boose \A/A,Hn\ TT/^ A ' 1 Ann watauga county The educational center of Western North m/ m# / % I / % I I I I m/ 1 I ?? / % ? Farminf and touriit region. Fint in Carolina Carolina. ? T JLJLX jfl. VjjLjL lV/ V>^ XVjTjL X in .beep production. 1950 Population 2,?73 ^ An Independent Weekly Newspaper ? Established in the Year 1888 1M# p#Pn,*tion : : ? 4 ? . SIXTY-SIXTH YEAR.? NO. 49. BOONE, WATAUGA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1?54. , 14 PAGES? 2 SECTIONS SINGING SUNDAY ? The 30th Annual Singing on the Mountain will be held at the foot of Grand father Mountain near Linville next Sunday. Ted Malone, famous radio personality and author, top left, will be the /eatured speaker. The Singing was founded by J. L. Hartley of /Linville, top right, who at 83, is still the chairman. Seen at left is Lt. Governor Luther Hodges as he delivered the featured address last year. More thlan 30,000 took in the day long singing, preaching and family re union gathering last year. ' KING STREET BY ROB RIVERS NO FLAGS . . . MUCH Mrs. B. W. Stallings a few years ago conducted a campaign to put a flag in every place of business in the town, so that on special occasions Old Glory would flutter forth from every building along the street . . . Folks took to the notion with a good deal of enthuiiasm, and a lot of flags were bought, complete with staffs, and sidewalk receptacles, but, Mrs. Stallings points out, something has happened to them . . . She says she felt considerably "put out" when on flag day only two were in evidence ? the one at the postoffice, and the one at Stallings Store . . . Since the Fourth of July will soo'h be here, it is fitting that the folks look up the flags which no doubt have been carefully stored somewhere, and have them on display for In dependence Day . . . We can think of no time in the history of this comparatively young land when it's more important that the striped symbol of our system be caught J>y every zephyr that cools the community ? in summer time at least. OTHER DECORATIONS Incidentally torn* of the folks may ?*>W bar* lh? bunting which was purchased individu ally by business men. incident to the second presentation of 'Tchoes of the Blue Ridge" back in 1850 . . . We've lost track of ours, but if those who still have the colorful decora tions would bring them out it would make thingi look good for the Fourth, as well as other special occasions. i PEACH PIE TIME , Peaches are beginning to move in from the lowlands and peach pie, that summertime Southern delicacy is beginning to^show up . . . Whether the standard pie pan is used or the family pte or cob bler is made, peach pie is some thing special, whether or not it is doused with rich cream . . . Peaches used to grow in profus ion in these parts, believe it or not, and the dried fruit was to be found in country stores along with dehydrated apples . . . But the blight came, and the peaches went away . . . Last time we knew of any big yield of peaches was when Capt. Lo?ill planted an orchard above the old Lovill , home on the southern slope of the Pinnacle . . . Tlje Elbertas thrived, and the. peaches grew large and luscious and sweet. But after a few years the trees became stunted, failed to yield, and soon died ... We note the seedlings around over town where poacher were catch in oth er summers . . . The trees are thrifty ^intil about the time they should bear, and die for want of the proper spray or dust . . . Likewise, the day seems near when apples can't be grown with ( Continued on page seven) Mountain Sing Set For Sunday Watt Gragg Is Vice-President B. & L. League W. H. GRAGG Mr. W. H. Gragg of Boone, was elected vice-president of the North Carolina Savings and Loan League, at the annual convention held in Virginia Beach last week. Robert White of Burlington was named President. Mr. Gragg, who has been Sec retary of the Watauga Building & Loan Association for 31 years, will become president of the Lea gue next year. The League represents 176 as sociations with assets of $550,000, 000. Accompanying Mr. Gragg to Virginia Beach were H. Grady Farthing and C. M. Critcher, also directors of the Watauga Build ing and Loan. Joseph V. Fox Dies At Foscoe Joseph Virgil Fox, 54, died Thursday, June 17, at his home in the Foscoc community (Ban-* ner Elk, Route 1.) Funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Saturday, June 19, at the FOscoe Christian Church, con ducted by the Rev. S. E. Gragg. Rev. Hiram Letter assisted in the services. Burial was in the Fos coe Cemetery. He i& survived by his widow, Mrs. Bertha Lee Fox; a son, John Lee Fox, Banner Elk. Route I; four daughters, Mrs. Margaret Shipes, Charleston. S. C? Mr*. Creed Taylor, Miss Betty Sue Fox, and Miss Martha Helen Fox, all of Banner Elk, Route 1; three brothers, Robert Fox, Banner i Elk, Route 1, Paul Fox, Elizabeth ton, Tenn., and H&yden Fox, Oak Ridge, fenn.; four sifters, Mrs. Russell Teague, Boone, Mrs. A. V. Moody. Banner Elk, Royte 1, Mrs. Burgin Gragg. Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Mrs. Hugh Malone, Elizab;ethlon, Tenn.; and three grandchildren. 1 Ted Malone, w4ll known radio personality and author, will be the featured speaker at the 30th annual Singing on the Mountain near Linville June 27th. Chairman Joe Lee Hartley, the 83-year old ^founder" of the non denominational mountain singing convention, said today that Ma lone will speak at 2 p. m. The singing convention, preaching mission, picnic and family reun ion will be held near thp toot ot Grandfather Mountain. Last year more than 30,000 at tended the colorful all-day smg and Lt. Governor Luther Hodges delivered the featured address. But, just as it has been for thirty years. Malone and Hodges take a back seat to the scores of religi ous choral groups and the moun tain preachers from all over the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and the entire Appalachian. The Singing on the Mountain was originally a Hartley family reunion. The old Avery County family soon had Sunday visitors and the family reunion has grown into the largest held anywhere. Families come in all modes of transportation in their annual pilgrimage to worship and sing under the skies. Malone is not new in North Carolina. It has been three years since he was here as a guest at Wilmington's Azeala Festival, but he attended that event' three times. The author of the best-selling "Between the Book Ends" is a roving correspondent fo( ABC. During World War II he was a war correspondent. His books in clude collections of poetry and comments from his popular radio shows. He broadcasts five days a week and has a weekly television progfam. Preachers, singers and family grrfups will begin to arrive at sun-down Saturday night and camp in the cool, green meadows at the foot of impressive Grand father Mountain. Hartley himself will participate. District Scout Meeting Is Held - Las{ Thursday ? The Watauga District Boy Scout Committee met last Thurs day at the Gatewayy restaurant, with Chairman Joe Shackford presiding. Glenn Andrews gave the invocation. Reports were heard from Fred Gragg, camping committee chairman, on the camporee held recently at Tater Hill. One hundred boys partici pated in the event and SO adult scouters took part. Mr. Gragg stated that the scouts were unanimous in their desire lor a second camporee which has been tentatively set for July 2 i 25 at Tater Hill. In light of the scout response, the camporee will be held, he stated, and a com mittee meeting will be called at an early date. Seven of the nine scout units in the county parti cipated, Mr. Gragg said, and he indicated that there was hope of the remaining two, Cove Creek and Henscrti's Chapel, will be able to take part in the July event. Reports were heard from Joe Davenport, scout field executive, on the scout camping going for ward at the newly acquired council camp site, Raven Knob Parkj near, Low Gap. The camp ing season, he stated, Is off to a good start. There will be seven, weeks of camp and provision is made for every type of camping at cost ranging from $2 to $15 a week. Scout leaders are provid ed for boys whose troops cannot furnish them. Individual Scouts may attend from any unit, or any other number desiring to come. Four boys from Troop 109 were in camp last week: Joe Minor Jimmy Goodnight, Tommy Ows ley, and Reid Cottrell. The finance committee reported i that the final $200 from Watauga county on the 1954 budget of Old Hickory Couricil wa^ being sent in, bringing the total raised and sent in by the county on this, year's budget to $1423. Mr Shackford stated that this is short of the quota of $2234. but repre sents a highly commendable in crease over the report at the end of the first canvass of only $690. Alfred Adams is chairman of the finance committee. Malcom Neblett Taken By Death Kenbridge, Va., June 12 ? Mal colm M. Neblett, 50, president and general manager of the Rail way Handle Corporation here for a number of years, died Saturday in a Richmond hospital. He had been stricken with a heart attack Wednesday. A native of Lunenburg County, he was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and a director of the Bank of Lunenburg. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Blalock Neblett; one son, William Neblett, of Ken bridge; his mother, Mrs. Susie Hite Neblett, of Kenbridge; three sisters, Miss Anna Neblett, of Williamsburg, and Mrs. A. E. Taylor and Mrs. John Smyth, of Kenbridge, and two brothers, C. D. and W. J. Neblett, of Ken bridge. A funeral service was held at 4he residence, with burial in Ken bridge Cemetery. Deceased was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Dave Mast of Sugar Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Masf and family attended the funeral. Mrs. Mast is remaining in Kenbridge I with her sister for a while. ? First Horn Performance Scheduled Friday Night NED AUSTIN, a Watauga county contribution to HORN IN THE WEST, has more force in the role of Daniel Boone this year. This is his third year in the part of the immortal frontiersman. " Daniel Boone " Has More Force In Outdoor Drama This Season Market Card Is Needed By Local Wheat Growers Dwight Cable, ASC Committee chairman informs Watauga coun ty farmers that before selling any wheat they will need a marketing card to identify the wheat as < penalty free wheat. If the wheat producer does not present the marketing card to the buyer at the time of the sale the buyer is instructed to collect $1.12 per bushel penalty. Watauga county wheat farmers who wish to sell wheat can .come by their ASC office and pick up a wheat marketing cqrd or a wheat marketing certificate. A receipt must be signed when the card is issued, therefore, it is necessary to visit the ASC office, in person. If the operator is un able to visit the county office he may request in writing that his card be mailed to him. If no wheat is to be sold, exchanged, or paid as toll, no card need be ob tained. These wheat marketing cards will also state wheather or not the farmer is eligible for price support. Only those farmers who have harvested wheat within the farm wheat allotment and do not owe a wheat penalty on another farm will be eligible for wheat price support. President Dwight D. Eisenhow er recently signed a bill, and from now on, November 11 will be celebrated as Veterans' Day in stead of Armistice Day. The idea is to set the holiday as a mem orial to honor American service Veterans of all wars. By BOB ISBELL Ned Austin, who was born and roared just a hoot 'n a holler from where Daniel Boone blazed his trail across the great Watauga country, has more authority this season as he portrays the great frontiersman in the outdoor dra ma, "Horn in the West." The play, opening its third sea son here June 25 at the Daniel Boone Theatre, has been revised to give more force to the role of Austin, who gets applause by merely walking onto the stage and announcing, "My name's Boone, Dn'l Boone." Public sentiment has favored a more prominent part for Boone and his 20th century prototype, Ned Austin, since the drama opened in 1952. The play, how ever, was never intended to be a story of the empire-b u i I d e r Boone, the author says. Hunter explains that Daniel Boone entered the plot mainly as a spiritual force, "as a character to depict the basic driving urge which motivated the settlers in their conquest of the wilderness." The story is designed to show how early pioneers carried in their hearts a great love for free dom, and how the fire of indepen dence burned more brightly in their minds than it 'did in many other parts of the country. To point up this difference, Hunter took an average colonist, a doctor and his family, and showed the traditional loyalties being challenged by the forces of the 1770's in America. He sought to shnts of Watauga County,' who have been employed at the factory since It begin operations early in 1934. James JAMES HENDRIX WILLIAM KLUTZ Winkler will be advanced from quality engineer to electronics engineer; Joe Worth, from mechanical engineer to aenlor mechanical engineer; Clifton Calloway, from process investigator to quality engineer; James Hendrix, from shipper and receiver to PWW forcmun; and William Klutz, from gateman to shipper and receiver. Notables To Attend Opening Rermit Hunter's "Horn in the West, having played to 100,000 visitors in two years, will open here Friday night for the first performance of what is expected to be the drama's biggest season. Ml tors, mayor, and Chamber or Commerce executives from five states will be guests of the drama at the initial showing, designated "Watauga Night" by Horn officials. The show will ^ at?15 * m" at ,he Daniel Boone Theatres anfh?"5, M' Waynick' '???r ambassador to Columbia, will at whh v!h\ 0penmg Performance H lh p ,0,t' Holt McPher?on of High Point, and Ted Malone, vet eran radio network star, will be ! fUeS' S"turdfly night with his host, Hugh Morton of Linville Advance ticket sales and in quiries indicate excellent attend- . nee for the first two nights. Among Saturday evening guest, ^ " ?rouP c?ming by chart ered bus from Fldtence, S C Fa^teX" C'Ub ViSiting fr Director Kai Jurgensen has an nounced that rehearsal, are more promising at thi, point than at any corresponding time since the drama opened in 1952. Script changes by the author, he says colorfu?ade the production more SfifjSJ intereSUn< "The cast and staff have a cer tain spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation that I feel will be "^ev'h 'V?'" ^ saicL They have been quite willing work long hours, and their bors have shown results in livelier, cn.pier rehearsals." Monday night, for the first tfane since practice began almost two weeks ago, a complete re heanal was executed, with re directorm,ed "graU'ying" by ttle Plans for opening night are moving well ahead of schedule h 2 T of,ice" division of . the drama. General Manager Carl today that residents of Boone and surrounding com munities have indicated com plete cooperation" in volunteer elp at the theatre grounds. He asked that those persons take pecial care in welcoming guests home. th!m t0 ",ecl at Fidler said developments to ate indicate the most successful htatory. dram8'S three"year Mrs. Tina Greer Dies Wednesday Fuper?l services for Mrs. Tina Harmon Greer, 35, of Winston Salem, who died Wednesday, June 16, were held at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone at 2 p. m. Friday, June 18. The Rev. J. K. Parker, pastor of the church, and the Rev. T. C. Bryan of Winston-Salem officiat ed. Burial was in Mount Lawn Cemetery, with graveside rites by Snow Chapter 220, Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Greer is survived by a son, Richard Greer; a daughter, Elizabeth Greer, both of Winston Salem; a sister, Mrs. Muriel Glenn, Detroit, Mich.; and a bro ther, Vilas Harmon, Baltimore, Md. _____ Rites Held For Marsh Infant Graveside scrvkes were held It II a. m. June 21. at Mount Lawn Cemetery for the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Y. Marsh, who died Saturday, June 1?. A goyd '54 wh^at crop is live ly to meet Spain's Deeds. V&MBH