North Carolina Newspapers

THE DEMOCRAT is jrour best and most econo mical medium or advertising. With more than 2,000 paid-up. cash subscriptions, your mes sage foes to 13400 people, on the universally ujied basis of ffve readers to each subscriber * VOL. LXI, NO. 26. WATAUGA An independent Weekly Newspaper ? Established in the Year 1 888 on. ch m J BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1948. ? FIVE CENTS A COPY KING STREET * . ? 9K-- 1 ROB RIVERS AND IT CAME TO PASS in tnoee days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be tax ed. XAnd this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called BMhlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David ) To be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were ac complished that she should be de livered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the gloryi of the Lord shone round abouti them; and they were sore afraid. I And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. unto you is bom this day) oi David, a Saviour, whfch u Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrap-' ped in swaddling clothes, lyingj in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glcry to God in the highest,: and on earth, peace, good will toward men ? St, Luke's Gospel,! chapter two, verses one to four teen.) ? ? ? ST. LUKE' CLASSIC STORY of the birth of the Christ child - . . ih# simple direct lines which tall of the event of old ... of the occurrence which brought light and hope into the world, and changed the whole system oi human behavior throughout the ages, is publish ed in this newspaper each Christmas time . . . it is told and retold throughout the Christian world ... a story which, though told long ago. does not grow old ... the bright lights, the Myriads of gifts, the excitement of the children, and the frenzi ed efforts of the adults to get all in readiness for the festive season . . . have failed to en tferely obscure the meaning of day . . . nineteen hundred and forty-eight years ago there came Into being a new concept at conduct ... a new theology, a new doctrine of the brother hood of man. and the father hood of a merciful God ... a plan of proper living and sane oenducL lavishly seasoned with | the milk of human kindness . . . the greatest lesson In lJkaighl -shooting, square - think - iag, and proper treatment of oa?"i fellow man ever to be pwanlgated ... a preachment ?f set ? too to one's neighbor . . . to the hungry, to the lame and te the blind ... a doctrine of ciosn passion and of mercy' to ward the poor ... a defense of 'God's "little people" . . . those .whom Ha must have loved so well, 'rill there are so cany jef them . . . The Gospel of the llasarena is often obscured in pfcis lupay -tuvy world ... we drift far' from the x charted Mne . r . but at Christmas Mtoe. we get sort oi like we ifcould bo all the year round 1 , . generous, kind and thought - lal . . . we wonder if the wid yw across the bill or data has a astro cupboard . . . ws try te as certain whether the destitute dddin around the corner are r*~p to be happy this one day ...?? try Jo do a lot of little MMngs to tighten the load o< a El (Continued on page 4) ON BOARD WlUta* Wla*?*?er ?d Chariaa K. Clay, two of tha munbwi of the now board of county commii lionars. who took offica this month. A piclura of Chairman Harry Hamilton is not available at this tima. (Photo of Winabarg ar by Palmar Blair; Clay byi Stanley South.) Rites Held For Casually 01 War Funeral services were conduct ed December 15, from the Hope well Methodist church, Boone, R. F. D. 2, for Benjamin Franklin Lookabill, 23, who was killed in Germany March 21, 1945, while serving as a private, first class, with the 12th armored division. Rev- Ernest Stephens and Rev. Ed Blackburn of Todd were in charge of the rites, while the graveside services were by mem bers of Watauga Post. American Legion. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Lookabill, survive, with the following brothers and sisters: John, Don, Paul Lookabill, Miss Mary Lookabill, Mrs. George Winebarger. Dr. Nourse says President Tru man plans balanced budget. German industrial production is at 73 per cent of 1936 level. Russian workers resist cam paign for higher output. SURVEYOR * Char las F. Thompson, naw county surrayox. who was sworn in th* first MowUy. Mr. Thompson's pictura was takso la military uniform following fhrst war. BURLEY SALES TO END TODAY; FOUR MILLION POUNDS SOLD Tonnage This Year Shows Gain of Over Half Million Pounds Since Same Period Of Last Year; Coleman Warns Against Wet Tobacco The last sales of the pre Christmas burley tobacco season are being held on the Boone mar ket today, and |Warehouseman Roscoe Coleman states that final tabulations will show the sale of more than four million pounds since the ^>penng, or a gain of about 600,000 pounds over the 1947 sales at this time. The market will be closed un til January 10, but meantime the houses are open for the receipt of tobacco right on through the holi days, and the same strong price trends which have been evidenc ed in the last few weeks are ex pected to prevail during the Jan uary sales. Mr. Coleman is urging growers to keep their tobacco on the farm until it is in sound keeping order, and emphasized that wet leaf cannot be sold at a decent price. Mr. Coleman adds: "The ? grower jfctf waits until his tobffeco drM?f>taut will realize ('olc-man added. An usually warm and hpnifl weathtr during the stripping apd marketing season has brought about the dangerous condi ton , that exists today. Ex cessive moisture is costing grow ers milllions of dollars." National Exams Will Be In City The American Council on Edu cation has announced the tenth annual administration of its Na tional Teacher Examinations in Boone on Saturday, February 19 and Saturday. February 26, 1949. The common examination bat tery, consisting of general edu cation and professional informa tion tests, will be given on Feb ruary 19. Special examinations covering the subject matter to be taught will be administered on February 26. The teacher examinations are conducted for the American council on education by the edu cational testing service. They are administered in Boone at Appa lachian State Teachers College. H. R. Eggers, registrar of Appa-' lachian State, will serve as local examiner. Applicants for the teacher [examinations should apply to Mr. Eggers in person or by mail dur ing the month of December if possible. No applications may be received after January 20. Seniors who plan to teach next year, especially in states other!1 than North Carolina or students in the Department of Education will be examined at this center. Other candidates in this area may also take the examinations by applying to Mr. Eggers. The teacher examinations are administered in a number of school systems and colleges throughout the United States on the announced dates The results may be submitted to any co operating school district or in stitution. P.-T-A SPONSORS PROGRAM The P.-T.A. sponsored a pro gram by the High School Choral Ensemble, directed by Mr. Hart sell, on Nov. 14, and on Dec. 17 they sponsored a Christmas pro gram by the Band, directed by Mr. Blanton, the Glee Club, dir ected by Mrs. Nicholas Erneston, and the Dramatic Club, directed by Mary Edith Turner. The Rev. Troutman, president of P.-T.A. reported that the or ganization had been asked to as sist in the program to raise $20, 000 for the hospital project. The next meeting will be held January 24th and all parents, teachers and interested person are cordially invited to attend. To its large family of readers, to tts advertisers, printing patrons, and other friends and acquaintances, the Democrat extends the greetings of the season. Your cooperation, patronage, and friendship are gratefully ac-knowledged. Please accept our sincere good wishes for a Merry Christmas season, and a New Year filled .with happiness, prosperity, and contentment. < ? _ ? Holiday Trade Volume Heavy Riles Are Held For Mrs. Canipe Mrs. Elizabeth Hahii Canipe, 35. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin N. Hahn of Boone, died in a Hickory hospi^l Friday morn ing. Funeral services were con ducted at the Tabernacle Baptist church in West Hickory at three o'clock Sunday afternoon, by Rev. E. Hamlet and the Rev. S. B. Moss of Boone, and burial was in Oakwood cemetery. Mrs. Canipe, who was reared in Boone, received her education at Appalachian High School and attended Appalachian College. She had made her home in Hick ory for several years. The husband, one daughter, and the parents survive. There are two sisters: Mrs. Mary Edith Wellborn of Boone, and Mrs. Margaret Brown of Winston Salem. What .is not good for the swarm is not good for the bee. ? Marcus Aurelius. How blessings brighten as they take their flight. ? Edward Young' $2,100,000 Chicago holdup laid, to man held in |23 theft. ' Christmas shopping got under way in dead earnest over the week-end, and retailers are heartened by the increased buying which was evidenced all along the street. Despite the efforts to promote early shopping, buyers have been rather slow to respond, but the activity of the past few days leads merchants to believe that a record Christinas season will have been chalked up by the time Santa makes his final plans next Friday. The stores have unsually large [lines of gifts items this year, and the late shopper will be able to fill his lists quickly and economi cally. Offices, Stores To Be Closed / All county offices will be closed at noon Friday and re main closed until Tuesday morn ing, in observance of Christmas, it is learned. Town offices will likewise be closed, and all stores <jf the city will be closed Christ jmas day and Monday. I Vermont Governor asks col leges to lift summer baseball ban. IN CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Soma of ft* mmbm of 11m cMr of tlx Boon* Baptist Church, who will ippMr in tha annual Christmas program of music la lb* church auditorium WxlnaidaT avaoing. Dacamhar 22, at 7>30. Pic furad ara Dr. J T. C. Wriqhf. Sonny Williams. Toddy B arnatL Miaaaa Irma Harris, Itachal Ann Yanc* and Dock To wter. (Photo by Palm* Blair.) j Stale Gives Local ; Health Records Out of a total of 531 live births in Watauga county in 1947, re cords of the state board of health show that 463 occurred in a hos pital and 68 occurred outside a hospital or in circumstances un known. This means that 12.81 per cent of the county's live births last year occurred without benefit of hospital facilities for mother and child. The records further show that in 43 counties of the state last year a majority of the live births occurred outside a hospital. In the state as a whole the percent age born outside a hospital was 35.17- Among the 100 counties Watauga ranked 12th in per cent of live births that occurred with out such facilities. A physician was in attendance at 494 of the Watauga births, but 37 had only the attention of a midwife. In the same year the county had a total of 22 infant deaths and no maternal deaths. Of the infant deaths, 16 oc curred in a hospital and six out; side a hospital or in circumstan ces unknown. A physician was in attendance at all of the dc-aths. As another aspect of the Wa tauga county health picture, re cords show that the county bud get for public health service for the fiscal year 1947-48 totaled 110,669 or .589 per capita- Of this total, local sources contribu ted $5,884 or .314 per capita- the itate contributed $2,184 or .121 per capita; and $2,801 or .154 per sapita came from the federal gov ;rnment Of the 96 counties which spent money for public health service, Watauga county ranked 88th in total per capita expenditures. Another indication of Watau ga's health rating can be found in the fact that from 1040 to Jan uary l, 1945, the county bad a total draft rejection rate of 40.15 per cent, according to the Insti tute for Research in Social Sci ence of the state university Among the counties Watauga ranked 28th in per cent of toal rejections. In percentage of white rejections the county ranked 44th, with a rate of 39.42 per cent. > ? ,.v (Continued oo paga S) CIVIC LEADERS NAP PLAITS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HOSPITAL Representatives of Various Organisations Get Together in Enthusiastic Endorse ment of Hospital Expansion; Large Sum Already Pledged Representatives of various or ganizations i n the town and county mat ? the Sky land Res taurant last Friday noon to com plete plans for an intensive fund raising campaign for the purchase of equipment for the expansion program being instituted at Wa tauga Hospital. Enthusiastic approval of the plan to supply the county with standard hospital facilities was expressed by the gathering and Clyde R. Greene, chairman of the campaign, announced that Mt'BOo had already been pledged, by four or five individuals. R. B. Agle presented a check from his company, being the first to make a contribution to the fund. A communication from Dr. J. B. Whittington, who is assisting*1 in purchasing the equipment, states that progress is being made, and he will be prepared to make his recommendations tp the trustees in about a week, and loon thereafter it is hoped to place the order for the remaining - jquipment. The most of tbk equipment can be delivered in two or three weeks, it is said. - . i , ir i . i v-wt <? Masons Install New Officers Snow Lodge no. 363, A. F. & A. M. installed new officers at the meeting held Friday evening. Dr. J. T. C. Wright acted as mas ter of ceremonies, and the fol lowing were installed: R. E. Kelley, Worshipful Mas ter; B. W. Stallings, Senior War den; Martin L. Herman, Junior Warden: R. D. Hodges, Jr., Trea surer; J. E. Clay, Secretary; J. D. Cook, Senior Deacon; Jack Hodges,, Junior Deacon; Russell D. Hodges, Marshal; T. M. Greet, Chaplain and W. S. Christian, Tyler. FOREST FIRES A decrease of 28 per cent in fires this year in national forests, as compared with 1947, has been reported by the Agriculture De partment. A total of 7,821 fires occurred in national forests dur ing the season just ended, or 2, 963 fewer than in the corres ponding period of last year. The burned -over area dropped from 245,692 acres last year to 160,807 this year, a decrease of 35 per cent. DEMOCRAT ISSUES EARLY EDITION The Democrat goes to its read* ers one day early this week in order that the publisher and oth ers workers may enjoy the holi days The office will be closed the remainder of the week ? the only time in the year the Demo crat takes a vacation. Business will be carried on a i usual next Monday. A large number of merchants have used this edition for Christ mas. greeting purposes, but a number have deferred their mes sages to friends and customers until New Years. These New Year greeting ads are available, and those wishing to greet their customers at year's end, may call* 154 at any time durWig the holi days. Copy and illustrations are gladly supplied without extra cost, j > '? ; y.jf*' INJURED IN WRECK \ Miss Helen Hardin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar B. Hardin of Laxon received a broken thigh in an auto accident near Wilson, IC C. last Frldfty and is a patient in a hospital in that city. The other occupants at the car, including her parents, wen not seriously injured. 1 .