IU. I .U. J. I|l IL JIJll
MARION PROGRESS
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF McDOWELL COUNTY.
ESTABLISHED 1896.
MARION, N. C., THURSDAY, JAN. 20, 1916.
VOL. XX—NO. 21
FOUR KILLED, MANY INJURED
Cause of Explosion In tho New York
Navy Yard is Not Known.—
Investigating.
New York.—Four men were killed
and 10 others injured, five of them
'dangerously, in an explosion which
OQCurred on the submarine E-2, while
the craft was undergoing repairs in
dry dock at the New York Navy Yard.
One of the men killed was an enlist
ed electrician and the other three
civilian workers.
The dead: R. B. Seabert, electri
cian, second class; James H. Pock,
civilian, general helper, Brooklyn; J.
P. Schultz, civilian, machinist, Brook
lyn; Joseph Logan, civilian, general
helper, Brooklyn.
The injured: L. C. Miles, chief
•electrician, Brooklyn; Ramon Otto,
electrician, Middleburg, Md.; Guy H.
Clark, Jr., Frankfort, N. Y.; John
Holsey, Baltimore, Md.; James Lyons,
civilian; Henry Zoil, civilian; Otto
Hassert, civilian; Richard Heyne, civ
ilian; Mchael Peyser, civilian; Aug
ust Kaplin, civilian.
Although the detonation was ter
rific, the submarine Itself, from the
outside, shows none of the effects of
the explosion, the second fatal acci
dent of its kind In the history of the
United States Navy. The interior
apparatus was badly shattered but so
tight was the vessel’s shell that there
was no means of escape for gas which
accumulated and it was more than
an hour after the blast before the
work of recovering the bodies could
be completed.
A statement indicating that the new
Edison storage battery was not in
any way responsible for the explo
sion on the submarine E-2 at the New
York Navy Yard, was made by Miller
Reese Hutchinson, chief engineer for
Thomas A. Edison and a member of
the Navy Consulting Board.
CALLED TO DEFEND NATION.
of
President Wilson Begins Work
Quick Mobilization.
Washington.—President Wilson has
beun work to put into operation the
plan he outlined in his last mes
sage to congress for preparing the na
tion’s manufacturing, railroad and oth-
«r business resources for quick mob
ilization in case of emergency. It be
came known that he has written to
the heads of all of the principal engi
neering organizations asking that they
appoint representatives to collect data
for use in organizing business for na
tional defence, in tiilie of danger.
The letters, one of which was made
public in New York, by W. L. Saun
ders, president of the American Insti
tute of Mining Engineers, went also
to the presidents of the American So
ciety of Mechanical Engineers, the
American Society of Civil Engineers,
the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers and the American Chem
ical Society.
Convicts Will Be Kept on Road
Work in Western Section.
Asheville, Jan. 13.—Convicts
now employed on roads in western
North Carolina are to be permitted
to remain here was the promise
made here yesterday by Governor
Craig, who had come from Raleigh
especially to investigate the pro
posed removal of the convicts from
several of the roads in this section
for the purpose of hiring them out
to private interests.
Governor Craig’s promise was
reiterated by Prison Supt. J. S.
Mann of Raleigh, who also prom
ised the mountain people the use
of the convicts until the roads they
are building are complete. It was
generally understood at the meet
ing that the two negro camps will
probably be consolidated and plac
ed on the road from Old Fort to
Swannanoa Gap until August 1,
after which time they will be sent
to Madison County for work there.
Members of the Board of Trade,
the good roads association and
numerous other civic bodies were
present at the meeting at the Board
of Trade rooms yesterday, at which
time Governor Craig met with the
citizens to discuss the convict sit
uation. Interesting talks were
made by J. W. Pless, of Marion;
P. H. Mashburn, of Old Fort; C.
A. Boone, of Black Mountain;
P. A. Rideout, state engineer at
Old Fort in charge of the work on
the mountain; Highway Commis
sioner Guy V. Roberts, of Mar
shall, all of whom were a unit in
urging the use of convict labor on
the mountain roads and that the
convicts be kept on the main thor
oughfares until they are camplet-
ed. Governor Craig explained that
he thought good roads in this sec
tion would benefit the entire State,
especially as the roads on which
the convicts are at work comprise
part of the State highway leading
to Tennessee and across the State
in the other direction.
The statement was made that the
Round Knob road will probably be
open to tourist travel by June 1,
which will add greatly to the value
of this section as a Summer resort.
NEWS FROM THE COUNTY
Brief Mention of Some of the Hap
penings in McDowell County—
Items About Home People.
NEBO
Nebo, .Tan. 17—The box supper giyen
last Friday night was a decided snccess.
The proceeds amounted to about |45.00,
which will go to the benefit of the
school.
Will Landis of Dysartsville s];>ent
Saturday and Sunday with relatives
here.
Miss Cheley Sigmon was shopping in
Marion Saturday.
F. N. Sigmon is in Jacksonville, Fla.,
on a pleasure trip this week.
J. C. Goforth of Woodlawn spent one
night last week with his sister, Mrs.
G. D. Taylor.
John Setzer of Gastonia spent a few
days last week with his sister, Mrs.
W. J. Bowman.
Ed DeVault of Glen Alpine spent
Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Sig
mon.
HANKINS
Hankins, Jan. 17.—Misses Delia Gibbs
and Miss Myrtle Brown spent Sunday
with relatives at Ashford.
James Lackey of Jacksonville, Fla.,
Percy Barnes and Fred Lentz of Marion
were visitors here Sunday.
Fred Barnes and Joe Hall attended
the box supper at Nebo Friday night.
Mrs. S. W. Cannon has been quite ill
for some time but is improving.
Hanlr'ns school is reported as pro
gressing nicely with Misses Delia Gibbs
and Myrtle Brown as teachers. Re
ports show that the pupils are interest
ed in the school work. The enrollment
is very large.
Williams-Swann.
The marriage of Miss Alma
Swann of Nealsville to Mr. George
Williams of Old Fort during the
week came as a surprise to friends.
The wedding took place at the
home of the bride’s sister, Mrs.
W. S. Giles. Rev. M. B. Riden-
hour performed the ceremony,
which was witnessed only by a few
close friends and relatives. Mr.
Charles Green was best man and
as the wedding march was being
played the bride entered with Miss
Etta Simmons, of Morganton, who
gave her away. After congratu
lations, dainty refreshments were
served. Numerous gifts were re
ceived.
After spending the night at the
home of the bride’s sister, the
happy couple left Tuesday on No.
11 for Asheville, Waynesville aad
Knoxville, Tenn., where they will
spend their honeymoon. After a
stay of two weeks they will return
to Old Fort, where they will make
their home. Mr. Williams holds
a position with the Union Tanning
Co. Their many friends wish for
them much happiness and success
through life. F.
OVER THE OLD NORTH STATEi
Brief Notes Covering Happenings
This Stats That Are of Interest to j
All ths Psople.
ni4
Renews Promise to Punisii Bandits.
Washington.—General Carranza re
new his assurances to the United
States that he would make every ef
fort to punish those responsible for
the murder fo American mining men
near Santa Ysabel.
A dispatch from Consul Silliman to
the state department, dated at Que-
retaro said Carranza had personally
assured Mr. Silliman, in reply to the
department’s demand that the mur
derers be run down, that he “had Is
sued orders for the Immediate pursuit,
capture and punishment of those re
sponsible for the atrocity.’*
Simultaneously in a dispatch to
Eliseo Arredondo, his ambassador des-
signate here. General Carranza an
nounced that he was about to issue
a decree permitting any citizen of
Mexico to execute any of the bandits
“without formality.”
Special Message from Governor Stuart
Richmond, Va.—In a special mes
sage to the general assembly. Gov
ernor Henry C. Stuart recommendejL
legislation which would give state
troops right of way on all railroads
when called on active^ service; a “fair
and reasonable” workman’s compen
sation law, a preferential primary
for selection of candidates for state
offices; and the appointment of
commission to study land mortgage
banks and other forms of rural cred
its with a view to the establilshment
of such a system in Virginia.
Good Roads Meeting at Dysarts
ville—May Vote Bonds.
Dysartsville, Jan. 17. — The
good roads meeting held here Fri
day night was well attended, there
being more than seventy-five citi
zens in attendance who expressed
themselves in favor of improving
the roads. A number of men made
very interesting talks. The senti
ment of the meeting seemed to be
unanimously for a bond issue. A
committee consisting of R. E.
Roper, J. C. Upton, James Walk
er and Carson Jarrett was appoint
ed to confer with the State engi
neer of good roads and also others
who have had experience in road
building.
The next meeting will be held
Monday night, January 24, at the
Dysartsville school house at 7:30.
It is urged that every citizen in
the township attend.
The great mid-winter sale will
begin at the store of P. A. Reid &
Co. this (Thursday) morning at
9 o’clock and continue nine days,
endingSaturday night, January 29
A desirable line of goods is offer
ed at very attractive prices. Read
the page ad. of bargains in this
paper today.
GARDEN CITY
Garden City, Jan. 18.—Garden City
school is progressing nicely. The boys
have organized a Betterment Club
which is doine: good work. The girls
have a Sewing class which in time will
no doubt prove a success. Following is
the school honor roll for the past week:
Rena Jimeson, Rebecca Hennessee, John
Ray Jimeson, Carl Haney, Dillion
Woody, Ernest Gibbs, Lee Quinn, Znra
Walker, Reedie Bird, Cecil Woody,
Mira Quinn, Wilhelmenia Grindstaff,
Ruth Chapman, Billie Gibbs, Frank
Haney, Lula Mae Gibbs, Caskie Me
Cormick, Virginia Quinn, Addie Quinn,
Vescoe Shuford, George Shuford, Doug
las Woody, Wilburn Walker, Rena
Patton, May Shuford, Josie Ellis, Dock
Ayers, Charlie Gibbs, Robert Chapman
and Avery Woody.
Stanley Gibbs, who has been in the
West for some time, is visiting his
brother, H. A. Gibbs.
J. L. Suttles, who has been residing
at Garden City for the past seven years,
is moying his family to J. D. Blanton’s
farm at Greenlee where he will super
intend the work on the farm.
J, E. Jimeson had the misfortune of
losing a fine cow from the effects of
swallowing a wire from a cotton meal
sack.
Miss Dora Gibbs is spending a few
weeks with her aunt, Mrs. James
Avery, at Ashford.
Ervin Mason has entered the graded
school at Marion.
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Jimeson have both
been on the sick list, but are improving
rapidly.
Misft Blanche Houck and John Ray
Jimeson spent Sunday with Mr. and
Mrs. T. B. Ray.
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Patton are visit
ing their son, J. G. Patton.
Captured Bear on Linville.
Mr. S. N. Gray, of Nebo town-
shin, was in town this week and
reported the capture of a large
black bear on Linville mountain
recently. Mr. Gray says the bear
was captured after a strenuous race
of six days duration. He claims
to have some of the best bear dogs
in this part of the State and hopes
during the remainder of the winter
months to capture a number of
bears, since he says they are un
usually plentiful in the vicinity of
Linville and Shortoff mountains.
Judge M. H. Justice and Judge
W. J. Adams have made an ex
change of courts by commission of
Governor Craig who designates
Judge Justice to hold McDowell,
beginning January 24, a term of
two weeks; McDowell two weeks,
beginning February 21; Hender
son, beginning March 6, two weeks;
Yancey, beginning March 27, two
weeks; Transylvania, starting April
7, two weeks; Rutherford, two
weeks, beginning May 1.
Court Next Week.
Superior court will convene here
next Monday, January 24, with
Judge M. H. Justice, of Ruther-
fordton, presiding. This will be
a two weeks term for the trial of
civil cases only. There is a heavy
docket.
Clerk of Court Thomas Morris
is in receipt of a letter from Judge
Justice stating that it will be im
possible for him to reach Marion
on Monday morning and that court
will not convene before 1 o’clock
in the afternoon.
Births and Deaths for Year 1915.
According to the report of Reg
ister of Vital Statistics Thomas
McGuire, during the year 1915
there were 228 births in Marion
township and 84 deaths, making
the net gain of births 144. In the
town there were 49 births during
the year and in the township out
side the city there were 179. There
were 17 deaths in Marion and 67
in the township outside of the cor
porate limits for the year.
Mr. McGuire’s report follows:
Births in Marion: Boys 23;
girls, 26; total 49. Deaths in city:
Males 9, females 8, total 17. Births
in township, outside of city: Boys
93. girls 86, total 179. Deaths in
township, outside of Marion: Males
35, females 32, total 67. Total for
entire township, including town of
Marion: Births 228, deathsl84.
Between the war and the auto
bile the unhappy horse is kept con
tinually sidestepping sudden death.
Ex-Judge Foushee is ill at his ho]
in Durham.
Durham county has let the contradj
for a new court house to cost $22,5004
A party of Rockingham farmers vi$4
ited Catawba county last week ^
study diversification and co-operatio^
Four special elections held in Buivj
combe county last week for improve*
ment of educational facilities carriedi
by good majorities. ^
A memorial service was held at!
Monroe in honor of Robert Ney Mc-
Neely, who lost his life with the sink
ing of the British liner Persia.
The sight of the right eye of WU-*
liam Merrill, of Beaufort, aged nind
years, was destroyed by an accidental
shot from an air rifle in the hands oil
a comrade.
The second annual re{>ort of the Ca
tawba Rural Credits Association made
by George R. Wooten, secretary-treas-
urer, shows a total of 296 shares with,
a total present value of $8,759.21.
Th Fourth Annual Convention ofi
the North Carolina Conference for So^
cial Service will be held in Charlotte,|
January 23 to 26, 1916. This is going
to be a largely attended and a very
profitable convention.
The census bureau rdt»orts that the
value of products manufactured In.
Winston-Salem during 1914 was $37,*
288,000 as shown from the census of
manufacturers. The population July
1 of that year was estimated at 29,000.
Announcement has been made that
Governor Craig had purchased a fine
residence lot in Asheville and that
he will begin almost immidately the
erection of a fine home to be occupied
by himself and family when his term
as governor is ended.
Surveyors are laying off the line ot
a proposed extension of the Kinston
Carolina railroad from Pink Hill, Le*
noir county, to Chinquapin, Duplin
county. The distance is about 18
miles. It Is practically certain that
the extension will be bulTi.
Nearly $500 was subscribed in a
few hours at Lexington for the organ
ization of the Davidson county fdlr,
which it is planned to hold in Lexing
ton this fall. A further canvass will
be made of Lexington and the county
and sufficient funds are expected to l>e
found to set the enterprise going.
The Hendersonville authorities are
planning for a ^150,000 new water sup^
ply and system to be installed at once.
Hendersonville has been in need of a
more adequate supply of water for ser*
oral years. It will be necessary to
construct a pipe-line for a distance of
14 miles to the head of North Forli
and Big Creeks.
Every dairy cow in Buncombe conn*
ty must undergo the annual tubercu
lin test, according to tfh order passed
by the Asheville commissioners, and
as the last session of the legislature
passed the Nettles bill providing that
where the city ordered such tests
the city should pay the expenses, Ashe
will foot the bills.
Mr. J. D. McVean, wlio has been in
charge of the pig club work in North
Carolina having been assigned to
this state to do co-operative work
for the Animal Husbandry Bureau cl
the United States department of agrl'
culture, will on February 1st go to
Washington, where he assumes charge
of the pig club work in the United
States.
The successor to Dr. D. H. Hill aa
president of the North Carolina Col
lege of Agriculture, and Mechanic
Arts will be chosen by the trustees
at the annual meeting in May. Thia
conclusion was reached by the trug^
tees, who were in special session to re^
ceive the resignation of Dr. Hill, wh(^
will take up his new commission aa
historian to prepare the history ol
North Carolina’s part in the Civil Wa»
for the North Carolina Division Uni
ted Confederate Veterans at the close
of the present college term. The res
ignation was accepted with regret.