CLAY COUNTY'S OLDEST CITIZEN
' WILL BE 99 ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Goes Hunting As Usual ? Has Kilted |
Over Eight Hundred Wild
Turkeys
John M. Crawford, Clay County's |
oldest man will celebrate his 99th
birthday on Christmas Day, hv go- ;
ing into the fields hunting as is his
roVtom on this day, when it does not ,
fall on Sunday, as he always strictly
o \*rrv^ the sabbath. The writer
visifcd liini at his home on Shooting
fnrk fou miles from Havesville on
t)y afternoon of Decemlier the 15th
an3 found him eomfortabh seated
in Vi5 favorite rhair in the corner |
rrtdinti the Pathfinder. "I nclc
Johnnir." as he i* known to all his
! friends, expressed great delight in
ihf coming of the writer. Hi* mind
wa< verv alert and quickly ho an
swerecl all questions propounded to
him. He stated that he was horn in
Macon County on December the 25th
1R29. and further stated thai if hi*
vnemorx served him correal l\ it wa*
a rainv da\ (so said his father. I His j
father"^ name was George Crawford,
and he lived to the ripe old age of J
9.1 Mr. Crawford has been married |
twicr. Mi* first wife being Miss
Martha Rrvson. also of Macon Coun- 1
tv. In !!i51 lie left his native count) j
and tfMsed the mountains into that ;
new country now Clay County. He
?e* tip a home hen*, tnarrving Miss
Arbezana I^edford. to which union
I there was born nine children, three
girls and six bovs. all living to be
grown. namely : M. F. Crawford. W .
S. Crawford. John Crawford. Dr. J.
W.Crawford. Dr. G. M. \ rawford.
and R. W . (Crawford, of whom the
two doctors are dead: Mrs. l.eet
Rogers. of (Colorado Mrs. G. T. Her
of Foil Worth, Texu*. art.",
Mr?. Joe IVnland. of Klairsville. j
Georgia, all survive. His direet de
scendants number 1 16. divided a*
follows nine children: II grand
children: (i, great-grand-child ren.
and grcat-grcat-grand-childrcn,
Mr. (.rawford only left Clav Coun
I) one time, in 1859 he made a trip (
to Arkansas in an ax wagon, veturn- 1
ing the next year by a far fister
travel, a vehicle drawn by horses, i
On this western trip "Uncle John- \
ni< was charged with tile dut> of
furnishing the camp with game, and j
he did not fail one single time to
have an adequate supply of meat, j
His life has been mostly occupied
hy farming and hunting l?ul in the
rarlv days when Clay County was
in its infancy, he served as one of
the first Hoard of County Commis
sioners and made the first tax lew
?ir county ever had. he pointed with
PHde to the record they made during
their term. He is now chairman of
u Coi,n|y Pension Board.
He attributes his longevity of life
to, first: he never did worry: total
abstinence of tobacco and whiskey:
outdoor life: when he goes to bed
in; goes lo slwn; very CoicTui aboui
fating heavy diet for supper, and
eating vegetables and wild meal.
He served one year in active ser
*** ir. uie Civil War and the re
minder of the war he was held pris
i oner at Johnston's Island. He was
l^ptured hy the ankees at Cumber
ed Cap. His Second Lieutenant s
was Col. Clayton, and his Col
1 was R. G. A. Love. He served
*Hh the 62nd North Carolina States
"oops. He stated that he was un
altrabelv against war. he said the
times were possible, that war was
necessary. but in this day of enlight
inent there were far beter ways to
it for no good came out of war.
He cast his first presidential vote
. r Millard Fillmore and has voted
"J the presidential election ever
since.
He engaged in school teaching for
a few years, teaching his first school
J1 Peanhtree in 1852, receiving the
"^dsome salary of $20.00 per
^nth for teaching 100 students
^out assistance.
\ J"hile the wTriter and "Uncle
l^nie" were talking, his daughter
Mrs. R. W. Crawford,
?fought in a basket full of the fam
SCOUT OFFICE
TO BE CLOSED
'I ho office of The Cherokee
Scout wil l>o closed from Sat
urdny. December 22nd. to Mon
day, December 31. in order to
allow the "force" and their fam
ilies to spend the holidays with
home folks? Mr. and Mrs. R.
L. Paulk with relatives at Co
lumbus, Ga.. and Florida: Mr.
and Mrs. W. K. Triplett with rel
atives at Klkin. N. C.. and ye
editor and family with home
folks in Atlanta and College
Park. Ga.
We hope that no one will suf
fer for a lack of printing dur
ing the holidays. All will he
hack on the joh by Januar\ Nt.
W ishing all our reader*,
friends end cust iimm - a inr r^v
merr\ Christina* a .? I hnopx
New ^ ear.
Mr. K. H. Gibbs. who was station
ed at Murphy with the North Caro
lina Highway Department last sum
mer. but who was recent lv transfer
red to Shooting Creek, is confined
to his room at The Maples this week
on account of sickness. His friend**
s\ill be pi ad to learn that he is get
ting better.
Mr Robert Akin, who i- a student
at Georgia Military \eademy. Col
lege Park. Ga.. arrived this week to
spend the Christmas holidays with
his parents. Mr. and Mrs. \rlhur
Akin.
Mayor Harry P. Cooper and Mr.
Railcy Meroney are on a lilisiness
?rip t' Sarasota. Ma., this week.
COUNTY SINGING
CONVENTION DEC 30
The Cherokee Coimtv Singing Con
\entioii wil meet at the court house
in Mmphv for an all da\ occasion
on the fifth Sunday in this month,
which is December 30th. according
to announcement this week by offi
cers of th?- convention.
All singers and singing classes ?f
the county are requested to be pres
ent, and everybody is invited to
come, bring song books atid big bas- ,
kets of dinner. I
oils Itald Mountain apples, and I '11
cle Johnnie informed hte writer that
his father found a seedling tree on
Bald Mountain in Macon County in
his early days and transplanted it
at his home, and it hore such eatahle
fruit that he preserved the tree and
called it the Bald Mountain apple
which is now extensively found in
western North Carolina.
He stated that he had killed 10
deer and between 800 and 1000 wild
turkeys, and that he would not tell
this to strangers hut he does not hes- 1
itate to tell it to people who know
him. When questioned whether he
was in favor of enforcinc the came
laws and preserving the game, he
stated that he unreservedly was, he
said that the game would come hack
if it wasr properly protected fo
western North Carolina hy nature j
was a game country. "Uncle John- |
nie"' said protection meant game, no
protection meant none and ahove all
although he liked to hunt he strictly
observed the game and fish laws.
He stated that when the camp fires
began to burn again and hunters
gathered around them at night and i
related the stories of the day's hunt,
slept in the open people would have
better health and the undying ties
of frindship would be formed. He
is not planning any elaborate birth
dav celebration this Christmas but i
is looking forward to a big occasion
on his birthday Christmas 1929,
when if he is permitted by Divine
Providence he will round out 100
years of earthly existence.
He wishes much success to the
Clay County News and wishes for
each and every one a happy Christ
mas and a prosperous New Year.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE
FOR MURPHY NOW ASSURED
Merchants and Business Organizations Contribute
Funds to Make Rural Children Happy ?
Santa Claus Is Coming
The plans of the Murphy
Welfare Board for a community
Christmas tree and celebration
announced i n
last week's issue
ot this publica
tion are com
plete and the
event is assured.
A loveh spruce
Christmas tree
now stands on the public 1
square, awaiting the decorative
touch of tin* artist and the strings j
of lights that will illiiiminate
its colors and its gold. Al
ready the Christmas spirit is in
till- air and passers-b\ pause to
look at the big tree, including
needs little ho\s and girls who
appear hopeful that Santa Claus
will not now pass them h\ when
h?> rides across the land scatter
ing happiness and gifts.
I hosc mf-rrmiiii:* and business
men who contributed the mone\
necessary to make possible this
Christmas tree and celebration
for the youngsters were one time
boys and girls who thrilled at
the approach of Christmas and
Santa Clans. We somehow fee!
that the memor\ of their child
ish thrills moved them to un
loose their purse strings and
contribute to the success of this
celebration. Their efforts are
going to brighten the face of
Murphy on Christmas Eve and
gladden the hearts and lives of
hopeful bo\s and girls.
We feel that the public would
like to know who these contri
butors are and we are going to ,
list their names. The list fol
lows:
Werrlmnls
i
J. M. Stoncr. ("ash & Carry.
Davidson \ Carringer, Gro
ceries.
A. & P. St 1 UTS.
W. B. I)i. k? x & Sons.
Kovinpood Bros.
R. H. Kii
Hampton's Grocery.
Wofford-Terrell Co., \\ hole
sale.
W. M. Fain Gro. Co.
Candler's Dept. Store.
Mrs. Callie Hall. Millinery.
W. D. Tow n son. Furniture.
C. B. Hill. Furniture.
J. W. Davidson, Haberdasher.
A. & B. 10c and 25t* Stores
Co.
Griffith's Inc.. Women's
T. L. Collins. Drv Goods.
E. L. Tounson. Dry Goods.
The Varietv Store.
Parker Drug Store.
Cherokee Drug Store.
Gulley's Meat Market.
Johnson's Meat Market.
McMillain & Swaitn.
T. S. Evans. Ford Dealer.
Murphv Filling Station.
E. C. Moore. Whippet Dealer.
Dickey Motor Co.
Bank of Murphy.
Cherokee Bank.
Ouinn's Cafe.
| Corn well's Cafe.
Murphy Bakery & Cafe.
J. H. Birchfield Lunch Room.
Brittain & Axley Hardware.
Murphy Hardware Co.
Bonita Theatre.
The Cherokee Scout.
Mr. Phillips, Service Bar!>er
Shop.
Singer Sewing Machine Co..
In addition to the above con
tributors we have to report that
tlie Carolina-Tennessee Power
Company, through its loeal man
ager Mr. T. N. Bates, will fur
nish free current for lighting
tli#' Christmas tree.
The contributions ??f the
above named firms and indivi
[ duals is ample evidence of the
I interest which the people are
I taking in this communit) ^ ule
tide event. Only four business
concerns absolutely refused to i
I make an\ contributions. We
trust these four i\ ill have no
cause to regret their laek of co
operation. And we want to sug
siiggest right here that the peo
ple of Murphy and of Cherokee
Coi/nty should support their
home Industries and business j
houses. Patronize the home
firms who lend a hand in mak- I
ing your county and your com
munit) a finer place in which to
live. Patronize those who have
been so kind and social-minded
as to contribute their share In
ward making this Christmas cel
ebration a county -wide affair.
Cut out the mail-order* and buy
from these local merchants
where you ran set? the -Article
you are buy ing before von pay
out your money for it. Help
those who demonstrate a wil
lingness to help you and afford
you a little more of the jov of
life. The highest blessings of
this Christina^ lime will come
to us in the satisfactions which
flow from the part we play in
gladdening the hopelul hearts
of boys and ?irl> and enriching
the lives of those who are beset
with adversity and poverty.
Surely those who have had a
part in making this community
Christmas tree event a success
will feel amnl\ repaid when
they witness the cheer and glad
ness of the hundreds of boys
and girls of Murphy and Cher
okee County on December 24-.
And these boys an! girls will
no: forget.
It is again urged that all the
hoys and girls between the ages
of one and twelve who live out
in the county register at once
and get their t\?:ds. For. with
out cards you cannot get a pack
age from Sanf* at
Christmas tree on Christmas
Eve. The hoys and girls from
the countrv will please register
with Mr. R. H. Hyatt in his of
fice at the courthouse. The
boys and girls from the several
churches of Murphy will regis
ter next Sunday at their respec
tive church and Sunday school,
j Parents may register for their
! children hut the children must
j attend thp ^Christmas tree cele
J hration on December 21 and
present their card in order to he
entitled to a package. Parents
and others should hear this in
mind and aid the children in reg
istering in time and at the pro
per places.
It is expected that the Christ
mas tree will he wired and light
ed by Thursday. December 20.
in order that it may he illumi
? nated at nights for the benefit
i of shoppers and tra\elers pas
sing through Murphy.
Mrs. A. A. Fain and daughter. Mr. James W illiamson. who is a
Miss Eloise Fain, and Mr. Robert student at the University of Tennes
Austin. are visiting Mrs. Fain'ssee. Knoxville. is expected to spend '
daughter. Mrs. Linderman. at Wash-several days with home folks during j
I ington, Ind., this week. Christmas week.
NEW WHI "PETS
NOW ON LoFLAY
Overland -knight Has \eiv Car
If hirh Is Formally Presented
Development of body lines thai
strike a note of beauty and quality,
heretofore found only in cars that
sell in the higher price ranges, is
seen in \Villys*Overland"s announce
ment of its completely redesigned
lines of Whippet four and six-cylin
der ears.
In presenting the new Whippet
fours and sixes. Mr. Willys says:
4 'When the original W hippet was
introduced, designed along lines that
entirely revolutionized the light ear
Held, it was predicted that within
two years ever\ ear manufacturer in
the Whippet classification would he
force* 1 to adopt the mechanical fea
tures first set b\ tin* W liippct or be
regulated to the obsolete group. This
particular!) applied to four wheel
brakes.
"That these predictions came to
pass in less than two years is his
torv. with other car manufacturers
both in the low and higher price
fields following the trend set by the
\\ liippct.
"And now we present the com
pleted erdesigned Whippet fours
and sixes, bringing to tin* low price
class for the first tune in automotive
history high priced car value, beau
t\ and advanced features, in addi
tion to proved mechanical superior
ity.
" There i> no place in the low pric
ed field for the manufacturer who
fails to incorporate in his product
the distinct new type of beauty and
mcchnical features introduced in the
W liippct. To th manufacturer who
fails to nice this trend we repead
th*- prediction of two and a half
years ago. that he will find his cars
stamped h\ the buying public as ob
solete.
The advance report that the new
models, which are designed as the
Superioi Whippet, would establish
a precedent h\ bringing beauty ami
outstanding mechanical features in
to the low priced field is readily ap
parent. even in first glance at the
striking new cars. They are notable
for their larger bodies and increas
ed roominess, while the new type of
design with the sparkling color com
binations is totally different from
am thing we have c\cr seen iietore
in the low price classification.
lieaulv ami (Quality
Facin detail of the new Whippet
bespeaks beauty of design and qual
ity of workmanship and finish, from
the trim, higher ehronmim plated
radiator I?? the carefull) rounded
lines of the rear quarters. The ar
tistic lines of the body are admirably
set off by the new type of sweeping
one-piece fenders. The effective use
of a belt moulding rounds out the
artistry of the design.
By combining a definite type of
beauty, entirely new to the light car
field, with the proved mechanical
superiority of the previous Whippet
models, the Willys-Overland com
pany has reached the position of
qualitv leader in the light car field
in addition to its recognized position
of engineering leadership.
The body models in the four-cy
linder lin?' include, five -passenger
sedan, five-passenger coach, coupe,
roadster and touring car. The six cy
linder line is comprised if tb?^ ^edan,
coach, coupe, and roadster.
Outstanding among the features
which place the hippet in a dis
tinctive position, is the new "Finger
Tip Control." By means of an in
genious improvement, all functions
of starting the motor, controlling the
lighting system and sounding the
horn are operated from a single but
ton conveniently located in the cen
ter of the steering wheel.
This system was subjected to ex
haustive tests and characterized by
experts as the greatest driving con
venience since the electric self start
er.
jVeic Driving Convenience
A mere pull up on the button
(OuntinufJ <.ii |m?A j t