PUBLISHED TWICE-A-WEEK WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS.
VOLUME 29.
OXFORD, N. C, S
DAY, AUGUST 22, 1W4.
NO 71
IN DEATrTS VALLEY.
The Allies Approach Each Other and
It is Believed They are in the
Death- Grapple
SHARP CLAShIEsT AND HEAVY
CASUALIT1KS
Complete silence is maintained as
to the fortunes of war in the big
fight understood to be in progress
along a line extending through Bel
gium and Luxemburg. Dispatches
give evidence of the presence of mas
ses of German troops pushing their
way to the front behind an "impene
trable screen of cavalry whose dash
es in search of information as to the
whereabouts of the allied troops have
resulted in sharp clashes and heavy
casualties.
The commanders of the allied forc
es of French, British and Belgians
will not permit anything about their
positions to become public, and since
the official note made known the
presence of a large British expedi
tionary force on the continent its
movements have been hidden from
the outside world.
At Brussels it is said there has
been no change. The position there
is reported to be excellent for the al
lies. The fate of the Liege forts is
not definitely known. German dis
patches describe them as in the hands
of the German army since the arrival
of heavy artillery, while Belgium mil
itary authorities assert that they are
stil intact and holding out bravely.
In Alsace-Lorraine the French
turning movement through Southern
Alsace appears from French reports
to be progressing favorably for the
French, and this seems to receive
confirmation in a dispatch sent out
by the Wolf bureau, the German
news agency, saying two batteries of
guns were taken by the French who
continued their march forward.
All these reports, however, refer
to the preliminary meetings of op
posing bodies of troops leading-up to
the great battle which may already
.have begun. Even leading French-
TVion f olrn rrr' cm'ati r rir- r
jtheir countrymen that the decisive
cOjnnici's -yet jq .cojjse 4j.n0: tnatoo
.rejpprtsll0.f deuibrlizatiwi-aniong
German troops. It is reported that
a naval encounter has occurred in
the North sea but this is without of
ficial confirmation.
A French official note confirms re
ports of a Servian victory at Shabats
over an Austrian force of 80,000
men. The Austrians are said to have
lost 3,000 killed and 5,000 wounded.
A Montenegrin army is reported
within two hour's march of the forti
fied Austrian seaport of Ragusa, in
Delmatia.
"THE LAST DAYS OP POMPEII."
The greatest photo-drama in the
world is Pasqualis' masterpiece, "The
Last Days of Pompeii," a most graph
ic dramatization of Lord -Bulwer
Lytton's book, and it is accounted
one of the biggest and best educat
ional entertainments ever produced.
It embraces the historical Roman
arena in all its grandeur; the fight
ing Gladiators and thrilling chariot
races; the lions turned loose on the
heroic Glaucus; the city of Pompeii
before, during and after the eruption
of Mt. Vesuvius.
This celebrated photo-drama will
be seen at the Orpheum Theatre Mon
day night, August 24th. Harris &
Crews obtained the use of the films
for one night at a heavy cost to them
and in order to meet the heavy ex
pense it was necessarily to increase
the price of admission to see the 260
big scenes in the eight-reel picture.
Read the advertisement and synop
sis elsewhere in the Public Ledger.
THE WESTERN UNION OFFICE
Mr. Frank C. Spencer, local man
ager of the Western Union office, is
elated ever the arrival of the new
fixtures for his office which are now
being installed. A handsome quart
ered oak counter with a white marble
top, extends across the front of the
room for the use of the patrons. A
new floor is being laid, the wains
coating repainted and the room pa
pered. When completed it will be a
handsome and comfortable office.
Mr. W. D. Rives, local manager of
Telephone Company, will move his
private office to the Western Union
Office.
WHAT OTHERS THINK OF IT
Oxford, N. C.
August 11, 1914
Taylor Brothers,
Oxford, N. C.
Dear Sirs,
I regard the Purina Chicken
Chowder-purchased from you the
very best egg producer I have ever
seen during my many years of experi
ence in the chicken business, and
heartily recommend it to all chicken
raisers. I do not see how I could do
without it. ...
, V Yours Very truly,
2t. - W. C. BRYAN
. vAi . . -.
yiSTp writ iwt a iki -- iMt'-iio.
I . I I
finnfff f"ne war in Europe continued over a wide artai;?thougb the rigid censorship prevented news from reaching the rest of th
lcWS 3IlaJJ5lQl5 world except in fragmentary manner The. principal scene -of action was along the borders of the German empire, where Eng
Of tflO Week glisn aild Frencn troops were united against tlKGermans and their allies Nancy, one of the best fortified towns in the east
ern section of France, was in the zone of (onflct Much of the heaviest fighting was done in Belgium, though there were
many rumors ol desperate fighting on the sea. German losses in the vicinity of Liege were heavy." and the Russians were also preparing to invade the
kaiser's territory from the east. Grand Duke Nicholas commands the Itnssiaharmy r '
, , . ; -T : :
BETTER TIMES AHEAD.
The Usual August Dullness Reigns
Over Oxford and Nothing More,
Say Our Merchants
FARMERS PLANTED IN FAITH
WILL REAP IN FAITH
SHORT LEDGER LOCALS.
About People and Things That Are
of Interest to The Public
Ledger Renders
GATHERED FROM THE
AND COUNTY
TOWN
Good Hog Crop The hog crop in
Browntown is good and in a grunt
ing condition.
War or No War Yes, war or on
war, let's boost Oxford and make
her -ontinue to grow.
Moving' Along The roof is being
put on the large residence of Mr. A.
S. Hall on Spring streeti r jv,. . -Get
TotheiWp'nder iir: Ithe Pro
gressives and the RepublicsS in
GraUB wJigetatbge4herr'i3S
' Many .fTBnifcs; Tne;; office-force ;ia
gene Moss for some nice cantaloupes.
New Garage The new Highway
Garage on Hillsboro street has been
framed and will be pushed to com
pletion. Hobbling Around Mr. J. E. Ad-
kerson, who badly sprained his ankle
a few days ago,' is hobbling about
with the aid of two sticks.
New Fence The new iron fence
with concrete base of Mr. Henry
Hunt is being put up in front of his
beautiful lawn on Main street.
Happy Children The children of
the Oxford Orphanage picniced at
Providence Wednesday, and "you
bet" they had a glorious time.
Changed His Base -Our young
friend, Will Fuller, has changed his
base and is now with the Perkinson
Green Co., and we wish him continu
ed success.
Completed This Week The chang
es and improvements to the stores of
Cohn & Son on Main street will be
completed this week with the excep
tion of painting.
Down to Business The farmers
are now getting right down to busi
ness curing tobacco and falling be
hind on sleep. We learn that the
weed is" curing well this season.
Swap AVith Girl-A small boy longs
to have whiskers but when he gets
grown and can't finance his way into
a barber shop three times a week he j
would like to swap faces with a girl, j
New Walk The Seaboard Rail- j
road has had a rock walk put down
in front and down part of the side
of the depot in Oxford, which will
prove quite a convenience in bad
weather.
Rapidly Recovering We are much
pleased to learn that" our young
friend, Jesse Clement, son of Capt.
and Mrs. T. D. Clement, of Route 1,
who has been very sick, is rapidly
recovering.
To Road Congress Gov. Craig has
appointed Ex-Judge A. W. Graham
one of the State delegates to the
Fourth American Road Congress,
which will meet in Atlanta, Ga., on
November 9th and 10th.
Mr. J. W. Adcock This fine old
gentleman of the Berea section, was
in town Wednesday hail and hearty
at 81 years. He informed us that
he had a good crop growing and had
put in a good summer's work.
Raleigh Street This well travelled
thoroughfare is being cleaned up
since it" has been widened, and as
since it has been widened, and
when the telephone poles are set back
it will be a nice looking street.
To Person Roads The three color
ed men sentenced to Person County
roads at last court were called for
Thursday by Messrs Ed. Moore and
Carver, who have charge of the road
j building, and taken to Roxboro.
IMPROVEMENTS NOTED
Exchange Hotel Enlarged, Renovated,
Steam Heated, and Bath and
Telephones in Each Room
MKS. WILL WALTERS WILL OPEN
NEAT CAFE. U
The sound of the hammer has been
heard for some time in the direction
of the Exchange Hotel, and on invest
tigation we find that another story
has been added at a cost of several
thousand dollars, making forty ele
gant rooms in all. " , -
By the first of October those jwhV
have . been;;guets04:Jteid
years fll hardlyec
will -contain a telephone and running
v
I
BRIGHT AND INTERESTING
SCHOOL MAR MS
-ilThe two week's session of the Gran
ville county Teacher's Institute is
,well under way. Prof. L. C. Brog
Hon, of Raleigh, is holding the body
spell-bound with his magic logic this
Eriday' morning as we go to press.
A- large number of school committee
men from all parts of the county are
present and are participating in the
L exercises. .
Books, methods of teaching and
rny thing that is suggestive of - the
-ifSSr possible results in the school
twenty baths ;spMr9JJ Chewning, of Lewis,
lu uilh oi ruumM uiiH mi .n;:anu i """v- " n.iv.ivw j .j iu i was in Town nnrsnnv
the hotel will be steam" heated
throughout. The hotel is ' being
thoroughly renovated and cleansed
throughout' and Mr.' and Mrs. L. F.
Smith are determined that nothing
shall be lacking for the pleasure and
comfort of their guests.
NEW CAFE
Mrs. Will Walters has let the con
tract for a 15x40 foot brick building
on the vacant lot between her board
ing house and the Oxford Water
Company's office on Main street.
Work will begin at once. It will be
a neat one-story building and the
front porch of the boarding house
wil extend across the front of the
new building.
Mrs. Walters has felt the need of
more room to accommodate her cus
tomers for some time. The new
15x40 foot room will be ample to seat
fifty people and it will be used as a
dining room for her regular boarders,
but those desiring special meals cook
ed to order will be served at special
tables; and she will cater to parties
and banquets.
NOTICE TO COLORED TEACHERS.
There will be an examination for
colored teachers in the court house at
Oxford, Friday, September 4th.
J. F. WEBB, Superintendent.
HELD AT GORDON S VI LLE
The authorities of Gordohsville,
Va., are holding a colored man who
answers the discription of one of the
assailants of Mr. Campbell at Bul
lock last Sunday and for whose ar
rest and delivery there is a, standing
reward of $50 for each of the two
men." Mr. "Goodie" Royster, of Bul
lock, is hastening to Gordonsville to
identify the assailant.
EDWARD RAWLINS HURT
Edward Rawlins, who has faithful
ly delivered the Public Ledger to
town subscribers for more- than a
year had the misfortune to fall from
a tree Thursday and sustaining a
broken arm. Edward is a fine boy
and we regret the mishap very much.
With good nursing his doctor says
he will be out in a little while.
M US. CLARENCE LEE
TEACHER'S INSTITUTE.
The Average Daily Attendance on tho
k Two Week's Session is About
One Hundred
ly one hundred, and the conductors,
Prof. Allen and Miss Arrington, are
very popular with the school inarms.
MOVEMENTS PEOPLE.
Personal Items About Folks and
Their Friends Who Travel
Here and There
SOME YOU KNOW AND SOME
YOU DO NOT KNOW
Mr. J. H. Renn, of Route 6, was in
town Wednesday.
Mr. Milton Bragg, of Stem, was in
twon Wednesday.
Mr. Henry Thorp, of Berea, was in
town Wedensday.
. Mr. J. C. Cooper, of the road, is on
a visit to Oxford.
Mrs. Aubrey Moore is visiting her
parents in Baltimore.
Mr. J. W. Morton, of Route 4, was
in town Wednesday.
DEATH OF REV. W. S. HESTER
This true and faithful "Soldier of
the Cross" has passed from death un
to life and entered the "shining por
tals of the eternal City" and ia for
ever at rest. He passed away Thurs
day morning just before noon at the
home of his daughter, Mr. D. N.
Hunt, in Oxford, after an illness of
several days. He had not enjoyed
good health for some time and was
not strong enough to battle ag ainst
the last attack of sickness. He was
82 years of age and had preached
the Gospel for many years as he was
an earnest and zealous local Metho
dist preacher and farmer and accom
plished great good, in the world for
the cause of the Master during his
lGng and useful life in the Salem
community as well as other sections
of the county.
There is no language at our com
mand by which we can fittingly por
tray the sincerity of this man of God,
and in the experience of a life time
we can safely say we never met one
who seemed to more nearly walk
hand in hand with God. Conscience
guided every act. He was strictly
honest in the service he rendered. To
man, woman or child, saint or sinner,
he always extended a cordial greet
ing that lent a ray of light to bright
en their pathway in the journey of
life. He commanded the re&pect of
all classes and sects of , people as it
was so . perfectly natural for him to
do right. We did not appreciate his
true worth until after the thread of
life was severed. But as we "caught
a glimpse of the snow white sail that
bore him away to the distant- shore"
we awakened to the realization that
KO good and righteous man had been
taken from among us. We can truly
say to his loved ones,
Weep not for the soul whose crown
is won,
Whose infinite joy has only begun
Not for the spirit enrobed in light,
Crowned where the Angels are to
night." He leaves behind to grieve over
his death two daughters, Mrs. D. N.
Hunt, of Oxford; Mrs. R. J. Aiken,
of Durham, and Mrs. J. M. Rhodes,
of Littleton, and two sons, Rev.
Marion Hester, of Roanoke Island,
and Mr. James Hester, of Waco, Tex-
Mrs. Clarence Lee, of Philadelphia,
who was a recent guest of Col. and
Mrs. H. G. Cooper, is at a chateau
some seventy miles from Paris. She asr and a large number.of grandchild-
went abroad some months ago with
a bevy of young ladies, one of whom
Is Miss Sunshine Hicks, the daughter
of Mr. Ed Hicks who has a summer
home near Oxford. Mrs. Lee invok
es the aid of Col. Cooper in getting
her and her party safeljr home, and
through the Offices of Senator Over
man they will soon be able to make
the passage in a transport.
ran and one brother, M B. L. Hea
ter, of Crtedmoor, and two sisters,
Mrs. W. H. Daniel also of Creedmoor,
and Mrs. Ann Milikin.
The funeral and burial wil take
place at Salem church today, Satur
day, at 3:30 o'clock p. m. and the
services wil be conducted by Rev. L.
H. Joyner and will be largely attended.
Miss Lizzie Gooch is spending
some time in Baltimore.
Mr. James Powell spent the week
on his farm . at Stovall.
Mr. E. E. Bullock, of Stem, was a
town visitor Wednesday.
Mr. W. H. Averett, of Creedmoor,
was in Oxford Thursday.
Mr. W. S. Cozart, of Stem, was an
Oxford visitor Thursday.
Air. Woodson Cash, of Tally Ho,
was in Oxford Thursday.
Mr. and Mrs. D. Currin, of Route
6, were in town Thursday.
Mr. W. R. Williams, of Oak Hill,
was in Oxford Thursday.
Mr. J. W. Jones, of Mt. Energy,
was in Oxford Thursday.
Mr. R. C. O'Brien, of Berea, was
on our streets Thursday.
Mr. J. W. Brown sperrt Wednesday
and Thursday in Raleigh.
Mr. Nat Baird, of Route 1, was a
town visitor Wednesday.
Mr. Tommie Dement, of Dicker
sen, was in town Wednesday.
Mr. W. P. Patterson, of Dexter;
was a town visitor Thursday.
Mr. J. S. Watkins, of Cornwall,
was a town visitor Thursday.
Mr. L. D. McFarland, of Berea
section, was in town Thursday.
Mr. Herbert Gregory, of Stovall
section, was in town Thursday.
Mr. J. N. Watkins, of Cornwall,
was on our streets Wedensday.
Miss Ethel Clement, of Route 1,
was on our streets Wednesday.
Mr. B. K. Lassiter was in Lumber
ton Wednesday on legal business.
Miss Fannie Hays is at home from
a visit to relatives in Petersburg.
Mr. P. L. Parham, of Hargrove,
was an Oxford visitor Thursday.
Mr. R. A. Stem, of Stem, was
among the Oxford visitors Thursday.
Mr. James Jones, of Culbreth sec
tion, was on our streets Thursday.
Mr. R. S. Hart, of Northern Gran
ville, was an Oxford visitor Thursday.
Mr. J. C. Peace, of Fishing Creek
township, was a town visitor Thurs
day. Mrs. 'Julia Meadows, of Wilton,
was in Oxford this week visiting rela
tives. Miss Lilian Spencer returned
Tuesday from a visit to friends in
Durham.
Mr. and Mrs. Titus Currin, of
Route 6, were in Oxford Wednesday
afternoon.
Mrs. Spencer, of Keysville, Va.,J.-.
visiting Mrs. Lcn Pitchford on Gosh
en street.
-
Mrs. Cary Parham and children, of
Route 5, were in Oxford Wednesday
afternooa.
j Consulting their ledgers as to sales
in former years the merchants of
Oxford tell us that we are experienc
ing the usual August dullness and
nothing more. If the flury in sugar,
drugs and a few other articles had
not occurred we would scarcely have
felt the effects of the European war
up to the present time.
j It is a season of "betwixt and be
tween," and having nothing else to
do, the people naturally talk about
the war and spread gloom more than
they would in the busy season, but
the fact remains that, business in Ox
ford is normal. There may be a
few who squeeze the dollar a little
tighter, but this is hardly precepta
ble in the channels of trade.
If there were a lot of farmers
standing idly about our streets we
, would indeed feel that starvation and
' destruction was staring us in the
face, but such is not the case. They
are busy with their crops and seldom
come to town at this season of the
year, and when they do come they
hasten back to the farm. The war is
not bothering them as much as one
would suppose they planted in faith
and they will reap in faith.
We are not alone in our belief
that this period of inactivity will
continue for any great length
of time. As soon as a decisive sea
battle is fought and the channels of
trade are opened up with England
and the bulk of the continent, in
cluding Africa, Asia and South Amer
ica, then there will be a great de
mand for manufactured goods and
the United States will be the prin
cipal source of supply. By this
time ,the new Federal reserve bank
ing system wil be in operation and
with the Panama Canal open to
trade .there should be a great boost
al along the line. An adequate mer
chant marine may also be on the
way by this time and with the ex
pansion of financial institutions such :
American points, the facilities for
export trade will be wonderfuly en
hanced. This will "have its reflex
upon local conditions and there will
be a great forward movement along
all channels.
BOUNDARY LINE IN DISPUTE
The Board of Town Commissioners
tmet in the Mayor's office Wednesday
to determine the ownership and boun
dry line of certain lands on Spring
street which have been in dispute for
some time. It was finally decided to
have Capt. A. A. Chapman, Civil en
gineer now in charge of street work,
to make a careful survey of Spring
street from end to end.
As this is not the only land in iown
involved the Public Ledger would
most respectfully urge the Town
Fathers to have all such lands and
boundaries established for once ad
all while they have a competent Civil
Engineer at their disposal. They
owe this to the town and to future
generations. The longer it is delay
ed the harder it is to reach a just
and equitable conclusion.
PLENTY OF TIME
The current number of the Tobacco
Journal contains this timely advise:
"We notice that farmers are being
advised everywhere not to rush their
tobacco to market, and some of the
markets have postponed opening for
the time being. Tin- advice is good
in view of present complications. At
the same time, if tobacco sells for
fairly good prices, a threat many farm
ers will proceed to ;;elj. The fact i:s if
tobacco should f-ell for one half of
what it sold for during the high pric
es of last season, thousands of farm
ers will sell at the reduced prices and
there is no way to stop them. Again
we advise patience. There is plenty
of time to move the crop. We be
lieve honestly that the skies will soon
be clear, and that the business of the
world will move forvard, regardless
of war."
WILL TAKE BRIEF REST
Rev. S. K. Philips is in attendance
upon a called meeting of Albemarle
Presbytery . in Roclcy Mount. He
will reach Oxford this Saturday night
and fill his pulpit Sunday. On Mon
day Mr. Philips will join his father
at Gloster Point, on York River, for
a brief rest.
DR. N. ROSENSTEIN WILL BE AT
Oxford Tuesday, August 2fth,
stopping at the Exchange Hotel,
and Wednesday, August 26th, at
Creedmoor, stopping at Central
Hotel, for the purpose of examin
ing eyes and fitting glasces, If
your eyes needs any attention don't
fail to see the Dr. at those nlaces.
His charges are very reasonable.