Page Two THE CHATHAM BLANKETEER October 31, 1933 The Chatham„ Blaiiik€teer Editor-in-Chief Claudia Austin Assistant Editor..Charles Calhoun Business Mgr Robert Hartness Club Editors i Estelle Powers I Versie Whitlock c • 1 ; Juanita Billings Social Editors< ^ ^ I Gypsy Smitherman REPORTERS Spinning & Carding..Pearl Carter Weaving Tessie Stinson Spool & Specking-.Ora Belle Wood Shop & Dye House....Mary Brown Wool Department Ola Teal Napping & Wash, Esther Norman Finishing Dept Frances Hensley Shipping Dept.. Vera Briggs Never Too Busy To Aid Employe (Continued From Page One) vered in his endeavor to build the Elkin and Alleghany Rail road, a project to which he gave largely of his time and resources in an attempt to benefit his neigh bors in the northwest counties. Financing this construction work was impeded by the World War, and after the war the necessity for the railroad was lessened be cause of the advent of good roads and increased use of trucks and automobiles. It w^s only then that he abandoned the develop ment, and not because he was discouraged. I think Mr. Chatham exhibited the greatest patience when in variably during his very busy days he would take time to dis- j cuss with his employees their problems and with any one their troubles, with sympathy and un derstanding. Never during the years I worked for him did he instruct me to tell any one that he was too busy to see them, I am sure that Mr. Chatham’s de sire and willingness to discuss with his employees their business and family problems helped create the good-will that has al ways existed between employees and management of Chatham Manufacturing Company. We are all fortunate that his son has this same, as well as other, at tributes of his father. . Two vivid events in the lives of most of us convince us that Mr. Chatham had courage. In the flood of 1916 when the Elkiii mill was almost completely des troyed and mud was left in its wake, covering most of the ma chinery on the first floor and causing the loss of thousands of dollars, only the stoutest heart could have had the courage to try to recover anything from the damage and re-establish the mill operations. Again at the end of the World War the Government on one day notice cancelled every order for blankets when every loom in the mill was making army blankets, and at a time when our warehouses were loaded with high-priced wool to fill j those contracts. We had borrow ed huge amounts of money to pay for the wool. The day after the Armistice the values of our wool declined from $1.10 per pound to 50 cents. The purchasers of our notes demanded payment. Be cause of slowness of the govern ment to adjust contracts, it was only because of Mr. Chatham’s courage and the respect he had among his business associates that financial embarrassment for our company was prevented. I am certain we all realize that the splendid mills we have at Elkin and Winston-Salem, and our position in the blanket in dustry are due to Mr. H. G. Chat ham’s foresight and his son’s ability to carry his plans to frui tion. Hugh Chatham Was Statesman (Continued From Page One) called “statesman”. No man was freer from such faults. He knew how to express his regard for any one he cared for, but he did this in such a way as never to appear effusive. Mr. Chatham’s public career, on a state-wide scale, really be gan in 1900 during the campaign which resulted in the election of Charles B. Aycock as governor. During this campaign Mr. Chat ham’s ability as an organizer and as a leader of his organization was recognized by the new Gov-1 ernor and by the older statesmen whose keen eyes and ears were continually searching for just such ability. Mr. Chatham’s in tense interest in the election and administration of Governor Ay cock was caused not only by his desire to see his state freed from the mis-rule of Dan Russell and his multi-colored regiment of of fice-holders, but his great sym pathy for and with Aycock’s promise to give every child with in the boundaries of North Caro lina an opportunity to get an edu cation, and whose purpose was to assist in the uplift of all the people of North Carolina, both white and black, through the power of this universal medium. As a result of the able efforts of such men as Mr. Chatham Russellism was overthrown, and the little red schoolhouse made its appearance within the reach of every child in the state. Mr. Chatham was pressed to accept some political appointment in recognition of his services, but he steadfastly refused, stating that he had rather be a private in the ranks tlian to be under obliga tions to any organization other i than the woolen mill, of which he was president. He was finals ly prevailed upon to accept the presidency of the state owned North Carolina Railroad, which was the least “political” of any. Mr. Chatham’s ability and wis dom in State affairs becoming recognized more and more each year, he was in 1907 made chair man of the State Democratic Ex ecutive Committee, and through his tireless energy and faithful ness to duty directed the perfec tion Of a state-wide organization that could not be defeated. At about this time Mr. Chatham moved from Elkin to Winston- Salem, where his company had built another blanket factory, and his popularity as an adviser or “consulting engineer” on public and political subjects increased rapidly. He firmly but good- naturedly rejected many proposals to allow his name to be used as a candidate for any political of fice, but in 1913, while he was spending a few days at his sum mer home at Roaring Gap, he was drafted as nominee for the State Senate and served as Senator from Forsyth for two years, was made Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of oth er important committees. Dur ing the World War Mr. Chat ham’s ability as an organizer was recognized by the Wilson admin istration and he was made a member of the Council of Na tional Defense. Hugh Chatham was esteemed for his honesty, his fine common sense and practical wisdom, and for his great strength of charac ter, and it was because of these qualities that Senators and Gov ernors, the high and the lowly, white and colored came to him or called upos him for advice or assistance, and no man, woman or child went away empty-handed. In his passing the Nation, the State and we who so frequently asked of him some favor or ad vice lost a great statesman and a trusted friend. ^oci ETY Weddings Wriglit-Ti'lplett Of particular interest to friends of the contracting par ties is the announcement of the wedding of Miss Con stance Wright of Elkin to Ralph Triplett of Jonesville. The marriage was solemnized at the Methodist church in Independ ence, Virginia, Saturday, Octo ber 14, with Rev. R. A. Poole officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Madison of Elkin accompanied the young couple to Independ ence and witnessed the cere mony. The bride is tlie daughter of Walter Wright and the late Mrs. Mary Reynolds Wright. She was educated at Columbus Indus trial High School at Columbus, Georgia, where she formerly re sided. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Triplett of Jonesville and a graduate of El kin high school. Mr. and Mrs. Triplett will make their home for the present with Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Madi son. Hensley-rhillips Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hensley announce the marriage of their daughter. Prances, to Troy Phil lips, August 7, 1933, at Hills ville, Va., with Rev. R. H. She- waiters officiating. Mr. Phillips is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Phillips, who re side near East Bend. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips will make theii' home in Winston-Salem where they both hold responsible posi tions. Robertsoii-Norniaii Mr. and Mrs. Will Robertson, of Stokesdale, N. C., announce the marriage of their daughter, Ora, to Mr. Cecil Norman, of Winston-Salem, August 7th, at Hillsville, Va., with Rev. R. B- Showalters officiating. Mr. Norman is the son of Mi’’ and Mrs. L. C. Norman of the Mt. Tabor section. Mr. and MrS’ Norman will make their home with Mr. Norman’s parents, neaf Mt. Tabor. AVood-Hayes Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wood an' nounce the marriage of theii' daughter, Maude Memphis, to Mi' Doc Hayes, of Cycle, Saturday. Oct. 7th, at Independence, Va- with Rev. T. R. Windsor officia- ; ting. Mr. Hayes is the son of Mr. . and Mrs. John Hayes, of Cycle, and is a service station operatd" in Arlington. ( Mrs. Hayes is employed in the 1 Burling department of the ElkiH < ,mill. They will make their home in Jonesville, N. C. ('rescent I’lillathea Cla.ss ^ Kntertaiiied ' Mrs. Bertha Rhodes and Mis- ^ Mable Rhodes were joint host' t esses to the members of tli^ ^ Crescent Philathea class of tli^ ® Chatham Baptist church on TueS' day night, Oct. 17, 1933 at theif home on Liberty St. After ^ short business session games aii^ contests were enjoyed. Fiftee!’ ^ members answered to the ro!^ call. The meeting came to ^ close with the serving of delicioU- ^ refreshments to the members aii^ ^ guests. B C Mrs. Troy Phillips Honored Mrs. Granville Coe entertaine*^ at her home in West Salem oi’ Friday evening, October 20tl' (Continued On Page Four)