?
WATAUGA DEMOCRAT
J Published Every Thursday by
RIVERS PRINTING COMPANY
BOONS. NORTH CAROLINA
C. RIVERS, JR T....? Publisher
An Independent Weekly Newspaper
Established Is 1IM sad published for 49 yean by
the late Robert C. Riven, Sr.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
In Watauga
County
One Year 42.0$
Six Months l.frO
Eour Months 1-W)
Outside Wstauga
County
On* Year $2.50
Six Months 1.79
.Four Months ....... 1.19
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS
In requesting change of address, it is important to
mention the OLD, as well as the NEW address.
Entered at the postoffice at Boone, N. C., as
Second class mail matter, under ths act of Congress
?f March 3, 1879.
bull ot our government being the opinion of the
people, the very flrnt objective ahould be to keep that
right, ami were H left to me to decide whether we ahould
being th_
lie. the very flret objective ahould be to keep that
t. and were H left to rne to decide whether we as "
l a government without newapepera. or newapi
without government, I ahould not heaitate a moment to
mooaa the latter But I ahoiild mean that every man
tfioukl receive theee pepera and be capable ot reading
gwm." ? Thomaa Jefferson,
THURSDAY. APRIL 22, 1854
Speeding Convictions
Reach New Record
New speed control policies inaugurated
by the Highway Patrol and local enforcement
agencies are being credited with bringing
speeding convictions in North Carolina to a
new high in March.
For the month 5,948 motorists in Carolina
were hailed into court for speeding, an in
crease over the preceding month, it is re
vealed. ,
With the new radar equipment being em
ployed, and the fact that speeders are subject
to trial in Superior Courts rather than be
fore JPa, the first really effective deterrent to
high speed has been brought about in the
8tate.
The day has passed when a motorist may
wheel down -the road at 70 and 75 miles per
hour, without grave danger of being appre
hended, and there is a noticeable slowing
down of traffic since the campaign started.
Baptists In White
House; Error Cited
The State magazine say* onlwyne-frip
tist has been President of the coflfcry. , We
don't know whether Warren G. Harding or
Harry S. Truman is referred to, since our
book shows that both were members of the
Baptist Church.
Interestingly enough, one Congregation
alist, Calvin Coolidge, occupied the White
House, Garfield was the lone member of the
Disciples of Christ, while the Episcopalian
Church takes the top billing, and lists nine
of its members as having been President.
They are: Washington, Madison, Monroe, Wil
liam Henry Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, Pierce,
Arthur, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Hoover is the sole Quaker in the list of
top executives. There were four Methodists:
Polk, Johnson, Grant, McKinley; six Pres
byterians: Jackson, Buchanan, Cleveland,
Benjamin Harrison, Wilson, Eisenhower. Van
Buren and Theodore Roosevelt were allied
with Reformed Dutch, while John Adams,
John Quincy Adams, Filmore and Taft were
Unitarians.
Jefferson and Lincoln did not claim
church membership, but Jefferson leaned to
the Unitarian belief. Hayes attended the
Methodist Church but never joined.
Benefits Of REA
Shown In Tabulation
The North Carolina Rural Electrification
Authority states that Watauga county now
has 672.26 miles of rural electric lines in the
county, serving 3,305 consumers, or one-sixth
of the entire population of the county.
In the political discussions which have tak
en place around the social and economic re
forms of the past twenty years, the good,
clean, hard grain of progress has all too often
been left unnoticed by those who are wont
to ctir about in the chaff of political exped
iency.
The REA is a shining example of some
thing definite which has been done for the
country in general, and specifically for Wa
tauga county. Electricity has brought added
convenience to our rural people, doing away
with a lot of drudgery, and supplanting con
veniences and comforts undreamed of a few
years ago. The markets lor electric appli
ances and gadgets of every sort has been im
meuurably widened, contributing mightily
to tne economic well-being of the country.
The State REA report gives some figures
about appliances owned by members of the
Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corpora
tion, which serves Watauga and other coun
ties. Copied from the University News Let
ter, the report says* HI ^
"Questional rrs were mailed to 12,710
Blue Ridge consumer*. Based on the rcturp*
it is reported that 3, 179 consumer* have
co ({*? makers, 1,777 have electric heaters,
1,300 have eelctric freezera, 2,278 have elec
tric heating pads, 2,584 have electric mixers,
4,205 have clectric ranges, 3,192 have vacuum
cleaners, 3,480 have electric water pumps,
2 ?88 have television, 2.452 have waffle irons,
9.746 have electric washers, and 10,489 haw
electric refrigerators. In addition, there are
a good many rural customers with other elec
tric equipment, such as farm chore motors,
brooding machines, feed grinders, hay curers,
and many others. These figures will be
greatly augmented when those who expect to
buy will have bought their equipment. For
instance, 1,300 have electric freezers and 905
expect to buy; 2,988 have television and 1,
235 expect to buy; 3,192 have water heaters
and 845 expect to buy, and so on for the other
equipment."
STRETCH'S
SKETCHES
by
"STRETCH" ROLLINS
It's A Great Game
The biennial season of "pointing with pride"
by the incumbents, "viewing with alarm" by the
challenger*, and "looking at the record" (but not
too closely, please) is upon u* once more, as many
public office holder* prepare to defend their title*
in the political arena.
Between now and primary time (which in
most case* marks the end of the season for this
state) contestants will woo the populace via the
air lanes, the newspapers, posters, handbills, and
in person, in an all-out effort to gain the decision.
It's the season when a politician is not so
interested in what the voters stand for as in what
they'll fall for. And incidentally, the seemingly
forthright statement, "I'm running on my record,"
by an office holder seeking reelection, doesn't al
ways nor necessarily carry a* much weight as he
would like u* to believe. After all, what else
has he got to run on?
Reminiscent of the baby-kissing, back-slap
ping, hand-shaking politician of yesteryear is a
piece by the late Will Rogers, published in May,
1920, and containing the lament of a candidate for
governor of Rogers' home state, Oklahoma:
"I kissed 6,000 babies, helped 43 voters thresh
wheat, shook hands with everybody in the state,
amokad 8,000 sacks of Bull Durham, cut 22 cords
of wood, helped brand 8,000 calves, sprayed 4,000
of them, was sprinkled eight times in Methodist
churches, totally immersed in cold water In muddy
creeks three times by the Baptists, went to con
fession in every Catholic town, paid dues to elev
en synagogues, joined the Holy-Rollers, listened
to 800 Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary speeches, bought
a sheet and pillowcase in every Ku Klux Klan In
the state ? and then I was defeated I"
Then there was the Senator, who, when asked
if he thought he influenced public opinion, replied:
"No, public opinion is like a mule I once owned.
In order to keep up the appearance of being the
driver, 1 had to watch where he was going and
follow closely."
It's a great game, is politics. Requires skill,
stamina, and above all, a thick hide. But every
body can play.
Our Early Files
Sixty Years Ago
Ilmu (rem the Democrat of April II. 1H4.
J. C. Horton is spoken of as a suitable man for
the Legislature, also the names of Sheriff Baird,
A. J. Fletcher and others are mentioned.
United States Commissioner W. L. Bryan,
Deputy Collector R. L. Councill and Deputy Mar
. shal Colvard are attending Federal court in States
vilie this week.
Benjamin Green of Blowing Rock, haf prov
en hlmaelf the champion fox hunter of the coun
try. He writes that he killed six red foxes last
Monday.
There will be an important meeting of the
stockholders of the Boone and Blowing Rock
turnpike company held in Boone Saturday the
21st inst.
Democratic absenteeism continues and it is
shameful for members of Congress to act in such
a way. Their constituents ought and will retire
them to private life.
It is sad news to us all to hear of the death of
Senator Vance. Perhaps no man was so beloved
by the people of North Carolina as was Zebulon
Baird Vance. Judge Armfirld is the man the
Western part of the State would be pleased with
as Senator Vance's successor.
Thirty-Nine Year* Ago
April 22. 1915. *
Mr and Mrs. Yancey Moore of Lenoir, were
guesta at the Critcher house Monday night. Mr.
Moore i* one of the owners of the Blowing Rock
Automobile Line.
Mr. David R. Shearer has surveyed and lo
cated the Une for the electric plant at the A. T. S.
Cards will soon be out announcing contracts.
Those wishing electric lights in tjieir homes and
business places can have them.
Mr. A. E. Ham by and Miss Mildred Critcher
of New River, were married at the Blair Hotel
Sunday afternoon, Prof. Downum officiating.
The marriage of Mr. Jack Johnson and Miss
Hat tie Swift on Thursday the 18th came as a
surprise to their many friends. They were united
in marriage tgr the Rev. Mr. Walters. . . .
Never before in the history of Char let t* has
the city been stirred so profoundly and univers
ally as by the death of Mrs. Stonewall Jackson.
She was the city's most cherished citizen, and no
occasion was complete without her benign pret
ence.
Miss Cora Pearl Jeffcoat announces the engagement of Lois Virginia
Townsend of BOone, North Carolina, to A-lc Bobby Joe McSwain
of Shelby, North Carolina. A summer wedding is being planned.
? Photo Palmer's Photo Shop.
Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Miller of Deep G?p announce the engagement of
their daughter, Sara Elizabeth, to, A-3c Guy W. Hunt, Jr., son of
Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Hunt of Boone. The wedding will be an event
of June. ? Photo Palmer's Photo Shop.
Birthday Dinner
All the sons and daughters of
Finley P. Hodges met at his home
Sunday, April 11, for a surprise
birthday dinner. All were pres
ent, except one son, Robert D.,
who is a student at State Col
lege.
Those present were: Mr. and
f
Mrs. Howard Wilfong and chil
dren, Gay, Barbara and Randy,
of Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. Bill
Dixon, Linda and Beth, Boone;
Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Hodges
and son, Leon, Boone; Mr. and
Mrs. Burkett Younce, Route 2,
Boone.
TRADE AT HOME
-I
E. KING ST - BLOWING ROCK ROAD
>
'? - ? ? V '
DRIVE IN TODAY FOR A
Spring Check-Up
It's time for us to look your car over,
drain and refill with the proper oils,
lubricate, clean it up and get it ready
for a spring and summer of Smo-o-oth
driving!
TRIPLETT'S ?
Texaco Service
At Two Locations
Local Affaire
Dean and Mrs. J. D. Rankin
and Mr. C. J. Abemathy visited
relative* and friends in States
ville, Salisbury, and China Grove
on Sunday.
Visitors with Mr. and Mrs.
Charle* G. Hodges Sunday wore
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Clay and Wayne
of Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. Alton
Cooke of Cleveland. Ohio; Mr.
and Mrs. Cecil Hartley and
daughter, Jane, of Bristol, Tenn.;
Mr. J. D. Cooke of Boone; Mr.
and Mrs. Boyd Cooke and son,
Bobby, of Perkinsville; and Mr.
and Mrs. Bill Dixon and daugh
ters, Linda and Beth.
Children and grandchildren
spending Easter with their par
ents, Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Cooke,
were Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Hartley
and daughter, Jane, Bristol,
Tenn.; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Clay
and sons, Wayne and Joe, Char
lotte; Mr. and Mrs. Alton Cooke,
Cleveland, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs.
Boyd Cooke and son. Bobby, Mr.
and Mrs. J. D. Cooke, Boone
Others calling during the day
were Mr. and Mrs. Finley Hodges,
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dixon and
daughters, Linda and Beth, and
Mrs. C. L. Hodges.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph M. Greer
and Mrs. Ina Hon, sister of Mrs.
Greer, of San Bernardino, Calif,
arrived here Sunday for a visit
with Mr. Greer's mother, Mrs.
Polly Greer and other relatives.
Others visiting in the Greer home
recently were Mrs. John Adams,
Mrs. Arthur Adams and son,
Johnny, and Miss Mae Younce,
Kingsport, Tenn.; Mrs. Earl Mad
ron and daughter, Helen, Neva,
Tenn.; Mrs. Don Campbell, Mrs.
Freida Wilson and son, David,
Thomasville, N. C.; Mrs. Mona
Norris and Mrs: Ivan Farthing of
Beaver Dam; and Mrs. Alice
Greer of Zionville.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Sur
rey announce the birth of a
daughter, Elizabeth Jane," at the
Watauga Hospital April 14.
BOONE DRUG CO.
Your Prescription Store
PROMPT SERVICE
Three Registered Pharmacists!
G. K. Moose, W. R. Richardaon,
O. K. RlchardMB
Store Hours: 8 JO A. M. to
9:10 P. M.
Sundays: *00 P. M. to ? P. M
" Needed after Store Hour*.
Dial AM 4-3819 or AM 4-3959
Tha REXALL Store
HOW TO Mum SKIN ITCH.
IN II MINUTKS,
U m?t plmmtmd. yaur 46c tack at Mr
4m g store. ITCH-MENOT tas mil4
????ttatic tm mm Itch tm ainatMj taa
karatslrtk. sstiMptU actiss ttat
.loucta .(/ Mtsr Mm tm U1 CERMS
AND rtmcus ON CONTACT. Tbmm far
rciMt, rlB|WM, fMt Itch, attar s?r
lact ruW T#ds? at
Boon* Drug Co.
Complete Line oi
STAR BRAND
All Leather
SHOES
FOB EVEBY MEMBEB
OF THE FAMILY
? HUNT'S
DEPT. STOBE
Boone, N. C.
We Present a New Agent
W. M. (BILL) WILSON
K?s b??n mddmd to tht Farm Bumw insurant*
ag?ncy fore* in this ar?a. H* is pr*par*?i t*
h*lp you with ail your imvianc# n?dt.
Mr. W. M. (Bill) Wilton
Telephone AM 4-8642
404 W. King Siree'i
fan
fH
%u*eAd>
lit* Insurance Co.
Mutual Fir* Insuraftc* Co.
Mutual Automobil* Insurant* Co.
How* OWc? ? Coiunbvi, OHio
LOW
-for bigger
savings/
/
Despite the highest values in history,
Dodge trucks are Sill priced with the
very lowest! And look at all of these
advantages: Lower loading heights .
Most comfortable cabs . Best visi
bility of any truck . Sharpest turning
of all % Widest power choice, new
V-8's and famous 6's. It all adds up
to a better deal . . . come in for a test
drive and see for yourself.
^o6-RatedL*TRUCK8
O minutes behind the wheel will ) ,
pn*t Mie tracks i tetter full j S" "
BROWN & GRAHAM MOTOR CO. INC.
IIS E. Main Street ? Boom. N. C.
You've had a chance to size up the 1954 automobiles.
You've read about, heard about all the claims for economy,
performance, acceleration, endurance, roominess and ride.
Now you're set to compare the facts, weigh the record.
New '54 DODGE
Clinches What it Claims!
Hw?'s the Rtcord No, Other Car Cm Match
DODGE
tm tan* NCH ? Wfcto I'MtM'KII . ?
Brown & Graham Motor Co. Inc.
E. KINp STREET BOONE.N.C.
Dodge backs up promise with proof!
You get outstanding economy, proved
In the Mobilgas Economy Run.
Jou get record-breaking performance
proved on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
You get history-making endurance
provefl in the most grueling official AAA
teeta.
If yon like proved value, come see how
much more Dodge offers.
DEPENDABLE '54