r -m flRgS MAKE Wpl EVERY l PAYDAY BOND DAY MAKE EVERY PAY DAY BOND DAY JOIN tHE PAY-ROLL SAVINGS PLAN PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL INDEPENDENT VOL. LVII. NO. 17 FRANKLIN, N. C. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1942 $1.50 PER YEAR At Pearl Harbor All Stars Democrats and Republicans Nominate County Tickets i a js W. L. (Red) W ATKINS, Boat swains Mate and Captain of anti aircraft gun of battleship which fought at Pearl Harbor, is visiting his mother, Mrs. Myrtle Watkins. 'RED' WATKINS HERE ON VISIT Was On Active Duty As Gun Captain At Pearl Harbor There is at least one Macon county navy man who will "re member Pearl Harbor" because he was in the thick of the fighting, and one of the fortunate partici pants who came through unscratch ed save for damaged ear drums. He is W. L. (Red) Watkins. sod of Mrs. Myrtle Watkins of Frank lin, who has served in the Navy for four years, and now has the rank of Boatswain's Mate, and is captain of a gun crew. He is spending twenty day leave -with his family here. Tie m mum to San Francisco to active duty the end of this week. Red played on the foot ball team of 1937 at the Franklin high school Navy men do not disclose the names of their ships. This young man cited one instance why every care must be taken not to pass on any information that might be used by the enemy. A small local uaoer carried the news of the death in action at Pearl Harbor of a seaman and the name of his ship. It was one of a unit which was supposed to be in the Atlantic at that time. This knowledge was of direct benefit to the enemy. Questioned concerning the duties of a captain of an anti-aircraft gun on a war ship, "Red" stated that- one of his duties besides com manding the gun crew during an engagement, was to train naval re cruits. In this work he had 47 re cruits directly under his instruc tion and 153 indirectly, who were under petty officers, he explained. 'TThere are many fresh recruits onlyl? years old. In training them we try to impress upon them that developing responsibility and initia tive will help them to take care of themselves and so serve the navy and their country better," said the young navy man, who ha to recently passed through his bap tism of fire. "I was impressed with the behavior under fire of the new kids, whose service had been as short as six months; that day they became men," he added. Recruit Down Plane As an example of initiative dis played in action, he told this itory. "One of these recruit seamen shot down the first enemy plane of the war, without orders, using his initiative, before the ship ac tually got into action. He scored a direct hit and the plane came down in flames less than 100 yards from the ship. He was commended and given a medal; besides being promoted to a 3rd class gunner's mate. While Red suggested that he be asked questions, there were many which he answered with a smile and "I can't answer that." One's voice had to be raised somewhat in speaking to him, but he was re covering his hearing. Of bis own vessel he did say it was next to the Oklahoma when it went down; that his ship went out under her own steam in pursuit of the enemy. "Before it was over, I saw the Arizona literally blown to bits 3200 tons of her went sky high, TJ?LZzJL'TSJmJSZ M INC UCJl I ULUUII VI 11c I sitvun. ' system by the firu ban that struck. Sailors lined up and passed the ammunition up to the guns after the electric carriages were pat out bf commission, and they (CI ing a. t Open Season With Frank lin Hi Sunday The' Franklin All-Stars met this week and elected Ray Swanson manager 'and W. C. Newton as sistant manager of the team. Bob by Carpenter is treasurer. They announce that the first game of the season, will be played Sunday at 3 p. in. at the ball park. The game is free to all. Civil Court In Session The case of Kansas Stewart vs Gary, Soper, et al., involving min ing properties, has been on trial in civil court all week. Attorneys for the plaintiff are Messrs. Ed wards, Gray and Stockton, and for the defendants, Messrs. Phil lips, Bryson and Jones and Jones. Left: Pt. William P. Angel, son of Mrs. Carl Angel, is stationed at the Air Base, Albuquerque, N. M. Right: Robert Saunders, son of Mrs. W. M. SaTmders of Franklin, is an assistant road construction superintendent on duty in Panama. Louis Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Holland of Gneiss has been home recently on a short fur lough from Camp Blanding Fla. James Edward Jennings, of Cul lasaja, ,-wbd retired after 3flf years service has been recalled. He was at home last weekend and left for an army post in Savannah. William L. ElmoTe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Omer Elmore of Frank lin, has recently been promoted to the rank of corporal according to an announcement by the au thorities at the Air Corps Proving Grounds, Eglin Field, Fla., Cor poral Elmore has been in the army since July 23, 1941. Bobby Sanders, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Sanders of Rt. 4 en joyed a short furlough from Fort Jackson with his parents recently. Bobby has been serving in the army for about two years. John W. Corbin, son of Mrs. J. Corbin and the late Mr. Cor bin of Cullasaja was transferred not long ago from Parris Island to Boston where he is on Coast Pa trol duty with the Marine Corps. He enlisted last September. His mother who had not heard from him in three weeks received a letter the other day which read in part, "If I have to go to the war zone, don't worry; -and if I don't have to go to the war zone, why worry?" Mrs. Corbin has another son, Sam, who has served 16 years with the Marine Corps. He is now at Ft. McPherson Ga.. doing radio aeronautical work under C ivu.1 . . t a service. James H. Vinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. James I. Vinson of Ot to, is stationed at Camp Polk, La. He has been assigned to the Re connaissance Company, 32nd Arm ored Regiment. Robert Hawks of Aquone left for Asheville last Monday to en list in the army. Murphy Cannery Contracts Close May 10 Information has been received from the Cannery at Murphy by Sam Mendenhall that t there are any other farmers in Macon Coun ty who desire to contract tomato or bean acreage, they should do so by May 10th. Those who have already contracted bean acreage can secure their bean seed from the county agent's office after this closing date. It is possible that the person who has his bean acreage con tracted at a guaranteed price will be in better shape than the per son who is expecting to sell to truckers who are having trouble in securing tires. Prominent Preacher At - Mount Hope Sunday Rev. Henry Langford from Pied roont college. Demo re t, G., will preach, at church at Arl . Mount Hope Baptist 12 o clock, Saadsy, Men In The Service si . 1 fttiotn jRII fttn, Women onto Cftflbren JBp Q$ee teentt: THAT WHEREAS, the annual com munity Clean Up, Paint Up, Plant Up Campaign is being observed by the na tion next week; and WHEREAS, the campaign now be ing waged embraces the repairing of necessary dwellings, the painting and cleaning up of same, the cleaning and beautifying of public streets arid build ings and vacant lots ; the conserving of all commodities, and the planting of flower and vegetable gardens; NOW, THEREFORE, in this time of national emergency, I, John Harrison, Mayor of the Town of Franklin, do call upon all citizens to do all possible in carrying out the above program, and do proclaim the week beginning April 27, as Paint Up, Clean Up, Plant Up Week. John Harrison, Mayor. Directors Chosen By Chamber Of Commerce At Dinner Meeting An enthusiastic meeting of about 50 members of the Franklin cham ber of commerce met last Thurs day evening at Panorama Court to elect a board of directors for the coming season and to make plans for the summer activities. After a delicious dinner was en joyed, the meeting was presided .over by G. A. Jones, and R. S. Omohundro read the report of Secretary T. T. Love for 194 which had been printed in full last fall, showing twice as many tour ists secved and registered as for any previous season. The following directors were elected: Grant Zickgraf, Ben Mc- Glamery, G. A. Tones, A G. Gagle, Dr. J. L. Stokes, E. J. Whitmire, E. W. Long. Prospects for the coming sea son were fully discussed and many valuable suggestions made to im prove and enlarge the services of the chamber of commerce. It was the general opinion that this will be a good season in spite of war conditions, and that the commun ity would unite to make the stay of the guests enjoyable after they arrived. Altogether, this was an en couraging and peppy meeting. There were a lot of good speeches made and all agreed that the or ganization had made a good start. Mrs. Bateman Dies On Burningtown At 88, Has 113 Descendants Mrs. Matilda Elizabeth Jones Bateman, 88, died at her home in the Upper Burningtown section of Macon county about 1:30 i. a Saturday, April 18 following an illness of three months. She was the widow of John Bate man, Confederate veteran, who died 55 years ago, and the daughter of the late Riley and Sarah Holdcn Jones. Mrs. Bateman was born in Clay county and moved to the Burningtown community about 20 years ago. She was a member of Oakdalc Baptist church. Funeral services were held at Briartown Baptist church Sunday, April 19 at 3 p. m. with the "Rev. H. D. Denny officiating, assisted by the Rev. Philip Passmore. In terment will be in the church cem etery. Pallbearers were Gos Cope, Oscar Bateman, Ell Cope, George Bate man, Blaine and Eugene Cope. Mrs. Bateman is survived by 113 descendants. They are three chil dren, Mrs. Edith Cope and Char les L. Bateman of Franklin Route 3; and Alex Bateman of Route 2; two staters. Mrs. Jane May of Flats and Mrs. Nancy Lunsford of Clay county; two brothers, Dick ami Jack Jones of Clay county; 22 grandchildren, 70 great -grand chO- dren and 18 groat-great-grand- IH I In.U 4th Registration For Men Between 45 - 65 Monday, April 27 Plans for the 4th Registration to be held Monday, April 27, from 7 a. ni. to 9 p. m. are complete, the Local Board announcesTrhis registration is for men between the ages of 45 and 65. Men born on or after April 28, 1877, and on or before February 16, 1897 and who have not registered in a previous registration will be required to register. The places of registra rs and their assistants are as fol lows: Franklin, County Court House, C. T. Bryson, chief, assistants Mrs. Eloise G. Franks, Elmer Crawford, Frank Murray, Mrs. Mavis Har ris, Sam Mendenhall, Miss Eliza beth Slagle, Harley R. Cabe, Geo. R. Pattillo, Esta Mae Childers, Miss Sue Bryson, Mrs Mary Louise She'rrill, Fred Bryson, Mrs. Meta Bryson, Mrs. Jean Burrell, Sanford Mann Bill Bryson and Wilson Smart. Otto, Otto School House, J. J. Mann, chief, assistants, Mrs. Ar lene Hawkins, Mrs. Onnie Cabe, Mrs. Joyce Cagle, Mrs. Catherine Henry, Mrs. Blanche Keener. Mrs. Ruth Fouts, Mrs. Blanche How ard, Mrs. Myrtle Norton, Mary Helen Uills. Highlands, Highlands School House, O. F. Summer, chief, as sistants Mrs. R. T. Abbott, Miss Nina Howard, Miss Veva Howard, Miss Lois Keener. W. H. Cobb. Miss Sarah Thompson, Miss Es tclle Edwards. Pine Grove, Pine Grove School House, Sarjford Smith, chief, assis tant, Mrs. Myrtle F. Keener. Cullasaja, Salem School House, Wm. G. Crawford, chief, assistant Mrs. William G. Crawford. Holly Springs, Holly Springs School House, R. S. Jones, chief, assistants Mrs. Gladys Vinson, Mrs Mary S. Burd, Mrs. Frances Pat tillo. Burningtown, Burningtown School House, J. S. Conley, chief, assis tants, Mrs. Marie G. Roper, Mrs. Nina T. McCoy. Mrs. Vclma Con ley. West's Mill, Cowee School House, E. G. Crawford, chief, assistants Miss Mattie Brendle, Miss May McCoy, Sol Leatherman, Carr Bry son. Scaly, Scaly School House, Miss Jessie Hurst, chief, assistants Miss Virginia Edwards. Slagle. Slagle School House, Miss Amanda Single, chief, assis- tants Mrs. Margaret Futnnagan, Mrs. Paul Carpenter, Miss Elice Slagle. Kyle, Kyle School House, Miss Lolita Dean, chief. Otter Creek, Otter Creek School House. Carl D. Moses, chief, as- sistants, Ray N. Moses, Jack Car penter. Mrs Fleta G. Mason. ille, HagdouviUe School F.. J. Carpenter, chief, assistants Mis Ones Carpenter, Mrs. Lark- For County Commissioner W. W. EDWARDS of Highlands, who has filed for county commis sioner, subject to the Democratic primary. For State Senate EDWIN B. WHITAKER, candi date for renomination to the State Senate from the 23rd District sub ject to the Democratic primary. All Voters Must Register To Vote In May Primary As announced last week by R. S. Jones, chairman of the Board of Elections of Macon county, only those who register on the dates set will be eligible to vote in the primary of May 30. Since there is some confusion in the minds of some, we are repeating the no tice this week. The registration last fall was for the bond election held on the issuing of bonds for building a new court house. This registration is not valid for any other elections The registration books will be open on Saturday, May 2, and will close Saturday, May 16. Challenge Day will be Saurday, May 23. First Aid Classes For Instructors Begin May 11 James D. Hall, of the headquar terss staff of the American Red Cross, will give a Lay Instructor course of 30 hours in Franklin at the Agricultural building over a period from May 22, according to an announcement made by Chair man Harley Cabe. These courses are being planned in North Carolina to meet the jar creasing demand for First Aid. Macon County chapter has been selected to be host for one of these Instructor classes and open candidates with little or no pre viouss training. Candidates from other counties will be invited to attend. This is an opportunity for many to make contribution to the war effort in keeping with their abil ities in a field which is training workers to meet the nation's need as rapidly as possible. ia J. Moses. At the teachers' meeting at the Franklin high school on Saturday, April 25. the chief registrars and their assistants will be given the necessary supplies and they will be sworn ia mad be given final iMtrsstMU. I IBP',-'',-mB'' iWW Of Candidates As r nea witn Board Of Elections The complete ticket of candi dates who have filed for the coin ing primary and election with Chairman R. S. Jones of the coun ty board of elections before the dead line last Saturday is given below : . Democratic Ticket The following have filed sub ject to the Democratic primary which will be held on Saturday, May 30: For Representative, Dr. W. A. Rogers. For Sheriff, A. B. Slagle, Fred D. Cabe. For Register of Deeds, C. Tom Bryson, Lake V. Shope. For Clerk of Court, Harley R. Cabe, Frank I. Murray. For Chairman of Board of Com missioners, Gus Leach, J. B. El more. For Commissioners, W. W. Ed wards, C. L. Blaine, C. A. Rogers. For Board of Education, Frank Browning, E. B. Byrd, . E. Cabe, Ge,ne Crawford, Mrs. Bessie Cabe Gray, Lee Mason, C. G. Moore, J. R. Phillips. For Surveyor, John. H. Dal ton. For Coroner, G. 0. Wallace. 1 For Stat Senate Edwin B. Whitaker of Bryson City announces this week in this paper for the office of state sen ator for the 23rd district. Mr. Whitaker, who is the present in cumbent, is a well known lawyer. of this section and ably served the district in the last session. He is seeking renomination. He was borr. in 1908 and was admitted to the bar in 1930. He is a member of the firm of Black and Whitaker of Bryson City. W. W. Edwards of Highlands , who announced for chairman of the Board of County Commission ers last week, filed instead for commissioner, after Gus Leach de cided to file for reelection. Republican Candidates Several changes in the Repub lican ticket as announced last week were made before filing. The ticket is as follows: For Representative, J. H. Dean. For Sheriff, J. P. Bradley. For Register of Deeds, Don L Henry. For Clerk' of Court, A. R. Hig don. For Chairman of Board of Com missioners, W. T. Tippett. For Commissioners, Guy Paul, M. D. Downs. For Surveyor, J. L. Dills. Coroner, R. Glenn Ray. The Macon County Board of Elections consists of R. S. Jones, chairman ; F. H. Potts, Democrats ; and R. M- Ledford, Republican. Saturday, April 18, was. the last day for filing. FIRES DAMAGE NTL10RESTS Sabotage Charged as Fires Sweep Pisgah, And Other Forests Fires in all the national forests in this section and the arrest by FBI agents of alleged saboteurs led to an executive order yester day by Joseph Kircher, regional U. S. forester of Atlanta for the closing of Nantahala forest, Chata hoochee in north Georgia and Cherokee in Tennessee. Pisgah forest, where fires have been rag ing for over a week, was closed Tuesday. The closing affects all persons except those living in the area and those whose duties take them in the forests. James Martin and W. A Barnes of Hiawassce, Ga., and Hugh Plott of Young Harris, Ga., employees of Fontana, are being held in the Bryson City jail, on sabotage charges of setting fires in the Nantahala forests which destroyed transmission lines and a trans former of the Nantahala Power and Light company, forest and private property estimated at $14,- 000. Fonest service officials state that Martin confessed to setting 23 fires in the Nantahala gorge in Cherokee county. Fires were reported as checked on Thursday morning. In Pisgah National Forest 12,000 acres of scenic wonderland are reported burned over, with the fishing of many streams destroyed for the next five yean.