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70th Year ? No. 25
Franklin, N. C., Thursday, June 23, 1955
Fourteen Pages
Storf fhoto bv J. t. tiraay
THIS WHITE HORSE and buggy started off Franklin's three-day Centennial celebration last
Thursday morning. In the back "courtin* " seat are Got. and Mrs. Luther H. Hodges. Mayor W.
C. Burrell is up front with Bill Fuller, the driver. The horse and buggy picked up the dignitaries
at the west city limits and carried them to a reviewing stand at the courthouse.
Building Dedication Hottest
Item On Celebration Agenda
A blazing sun and summer
temperatures turned Thursday
afternoon's dedication of the
town's new municipal building
into the hottest item on the
three-day Centennial agenda.
While spectators took to the
shade in the vicinity of the
building site, Gov. Hodges and
other dignitaries sitting on the
reviewing stand toughed it out.
The state's chief executive
started out his stint on the
platform bareheaded, but before
long sought refuge under a
large black hat handed him on
his arrival in the county. Mrs.
Hodges joined the hundreds in
the shade in nearby yards.
And because of the heat, this
event failed to draw the crowd
others did as the celebration
picked up steam.
Highlight of the dedication
was a speech by Gov. Hodges.
In his brief talk he placed spe
cial emphasis on North Caro
lina developing and marketing
Its own products. The governor
gave an expanded version of
this theme when addressing a
joint meeting of Rotary Clubs
of the area the night before in
the Franklin cafeteria.
He was Introduced by Frank
lin's own Judge George B. Pat
ton.
Holland McSwain, Centennial
co-chairman, presided.
A statement of purpose was
presented by Weimar Jones, ed
itor-publisher of The Franklin
Press.
A brief history ? serious, yet
humorous in spots ? was of
fered by Rep. G. L. Houk. He
traced the town's governmental
set-up from the early days
when there were only 16 tax
payers, the fine for selling
"ardent spirits" was a stiff $5.
and the tax levy was 2 '/2 cents
per $100 evaluation. That year
(1855) taxtes brought in a total
of $65.22, he noted.
Plans for burying a time cap
sule containing all documents,
articles, and pictures connected
with the Centennial celebration
were announced. The capsule
marker ? which sets 2055 as
the date for opening the cap
sule ? were revealed by Mayor
W. C. Burrell and Aldermen A.
G. Cagle, J. C. Jacobs, and J.
Frank Martin. The actual seal
ing of the capsule and burial
is to take place in a very short
time when all material is as
sembled.
A plaque for the municipal
building ? scheduled for com
pletion in the fall ? was pre
sented the town by J. P. Brady,
Centennial co-chairman.
The invocation was given by
the Rev. A. Rufus Morgan and
the benediction by the Rev. W.
N. Cook. Midway in the pro
gram, a prayer was offered by
the Rev. S. B. Moss.
'Who, Me!' Says
Contest Winner
"Who, me!" exclaimed Miss
Mildred Childers.
"Yes, you!" a spectator answer
ed.
And Gov. Hodges, ably assisted
by his wife and Holland McSwain,
crowned the breathless and near
speechless lass as "Miss Centen
nial". while several thousand cele
brants witnessed the opening of
the Centennial last Thurssday
morning.
Serving in the "Miss Centen
nial" court were Misses Shirley
Cloer, Margaret Crawford, Joann
Hopkins. Julia Moody. Freda Siler,
Kathleen Younce, Carolyn Bry
son, and Betty Sue Huggins.
As a prelude to the p.ctual
contest to pick "Miss Centennial"
and her court from amon? 37
young ladies nominated by firms
and individuals, the beauties were
SEE NO. 3, PAGE 4
'Work Together Governor
Suggests In Speech Here
"Working tqgether, you can
make this a veritable paradise".
Governor Luther H. Hodges
said here last week.
"I cannot think of a place in
the world that has so much to
offer."
The governor was addressing
a Rotary-Lions dinner meeting
at the Franklin School cafeteria
Wednesday night. The occasion
was the weekly meeting of the
Rotary Club, but approximately
130 civic leaders of Western
North Carolina were present.
The Franklin Lions Club met
jointly with the Rotarians, and
delegations were present from
the Rotary clubs at Highlands,
Bryson City, Sylva, and An
drews.
"The one thing we need in
North Carolina above all else is
the energy and the ingenuity to
make money out of the things
that are around us", the North
Carolina chief executive declar
ed. "I'd rather have a hundred"
small plants "where we do It all
ourselves than one big Indus
try" from outside. Both are
needed, of course, he said.
The governor's comments
were in line with his recently
announced program to encour
age the development of small,
local industries to process the
raw materials of the state.
He cited North Carolina's low
per capita Income, the fact that
many of the state's brightest
and best trained young people
go to other states to earn their
livings, and then pointed out
that 10 North Carolina coun
ties ? eight of theni In the
Piedmont ? furnish more than
50 per cent of all the industries,
of all the Industrial payrolls in
the state. Then he remarked:
"We have got to take our raw
materials and process them
here, and make the profit out
of it; and we have got to pro
vide enough jobs and pay high
enough wages to keep our young
people at home, and to raise
the per capita Income."
Speaking to the Rotarlans ?
SEE NO. 2, PAGE 4
PRESS WINS
EDIT AWARD
Newspaper Second In
Nation-Wide Contest;
Gets Herrick Plaque
The Franklin Press last week
was listed as second place win
ner in a nation-wide editor
ial competition.
Awards of the National Edi
torial Association, an organiza
tion of weekly, semi-weekly,
and small daily newspapers of
the United States, were announ
ced June 16 at the organiza
tion's annual convention at
Banff, Alberta, Canada.
The Press, second in the Her
rick editorial contest, was a
warded a plaque "to recognize
the best editorials published"
during 1954, showing "out
standing and unusual efforts
to explain . . . the every-day
application of the principles of
democracy".
In this particular contest,
each newspaper was required
to submit three editorials. The
winning editorials from The
Press were "Freedom Is Risky",
published March 4, coihments
on a letter to The Press from
the Rev. J. A. Vinson, of Rabun
Gap, Ga.; "We Call It Free
dom", March 18, excerpts from
a talk made by the editor to
the Ahoskie, N. C., Rotary Club;
and "The Court Decision", May
27, the first of a series of three
editorials on the Supreme
Court's decision outlawing seg
regation in the public schools.
More than 1400 newspapers in
45 states competed in the vari
ous contests sponsored by the
N. E. A.
North Carolina winners, in
addition to The Press, were The
Elkin Tribune, second place for
"best news pictures", and The
Tribune and the Rocky Mount
Telegram, both given honorable
mention for community service.
Horse-Drawn Bugg]
Opens Big Franklin
Superlatives Heaped High
On 'Parade Of Progress'
Just about every superlative
in the \ dictionary has been
heaped on Friday afternoon's
"Parade of Progress", which
stands far and away as the
most outstanding feature of the
entire three-day celebration.
For sheer imagination and
ingenuity ? and this is the
concensus of visitors also ? the
"Parade of Progress" was un
beatable. its homespun charm
was intriguing, the untiring and
conscientious efforts and hours
Chief Says
Incidents
'Average'
"Just like an average week
end", is the way Police Chief
C. D. Baird describes after ef
fects of the three-day Centen
nial celebration.
No accidents were reported.
The chief said five arrests
were made Saturday night, but
he added, "that is about aver
age" for any week-end.
"I've never seen anything to
beat the way people behaved
. . . I think they all were here
just to have a gof 4 time," Chief
Baird decided.
behind it were obvious, and the
parade committee's success in
avoiding a professional glaze
brought forth imaginative floats
ancf thousands of flattering
comments from thousands of
spectators.
Possibly the most flattering
of all came from a tourist, who
was just passing through and
decided to join in the fun:
"I've seen even the Parade of
Roses' in California . . . and.
for imagination and variety,
what I've seen here today ranks
along with it."
Otto community's clever page
from 1855 (complete even to a
still in operation on a trailer
hooked to the back of the wag
on* copped top honors and $100
in the Civic and Community
division. Higdonvllle's contrast
of clothes washing techniques
of today and yesteryear (flail
ing the red handles with a
stick i clicked for second place
and $50. A service underway in
a rustic country church won
third and $25 for Bethel com
munity.
In the Business and Institu
tions Division, 100 years of
SEE NO. 5, PAGE 4
Fleet-Footed,
But Not Enough
A fleet-footed escapee, who
just wasn't fleet enough, is
back in the Macon County
Prison Camp after giving of
ficers a 12-15 mile chase
through the Burningtown sec
tion Monday.
Ignoring two shots fired at
him by guard Johnny Mc
Dowell, 37-year-old Joseph J.
Ellis hit the heavy under
brush on the Burningtown
Road about 9:30 and for the
rest of the day waged a los
ing battle with men. blood
hounds, ?jid walkie-talkies.
He was recaptured about
5:30 in a wooded area near
Fout's Store, aocordin ; to
Supt. John E. Cutshall. F.llis is
serving 30 years for second
degree murder. He was sen
tenced in Johnston County.
The acting division superin
tendent, Capt. Dan Lyda, of
Hendersonville, brought his
bloodhound and walkie-talkies
here for the search.
But, according to Supt. Cut
shall, Capt. Lyda out-tracked
even (he bloodhound and was
responsible for the quick cap
ture of Ellis.
He's a real master at that
kind of thing," the superin
tendent declared.
CONTESTS
ARE HELD
Variety Of Events
Mark Celebration;
Winners Listed
A whole "passul" of homespun
contests-tried and tested trough
the years-reeled off at intervals
during the three-day celebration
under the guiding hand of the
Rev. Bryan Hatchett, head of
the contests , committee.
They ranged from husband and
hog calling (there's a difference?
one lady asked' to the biggest
feet, prettiest dress and hound
dogs, and one to corn shucking
and the best quilt top.
All drew thousands of spec
tators.
Staged from a reviewing stand
on the west side ' of the court
house, the variety of events were
for young and old. Special Cen
tennial certificates printed on
carchment were awarded the win
ners.
Probably the most competitive
was the churning contest. In this
event, .the preacherly intent of
the Rev. W. N. Cook ? a cold cigar
clutched tightly between his teeth
?put magic into his rhythmic
dapper. The 77-year-old retired
Baptist minister produced butter
in a matter of minutes to beat
four others "up and downing dap
pers" ' ? Mrs. Cook <who gave
her age as 21 -plus), George San
SEE NO. 4. PAGE 4
... ? ? o > i f. tiroay
THESE SPRITELY 'youngsters', Mrs. Lee Crawford and Ernest Rankin, reigned Saturday night
as "King and Queen of Centennial", after a tally in penny-a-vote contest between 19 elderly
couples. The monarchs both are 90. During *. special dance In their honor (they sat in the center
of the dance ring), the king remarked, "I feel like a gold fish in a bowl!"
j From City Limits
Centennial Event
"Gaddap!" demanded Bill Fuller of the white horse.
The animal strained, the creaking wheels of the
buggy turned, the m^n in the buggy laughed, and the
lone lady straightened her bonnet.
This was just last Thursday morning at the city
limits near Chapel School, but it was the unassuming
beginning of the biggest and most successful -hindig
iu Franklin's history.
It was the opening of Franklin's homespun three
day ltXJth birthday celebration.
Uptown, thousands were on hand to help lick the
REVIVAL
WILL OPEN
Bishop Henry Guest
Minister For Annual
Event In Franklin
The annual county-wide series
of evangelistic services at the
Friendship Tabernacle will start
-Monday night, with the Rt. Rev.
M. George Henry, bishop of the
Episcopal diocese of Western North
Carolina, as the guest speaker.
Services will be held each even
ing at 7:30, Monday through Sat
urday.
It will be the second time Bis
hop Henry, of Asheville, has
preached at these summer ser
A.SKED TO MEET
All persons planning to sins
in the joint choir for the
evangelistic series are request
ed to meet Sunday at 2 p. m.
at the Franklin .Methodist
Church for rehearsal.
vices. The denominations here ro
tate in providing the speaker,
and Bishop Henry preached the
series of sermons the last time
it was the turn of the Episcopal
ians.
Music will be provided by a
Bishop Henry
combined choir, under the direc
tion of the Rev. David Barkley,
pastor of the Macon Methodist
Circuit. Members of choirs from
churches throughout the county
are invited to help with the sing
ing.
Committe chairmen arranging
for the tabernacle meetings ire
Mr. Bark'ey. music: Norman
Blaine, entertainment: Elbert An
gel. building and grounds, the
Rev. A Rufus Morgan, publicity:
Henrv W Cabe, finance: the Rev.
M. W. Chapman, program: Hor
ace Nolen. ushers: and the Rev.
.William Shields, special arange
ments.
Mr. Morgan announced this
week that Bishop Henry will
preach at St. Agnes Episcopal
Church Sunday evening at 7:30.
Free Barbecue Dinner
Served To Over 3,000
More than 3.000 persons were
served free plates of barbecue
Saturday afternoon at Franklin
High School, compliments of the
Centennial committee.
In fact, there was food left,
according to the committee In
charge.
Members of the Franklin
Home Demonstration Club, und
er the supervision of Mrs. Flor
ence S. Sherrlll, county home
agent, served the meal
The barbecue committee was
composed of Bill Horsley, Ed
Coates. Oscar Ledford, Bill Bry
ant, Wiley Brown, Woodrow
Dowdle, and Larry Welch.
Icing off the progressive little
mountain town's birthday cake.
The white horse pulled the
buggy toward town.
"This seat's for courting,"
Gov. Luther H. Hodges laughed.
Mrs. Hodges smiled and
straightened her bonnet again.
In the front seat, Mayor W.
C. Burrell chuckled under his
heavy beard.
"Gaddap!" said Bill Fuller.
The governor's sleek black
limosene, incongruous in this
setting of yesteryear, purred at
a respectful distance behind the
buggy.
On the east side of town,
near the Little Tennessee River
bridge, convertibles loaded with
"Miss Centennial" contestants
waited for the word to flash
that the governor and his lady
had reached the reviewing
stand so the parade camld start.
And the throng uptown peer
ed for sight of either.
'Governor's Day'
This was "Governor's Day"
and the chief executive and his
wife "did it up brown".
After leaving the buggy, they
climbed to their seats on the
reviewing stand on the west
side of courthouse while the
"Miss Centennial" parade un
folded.
Gov. Hodges crowned and
kissed the winner, Miss Mildred
Childers, while Mrs. Hodges
helped secure her ribbon.
"You mean I really have time
to eat lunch," the governor said
In mock disbelief, following the
opening feature, about noon.
At 1 o'clock, he and a hand
ful of dignitaries were seated
on the reviewing stand at the
site of the new municipal build
ing. one of the governor's of
ficial chores here was the dedi
cation of the $51,000 structure.
A sweltering sun cut atten
dance at the dedication and
shortened considerably the
speech Gov. Hodges had pre
pared.
Mrs. Hodges joined spectators
in the shade in a r.earby yard.
The governor found welcome
relief in a black wide-brimmed
hat and sun glasses.
A reception for the chief exe
cutive and his wife followed in
late afternoon at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Higdon.
IS IN THE BLACK
Financially, the Centennial
is in the black, it has been
announced.
Sale of badges and other
souvenir items financed ail
phases of the celebration, in
cluding the free barbecue Sat
urday afternoon.
The amount cleared has not
been totaled as yet, according
to C. O. Ramsey, treasurer.
Proceeds are earmarked for
the Macon County Band und
er the incorporation of the
Centennial.
They left soon after to keep
another appointment the gover
nor had in another county.
'Parade Day' Held
Friday was "Parade Day'' and
Franklin staggered, but held up
nobly, under the pressure of an
estimated 15.000 spectators.
The entire downtown area
was blocked off to accommodate
the heavy influx and to give
SEE NO 6. PAGE 4
The Weather
1 ) r ? ff k'j temp*- at u res and rainfall, a*
r?*cor !e?l in I'ranktin by Ma * n Stiles,
> weathri ? 'M tvrt . m II iliJinl* by
is. n ii, \V i W a t < ??? . TV A
!>-? r x ? ? ,ri l at ;lif 0?*ecta H>ilrol?>g?c
I.af>i?i ' .'rv
FRANKLIN
Temperatures
High Low Rain
Wed., June 15 77 42
Monday 86 59 .IS
Tuesday 84 SB .04
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
81 45
81 47
78 47
79 57 ,0?