GREETINGS to the
fT 1945
ijllßjMik GRADS
In
ASHE
VOLUME 15, NO. 20
159 Graduating From Ashe County High Schools
Report $141,000.
On 7th War Loan
In Ashe County
Much More Needed If Quota
Os $235,000.00 Is Reached
In Drive
Unofficial returns from sourc
es of sales late yesterday after
noon revealed that Ashe county
has a total of slightly more than
$141,000.00 toward the quota of
$235,000.00, assigned the county
for the Seventh War Loan.
L. B. Tyson, county chairman,
pointed out that some of the
townships were doing excellent
work and urged the others to (jo
all possible and to send in their
reports. A special pep meeting
and dinner for township workers
has been planned early next
month.
Late yesterday afternoon the
West Jefferson post office report
ed sales of over $79,000, and the
Northwestern Bank, Jefferson,
sales in excess of $59,000.00. Lan
sing had previously reported $7,-
987.50; Todd Post Office, sl,-
481.25; Jefferson Post Office,
$412.50; Crumpler, $175.00.
Local Boy Scouts
Attend Camporee
Bernard Graybeal’s And Billy
Colvard’s Patrols Win
Blue Awards
Two patrols from the West
Jefferson Boy Scout Troop 37,
attended the Counselor’s Camp
oree, which was held last Sat
urday and Sunday at Bluff Park.
These patrols recently won the
blue pennant at the-district camp
oree, thus enabling them to quali
fy for the camporee last week
end. ’’’he “Eagle Patrol” and the
“Flying Eagle” Patrol were the
two honored groups from 'Ashe
county. Bernard Graybeal, Jr., is
patrol leader of one of the patrols
and Billy Colvard is patrol lead
er of the other.
Near’v 400 Boy Scouts from
many counties were participants
in the camporee at Bluff Park.
It is reported that both Ashe
county patrols won the blue
award on this camporee, also.
“This is indeed an honor and
Ashe county is proud to boast
of these two fine patrols. With
such fine leadership and spirit,
it makes, camping a pleasure,”
Jim Story, chairman of the camp
ing committee, stated.
The Boy Scouts who attended
were: Billy Colvard, patrol lead
er; Tommy Diggs, Wayne Sells,
Robert Glenn Long, Frank Wy
rick; B. B. Graybeal, Jr., patrol
leader; William Austin, Jackie
Neal, Dean McMillan, Joe Cor
nette. Bob Cornette, Howard Mc-
Neill, Jimmy Miller and Earl
Graybeal, Jr.
Many visitors from West Jef
ferson visited the camporee on
Saturday and Sunday.
Rationing Guide
MEATS AND FATS
Book Four red stamps Y 5
and Z 5 and A2 through D 2
through June 2; E2 through J 2
good through June 30; K 2
through P 2 good through July
31; Q 2 through U 2 good
through Aug. 31.
PROCESSED FOODS
Book Four blue stamps H 2
through M 2 good through
June 2; N 2 through S 2 good
through June 30; T 2 through
X 2 good through July 31; Y 2
and Z 2 and Al through Cl
good through Aug. 31.
SUGAR
Book Four stamps 35 good
for five pounds through June
2. Stamp 36 good for five
pounds through Aug. 31. Next
stamp valid Sept. 1.
SHOES
Book Three airplane stamps
1, 2 and 3 good indefinitely.
OPA says no plans to cancel
any. Next stamp valid Aug. 1.
GASOLINE
15-A coupons for four gal
lons through June 21, B-6, B-7,
C-6 and C-7 coupons good for
five gallons.
Bpß fost
$2.00 a Year in Ashe County
Americans Crack Jap
Defense On Southern
Okinawa This Week
l
KILLED IN ACTION
f \ 11
■Efr...
Sgt. Cecil W. Richardson,
son of Mr. and Mrs. John T.
Richardson, of Grayson, was
killed in action in Germany
when his company made an
attack on Kelsterback on
March 29. He entered service
February 21, 1944.
Making Effort
To Kill Blister
Damaging Pines
U. S. Department Os .Agricul
ture Cooperating With
Extension In Fight
R. H. Crouse, county farm
agent, reports that the eradica
tion of wild gooseberry bushes in
Ashe county was begun this week
to prevent the spread of white
nine blister rust to white pjnes.
The work is being done coopera
tively by the North Carolina and
U. S. Departments of Agricul
ture.
Roy H. Crouse, county agent,
pointed out that the blister rust
disease is of foreign origin which
completes part of its life cycle
on white pines, which it kills, and
the rest of currant and goose
berry bushes. “The rust cannot
(Continued on Page 4)
Sgt. Vance James
Is War Casualty
According to information re
ceived here yesterday, S.-Sgt.
Vance James, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Sam James, of Amy, was killed
in action in Germany on April 28.
Sgt. James had been overseas
an on active duty for sometime.
He has a brother, T.-Sgt. Frank
James in service, who is stationed
in Utah.
Brothers Released From Nazi Prison
I
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Cpl. Wade Williams, (left), and Sgt. Joe Williams, (right),
sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Williams, of West Jefferson, have,
been liberated from prison camps in Germany, and are now
on their way home, according to letters received from them
this week. Wade was captured on February 17, 1943, and
Joe was captured on February 27, this year. Both of them
attended West Jefferson high school
WEST JEFFERSON, N. C,
Mindanao Town And Airfield
Are Captured By U. S.
Forces
Veteran infantrymen of the
seventh division speared into
Yonabaru, eastern anchor of the
stiff Japanese line across South
ern Okinawa, in a surprise pre
dawn assault Tuesday and threw
an encircling arm around the
rubbled city.
Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Ar
nold’s crack seventh, back in ac
tion after a two weeks rest, made
its quick thrust against light op
position, in bad weather and
thick mud. Tank support was im
possible.
The infantrymen who swept
around Yonabaru reached heights
overlooking the towns of Rioi and
Itarashiku, about 1,000 yards
south of Yonabaru. They were in
the northern end of a long ridge
line which dominates the com
(Continued on Page 4)
Special Service
For Pfc. Deßord
Will Be Held Sunday After
noon At Riverview Bap
tist Church
A memorial service will be
conducted at the New River Bap
tist church on Sunday afternoon
at three o’clock by the Rev. W.
H. Caldwell, for Pfc. Franklin
Ma Utoll Deßoyd, 23, who died'
on Nt-vembpr 3, 1944, from
wounds received in _ action the.
previous day. He was buried in
Holland.
Pfc. Deßord was the son of Mr.
W. S. Deßord, of Rocks, Md. He
entered the service in November,
1942, and received training in
Texas and New Jersey, going
overseas in August, 1944.
Members of the Ashe Post of
the American Legion are expect
ed to attend in a body and take
part in the service.
Survivors include his father;
three sisters, Mrs. Vella Mahaf
fey, North Wilkesboro; Misses
Wilma and Barbara Deßord, of
Rocks, Md; three brothers, Sgt.
John Deßord, Camp Croft, S. C.;
Pfc. Avery Deßord, Hawaiian Is
lands and Pfc. Winfield Deßord,
Jr., recently liberated from a
German prison camp. Another
brother, Pvt. Neal Deßord, was
killed in action sexteen days later,
on November 19.
DAPHNE ELLER WILL
FINISH AT MARS HILL
Mars Hill (Special)—Miss Da
phne Eller, Lansing, is among the
191 students to be graduated from
Mars Hill. college at the eighty
ninth commencement exercises
to be held Friday, May 25.
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1945
Drive Planned
To Exterminate
Rats Next Week
District Sanitarian Wade El
ler Is Working With Town
Officials
Wade E. Eller, district sani
tarian of Ashe, Alleghany and
Watauga counties, announced
this week that plans were being
completed for the campaign to
exterminate rats in West Jeffer
son, next week.
Mr Eller has worked out plans
with the town officials and bait
for the rats will be put out next
week. It is understood that this,
while fatal to the rodents, will
not hurt cats, dogs or chickens.
In order to encourage the rats
to eat the bait, the public is ask
ed not to leave any other food or
garbage out within the reach of
rats. It was pointed out that the
(Continued on Page Four)
American Ideals
And Principles
Cited By Greer
*
Re-dedication And Memorial
Service On Sunday Was
Sponsored By Legion
The freedoms of America, as
well as the responsibilities, were
cited by Dr. I. G. Greer, here on
Sunday afternoon before a large
audience when a re-dedication
and memorial service was spon
sored by the Ashe County Post
171, American Legion.
Dr. Greer stressed the impor
tance of bridging the “low gaps”
in America as well as the world.
He pointed out the important
'of church
i‘he value theSM
as some
future.
He heartily endorsed the I
dent’s appeal that “We contl ’ie
(Continued on Four)
Long Home After
Many Missions
Pfc. Harold W. Long Is Home
After 105 Missions In The
Pacific Area
Marine Private First Class
Harold W. Long, 20, son of Dr.
and Mrs. L. L. Long, of West Jef
ferson, has returned here from
the Pacific for furlough.
A gunner with a Second and
Fourth Marine Air Wing torpedo
bomber squadron, he was based
on Iwo Jima, and in the New
Hebrides. He underwent bomb
ings and strafings, but escaped
injury.
Long completed 105 missions
and logged 500 flying hours. His
squadron patrolled vital sea lanes
in the Marianas and the Bonins.
Previously, they struck at Bou
gainville and Rebaul in the South
Pacific.
He was graduated in 1941 from
West Jefferson High School and
later attended the University of
North Carolina. He was pro
moted to his present rank in Au
gust, 1943.
Cast For W. J. Play
Is Announced
Plans are now being perfected
for the presentation of the senior
play, “Pigtails,” to be given
at the West Jefferson High School
on Wednesday evening, May 30,
at 8:30 o’clock.
The following cast is announced
for this popular four-act comedy:
Doris McMillan, Pigtails; J. D.
Jones, Kenyon Campbell; Edna
Mae Pope, Primrose White; Bet
ty Cornette, Florabelle Campbell;
June Gentry, Anabelle Campbell;
Evelyn Bare, Mrs. Sydney Camp
bell; Lillie Mae Hall, Brenda
Baynes; Evelyn Dare Vannoy,
Norma Kirk; Wayne Johnson, Mr.
Sydney Campbell.; Zane Blevins,
Watt Mavners; G. C. Greene,
Thurlow Ladd; and Virginia Tay
lor, Ursula James.
The play is being directed by
Mrs. James Barlow. A small ad
mission charge will be made. The
public is cordially invited to at
tend
Victory Rockets Are Sent To Tokyo
Flame-tipped rockets etch black lines of smoke against
the sky as they streak toward Jap installations, fired from
navy LSMRS. The missiles will contribute a large share in
the final drive against the mainland of Japan, as well as ad
joining islands.
Superior Court Opens
Monday; Major Suits
Placed On Calendar
County Is Given
Allotment Os 172
School Teachers
This Number For 1945-46
Based On At*
IB* tendance Is Tentative
z, A. B. Hurt, superintendent of
schools, announced yesterday
that the State Department of Ed
ucation had alloted a total of 172
teachers to the county for the
1945-46 school term.
It was pointed out, however,
that this number, based on at
tendance records, is tentative and
might be increased after schools
open, provided that the enroll
ment justifies it.
The allotment of districts is as
follows: Jefferson, 22; West Jef
ferson, 22; Riverview, 24; Elk
'(Continued on Page Four)
Miss Barr Has
, Work Exhibited
Miss Nena Bell Barr, daughter
of Capt. and Mrs. Basil D. Barr,
is among the students at the
Woman’s College, who are ex
hibiting work at Weatherspoon
Art Gallery during commence
ment. Miss Barr has an exhibit
in photography.
Many fields of art, including
sculpture, metal work, textile de
sign, commercial design, interior
design, drawing, prints, litho
praphs, watercolor oil, costume
design, photography and design
are covers to heighten appeal of
the exhibition.
Older Men In Useful Jobs
Are To Be Given Deferment
In a telegram to all state di
rectors of selective service and
passed on to local draft boards,
the director of selective service
states: “All cases of registrants in
the age group 30 through 37 are
to be reviewed who are now in
1-A, 1-A-O or IV-E, and if a
registrant is merely regularly
engaged in an activity in support
of the national health, safety or
interest, or an activity in war
production, or in an agricultural
occupation or endeavor essential
to the war effort, the local draft
boards shall reopen the cases of
such registrants and classify
them anew. The term ‘regular
ly engaged in’ as applied to reg
istrants 30 through 37 will be
liberally applied, and particular
consideration will be given to
fathers.”
Ashe county registrants should
note that this liberal application
of selective service regulations
$2.50 a Year Out of County
Mrs. Ina Powers Is Asking For
$25,000.00 In The Death
Os Her Husband
Two major damage suits as well
as a number of other cases, are on
the calendar of the May-June
term of court, whj h opens here
on Monday with ‘ Judge Felix
Alley presiding.
Mrs. Ina Powers is asking the
court to award her $25,000. dam
age in the death of her husbana,
Elza Powers, who was killed on
the Norfolk and Western Railway
tracks, between Lansing and
Tuckerdale, September 24, 1938.
This case has been before the
court before.
Mrs. Dora Wyrick is asking the
court to award her +he amount
of $25,000.00 from N. B. Smithey,
for alledged damages sustained
when she fell in the store in West
Jefferson.
In addition to the civil cas°s. a
number of divorces are expected
to be granted.
(Continued on Page 4)
Jack Johnson
Gets Purple Heart
The Purple Heart decoration
has been awarded posthumously
to Pfc. Charles R. (Jack) John
son, who died of wounds received
in action on Iwo Jima in the Pa
cific on February 19. He was a
member of the U. S. Marine
Corps and had been overseas for
almost a year.
The award, along with the
Presidential Citation, was sent to
his mother, Mrs. Nettie Johnson.
A brother, Lt. Joseph S. Johnson,
is also in service, stationed some
where in the Pacific.
will not apply to delinquents,
farm jumpers or registrants who
leave a job for which they are
deferred before seeking a de
termination from their local
draft board, Mrs. Yelanjian, chief
clerk to the local board, explain
ed. ,
This liberalized policy, effec
tive at once, results from the
narrowing of the war to one
front, Draft Director Lewis B.
Hershey announced at a news
conference.
He disclosed that the draft call
will be cut about 25 per cent to
90,000 men a month beginning in
July.
But Hershey predicted at the
same time that as a result of the
new leniency for older men, it
will be necessary to call an in
creasing number of occupation
ally deferred registrants 18
through 29.
EDUCATION
Annual Ashe County High
School Graduation
published in cooperation witit
the schools to promote education.
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY
Most Os Finals
Will Open Next
Week, Some Later
A Number Os Prominent
Speakers Will Address
Graduating Classes
This year 159 seniors, 48 boys
and 111 girls being awarded,
odiplomas from the nine high,
schools of Ashe county at the
commencement exercies, sever-,
al of which will be held the latter
part of next week; while some
will be a little later.
Several outstanding speakers
have been secured, many of whom
are local people and other special
programs have been planned in*
eluding plays and other features
of entertainment.
Commencement at Jefferson
will open on Sunday evening May
27 at 8:30 P. M. when the bao»
calaureate sermon will be preach-,
ed by the Rev. W. T. Whittington.
The finals will be concluded with
the graduating exercises on Fri.
day night, June 1, with class
night and the address.
Some changes have been made
in the final plans for Nathan’s
Creek. The senior class play,
“Gabriel Blow Your Horn”, will
be presented on Saturday even,
ing, May 26 in the high school
auditorium. Rev. Worth Sweet
will deliver the baccalaureate
sermon on Sunday morning, May
27, at 11:00 o’clock, The com
mencement will be concluded on
Friday night, June 1, when Rev»
John S. Jordan will deliver the
literary address to the graduat
ing class.
Finals at West Jefferson will
(Continued on Page 4)
Poppies Are To
Be Sold Saturday
Sponsored By American Le
gion Auxiliary; Mrs. Bad
ger Is Chairman
Veterans of World War I and
World War II are expected to be
among the first to buy a poppy
on Poppy Day, next Saturday,
according to Mrs. Guy Badger,
of the American Legion Auxili
ary, who is in charge of the sale
of these memorial flowers.
“Today as in 1917 and 1918 our
men are again fighting overseas,
giving their lives that we may
be safe. These boys are our rel
atives, our neighbors, our friends.
It is grievous to us that they
must suffer, and who better ap
preciates the amount of suffer
ing they endure than the veter
ans of this war and the last?
“Those on the home front wish
to show that they remember and
revere those who died in both
wars, and to do this, they wear
the poppy. This little red flow
er expresses feelings that are too
deep to put into words. It is one
way of telling the heroic dead
that we will all do our best to
‘keep up the good fight.’
“The women of the American
Legion Auxiliary will be on the
streets all day Saturday offering
the poppies made by disabled
veterans to the public. lam sure
that veterans and civilians alike
will be eager to wear the little
red symbol of sacrifice,” Mrs.
Badger said.
SPECIAL GIFT BONDS
FOR 1945 GRADUATES
Ashe county people are urg
ed to make their major gifts to
high school ( graduates this
year, war bonds.
Educational leaders pointed
out that aside from the value
of the gift itself, the graduates
would have the satisfaction of
knowing that they had become
an investor in this country’s
fight for human liberty and a
contributor in the world strug
gle to make life free for all
men.
Parents or others giving
graduates bonds may secure a
special gift certificate by com
ing by the office of The Sky
land Post and giving the name
of the graduate and the donor.
There is no cost to these cer
tificates and they are suitable
for framing, it was pointed out.