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NOTICE TO IllWlUfll li re*M«Mf of MMtM, R to
m «$u w the new "•HpTITiaS *••.•• jsw* •
Entered at the poatoffice at Boone, N. C., at eecoad claaa mall matter, under tb*art of Congraaa of
"The bttb of Mrf Htwu—t being the optatoa of the people, the eery tint objective ihoulg M
t» keep that right, and were it left to me to decide whether we ahould hatre a government without
n< va pa pen, or newapepera without (overnment, I ahould oat heeitate a moment to
But I ahould mean that every man ahould receive thdae paper* aM b« capable of reading
■g'-^g7'-' j?.- Jfl
CAROLINA,
MM paper* a*
b
, JANUARY 31, 1097
s At It Again
Administration followers, who had been
hoping that Secretary of Defense Wilson
was going to be quiet, in so far as tho
expressions of ill-conceived personal opinions
were concerned, came in for a rude
shock the first of the week, when Wilson
turned his guns on the National Guard,
which a lot of folks are thinking is a
mighty fine organization of patriotic
young men—anxious, willing and able to
serve anywhere, anytime the public welfare
is threatened.
Mr. Wilson is quoted: "It (the Guard)
wfli i sort of scandal during the Korean
War, a draft-dodging business. A boy 17
to 18% could enlist in the National Guard
and not be drafted to fight in Korea."
Whereupon Major General Ellard A.
Walsh, President of the National Guard,
Association, got.rosy-cheeked, and branded
the statement of the defense official as
a "damnable lie."
And there likely will be other repercussions
on the remarks of the Secretary as
time goes on.
If Wilson learned nothing from his
hound-dog remarks about organized labor
Up in Detroit, which had serious political
repercussions, he should have learned
something from former President Truman,
who as an old artillery captain saw fit to
tie into the Marine Corps. The men of
the Corps, belittled by the Commanderin-Chief,
they thought, reacted sort of
like they did on the beaches of the enemy
during the late world war. They got'
fighting mad and the fighting little man
from Missouri had to "take water," as they
say in Watauga, when a man backs down
on a proposition.
And it's not unlikely that the Secretary
of Defense is going to squirm some more,
before this National Guard thing is finally
quieted down.
Home Town Paper
The case (or the hometown newspaper
is ably presented by Ralph Keller of Minneapolis,
manager of the Minnesota Editorial
Association! ■
Recalling Capt. Lovill's words that
"verily, he who toots not his own horn,
the same shall remain untooted," we submit
Mr. Keller's remarks:
"The spoken word hits the ear, and is
gone. The television image strikes the eye,
and is gone. The printed picture and the
printed name linger on.
"Numerous authentic surveys throughout
the United States indicate that an
average of 3.5 persons read every weekly
' newspaper that enters every home as an
invited guest. The average length of time
each copy is kept around the house is
two weeks. Each copy is picked up and
looked over by each reader an average
of three time*. The average length of time
each reader spends with each copy of his
hometown newspaper is fifty minutes.
"The newspaper is subscribed for, paid
for, eagerly looked forward to from issue
to issue, and read thoroughly with unquestioning
confidence. It doesn't depend
on the weather, is not subject to static or
interference, is not a "now or never"
messenger—if the newspaper can't be read
this evening it will be in the morning, or
tomorrow evening. When radio and television
impulses have petered out in heedless
space the hometown newspaper is
still there, to be read and re-read and
referred back to again and again."
Thrills And Hazards Of Model T
Thrills and hazard* of the Model T Ford
are recalled by Robert Strother in a nostalgic
article, "A Flivver for the Family,"
in the February Reader's Digest.
Until he pilot* a space ship around the
moon, Mr. Strother lay* he will not have
the equal of the thrill he experienced as
a boy in Winfield, Kansas, when he first
drove a new Modal T for which his father
paid $440 on Christmas Eve in 1917.
"Fords w$re notoriously allergic to cold,"
recalls the writer. "Model Ts were started,
when they Consented to starrt at all,
by hand cranking.... The crank frequently
kicked. ... Right arms in casts were as
familiar a feature of the American winter
scene of 40 years ago as are legs in casts
at ski lodges and sports resorts today. .. .
"Another recurrent hazard of Model
T motoring was running out of gas. There
was no gasoline gauge, and to find out
how much fuel was left, the operator first
had to evict any front-seat passengers and
remove the seat cushion... A slatted cover
was then raised, the gas-tank cap removed
and a graduated stick inserted in the
tank. . .
"To measure the oil supply was even
more of a nuisance. You crawled under
the car and opened a petcock. If oil ran
out, you had oil."
Despite hardships like these, for nearly
two decades, between 1908 and 1927, reports
Mr. Strother, "flivvers swarmed in
their millions from the assembly lines in
Detroit and became known and loved
throughout the world."
Why?
J
(New York Time*)
These line, crisp January evenings are
perfect for sitting by the fire and wondering
if there are any answera to those questions.
Wandering, for instance, why some
people call It "crisp" when the weather is
so cold It crackles. Wondering what happened
to those chirpy souls who went
around last Summer demanding, "Well la
it hot enough for you?" Why aren't they
going around now demanding, "Is H told
enough for you?" (The antwer to that,
S; P should one of those persons accost you on
• windy Corner, is "Yea! Plenty!")
But thefe are other questions. Is there
going to be a January thaw? Ia it a "thaw"
when the temperature riaes from zero,
flat, to thirty above? Or, from ten below
to twidty above? Just how many degrees
are ntttisai-y tot art official "thaw?"
And why do ao many people make the
rounds of their thermometers on a cold
morning, looking for the one with the low*
est reading? What happened to those
who were saying, only a little while ago,
that the climate was getting warmer, and
pointing to recent Winters as pfOof?
Aren't they the fellows who were chattering
so much they couldn't talk when we
passed them ■ little while ago? Very
likely!
How do birds, keep their feet from freezing?
Some, such as grouse and a few of
the owls, have feathered feet, but most
birds are barefoot as babies. Some tfu*
mals are barefoot too—raccoons, for instance—but
they have enough sense to
stay under cover when it is bitter cold.
Birds don't.
Isn't it fun, and reassuring too, to look
at the new: wed catalogues now? How
long ii it till Ground Hog Day? 'Two week*
from last Saturday. And it's less than bine
weeks till the vernal equinox. Who's complaining
about Winter? And why?
SPEAKS
THE TAXPA
BrPamll
Stretch's Sketches
By "STRETCH" ROLLINS
All Landlords Are Not Old Meaniet
MOKE TO BE PITIED than despised, perhaps,
arc those landlords who put up Signs at their
apartments and hotels reading, "No Childrap or
Dogs Allowed."
An unkind fate has deprived their natures of
an ingredient that is esaential to the makeup of
the complete human being.
But without dignifying the callots restrictions
against children by attempting a reply, I give you
a hotel manager whose hostelry I would go out
of my way to patronize, even if traveling alone.
A tady was planning, recount*
Publisher Bcnnet Cerf,
to iptnd • month at a resort
hotel, and wrote the manafer
to ask If her dog would be
permitted on the premises.
She received the following
note in reply:
"Dear Madam: I have been
In the hotel business some
28 years. Never in all that
time have I had to call the
police to eject • disorderly dog at 4 a. m. Never
once has ■ dog set the bedclothes afire by
careleaaly throwing away a lighted cigarette.
Never haa one dog stolen my towels, bedspreads,
or silverware. Of course your dog Is welcome at
my hotel. Sincerely, The Manager.
"P. S.—If the dog will vouch for you, you can
come, too."
A MAN WHO IS MEIELY well-informed, declare*
• presumably well-informed philosopher,
i* the most useless bore on God's green earth.
"Many persons," he goes on, "are walking »ncyclopedlas,
yet they lack mature judgment, ability
to do independent thinking, and reach original
conclusions."
Mebbeso, but just lead 'em to an isolation
booth, and those useless bores will 4* all right
for themselves. «TWO
QUOTATIONS APPEARED on opposite
pages.o( .tjif <ame newspaper: "The groundwork
of all happiness is health—Leigh Hunt" And
"True happiness springs from moderation—
Goethe."
One gathers that to be happy one most have
health—in moderation, of course.
AN AUTHOMTY ON ETIQUETTE, in answer
to a question, informed a reader that "it is perfectly
proper" for a hostess who is having dinner
guests to offer a prayer before beginning the
meal.
Which waa the right answer, of course, but
it seems the question should have been referred
to a higher authority.
ONE FOR THE KOAD—A Western movie recently
shown on TV was so old that "Gabby"
Hayes' beard was only a five-o'clock shadow.
From Early Democrat Files
Sixty Teart Ago
Jinirjr !t, 1(97.
Skyland Institute it Blowing Rock will open
and resume work on February 1.
Benjamin Culler says there are two of them,
both boys, and weigh 64 pounds each.
F. M. Hodges has started E. H Dougherty
south with a small drove of horses and mules.
The aged mother of our townsman, Mr. W. L.
Bryan, who live* on Meat Camp, is very unwell.
Mr. Bryan is visiting her at this wilting.
Mrs. LHe Shull of Valle Cruris, died at the
home of her son, Mr. James Shull, on last Friday.
Rev. Mr. Stanford, the new Methadist minister
on this work, will deliver his first sermon in
Boone next Wednesday night.
From the Vforgantoa Herald We learn that
Solicitor Spainhour got his bicycle stolen one
night last week. This is a considerable loss to
the solicitor, aa it was an 188 wheel.
Dr. Counelll informs us that he visited IS
patients with grippe in one day laat week, and
ten the following day. Aside from this he prescribed
for six others, whom he did not visit
during ififli ume. /
TUIman of Tennessee has abandoned the eooteM
for the Governor's seat agaifcst Governor
Taylor. A Wis* conclusion, no doubt
There ll a Ml before the Legislature to impeach
Judge Norwood for drunkenness. The
prevision* el the Mil ought to extent to members
of the Legislative aa well. * * * lien who are
placed in high positions should be aural, sober
. Thirty-Nine Yeart /go
January 18, Mil.
Mrs. N. L. Mast haa been here sinte last Thursday
With her son, James, who has been sufftriat
With measles at the Borne of Mr B. 1.
Council]. ,
*#vr If. A. Adam* delivered his laat serasoa
la the Baptttt Church Mte Sunday night, leaving
Tuaeday far kis new charge at Canton.
The public school la Boone *H1 cloae tomorrow
after a vary successful tank. However,
the cold weather of lite has been an argument
against long terma of achoel in the mountains
during the winter months. Many of the children
were unable to attend.
There are tlx eases of measles in the home
of Mr. Wesley Richardson ia Boom.
We are lorry to learn that Mr. A. H. Hi*,
formerly of Watauga, now of Moravian rails,
had the misfortune laat week to break one ft
his legs.
Mr. Vance Howell, who I* now in training at
Camp Jackson, has been at the school shaking
hands with his friends.
A definite schedule has been made out for
practice in the school gymnasium, by which all
may have a chance to avail themselves «f this
physical training.
Fifteen Yeart Ago
Jaaaary 19, IMS.
Mrs. Manuel C. Rominger of Matney, believed
to be the ortty North Carfeltfta mother with
sons in the armed services of the country, waa
honored Friday evening at a public WH»l«y
in Banner Elk. • • •
Andrew Taylor Bradley, aged 77, father of
Grady Bradley of Vila*, died on January 10 at
his home near Ten^a, Arixona.
Heriot Clark**, 78,'since IMS an asaoeiaU
justice of the State Supreme Ceart, died yesterday
at the home of a son, Francis O. Clarkson,
in Charlotte.
Congressman Doughton has been highly praiaed
by editors and others hi the State for iaalatbc
that state* and municipalities should undertake
to reduce their tax levies so that individuals
may better hear the bardsna of new Federal
taxes required la finance the war program.
Information haa been received of the accidental
death of Frank B. Schumann in Charleston, *.
C., by faltlni down a flight of stain HI (Be budding
where he roomed He was a rsildaat of
Avery Count) tt* many ytan where ha
the editor of the Avery Advo«*t*.
Government rationing tt mm *U1 W#d
next waek, with each peraoo limited to about a
■TOt—K-'
KING STREET
b By ROB RIVERS
ELK*8 CLUB f*OPHY .. Bt BOONE'S FOIST MAYOR
From Kays Gary's column in Charlotte Observer: "J. G. Love
for 47 years a member of Elks Lodfe, last week, presented the
lodge hete a perfectly preserved head of an eight-point buck,
killed by Col. WUliam Louis Bryan, nephew ot Mrs. Daniel
Boone on the Wilderness 17*11 more than 100 years ago. . . .
Laves mother is a Bryan and the deer head has been handed
down through four generations." .. T. Stuart Coffey, of States
Ville noted this item and forwarded it to us, with this notaion:
"If this Is our Boone W. L. Bryan, and I am (rf the opinion
it Is, at Ih his younger dSys he was a deer hunter, and ih my
boyhood I frequently heard him comment on his relationship
to Daniel Boone, I know you will be interested in it."
THE SQUfBE'S GUN .. MUST HAVE FELLED THE BUCK
Off hand we'd know of no one else whose gun might
have provided the Elk Club its flue trophy than our
antra 'Squire Bryan, who came to be called Col. Bryan
by John Preston Arthur, author of the'Watauga County
History.... Squire Bryan was an avid huhter, and we
recall his sunning his deer hide rags on the porch railing
in the spring, and the big deer head which hung
in the hall si the Bryan home. . . . We looked In vain
for a rut we used to have of Mr. Bryan, Cel. Todd,
and J. D. Council! aside a dead deer. . . . Anyway, the
native white tail deer made their last stand in Mitchell
connty, and Squire Bryan managed to get one In front
of his double-barrelled shotgun every year or so as
long as he lived. . . . Also he cherished the fact that a
Bryan was the wife of Daniel Boone, and that William
Jennings Bryan was also a distant relative. We are glad
that the Charlotte Elks Club Is taking good care of one ,
of the trophies of Boone's first Mayor.
WAS PRINTER'S DEVIL . . ODDS AND ENDS
W. L. Haynes writes from Fresno, Ohio: "I appreciate the
Early Piles of 00 years ago, when I was a printer's devil in that
office." . . . Will rolled the big brdyer over two pages of the
Democrat, inking the forms, so that the printing process could
be completed on the old Washington hand press. . . . Rev.
Ronda Hortcm, colored, of Boone, we believe, also "inked" at
the Democrat office iirhis youth. . . . Thoughtless motorists
parking so as to take up two spaces, and others driving so
close to parking lines that when one, curbs his car he can't
squeeze out . . that is, if he's arrived at the thickened age.
. . Chain saws buzzing through oak logs as FCX demonstrations—a
far cry from June Horton's double-bladed axe, and
Dick Colvard's crosscut.
FROM FORMER COLLEGIAN . . SOME KIND WORDS
Those along the street who don't get acquainted with
any of the college students are missing a good chance
to make their stay pleasant,- and actually to promote
the welfare of the institution. . . . The other day we
had a letter from a grad, Mrs. Doris Rucker Dudley
•f Shelby, and She pinpoints her appreciation of the
kindness of Boone people, when she says:
"I KNOW YOU WONT REMEMBER ME, but I want you to
know I'll never forget the help you gave me as business manager
of The Appalachian in 1952-53. . . You lived your slogan, 'always
a friend to the college' and your moral support meant so
much. . . Many times I've walked into your office to see you
pecking away on your typewriter—faster with your index
fingers than many with two hands? . . One regret I have is
that the college students don't get to know the townspeople
better. . . Those people there are some of the finest and most
genuine people I've ever come in contact with. ... I remember
a few of the names like the Caudills, the Ruftys, the Richardsons,
the Mocks, the Bill Norrises, the Kirks, but I remember
many of the folks like the lady at the postoffice and many
others who helped to make 'a home away from home.'. . What
I really want to say is thank you—belatedly, for your help and
cooperation with the students—former, present and future, and
congratulations on your successful career, which is so vital to
your community.'* v
So This Is New York
By NORTH CALLAHAN
Prom Cleveland, Ohio came urgent
word that • croup of u» wer#
asked to meet h«rc at the WaldorfAstoria
In an "Action Conference"
on the night lighting of highway*.
Not being tare Just what this was
but anxious to help do anything
that would reduce the high death
toll on our roads. I attended. It
waa <t*He worthwhile. A number
of eiperts, headed by Edmond C.
Powers of (he Street and Highway
Safety Lighting Buresit gave short
talks, Intel spelled by films showing
the dire consequences of bad
driving on dark highways. Verily,
before (he conference was over,
afi of m had "seen the light "
Why to the night accident toll
so high, oae of the speakers asked,
when only *3 per cent of the
total number of American cart are
HI operation at night? Yet of the
total of 46,000 traffic deaths in
litt. instead of 19 per cent oecutin
at night 22.880 or over haH, eectfrred
after nightfall. Admitting
that evea if speed Is slower, there
is greater fatique, more influence
of sleohol, more fog. defective
lights etc none of (hese is the tea!
earns Of (MM traffic accidents
happening at night The anawer
hi: "darkness" With the human
Actor what H is and human
eyes varying and weakening from
4ay to day. the lade of adequate
vision after the un goat down
fcnaas Moat of tor accident*, .rid
General Lou in Prentiss. head of
the American Road Bull den Association.
pointed out that in the
huge Federal Highway Act of 1998,
the government expresatd its intention
to provide the latest safety
devices, Including adequate lighting.
He stated that when he headed
the District of Clumbia highway
system, he cot down accidents
by 60 per cent after providing proper
night lighting on the streets
and thoroughfares. And yet, it was
said, less than ten of our states
adequately light their highway*
and this is largely confined to
bridges, overpasses, viaducts, elevated
or depressed roadway*, underpasses
and tunnels. It i was to
swaken the other M states that
this action conference was held.
The bill for ltM highway accidents—If
estimated In terms of
each resident of the United States
—would be *90 a person
What Is the answer? The one
given at the meeting was the example
of Connecticut. That state
ha* decided to Illuminate continuously
a 53-mile stretch of the Connecticut
Turnpike fritm Bran ford
to Greenwich at the New York
state line. "It ia simply not possible,"
said State Commissioner N.
t. Hargarves. "for the eye continuously
to readjust to darknesa. than
light, then darkness again at frequent
intervals for 8) miles." The
purpose of the lighted strip Is to
radaee nighttime sreideoU by
m arren)' ?