big telescope trained on the moon. major continents, from high-flying That would be a treat. I might planes, and perhaps even from purchase a 'scope for that purpose stratosphere - probing unmanned if the bank account wasn't in such missiles." sorry shape. Wonder if there's In addition, Mars will be photoanybody who would wanta go "in graphed, charted, and numerous halves" on a project like that? facts about it recorded in roundThen maybe I could pay my half the-clock watches. on the dollar down, dollar a A team of astronomers in Bloemmonth basis. fontein, South Africa, are now Another thing ^about this star- making a nine-month study of gazing. They say there are no Mars. This location was chosen atheists, or disbelievers in God, in because it's at a latitude, where the ranks of the amateurs. There Mars passes almost directly overseems to be something about tak- head each night. ing a elose-ujp look out at the.

If you know of anyone around : heavens that convinces one that here with a telescope through there is a Supreme Being who di- which he can bring the stars and rects an orderly universe. moon into closer perspective, tell Professional stargazers, the big him I'd like to come out and take fellows in the business, are now a squint through his eyepiece moving their observatories to the some night. country. The U. S. Naval ObBUT, AS Hawkeye would say, servatory in Washington plans to tell him not to call me . . . take its 40-inch, nine-ton reflector On a cloudy night.

Many And Varied Are The Things Happening At Albemarle's Square

Plan Strategy Vehicles stream by incessantly on four sides of a tall, silver-fleckA young man and woman with Musings at the square on a ed Christmas tree in the geo- three little tots go into a huddle rainy Friday . . . graphical center of the square. on the curb as if planning strategy Rain patters down on the wet High up on a post at each corner for the street crossing. One of pavement leaving puddles in low of the square, a saucy little rein- the tots strikes out on his own places. Cloaked shoppers and ped- deer leaps out toward the tree. but he is collared by the man. Apestrians hurry at the crossings. They're the "Rudolph" reindeers, parently they come to some agreement and at the next light change Gears clash, motors whine and the red-nosed type. cars surge, horns honk sharply, The air is heavy and cold' and they make a safe crossing. heavy-treaded tires sing on "the I laden with moisture. Exhaust Over in front of the courthouse wet street. (f fumes tickle your nostrils. You a car pulls into the parking space get a wiff of a little boy's sack that is reserved for the Sheriff's department. A passenger points of chocolates. and shakes her head and the Sights In the Rain driver backs out and the Two girls trying to crowd under woman car goes snarling on up the street. the shelter of one umbrella . . . a Rudolph rocks back and forth man starts to cross the street at the wrong time and has to jump in his lofty perch . . . one of the back to safety . . . a lady hur- big red plastic Christmas bells gently like it was actually ries along trying to protect her. swings giving forth sound . . . half, way head with a gayly wrapped parcel across the street a kid stops and but the rain is too much for her at the Christmas tree . . . so she puts the parcel back under points a big truck covered over the top her arm, bends her head against with canvas, grinds over the the pelting rain and walks fast- h i l l .white . . an empty crumpled paper er . . . a new model car swishes bag tumbles, along the street unacross the square in excess of the der the feet of pedestrians and the stated speed limit of 20-miles-per- wheels of cars. hour.. . . not a cop in sight . . .

Unusual iron grillwork over the from far down the hill on West small windows at the side of the Mam street come the booming First National bank . . . the small reverberations of 'a heavy truck glass cubicle in front of growling in agony as it attacks square Allen Clothing store well utilized the steep hill. with attractive merchandise . . .

The lounger's benches flanking two men standing safe and dry the wide steps of the courthouse on the ledge in front of the bank look soggy and unsubstantial. . . . an airplane drones loudly They're blackened and weather- overhead in between traffic noises beaten and sagging in places. . . . a double-chinned paunchy inSomehow they look desperate and dividual waddles across the street hungry in their abandonment to . . . his head looks like it was the rain. jammed down on his shoulders Back of the benches stands the without the benefit of a neck. dreary, gloomy, gray courthouse Double Parking with its trim of dark green. The A dog, cozy and comfortable in windows are smudgy. A screen at the upper rear of the courthouse the back.seat of a passing car . . . sags out of place. At the end of a little girl says "look, Mommie" a long green drainpipe, water . . . an unshaven, shabily-dressed oozes out in a steady trickle man passes unhurriedly down the through a hole in the buttress of walk in the rain . . . girls wearing; concrete. Loungers stand around slickers and rain helmets go by the sheltered front entrance look- . . . a tractor chugs over the hiU followed by two pick-up trucks ing out at the rain.

Air currents force a gust of with ladders on top . . . a taxi dirty smoke down in the abyss of double parks and waits while a South Second street . . . the front passenger goes to a store and end of a car squats as the red back . . . there's a bread truck, a light forbids it the right-of-way drink truck, a laundry truck, a . . . a mother tows a skinny taxi, and a private car, all double youngster quickly across the parked in the vicinity of the street . . . a lumbering gasoline square . . . a car balks and the tankers rumbles over the square starter grinds gratingly.

Bright colored paper in the . . . brakes squeal . . . a girl coughs . . . a heavy-footed motor- window of the telephone building ist "gives it the gun" as the light lends glamour to that corner of changes . . . a gutted muffler bel- the square. Large black cables lows out loudly and pleasantly but form an arch as they come up out a little too harshly . . . there of the walk to the top of a pole and then into the side of the teleoughta be a law.

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. \ j .

A well-dressed man holding an phone building.

The tall tower of the Lillian umbrella over him comes out of ^ ^ ^ ^ the courthouse and across the Mill looms up out of a backdrop ing a man out Stanfield way. nan v\ street^ Once across, he folds his of dark trees and gray sky.

A boy that oughta be in .school Wonder if that means a home Dum]| umbrella and continues on down freezer or a commercial freezer? we fix the sidewalk without protection races by on a bicycle . . . a highThis steer is stall fed, too, which way patrol car passes . . . a burst Seen by the ads . . . insurance, along now with the milo crop. means he isn't the tough, rangy, hearts!! from the rain. balloon lies forlornly in a puddle Piarfbf \ . . cash v r ; awmbneeiV real estate, used cars, farm ma- Some of it has already been outdoor type that has steaks of of water on the sidewalk . . . . a chinery, building materials, loans, harvested as can be seen by a. trip such durability that the man of ing service . . . weatherstripping woman rushes out a doorway, . . . alfalfa". . . pasture grasses .-.. and laundry and cleaning services out through the county. Other the house has to get out the stops when the rain peppers down take the limelight. on her bare head and goes back milo fields are still green and un- sharpening stone and whet up the welding . . . fishing . . . poultiymen . . . they're all in the miscelinside and; comes out holding a One man wants to sell a steel ripe. One of the local grain-buy- cutlery, not to mention plastering laneous department. piece of brown paper over her guitar and amplifier to someone ing establishments was reluctant in his plate.

Do you need any help? Do you head . . . a cuddlesome twosome for a reasonable price. It gives to quote a market price on milo Thinking of eating focuses the need any help? If you can't handle pass in a new convertible . . . a his name, address arid phone num- a few "days ago. Seems there's attention momentarily upon an ad man and women grinning in the much unstability and flunctuation in the classified ad section which that job all by yourself, just say ber. Look him up. so in the help wanted column and next car. in the milo market.

Grain specuannounces that one of the popular Another ad has a plow and some you'll get some help. A good Two raindrops on the window seed oats for sale, a right con- lators will be rampant in the next eating places in the city is for sale many firms and companies are pane near where I'm standing and for a good reason, too. gruous combination if you have few weeks and months. saying so in today> ad section. start a perilous race downward. something to pull the plow and Out in the Oakboro section a Let's throw the switch and chug Look them over.

Oops! They c o l l i d e ^ But that some ground to plow with it and woman has a cow, a calf, and a down the miscellaneous track . . . was good. They just fused into a drill to sow the seeds with and mule for sale. a service station out at Locust one larger drop and continue the a combine to harvest the crop an ad which lists a host will repair your radiator, reline journey down the rain-streaked next .summer, and then a high- of Here's your brakes, and clean your motor items for same, including some, window pane at a faster pace. priced market to dispose of them antiques. Located right Mere in while you wait, and on an all work at a profit.

Sudden thought: maybe the guaranteed basis. And what's the city, too. cuddlesome twosome that just Speaking of high-priced mar- A white-face steer can be pur- more, will do it at a reasonable passed ought to do like the two kets and harvests, the grain buy- chased all butchered and packag- price. We need more of those raindrops — under the right cirone-stop stations. ers of the county are in for a rush ed up for your freezer by contact-1 cumstances.

I like the nature of the business

By FRED T. MORGAN

Want Ad Musings

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1953

Fred 7*. Morgan's

Musings I wonder if we have any "stargazers" in Stanly county?

They're the folks- who look through telescopes at the moon and stars and everything that's up above and far away.

According to my informants, Stargazing is becoming a national "craze with more people focusing their eyepieces on Neptune, Venus, and the big yellow moon than you can shake a stick at.

Even Grandma likes amateur astronomy and some Grandmas can amaze you with their knowledge of what's in that space up above our heads. (I almost said "empty" space.)

The cost of outfitting yourself for amateur stargazing isn't too prohibitive, so I've been told. For less than $40.00 you can buy a telescope, completed With tripod, that will produce satisfactory results. In fact, with this telescope, properly focused, the moon will appear close enough that you'll think you can reach out and touch it. You can see the craters, the mountains, and the seven seas of the moon through this telescope, plus a lot of other physical features of the globe that are not dis-' cernible with the natural vision.

While the above information is admittedly second-hand, it comes from an authority who should know whereof he speaks. I have never looked through such a telescope, so I cannot substantiate his facts.

But I'd like very much to have the opportunity of taking a long peep through the little end of a big telescope trained on the moon.

That would be a treat. I might purchase a 'scope for that purpose if the bank account wasn't in such sorry shape. Wonder if there's anybody who would wanta go "in halves" on a project like that?

Then maybe I could pay my half on the dollar down, dollar a month basis.

-Another thing ^about this stargazing. They say there are no atheists, or disbelievers in God, in the ranks of the amateurs. There seems to be something about taking a ^lose-up look out at the. heavens that convinces one that there is a Supreme Being who directs an orderly universe.

Professional stargazers, the big fellows in the business, are now moving their observatories to the country. The U. S. Naval Observatory in Washington plans to take its 40-inch, nine-ton reflector

to Flagstaff, Arizona. England's Royal Observatory is moving from - the city of London to a 15th Cen-j tury castle 60 miles away from the) big city. /These shifts in location are be-^ ing made because of too much industrial smog and too much glare from the street and from neon lights in the cities. Experts say that "seeing conditions" are 16 to 20 times more favorable in •Arizona than in Washington, D. C. Many observatories are situated! in isolated spots, such as the' world's largest, the 200-inch Hale, on Palomar Mountain in California.

I'd like to get that less-than$40 telescope set up and in operation here before June, because in June, the planet Mars will make its closest approach to the earth in 13 years.

Professional astronomers all over the world are making preparations to view the spectale from ringside seats when our neighbor Mars comes to within 40 million miles of the earth. In 1956, it will come within 35 million miles of us which is \he closest it ever comes.

Astronomers from 14 countries will study Mars in an organized effort to gain new knowledge of its atmosphere, its exact size, and its "changing surface features" which may be evidence of some kind of plant life existing there.

The National Geographic Society says this In connection withits study of Mars: "In the coming year (this year), observations will be made on all major continents, from high-flying planes, and perhaps even from stratosphere - probing unmanned missiles."

In addition, Mars will be photographed, charted, and numerous facts about it recorded in roundthe-clock watches.

A team of astronomers in Bloemfontein, South Africa, are now making a nine-month study of Mars. This location was chosen because it's at a latitude. where Mars passes almost directly overhead each night.

If you know of anyone around here with a telescope through which he can bring the stars and moon into closer perspective, tell him I'd like to come out and take a squint through his eyepiece some night.

BUT, AS Hawkeye would say, tell him not to call me . . .

On a cloudy night.

STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N.

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Want Ad Musings Seen by the ads . . . insurance, real estate, used cars, farm machinery, building materials, loans, and laundry and cleaning services take the limelight.

One man wants to sell a steel guitar and amplifier to someone for a reasonable price. It gives his name, address and phone number. Look him up.

Another ad has a plow and some seed oats for sale, a right congruous combination if you have something to pull the plow and some ground to plow with it and a drill to sow the seeds with and a combine to harvest the crop next .summer, and then a highpriced market to dispose of them at a profit.

Speaking of high-priced markets and harvests, the grain buyers of the county are in for a rush

along now with the milo crop.

Some of it has already been harvested as can be seen by a. trip out through the county. Other milo fields are still green and unripe. One of the local grain-buying establishments was reluctant to quote a market price on milo a few days ago. Seems there's much unstability and flunctuation in the milo market. Grain speculators will be rampant in the next few weeks and months.

Out in the Oakboro section a woman has a cow, a calf, and a mule for sale.

Here's an ad which lists a host of items for same, including some< antiques. Located right Were in the city, too.

A white-face steer can be purchased all butchered and packaged up for your freezer by contact-

Many And Varied Are The Things Happening At Albemarle's Square Vehicles stream by incessantly ^ ^ ^ ^ Plan Strategy ^ ^ A young man and woman with on four sides of a tall, silver-fleckMusings at the square on a ed Christmas tree in the geo- three little tots go into a huddle graphical center of the square. on the curb as if planning strategy rainy Friday . . .

High up on a post at each corner for the street crossing. One of Rain patters down on the wet of the square, a saucy little rein- the tots strikes out on his own pavement leaving puddles in low deer leaps out toward the tree. but he is collared by the man. Applaces. Cloaked shoppers and ped- They're the "Rudolph" reindeers, parently they come to some agreeestrians hurry at the crossings. the' red-nosed type. ment and at the next light change Gears clash, motors whine and they make a safe crossing.

The air is heavy and cars surge, horns honk sharply, ^ ^ cold' and Over in front of the courthouse heavy-treaded tires sing on the [laden with moisture.

Exhaust a car pulls into the parking space fumes tickle your nostrils. You wet street.

— 0a° wiff *1" of a little boy's sack that is reserved for the Sheriff's get department. A passenger points of chocolates. and shakes her head and the Sights In the Rain woman driver backs out and the Two girls trying to crowd under car goes snarling on up the street. the shelter of one umbrella . . . a Rudolph rocks back and forth man starts to cross the street at in his lofty perch . . . one of the the wrong time and has to jump big red plastic Christmas bells back to safety . . . a lady hur- swings gently like it was actually ries along trying to protect hejr- giving forth sound . . . half way head with a gayly wrapped parcel across the street a kid stops and but the rain is too much for her points at the Christmas tree . . . so she puts the parcel back under a big truck covered over the top her arm, bends her head against with white canvas, grinds over the the pelting rain and walks fast- hill . . . an empty crumpled paper er . . . a new model car swishea bag tumbles, along the street unacross the square in excess of the der the feet of pedestrians and the stated speed limit of 20-miles-per- wheels of cars. hour . . . not a cop in sight . . .

Unusual iron grillwork over the from far down the hill on West small windows at the side of the Main street come the booming First National bank . . . the small reverberations of a heavy truck square glass cubicle in front of growling in agony as it attacks Allen Clothing store well utilized the steep hill. with attractive merchandise . . .

The lounger's benches flanking two men standing safe and dry the wide steps of the courthouse on the ledge in front of the bank look soggy and unsubstantial. . . . an airplane drones loudly They're blackened and weather- overhead in between traffic noises beaten and sagging in places. . . . a double-chinned paunchy inSomehow they look desperate and dividual waddles across the street hungry in their abandonment to . . . his head looks like it was jammed down on his shoulders the rain.

Back of the benches stands the without the benefit of a neck.

Double Parking dreary, gloomy, gray courthouse A dog, cozy and comfortable in with its trim of dark green. The windows are smudgy. A screen at the back seat of a passing car . . . the upper rear of the courthouse a little girl says "look, Mommie" out of place. At the end of . . . an unshaven, shabily-dressed ong green drainpipe, water man passes unhurriedly down the 1 | |s out in a steady trickle walk in the rain . . . girls wearing h a hole in the buttress of slickers and rain helmets go by^ |\e. Loungers stand around . . . a tractor chugs over the hilF —ed front entrance look- followed by two pick-up trucks with ladders on top . . . a taxi the rain. s force a gust of double parks and waits while a pwn in the abyss of passenger goes to a store and the front back . . . there's a bread truck, a ats as the red drink truck, a laundry truck, a right-of-way taxi, and a private car, all double a skinny parked in the vicinity of the q u a r e ' . . . a car balks and the across the sstarter grinds gratingly. gasoline square Bright colored paper in the a girl of the telephone building notor- window lends glamour to that corner of Mght the square. Large black cables • '",el- form an arch as they come up out &. I.rt of the walk to the top of a pole and then into the side of the tele*)hone building.

The tall tower of the Lillian FRi Mill looms up out of a backdrop if dark trees and gray aky. ing a man out Stanfield way. man who tosses- you a slogan 11 A boy that oughta be in .school Wonder if that means a honie "Dump your trouble in our la races by on a bicycle . . . a highfreezer or a commercial freezer? We fix anything, including broke way patrol car passes . . . a burst This steer is stall fed, too, which hearts and baby rattlers." ^ ^ balloon lies forlornly in a' puddle means he isn't the tough, rangy, Pianos . . . cash . . . auctioneerof water on the" sidewalk . . . . a outdoor type that has steaks of ing service . . . weatherstripping woman rushes out a doorway, such durability that the man of . . . alfalfa\ . . pasture grasses . . . stops when the rain peppers down the house has to get out the welding . . . fishing . . . poultryon her bare head and goes back sharpening stone and whet up the men . . . they're all in the miscelinside and comes out holding a cutlery, not to mention plastering laneous department. piece of brown paper over her in his plate.

Do you need any help? Do yon head . . . a cuddlesome twosome Thinking of eating focuses the need any help? If you can't handle pass in a new convertible . . . a attention momentarily upon an ad that job all by yourself, just say man and women grinning in the in the classified ad section which so in the help wanted column and next car. announces that one of the popular you'll get some help. A good Two raindrops on the window eating places in the city is for sale many firms and companies are pane near where I'm standing and for a good reason, too. saying so in today's ad section. start a perilous race downward.

Let's throw the switch and chug Look them over.

Oops! They collided. But that down the miscellaneous track . . . was good. They just fused into a service station out at Locust one larger drop and continue t h e l journey down the rain-streaked will repair your radiator, reline window pane at a faster pace. your brakes, and clean your motor while you wait, and on an all work Sudden thought: maybe th* guaranteed basis. And what's cuddlesome twosome that just more, will do it at a reasonable passed ought to do like the two price. We need more of those raindrops — under the right cirone-stop stations. cumstances.

I like the nature of the business

By FRED T. MORGAN

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STANLY NEWS AND PRESS, ALBEMARLE, N. C.

$1 I

Fred 7\ Morgan's

GARDEN CLUB PROJECT

l o n g Live Holiday Houi Writer Aft. ir Musing On Matter

autoharps completed John R. Page, of the Page Cabi- has three several others in various net company of Albemarle, is and of construction. He has one of the most versatile wood stages a novel idea in mind which he craftsmen you'll ever run into. plans to develop that will comHe's also a machinist and mu- bine the autoharp with a selfIn one room a lighted candle It was dead, drab, lacking in

By FSID T. MORGAN sician. playing violin. Then when he pomp.

But oh how touching If you haven't heard him play plays the autoharp, the violin On a fleeting tour of "Holiday under a revolving gadget that and provocative. The twigs gave forth a pleasant and steady one of the autoharps that he ex- will automaticaly House?' at the YMCA last Thursaccompany making up the nest were bare, cells in making and playing, you the harp. day afternoon . . . r,u-«-* tinkle proved a big attraction. black and covered with fine have missed a musical treat of Mr. Page has become widely Christmas, Christmas, Christ- Apparently the heat from the snow. Broken egg shells with top billing. I would unhesitat- and favorably known in North mas . . . in every nook and cran- candle caused the trick to turn a faded bluish tinge lay in the ingly recommend Mr. Page and Carolina for his appearances at ny . . . in every color of the rain- and as it turned, pendulum-like nest. What kind of birds were . his autoharp to any music-lover folk festivals and country music Robbins, Cardinals, arms clinked against obstacles -they? bow and more. whose tastes are slanted toward gatherings. He annually takes Thrashers, Blue] ays?

Hew On the walls, the tables, the in their orbit. the folk music ot our land. And his harps and creates sensations Two, three, four? desks, the stairs, the windows, to any musical-minded person at the Carolina Folk Festival in I would like to have gotten many? flthe shelves, the chairs, the doors, someone to explain to me how Where would they be now? In with whatever tastes, I'll wager Chapel Hill and at similar events southland, chirping and •and on little pedestals. he'll be a welcome respite frorn^ held a t Asheville. So far, he has that candle-powered music box the * Some of the sights . . ,. holly. worked but a lady blew the can- frolicking amid green grass, the classics and concertos. been about the only autoharp It was my happy privilege to player to perform at these gathI ted berries, Santa Clauses, dle out while I was there. Evi- warm brooks, and sunny meahave a semi-private audience erings. At least, the only persnow, reindeer, sleighs, fire- dently the gadget used up can- dows? with Mr. Page and his autoharp former who plays a self-made places, candles, lights, wreaths, dles pretty fast.

Brown leaves were lodged in the other afternoon. I had heard harp of his design. tinsel and tapestry, gay packThe one thing that impressed the branches of the dogwood him play before, but that time ages, Christmas trees, whits One year in Asheville, h e playmy ear was too critical and my ed a number on his harp and linen, angels, gleaming color- fhe most at Holiday House was bought. Underneath there was a not the bright, glamorous, colorblanket of snow topped with faculties were too geared to ob- winding ug_ the tune, he preparJed paper, stockings, camels serve his techniques and man- ed to leave the stage. But the wi semen. mangers. sheep ful creations. It was a simple, leaves and litter of the woods. nerisms. The result was that I applause was so great and the There was one touch of color— 1 stars, flowers, easy chairs, natural thing. It was the small didn't "take in" the music as it audience so insistent, the direcgreeting cards, colored balls display of an abandoned bird a twig holding large red berries. was meant to be taken in. candy, churches, mistletoe nest in the crotch of a snow-en- A lady called them "love apples". tor wouldn't let him leave. At This time nothing interfered the end of his second number, lanterns, magnolia, beads, can- crusted dogwood bough. That (They looked like persimmons to with my receptivity. And there the ovation was yet greater. He delabra, ribbons, wands, icicles, was the work of a perfectionist, me). so it seemed to me. was nothing at all wrong wttn had to play a third tune before The sights were numberless. donkeys, and people.

Mr. Page's performjance. I stood he left the performers' stage.

Scents . . . of peppermints, perYou may never have been The significance was boundless. there delightfully enthralled and Everywhere, his autoharps atfume, melting tallow, the fra- walking through the woods on The Impressions were vivid and let the soothing music "soak in". tract a lot of attention and quesjrance Of flowers, freshly pressed a snowy, wintry day and come striking. All at this Holiday Such tunes as "Maggie", "Red tions. Other performers want to linen, elusive scents of greenery,. upon an old bird nest lodged House parade of Christmas creRiver Valley", "Unclouded Day", know about them and his music. the mellow mustiness of paper, bleakly and forlornly in the ations. and "Because", are still rever- He obliges them with explana| moth balls, soap, wax, wood pre- naked branches of a small tree Long live the Holiday House berating through my conscious- tions of his Instruments and his servative, the newness of gar- or shrub. But I have. And the idea. ness. There were many other method of playing. ments and merchandise, fresh ones I have seen in the woods tunes that rang bells but I was For the past few days Mr. fruit, and cigaret smoke. looked no more real than that unable to identify them • by Page has been practicing up for name. They came from the haTp his performances at the eighth Sounds . . . murmur of voices, nest I saw at the Holiday House as naturally and spontaneously annual Carolina Folk Festival at a laugh, complimentary excla- last Thursday, as rain water dripping off the Chapel Hill on Thursday, Friday mations ("Oh, how grand!" Or and Saturday of this week. He how "gorgeous, divine, splendid, eaves. magnificent, unique, original, Honestly, I believe thajt session is scheduled to be there and play **"*' different, darling, and peachy*)* there in the little room with Mr. at each night's session. EHe's a faint metallic tinking coming Page and his autoharp music taking two harps, In case one from somewhere, the clatter of a did me more good than a whole gets out of tune, or a string week of pills and prescriptions breaks, he'll have a spare. typewriter being pecked on by a

By FRED T. MORGAN ness used to run ads that sa I feel sure Mr. Page, his harps, from the medicinal mart. In fact, young man at the lobby desk, something like,.

"If your stomal Gleanings from the want ad hurts, see your doctor — buti music therapy of that quality and his gripping music will capdoors opening and closing, soft page in this issue . . , advertised you got radiator trouble, see us! could cure me, or anyone else, of ture the hearts of his audience scuffling and pattering of shoes for sale is one good used Kala- At JeaSt that was a novel a about any psychological ailment at Chapel Hill as it captured my over the polished floors, the mazoo madolin. Wonder if the proach. heart that recent afternoon when clicking of billiard balls coming ^ ^l^l ^ if we would just let it. person who wants to sell it can The Page autoharps are made I heard him play. from downstairs, the far-off swish play it? Likely he can't or he Need cash? You can get it by of a California pine top, a wal- ' He has a standard gag he enof a car or honk of a horn on the wouldn't want to get rid of the heeding the ads in the miscellan nut bottom, and both walnut and joys pulling on strangers when street outside, the occasional eous section. instrument.. maple interspersed V along the he's off at these music tests. The jangling of a telephone, the eviWant some weldijsg done? Om aides to give it an attractive ap- first two fingers on his right Again, maybe this mandolin is dent sincerity in the voices of a fairly cheap one and lacks the Albemarle firm has portabh pearance. Structural designs of hand, his "picking" hand, are the ~ladies, who greeted visitors. features and quality of a fine equipment that can go anywhere the harp and the materials have shortened due to accidents in his In the "almost could" category instrument.

Perhaps *Uhe person And with that thought in mind everything to do with the sound lifetime of work around wood . . . hear Santa's jolly laugh, hear learned to play this mandolin we had better close up shop and of the finished instrument and and machinery. When he finhim shout "Heigh Ho" to his well, even to the point of virtuo- go stand in front of an electri Mr. Page makes improvements ishes a roof-lift applause perreindeer, hear the musical tinsity, then, having mastered it, fan, which, by the way, you c? resulting in better tone qualities formance and goes backstage, tinnabulation of the sleigh bells, in every harp that he completes. other performers gather around wants to sell it and apply> the also find on the want ad pagf the spirited strains of the carol* It's exacting work but Mr. Page him and ask him about his mudividends upon a masterful itvers, the "Noels" coming from the is at the height of contentment sical background. ^strument that he can keep and when he's tinkering with a new cracked/ doorway of the church, play throughout the years.

"How long have you been the sleepy bray of the donkeys harp. playing the harp?" they ask him.

Perhaps neither supposition is or the plaintive bleating of'the Each harp has 66 strings. Im"About all my life," he says. correct. Maybe the mandolin ia sheep; feel the warmth of the agine 66 strings all perfectly Then he holds up his jpicking an old hanSed-down heirloom fire,' the neighborliness of the blended together and played by hand and displays his shortened and it got in the way of expan-' multitudes, the freshness and the sion or re-arrangements in the a virtuoso like Mr., Page. The fingers. "I've already worn off inyigorating tang of the starry house and the woman of the product is worthy of rapt atten- two fingers and starting on a night, the wonderment of the domicile asked for its elimina.Jfiiird one." tion. shepherds as they look at the tion.

At the present time, Mr._P*?e bright star, the thrills that await Maybe • • • but let'srV not hamyoungsters when they see the mer the mandolin into the : bright packages;.smell the burnground with boresome comments. sing logs, the sweetness of the anYou can probably learn .oT3rts< gel's golden hair. background by inquiring about I Sensations . . . moods . . . atit. And there's good music in a mandolin.

Biosphere . . . a sleigh filled There's a fresh milk cow for with exploding, multi-eolofed sale down in the country. She's balls with greenery behind and fresh—that's all it fells about I pulled by four futuristic-lookher. But, then that's all that I eg reindeer . . . a narrow red is necessary if one is in the marbbon draped artfully around ket for a cow giving Ynilk. Somewi of the reindeer with the how, though, it would be more Is running back int© Santa's enlightening to the prospective jgh , . . two eottenball Sanbuyer if the ad had told wheClauses with fluffy round ther the cow gave one quart of ies, black bests, pieturesmilk a day or three.gallons and I faces and hats with little if she was Holstein, Jersey, I stars on them , . . ex= Guernsey or just a plain un-holy arranged petted plants mogenized cow. Might've been •meed with the decorator's better, too, if the ad had said if Jce , . . warm drafts of air the cow was a young first-time |' a holiday aura . . . cheer* fresh hussy with a mean kick, Conservation . . . a father's or an old decrepit bag of bones "usiastic directive to his which was the mother of a dozen calves.

I . . . colored flowers of lv\Ie beauty r *^^^K That's one of the-big tricks to these want ads, though, you have to inquire to find out these | things.

Another party has- a gas stove for sale at what looks like a reasonable price.

Still another ad wants to sell two young men's suits. They're grey in color. Length, 39 inches; waist . . . but it doesn't give the waist measurements! How.come?

Anyway, a fellow that wears a 39-inch long pair of trousers is a tall joker. We got tall men in Stanly, though.

We have effi-' cient seamstresses who can alter the trousers, too . . . Just you read the ads.

The same ad wants a buyer for a tuxedo. Ahhh . . . a tuxedo . . . with its urbanity, its- suaveness, and its intrigue. One envisions /the highest night spots . . . bright lights . . . tinkling | glasses . . . sophisticated company . . . sweet music . . . whispers. A tuxedo .t.j. ahhh!

On we go . . . a man has some farming equipment to dispose of along with some oak lumber. Not far from town, either.

Here we have a man who says he'll take about half price for an almost new trumpet. Tears come to the eyes. A lump rises. Is it the same story? The same pitiful heart-rendering story?

Did he purchase the trumpet with bright anticipations and has now after struggling with it, become so discouraged that he loathes the sight of the instrument? May it not be so. >Take heart, my friend, you may not want to sell the trumpet after all. But, then, trumpets or bugles or what have you—let's blow taps on this one.

If you see a^wWte and brown spotted male fice who will wag his short tsfll when you call him Tippy", then scan the Lost and Found column and notify the owner. i^tL Seen in the miscellaneous de-' partment . . . Albemarle has a new nursery school. This lady will keep your children from two to five years of age.

The hours are not given but y.oU can find out right quick.

"Will Baby Sit—by hour, day, or*week-end," an ad.says. What more could you ask for? That covers every hour of every day of every week!

An Oakboro radiator service firm has moved into a bigger and better building to better . serve you. The proprietor of this busi-

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