North Carolina Newspapers

Full Coverage The Press assures its" Advertisers of complete coverage of Macon Co. Established 1885 The Oldest North Car olina Newspaper West of Buncombe County. PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL INDEPENDENT VOL. LV, NO. 16 f FRANKLIN, N. C. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1940 $1.50 PER YEAR - , ' ' I Williams Sentenced To Life Imprisonment Late Tuesday Criminal Court Adjourns Wed.; Civil Court Opens April 22 Tom Williams, 29-year-old farm er of the Betty's Creek section near the Georgia, line, was.' sen tenced to life imprisonment by Judge J. A. Kousscau in superior court here late Tuesday afternoon after he entered a plea of guilty of being an accessory before the fact of murder in the first degree. Earlier in the day, the grand 'jury returned a true bill charging him with the . first degree murder of Edna Hodgins, 18, at his home last Christmas eve. Judge. Rousseau appointed Thad D. Bryson, Jr., and Guy L. Houk, Franklin attorneys, to represent the defendant, who had retained no counsel. Upon ar raignment, the prisoner pleaded not guilty, but after lengthy confer ences with 'his attorneys, he later tendered the plea of guilty of be ing an accessory. The plea was ac cepted by District Solicitor John M. Queen. No witnesses were heard. Wounded In Abdomen Williams, a married man with five children, is said to have be come angered while several men were visiting his home last Christ mas eve. He' threatened his 18 months old baby, and Miss Hod- gins, who was engaged to assist Mrs. Williams with the housework, I became alarmed. She grabbed the baby in her arms and rushed out- doors. Williams followed, catching up with her near the barrt. He fired, th bullet striking her in the abdomen. Miss Hodgins died in Angel hospital here on Decemb- 26. : . - , Williams was arrested and lodg ed in the county jail from which he escaped on January 17, remain ing at liberty until April 5 when he was arrested by FBI agents in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was re turned to the county jail here on April 8. Member Of Grand Jury, : Macdn 'su&fiSluip&eSlarp&&ry - of the. N.- C E. A., Ral the term on Monday morning. The , sK will speak on the subject, following are serving on the grand "An Adjusted School Program for jury: Meeting Present Day Needs of ir d r... t r- ti:j- w:n Children.'' vv. iv. x uius, j. v. JiiBUUii, viu Talley, T. C. Vinson, E. C Shook, r n:ii,v'T V.ii-. w i . McCall, Joe .Tallent, Ed Henson, w t VL... t r V.:k w i Lakey, E. B. Beck, N. J. Hylton, John Early, George ' Peek, and Vance Vanhook. Cases disposed of include: Arthur Kisland, fined $50 and driver's license suspended for one . year, for driving while under the influence of liquor. :A ' Lyle Bradley, of Etna, fined $50 and license suspended for one year, for driving while under '."'the.- in fluence of liquor. Allay Peek, fined $50 and costs and license suspended for one year, for driving while under the in fluence of. liquor. Henry Henson, of Haywood county, sentenced to serve four months on the road for possessing whiskey. Dave Mason, fined $10 for carry ing a concealed weapon. Clint May, fined $25 and costs for an affray. Bob Hawks, fined $50 and casts for driving while under the in fluence of liquor. Elmer Johnson given four months on road or suspended sentence on payment of $50 fine and costs and 10 days in jail; also pay Horace C Hurst $90 damage to car. W. J. Talley larceny of car, sen tenced to state prison for not less than four years, nor more than eight year Bud Leatherwood and Howard Gibson were given 90 days on road for larceny of chickens. ' Twelve months suspended road sentence on four years good behavior. Monroe Bingham, two years road sentence, suspended on payment - of $4 each week to the support of his family. N. A. Johnson tried for running disorderly house; dismissed by motion of defendant. Joe. Webb, Morris Jenkins, Ray Prince, Dorsey Lee and Robert McKinncy, assault with deadly weapon on N. A. Johnson. Robert McKinney found guilty of simple assault, 30 days on road Or sus pended sentence on $50 fine and costs.' Other four not guilty. Odell Hall (colored) assault on Ella Mae Hall, six- months road sentence; suspended sentence, or $25 at this term of court and $25 next term, this to be applied on hospital bill. All criminal cases were tried or continued and court closed on Wednesday afternoon. The civil docket will be taken up Monday morning; April 22. . ' Zebulon Weaver Sends Message to Macon County Citizens Congressman Zebulon Wea'ver passed through Franklin on his wajnoM urphy last- Fridayy-stop- ping for a few minutes at the post office. He left the following mes sage : Editor The Franklin Press: In passing through Franklin on my way to Murphy last Friday my stay was of necessity too brief to greet the many friends I wish ed to see. J will appreciate your giving them a message that 1 am looking forward to being in Frank lin in the: near future to spend several days. At this time I hope to get in touch with as many as possible of, the citizens of Macon county. . 1 " Zebulon Weaver Banquet Given By Teachers Of Macon County The banquet to De given by the Macon county chapter of the North Carolina Educational Association, on next Saturday evening at 7:30 o'clock, at the Franklin high school .auditorium, will.be atteended by more than 200 teachers and guests, This social event is sponsored by the Public Relations committee of the N. C. E. A. in Macon county, and the teachers of the county are hostesses. Airs. Helen Macon, president of the county N. C. E. A., will preside as toast mistress. A welcome will be given by G. L. Houk, county superintendent. W. L. Lathan, isuperintendent of Swain county schools and district presi- dent of N. C . A., will speak on "Our Legislative Program." Mrs. Ruth , ,Vick Eyerett field Music during the evening will be played by Mrs. Fisher on the violin an M, V!r,n" ",tchcock- P,ana The Franklin P.-T. A. will serve the d,nnil: TZM.. TOreSterS From Every Part of U. S. Visit Coweeta Station A group of 17 foresters and hy draulic engineers are meeting at the Coweeta Experimental Forest near Otto this week to discuss and outline a program of experiments to be carried on at the Experi mental Forest. These men have come from all parts of the coun try representatives from Cali fornia, the Rocky Mountain Sec tion, New Orleans, New England, Lake States, and Washington, . D. C, being present. The program calls for an inspec tion, of timber sales on the Nanta hala Forest, a check of the experi ments being carried on at Otto, and a trip to the Copper . Basin, Tennessee, to view the behavior of water run-off caused by the total removal of all vegetation- from a large area.. The meeting is under the direc tion of Dr. R. E. McArdle, direc tor of the Appalachian Forest Ex periment station, Asheville. The discussions are being led' by Dr. C. R. Hursh, also of the Appalach ian station. Those in . attendance from various sections of the coun try are: M. B. Arthur, chief engineer's office; E. N. Munns, R. A. Hetzler, both of the division of forest in fluences; G. R. Salmon d, division of watershed management, all of U. S. Forest Service, Washington, D. C; C L. Forshing, assistant chief -of forest service in charge of forest researchWashington, D. C; C H. Kraebel, California For est Extension Station, Berkeley, Calif.; H. L. Shirley, director Al legheny Forest Experiment Sta tion, Philadelphia; A. R. Croft, Inter-mountain Forest Experiment Station, Ogden, Utah ; H. G. Wilm, Rocky Mountain Forest Experi ment Station, Fort Collins, Colo.; R. E. Pidgeon, regional engineer, Forest Service, Atlanta; H. G. Meginnii, Southern Forest Exper iment Station, New Orleans; N. E. Hawes, Southern Forest Experi ment Station, stationed at Mena, Ark. The following were from the Appalachian Experiment Service: Messrs. McArdle, C R. Hursh, C D. Marshall, J. M. Rosa, M. D. Hoover. MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION Clean Up Paint Up Fix Up Plant Up TO ALL CITIZENS OF FRANKLIN: Whereas, the National Clean-Up, Paint-Up and Fix-Up Cam-. .paigns have resulted in many advantages to community life throughout the United States, . In safeguarding health and safety; '.''.-, Jn promoting employment and thrift; '.'".' In furthering fire prevention; In promoting better housing; J ..!'. - In .'stimulating civic pride; and ' In making the home and city beautiful. NOW, THEREFORE, be it known that plans have been made for a thorough Clean-Up, Paint-Up and Fix-Up Campaign in Franklin, beginning April 22. This date to mark the opening of, a real campaign of persistent effort in cleaning up, fixing up. and KEEPING IT UP. In thU worthy movement of cleaning, painting, planting, Repairing and general rehabilitation and .beautification we urge each citizen to do his or her best part to make our community clean, healthy, thrifty, safe, and beau tiful. i J. FRANK RAY, Mayor. The spirit of the Campaign is expressed in this story : In a tenement district lived a family surrounded by filth and dirt.. The whole atmosphere of the little room which they called "home" was one of hopeless depression and squalor. To prove the power of suggestion, a good woman placed on the table a miniature statue of the Venus of Milo. Against this grimy back ground of dirt and wretchedness, the Venus shone out in all her whiteness and purity, elevating' and brightening her strange surroundings. The good woman called a week later and found that the place had been cleaned up, the .dirt had been washed away and a pathetic but sincere attempt at decoration had been made the subtle influence was effective. 7 , ...If the homes in a neighborhood become weatherbeaten and shabby, values . in the whole neighborhood deteriorate. But if some house owner ' cleans up, repairs, fixes up, paints and beautifies his home, it radiates its attractiveness' in every direc tion. Others follow the good example and soon the whole neigh borhood is made bright and attractive. GONE WITH WIND UNIQUE PICTURE Author Aided By Friends Who Went To Hollywood . Margaret Mitchell, who wrote "Gone with the Wind,'' is perhaps the only author whose friends and neigT?Dors traveled to" Hollywood to help turn a book into a picture. Wilbur G. Kurtz, artist and his torian, and his wife, Annie Laurie Fuller Kurtz, of Atlanta, Ga., con ducted the research, for the David Selznick International Technicolor film, which will be shown May 1, 2, 3, and 4 at the Macon Theatre, after three years of preparation. The Kurtz family and Margaret Mitchell are Atlanta neighbors, their families having been friends since the War. days. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz served as technical aides throughout the pro duction, assembling photographs and records of the pre-war South in his studio where Margaret Mitchell was a frequent visitor. The Kurtzes were summoned- to Hollywood oh Thanksgiving Day, 1938. With his dual . equipment as historian and artist, he not only provided factual material for the picture but made water color sketches to aid the technicians. An citstanding example was the train shed reproduced by Mr. Kurtz from plans of the original building in Atlanta and many oth er authentic replicas of places and buildings from faded records, prints and (sketches of the old South that this artist had in his files. One ex ample was the reproduction of a cotton press, built as a working apparatus, complete to the squeaks. The whole panarama of buildings destroyed in this greatest of screen fires were built from a painting of Atlanta by Kurtz taken from historical data. Mr. Gailey states that reserved seats should be secured as early as possible, and suggests that "you come in now and make your selec tion while choice seats, are still to be had. Tickets and reservations are on sale in the lobby" of the theatre. Jail Break Two Escaped Prisoners Still At Large Jess .Williams and Howard Gib son escaped from the Macon coun ty jail . here ,some time Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Sheriff A. B. Slagle said Wednes day. The escapes were discovered at 7 o'clock Wednesday morning. The two men were in a cell on the second floor. Williams was awaiting trial on an affray charge. Gibson was sentenced" Tuesday to serve 90 days on a larceny count. He had also been given a 12 months road sentence that was sus pended on condition of good be havior. The men were still at large to day (Thursday), LA. MARTIN IN FRANKLIN Seeks Nomination For Lieutenant-Governor In Primary ". L. A. Martin of . Lexington, Dethocratic candidate for lieutenant-governor, spent Saturday night and Sunday at Kelly's Tea Room. He visited Franklin in the interest of his campaign, conferring with a number of citizens while here. Mr. Martin's record in all that concerns his . community and state is well known throughout the state. As a state senator for four ses sions and representative in the lower house for one session he has stood for those principles that he has stated ' in his campaign an nouncement. These include advo cacy of a state referendum of the liquor question, declaring his pur pose, if nominated and elected, to use his influence to drive liquor and its attendant evils from the borders of the state. Jh the matter of state economy Mr. Martin states, "It is my firm conviction that every department of our government should be held to strict accountability in economy, and Xhat we should eliminate all waste and extravagance wherever found, and that all money thus saved should be reflected in our budget and used in lowering the tax burden wherever practicable." He favors legislation for a re tirement plan for teachers and al lotment of teachers on a basis of enrollment; with .salaries based on training and service. Mr. Martin was born in Leaks ville, and has practised law in Lex ington for 30 years, has served as municipal judge and city commis sioner, and for many years has been chairman of the school board in Lexington. He has been one of the recognized leaders of the dry forces in the state and a civic lead er in his: home city. E. E. Witherspoon, editor of the Lexington Dispatch, is Mr. Mart in's state campaign manager. P. F. Callahan Resigns As Managing Editor of Press P. F. Callahan, for six years con nected with The Franklin Press, has resigned to purchase a print ing business' in another community. With many years of varied ex perience as printer and editor, Mr. Callahan brought well trained abili ties to his work, For the last three years, since the removal of Blackburn W. Johnson to the po sition of editor of the Fanners Federation News in Asheville, he has been managing editor of this newspaper, Mr. Callahan will announce his future plarw when business arrange ments have fceen completed. He and Mrs. Callahan will remain in Franklin for a short time before 1 having for their new borne. Complete List Of Candidates For Macon County Offices For Chairman CUS LEACH Who Announces for . Chairman of Board of Commissioners Gus Leach For Chairman Of Board Of Commissioners The name of Gus Leach has been added to the political announce ments on another page as a candi date for chairman of the board of county commissioners. For thirty years a successful merchant and business man, Gus Leach is well known in the county wiiere ne nas uvea ail his lite. Wis quality of citizenship is the best. He has served before on the board of county commissioners' and also on the county board of education. "Now that I have retired from ac tive business as a merchant, I have time to devote to this service to my county," Mr. Leach states. Poindexter Funeral Thursday Morning Funeral services for Albert Lee (Bud) Poindexter. 77. were held on Thursday morning at 11 o'clock at the Iotla Methodist church. The Rev. R. F. Mavberrv. oastor of the Iotla Baptist church, was in charge of the services. Interment was in the church cemeterv; The nail- bearers were, Horace Morgan, Lee Ledtord, Verlin Poindexter,- Grady Wilkes. Harvev Poindexter. and Hershel Ledford. Mr. Poindexter was a farmer and a member of the Iotla Methodist church. He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Wilkes, after whose death he married Miss Lula Solesbee. Mr. Poindexter died at his home in the Iotla community earlv Wed nesday morning. He had been in ill health for the past eight months. Surviving are the widow and eight children, five by the first marriage. They are James A. Poin dexter, Franklin Route 3; C. Craw ford Poindexter, of Canton; Ellis Poindexter, Mrs. Fred Ledford and Mrs. Mark Bryant, of Franklin Route 3. The children by the last marriage are Woodrow Poindexter, Wiley Poindexter and Mrs. Mary P. Willis. There are a large num ber of grandchildren. T": I ii wrnMMiiiiiijiiMiii.jii.. M As The World Turns A Brief Survey of Current Events In State, Nation and Abroad. ' . NOTES ON THE EUROPEAN WAR Alarming reports are coming out of Europe of the Nazi threat on small countries not yet attacked. A pall of fear hangs over the neu trals. The swift occupation by Germany of Denmark and sections of Nor way show the extent of danger from the Nazi "Trojan horse." The swarms of German "tourists' in all neutral' countries are being arrest ed and closely watched, as it is realized that Nazi secret agents infest every neutral country. Turkey is expelling all Germans. Belgian troops are rushing forti fications. Reports from Stockholm are that German forces in huge transport planes are pushing north ward to meet British forces. This is in the region where the Germans have cut Norway in two are are meeting strong Norwegian resis tance. The navies of both sides, have lost heavily during the sea fight ing of the past week with vic tories claimed and losses denied on both sides. Many File Before Dead Line Saturday ; Total Of 24 Candidates The total number of candidates-filing- in Macon county for county offices before the' dead . line last Saturday was 24, as reported by K.S. Jones, chairman of the board of elections. For Representative Dr. W. A. Rogers, of Franklin, . for 34 year chairman of the coun- ' ty Democratic executive ..committee,, who has served as representative six times, announced several weeks ago.. A; L.- McLean of West's Mill, announced his candidacy ' in last week's Franklin Press. Robert A. 1'atton has also filed las candidate for representative. John E. Rick man has filed as candidate for' re p resentative on the Republican ticket. For County Commissioners Announcing for. chairman of county commissioners subject to : the Democratic primary are J. C. Sorrells of West's .Mill ; Ed Byrd . of Stiles; Gus Leach of Franklin; Frank I. Murray of Franklin. F. E. Hastings Franklin Route 2, has filed subject to the Republican primary. . Those filing for commissioner on the Democratic ticket are Fred: W. Palmer, Franklin ; Fred Conley, . Franklin Route 1; Jerry Franklin, Franklin Route 4; C. A. Bryson, West's Mill ; C. L. Blaine, Frank lin Route 2. i W. H. Green of Franklin and Frank Burnette of Etna have filed on the Republican ticket. For Senator E. B. Whitaker, of Bryson City, has filed as" candidate for Senator on the Democratic ticket. John H. Green, of Clay county, has filed, seeking nomination for Senator, subject to the Republican primary. For Board Of Education J. E. Cabe, Roy Phillips, Frank Browning, C. G. Moore, E. E. Crawford and James L. Hauser, all Democrats, have filed for member ship; on the board of education. Five are to be elected. For County Surveyor John H. Dalton, Democrat, of West's Mill, who has been county surveyor since 1906, is unopposed for this 'office. . H For Constable Derald Ashe, Democrat, of Frank lin,- has filed for constable of Franklin township, , Asheville And Franklin Team Play Sunday, The second ball game of the season will be played on the local field here on Sunday afternoon between Asheville All-Stars and the . Franklin team. The game, which is a -double-header, is scheduled . to begin at 2 o'clock. Pitchers will be Leo Manley for Asheville and Frank Higdon for Franklin. The game with Holly Springs Sunday was 10 to 2 in favor of Franklin. Capt. and Mrs. E. L. Veasy will spend the week-end with relatives in Durham. The British navy won a sea vic tory Saturday, when more than 1000 Nazi seamen were (rilled. Brit ish troops have not been landed in Norway in sufficient numbers to affect the German occupation of Oslo. The British have laid great mine fields in the Skagerrak and Katte gat. A correspondent of the A. P. on the scene reports today that Nazi invaders have been driven out of Narvik by the Allies and that British marines, fighting alongside Norwegians have occupied Narvik and that the Germans are retreat ing to the south. Maneuvers- of the Russian navy in the Black Sea, the Italian navy in the Adriatic and the Turkish navy in Marmora portend that something is about to happen soon, but when, where and what gives increasing jitters to the Balkans. Greece fears an Italian invasion and Britian declares "We should like to know where we stand with (Continued on Pag a Eight) i . . V