New Bern Public Library
The NEW BERN
ISHED WEEKLY
Per V..
VOLUME 6
NEW BERN, N. C., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1963
NUMBER 30
Brethren of the Baptist flock
have been known to kid us Meth
odists about the lack of emotion
alism displayed In our
churches, especially when
there’s a revival going on.
As the son of a First Bap
tist deacon, we would be the
last to deny that those of us
numbered among the sprinkled
do show less fervor in the
church house. Not only when it
comes to the congregation, but
In the pulpit as well.
Quite a few years back, how
ever, a Methodist minister did
get excited. It happened down
at Belgrade, and caused the
Rev. P. C. Yelverton, a 23 year
old pastor, to run 45 minutes
late with his Sunday morning
sermon. Under the circum
stances, nobody blamed him.
As a matter of fact, every
body In the congregation re
mained wide awake until the
final hymn and benediction. Such
alertness stemmed not only
from the youthful parson’s
message but from the compet
ing activity of an uninvited vis
itor.
All set to give lorth with a
serving of the gospel, the
minister discovered that he was
sharing his pulpit with a snake.
It was no time for dignity, even
in a place of worship.
The Rev. Mr. Yelverton beat
a hasty retreat up the aisle,
spreading the alarm as he went.
Needless to say, the church
piariist and the choir shared his
apprehension over this sudden
turn of events.
To make matters worse, the
snake had done a disappearing
act by the time all hands had
recovered their equilibrium,
and set about the business of
eliminating his u.nwanted pres
ence.
Finally located, the snake was
killed and carted out, and the
preacher delivered his sermon.
Ordinarily, youth is regarded
as something of a handicap by
most ministers, but in this in
stance, when speed was a dis
tinct advantage, the Rev. Yel
verton had cause to be thankful
for his tender years.
While we’re on the subject of
unusual occurrences, Bobby
Prescott, a local teenager fig
ured in one last Saturday. The
previous night, at Greenville, he
had contributed all of his 130
pounds of spunk to the victory
of the New Bern High school
Bears over a favored Phantom
eleven.
Next morning he was in a
happy frame of mind when iie
went on a deer hunt with Clyde
Swindell and William Euwards.
Little did he suspect what was in
store for him before he got back
to town. But for the fact that be
is known to be even more truth
ful than George Washington wa.s
as a boy, his experience would
be hard to belie .e.
A considerable distan.;e Irorn
the other two youths, !.e spied
a deer with a full set ol ant
lers. Just as he raised his gun
to draw a bead on the i.lg
buck, he heard a noise l.ehind
him. Before he could tur.i.
something crashed i.nio hns
back, aiid the gun flew ft on; .,i.s
hands.
The something was a smaller
buck. Bobr.y, making the most of
his footi.all experience, made a
flying tackle and thelwooMbern
had a terrific battle tlien a.:d
there. Somehow, in the uf)-
heaval, the slender youngster
managed to reach tiis gun aial
(Continued on Page 2)
CRAVEN COUNTY’S BEST—A dozen years ago, Jas
per High School produced a girls basketball team that
crushed opponents like a steam roller. Members of the
all conquering sextet, several of whom live in New
Bern, will be surprised to see their likeness in this
vveek’s issue of the Mirror. You should have no trouble
finding familiar faces in a group beyond compare.
OCT OF THE FAST—Pictured in this rare, 58-year-old
photo of New Bern’s town football team — reading
left to right—are Don Hanks, right end; Ralph Hunt
er Smith, fullback; Bill Hoover, right guard; Nelson
Angell, quarterback; Isaac Hughes, left tackle; Lyle
Smith, sub; Tom Daniels, coach; Roy Edgerton, left
guard; Carl Taylor, right halfback; John Watson, cen
ter; Ernest Lupton, left halfback; Leslie Jacobs, left
end and John Lupton, right tackle.