The Courier
Only $1.50
Per Year
VOL. IX—NO. 27
LARGE SUM GIVEN
IN J. R. HUNSINGER
SUIT ON RAILROAD
Widow of Forest City Man
Awarded $15,000 in
Cleveland Courts In Suit
Against C. C. & O.
/ Railway
Shelby, April 11.—The jury in the
Hunsinger suit against the C. C. &
O. railroad brought in a verdict
Thursday afternoon awarding $15,-
000 damages to Bertie Hunsinger,
wife of the late J. R.\ Hunsinger
whose body was found on the rail
road tracks of the C. C. and O. near
the Forest City station in June. The
suit was removed here from Ruth
erford county, and the award by the
jury ties the largest damage, award
ever given in this county, says the
Cleveland Star.
The case is that wherein Bei'tie
Hunsinger, administratrix of John
R. Hunsinger, sued the C. C. & O.
railroad for $40,000 damages alleg
ing the death of her husband due
to the negligence, or caused by the
railroad. Hunsinger, it will be re
membered, was found dead on the
C. C. & O. tracks at Forest City in
June, 1925. It is alleged, it is said,
that he was killed by a freight train
at 2:45 in the morning. Able counsel
appeared on both sides of the big
suit and a stiff legal fight was made.
C. R. Hoey, of Shelby and W. C. Mc-
Rorie, of Rutherfordton, appeared
with the Hunsinger counsel. The
case was removed here from Ruther
ford county.
Following the verdict railroad
counsel endeavored to have the ver
dict set aside. Judge McE'roy refus
ed to do this and then asked that
it be modified as it was too exces
sive. Judge McElroy also refused
this request, and an appeal to Su
preme court was entered.
Although plaintiff counsel man
aged to keep much of that type of
evidence out it was hinted in the evi
dence offered by the defending rail
road that Hunsinger had been kill
ed and placed or: the tracks, being
dead before tjhe train came alckig ac
cording to their view. Attorneys in
arguments also touched on the mur
der theory. However,.as has been said
circumstantial evidence tending to
bring in a murder angle was not ad
mitted.
Hunsinger was a section fore
man for the railroad at Forest City,
it is said.
The suit was perhaps the out
standing point of interest in the
recent session of court. Able barris
ters were employed on both sides and
the case was hard fought. Scores of
Forest City and Rutherford county
people were down for the hearing
taking a part of two days, while
scores of local people were drawn.to
the court house by the large suit and
the opportunity of hearing the legal
by-play.
Clyde R. Hoey, of Shelby, and
W. C. Mcßorie of Rutherfordton, rep
resented the Hunsinger interests and
the jury arguments of both
ticularly that of Hoey offered the
high peak of court interest. Counsel
for the railroad included: J. H. Mc-
Laughlin of Johnson City, Tenn., as
sistant to the general counsel of the
road; J. W. Pless, formerly of Marion
and now of Asheville, division counsel
of the railroad, and Fred D. Ham
rick, of Rutherfordton.
FARMERS FEDERATION
MEETING SATURDAY
Spindale, April 12.—A meeting of
the farmers of the county will be
held Saturday afternoonj at 2:30
o'clock, at the Farmers Federation
Warehouse here.
The purpose of the meeting will
be to discuss the growing of canta
loupes, tomatoes and sweet potatoes,
brand, grade, etc.
It must be remembered that farm
ers contemplating storing sweet po
tatoes with the Federation must
set out slips from potatoes that have
been treated in order to prevent po
tato diseases.
Mr. Geo. Stahl has accepted a po
sition with the Atlantic and Pacific
Store in Gastonia.
FOREST CITY COURIER
WINNERS IN THE
DECLAMATION AND
READING CONTESTS
More Than Fifty Students Take
Part in the Township
School Contest. Fin
als April 22
Much interest has been .shown in
the declamatory and reading contests
in the Cool Springs grammar grade
schools. Fifty or more boys and girls
took part in these contests. The
winners in the finals at the differ
ent schools will contest for the town
ship honors Friday night, April 22,
at 8 p. m. The following won in the.
preliminary contest:
Alexander school: Alice Matheney
—-"The One Legged Goose"; Esper
Brown-—"Jane Jones."
Bostic school: Sybyl Moore—"Dot
Entertains"; Frank Washburn—"The
House by the Side of the Road."
Forest City: Dorthy Greene—"Did
dy Dumps and Chris"; Philip Cham
bers —"Shall the Statue of Lee
Stand in the Hall of Fame?"
Mt. Pleasant school: Pauline Ma
theney—"Home"; Tommie Sommers
"Mr. Johnson's Defense."
The public is cordially invited to
attend these contests, The program
will last about an hour.
Mrs. J. L. Stroup has returned
to her home in Shelby, after a week's
visit to her daughter, Mrs. Hoyle
ElHott. She was accompanied home
Friday by Mrs. Elliott and two sons
who spent the week end there.
MR. 0. P. BLANTON
PASSED THURSDAY
Venerable and Highly Respect-,
ed Citizen of Harrilltown,
Caroleen Dies Follow
ing Four Years Ill
ness
Caroleen, April 11. —The entire
community wae struck with a cloud
of sadness last Thursday when the
death Angel claimed and took away
one of our best citizens, Mr. O. P.
Blanton. He was well known through
out Rutherford County and loved by
everyone who knew him. His life was
a life to be admired for it was a
life that only a few people live.
His death was caused by pneumon
ia which developed Monday night,
following a fall at his home Sunday,
suffering a broken hip. He had been
in ill health for about four yeai-s,
yet he was cheerful all through his
sickness and never seemed to be dis
couraged in any way.
The funeral services were conduct
ed at Oak Grove Methodist church,
of which he was a member, the serv
ice being in charge of J. P.
Hornbuckle and J. E. Hipp. 4
The flower were nis grand
daughters, whom he always loved and
admired. He always spoke of his
grandchildren as resembling flowers
just ready to bloom. The pallbearers,
very close friends of Mr. Blanton,
were Messrs. H. B. Doggett, Dock
Phillips, C. M. Robinson, R. V. King,
G. V. Frye and Landrum Phillips.
They visited him quite often during
his illness and seemed very much in
terested in him.
Mr. Blantorl is survived by his wife,
Mrs. Elizabeth Blanton and six chil
dren, Thomas Blanton, of Ellenboro,
Mrs. Jane Harrill, of Spartanburg,
Joseph Blanton, of Spindale; George
Blanton, of Forest City; John Blan
ton, of Caroleen and Elijah Blan
ton-, of Ball Creek.
Thirty-two grandchildren and elev
en great-grandchildren survive.
Had Mr. Blanton lived until June
he would have been 87 years old.
LIMESTONE GLEE CLUB
Limestone Glee Club gave a pleas-
ing program to a large audience at
the High School auditorium, Tues
day evening. Two Forest City girls
were in the cast, Misses Alice Bar
ber and Emily Camp.
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF FOREST CITY AND RUTHERFORD COUNTY
FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1927.
BROWN-LEEPER
WEDDING JUNE 21
Miss {Catherine Brown, Charm
ing Forest City Teacher,
to Wed Mr. Price
0 Leeper
Miss Juanita I Minish and Mrs. D.
H. Sutton were joint hostesses to
the Cool Springs Hight school teach
ers and a few guests at the home of
Mrs. Sutton on Monday evening,
April 11th. The occasion was a com
bination announcement party and
shower for Miss Katherine Brown,
who will be married to Price Leeper
on June 21st.
The house was beautifully dec
orated with baskets of brides
wreath, narcissus and iris and light
ed with pink candles. Soon after the
arrival of the guests a telegram was
delivered to Mrs. R, y E. Biggerstaff.
She ioad aloud to e party the in
teresting announcement. , "Delighted
to tell you that Katherine and Price
will be married June 21st. Signed
Dan Cupid." Hand painted cards
were then passed to each guest and
they were requested to write a recipe
and wish for the bride to be.
The hostesses servt'li a beautiful
ice course with fancy and salt
ed nuts. Immediately the re
freshments were served the dining
room doors were thrown open and
Miss Brown was ushered in there.
The table on which the shower of
gifts were arranged was exquisitely
decorated. It was covered with a
handsome Irish lace cloth and the
centerpiece was a silver basket of
spirea tied with a bow of white tulle.
Hanging from the chandelier was
a shower bouquet of spirea and nar
cissus and the room was lighted with
tall pink tapirs in silver candlesticks.
The gifts were arranged on the table.
Just before Miss Brown opened the
gifts Miss Gladys Harrison read Sid
ney Lanier's exquisite Marriage
Hymn.
Miss Brown is the pretty and ac
complished daughter of Rev. and Mrs.
T. L. Brown of Gates. She was edu
cated at Meredith College and fpr
the last year has taught English in
tha Cool Springs High School. During
her stay in Forest City sh» has made
EASTER
They laid the Lord safe in the grave,
And thought his life had come to naught.
They sealed his tomb their act to save,
Which made secure what they had sought.
But still he rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
The soldiers watched his grave by night
With eager eyes, and sword in hand,
With shield and spear as if to fight
The Jews who might their king demand.
But still he rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
The stone was great which closed the door,
To every race of every land,
Of Joseph's vault with granite floor
In which was sealed the Son of Man.
But still he rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
The women came with spices sweet,
In early morn at break of day,
To place them on Christ's head and feet,
And last respects their Master pay.
But still he rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
The power of death was vile and strong,
But life's sriiall germ was stronger still,.
Which caused the loud triumphant song
To ring throughout the Heavenly Hill.
Because He rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
O, bitter death, where is thy sting?
O, grave, where is thy victory?
God raised His Son from earth to bring
Complete and full salvation free.
Yes, yes, he rose in glad array,
And then was born an Easter Day.
—B. B. HESTER.
J' ' '
VOTERS ARE
URGED TO REGISTER
Registration Books Will Close
Saturday, April 23, at
9 P. M.
Forest City's municipal election
will be held Tuesday, May 3. Those
not registered are hereby given warn
ing to do so before registration books
close Saturday, April 23, at 9 p. m.
It is important that voters express
their choice in this election, which
so vitally concerns our little city. Do
your duty by registering and casting
your ballot on election day. It is
especially urged that the ladies vote
in this election.
A mayor and five aldermen are to
jo elected. Forest City must have the
very best set of officers, and this
can only be obtained by a full vote,
thus expressing the real will of the
majority.
Do your duty. Vote for your choice
TRUCK TURNS OVER
Sampson Spicer. aged 28, and
Joyce McCraw, aged 18, of Harris,
were hurt when a truck driven by the
former overturned on the detour to
Lake Lure Tuesday. Two men escaped
uninjured. Mr. J. J. Crocker, of
Forest City, who arrived just as the
accident happened, carried the injur
ed men to a physician, who sent them
home after giving first aid. The
men were returning from the moun
tains with a load of apples. The
heavy truck turned over three times
but was only slightly damaged. The
men were not seriously hurt.
many friends whose good wishes will
follow hex.
Mr. Leeper is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. W. A. Leeper, Jr., of Belmont
and is a young man of the highest
type. He is a graduate of Duke Uni
versity and is the popular and ef
ficient High School principal of Le
noir.
SPRING TERM
COURT CONVENES
MONDAY, MAY 16
Criminal and Civil Term of
Court to Open on May 16,
With Judge Park
er Presiding
✓
Rutherfordton, April 12.—Crimi
nal and civil court will open here
Monday, May 16. The first week will
doubtless be devoted to trying crim
inal cases followed by the civil court
term. Judge Raymond G. Parker, of
Winston-Salem, will preside. The fol
lowing, jurors have been drawn to
sefve during the two weeks:
First Week
S. B. Biggerstaff, J. Lloyd Taylor, H.
L. Carpenter, S. M. Flack, T. y.
Owens, W. Marvin Doggett, E. M.
Toney, A. JJ. Lynch, J. O. Griswold,
R. L. Culbreth, P. E. Morrison, R.
R. Horn, Herbert Carroll, F. J. Mor
ris, C. J. Glasco, R. Wilkie, J. J.
Edwards, W. A. Harrill, Jr., L. C.
Toney, W. E. Geer, J. L. Crow, J. M.
Calton, C. H. Ross, H. S. Jenkins, H.
C. Ward, R. E. Biggerstaff, J. A.
Wilson, J. J. Manning, J. M. Dycus.
J. P. Toms, Clyde Mahaffee, J. B.
Condry, O. H. Sinclair, Q. J. Devin
ney, D. W. Andrews, Ernest Cole.
Second Week
C. L. Moss, J. L. Dobbins, C. M.
Logan, J. W. Coveny, W. R. Calla
han, B. C. White, W. A. Warlick, B.
G. Moore, E. G. Summey, Frank Dog
gett, Roy Fortune, J. C. Nanney, W.
O. Taylor, R. E. Whiteside, J. J. Rol
lins, J. P. Randall, Edgar Neal, A.
C. Roach.
HOME CLUBS MEET
' IN RUTHERFORDTON
Womans' Clubs of County Hold
Joint Meeting With Home
Demonstration Clubs
Rutherfordton, April 12.—There
was a treat in store for the women
of Forest City, Lake Lure and Ruth
erfordton when they were invited
to meet with the Ccrunty Federation
of Home Demonstration Clubs in the
Court House Monday at 11 o'clock,
A. M.
The meeting was called to order
by Mis. G. C. McKinney, president.
After a brief business session in
which the conditions of a cake con
test to be held in May were stated,
motion carried to re-open the curb
market in Rutherfordton, a similar
market suggested for Forest City,
and a committee appointed to make a
uniform price, etc.
Mrs. M. M. Young of Sulphur
Springs, Mrs. P. D. Carpenter of
Mt. Vernon and Mrs. John Martin of
Ellenboro made reports on garden
contest, the prizes awarded to suc
cessful contestants, who were Mrs.
Dave Carpenter and Mrs. Monroe
McDonald, tied for first prize $15.00,
second and first was combined and
equally 'divided; Mrs. J. A- Martin
won third prize, $7.50 and Mrs. M.
M. -Young fourth $5.00 and Mrs.
Whitaker fifth prize.
Mrs. C. F. Gold in a happy manner
introduced Mrs. Jane S. McKimmon,
State agent of Home Demonstration
work who addressed the women (and
a few fortunate men) on the "Bus
iness of Home Making" in a most in
teresting and instructive talk. Mrs.
McKimmon, a charming woman, had
her subject well in and pre
sented it in a way to grip and hold
the interest of her hearers. At the
close of her address Mrs. Grant Al
len welcomed .all those present to
an informal gathering until summon
ed to lunch, served in the basement.
Miss Laura Howard presided at
the lunch and called for roll call
of clubs, visiting women from For
est City, Lake Lure and Rutherford
ton, newspaper representatives,
County Commissioners, and F. E.
Patton Farm Agent. Your corres
pondent, on failure of Forest City
Courier to respond, rashly volunteer
ed to represent that paper, but was
terror striken at the prospect of Jpe-'
ing called on to compete with yie
representatives of the news at the
task confronting us. However, as
each one present seemed anxious to
show individual appreciation of the
$1.50 per Year in Advance.
PARALYSIS ENDS
LIFE OF PROMINENT
AVONDALE CITIZEN
Mr. Martin Morehead Died
Saturday Afternoon Fol
lowing Stroke of Pa
ralysis on Thurs
day
Avondale, April 12.—Mr. Martin
Morehead.. aged 72 years, died at
his home here Saturday afternoon,
after being confined to his bed for
six months with paralysis. He suffer
ed a stroke Thursday morning, from
which he never fully recovered.
Funeral services were held at
! Sharon church in Cleveland county
Sunday at 3 o'clock, and were con
ducted by Revs. M. W. Heckard,
Cliffside, Stoudenmire of Avondale,
! and Waters, of Shelby. The pallbear
ers were Messrs. E. W. Sprouse, T.
,A. McNeely, J. D. Wells, T. A. Big
gerstaff, Ike Biggerstaff, and B. F.
Ferree. Honorary pallbearers were
Messrs. J. N. Goode, B. P. Freeman,
I D. E. Hawkins, Hatcher Melton, G.
jC. Gentry and Will Huskey. The
huge wreaths and bouquets of flow
ers which covered the grave were
borne by Misses Bessie Harrill, Dor
sey Thomas, Hazel Cantrell, Ruth
Cantrell, Lillian Smith, Selma Deb
rule, Lucile Frye, Maude Morehead,
Ruby Smith, Beatrice Hawkins, Mary
Jenkins.
Mr. Morehead is survived by his
wife and five children, Mrs. J. R.
Frye, of Avondale, Mrs. S. J. Deb
rule, Avondale, Messrs. Bate and
j Walter Moi'ehead of Avondale, and
John, of Cleveland county. Two sis
, ters, Mrs. Mat Smith, of Avondale
and Mrs. Ellen Plemmer, of Cleve
land county also survive.
Mr. Morehead was formerly with
the Avondale Mills, but retired some
time ago. He was a member of the
Methodist church and was very reg
ular in attendance. He was well
Vrown over the county and had
hundreds of friends in Cleveland and
Rutherford counties. The funeral
procession was more than three miles
long, the church was filled to
capacity during the services, and
many stayed outside.
j SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE
TEAM PLAYS SPINDALE
Spindale, April 12.—The Spartan
i burgr team of the South Atlantic
baseball league will play the Spindale
team at Spindale park on Friday af
ternoon at 3:30, according to an an
nouncement made yesterday by Mr.
, L. J. Thomason, manager of the Spin
dale team. This game promises to be
good, and will give sport fans an
. opportunity to see the newly reorgan
j ized Spindale team in action against
one of the best teams in the two
. O.rolinas.
i
OPENS BRANCH
IN RUTHERFORDTON
The City Dry Cleaning Co. has op
ened a branch plant in Rutherford-
I
, ton to be known as the Spotless
Cleaners & Dyers. Miss Winifred
i Mode was awarded a $5 prize for
■"•"ntr the best name for the Ruth
erfordton plant.
This firm, under the able manage
ment of Miss Katie Summey, has
j enjoyed an increasing business from
its very beginning in this city. They
have an up-to-date outfit and are
well equipped for the business.
BIBLE CLASS TO GIVE
SUPPER FRIDAY
The Mens' Bible Class, of the First
Baptist Church will hold a get-to
gether meeting and supper at the
church Friday evening at 7:45
o'clock. This concludes the contest
between the "reds" and the "blues",
which has/been running in the class
for some time. All members of the
class are urged to be present. Please
notify Mr. A. B. Flack if you expect
ito attend. Plates will be 75 cents
each.
good things provided, there was no
! time to check up and the day was
saved. It would be impossible to do
justice in a description of
! ner prepared by the women belong
j ing to the various clubs over the
county.
16 PAGES
96 COLUMNS