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The Courier
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VOL. IX—No. 8.
J. T. FORTUNE
DIES AT HIS HOME
IN FOREST CITY
Death Comes Friday After
noon to Claim One of
County's Best Known
Citizens.
$ J. T. Fortune, one of Ruth
*7 county's best known citizens,
aied at jhis home in >Forest City
Friday afternoon at 4:15 o'clock.
The immediate cause of his death
was attributed to heart disease. He
had only been confined to his room
for about ten days, but had been
in failing health for some time.
Mr. Fortune was a native of this
w county, being the son of Pleasant
and Patsy Fortune, and was born
Nov. 12, 1852. His entire life was
spent among the scenes of friends
of his childhood and through it all
he was an example of the best tradi
tions and character of a splendid old
family. He was the soul of honor,
a man of tender heart, but firm
character, and a Christian gentle
man at all times.
Early in young manhood, Mr. For
tune was married to Miss Carrie
Philbeck, who survives. Also sur
viving are four children, Mrs. C. J.
Young, Auburn, Ala., Mrs. C. E.
* Lowe, Brevard, -N. C., Mrs. R. V.
King and Mrs Minnie Blanton, of
Forest City. The latter is treasurer
of Rutherford county. There are
also surviving three sisters, Mrs.
William Bridges, Mrs. Mary Philbeck
and Miss Lou Fortune, all of Cleve
land County; three brothers, Dobb
and H. L. Fortune, of this county,
and Wm. Fortune of New Jersey.
There fctre nineteen grandfchildren,
all of whom were at his funeral.
Mr. Fortune had always been ac
tive in affairs of the county, civic,
religious and poltical. At the time
of his marriage he was engaged in
farming. Later he was superinten- j
dent of construction in the building
of Caroleen and Henrietta Mills, al-1
so later serving in the same capacity
in the building of Florence Mills at
Forest City and the big mills at Cliff
side. He was superintendent of the
first cotton mill built in Forest City,
Ayhich was later merged into Flor
ence Mills. For quite a number of
years he was manager .of 4he Flor
ence Mills store. Quitting this work
he engaged in the livery business in j
Forest City. It was during this time
that he was elected Mayor of the
town, and he filled this position with
the same just and impartial manner
and judicial temperament for which
he was ever noted.
He was also county superintendent
of roads for a number of years and
made one of the best the county
ever had. His sound business judge
ment and industry, coupled with an
experience in county affairs, en
abled him to make a splendid record
in this work. Afterward, he enter
ed the mercantile business in Forest
City under the firm name of For
tune & King. He made a success of
this venture, retiring a few years
ago after an honorable record of
twenty years of fair and just deal
ings with his fellow man.
Dr. W. A. Ayers came from Greer,
S. C., where he has been engaged in
a meeting, to preach the funeral (
Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, j
The First Baptist church was crowd-1
ed to overflowing, many having seats
in the gallery. A great throng of
friends had come out to pay theii
last respects to a good and just man
a friends to all. Dr. Ayers made a
splendid talk, after reading several
most appropiate passages from the
Bible, emphasizing more particularly
this verse from First Peter: A
meek and quiet spirit, which in the
sight of God is of great price." He
dwelt particularly on the meek and
strong character of £he deceased,
stressing his loyalty to friends and
his devotion to his family. Referring
to his cheerfulness and strong spirit,
Dr. Ayers related how Mr. Fortune
had within the year undergone a
serious operation at the hospital, how
bravely and quietly he went through
I with this ordeal, and then told X>f his
patience and cheerfulness through
out his last illness. Using the life of
Fortune as an illustration, the
said, "It is a real benediction
- now for real Christians to cultivate
FOREST CITY COURIER
KLANCEREMONY
AT FOREST CITY
Exercises of Klansmen Prove Inter*
esting To the Large Crowd
Here Thanksgiving
Despite rainy weather, one of the |
largest Klan celebrations ever held in (
Rutherford County, was hied at For
est City, Thanksgiving day by the
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Pro- j
vince 3. There were about 300
Klansmen present, delegates coming
from 29 counties of Western North'
Carolina. '
j The program began at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon with a football game
between Cool Springs high school
and the Marion Hi. This was about
the best game played on the local j
gridiron this season, neither side
scoring until the fourth quarter,
when V. G. "Red" Whitlock made a
touchdown for Cool Springs. Tom
Blanton made a 30-yard gain for
Cool Springs in the fourth quarter
but failed-to score, although he liked
just about a foot of making a touch
down.
Following the football game was
the presentation of Flag and Bible
to the Cool Springs high school by j
the local Klan. On account of the I
rain this took place in the auditor
ium of the school. Prof. J. W. Eaks,
superintendent of the township
schools, introduced Rev. W. B. Jen
kins, of Forest City, who in turn, in
troduced the speaker, Rev. W. E.
Abernathy, of Rutherford College,
who presented the flag and Bible to
the school. Professor Eaks, on be
half of the school accepted them.
Judge Henry A. Grady, Grand
Dragon of North Carolina, who was
to deliver an address at this meet
ing, was unable to be present. How
ever, his place was ably filled by
Rev. Abernathy, who made a very
fine talk, using as his subject, "In
ternationalism," "Racialism," "Re
ligion" and "Morals." From these
four points he drew his theme, say
ing "This has always been a Chris
tian nation, must be kept one and
will be kept one." Dr. Abernathy,
who is considered one of the best
speakers in the state was at one time
pastor of the East Main Street Meth
odist church of Forest City, and his
address was heard by a large audi
ence.
A barbecue dinner was served the
Klansmen at 6 o'clock in the Ki
wanis Hall by the ladies of the Wo
man's Klan of this place.
At 7 o'clock they formed in a pa
rade, marching from the Kiwanis
Hall to the high school ball park.
Marching at the head of the parade
was the Great Titan of the Third
Province and Four Exalted Cyclops
the latter being the highest officer of
any Klan. The members of the Wo
man's Klan of Forest City also
marched in the parade.
At the ball park they formed in a
circle and sang several songs.
Then the degree team from Ashe
ville took charge and publicly natur
alized five candidates to membership
in this order. Following this was
the burning of a large fiery cross.
This brought the celebration to a
close and as a benediction, a mem
ber of the Asheville degree team
blew "Taps."
THIEVES BUSY AT
CHIMNEY ROCK
Sometime Monday night thieves
entered two garages at ' Chimney
Rock and took between $200.00 and
£300.00 worth of tires and other
automobile accessories. Although
every effort has been made to locate
the guilty parties, no trace has yet
been found, and none of the stolen
goods recovered.
OWENS—HENDERSON WEDDING
X-
Miss Beulah Henderson, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Henderson,
of the Shiloh section, was married
Thanksgiving day to Mr. Thomas W.
Owens, at Hendersonville. Rev. O.
E. Simpson performed the ceremony.
I
a quiet spirit in these days of rush
and bustle."
After the services at the church, i
the body was taken to Cool Springs j
cemetery for interment. c
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF FOREST CITY AND RUTHERFORD COUNTY
FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, DEC. 2, 1926
FOREST CITY GIRL VOTED THE MOST _
BEAUTIFUL AT MEREDITH COLLEGE
MISS VIRGINIA LINK
Miss Virginia Link, daughter of ;
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Link, of Forest
City, was recently voted the most
beautiful girl at Meredith College,
ASSISTANT NURSE IS
SECURED AT SPINDALE
Spindale, Dec. I.—Mrs. Heurbert
Sherrill, of Richmond, Va., reported
for duty this morning at the Spin
dale House, where she will assist
Miss Evelyn Waddell with the ex
acting duties of community worker.
Mrs. Sherrill comes to Spindale
well recommended, for the position
which she is about to take up. She
was formerly engaged in similar
work with the Liggett and Myers
Co., of Richmond, Va., and was for
four years with the P. Lorillard
Company, also of Richmond.
Mrs. Sherrill is a graduate of Rich
mond School of Public Health and
Social Service, which is an extension
of William and Mary College, also
of Wannamaker Institute, of Phila
delphia. Her training as a nurse
was received at the University of
Oklahoma and Providence Hospital,
of El Paso, Texas, and is a member
of the National Order of Public
Health Nurses and American Nurses
Association.
Her husband, Dr. Heurbert Sher
rill, who is one of the outstanding
men of the day in the medical pro
fession, is engaged in research work,
and is at present in Pittsburgh.
BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
The Cool Springs High School has
arranged the following games to be
played in Forest City:
Dec. 10 —Alexander Schools, Inc.
Dec. 17 —Boiling Springs High
School.
Jan. 14 —Central High.
Jan. 21 Lincolnton (Double
header.)
Jan. 25—Boiling Springs.
Jan. 28—Marion H. S. 'Double
header.)
Feb. 4—Gastonia.
Feb. B—Open.
There will be a series of eight
basketball games to be played on the
local court. It is hoped that Forest
City will have a very fast team this
year, since all of the members of
last year's team with the exception
of one, are back in school this year.
In addition to this group there are
three o rfour new players which
will be a big asset to the team this
year. In order to accomodate the
fans of Forest City and adjacent
communities it was decided to sell
the students of the Cool Springs
High School season tickets for 75c,
also we have decided to sell a season
ticket to the public for $1.50. This
is a very low price, considering two
of the eight games scheduled will be
Raleigh. She is a graduate of Cool
Springs High School and is now in
her third year at Meredith. She has
passed on every study an.d is a bril
liant student.
THANKSGIVING AT
SOUTH MOUNTAIN
Bostic, R-4, Nov. 30.—The Ca
tawba River Association, Dysarts
ville, First Baptist Church in Shelby
and the loyal community and church,
started early plans for Thanksgiving
"poundings" for the benefit of
South Mountain Industrial Institute,
Inc. The Wednesday before Thanks
giving saw more than one truck load
of provisions winding up our moun
tain roads. Among other good
things were golden pumpkins, corn,
potatoes, canned fruit in abundance,
flour, molasses, chickens, etc., and
with these were included the bless
ings of friendship and good-will for
the school at this glad season, indi
cated by these gifts for which the
little school on the hill-top is deeply
grateful.
Thanksgiving day was celebrated
in the usual way, the whole commun
ity being invited to join the school
family in an outdoor dinner. The
weather made an indoor dinner ad
visable, but rainy weather did not
dampen spirits, nor prevent the girls'
basketball game in the afternoon.
Following this, a program was ren
dered by the children of the school,
consisting of a playlet, story-telling,
songs and readings suitable to the
occasion. Visitors from Charlotte
and Hendersonville added to the en
joyment of the day.
BETHEL CHURCH BAZAAR
Ellenboro, Nov. 29.—The ladies of
the W. M. U. Society of Bethel
Church, with the aid of all the
church members, will hold their an
nual bazaar December 11, in the K.
of P. hall. A large collection of
useful and fancy articles suitable
for Christmas gifts will be on sale.
The ladies will also serve oysters,
fried chicken, salads, rice, pickles,
cakes, pies, coffee, cocoa, .candy and
other good things. We cordially in
vite you to come out and take din
ner or supper, and bring the whole
family along.
Save money by going to Dalton
Bros, great December sale.
double headers. Both Marion and
Lincolnton will bring the boys and
girls for double headers. This is
equivalent to ten games.
It is hoped that the people of town
will take advantage pf this oppor
tunity.
SPINDALE HAS TWO
DEATHS THIS WEEK
Mr. Tom Allen and Mrs. O. C. Cle
ments Dead. Railway Employees
Injured. Other News of Interest.
Spindale, Nov. 30.—Mr. Thomas
Allen, an aged citizen of the Stone
cutter section, passed away at his
home early last Thursday morning.
His health had been declining for
some time. The cause of his death
was paralysis. Funeral services were
held from the Rutherfordton Baptist
church Friday afternoon, and inter
! ment was in the Rutherfordton ceme
j tery.
He is survived by his wife. He
! was about seventy years of age.
Mrs. O. C. Clements Dead
Mrs. O. C. Clements, of this place,
died Saturday night, Nov. 20th, fol
lowing an illness of nearly a year.
Her death, while not unexpected, has
brought sorrow to the hearts of many.
Mrs. Clements, before her mar
riage a few years ago, was Miss Clara
Cannon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Joe Cannon, of Rutherfordton. She
was twenty-eight years of age.
Funeral services were conducted
from Piedmont Baptist church Sun
day afternoon, Rev. L. N. Epley, of
Forest City, being in charge.
She is survived by her husband,
Mr. O. C. Clements, four children,
Louise, eight years old; Inez, seven
years old; J. T., aged four, and Fran
cis, aged fourteen months. The fol
lowing sisters also survive: Misses
Bertie, Susie and Josie Cannon, of
Rutherfordton, and Mrs. Byron Han
rahan, whose husband in connected
with the Virginia State Highway
Commission; one brother, Carl Can
non, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Cannon.
Railway Empoyees Injured
Messrs. G. F. Goforth, of Union
Mills, and J. R. Logan, of Blacks
burg, members of the freight train
crew on the Southern Railway, were
injured here Tuesday in a very un
usual accident. While "kicking" a
box car from the spur to the main
line, at the Spindale depot, the pole,
or beam, used for that purpose broke
when impact of the engine came a
gainst it. Messrs. Logan and Goforth
were supporting the beam, and were
injured, Logan about the chest and
shoulder and Goforth about the head.
They were removed to the hospital
jat Rock Hill. At latest reports both
are convalescing nicely. These men
are considered fortunate to escape
so lightly from such dangerous pre
j dicament.
Missionary Society Bazaar
The Woman's Missionary Society,
;of the Methodist church will hold
| their annual bazaar Saturday after
! noon and evening at the Spindale
House. Stewed and fried oysters will
grace the menu, along with chicken
salad, lemon pies, coffee and home
made candy. The receipts from the
bazaar will be devoted to outfitting
the parsonage with new furniture, j
"Y" Team Wins Two Basket Ball
Games
Spindale "Y" Basket Ball ( team
played their first game of the sea
son Wednesday evening at the Spin
dale House, winning by a score * of
17 to 34 against the Henrietta Mills
team.
For the locals Nanney led in the
scoring making ten points. Sherrill,
center, ran close with nine points
and Clay made three field goals and
one foul shot. Yelton, forward, made
five points. The three remaining
points were made by Cowan and
Lentz. Mahaffee and Weese, of
Henrietta, tied, both making three
field goale and one foul.
The attendance was unusually
good, about three hundred fans be
ing present.
On Friday evening at locals won
the second game by defeating Alex
ander Schools, Inc., of Union Mills,
by a score of 73-28. Sherrill, cen
ter, led the "Y" team in scoring, se
curing twenty-one points. Nanney
scored fourteen and Clay twelve.
A. Buchanan was high scoreman for
the visitors, securing nineteen of the
twenty-eight points made by them.
The locals will meet the Pacific
Mills team of Lyman, S. C., Satur
day evening at 8:00 o'clock. A good
game is assured.
(Continued on Page Four)
16 PAGES
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$1.50 Per Year In Advance
HON. J.P.D. WITHROW
"MERCHANT PRINCE
OF HOLLIS" DEAD
Benefactor, Philanthropist and
Civic Leader Passed Thurs
day After Protracted
Illness.
Funeral services for the late Hon.
J. P. D. Withrow, of Hollis, were
held Friday afternoon, at 2 p. m.
•from Big Springs Baptist church,
Rev. D. G. Washburn, pastor, officia
ting, assisted by Rev. A. C. Swofford
of Granite Falls.
Mr. Withrow, familiarly known as
the "Merchant Prince of Hollis,"
died Thursday evening at 6 o'clock,
at his home following a protracted
illness of heart trouble and high
blood pressure. A family reunion
was held at the home during the day
and he was in high spirits and ap
parently on the path to recovery.
Late in the afternoon he entered the
bath room, where it is supposed that
due to the excitement of the day, he
fell dead with heart trouble, and was
found shortly afterwards by the fam
ily.
Cleveland Lodge 202, A. F. & A.
M., of Shelby assisted the Hollis
Lodge with the funeral ceremony.
Mi*. Will Hoey, past master of the
Shelby Lodge, was in charge of the
ceremony. Special music was pre
pared for the services, which was
under the direction of Mr. H. .M Pip
pin, of the First Baptist church, of
Shelby. At the conclusion of the
funeral ceremony the grave was
banked with armfuls of beautiful
flowers, brought by loving friends
and neighbors. Two robed members
of the Ku Klux Klan also placed a
beautiful wreath on his grave.
Mr. Withrow lacked two weeks of
being sixty years of age. His wife,
who before her marriage was Miss
Lauro Hamrick, preceeded him to
the grave eighteen months ago. He
is survived by one son, Grady, of
Hollis, a daughter Mrs. R. L. Thomp
son, of Tate Springs, Tenn., one
brother, Mr. James Withrow, of this
county, Mrs. W. A. Royster, a sister,
of Fallston. His aged mother, Mrs.
Susanna Withrow, still lives at the
old Withrow home place at the age
of eighty-four years.
Following the death of his wife
about eighteen months ago, Mr.
Withrow's health declined, and he
tinned the store over to his son
! Grady, who has continued to operate
' it. Mr. Withrow had since been
i somewhat retired but he never lost
his youthful spirit, maintaining his
interest in his friends and all up
lifting causes. He sought the best
medical attention in an effort to re
gain his health, but his once strong,
robust body gradually withered un
der the physical troubles with which
he was afflicted.
"The Merchant Prince" was born
in Duncan's Creek township and
spent his life in that section of the
county, devoting of his time and
means of making it a law-abiding
and prosperous section. For thirty
five years he was a merchant at Hol
lis, building that little mountain
town from a cross roads store to a
thriving little village. Durham With
row was known far and wide for he
was a big-hearted, jovial character
who radiated joy and sunshine
among all with whom he came in
contact. He was honest in every
particular, broad minded and pub
lic-spirited, a quick wit and quaint
philosopher who lived a life of ser
vice for others. Evidence that he was
a friend to man was often shown
in the fact that he contributed lib
erally to all denominations and to
all fratenal orders, promoted many
rallies and patriotic gatherings at
the little town of Hollis, erected a
monument to the soldiers who served
in the world war, was a staunch
advbcate of good roads and better
schools and was happy over the fact
that he lived to see many of his
dreams come true.
In 1917 Mr. Withrow was honored
by being elected as representative of
Rutherford county in the state legis
lature, which position he filled with
trust and fidelity. He was promi
nent in church affairs, being a mem
ber of the Big Springs Baptist church
(Continued on Page Four)
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