Number 12
BREVARD, NORTH CAROLINA, MARCH 18, 1931
VOLUME XXXVI
RE-OPENING OF BANK ALMOST ASSURB)
, ;? ... ?
* STOCKHOLDERS CALLED TO MEET THURSDAY
0F NEXT WEEK WHEN ACTION IS EXPECTED
?
Depositors Committee Doing Excellent Work ? Many Citizens
Declare That Salvation of Community Depends Upon Re
opening of the Institution ? Depositors Dependent Upon
Note Owners for Recovery of Their Money ? Unanimous
' Action Necessary if Plans Succeed ? All People Interested.
Plans for re-opening the Brevard
Bank, closed since December 15, are
said to be nearer final completion now
than at any time since concerted ac
tion was begun on this important
task at the first o? the year. High
lights in thg. past week's activities
are the passage of a law enabling the
county and town to enter into an
agreement with other depositors in
the matter of "freezing" deposits for
a given period of time, &nd a call for
a meeting of the stockholders of the
bank, when propositions made by the
depositors will be studied and acted
upon. A committee representing the
depositors has been working overtime
during the past several weeks in ef
forts to find a way by which the bank
might re-open for business.
A meeting was held last Saturday
afternoon, at which time concrete
pluns were discussed, plans that con
tained suggestions from depositors
under which it was believed that
practically all depositors would enter
into an agreement for "freezing" de
posits for a given time, in additon to
setting aside 30 per cent of the de
V as a surplus fund, while the
stockholders, in this agreement, would
be called upon to place not less than
W:\0ulli in "new'' money in the bank.
The plan was published in last
week's issue of The Brevard News,
having been prepared by A. F. |
fllitchcl, a member of the depositors'!
committee, with the assistance of i
many members of the committee and1
the depositors. *- ? ? ? I
Those who favor re-opening of the
old bank, with re-organization of Of- J
ficers and directors, express hope that 1
a way will soon be found for absolute
* agreement .and actual re-opening of
the institution. It is pointed out that
the corporation commission may, lit
any time now, assess the stockholders
for the full amount of the capital
stock, which would work hardship
upon many of the stockholders who
have suffered with all citizens in the j
financial reverses. It is claimed that
an effective agreement, whereby the
bank might be re-opened, would avert
this full assessment of stockholders. |
The two main groups concern- I
ed in the bank's re-opening stand
to gain much through such
action. These two groups are
made up of the depositors in one
group, and the people who owe |
the depositors in the other group.
Peope who have notes in the bank
dn not owe the bank anything at
all, now. The Brevard Banking
company is a closed book. The
( nnection now is between the de- !
positors and the people who owe
the depositors. Those who borrow
ed money at the bank did not
borrow the bank's money. They
borrowed the money belonging to
the diMiositors. The^ now owe the
depositors every dollar of every
? not - upon which their names ap
pear. And every dollar tfoat the I
depositors get on their deposits
Mi >T conic from the payment
of the notes owed by the people
to the depositors. These two
groups, therefore, ought to work
in closest' harmony in the settle
ment of the affairs of the closed
bank.
The interest of the depositors ue
miuu.1 the bank'3 re-opening.
The best interests of those whose
notes are held by the bank demand
the bank's re-opening.
The best interests of the coramun-i
ity demand the bank's re-opening. I
The welfare of the coming genera
^ tion demand the bank's re-opening.
The happiness, peace ana* comfort
T of the years of old age of the men
n ad women now approaching that per
iod of life demand the bank's re-op
ening.
To re-open, there MUST be abso
lute harmony and unanimous action
of the depositors, stockholders and
all concerned.
k Over at West Asheville a few men,
a very few men, have prevented the
re-opening of the Bank of West
Asheville. and the whole community
must suffer the consequences.
A few men here can do the same
thing, and continue the stagnation
and suffering row being experienced
in this community.
Some doubt is expressed by many
people, however, as to the success of
the plans. Stockholders, officers and
directors in the bank must be in ac
cord on any plan that may be adopt
ed, and then all depositors must agree
to accent such plan as they may
adopt. It is because of the necessity
of this unanimous action that causes
"Some people to doubt the ultimate suc
cess of the plan to re-open the bank.
"Our people have never been unanim
ous on anything," one citizen re
marked Wednesday. Another man
standing nearby replied by saying:
"Well, there has never before been a
matter of such great importance to
all the people of the community as
NOTICE
A meeting of the stockholders
of the Brevard Banking Com
pany, of Brevard, North Carolina
is called to meet in the Court
House o?t Thursday, March 26,
1031 at 2 o'clock P. M.
This meeting is called for the
purpose of taking action in re
gard to the re-opening of the said
Brevard Banking Company.
All stockholders are tirged to
be present.
This will be a public meeting
and any interested citizen is in
vited to attend.
?STOCKHOLDERS COM.
this question of reopening the bank,
and it is to every man's interest that
it be done, and this being true, the
t'olks may fool you and act in perfect
accord for once."
But that is exactly what it will
take to bring about the success of
the movement ? unanimous action.
The work done between now and next
Thursday, and the action taken by
the stockholders at next Thursday's
meeting, will indicate .beyond a doubt
whether it is worth while to continue
efforts to re-open the bank.
TWO COUNTYBILLS .
RATIFIED MONDAY
Brevard News Bureau
Raleigh, March 18
Two of Representative W. M. Hen
ry's bills were ratified in the Gen
eral Assembly during the past week. ,
One would allow the county com- .
missioners of Transylvania county ,
and the city aldermen of Brevard to
"freeze" funds on deposit in the :
Brevard Banking Co. for an agreed ,
period in order to aid the bank in !
opening again for business.
Another btti provides that the city |
limits of Brevard may be cut down
in order to decrease the area of the
corporation. This has been done in (
cases of other cities and towns which
expanded their limits too much and ,
desired to restrict them in order to
eliminate street upkeep, sewer and
water extension, as well as allowing j
sub-divisions to revert back to farm
lands, instead of city lots, for assess- !
ment for taxes.
RHODES GIVEN SENTENCE '
IN STATE PENITENTIARY
J. Mack Rhodes, for many years
president of the First Bank & Trust ,
company of Hendersonvillc, was tried
in Superior court last week in his
city, and found guilty on charges of
embezzlement and false entry. lie was
given sentences a minirrtum of two
years in one case and four years in
another, to be worked in the state
penitentiary. Appeal was taken and
bond was made nending outcome of
the appeal. The Hendersonvillc bank
closed on November 20, when the Cen
tral Bank & Trust company at Ashe
ville went down.
CAN'T GET ENOUGH EGGS
TO SERVE HIS CUSTOMERS
W. Mull, one of Brevard's lead
ing grocers, expresses the hope that
more people will raise chickens and
sell eggs. "I can't get one-fourth
enough eggs to save my life," Mr.
Mull says. One of his greatest tasks
is to buy eggs for his trade, Mr.
Mull says, and right here it seems is |
hint enough for somebody or several
somebodies to raise more chickens.
Other merchants and dealers experi- j
ence the same trouble. It is bad on a j
community to have a cash market for !
something that cannot be supplied.
P. T. ASSOCIATION
, IN REGULAR MEET
While attendance at the Parent
Teacher meeting, held Monday night,
was greatly reduced in number be>
cause of so many members having in
fluenza, the splendid program was
most pleasing to all who had the good
fortune to be present. Miss Keels
substitntod for Miss Strickland, who
was unable to be present, and read a
paper in which th? importance of
folk song was stressed and the par
ents ufged to train the children in
these songs. -
The Music Lovers club contributed
to the enjoyment of the evening with
ja quartet, those singing being MrBi
Mac Allison, Miss Biggers, Mrs. Ed.
lf;oftin apd Mrs. 0. L. Erwin. Alviti
r Moore, always ft favorite with Bre
'vard audiences, was heard in two
rnumbcrs. Rev. G. C. Brinkman led
jtne devotional*.
Mrs. Skipman's Disappearance Has_
Caused Much Concern In the County
,
Much concern has been felt rcc|"|J>
for the safety of Mrs. Norma Ship
man, who litem ????*"?
Sunday, March first Mrs. Shipman
has been operating Shipman s Ca
since the death of her husband on
August 8, and lived attheShipma
home on South Caldwell street. 1 ne
last known of Mrs. Shipman was
X. 2 left h.t brothert ????
Seneca, S. C., Sunday afternoon,
March 1.
Tliirins the latter part of Februaij
word was put out that Mrs. . Shipman
had gone to Florida, on a visit to a
brother who lives in St. Petersburg.
This informatioh was given to The
Brevard News and published ip tnc
local column. All relatives and friends
believed the woman to be in sc.
Petersburg until peculiar happenings
led relatives to communicate witft tne
brother in St. Petersburg who replied
bv saying that she had not hcei
there and that he had heard nothing
from her. Then a search was begun
for the missing woman, the trace
leading to establishment of the fact
that she had left her brother s home .
in Seneca on Sunday afternoon, ,
March 1. , . '
Joe Bradley, who has been working
in the Shipman Cafe and rooming at
the Shipman home, left Brevard early
Monday Morning. MarchO, and 1 wa.
seen going south on Hi^hway28just
at daybreak that morning. The cafe
did not open for business that Mon
day. Inquiry revealed the fait that
Bradlev and a companion of nis
known here as "Happy" Brown, had
taken both of Mrs Shipman s auto
mobiles; an old model Buick coach and
a new sport model Buick coupe. Jess
Smiths garage had done much rep*
work on the old car, and sa>s <
Bradley took the car out of the
irarage on Sunday night, March ??
The fact that Mrs. Shipman left
her brother's home on Sunday. Marc
1 in company with Bradley anil
Brown, and the brother's assertion
that both men were drinking, coupled
with the fact that Mrs Shipman was
not seen any more, and that the t I
vnunir men left her# ? a week l*tern
with her automobiles, caused restive
and friends to fear that the Bicvaiu
woman had been the victim of foul
nlav. Relatives say that Mrs. Shipman
had more than $7000 in money in ha
possession.
At first there was but little cred
ence given to the suggestion of ioul
plav, because of persistent rumors
which had been going the rounds that
Mrs. Shipman and Bradley were mar- ,
tied, and this caused PC0P Jg I
believe that the couple had simply
Sone away for a while on a horny [
moon. , . , ? i
Relatives and officers of the law
searched the Shipman home anil
found that all silver and much of
the linen had been iemo\td. ?
Shinman's trunk, however, was still
in the house. Robert Merrill, who oc
cupies the second story apartment
the Shipman home, is said to nav
stated to officers that he had heaxd
much hammering, as if boxes were
in a nailed, in the lower part of the
house during the first week ? n Ma^
Other reports were that there nuu
been much digging in the basem en .
Officers found evidences of this d g
ging, and also found a sack wet w th
what appeared to be blood, and t
w?s senfto Raleigh for examination
to see if it was human blood.
It was reported that some appar
ently "wild" parties had been held at
the Shipman nome during the nr
week in March. Later deve OP?6"1'
tended to show that Bradley a
Brown had entertained guests fiom
South Carolina in the Shipmanhomt;
This was borne out, in part, last .
urdly when four people, two men and
two women, came to the ' on
home and were asked by .wjffV
the look-out to come to the slieriri .
office, where they were questioned. |
Thev (rave their names as E. G. Dur
Mrs Irene Durham, Edrew
Stovarl and Miss Ardville Brown.
They told the sheriff that they had
merely called at the Shipman home as
friends, and that they had been there
on the previous Saturday night, an
that Mrs. Shipman was there at that
time. Tbe party of four said that they
came here where one membei of the
auartot, Edrow Stewart, was to take
a bus for Aahcvillo, on his way to |
Detroit. Mich. Their assertion that
Mrs. Shipman was at bome^on Sat
urday and Sunday, March < and 8,,
was given but little credem ec,
it does not seem possible that Mrs
Shipman would have been at h
home here for an entire week with
out some of her many friends and rel
ative* having known it.
Mrs. Shipman was. before her mar
riage, Miss Norma C.laiencr, member
K; Of th. rnort *a?l? tajjm
lies of the county. Her brother, All.
Glazener as he is best known to hun
dreds of people, and a sjster. Mrs. A
0. Kitchen, have been directing the
search that has been instituted for the
' Young Bradley came from Madison
county, but his parents now reside on
Route No. 1, Wonvflrville, and it s
said the new Buick coupe was in hi"
name, with the address in title pap
'era being given as Weaverville,
feoute 1. It is said that officers had
icon keeping an eye on young Brad
ley for some time, his conduct ing
such as to cause suspicion. Geneial
comment had been heard for some
time as to the reckless manner of
driving that marked Bradley s ap
pearance on street and highway since
the purchase of the new car. He 1
about 21 years of age, while Mrs.
Shipman is nearing her forties.
' R. R. Fisher, Mrs. Shipman's at
torney, took charge of the cafe this
week, opened it up, with Mrs. Geoige
Nicholson in temporary charge. There
is said to be a mortgage on the equip
ment of the cafe, the holders of which
may, it is said, sell the business, and
the opening of the cafe is said to
have been done to protect the interests
of all connected with the business.
"Intensive search is being made lor
the two young men, Bradley ^ an. I
Brown, and every effort is being
made to locate Mrs. Shipman, if liv
ing. Two theories are advanced by
citizens here, one being that Mrs.
Shipman has dccided to leave it all
behind, and has gone away with
Bradley, and that they are alreadj
married, or were to be married upon
their meeting at some distant point.
It is pointed out that she has been
most unhappy and upset since blzie
Shipman, her husband, committed sui
cide on August 8, last year, and that
her going is to seek a new home anuci >
new surroundings.
The other theory, and the one that ;
seems to be more generally accepted,
is that violence has been done to Mis.
Shipman, and those perpetrating the
crime have taken her money and otnei
possessions and fled to new fields, it
is this probability that causes such
great concern to relatives of the miss- ,
ing woman.
In the meantime, the question up
permost in the minds and on the lips .
of people throughout the county is
that of a few words:
"Where is Norma Shipman.
BAPTISTSADOPT
UNUSUAL PLANS ]
!
Officers and members of the Bre
vard Baptist church have adopted a
novel plan for raising money neces
sary to meet payments now due on ,
the church building. A series of
notes in denomination of $20.00, due
on November first, paying . six per
cent interest, are being offered to
members and friends of the church.
These notes are secured by cnatte
mortgage upon the crops being plant
ed on 60 acres of land. These ci op
will consist of Irish potatoes cab
bage and beans. The land is being
donated for the purpose, and all la
bor on the crops is being done b>
members of the church, hence the
proceeds from the crops will belong
to the fund for retirement ol the
notes.
In addition to the fifty acres, many
individual members are planning to
grow small crops and give it all to
the church. In these cases the church
is furnishing the fertilizer and seed
Only small plots are being thus
planted by individual members, but
taken in the aggregate will Pro^? a
lot of potatoes, cabbage and beans,
which will be sofd and the proceed,
turned over to t ne church.
The several committees in charge
of the plan state that response by the
members and friends of the church
has been most gratifying.
LADIES NIGHT TO BE HELD
BY BREVARD KIWANIS CLUB
Ladies Night, always looked for
ward to by Brevard Kiwanians and
their ladies, will be observed next
week. Rev. Paul Hartspl land Ralph
Ramsey will be in charge of the pro
gram. At the meeting last Thursday
Prof. S. P. Verner waB added to the
membership. The club's activities
isnce reorganization in January, is be
ing recognized throughout the Caro
linas district as outstanding.
MAYOR WALKER'S REIGN IN ' ?
NEW YORK INVESTIGATED
Mayor Jimmie Walker's official acts
as mayor of New York city are being
investigated, because of charges of
incompetency and graft in public life
of the metropolis. Mayor Walker is
vacationing in antf about Hollywood,
and seems little concerned about the
investigation. Serious charges have
been made against the funny mayor
of the big city.
HAD NOT QUALIFIED
MEMBER OF THE HOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF BREVAHD BANK
H. Carrier, of Rockbrook Camp, tn
a statement to The Brevard New i
says that he docs not consider him
self a member of the board of direc
tors of the old Brevard Banking com
pany. Mr. Carrier was elected to the
board to succeed the Me. W. S. Ash
worth, but, according to the, report
made by the auditors and examiners,
Mr. Cnrritr had. never qualified as a
member of the board.
BOYLSTON ROAD IS
TAKEN OVER BY THE
STATE AS HIGHWAY
0 ?????
Long Sought Desire Finally Ac
complished by Commis
sioner Stikeleather
WILL PROVE BIG ASSET
TO TRANSYLVANIA CO.
Cuts the Distance to Asheville
Down by at Least
12 Miles
Transylvania county'B portion of
Boylston road has been taken over by
the state for state maintenance, i
largely ae a x-esult of tireless efforts 1 1
put forth by Hon. James G. Stike- '?
leather, ninth district highway com- [
missioner. The commission held a li
meeting in Raleigh last Thursday, ?
at which time Mr. StikeleaUier sue- 1
ceedod in having the state take
over several stretches of highways 1
in Western North Carolina, among i
which was the Boylston road that is i
of . uch tremendous importance to ?
this county. The road is new a part \
of the state highway system and will
be so maintained. |,
Kistler, of Morganton, commission- 1]
er in the eighth district in which Hen- ji
derson county i3 included, opposed 1
the action, as he is reported to have'i
done all the while. The link of high-'i
way between Brevard and Asheville n
lying in Henderson county was not']
taken over by the state, but the link <
in Transylvania county and the link |
in Buncombe county from the Hen- i
derson county lie toward Asheville, i
were taken over. The new route that '<
will be state-maintained runs fromi'
North Brevard by Pisgah Forest en- i
trance, across Little Mountain, con- 1
necting with the highway in Hender- ,!
son county at the Henderson line.
The new route leaves the Mills River i
road near Sandy Bottomj turns to the i
right, and joins highway No. 20 at
Arden. This route cuts down the dis- 1
tance between Brevard and Asheville j
by twelve miles.
Transylvania county has been mak
ing effort for the past three years to I
have the state take over this road, 1
but has been opposed by influences
believed to have been centered in
Hendersonville. Citizens of this coun
ty have expressed profound gratitude
to Mr. Stikeleather for his activity
and interest which led him in the
fight until he finally was victorious, i
The fact that the United States
povernment is deeply interested in j
the Boylston road helped to bring the 1
matter to a successful conclusion.
This road skirts the Pisgah National ,
Forest for several miles, and it has j
been said that the government plans j
extensive work along this route in th
establishment of trails leading from |
the highway into and through the
forest.
H I 'NDREDS ATTEND FUN ERA I . ' :
SERVICES FOR ELIJAH OWEN ,
Funeral services for 'the late Elijah ?
Owen, -who died last Wednesday aft- I,
ernoon at the Owen home in North |
Brevard, were held at Lake Toxaway |
Friday morning at 11 o'clock. Rev. J.,
K. Henderson and Rev. Paul Hart- j
sell conducted the rites and an im- '
mense throng of relatives and friends
attended the services, giving evidence
of the high esteem in which the de
ceased had been held.
J. K. Mills, Joe McCrury, John
Cantrell, Jim Neely, Joe Johnson and ,
D. L. English were pallbearers, and
the Brevard Urfdertaking company
had charge of the arrangements.
INSTALL OFFICERS
AT EASTERN STAR
Installation of officers was held at
the regular meeting of the local order
of Eastern Star last Tuesday night.
Mrs. Bisse Pickelsimer, worthy ma
tron, appointed for the ensuing year
as chaplain, Geraldine Barrett; mar
shall, Mrs. Mariah Derby; organist,
.Willie Aiken; the five star points,
Catherine Motfitt, Mrs. Willie Zach.
ary, Mrs. Ida Pruett, Mrs. Polly
Jerome and Mrs. Leila McNeely res
pectively; warder, Mrs. C. 0. Robin
Bon, and sentinel, Di*. J. F. Zachary.
Short addresses were made by Mrs.
Arabella Houston, past matron, and
Mrs. Beese Pickelsimer, worthy ma
tron and S. F. Allison, worthy patron.
A gift was presented Mrs. Houston
for her faithful service during the
past year.
Following the closing of the meet
ing a party was enjoyed celebrating
the second birthday anniversary of
the local order. A beautiful birthday
cake holding two candles was placed
in the center of the circle formed by
the members. Mrs. Houston, as mist
ress of ceremonies, conducted riddles
and read humorous selections. Colors
of St. Patrick predominated in decor
ations and season thoughts were car
ried through the program. Coffee and
sandyviche* were served before the
birthday cakc was cut.
HORSE RACING BILL
OVERSHADOWED ALL
THINGS LAST WEEK
Schools, Koads, Finances Laid
Aside While Buncombe
Bill Was On Deck
FARMERS INVADE CITY
TO DEMAND ACTION
No Chance of Adjournment Be
fpre April 1, Is Now
Prognosticated
Neither the school bill nor the
highway bill has created more inter
est in any one week than has the Bun
combe radng bill, which has occupied
the center of the state for the past
week and was finally given an unfav
orable report by the Senate commit
tee Friday, after that committee Jmd
previously given it a favorable re
port. The entire Senate bodv also re
versed itself Friday night, tabling the
bill and putting the "clincher" on it,
so it cannot come up again except by
two- thirds vote.
The bill provided that racing tracks
and devices may be erected in Bun
combe county at a cost approaching
half a million dollars, to be rented at
55,000 a day for 36 days a year i'or
horse and dog racing and operation
if pari-mutual devices ? gambling ma
rines ? which church people and
moral forces assailed as step.s toward
legalizing gambling and making Bun
:ombe a Monte Carlo. of vice and de
feneration. Proponents pointed to the
money Buncombe would receive, say
ing it would help bring back that
:ounty from its financial debacle.
Women led the promoters and formed
i formidable lobby. The House passed
the bill by a heavy margin and the
Senate passed it on second reading,
when it was re-referred to the com
mittee on Counties, Cities and Towns,
which later reversed its position.
ARMY OF FARMERS
"Embattled farmers" descended up
)n the General Assembly last Thurs
iay by the hundreds and from all over
;he state, demanding tax reduction
>n land. The Finance committee!1,
which have been through torment in
their efforts to find the $19,500,000
:o operate the schools for six months
without an ad valorem tax, heard
them, as it has heard merchants and
manufacturers who are opposed to
sales or production taxes. While proij
ibly close, doubt is expressed that a
sales tax can be enactcd, although one
will be necessary to carry out the six
months school plan. The committee
is probably approaching, but hns by
no means arrived, at a solution of the
problem. It may yet be necessary to
:ontinue the present plan with an in
:reased Equalizing Fund.
While the 70th day is about hrre.
the General Assembly members are by
no means near their return home.
Most of the important bills are yet to
be threshed out on the floors of ?one
or both houses. The local government
bill is passed and out of the way. and
is to be printed and distributed at
once. But amendments are being ad
ded to it. The highway measure has
passed both houses, but conferenct
committees arc still trying to iron out
minor differences.
NEW PLANS TO PASS
All of the bills relating to reorgan
ization of the government have madt.
some progress ?during the week, in
cluding those to establish a personnel
department, a purchasing agent, re
organization of the Department of
Agriculture, establishing a separate
banking department, appointment by
the governor of the members of the
Corporation Commission, but time
will be required to get them through.
A bill to create a new Department, of
Labor, making the commissioner ap
pointive, and specifying divisions, is
under way. The Finance and the Ap
propriations bill are by no means
complete and will require fully a week
after they are reported out
INSURANCE BILL LOSES
The bill to provide for a State" In
surance fund for insuring employes
under the Workmen's Compensation
act was killed in the Senate, but other
bills to amend the Compensation Act
interpreting and modifying it, > win
probably pass.
The omnibus bill, naming members
of the county beard of education, ha?
been introduced. It usually brings out
munv local fights and efforts to torn
out boards by other factions. The
omnibus bill naming mngistrates has
aot yet made its appearance.
Prognosticators are moving up their
dates for adjournment, most of them
now believing it wfll be April '1 be
fore the General Assembly can finish
Its work.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED BILLS
INTRODUCED
A summary of the activities so far
shows that almost exactly 1,600 bills
bave been introduced, 1,050 in the
House and 450 in the Senate. Up to
last Saturday only 4 GO had been rati
fied, 367 House and 103 Senate bilhu -
Last week 180 bi^ls were introduced
and 106 ratified and of this nnmber
81 were local and 24 were public or
kC mi tinned on back page)
A :