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AMERICAN RED CROSS WAR FUND DRIVE OPENS WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 1,1944
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Johnstonian-Sun
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VOL. 27
SELMA, N. C., THURSDAY, THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 1944.
NUMBER 9
CANDIDATE?
MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION
Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York is considered
one of the great political enigmas of the century. Whether
he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for
president has the best political minds baffled. Governor
Dewey is shown as pictured in the March issue of Cosmopol
itan magazine, accompanied by Mrs. Dewey.
BLAST CLAIMS ARE HEARD
BY CONGRESSIONAL GROUP
Attorneys E. G. Hobbs and William
I. Godwin of Selma, Judge Larry F.
Wood and 0. L. Duncan of Smithfield,
and N. W. Outlaw of Goldsboro, at
tended a hearing before a House sub
committee on claims in Washington
last Thursday and presented argu
ments for the payment of claims filed
by residents of this community as
the result of the munitions truck ex
plosion near Selma on March 7, 1942.
With Judge Wood as chief spokes
man, this group presented arguments 1
in behalf of more than 150 claimants.
Damages are sought to cover person-
el injury and property damage.
The explosion, occurring at the
intersection of Highways 301 and 70,
leveled several buildings, damaged
many others, killed seven persons and
injured more than 60.
The original bill introduced into
Congress by Congressman Cooley and
Senator Bailey called for federal pay
ment of claims totaling $187,723. The
measure was based upon the report
of a three-member commission ap
pointed by Governor Broughton to
study the claims of personal and
property damages and arrive at rea
sonable figures.
After the bill was introduced, other
claims were filed with Cooley and
Bailey, bringing the total amount of
claims to around $200,000.
The war department recently sub
mitted an unfavorable report op the
measure, holding that the explosion
was not the result of any negligence
on the part of any officer or employee
of the war department. The depart
ment, however, did not recommend
that the bill be killed, but stated that
“whether or not relief should be
granted is a matter of grace solely
within the discretion of the legisla
tive branch of the government.”
The delegation appearing before
the House group Thursday did not
contend that it was a legal duty of
the government to pay the claims,
but insisted that there was a moral
obligation involved.
On their return from Washingten,
members of-the delegation said they
were encouraged over the prospect
of getting favorable action on the
bill.
“The three members of the sub
committee— Representatives Murphy
of Pennsylvania, Jennings of Tennes
see and Patton of Texas—gave at
tentive ears to our presentation of
the case,” commented Judge Wood,
who made the principal speech before
the committee. The other members of
the delegation made brief remarks
after Judge Wood had outlined the
basis of the claims.
Religious Leaders Hold
Important Meeting Here
A meeting of Selma ministers and
held at the Selma Mill Chapel on last
Sunday afternoon, at which time re
ports were heard from the different
churches and Sunday schools relative
to church and Sunday school attend
ance.
Rev. D. M. Clemmons made a re
port on church attendance at the
First Baptist church on Sunday
morning, and Roy A. Driver made a
report on Sunday school attendance.
Rev. Geo. W. Blount made, a report
on church attendance at the Method
ist church on Sunday morning, and
Bill Thad Woodard made a report on
Sunday school attendance. -
Rev. E. H. Babb made a report on
church and Sunday school attendance
at the Church of God located near the
Good Will Club.
M. L. Stancil made a report on at
tendance at the Selma Presbyterian
Sunday, school. There was no preach
ing services at this church on that
date.
Rev. W. H. Watson made a report
on Sunday school attendance at the
First Free Wilt Baptist church of
Selma. No preaching services were
held at this church on that date.
JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB TO
MEET FEBRUARY 29
The Junior Woman’s club will hold
its regular meeting on Tuesday ev
ening, February 29, at 8 o’clock^ at
the Woman’s club building. New of
ficers will be elected. All members
are urged to attend.
Romie Daughtry made a report on
Sunday sdiool attendance at the new
Free Will Baptist church. No preach
ing services held at this. church on
that date.
This was the first time these church
and Sunday school leaders have held
a meeting of this kind, and the re
ports and discussions were very in
teresting. It was generally agreed
that there is a sad lack of attendance
at preaching and Sunday school at
most churches these days, and Selma
seems to be no exception to the rule.
It being cold and rainy during the
church and Sunday school hours last
Sunday, naturally caused the reports
to come in more discouraging than
they would normally have been. The
highest reported at any Sunday
school last Sunday was at the Church
of God, of which Rev. E. H. Babb is
pastor. Mr. Babb reported around
110 present at his church for Sunday
school. .
The second high was the First Free
Will Baptist with around 100 pres
ent. W. H. Watson is superintendent.
Such reports as these, coming in
from our sub-urban churches on a
cold rainy morning should certainly
make we “city” folks sit up and
take notice.
Sam Jones reported for the Sunday
school at the Mill Chapel. He also
presided over the meeting, for which
he was largely responsible.
Another such meeting is planned
some time later in the spring.
WHEREAS, the war in every part of the world is in its
most critical stage requiring every ounce of human endeavor
possible on the part of those on the home front; and
WHEREAS, the young men of this city are fighting and
dying on far-flung battlefronts — from Europe to the islands
of the Far East, both on land, on the seas and in the air; and
WHEREAS, it is not only the privilege, but the duty as
well, of every American to serve the Cause of Humanity to
as great an extent as possible, and in every way possible; and
WHEREAS, it is our common aim to contribute to the
welfare of our sons and daughters in the armed forces, where-
ever they may be, even to the point of sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, we must also protect our families remaining
at home in the event of any man-made, or natural disaster,
which mav strike without warning; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross is serving our fight
ing men the world over, bringing them the comfort and cheer
that we ourselves would like to give them, and at the same
time is prepared here in our community to aid us in the event
of disaster;
NOW, therefore, I, B. A. Henry, Mayor of the Town of
Selma, in accordance with the proclamation of the President
of the United States, naming March as American Red Cross
Month, do here and now call upon the citizens of this town
to support the 1944 Red Cross War Fund, to the limit of their
ability, by contributing to the Red Cross through our own
local chapter or its branches; and I further urge that the
citizens of this Town with the knowledge that the Red Cross
must carry a greater burden this year than ever before in
its history, make their gifts larger than heretofore to enable
the Red Cross to meet every demand placed upon it.
Done this the 22nd day of February in the year One
Thousand Nine Hundred Forty Four in the Town of Selma,
North Carolina.
(Signed) B. A. HENRY, Mayor.
Two Killed In Highway
Accident Near Benson
J. Dan Young and Primroe
Webb Meet Instant Death and
Mancy Beasley Was Injured
When Struck by Car Driven
By H. M. Johnson of Roanoke
Rapids While Walking Along
Highway Near Benson.
J. Dan Young and Primroe Webb,
residents of Route 2, Benson, both of
whom w^ere about , 60 years , of age,
were instantly kilfedl' and Mancy
Beasley, also of Benson, Route 2,
was injured Saturday night about
7:45 while walking on the left side of
Highway 50 about half a mile east
of Benson when struck by a car driv
en by H. M. Johnson of Roanoke Rap
ids, who is a former resident of
Meadow township.
Following an investigation by H.
C. Bobbit, highway patrolman. Con
stable Brad McLamb and Deputy
Sheriff Monroe Parker, a warrant was
issued charging Johnson with care
less and reckless driving and man
slaughter. A quantity of bootleg liq
uor was found in the car of Johnson
who was traveling alone at the time
and going toward Benson. He was al
so charged in the warrant with trans
portation of illegal whiskey.
A preliminary hearing was sched
uled for Tuesday of this week, but
we have not learned what disposition
was made of the case.
Johnson told officers that he was
blinded by an oncoming car and did
not see the men in time to avoid hit
ting them.
Beasley said he was not aware
that another car was anywhere near
the scene of the accident. He told the
investigators that he and his two
companions were walking on the
shoulder and entirely clear of the
paved portion of the highway.
Webb’s body was thrown against
a fence post and landed underneath
a barbed wire fence around 100 fe^t
from the point of impact. Patrolman
Bobbitt said. Young’s body was hurl
ed against a stump in a drain ditch
beside the highway.. The impact
threw Beasley across the ditch.
Johnson’s car was badly damaged
and could not be driven by its own
power, officers said. The right front i
fender was split open, the hood was
ii
Red^^ Jones Charged
With Criminal Assault
Charged With Assaulting Selma
Railway Detective With In
tent To Kill — Jones Was
Formerly A Member of the
Selma Police Force.
The grand jury returned a true bill
in Johnston County Superior court
last week charging former Policeman
D. J. (Red) Jones of Selma with as
saulting R. Britt with a blackjack oh
the night of January 22.
Britt, a resident of Selma, is em
ployed as a detective for the South
ern Railway. The indictment charges
Jones with assault with deadly wea
pon with intent to kill.
Jones, who left his job on the Sel
ma police force after the alleged as
sault upon Britt is reported to be
employed in Washington, D. C. A
capias for his arrest has been for
warded to Washington authorities.
Other true bills ];eturned last week
indicted the following:
Dewey Stephenson, charged with
embezzlement of $462.67 belonging to
Mrs. Ola Stephenson.
Melvin Boykin, charged with as
sault with deadly weapon with intent
to kill upon Pete Narron on January
Cleon Dupree, charged with lar
ceny of a mule belonging to W. M.
Benson.
Marine Pvt. David F. Jones of Sel
ma, has been attached to an Artillery
Battalion at the Quantico, Va., leath
erneck base as a student in the anti
aircraft school.
smashed and the radiator and other
parts were damaged.
Young is survived by his wife, the
former Miss Lillie Beasley, and a
son who is in the army stationed in
California. ,
Webb is survived by his wife, the
former Miss Sarah Beasley. They
had no children.
Joint funeral services for the ac
cident victims were held Sunday af
ternoon at Rose funer^ chapel in
Benson and burial took place in a
family cemetery' near Benson. The
rites were conducted by Elders Xure
Lee and Lester Lee.
MILLIONS OF HOMES TO
DISPLAY THE RED CROSS
SERVICE FLAG NEXT MONTH
Wigss Grocery Store
SuFFers Fire Damage
MAVIS B. JONES
Washington, D. C. — Millions of
homes throughout the United States
will display the American Red Cross
service flag in front windows again
this year signifying participation in
the 1944 Red Cross War Fund sched
uled to begin March 1.
Early indications are that some
three million men and women volun
teers of the Red Cross will partici
pate in the annual home-to-home can
vass for the $200,000,000 Fund needed
to carry forward the gigantic task of
the Red Cross throughout the world.
These workers, representing the
3756 chapters and 6084 branches of
the Red Cross, have spent weeks pre
paring for the 1944 Red Cross War
Fund, the most important war time
campaign in the organization’s his
tory. Each Volunteer will carry with
him credentials ittdicating his official
connection during the drive.
The familiar Red Cross lapel flag
also will find its place on many coats
this year. Scrap metal, of no value
for other purposes, was used in prep
aration of the flag. To the civilian it
will have an added significance—for
like the campaign bar worn by serv
icemen, it will mean participation in
America’s humanitarian war effort.
Red Cross officials said the can
vass this year would be thorough
and would extend from the major
cities of the nation to every smalL
community, no matter how isolated,
and to every rural home.
Raleigh, Feb. 23.—One of the 27
North Carolina girls in the most re
cent WAVES training class at fam
ed Hunter college. New York, and
who are joining to send , messages
back to their girl friends suggesting
they join up during the statewide
WAVES drive, February 21 to March
5, is attractive Miss Mavis B. Jones,
of RFD 2, Selma, N. C.
Miss Jones has expressed a keen
interest in the hospital corps while
at Hunter. She may get training in
that branch.
“The Waves are wonderful,” she
writes. “There are 21 different types
of jobs that the Navy has set aside
to be done by women as plans were
laid for the coming Pacific invasions.
These are exciting jobs, jobs that
will ‘Help Invade Japan.’ They in
volve travel throughout the United
States, and they are jobs in which
you work side by side-with the men
who man our fighting ships and
planes.
“Ninety-two thousand women are
needed by the end of this year to
man the jobs set aside for women to
do for the Navy. You can help win
the war and be trained in a good
post war job at the same time—and
get pay for it.
“See the WAVES recruiter during
this campaign and join us in showing
the Nation that North Carolina, the
state where the idea of women in the
Navy was born, can and will rally
to the Navy cause. Write ‘WAVESu
Raleigh, N. C.’ for additional infor
mation,” she suggested.
About one o’clock Sunday morning
the night policeman was attracted by
smoke in the Carolina Service &
Parts Company here, but upon closer
investigation it was found that the
fire was in the rear apartment of
Wiggs Grocery store which joins the
Carolina Auto Parts Co.
The smoke was so dense that fire
men were kept from entering the
building, and there was no way of
telling just where or to what extent
the fire was burning.
In order to keep the flames from
spreading it was decided that the
only way to keep the flames from
spreading was to turn the hose into
the store building, and by so doing
the flames were soon gotten under
control, but in doing so the large
stock of goods carried by this enter
prising concern suffered heavy dam
age from smoke, was considerable.
The fire is believed to have origi
nated from a hot motor or a defective
wire in the rear of the store where
the heavy groceries were stored,
which was damaged by fire to a much
greater extent than any part of the
store.
The ^grocery is operated by T. 0.
Wiggs of Pine Level and his son,
Vernon Wiggs, who lives in Selma.
The damage was estimated at ap
proximately $4,000, covered by insur
ance.
Dedication Services At
Selma Methodist Church
Selma Kiwanians Hear
Chairman H. V. Gaskill
Program Chairman Howard V.
Gaskill, who is also chairman of the
Red Cross drive in Johnston county
which is scheduled to begin on March
1, was the principal speaker at the
weekly meeting of the Selma Kiwanis
club on last Thursday evening.
Chairman Gaskill said he felt con
fident the people of Johnston county
would measure up to their former
records in subscribing the full coun
ty quota for the Red Crpss during
the month of March this year, al
though it is the largest it has been
in recent years, if not the largest
ever.
Mr. Gaskill told how, where and
when the Red Cross was founded and
visualized its growth and usefulness
from that time up till the present.
His address was pointed with out
standing achievements of the Red
Cross, both in peace time and in war,
and especially stressed the work it is
doing at this time, at home and on
the foreign battlefields.
H. H. Lowry Returns
From Rex Hospital
“The Red Cross wishes to give
every American, regardless of where
he is located, the opportunity of con
tributing to the cause of humanity,”
Chairman Davis declared. “We do
not .need to tell Americans how im
portant these contribctions will be.’L
H. H. Lowry, the Advertising Man
ager and Maindrag Editor of The
Johnstonian-Sun, returned from Rex
Hospital, Raleigh, Saturday where
he spent about three weeks undergo
ing treatment for a stomach ailment.
Mr. Lowry is back on the job with
The Sun again this week, although
he does not claim the strength of
a Sampson. But he does appear to
be staging a comeback, having made
a gain of 5 pounds in weight while
in the hospital. ^
Mr. Lowry says is is very glad to
be back on the Maindrag again, but
that he does greatly miss the tender
care and watchfulness of those pret
ty nurses at the hospital, whom he
declares are about the finest set of
nurses he has ever seen.
At the altars of the Selma Metho
dist Church next week, members will
pledge rededication of “self, service
and substance” to the wartime tasks
and opportunities of Christians, as
the culminating feature of the de
nomination’s nation-wide second an
nual Week of Dedication, February
27 to March 5, it was announced to
day by the Rev. Geo. W. Blount, pas
tor of the church.
Nearly 8,000,000 Methodists will
take part in the observance in 42,000
churches, where they will “renew
their covenant with God and give of
their substance to building His king
dom in the hearts and lives of men,”
states Bishop Paul B. Kern of Nash
ville, Tenn., chairman of the national
Committee for the Week of Dedica
tion.
“A world at its worst calls for a
church at its best” is the general
theme for the entire week. Daily ser
vices will emphasize the place of, the
Church in the present world emer
gency as related to the home, the
community, “the world task,” and
“its source of power.”
Methodism’s “mobilization of its
spiritual resources” will culminate on
Sunday, March 5, when men, women
and children will make personal com
mitments of dedication ahd contribute
to a sacrificial, voluntary offering.
The Rev. Grover C. Emmons of Nash
ville, executive secretary of the Com
mittee for the Week of Dedication,
states that the offering will be used
to carry on war emergency projects,
including the following:
Expansion of missionary work in
Latin America, aid to missionaries in
invaded countries, spiritual ministry
to members of the armed services,
relief for war refugees, new buildings
and' workers for Christian services
to “dislocated” families in war indus
try communities, and special aid to
Methodist schools. None of these pro
jects are provided for in the regular
church budget.
“The Church stands in the midst of
a world surrounded by perils and full
of possibilities,” declared Mr. Blount.
“Christian people are backing the
boys and girls on the fighting fronts,
promising to work, pray and plan for
a peaceful and neighborly world iii
■which all peoples may live as bro
thers. Methodism’s Week of Dedica
tion gives our people their opportuni
ty to rededicate themselves to this
cause, spiritually and financially.”
Special services during the Week
of Dedication will be held in the
Selma Methodist Church as follows:
Wednesday night March 1, and Fri
day night March 3, at 8 o’clock.
Jean Davis Appears
On WCUNC Program
Raleigh, February 18.—Two Mere
dith College students and three facul
ty members will have their composi
tions presented at the Creative Arts
Forum at WCUNC in Greensboro this
week.
Jean Davis, of Selma, will be one
of the eleven students appearing on
the program.
Gray Capps, of the USN, who has
been visiting his mother, Mrs. Mary
Capps, who is ill in a Goldsboro hos
pital, lefr Wednesday for Boston.
Thousands of tons of the new cab
bage crop will be dehydrated this
spring. The armed forces yrill take
about 6 million pounds and about %
chiefly Russia.
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