PI
SEKIHIB
f-LII FE
Rsltiph, N. C.?A I?Jid of "mi
and honey," where corn and potatoc
hurley tobacco and wlute-face steej
beans and cabbages, fruits, ssss
all kinds and folios grow and "ripei
to a high degree of perfection . .
Watauga's Cove Creek section,
course!
Depression < 1 ays knocked the pro]
from under tin)
i 1 who "spin at
I weave" in factoi
towns "down t h
J tSSL
{' ma L'jiiiiLt _y . . . 4iii
_ SHy nipulators of i
*& Vs- nance turned gTe<
f / V A; about the g i.1 il
W*> &|j threw up hands a
i 4 customed to the fe
Anflft'C ^Kgj and .vent on reli
^#^88 pieces, and men
B&v frail moral co
struction shot ther
selves. But not so with these har<
Cove Creekers?they could take it
Cove Creek farm lands had yiel
ed bounteous harvests to succeedii
generations of thrifty farm familic
The soil, still prolific, was insensib
to economic change ... it await*
the plow and the hoc ... it cou
amply support those who curried i
favor. Cove Creek farmers, wi
sleeves above elbows, worked stea
ily cn. They refused to believe th
acres like their could be depreciat*
by panic.
Now it.develops that North Car
lina's most valuable farm lands 1
in ^Ve stern Watauga This atat
ment owes its parentage to Lie weld
Cockerham who, during fifteen yea
as legal counsel for Uic old Atlant
Joint Stock Land Bank, acquaint
himself with every nook and cram
of the state.
"Plant a stake In John Bingh
ham's front yard; attach thereto i
cord three miles long, draw 1
around the pole and the eircl
formed will encompass the higlics
priced farm lands to be found ii
Carolina" . . . these are Mr, Cock
erham's very words.
In explanation Mr. Cockerha
stated that during the post-war 6
f lation of the early twenties, and tl
history-nraking panic just recent
suffered, farms in the Cove Oroi
country seldom brought, under for
closure, less than $350 per acre. Re
ords of the Land Bank, he assun
the writer, will show no other se
tion with acreages regarded so hig
ly by buyers.
And so Cove Creek's fertile vallc
its coves and verdant uplands mo
to the head oi the class. The Skett
Man for a long time had wonder
where a comparable spot could
found?if at all.
* * *
Just a few short years ago conn
ty-seat gloo monsters freely pr<
dicvec tnai wataugd was selim
Itself out to the federal govern
rnent. Farm mortgages held b;
the Federal Laud Bank of Colum
bia on local acreages had reache
an aggregate figure of more ttia
?880,000. Not a chance to pa
such a huge indebtedness?that'
what the sons of woe thought, an
said. And now word cornea tha
Uncle Sam owns not one singl
acre of Watauga dirt . . . that ev
cry piece of "farm paper" is cux
rent . . . that Watauga borrower
ARE meeting their obligation'
Seems like this fact, if fact it b<
might merit an additional blue rill
bon, or gold medal, or something
* * *
THUMB-NAIL PORTRAITS
A stenographer sits in an offi
window across the street. A ti
mirror is held in her left hand; d<
fingers dab at lips and brows .
pat synthetic ringlets on milad?
nape. A smile, not too fetching,
directed at the mirror, and reflect
to milady. A touch of color is add
to sallow cheeks, and powder, t<
And the plain ateno is ready to me
some chap ?who. in all probabili
believes her to be more glamoro
than Gar bo.
Secretary of State Thad Eure, w
known to Watauga people, is H
leigh's No. 1 "it" man. Immacula
of dress, gracious of manner, t
Secretary is popular amongst me
folks . . . "adorable" to women,
young lady, one of those kind oc
stantly in the market for politic
patronage, paid a late-afternoon c
on the Secretary recently. Her t
pointment over, she and her mi
escort left the office, ODly to fi
that the Capitol's doors had be
locked. "Looks like we're shut-in:
said the gentleman, as he sought
watchman. "'Twouldn't be so ba<
opined the lady; "fact is, I could:
think of anything more enjoyable .
Mr. Eure's so sweet!"
f
Forune-teUing was being discuss
"Hie wife of a Ph.D. 'lowed as if
visit to Madame Palmist insulted t
intellect of the visitor. "But," a f
low inclined to belief in things sup
natural countered, "governors* a
senators and other political big-w;
seek the counsel of clairvoyant
With an off-3ide titter that carr
a trace of dirt, Mrs. Ph.D. right c
and said, "Why, my good friei
surely you'd not consider politicie
to be men of intellect?"
WA1
An 1
VOL. XLVIII, NO. 47
Scouts At Jaxnboree
i - ijp f
Washington, D. C.?Boy Scouts
^, greeted congressional leaders who
\a came to attend their Jamboree
J? breakfast at the capitol. More
tri than 25,000 Scouts from every
d~ state in the Union and 24 foreign
^ countries were present.
I B & L GATHERING
S AT MAYV1EW 23RD
rs
W. H. Gragg of Bocne Will
Vr' Serve on Entertainment Com?,*:**
? f? i ?? M?*:?
njiiiwv; ucaguc mccLiiig
? W. H. Gragg, of Boone, secretary
t of the Watauga Building & Coan ase
aociatiori, has been rrarried as a mertit
ber of the committee on entertain?
ment for the convention ,of the
North Carolina Building and 1/ian
League, which will be held at Mayview
Manor, Blowing Rock, June
m 23, 24 ar.d 25. It is stated that pere.
haps as many as three hundred dole-,
he gates .will attend the convention,
]y which is the second to be held at the
?k popular summer hostelry within the
last few years.
c. While a detailed program has not
ed been worked out for the convention,
c- it Is stated that the whole of Thurah
day afternoon, tlie 24th', is left open
for entertainment. A golf lournay,
ment will likely be. arranged, and a
re tea at Greystonc Castle has been
rh proposed. An automobile trip by
ed the delegates over the scenic road
be between Blowing Rock and LanviUc
will appeal to many of the guests.
Mr. Gragg and others of the com
nuttee who are most conveniently
located, will gather soon at the Mays'
view Manor and discuss the enterg
tainment plans with Mr. Craft, the
i- manager Shortly after that time a
v detailed program will be issued,
i- Gragg to Welcome Visitors
d Cater information is to the effect
n that W. H, Gragg will deliver the
y address of welcome, which wilt be
s responded to by ."Nick Mitchell, vice
1 president of the State Building and
* Loan League.
e The tentative program includes
addresses by Frederick Willets of
Wilmington; George W. Crone, deps
uty insurance commissioner, and R.
J. H. Gregory, of Rocky Mount, N. C.
b A number of others prominent in
>- building aud loan circles will speak
during the three days session, and a
complete round of entertainment
features is being worked out.
1 MANY STUDENTS
* ARE EXPECTED
ed
Summer Term at Appalachian
^ Begins Next Tuesday; Record
iy Attendance Anticipated
US
Likely no less than one thousand
teachers will converge upon the camell
pus at Appalachian College next
Tuesday at the opening of the first
te summer term, and it is freely prelie
dieted that the term will be one of
,n_ the most successful in the history of
A the institution.
,n_ large crews of .workmen have
;al been busy about the campus for the
au past several days, completing the
,p. new power plant, making alterations
jle and repairs on other buildings and
nj getting everything in ship-shape for
ftn the summer opening. Dormitories
5'? have been filled, it is stated, and a
'a list of private homes in town com1
>. piled, from which summer school
n''t. students may obtain suitable accommodations.
I
MISS ADAMS GRADUTES
ed AT MARS HILL, COLLEGE
a
he Mars Hill, May 30.?Miss Anne
el~ Adams, daughter of Mrs. Mollie Ader
ams, of ZionvUle, was graduated
hd from Mars Hill college on May 28.
'6^ The class of 1937 is the largest
s " group graduated in the history of the
ied college. One hundred and twenty
>ut diplomas were awarded to members
ad, of the senior class, eight, to acaduis
emy students, and four to expression
students.
AUG
Independent Weekly New
BOONE, WATAUGA COUfr
LOCAL HIGHWAY
OFFICE REMAINS
Councill Retained as District
Engineer; Division Office at
North Wilkesboro
At the conclusion of the two days'
session of the state highway and
public works commission in Raleigh
last week, it was revealed that Jas.
H. Councill, district engineer, would
; be retained in his present Boone ofjfice,
and that there would be no
change in the personnel of his engineering
rorce. At the same time
I it was determined that the division
I office would be located in North Wilkesboro.
t The highway commissioners notii
fied the hoard of county commissioners
in 100 counties that they would
be available on stated days to discuss
highway matters in the divisions under
the new setup. Each commissioner
set a monthly meeting at his
own convenience, with the exception
of the sixth division, which, was
withheld temporarily.
The divisional meetings, at which
delegations will appeal*, instead of
coming to Raleigh to present matters
to the whole commission, will
be:
First?At Winton on the second
Monday in each month.
Second?At Kinston on the Saturday
after the first Monday of each
month.
Third?At Burgaw or. the second
Saturday of the month.
Fourth?At Wilson on the second
Saturday.
Fifth?At Yanceyville on the second
Monday.
S ixth?U nannou nc ed.
Seventh?At Albemarle on the
Saturday after the first Monday.
Eighth?At Wilkesboro on the second
Monday.
Ninth?At Rutherfordton on the
second Monday.
Tenth?At Sylva on the second
Monday.
The notices said the commissioners
would be available on the designated
dates "between 10 and 3 until further
notice and that special meetings in
other parts of the divisions would be
j arranged from time to time.
SECURITY ACT WILL
jT* w*-*
jlUST COUNTY $6728
I
| Two Hundred and Twenty-four
Wataugans Are to Benefit
From Pension Legislation
Estimates released Saturday by
the state board of charities and public
welfare indicate that the social
security program will cost Watauga
county $6,728 during the fiscal year
starting July 1. One hundred and
nineteen persons are thought to be
eligible for pensions at a cost to the
county of $4,355. while 105 children
are to come in for aid at a local expenditure
of $2,375.
Preliminary estimates indicate
that the 100 counties of the state
must contribute $1,301,154 as social
~ .-J ~
A tots.! of 5801,154, Including a
$100,000 equalization fund made
available by the state will be for aid
to indigent and$500,000 for aid to
children.
The figures, the division said, indicated
the total cost of the first
year's social security program, exclusive
of aid to the blind, would be
about $5,104,616, as the state and
federal governments also make contributions.
It was estimated that 24,587 persons
65 years of age or older and
21,837 dependent children would
(Continued on page 8.)
RECALLS PURCHASE OF
FIRST PRINTING PRESS
Mr. Noah Winebarger, who called
on The Democrat the last of the
week, viewed the Washington hand
pres3, which was used for twentyfive
years in the publication of the
newspaper, ar.d recalled tile day,
back in 1888 when the cumbersome
machine was purchased in Hickory
Mr. Winebarger states that Deandci
Hartley and Adam Hodges hauled
the press to Boone in wagons, and
since there were no improved road;
at that time, delivery required several
days. The machine, which i;
one of the valued relics at The
Democrat office, weighs a b o u I
eirflteen -hlirwlrpri nnimrle -ar-H til*.
problem of moving' it by wagon
through axle-deep mud, was a grave
one. The old press was supplanted
by a small power press in 1913.
WILD FLOWERS ABOUND
DURING PRESENT WEEK
Visitors to Blowing Rock ami environs
during the coming week-end
will view the most gorgeous displaj
of mountain flora which has beer
noted for the past several years. The
rhododendron and other flowers are
i in full bloom and make a picture ol
' rare beauty. Those contemplating s
trip to the Rock should avail them
selves of the opportunity while the
forests are in such magnificent ble>seom.
A. DK
spaper?Establish 4r :\n the
ffisSff'
mr, NORTH CARU'. v, TKURSI
| Army$ New Mot
Scott field, HI.?After six mon1
department has decided to construct
They can travel 10 miles an hour ur
cliorcd to trucks, as shown here, thej
poses. The balloons are 100 feet Ion;
LAST SERVICE AT~|(
OLD MOUNT ZION
Lutheran Church Built 10 Years I (
Ago to Be Replaced by Modern
Structure
Forty years ago, on August 17, ;
1307, the late Rev. R. A. Yodor, D !
D., then president of Lenoir College, '
now I>?noir-Rhyne. preached the j ?
dedication sermon for Mount Zionj"
Lutheran church on Moat Camp, j
which had just been erected, and o? ; J'
which Rev. J. L. Dcaton, now re- j j"
tired and living at Lincolnton. was
pastor, and the late Caleb Wine- j f
barger was chairman of the building |
committee. ^
0
Last Sunday," May 30. the pastor, ,j
Rev. H. A. Ivistler. and Dr. \V. A. a
Deaton, former pastor, and a twin t
brother to Rev. J. L. Dcaton, conducted
the last service in old Mount
Zion church as it is soon to be torn
down so that a new building may be ; t
constructed at a more accessible and i c
suitable location. The church was ! $
r nilcft-'Stoday fo r the.-lasLscarviee.aadJ g
while everyone was glad to meet and s
I mingie wim menus ana relatives, ^
one could sense the feeling: of sad- t
i ness that prevailed, for in this t.
! chtirch imost of the older, and many t
of the younger, people present at- (
! tended services for many years, since c
j this was the first and only cnureh r
on upper Meat Camp for years. ^
There were about thirtv-fivc present t
who were there forty years ago for j
the dedication service. Dr. J. L. Dea- I
ton was unable to come but sent
greetings through his brother.
At the service Sunday, Dr. Deaton
talked of the historical and material
side, while Rev. Mr. Kistler
: talked of the spiritual side, each em- y
I phasizing the fact that in razing tlie
i old building in favor of a new church
building will be a step forward instead
of a step backward and, de.
spite the smallness of the congregation,
they hope by using some of <
the old material and co-operation, \
frocm friends and former members, 5
that they may soon, be in the new <
building.
Many Trout Are
Liberated in County!
.; Fifty thousand brook trout, of
j finger length, were released in the
! waters of North Fork, Aho and
! Beech Creek last week by Charles
' Smathers of the local fish hatchery,
i , and E. B. ilast, county game warI
den.
Mr. H. G. Farthing, district warj
den, states that it is the ambition of
Ins department to thoroughly stock
i with trout every suitable mountain
II stream during the present year. All j
j state hatcheries, he says, are now |
I filled with fish, preparatory to the i
largest scale stocking thus far at- j
tempted.
SURVEY OF SCHOOL BUS
ROUTES NOW GOING ON
Lloyd Griffin, secretary of the ;
state school commission, has employ- !
1 [ ed thirteen high school principals to 11
survey uu iin, scnooi dus ruuira ju ]
'\ North Carolina, and C. J. Scott, of
Norwood, is taking care of this work i
! in Watauga county during the pres- .
' ent week. 1
Mr. S. F. Horton, of Sugar Grove, ]
' another of the appointees, was in ;
Madison county last week and this
week is completing a bus route sur-!
vey of Caldwell county.
! BIBLE SCHOOLS AT THE
! MT. PLEASANT CHURCHES .
The annual daily vacation Bible
school will be conducted at old Mt. i
I Pleasant Lutheran church June 7-.18.
'\ The school will open Monday morn
II ing, June 7, at 9 o'clock.
A school will also be conducted at
ML Pleasant church on tire same i
date, beginning on Monday afterl
noou at 2 o'clock.
Rev. H. A. Kilstcr. pastor, exi
tends a cordial invitation to the pub
tic to attend each school. There will
be classes for all ages. I
... sis.viw liSiSo
MOC1
Year Eighteen Eighty-Ei
) A Y.JUNE 3, 1937
orized Balloon
Lhs of experimentation, the war
more of these motorized balloons,
nier their own power. When ait*
* can be used for observation purg
and cost .S&7.000 e;tch.
IEAPP DRIVE
WAS SUCCESSFUL
Citizens Co-operate in Effort to
Rid Town of Rubbish: Many
flogs Are Moved
Mayor Gragg states that clean-un
reek in Boone was marked by a high
egree of co-opt ration on the pari
f the citizenry and that an cnornous
amount of rubbish was htuiled
way from home sites, business
roperty arid vacant lots. However,
t is said that some few have not
s yet made their places prescntbic,
and officials insist that an ef
ui i ue nit .no uurmg tne remamccr
f the week to finish the clean-up
lefot-e the advent of the several hun[reds
of teachers who are expected
t the opening of the first summer
erm at Appalachian College.
Hog Ordinance Enforced
Mr. Gragg desires particularly to
xpress his appreciation and that, of
he 'own hoard for the help ,,f the
dtizens in enforcing the ordinance
Lgainst the rearing of hogs within
100 feet of a- residence. 33hemiWfOU
itates that most of tiie hog-owners
:ave willingly complied with the
own statute and have found quarers
for the swine at a legal dLsanee
from homes or business places.
Officials believe that tire spirit of
:o-operation shown in this respect
las been of t he most whole-hearted
aricty they have experienced.
CHAMBER HEARS
RECREATION TALK
IVPA Official Addresses Lunchon
Meeting Tuesday in Interest
of Recreational Project
Miss Elkins, county-wide director
>f the WPA recreational projects ap>eared
before a luncheon meeting of
he Chamber of Cotmmerce held at
lottrcH's Cafe Tuesday, and solicited
he co-operation of the organization
n her efforts to make the governnenta!
program of the greatest possible
benefit to the community and
sounty.
Miss Elkins stated that splendid
Physical equipment, is at hand for
ter work in this city ami that the
vorkers have plenty of talent for the
successful carrying out of the program.
They will receive thorough
raining in their respective lines of
sndeavor, and it is the purpose of the
tVPA to snake of the Boone recrealional
center something of a model
"or the district.
Athletics, art - and crafts are being
[aught, said A ss Elkins, who emphasized
the fact that adults ^ well
ts children are expected to participate
in the activities of the center.
Dramatic clubs, and other clubs are
o be established later
The board of directors of the
diamber have appointed a conunit:ee
composed of L,. T. Tatum, John
Jomvay and R. D. Hodges, whose
iuty it shall oe to pas3 upon all advretising
schemes presented to the
ousines3 men of the town in the future,
and either approve or disapprove
of their merit.
Secretary- Wade E. Brown stated
that the advertising folders would
ivould come from the press within
the next few days and that the publication
would be a most attractive
turd beneficial one.
PROSPEJCT AT MAY VIEW
SAID TO BE FLATTERING
Mr. Jack Craft, Jr.. assistant manager
of Mayvieiw Manor, one of the
most widely known hostelries o!
Blowing Rock, tells The Democrat
that indications are for a greatly
improved season on the mountain
top. The annex is now open, says
Mr. Craft, and reservations are coming
daily, -with the prospect that the
tourist season will reach its height
somewhat ear.ier than in formei
years. Publicity resulting from the
building of the scenic parkway anc
improved economic conditions combine
to make the tourist outlook th<
most favrable in years.
RAT
ght
$1.50 PER YEAR
POWER MERGER TO
GIVE AN ADEQUATE
CURRENT LOCALLY
New River Power Company and
Northwest Carolina Utilities
Connect Systems; Boone,
Blowing Rock and the County
to Be Adequately Served
The Northwest Carolina Utilities.
Inc., of Blowing Rock ana the New
River Light & Power company, of
Boone, have compieieu a cxm tract,
whereby the current generated by
the five power plants concerned may
be used simultaneously, thus giving
this area commercial current which
will be adequate under all circumstances.
The merger has been apj
proved by the s .to utilities coir,I
mission, and is the outgrowth of a
: plan on which officials of the two
i companies have been working1 for
! the past several months.
In approving the utilities contracts.
Mr. Stanley Winborne. state
utilities commissioner, made the following
statement:
"'This will acknowledge receipt of
your letter of the 18th. instant encloing,
and requesting the approval of,
a contract between the Northwest
Carolina Utilities, Inc.. and the New
River Bight & Power company, an
adjunct of the Appalachian State
Teachers College, whereby it is proposed
to build a three-phase. 6,900
j volt transmission line so as to coni
nect to the lines of the Northwest
Carolina Utilities, Inc., that of the
New River Light & Power company,
which on the face of contract appears
to be mutual and will greatly
enhance the electrical facilities of
both companies and may eventually
prove to be of inestimable benefit
to either company in case of drought
or breakdown.
""It is hereby authorized and or
dered thai the line be built in accordance
with the contract and as
stated in the foregoing it further
appears that the approval of the
contract and building of the line will
enhance the convenience to all customers
concerned.
"Therefore, the said contract is
approved as hereinbefore ordered."
The Northwest Carolina Utilities
Inc., has two power plants, a hydro
ptant on, Watauga. River, and &-Diesel
plaSJ. vr-&smg aSiSSTK The jftegf *,; j
River tight & Power company has
a hydro plant on New River and a
steam unit in Boone, and is now at
installing another large steam unit.
| By connecting the two systems there
; will be a total of five power plants
1 connected together. The total capacity
of the five pians is 1.806
horsepower and is sufficient to carry
the connected load of Watauga,
county for years to come, it i3 said.
The tie-in line to connect the two
systems will be metered and the
two companies will buy and sell from
each other as the occasion demands.
It is stated that they will pool their
facilities in order to guarantee their
customers more dependable and con-;.r,
v>,? ? I
miiuuuc vicv-wuu y itfg. *->y una jjkvxi.
should an accident occur to the plants
in either town, that town would not
suffer an interruption because service
could be supplied from the other
town.
Construction of the tie-in line has
already been started arid is expected
to be completed by the time the new
steam unit is put in operation in the
Boone plant, about July 1st.
Officials of the two companies
state that when an increased load
demands more capacity, they will install
further units as needed.
; Memorial Services
Are Well Attended
The memorial services conducted
by the veterans of the SpanishAmerican
War at the Rutherwood
fish hatchery last Sunday were attended
by something: like two hundred
veterans, members of their
families and the general public and
j the occasion was one of the most
j enjoyable thus far held, in the opinI
ion of Albert Watson, commander
i of the ^Jbrth Wilkoihrtm Mmn u*?_
'der whose auspices the annual event
j is held.
Rev. J. A. Yount, Boone Lutheran.
1 minister, delivered the impressive
| memorial address, while brief rcI
marks were made by Attorney Klutz.
I of Lenoir, who was a soldier on the
l fields of France.
I A bountiful picnic dinner was
spread on the grounds and was much
enjoyed by the assemblage.
Uncle Newt Banner, Federal soldier
in the Civil War, and Elihu Luther.
Confederate veteran, attended
the services as did John H. Norris
of Boone, who is the oldest citizen
of the town. Few World War vet1
orans were in attendance, due to the
fact that other memorial services
were being held by the American
; Legion at the same time.
; MEMORIAL DAY DEATH
l TOLL MORRE THAN 200
i ?
New York, May 31.?More than
i 200 persons died in accidents, most
: of them on holiday-crowded high"
ways, during the nation's three-day
: Memorial day vacation.
1 Texas, where Memorial and Deco
ration days are not observed gen5
crally, led the nation with 23 listed
violent deaths.