The Franklin Times
, <?r .
Published Every Tuesday & Thursday
.Serving All Of Franklin County
Tel. Gyft-3283
Ten Cents
Louisburg, N. C., Thursday, January 2, 1969
(Eight Pages Today)
99th Year - Number 92
Highway Heaths: What's A Life Iforfli ?
v.
The hour is lata. The house is quiet.
Everyone has gone to bed. The tele
phone rings.
"Is this the Jqnes residence?" "Is
This Mrs. Jines?" "Is there anyone
there in the n&use with you right now, ?
Mrs. JoneS?"
"Mrs. Janes^JfHkorry to be the
one to tell yoqPl^^^but. you see,
there has been an accident . . . and I'm
afraid I've got some very bad news for
you. Your son is dead".
Cold. Straight to the point. Your
son is dead. Seventeen years. And
now, he's dead.
It is, of course, humanly impossible ^
to know the feeling of a mother or a
father, husband or wife at a time such
as this. It is, of course, unless you have
experienced it. -r"
In 1968, nine persons were killed
on the highways of Franklin County.
Somewhere, nine people were sorry to
be the ones to tell the story. Some
By Clint Fuller
Times Managing Edi^>r
where, nine people had to listen and
somewhere thpse who heard must have
cried aloud. Each life is that important
to someone.
Across the state of North Carolina,
around 1800 times it was necessary to
give the bad news to a next of kin. The
news to a wife that forever more she
must walk alone* to a mother that
never again will she hear that tender
voice saying. "Hi. mom"; or to a
father that he will not again feel the
warm hand on his. "
How did they die ?? the nine in
Franklin County? We know. We were
there on eight of them.
Torn, mutilated bodies. Blood cov
ered. Automobiles^ ripped apart like a
child's toy,. Officers searching for iden
tification. Gawkers looking on. White
suited rescuers, busily, efficiently
working to aid the inmwH ?nd hand
ling the dead with i dignity that
decried the circumstances. Gently, as
if they might be hurt further, the
bodies were laid on stretchers. Nobody
fried. Most just shook their heads.
Nighttime is the worse. The flicking
lights of parked cars; the bl^ie Trooper
beacon; the puttputf pf the rescue
engine generating electricity. "Who is
he?" Always, somebody asks. "Who is
he?"
You can always tell by looking at a
rescuer's eyes. Most of the time you
can tell. If' they are hurrying, there's
life. Too often, it is obvious that there
Is no need for great haste.
Some jdo make it to the emergency
room and there doctors and nurses ,
work feverishly to patch the broken
bodies. Sometimes they succeed.
Sometimes, they can't.
Experts have pondered the problem
? for years. None have thus far come up
with an answer. In the last Ave years, ?
18 persons between the age of twenty
and thirty have died on Franklin high
ways Five others between 13 and 19
have also been killed. In the 30 to 40
year range, only three and six have
died between the ages of forty and
fifty. Nine were between the ages of
fifty and sixty and only two were past
sixty.
The most dangerous age. then ap
- parently is the group between twenty
and" thirty years and most all were
young men. Too oftefi. speed was the
contributing factor.'
With a bright new year started, one (
of the best resolutions anyone could
make would be to resolve to pay far
more attention to his or her driving in
1969. Don't let the phone ring late at
. your house with the bad news.
Don't let 19B9 be your year.
Mrs. Kate
Perry Passes
Mrs. Kite Clifton PctTy, widow of
Bennett Boddie Perry and mother of
the late Dr. William G. Perry, died at
Franklin Memorial Hospital, Wednes
day after a lingering illness.
Mrs. Perry was the youngest daugh
ter of the late Dr. James Beverly
Clifton and Anne Smith Cljfton. Born
in Louisburg in 1882, she spent her
whole life here. She was educated at
Louisburg College and St. Mary's Col
lege. Mrs. Perry was a charter member
of the Green Hill Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolu
tion. the U. D. C., and a life long
member of St. Paul's Episcopal
Church.
She is survived by two grandsons,
William Cjifton Perry of Raleigh, and
Bennett Boddie Perry of Winston
Salem, one great-grandson, David Lyle
Perry, also of Winston-Salem, and 12
nieces and nephews as follows: John
W. King. James B. King. Maurice Clif
ton Joyner, Maurice S. Clifton of
Ventura, California, Mrs. J. K. Dixon
of Trenton. Mrs. Joe Wall. Mrs. Eliza
beth Webb. Mrs. James M. Allen, Mrs.
?Peter Stapleton Allen, Mrs. Paul W.
Elam. Mrs. Frank E. Pulley, and Mrs.
Harrell J. Lewis.
Interment will be at Oakwood
Cemetery Friday at 2:00 p.m.. follow
ing graveside services conducted by the
Rev. Frank E. Pulley. * '
Trailer Home
Burns Here:
The trailer home of DarreU Collier
was completely destroyed by fire this
morning around 10 A.M. The new
fiO-ft. mobile home, occupied by the
Collier family juit last week wai lo
cated on the Raleigh Road just south
of the Cloverleaf in LouiSburg.
A small quantity of the contents of
the trailer were saved and a nearby
trailer escaped damage. The Colliers
were not at home at the time of the
fire, according to reports.
Who Remembers The Thirties?
K
v ...
- I
Does Inflation Threaten Country With Another Depression
A cartoon in the January 1, 1931
issue of The Franklin Timet shows
Uncle Sam talking to a small boy
wearing the traditional banner ''1931"
across his chest. Sam is saying: "And
listen boy-Someone mislaid a large
bunch of my prosperity. Get busy and
see if you can get that back first
thing."
A prominent Louisburg doctor ad
vertised that effective immediately all
his work would be for "cash only",
and closed his ad with the (act he was
"forced to take the above action or
close my business."
That was 38 years ago and many
people today do not recall those times.
They have heard of the Great De
pression and most are convinced that
it cannot happen again . Economists,
however, are to4ay pointing to the
threat of inflation being far greater
v By Clint Fuller-'
TRnes Managing Editor
than that of a depression. Inflation
th?y say leads to depression.
The early thirtiri were filled
with tale of land for taxes; sui
cide ?, bankniplcy and juil plain ?
misery. \
It mattered not that coffee
wai telling for 13 Cents a pound
Alert Community Man Is Fire Victim
A 61-year old Alert Community man I oat hit life in a flic which destroyed his home near the Warren County line last night
around 7:30 p m. Sheriff William T. Dement reported that Josh Moseiey met death by accidental fire. Centerville Volunteer
firemen rushed to th# scene when called, but the building was almost completely consumed by flames when firemen arrived.
Moseiey was last seen alive around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to reports. The house was completely destroyed. Moseiey lived
alone on a dirt road a short distance from U. S. 401 and the Franklin-Warren County line. Staff photo by Clint Fuller.
? - '?* ?
uhen you did no I have the 13
refill. Nor wat it important that
a new r'ord foil StjO ukcn you
could not afford a cord tire,
which cost $5.65.
"One Time Wealthy Man Files Pe
titlon In Bankruptcy Here", blazed a
headline in January, J931. The article
read: "Mr.
r owned 300,000
acrea of choice land five years ago but
deflated real estate value and crop
conditions during the past several
years have combined to force him into
bankruptcy." A half-page ad pro
claimed that "forty mules" and "15
cows", a pony and other items in
cluding a car were being "Sold under
\ mortgage and -nothing will be re
?erved.".
A local creamery w%s sold to a
Raleigh firm for $1,090 and the
Franklin County Relief Association
was formed to aid "underprivileged
farmers." The Louisburg Kiwanis Club
took that as a project in 1931 . . aiding
farmers. The Red Cross held meetings
to explain its aid requirements. The
local theater posted prices of 10 and
. ? 25 cents for matinees and 10 and 35
for nights except on Bargain Days
when adults could attend the movie
" for 20 cents. \
When one thinks of the prices
today In comparison with those of the
thirties, it seems that anyone should
have been able to survive that time.
However, those who experienced it
? .will quickly tell you that there was no
money. Times were hard was f favorite
expression.
One total clothing concern
told itt cut turner i. ' Ue Ve de
cided to take our medicine and
gel out. " They had a tale. I Adieu
coah told for tl.83 and Men't
all wool mill went for t2.39.
And a cartoon in The Timet,
depicted a couple talking to
Santa Claut and a aying: "A job
or two which will enable us to
pick our own Chrutmai." ...
'^The County Commissioners replied
to a letter from the Relief Asaociation:
"Under the economical and flnlancial
conditions existing at this time there
cin be no more difficult task imposed,
upon iny body of men than proper
levying, collecting and disbursement of
Uxes." And the pages of The Times
were filled with Notices of Foreclosure
Sale for Taxes.
Tobacco sold for an average ?f ten
cents a pound that falfand Chevrolet
said it had "The American Value for
1932" at only $475. A half ton pickup
cost $440. With ten-cent tobacco, you
could buy neither.
Christmas eame as tihva vs in
1931 and . the u sua lit Merry
(Christinas accompanied with a
drawing of a couple of lots
viewing Santa's shadow outside
their bedroom window, adorned
the front /?*'<?? l(i#Kl alon % side
the headline read: "hrst i\at
tonal Hank Closes . . . \ refill nt j
of Hufi Made by Depositors on j
h'riday and Saturday. "
In early 1932, the temporary post
ponement of sale of land for taxi/s
enacted by the 1931 General As
sembly ended. The price of cheese fell
from 25 cents per pound in 1931 to
17 cents in April of 1932. The country
was headed further downhill.
Seaboard would take you from
Franklinton to Washington -routid*
trip -for only $5.00 but few were
going. "From all over the country we
\ read and hear reports of a rising tide of
protest against the high cost of govern
ment", a Times editorial stated. Sound
familaf?
Western steak was selliflg for
cents a pound or a dollar less than
today Vprlce and one local store said it
had "Shoes for all the family at almost
any old price."
"ftos/terity said The Times
editor-, "? fust around
ner" and he asked. "Are ybu
rwmdy fur itY" -5. ..
A delegation traveled to Washing
"ton seeking an extension on farm loans
and a meeting was .held here "To tell
how to get 8 cents for.cotton". You
could buy a man's dress shirt for 49
. '.See INFLATION Page 2
Social Security Rates Up.
Locals Face Higher Taxes
Higher taxi* by way of Incm?d Social Security take outs have come in with
the new year. To pay for bluer pensions for retired workers, local* will feel a
tighter pinch in their next pay eh&k: I
To meet the coat of the 13 percent Increaie in (octal security benefits, which
went Into effect laat February, workers will face an increaae in payroll taxes.
Effective January 1, they will be paying at the rate of 4.8 percent on earnings up
to |7,80O. The previous rate was 4.4 percent. Matching amount* must be paid by
the employer*. , ? j '
Self-employed people will be required to pay 6.9 percent on the first $7,800 of
income for a maximum tax of $638.20. In 1968,^* figure waa $499.20.
For thoae working for jomeone else, the maximum this year will be $374.40 a*
compared with the $343.20 In 1968.
' According to preliminary figure*, social security receipt* throughout the country
will amount to more than $27 billion thl* year.
The person who la making $4,000 at present and payed $176 In 1968 will pay
$192 in 1969. The $5,600 earner will go from $242 to $264 in taxe* and the
worker with an Incom* of $7,000 will pay $336 Instead of the 1968 figure of $308.
Further tax iaeraaae* and benefit* ate stated for the corning yMDf, Hp to 1987.
According to pieaent *ch?dulea, providing no further changes a re made by tte
Coi^ras*. a person earning $7 ?00 will have social security taxes of $440.70 ten
year* heme. Ultimately, it ariUnaeka peak of $460.2Q. Happy 1969.
. ?; ' I ' . ? % ? - ,
* ^ ' I 4 . ?"
local News Headlines Of 1968 .
January <
2 ? Trio Face Murder Charges In
Frankllnton Slaying
9 ? Fhr*Car Smash up Sends Sbc To
Hospital
11 ? Storm Hits County With Snow,
Sleet. Freezing Rain
16 Griffin, Jolly File For State
Senate
? 18 Frankllnton Police Offlcef Killed ^
By Deputy Sheriff
23 - Stone Announces For Top Educa
tion Post
26 ? Board Approves Private Ambu
lance Agreement
30 Former County Accountant Faces ,
Embezzlemfhl Charges ,
v February
1 - Franklin School Suit Appeal To Be
Heard At Richmond
6 - Former Wake County School Chief
Kfltal Near Centerrille
8 Franklin Voten Face Hoet Of
Changes In Coming Elections
13 New Cttnrtr Wide Voter Regiatra
tlon la Ordered . .
15 - County BaaketbaU Toumey Starts
20 Rescuers Save Life Of Raleigh "?
Man
22 - Franchise For Natural Gai Service
Is Sought
27 ? Sportswear Hearing Continues To
29 ? Franklin Voters To Cbow From
Sixty-one On SUte Ballot
March
6 ? New Voter Registration Poses
Mwiy Questions '
7 - Tar River Dams Said 10-20 Years
Away
12 ? Youngsville Wins DMrict IV
Championship
* 14 ? Filing Fees Paid By Wood. Qash, ?
Speed
19 ? Investigation Continues In Dyna
mite Find
21 - Court Ordered School Plan Dead
line Nears
26 - Three-way Race Develops For Dis
trict 2 Board Seat
28 - County School Plan Presented To
U. 8. Court
April .
2 - Whites Make Up 30% 0^?h>r<i,y
Registration * \'
4 - Survey Shows County Needs 262^
Additional Classrooms
9 ? Franklin Board Loan Appeal To
Circuit Court
Quiet Returns Tb Louisburg,
Frankllnton Following Weekend Of
Vandalism, Arson And High Ten- _
slon
11 ? Pair Charged With Kidnapping In
Hijacking Of Frankllnton Bus
16 ? County Record* Second Highway
Fatality Of Ymr
23 - Total Registration Below Past Fi
gures
26 - Voters Hear Iaaues Discussed As
Candidates Meeting Held _
30 - Board OK's Cutbacks In Court
house Plana <
May
I ^
2 - Record Turnout Seen For
day Primaries
7 - Sykes. Griffin. Caah Win In Local
Races County Goes For B rough
ton, Taylor Top Voter Getter
9 House CaUs For Runoff With Caah
14 - Board Petition* Circuit Court For
> Re-Hearing
16 - Tar Rim Flood Plain Study Meet
ing Slated -y
21 - Commencement Exercises ( Held
, Louisburg College
23 ? Offices Moved From Court House
r At Renovation Projects Begins
, 28 Commissioners Refuse To Make
Motion In Land Dispute
30 ? Light Voting Forecast In Satur
day's Primary
?*. June
4 - Circuit Court Says, "No", District
Court Orders Hearing
11 - Commissioners Again Refuse
Land Request ,
13 - Several Hundred Attend Gardner
Rally Here *
18 - Louisburg Police Face Salary
Crisis . r~
20 - County May Lose (?3,000 Build
"5
25 - Federal Court Orders Unitary De
segregated School System In
Franklin County This Fall
* 27 Union Wins Sportswear Case, Ap
peal Planned
July
2 - Commissioners Amend Budget,
See HEADLINES Page 2