THE JOURNAL-PATRIOT
The Journal-Patriot Has Blazed the Trail of Progress In the "State of Wilkes" For Over 43 Years
WJR CITY
North Wilkesboro has a
trading radius of 50 miles,
serving 1^0,000 people h)
Northwestern Carolina. ?
BUT .
SEALS
NOW
AND
HELP
FIGHT
T. &
lay Christmas Soak
Holp Stamp Oat T!
Vol. 43, No. 71
Published Mondays and Thursdays NORTH WILKESBORO, N. C., Monday, December 19, 1949
Make North Wilkesboro Your Shopping Center
Two Murders and One Mysterious Death In Wilkes
Christmas Cheer
Werk Progressing
Well In Wilkes
All Destitute Families Will
Be Aided If Good Work
Is Continued
Christmas Cheer work to aid
underprivileged families in the
Wllke8boros and all Wilkes
county is progressing very sat
isfactorily, it was learned today
from the office of the Wilkes
Chamber of Commerce, which is
acting as a clearing house of
information on needy families
and those being helped by vari
ous groups and individuals.
This year the Wilkes welfare
department, the North Wilkes
boro welfare department and
the Wilkes chapter of the Amer
jan Red Cross prepared a list
ly families who ' must
it Christmas time or
stockings. This list
fames, addresses, sex I
all members of the
kh information on
the homes. Don
raged to deliver the
if they cannot the
department will
V CMC clabs, churches, Sunday
classes, women's organi
zations, school and individuals
are helping and have taken the
names of many families. The
North Wilkesboro Lions club,
which started this type of work
???gfal years ago, is taking the
jfftrgest number of families.
It was learned today from the
office of the chamber of com
merce that several families have
not been taken and other groups
and individuals are encouraged
to get these names and provide
them with Christmas cheer ma
terials.
If the remainder of the fam
ilies are taken, the work will
wave been carried out more suc
cessfully than ever before and
all the more needy cases will re
ceive aid.
The cumulative total of Christ
mas cheer help this season in
the county is e )pected to total
several thousand dollars.
DMrige Dealer
Previews New Car
Model January 4
The new Dodge cars which
will be introduced January 4
will have a fresh styling appeal,
new low body lines and many
refinements in design, accord
ing to W. o. Absher, who has
>ettimed from a dealer preview
meeting in Charlotte. Others at
tending from this dealership,
^Vilkes Auto Sales, Inc., were F.
Forester, Claude p. Roope,
I'V Privette, and W. R. Callo
Absher said that pictures
jb new Dodge cars, specifica
, jKs and full details on body
types will be released on De
cember 27 and the new cars will
be on display in his showroom
on January 4.
"Dodge's production and re
tail deliveries this year have
been the highest in Dodge his
tory," he said. "We're confident
01 "Joins even better next year
the new improved models.
Jtby're beautiful cars. I person
ally believe they are the finest
values we've ever had."
Mr. Ahsher cordially invites
everybody to his gala open house
January 4 through 7.
Christmas Club
Savings Set New
High Record Here
Banks Have 1950 Clubs Op
en Now With Opportun
ity For All to Join
Total paid out by banks here
to Christmas Savings Club mem
bers set a new record this year.
The Northwestern bank mail
ed out checks' totaling $16,
1L3.50 to club members and the
Batik of North Wllkesboro paid
out $15,000 in Christmas sav
ings. Totals at each bank let
new records in Christmas sav
ings 'dtttbs In this community.
. vgh# banks have new clubs in
ipffition now and there Is still
time to enroll for 1950. Club
members may enroll for any a
mount they wish and receive
their savings on or about De
tcmber 1, 1950.
Grayson Attends
State Meeting Of
Tax Supervisors
J. C. Grayson, Wilkes county
accountant and tax supervisor,
last week attended a state meet
ing of tax supervisors held in
Chapel Hill under auspices of
the Institute of Government.
Approximately 80 of the 100
counties in the state were rep
resented at the meeting.
Mr. Grayson said that only a
few counties in the state this
year will have re-valuation, be
cause of the abnormal market
values prevailing. '
Visitors Flock
Through Bank At
Open House Hours
Bank of North Wilkesboro
Friday afternoon and evening
from 4:30 until 9:30 observed
"open house" to show a steady
stream of visitors through the
newly remodeled and modernized
bank.
Officers and personnel of the
bank, with members of their
families, formed the receiving
line for the many visitors
throughout the "open house"
hours. Refreshments were served
and favors were given.
Visitors were high in their
praise of the improvements in
the bank, which has a complete
ly remodeled interior with new
fixtures and new equipment.
Of particular interest were
four large pictures on the wall
of the bank's main floor. These
four pictures ? depict the four
principal industries of Wilkes
county. An orchard scene shows
an orchard in bloom. A dairy
herd represents dairying and
livestock. A sawmill with stacks
of lumber in the mountains rep
resents timber and wood pro
ducts. Baskets of eggs surround
ed by chickens represents the
poultry industry. These giant
pictures are in color and are
very impressive.
Lobby space in the bank has
been doubled by moving the
bookkeeping department to the
newly constructed mezzanine
floor of the bank.
Among those assisting in re
ceiving the guests and serving
refreshments during the hours
of open hduse were: Mr. and
Mrs. J. R. Hix, Mr. and Mrs. W.
D. Halfacre, Mr. and Mrs. R. G.
Finley, Mr. and Mrs. J. T.
Brame; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dun
can; Mr. and Mrs. Weaver Starr,
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn McNeil,
Mesdames Tom McLaughlin, R.
W. Gwyn, Jr., Carlyle Ingle, W.
C. Marlow, E. R. Spruill, Edna
Staley, and Hazel McNeil, Misses
Fannie Ruth Kilby, Ella Mae
Whittington, Lottie McNeil, Max
ine Brookshire, Ruth Hubbard,
Ginny Brame, and Jody Dough
ton; Mr. Blair Gwyn and Mr.
Worth Tomlinson.
Christmas Scene
At Liberty Theatre
-i
One of the most impressive
Christmas displays ever con
structed here is on display in
the lobby of the Liberty Theatre.
"Jhe scene is a snow covered
landscape of hills and valleys
forested with pine. One of the
unique items in the display is a
stone house, which was con
structed by Henry Bauguss, of
the theatre staff. Beside the
house is a lake, and a mill with
old fashioned water wheel.
Another item artistically form
ed is Santa Claus - in his sleigh
approaching the house. The dis
play is so realistic as to cause
much comment from spectators.
Parents are invited to carry
their children to view/the dis
play, which will be of much in
terest to the adults as well as
children.
Seeking Help For
Veterans Family
Blue Ridge Mountain post of
Veterans of Foreign Warsv is
asking aid in providing clothing
and other materials for the fam
ily of a very needy veteran.
Members of the family and
ages are: wife, size 18; boy age
15, girl 11, girl 9, boy 6, boy 4,
girl 2 and boy 11 months. Thdse
who have clothing or toys they
will give for this family may
leave them at the Jewel Box or
call James McNeill at Belk's and
he will pick up the gifts.
Felts Curtis Dies
On Roadside West
This City Friday
Death Has Not Been Deter
mined By Officers As
Murder or Suicide
Body of A. Felts Curtis, 49
year-old father of nine children,
was found dead early Saturday
beside the Suncrest Orchard road
four miles west of this city.
Coroner I. M. Myers and
Wilkes Sheriff C. G. Poindexter
today were continuing their in
vestigation.
The officers stated that the
body of Mr. Curtis was lying
beside the road about six feet
from Curtis' car, which was
parked on the roadside. Door of
the car was open.
Curtis' death was from a gun
shot wound in the chest just
over his heart. Beside his body
was a 22-calibre rifle identified
as belonging to Curtis. Sheriff
Poindexter and Coroner Myers
concluded that he was shot with
the rifle, which had an empty
shell in the barrel.
On the back of the front seat
of the car were blood stains,
indicating that he was shot
while seated in the car and had
fallen out from the car to the
ground.
The body, gun and car tirere
covered with frost, indicating
that they had been there for
several hours. Coroner Myers
said death had occured about
midnight or before.
Powder burns on the man's
chest indicated the shot had been
fired at extremely close range,
probably with the gun barrel
pressed against his chest. The
bullet ranged out the left side
of his back.
In the car were cigar ashes
and two bands. Apparently he
had sat in the car and smoked
for some time before the shot
was fired, the officers said.
Curtis resided in the Cotton
Mill Hill community just west
of this city, where he operated
a hog-killing place for the people
of that community. Until a few
months ago he was employed at
Charlie Johnson's service station
and lumber yard ?in North Wil
kesboro.
He and his wife were seen in
North Wilkesboro Friday after
hoon. After carrying his wife
home he left and officers were
unable to trace his movements
later Friday. However, they
found a number of people who
had observed his car parked
where he was found Saturday
morning". A car was seen parked
there as early as 9:30 Friday!
night and another reported see
ing Curtis' car there near mid-|
night. It was only a short dist
ance from highway 421.
Coroner Myers and Sheriff;
Poindexter stated that their work 1
had failed to uncover any evi
dence of foul play, although
they were continuing the inves
tigation before making any def
inite statement. Curtis had not
been robbed, and his billfold
contained some money. Other j
personal belongings about his
body were apparently intact, the
officers said.
Curtis is survived by his wife,
Mrs. Venie Curtis, and nine sons
and daughters: Kathleen, Gil
bert, Richard, Rita Sue, Louise,
Mattie, Margaret, Buddy Elmer
and Barbara Ann Curtis, all of
North Wilkesboro; also two bro-j
thers and one sister, Finley and
Bill Curtis, of Mooresville, and j
Mrs. Virgil Parker, ' of North J
Wilkesboro.
Date of the funeral, which will
be at Pleasant Grove Baptist
church, has not been set.
Christmas Pageant
To Be Presented At
Fairplains Chur<
On Friday night, Decernb*
23, 7:30 p. m. the Fairplair
Baptist church will present
play entitled "The Nativity.
There will also be a Christms
tree and treats for the Sunda
school children. The public i
cordially invited.
Bookmobile Is Off
Durina The Holiday
The Wilkes public librai
bookmobile will not make I
scheduled runs from Decemb<
22 through January 21, aft<
which date the bookmobile wl
make its regular schedule.
Kenerly To Open
Tax, Bookkeeping
Office January 2
James G. Kenerly, who is re
signing from government work
after 20 continuous years of
service in the budget and tax
collections departments, will
open a tax service and bookkeep
ing office over Horton's Ap'pli
ance store in North Wilkesboro
January 2.
Mr. Kenerly is a native of
Davidson county. After attend
ing high school there he went to
Washington, D. C., and for four
years attended the Roosevelt
school of bookkeeping. After
graduating from that school he
was a student for four years at
Professor Mullendore's School
of Accounting in Washington, D.
C., a private institution with a
wide eputation in accounting
education. For several years he
was in government service in!
Washington in the budget de-|
partment and later as a deputy
collector of internal revenue, a
position he has held here for the
past four years. ? J
In his office here Mr. Kenerly
will make all kinds of tax re
turns, state and federal, will set
up bookkeeping systems for bus
iness firms or will keep complete
business records for firm's not
employing bookkeepers.
Music Features
Kiwanis Program
Here Friday Noon
Christmas music featured the
meeting of the North Wilkes
boro Kiwnais club Friday noon.
John Leyshon was program
chairman and he presented Miss
Martha Lue Frazier and her
voice class. Her pupils sang as
follows:
Lelia Cooper, "Santa Claus is
Coming"; Jane Gambill, "The
Bells of St. Marys"; Tommy Fra
zier, "Tippie's Christmas Car
ols"; Sylvia Abernethy, "Prayer
of Norwegian Child"; Jeraldine
Sarah Lou Chipman. "White
Christmas"; Sylvia Kenerly, "I
Heard the Bells on Chistmas
Day"; Julene Barlow, "The Car
ol of the Cricket"; Mickey Som
ers, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy";
Sarah Judy, "Bing a Torch";
Rebecca Raper, "I Wonder as I
Wander"; Dorothy G. Clark,
"Oh Holy City."
In the business session of the
club General Program Chairman
Cecil F. Adamson read program
assignments for 1950. Thomas
Eshelman was guest of his fath
er, P. W. Eshelman; Walter Kel
ler was guest of Paul Choplin;
and John K. Blackburn, of
Waynesboro, Va., was a visiting
Kiwanian.
Local Car Dealers
See Plymouths
The new 1950 Plymouth cars
were displayed at Columbia, S.
? C. today, the first showing of the
hew models to take place in this
section of the country.
Two local automobile firms
sent representatives to the show
ing?Motor Service Sales Co.,
and Barber-Somers Motor Co.
The former was represented by
Quincy McNeill, and Joe R. Bar
I ber and Claude Billings went
I from Barber-Somers. Rex Kilby
and Robert Smoak made the
trip to Columbia to see the new
Plymouths.
Ashe County Man
Found Dead Today
On The Blue Ridge
Glenn Farrington Victim Of
Foul Play Last Night
In Union Township
Glenn Farrington, 40, resi
dent of the Wagoner community
of Ashe county, was found dead
in a country road In Wilkes
county two miles from the Blue
Ridge Parkway on the Blue
Ridge, Wilkes Sheriff C. G. Poin
dexter said today.
Farrlngton's body was bloody
from a wound on his head,
which apparently caused his
death, Wilkes Coroner" I. M. My
ers, who accompanied the sher
iff to pick up the dead man, said.
There were blood stains In the
road for a distance of several
yards. About 200 yards from
where the body was found were
indications of a scuffle on the
road. The man's body was lit
erally covered with blood and
mud, the officers said.
Death had occured some time
during the night, several hours
before the Coroner's examina
tion this morning.
The body was taken to a West
Jefferson funeral home, where
Wilkes Coroner Myers ordered
an examination by physicians
and possibly an autopsy be per
formed to establish more accur
ately the cause of death. Early
this afternoon officers had not
received report of the examina
tion.
Sheriff Poindexter today did (
not reveal any evidence of find
ings at the body relative to iden
tity of any guilty parties, but
indicated that the investigation
may have later developments.
'Farrington, the officers learn
ed, had visited Sunday night in
theV community near where his
body was found this morning.
The body was found on a road
in the Glenn Miller store com
munity 4 1-2 miles northeast of
Glendale Springs.
Attend A.S.T.C.
Football Banquet
Superintendent William T.
Long was a special guest at the
annual football banquet held at
Boone on Thursday night of last
week by A. S. T. C. He was ac
companied to Boone by Ray
Triplett, star halfback of the
Wilkesboro high school Ramb
lers for several seasons.
Jack Groce, also a Rambler
star at Wilkesboro, and one of
the few freshmen in the North
State conference to make the
varsity team during the past
football season, was awarded his
"A" at the football banquet.
Jack was an outstanding half
back for Appalachian Stale
Teachers' College.
Christmas Services
in St. Paul's Church
Service will be held in St.
Paul's Episcopal church o n
Christmas Day at 10:30 o'clock
a. m., at which time there will
be a celebration of the Holy
Communion and sermon by the
Rector, Rev. B. M. Lackey, A
cordial invitation is extended
to everyone to attend this serv
ice.
The Christmas tree service for
the church school will be held in
the church on Tuesday evening,
December 20th, at 7:30 o'clock.
CHRISTMAS SEAL SALES PASS
$2,600; HOSPITAL APPROVED
Christmas seal sale fund today
has passed $2,600, Dr. J. H. Mc
Neill, chairman of the Wilkes
Tuberculosis committee, report
ed today.
Bangle Day was carried out
here Saturday by members, of
the Junior Woman's club and
resulted in raising the sum of
$79.00.
Those who hare not made re
turn on seals mailed them are
urged to do so as early as pos
sible. w
To date reports have not been
received from Home Demonstra
tion clubs and from schools,
which have done a magnificent
Job of selling seals, Dr. Mcfrelll
said.
Dr. McNeill will be interview
ed on radio station WKBC Tues
day, one p. m., relative to the
seal sale and the program of
work to be carried out in
Wilkes during the coming year.
Hospital Approved
Frank McNeill, superintendent
of the Wilkes Tuberculosis hos
pital, which is one project of the
Tuberculosis committee, has been
notified that the American Med
ical Association has approved
the Wilkes Tuberculosis hospit
al. This approval is considered
excellent evidence of the high
type of work being carried out
by the county and the Tubercu
losis committee.
Recently linoleum has been
placed on the floors of the hail
and kitchin.
Sky land Textile
Christmas Party
Held On Satunfay
Skyland Textile company was
host to employes and their fami-1
lies at a Christmas party held
Saturday night at the V. F. W.
hall.
Attending this highly enjoy
able party were employes and
their families, the total number
being near 300.
Forrest Tugman, general man
ager of the firm, was toastmast
er and he presented Dr. J. S.
Hiatt, superintendent of Hugh
Chatham Memorial hospital in
Elkin, who brought a highly en
tertaining message. Dr. Hiatt's
address contained many humor
ous stories.
The crowd was entertained
with singing, games and square
dancing. Refreshments were also
enjoyed.
Santa Claus made a happy ap
pearance and distributed candy
to children. The company plans
to make the Christmas party an
annual event.
Miller Elected
Head Of P.M.A.
In This County
The elected delegates from
Wilkes county's twenty-one
townships met in convention at
the Federal building "in Wilkes
boro on Friday, Dec. 16, and
elected Lawrence Miller as chair
man of the PMA (Triple A)
County Committee. Charlie Miles,
of Traphill, was elected vice
chairman and H. C. Roberts, of
Cycle, was elected regular mem
ber. T. J. McNeil, of Roaring
River, was elected first alter
nate with U. Bland Martin, of
Ronda, as second alternate.
In the regular PMA election
held on Thursday, Dec. 15, the
following committee was elected
as representatives of the farmers
in their respective townships:
Antioch: T. M. Inscore, chair
man: Millard Mathis, vice chair
man; Willie H. Anderson, mem
ber.
Beaver Creek: J. C. West,
chairman; L. Z. Walsh, vice
chairman; L. F. Walsh, member.
Boomer: Ralph Swansor,
chairman; M. F. Laws, vice
chairman; T. F. Greer, member.
Brushy Mountain: J. C. Ted
der, chairman; J. D. Costner,
vice chairman: Albert Baity,
member.
Edwards No. 1: J. K. Tharpe. I
chairman; U. B. Martin, vice|
chairman; Irvin Key, member.
Edwards No. 2: Alton B. Car-1
ter, chairman; Clyde Luffman
vice chairman: Dright Barker,|
member.
Elk: E. C. Hodges, chairman:
Rea Welch Hodges, vice chair-1
man; D. M. Triplett, member.
Jobs Cabin and Stanton: H.|
H. Beshears, chairman, C. V
Cornet, vice chairman: A. H
Beshears, member.
Lewis Fork.: C. W. Proffit,
chairman; A. M. McGee, vice
chairman; L. G. Triplett, mem
ber.
Lovelace: Julia Wright, chair
man; D. W. Marlow, vice chair-1
man; C. W. Hendren, member.
Moravian Falls: W. R. Hub-1
bard, chairman; Paul J. Vestal,
vice chairman; L. P. Bentley, |
member.
Mulberry: H. H. Jennings
chairman; Will Watson, vicel
chairman; C. B. Hayes, mem-|
ber.
Newcastle: G. C. Greene, chair
man; C. M. Welborn, vice chair-1
man; D. J. Melton, member.
North Wilkesboro: J. E. Wil
liams, chairman; W. B. Bea-1
mon, vice chairman; A. X. Wy- j
att, member.
Reddies River: Q. O. Kilby.
chairman; Hugh Kilby, vice
chairman; C. C. McNeil, mem-|
ber.
Rock Creek: J. C. Felts, chair
man; E. R. Lowe, vice chair-1
man; Sol Byrd, member.
Somers: B. P. Roberts, chair
man; A. T. Myers, vice chair-1
man; R. C. Jarvis, member.
Traphill: M. P. Parks, chair
man; Watson Durham* vice|
chairman; W. Joines, member.
Union: A. R. Miller, chair
man; W. H. Whittlngton, vice
chairman; E. M. Dancy, member.
Walnut Grove: W. W. Gai
bill, chairman;' C. A. Absher,
vice chairman; L. G. Billings,
member.
Wilkesboro: Charles C. Staler,
chairman; B. S. Call, Jr., vice|
Paul Hemric Shot
And Killed Near
TraphillSatarday
Grant (Skinny) Holbrook
Ordered Held Without
Bond; Murder Count
Grant (Skinny) Holbrook, a
roadside merchant of the Trap
hill community, today was
charged with the murder of Paul
Hemric, 38, of Ronda, at Hol
brook's store Saturday after
noon.
Holbrook through his attor
neys, W. H. McElwee and -Bill
Mitchell, waived the hearing
scheduled today before Coroner
I. M. Myers, who ordered Hol
brook held without privilege of
bond until his trial in superior
court.
Two companions of Hemric.
Grady Moore and James Hall, of
Ronda, who had been held for
investigation since Saturday aft
ernoon, Sunday were released
under bond as material witness
es.
The three Ronda residents
were together at the Holbrook
store. An argument started be
tween Holbrook and Hemric in
the store in the presence of a
number of people and the two
left the building, together, Sher
iff Poindexter quoted witnesses
as saying. In a very short time
Holbrook ran back into the
store, got his rifle and went out
again. A shot was heard.
In a sworn statement made
today before Solicitor Avalon F.
Hall, who came in from Yadkin
ville to assist in the investiga
tion, it developed that at least
two witnesses saw the shooting.
Mrs. Will Billings said she
saw the shooting from a dist
ance of about 160 yards. She
said that she Baw Hemric run
ning from Holbrook's store,
followed by a man she believed
to be Holbrook, that Hemric
partially turned while going a^
way from Holbrook and she
heard the gun fire and saw the
man fall.
Grady Moore told in his states
ment that he walked to the
door of the store and saw the
men facing each other. He said
that Holbrook apparently struck
Hemric with the gun as it
fired. One witness quoted Hol
brook as saying to his daugh
ter when he went back into the
store that he struck at Hemric
with his gun and the gun went
off and blew his brains out.
A witness quoted Holbrook
as telling him to go after Blaine
Sparks, deputy sheriff who lives
in the Traphill community. He
was the first officer to arrive at
the scene of the shooting. He
found the body of Hemric, and
near one hand was an open
knife which had bloodstains.
Deputy Sparks found the gun
identified as Holbrook's 25-So
rifle under a log about 200
yards from the scene of the kill
ing, which was about 125 feet
from the store building.
Bullet from the high powered
rifle entered Hemric's head
through the left ear and blasted
away a great part of the top of
his head.
Information about the cause
of the trouble was vague. Wit
nesses said that Holbrook and
Hemric started talking to each
other in a friendly manner and
the conversation progressed in
to a quarrel.
Assisting Sheriff Poindexter
in the case investigation were
Deputies Blaine Sparks, R. W.
Edwards and C. W. Hanes.
Holbrook lived in the Maple
Springs community between
Ronda and Elkin and was em
ployed at an Elkin furniture
factory. Surviving are his father,
J. W. Hemric, his wife and six
children, Norma Jean, Rachel
Jeanette, Johnnie, Jerry, Jennie
and Judie Hemric; also three
brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held
Tuesday, 11 a. m. at Maplj
Springs church. Rev. O. D. Smith.
Rev. L. P. Pardue and Rev. E.
J. Pardue will officiate.
Holbrook is being held it,
Wilkes jail without bond.
O
Dr. Roy L. Lovvorn, Statt
College agronomist, has been
selected to head the new divis
ion for weed investigations in
the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Soils, and Agricultural Engineer
ing of the TJ. 8. Department of
Agriculture.
y*?**???????
chairman; Clarence Fletcher.