MARION PROGRESS
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF MARION AND McDOWELL COUNTY
established 1896
MARION. N. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1929
VOL. XXXIV—NO. 9
MDOWELLHIGH
SCHOOLS OPEN
County Hi^h Schools Begin
Work With Largest Enroll
ment in History of County.
I
The high schools and large ele
mentary schools of the county be
gan the work of the school year on
Monday morning, Sept. 2nd, with
the fullest attendance and largest
enrollment in the history of the
schools, according to reports coming
from the office of Supt. A. V. Nolan,
who took up the work as head of
the county school system on Sept.
1st, having been elected to succeed
Mr. N. F. Steppe, resigned. Mr. No
lan reports the outlook for the
year’s work is very bright and that
he has begun his work under propi
tious conditions, feeling that he has
the support and co-operation of pat
rons, officials and principals of the
various schools, as well as the entire
corps of teachers of the county.
Much interest and great and great
pride in the schools were shown by
the large attendance and apparent
enthusiasm of parents and commit
teemen upon the opening of the dif
ferent schools. Worthwhile and last
ing results are expected of the
schools this year.
The larger schools beginning
work on Monday are; West Marion,
Eugene Cross, Pleasant Gardens
Clinchfield, Nebo, North Cove Con
solidated, Old Fort, and Glenwood.
West Marion is fortunate this
year in having such a man as Mr.
Wiftiam H. Noah as principal. Mr.
Noah is an experienced teacher and
a real leader of young people and
students. He reported a fine spirit
of pupils and patrons. His opening
was well attended and the year’s
work started off with interest and
enthusiasm.
Eugene Cross, Marion No. 4, op
ened with a fine showing, with Mrs.
Garland Williams again head^ of the
school. Mrs. Williams has served this
community for a long number of
years, and Monday morning’s open
ing gave further evidence of her
place in the confidence of the school
folks of Cross Mill village. A large
enrollment was shown and a full at
tendance of children in all grades
started the year’s work at Eugene
Cross School, with the hope and full
expectation of doing splendid work
during the term of 1929-30.
At Pleasant Gardens High School
the beginning of the year’s work
was marked with a splendid spirit
of interest and community pride.
Mr. R. B. Phillips succeeds himself
as principal and he is fortunate in
having to work with him a strong
corps of teachers. A number of pat
rons and interested citizens visited
the school Monday, and the general
spirit was one of interest, co-opera-
tion and enthusiasm. The school
ground had been much improved
during the vacation period, a large
part of this work having been done
by the community. A high grade of
work is the goal of every depart
ment of this school — such being
Pleasant Garden’s record in the
past and its ambition for the future.
Clinchfield, which is one of the
county’s largest elementary schools,
started off the year with bright
prospects and high hopes. Miss Ruth
M. Greenlee, who has been princi
pal of the school for many years,
again heads the school, and with her
usual iorce and well worked out
program, began the year’s work
without a hitch. Much new equip
ment has been added to Clinchfield,
many new books for the school li
brary and equipment for the science
department being among the most
important. Prospects for fine work
at CUnchfield School for this term
are of the best.
Old Fort High School opened with
Prof. S. B. Smithey as principal, he
having been elected to succeed Mr
A. V. Nolan. Prof. S. B. Smithey
was gfiven a hearty welcome and as
sured that he would be given the
whole-hearted support of the school
folks of Old Fort, for a bigger and
better high school for the entire
community. Prof. Smithey comes to
Old Fort from Robeson county
where he had successful experience
as principal of a large high school.
Much equipment has been added to
-the school, in the Science, Home
Economics departments and many
new books for the library. Extensive
improvements have been made on
the grounds and th6 whole plant put
in excellent condition for the begin-!
ning of school. A splendid spirit of I
pride in the school, co-operation
with teachers and principal and en
thusiasm for the work, were shown
on opening day. A successful year’s
work is a foregone conclusion for
Old Fort High School for 1929-30.
Glenwood High School has at its
head again Mr. W. B. Harrill, who
has served the community a number
of years. Mr. Harrill was again made
to feel the interest and splendid
school spirit that has always charac
terized the Glenwood community,on
last Monday morning when he faced
such a splendid gathering of stu
dents and interested patrons and
school officials, to begin the year’s
work. Rev. J. M. Brown, a member
of the committee, ga"^e a brief, yet
forceful talk on the subject “Vital
Necessity of Real Co-operation Be
tween the School and the Communi
ty.” The enrollment at the Glen
wood school was the largest in -he
history of the school.
North Cove Consolidated has as
principal this year Mr. Fred Aber-
nethy, and an able corps of teachers
will assist him in the work of the
school. Mr. Abernethy has been the
principal of this school for one term
and is popular with the students
and patrons. He has been in the
community for some time, supervis
ing necessary repairs and improve
ments of the school building and
grounds. The water system has been
repaired and much done to make
comfortable and attractive the en
tire school plant. The attendance
and enrollment of the school showed
considerable gain and the school
year was begun with high hopes and
bright prospects for much real work
during the year.
Nebo High School, one of McDow
ell county’s pioneers in high schools,
opened its doors Monday morning,
with Prof. N. L. Wessinger again in
charge. The opening was well atten
ded and a number of talks made by
visitors, Rev. T. L. Klutz, of Marion,
and Rev. H. E.’Stimson, each speak
ing to the parents, teachers and pu
pils, and taking part in the devo
tional exercises of the opening. Mr.
John Moore also made a brief ad
dress, which was to the point, and
well received by all hearers. His ap
peal was especially to the young
people, the boys and girls, whose
great opportunity for fitting them
selves for life’s work is before them
Much interest and enthusiasm was
shown by everyone present and
fine work at Nebo High School is
promised. The school plant has had
some needed improvements, among
them being the heating system re
cently installed; other necessary
improvements have been made, and
the people of Nebo feel a gnuine in
terest and pride in their school.
This should prove to be a ban
ner year in the history of Nebo.
The county-wide school tax has
been reduced ten cents, the rate
now being 57c. Local taxes in most
of the larger schools have also been
reduced considerably. This was
made possible by the State equaliza
tion funds being increased. The
qualifications of the teaching staff
for the county has been raised some
MARION SCHOOL
OPENED FRIDAY
Begin Year’s Work with Large
Attendance and Prospects
For Successful Term.
IHAKION STRIKE
CONTINUES QUIET
Troops Remain On Guard in
Mill Village After Outbreak
At Clinchfield Friday.
The Marion city schools began the
school year Friday morning, when
the superintendent, corps of teach
ers, students and a number of inter
ested patrons and friends of the
school met at the high school build
ing, to begin the organization of
grades, classes, etc.
Mr. F. R. Richardson, the new su
perintendent, briefly outlined the
program for the day, and gave nec
essary instructions to teachers and
pupils. The high school auditorium
was filled with students and visitors.
A splendid spirit of enthusiasm and
interest was shown and the new
year starts off with fine prospects
for good work during the present
school term.
The work on the school grounds
has added much to the appearance
and convenience of the school. This
work is still in progress and is
much needed improvement.
The enrollment is the largest in
the history of the school, there be
ing 250 enrolled in the high school
department and 500 in the elemen
tary department, making a_ total of
750 students.
The part-time Business School
conducted in connection with the
commercial department of the Mari
on High School, opened yester-lay
with a fine attendance. The part-
time school is under the direction of
Prof. E. C. Klontz.
The faculty for this year is as
follows;
First grade, Miss Nannie McCall
of Swannanoa and Mrs. Lola Flem
ing; second grades, Mrs. M. H. With
erspoon and Miss Ellen Crawford;
third grades. Miss Ethel Covington
and Mrs. E. M. Crawford; fourth
grades, Mrs. J. M. Carson and Mrs. L
A. Holland; fifth grades, Mrs. Ne-
rah Penny, and Miss Emily Hoof of
Newberry, S. C.; sixth grade, Miss
Bertha Moses of Kannapolis and
Mrs. J. Y. Lonon; seventh grade,
Mrs. G. B. Finley; public school mu
sic, Mrs. A. A. Morris.
High School: Miss Joyce Decker,
Miss Vera Torrence, Miss Ethel
Spratt, Mrs. M. F. Bradsher, Miss
Katheryn Zimmerman of Lexington,
N. C., Mr. H. F. Beam, Mr. H. C.
Hawn, Mr. E. C. Klontz, Mrs. E. C.
Klontz, and Mr. M. W. Gordon, Jr.,
of Salisbury, principal.
MARION BAR TO HONOR
MEMORY OF D. E. HUDGINS
MISS POTEAT RETURNS
FROM TRIP TO EUROPE
When court convenes next Mon
day, Sept. 9th, a portion of the day
will be given to memorial exercises
in honor of the late D. E. Hudgins.
A committee consisting of W. T.
Morgan, J. W. Winborne and J. Will
Pless, Jr. has been appointed to pre
sent suitable resolutions, and it is
expected that many of the mem
bers of the bar will speak of the life
and works of Mr. Hudgins. He was
for more than thirty years a civic
leader in Marion and one of the
most active practitioners in this sec
tion of the State. An unusual fea
ture in connection with the exercises
is that his two sons. Carter and Ed
ward, Jr. will be presented and take
the oath as practicing attorneys,
both having recently obtained li
cense to engage in the profession at
the Bar Examinations held last
month by the Supreme Court. It is
likely that the exercises will be held
immediately upon convening court
for the afternoon session, unless an
opportunity to do so arises after the
Judge’s charge to the Grand Jury in
the forenoon.
Miss Mary Poteat returned home
Tuesday, after spending the summer
traveling in Europe and studying
at Oxford University, England.
During the first half of the summer
she was a member of a small party
visiting France, Italy, Switzerland,
Germany, Belgium, Holland, Eng
land, and Scotland. In England and
Scotland she was especially interes
ted in seeing places and things of
literary and historical significance,
attending a presentation of “Ham
let” at the theatre at Stratford-on
Avon, thie home of Shakespeare, and
a performance of the old morality
play, “Everyman,” at Canterbury
Cathedral. She terms her travels in
these two countries “a literary pil
grimage,” and considers her stay at
Oxford University where she atten
ded the lectures on Milton by Pro
fessor Silincourt the most inspiring
part of her trip.
Miss Poteat is a member of the
faculty of Peace Institute, and af
ter a few days’ visit to her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Poteat, she will
return to Raleigh to resume her
work as a teacher of English litera
ture in that college.
“MOTHER KNOWS BEST”, a
splendid picture, with MADGE
BELLAMY in it, will be shown next
Wednesday at the Marion Theatre
and on Thursday at Oasis Theatre.
NEGRO FATALLY INJURED
IN SHOOTING SATURDAY
Sam Gardner, colored, was shot
and fatally wounded by Jason
Rhodes in the colored section of
Marion last Saturday afternoon, as
the result of an affray between the
two negroes. Following the shooting
Gardner was rushed to the Marion
Hospital for treatment. He died on
Sunday afternoon and was buried
Monday in the colored cemetery.
Rhodes made his escape after the
shooting and as yet has not been lo
cated. I
Marion’s strike situation seems to
be “in statu quo,” and likely to re
main so for some time, if the appar
ent attitude of the leaders on both
sides means anything. In spite of the
gloomy outlook and uncompromising
declarations of the leaders, some
hope is entertained by the more con
servative that an adjustment will
yet be reached.
Considerable disorder followed
the adjournment of the conciliation
conference here last Thursday, the
climax coming Friday afternoon late
when officers were called to Clinch
field village to protect a family of
non-union workers, whose household
goods were being unloaded near the
mill, and whose presence was resen
ted by strikers and their friends, it
is stated. The Sheriff and his depu
ties encountered such resistance
that the troops, which had been
quartered at the court house for
more than a week, were called out
to quiet what had grown into a gen
eral riot. Warrants for about one
hundred and fifty strikers, includ
ing the labor organizer, Alfred Hoff
man, were issued and a large num
ber of arrests made. Many of the
men and one woman were placed in
jail; most of whom later posted
bonds and were .released. Eight of
the men are yet in jail, having failed
to give the required bonds.
The Asheville and Morganton
troops which were on duty in Mari
on are now in charge of the situa
tion at both Clinchfield and East
Marion villages, their numbers be
ing augmented by two additional
companies from Lincolnton and
Statesville, the two later companies
coming to Marion at a late hour on
Friday night, following the riot at
Clinchfield.
Among the most serious disorders
since the adjournment of the concil
iation committee was that of dyna
miting the “opening room” of the
cotton house at Clinchfield mill,
which occurred at an early hour on
Friday morning. The damage was
estimated at between one thousand
and fifteen hundred dollars, the loss
being covered by insurance.
Many Marion people entertained
fears of further disturbances and
violence here on Labor Day but the
day passed without disorder or dis
turbing events of any kind, the most
noteworthy happening being the
quiet passing through the streets of
caravan or motorcade of labor
leaders and sympathizers, taking a
supply of food and supplies to strik-
who apparently have resigned
themselves to the task of continuing
their fight for higher wages, shorter
hours and recognition of the union.
The recent statement of President
R, W. Baldwin, briefly outlining his
position in regard to the East Mari
on strike, caused considerable com
ment and discussion. Mr. Baldwin
repeated the substance of a state
ment given out by him several
weeks ago, to the effect that he is
ready to reopen the plant of the
Marion Manufacturing Company as
soon as a sufficient number of the
old employes^ will return to work,
with a distinct understanding that
there will be no change in the wage
scale and no discharged employe
reinstated.
The attorney for the strikers who
have been arrested on the charge of
rioting and inciting to riot in con
nection with the Clinchfield Mill
strike, has stated that a special term
of court will be sought to try these
men. Defendants in all these cases
have waived preliminary hearings
and are bound to superior court.
The request for a special term of
court was prompted by a belief that
feeling aroused by the riot and oc
currences preceding and following
this incident, would prevent these
men receiving a fair and impartial
trial at this time. The special term,
it is understood, will be asked to
convene here tiie latter part of Oc
tober or, early part of November.
The four companies of troops
continue to patrol the mill villages.
Field kitchens have been set up for
the troopers and preparations are
apparently being made for an indef
inite stay.
Adjutant-General V. B. Metts,
\yho is in charge o fthe troops here,
ordered that the confiscating of
pocket-knives and other sniall ef
fects of the kind found on persons
entering the mill villages be stopped,
and the knives and effects already
confiscated be returned to the per
sons from whom the same had been
removed. All persons who have at
tempted to enter the mill villages,
or strike areas without plasses have
been subjected to search.
Up to a late hour today everything
remained quiet in the town and
strike area, there being no further
developments or change in the situ
ation during this week.
INITIAL FOOTBALL
PRACTICE YESTERDAY
The initial football practice at
Marion High School for the 1929
season was held yesterday after
noon under the direction of Coaches
Hawn and Beam.
Twenty-four candidates reported
for action; however, a great number
of familiar faces were missing from
the ranks. The places of Howard
Hitchcock and Hawkins, backs; Ka-
nipe, all western guard of last sea
son; McCall, Duncan and Bowditch,
linemen, will be hard to replace.
With Dallas Duncan leaving his end
position by graduation, and with
Martin also leaving that position by
promotion to the backfield, the
coaches are up against a proposition
for flank men. Kelley Gilkey will be
primed for center, left vacant by
the withdrawal of John Bowditch
from school. Rabb or Ouzts will re
place Howard at quarter.
A number^ of freshmen were no
ticed among the gri(^ders yesterday.
If they develop several should be in
the fight before the season is over.
Only fundamentals will be on the
progn^am for the first few days.
Coach Hawn is giving his entire
BAimFORM
CHURCH GROUP
McDowell County Churches
Plan to Form New Associa
tion Of County Wide Scope.
At an enthusiastic meeting of the
steering committee at the First Bap
tist Church in Marion Monday night
it was unanimously voted to orga
nize a new district Baptist associa
tion to be composed of the Baptist
churches in McDowell county and
churches in adjoining territory that
may wish to come into the new or
ganization.
The committee decided to refer
the question of a new organization
to the several churches in the coun
ty for a vote of ratification. It is an
nounced that three have already
taken favorable action, these being
Marion First Church, Clinchfield
and Clear Creek. There are twenty-
one churches in the county. Eleven
churches were represented at the
meeting her Monday night.
In the event the churches vote
favorable on the proposition, the
new organization will hold its first
meeting at the First Baptist Church,
in Marion on Tuesday, October 1st,
at 10 a. m., the Marion congregation
having voted unanimously to invite
the association to meet here this
year and will entertain all who come
At this time officers of the associa
tion will be elected, and a constitji-
tion adopted.
As fast as the churches in the
county vote to come into the new
association they are requested to
communicate with Rev. P. D. Man-
gum in Marion and apply to Rev. A.
A. Walker, clerk of the Green River
time to the backfield while Beam is
mentor of the line. Conditioning ex- Association, for a letter of dismissal
ercises made up the bulk of the
practice period in order to get the
boys in shape for the hard grind
to come later.
Among those out for the first
practice were: Clay, Rabb, Gilkey,
Smith, Mashbum, Ouzts, Roper,
Frisbie, Finley, Poe, Hennessee,
Green, Noyes, Glenn, Wall, Gibson,
and others.
NEGRO ESCAPES FROM
JAIL DURING PARADE
While the parade was under way
here Monday, William Misher, neg
ro, escaped from the second story of
the county jail by means of a rope
formed from a blanket. He tore the
blanket into strips and tied them
into a rope. As the negro ran
through the back lot, B. L. Robbins
deputy sheriff, gave chase, Mr. Rob
bins was joined by Seagle Hallibur
ton who arrested the escaped pris
oner on the railroad fill near the
Catawba Furniture factory. He was
returned to jail here by Messrs. Hal
liburton and Robbins.
Misher was jailed Saturday on a
charge of carrying a concealed wea
pon.
DIXON REUNION HELD
NEAR DYSARTSVILLE
to join the new association. There
will be only one day’s session of the
organization this year.
The pastors and laymen feel that
this is the most forward movement
the Baptists have undertaken in the
county for a long time. They believe
it will bring the churches closer to
gether and be the means of bringing
state workers to the county more
frequently. At present, it is stated,
the Green River Association lacks
unity because it covers too much
territory and it is too difficult for
representatives to get together.
The Blue Ridge Association has
been suggested as a name for the
new organization.
MONROE ADAMS DIES
NEAR UNION MILLS
A large crowd attended the Dixon
reunion held at the old Dixon home
place near Dysartsville last Sunday.
It is estimated that about four hun
dred relatives and friends were in
attendance. A short talk was made
by Rev. Sam Pyatt, after which din
ner was served in the grove. The
was thoroughly enjoyed by all pres
ent. Relatives were in attendance
from various points throughout
North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee and Florida.
Among those in attendance were
Mrs. L. G. Price and daughter, Lela,
Jesse Price, and Miss Floy Morgan
of Marion.
Mr. Munroe P. Adams, age 72,
died at the home of his daughter^
Mrs. T. M. Parker, near Union Mills,
Thursday, Augn^st 29. His death was
due to heart trouble. Mr. Adams has
been making his home with his
daughter since the death of his wife*
about five years ago. He was a mem
ber of the Baptist Churchy and warn
a prominent citizen of the commu
nity.
The deceased is survived by six
daughters and three sons: Mrs. P.
L. Coxey, of Gastonia; Mrs. J. R.
Taylor, of Marion; Mrs. B. 0. Smith
of Alexander; Mrs. T. M. Parker, of
Union Mills; Mrs. Walter Epley, of
Rutherfordton; Mrs. Robert Connor
of Ruth; Z. V. Adams, of Marion;
M. H. Adams, of Mooresboro; and
Thomas Adams, of Alexander. He is
also survived by two sisters, Mrs.
Elizabeth Bartlett, of Black Moun
tain, and Mrs. Lou Morris, of Old
Fort.
The funeral services were con
ducted by Rev. Huntley on Friday,
and interment made at Montford
Cove cemetery.
MARION STAR SOLD
Announcement was made in the
Marion Star Tuesday that the paper
has been sold, and that on account
of changes the paper will be discon
tinued temporarily but at a date to
be announced later will be published
again. Misses Frances and Verna
Slate, under whose management the
paper has been operated since the
sale of the plant by W. I. Ward,
trustee, on August 12, state that
their successors will announce their
plans for the future at a later date,
BICYCLE AND CAR COLLIDE
The North Carolina State Fair is
offering about $3,000 in premiums
to 4-H Club members who will make
exhibits, give demonstrations and
engage in judging contests.
A man from Black Mountain,
whose name was not learned, was
riding a bicycle up Main street Mon
day about noon when he collided
with Rev. J. S. Lockaby’s automo
bile. The man was pitched onto the«^'
hood of the car and was bruised
about the arms and body, but was
not badly injured. Mr. Lockaby waa
going down Main street and was
passing another car going in the op
posite direction when the man sjad*
denly from behind the car and dart
ed in front of Mr. Lockaby’s car.
Next Monday and Tuesday at
Marion Theatre, a co-ed college sto
ry, “THE COLLEGE COQUETTE"
with WILLIAM COLLIER JR. and
RUTH TAYLOR.