y A Paper with a Pr of a Half Cent i County, Not • - munity P ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 19, 1878 CHATHAM HAS HAD HALF-MILLION MORE THAN ITS REAL DUE q 0 Says Commissioner Hill in Reply to a Criticism of Ran dolph Tribune of Delay in Surfacing Pittsboro -Ap ex Section of Highway 90. The following article from the Randolph Tribune, of Asheboro, is self-explanatory so far as it goes. Yet it does not go far enough to s h O V that much of the money spent bv the highway commission in Chat ham county has been spent for bridges for through travel purposes. The two bridges at, or near, Mon cure, on highway 50, were good enough for Chatham travel. These two and two others across the Deep and one across the Rocky have been necessary to give Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro outlets to the south ward. and certainly should not be a total charge to Chatham’s highway fund. Provision was made for route 50 many moons before any was made for a Pittsboro-Raleigh connection; while it is apparent that Chatham county citizens have as little use for the section of highway 50 from Lockville to the Wake line as it would have for almost any section of county road in the whole county. Those three through highways, 50, 60. and 75, simply had to pass through Chatham and the bridges had to be built, and each of the bridges is of statewide importance and even of national importance. The highway of greatest impor tance to Chatham county people is 00, which runs east and west across the county, giving access to the county seat from half the county that is provided with no railroad facilities. And if Chatham has any complaint to make it is because of the earlier expenditure of its money on highways of less county impor tance before the section of 90 from Pittsboro to highway 50 was taken over by the state. With the exception of a few miles on this side of the Haw the present sand-clay highway is in fine condi tion except while the rain is actually falling. The road through the sand areas of New Hope township dries off rapidly; but the clay hills on this side of the Haw become very slick during a rain and are longer in get ting back to normal condition. How ever, this season has been an un usually wet one, and it is regrettable that the impression should be made that 90 is practically impassable be tween Pittsboro and highway 50. Commissioner Hill should pass over this section during a rainy day and see just what part of it needs im mediate improvement in order to make through travel feel confident. A few miles surfaced with broken stone and tar would make the whole section passable at any tire, or even a surface of gravel on the hills be tween the end of the hard surface east of Pittsboro and the Haw. But Chathamites will read Mr. Hill’s letter with interest and here it is: “Some time ago The Tribune car ried an editorial about the bad con dition of a small section of Highway No. 90 between Pittsboro and Apex, and were rather pointed in scoreing the authorities because this small strip had not been completed. The article contended that in order to get the full benefit of Highway 90, this road ought to be completed. Mr. Hill, highway commissioner, who has charge of this part of the road which is in Chatham county, writes us the following letter in re ply to the article. Durham, N. C., July 1-5, 1929 Editor, Randolph Tribune, Asheboro, N. C. Dear Sir:— My attention has been called to an article in your paper entitled, “The Farce of Highway No. 90.” I 'ni surprised at the bad temper of your article. I am just as anxious as you to pave route 50 from Pittsboro to Apex and during the. two years 1 have made every possible effort to improve the condition of this road, hut it is impossible for the highway commission to pave this road with out money. Records of the State Highway Commission show that $98,394.69 ■as been spent by the State Highway Commission in hard surfacing a part this road, building concrete bridge •ver New Hope creek, grading parts °i the road and improving the bridge over Haw River. Records of the Highway commission also show that during the past eight years there has oeen expended in Chatham county $112,987.00 more than it was en titled to, by reason of its area, popu lation and mileage. It is clear, there tore > that in order to improve route 'dO from Pittsboro to Wake county llne , the entire $98,394.00 has been ' fawn from other counties in the district. I wish also to say in this connection that the State Highway The Chatham Record Chathamites Take A Mountain Trip Mr. S. P. Teague and Mr. and Mrs. William Nunnally and son en joyed an extensive trip to the moun tains, leaving Siler City July 13. The trip included a visit to Mr. Teague’s son, R. T. Teague, at New land, and his daughter at Bakers ville. Winston-Salem, Wilkesboro, Boone, Spruce Pines, Switzerland, Morganton, Hickory, Statesville, etc., were on the itinerary. Mr. Teague says that Bakersville is growing, and that it recently did an unprecedent ed thing. The town voted down a $150,000 bond issue for a railroad but voted for a $300,000 issue for the -construction of a three-mile concrete road to Toe Cane. + . - - DEATH OF MRS. S. C. MOFFITT OF GOLDSTON (Sanford Express) Mrs. S. C. Moffitt, who suffered a stroke of paralysis five weeks ago, died at her home at Goldston last Sunday night about 7 o’clock. Al though it was known that she was critically ill, the announcement of her death came as a shock to the community. The funeral was held at the Gold ston Methodist church, of which she was a faithful, consecrated member, Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock, and w r as conducted by the pastor, Rev. Lonnie Chaffin. A number of rela tives and friends attended from San ford, where Mrs. Moffitt was well known, having for a number of years made her home here. Mrs. Moffitt, who was the daughter of Mr.. O. S. Johnson, one of the leading citizens of Chatham county, died at the age of 53 years. She is survived by her husband and the following children: Stedman, Hemp, Frances, Walter Milo, and Teddy Moffitt. Mrs. Mof fitt was a faithful, true wife, mother arid neighbor and leaves a host of friends to mourn her passing. PUGH FAMILY REUNION The Pugh families, their kindred, and many of their friends will hold their annual reunion this year on Guilford Battle Ground, near Greens boro, N. C., July 28th. The Pughs are one of the older families in this state, their ancestors having come over from South Wales before the War of the Revolution. The his torical address this year will be de livered by Dr. W. T. Whitsett, his torian for Guilford county, who has made extensive researches into the family history, and has collected much hitherto unknown information. The place of meeting is especially appropriate because of the fact that on the Guilford Battle Grounds stands the colonial monument bear ing a tablet to James Pugh, martyr to liberty, in the struggle of the Regulators against Gov. Wm. Tyron. A large crowd is expected for this interesting occasion. S. S. CONVENTION A township Sunday school con vention will be held at Mays Chapel church on the fourth Sunday after noon in this month at 2:30 o’clock. All the Sunday schools in the town ship are expected to have a good representation there. We expect to have several good speakers, and special music. Everybody interested in Sunday school work we ask you to come and be with us. —J. W T . Johnson, Township President. Silence is a fence around wisdom. Commission, on June 30, was still indebted' to Wake county in the sum of $488,605.00 for money advanced by Wake county for building State highways in this county, and in addi tion to the above amount $107,574 ‘has been drawn from other counties for building roads in Wake county. I think' you: will agree with me that the time has arrived to go slow about the expenditure of further state' highway funds in Chatham and Wake counties, for the construction of new roads, until more state high way funds become available in these two counties. You will recall that the road from Pittsboro to Apex was not a part of the state highway system at all until about two years ago, and that the entire road was placed on the map at my request and after long and strenuous effort to bring about this result. Reports from State high way engineers show that the road is in reasonably good condition as a dirt road, but, during the past sixty days on account of excessive rains, and unlawful abuse of the road by 1 overloaded cotton trucks, there, has been some complaint from citizens > of Randolph county about the con ' dition of the road. lam free to say > that no citizen of Chatham county r has ever filed any complaint about ■ the condition of this road. It is a ■ pleasure to me to be assured that • i nave the full confidence of the s people- in‘this section who- thorough r iy understand the facts about this i road. * .. s v Yours truly, ; JOHN SPRUNT HILL, r \ Commissioner” PITTSBORO, N. C., CHATHAM COUNTY, THURSDAY, JULY 25,• ***********^*.);* * * * Moncure News * * * *************** We have had some rainy weather and also cool weather, recently. July 16th and 22nd were cool days. Too much rain now is bad on corn and cotton. Os course everything is growing but the farmers are afraid the yield will not be what it should be this fall. Prof, and Mrs. L. D. Womble, who have bought the late Johnnie Clegg place and who have recently moved there, were in town last Saturday on business. Miss Helen Gunter and mother of Merry Oaks were in town today, Monday, on business. The play, “The Deacon Slips,” given here at the school auditorium by the Olive Chapel school last Saturday evening was good indeed and enjoyed by everyone present. The secretary and treasurer, W. W. Stedman, and board of directors of the Chatham County National Farm Loan Association, have re ceived an invitation from the presi dent of the Federal land bank, of Columbia, S. C., to a meeting which will convene at Salisbury, August sth. The secretary and treasurer of this county is one of the speakers on the program. Miss Margaret Strickland is visit ing relatives at Lillington this week. Miss Mary Olinger of Sanford is visiting her sister, Mrs. J. E. Moore, this week. Mr. W. W. Chaffin of Sanford was in town today, Monday, on business. Messrs. C. E. King and J. T. Alderman, of Raleigh, spent several days here last week in the interest of Carolina Power and Light com pany here. Miss Beatrice Wilkie is visiting relatives in Durham this week. Mr. Rudolph Wilkie, who is taking a business course at King’s Business College, Raleigh, spent last week end with his mother, Mrs. Florence Wilkie. Mr. George W. Geide, who has been visiting Capt. Wissler, has re turned to his home at Harrisburg, Pa., but Mrs. Geide is yet with her uncle (Capt. Wissler) who is not so well, but we are glad to state that he seems a little better and stronger today, Monday. It is hoped by his many friends here that he will con tinue to improve and soon be well again. We are also glad to state that Dr. J. E. Cathell is able to be up and about again. Mr. P. S. Lassiter has secured work at Blanch, N. C. Miss Gunter of Texas reached here last Friday to spend sometime with her aunt, Mrs. A. A. Taylor. Mr. W. W. Langley, the efficient cashier of Moncure Bank, attended one day last week the Junior Order meeting at High Point. The Sons and Daughters of Lib erty will meet in the Junior Hall this evening at 8 o’clock. As the weather was so cloudy and rainy last Sunday afternoon, the Children’s Day will be held at Provi dence Methodist church next Sun day, July 28th, at 3 o’clock. The public is cordially invited to attend. - - ■— *************** * * Kimbalton News * * * * * * * * * * ******** Mrs. Nannie Gilmore of Bonlee is visiting her daughter, Mrs. C. M. Pickard. Mrs. Pearl Justice and children spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orren Tysor. Mr. and Mrs. Zeb Ferguson spent Sunday with the latter’s father, Mr. Walter Clark, in Greensboro. Mr. and Mrs. Jeter Jenks of Pittsboro spent Sunday with Mrs. Jenks’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Pickard. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Dowdy went to Sanford several times last week to see their son, John Dowdy, who is sick in a hospital there. Mrs. Charlie Cheek of Sanford is visiting her daughter, Mrs. N. J. Dark. Mr. and Mrs S. T. Johnson spent the week-end in Burlington. Mr. Jim Webster is slowly im proving. Little Emma Dark is visiting her aunt in Sanford. W. B. Dorsett and family spent Sunday in Raleigh. Misses Joyce and Agnes Perry spent the week-end in Sanford with Miss Mozelle Brown. Fire Sweeps Over Beach at Morehead Fire early Saturday morning swept Atlantic Beach at Morehead ' City clean of every building, leaving ; only a ferris wheel standing, ac i cording to press dispatches. Loss is - estimated at $60,000 to $75,000. i Fire was discovered in the Pergoda ■ about 3 o’clock. Fire trucks from > Beaufort and Morehead went to the scene but could not get close enough to do any good. Several employees of the company staying in the build , ing escaped unhurt. FOUR MEET DEATH AT BYNUM BRIDGE Crash of Packed Car into Con crete Side Wall of Bynum Bridge Kills Four Negroes Sunday—George Staley, the Driver, Is in Chatham Jail. The most disastrous automobile wreck in Chatham county in many a day occurred at Haw River bridge, at Bynum, Sunday afternoon, when an open car containing nine Durham negroes crashed into the concrete side wall of the bridge orr the return trip from a visit ±o Pittsboro. Three were killed instantly and a fourth died within a few hours, while four ; others were injured. The dead are Lizzie Allen', whose skull was fractured; Robert Allen, who died of internal injuries; Rob- ; ert Payne, age eight, and an eight months old child of Robert Allen, : both of whom received skull frac- j tures. ; 1 The dead and wounded lay upon the bridge till Coroner Brooks had held an inquest and an ambulance ' had arrived from Durham. Hundreds of people rushed to the scene and j some of them came unawares upon j the gruesome sight when they had supposed that they would see only ! the wreck. George Staley, driver of the ill- ; fated car stated that he was driving 1 35 or 40 miles an hour when he ■ reached the bridge. Those familiar ■ with the location recall that the ap- : proach from the Pittsboro direction j is by a down-hill curve. The old car ! tilted down the incline, gaining pre- ; sumably every foot of the way and struck the solid side-wall of the bridge a slanting blow and then shot across to the opposite side. Dr. Mc- Bane hastened to the spot and did what he could to relieve the suf fering. Coroner Brooks, with Messrs. C. A. Snipes, G. E. Moore, W. B. At water, C. C. Griffin, J. M. Durham, and A. T. Ward, as jurors, held an inquest. Staley, the driver, the only one unhurt at all, thought that the car had skidded, but witnesses who saw the accident denied this, and there was no sign of skidding. The car’s right front wheel hit the end of the sidewall of the bridge, but so near the inside that it got by and shot on into the bridge a con siderable distance and turned en tirely around, being headed this way when it stopped. Robert Allen was thrown out to the right and was found lying on the end of the wall, with a foot caught in the wire bar rier that reached to the concrete bridge side. The three killed im mediately probably hit the cement floor of the bridge as they were hurled out of the car. All were thrown out except the driver. After hearing the testimony the jury decided that the deaths of the three then dead were due to the reckless driving of Staley, and he was lodged in the Chatham jail. Staley’s wife, Lessie Staley, a daugh ter of George Fike, who formerly lived at Pittsboro, was among the injured. Dock Vincent, an aged man, was slightly hurt. Sarah Payne was so badly hurt that her recovery was doubtful. The eighth, a boy, was only slightly hurt. The car belonged to the mother of Lizzie Barber, at whose home Staley roomed. Staley himself was reared at Staley, and has been work ing as a plasterer at Durham and Chapel Hill. He is given a good name by one of the men working on the Fields building at Pittsboro who has worked with him. An at tempt is being made to get him out of jail on bond. ® Large Snake Effects Some Miracle Cures —o — An American steamship officer just returned from Ecuador brings back a tale of miracles performed in a hospital in that South American country. A ten-foot boa constrictor got into the cripples ward of the hospital, and lame men ran and para lytics jumped. One man paralyzed and unable to move for more than a year, jumped six feet from his bed to a window. Doctors later examined him and pronounced him cured. A general alarm was sounded and the snake was killed before any serious injury was done. $ Farm Convention Gets Under Way — The 27th annual farmers conven tion opened at Raleigh Tuesday. Along with the farmers the State federation of home demonstration clubs is meeting. The women out number the men and most of the social features of the convention are for their benefit. Mrs. O. Max Gardner is to entertain at the man sion this afternoon for the women. Class room Will include discussion of problems incident to live stock, diversified farming, fertilization, * home economics, etc. * * * * * 4 ' 4' * Brickhaven Nev * * * ****** * * * & # *. Miss Della Dowell after a few j weeks* stay with relatives here has returned to her home in Forestville. Mrs. J. H. Overby and 1 .children left for their new home'in-Charlotte one day last week. We are going to miss them but the love and good wishes of the entire community go with them into their new environ ment. A good woman and an ideal neighbor has gone from our midst. We wish her naught but happiness and success in her new abode. Mr. Sam Utley has gone to Mc- Kees Rock, Pa., where he is employ ed by a construction company. Miss Louise Curtis, of Afioskie, is the attractive guest of her cousin, Miss Ruth Kennedy. Mr. Allen Moore, of Winston- Salem, spent the greater part of the week here with friends. Miss Mary Lee Utley spent last week in Durham as the guest of her cousin, Mrs. D. M. Estes. She re turned home Friday with Miss Leone : Luther who has been attending summer school at Duke University. Miss Luther shared honors with one other young lady in making the high est score in putting on an exhibition of the activity work done by her .class. If every teacher who attends summer school were as conscientious and as eager to make use of the op portunities offered as Miss Luther we venture to say that the morale of the teaching force of the state would ’be considerably higher. Mr. C. C. Mims of Raleigh spent Ipart of last week here with his par ! ents, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Mims. 1 Mr. W. A. Griffin, of Yanceyville, ! spent last week-end as the guest of Mr. A. F. Harrington. The singing class of the M. E. Orphanage, Raleigh, will give a con cert at the new Methodist church at Corinth next Thursday evening, July 25. The public is cordially in vited to attend. Hatch Reunion On Sunday, July 21, 1929, the descendants of the late Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Hatch held a reunion at Hank’s Chapel. Mr. Jack Hatch, as he is still fondly remembered, was for years pastor of this church. Mrs. Queen Farrell, the only living child, with one hundred of the grandchil dren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren attended the re union. A bountiful basket lunch was spread on a long table. In the afternoon quite a few of the family, despite the inclement weather, walk ed over to the Hatch homestead, scene of many fond recollections. A seen eof many fond recollections. A remarkable fact noted during the day was, that out of the large num ber of children attending the re union, the burden of perpetuating the Hatch name rests on Master Edwin B. Hatch, Jr. Those attending from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Howell and three sons of Jacksonville, Fla.; Mrs. J. R. Parks, son and daughter of Greensboro; Dr. E. L. Moffitt, E. L. Moffitt, Jr., Misses Margaret and Betsy Burton Moffitt, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Morris and Mrs. John T. Mof fitt, all of Asheboro; Mr. and Mrs. William Russell and daughter of Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Williams of Fayetteville, Mrs. Louis Howell of Jacksonville, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Moffitt and Miss Eliza beth Moffitt of Winston-Salem; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Farrell and children of Durham and Mrs. Ed Ruffin and children of Ellerbe Springs, N. C. Democrats Locked Out by Republicans Although congress is in recess members of the finance and ways and means committee are in Wash ington working on the tariff. Repub lican members of the sub committee have locked out the Democrats and will not let them attend committee meetings. Meantime the Democrats are holding caucuses of their own getting ready to wage war on the tariff schedules to be proposed, which are declared by Democratic senators to be the most iniquitous ever at tempted. This special session of congress was called for farm relief legislation, but it seems that the big contributors to the republican campaign fund are determined to get back their money. Tariff rates on some items will be increased five thousand times under the proposed republican schedule. President Hoover is said to be a little worried at the way the high protectionists are running away with things, but he is doing nothing about it. ® MEXICAN SMUGGLERS KILL BORDER GUARD Inspector Ivan E. Scotten of the Mexican border patrol was shot and killed and several Mexican rum run ners wounded in a battle between patrolmen and smugglers near El Paso Saturday. Accounts of the af fair indicate that neither Americans nor Mexicans crossed over the inter national boundary line, but bullets * were fired across falling on both sides of the line.* ... ‘ Subscribers at Every Postoffice and All R. F. D. Routes in Great County of Chatham VOLUME 51, NUMBER 43 : THE FIRST CHATHAM : COUNTY FARM TOUR (' Annual Chatham County fiVad L Set for Monday, Farm* ' r ednesday, Aug- TuesdayV ust 5,6, f - ' ' all - •* V • This extends ah mvitatidfP w» farmers, their wives, business ttteK. and all others who are interested the agricultural development of Chatham county. For those who do not have cars, means of transporta tion will be afforded. Following* is& the schedule: Monday, August .5 8 a. m. Assemble at Pittsboro. 8:15 a. m. Inspection of common lespedeza and lespedeza No. 76 on the farm of A. G. Thomas. 9 a. nr. Inspection of two-acre , sweet clover demonstration farm of W. D. Burns. 10 a. nr. Inspection of sweet clover demonstration, lespedeza and dairy herd, J. Lee Harmon. 10:30 a. m. Inspection of five acre cotton demonstration, farm of Henry A. Harrington, Brickhaven. 12 a. m. Inspection of two-acre sweet clover demonstration, farm of W. W. Stedman. 12:15 p. m. Lunch (to be brought by those attending the tour). 1:30 p. m. Inspection of five-acre tobacco demonstration and dairy herd on the farm of J. B. Fearing ton. 3 p. m. Inspection of herd of pure-bred Jerseys, farm of Oldham Brothers. 4p. m. Inspection of sweet clover and lespedeza, farm of W. A. Snipes. 4:45 p. m. Inspection of lespedeza No. 76 and common lespedeza, farm of J. J. Glosson. 5 p. m. Inspection of lespedeza, farm of T. A. Thompson. Tuesday, August 6 8 a. m. Assemble at Pittsboro. 8:30 a. m. Inspection of dairy herd, barns, registered bull, farm of W. H. Ferguson. 9 a. m. Inspection of dairy herd and barns, farm of John E. Clarke. 10 a. m. Inspection of five acre sweet clover demonstration, farm of Ernest Brewer. 11 a. m. Inspection of five-acre corn demonstration, alfalfa, sweet clover, lespedeza (common), les pedeza No. 76, red clover and soil building plots on farm of N. J. Dark. 12 a. m. Lunch (to be brought along by members of tour). 1 p. m. Inspection of pasture and alfalfa demonstration, W. H. White farm. 2 p. m. Inspection of alfalfa, lespedeza and hog-feeding demon stration and self feeder, farm of M. W. Culberson. 3 p. m. Inspection of self-feeders and 19 hogs—cooperative hog feed ing demonstration, farm of J. M. Edwards. 4 p. m. Inspection of self-feeder and cooperative hog feeding demon stration farm of R. D. Gee. 4:30 p. m. Inspection of hog feeding demonstration, farm of O. L. Lambert. Wednesday, August 7 8:30 a. m. Assemble at Siler City. 8:45 a. m. Cooperative hog-feed ing demonstration and self-feeder conducted by J. W. Dixon, Jr. 9:30 a. m. Cooperative hog feed ing demonstration, self feeders, farm of Ira White. 10 a. m. Cooperative hog feeding demonstration, J. M. White. 10:30 a. m. Cooperative hog feed ing demonstration, N. E. Thompson. 11:30 a. m. Five-acre sweet clover demonstration, alsike clover demon stration farm of B. N. Welsh. 12:30. Lunch (to be brought along by members of tour). 2 p. m. Inspection of pastures, equipment, etc., livestock, Bray Estate. All farmers and business men and others are cordially invited to attend this tour. Specialists from State College including Mr. S. J. Kirby, E. C. Blair, W. W. Shay, A. C. Kiiprey, D. S. Coltrane, J. M. Grey and others will attend this tour, as sist in pointing out the value of these demonstrations and make talks. Private Truck Load Governed by Tires Privately owned trucks carrying a larger load than the rated capacity of the truck, but which have over sized tires so that the weight per square inch of tire is not beyond the limit allowed by law, will not be re quired to take off part of their load, said Capt. Charles D. Farmer, head of the State Highway Patrol. Here tofore patrolmen have objected to all trucks carrying a larger load than the license was issued for. For hire trucks must pay license based on the size load they carry and not on the factory rated capaci ty of the truck, said Capt. Farmer. Violators of this law are turned over to Leland S. Harris, head of the in spectors force of the Department of Revenue. . Trucks, regardless of whether they are used in private bus iness or are for hire, will not be allowed to carry a greater weight per square inch than the law allows.