SELL YOUR
TOBACCO
IN BOONE
VOL. LXI, NO. 25.
An Independent Weekly Newspafter? Established in* the Year 1 888
i . ? 1 r 1 ?
n/VMLf# tir a ?n 4 tt/-? A nATTtimif %WTMiiif *-* a x\* t*t a nmrrrmno ? ??
BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THURSDAY,
KMGjpCT
BT
ROB RIVERS
FIRECRACKERS, used in oth
er parts of the country, only on
the Fourth of July, have always
found favor in the South for the
celebration ot the Christmas
season. We never quite found out
the reason why the Christmas
festival should be ushered in
with a racket perhaps duplicat
ing the fuss bade at the battle of
Manassas, but that's the way it
is, and since we've grown a lit
tle too old to brave the elements
at CUnjlgcMU, time- just to watch
fcwSSlHreicer bust : . . we're pret
ty well burned out with the
practice . . . might be a bit like
the guy who lingered long over
the juleps, until his ulcers le
belled, and then got mad at all
the folks who still had the con
stitutions to grow a bit mellow
with old friends when the glas
ses were frosty, and hearts were
warm.
? ? ?
AT ANY RATE, the fire
cracker business la in full
swing at the moment . . . con
trary to the laws of the State,
it being particularly bad last
Saturday night, when an auto
mobile made regular trips from
the back street where we hold
iorth, up south street * down
King and Depot to the begin
ning. stopping at every point,
where It could be Imagined a
citizen was enjoying peaceful
tleep and setting off a dozen or
so crackers . . . making the cir
cuit again and again, till every
one was wide awake, and mad
as the proverbial wet hen . . If
this was done in the name of
fun. it certainly was an abor
tive effort, and so far as we're
concerned, amounted to Just
plain hellishness . . . peace and
affection toward one's fellow
man just can't be accomplished,
when the Yule period has to be
turned into a synthetic battle
of , Waterloo . . . Officers are
warning the offenders, and we
hope they will at least do their
shooting from now on In. be
fore the small hou*s~ari?v* .
a bit of sleep is an indispen
sible contribution to effective
effort and human happiness!
TOBACCO BALL largely at
tended . . . heap of the young
folks and some of the oldsters
take part in the fun . . . Miss
Nancy Shull, charming daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shull
selected "tobacco queen" at the
close of spirited balloting . . .
Parson Sam Moss looks in on ball,
and nitxes with his parishioners
and others for a few minutes . . .
"Just want to see what the folks
are doing . . . people are my busi
ness you know,'' quoth the mini
ster, as he watched the dance
for a few minutes and remarked
on the exemplary conduct of the
group . . . "Time was," quoted a
by-stander, "when a lot of these
same folks would have been all
gassed up . . . got so bad a law
was passed against public dances
in the town . . . and now every
body's sober . . . whatta change!"
? ? ?
BOB AGLE, is starting the
March of Dimes campaign
again, and an urgent appeal is
to ba mada to help tha little
children, whom disaster has
struck . . . We should welcome
the opportunity of contributing
to the fund, which has done so
much for our own kiddies . . .
Mr. Agle hands us tome figures
which indicate that during the
period 1*37 ? to 1UI Watauga
county contributed $8,804.85 to
the infantile paralysis fund,
aad that during tha same per
iod local polio victims have re
ceived from the fund 814,878.18,
or M. 37 4-33 more than we have
contributed . . . Six Watauga
children, stricken last summer,
are still in a hospital . . . one
little girl ia at Monroe, N. C..
a* a cost of $12.50 a day I . . .
In these days, when there's al
: ways two or three fiscal cam
paigns in progress here . . . we
get ralher burned out . . . some
we don't even believe in . . .
just give a bit out of deference
to the solicitor, who happens
to be our friend . . . but this
I March of Dimes business . . .
helping the stricken children
f . . . aad the Empty 8 toe king
Fund, which eases the pain of
economic misfortune at the
Tuletids . . are 1 we of our
"pet" projects ... we can sup
peri these sincerely and en
II thnsiastically ... we hope the
folks generally will heed these
calk for alms on behalf of
helpless youngsters . . . "Give
a little love to a child . . . aad
yon get a great deal back."
J. B. NORMS, aged citizen of
(Contnued on page 4)
MADAME CHIANG
> : '
s Madam* Chiang Kai-shek, wife of Generalissimo
Chiang Kai-shek, of China, (landing on tha lawn in front oi the
home of Secretary of Stata and Mrs. Oaorga C. Marshall naar Lees
burgh. Va. Madam# Chiang Kai-shak was inrlled to stay at iha
Marshall homt as soon as it was announced that she was coming
to tha United States.
Burley Mart Breaks
All F ormer Records
Democrat To Issue
Early Next Week
The Democrat will be pub
lished Tuesday morning next
?Mk, rather than on Wednes
day as usual, so that tha pub
lisher and employees may enjoy
a Christmas vacation. All ad
vertising copy and routine com
munications must be in hand by
closing time Saturday in order
that the early edition may come
from the press oa schedule.
The edition will be largely a
Christmas greeting issue, and
advertisers are advised that
cuts and copy for these "merry
Christmas" ads are supplied to
all advertisers wanting them,
and the publisher would ap
preciate promptness In placing
orders for these ajts. The trans
sadiotis may be hsnrfled by
telephone whan daeifed.
"Messiah" To Be
Given Sunday
The chorus of Appalachian
State Teachers college under the
direction of Mrs. Virginia Wary
Linney will present the Christ
mas section of Handel's Messiah
next Sunday night, December
19th in the college auditorium at
7 o'clock. The piano parts will be
played by Maurine K. Lovely
Sokol of the music faculty. Grace
Burdick also, of the music facul
ty will sing the Contralto solos.
Other soloists will be Rachel
Ann Vance and Doris Fowler
sopranos. James Blanton tenor;
and Stanley South and Hoyt
Safrit baritones. The choruf is
augmented by the addition of
towns people and faculty mem
bers who have had previous ex
perience in singing the Messiah.
The public is cordially invited to
attend.
DR. WHITTINGTON
AIDS TRUSTEES OF
LOCAL HOSPITAL
Dr. J. B. Whittington of Win
ston-Salem spent last Thursday,
in Boone, conferring with trus
tees of Watauga Hospital regard
ing the purchase of the new
surgical equipment for the ex
panded institution.
Dr. Whittington was recom
mended to the board by the Duke
Foundation as the best qualified
man to advise and assist in mak
ing the purchases of the new
equipment. He visited the hospi
tal and was quoted as being high
ly pleased with the progress be
ing made by the trustees for the
expansion of hospital facilities.
Duke Foundation officials have
offered their full cooperation and
advice in line with the program
to improve the facilities Of Wa
tauga Hospital.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
This Sunday night, December
19th, there will be a Christmas
program at the Rutherwood Bap
tist church at 7 o'clock. The pub
lic is invited to attend.
STORES IN CITY
TO HAVE HOLIDAY
The stares of Boone will be
closed Saturday and Monday In
ubeervauce of Christmas.
Shoppers are asked to anti
cipate their needs, and shop be*'
fore the holiday period so that
there may be no Inconvenience.
Three Million Pounds Sold
Up To Last Night, for $200, ?
000 More Than Same
Amount Of Weed Brought
Here A Year Ago.
Three million pounds of tobacco
had been sold this season on the
floors of the local burley market,
as the auctions ended Tuesday,
to set a new poundage record for
this town, and warehousemen
point to the fact that the market
has been unusually "steady" this
year, th e three million pounds of
weed having brought the farmers
$200,000 more than the same
amount brought a year ago.
It is pointed out that the daily
price average hasn't varied over
50 cents per hundred since the
opening of the market.
Receipts of tobacco continue
strong, but Mr. Coleman states
that there is now space for same
thing like 2500 more baskets,
which can be disposed of before
Christmas. This space won't last
however, and those who want to
receive their checks before
Christmas are requested to bring
their crops in promptly.
The last sales of the p re
Christmas season . will be held
next Tuesday December 21. The
market will open again on Janu
ary 10. However, it is stated that
tobacco will be received all
through the holidays.
March Of Dimes
Effort Started
The March of Dimes Campaign,
which will be conducted next
month is a large National enter
prise. It involves National State,
county and local organizations.
The significant work in fighting
Infantile Paralysis which is being
done is due to the effectiveness
and cooperation of these interre
lated organizations.
The local organization of the
March of Dimes has been an
nounced by the county chairman,
R. E. Agle. In addition to the
chairman there are the following
members of the organization:
Treasurer, James Farthing; in
charge of Tag Day, Cratis Wil
liams;* schools, Herbert Wey;
publicity, S. B. Moss; coin collec
tors, Boyd Blanton and A. L.
Griffin; material distribution, A.
E. Hamby, Jr.; special events,
Howard Ccttrell; college, Bolo
Pardue; special work, R. D.
Hodges, Jr.; motion pictures, J.
W. Beach; wishing well, Joe
Conn; special advertising. Gill H.
Phillips. The woman's division of
the campaign is beaded by Mrs.
Jack Martin.
North Carolina is attempting
to raise a total of one million dol
lars in thee oming campaign. The
quota for Oils county is $4,000.00.
Efficient campaigns are expected
throughout the country.
LADIES NIGHT IS
HELD BY ROTARY
President Stanley Hartis pre
sided at the ladles' night meet
ing of the Rotary Club held last
Friday evening.
The meeting was opened with
prayer by Rev. E. F. Troutman.
Rotary songs and Christmas car
ols were sung, and Mr Curlee
of the Burlington Mills showed a
film, depicting the process of
weaving cloth into wearing ap
parel.
Plans were made for an organ
ization of Rotary Ann*, and a
committee was named to work
out the details.
TO VOTE NEXT
WEEK ON SOIL
DISTRICT PLAN
f ' _____ ? w V
Land Owners To Cast Ballots
In Watauga Qn Question Of
Organization Of Soil ' Con
servation District; List Of
Voting Places Given.
Land owners of Watauga coun
ty will vote on the question of
organizing a Soil Conservation
District for the county next week.
The county agent,, assisted by J.
Frank Doggett, extension soil
conservationist of Raleigh, is
holding meetings throughout the
???5flfy this week to advise the
people of the purpose and organi
zation of Soil Conservation Dis
tricts.
Ballot boxes will be located in
the following places:
County agents office, Boone;
AAA office, Boone; Farmers
Hardware, Boone; A. G.j Miller's
Store, Deep Gap; Ho wan I Mast's
Store, Valle Crucis; Clyd > Mast's
Store, Sugar Grove; D. E Church,
Store, Mabel; Clyde Perm's Store,
Sugar Grove, (On Beavtr Dam).
Only land owners art! eligible
to vote. The election will run
from Monday, December 20th
through Wednesday, December
22nd. The ballots will be counted
by three farmers on Thursday
and a report mailed 'o the State
Soil Conservation committee in
Raleigh.
In 1945 a petition signed by 25
land owners of Watauga was pre
sented to the State Soil Conserva
tion Committee requesting the
organization of a District for
their county. The result of the
election will indicate the amount
of interest in a Soil Conservation
District and guide the State
committee, in deciding whether
or not to organize a District in
this county.
Soil Conservation Districts aie
sub-divisions of State Govern
ment. A District is a means for
the farmers to run their own
Soil Conservation program. ,
Dougherty Gets
High Recognition
A Boone resident received in-j
ternational recognition by the in
clusion of his biography in "World
Biography," the largest interna
tional biographical reference
book, just published. Comprising
two volumes totalling 5,120 pages,
"World Biography" lists sketches
of 40,000 living men and women
distinguished in the arts and sci
ences, politics, education, litera
ture, commerce and industry, mil
itary and naval affairs, and oth
er fields of endeavor. The work
is published by Institute for Re
search in Biography, New York
City.
Included from Boone is Blan
ford Barnaid Dougherty, Presi
dent, Appalachian State Teachers
College.
"World Biography" was prepar
ed with the cooperation of nu
merous scientific, cultural and
learned societies, and was com
piled with the aid of government
al agencies in sixty countries. ?
Gifts Are Sought
For Orphans' Home
Funds are being asked for the
annual Christmas party at the
Grandfather Orphans Home,
where most of the children being
cared for are residents of this
immediate section.
For a number of years a non
denominational effort has been
made here to provide a Chi istmas
fund for these children, and all
gifts will be appreciated. Those
desiring to make a contribution
are asked to do so as quickly as
convenient, and leave the money
with either Guy Hunt or Rob
Rivers, the sponsors of the ef
fort.
Local Students
in Radio Program
Students from the Choral En
semble class of Appalachian High
school will broadcast over Stat
ion WKBC, North Wllkesboro,
Tuesday, December 21 at eleven
o'clock. The public Is invited to
tune in for a half hour of fami
liar Christmas msic.
Choral Piano Recital
Slated At Cove 'Creek
A joint choral and piano reci
tal will be given by the students
of Miss Stiles and Mrs. Tait in the
Cove Creek High School audi
torium Tuesday evening Recem
ber 21, at 7:80.
The public is cordially invited
BOYS TOWN
This la th? dedication of the 11 -ton B*dford-stan* statu* of tbo
late Mons*lgn*ur E. J. Flanagan and four of hla boys. Th* gilt of
tan thousand showman and czaatad by Eugana Konpandi. r*sid*nt
sculptor of Ifotr* Dami, tha statu* was comm amoral ad la lb* maCB
ory of th* founder of Bop Town whoa* slogan was, "Th*r* is no
such thing as a bad boy."
Abrams Says Interest
In Education Great
STARTS NEW TERM
Miu Helen Under down, who la
starting a new four -year term as
Register of Deeds of Watauga
county. Miss Under down, who
has served in this offica for
twenty years. won a majority of
about 750 in the past election,
to far. outdistance other candi
dates on the Democratic ticket.
(Cuts of other naw officials have
been delayed by the engravers.)
Baptists Have
Xmas Program
"Star of the Christ Child" will
be presented by the choir of the
First Baptist Church Wednesday,
December 22, at 7:30 p. m.
The program follows:
Yuletlde Echoes, Organ Pre
lude ? Hodson;
They Who Walked in Darkness,
Choir;
The Herald's Cry, Soprano solo
and Choir ? Rachel Vance (solo
ist;
Hail His Name, Choir;
He Comes, Men's chorus, sopra
no and alto duet;
Message of the Shepherds ?
Tenor solo, soprano solo, and
choir, Ted Barnett, tenor soloist;
Doris Fowler, soprano;
Sweetly Sleep, contralto solo
and choir ? Irma N orris, soloist;
The Bethlehem Star, baritone
solo and woman's trio ? Doris An
derson Fowler, soprano soloist;
Chimes of Christmas, choir.
We've Told the Christmas
Story, bass solo and choir ? J. T.
C. Wright, bass soloist.
Glory in the Highest, . (Finale,
with soprano solo), choir ? Rachel
Vanoe, soloist;
Hallelujah Chorus, organ poat
lude ? Handel.
Lutheran Church
Scene Cantata
The choir of Grace Lutheran
church, assisted by members of
the music department of the col
lege, will present the Cantata,
"The Shepherds Christmas", in a
candle-light service, Thursday
evening December 16 at 7:00 p.
m. in the church auditorium. The
choir .is directed by Mr. Hoyt
Safrit with Mr. O. M. Harsell of
the college faculty, organist
Former v Boone Professor Ad
dresses Teachers and Pleads
For Children Of State; Dis
cusses Education Commis
sion Report.
Speaking on "The State Educa
tion Commission Report ? Its
Premises and Its Promises," Dr.
W. Amos Abrams, associate edi
tor for "North Carolina Educa
tion," urged the teachers of thi
Watauga County Unit of North
Carolina Education and the vis
itors to "Raise voices for the lit
tle child who is too young t?|
speak for himself." Dr. Abrams,
who is well known in this sec
tion and throughout the state for
the work he has, done on behalf
of North Carolina children, spoke
at the regular meeting of the Wa
tauga Unite of N. C. E. A. on
Tuesday, December 7, the anni
versary of the declaration of the
second world conflict. He was
introduced by Cratis Williams of
the college faculty. The meeting
was held in the College auditori
um.
In summarizing his advice to
the teachers, Dr. Abrams stated
that "the people of North Caro
lina have never been so interest
ed in public education as they
are now" and he insisted that it
was time for all forces to join
together and "declare war against
ignorance."
Dr. Abrams gave a background
[of the State Education Commis
sion Report to show that it was
not the "governor's report" but
the "people's report." He called
it the "Bill of Rights," a "chartei
(Continued on page 8)
Firecrackers
Are Contraband
Police Chief Verne Greene says
various complaints are reaching
his department from all sections
of the town regarding the fire
Cracker nuisance, and says a
vigorous effort will be made to
enforce the law in this connec
tion.
Mr. Greene points out that
after a number of children had
been mutilated by the explosives,
the last Legislature passed a
state-wide law, prohibiting the
posse suion and use of firecrack
ers. and set a minimum fine of
$90 for violation of the statute.
Juniors To Name
New Set Officers
The Junior Order will meed
Monday, December 20, at which
time a new slate of officers will
be elected for the coming yew.
Nomination* for councilor arc:.
Jack Storie and Ned NorrU; vice-'
councilor, BUI Hodges; recording
secretary, Ralph Greene and Gill
Phillips; financial secretary,
Clyde R. Greene; treasurer, W.
C. Greer , conductor, Henry Aus
tin; Warden, Howard Hodges; in
side sentinel. Mac Fletcher; out
side sentinel, Lillard Denny and
Edward Cooper; chaplain, Glenn
Howell, Howard Shore and Greesf
Hodges; trustees, Ralph Green
and Jade Storie.
All members are urged to b?
nrsaont.
DUGGINS TO BE
HOHORED BY C.
OF C. MEETIIG
Gathering To Take Form Of
Appreciation Meeting
Football Organization; C?a
| tennial To Be Discusacd^
Consolidation Money Cam
paigns A Topic.
A very important meeting of
the Chamber of Commerce will
be held Monday night, Decmber
20, at 7 on n m ?? th|
ed promptly at 7 KM). This is a
dual meeting, first an apprecia
tion banquet to Coach Dugglns
and his staff, A. S. T. C-, and
three or four of the' outstanding
Dlayers from the football team.
That part of the program will be
in charge of William Garvey, as
sisted by Wade E. Brown and
some others.
The Mountaineers developed a
mighty football team this year,
not only winning their association
championship, but getting nation
al recognition. Coach Duggins
has been chosen the coach of the
year for colleges of our grade,
and it is fitting that we should
recognize them for what they
have meant to the college and to
Boone.
The second part of the meet
ing will be a imsiness meeting.
In addition to ordinary reports
and general business three or four
very important items will be dis
cussed. one which perhaps will
be the centennial program, for
Watauga couhty will be 100 years
old .and fitting celebration should
be planned. The question of con
solidating charity and benevolent
drives will be brought up for dis
cussion. The hospital program
and a very important campaign
being launched in its behalf will
bf discussed. It is hoped that all
members of the Chamber of Com
rrjerce can be present.
In connection with the busi
ness discussions representatives of
the Junior Chamber of Commerce
and the Business and Proeasionai
Woman's Club will be present
Deer Stocking
Program Starts
I 1
The first pair of deer for the
Sampson game preserve in Wa
tauga county have arrived and
have been liberated, as the start
of a program sponsored by the
Watauga Wildlife Club, which
will ultimately result in the ?ec
uring of 10 bucks and 50 doe for
the area, which is said by repre
sentatives of the State Wildlife
Commission to be admirably sui
ted to the propagation of white
tail deer.
Through an arrangement with
the landowners 8,000 acres have
already been set aside as a' game
preserve, and it is likely that
other forms of wild life will be
placed there later. The stocking
program is being carried out
through the cooperation of the
Wildlife Commission.
The Wildlife Club will enforce
a closed season in the area for
five years, and in the meantime
a standing reward of $50 is of
fered for information leading to
the conviction of anyone killing
one of the deer. ( ,
STOCKING FUND
GIFTS SOUGHT
The empty stocking fund mati
nee at the Appalachian Theatre
was a success, resulting in the
receipt of $30.17 in cash, and a
large number of usable toys.
Mrs. John Perry requests that
all those desiring to make dona
tions to the fund, do so not later
than Thursday, December 16,
when the Women's Club wiU be
gin the work of packing the can
dy, toys, clothing, fttiita and nuts
for- about 125 needy children of
the vicinity.
In line with the movement for
all the kiddies here to have a
happy and bountiful Christmas
(the Rotary Club announces that
it is taking care of 44 crippled
children with complete Christmas
boxes. . ..
Chrittma* Program
At College Friday
The High School Band, the
mixed chorus, and the dramatics
club will render a Christmas pro
gram at the College auditorium
rriday evening December 17th at
7:80.
The public is cordially invited
to attend. Thire will be no ad
mlsaion charges.