V VOLUME XI,II, NO. 39 I OreffiAOFGLEE^ CLUB DRAWS HUGE AUDIENCE MONDAY "Belli of Beatujolaks" Well Received by Packed Home. Excellent Cesfc and Chorus. Miss Virginia Wary, Director, Receives Praise for Her Accomplishment- Musical Score Handled by Miss TriretV. Under the skillful direction of Miss Virginia Wary, instructor of vocal music at State Teachers College, *The Bells of. Beaujolais," an effervescent operetta in two acts, was presented in College Auditorium on Monday night, and the more than fifteen hundred students and tov/nspeople who were in attendance thrilled to the beautiful musical numbers, lent tatentive ears fcc I he clever dialogue . . - pronouncing the whole show, from "curtain raiser'* to finale, a complete and undeniable success. While the plot of this musical play was somewhat lacking in weight, ns is the case with most operettas, each member of the large cast developed his or her part with the ease of a legitimate actor, and the vocal numbers, appealing in their sparkling melody, brought, forth thunderous applause. Miss Nell Trivette, accompanist, is due a full measure of praise foi the competent manner in which she handled the difficult musical score, and to Miss Wnry goes a whole lapful of roses for the coaching, direction and production of what is looked on as the best operetta staged in Boone for many a year. An imaginary island off the coast of Normandy is the setting for the play. This island domain is ruled by the mild-mannered and rather romantic Duke of Bcaujolais, played by H. V. Martin. The principal town is Beaufleur, where a spring festival is in progress when an American yachting party, headed by John Bend<n (l??iah Smith), appears on the scene. The strangers are charmed with the animated scene and enthusiastically enter into the spirit of the festivities, especially the young men, Larry and Tony (Charles Rankin and Paul Mahoney), who find two dainty village girls, Susettd and Yvonne, so charming that they rather neglect their traveling companions, Phiilis, Bender's daughter, and Belle, her friend. The two former r$les were | played by Missed Ruby -Winkler and Neva Brinson; the latter by Misses Ruth Johnson and Lynn Saunders. The work of these four young ladies provided one of the brightest spots of the evening. The entire company of villagers are adorned in holiday attire?the gilds in colorful kirtles and Norman eapk; the young men in knee-length trousers and berets. Countess Marie, 'just a trifle old but nevertheless oil romantic disposition, is affianced to the Duke, but when she meets Ben1 der her world changes, and regardless of a pending "political marriage" between herself and the ruler, she determines to "get her rhan." And the Duke also has a change of heart when he siaggKis eyes on Aunt Sarah Jess up, middie-aged sister of Bender, >vho is chaperon of the American party. The role of Countess was skillfully handled by Miss Margaret Phillips, while Aunt Sarah was played by Miss Eima May. Other members of {he cast who deserve mention are Pierre, a juggler (Reece Harris), and Chicot, a wrestler (DeVaughan Boyles). These boys seem to hold a secret affection for Susette and Yvonne, but good-naturedly <r8heiei to the advances of Larry and Tony. Their solo work, as well as their ex-i cellcnt stage presence, tves most] gratifying. I i From footlights to back-drop, the stage was crowded with lovers?at least, that was the way it looked .to the audience?but the little affair , between Harhins, Bender's English | valet., and Fantine, maid to the Coun-| tess, was by far the outstanding love, i Harkins Was played by Zeb Dickson, and Fantine by Mis. J. Lee lavender?comedy by the bushel was handed out during their capricious appearances, and as a sideline, they gave the audience a rather good ex inyivivo wi "ic (.ctyaibiiuicaii oil/.. Without a wish to offend one single member of the superb cast, and basing his opinion on ovations accorded the actors, the writer is compelled to give Mrs. Lavender and Mr. Dickson headline positions. Their work smacked so much of the professional that a spectator could scarcely believe his own eyes, and their voices blended to perfection. Messrs. Rankin and Mahoney also deserve espe * cial mention for their songs and the zip which they injected into their liijes. Back to the story: The closing scene is a garden party arranged by the Duke and Countesi in honor of the American party." The girls etc change costumes, so do the Cotnitess and Aunt Sarah, a mix-up of sweethearts takes place, and the final curtain comes just as they find one another?right where they started., and everybody happy. "'Lovely Venus, closing song by the assembled actors, was perhaps the most popular (Please turn t-> Page 8) IATA\ A Non-Partisan Ni BOON Municipal Election Is Called for May 5th | An election for the purpose of naming three aldermen and a Mayor for the Town of Boone, to serve a period of two years each, was called for May F>th by the City Council, in regular session Tuesday evening. Mr. Jeff Stan bury was named as registrar and M. P. CritcWr and Si O. Stanbury, judges of election, and it whs announced that the registration books will be opened next Saturday and vemain open until Saturday, April 25th. l ne present administration, which is composed of R. S. Swift, Mayor; H. B. Perry, L. L. Bingham, J. D. Rankin, aldermen, who were elected two years ago on the Democratic ticket, will not stand for re-election, it is said, although many demands have been made upon them to again enter the race. The names of no other citizens of the town, regardless of political affiliation, have been advanced for the official posts, and there is much con| jecture as to who will take over the reins of the city government for thej next two years. Watauga Justices Named In House Omnibus Bill The omnibus bill appointing justices of the peace throughout thej State was recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative White, of Chowan. Under the bill the justices will serve a term of six years beginning April i, 1931, or when their present terms expire unless the bill specifies a different time. The list of annointmt?n*? fru- W?. tauga follows: Stony Fork, R. L.I Wugner,- Walter Morel-/.; Elk, P. G. j Carroll; Boone, Charles E. Vannoy,, J J D. Council 1, A. J. Edmisten; Meal Gump No. 1, C. G. Hodges. J. W Wail, B. H. Gross; Meat Camp No.| 2, Herman McNeill; Watauga, Everotte Fox, 0. D. Taylor, Don Shull, Charlie Rowe; Shawneehaw. L. F. j Townsend; Blue Ridge, M. O. Coffey, i J. M. Bradshaw; North Fork, Britton, South; Beaver Dam, D. C. Hagaman;} Laurel Creek. V. B. Mast, G. C. Ward; Bald Mountain, H. C. Howell, Russell Vannoy. Will Appear Before Federal Road Board . .,.Vi 7T.-. MiRt-?? ' . Professor I. G. Greer, of Boone, Messrs. Rufus Gwyn and T. H. Broyhili of Lenoir, and Congressman R. L. Dough ton are members of a dele-; gation which leaves this morning forj Washington City, where ihey will j appear before the Federal Road Com-} mission at a hearing on Saturday, when the exact location of the highway between the Shenanduu1 National Park Iirf Virginia and tb Smoky Mountain Park in North Carolina and Tennessee is expected to be determined. Other delegations including prominent citizens from over North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia are expected to be heard also. ft One proposea route Tor" llie Fod-: eral thoroughfare ar.d the one spnnsored by the local delegation brings the road through Sparta, Jefferson, Bocyne and Linville, while the route opposed locally would take the thoroughfare through Tennessee. Watt Gragg Touted For Highway Post W. H. Gragg of R.oone is being prominently mentioned throughout the State as a likely candidate for appointment to the minority seat on the Governor's newiy-created highway board. Mr. Gragg has been widely endorsed by prominent citizens throughout thi3 and ether sections of the state for the appointment which goes to a Republican under the terms of the re-oreunizatiori. and ores I pects at tWs time seem rathw bright for his appointment.. These who are sponsoring Mr. Ovagrg*? candidacy feel that unless a Democrat has been slated foi? appointment from this immediate section t he is in a winning way, as he is thought to measure up admirably to the requirements of the responsible post. APRIL FOOLS? April was ushered in with beautiful weather, sunshiny skies and all that sort of thing. . . . There is no slash or mud in the business district of Boone this (Wednesday) morning. . . . Potato planting has gone on without interruption by tbe weather for the past two weeks. . . . All the -backyards and alleyways have been cleaned up and the town is spic and span for the summer season. . . . There ain't no twenty bootleggers in Boone. . . . General Assembly adjourns after passing much constructive legislation. . . . Boone flappers adopt cotton stockings for spring wear. . . . Present Mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen will seek ^re-election on May 12^ Atld many other equally truthful stories! ^ - JGA ewspaper, Devoted to tjfte % - 'E, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH Ci ISALES TAX GIVEN FULL ATTENTION OF LEGISLATURE Day Bill Paste* House Committee by' Harrow Margin. Expected to Meet Defeat in Senate. Gardner Condemns Tax as Unfair. Revenue BUI and Appropriations Remain to Be Passed Before AdjournmentRaleigh, N. C.?Sales tax or no sale? tax has been the all-absorbirig problem in the House of Representatives for a week, particularly in the House of Representatives' side ofj x.ne vjenerai nssemDiy. . ine question of a sales tax, then which, was answered by the House, as a committee of the whole, in favor of the general sales tax, as against the socalled luxury-tax, by the close margin of four votes. This vote, of course, was not decisive. In fact, proponents of the luxury tax, in some instances, voted for the general sales tax, with a sort of reservation that they would introduce amendments when it comes to final voting in tbe House to sub[ stitute the luxury tax, or that the i Senate, when the revenue bill reaches | that body, would substitute the luxj ury sales tax and send it back to I the House for concurrence. Lines established when the 30named MacLean bill was enacted to require the State to support the sixmonths school term, and when thej later Johnston-Jolly bill, providing machinery for operation of the sixmonths term, was enacted, both by 1 overwhelming majorities---these lines have become all broken up over methods of financing the six-months term. It would Seein that the legisalture would incline toward the luxury tax, on tobacco products, cosmetics, soft drinks, playing cards, automobiles, and other articles listed as non-essentials. Instead, they have turned to a tax on general sales ..1.1 1 i? i?.i 1 I j men wwiim ue ruuecit'ti uy nivichants on all articles sold to all classes of people. If the general sales tax finally j gets by the House, it is freely predicted that it will meet death in the Senate. In fact, belief is that the Senate will not adopt any form of sales lax, general or luxury. A pall of the members in that body is said to show IIS members opposed ,to all tfomsrofc-TOies. 'Ust:. If so, tiled'efNJ sales tax is doomed. If the general sales tax had been passed in the House by a good majority, the force of that vote may have carried it over i in the Senate, but with a majority of only four, the Senate is expected to take the position that the small ma jority can be overcome and vote it down. Several factors have entered into i the apparent change in line-up and j breaking away of the earlier sup; porters of the MacLc-ar. act. Gover! nor Gardner nwnenred before ,, bunt i session of the two houses last week | anil" voiced strong opposition to the sales Lax idea as being economically unsound, a tax on poverty and should only be impcsed as a tax of last resort. His speech, said by many to be the best ever made, had strong logic and carried conviction to many of those formerly supporting it. Representative A. D. Macl.ran, sponsor .of the six-months bill and the general sales tax, characterized one part of it by saying that the Governor must be a "damned ass or thinks you arc one." It caused much comment and not a little critic-ism. Opponents of the general sales tu.v argued that it is a shifting of the tax burden from the big property owncr to his employees. They pointed to the lining up of Mr. MacLc-iui, supposedly representing the small landowner and heme owner, with the representatives from Forsyth County, referring fo it as not a legalized marriage, but as a companionate marriage. The tax proposed is one per cent, which, it is pointed out, is five times as much as any general sales tax. in any other state. The ease of running across a state line to make purchases to avoid the tax, with the accompanying loss to merchants at home and thus to the community Was stressed. Those favoring tiiis tax said it was fair and just, that all receive bene nt irom iIK government and all, rich and poor alike, should help supporUit. The average of about $3 a year would' impose no hardships on the poor, they argue. Great pressure is being brought to beav on the legislators from home to support the MacLean measure, but the sales or the luxury tax. It is not considered improbable by close observers that the efforts to raise about SIS,000,QUO additional revenue will Tail and that the results will be an increased equalizing fund. That, say at $10,000,000, will hi reality bring -more relief than complete operation of the six-months term, if the sales tax accompanies it, they state. The Revenue bill will probably come to a final vote in the House early this week and may reach the Senate may the latter part of the week. Following it' will conic the Appropriations bill, which will also con(Please tprn to Page 8)* ' >v" DEM< Best Interests of Northwe VROHNA, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, l>. Freezing Temperatures ! Prevailed During March i March came in like a iion, went! out like a fighting wildcat, and in be ] tween times Watauga County had its, share of disagreeable weather, if you will believe Observer J. T. C. Wright! whose report for the breezy month follows: Average maximum temperature, 45 degrees. IIAverage minimum temperature, 27 degrees. Average temperature, 36 degrees. Average daily range in temperature, IS degrees. Greatest daily range in temperature, 37 degrees; date, 18th. Average temperature at 6 p. m. (time of observation), 38 degrees. Highest temperature reached, 58 degrees; date, 14th. Lowest temperature reached, degrees; date, 18th. Number inches of rainfall (including melted snow), 5.48. Number inches of snowfall. 18.50. Greatest rainfall in 24 hours, 1.81; date, 22nd. Number of flays with 0.01 inch or more rainfall, 13. j Number of days with freezing tern- j perature, 30. Number of clear days, 7. Number of cloudy days, 1G. Number of partly cloudy clays, 8. Direction of prevailing wind. west. Dates of light frost, 6th, 7th. 18th, Dates of sleet, 31st. Dates of fogs, 1st, 2nd. 3rd, 7th, ] 27th, 28th, 29th. Dates of thunderstorms, 27th. Other phenomena described as follows: Lunar halo 26th: solor halos, 13th, 18th, 20th, 30th; high winds, 9th and 10th. No Mexican Quail for Distribution This Year i 1 County Game Warden H. Grady K Farthing is in receipt of a letter from 1 C. H. England, State Warden, in ' which that executive states that no : Mexican quail will be available for ' distribution during the present year, j Mr. England's explanation follows: j1 "Due to a shortage of more than ; $20,000 in game receipts this year J as against last year, it will be impossible for us to buy, as heretofore, ' Mexican quail for general distribution in the covers throughout the State. We certainly regret this situ a- ' lion for the. reason we all believe that ttt'$ distributionr of -Mexican quad has helped considerably in maxlng better quail hunting as well as proved U.v ~ 1?.. t?* iu uv a uu|iuiai iva;urc ill our jram. Vou will, therefore, please advise such persons as you have promised qnaii of the situation. "We hope, however, to raise several thousand quail at the game farm this summer and, of cour;^, will assign them equally to ail the counties in the State for release. Our receipts may run shorter thar. the figure above indicated. 1 suppose the shortage is due to the- condition of the times." Operetta Will Be Given Again Monday Evening! Due to popular demand ; by: tho^e | who were unable to get seats in Col-j lege Auditoiium for the operetta on! Monday evening, Miss Virginia Wary, | director, has decided to again pre-J sent "Bells of Beaujolais," the ruost-! talked-of "Olav Which Booiio nnonlnl have witnessed in many years, on i next Monday evening, April 6. The hour will be 8.15 o'clock, and it is requested that those who intend to be present get their seats early. Mo admission charge will b? made. At 9 o'clock Monday morning the cast will give dress rehearsal, at which time public school and college students may witness the performance. Miss Wary is highly pleased witH the manner in which the public received her operetta, and hope* that those who failed to see Monday night's performance will be on hand for the second engagement. CMTC Applicants Must Be Vaccinated at Once Major R. E. Patterson, United Scales Army, stationed at Statesville, N. C., has received word from headquarters Citizen? Military Training Camps, that more than clivpugh applications have been received from North Carolina boys for the Citizens j Military Training Camp, at Fortj Bragg ,than can be accommodated.: But many of the young men have hot completed their vaccinations! agaihst smallpox and their inocula-i tions against typhoid. Applications will be approved in the order in which thsee vaccinations are completed and the certificates received at CMTC Headquarters. Fort McPherson, Ga. Major Patterson urges all tentatively accepted applicants to expedite completion of their vaccinations so that they will not be too late to be definitely accepted for camp. Interest of Johnson County farmer? in dairying was shown by the recent purchase of seven part-bred Jersey bulls ana one heifer at a sale sponsored -by the county agent. XRA st North Carolina 131 Auto Smash Fata! t' > Local Electric Serv : j An automobile operated by Edgar Cook went out of cor Saturday morning cn East f r Street, crashed into one of * poles of the New River Light * ' Power Company line, suappe ? at the ground and caused tut; *" sion of electric service for swr hours. No bodily injuries of i JR sequence resulted from the imp* although the car is said to have been practically demolished. In relating the cause of the suspension in service, Superintendent S. M. Ayers called attention to the ; fact that a crew of men worked diligently in the rain for several hours placing the new pole and restoring service- The management of the electric company is keenly i alive to the necessity of rendering uninterrupted service, and assures the public that when the "juice" is off) it is due to some unavoida- i ble accident. j BANKS OF COUNTY" : REPORT BUSINESS il ON THE UPGRADE! j, Deposits Show Increase, as Well as j : Clearings. People* Bank Makes! Gain of $15,000 in Past Thirty ! Days. Messrs. Hagaman and Far-1 thing Sec Better Days Ahead for| Business. I < The three hanks of Watauga County are publishing their reports as re- ? luired by the corporation commission j in thi^ issue of The Democrat, and j ;he bankers are unanimous in their .'xpression of confidence in a busi- ] \ess revival. Mr. G. C. Brinkley, asjistant cashier of the Peoples Bank j uui Trust Company,'calls attention i to the fact that deposits have .in- i reused during: the past thirty days o the amount of $15,000 at his bank, , and that business is still on the up- ? ?rade. The co-operatiort of the public is splendid, says Mr. Brinkley, and! aur records bespeak better business i for coming: months.,,,- . j Mr George P. Uagaman, cashier of the Watauga County Rank, in sub- ] mitting his usual splendid report, also speaks very encouragingly ot the Rnointisa liiltln^lr ortA I-Ri.nL'e fho nGillie status of the county is destined to show steady improvement. | Mr. TV. D. Farthing, newly-elected cashier of the Bank of Blowing Rock, ' ( as prepared a statement showing the , fine condition of his institution, and is greatly encouraged with the business being accorded. He wishes, however, to call attention to the overdraft item of $400.28, all of which was a matter of record before he assumed the management of the hank, in fact the item has been reduced to this figure from 8141.28. he says, and there are no new entries of this kind. Easter Services at B ions Baptist Church Easter Day services will open at the Baptist Chui*eh Sunday morning at b o'clock with a young peoples watch service, Rev. P. A. Hicks, the pastor, says. This will be followed i at 11 o'clock by a special Easter] service. "A Stiuv of the fSallileiin." i "" ? which is described as r. musical interpretation of the Christ and which is rendered in six parts under general headings as follows: His Infancy, His Youth, His Ministry, His Last Week, His Death, and His Triumph. The public is cordially invited to attend 1 these services. ' t \-r. ;J - - . : fV V? j Parents of Mrs. Dave Ray Claimed by DeathI A^53?r-J*5*' W " J Belated information reaching The! Democrat is to the effect that Mr J James II. Greene and wife, both of! Cranberry, N. C? ar&_ dead, the former having succumbed on March 16th, the latter on March 1st. Both were well advanced in age and had been ill for several weeks. & The deceased couple were parents j of Mrs. Dave Kay. Boone R. V. D.,: and were well known in Watauga.] They were highly respected by a host j of friends throughout the section; who will hear of their passing with! sorrow. Realty Chances Hands In Daniel Boone Park Mr. Charles Watson, local mechanic, 3ia? traded his house and lot sit Daniel Boone Park to Charlie Critcher for his farm at Bamboo. In turn, Robert Castle of Zionville Bought the Watson property and is moving: here, Critcher taking: over the Castle farm in i payment it moving there today, arid i the Rev. i. H. Honck has bought j the Davidson bark cottage in the i neighborhood of the Watson prop- I erty and is morving in. And still it is intimated by some J ; that trading is dull in Eooce. j fy "v^-b *: . maac tm " T $1.50 PER YEAR iuiffioR COURT DISPOSES OF CIVIL CASES SATURDAY Will Reconvene April 4t'? for Hearing of Motions mm} Signing of Judgments. FercS WiUon Given Suiprndco Sentence of Two Year* And Placed on Good Beliavioor. Grand Jury Submits Report Advising Repairs on Public Buildings. Watauga Superior Court adjourned Saturday, March 28ti\. after a session of only five days, having: disposed of the lightest criminal and civil dockets in Watauga court history. Hon. Hoyle Sink, presiding ju- . rist, will return next Saturday, however, at which time court will reconvene for the hearing of motions and signing of judgments. Two criminal cases, tried Wednesday of last week and not recorded in the criminal docket carried by The Democrat, follow: State vs. l4'erd Wilson: two years r?n the roads; suspended with payment of cost and bond for $1,000 to stay away from the home or premises of J. M. May. and not to loiter near his home when passing the highway. Not to violate the law in any manner. Sentence to go into effect on motion of Solicitor with or without evidence that he has violated the above conditions. State vs.. C. D. Phillips, liquor, $25 and the costs. Civil Docket W. J. Wagner et al vs. J. E. Jestes it Al; judgment for possession of land in favor of Wagner. W. L. Greene vs. G. B. McAlister; suit for damages account of personal injuries; judgment in favor of G. B. McAlister. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith vs. E. 1. Blackburn; suit dismissed. E. D. Cook and Grant Hodges vs. 5. O. Carroll: on contract; judgment for $149.46 less 50 bushels of pota:oes, in favor of plaintiffs. W. J. Wagner et al vs. .1. F. Church lit al; judgment dismissing the restraining order of W. J. Wagner. Har.ah Warren vs. R. B. Warren; judgment for $25 and 0 1-2 aces of land, also for divorce a mensa et thorn for the plaintiff. Texie Greene Main vs. John Main; marriage annulled. W. L. Coffey vs. N. R. Coffey; dtvorce grunted; couple separated for eleven years. Grand Jury Report The report presented by the Grand Jury to Judge Sink's court follows: "We the Grand Jury at the Spring Term of 19S1 Superior Court, have examined the jail and recommend thai the jailer be furnished with six blankets and six comforts. "The Courthouse needs repairing as to leaky roof, window light*; and floors. We further recommend that Sy -I seats be furnished in the first hall for grand jury witnesses. "The County Home was found in good condition with the exception of a few minor repairs as to the plaster, and we recommend that electric lights be installed in County Home. "We have examined the different county offices and found same in good condition, in so far as we are able to detect. "D. G. Movet2, Foreman." Sands Filling Station Robhed of Gasoline Seventy-five gallons ol" gasoline weie removed from the tanks of the Sands Service Station sometime between Thursday and Saturday nights of last week, and nc trace of the. robber has been secured. Sheriff Farthing, acting on suspicions of the operator, Mr. Honevcutt, spent one whole night in an effort to locate -jagi some of the stolen fluid, but was unsuccessful. MORE GAME BIRDS FOR THE MOUNTAIN SECTION Banner Elk, N. O.?Western North Carolina and especially the country around Banner Elk has long been considered a "sportsman'* paradise." Just, recently Mr. Fred C. Ott, a representative of the "More Game Birds in America, Incorporated" '(a foundation for the propagation and protection of CAmo hvrvlal Banner Elk. This foundation is considering Banner Elk as a possible location in which to conduct an experiment in the raising of ruffed grouse. Mr. Ott was very enthusi?.stic aau vuiRwuers oaiiTier cjik an fffHfffWPi ideal spot for such an undertaking. Br. Gardner Bump, of Cornell University, who has made a special study of these birds, is expected soon in Banner Elk on a visit- of inspection and to help 3tart the experiment and give more complete instruction and advice as to the methods To be used. KILLS SELF WITH COP'S GUN Greenville, X. C.?Oscar Shirley, 35, walked up to Policeman Walter w&ljS McKeel, boyhood friend, on the street an here Thursday, asked to loolc at the officer's gan, stepped hack a few paces, said "Goodbye, Walter," and killed himself.

Page Text

This is the computer-generated OCR text representation of this newspaper page. It may be empty, if no text could be automatically recognized. This data is also available in Plain Text and XML formats.

Return to page view