MARION PROGRESS
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF MARION AND McDOWELL COUNTY
ESTABLISHED 18»6
MARION. N. THURSDAY. APRIL 11, 1929
VOL. XXXIII—NO. 40
COMY SCHOOLS
HOLD CONTESTS
The Contests at East Marion,
CHnchfield and Old Fort
Draw Capacity Audiences.
The contests of the county schools
hjsld last week at East Marion, Clinch
field and Old Fort schools drew ca
pacity audiences. The weather was
favorable and the schools were taxed
beyond their limit to provide seating
space for the large crowd of visitors.
The chorus contest took place at
East Marion on Wednesday evening,
and all of the large elementary
schools and high schools came togeth
er for this contest. The children were
well trained and sang to the delight
of the large crowd of visitors. No de
cisions were rendered as to the win
ning school but many expressions of
praise were heard for the very excel
lent singing given by the schools.
The recitation contest was held at
the Clinchfield auditorium on Thurs
day evening. Competitors from all
the elementary and high schools took
part. The readings all' proved inter
esting and each contestant vied with
the others for the best impression on
the audience. As each one concluded
her recitation, she was given enthusi
astic and prolonged applause.
The declamation contest engaged
in by boys from both elementary and
high schools was given at the Old
Fort High School on Friday evening.
Each boy was a winner notwithstand
ing the fact there was no decision
announced. There was a capacity au
dience composed of people from Old
Fort and from visiting schools. The
elementary contests were given first
place on the program and wTien they
had finished, they were followed by
the high school boys. The selections
were all of high order and each piece
was well done. While no medals were
given this year in any of the contests
the quality was of the very highest
and our schools are well pleased with
the showing that has been made.
They are eager for the tiext contest,
even though it is to occur one year
hence.
CRASH ISFATAL
TO OLD FORT MAN
MISS MARGARET CRAIG
Student President.
This Marion girl was recently elec
ted president of the Meredith College
Student Government association. She
will have charge of the organization':?
activities during the college year
1929-30 — her senior year. Miss
Craig, who is the daughter of Mrs.
W. R. Chambers, of Marion, has al
ready held numerous college oflScei,
among them that of president of the
junior class, treasurer of the student
government association, and member
of the student council. — Asheville
Times.
THEATRE BUILDING
NEARING COMPLETION
TWO MEN SHOT IN A
GUN BATTLE SUNDAY
L. C. Harris Dies in Statesville
Following Accident on The
Mocksville Highway.
Statesville, April 9.—L. C. Harris.
29, of Old Fort, died at Long’s Sana-
torium here this morning from thr
effects of injuries sustained in ai'
automobile wreck occurring last
night on number 90 highway betweeri
Statesville and Mocksville William
M. Darlington, of Winston-Salem,
who v*as at the steering wheel when
the car overturned on a curve, was
severely shocked and had several
cuts on his face and head.
Mr. Darlington, night clerk at the
Robert E. Lee Hotel, Winston-Salem,
and Mr. Hams who holds a position
in a coffee shop next door to the Rob
ert E. Lee Hotel, had been to Moores
ville and were on their way back to
Winston when their automobile left
the road on a curve. An examination
of Mr. Harris at the local hospital
revealed that his neck had been brok
en and he was paralyzed from his
shoulders down.
Mr. Harris, son of J.R. Harris, Old
Fort merchant, is survived by his
wife and four children. His body was
taken to Old Fort for burial today.
MARION WINS IN
MUSIC CONTEST
Charles Sinclair Winner in
Comet Solo Contest at Dis
trict Contest at Lenoir.
Won*, on Marion’s new theatre
building is rapidly nearing comple
tion. Ti e scaffolding at the front of
the building has been removed and
the pla:.tering and interior decora
tion wfs begun by workmen this
week. The front of the building is
constructed of w’hite stone with at
tractive decorations. The building
is a two story structure and will have
a large seating capacity. It will be
the finest theatre in Western North
Carolina outside of Charlotte and
Asheville.
The Lonon building adjoining the
new theutre building on Court street
will be occupied by Dean Tainter for
a new drug store as soon as comple
ted. It \/ill be known as Tainter’s No.
2. Mr. Tainter announces that a full
line of arugs, toilet articles, novelties
and gifts will be carried. A large
new fountain and modern furniture
and fixii res will be installed. All
prescription work will be taken care
of at the old store. No. 1.
Two men are suffering from minor
bullet wounds here and officers are
seeking John Lail following a shoot
ing which occurred a few miles south
of Marion Sunday afternoon about 3
o’clock. Lail himself was said to have
been ihot in the leg.
George Duncan of Marion receiv
ed a flesh wound in the arm, and
Fate Burnett, of this county, a com
panion of Lail’s at the time of the
shooting, was shot in the leg. Both
were out of the hospital Monday.
Sheriff O. F. Adkins, Deputy Sher
iff Ben Hensley, George Duncan, B.
L. Robbins and Federal Prohibition
Agent John Banks raided Lail’s filling
station four miles west of Marion
Sunday moming and reported find
ing seven gallons and 20 pints of
whiskey. The officers arrested Floyd
Hyatt, said to be a clerk in the filling
Ration, but Lail escaped.
Sunday afternoon Hensley and
Duncan were on the Dysartsville
road in search of a man named Lew
is, when they came across Lail near
the county home. As the officers ap
proached Burnett started to run, and
as Duncan followed, it is stated Lail
opened fire, emptying his revolver in
the direction of the officer and
wounding Duncan and Burnett. Mr.
Duncan returned the fire, but it is
not certain whether Lail was wound
ed or not, as he again escaped while
Duncan and Burnett were being tak
en to the hospital.
Lail, officers stated, had four liq
uor cases pending against him in the
federal court and he has been out
under $4,000 bond.
WOMAN’S CLUB MEETS
The Woman’s Club held their reg
ular meeting in the Kiwanis rooms
last Friday afternoon with the presi
dent, Mrs. J. Q. Gilkey, presiding.
The club voted to send $15.00 to
the Sally Southall Cotton fund to
help witti the education of a worthy
girl.
Mrs. Gilkey read “Club Ethics,” a
chapter from the state book club
which was interesting and very in
structive.
Mrs. Annie Miller Pless had charge
of the gard«i pl*ogritm- Mrs. Eugene
Cross read a very interesting paper
in which she told of a dream of
beautifying the town, especially the
school grounds and a park. Mrs. Geo.
McCall read a paper giving informa
tion as to the planting and with the
growth of vines and told how many
a place can be beautified.
During the social hour which fol
lowed, Mrs. P. D. Sinclair, Mrs. J. C.
Rabb and Mrs. J. C. Story served re
freshments.
Hostesses for the next meeting
will be Mrs. W. R. Chambers, Mrs.
Geo. S. McCall and Mrs. D. F. Giles.
On last Friday representatives
from several counties of Western
North Carolina met in Lenoir as con
testants in the state music contests.
Heretofore these contests have been
held in Greensboro and ail contes
tants have gone to that city for com
petition. The plan this year calls for
preliminary district contests to de
termine those who are to compete
further in final contests at Greens
boro on the 17th and 18th of Apri’..
These contests include all phase.s
of music that are studied in the high
schools of the state, bands, orches
tras, glee clubs, piano, violin and
other instruments.
The Marion High School, enterine
these contests has qualified two con
testants for the finals at Greensboro.
Charles Sinclair won in preliminary
competition for the cornet solo, while
Bettie Wilson will compete in the fin
als on the violin. Mr. Sinclair has re
ceived his training chiefly under the
tutelage of Mr. J. L. Greene, direc
tor of the Marion Band and Orches
tra. Miss Wilson has been studying
violin with Mrs. A. A. Morris who
teaches public school music and
stringed instruments in the Marion
Schools.
FOUR STILLS CAPTURED
DURING THE PAST WEEK
J. QUINCE GILKEY
Reappointed.
Governor Gardner Wednesday af
ternoon reappointed Mr. Gilkey, of
Marion, as a member of the State
Board of Conservation and Develop
ment for a term of six years. Mr. Gil
key has taken a leading part in the
conservation prog^ram in Weston
North Carolina, particularly with
reference to fish. In place of G. L.
Hampton, of Canton, whose term al
so expired, the Governor appointed
J. J. Stone, of Greensboro. The third
appointee to the board is W. C. Ew
ing, of Fayetteville. — Asheville
Times.
JAS. AYERS SAILS FOR
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
PASniRE EXPERT
HERE NEXT WEffi
J. R. Sams, Extension Special
ist, to Give Demonstration:}
in County April 15-17.
MARION HIGH BEATS
NEWTON OUTFIT,
8-0
CHARLES D CURTIS
CLAIMED BY DEATH
VITAL STATISTICS
FOR MONTH GIVEN
A. E. Denton, registrar of vital
statistics for Marion Township, re
ports 29 births and 11 deaths for the
month of March. During the month
of February there were 21 births and
16 deaths in the township, while 22
births and five deaths were recorded
in January.
The report shows that births out
numbered deaths by forty during the
first three months period of the year,
there being 72 births and 32 deaths.
Marion High continued its
ning ways Friday when they swamp
ed Newton 8 to 0 for their third
straight win of the season. The Mar
ion boys unloosed a barrage of hits
in the first inning and continued
their onslaught on the hapless New
ton pitcher for four innings when
they decided to rest awhile. Murray
and Clay led in the hitting. Murray
got a home run and two singles while
Clay iammed out a double and single.
Clay also contributed some pretty
stops to take fielding honors of the
game. Conley and Williams each han
ded in two pretty catches in the out
field.
Arrowood pitched another beauti
ful game of ball, turning in his third
win of the season. He fanned fifteen
men and allowed five hits, two of
these being infield hits.
Marion will play Charlotte here
Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at
the Cross Mill Park.
Charles D. Curtis, aged 30, died at
the home of his mother, Mrs. S. M.
Crooks, at Clinchfield on Sunday,
April 7th, after an illness of several
months. Mi-. Curtis was a World
War veteran and a member of the
McDowell Post of American Legion.
Members of the local Post attended
the funeral and took part in the ser
vices.
The funeral was conducted from
the residence Monday by Rev. J. N.
Wise, assisted by Rev. A. A. Walker
and Rev. P. D. Mangum, and inter
ment made in Oak Grove cemetery.
Besides his mother, Mr. Curtis is
j survived by one sister, Mrs. Ad. Jar-
rett, of Marion; and two brothers, M.
L. and R. M. Curtis, of Clinchfield.
NATIONAL GUARD UNIT
FOR M’DOWELL COUNTY
Deputy Sheriff Chas. Tate ano
Wm. Bradley report capturing ?n il
licit distillery in Old Fort township
last Thursday. About 500 gallons of
beer and five gallons of whiskey
were found at the still. No anests
were made.
Do^puty Sheriff R. H. Hennesser
also captured a small copper still in
North Cove township during the past
week-
On Friday moraing Sheriff O. F
Adkins, accompanied by Denuty
Sheriff Ben Hensley and T. B. Con
ley made a successful raid in Hig^ns
township where they captur. d i
steam outfit and three hundred gal
lons of beer. The officers arr ested
Frank Wells who^was placed under a
bond of $400 on a charge of manu
facturing whiskey.
A steam outfit was also capt.ired
in Nebo township on Monday of this
week.
UNIVERSITY AWARDS 26
TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS
Announcement was made at Chap
el Hill last week of the award of 26
teaching fellowships by the graduate
school of the University of North
Carolina for the next scholastic year,
1929-30. These fellowships carry a;i
annual stipend of $500 each plus free
tuition. Philip M. Cheek was awardel
the fellowship in classics, with Ben
son W. Davis of Marion as alternate.
New York, N. Y., April 5.—Pri
vate James V. Ayers, of Marion, N.
C., who recently joined the Regular
Army, sailed today on the United
States Army Transport “Cambrai’
on a 12,000 mile trip to joih the
American Garrison in the Philipp ne
Islands. The transport cleared the
Brooklyn Army Base at noon, carry
ing a full list of soldier passengers
bound for foreign stations.
Private Ayers, who volunteered
for duty in the Philippines, selected
the Infantry branch of the army for
service and will join one of the regu
lar units stationed in the Islands. His
trip, practically a world tour, will
take nearly three months, and he will
have the opportunity to see, at no
personal expense, some of the
world’s greatest wonders.
Special provisions have been made
by the War Department for the re
ception of Private Ayers and his
comrades at every port of call. The
itinerary calls for stops at Panama,
San Francisco, Honolulu, and Guam.
Upon his arrival in Manill^ the great
trade center of America in the far
East, 'Private Ayers will be assigned
to a permanent organization in the
Philippine Islands.
Before sailing today. Private Ay
ers was a member of the garrison at
Fort Slocum, N. Y., an historic army
post on Long Island Sound, where he
received his basic instruction and
training.
J. R. Sams, extension specialist in
pasture work at the State College in
Raleigh, will be in McDowell county
during the coming week, and an
nouncement is made by County Ag
ent W. L. Smarr that meetings and
demonstrations will be held as fol
lows :
Monday, April 15 — L. G. Ilolli-
field’s, Nebo, 10:30 a. m. J. D. Wil
son’s, Sugar Hill, 2 p. m.
Tuesday, 16—T. W. Goforth’s,
Glenwood, 8:45 a. m. W.M. Conley^
Dysartsville, 10:30 a. m. (Meeting
at Greene’s store). J. H. L. Miller’s,
Pleasant Garden, 2 p. m. T. A. Por
ter’s, Old Fort, 4 p. m.
Wednesday, April 17—S. M. Av
ery’s, North Cove, 9 a. m. J. A. Bur-
gin’s. Crooked Creek, 2 p. m.
Some pasture work has been start
ed at the above places, and meetings
will be held “right out in the pas
tures” where a study will be made of
the grasses and clovers to be found
growing. Mr. Sams will tell of his
experience and observations in th&
making of sucressful permanent pas
tures. Time permitting, visits will b©
made to other farmers in the county
during the above time at which time^
Mr. Same will be glad to discuss with,
you the making of a pasture to meet
your individual conditions. Cut these-
dates out, and plan to attend the>
meeting most convenient to you. You.
will enjoy hearing Mr. Sams, and he
will have something worth while.
See and Hear NANCY CARROLL
and GARY COOPER in “THE
SHOPWORN ANGEL” at Oasis
Theatre Thursday and Friday.
FIRE AT CLINCHFIELD
The fire department was called out
about four o’clock Tuesday morning
when the Conley boarding house on
Baldwin avenue at Clinchfield was
discovered on fire. When discovered
the kitchen was ablaze but the fire
department was soon on the scene
and had the blaze under control. The
origin of the fire is unknown. Consid
erable damage was done to the build
ing and furniture, the loss being esti
mated at several hundred dollars.
Next Monday and Tuesday BERT
LYTELL in “THE LONE WOLF’S
DAUGHTER” at Oasis Theatre. And
two good vaudeville acts.
There is underway preparations
for organizing a National Guard
unit in McDowell County. As this is
being sponsored by Reserve Officers
of the 322 Infantry, also by McDow
ell Post No. 56 of the American Le
gion, the McDowell Post invites all
ex-service men as well as all young
men between the ages of eighteen
and thirty-one years old, who are in
terested in such an organization, to
be present at 7:30 p.m. Friday night,
April 12th, at the Kiwanis Club room
TEACHERS’ TRAINING
SCHOOL APRIL 22-25
Every Sunday School teacher and
superintendent ought to take the
course in Teacher Training to be
conducted by Prof. C. T. Carr in the
First Presbyterian Church, April the
22nd to April 25th.
Professor Carr is one of the most
successful teachers of Sunday School
work in our stete today. He wul use
Weigles book, “The Teacher and th]^
Pupil.” Secure the book beforehand
from the undersigned and read care
fully the first two chapters. This
school is free and open to everybody
interested in Sunday School work.
Hours 8 p. m. to 10 p. m.
J. C. STORY, Pastor
First Presbytjrian Church.
SPRING CLEANING AT JAIL
The McDowell County jail has re
cently been given a spring cleaning.
The walls, windows, floors and bed
ding have been thoroughly cleaned
and renovated, affording the prison
ers better sanitary conditions. The
prisoners have also assured the jailor
they will co-operate in helping to
keep the jail clean. New mattresses
and slips, cups and spoons have re
cently been purchased for the jail.
PROSPECT ENCOURAGING
FOR PAPER BOX FACTORY
PLAY AT GLENWOOD
The Grammar grade of Glenwood
High Tchool will give an entertain
ment at Glenwood school on Friday
night, April 12. The program will
consist of songs, drills, duets and a
play entitled, “Crowning the May
Queen”.
GOOD PROGRAM AT OASIS
The Vitaphone equipment recently
installed at the Oasis Theatre is now
working perfectly and the talking
and sound pictures presented are
just *is good as may be seen and
heard in largest places. These feat
ures have been secured at heavy ex
pense and the management deserves
the liberal and hearty support of the
people of Marion in order to contin
ue this high class service.
On Thursday and Friday nights
of this week Nancy Carroll and Gary
Cooper will appear in “The Shop
worn Angel”, a talking and singing
feature. The program will also in-
According to a report, from th&
ChaBiber of Commerce the i»'0je6t:
for a pi'per box plant that was adop
ted last fall is beginning to look very
promijmg. The Chamber of Com
merce has made a thorough survey
of the situation, having gathered
data on paper box manufacturing-
from a great many sources. Commit
tees ha^e visited nearby plants, get
ting facts that have been helpful in
bringing, the project to its present
status. Manufacturers of new and
rebuilt machinery have been consul
ted, anu one company has sent a rep
resentative here to confer with those
interested. Another maciinery man-
ufactuier is sending a man here
this week to submit a list of paper
box machinery.
Earl Browder, secretary, says that
the project is almost assured thru
one of six prospects who are interes
ted. Two of the interested parties
are local men and it is hoped that at
least one of them will see his way
clear to start the business. Paper box
manufacturers in Cleveland, St.
Louis, Is'ew Jersey, and Winston-Sa
lem have been in touch with the
Chamber of Commerce about the
proposition. Representatives from
each of the above named cities have
signified a desire to come to Marion
to look the situation over, but in each
case the secretary has written them
that local men will very likely set up
the business.
DAUGHTER BORN
Mr. and Mrs. William 0. Gibbs
announce the birth of a daughter,
Rene Henderson, at the Marion Hos
pital on Wednesday, April 10th.
Hear NANCY CARROLL sing
“That Precious Little Thing Called
Love” in “THE SHOPWORN AN
GEL”, Thursday and Friday at Oasis
Theatre.
CATAWBA VALLEY NEWS
Old Fort, Rt. 1, April 8. — J. A.
Silver of Mount Airy is spending a
while with his family here.
Mrs. Lonnie Brown and two child
ren of Marion spent the week-end
J. J J m J J with the former’s mother, Mrs. J.
gram for Monday and Tuesday wiil i _
r , Km... T Souther.
elude two Vitaphone acts. The pro-1
include Bert Lytle in “The Lone
Wolf’s Daughter” and two good Vita
phone vaudeville acts.
FISH LICENSES HERE
Fishing licenses were received here
Tuesday and are now on sale at the
McDowell Hardware Store, J. D.
Blanton’s Store and the office of the
Clerk of Court, it was announced
yesterday by County Game Warden
T. M. Gowan.
The fishing season will open April
15. The cost of the licenses for the
season will be $1.10 each^r 50 cents
for each fishing day desired. A fine
season has been predicted, since last | while,
year the swollen streams all summer ^ ”
made fishing impossible for a num
ber of da;^.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Bradley and
Mrs; Thomas Fleming and children
and Miss Daisy McDaniel of Old
Fort were visitors here yesterday.
Alfred Carr and Mrs. Carr have
been on the sick list. They are slowly
recovering.
Miss Annie Porter of East Marion
spent the week-end with her parents
here.
Austin Harris has recovered from
an attack of tonsilitis.
James Luther and family of Swan-
nanoa visited relatives here Sunday.
Mrs. Wm. Tisdale has been on the
Rowan county has broken the rec
ord for the state in that 20,000 acres
of small grain land was seeded to
some kind of clover this spring.
Sweet clover was planted on much of
the acreage.
Hear NANCY CARROLL sing
“That Precious Little Thing Called
Love” in “THE SHOPWORN AN
GEL”, Thursday and Friday at Oasis
Theatre.
Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Williams of
Garden City spent Sunday with the
latter’s parents.
Mr. and Mrs. R. H. McCall of
Greenlee spent Sunday at the home
of J. W. Bradley.
Farmers are making good use of
the fine weather getting ready to
plant com.