Rutherford
County Offers
Unequalled
Opportunities To
Manufacturers
and Others
OL. XII—No. 18.
"IIIZENS MASS
MEETING HELD
MONDAY NIGHT
Temporary Organization of a
Merchants* Protective Lea
gue Perfected at Ruther
fordton Meeting.
Rutherfordton, Feb. 4.—At a mass
- eeting of citizens of Rutherford
( lunty, held in the court house here
"llonday evening a temporary organ
zation, similar to the Henderson
* iiinty Protective League, was furm
>,. The meeting was attended by
, )o re than 500 people, representing
I every community in the county.
Temporary officers elected were:
: l). Wilson, Rutherfordton, presi
dent ; J. H. Burwell, Rutherfordton,
|Temporary secretary; board of direc
tors: K. E. Simpson, Rutherfordton;
,V. C. Ellis, Spindale; M. Littman,
Rutherfordton; J. T. Harris, Forest
City; Tommie Jones, Forest City; C.
). Ridings, Forest City; B. C. Horn,
Forest City; Z. O. Jenkins, Cliffside;
31. L. Edwards, Rutherfordton; Carl
Higgins. Caroleen; Grady Withrow,
Hollis; J. L. Culbreth, Ellenboro; H.
A. Belk, Union Mills; H. F. Higgins,
jilkey; J. L. Morris, Chimney Rock;
C. F. Ward, Avondale; F. B. Ed
wards. Henrietta; E. X. Washburn,
Bostic; J. L. Harris, Harris; B. B.
'.ogar.. Item. A meeting of the bord
f directors will be held soon, an
nouncement of which will be made
later.
Purpose of Movement.
The 'bject of such organization,
according to the chairman of the
Hendersonville board, is to organize
the independent retail merchants in
to a body, use regular space in the
newspapers in advertising; educate
the people to trade with home mer
chants; in order to keep money ex
pended at home; compile a mailing
list and mail printed matter regu-j
'arly to customers giving reason? i
why they should trade at home;* to:
support Governer Gardner's live-at
home program; to carry regularly
specials in each retail merchant's 1
•■tore; clean-up, paint-up and pla^e!
daily displays in each store window, j
"This is not a fight on the chain '
stores," he said, "or a fight on the
clerks or managers, but. a fight a-1
gainst the pernicious system employ- j
en by them."
The Spindale Band was present
and opened the program with three
-'and selections. Prof. Clyde A. Er
•vin stated the purpose of the meet
ng, and after a few preliminary
•tatements, paid a high tribute to
he late S. B. Tanner, R. R. Haynes
*nd J. P. D. Withrow, whom he
haracterized as the pioners in the
nanufacturing and mercantile field
n Rutherford county.
Z. O. Jenkins, of Cliffside, was
'resented, and stated in the opening
hat he felt ill at ease in a court
house as that there was only three
places in which he felt at home—in
■ r io church, in a political meeting or
: ehind the counter arguing with a
lonian over a piece of dress goods.
Mr. Jenkins then proceeded to out
ne the objects of the meeting, and
t0 £ive the "merchants present a
remedy" for chain store competi
'°n. "Chain stores do come into a
community after it is built up," said
Mr. .Jenkins "and proceed to take
the 'cream' of the trade. But inde
pendent retail merchants need to
" 'ke a lesson from the chain stores.
Mill give you a recipe,—it is sim
ple- -just four letters—W 0 R K.
°u can't get anywhere without it.
dirt, carelessness, dirty
-ds and shelves are losing for the
iv.- rchants more trade than the chain
"tores are taking away. Use your
-id. Use advertising space. Tell the
people you have as nice, clean goods
anyone else, with a price as
'' "ap. '"Take a lesson from the chain
'"res. Don't cuss 'em, watch 'em
:n d follow out some of their ideas."
Hie meeting was turned over to
■ IV - Wilkins, of Hendersonville, an
'tticial Q i the Henderson County
Protective League. He called for the
representatives from the various
' OWTIS to stand. TPeople were present
-rom Tryon, Forest City, Spindale,
Caroleen, Cliffside, Ellenbctfo, Har-
Kutherfordton, Bostic, Hender-
FOREST CITY COURIER
FOREST CITY--ONE OF THE TEN BEST PLANNED AND MOST BEAUTIFUL }s IN THE U. S. A."- U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SURVEY
LIBRARY GROWING
With a circulation of 202 books,
Saturday was the busiest day in the
history of the Forest City Public Li
brary. Circulation for the month of
January was 930. This is also the
largest circulation of any month
since the opening- of the library.
Several donations were very grate
fully received during January. The
library.is growing, but its patronage
is also increasing, so more books are
requested. We now have 779 vol
umes.
SNOW CUTS DOWN
ATTENDANCE AT
THE TABERNACLE
Several Hundred Present Wed
nesday Evening Despite
Heavy Snow—Several
Delegations.
Cliffside, Feb. 4.—The Stephens
tabernacle meeting was very much
interferred with last w r eek by the
biggest snow storm that has visited
Cliffside in many years. The wind
began to blow and snow began to
fall in the forenoon on Wednesday,
and continued almost without ceas
ing until Thursday morning. The
ground was covered about six or
seven inches deep, and travel was
very much interferred with. But ; n
spite of the blinding snow Wednes
day night several hundred were pres
ent and a small delegation from
Alexander braved the stormy weath
er to attend. Many people in Cliff
side came afoot through the snow,
which by this time was getting deep.
The meeting that night was one of
the most interesting of the whole
week.
As the weather cleared up the at
tendance got back to normal by
Friday night, and a large and enthus
iastic delegation from Spindale was
: prFSPTTt "that night. 0-n ' -Satrrrtf^y
night delegations of the young peo
ple from the Methodist and Baptist
churches of Avondale were . present.
Delegations from Henrietta and Car
oleen were also present. The dele
gation from Rutherfordton last Tues
day. night was one of the largest as
jet attended.
On Sunday night there was an
other record attendance present, and
the tabernacle was taxed to its ca
pacity, and the interest continues to
grow.
On Tuesday night delegations will
be present from Mt. Pleasant Bap
tist church of Cleveland county, Race
Path Baptist church and Mooresboro.
On next Thursday night there will
be a large delegation from Forest
City. On Friday night there will be
a large delegation from Henrietta.
ELLENBORO HATCHERY
TAKES OFF HATCH
Ellenboro,. Feb. 3. —The first hatch
of baby chicks was taken from the
Ellenboro School Hatchery last
Thursday, the day on which the hatch
comes off each week. All of the
chicks were sold to a local poultry
man who is growing them out for
broilers.
The Ellenboro School Hatchery
with a capacity of 7,000 eggs is
owned and operated by the agricul
tural department of the school to
stimulate more poultry in the com
munity for a better live-at-home
program and for another cash crop.
sonville, with a large number pres
ent from the rural communities.
Mr. Wilkins proceeded to describe
conditions in Hendersonville as com
pared with twenty years ago. After
an introduction of the Henderson
ville delegation Mr. W. A. Keith,
vice president of the Hendersonville
Protective League, spoke briefly and
stated that North Caro 7 ina was fast
becoming the leading chain-store
state of the south, due to its strage
tic location-, and good roads. Hon.
Lee Whitmire, of Hendersonville.
former state senator, spoke next, and
was followed by Mr. W. M. Sher
rod, a former Rutherford county man
now living in Hendersonville. Others
speakers were: Clarence Carson, of
Hendersonville; C. O. Ridings, of
Forest City and O. P. Ballenger. of
Tryon.
PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF FOR - !TY AND RUTHERFORD COUNTY
t. V, w". "L . ,_■ ■
FOREST CITY, NORTH CAROLINA . Jj DAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1930.
■- h-5
SIX RUTHERFORD 1
BANKS CLOSE THEIR
DOORS THIS WEEK
Suspension of Rutherfordton
Bank and Two Branches *
Followed by Banks at
Forest City and Chim
ney Rock.
Five of Rutherford County's banks
were closed Tuesday morning and
placed in the hands of the state
banking department, followed by one
other bank closing Wednesday morn
ing.
The Rutherford County Bank and
Trust Co., at Rutherfordton, with its
two branches at Spindale and Union
Mills, did not open for business
Tuesday morning. As a result of this,
a run was started on the Farmers
Bank and Trust Co., at Forest City,
which had opened for business as
usual. Seeing the danger of a sus
tained run on this bank a called
meeting of the board of directors
was held and the bank was closed
and placed in the hands of the state
banking department.
This order for closing was also
put. in effect at the branch bank at
Caroleen. Naturally, the closing of
the banks caused much excitement
and confusion and many unthinking
ones became unduly alarmed. How
ever, it is the opinion of the city's
most conservative business men that
the closing of the bank at the time
was a wise move and the only thing
to do under the stress of the circum
stances; and, it is also the opinion
of the level headed ones that the
bank will pay dollar for dollar to
depositors, but that the stockholders
many suffer a slight loss.
The Courier was informed Wed
nesday morning fhat the Chimney
Rock Trust Co., had failed to open.
This bank was not affiliated with
either the Rutherfordton or Forest
Thenr exact reasons for
closing is not known at the time this
is written.
Standing 1 like the rock of Gibral
tar amid the stress of the financial
storm Tuesday was the Industrial
Loan and Investment Bank, Forest
Citjr, the First. Industrial Bank, Ruth
erfordton, the Haynes Banks, Cliff
side and Acondale; the Bostic Bank
and the Ellenboro bank.
In order to accommodate the
local business men who do most
of their business with checks, the
Industrial Loan and Investment
bank of this city, which operates
under the Morris banking plan, is
issuing cashier's checks on the
American Trust company of Char
lotte to all merchants who deposit
their cash in this bank. This is done
for the benefit of the merchants
who prefer paying their bills with
checks. There is no charge made
for this service.
I
It. is also understood that the In
dustrial Bank at Rutherfordton is
following this same plan. The busi
ness men of • both cities appreciate
the efforts of these banks in giving
them the much needed facilities.
Locally, thousands of dollars have
been deposited in the Industrial Bank
since the financial debacle of Tues
day.
Officials of the Farmers Bank have
a statement on this page, a perusal
of which will aid greatly to restore
confidence and allay the fear of loss
by depositors. Dr. T. B. Lovelace
is president and J. A. Dennis is
cashier. W. L. Hicks is cashier of
the Caroleen branch. The capital and
surplus of the Farmers Bank is
$500,000, while its resources and
liabilities run over a million dollars.
J. L. Taylor is president of the
Rutherford County Bank and Trust
company; W. W. Hicks is chairman
of the board of directors, while W.
B. Walker is cashier. On January 1
the capital was $200,000; surplus.
$20,000; bills payable, $145,000 and
deposits, $970,407. The {otal re
sources were $1,340,606.55.
It is reported that a new bank
will be opened in Rutherfordton
soon.
Xo less an authority than B. H.
Long, cashier of the First Industrial
Bank at Rutherfordton, and noted
as one of the best posted bankers in
the state, remarked, to The Courier
Very Consoling.
JG tement of Farmers
Bank Officials
A statement was issued Wed
nesday morning by officials of
the Farmers Bank, as follows:
"It is the opinion of the officials
of the Farmers Bank that the
institution is perfectly solvent. In
our opinion there are enough as
sets to amply take care of all
depositors. There is on deposit
one million d.ollars at this time.
Loans and discounts amount to
one million four hundred thou
. sand dollars, and there is also a
capital of $250,000 and a sur~
, plus of $250,000.
"There is also a movement on
-foot for a strong banking in
terest coming in and re-opening
the Forest City and Caroleen
banks.
"The closing of the bank was
done by the order of the board
of directors after word had gone
out that The Rutherford bank
would not open, and a run on
the bank was beginning to ma
terilize. This step was taken to
protect the interests of the de
positors of the bank, and pre
vent a run."
The state bank examiners ar
rived Wednesday and are now in
charge at the bank. A statement
may be expected from them
within a few days. Mr. Roberts,
of the Board of State Bank Ex
aminers, of Raleigh, is in charge
of the auditing.
Wednesday morning that the two
industrial banks of the county were
in splendid financial condition and
able, ever the need to arise, to pay
depositors dollar for dollar on their
deposits.
Mr. Long also stated that he felt
that the Farmers Bank depositors
should not feel alarmed, as he was
coVfi*jnt the bank, with its magni
ficent resources and substantial
board of directors, officers and stock
holders would protect them from all
loss.
Mr. Long should know whereof he
speaks, as he audited the books of
the Farmers Bank last year, and
was also cashier of this bank for a
number of years.
Sit Steady in the Boat.
The Courier wishes to urge any
of those distressed over the local
banking situation to take stock,
calm your alarms and allay your
fears. While, naturally, there will
some disturbing business conditions
until the newly formed bank is open
ed, business will then be resumed
under a more substantial banking
situation than has heretofore pre
vailed. Go ahead with your business,
don't get discouraged and within a
short time Forest City will be mov
ing ahead and business stronger and
better under the restored confidence
and new banking relations.
As the writer heard a physician
illustrate: Our financial situation is
to be compared to a boil. It has now
erupted, the source of infection has
been expelled and now all we have
to do is to wait the healing process.
A re-organized and strengthened
banking institution here and at Ruth
erfordton will bring about tranquili
ty and business will resume its nor
mal course.
Rutherf ordton Banks.
State bank examiners arrived in
Rutherfordton Tuesday evening*, and
Wednesday morning l began a check
of the Rutherford County Bank and
Trust Company's books. As The Cour
ier goes to press the officials of that
institution have made no official
statement, other than that the con
dition of the bank would probably
permit them to pay the obligations
ot the institution one hundred cents
on the dollar at an early date.
County Funds Safe.
The funds of the Rutherford
County Board of Education and the
funds of Rutherford County, de
posited in the Rutherford County
Bank and Trust Company and The
Farmers Bank are safe, according to
county officials. Practically all of
the county funds were on deposit in
these two institutions, but were cov
ered by heavy surety bonds. In event
these two banks should fail to liqui-
Sam Ruppe Wins
In State Contest
Sam Ruppe, of Forest City, R-2,
has been awarded $20.00 cash prize
in the Chilean Nitrate of Soda cot
ton contest, as third prize for his
record on five acres of cotton during
the past year. Mr#- Ruppe produced
8% bales on five acres of land. He
also won in the Kiwanis contest, spon
sored by the local Kiwanis club, and
was awarded a ton of fertilizer by
Mr. George Blanton. The Ruther
fordton Kiwanis club also gave a
prize to Mr. Ruppe last Thursday
night as winner in the Rutherford
j'ton club contest.
DEATH CLAIMS
AGED DOCTOR
Dr. Romeo Hicks, Aged 84,
Died at Henrietta Monday
—Funeral Held Tuesday
Afternoon.
Henrietta, Feb. s.—Romeo Hicks
one of the county's oldest and best
known medical doctors, died at his
home here Monday after a lingering
illness of several months. Dr. Hicks
was eighty-four years of age. He re
tired from the active practice of
medicine some years ago.
Funeral services were held in the
Henrietta Methodist church at one
o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Rev.
George Ezelle was in charge of the
service, assisted by Rev. A. W.
Lynch. Interment was in the Harris
cemetery, at Harris.
Mr. Hicks is survived by his wid
ow, Mrs. Mary Lewis Elmore Hicks,
one brother, T. B. Hicks, of Che?-
Pall bearers were: Messrs. J. M.
Brackett, W. L. Hicks, John Roach,
L. W. Hawkins, Dr. J. F. Whisnant,
J. D. Wells, J. B. Watkins, and L.
P. Hamrick. Honorary pall bearers
were the members of the Rutherford
County Medical society.
Dr. Hicks was a member of the
Henrietta Methodist church, and had
been a member for 23 years. lie
was a member of the Masonic lodge
and the Rutherford County Medical
Society.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE GOOD
An unusually fine record was made
by the Sunday school of the First
Baptist church last Sunday. The ju
nior department, making 71 per cent
made one of the highest percentages
ever made by any department in the
school using the six point record
system. The primary department,
which is only graded on four points,
made 74 per cenf. There was a slight
increase in the percentage made by
most of the other departments. In
cluding three visitors, there was a
total of 363 present at Sunday school
last Sunday.
date no cgunty funds will be lost,
according to Mr. Clyde ErWin, as the
surety companies will be responsible
for the amounts on deposit.
Statement From Cashier of Caroleen
Branch Bank.
Mr. W. L. Hicks, cashier of the
Caroleen branch of the Farmers
Bank, stated Wednesday morning that
the Caroleen bank was in good con
dition. The bank did not have a
single withdrawal on Tuesday, and
neither Mr. Hicks or his employees
knew anything of the closing of the
other county banks until he was or
dered by the Board of directors of
the Forest City bank to close the
doors Tuesday.
Statement From G. B. Harrill,
Cashier Industrial Bank.
"It is needless to be alarmed over
the financial situation in Rutherford
County. We feel sure that our lo
cal situation will work out without
any material loss, and feel that it :s
the time for every one to be calm
and composed and go ahead with the
ordinary run of business as usual.
"We are indeed very grateful for
the support and layalty of the com
munity given our institution. We are
financially able and anxious to take
care of the. banking needs of our
community during this period of re
adjustment."
60 COLUMNS
SI.OO Per Year in Advance
FORMER FOREST
CITY PASTOR
KILLED SATURDAY
Rev. O. L. Stringfield Dies In
stantly When Struck by
Freight Train Near
Wendell.
Wendell, Feb. 4.—Rev. O. L.
Stringfield, 79, who over 50 years
ago canvassed the state for fimds
for the erection of M.eredith col
lege, and one of the school's active
founders, was instantly killed near
here shortly after noon Saturday
when struck by a freight train.
Walking on Tracks.
Retired from the active ministry
for some years, Rev. Mr. Stringfield
lived with a daughter near here. He"
was accustomed to walk to town or*
the tracks of the Norfolk Southern
railway. Relatives believe that be
cause of partial deafness he did not
hear the approach of the train from
behind him.
Meredith College, a Baptist school
for women in Raleigh, was founded
lin 1879.
Well Known in State.
Rev. Mr. Stringfield was well
known throughout the state in
church circles. He once held a pas
torate at Raleigh. Funeral services
were held here Monday.
The minister is survived by his
widow and the following 1 children.
Rev. Preston String-field of Mars lli'll
Dr. Alvin Stringfield of New York;
Mrs. Mozell Swain of Asheville; L i-
mar Stringfield, New York compos
er; Mrs. P. C. Brantley, of Wendell;
Mi ss Bernice Stringfield of Ashevill*
and Yann Stringfield of Thomasvills.
Rev. O. L. Stringfield, who was
killed when struck by a freight train
at Wendell Saturday, was a formei
supply pastor of the First Baptist
church, Forest City. Mr. Stringfield
came to Forest City early in 1922.
succeeding Rev. S. N„ .Watson. He
served here about eight months, un
til Dr. W. A. Ayers came to Forest
City. While here he endeared him
self to the people of Forest City
in general as well as to the members
cf his congregation.
FUNERAL HELD FOR
MR. MIKEY TONEY
Golden Valley Man Died Tues
day, January 28.—Funeral
Held at Mt. Harmony
Baptist Church.
r «£ci
Bostic, R-3, Feb. 2. —Funeral ser
vices were held at Mt. Harmony Bap
tist church Wednesday afternoon for
Mr. Mikey Toney, who died at thi
home of his parents Tuesday night
at nine o'clock. Mr. Toney had been
in ill health for sometime, suffering
from that dread disease tuberculo
sis, but had only been confined a
bout three weeks,before his death.
Rev. Mr. Mayberry, of the South
Mountain school, officiated at the
funeral, and was assisted by Rev.
Mr. Williams, also of South Moun
tain school. Both ministers paid h
'glowing tribute to the sterling worth
of the young man, who, just before
death, declared that he was ready
to go.
The deceased was born September
26, 1906, being a little over 23
years of age at the time of his death.
He joined Mt.Harmony Baptist church
about two years ago, and lived an
examplary christian life since that
time.
He is survived by his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Dan Toney, four brothers-,
Messrs. Crawford Toney, Forest City,
Adam Toney, of the Salem 'commu
nity; Thomas and John Toney, of
Bostic, R-3; two sisters, Mrs. Ed.
Melton, of the Washburn communi
ty and Mrs. Bynum Arrowood, of
Forest City.
Due to the heavy snow the atten
dance was not large. Interment was
in the Mt. Harmony cemetery, and
the grave was soon covered by snow.
The Fellowship Banquet of the
Men's Bible class ~ First Baptist
chuTch scheduled for Friday night
the 7th has been postponed until
later date. i
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