FOR
ICTORY
NESVILLE
BUT
CNIIXD ST1TXS
BONOS STALtPS
Published In The County Seat of Haywood County At The Eastern Entrance of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
$1.75 In Adrance In Hmjweed and Jacksm Countiea
WAYNESVILLE, N. C THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1942
rZirttTH YEAR mu. iww rages
xv
WAY
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;b(' Venire Jury To Hear Kidnapping Case
liner Enlarges Mill
nits In Fines Creek
several Pieces of Equip
ment Added Besides rmne
i? Mill; Employs 275 Men.
..." 'Mi VInr
k modern planing mm
tailed by the urace
the Fines oreeK
1 .. .' . t T inn. nnnwr
hntv, Harry " " ,
h manager announced this week.
the firm is now ; operating iv
r . ?1i .1 AiMiilav
ti.- band mui a
, cutting 4U.UUU leet oliuiuuh
to, ana empioyn'8
n, with about 20 111 oc einyjujrcu
.L new unit of the company.
tactically all of the lumber cut
the firm is shipped irom L,ase
tlluska. . . -,'..
k. mills are now working on
Lcial orders that go into defense
pen.
U11 83,000-acre tract la being
t ud the mills are confining
Uir operations to hardwooos ex-
tahrelv.
u ntw boiler, edger and larger
Irrkw have been installed in the
M mill, in order to take ears of
i increased orders, and economy
rettine heavier timbers.'-,; The
fill ire working 55 hours a week,
June Post Office
Receipts Show
Increase Over 1942
Receipts for the month of
June of this year at the Way
nesville post office show an in
crease of $599.24 over those
of last year it was learned
from J. Harden Howell, post
master. Receipts for the quarter of
the months of April, May and
June, for 1941 show an increase
of $1,254.42 over that of 1941,
said Mr. Howell.
The increase is reported to
be due to larger sales of air
mail stamps and the increase
of mail going to the men in
the service.
iegistratiori Of
I 1 IT 1 1
lotor venicies
Itarts Today
All owners and operators of
(ses, motor boats, ambulances.
ixis, trucks and any other motor
nicies other than passenger cars
ill be required to register with
rationing board beginning this
oming at 9 o'clock and lasting
rough Saturday noon.
Hoars fur registration have been
for 9 to 5 o'clock on Thursday
fd Friday and from 9 : to 12:00
clock on Saturday.
Owners will need their state mo-
r vehicle registration cards and
r be required to know their
Heage and gasoline used in the
fMh of June.
All filling station operators will
pter on the morning of July
p, in order to pet their inven-
ff7 ready for selling gasoline,
,30 Tons Of
Rubber For
Scrap Here
Haywood contributed 60 tons
ln"a? rubber during the na-non-wnde-
drive, according to
' "wvey made this week by
"-J. Campbell, co-chairman
. salvage drive in Hay-
J Ca"ipbell was gratified
HavlTPH?se' anl felt that
if had responded
feffc.J1 - accordance
"een accomDlish-
Aid To Be Given
In Filling Out
Extra Gas Forms
All persona needing csaistance
in funngi out their application
blanks for supplementary gasoline
coupons, can receive this aid at
the rationing board on Tuesday or
Wednesday of next week.
Volunteers who will help in this
work are urged to call Jack Mes
ser or the rationing board and give
in their name.
Oxford Singing
Class To Appear
The famous singing class of the
Oxford Orphanage, which has of
ten entertained hundreds here,
will give a concert at the Masonic
Temple on Wednesday, July 22, at
eight o'clock.
The committee in charge of
bringing this group to Waynes
ville is composed of R. A. Gaddis,
F, C. Compton, and S. E. Connat
Frank Burnett To
Face Charges On
Two Counts Today
Charged With Kidnaping
and Criminal Assaulting
Girl From Pigeon Section.
A special venire of 50 was or
dered yesterday by Judge F. Don
ald Phillips, from which a jury
will be drawn to hear the ease to
day of Frank Burnett, who is
charged with criminal assault and
kidnaping.
The July term of criminal cour)
convened here on Monday morning
and it was thought yesterday
would continue throughout the
week. -
Burnett, a native of this coun
ty, was arrested on June 13th, in
Brevard by the chief or ponce
there, and was brought to the
county jail here. He is alleged
to have taken a young teen-age
girl from her home in the Pigeon
section and forced her to go with
him to Brevard.
Yesterday character witnesses
were heard in the case of Brown-
low Conard, who is charged with
dynamiting fish and setting fire
to the woods on the Waynesville
watershed. Conard is expected to
be sentenced on Friday. He plead
ed guiltv of dynarjiting the fish,
but denied the charge of setting
-w-.'vtnne on page 12)
Sugar Bonus Of
Two Additional
Pounds Is Granted
The local rationing board
has been advised that after
July 10th, food rationing
stamp Number 7, is good for
a bonus of two pounds of su
gar, effective until August 22.
Stamps number five and six
are also good for two pounds
. of sugar each. Stamp number
five remains effective until
July 25th, and number six will
be good from July 26 to Au
gust 22nd,
Condition Critical
Dies Of Injuries
- x 4 ' . . . . .
LAWRENCE KERLEY, chief
of the Waynesville fire department,
remains in a critical condition at
the Haywood County Hospital, suf
fering from burns and shock, re
ceived early Tuesday morning at
the explosion of a gasoline tank at
the bulk-plant of the Standard Oil
Company. This picture was made
of Chief Kerley in his fireman's
Uniform as he posed for a picture
to illustrate a series of articles
published in Mn newspaper, "They
Work While We Sleep." That is
what he was doing when injured
4-H Club Groups Going
For Week Encampment
Between 50 and 60 members of
Haywood's seven 4-H clubs will
attend the annual camp at Swan
nanoa for a week, beginning Mon
day. Howard Clapp, county agent,
Wayne Franklin, assistant, and
Miss Mary Margaret Smith, home
demonstration agent, will accom
pany the group.
Four Others Remain In
A Critical Condition
F r o m Tuesday's Fire
Citizens of the community were startled from their sleep
shortly after three o'clock Tuesday morning by the deafen
ing roar of an explosion that shook buildings within a two-
mile radius, followed by a skyline suddenly canopied, witn
eaping flames, quickly added to the chaos was the alarming
wail of the siren, and screams of injured.
A storage tank at the Standard Oil Company bulk plant
on ualer sireei siarieu leanHig, u mmn u"
manner, the fumes became ignited and caused the explosion,
which has brought death to live Waynesville citizens, and
four others are in a critical condition at the Haywood County
Hospital, suffering from burns and shock.
The accident was the most tragic and disastrous m
point of loss of property and life ever to occur in this com-
munity. Since early Tuesday morning me enure popula
tion has been under its pall of gloom, hourly awaiting news
from the bedsides of those who suffered injuries.
Four Members Of
Caldwell Family
Buried On Tuesday
Funeral sorv'cea were conducted
at 4 o'clock Tui'sdoy afternoon at
Greenhill .cemetery for Andy Cald
well, 57, his wife, Mrs. Caldwell,
40, their son, Jarvis, 14, and young
daughter, !l, all victims of the ac-
W. L. HARDIN, JR., prominent
civic leader and business man of
th immunity, died early last
niirht in the Haywood County Hos
inl f mm burns received at the
Standard Oil plant, of which' he
was manager and commission
agent. .'.
Hardin Took An
Active Interest In
Community Life
Held Several Important
Places In' Community;
Work Among Blind Was
Outstanding.
Vn1tr Lmiriston Hardin, Jr., 44
died Wednesday night in the Hay
wood County Hospital at 8:40
(.'clock from wounds and injuries
received from an explosion of
s'.omge tank at the distributing
plant of the Standard Oil Company
shortly after 3:00 o'clock Tuesday
morning.
Mr: Hardin, nrominent in the
THE DEAD
W. L. Hardin. Jr.. 44, commie-
sion agent for Standard Oil Com
pany. Died Wednesday nigm ai
8:40 o'clock.
Andy Caldwell, 57, employee of
the town. Died at 7:30 Tuesday
morning.
Mrs. Leona Caldwell, 40. wife of
Mr. Caldwell, died instantly.
Jarvia Caldwell, 14, son of the
Cald wells, died instantly.
Bettv Caldwell. . daughter of
the Caldwells, died liwUntly-j
THE INJUKfci)
Lawrence L. Kerley, chief of
Waynesville's fire department, in
critical condition, suffering from
burns and shock.
Thomas DeWitt Taylor, truck
driver, of Spartanburg, burns and
shock, remains in serious condition.
Frfd Walk up, truck driver, of
Spartanburg, burns and shock, in
a critical condition.
W. C. Fincher, employee of town
of Waynesville, in fair condition.
The
getting one away in safety.
other exploded.
Mr. Hardin discovered one of
the storage tanka at the plant was
leaking,-and after calling an of
ficial of the company in Asheville,
scene, realising the danger ol spill
ing gasoline. Mr. Hardin, Chief
Kerley and the two truck drivers
were at the scene when the stor
age tank exploded.
Tt was about thirty minutes
after the first explosion, when the
4,000 gallon transport tankti
f tught fire and went ' off M
deafening blast.
Those near the scene, at the time
of the second explosion, said it re
sembled a burning fuse of a giant
fire cracker, o r escaping steam
from a locamotive. As the hissing
l?rew louder, many realized what
was about to take place. Then a
ear-splitting burst, the mass of
gasoline shot hundreds of feet
into the air, and seemingly spread
over a large area, creating a noise
like a low moaning siren, as it fell.
cident on early 1 uesday morning. ,ifv (if th ' community for s(.Veral
The Rev, R. E. McHl ain, r?etor years was born in Favetteville, on
of Grace Episcopal church, officiat-
(Continued on page 12)
Auirust 24; 1898. He was the son
of Mr and Mrs V. L. Hardin, of
When the horizontal storage tank
xtdoded. the end cut itself clean
of the tank, and landed 50 feet
away oh the Paul Walker prop-
Second Annual "Hog Eye" Rifle
Attracts More Than 200 Persons
Around 200 persons attended the
second annual shooting match held
at. Cataloochee Ranch on Wednes
day, despite the rationing of tires
and gasoline. They started ar
riving at 8 o'clock in the morning
and continued throughout the
morning. Some came ' on horse
back, others on muleback, in cars
and a few walked to the ranch.
Forty-two persons competed in
pother communities,
Much Interest Is Shown In Series
Of County-Wide Baptist Revivals
Pastors of the 17 Baptist
churches in Haywood that are par
ticipating in the - county-wide re
vival will hold their second of a
series of pastor's conferences at
the First Baptist church this af
ternoon at 2:30 to discuss further
EDITORIAL
An Expensive Gamble
During the period of gasoline rationing, some peo
nave been prone to store quantities of the highly
ammable fuel in their homes, places of business and
This fact was recently proven when an inspection
made here by some town officials.
This community should realize after Tuesday
Ring's terrible holocaust, that exploding gasoline
n do untold damage to life and property;
ext tain!y no citizen would for the sake of a few
gallons, want an explosion on their property
fallon;
you have had it in mind to store up a few extra
3, it. ITvn 1 A i 1 " 1 niAf:. 4-Vi.Yinr
i , - "u"'u ue me wise uiing, me uamu i"""!
American way, to forget it, and keep all your gaso
6 tank of your car.
. The lives of your family and friends are worth
much take such a chance.
plans for the remaining days of
the meetings.
Reports are that much interest
is being shown in all the revivals.
and a number of conversions are
expected during the coming days.
The revivals are being sponsored
by the State Mission Board of the
North Carolina Baptist Convention.
The visiting pastors in all the
churches are from out of the coun
ty, and are being paid by the
State Mission Board.
Rev. Mr. Canipe
Is Drawing Good
Crowds At Revival
Strong spiritual messages that
are void of sensationalism, are
being brought to increasing congre
gations of the First Baptist church
by Rev. J. C. Canipe, of Boone, in
the progress of county-wide re
vivals being staged by the State
Mission Board.
Rev. H. G. Hammett, pastor of
the church, anticipates that the
church will be filled to capacity
every night at eight o'clock from
now through Sunday, and there is
a possibility that the revival will
(Contmned on page 12)
Wavnesville. His father has been erty. 1 ne remainder oi ine tK
secretary to Congressman Zel.ulon . shot 150 feet forward and struck
V Weav r for many years. a glancing blow on the 4,000-gallon
Mr Hardin was educated in the park transport truck. The tank
local schools and has resided in 'lifted itself up and went over a
Wavnesville since he was around i row f coal cars across the double
ten ' years of age. I track, to land 250 feet from its
Aft r irraduatinif from school , abutment, one of which was knock
ed down.
the matches, with the following
winners: in the oldest group, those here he went to Atlanta, where ior
.:.... r n..,.i fnnr L'purs ht whh sepretarv to tne
uver siaij, ji-ii, n.u,i, "-- - ' . . . a nnn tnnnrl
wood, won first place and was given late Francis Willis, prominent " " . . . r"
the hind ouarter of the 1.000 pound , business leader of that city, , ."L t JS
Ieturning to waynesville tie was "-. r
(Continuea on page 12) j place. Firemen were successful in
steer, which was divided and given I
(Continued on page 12)
Several people , received cuts
and bruises, when througs started
running as the second explosion
went off. One woman suffered a
fractured rib, a bruised leg and
cut knee, while still another had
to have several stiches to close a
wound she received when knocked
down by the rushing crowd.
The second explosion sent hun
dreds .scurrying for shelter. In
the Turbyfill yard, which was a
popular gathering place for peo
ple from Waynesville proper, a
young woman stumbled over a
chopping block, skinned both knees,
(Continued on page 7)
General View Of Area Damaged By Explosion Tuesday Morning
III!
v
A
il
1
V -
This photograph was made from the back of the C. M. Dicus residence and shows the area damaged by the two explosions at the Stand
ard Oil bulk plant here Tuesday morning. "A" is burning oil that was stored in the warehouse. The white flame can be seen leaping from
the upright tank on the left. "B" is the remains of the transport track, which was loaded with 4,000 gallons of gasoline and exploded
thirty minutes after the tank "C" was blown across the street, the c al car and the double railroad track. The tank (C) was a twin tank
to the horizontal tank and was about where the letter "A" is when it exploded. "D" is the ruins of the Caldwell home, where three died.
"X" is where the Paul Walker home was blown ;down and burned. A), vegetation for hundreds of feet was as brown yesterday as if it were
midwinter. t