iBNT IN POUnCB ^
fj
lioadiQr* wi)d HMDr*d»y« at
^ North WUke«horo, N. C
; ,, ,.!.^- „
ftlh i. GAinCS aad JULIUS C. HUBBABD
‘ ^ Pnbtidwn ^ , ’
apBSCRlPTION RATES:
On« Year »1.60
Six Months .76
Pour Monlhs .60
Out of the State $2.60 per Year
Batend at tba poet office at North Wflhea
boco, N. (X, ae aeeond elan matter under Act
vt Aa^ 4. 181*.
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1940
North Wilkesboro
It is with pleasure that on the eve of the
50th anniversary of North Wilkesbcro
that we devote these columns to a re.;ount
of some of the progress made by our city
and community during its half century ex
istence.
Fifty years ago a railroad was con
structed from Winston-Salem westward to
.within one mile of the old historic town of
Wilkesboro and that spot happened to be
where the North Wilkesboro depot is now
located.
At that time agricultural and industrial
progress was following the railroads and
construction of a railroad meant opening
up of new territory for development and
higher standards olf civilization.
The end of the raliroad here was very
near the center of Wilkes county and so
geographically located that it naturally
became a center of trade and industry.
The first industry here was the Wilkes
boro Manufacturing company, organized
for a specific purpose, which is character
istic of business endeavors in North
Wilkesboro, which has grown to be one of
the most thriving little cities in North Car-
■^Hch"\ed«y*'haa a population
within its incorporated limits of more than
4,501 and with a population in a three
mile radius of about 12,000.
North Wilkesboro has never been a
boom towm. Its growth and progress have
been pronounced but very steady and con
tinual, nevertheless.
The advent of the railroad made North
Wilkesboro the most convenient shipping
point for all Wilkes county and a number
of counties and communities nearby. It
opened up to the world the vast natural
resources of the extreme northwestern
part of North Carolina.
The first largo industrial plant erected
in North Wilkesboro was the C. C. Smoot
Tanneiy’. The growth of that manufac
turing business in North Wilkesboro is
well known and today the plant is one of
the larger ones of the International Shoe
company, which has manufacturing plants
in many cities throughout the country.
Soon other manufacturing plants were
begun. With but few exceptions all North
Wilkesboro industrial plants were started
by local people, had small beginnings and
climbed by steady expansion to their pres
ent state. Several conditions make North
Wilkesboro ideal for manufacturing. Prox-
mity to big aeras of timberland has been -a
factor in the growi;h of the furniture in
dustry and manufacture of building ma
terials, there being seven factories in
tho^ lines of manufacturing now operat
ing very successfully.
Another factor in industrial growth has
Yfeen the abundance df good labor, free of
strike and trouble and of the purest Ang-
lo^axon stock. There are many industrial
employes in North Wilkesboro who have
been with the same firms for a quarter of
a century or more. Employes-employer re
lations in North Wilkesboro cannot be ex
celled anywhere in the nation.
North Wilkesboro has since the days of
its beginning as a village been a center of
trade in this section of the state. The fhct
that it has served as a market as well as a
olace of distribution accounts for its high
position as a commercial center. Products
of the farms and forests of northwestern
■North Carolina have for half a century
found a market here.
Before the days of hardsurface high
ways, covered wagon trains could be seen
almost any days on the roads into North
TEilkssboro. ITiey were carrying products
io nuH^Eet and taking back with them the
itifi iMijlUnn and hunirm. of life purchased
ia WiHiai^n^ vmat.
-for a b^ area in this part of Noi^ Caro-
-- -y- -..I ,
North WBk^oro fcaa developed
manyline4,^^The Jity »^hMf & splendid
churches well supported the citiami^ip
of the city* the three large^chnnikfifl
the First Baptist, with Rev. Eugene Olive
as pastor; North Wilkesboro Methodfct^
with Rev. A. L. Aypock pastor; and North
Wilkesboro Presbyterian, with Rev. Watt
M. Cooper pastor. • Beautiful church
buildings are characteristic of the city and
jit the present time work has begun oh'a
beautiful new building for the Presby
terian church. In addition to toe torei
above named churches there are other
smaller churches in the city with- a large
combined total in membership.
North Wilkesboro school ranks high
among the schools of toe south. A charter
was {Ranted toe school system here in
1906. In 1913 the present elementaiy
building was constructed and because of
the growth of the city it became neces
sary to double school facilities and con
tracts were let for the modem high school
building in 1924.
The North Wilkesboro schools during
the past term had a total enrollment of 1,-
1G2 and the faculty consisted of ten high
pchool teachers, 17 teachers in the elemen
tary white school and four in'the colored
school.
North Wilkesboro school system has
been a member in the Southern Associa
tion of Accredited schools since 1923.
This means that any graduate may enter
any college in toe south without an exami
nation, in other words, it is a symbol of
high educatioanl standards.
The people of North Wilkesboro are sat
isfied mth nothing less than the best
school system to be had and special elec
tions for the benolfit of schools have al
ways carried by substantial majorities.
North Wilkesboro was one of the first
cities in the state to vote a local tax sup
plement in 1933.
The citizenship not only wants, but de
mands, an efficient school system and to
day it stands as a leader in North Caro
lina. Paul S. Cragan, one of North Caro
lina’s most influential school men, is sup
erintendent of North Wilkesboro schools.
The business life of North Wilkesboro is
perhaps greater than that of any other
city near its size in toe state. North Wilk
esboro' merchants strive to render a com
plete merchandising service comparable
to that of cities with population many
times its size.
In this city is located the Wilkes Hospi
tal, privately owned and operated with a
highly competent staff. The financial in
stitutions, including two banks and
building and loan association, have envia
ble reputations and are headed by men
whose capability and integrity have never
been questioned. Men of every profession
necessary to serve the people promptly
and efficiently are among North Wilkes-
boro’s citizenship.
North Wilkesboro has many splendid
civic organizations in which citizens lend
their combined efforts for community ser
vice. The organizations include Kiwanis,
Lions, Juniors and Senior Woman’s Clubs,
American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Vet
erans Foreign Wars, Dokies, and chapters
of several widely known fraternities.
We, the people of North Wilkesboro,
are glad of the opportunity to celebrate
fifty years of grogress and invite every
body from far and near to attend the cele
bration here June 30 through July 4. We
believe you will enjoy the entire celebra
tion as an effort is made to depict some of
this city’s progress and the history of the
entire northwestern North Carolina area.
The citizenship of Notrh Wilkesboro
will welcolme you at th|e celebra^on or
any other time.
North Wilkesboro looks forward with
anticipation to the coming years and as it
continues to progress and grow will be
grateful for the continued cooperation of
all the people of this great section of a
great state.
R. G. Finley, left, and W. P. Kelly, ngM, presUcBt and exeeative
secretary, respeetlTely, ot North Wilhealioiro’a Coaauece Bareaas,
Ine. -
Commerce Bureau Offer Medium
For United Efforb Fm* Progress
Comprehensive Commercial
Organization Organized
- Here A Year Ago
Sanity For Fourth
A plea to the people of North Carolina
to make the Fourth of July this year a
“holiday instead of a horror day” has
been made by Ronald Hocutt, Director of
the Highway Safety Division
Pointing out that nine people were kill
ed on North Carolina streets and high
ways over the Fourth of July week end
last year, Hocutt said
“Each year Americd chooses the Fourth
of July to stage a jj mboree of careless
ness. This mass sli aghter on Indepen
dence Day cap be sto fped if every one of
us uses caution and ( ommon sense. The
things that causes ^toagVHii^ are
things we can controf
Fifty years ago the foundation
was belDK laid for what Is today
the progressive industrial, com
mercial and aaiiculturai center
known as the Town of North Wil
kesboro, which is recognized aa
one of the best towns of the size
in the country.
The advent of the railroad and
the building of the Town of Nprth
Wilkesboro was a great blessing
to the people within a radius of
approximately forty miles because
It opened up a market for farm
and forest products and because
the establishment of wholesale
and retail stores made it conven
ient for the inhabitants of this
area to obtain supplies for their
homes and farms. In the early
days of North Wilkesboro covered
wagons drawn by horses, mules
and oxen,, traveled what then
seemed a. long Journey bringing
produe*, nxfis, ;Aerbs, .1 Jnipheri
tan * bark, extract ‘ wood, locaal
pins, cross ties and other farm
and forest products to North Wll-
kerfborc and carrying back to
their respective homes, farms and
country stores, food, clothing,
medicine, fertilizer, farm imple
ments and other supplies. North
.Wilkesboro was then and Is today
,'the great trading center for
Wilkes and parts of surrounding
counties.
In addition to being a great
produce market and trading cen
ter, North Wilkesboro is an out
standing industrial town. One of
the industrial, plants in operation
here today was in operation be
fore the first train polled Into the
station in North Wilkesboro and
soon afterwards other manufac
turing plants were established.
The industrial growth and de
velopment of the Town of North
Wilkesboro has been steady ever
since the town was established in
1890 and today there are twenty-
three manufacturing enterprises
within the community.
The Town has schools, church
es, civic organizations, town gov
ernment with its several depart
ments, stores, financial institu
tions, etc. as usually found in
any progressive community, but
with the large trading area, ex
cellent climate, splendid water,
favorable location, natural re
sources and good reserve of na
tive labor. North Wilkesboro of
fers unusual opportunities to new
industries.
Realizing the need of a com
prehensive commercial organiza
tion through which the business
and professional men could unite
their efforts In promoting the In
dustrial growth and development
of our community, some of the
business men met In the Cty Hall
on June 12th, 1939, to discuss
ways and means for perfecting an
organization that could sell all
the advantages that the Town of
North Wilkesboro had to offer for
Industrial and commercial
growth. At this meeting a plan
was presented and accepted to co
ordinate the efforts of all busi
ness and professional men in our
community in promoting the in
terests of North Wilkesboro and
Wilkes County. The Charter for
North Wilkesiboro’s Commerce
Bureaus, Inc., together with the
Constitution and By-laws were
read and adopted at this meeting
and the Organization has been
functioning ever since.
T h e Advertizing Bureau is
functioning for all members of
the corporation as an information
cleaiinc house through which the
business men ot the Town of
North Wllkeabrnro unHe their efi-
fom Ih wch vita} pn>jecta''fir
ways and means of helping the
farmer with his marketing prob
lems, community advertising,
park and ifiayground develop
ment, safety and fire prevention,
municipal improvements, effici
ent governmental operations, im
provement dn transportation fa
cilities and meeting the present
day competition between com
munities f o r advantages t o
growth and development within
the community.
The Better Business Bureau
functions to sustain the high eth
ics of business sta.ndards among
the business men of North Wil
kesboro and safeguards them a-
gainst unethical and unscrupulous
methods that would lower or un
dermine the high standards of
husine.se dealings. The Bureau
does everything within its power
to expose all unlawful schemes,
propositions or skin games which
would he detrimental to the bus
iness interests or citizens of the
community.
The Credit and Collection Bu-
for the hq8iu|||
.^^^^Bi^ra’ waikesboro who w
mercliandlse or services on t
credit basis. It operates as a me
dium for bringing about a better
understanding among the mem-
(bers of the corporation and their
credit customers and acts as an
agent for all members In the col
lection of accounts due them.
The Manufacturers’ Bureau co
operates with manufacturers
North Wilkesboro as a medium
to bring about a better acquaint
ance and more fraternal and bind
ing feeling among the manufac
turers, and acts in formulating
plans and making suggestions on
how to promote North Wilkes
boro as a manufacturing center.
The Merchants’ Bureau ope
rates for the Merchants of North
Wilkesboro to effect a closer un
ion of the merchants and coope
rates in all matters pertaining to
the ■ welfare and advancement of
North Wilkesboro and its trade.
This Bureau cooperates in de
veloping the territory around
North Wilkesboro in making it a
trading center.
The Wholesalers’ Bureau func
tions for the wh-jiesalers in North
Wilkesboro in coordinating a
more cooperative union among
the wholesalers by working out
plans for advancement and does
everything postible to promote
and advertise he Town of North
Wilkesboro and increase its trad
ing possibilities.
Ever since this organization
started functioning. North Wil
kesboro has been making some
real progress in carrying out the
objectives that North Wilkes-
boro’s Commerce Bureaus, Incor
porated, advocates and the future
for the continuous growth and
development in a commercial way
for the business men of North
Wilkesboro and this section look;
promdsing.
_
Itore EfCxUBflMd H«re TEre#
ipd Tmov
t , ' Aigo Ni»w PopvUr %
on
Main ztroet nazt to Brama*l)rnf
‘company^ l>w bheomov one of
‘North ‘Wnicertioro’s  fnvorll*.
;ttorea^ tfnco>'lt wax aatahlizhed
three aatFoae-half yean ago.
Mra. JiellA .CnIffoppOr is raan-
pger ot. Itoa'B. Mn. Oulitftpper hpa
Ion yeiis of experience in the
merchandlaing field and Is recog
nized as an authority on women’s
i-clotbing. Her wide knowledge of
the bnsiness enaibles the firm to
render a high type of service to
a rapidly increasing patronage.
Jean's is an exclusive women’s
^p, featuring at all times the
latest Btylea aa relayed direct to
the store from their New York
buying office, which is in con
stant touch with the latest cre
ations in women’s ready-towear, I
shoes, millinery and accessories, j
The store has exclusive agency;
here for a number, of nationally
advertised linee.
Mrs. Colpqpper is assisted in
the store by Mrs. Will Blair, who
has many years of merchandising
experience, and Miss Lucille
Pierce, both of whom are well
qualified to render to the firm’s
many customers a very efficient
service. •
Borne of the firm’s many mid
summer values are quoted in an
advertisement elsewhere in this
newspaper.
C0U)RED wedding
Robert Brown and Mavis
Cropps, colored waiter and cook
for several years at Williams
Boarding house, were united in
marriage Monday afternoon.
’The TOWS were'' spoken in the
office of North Wilkesboro In
surance Agency before Rev. A. L.
Aycock.
J. B. Williams financed the
Mrs. Zella Cnlpeppor. man
ager of Jean's Dress Shop,
which was opeaed In this dty
two years agh. The store, which
deals exclnrfvely In women’s
apparel, has become wldcy
popular n this section of the
state.
nuptials, having purchased the
marriage license and paid the
preacher.
Mrs. Frank Gentry Is
Bridge Cnb Hostess
The members of Our Bridge
club and one additional guest,
Mrs. Dewey Davis, were delight-
fully entertained by Mrs. Frank ^
Gentry at her home In Wilkes-
toro Monday evening. Mixed gar
den flowers made a colorful set
ting for the players at two ta
bles, in which Mrs. Alene God
frey Upchurch received high score
prize. The bingo prize went to
•Miss Willie Guthrie. An ice course
was served at the conclusion of
the game.
Use the advertising columns of
thL naner as vnur shopping guide.
Current Topic Club
Met Wednesday Afternoon
The members of the Current
Topic club, with a few additional
guests, were delightfully enter
tained by Mrs. Weaver Starr and
Mrs. J. M. Crawford at the Starr
home on Ninth Street Wednesday
afternoon.
Following the business session
and current events, rook was
played at five tables,'which were
arranged In a festive setting of
mixed - garden flows**. Top score
prize among the club members
went to Mrs. K. T. McNeil while
for th^ vWtorZ Mrs. Wi EJ. Jones
was the winner. ■ -
At the elosp of play the hoJtess
servod a. tempting ^ salad course
foUowud iby jtweeU. >tt ;«fchan*e
^ :,boi^ wfip znds di^ng , the
►
USED CARS
—at your price—and forms
1939 Deluxe Ford Tudor
1939 Standard Ford Tudor
1939 Chevrolet Town Sedan
RED HOT SPECIALS
1939 Chevrolet Coach
1938 Deluxe Ford Sedan
193^ Deluxe Plymouth Coach
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