Newspapers / Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.) / Jan. 24, 1963, edition 1 / Page 1
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for best results cowing It to Mm available. VOLUME LXXV? NO. 30 16 PAGESr-2 SECTIONS DEMOCRAT An Independent Weekly Newm paper . . . Seventy-Fifth Year of Continuous Publication Hi to 49 SI 40 22 34 20 39 20 28 22 45 as 97 21 BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1963 6 CENTS PROPOSED CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL FOR WATAUGA COUNTY ELECTION ON OR BEFORE SEPT. 30 Watauga Co. Gives Approval To $2V4 Million Bond Vote School Plant Needs Set At $1,750,000 i In a special session Monday, January 14, the Watauga Board of County Commissioners form ally approved the request of the Watauga County Board of Edu cation to present to the citi zens of the county a $1-3/4 million bond resolution. Wa taugans will vote on the issue on or before September 30. Education officials consider ed the passage of the resolu tion as "The green light" to re lease results and recommenda tions of studies completed dur ing the past two years regard ing needs for the expansion and development of education al opportunities in the Public Schools of Watauga County, ac cording to the board's informa tion service. The County Board of Educa tion (CBE) stated that in mak ing the studies, consideration has been given to the present accomplishments of the four Watauga County high schools, the relationship of the Appala chian High School to Appalach ian State, size of the present high schools, size of a consoli dated high school, the financial (Continued on page two) Local Banker Is Promoted Photo by Paul Weston Studio ALFRED ADAMS ? Alfred Adams, Cashier of the local unit of the Northwestern Bank, haa been elected an As sistant Vice-President of North western?# directors. and will serve in both capacities. Mr. Adams, who received the promotion last week, has been with Northwestern for 20 years, and has been Cashier in Boone (ConttaM* m page two) Rogers, Accused Of Embezzlement, Has Trial Delayed Attorneys for W. Robert (Bob) Rogers, former account ant at Appalachian State Teach ers College accused of embezz ling $17,000 in college funds, entered a plea of guilty for the accused at the Tuesday session of court in Boone. The lawyers also requested that the trial be postponed un til the April term, . . because we feel that we have not had time to go into this case in its entirety." The court granted the request Judge H. C. Martin stated that the accused would remain under present bond until April 22 at which time the court will hear the case. Rogers, dressed in a blue Shirt and wearing a gray coat and tie, was accompanied into the court chamber at 11:33 a. m. Tuesday by his lawyers, Marvin Wooten of Hickory and Charles Brims of Raleigh. In making the less than seven-minute statement to the court, the lawyers maintained that they were not trying to prolong the matter, but were interested only in gaining ad ditional time to prepare the case. Rogers surrendered to auth orities in Norfolk, Virginia, in mid-November of last year af ter having been sought for a number of days by North Caro lina Officers. He had left Boone about November 9, after felling authorities that he wanted to check on his Army status at Charlotte. His leaving, accord ing to reports, coincided with the annual vUit to Appalachian by auditor* from the State Auditors Office. When he failed to return as scheduled, suspicions arose and the discrepancies in his books became apparent. All of the shortages discover ed were said to be non-appro priated funds. After leaving Boone, Rogers reportedly went to New York, Canada, Boston, and over the South before deciding to give himself up. He told Norfolk police that he wanted to "take whatever punishment I have coming." Harried and the father of two children, Rogers is free under $20,000 bond. Complete court news will be published next week. Vance Given Jay cee Award Phil H. Vance, Jr., was award ed the Junior Chamber of Com merce's highest' award, "The Distinguished Service Award", Monday night. This award is made annually to the outstanding man of the county ? one who has contribut ed the most to the community welfare and betterment; Parti cipation in all-around commun ity activities and civic enter prises; evidence of lasting con tribution to community welfare; evidence of leadership ability; evidence of personal and busi ness progress; cooperation with individuals and civic organiza tions. In presenting this award to (Continued on page eight) Williams Is Fined In Ballot Box Case The widely-publicized "bal lot box stuffing rase" which originated In the Democratic primary in Cove Creek town ship last May was settled in Watauga Superior Court Mon day, when A. Claude Williams was allowed to enter a guilty plea to election law violations. Judge H. C. Martin of Ashe ville, permitted th* well-known Ore Creek Democratic leader, ? retired fanner and carpenter, to plead guilty to interfering with an election, which is a misdemeanor. The original in dictment of MM bos stalling, would involve a felony. Judge Martin indicated that Williams' age, 73, influenced his decision. "If you had been a younger man," the Judge told Williams, I would not accept this plea. I would have given you a stiffer sentence." Williams was fined $790 and court coats, and given a two year prison term, which was suspended for five years on condition that he not be seen around a voting place at any time, except to vote. State Bureau of Investigation (Continued on pag? eight) Half Million Is Requested For Hospital In passing a resolution auth orizing a vote on a half million dollar bond issue to construct a new hospital in Boone, the county commissioners have set the stage for processing an application -for Federal funds under the Hill-Burton act. The Federal government is expected to make a $600,000 grant if the citizens of Watauga county vote the $500,000 in a election to be held at an undet ermined time "on or before September 30, 1903." Town May Give Site The town council has passed a resolution saying they "look with favor" on a proposal to donate a portion of the Horn in the West property as a site for the proposed new hospital. Progress is being made toward the transfer of the property, and the State Medical Care Commission has approved the property. Mr. William Weber, architect, has been commissioned by the Board of Trustees of Watauga Hospital, Inc., to draw the plans and supervise the build ing of the new hospital to con form to the location. He is a qualified hospital architect, it is said, and has built 58 hospi tals in this State. He has been approved for the local commis sion by the Medical Care Com mission and expects to have the preliminary drawing by March. "There is every reason", states the Board of Trustees, "to look forward to breaking ground for our new hospital this fall and we intend, to work toward that goal. But no matter how hard those of us connected with the hospital work, it will not provide the hospital we need unless the people of Wa tauga county approve of the bond issue in September!" Need Is Outlined The following statement of the hospital needs of the com munity is issued by the board: ? We have 50 beds and 12 bassinettes crowded into build ing designed for 35 beds. ? Equipment and facilities are above standard, but the building is too small. ? The need for a new hospi tal Is urgent because of the population growth of our coun ty and college, and the increas ing number of tourists coming to our community. ?The need is urgent because both the N. C. Medical Care Commission and the Joint Com mission on Accreditation of Hospitals have strongly recom ( Continued on page two) ? INVESTIGATING BURGLARIES Blowing Rock Chief Dies In Gun Battle I,, Labor Survey To Be Madeu For New Plant The Clumber of Commerce is instituting a labor survey for the benefit of ? large in dustrial concern which wants to locate in Boone, and ac cordingly Is asking that those wanting job* In Watauga county come to the courthouse and register Wednesday, Jan nary SO, between the hours of t a. m. and 5 p. m. Men and women will be needed for the new enterprise, according to the Chamber of Commerce announcement, and all those who are unemployed or working outside Watauga county, age* 18-40, with at least an elementary school ed ucation, are asked to register. It is also suggested that lo cal people tell their friends and relatives who are new working outside Watauga county of this opportunity. Hicks Inquest Set For Today The Inquest in the killing of James Matheson which was set for Frday, January 18, was post poned until Wednesday, accord ing to the offices of the Wa tauga Clerk of Court and the County Sheriff. The reason given for the post ponement was that the investi gator from the State Bureau of Investigation could not attend the inquest as he had been call ed to Blowing Rock that morn ing in connection with another shooting. Slated to appear for the in quest Wednesday was Len Hicks. He .has been out of jail on $2,000 bond which was post ed a week ago. Matheson, 21-year-old native of Valle Crucis, was shot in the face with a single barrel shot gun on the night of January 12. He was killed instantly, invest igating officers reported. Bank rate in Britain is slash ed to 4 per cent. CHIEF GREENE . . Meets tragic death. ?Photo* by Flowera' Photo Shop MILLARD GREER . . Charged with murder. Northwestern Bank System Has Good Year: Directors Named Edwin Duncan, president of the Northwestern Bank system, told the stockholders last week that the financial institution enjoyed a year of growth and progress in 1962, and that in Northwestern territory business continues to be good. In his report to the annual meeting, President Duncan said: "We are pleased to report that profits for the year 1962 after the payment of income taxes were. $1,978,287.97, *fcs compared with $1,253,581.42 for the year 1961. Earnings were $3.48 per share in 1962 and $3.26 per share for the previous year. In analyzing earnings, it should be taken into considera tion that we had the profits from Madison, Walnut Cove, King, and Morganton for only one month. If the average number of shares were used in computing earnings, the earn ings would be approximately $4.08 per share. Another factor to be examined in the earnings picture is the large nonrecur ring expenses in connection with the opening of new off ices. "in the territory in which we operate, business conditions continued to be favorable, la creased businesa activity and the establishment of new bran ches increased our deposits to *151,359,409.03 and our total re sources to $172,401,842.26. As in the past, assets considered doubtful by either the federal or state examiners or our own auditors were charged to the expense account. "Our Trust Department con tinued to have excellent public acceptance. The assets of the Trust Department which are not included in our statement of condition increased 20% during the year 1962. "Entering the year 1963 in an unusually strong financial condition, the bank will be able to meet the requirements of its customers for every legitimate banking service. The fine re sults of 1962 were made possi ble through the loyalty and abil ity of our officers and em ployees, and the support and help of our stockholders, and the guidance and work of the members of the local boards and the board of directors." (Continued on page eight) Subscribers To Democrat Have Week At Old Price Subscribers ire ?fain re minded that they have an other week la which to re new their subscriptions (one year only) and avoid the in creased rate which goes into effect February 1. Increased postage rates and soaring production coats since the current rate was estab lished have made It manda tory that the rates be in creased. As of the first, the in-North OraM? rate par year will be (3.09; while out side Ike state the cost will be H.N per year. The per copy rate will be ten cents at the Democrat office aid on the stands. A record number of reader* have renewed since the an nouncement of the rate change was made in the last edition. All those who want another year at the old price are asked to renew by the first. Millard Greer Is Captured; Others Held William Deane (Bill) Greene, 28, Blowing Rock police chief, was killed in a knife and gun battle early Friday ai he ap proached an auto to investigate burglaries there, and Millard Greer, 45, is held in the Lenoir jail charged with the slaying. Greene was shot at 1 a. ra. near Blowing Rock on the Cald well side, and emptied one of his revolvers in the melee. He managed to get back into his cruise car and radio for help. Taken to the Blowing Rock Other pictures on page one, Section B. Hospital he lived for four hours and managed to give officers details of the gun battle and descriptions of his assailants. Mr. Greene was shot in the back at close range with a 410- guage shotgun, and again in the right arm, as he walk ed toward the car he had stopped. He was knifed in the scalp and in the back. A man and two women were arrested early Friday and are balfcg held, in Lenoir. They are Ralph' H. Parson, 22, his wife, Carolyn, 22, and Millicent H. Hinson, 17. Millard Greer, who carried bullet wounds, believed inflict ed by the dying Blowing Rock officer, was tracked down by bloodhounds Saturday, when officers came upon him in a corn field near the Blue Ridge Parkway 15 miles south of Uie Virginia line. Unceasing Manhunt Greer had been the object of a round the clock manhunt for 36 hours, in which State High way patrol officers, led by Patrol Captain H. C. Johnson of Asheville, together with Sheriffs officers from Wata uga, Ashe, Caldwell and Wilkes took part. Some of the men, like Patrolman Bill Teams of Boone, engaged in the hunt for 36 hours straight SBI and Fbl agents also worked on the case. The officers armed with shotguns, carbines and pistols, and using w alkie - talkies, tracked down Greer, a resi dent of Valmead, near Lenoir, a former convict, with the aid of bloodhounds. Greer, i feet tall and white-haired, was silent when aprehended (Continued on page thrpe) Crest Store Is Remodeled And Enlarged The Crest store in Boone has been remodeled, and according to John B. Robinson, manager, all departments have been relo cated to take advantage ot add ed floor space. A new lower sales level, 40 feet by 48 feet, has been added and connects with the King Street level by stairway. There is also an entrance on Depot street Mr. Robinson said ? check-out counter is located at both entrances. The lower sales level has the following departments, accord ing to the manager: Lamps and shades, small electric applianc es, hardware, small furniture, rugs, tinware, enamel ware, glassware, house cleaning sup plies, gifts, horticulture, floral supplies and artifical flowers, oilcloth and upholstery. The main sales ltvel, or upper section goods*
Watauga Democrat (Boone, N.C.)
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Jan. 24, 1963, edition 1
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