Shooting lasted less than 2 minutes
The ahootlng iMted lea than two mlnutea.
The casualUee auttered — perhapa 60 to 7B
men killed — repreaented leaa than two
percent of the thirty-five hundred men In
volved. Tet the Battle of Moore’a Creek
Bridge on February 37, 1776, had a
significant effect upon the coune of the
American Revolution In North Carolina.
It waa the flrat battle of the war in thla
state. Ita alte - In Pender County aome 17
mllea from WUmlngton — la now a Nattonal
Military Paik.
The near-total defeat of the Torlea at
Moore’a Creek put an end to Royal Ctovamor
Joalah Martln'a hopea for keeping North
Carolina loyal to the King. Ha fled the atate
shortly afterwards, ending royal rule here.
For nearly five years thereafter, the new
"state” would see no Brltiah soldiers.
The battle, fought at dawn, occurred when
two thousand Whig troops under Colonels
Alexander UlUngton and Richard CaawaU
blocked the bridge to prevail the crossing of
aome fifteen hundred Tories under Oeneral
Donald McDonald. The Torles-mostly
Highland Scots recently arrived In this
country — were marching to WUmlngton to
receive training and military sivplles. They
were scheduled to Join forces with an ex
pected Brltiah Invasion fleet.
€D
9MITH
The Whigs had removed the planks tar the
bridge and greased the remaining log
atrlngors, but the kUted Scots — mostly
armed with broadswords and courage only
— attempted to cross under fire. A one-sided
slaughter ensued, ending later in the capture
of most of the Tories and the collapse of
Brltiah luq[>es tat North Carolina.
-opOo-
As a colnddence. Flora MacDonald, the
patron saint of these Highland Scots, also
died during this week In history, on March 6,
17M, back In her native Scotland.
Flora, her huabaixl Allen and five of their
seven children had Joined the flood of
Scottish Immigrants to America In 1774,
settling on a plantation near Cross Creek
(FayettevUle).
Ironically, most of these Scots were
themselves survivors of an unsuccessful
rebellion against Brltiah rule. They had been
pardoned and allowed to emlgrats to
AmeHca after taklngOaths of Allegiance to
the Crown. When the Revolution began here,
moat felt obUgated to aide with the King.
Before they marched off to Join the British
farces. Flora MacDonald deUvered a rousing
speech In QaeUc, dressed In her tartan, with
a fiery cross burning tai the background. Her
husband Allen and oldest son would be
captured at Moore's Creek.
Flora had become famous for arranging
the escape of Scottish Prince Oiarles after
the collapse of their rebellion in 1746. Her
funeral in 1790 waa aftended by thousands of ,
admiring countrymen.
-oOo-
In Ute February and earty March of 1830,
the aged Marquis de Lafayette toured North
Carolina on his return visit to the United
SUtea On March 4-6 he stopped In Fayette-
vfflle (named in his honor In 1786) staying
overnight at the home of Duncan McRae on
the site of the present courthouse.
-oOo-
On March L 1663, one Oeorge Durant
purchased land (thenceforth to be known as
Durant's Neck) from the Indians. This Is tha
oldest known recorded deed In the Mate’s
history.
EKA down the tubes, imtXL.
eDiTORihL^&omion?
Page 4A Thursday, March 3, 1977
Community service
officer is important
The 1977-78 Community Development Block Grants applicatkm, reviewed
Mrmday nlg^t, is most impressive with 14 out of 16 proposals being Included.
And the 16th Is now being reviewed for possible Inclusion under the $1,040,000
funding for the third year of the CD program.
The Mirror-Herald hopes this program will be declared eligible by the area
director of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) because It presents a clear
Image of the type of programming needed to deal directly with any community’s
most vital resource — its citizens.
The proposal was submitted by the Kings Mountain Ministerial Association
under the title of a Community Service Officer. That title would be the one at
tached to the single new employe who would coordinate all of the available
assistance agencies and determine what areas of assistance need Im
plementation.
Every community has Its hardship cases and the project, as outlined, would be
'sei up to handle the emergencies Immediately. The program would also proYlde"
tools (other volunteer experts) that would work to determine the cause for the
emergency and try to root It out.
The city commissioners have a little less than 80 days to amend the CD ap-
pUcatlcns to Include the Community Service Officer project should the HUD
director rule It Is eligible. That will mean other projects will have to be cut
budget-wise a bit to take care of the new budget application. But, this Is the least
that can be done willingly because the Community Service Officer project Is one
of the most worthwhile proposals to aid this community to come across the
boards In sometime.
And even If the HUD director says "sorry,” there should still be a concentrated
effort made within the community to create the program somehow.
R€^D£R DIMOGUG
Give us your youth
Tuesday the North Carolina Senate de
feated the controversial Equal Rights
Amendment proposal to rest 36 to 34.
wonder If those two votes that defeated the
amendment can be laid on Sen. OUle Harris
of Kings Mountsdn and Sen. Marshall Rauch
of Gastonia?
FVom their stance on BRA all down the
line It’s doubtful that either one of these men
would care very much If you did (a) blame
them, or (b) congratulate them.
Sen. Harris Introduced a bill, which went
to the constitutions^ committee, asking for a
statewide referendum on ERA. Let the
people In the state decide whether or not they
want the amendment In effect
But Tuesday’s action In Raleigh wiped out
the BRA proposal and the referendum Idea
at least until after January 1, 1978.
Personally, I dcm’t know whether ERA la a
good Idea or not I don’t even know If It Is
necessary. According to former U. S.
Senator Sam Ervin ESIA Is totally un
necessary because equal rights are
guiu'anteed under the U. S. Oonstltutian.' He
The Poet’s
Corner
To the editor.
The gold record being played says give us
your youth and we wtll control the world.
Give us their mlrxls and we will change the
course of history.
Without the minds of our youth we will
utterly fall suid our moral smd political
enemies are well aware of this.
The Communist cry contlnuea, permit us
to fill the minds of your youth with dissent
against all moral vsdues. Permit us to use
every method of dirty literature as to blind
their minds to the truth.
Permit us the use of your schools and
churches as classrooms to meet our goal of
world dominion.
These things are only a few of the Com
munist methods to gain their own goals.
Frightening? Of course It Is and It csm
come true If we do not wake up.
EVEBETTE PEAB80N
Kings Mountain
Make your feelings known
To the editor,
TTiank you for the two new features In the
Mirror-Herald, "Citizens View” and "Sen.
Jease Helma”
Sen. Helms writes that he Is totally op
posed to the Congresslonsa pay raise. He
states that the pay raise wlU be automatic If
Congress does not act to prevent It.
Leadership of the Senate prevented a vote
thus far, but Sen. Helms says a vote on the
pay rsLlse will be taken sooner or later.
Many people lua complaining about the
proposed pay raise for Congress and other
high level bureaucrats.
As I read Sen. Helms’ column I was
reminded of what our President hsui ssdd,
that we (the people) are the government.
That means Congress Is there to serve us.
Here Is how citizens can voice their ap
proval or disapproval. Call Western Union’s
toll free number (1-806'30T-3341) and give the
(qwrator your name, address and phone
number. Say you wish to send a personal
opinion message to Sen. Jesse Hekns,
Washington, D. C., then give your message.
The charge Is $3 for 16 words (to any elected
official). A sample message might read:
"We are against the Congressional pay
raise.”
Your name Is not considered In the 16 word
message. I have heard one message oounU
tor 160,000 voices of voters.
MRS. JOAN OWENS
Bessemer City
MimHliiiijD
KeLMHaOBACN
TUBSOAV sue THUS WAV
SASUUtDATaiNt
Pasiasw
TOMMCIMTVSa ,
BLIZASBTH STBWABT
WMIM'iBSnw
CLVOBMItL
ASvwMiliiS OlrMlw
MSMSSSaS
NOaTNCASSLIMA
saassAiMOCiATiM
Tlw Mlrrar-HersM b seSIIUwS Sr Ssewsl
siiMMisis OMssair, e. e. orawsr ?■, KMss
MMuMiSi.N. C., MN4. SMbUM BUS sSlWrW sNICM
tn means ai m issM viisnis Avs. mwm m-
tats. Zkm Clan sawasa saM ai KSisi mammta,
N. C. taifls <asr u caaa. (vSacrisliM rawa: nJS
mrly Si-uaw, 44.11 M ataaMtat MM rnriy as^a^
Mala. 15 Ua aianmw Ha«n rala tar ama aiaasia
should know since he Is one of America’
foremost authoities on that document.
On the lighter side of the ERA discussion
men have said, "Pass It, pass It! Ay-God,
then women will be brought down to the
same level as men!”
Tills attitude, although spoken In Jest,
seems to be the very thing that the ERA
sui^iorters want. They claim they don’t want
to be put up cn pedestals and they don’t want
to be thought of as weak and unable to hold
the same Jobs as men or places in com
munity life M men. And they do deserve the
same pay for the same Job as men.
I agree with thla view. Women should be
considered for whatever roles, and at
fair wages. In which they are qualified, the
same as men.
But I do get the Idea the ERA movement la
so uiqwpular among men and women
because they tsar It will take the romance
out of nuui-woman relationships. After all,
we’ve been rstlsed (us well-psMt SO) on a
steady diet at songs, movies uid books built
on strong romwtlc Imagery.
Maybe when the current young people
become the leaders things will change. After
aU, the thinking Is greatly changed over the
past 10 to 16 years.
-oOoO-
By now many of KM’s citizens are aware
that pi couplq.(>(,54^eged counterfeiters have
^ been.ju7ee^..a»d a printing press con-
fiicaftil'inMwlStorlcal dty.''
And by The Secret Service, no less.
And secret It Is.
TOM
MclMTYRe
One evening the local police received a
call that a "strange vehicle” was observed
on a certain city street. A patrolman was
dispatched to check it out
Sure enough the patrolman found ths
“strange vehicle” with a couple of oc-
cupiuits. When the officer aqiproached the
car the occupants became agitated.
“Get outta here or you’ll blow our
operatlcn,” an occupant told the officer.
”I ain’t goln’ nowhere until you men show
me aome Identification and expUln what
you’re doin’ here,” the officer answered.
The occupants fliMhed their credentials
and the officer, satisfied, went on his way.
C3ilef Earl IJoyd heard from the Secret
Service about the Incident, but had to defend
hla officer.
"You said not to alert the local department
about your operation, and I didn’t,” the chief
explained. "And when our men receive a
citizen’s call they respond.”
THE WICKED ONES
The wicked ones won’t give to the poor
Instead they wUl seU cn easy terms.
They won’t let you drink from their cup.
They are afraid of catching germs.
The wicked ones are out to beat the poor
WhUe singlngthelr sad, sad song.
Not songs of a thorny crown Oirlst wore.
But ones of somebody done me wrong.
They try to be happy with their money.
As they pay on a fine home and ear.
Andby managing cash close enough.
They have some left to take toa bar.
If only they knew what the Saints do.
And what the real blessllngs are.
For one day wicked ones must rue.
While spending eternity In Satan’s fire.
MACK BRADSHAW
SHIPWRECKED
I was out on the sea as If In a boat
The waves of the sea dashed high
My boat capslaed, no more would It float
I was so sure I would die.
Then on the debris I drifted around
No hope at all could I see.
But to my auipilae ablg ship came by
And the good Clqitain rescued me.
I’ll never forget how hsppy I was
When He took me aboard with Him.
Because for me all hope was gone
And chances of rescue were dim.
Triie, It was not on anatural sea
But on the sea of life
And It was Jesus the Chptaln who came
He came to my rescue that night
I could have resisted and sank In the waves
When He reached out for me.
But tn my despair, I welcomed His luuid
And so thankful forever I’ll be.
My brother. If you are lost on life’s sea
The big ship Is passing by
Jesus, the Captain Is reaching for you
Accept him, O, why will you die?
Yes, the Dear Saviour Is waiting In love
He’s waiting with outstretched hand
If you will only triMt In Him,
He will take you to that peaceful land.
CALVIN WRIGHT
bi Ref^n C
Violent crimes total
18 percent of arrests
By EUZABETH STEWART
Mirror-Herald Staff Writer
Violent Climes, murder, rape and aggravated assault, comprise about 18
percent of the total arrests by law enforcement agencies In Region C with 80
percent of all juveniles charged with aggravated assault, according to a sum
mary of crime analysis problems made at last Thursday’s meeting here of
Region C Criminal Justice Planning Agency.
Murder, .4 percent, appears to be prevalent In the more uihanlzed areas of the
region, particularly In Cleveland and Rutherford Counties whose combined
offenses make up 98 percent of the region’s total. Forest City, Kings Mountain
and Rutherford County have a "severe problem” with murders. Rape, .3 percent
of offenses, appears to be more prevalent In urbanised areas with Cleveland and
Rutherford Counties having the largest numbers, approximately 88 percent of
the region’s totals.
Due to low reporting of rapes. Region C Planner Don Jones estimated that this
problem may be more serious than the data Indicates.
Rate of increase of burglaries In this area Is not as great as larcenies with
almost equal Involvement between adults and juveniles in Shelby, Forest City,
Marion, Kings Mountain and Splndale.
Motor vehicle theft appears to be decreasing slightly. Problem areas Include
tj»ih» Lure, Splndale, Shelby, Forest City and Rutherford Ounty which have a
combined 6.4 percent of thla reglan’s motor vehicle thefts.
Property losses from the above offenses amounted to almost one million
dollars during 1976 or $8.67 for every citizen In Region C. Law enforcement
officers are recovering only about 31 percent of every dollar’s worth of property
r^rted stolen.
Shelby, Forest City, and Rutherford County appear to be prime problem areas
for alcohol-related crimes, according to the study.
FYaud arrests and offenses seem to be serious problems In Kings Mountain and
Shelby.
Ncn-aggravated assault Is separated from aggravated assault by only a thin
grey line and appears to be more prevalent In Rutherford Ownty, Kings
Mountain and McDowell County.
Narcotic-drug offenses, thought by many to be directly coorelated with
property crimes, account for a considerable amount of law enforcement time
and activity. Shelby, Cleveland County and Rutherford County are experiencing
high percentages of arrests for these crimes.
Offenses against family and children are now being viewed as criminal of
fenses as opposed to general family problems. Rutherford County and Cleveland
County are experiencing high rates of arrests fqr these offenses In comparison
with their respective populations.
Juveniles account for Mlghtly more than one fourth of the arrests for property
crimes, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft) In the region during 1976. Most of
the juveniles, arrested were chareged with larceny (161) and burglary (113).
Rutherford County recorded the highest percentage of juvenile arrests for
property crimes, but agencies In aeveland County actuaUy arrested a larger
number of youths.
Uiw enforcement officers at the Thursday meeting were Invited to review tha
summary of crime analysis problem areas and were given two ballots, one tw
law enforcement and one for juvenile justice, marking each ballot for crime
problems and for system problems. Once these are completed, an ovenll
proprlty rating for law enforcement and juvenile justice will be compiled for
Reglcn C and the findings submitted to the Governor’s Commission on Crime
Control.
■U