THE MARION PROGRESS
A WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OP THE PEOPLE OF MARION AND McDOWELL COUNTY
ESTABLISHED 1896 MARION, N. C., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1949 VOLUME 54—No. 22
Christmas Services
For Local Churches
Christmas services for Marion
Churches have been announced as
follows:
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
A Christmas pageant, "Star of
Bethlehem„" composed by Mrs.
John Finley and Miss Hilda Good
man, will be presented at 7:30
o'clock, Sunday evening, in the
First Presbyterian church, Rev. C.
W. McMurray, D. D., pastor, an
nounced this week. The pageant is
under the direction of Mrs Finley.
The annual White Gift service
will follow and the Joy Gift offer
ing f«r ministerial relief will also
be taken.
The Pastor announced that there
will be morning worship at 11' a. m.
M. Christmas Day, but other plans
for that Sunday are incomplete
and will be announced later.
The Sunday School Christmas
tree party will be held at 7:30 p.
M., December 19.
ST. MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN
The annual Children's Christmas
Program will be given at St. Mat
thew's Lutheran church Sunday
evening, December 18, 7:00 p. m.
The theme of the program is the ■
Seven Great Joys of Christmas
time. These seven scenes will be
presented in tableaux by the very
smallest children of the Sunday
School.
The children to have a part are:
Gray Rivers as Mary, Mary Lind as
Joseph, Linda Gail Case as Eliza
beth, Jerry Pennell as Gabriel, Gor
don Godfrey as Simeon, Rachel
Hewitt as Anna. Bernice Fox, Faith
Frenzel, Grace Frenzel, Ann Rob
erts, Julia McKinney, and Mildred
McKinney will be angels. John Eck
erd, Bill Eckerd, Jerry Kolts, Da
jgjd Nichols, ap.4 Blaine.. McKinney
will be shepherds.
Some of the old familiar Christ
inas carols will be sung by the chil
dren and the congregation, and
there will be some new carols. Ev
eryone is most cordially welcome to
this pre-Christmas service.
On December 25 in the morning
service at 11:00 a. m., the congre
gation will celebrate the great fes
tival of the Saviour's incarnation
and birth.
FIRST METHODIST
The First Methodist church will
have a Christmas program at five
o'clock, Sunday afternoon, Decem
ber 18, Rev. J. B. McLarty, pastor,
has announced.
The program will be given by the
children's division of the Sunday
School under the direction of Mrs.
Garland Williams by Mrs. T. L.
Richie and Mrs. Rowe Mauney.
White gifts will be presented for
local distribution and an offering
will be taken to aid Bishop Paul
Garber of the Geneva area.
On Christmas Day there will be
(Continued on page four)
Merchants Vote
To Keep Stores
Open Nights
The Marion Merchants Associa
tion discussed store hours to be ob
served during Christmas shopping
season and holidays to be observed
during Christmas, at its meeting
last Thursday evening.
In regard to a motion passed at
the last quarterly meeting provid
ing for store to remain open until
eight o'clock from December 16 to
December 24, those present voted
to make no change in the motion,
but pointed out that this is optional.
Groceries wei-e not included in the
original motion.
The secretary was instructed to
conduct a poll to ascertain whether
merchants are in favor of closing
Monday and Tuesday after Christ
mas in observance of the holiday.
The poll was conducted and the ma
jority voted in favor of remaining
closed December 26-27 and reopen
ing Wednesday morning.
High School Band
Concert Tonight
READ THE ADS
AND TRY TO WIN
A MOVIE PASS
Each week from now until
Christmas The Marion Progress
and the Marion Theatre will award
passes each week to two adults liv
ing within the city limits, two liv
ing outside the city limits, one to
a student over 12 years of age and
one to a child under 12.
Anyone is eligible to try for
these passes except employees of
The progress and members of their
families.
Here's all you have to do.
Read the biographical sketch be
low and decide what man in his
tory it describes. Then look
through the advertisements in this
issue to find his name. You will
find his first name in one ad and
his last name in another. Look
carefully! It may be contained in
fine type. The first two adults liv
ing within the city limits, first stu
dent over 12 and first student un
(Continued on page four)
Hollers' Semi-Self Service
Has Open House Last Night
The formal opening of Holler's
new semi-self service market began
last night with Open House from
seven until nine o'clock. The public
was invited to inspect the store
which has undergone a remodeling
program. The actual business open
ing will be today with a number of
specials for the Christmas season.
Cato Holler, owner, will continue
to operate the business at the same
location under the same business
policies except that the public will
be rendered additional services.
The interior of the building has
been completely remodeled with a
new floor of inlaid linoleum. The
lower half of .the walls are of white
tiling with a light green portion be
tween the tiling and a white ceiling,
the most modern system of lighting
has been provided.
One main feature of the market
is the added service offered in the
order department One clerk will
devote full time to filling phone or
ders and will be assisted by others
in the store.
Arrangements of counters pro
vides for customers to serve them
selves.
Further information is contained
in a page advertisement in this is
sue of The Progress.
Christmas Seal
Response Good
From Rural Areas
Proceeds from the sale of Tuber
culosis Christmas Seals totaled
$1,273.17 Tuesday afternoon, ac
cording to announcement by Mrs.
Edna Earle Stancell, county chair
man. The largest response to the
2400 letters mailed has come from
rural areas, she said.
Mrs. Stancell said the heads of
the campaign are well pleased with
the amount received, but believes
the total should be much more when
the Marion residents send in their
donations. She urged an early re
sponse from the town area.
NINE SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL
CHRISTMAS.
HOLIDAYS
FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
ARE ANNOUNCED
Schools in the McDowell county
system will close December 23 for
Christmas holidays and reopen
January 2.
Marion City Schools will close
Friday, December 16, and reopen
January 2.
New Officers
Of Mystic Tie
Lodge Elected
Officers of Mystic Tie Lodge No.
237 A. F. and A. M. were elected
at a meeting Friday night in the
Masonic Hall as follows:
Alec Smith, worshipful master;
Dysart Martin, junior warden; B.
H. Laughridge, Sr., treasurer, and
Pat Davis, secretary.
These officers will be installed
at a meeting to be held January 6.
Thursday night, December 15,
the Marion High School band will
blossom forth in full regalia for its
concert. This will be the Band's
first public appearance in the new
uniforms, so generously provided
by interested Marion citizens.
The new uniform keeps the or
ange and black color scheme intact,
but the coat is a double-breasted
model which eliminates the need
for the Sam Browne belt. A should
er patch displaying an old English
"M" with the words Marion High
School, together with a black ci
tation cord combine to give a snap
py, stylish appearance to the coat.
The new hats are a modified Persh
ing style with an extra high crown
and bronze emblem.
Music for the concert include
Christmas selections, musical com
edy numbers, a Brazilian Samba
and many other delightful musical
treats. The complete program is as
(Continued on page four)
Funeral Rites
For Mrs. Smith
To Be Held Today
Mrs. Galena Hamrick Smith, 69,
of East Marion, died Tuesday morn
ing after a lingering illness.
Funeral services will be held in
the East Marion Baptist church
Thursday at 1:30 p. m.
The pastor, the Rev. C. C. Cross
assisted by the Rev. P. D. Smith will
officiated and burial will be in Mt.
Pleasant Baptist church cemetery,
Rutherford county.
She is survived by the husband
W. Herbert Smith; two daughters,
Mrs. Barney Early and Mrs. Harri
son Early of Marion, two sons, Pvt.
Glenn Smith, of Kyoto, Japan, and
William Paul Fisher of Jackson,
Mich., by a former marriage.
Also step-sons and five daught
ers, W. Thadius Smith of Marion,
Clyde P. Ross, Mrs. S. E. Norton,
Mrs. J. M. Mickle and Mrs. 0. A.
Ross, all of Marion, and Mrs. James
E. Henderson, of Spartanburg, S.
C.
Eight grandchildren, 24 step
grandchildren and four step-great
grandchildren; five brothers and
one sister,; Carol and Cletus Ham
rick of Shelby, Walter Hamrick of
Cliffside, Austie Hamrick of Caro
leen, L. T. Hamrick of Swannanoa
and Mrs. Webb Luckadoo of Ellen
boro.
VIRGIL BRADBURN, Jr.
Virgil Bradburn
Awarded Badge
Of Eagle Scout
Virgil Wayne Bradburn, Jr., of
troop 4, Marion, was presented the
Eagle Scout badge at the Court of
Honor held last Friday night in the
First Methodist church. His father
was the first member of troop 4 to
receive the Eagle Scout rank.
Following the custom of the
Piedmont Council, Wayne's mother
presented her son with the badge
who in turn presented his mother
with a miniature Eagle Scout
badge.
The Court was preceded by a sup
per meeting at the Hut for Scout
masters and committeemen who are
taking a training course in leader
ship.
Rev. J. B. McLarty showed an in
teresting and educational motion
picture just prior to the opening of
the Court of Honor.
The Court opened with prayer
followed with the Scout Oath.
Scouts were advanced as follows:
Tenderfoot: J. Devond MorroW,
troop 2, Marion; Glen Harklerode,
Erwin Martin, Jr., Tommy Morgan,
Larry Lawrence, troop 3, and Don
ald Atkins, troop 6, Marion.
Second Class: Jackie Lee Law
ing and Ray Conley, troop 3, Mar
ion; Bobbie Washburn and Tommy
(Continued on last page)
Christmas Holidays
For County Offices
County offices will observe Mon
day and Tuesday, December 26
and 27, as Chi-istmas holidays, it
is announced this week. The origin
al plan was to close Saturday and
Monday, but the change was an
nounced yesterday to coincide with
the closing of business firms.
Elledge Suffers
Broken Arm
C. C. Elledge, principal of the
Marion Central School, broke his
arm above the elbow during a hunt
ing trip last Saturday. He was
climbing a hill, slipped and lost his
balance. He fell on his arm.
He returned to his duties Tues
day of this week.
Greenlee Named
Head Of Marion
Naval Reservists
Captain William G. Greenlee has
been named Commanding Officer
and Enlisting Officer of Battery A
of the 783rd armored field artillery
batallion 105 mm Howitzer, self
propelled. This organization was
formed in Marion last summer.
Greenlee will have the authority
and papers to reenlist reserve per
sonnel whose enlistments have ex
pired or to enlist new persons over
18 years of age. Headquarters are
(Continued on last page)
MARION HOSPITAL
BUILDING FUND
NOV TOTALS $55,000
■
CONTEST WINNERS
FOR LAST WEEK
Last week's winners in
the Read-The-Ads contest
were as follows:
Dr. B. A. Dickson and
Mrs. Donald Steppe, Mar
ion adults; C. A. Frick, stu
dent. Paul Ross, route 1,
Marion and Miss Mildlred
Jarrett, rural winners.
Robin Hood
Named Member
Of Foundation
Robin Hood, Executive Vice Pre
sident, First National Bank, Marion
was elected a member of the Meth
odist College Foundation of North
Carolina, Incorporated, at its annu
al meeting in High Point, N. C., on
Saturday, December 10, 1949. He
is the son of Gurney P. Hood, Com
missioner of Banks of North Caro
lina.
Tuesday morning a report on the
current Marion Hospital Building
Fund Drive revealed $55,000 had
been deposited in the bank toward
the project, S. R. Cross, chairman,
announced.
Firms added to the one hundred
per cent list this week are: Eugene
Cross and Company employees;
Clinchfield Store, McDowell Cut
Rate Drug, Loven Furniture Com
pany, Western Auto Store, Fire
stone Home and Appliance com
pany, A and P Tea company, Young
and Smith's Esso Service and the
following groups of Drexel Furni
ture Company, panel plant, bed
room plant, machine bedroom
plant, finishing and maintenance
crew and office force.
North Cove P. T. A.
To Meet Tonight
The North Cove Parent-Teacher
association will meet tonight at
7:30 in the school building. An in
teresting Christmas program has
been planned and it is hoped that a
large crowd will be present.
Glenwood High Glee Club
To Give Christmas Musical
Today's Paper
Has Two Sections
The Progress is composed
of two sections today. Be
sure you have both sections
of your paper.
Anderson Elected
To Soil Committee
W. Herman Anderson defeated
James Goforth in a County Soil
Conservation election held last
week and was elected committee
man for a three year term. He suc
ceeds T. W. Stacy, whose term ex
pired.
Other members serving on the
committee are J. R. Jimeson and W.
G. Greenlee. The committee will
meet within the near future and
elect a chairman and vice chairman.
~ The Glenwood High School dee
Club, composed of 30 voices, di
rected and accompanied by Mrs.
Madelaine M. Taylor, will present
for the Parent Teachers associa
tion a Christmas musical program,
'Monday evening, December 19, at
8:15 o'clock in the school auditor
ium.
Beginning with the candlelight
processional, "Adeste Fideles," the
story of the nativity as told in
Christmas songs, carols and Bibli
cal verses with mixed chorus, solo
ists and narrator, will be given by
the choral group.
Clement Moore's ever beloved
musical recitation, " 'Twas The
Night Before Christmas" will be
read by Barbara Ross.
Those taking special parts in the
Yuletide service are: James Haney,
narrator; Lucy Lawing, child solo
ist; and Miss Bertha Martin Glee
Club soloist.
All friends and patrons of Glen
wood School are cordially invited
to- attend the concert.
SLABTOWN CONVENTION
TO BE GIVEN SATURDAY
The "Slabtown Convention" will
&
be presented by a group of 35 Mc
Dowell county colored singers at
eight o'clock, Saturday, December
17, in the Marion High School au
ditorium, it is announced. -
Featuring favorite Negro spirit
uals, this program will be presented
under sponsorship of the Marion
Junior Woman's Club for the col
ored committee. Proceeds will be
contributed to the Marion Hospital
Building Fund. Detailed plans are
contained in an advertisement in
this issue.
Those taking part are giving
their time as contribution toward
building a new hospital for Marion.
The balcony will be reserved for
the colored audience.
Those taking part in the one act
comedy play are:
Mrs. Milinda Carson, Mrs. Maude
Parks.
Mrs. N. B. Thalley, Miss Rena
Hicks, Miss Barbara Faucette, Mrs.
Emma Logan, Miss Tillie Miller.
Mrs. Edna Erwin, Mrs. Margrete
Ashe, Mrs. Eloise Moore, Mrs. Mar
gie Carson.
Miss Doris Borders, Miss Mary
Forney, Mrs. Polly Denton.
Mrs. Myrtle Carson, Mrs. Christ
ian Beatty, Mrs. Clara Davis.
Mrs. Odell Forney, Mrs. Emma
Corpening, Mrs. W. F. Owens, Miss
Mary Fowler, Miss Marion Kincaid.
Mrs. Fannie Crisp, Mrs. Esther
Fowler.
Mrs. Celia Forney, Mrs. Katie
Vaughn, Mrs. Mary Carson, Mrs.
Amanda Mathis, Mrs. Nannie K.
Davis, Mrs. Viola Black, Mrs. Bet
ty Kincaid, Mrs. Lillian Borders,
Mrs. Fannie Rhuffin.
Mrs. Karuth Kincaid, Mrs. Mar
gie Carsons, Mrs. Edna Erwin, Miss
Bessie Montgomery Mrs. Rosa
Greenlee.
Will J. Crisp, Loftus Carson, Bi»
shop Moore, Jr., Arnold Carson,
Loftus Carson (Butch) Jr.
Pianists: Mrs. Zelma Forney and
Miss Edna K. Vaughn.
Song Directress: Mrs. Katie
Vaughn.
Directrix: Mrs. Milinda Carson,
Mrs. Zelma Forney.
FIRE WEDNESDAY
An electric refrigerator explod
ed causing fire at the residence of
J. W. Forney in Black Bottom last
Wednesday. Firemen reported only
slight damage.