Our Aim:?
A Better Murphy / "j
A Finer County
THE LEADIN(
VOL. 51?NO. 21
If ^ I
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cm c a T<j/t/nr
DR. POE PLANS RACE
Raleigh?Dr. Clarence Poo. editor
of the Progressive Farmer js the first
of the numerous prospective candidate
for Governor to present a platform
to the people of the State. His
ultimate decision about entering the
race will depend upon the reaction to
his views.
MURPHY ANNOUNCES
Raleigh?Walter "Pete" Murphy
of Salisbury, veteran member of the
State General Assembly, has formally
announced his candidacy for Secretary
of State in the Democratic primaries
in 1940, in opposition to Thad
Eure, the incumbent.
TOBACCO PRICES DROP
Raleigh?Tobacco sales in North
Carolina last month represented a
43% increase in poundage over the
1938 season but a 31 percent drop in
price average. Flue-cured leaf sales
this season averaged $15.98 per hundred
pounds as against $23.15 per
hundred pounds last year.
forest fires
Blowing Rock?A forest fire of undetermined
orgin destroyed five
summer homes, damaged seven others
and destroyed approximately 3,000
acres of fine timber near the base of
Blowing Rock at an estimated total
damage of $50,000.
heavy fines
Greensboro?Pleading guilty to
violations of the Federal Wage-Hour
Act, Fred Von Canon, manager of
the Sanford Furniture Company, was
fined $250 by Judge Johnson J.
Hayes in U. S. District Court here
and the company was fined $1,250.
double slaying
Whitcville?Gaston Norris, 25-yearold
farmer, is being held in connection
with the double slaying last week
of Frank McPherson, 53. farmer and
grist mill operator, and Garland Burroughs,
37, filling station operator.
The double shooting occurred in
front of Burroughs' station.
falls off roof
Elizabeth City?Arthur A. Gallop,
well known bookkeeper of this city,
was instantly killed when he lost his
footing while inspecting new gutters
on the roof of the four-story
Carolina Building here and plunged
to the pavement below.
START NEW P. O.
Wallace?Evacuation of ground
for laying the foundation for the new
$70,000 postoffice building here has
begun.
YOUNG HEROINE
Ashevillc?When her 20-monthsold
brother stuck a magazine in the
fireplace and then threw the flaming
paper on the bed on which her 3months-old
brother was sleeping.
Carolyn Brown, 4-year-old daughter
of Mrs. Hubert Brown, had the presence
of mind to move the sleeping
baby to another bed and then lead the
other brother out of the house to
safety. Neighbors extinguished the
fire.
IMPORTANT DELEGATION
Raleigh?A strong delegation went
to Washington Monday to urge $ new
airline from Norfolk to Knoxvillo,
providing east-west air service for
Ashevillc, Hickory* Winston-Salem,
Greensboro, Raleigh, Rocky Mount
and Elizabeth City.
ANOTHER CANDIDATE
Raleigh?The Hon. Joseph M.
Rroughton, commonly called "Mel" .
has announced his candidacv for the 1
Democratic nomination for the Gov- ,
ernorship. In his 52nd year, Brougton
has had a distinguished career, r
having held various political offices,
and educational and religious posts |
?f honor and is a former president ]
of the North Carolina bar association, \
talc in eastern n. c. ,
Wilson?w. p. a. workmen exca- j
vating for foundations for the new ;
1135,000 Rock Ridge high school ,
holding uncovered a 10 foot wide ,
**in of talc. Specimens of the miner- (
*1 have been sent to Raleigh for analysis
and the find may result in a
shifting of the site of the building
It is the first time talc has ever been ,
found in Eastern Carolina. ,
new library t
Wilson?A new $75,000 library i
building, constructed by the town 1
Ial,d county with PWA aid, was for- 1
Ihv (?li
; WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN WESTE
RANSOME PACE, 84 |
IS DEAD, LEAVING
271 PROGENY
Ransom Taylor. Pace, 84, life long
resident of Saluda was buried at that
place last Saturday.
Mr. Pace was thrice married, the
father of 29 children. 1G0 grandchildren,
58 great-grandchildren, 23 greatgreat
grandchildren, and one greatgreat-great
grai^lchild.
If this is not a record there has
never been one.
PRIZESHONATED
IN CIVIC BEAUTY
nmm k n /lAiTmnnm
AMAStUMESl
Six Business Men Give
In Plan To Make Yule
Loveliest In History
"A lighted window in every heme".
Such is the motto of the Womans
Club for this Christmas and as a result
of their efforts the fast approaching
Yule day will be the most beautiful,
from a civic standpoint, thai
Murphy has ever known. It is probable
that every business place, and
most of the private homes in the town
will be decorated with 1 j;hts, ribbons,
tinsel and other tim honored gay
colors of the season.
Six prizes are to be awarded to
winners and runners up in three divisions;
the judging probably to be done
on Saturday evening. Dec. 23. The
judges have not yet been selected, but
they all will bo from out-of-town, to
forestall any possibility of favorism.
The six prizes have been donated
by as many business housees. It is
planned to make the decoration contest
an annual affair, and next year
a different set of merchants will be
asked to donate. This year's prizes
are:
For the most attractive store front:
first prize, eight tickets to he Henn
Theater, good any time. Second
prize, an old fashioned bucket full of
pine bath salts, donated by the Murphy
Supply Company.
For the most beautiful out-of-door?
Christmas tree, anywhere in the town
limits; first prize $2 in merchandise
at Lay's store. Second prize, a cannon
bath towel set, donated by Whitaker's.
For the best decorated home, as
seen from the street; first prize a
$2.25 breakfast set, with tray, donated
by Moore's Jewelry store. Second
prize, $1 worth of linen, donated
by Candler's.
The committee explained that the
award for the private home would be
based on general appearance, consideration
being given to windows,
porches, doors, and lawns.
The Committee in charge of the
contest, all of whom have performed
yocmen service, includes Mrs. J. W.
Thompson, chairman, Mrs. J. P. Curtis,
Mrs. W. A. Hoover, Mrs. W. M.
Pamer, Mrs. M. W. Bell, and Mrs.
M. P. Whichard. Mrs. T. A. Case
is president of the club.
Notable Honor Is Won
By Pruden Davidson
Edward Pruden Wavidson, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W. Davidson, and
a senior at North Carolina State College
has won the honor of being listed
in the 1939-1940 issue of "Who's
Who" Among Students in American
University and Colleges.
Young Mr. Davidson is president of .
he Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at 1
N. C. State College, and is editor of :
the campus newspaper, The Tech- 1
lician. lie belongs to such honor- 1
try organizations as Golden Chain 1
50 and 3, and Theta Tau, and is a '
member of the Student Welfare Committee,
Interfratcrnity Council, and
College Publications Board. <
0 ;
CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE
The annual "Candlelight Service 1
of Christmas Carols" by the Junior t
ind Senior choirs of the First Baptist
church will be held Sunday after- <
noon 4:00 p. m. Dec. 24, 1939. Fo: (
20 minutes before the service propc f
begins a program of quiet music will t
be played by Mrs. J. W. Davidson. >
[prnkw
:RN NORTH CAROLINA, COVERING
MURHPY, N. C. THURSDAY, Dr.i
2 OPPORTUNITIES
TO BOOST TOWN
BEFORE CH AMBER
Failure of Members
To Attend Meeting
Holds Back Action
The Chamber of Commerce tried
to hold a meeting: last Monday night,
but. so few attended that nothing
could be accomplished. As a result
matters of vital importance to the |
town had left "hanging in the air."
Mr. C. W. Savage, told of correspondence
with the Editors of the magazine
published by the State, and ser.t
all over the nation advertising North
PaoAlSnn T* 1-.- -?
vaiviiiia iv in a lliagililllC Unvoted
largely to pictures, and the
editors are willing to give Murphy
two full pages, measuring eight by ten
inches, absolutely free.
A letter to Mr. Savage requested a
photograph of the Dam, and a "lovely
scenic picture of the town of Murphy".
The latter does not exist, and
the few members present lacked authority
to hire Murphy's new, and
fine photographer, Mr. Charles Lamb,
to make one. Mr. Lamb incidentally
will make Murphy his home; expects
soon to be married. and told The
Scout that he plans to join the Chamber
and "work hard to help boost Murphy."
The Scout respectfully suggests
that, pass up an offer of two free full
pages phtotographs in a magazine
that will reach hundreds of thousands,
would be pretty close to a civic crime.
Let's have a pirture made showing
some of the town, against its beautiful
mountain back-ground.
That one picture, costing an insignificant
sum, may bring hundreds of
visitors.
Another matter brought before the
Chamber, but which could neither be
accepted nor rejected because there
weren't enough members present concerned
a chance to advertise Murphy
on v. weekly radio broadcast from
Chattanooga. Choice was offered of a
two minute period every Saturday
night, for $5 per broadcast, or four
minutes for $8. This matter and other
will be taken at the next meeting
of the Chamber called for nert Monday
evening at 7:80 o'clock. PLEASE
B1 THERE.
GIFTS PROMISED
TO EVERY CHILD
IN ALL MURPHY
Santa Will Take Stand
At Community Xmas
Tree With Full Bag
Plans for a community Christmas
tree?and a gift for every child in
Murphy between the ages of one and
12 years were perfected Tuesday. Th<
plan has the joint sponsorship of tl
American Legion, the Lions Club,
the Loyal Order of Moose, and the
Eastern Star.
The big tree in the public square
will be ablaze with lights and decorations,
and Santa Claus wi 1 bo there,
resplendent in his red coat, and shiny
boots. The actual identity of Santa
is Doing Kept a secret.
Beginning Tuesday evening. Chief
of Police Fred Johnson, and Ralph
Jacobs, owner of the Smoky Mountain
Cafe have been soliciting; funds as
representatives of the American Legion.
They asked the Scout to announce
that in addition to money,
donations of toys, or clothing; also
will be welcomed.
"We plan to have Santa give every
ittle hoy and girl in Murphy, between
nne and 12 years, a bap of candy and
:ome fruit" Mr. Jacobs explained.
'But that isn't enough. We hope
ilso to be able to raise enough funds
;o give every child a toy.
"These gifts of Santa will be passed
;ut to all who ask him. Donations of
dothing and used toys will be taken
irivately to homes of the poor. And
ivery donnor can be sure that his gift
vi 1 be truly appreciated."
> H>rnu
, A LARGE AND POTENTIALLY RICH
"EMBER !*. 1U39
Murphy Likely
Links and Swii
SURVEY STARTED
FOR LAYING NEW
ROADTOTOPTON
Highway Will Be Made
1 StraiaLter
J *.V1
j And Grade Lowered
State engineers on Monday began a
survey on Highway 19 which is preliminary
to the construction of a new
highway between Andrews and Topton.
The new road will be from 20 to 30
feet wide, and will do away with the
tortuous curves now existing. It also
will cut the distance by several miles
between this section and Asheville
and intermediate points.
The survey will require three
months. The exact location of the new
highway will, of course, not be known
until that survey is completed. The
fait that engineers have actually
started work, however, makes it absolutely
certain that he new road,
long needed, will be built.
Construction is expected to start in
July, shortly after the beginning of
the new fiscal year, when funds will i
be available. It is understood that the
cost will be divided; half being paid
by uie State and the remainder by the
Federal Government.
Despite the fact that the work of
road building will be in progress during
the height or the tourist season,
it is promised that there will be little
or no interference with traffic.
Where curves are to be eliminated
a new course will be laid, where laborers
may work without any effect on
the present route.
I The cost has not been yet estimated;
but it is certain to be huge. The project
will offer employment for many
men.
o
OSCAR LONG'S CAR
! STOLEN, WRECKED
BY DRUNK DRIVER
I Gaines Martin. <>f Marble is in th?
jCounty jail charged with automobile
theft and driving while drunk. Later
Ion he probably will face a suit by
Oscar Long, for damages.
Martin climbed into Long's car.
when the latter parked it near the
square in Murphy, Saturday afternoon,
and started for Georgia. A
few minutes later Mr. Long discovered
his loss and reported it to the police.
Several persons had seen Mar
tin set off on highway No. 10. and
(Sheriff Townson took up the trail.
| That trail was short. Just across
the Georgia line he found the car
I in a ciitcn, ami Martin sitting oil 'he
roadside gazing at the wreckage.
, Sheriff Townson said Martin was
iill under the influence of liquor.
In his befuddled state he could no
keep on the road and the car plunged
jdown the embankment and turned
|over twice. The kind fairy who look?
\ after drunken men was right on the
job however, and Martin escaped
without a scratch.
If You're Cold
Read this Tale
Despite the fact that Murphy has
been experiencing about as mild a
winter as could be asked there are
those who grumble because it is "so !
cold in the early morning".
Such grumblers arc requested to
read the following excerpts from a
letter written from Murphy to Mr.
E. B. Norvcll on Jan. 26th 1893. Co".
Norvell, at this time was visiting relatives
in Smithville, Va., and Mr.
Marshall W. Bell, then the lay? partner
of Col. Ben Posey, wrote him
about a legal matter and added:
"There is absolutely nothing going j
on in a business point of view. The I
^ Dedicated
To Service
,.4, I . r Progress
TERRITORY
Sc COPY?$1.50 PER YEAR
to be Given
mming Pool
30 Acres Recreation
Project Is Considered
For Town By TVA
Murphy probably soon will have a
swimming: pool and golf links, both
to be constructed with Federal funds.
The two projects are part of a huge
recreational plan backed by the TVA.
Much of the credit for the program
rncfl- vujtK Col. Don Withersneon.
The recreation project is expected
to embrace approximately 300 acres
of Government owned land in the
Grape Creek section, about six miles
from Murphy. The'spot will lie along
the splendid highway recently constructedto
that section. The TVA is
experted to build a dam which will
cause the formation of a large lake
which will be available for swimming,
boating, and fishing. Land near this
lake will be converted into a golf
course of at least nine and perhaps
eighteen holes.
Work on the projert is expedted to
start early in the spring, as soon as
weather permits. This will mean more
payroll money for labor.
With works on the Avenue of Trees
scheduled to start either in late February
or early in March, giving employment
to shores of youths; there
should be little unemployment hereabouts.
When the recreation project is completed,
Murphy will be able to offer
tourists just about everything in the
line of either beauty or sport. The one
complaint of visitors, in years past,
was that, outside of the movies, the
town offered no amusements.
Soon, with the great Hiwassee Dam
completed, the 20 mile.' Avenue of
Trees in bloom, and with golf and
swimming within ten minutes drive,
it will be a different story.
Add our scenery and climate?and
you have a town that can't be stopped.
o
PETITION SEEKS
BRANCH OF BANK
FOR HAYESVILLE
Robbinsville Also Asks
For It's Own Service;
Action Undetermined (
i A petition is being circulated in
{Hryesville asking the'Citizens Bank
land Trust Company to establish a
]branch there. President Ferebee told
.The Scout, however, that the petition
| had not yet been received by the bank
and that no immediate action is contemplated
in any event.
I "We have received personal requests
from some of the leading citizens
of the Hayesville section to put.
a bank there" Mr. Ferebee said,
i"Naturally we would like to grant
that request; but only if enough citizens
join in the demand to make it
certain that such a branch would he
profitable to the stockholders.
! "There also is the matter of obtaining
an advantageous site, and several
other questions which must be ironContinued
on back page
C 4 ^
: or i?y3
extremely ba<l weather prevents people
from coming to town; and I'll
make oath to my own disinclination
to bestir myself with the thermometer
as low as it has -been.
"We had 22 degrees below zero one
morning. Twelve inches of snowt?
8 inches of ice on the rivers?Will
convey some idea of what we havo
had to endure."
Col. Norvell says he returned to .
Murphy while the cold was still in
progress and that the townsfolk cut
great cakes of ice from the rivers,
stored them in an ice house built for
the purpose, and were able to keep
them until summer.