Newspapers / The Skyland Post (West … / Nov. 16, 1939, edition 1 / Page 1
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ASHE COUNTY is the air-cohditioned section of North Carolina whose altitude ranges from 3,000 to 5,500 feet above sea level. Twenty-five miles of the PARKWAY run through the county. VOLUME IX, NO. 45 Worst Forest Fire In History Os Ashe County Is Still Raging Preliminary Application For Cold Storage Plant Receives Approval By R. E. A. Officials Proposed Local Co-Op Told “To Go Ahead” and Sub mit Formal Application. PLANT IS ASSURED It was announced last night that plans for a mass meeting of all members of the Blue Ridge Cold Storage Co-ope rative and all others interes ted in the movement are no w being worked out and that a definite date will be an nounced next Thursday. Ar rangements will be made to have representatives from State College and the State Department of Agriculture present for the meeting and to assist in making a survey. In the meantime, every farm er is invited to Join the pro posed co-operative. The preliminary application of the proposed Blue Ridge Cold Storage Co-operative to the Ru ral Electrification Administration to borrow money at a low interest rate over a long period of time, to construct a cold storage plant in Ashe county in or near West Jefferson, has been approved by REA officials, Gwyn Price, a di rector of the Caldwell Mutual Corporation and one of the local leaders in the movement for a cold storage co-op, announced late yesterday afternoon. Mr. Price stated that G. F. j Messick, superintendent of the Caldwell Mutual, yesterday re ceived a favorable report on the, preliminary application from Os car Mires, assistant director of j the utilization division, in Wash-1 ng-ton, who made a tentative sui-i vey here less than two weeks j ago. Plans are now being worked out to submit a formal applica tion in the near future for North ! Carolina's first REA cold storage plant which will serve Ashe, Al leghany and Watauga counties. In announcing approval of the | preliminary application, Mr. Mires outlined a suggested pro cedure to be followed in submit ting formal application. It was suggested that first of all a mass meeting be held for all members of the proposed co-ope rative. No indication was given as to how large an allotment may be available for the plant, but it is believed that it will be adequate to construct a plant of sufficient size to take care of normal growth and expansion. Over 200 members have signed and those in charge are anxious to get around 300 members be fore formal application is made. A local delegation, composed of Gwyn Price, H. D. Quessenberry, Supt. J. B. Hash, Emmitt McNeill and Ed M. Anderson, went to Ra leigh last Friday afternoon and discussed the proposed cold stor age plan with Hon. Kerr Scott, commissioner of agriculture, and several officials at State College and in the Extension Service. The delegation received *nthu siastic pledges of co-operation (Continued on Page Eight) State Has Put Out $766,354 For Parkway RALEIGH, Nov. 14. North Carolina has spent $766,354.44 for rights-of-way and surveys on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Charles Ross, general counsel of the State Highway and Public Works Com mission, reported today. The federal government is building the parkway but the state must make preliminary sur veys and investigations and fur nish right-of-way. Through October 1, Ross said, the state had acquired 13,617 acres, of which 12,243 had been acquired for a total of $452,460.- 79. It is estimated 22,000 acres will be required for the parkway in North Carolina. Average price for the land al ready paid for has acre. The total does not include the $25,000 which will be paid to- the Little Switzerland Company for right-of-way. Wat lost $1.50 a Year Out of County MARRIED 50 YEARS Kvc . rSftjggy?# mmsm S: Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Davis, of Grassy Creek who observed their Golden Wedding, Oct. 22. Mr. Da vis is 73 and Mrs. Davis, 66. They have nine children and 15 grand children. Water Shortage Affecting Power Every One Asked To Be Care ful Regarding Fires At This Time. Ashe county as well as other sections of Northwestern North- Carolina is experiencing one of the longest dry spells remem bc.ed here for several years. New River is lower than it has been in many years and in addition to the .Jeffersons being inconven ienced from lack of water, the Northwestern Carolina Utilities company which serves this sec tion has had to depend on a die sel engine for the generation of power, for 16 to 20 hours each day for several weeks, officials of the company stated. The lowness of water has pre vented the operation of the pow er dsm on New River. A shortage in electricity was caused this week when repairs had to be made on the Diesel engine. The water shortage in the Jef fersons has greatly increased the fire hazards, Fire Chief Bernard Graybeal pointed out yesterday and urged everyone to be very careful about burning trash as well as building big fires par ticularly where chimneys may be in need of slight repairs. There is no prospect for more water here until it rains, City Manager Bert Jones said and urged every one to not use wa ter for unnecessary purposes or to waste it. HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES A REMINDER The Ashe county health depart ment this week issued another re minder that all children between the ages of 6 months and six years are required by law to have the diphtheria vaccine. This fall the department has made splendid progress with its school examination and immuni zation program. Most of the one and two teacher schools in the county have been visited, it is re ported. Tubercular Clinic To Be Held At Jefferson, Friday, Dec. Ist Announcement has been made by Dr. Robert King, of the health department, that a tubercular chest clinic would be held in Jef ferson, Dec. 1. Dr. King pointed out that this clinic which is free, is for the purpose of examining those who are referred by their family doctor, those who have been in close contact with a case of tuberculosis, those who have had the disease or have symptoms of it. Those desiring to have an ex amination are asked to register With the health department whose offices are are in the court house in Jefferson. WEST JEFFERSON, N. C. THURSDAY, NOV. 16, 1939 Rotarians Will Meet Tonight At M. E. Church Larry Colvard to Discuss Red Cress Program. Judge Tucker Spoke Thurs. Tonight the Rotarians are to en joy a meal that will be prepsred and served by members of the Woman’s Missionary Society of the West Jefferson Methodist Church in the church basement. L. P. Colvard, register of deeds and chairman of the Ashe county chapter of the American Red Cross, will be the guest speaker, Bruce Dent, program chairman, has announced. He is expected to make a timely talk on the Red Cross annual roll call that is now under way. “The eyes of the country are now on Ashe county, the most beautiful and the finest place in the world to live,” H. C. Tucker, one of West Jefferson’s and the county’s greatest boosters, told members of the club last Thurs day night. The scenery and climate in Ashe are unexcelled, he said and pointed out that the county is making rapid progress along all lines. “Ashe is in the best shape I have ever known it. Our bonds have been refinanced so that we can pay them. We have beautiful homes and wonderful farm lands. “REA lines run all over the county, carrying electric current into the farm homes. We have the radio, fairly good roads and good schools.” Judge explained that he started out without much education or money and that he has achieved some measure of success, and added, “there’s a chance for every man if he will work hard and for the right + hings”. “Let’s all pull together, be a booster and build a larger and better county and state,” he urg ;n conclusion. The speaker, who was one of the town fathers of West Jeffer son was in charge of the railroad construction in the county, was presented to the club by Rotar ian Sharpe Shoemaker. The Judge received a big ovation. Gwyn Price made an announce ment relative to the progress made on the proposed Blue Ridge Cold Storage Co-operative and told about his trip with Senator Austin to Washington. Past president, Levem Johnson, conducted an installation service for Paul Miller, a new member. Dr. Long was unable to be pre sent. Ed Bowers Knifed In Back Last Week Ed Bowers, 30-year-old man of the Buffalo section was painful ly injured last Thursday night, when he was stabbed in the back several times by Alf Turnmire. The two men were reported walking down the railroad tracks near Arthur- Sturgills’ home at Smethport. when the fight which followed an argument, occurred. Sturgill is reported to have sep arated the two men. He later brought Bowers to West Jeffer son where he was taken by am bulance to the Wilkes hospital for treatment. He returned home Tuesday. Officers reported that they were on the lookout for Turnmire who had not been found yester day. Both Bowers and Turnmire were reported drinking at the time the altercation occured. During the clinic held here last year, more than 100 were exam ined by the health department; five of whom were found to have the disease in an active form. It is a disease which can be cured if discovered in time and it is for this reason that the clinics are vitally important in stamping out the disease. Dr. King pointed out that complete details concerning the clinic would be announced in the near future. In speaking of the disease Dr. King explained that tuberculo sis is a disease caused by a living germ called the tubercular bacil (Continued on Page Eight) ; MISSION WORKER W: jW| ••.•x-x-xx-SSMMRRR * ; Ml \ W Miss T. Evelyn Howe, mission sister of the church army, has re cently been officially accepted by the National Council to the Pro testant Episcopal church as the United Thank offering worker in the diocese of Western North Carolina and is stationed at Glen dale Springs. Sister Howe who came to America 13 years ago was born in Ireland. Before en tering the missionary training field she was engaged in nursing. (Photo by Parkway Photo Shop). Rabbit Season To Open Friday, 24th Quail and Grouse Season Op ens Nov. 30. Cautions About Forest Fires. The rabbit season opens next Friday, November 24 and will re main open until January 2. H. T. Goodman, county game warden, reminds local hunters. In spite of the Presidential pro clamation, moving Thanksgiving up to Thursday, Nov. 23. the quail and grouse season in North Carolina open until Thursday, Nov. 30. which will be Thanksgiving day in this state according to Gov. Clyde Hoey. The quail season will extend for three months’ period, while it will be unlawful to kill grouse after January 15. It is reported that there is a good supply of quail this year. Rabbits are also plentiful. “During this exceptionally dry time, every one should be" very careful and not let a fire break out of control,” Mr. Goodman cautioned. “Fires are great ene mies of game and it is mighty easy to start a forest fire at this time.” Applications For AAA Payments Being Filled Out Applications for soil conserva tion payments for the 3,200 farm ers in Ashe county who co-ope rated with the AAA program this year are now being made out, C. J. Rich, county agent, stated this week. As soon as the applications are filled out and checked, notices are sent to the individual farm ers to come to the office and sign or to meet at different places in various townships, he stated. Checking the field supervisors’ reports and filling out applica tions for over 3,000 farmers is a big job and requires right much time to complete, Mr. Rich poin ted out. “However, we are pushing this important work as rapidly as pos sible and hope to get it finished in the near future,” he said. Ashe Boy Gets Job In Office Os N. C. Attorney General Carmon Stuart, who was born and reared in Ashe county in the Crumpler community, has been given a responsible position in the office of the attorney gen eral of North Carolina, Harry McMullan, it was learned here this week. Carmon graduated with honors at A. S. T. C. and studied law at Duke University where he was also an outstanding student. For the past year or more, he has been associated With a leading law firm in Raleigh. Carmon is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Stuart. Burley Growers To Vote On Production Control Tuesday Eight Polling Places Selected In This County. Around 1,000 Can Vote The burley tobacco 1940 acre age allotment and marketing quo ta referendum will be held next Tuesday in Ashe and surrounding counties as well as throughout the entire burley-producing belt, covering sixteen states. “If you are an owner, operator, bona fide tenant or share-cropper receiving a share from the 1939 burley tobacco crop, you are eli gible to vote in the referendum,” E. Y. Floyd, AAA executive offi cer in North Carolina, pointed out this week. It is estimated that there about 1,000 eligible voters in Ashe who will produce approximately one half of a million pounds this year. The county committee met this week and designated eight voting places in the county. The polls will be open from 9 until 5 o’- clock in the afternoon. A committee of three burley growers and one alternate was appointed to be in charge of the voting at each polling place. The polling places, the terri tory covered by these places and those in charge are as follows: J. S. Stephens store—North Fork and Creston townships— Max Barlow, chairman, C. C. Su therland, J. S. Stephens and Os car Wilson, alternate. New River school Clifton, Laurel and Pond Mountain town ships—Paul Sutherland, chair man, W. O. Ashley and John Knox. T. A. Sutherland, alternate. Sturgill school—Helton town ship—Bryan Pennington, chair man, Bryan Kirby and Edd Roe. I. G. Spencer, alternate. Lansing school—Horse Creek. Piney Creek and Hurnicane townships—Ed Eller, chairman, Lester Sturgill and M. L. John son. C. D. Baldwin, alternate. J. R. Phipps’ store —Walnut Hill township—W. E. Denny, chair man. T. A. Jones and Furd Shat ley. Roscoe Oliver, alternate. A. H. McMillan’s store —Chest- nut Hill township—A. H. McMil lan, chairman, E. F. Gambill, J. B. Pierce. P. L. McMillan, alter nate. Jefferson, courthouse—Jeffer son. West Jefferson, Pine Swamp, Old Fields, Elk. Peak Creek and Obids townships Walter Pen nington chairman, J, W. Little and J. E. Witherspoon. R. L. Dix on, alternate. A. Hart Pasley’s store—Grassy Creek—S. V. Alexander, chair man, A. J. Blevins and B. H. Shephard. Ed C. Phipps, alter nate. C. J. Rich, county agent, stated that sentiment in the county seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of controlling production of the 1940 crop in order that prices this year as well as next may be higher than the present outlook indicates. If two-thirds of the voters ap prove the referendum, acreage allotments will be set up for the next year’s crop and a grower will be permitted to sell all of the tobacco produced on the acreage allotment area without penalty. It is estimated that this acreage allotment for 1940 will be re duced approximately 10 percent to get production more in line with consumption if the referen dum is carried. Peace Proposal Is Rejected By Hitler; 3 Ships Are Sunk Adolf Hitler this week let the world know that he considers the possibility of peace non-existent at present since Britain and France failed to accept the Nov ember 7 mediation offer from the sovereigns of Belgium and the Netherlands. Hitler’s views were made known through his foreign minis ter, Joachim von Ribbentrop, who told the envoys of the two' rulers that the reply would be a polite “no”. Von Ribbentrop gave this noti fication to Viscount Jacques Da vignon, Belgian ambassador, and H. M. Van Hearsmade With, Ne therlands minister, in advance of formal delivery of the reply in Brussels and the Hague. SI.OO a Year in Ashe County METHODIST MINISTER jMSplif Ilk if agflLt jfljji Rev. Hoyt H. Wood, new pas tor of the West Jefferson Metho dist church, who with Mrs. Wood came here from Gibsonville, fol lowing his appointment at the an nual conference. Red Cross Roll Call In Progress Every One is Urged to Join. Goal For County Set at 300 Members. Much interest is being shown throughout the county in the Red Cross roll call which opened here Nov. 11 and will continue through Thanksgiving, Nov. 30. Everyone who has not joined is asked to do sc before the drive ends. The goal has been set at 300 for this year, and due to the in creased demands, this increase in membership is necessary to car w on the work of the organiza tion. County Chairman. Larry P. Unl.vard and roll call Chairman Bruce Dent said that the response had been very good so far. Mr. Colvard discussed the drive brief ly at the Legion and auxiliary meeting, on Saturday. He will also talk on the work of the Red Cross at the Rotary meeting to night. The schools are conducting membership drives and will be given first aid kits and supplies provided they secure their quo tas. Solicitors are making canvas ses of the homes and business sections. Those who have not been contacted and wish to join, may secure membership from Mrs. Paul Miller, Mrs. Glenn Neal or Larry Colvard at Jefferson; Bruce Dent, Mrs. Carl Fran cis, Mrs. Ed. M. Anderson, Gayle McMillan, West Jefferson. SINGING CONVENTION ’ WILL BE AT FRIENDSHIP The Ashe County Singing As sociation will hold its November convention at the Friendship Baptist church the fourth Sunday in this month, starting at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Coleman Payne, chairman, has announced. A large crowd is expected to j attend. During winter months, the conventions will be held in ! the Jeffersons. Although expressing apprecia tion of the sovereigns’ motives in offering their good offices for peace, von Ribbentrop was said to have held that the replies from Britain and France made peace possible now. The loss of a' British destroyer after striking a German mine was reported by the admiralty Tues day as sea warfare spurted into intensified action. In addition to the destroyer, the fifth warship and the first of her catagory reported lost by the British, officials reported the sinking of three British merchant vessels and a Norwegian tanker. The day’s casualty list totalled 28 dead and missing and 15 in continued on Page Eight) JOIN STORAGE CO-OP All farmers are urged to join the Blue Ridge Cold Storage Mar keting Co-operative. Complete in formation is available at the farm agent’s office, Join at once! PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY Large Crew Os Workers Fight Sweeping Flames Large Area Including Peak and Three Top Mts. Al ready Burned Over. HOPE IS FOR RAIN On most all fronts, the rag ing fires were checked last night and if a high wind does not rise today, it is believed that the flames will be brought under complete con trol. A heavy rain would solve the critical problem, too. Last night over 200 men fought grimly to check the worst forest fire in the history of Ashe coun ty. It was estimated that approxi mately 20,000 acres of rugged and uninhabited mountain woodland had already been burned over and that a large number of farm homes, located at the bottom of the Peak and Three Top moun tains, had been threatened. Unless the sweeping flames can be brought under control, this fast-maving fire may spread across another range and threa ten the entire town of West Jef ferson, those in charge of the fighting stated. B. B. Graybeal, West Jefferson fire chief, Levem Johnson and other members of the local fire department, L. P. Colvard, Sher iff Ed Miller, as well as a num ber of other men in the Jeffer sons and along the fire-line area, organized a large crew of volun teer workers yesterday afternoon and started fighting the raging flames. Late yesterday afternoon Sena tor W. B. Austin obtained permis sion for a group of CCC boys from the Laurel Springs camp to aid in the battle. Yesterday afternoon Captain George Doggett, county highway supervisor, had a number of grade A prisoners on the job. cleaning out paths cn all sides of the mountains and “fighting fire with fire”. A number of farmers in the section adjacent to the fire area have been busy this week clean ing out around their homes and barns to check the flames. The extreme dryness and the fact that there is a big quantity of dead chestnut wood all over the mountains cause the fire to burn vigorously and rapidly and a gentle breeze makes it spread at an alarmingly fast pace. What is feared most is that a high wind will rise and then the chances of getting the flames un der control will be more or less hopeless unless a heavy rain falls, and that seems rather un likely. The fire is said to have started several weeks ago from an un known origin in the Long Hope and Peak mountain section near the Tennessee line. Apparently no one paid much attention to it for some time. When the snow fell, it was thought that the flames would be extinguished, but evidently they were not. During the past few days the fire has spread fast and has cov ered the Ben Bowlin section and the Three Top mountains on eith er side, extending for a distance of nearly 15 miles and varying in width from one to perhaps four or five miles, according to hur riedly conceived surveys. It is believed by many who (Continued on Page Eight) ?1 JK A TRULY LEARNED HAN mo, IN H/$ OPINION:, KNOWS TH' LEAST AN' HE'LL TELL YA ITS WSSELF-j
The Skyland Post (West Jefferson, N.C.)
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Nov. 16, 1939, edition 1
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