T MARCH AND API CONFLAGRATIONS GENERAAL OC CUR BETWEEN FEBRUARY 25 AND MAY 3. LETTER OF WARNING ISSUED Some Interesting Statistics Concern ing Spring Fires Which Should In terest Citizens of North Carolina. A letter issued by the Georgia Fire Prevention Society and circulated throughout the State of Georgia is worth attention in North Carolina or any other State. It points out that during the past twenty-flve years, $77, 749,513 of the losses in the South have occurred between February 25 and May 3. | Some of the spring conflagrations ?re enumerated as follows: April, 1892, New Orleans..? 1,500,000 May, 1901, Jacksonville.... 10,000,000 1 February, 1904. Baltimore.. 40,000,000 May, 1904, Yazoo City, Miss. 2,000,000 February, 1905, Hot Springs 1,500,000 February, 1906, New Orleans May, 1907, Atlanta February, 1906, New Orleans March, 1908, Tampa February, 1912, Houston.. April, 1912, Columbus, Ga. May, 1914, St. Augustine. March, 1916, Augusta, Ga. March, 1916, Nashville March, 1916, Paris, Texas. The above figures represent the amount paid by insurance companies, and are naturally much less than the property losses. The great conflagra tion of San Francisco, which resulted In a property loss of about $350,000,000. occurred in April, 1906. 5,000,000 500,000 5,000.000 500,000 4,500,000 250,000 250,000 5.999,513 1,500,000 5,000,000 It i3 on account of the danger of spring fires that the Georgia Fire Pre vention Society is issuing its warning to the people of Georgia. The society Is also conducting a vigorous campaign along other lines to aid in the preven tion of fires. School children are be ing Interested in the crusade, and re cently 400 fire inspection blanks were filled out by the pupils of Fitzgerald schools, showing the condition of dwellings in that place. The society Is also calling atteniton to the danger ous hazard of storing collected waste paper in school houses, basements, etc. In North Carolina during six days from March 27 to April 1, inclusive, newspaper reports indicate rather a close adherence to custom. The tan nery of the United States Leather Company at Old Fort was destroyed financial loss of between $750,000 and $1,000,000. At about the same time on the same date the lumber plant of the A. T. Griffin Lumber Company at Goldsboro, was damaged, entailing a loss of about $25,000. At the alarm of this fire in Goldsboro thousands of people visiting the camp of the Sec ond Regiment North Carolina Na tional Guard nearby, were thrown Into a panic and in the stampede that fol lowed a number of persons were In jured and several women fainted. Fire at Turnpike, a small village twelve miles from Asheville, was practically wiped out by fire Saturday, March 31, when a large saw mill with quantities of lumber, several other buildings, and two cribs of corn ($1.40 a bushel) were burned. A hotel and store nearby were damaged, but sav ed from destruction by the work of a bucket brigade- A railroad trestle was damaged and traffic on the Mur phy Branch of the Southern Railway Med i?D for several hours. This record shows that If there is a time when special vigilance Is needed in fire prevention work and the pur suit of the "Saf?ty First" idea it 13 at this particular N*ewrer would have saved the man's life. George Williams, an aged blind ne g^o, was burned to death in the flre which destroyed a three room cottage about five miles from Raleigh, March 28. The negro had been left alcaa in the house and when flre was dis covered by neighbors it was not known he was there. No blind person should be left alone in a house. I A fire at Wilson on Thursday, March 29, resulted in the loss of two lives a negro woman and her child. News paper accounts of the incident stated that the woman was subjected to fits and it was supposed that she fell in the fire. Screens for the prevention of such accidents can be purchased as cheaply as fifty cents. PREEMINENT PERIL OF ARSON Any material pvidence found at the scene of an incendiary fire should be carefully wrapped, marked with the date and place found, as well as the name of the finder in order that U may be identified in court. I would be much pleased to be call ed by telephone or notified by tele gram immediately, when guilt is ap parent, for it is much easier to trace arson before things at the scene of a fire are disturbed. From the instant that the arsonist applies the match, he sets into action our most destructive agency; a force, which under circumstances favorable to its spread, baffles man with all fire-fighting agencies at his command. The man who would burn to obtain insurance can be prevented by mak ing ft imposible for him to secure a policy in excess of sound values. If he cannot profit by a fire, he will not burn. One of the greatest hazards that we have to contend with is over insurance. We can force the removal of any other, but that one we cannot touch. The maximum insurance on a build ing should be the value that the as sessor has listed it for, and two-thirds of the invoice should be the limit on any stock of goods. These inventories should be made and certified to by a disinterested party. How many build ings would be burned to obtain insur ance if this were done? A mental test should be made of the pyromaniac and he should not be re leased from the institution into which he is committed unless fully cured. ? Fire Marshal B. B. Buckley. HE THOUGHT HE COULD. There was a man who fancied that by driving good and fast He'd get his car across the track be fore the train came past. He'd miss the engine by an inch and make the train hands sore. There was a man who fancied thisj there isn't any more. There was a man who though that he could win a bet By quenching in some gasoline a light ed cigarette. He thought the fluid, being wet, would drown the flame somehow. There was a man who reasoned thus He iro't with us now. FRAME BUILDINGS IN THE FIRE DISTRICTS Insurance Commissioner James R Young has issued the following letter to building inspectors, chiefs of fire departments and other local officials throughout the State in regard to frame buildings in fire districts a*d repairs: "Gentlemen: ? Because of some mis understanding and confusion in regard to frame buildings in fire districts and repairs thereto, I deem it necessary to call to your attention the following matters: "1. Under section 2985 the board o? aldermen or commissioners of each city and town must establish and de fine a fire district in their city or town. "2. Under section 2988, no frame building (including Iron-clad build ings) can be erected under any cir cumstances. "3. Under section 2988, no frame or wooden building can be altered, re paired, or moved except upon a per mit of the building inspector, approv ed by the Insurance Commissioner. The responsibility of passing upon the, application is placed upon the build ing inspector by the law; but his per. mlt is not valid or effective until ap> proved by the Insurance Commis sioner. , "4. In section 8010 we find: 'No teiiMing now or hereafter built shall be altered, repaired, or moved until It has been examined and approved by the inspector as being in a good and safe condition to be altered as pro posed, and the alteration, repair, or change so made shall conform to the provisions of the law.' This forbids the allowing of (1) repairs to old or dilapidated buildings or (2) the re pairs to be other than Is allowable In the Are district. "5. No permit will be approved by the Commissioner unless accompanied by an application on the blank de scribed by the Department. "6. Section 3484 makes violations a misdemeanor, with a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. "7. This law is a most important and necessary one for the protection of our cities and towns, especially their business districts, and the local inspectors and officials will be hell to a strict account for their enforce ment and any violations vigorously prosecuted. "8. Under the law no mayor or board of aldermen can pass upon or grant these permits; but the mayor, city attorney and police are charged with their enforcement. 'Kindly let me hart y?ur active aid and hearty co-operaUez la this Bat ter." In Memoriam ? Mrs. S. H. Starling. On April the first, our home was saddened when the death angel call ed the spirit of our loving mother home. Mama had been confined to her bed only a short tiume with brain fever. She was Mollie Holland, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Exum Holland. She was born April 29, 1868, and died April 1, 1917, mak ing her stay on earth 48 years, 11 months and one day. She was mar ried in 1887, to S. H. Starling, and to their union were born ten children, nine of whom she leaves to grieve over their loss. Still we feel that our loss is her eternal gain, for I feel that she is resting in a better land than this. We realize that she has only paid the debt we have got to pay. Mama was a good wife, a lov ing mother and sweetest of all Chris tian women, trying to live and teach her children right. Before marriage she united with Bethlehem Baptist church in Wake County, then moved her membership to Carter's Chapel where she remained a member until a few months ago when she moved to Bethesda, where she was a member when death came. Her body was laid to rest in the Holland burying ground Monday afternoon in the presence of a host of friends and sorrowing rela tives. May we all live a life so as to meet her in a land beyond, where all is peace and love, for the Lord say eth "he that is faithful to the end I will give thee a crown of life." 0 mother dear, with soft dark eyes And hair of almost gray, Who gently flitted from the gloom To lay life's burdens away. 0 mother sweet, so dearly loved; How can we give thee up? To miss thy smile from day to day ? How bitter is our cup! Like precious pearls, fond memory count Each day when thy dear face Made glad the hours within the home Blessed by thy winsome grace. 0 mother with thy gentle heart, And spirit kind and true, Thy gracious presence cheered our lives As nothing else could do. Forty-eight brief summers came and went And took thee from our arras ? So beautiful and fair, their light ? Can Heaven hold richer charms? Thy dear, sweet face shines in our dreams, Each feature clearer grows, While falling tears bedim our eyes, But calm thy soft repose. The tender shepherd holds thee close, As His own precious lamb; For early didst thou heed His call, And answer "Here I am." We know that thou art safe with Him, And bless His name for aye; That thou wast led in that dark hour To choose the shining way. How many a hope, and plan and dream Were centered all on thee, Our loving mother, but thou hast gained The heights we hope to see. Beyond the shadow of this vale, Where bitter partings cease, We hope to see thy face again In realms of perfect peace. GERTRUDE. Selma, N. C. Waiting For Jesus to Come. On last Tuesday morning at 8:30 the Home of Mr. and Mrs. Robey Stanley was made sad when little Goldie, their daring child, breathed her last. Not only that home was saddened, but the entire neighbor hood, for she was a child loved by all who knew her* Little Goldie was born December 17, 1914, and died April 10, 1917, making her stay on earth 2 years, 3 months and 24 days. All that three doctors, a trained nurse and friends and neighbors could do was done, but nothing could stay the icy hand of death, for as in Adam all shall die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. Yes, we are looking forward to that final Judg ment morning when we shall meet our dear little Goldie, and if we have lived as God would have us live we will meet to part no more, where all is peace, pleasure and happiness. Her little body was taken to the Webb graveyard Wednesday, April 11th, near Four Oaks, where Rev. Starling Massengill preached the fu neral, after which she was laid to rest to await the resurrection morn ing. The pall bearers were W. O. Barbour, Jesse Barbour, J. W. Wood and Lamuel Jones. We miss thee, Goldie; yes, we miss thee ? Oh, how sad it was to part; But we hope to meet thee, darling Where no sorrow will touch our heart. In that resurrection morning Whan the dead in Christ shall rise, There we hope to meet our darling, And hope to have Eternal life. GRANDFATHER. Clear Your Skin In Spring. Spring house cleaning means clean ing inside and outside. Dull pimply sl.ir. is an aftermath of winter inac tivity. Flush your intestines with a mild laxative and clean out the ac cumulated wastes, easy to take, they do not grip. Dr. King's New Life Pills will clear your complexion and brighten your eye. Try Dr. King's New Life Pills to-night and throw off the sluggish winter shell. At drug j gists, 25 cents. ? Advt. Women in Khaki. There is every reason for the wom en of the United States to put on khaki. The United States is at war for the perpetuation of the princi ples of human liberty for which our people fought in 1776. It is to be a real war ? let there be no m>pt*Ve about that. And in real war the wom en of the country must do their bit, willingly or unwillingly, as ?nuch as the men. Therefore it is inspiring to see the women of the United States put on the uniform of national service, pro vided that it is put on in the spirit of service and not in the spirit of j sentimentalism or for show. There is real work to be done by America's women. First of all there is the work of the Red Cross in the field, which none can do as well as they. Then there is relief work at home. And of most vital importance to the country is the work that must be done in the munition factories and on the farms. The women of the coun tries thr.t preceded us in the war have demonstrated already how invalua ble they are in these factory and ag ricultural services which are hard, wearing and oftentimes dangerous. For all such serious business the women of the United States cannot put on Khaki too soon. But when the women of the United States put on khaki to go to camps for squad drills with rifles they waste their time. Worse that that, they waste time which belongs to the country and might well be put to real use. Never unless a people is fighting, like the Serbians, against extermination by a ruthless invader have its women any place on the firing line. And that the women of the United States need prepare for either immediate or ulti mate duty in the trenches not even the wildest jingo would suggest. ? New York Evening Sun. STOP LEFT OVER COUGHS. Dr. Boll's Pine-Tar-Honcy will stop that hacking cough that lingers from January. The soothing pine balsams loosen the phlegm, heals the irritated membrane, the glycerine relieves the tender tissues, you breathe easier and coughing ceases. Don't neglect a ling ering cough, it is dangerous. Dr. Bell's Pine-Tar-Honey is antiseptic and pleasant to take, benefits young and old, get it at your druggist to-day. Formula on the bottle. 25c. ? Advt. Exempt Farm Workers. "By planting and increasing his production in every possible way, every farmer will perform a labor of patriotism for which he will be rec ognized as a soldier of the commis sary, adding his share to the food supply of the people." This is Presi dent Wilson's message to the Amer ican farmers. How about the workers on the farms? It will be almost impossible to increase this year's output of ag ricultural products unless more farm labor can be obtained. The next two or three weeks must be utilized to the utmost if production is to be stimulated. It has been reported in a general way that farm workers would be excused from miltary ser vice in case the selective draft bill should become law, but no authori tative statement to that effect has been issued. Thousands of men would prefer v/ork on the farms to service in the ranks, and many of them would be far more valuable as farm workers than as soldiers. If an official assurance could be given that they would be exempt from military ser vice while engaged in farm work, the result would be an increase of agricultural production. There would be more men immediately available for planting and later on for har vesting. The country's agriculture cannot be turned over to women, boys and old men. It is too huge a job. The character of the work is not the same as that performed by women in the fields of Europe. Women can do much, but, willing as they are, they cannot break the farm labor short age. The gigantic crops of this na tion must be handled by able-bodied men if the food supply is to be in creased sufficiently to make adequate exports to the allied nations. Food from America is just as necessary in defeating Germany as soldiers from Great Britain and France. ? Washing ton Po3t. News comes from Berlin that Americans will not be interned in Germany but will be accorded the rights of aliens and allowed to same privileges as America gives Germans in this country who behave them selves. Bad Cough? Feverish? Grippy? You need Dr. King's New Discovery to stop that cold, the soothing balsam ingredients heal the irritated mem branes, soothe the sore throat, the antiseptic qualities kill the germ and your cold is quickly relieved. Dr. King's New Discovery has for 48 years been the standard remedy for c?.ughs and colds in thousands of homes. Get a bottle to-day and have it handy in your medicine chest for coughs, colds croup, grippe and all bronchial affections. At your drug gist, 50 cents. ? Advt. HOW THIS MOTHER Got Strength To Do Her Work Fair Ilaven, Vt. ? "I was so nervous and run down that I could not do my housework for my little family of three. I had doctored for nearly two yearn without help. One day I read about Vinol, and thanks to it, my health has been restored so I am doing all my housework once more. I am telling all my friends what Vinol has done for me." ? Mrs. James H. Eddy. Vinol is a combination of femou* tonics which we guarantee to build up the weak and run-down. HOOD BROS., Druggists, Smithfield, N. C. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administrator on the estate of Howard M. Coats, deceased, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 26th day of March, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons tindebted to said estate will make immediate pay ment. This 26th day of March, 1917. W. R. COATS, Administrator. ABELL & WARD, Attorneys. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administratrix on the estate of S. T. Barham, deaceased, hereby no tifies all persons having claims againts said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 16th day of March, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said estate will make immediate pay ment. This ICth day of March, 1917. SUSIE J. BARIIAM, Administratrix. Engine For Sale 25 H. P. Oil Engine I. H. C. Mogul, latest type, fully equip ped with magneto, self-oiling, automatic feed, slightly used. Price low. T. H. Atkinson Selma, N. C., R. F. D. No. 1. For a Few Days Only ! For a few days only we want to buy sacks. Save your sacks and sell them back to us. We pay five cents each for second hand cotton seed meal sacks de livered here. Pine Level Oil Mill Company Pine Level, N. C. ED. A. HOLT Dealer in High Grade Coffins, Casket* and Burial Robes, Princeton, - North Carolina PRINTED STATIONERY ADDS dignity to one's letters. Every farmer should have his farm nam ed and then have his printed letter heads, note heads and envelopes. The Herald Print-shop is ready to do this class of printing on short notice. TWO BOOKS OF VALUE We have on hand a few books of great value which we are pricing down very low. Here are some $1.00 and $1.25 books going at 50 cents: Rienzi: The Last of TRe Trib unes, by Bulwer Lytton. A story of Rome of the 14th Cen tury. A book worth reading. 438 pages. The Heart of the Bible. Edited by Ella Broauus Robertson. A book for young people, parents, and teachers. Price of above books, 50 cents each. By mail, 56 cents. AT HERALD OFFICE For Sprains, Lameness, Sores, Cuts, Rheumatism Penetrates and Heals . Stops Pain At Once For Man and Beast 25c. 50c. $1. At All Dealer*. r LINIMENT MORTGAGE SALE OF VALUABLE LAND. By virtue of the authority contain ed in a certain mortgr.ge deed exe cuted to me by Rom Sanders and wife, on March 20th, 1916, as is recorded in Book No. 18, page 81 of the Regis try of Deeds of Johnston County; the terms and conditions of the same hav ing been broken, I will offer for sale at the Court House door in the town of Smithfield, N. C., on Monday, May 14th, 1917, at 12 o'clock M., to the highest bidder for cash, the following described land, to-wit: Beginning at a stake on the road, thence with the road S. 3 W. 3.27 chains to a stake; thence S. 87 E. 11 chains to a stake; thence N. 5 W. 2.50 chains to a stake; thencc N. 3 E. 1.70 chains to a stake; thence N. 87 W. 10.40 chains to the beginning, contain ing 4^4 acres, more or less; the same being Lot No. 6 in the division of the lands of Ivory Sanders, deceased. Reference is herewith made to deed from Kader Sanders et als, to Rom Sanders as recorded in Book "X"', No. 11, page 22, of the Registry of John ston County. Time of sale, Monday, May 14, 1917, at 12:00 M. Terms, Cash. This April 6th, 1917. PERCY HOLT, Mortgagee. S. S. HOLT, Attorney for Mortgagee. NOTICE. North Carolina, Johnston County. Octavia Bass vs. George Bass. The defendant above named will take notice that an action entitled as above has been commenced in the Su perior Court of Johnston County for the purpose of obtaining an absolute divorce, and the said defendant will further take notice that he is required to appear at the next term of the Su perior Court of said County to be held on April 24th, 1917, and answer or demuf to the complaint in said action, or the plaintiff will apply to the Court for the relief demanded in said action. This March 24, 1917. Z. L. LEMAY, , Deputy Clerk Superior Court. WELLONS & WELLONS, Attorneys. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administrator on the estate of Eveline Creech, deceased, hereby no tifies all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 27th day of March, 1918 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said es tate will make immediate payment. This 27th day of March, 1917. A. S. CREECH, Administrator. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administrator C. T. A., on the es tate of I. D. Manning, deceased, here by notifies all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 12th day of March, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said estate will make immediate pay ment. This 9th day of March, 1917. EUGENE MANNING, Administrator C. T. A. Zebulon, N. C., Route No. 1. NOTICE. The undetsigned having qualified as Administrator on the estate of C. C. Ingram, deceased, hereby noti fies all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 2nd day of April, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said will make immediate payment. This 2nd day of April, 1917. J. MANG WOOD, Administrator. WELLONS & WELLONS, Attorneys. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administrator on the estate of Nettie Moore, deceased, hereby noti es all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 9th day of March, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said es tate will make immediate payment. This 8th day of March, 1917. E. GRANT, Administrator. NOTICE. The undersigned having qualified as Administrator on the estate of Martha H. Massey, deceased, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said estate to present the same to me duly verified on or before the 24th day of March, 1918, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery; and all persons indebted to said estate will make immediate pay ment. This 24th day of March, 1917. E. W. MASSEY, Administrator. M-27-ev. Tues. WORLD ALMANAC FOR 1917. We have on hand a few copies of the New York World Almanac for 1917. It is a paper bound book of nearly 1000 pages, filled with valuable and interesting information. Price 35 cents. Get a copy and see how many things worth while you may learn. HERALD BOOK STORE, Smithfiekl, N. C.