1 .! 0 ADVERTISEMENTS Well displayed , State Library If illustrated, create a buying appetite no leu then a spick and span, well-kept store. 'Try the News-Topic and tee. LENOIR, With Iter citizens backing the Chamber of Commerce, is bound to go forward by leaps and bounds. Are you boosting the Chamber? f Volume XLV HjS EstblSS iSsS Con.olid.ud April l. 1919 LENOIR, N. C, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1920 Price, Five Cents the Copy No. 50 THE H ORT SIM, I, TENT MEETINGS ARE HOW IN FULL SWING The First Service Sunday Night Witnessed a Tent Packed to Standing Room Only With More Than 3,500 People Present Giving the Noted Evangelist Marked Attention to Every Utterance MR. SMITH IS VERY REMARKABLE PREACHER, WITH A VERY REMARKABLE RECORD, AND HE IS POCLAIM ING UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF THE GOSPEL TRUTHS WITH VIGOR AND WINSOMENESS THAT WILL PRODUCE GREAT RESULTS Mr. Allen, the Musical Director, is Getting the Large Choir of Over a Hundred Voices in the Best of Shape, and the Singing at This Meeting is Going to Be One of the Leading and Attractive Features (By JAMES A. ROBINSON) The signal lights of the Gypsy Smith tent meetings have been burn ing in Lenoir for some time, giving notice that the spiritual campaign for soul-saving was approaching. Rev. Gypsy Smith, Jr., and his mu sical director, Mr. Charles F. Allen, arrived on time and the meeting be gan Sunday evening at 7:30 accord ing to schedule. Every street leading in the direc tion of the tent was packed was auto mobiles as far as the eye could roach. West avenue was parked on bpth sides with machines, from the square far below the Martin House. It was a sight to see, and one hardly before witnessed in Lenoir. Since Sunday night the streets in the immediate vi- I cinity of the tent have been roped off I during the services to prevent cars parking close to the tent. This is done to avoid the noise of machines while the exercises are in progress, as it was rather disturbing Sunday night Big Crowd at First Service The big tent, on the government lot, said to seat 3,000, was packed to standing room only at the first ser vice. The large choir, of a hundred or more voices, entered into the spirit of the occasion with remarkable vig or. Mr. Allen, as a prelude to that part of the exercises, tested out the voices of both choir and congrega tion. He was pleased with the big audience present. He said he ' did not expect to see such a crowd in Lenoir, and added "You folks must go to preaching here." Quick as a flash, Boone Prestwood, a newspaper selling boy, about 12 or 13 years old, on the front bench, was heard to say "We do." Mr. Allen was tickled and pleased, and laughingly replied: "That's right, son. You stand up for your home town. That's American patriotism. And you stand up for Jesus. That's spiritual patriotism." The Preacher Rev. Gypsy Smith, Jr., has a pre possessing pulpit appearance. He has a good, pleading voice. He speaks with directness and his methods have the elements of winsomeness in them, coupled with the love that is found in the gospel, and he has his own peculiar way of imparting the "old old story of Jesus and His love" to his hearers. So far he has not ex hibited any unusual pulpit character istics, save preaching the gospel in a sane way, and in a manner that is heart-reaching, and with an emphasis that brings the mind to deep think ing. At times the intonations and modulations of his voice are as ten der and as imypressive as the plead ings of a child, and as soft as the zephyrs that stir the flowers in their silent beauty, and fall upon the heart like their exquisite perfume; and then, when he wants to send an ar row of truth to the understanding he does it with all the vigor and the strength of a soldier manning one of the big guns of the late war. He preaches the plain, unadorned gospel of the Bible. His preaching grows on you. The more you hear the more you want to hear. Mr. Allen is convincing the people that he is an exceptionally fine sing er, and he is studiously bringing out the musical talents of his large choir, as well as getting the congregation into the habit of good, old-fashioned singing. The crowds attending the meetings are growing larger each week-day night. Sunday Night's Sermon "The Dead Samson Slew" The text was taken from Judges 16:30 "So the dead that he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." The Bible has various methods of teaching its truths. First of all, there is the argumentative method. You cannot get past the logic of God's book. Secondly, there is the win some method. There are no more winning, stories anywhere in the world than the love stories of the cross. Lastly, we have the dramatic method. And I think that the deeds of some of the men of the Bible are far more potent than anything they said or wrote. Samson stirs me more profoundly than any other of the Old Testament characters. First, we see him crown ed with the laurels of many victories Then, as a fool, sneered at by a fawn ing spirit Next, as slave, de throned, demoralized. And, lastly, as a champion coming forth from darkness and crowning his life with triumph. He is the type of a great many of us the type of a Christian -who was honest when he united with the church and the things for which He stood. Then, getting careless, fell and slipped into unhappiness and un rest and defeat. Then, seeing the mess they have made of it all, recon secrate themselves and rise to greater victories than they have ever known. We were all thrilled when we read ' for the first time the early stories of Samson's life his carrying off the gates of the city; his tying the foxes together and putting the firebrand between them and turning them into the Philistines' wheat fields, thereby destroying their crops; his meeting with the lion; his destruction of the thousand Philistines with the jaw bone of an ass. And you will notice that Samson never took any excuse for defeat. He was superior to all obstacles, and the secret of his suc cess was that "the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him." He learned early in his life that the secret of power was the law of surrender. This can be illustrated by the mind in its youth only attaining its triumphs by surrendering to the mind of the teacher. The organ could never give us any melody unless is surrendered to the touch of the player, and so you and I can only be powerful spir itually as we surrender to a higher power. I have sometimes thought I could see the stage all set for the second act and Delilah in the center of the stage. The air odorous of olives and myrrh, and Samson waiting in the. wings for his turn, and then I have imagined that the old patriarchs that have gone on before looked down over the battlements of heaven and shouted to him, "Samson, take care!" "But there was one thing that Samson could not do. He was the strongest man in the world's history, but he could not take care. And he lost his position as judge, his sight, his strength, his liberty, all through fool ing with his weakness. Ninety-nine Christians out of every hundred who go down, go down the same way. I don't mean the same sin, but the some process through fooling with our , weakness. The devil isn't any fool. He knows us, and he is a mas ter of our armor. He knows the un guarded moment. The average Chris tian today is not guilty of murder, or lust, or gambling, or drunkenness, but the devil does not care whether it's pride or murder as long as he gets us. And so Samson lost all through fooling. Do you remember the morning you were received into your church? Do you remember, as you stood before the altar, the promises that you made and the unspoken promises, too, your heart was filled with, and earnestness and sincerity that no one would doubt?' You were glad to be re ceived into the church, and the very best of your manhood and woman hood was ruling that morning, and you wanted your life to count. Have you lost anything? Have, you lost that earnestness? Have you lost that sincerity? Have you lost the ambi tion to attain to that ideal that God has for you? Have you lost any thing? You remember how, after Samson had played the fool, they put out his eyes, put him down in the prison house to grind; and you know that is typical of so many of us. If ( Continued on page seven) DISTRESSING NEWS FROM PROF. BACON Reports That He Attempted to Take His Life rMay Have Been an Accident BUT THE NEWS IS MEAGRE Our neighboring town of Hudson has been shocked and deeply grieved for several days over the news re ceived there that Prof. Geo. W. Ba con, president of the Teachers' Music Publishing Company, of that p'ace, had made an attempt to take his own life at his home in White Pine, Tenn., and the cause assigned in one tory is ill health and business reverses. It has been a difficult, matter to get anything definite on the subject. An other report is in circulation that he shot himself accidentally, and ii in a very serious condition. Prof. Bacon is a good man, with a kind heart, and his sunny smiles were always u joy to the people of Hud son, where he made many friends on his frequent visits to that place In connection with the publfshing com pany, i THE GRADED SCHOOL OPENEDJROWDED The Present Building Was Intended to Accommodate 450 and Has 706 EXERCISES MONDAY VERY INSPIRING AND AT TRACT BIG CROWD Gypsy Smith Makes Character istic Talk Others Speak; Prize Awarded The Lenoir graded school opened Monday with an enrollment of 706, which is crowded into a building which was originally erected to ac commodate 450. This, briefly, is the congested condition of the school at the present time. It was a good silent text for Supt. Horace Sisk, who opened the exer cises in the school auditorium ct 9 o'clock, to a house packed and jammed with pupils and friends. He said: "We realize that we are over cropped. You are uncomfortable. But be quiet. We have a wonderful man with us. Although he has been in Lenoir but twenty-four hours he has already won a place in the hearts of our people. We already love him. He comes to help us to make life worth while." With these remarks he introduced Rev. Gypsy Smith, who was warmly received. Mr. Smith re quested his singer, Mr. Allen, to sing, who responded in a gracious manner by singing "He Lifted Me." Gypsy Smith's Remarks Mr. Smith began by asking: "I wonder how many children can tell me what a gypsy is?" There was not even a whisper. He then gave a brief sketch of his father, who was born in the forests, near London, and in a humorous manner described some of the characteristics of the life of gypsies, and then turned in a more serious manner to other things. "God only asks you to give up what will hurt you," he declared. There are three great maxims given us by the Greeks, the Romans and the Jews. The Greek was "Know thy self." The Roman was "Control thy self. The Jew Jesus Christ was "Deny thyself." After much whole some advice he closed by saying: "My wish is to help every boy and girl to be the strongest and best man and woman it is possible to be." Other Speakers After a prayer by Rev. J. W. New ell of Statesville, Mayor J. T. Pritch ett was called on and responded in an enthusiastic manner in regard to the school. He said he regretted to see such congestion confronting the school, but the school board during the vacation had not been idle, and had secured a beautiful site on which in the near future it hoped to erect a modern and splendid school build ing. This was received with hearty applause. "We are proud of this institution. It has always stood among the first, and although it is cramped and crowded, under the splendid leadership of Supt. Sisk we have done splendid work. I believe Lenoir will vote what is needed to carry out the objects in view, and this time the women will vote as well as the men. Perhaps the senior class may finish their course in the new building. I hope this will be the best year of all the school years." A. K. Joy, secretary of the Cham ber of Commerce, told the audience that it did not know how glad he was to greet it, and made a few pleasing remarks. Supt. Sisk spoke of his ap preciation of the speeches. Was glad to see so many of the patrons present. Hoped they would come often. He welcomed the new mem bers of the faculty. A Prize Awarded Miss Stella Cloyd, in a neat little speech, awarded the prize, a $2 gold piece, to the student doing the great est amount of reading during the past year. She said she "thought the reading of the young now was mostly confined to the pictures in front of moving picture shows and the gas indicators on their parents' cars, but she found she was mis taken." The prize was awarded to Miss Mildred Black. A JOURNALIST HERE Mr. James A. Robinson of Durham, N. C, "Old Hurrygraph" of the State press, who has been spending his va cation in the "Happy Valley" at the Patterson School, in which he is deeply interested, is spending this week in Lenoir before, returning home. He loves Lenoir, and Lenoir likes him. Mr. Robinson, for several years, has written many good things about our town, which our people appreciate and for which they hold mm in loving remembrance. WILL ATTEND IN A BODY Tuesday evening next, the 14th, the members of tubmen lodge. No 262, A. F. and A. M., will attend the Gypsy Smith tent religious services in a body. It is expected that a good ly number of the members will re spond. Mr. Smith is a Royal Arch Mason and is very much interested in the work of the craft. BOX AND PIE SUPPER The ! members of the Dixie Book Club of Hudson will give a box and pie supper , Saturday evening, Sept. Jl, at the graded school building. The proceeds will be used for the Dixie library of Hudson. The public is cordially invited to come and help. TWO LITTLE GIRLS MAKE TJffiCHARGES J. W. Bruce, Aged 55 Years, Lauguishes in Jail on a Serious Charge ALLEGED ATTEMPT COM MITTED AFTERNOON OF SEPT 2nd Girls Tell Story of Assault; Defendant Waives Exam ination Bond $2,000 J. W. Bruce, a white man, appar ently T)5 or 60 years of age, who has been in this community since the 14th of August purporting to be sell ing, enlarging or taking pictures, languishes in Caldwell county jail under the charge of assaults wih at tempt to commit rape upon two little girs,! 10 and 11 years old, respective ly. He was given a preliminary hear ing Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock before Mayor J. T. Pritchett. He waived examination and was bound over to the next criminal term of court under two bonds of $1,000 each, covering both cases. Statements of Girls The two girls, Dorothy Tate, 11 years old, daughter of W. W. Tate, and Irene Spencer, 10 years old, daughter of Averv Snenrpr wpr playing on the afternoon of Sept. 2 n a playhouse in the woods, in the 'astern ede-e of town, when Rrucp made his appearance. Dorothy was wearing overalls. Bruce told Irene if she would cto home and don hers he would take their pictures. She went. Dunns' her .ih.tencp Rmpp grabbed Dorothy and his manner caused her to scream, and she got away from him and ran. Some dis tance away she thought that Irene would return, and she went back to warn her. She found Irene in his arms, and when she approached Bruce released her and made his get away. His Dumoses. as chary-ed. were never carried out. Bruce's Statement Bruce talked but little ahont the affair. Going back to jail he did say a few things to Chief of Police J. W. Walsh. He made this statement: Thats what liquor will do. I went to that part of town and got some mean liauor. and strolled hack I suppose the statements made by the gms to tneir parents is true." Captured in Tarlorsrvlle After the occurrence mentioned above Bruce made himself sparre about Lenoir. Chief Walsh, as soon as the matter was placed in his hands. Pot fin the trail Rrnce uront to Lincolnton and ordered his mail to be forwarded to Taylorsville. Chief Walsh followed his mail, and in Tay lorsville on Saturday evening last he found Bruce in a movine- nirtnro show. He had stopped moving. He was Drought to Lenoir and placed in jail Saturday night about 12 o'clock. The investigation took place Mon day, with the result and the facts, as far as thev can he asrertnineH given above. Little or nothing is known of Bruce, where he came from, or who are his people. He talks but little, and gives out no information. TOO MANY WIVES Frank Michaux, colored, of the Adako section, was before Justice J. A. Bush Tuesday morning on the charge of having two wives. Michaux produced a letter in which it was stated that his first wife was dead, and he proceeded to get another. But the first wife wasn't so dead as the letter stated. She was in evidence before the justice. Michaux was bound over to the criminal court un der a bond of $200, .which he gave. Another case before 'Squire Bush, the same day, was Gus Shuller, a white man, charged with the aban donment of his wife and children. He was bound over to court under a $200 bond. COUNTY TAX LEVY THIS YEAR 59 CTS. What the Recent Revaluation Act Has Done for Cald well County One good result of the revaluation act, and the legislation pertaining to the same, is practically demonstrated in Caldwell county. The tax levy this year for county purposes, in cluding" schools, road bonds and all other objects for which the people have to pay tax, is 59 cents on the $100 valuation. This is a reduction of 96 cents from last year, the tax then being $1.55. This shows what revalua tion has done for the people of Cald well. This is the lowest the taxes have been in this county, and it is a cause for congratulation, and is a very decided relief the Democratic party has given the people. The levy is based on $18,370,060 under the new valuation, whereas heretofore the valuation has been standing at a little .over $6,000,000. The distribution of the taxes is as follows: State, 1? cents; county, in cluding schools, 15 cents; general county, 13 cents special, for court house bonds jind ; $50,000 bonds for road work following the flood, 3 cents "roads', 15 cents. , This ought to put a good taste in the mouth' of Caldwellians. A GOOD SEASON IS DRAWING TO CLOSE 1 i Deaths at Blowing Rock Fine Potato Crop Much Feed Injured by Rains Blowing Rock, Sept. 8. The Grim Messenger has visited two families in this vicinity recently, bringing sad ness and gloom to many relatives and friends. Saturday, Aug. 21J Mrs. Richard Oxendine of this place was taken suddenly ill after being on the streets early in the day, and despite the efforts of loving friends and two physicians she passed away about 7 o'clock in the evening of that day. She suffered something like an apoplectic stroke early in the fore noon, which resulted in death, as stated above. She is survived by her husband and two brothers. Another most pathetic death oc curred Wednesday, the 1st, when Mrs. Cloyd Green passed away, with her new-born infant, at her home a few miles northeast of town. Her death was due to some complications at the birth of her babe and it fol lowed her to the spirit world a few minutes after her death. Her death is most pathetic, as she leaves a hus band and five small hoys. The body was interred at the Reformed church burying ground Thursday, Rev. F. M. Huggins of the Baptist church conducting the services, the mother and babe being buried in the same coffin. The season of 1920 at this place is now nearing its close and it has been a good one, notwithstanding the much rain. The hotels and boarding houses were all well filled early in the season and many persons were turn ed away for lack of room. There are vet manv guests here and some will stav well into the autumn. None of the hotels have fixed upon a closing date, and with the coming of dry autumn weather many automobile and week end parties will come this way. The farmers of this vicinity are pleased with the best potato crop thev have raised in many years, the yields are fine and the potatoes of unusual size. There is some com plaint of the tubers rotting from the long wet weather. The hay and oat crops have been damaged by the continued rains. The people of this vicinity are right much enthused over the pros pects of the proposed trolley line up this way and are hoping anxiously it will soon materialize. Dr. Shipp with his corps of surveyors has been here for several days and finds easy grades can be secured about the vil lage and from the top of the moun tain near Green Park to the village. It is planned to bring the road into the village along the crest of the ridge so as to make it one of unusual scenic beauty and provide a trolley service between Green Park and the village proper. There have been some real estate transfers made here this season and plans are made for several new cot tages. Mr. J. L. Coker of Harts ville, S. C, is here now and is having work started on one which he ex pects to occupy next season. The plans have been made for a large ad dition to Mayview Club, which if carried out will make it a large and first-class hotel. The present capac ity of the club is only about 25 to 50, but the addition contemplates 100 more rooms and it will be one of the largest, if not the largest, hotel on the mountain when completed. The Blowing Rock public school opened last week with a large at tendance. Miss Lillie Fentress and Miss Helen Brown are teachers. Miss Brown has been the efficient assist ant cashier of the Bank of Blowing Rock for a year or more, but re signed her position to take up school work. Miss Fentress is from San ford, N. C, and came here for her health and was engaged to teach the school last term. Some of the friends of Mr. E. G. Underdown, the efficient superin tendent of the Cone estate, were sur prised a short time ago when he re turnd from a trip down the State, bringing his bride with him. He and Miss Kate Sugg of Wilson were quiet ly married in Raleigh a short time ago. They are at home in one of the cottages on the Cone etsate. Dr. J. E. Brooks, who has b ;en the resident physician here for about seven years, has accepted work with the State health department and left last Saturday for his new field of la bors in Chatham county. Dr. Albert Mordecai, who was in the medical department of the army during the war, is here and will take up the work left by Dr. Brooks, for the preesnt at least. Mr. Mansfield Church of this place recently made a record sale of dogs for this part of the country. He had three fine hounds, well trained for foxes and wild cats and coons, and sold them to a man from Ashe coun ty a few days ago for $250. This is thought to be the record price paid for dogs in this part of the country. HE MISSED THE SHOW J. Will Sudderth, who knows how to fashion brick and mortar into buildings, missed the Sparks' show at Hickory Tuesday last, and it must have been a source of deep regret, as he has not miased a circus in 55 years. Mr. Sudderth is building the new dormitory at the Patterson School, and as long as good weather lasts he is not eoip? to let. circuses interfere v.Ti lv'"d"r:: fc'r.?-!j DAVENPORT OPENS ON SEPTEMBER 15 Reservations All Taken and Applicants Are Being Turned Away THE FACULTY FOR THIS YEAR IS UNUSUALLY STRONG ONE New Feature Will Be French Conversation for the Pre paratory Students The fall session of Davenport Col lege begins on Wednesday, Sept 15. Never before in its long history has it been so besieged with applications for admission. Since the 15th of August the college has had to turn away applicants for rooms, which numbered from forty to fifty. By using every available space prepara tions have been made for admitting 140 boarding students, and that num ber has been entered. A Strong Faculty The faculty this year is an unu sually strong one. In the literary de partment the faculty is as follows: J. B. Craven, president of the col lege, professor of Bible and psychology-Wesley Taylor, A. B., Trinity Col lege, English. Miss Evabelle Covington, A. B., Shorter College, economics. Miss Mamie Dwire, Salem College, history. Miss Edith Lee Radford, A. B., Randolph-Macon Woman's College, mathematics. Miss Esther Kemmerer, A. B., Hunter College, science. Miss Mattie Whisnant, Davenport College, Latin. Miss Estelle Warlick, A. B., Trin ity College, sub-preparatory courses. Miss Euphan M. Macrae, A. M., Columbia University, education. The Special Departments In the special departments the fac ulty is as follows: Prof. F. W. Kraft, whose musical education was had at the leading con servatories in America and Europe, is director of music. Mrs. S. C. He bron, Miss Marguerite Long, Miss Nancy Moose and Miss Ruth Eads, assistants in music. Miss Zilla K. Fay, who is specially recommended by Dr. Byron W. King of Pittsburgh wilfe-isach expression,, and physical culture, and also serve as assistant to Dr. Kraft in voice. Miss Ruth Hood, Cincinnati Con servatory of Music, violin. Mrs. John L. Cross, graduate West ern Kentucky State Normal, domes tic science. Miss Annie Kate Welh, graduate St. Genevieve's College, modern lan guages. . One of the New Features Among the new features of the college work this year will be the inauguration of French conversation for all preparatory students. T1; 5 ,s considered the most modern r.i.ivxl Of interesting and instructing h.gh school students in languages. The educational work will also be given special attention, and the college has secured one of the best equipped and most experienced teachers to be had for this week. Unusual emphasis will be placed hereafter upon the train ing of teachers for graded and high school work, and Miss Macrae has been specially recommended by Co lumbia University for this depart ment. FIRST CALDWELL WOMAN TO REGISTER The first woman in Caldwell coun ty to take advantage of her enfran chisement under the woman's suf frage amendment, was Miss Maude Minish of this city, daughter of Mr. W. L. Minish, who registered one day last week, and is now a qualified voter. This will be another fair bal lot to help di-Minish the Republican vote. A BOX SUPPER There will be an ice cream and box supper at New Collier's church Sat urday night, Sept. 11. Proceeds will go to the church. BENTLEY ARRESTED ON ROBBERY CHARGE YoUng White Man Alleged to Be in Tuttle & Mikeal Store Breaking TRIAL FRIDAY MORNING Some two -weeks or more ago the store of Tuttle & Mikeal, in Lutz town, a suburb of Lenoir, was robbed of money, checks and other things to an amount that ranged between three and four hundred dollars. There was no trace or clue as to who did the deed at the time, and Chief of Police J. W. Walsh has been on a still hunt since the robbery was Committed. Monday afternoon, from what he could gather together concerning the affair, he arrested A. A. .Bentley, a white man, married, apparently 24 or 25 years of age, as being impli cated in the matter. .Bentley was released Monday night on a justified bond of $800. The hearing of the case is set for Friday r.3i";-"it 13 s -

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