^ ? - .. V. ?' -r f W* Jbccwm Price 6 Cents VOL. LXV? SO. 49 FRANKLIN, N. C? THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1950 TWELVE f? County Lot Sold To Power Company SHEDD SENTENCED TO GAS CHAMBER Verdict Is First Degree; No Mercy Recommendation S. C. Man's Execution For Slaying 2 Girls Set For Jan. 26 Curtis Shedd, 29-year-old Wal halla, S. C. resident, on trial here for the August 3 slaying of two Walhalla girls whose bodies were found in Macon county, was convicted by a jury composed of Jackson coun.y men on two charges of first degree murder last night at 6:30 o'clock, and was sentenced to die in the gas chamber Jan uary 26. Shedd's attorneys entered a plea of not guilty. The Jury de liberated the evidence for an hour before announcing the ver dict. They could have returned a verdict of gull y with a rec ommendation for mercy, which would have meant life impris onment. However, a member of the Jury said no recommenda tion was suggested. When ask ed why they deliberated so long, the Juror said they "were meditating to make sure we were doing the right thing." Shedd displayed no emotion when the verdict was returned. Not a muscle of his face twitch ed. Nor did he stop his constant chewing of gum when Judge 3. Will Pless, Jr., pronounced sen tence. Immediately after the Jury returned at 5:30, a fuse blew, plunging the courtroom into darkness. Highway patrolmen quietly and efficiently escorted the convicted slayer to a cham ber at the back of the court room, and closed the door. When- the lights flickered on about five minutes later, Shedd was brought back into the courtroom to await sentencing. Shedd's wile, Mrs. Dolly Shedd, who sat at her hus band's side through most of the three-day trial, broke down when sentence was pronounced ' and her sobbing could be heard on the street outside. The young man did not take the stand in his own defense, and no witnesses were called by his attorneys. Shedd's at orneys, Gilmer A. Jones and R. S. Jones, told the Jury during the defense argu ment that "We have nothing to contradict the state's evidence or statement." R, 8. Jones told the Jury, "Whether he is guilty or not is for you, the Jury, to decide." However, the defense sug r gested- i he possibility that the defendant was mentally incom petent, and argued that, at most, he should receive a life sentence. roimmg lo oneaa s marine like countenance, Gilmer A. Jones said; "Look at him . . . sitting there chewing gum like he was a a Sunday picnic. Does he look like he is in his right mind?" , So'lcitor Thad D. Bryson, Jr., T demanded in his closing argu ment a lirst degree verdict without recommendation of mercy, declaring that Shedd was the perpetrator of a "damn able crime," and should pay for his crime against society. He viewing the evidence, he said of Shedd: "He is either ihe mosi foolish or the smartest man I have ever met." Still counterpunching, Solic itor Bryson branded the de _ Xenses remarks to the Jury / about Shedd's mental condition as "novel injections of insan ity." During the yesterday morn ing's session the prosecution called a number of witnesses to the stand, most of them veri fying details of the slaying as told by witnesses on the pre vious day. Articles of clothing worn by the girls and the shot gun, used by Shedd to kill the girl's father, were Identified. Just prior to passing sentence, Os?tinM4 Oa Pan VMM? 'Man In Cap And Overalls' Costs Defendant $100 Thaf mysterious fellow "in ; overalls and cap", who sells l whiskey to persons all over the country, cost Andrew Chappell, | of the Di'lard road, $100, court ! cosls, and his driver's license : for two years, in superior court here Monday morning. Ji 33-year-old ex-serviceman, Chappell appeared in court to answer to a charge of violat ing the prohibition laws. Testl i mony by arresting officers showed that approximately sev en and a half gallons of non tax paid whiskey was found in Chappell's trailer home. Judge J. Will Pless, Jr., ques tioned the defendant as to where he obtained the whiskey. Chappell said he did not know whom he got it from. "It looks like It's that same man in the overalls and cap again," said the judge. "He sells whiskey all over the country, and no one seems to know his name or where he comes from." "You're right, Your Honor," quipped Solicitor Thad D. Bry son, Jr., "W? -? haven't heard from that mysterious fellow since the last term of court." Judge Pless, remarking that a man is foolish to purchase whiskey from an unknown per son, gave Chappell eight months on the roads, suspended on pay ment of $100 and costs, and re voked his driver's license for a period of two years. "If you had been truthful with me, "the judge told Chap pell, "and told me where you bought the whiskey, I had no intention of pressing the mat I Just wanted to know if you would tell the truth." Room Packed When Court Term Opens All seats In the Macon coun ty courtroom were filled, more than 30 persons stood in the rear, and an overflow crowd collected on the steps and side walk in front of the courthouse, when Judge J. Will Pless, Jr., of Marion, convened the December term of superior court Monday morning. The large opening day turn out, as during the August term of court, was attributed to he pending murder rial of Curtis Shedd. Shedd's trial was post poned from the August term of court, over which Judge Pless also presided, to this term. During the morning session a number of criminal cases were disposed of, and the names of the grand jurors were drawn from a hat by five-year-old Michael Hastings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hastings, of Franklin. Those chosen to serve as grand Jurors were: Jarvis Ayers, John Cunningham, Henry Tip pelt, Tom Allen, Roy Dills, John Early, Lester Norton, Mrs. O. C. Hall, Carey Cabe, Vernon Cun Contfamed On Pace Eifht? NEW OFFICIALS TAKE OFFICE ? J. Harry Thomas, Macon County's new sheriff, and Miss Kate McGee, new clerk of .superior court, are shown above with Judge J. Will Pless, Jr. (right) who adminis tered the oath of office to all the county officials, elected November 7, just prior to the opening of the De cember term of Macon superior court Monday. The little boy seated at the table is Miachael Hastings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hastings, who drew the jurors' names at the -opening of court. BASKETBALLERS START TUESDAY Franklin High To Meet Nantahala As '50 Season Opens The 1950-51 basketball season will officially open Tuesday night when the whistle sends the Franklin boy and girl teams against the Nantahala boys and girls, in a double-header that gets under way at Nantahala school at 8 o'clock. The Franklin hardwooders are not scheduled to play a game in Franklin until January 9, when they will meet Cherokee on the home court. Heading the male team for Franklin will be Jack Norton, j the lanky center who placed on the all-conference team last year. Backing Norton will be Richard Jones and Bo Norton i at the forward positions, and Ted and Gene Stamey in the j guard slots. Deep in strength, ' this is the same crew that went to Asheville last year for the Continued On Pace Elfbt? Lions To Honor Football Players And Cheer Leaders A banquet, honoring the . Frank'ln High Panther football I squad and the high school I cheerleaders, will be given by j the Lions club at the organiza I tion's meeting Monday night at the Presbyterian church annex, it has been announced. Carl Tysinger, chairman of 1he Lions program committee, is in charge of the arrange ments. All football players who were in uniform this season and the j nine comely cheerleaders, who I led the Panthers' cheering at I tack, have been Invited to at i tend, Mr. Tysinger said. Grand Jurors Recommend Repairs At Jail, County Home, Courthouse Repairs to the jail, county i home, and court house where rec ommended by the grand jury in its report Tuesday afternoon filed with Judge J. Will Pless, Jr., presiding at the ?December term of Macon superior court. Most of the repairs suggested are of a minor nature. The committee that inspected the county home reported, wnonf other Item*, that the "bed clothes are in bad shape", that a "wooden twitch box" In use there "is dangerous"; and that there are "two beds In dining room, with sick inmate In one". The text of the report, signed by Foreman Dan R. Reynolds, follows: "We the Grand Jury for the December term of Court submit Continued On rap Eight? Yule Cantata To Be Held This Year On December 17 Franklin's annual Christmas i cantata will be held this year j on Sunday evening, December | 17, it was announced this week. | Rehearsals already are under j way. The event, which each year j attracts, a capacity audience, is I set for 8 p. m. at the Franklin j Methodist church. Made up of the combined j choirs of the Methodist, Presby j terian, and Episcopal churches here, the musica' program is under the direction of S. F. j Beck. Mrs. Henry W. Cabe is | the organist. school board Votes To Buy Site At Union The Macon County board of , education, at its November , 1 meeting Monday, voted to auth | orize County Supt, G. L. Houk I to buy the site for the Union [ school building for $2,500. | The property, which had pre viously been decided on by the t board, is part of the J. W. Ad dington farm and Is situated direc ly west of the Methodist circuit parsonage. The tract contains approximately seven acr*v. The resignation of Wallace ; Martin as teacher in i he Frank- ! lin high school was announced j by G. L. Houk. superintendent, j and he recommended the em- 1 ployment of Ray Clarke, a grad- 1 uae of Western Carolina) | Teachers college, to fill the posl- : tion. The matter was approved by the board. ! Afier some discussion, the j board also authorized the su- 1 perintendent to let conracis for I wells to be drilled at the new Slagle and Union school si.es and at Iotla. Cullasaja P. T. A. To Hold Meeting On Tuesday Night The monthly meeting of the Cullasaja Parent-Teacher asso ciation will be held December 12 at 7:30 at the Cullasaja school. The program will be fea tured by a nageant, "Love Grows and Grows"* A bazaar also will be held, and cookies and soft drinks will be on sale. County Officials Sworn Into Office By Judge Pless Brief Case Given J. C. Brookshire By Members Of Bar J. Clinton Brookshire. re tiring superior court clerk, was presented wi'h a leather brie' case, a gift from mem bers of the M.icon county bar, at the opening of superior court Tuesday morning. The presenta'ion speech, made by Guy L. Houk, presi dent of the Bar association, cited Mr. Brookshire as being "courteous, serious, faithful, and of great assistance to all who prac'iced law In this county, during his term of of fice." In a brief acceptance speech, Mr. Brookshire said it had been a great pleasure for him, work;ng with 'he mem bers of the association, and thanked them for many kindnesses they had shown him. Girls Quint To Play High Men's Faculty Team The men's 1 acuity basketball team at Franklin High is going to have a hard time keeping minds on basketball when they nlav a benefit came against the "Arkansas Travelers" at the high schoo' Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The "Arkansas Travelers" are women . . . seven of the come liest young ladies ever to sink a foul shot, or execute a fast break. Led by Miss Hazel Walker, better known far and wide as "Miss Basketball," who spent 14 years in amateur basketball be fore turni-.ig professional in 1946. the girls range In size from five foot, three inch Miss Flo Reed, to six footer? Miss Georgia "Moon" Mullins, who hails from Kentucky. In between is Miss Margie Arends, a professional model, standing five feet, 11 inches. ? The team's advance notices bill them as being "the great est basketba'l attraction In America," which Includes, ex pert ball handling, showman ship. accurate shooting, and beauty-ability. In order that opposing men's teams will not think that they are aklng advanage of the CoatfaMd On rtfi Klfht? Judge Warns Of Danger When Citizens Fail To Ballot The eight county officials e'ec ed November 7 were sworn into office by Judge J. Will Pless, Jr., of Marion, Monday morning. Just prior to the open ing of Macon superior court, at which Judge P ess presided. Among the o flcials jus ent ering office were J. Harry Thomas, sheriff, and Miss Kate McGee, clerk of superior court, and shortly after they were ad ministered their oaths by Judge Pless. Mr. Thomas ordered the court into session, and Miss Mc Gee started her duties as ihe court's clerk. Present to assist hem were Walter Dean, retir ing deputy sheriff, and J. Clin ton Brookshire, retiring clerk. It is "tragic". Judge Pless said in a short talk before he gave the oaths, "that rhe American people are not discharging their r responsibilities of citizenship as they should". He cited the fact that nearly 2,000.000 North Car olinians are eligible to vo e. bul that only 800.000 voted in the last election, adding ihat the state thus is being ruled by a minority. "Your officia's would feel a greater manda'e from the peo ple if they knew they represent ed a majority", he said. "I have no fear that this country can ever be conquered by a for eign enemy, but I am desper ately afraid if the average citi zen doesn't s ay on the ale't. we will be overcome by a small minority at home who fall for the Communist line" In this connec ion, he told how a six per cent Communist minority, by always attending meetings and by 160 feet in length, north to south, and will be 42 fee' wide. It wi'l house the company's car repair shop, machine shop, store rooms, men's locker and shower rooms, and m?ter test ing and appliance repair shop. It is hoped, Mr. Archer said, to start construction in the spring of 1951, to get the build ings under roof that fall, and to complete construction in .he early summer of 1952. The pow Continued On Pace Eight ? The Weather Temperatures and precipitation for the paat seven days, and the low tenipciatart yesterday, as recorded at the Coweeta Ex periment station. Franklin Rainfall (Al recorded br M?nv>n Sriln f?r TVA> Wednesday, trace; Thursday, none; Friday, none; Saturday, trace; Sunday, none; Monday, ! 1.38 of an Inch; Tuesday, none; i Wednesday, trace. '.Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday High Low Pet. 46 11 00 55 15 00 50 23 00 62 32 trace 59 52 .49 49 31 1.20 53 24 00 Wednesday 35 .01