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.