Newspapers / Harnett County News (Lillington, … / July 24, 1947, edition 1 / Page 1
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jit.f'if «i>-vi^s V hM a>ti u#' > I II v\ F;:, V' p\\ fv’ . li: >.v 5[if ‘ ibn i(: nAl.i i?i' \lr m' k il" kih> . ii/ 1 iw fe HARNETT COUNTY NEWS CONSTRUCTIVE ... Harnett’s Only Countyseat Newspaper ... PROGRESSIVE Vol. XXIX—No. 30 $2.00 PER YEAR—Sc A COPY Lillington, N. C., Thursday, July 24, 1947 *Tf It Concerns Harnett, IPs In THE NEWS” Special Court Term To Open Monday PHILLIPS CASE ON SECOND TRIAL STARTS MONDAY .lUnOK JOHN J. UUKXKY OH Wlli- MINTJTON TO TUKSIDK AT S1*E- riAh TERM TO GIVE CHAR LIE RHlLLirS NEW TRIAL Charlie I’hlUlps. tenant farmer of iilack River townsliip, will go on trial a .second time next Monday morning for tlie killing of his wife at their home near Angler while they were at the dinner table on Sunday. .Vunnst 18, 1946. Less than a month lator, Phillips was oonvictod of the slaying, and .ludge W. H, S, Uurgwyu sentenced him to die in tlie Slate’s gas cham- l>er, His e.secution was stayed when his utto.'iieys, Neill McK. Salmon and Charles Ross of Lilllngton, ap pealed tlio ease to Supremo Court, Tl>e Sui)rome Court refused to re verse the decision of the Harnett court, and Phillips was gi-'en a now e.xecutlon date. It was a short time before he was to meet death in the gas chamber when a nolo purported to bo wiitton by his wife, Etta Mae Phillips, was tound in the pocket of a pair of slack.s which she was supposed to have worn immediately preceding her death. This note, written in red ink on a sheet fhom a patented medicine calendar, nave an outline of her in tention td commit suicide. It was found by some of her relatives while searching through Mrs. Phillips' per sonal effects. The note was present ed by Pltillips' counsel as evidence wa:ranting a now trial, and the case was reopeiu'd at the May, 1947, term of Harnett .criminal court. Defense attorneys made a motion before .Judge Burgwyn, who sat on the case for his second lime. Judge 'Burgwyn granted the motion for a now triul. After l>e had signed the order granting Phillips another hearing on the charge of slaying his wife, Judge Burgwyn stated he wished to be re lieved of silling on the case when the new trial came np. His wishes .were complied with when Governor Cherry assigned Judge Burney to precide at the special term begin ning here next Monday, Li conformity to law, the Board of ('ominissloners at their June meeting drew a jury list of 36 mon for tlie special term. It is doubtful, however, tliat any of the men will sit on the case since it will probably he ditfionll to empanel a jury of 1,1 men from Harnett county who have not read about, heard discuss ed. or formed an opinion in tlie case. It will be necessary, says Clerk of Couit Godwin, to summon a special venire from an adjoining county to sit on the Phillips case. If the Phillips case is called first upon the convening of court Mon day morning, It will necessarily be delayed by the time taken for Sheriff •Salmon to liring jurymen from an other county. In the meantime, while tlie court is waiting for the special veniremen to arrive. Solicitor Jack Hooks may call for trial some of the cases waiting for the September term. Judge Burney will decide from wlilch of the eight counties border ing Harnett the special ventre will he recruited. Clerk of Court Godwin slates that the law specifies that the Jurymen must come from an adjoin ing county. There are seveial other cases awaiting trial, and if Solicitor Hooks decides to lake up any of these, the .36 jniymeii summoned to servo for the special term may lie called into service: otherwise they will he al- (Continued on page 8) To Fill In Jii.st to be .sure that the .siieciul term of Hnntett Superior Court which convenes next Monday has no idle ntoiiients on Us luuids as it waits for the long-drawn-out liroci'.'-s of .seeurlng a jury to sit ill tlie PliilH|>.s cu.se is completed, ('Ici'k of ('’oui't Howard Godwin lias tlxed up a little calendar of ca.sc.s to till in. 'fho.v arc: >}. II. Luca.s, reckless driving; •loiin Ransom llarefoot, cruelty to aiiiiiial.s; Robert Tart, cruelt.v to animals; llei'iilce and Huey Moore, larceny and receiving; R. B. Jack- son, worthless elieek; Edith How'- ingion, disorderly conduct, pro fanity; W. (A Coleman, reckless driving; Bruce Gregory, assault on feiiialo; James Murchtson and Joe X. McAllister, injury to Hvesto'k. It may take several days to get a jury in the box to try the Pldl- llps case, and .Solicitor Hooks may take up some of the above cases while waiting for tlie jurj’iuon to be brouglit in. WOMAN AND MAN HELD IN JAIL IN STABBING DEATH BES.SIK IXIUISB McNEILL ADMITS STABBING ANNIE MAE Wllilv- lAMS WITH KNIFE SUNDAY NIGH'l' Bessie Louise McNeill, 20, Is being held in jail here charged with the killing of Annie Mae Williams, about 20, last Sunday night at the home of WiiHe Price in Stewart's Creek township near Linden, Scene of the killing Is not far from the Cumberland county line. Also being held is B. C. Cameron, about 36, who Is alleged to have been with the McNeill woman ,when tho killing took place. All parties are Negroes. Coroner C. B. Allred who with Sheriff Saliilon Invostlgatod the case, stated that the Williams woman ad mitted stabbing the McNeill woman but claimed that Annie Mae ad vanced on her with a knife. Search failed to find any knife, however, according to the coroner. Coroner Allred summoned a jury and the verdict called for the hold ing of the McNeill woman for ac tion by the grand jur.v. Cameron al so is being held awaiting decision of Solicitor Hooks. The story of the killing, as learn- i ed by the officers, was that a visit I was made by Bessie Louise McNeill 1 and B, C. Cameron to the Price home 1 where tho Williams woman was. M, 0. UPCHURCH , They left but later returned and the AMMONS CALLS ATTENTION TO FARM SAFETY A.SKS OB.SERVANCE BY HARNETT FARM FAMILIE.S OF NATIONAL T-'ARM SAFETY WEEK JULY ^-26 Parties in Auto Collision Are Taking Adjustment to Court PARENTS SUE GOVERNMENT IN SON’S DEATH MR. Axn MRS Oj.' DUNN R-.T FILE SUIT FOR $50,000 AGAINST WAR SHIP PING ADMINISTRATION I stabbing took place. The weapon I used wa.s said to be a pocket knife. I Also aiding Coroner Allred in the I investigation of the case were Depu ty Ken Matthews and Deputy Claud .‘tvery of Erwin. ' It was said that Cameron took the I McNeill woman to the Price home on both visits. It was learned in a ■roundabout way that the two wo men had been quarrelling over the man Cameron. The grand Jury will not meet again till tho first week in Septem ber when it sits for the first Fall term of criminal court. BYRD RESIGNS FROM HOSPITAL Charging that faulty equipment caused their son, Joseph C. Up church, to fall Into tho hold of a ship and sustain injuries from which he died last August 7, Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Upchurch of Dunn R-3 have filed a suit for $50,000 in Federal court ill Raleigh. Suits ill admiralty are rare, this licing tlic first filed In the Raleigh court in over a quarter of a century. Joseph Upchurch, 22, was a mer chant seaman and was engaged in unloading a ship at Charleston, S. C. Because of tho faulty equipment and no safeguards for those engaged ' in the hazardous work, he lost his Commissioner Receives High Praise balance and fell 40 feet into the hold ' Chnlnuun T.vler For His Ser- of the ship. I vices and Interest In Hospital It is charged in the suit that the • Operators of the ship, tlie SS William 1 Commissioner Lonnie R. Byrd of II. Moody, knew that defective mu- Erwin R-1 has tendered his rosigiia- cliinery was being used in tho hand-. ^ director of the Harnett lii^g of the cargo, and that they fail- j Hospital In Dunn. Secretary Ray ed to provide siifflciant men to do mond Cromartie said Mr. Byrd’s the work. } Biiocessor will be named at the Au- Mr. and Mrs. Upchurch claim that meeting of the hospital board, their, son had an earning capacity j Chairman Henry Tyler gave high of $400 a month at tho time of his Pi'^ise to Mr, Byrd for his services death. I and interest in the hospital. Other Young Upchurch held a boat- ef the board also expressed swain’s rating on the merchant ves-, regret that tho Commissioner felt sel. He died a few hours after the compelled to retire from the board, fall. I Mr. Byrd has always manifested a Roprescmtlng iho plaintiffs are J. l‘oeii interest in the affairs of the R. Hood of Lillington and J. M., hospital and rendered valuable ser vices in Its successful operation. Att|eiitioii of Harnett County farm families is directed to the import ance of National Farm Safety Week, which Is July 20-26. This week has been officially proclaimed by Presi dent Truman, and this serves as a reminder that over 4 300 people are killed in farm accidents every year and over 900,000 farm people are In jured In accidents each year at a cost ill dollars and cents of more than $150,000,000. .\ii accident, right now, some where, Is "looking for a place to happen,’’ stated C. R. Ammons, County Agent, today; and here briefly are the two basic rules for farm safety: iD Prevention. Re cognize the dangers on your farm and remove tliem 'before accidents happen. (2) Preparedness. Be ready to deal properly with an accident if it should occur. It Is important that you sharpen your eyes and wits to discover all possible hazards on your farm and remove them immediately —tomorrow may be too late. Get in the habit of doing things the safe way, and see that every member of your family and every worker on your farm learns safety habits. There are two basic kinds of ac cidents: (1) Those resulting from mechanical causes such as unguard ed machinery, defective and worn rope, tools, and other equipment, holes in platforms and floorings, etc., (2) those resulting from per sonal causes such as carelessness, tlioiightlessness, Ignorance, stupidity, recklessness, Insuh ordlnatlbn, "horseplay.” and other such human failings. But all these causes, of ac cidents can be brought under con trol by the intelligent afid conscien tious farmer. Past 'accidents can be valuable guides in preventing similar ones in the future. Vigilance is the necessary price of farm safety. The true wealth of a nation lies not ill its natural resources, or In the amount of gold bullion cached away, but in its human resources. The safeguarding, of these priceless human resources.' therefore, is the soundest possible Investment for the farmer, for his family, and for his community. PLAN TO OPEN SUMMERVILLE CHURCH AGAIN LOCAIj PRESBYTERIANS CALL ON ALL WHO CHERISH THE OLD CHURCH TO HELP IN CLEAN ING UP GROUNDS Pastors Wanted Tomorrow (Friday) all those who have relatives buried at Sumnior- viile cemetery and all who cherish the old Summerville Church are asked to meet at the church grounds to aid In cleaning up the cemetery and church grounds. Summerville Church is located across Highway 421 from the County Home, and Is one of the oldest of Harnett’s houses of worship. Until about ten years ago it was used re gularly but has been closed because of consolidation of membership In other nearby churches. A - local committee composed of 0. S. Atkins, M. R. Morgan, Dr. S. R. McKay and C. Reid Ross is calling on all who wish to aid In the clean ing-up of the grounds to meet them at the church Friday morning at the ringing of fHe bell in the old church’s Regrouping of 8 Presbyterian churrhe.s in the upper part of Harnett county has resulted in these formations: Raven Rock, Leaflet and Mt. Pisgah. Kpitesus and Barbecue. Church of the Covenant, Cain- ei'oit Hill and Cypress. Tliere l.«i no iiastor for any of these groups, some of them hav ing lM‘en pastorless for sometime. Pulpit committees, however, are eiidenvoring to secure pastors and it is believed tlpit very soon all of the pulpits will be filled. HEAVY DAMAGE SUIT IS FILED IN COURT HERE THOMA.S FAMILY RUING MI88 THOMA8 FAMILY SUilTING MI8S ALICE PATTERSON FOR TOTAL OF $85,000 ONE DEATH AND INJURIES STRONG TESTS ARE PROMISED IN 4-H DRESS REVUE WINNER IN NEXT SATURDAY’S EVENT HERE TO BE GIVEN TRIP TO STATE COLLEGE AUG. 18-85 tower. Says the Committee In a circular j girls to take part will be those who won first place in the There will be some stiff competi tion ' when 4-H Club girls compete next Saturday in a County Dress Re issued this week: “We want to clean up around the church and have a meeting to make plans for repairing the church so we cun have Sunday school there and perhaps have church services there once a month to start with and then, later, more dress revues in their local schools last April. The County revue will be held',at 10:00 a. m. on Jiily 26 in the Home Demonstration Office. The j winner in this event will be awarded ' a trip to State 4-H Club week to be LADIES’ SHOP TO OPEN HERE Broughton of Raleigh. LOCAL NEGRO TRIES SUICIDE Ollh* Catc.s, 40, Hhoot.s Self In Head With Pistol Sunday Morning; 'I’nkcu 'I'o Ho.spital Ollio Cates, Lillington Negro about 40 years of age, tried to take his own life last Sunday morning at his home to tho roar of tho bus station. While his wife was preparing breakfast, Cates fired a bullet Into his head. Ho was taken to the Dunn hospital, where his condition is re ported as serious. Cates was employed by Mr. ,E. T. Cannady as a truck driver. No cause was assigned for the man’s rash act. He gave as his reason for his. re signation his inability to be present I at all of the recent meetings on ac- I count of his health. The meetings are mostly held at night, and Mr. Byrd lives quite a distance from Duhn. An act of the 1947 legislature au thorized tho transfer of the hospital from the county to a private corpora tion. Mr. Byrd, whose long continued service to the county Is recognized, Is regarded as one erf the county’s outstanding public servants. MISS RACHEL PLEASANT IS DORMITORY EXECUTIVE Miss Rachel Pleasant of Angler has been elected an officer for Cot- ten Hall at East Carolina Teachers College alt Greenville. Mr.s. Inez Ausley and Mrs. Catherine Morton to Deal In Ladles' and (Jhihlron’s Ready-tn-Wear While their store is being renovat ed and made ready for opening about September 1st, Mrs, Inez Ausley and Mrs. Catherine Morton have been busy collecting modern ideas as well as material for tlici "Frock Shop’’ which Is located next to Hotel LIH- ington on Front street. Following a trip to northern mark ets to pui'chase the latest and most wanted wearables for women and c'lilldren, the well-knowii and ex perienced proprietors expect to take due time for arranging all details of their store in order to not only make it attractive but to see that selecting of desired articles can bo done in a comfortable and convenient way. They announce that they will keep in stock everything the feminine fancy may admire and find useful except shoos. They may add these later on. „ j held at State College August 18-26. All' Presbyterians as well as many others will rejoice in' the suggestion ^^e district dress revue, that Summerville Church be reopen- Saturday morning there ed for worship services. In years '"I” I*® « bounty Canning contest gone by the Cause of the Kingdom , members taking Food Pre- haa been greatly,'advanced through nervation. The exhibits in the con- sorvlces at the historic old church, 'into two groups: not only by addition of recruits In , two-jar exhlblt-the wln- the work but by re-enthused mem- ’ this group to be exhlbl- bers of the denomination becoming ted at the State Pair In October, and more determined to follow closely , the four-jar exhibit from the faith of the fathers. i the best Jars will be selected The call will no doubt meet with to determine the County winner hearty and spirited response on the among the Junior 4-H members, part of Presbyterians, and members' “*« urged to bring their of other denominations will man!- ’’««t Jars of canned food and take fest their goodwill also. . in the contest. If they can not i come In person, Jars may be brought In early and left In the home dem onstration office. FAYETTEVILLE IN BORDER BELT rimiberland Warehouses To Open August 7 Along With AH Other Markets In Border Belt Pftycholos'ical Examinations 'Dr. Harry K. Dorsett, Phychologlst with the State Board of Public Wel- Of unusual Interest to tobacco ^ fare, Raleigh, held the regular pay- growers in Harnett and adjoining chological clinic at the Harnett counties In the fact that the ware-. County Welfare Department on Ihrl- houses at Fayetteville are Included day and Saturday, July 18 and 19. the Border Belt warehouses. j Children from Sampson, Moore and In making the announcement of | Harnett counties were , given psy- the opening of the Fayetteville j chological examination, warehouses, the Tobacco Board of Trade of the historic old Cape Pear town reminds farmers that the mark et has three modern warehouses, a modern redrying plant, Government grading and inspecting. Fayetteville being the largest city in the Border Belt area, it stands out prominently as a tobacco selling center. Although in operation only a few years, the market has grown to such proportions that it is destin ed to become one of the les'ding leaf markets In the entire bright leaf area. Home^cominsr Day At Juniper Springs •, ■ ' A Home-coming 'Day is to be held at ■ .Juniper Springs Baptist Church, near Broadway, on Sunday, August 3. They wish to extend a cordial In vitation to all former members, pas tors and friends of - the, church. A picnic lunch will be served. Those who come are requested to, bring baskets. Mrs. Lola Mae Thomas, Steven Thomas and E. C. Thomas have filed suit in Harnett Superior Court tor a total of $25,000 against Miss Alice Patterson, clerk in Tax Collector W, D. Harrington’s office. The com plaints were filed Monday morning by M. O. Lee and K. R. Hoyle, at torneys for the plaintiffs. Mrs. J,ola Thomas, who is 19, by her next friend, Eldon Thomas, Is asking 110,000, for injuries. B. C. Thomas, husband and ad ministrator of Mrs. Claudia Thomas, is asking $10,000 for the death of Mrs. Thomas. An award of $5,000 Is asked for Steven Thomas, aged 2 1-2 years. It is understood here that J. Clay- borne McNeill and family of Lee county are filing suit against Miss Patterson in Lee court for a like amount. The suits grow out of an automo bile collision on last March 9 at the intersection of the CCC road and highway 421 between Lillington and Sanford, the crash occurring at what is known as Italy Hill Just outside the town' limits of Lillington. The plaintiffs allege that they were riding in Claybourne McNeill’s car on highway 421 and that “de fendant failed to exercise due care and intelligence in operating her car and operated her car against the said McNeill car white it was on its right side and against the right front fender Just in front of tho dashboard, causing it to turn around and over on its right side and t» crush the head and body, of Mrs. Claudia Thomas so she died while being transported In an ambulance to Lee county hospital.’’ ' The other five occupants of the McNeill car were injured, It is alleg ed. Mrs. Thomas’ death was the only fatal casualty resulting from the crash. Three occupants of the McNeill car are residents of Harr.ett county and the other three were residents of Lee county. With Miss Alice Patterson in her car at the time of the coUision were her sisler. Miss Lottie Patterson, and, Miss Doris Currin. All three of them sustained injuries. .Although It has not been defin itely learned here. It is reported that the suits filed In Lee county ag gregate $36,000. Plaintiff is allowed 2'0. days for filing answer. It is understood that Neill McKay Salmon will represent Miss Patterson in the suits. Wait A Minute— Waste A Minute! Ross Cites FigUTes'From Schools Statistical Report RUN OF THE MINE . . . John L. Lewis glances up dourly as he Rnishes signing new wage con tract for his United Mine Workers with the mine operators. The min ors returned to work after a brief strike. ! ' Figures do not always make dull news, as tho following items fr^om the annual statistical report sub mitted by Supt. C. Reid Ross of the Harnett county schools to the State Board of Education will prove. For Instance, not many Harnett people know that last year there weie enrolled in this county’s schools over twelve and a half thousabd students: that there are over fifty- eight thousand volumes in the school ' libraries: and that the average dally mileage of buses is 2,614. Hero are some figures from the report: * 1 Total pupils enrolled, by racest Elementary, white, 7,072; Negro, 3,- 253; Indian. 54; total 10,379; High j school, white. 1,748; Negro, 427; .total 2,176; Total all pupils, 12,1)54. 1 Total average dally membership for year, 11,106. Percentage of membership in daily attendance, 8'9 per cent. Pupils promoted, 9,783. Pupils not promoted, 1,229. High school graduates for year, whlt«, 281; Negro, 47. Total 828. Transportation of pupils: Num ber buses operated, 7.3; average num ber pupils transported daily, 5,564 (This is more than 60 per cent since our average dally attendance for the year was 9,903); average dally mil eage of buses, 2,614. Library report for year: Number volumes, white schools, 51,410; Ne gro schools, 7,376. This does not include supplemen tary leaders and textbodks. Supt. Ross Is quite proud of the progress we are makjng in building up good school libraries. ' Did you have eggs for breakfast? Ia»ls of people do—eggs taste good, they’re good for you, and lK\sldes, they’re quickly prepared when you’re late for work and time Is precious Lives atre precious, too. • In the three minutes or so white your breakfast eggs arc boiling, at least two pedestrians were killed or in jured somewhere on the nation’s highways—or maybe in your com munity. While you were eating, 4inotlier* ten or more met with dis aster. Clmnees are 8 to 1 tho.se victims were in a hurry—they, took the short way across the middle of the block. Instead of the safe way at the crosswalk. They stepped out suddenly from behind a parked car. Instead of looking both ways to see if the road was clem', or waiting Until tite traffic light turned green. National Conservation Bureau safi'ty specialists report that im patience is the nation’s NumtMtr One highway killer. Time Is, pre cious—sure! But not enough to pay for It with a life. Free Orchids To You, Says A Special Message From Quito Want to go into the orchid busl- 1 ness? If so, you can get some free seeds—almost free—that is, Juan Pastor says you can. In a letter to The News, Pastor, who signs hlmsujlf Doctor of Science, Doctor of Botanic Medicine, and Di rector of South American No. I Bo tanical Experimental Station, Quito, Ecuador, South America. Add to that address: Castlla 2220'. Dr. Pastor says; "Free orchids to you, in your own home, from seed to bloom, with South America's compliments and good wishes for a continued hemispheric solidarity.” For only 16 cents In stamps he will send you, be says, a packet of seeds, with “complete instructions showing you ‘how to propagate these fascinating and exotlcally beautiful tropical flowers right in your' own home, winter or summer.” (A dis count of 5 cents for cash instead of stamps.) Says Dr. Pastor’s letter: “If you order by air mail, allow six weeks for delivery. If you order by ordinary mail, allow two to three months for arrival of seeds.” He also Invites you to tour South •America this year “and see for your self the world's greatest natural gardens—a million sduare miles of jungle.” From seed to bloom, how long? Dr. Pastor doesn’t state, but growers; of orchids in this country say it j takes seven years to get a bloom out ■ of an orebid. They require more nursing than a baby Chihuahua. First evidence (and it is little mure than evidence) is a very tiny bair-like sprout about an eighth of an inch long. (Microscope and small tweezers can be used more effective ly in handling thega.) These almost infinitesimal plants must be set and le-set many times, before they assume the ibulbous shape from which a blossom finally emerges. i Ever see orchids growing? iBetter. take a look into a florist house and ■ persuade the proprietor to give yott * some dope before entering tbe orchid business. Then, it you still want to! make tbe venture, go to it. | ■By the way, The News knows next j to nothing about the orchid station ^ in Ecuador. This free publicity is, sityi, Expression of Thanks The Youth Recreation Council would like to make the following people expressions of gratitude for the summer program: 1. The merchants who so gracious-. ly furnished tennis prizes. 2. .Mrs. T. D. O’Quinn for her un tiring work on the Council. 3. To the parents who furnished refreshments, transportation and financial aid. 4. To Mr. John H. Blackman and others for their work and organiza tion, 5. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rosa and Mr. Alec White for the use of their swimming facilities. 6. To the Town Council for the use of Town Hall. 7. To all who in any way made this program possible. given rimply and solely for your, reading entertainment. ' OUTMODB8 ATOM WMO mt. T. D- J. LmcIi to •f Ml Am«»- •I viMdi h* tt* tUm to a .** to k"-liMr
Harnett County News (Lillington, N.C.)
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July 24, 1947, edition 1
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