The Courier
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VOL. VIII.— No. 12
LITTLE CHILD
FATALLY BURNED
CHRISTMAS EVE
Ruby Harrill, Aged 7, Playing
Near Grate When Cloth
ing Ignited.
Mother's Hands Badly Burned
Trying to Save
Child.
A DEPLORABLE ACCIDENT
Falling like a pall of gloom over
the holiday spirit Christmas eve morn
ing came the announcement that lit
tle Ruby Harrill, seven-year-old
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Har
rill, had been severely burned at the
home of her parents on Broadway.
Hundreds of friends all over the city
paused in the preparations for Christ
mas to utter a silent prayer that the
life of the young girl might be spared,
whilft. countless others hurried to the
stricken home to offer help and con
dolences.
The fatal accident occurred about
8 o'clock Thursday morning, Dec.
24th. Ruby, who had arisen from her
bed a little late, was in the front
room of her home, not yet dressed,
playing with her little brother and ad
miring the Christmas tree that was
being prepared for the chjldren. Still
in her night clothing, she passed too
""close to the grate and her gown be
came ignited. She screamed with af
fright and her mother, hurrying from
another room, discovered her child in
a mass of flames. The frantic moth-
er heroically snatched up a small rug
and desperately tried to smother the
flames. Her hands were badly burned
in the vain attempt. The child was
so badly burned that she died about
8 o'clock that night.
Her face and body was terribly
burned, so badly, in fact, that de-
spite every effort made to save her,
the little life was snatched from the
doting parents. Physicians were
called, the best efforts of all were in
Se was too badly burned for
mortal hands to save her little life.
Ruby was a brave little soldier,
and despite her severe burns, was
conscious to the last, trying heroical
ly to lessen the grief of the loved
ones trying so hard to save her life.
It is said that her burns were so
severe, the nerves so deadened, that
she did not suffer as much as she
might have done had the burns been
of less intensity. We hope that she
was spared some of the suffering in
this manner.
The awful accident, with its tragic
ending, has cast a gloom over the
entire community. The heartfelt
sympathy of everyone goes out to
the stricken family.
Funeral services were conducted
by Dr. 'W. R. Ware at the home Sat
urday morning at 10 o'clock. In
cluded in the exercises was the sing
ing of Ruby's favorite hymn, "When
Jesus Came Into My Heart." Beau
tiful floral offerings mutely testified
to love of many friends. The pall
bearers were cousins of the deceased.
Interment was in Pleasant Grove
cemetery in the presence of a large
crowd.
MRS. SANDERS WINS PRIZE
Mrs. J. W. Sanders won a ten
dollar prize in a premier salad dress
ing contest given by Francis H. Lig
gett, of New York, Tor best recipe
for salad dressing. The contest was
open to the world. Mrs. Sanders sent
in one of her favorite .recipes and
was awarded the prize over all com
petitors. Her many friends are con
gratulating Mrs. Sanders on her feat.
DEATH OF DR. HARRELL
Dr. J. J. Harrell who dropped dead
at Bessemer City last Monday was
one of the best loved pastors of the
Presbyterian Home Mission" field,
headquarters of which are in Forest
City. He was a man and preacher of
the highest and noblest Christian
type and his death creates a vacancy
in the Bessemer City and old historic
Long Creek churches which will be
hard to fill. Two daughters and a
large circle of admiring friends will
mourn his untimely departure, iu>t
withstanding he has been translated
from the Church Militant to the
\ • 'jfiif f
\ ->• , .
FOREST CITY COURIER
ygsm m I
To win the World's speed typist's
championship, Albert Tangora
clicked the keys at the rate of 130
and a quarter words per minute.
George Hossfeld, former champion
was but a fraction or a word slow
er than Tangora's lightning rin
gers
Gathered Here and There By
Rev. H; C. Sisk.
The many friends of Mr. Will Gee
will be sorjry to learn of his leaving 1
here Monday for the Sanatorium in
Atlanta, Ga.
Mr. A. A. Smart is sick at this
writing.
Mrs. Dora Nanney and Mr. Riley
Baynard is on the sick list.
The Christmas exercises at the
Florence Baptist church was a great
success, the treg was beautifully
decorated, many nice presents were
received.
The Wesleyan Methodist church
gave a Christmas exercise which was
said to be the best ever known in
the church.
Mr. Paul Nanney, of Lexington,
spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs.
A. H. Haynes.
Miss Sallie White spent Christmas
holidays with her cousin, Miss Annie
Bell White, near Uree.
Mr. and Mrs. Britt Hardin and
baby spent the holidays with Mrs.
Harm's mother, Mrs. Seymour Wil
son, of Buffalo Creek.
Misses Carrie and Georgia Street
spent Saturday night with their uncle,
Mr. J. J. Street, of Piney Ridge.
*
Mrs. Lola Hardin and baby return
ed to their home in Liberty, S. C.,
Sunday. They were accompanied to
their home by Miss Pearl Hardin, who
will spend the week with them.
Mr. Patton Sisk has returned to his
home from Julia, Georgia.
Mr. and Mrs. Howard ;Freeman
spent last week-end with Mr. Bud
Deck near Logan Station.
Mr. C. E. Prestwood and family
of Waynesville, spent Saturday and
Sunday with Mrs. Prestwood's sifters,
Mesdames S. E. Blackburn and Mrs.
R. T. Sisk.
Miss Nell Flack and Winnie Mc-
Cracken, Messrs. Albert .Blackburn
and Jordan Crawley motored to
Spartanburg Friday.
Misses Zennie and Indiana Sisk
spent Saturday and Sunday in Ma
rion, N. C.
• Rev. and Mrs. L. N. Epley and
children, Miss Nancy Owens, spent
Christmas night with Mrs. Carrie
Honeycutt of Shiloh.
Misses Willie and Nancy Owens
have been spending a few days with
Miss Mary Sisk of Route 2.
Misses Estelle Henderson and
Frasheur Watkins of Chesnee, were
the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. N.
Henderson Sunday.
Miss Blanch Wilson spent Christ
mas day with her sister of Ruther
fordton, Route 3, Mrs. Morton Tay
lor. She was accompanied by her
father and brother, Rev. James Wil
son and son, of Ellenboro.
Miss Mattie Lee Condrey had as
her guests Sunday Miss Eva Owens
and Mr. Yates Jones.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Halford
spent Christmas holidays in Inman,
S. C.
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF FOREST CITY AND RUTHERFORD COUNTY
Can You Beat It?
LOCAL NEWS
FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DEC. 31, 1925
FLORENCE MILLS
GIVES BANQUET
TO EMPLOYEES
Office Men, Superintendents
and Overseers Brought To
gether in Annual Affair.
One of the most enjoyable, as well
as profitable of the Christmas func
tions, wa§ the annual banquet given
the office force and overseers of Flor
ence Mills by the management. The
banquet was held at Kiwanis Hall,
Thursday, Dec. 24, at 5 o'clock p. m.
Plates were provided for about
thirty guests, the dinner being pre
pared by Mrs. R. R. Blanton, who has
so splendidly prepared the Kiwanis
dinners for some time.
Mr. J. M. Edwards presided as
toastmaster in a most happy manner.
In his opening remarks he praised the
men for their splendid co-operation
and told of the appreciation of the
management for their good work and
loyalty. He made a most excellent
point in stating that it was the policy
of Florence Mills to give promotions
to their employees, rather than bring
in new men when promotions were in
order.
Mr. G. V. Frye, assistant superin
tendent, then made a few remarks,
telling of his dealings with the men
and praising the organization. He
was warm in his praise for the splen
did co-operation shown by the em
ployees and told of their appreciation
of the treatment accorded
the management. He urged the men
to always do their best, improve
themselves and be ambitious, saying
that in this manner only was there
chance for promotion. He attributed
the success of Florence Mills during
the year to the unflagging co-opera
tion of the men and the management.
Supt. N. H. Welch was the next
speaker. He told of his appreciation
of being present on the occasion and
was warm in his praises of the men
for their support given him in his
work. 1
Mr. B. H. Price said that there had
been a marked improvement in the
product, attributing this to the fact
that the men were satisfied and ap
preciative and worked to the best in
terest of' the \ mill. Among other
things, he also stated that in his serv
ice with Florence Mills he had never
heard a or overseer
utter a cross word.
Prof. C. A. Erwin, county super
intendent of schools, made an unusu
ally inspiring talk, emphasizing his
appreciation of the good fellowship
exhibited and the co-operative spirit
of the men of Florence Mills. He
brought out many points of value,
stressing the value of efficiency and
service.
Prof. J. B. Jones, of Caroleen,-was
the next speaker, making an interest
ing and instructive short talk. He
said among other things that he had
often wondered why Florence Mills
got sucji fine men, but after being
present on this occasion and noting
the fine relationship between employ
er and employe, he had no more
doubts upon this subject. Good man
agement loyal employees will
make for the success of any busi
ness, according to Mr. Jones and he
found Florence Mills fortunate in
this respect. 'X
The editor of The Courier ex
pressed appreciation for the manner
in which Florence Mills management
and employees always were loyal in
their support- for every measure of
improvement or betterment of our
little city.
During the course of the banquet
Mr. J. M. Edwards read a list of em
ployees—office men, superintendents
or overseers, with the exception of
Wilse Kelly, colored, oldest in point
of service—and their terms- of em
ployment, as follows:
Wilse Kelly (col.) 31 years.
Geo. P. Doggett, 22 years.
Fred Y. Hamrick, 21 years.
C. L. Proctor, 21 years.
Joe S. Bridges, 20 years.
L. Spurgeon Nanney, 16 years.
N. H. Welch (Supt.) 15 years.
Goode Flack, 11 years.
M. E. Dorsey, 10 years.
J. Winifred Webb, 10 years.
K. J. Walker, 9 years.
M. G. Smart, 8 years.»
Ernest L. Roberson, 7 years.
Ray Burnett, 4 years.
H. E. Neighbors, 4 years.
Wilbur L. Mcßrayer, 4 years.
Gordon V. Frye (Asst. Supt.) 3
HENRIETTA NEWS
Henrietta, Dec. 29.—Rev. R. N.
Childress delivered a Christmas mes
sage to his people at the Baptist
church Sunday at 7 p. m.
The death angel visited our town
the 22nd and claimed Mr. John
Brown. He had been in bad health
for some time but was only seriously
sick about two days. He was about
82 years of age, had made his home
with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Pruitt,
for about 16 years. The burial took
place at Providence church Dec. 24th.
He is survived by two daughters, Mrs.
Anna Pruitt, of Henrietta; Mrs. Net
tie Bradley and orie son, Mr. Bud
Brown, near Rutherfordton and 32
grandchildren, 47 great grandchild
ren.
Death also claimed little Claude,
the eleven months old child of Mr.
and Mrs. Herbert Muncy, Dec. 26th.
He had whooping cough and pneu
monia. He was buried Sunday after
noon at Henrietta-Caroleen. ceme
tery, the funeral being
from the home by Rev. W. M. Reid.
Those recently married are Mr.
Clyde Fowler and Miss Sue Ledbetter
of Henrietta..
Mr. Dewey Workman and Miss Dol
lie Mosier of Henrietta.
Mr. Arthur Lackey, of Forest City
and Miss Myrtle Randolph of Hen
rietta.
Messrs. M. O. and M. J. Wilkerson
and their families have moved to the
country between here and Cliffside.
We hope they will like their new
home.
Mr. Gordon Leverette is still con
fined to his room with inflamatory
rheumatism.
Mr. Tillman Leverette is very sick
with pneumonia.
Miss Alice" Tate was taken to the
Rutherfordton Hospital last Wednes
day. She is getting along very well.
Mr. Silas Bradley, of Spartanburg,
is spending the holidays with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Bradley.
Mr. Clyde Moss is spending some
time with his grandmother, Mrs. Shu
ford, of Shelby.
Mr. and Mrs. Worth Biggerstaff
and little daughter, of Marion, spent
Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. W. H.
Biggerstaff.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Calahan spent
the week-end with his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. J. L. Calahan of Alexander.
« Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Biggerstaff
and family attended the burial of
Mrs. Will Humphries of Caroleen at
White Pine church above Rutherford
ton, Wednesday afternoon.
Mrs. Daisy Brindle and daughter,
Miss Ruby and son, Mr. Henry Brin
dle, spent a few days recently with
relatives at Morganton.
Mr. and Mrs. Harlow Brindle spent
last Friday with Mr. and Mrs. J. H.
Sargee on Forest City, R-l.
Mr. Kirk Ellis, of Spartanburg,
spent a lew days recently with Mr.
and Mrs. R. Z. Reavis on Moores
boro, R-l.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Padgett of
Pacoiet, S. C., spent the holidays with
relatives here.
Mr. Jesse Kimbrell and Miss Addie
Kimbrell visited friends at Melvin
Hill Sunday.
Miss Dorothy Steadman of Melvin
Hill is with Mrs. Loretta and Miss
Addie Kimbrell.
Misses Ruth and Vera McMahan
spent the week-end with relatives in
the Shiloh section.
Mr. &nd Mrs. W. M. Pressley spent
last week with his parents at Pied
montj' S. C.
Messrs. Wm. Butler, Lewis Robert
son, DeWitt and Zeb Harrill were in
Charlotte Monday.
Born, to Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Har
rill, Dec. 30, a fine boy.
Subscribe before February
Ist and get your county paper
for SI.OO.
years.
E. W. Jordan, 3 years.
C. B. Gurley, 3 years. .
B. H. Price, 2 years.
B. B. Burnett, Tom M. Brown, J.
W. Halford, G. W. Cavanaugh, dur
ing 1925.
The banquet was highly enjoyed by
all present. It is an annual affair
of good fellowship and in keeping
with Florence Mills' policy of showing
an appreciative interest in its em
ployees. I
I
| • New Cue Champ
A lk
,f " •>
Here is Edward Horemans, Bef
gian cue sensation whose skill
wrested the World's Billiard Crown
from the brow of young Jake
Shaeffer. This is the same crown
that Willie Hoppe held for so
many years. Who's next?
PROVIDENCE NEWS
Forest City, R-2, Dec. 30.—Every
one seemed to enjoy Christmas.
Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Smith and
daughter, Miss Mary Francis, spent
the week-end at Shelby visiting Mrs.
Smith's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hill.
Those visiting Mr. and Mrs. J. L.
Harrill Christmas day were Mr.
Fletcher Harrill and family from Ala
bama; Mrs. Lishie Price and family
of Shelby; Mr. and Mrs. Avery Gray
son, of Shelby; Mr. John MC-Daniel
and family; Mr. W. V. Harrill, Mr.
and Mrs. Frank Allen and Mrs. Mat
tie Harrill and family. \
Mr. Coburn Vess of Boiling
Springs High School spent Thursday
with his brother, Mr. Roy Vess.
Misses Mildred and Louise Wood
spent Friday with Misses Ila and
Ethel Phillips.
Misses Wilma Harrill, of Alabama,
and Ruth Price from Shelby, spent
Friday afternoon with Miss Virginia
McDaniel.
Mr. Roy Vess and family spent
Saturday with Mr. John Sisk.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brindle and
Mr. Billy Burns spent Christmas holi
day with Mr. AmonHßrindle and fam
ily.
Mr. Bob Wilson and family and
Mrs. R. A. McDaniel spent Saturday
at the home of Mr. J. W. Phillips.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Phillips spent
Friday night with Mr. and Mrs. R.
A. McDaniel.
Mr. Roy Vess and family spent Fri
day in Gaffney, S. C., visiting rela-
tives.
Mrs. Mattie Harrill spent Sunday
with Mr. John McDaniel and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Phillips spent
Saturday with Mr. J. W. Phillips and
family.
Mr. Rob Goble and family spent
Thursday night with Mr. John Mc-
Daniel and family.
Mrs. Mattie Harrill spent Saturday
night with her Mr. Amon
Brindle.
SOAKS NEGRO FOR
CUTTING "WIMMIN* " FOLK
Sam Steele, dusky denizen of
Smokey Hollow, negro settlement in
the outskirts of Forest City, was be
fore Judge Erwin in Recorder's Court
last week, charged with cutting his
wife and step-daughter.
He was given six months on the
roads for the minor charge of cutting
his step-daughter and held to the Su
perior court on the more serious of
fense of cutting his wife.
This negro went on a rampage be
fore Christmas and when the smoke
of battle lifted it found his step
daughter severely cut, but not so seri
ously as the wife, who was so severely
carved that the physician had to take
43 stitches to close the longest cut.
She had also been knocked down with
a chair. Her life was despaired of at
first, but she rallied and is recovering.
V. - ~
$1.50 Per Year In Advanc*
KNIGHTS MEET IN
ANNUALBANQUET
Pythians and Their Ladies
Make Merry Monday
Evening.
The annual banquet given by the
local lodge Knights of Pythias, was
held in their lodge rooms Monday
evening and was an enjoyable occas
ion. Plates were prepared for about
100 guests.
The supper was most enjoyable,
while good, fellowship and
prevailed in a manner to make the
occasion one long to be remembered.
Attorney C. O. Ridings presided as
toastmaster. The welcome address
was delivered by Attorney T. J. Moss.
He was followed by J. E. McFarland
in an inspiring talk, while short talks
were made by H. B. Doggett, J. C.
Scruggs, Jack Michalove, the editor
and others. Dr. W. R. Ware came
last with a talk that was inspiring
and instructive. Among other things
Dr. Ware mentioned that he was pres
ent at the initiation into the order
of Dr. M. A. Adams, of Rutherford
ton. He also praised the fellowship
and social side of the order, declar
ing that we all need to develop the
social side of life.
STOVE EXPLODES AT
DORTON HOME IN SHELBY
Dr. J. S. Dorton, secretary of the
Cleveland County Fair association,
his wife, and little daughter, Betty,
were all burned early Monday morn
ing when the water-back tank of their
kitchen range exploded, after a fire
had been built in it.
The little girl was the more severe
ly burned, receiving burns on her
face arid over her legs. Dr. Dorto*
was burned on the hands and legs,
while Mrs. Dorton received burns on
her neck.
They were taken to the hospital
after the explosion and the burns
dressed, Dr. and Mrs. Dorton return
ing home. Betty, the little girl, may
remain in the hospital a day or so for
careful attention of her burns, it is
understood. Inquiry at the hospital
brought the information that al
though is burned about the face
the burns will not likely disfigure the
face or leave bad scars.
The explosion resulted, it is
thought from the heat of the range
against the frozen water-back, it be
ing similar to numerous explosions
that occur during freezing weather,
they were considerably
burned it is only a matter of luck
that the family escaped without more
serious injuries.-—Shelby Star.
Dr. Dorton is a son-in-law of Mr.
R. E. Biggerstaff, of Forest City. The
many friends here were sorry to learn
of the accident, but are thankful that
the damage was not more serious.
LOCAL BASKETBALLERS
DEFEAT COWPENS 33-27
Forest City basketball team de
feated Cowpens by the score of 33-27
Monday evening. This was the best
game of the season, the Cowpens boy 6
being a much older and experienced
team. A last minute rally by Forest
City proved too much for the Cow
Boys.
On Dec. 24th Spartan Mills basket
ball team defeated Forest City 26-30,
the game being played at Spindale.
Mauneyhan for the visitors being the
outstanding star annexing 22 points.
These two teams will play here Fri
day, January Ist at new High School
building.
Weather strips will stop those cold
Tfcaks around doors and windows. Far
mers Hardware Co. 12-3t
At the Methodist Parsonage in Bos
tic, on December the 24th, Mr. How
ard Spratt, of Ellenboro, and Miss
Eva Brackett, of Hollis, were united
in marriage, Rev. E. J. Poe officiat
ing.
Mr. R. E. Poole, of Columbia, S. C.,
and Mr. Robert Poole, of Charlotte,
were holiday guerts of Mrs. W. w-
Poole.
8 Paget
48 COLUMNS