MARION PROGRESS
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO TME BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF McDOWELL COUNTY.
established 1896.
MARION, N. C., THURSDAY, AUG. 24, 1916.
VOL. XX—NO. 52
PLAN FOR NEW RAILROAD
Asheville Men Working for Another
Railroad to Connect with C. C.
& 0- in Vicinity of Marion.
Asheville, Ajag. 17—-That promi-
Bent business men of Asheville are
fi^urin^ on the organization of a
“railroad club” to be composed of
fifty members and to work un
ceasingly for another railroad to
Asheville, was the statement made
by a business man of this city yes
terday. This gentleman stated
that the details of the club had not
been perfected, but he assured a
reporter that the club would be
formed and announcement made in
the near future.
The proposed route of the road,
he declares, has been carefully
mapped out, and would embrace a
wonderful route, at the same time
high above any flood troubles of
the future. It would connect with
the C. C. and O. Railroad some
where in the neighborhood of Ma
rion, and would supply Asheville
with competitive freight and pas
senger rates.
The idea is that Buncombe. Yan
cey and Mitchell Counties could
each be induced to vote bonds for
such a road, and it is believed that
the C. C. and O. railroad would
co-operate in such a venture. There
are more apples wasted in Yancey
County every year than are grown
io Rhode Island, it is pointed out,
and all these apples and other farm^
products now wasted would be sold
at a profit with transportation fa
cilities at hand.
That the club is no idle dream is
evidenced by the statistics and
figures already available, which
show the most careful study of the
proposition, and the giving of con
siderable thought and money to
the enterprise. It is believed that
there is a need for such a road,
and a confident undercurrent of be
lief that it will eventually be built.
Marion Young Woman Weds Roa
noke Doctor.
The following will be of interest
to friends here:
''Richmond Va., Aug. 16.—A
pretty hospital romance reached its
climax when Dr. Paul Davis, a
young physician of Roanoke and
Miss Annie Estelle Nichols, of
Marion, N. O.. were married here
this afternoon by the Rev. J. Y.
Dqwnman, of All-Saints Protestant
Episcopal Church. Dr. Davis re
cently completed a term'as Interne
in Virginia Hospital and it was
while there that he wooed and won
Miss Nichols, a nurse in the same
institution.”
The bride is a niece of Mrs. J.
A. Finley of this place and has
many friends and acquaintances in
Marion who|will be interested in
the annouocemeDtof her marriasre.
The groom is a son of Dr. John
G. Davis, of Roanoke, and is
graduate of the Medical College of
Virginia. They will make their
home in Roanoke.
Tent Meeting.
There will be a revival meeting
in a big tent on the court house
lawn in Marion beginning Sunday,
September 3. Services will be
held at 10 o’clock a. m. and 8 p. m.
Mr. D. Ward Milam, of Atlanta,
Ga., will have charge of the music.
Prof. Milam is one of the greatest
chorus directors in the South. A
large choir will be organized.
The pastors of the local churches
will be asked to assist in the
preaching. It is the purpose of
the tent meeting to put the ser
vices within easy reach of the en
tire town and community. We in
vite all the people without regard
to denomination or church prefer
ence to attend these services. They
will be conducted in the interest
of all.
Loy D. Thompson, Pastor,
NEWS FROM THE COUNTY
Brief Mention of^Some of the Hap
penings in McDowell County—
Items About Home People.
HARMONY GROVE
Harmony Grove, Aug. 21.-^onas An
derson of Marion died at his home
Thu«jday, Angnst 17, and the remains
were brought to Harmony GJrove ceme
tery for interment. Mr. Anderson was
a member of the Baptist chnrch for a
nnmber of years; he was a true Chris
tian, a kind neighbor and a devoted
hnsb&nd. He leaves to monm the loss
a nnmber of relatives and a host of
friemls. The fnneral services were con
ducted by Rev. F. L. Simmons.
Mias Hessie Simmons is visiting rela
tives here.
Mrs. Michael and little son of Reids-
ville spent several days here last week
with her fiiend, Miss Hessie Simmons.
The series of meetings at Harmony
Grove church closed Sunday.
Mifjs Zelda Yelton left Friday for
Asheville where she will take up work
in Kress* milling store.
Miss Hariiet Walton is suffering with
a broken leg. We hope for her a speedy
recovery.
Mrs. Horace Crawley has been on the
sick list for seyeral days.
Miss Sallie Gibbs and brother were
visitors here Sunday.
The commissioners are having a steel
bridge built across North Muddy creek.
Its early completion will be hailed with
delight as it is badly needed.
Institutes Coming.
It is not long before September
7 and 8, dates on which farmers’
institutes will be held at Glenwood
and Ashford, and it is well to em
phasize the importance of these
meetings now. In McDowell great
progress has been made in farming
and improvements have been made
in the homes, but we must bring
the general average up to a high
standard if we expect to make de
velopment of a lasting sort. It is
essential that conditions for all
should improve if the whole com
munity or state is to go forward; a
part of the people cannot remain
backward without hindering the
progress of all.
Mr. T. B. Parker emphasizes the
importance of the institutes for
women. The department is en
deavoring to help the ^omen folks,
and from all reports they have
been aided in their work.
The discussions and practical
lessons at these institutes are of in-
calcuable benefit to every one. In
teresting programs are promised
for the above dates and it is hoped
to have a large crowd at each place.
Presiden Wilson will be formal
ly notified of his nomination for
re-election to the pr^idency Sep
tember 2. The notification cere
monies will take place at Long
Beach, N. J., and the notification
address will be made by Senator
James of Kentucky.
Another Cotton Mill for Marion.
Marion is to have a new cotton
mill at an early date, the promo
ter being Mr. Eugene Cross, form
erly of Taylorsville. The capital
stock authorized is $150,000 with
$60,000 paid m.
The old distillery property in
West Marion has been purchased
for the location of the plant. Con
tracts for all the machinery have
been placed and the construction
work on the plant will begin im
mediately.
The local stockholders are D. E,
Hudgins, Byron Conley, W. W
Guy, J. H. Hemphill, G. S. Kirby
and others.
President Wilson Vetoes Army Ap
propriation Bill.
Washington, Aug. 18—President
Wilson today fet^ the army ap
propriation bill because of the ex
emption of court martial for retired
army officers forced into it by
house conferees led by Represen
tative Hay over the objection of
the war department.
Mr. Hay immediately reintro
duced the bill minus not only the
section to which the president ob
jected but the articles over which
the war department protested and
the bill will have to be
again.
National Guard Must Remain on
Mexican Border.
' Washington, Aug. 21.—^The na
tional guard will be retained on
the Mexican border until it can be
withdrawn without again endanger
ing American lives and property.
Secretary Baker so declared the
administration’s policy today in
answering a score of letters from
many parts of the country explain
ing that the state troops were be
ing held in service after the emer
gency for which they were called
out apparently had passed.
Tate
Sunday
BRIDGEWATER
Bridgewater, Aug. 22.—J. H.
and children of Marion spent
here with relatives.
Miss Donnie Cobb has returned to her
home in Morganton after spending the
past week here with her- oousin
Lula Kincaid.
Charlie Hunter is visiting his brother
at Glenwood.
Mr. and Mrs. John Tyler and little
son of Marion were the guests of Mrs
G. 0. Anthony Sunday.
School opened last Monday at the
Tate school house with Miss Nell Gibbs
of Garden City as teacher.
E. L. Abemethy of Morganton spent
Friday here on business.
Miss Julia Rust and Miss Lou Giles
were shopping in Morganton Wednes
day. ^
John Tate and little daughter, Grace,
of Marion spent Sunday here.
Miss Tressa Ballew has returned to
Marlon Junction after spending a few
weeks here with homefolks.
Mrs. T. J. Gibbs and daughter, Ola*
of Marion are here visiting relatives
Miss Viola Seals of Fletcher was the
guest of the Misses Jarrett last week
Miss Edna Justice has returned home
after spending seyeral weeks in Hickory
Little Mary Belle Blackburn of Ma
rion is here visiting relatives.
C. B. Kincaid and family will move
this week to their newly purchased
home near Morganton.
The protracted meeting will begin at
the Presbyterian church the first Sun
day in September. Rev. Moss will be
assisted by Rev. J. C. Story of Marion.
Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Tate spent Satur
day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. C.
Conley near Marion.
British Cruisers Sunk.
London, Aug. 21, 12:24 a. m.—
Two British light cruisers, the
Nottingham and Falmouth, were
sunk Saturday in the North Sea
by German submarines while the
vessels were searching for the Ger
man high seas fleet according to
an official announcement by the
Admiralty shortly before midnight.
One German submarine was de
stroyed by the British white an
other was rammed and possibly
sunk.
STATE NEWS OF THE WEEK
tems Concerning Events of In
terest and Importance Through
out the State.
The annual county, fair of Ca
tawba county will be held at Hick*
ory October 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Secretary of War Baker is to
speak at a conseryation dinner la
Greensboro September 7th.
Gov. Craig has appointed R. Ii»'
Huffman of Morganton solicitor
of the sixteenth district to suceed
Thos. M. Newland, deceased.
The first bale of the new crop of
North Carolina cotton was sold at
Morven, Anson county, Friday, by
J. T. Ratliff. It brought 14 cents
a pound.
A private dispatch from Berlin,
received at Geneva, says the Ger
man submarine Deutschland ar
rived safely yesterday at Bremen
from the United States.
Five white men and three ne
groes were killed and a number of
persons are reported missing as
the result of a boiler explosion in
a manufacturing plant at Jackson,
Tennessee.
/
Five negroes, thr.ee men and two
women, were taken from the jail
at Newberry, Fla., early Saturday
and hanged by a mob and another
negro was shot and killed by depu
ty sheriffs near Jonesville, Fla.,
as the result of the killing Friday
of Constable S. G. Wynne and the
shooting of Dr. L G. Harris by
Boisey Long, a negro. The ne
groes were accused of aiding Long
to escape. Long was captured la
ter and taken to another point to
avoid the mob.
Independent and Progressives Are
Turning to Wilson.
Washington, Aag. 20.—The in
dependent vote^as well as the Pro-
gressive vote of the country
drifting rapidly into line for Wil
son. Prominent Boston Republi
cans are organizing a Woodrow
Wilson campaign club. A Pro
gressive leader of Brooklyn, Ar
thur Slesinger, has just announced
that he will take the stump for
Wilson.
Many independents and Progres
sives have been holding out to see
if Hughes would turn out to their
liking, but having seen him in ac
tion have become disappointed and
are turning over in all parts of the
country.
Buclcwheat Seed for Farmers.
Probably the largest shipment
of mail ever received here at one
time, was a cargo of 3,000 pounds
of buckwheat seed sent here last
week by the Federal Government
for distribution among the farmers
who lost in the floods. While it
is rather late in the season for
planting this year, farther than
little experiment. County Agent
has distributed the seed to farmers
that they may be planted this sea
son or taken care of for plantinsr
next year. It is said that there is
a Kood market for mountain buck
wheat and it is possible that this
shipment by the Government may
reisult in a development of this in-
-dustry on a commercial scale.
Statement as to Responsibility for
Forest Fires.
As attorney for the Clinchfield Rail
road in North Carolina, I have been ap
proached by a considerable number of
people whose lands were burned in the
fire in McDowell and Burke counties
which occurred in April. I haye in
formed them that the railroad was
making a complete and rigid investiga
tion as to its responsibility for these
fires. It must be remembered that the
fires occurred in an extremely dry sea
son when fires were raging in every
part of McDowell county. While the
fires along the ri^road were burning,
all of us could see fires on the Blue
Ridge, on the Blacks to the west, on
Mount Ida on the south and on the
South Mountains. The Clinchfield Rail
road does not dodge its responsilHlitiee,
but as the season was so extraordinary
and fires were so numerous, it could not
accept responsibility for fires alleged to
have been put out by its engines until
it had actual knowledge that by its
negligence the fires occurred.
I have been in consultation with the
different departments of the railroad,
and the examination makes it seem to
the the railroad officials absolutely im-
posfflble that it could be re^nsible for
the fires. The railroad .had instructed
the
its men to employ men and stop all firw
in all sections near its railroad and this
it did as to the April fires. It has paid
out large sums for the employment of
men in fighting fires and’ possibly thw
has created an impression that the
Clinchfield would assume respoi]^bility
on account of the fire. As the investi
gation shows, we think, the Clinchfield
is not responsible, and as I have prom
ised to give a reply to so many who
have made demands through me upon
the Railroad, some of whom I may not
be able to reiu^ otherwise, I am mak
ing statement in the paper.
J. W. PLESS.
Resolutions of Respect.
Whereas, on the 17th day of July,
1916, it pleased Almighty Gk)d to re
move from our midfit our beloved broth
er, Amber F. Arrowood, who lost his
life by drowning in the mill pond at
Sunburst, N. C., Brother Arrowood be
ing a member of the I. O. O. F., known
as the Evergreen Lodge No. 380; and
Whereas, the months of fellowship
and brotherhood have bound us by in
separable ties and have welded a regard
and affection of indurance and brought
us to a realization of his worth and
integrity, therefore be it
Resolved, That his sudden removal
from our midst leaves a vacancy and a
shadow that we all feel and realize. We
feel that his influence so freely exerted
for the welfare of all will be our in
spiration and guide.
Resolved. That our deepest sympathy
and condolence be fre^ tendered to the
greatly bereaved family, relatives and
friends. We feel the memory of eo
great a loss and that his noble life
among us will help us to strive to emu
late his great attributes of loyalty, de
votion and truth.
Be it farther reeolved. That a copy of
these resolutions be spread upon the
records of our lodge, in lasting tribute
and commemoration, and also a copy be
sent to the bereaved family and a copy
to the North Carolina Oddfellow, pnl^
lished at Goldsboro, N. C.
J. E. Hawkins, i
L P. Patterson, V-Committe
James A. Moore,)
The light and power plant is
about ready for business again. In
fact, it is expected that Marion
will have lights tonight.
Farmers’ Union Meeting Sept. 9.
The regular meeting of the McDowell
County Fajrmers’ Union scheduled for
Greenlee on the 19th having been post
poned on account of flood conditions,
notice is hereby given that the next
meeting will be held in Marion on Sat
urday, September 9. The meeting will
be held at the court house at 1 o’clock
and in addition to routine businefls dele
gates will be elected to the State meet
ing at Raleigh in November.
B. P. CoRPENiNG, Pres.,
C. M, Pool, Secretary.