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VOL LXTm-NO. si
FRANKLIN, N. C, THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1#53
SIXTEEN PAGES
FARM. HOME
TOUR IS SET
FOR AUG. 14
Emphasis Will Be On
Rural Development,
Agent Says
August 14 has been set as the
date far the annual Macon
County Farm and Hotme Tour,
according to County Agent S.
W. .Mendenhall.
Special emphasis this year is
being placed on progress of
Macon communities in the rural
community development con
test, and a number of the
county's 13 communities par
ticipating in the program will
be visited during the day.
A livestock show also is
planned in the early afternoon
at the Franklin High vocational
agricultural building, the coun
ty agent said.
The 30-mlle tour will include
visits in the Bethel, Clark's
Chapel, Prentiss, West Union,
Long view, Patton, and Carson
communities. Lunch will be
served at the Cartoogechaye
School at noon by the ladies of
the Carson community.
Mr. Mendenhall explained it
would be impossible to visit all
13 of the communities during
the day, and said the others
would be on next year's tour
agenda.
"We urged those communi
ties we have missed this year
to send representatives along on
the tour so they may study
what the others are doing. One
day just lsnt time enough to
visit them all."
The tour, which annually
draws hundreds of farm men
and women and businessmen,
will start at the agricultural
building promptly at 9:30 a. m.,
the agent said.
Winners Of
Flower Show
Made Public
Mrs. J. Ward Long was ad
judged "Sweepstake Winner"
and Mrs. T. W. Angel, Jr., "Tri
color Winner" In the Franklin
Garden Club's annual flower
show Saturday at Slagle Me
morial Building.
Between the hours of 2 and
10 p. m., an estimated 225 per
sons viewed the colorful exhibits
entered in the show.
Extremely dry weather effect
ed some of the exhibits, espe
cially dahlias, club officials said,
hut the show was still consid
ered highly successful.
Accredited judges for the
show were Miss Louise Ballard
and Mrs. M. M. Parrlsh. of Lake
Junaluska, and Mrs. A W. Bot
toms, of Canton.
The trl-color ribbon, for the
most Outstanding single exhibit
in the show, was awarded to
Mrs. Angel for her 18th century
arrangement.
Winners are as follows:
HORTICULTURAL DIVISION:
Marigolds, single ? Rosalin Wat
kins, 1st; Zinnias ? Mrs. J. E.
Perry, Jr., 1st; Large Zinnias
(collection) ? Mrs. Lola Klser,
1st; Small Zinnias (collection)
Mrs. Oene Jacobs, 1st, Mrs.
Frank I. .Murray, 2nd. Mrs. Max
ine McClure (five blooms), 2nd,
and 3rd; Hibiscus (three
blooms)? Mrs. H. C. Allen, 1st;
Lily? Mrs. Alvln Magnum, 1st,
Mrs. Josephine Chllders, 2nd.
Mrs. J. L. Sloan, 3rd; Hybrid
Tea Roses? Mrs. Prelo Dryman,
1st, Mrs. T. M. Rickman. 2nd,
Mrs. Prelo Dryman, 3rd; Florl
bunda ? Mrs. T. M. Rickman,
2nd; Gladioli ? Mrs. Herman
Chllders, 1st, Mrs. J. Ward Long,
2nd, Mrs. S. Bullock and Mrs.
Wiley Brown, 3rd; Gladioli
(three spikes)? Mrs. T. W. An
gel, Jr., 1st; Perennial Collec
tion ? Mrs. I. T. Peek, 1st, Mrs.
Frank I. Murray, 2nd. Petun
ias ? Mrs. Joseph Fouts, 1st;
Cactus Dahlia ? Mrs. Frank I.
Murray, 1st; Large Dahlias
Mrs. Wayne Faulkner, 1st;
Pansies ? Jane Long, 1st.
ARRANGEMENT DIVISION:
Fruits and Vegetables? Mrs. J.
Ward Long, 1st, Mrs. John M.
Archer, Jr., 2nd, Mrs. H. A. Wil
hide, 3rd; Foliage Arrangement
?Mrs. Joseph Fouts, 1st; Favor
ite Container? Mrs. Prelo Dry
man, 1st, Mrs. Lola Klser, 2nd,
Mrs. J. W. Kahn, 3rd; For Men
Only (depleting a hobby) ? BUI
Garrison, 1st, H. A Wilhlde,
SEE NO. 1, PAGE 8
Church Group
2 - Day Meet
Is Next Week
The Macon County Baptist
Association ? the largest church
group in the county ? will cele
brate Its fiftieth anniversary at
Its annual two-day session next
Thursday and Friday, August 6
and 7.
Newman's Chapel will be the
host church for Thursday's op
ening session, and on the fol
lowing day the scene will shift
to the Tellico church, according
to Moderator J. Horner Stock
ton.
In announcing the program,
the moderator predicted a rec
ord turn-out for the anniver
WORKER RESIGNS
Mrs. C. Bulks Finger, asso
ciational worker for the Ma
con County Baptist Associa
tion (or the past two years,
has resigned effective with
the end of the association's
annual meeting on August 1.J
Her successor has not been
named.
sary meeting, and he urged rep
resentatives of all churches to
attend all phases of the two
day meeting. Last year's ses
sion drew approximately 1,000
persons from the county's 42
Baptist churches.
Reports on missions, finance,
education, committees, and so
cial service will mark both days.
The meeting will open at 10
a. m. Thursday and at 9:30 on
Friday. Adjournment on both
days is listed as 3:30 p. m.
At 11:30 on the opening day,
the Rev. Arvil Swafford, will de
liver the introductory sermon.
Friday's missionary sermon will
be delivered at 11:15 by the
Rev. Frank Reed.
ORtfAlfcED
J. B. HATCHETT, JR.
Mr. Hatchett was ordained
and installed as pastor of the
Franklin Presbyterian Church
Sunday evening by a commis
sion from the Asheville Presby
tery. He has been itninf the
church since last fall as student
pastor. Mr. Hatchett and his
wife moved here in June after
he was graduated from the Co
lumbia Theological Seminary in
Decatur, Ga.
DRAMA GROUP
PLAY READY
'Players' Will Present
'Here Comes Charlie'
On Two Nights
"Here Comes Charlie", a rol
icking three-act comedy, will be
presented today (Thursday) and
tomorrow evening by the Frank
lin Players at the East Frank
lin School.
Curtain-time each evening
will be 8 o'clock *dmission will
be 75 cents for adults and 40
cents for students.
On August 8, the IP-member
cast will journey to Highlands
for an evening performance at
the Municipal Auditorium.
A touch of Broadway has
been added to The Players'
latest production, according to
Mrs. Doris Reber, president.
Watson Barratt and Frederick
Hempe, both well known in the
New York theatrical world and
Highlands summer residents,
have given valuable assistance
to the amateur theatrical group
in designing and arranging sets.
The cast of "Here Comes
BEE NO. 2, PAOE 8
"Colonel" Henry G. Robertson, 81-year-old former Frank
lin lawyer, who was lost for some 48 hoars in the Highlands
area last week, gets a helping hand from Sheriff J. Harry
Thomas (left) and Albert "Chuck" Chalker, who were among
some M searching for the lost man. The "Colonel" was found
early last Thursday morning by a four-man search party, his
14-year-old dog by his side. (Photo by Bob Stern).
Octogenarian Lost 48 Hours
Found Safe, Dog At His Side
HILLBILLY DAT
IN HIGHLANDS
Annual All ? Day Event
Is Scheduled For
Wednesday
Highlands' second annual
"Hillbilly Day" will begin at 8
o'clock next Wednesday morn
ing, and townspeople, recalling
last year's experiment, say this
one will be bigger and better.
There are a number of rea
sons for this optimism. First, a
free barbecue for some 2,000
persons has and always will be
a big attraction. Second, a seven
man planning board, represent
ing major civic organizations,
FREE BARBECUE
A free barbecue is planned
next Wednesday, August 5, in
connection with the celebration
of "Hillbilly Day" in Highlands.
Cost of the "sloppin' " is be
ing borne by businesses, civic
groups, and individuals inter
ested in capping the hilarious
day with full stomachs.
Tentative hour for the barbe
cue is 11 a. m. at the picnic
area on the recreation center
grounds.
has been working more than a
month to schedule and coordi
nate activities. Third, the sur
prising success of last year's
"Hillbilly Day", coupled with
press releases for this year's,
SEE NO. 4, PAGE 8
A Highlands octogenarian and
former Franklin lawyer ? lost
for some 48 hours in a heavily
wooded area near his Shortoff
home ? was found early last
Thursday morning by searchers
about two miles from his home.
A four-man party, among
some 60 who had been comb
ing the countryside for "Col
on? ' Henry O Robertem, Ml.
since he was reported missing
last Wednesday, found the eld
erly man sitting on a fallen
tree trunk, his , almost blind,
14-year-old dog, "Andy Gump",
by his side.
Taken to the Highlands Com
munity Hospital, where his con
dition yesterday (Wednesday)
was reported as "good", "Col
onel" Kobertson, whc has led
a hermit's life for some 20
years, said he left his home
Tuesday morning of last week
"to get a shave in Highlands."
Members of the party which
found him were Wilbur Hedden,
Echel Rowland, Highlands dis
trict forestry aide, Jim Lowe,
and Eldon Reed.
"Colonel" Robertson's disap
pearance was reported Wednes
day evening by a neighbor, Ben
Webb, and by dark more than
40 men were sifting the area
with Jeeps and on foot., Neigh
bors reported they frequently
have to look for the one-time
lawyer, who has a habit of
starting off in the wrong direc
tion.
At 11:30, Sheriff J. Harry
Thomas called off the search
until dtwn, explaining "there's
not a chance in the world we'll
SEE NO 5, PAGE 8
Bulletin
Application f?r a charter
for a new state hank in
Franklin was filed yesterday
(Wednesday) in Raleigh by
the law firm of D?urlass ?.io
McMillan, The Fress has learn
ed.
Approval of the appi. cation
rests with the Staie Banking
Commission, it is understood.
The proposed bank's certi
ficate of incorporation lists 60
stockholders.
It also was learned tha.* a.
hearing on the application
will be held in Raleigh some
time in October.
Carl McCall
Shoots Self
At His Home
Apparently despondent over
ill health, a 43-year-old Frank
lin man and father of five
shot himself through the heart
with a .12 gauge shotgun early
Monday morning after telling
his wife he was going to shoot
a hawk.
The suicide victim, Carl Mc
Call, was found by his wife in
the back yard of their home in
the Bend-of-the-River section
moments after she stepped out
side to investigate the sound of
a shot about 6:30 o'clock.
Mrs. McCall told Sheriff J.
Harry Thomas It was the sec
ond time her husband had at
tempted suicide. A diabetic, he
stabbed himself in the throat
with a knife several years ago,
according to Information given
the sheriff by Mrs. McCall. He
had been in bad health for
about four years.
After an investigation at the
scene, Coroner G. R. Henson
said an inquest would not be
necessary.
In his report. Sheriff Thom
as said Mr. McCall apparently
pr(LC0. the shotgun against the
ground, " positioned tltt barrel
SEE NO. 7. PAGE 8
Siler Family
Reunion Set
For Aug. 6
On August 6, the descendants
: of Weimar Siler will converge
on Slagle Memorial Building for
their 101st annual "Family
Meeting
Host and hostess for this
jyear's gathering, which draws
| hundreds of "kissin' cousins"
from all parts of the world each
year, are Mr. and Mrs. A. B.
Slagle.
Actually, the occasion will
.mark the 102nd meeting of the
Siler clan. Many years ago. be
cause of a change in meeting
dates, the family met twice in
one year.
Despite bad weather, the at
tendance at last year's gather
ing numbered approximately
250, with more than two-thirds
coming from outside the coun
ty. The meeting was held at
the old Albert Siler home on
Cartoogechaye.
Map Of 'Hillbilly Day' Program
.
Nest W(4immU;, a weird (Mflmtnto ?( "kiUMUW will Uke vrcr Highland* as the
? nana I "Hillbilly Day" event picks up itaaa. The map shews the ki|kU|kto af the ealeftra
tlan: (J) parade starts at Beereatiaa Oeater, (1) tans around at the Piaahyteriam ehareh, (S)
parade eads at pest office. (4) caatests will he held la the Uctiland* Art Gallery let. (S)
street daaee at I p. a aa Main between Fourth aad Fifth Streets.
Highlands Man
Dies In Wreck
County Hit By Siege
Of Four W, recks
T uesday
Maxon County ? whose high
ways once were the safest in i
the state ? had a siege of four
accidents Tuesday, one result
ing in the county's second fa
tality of the year.
Charles M. Henry, 61, of High
lands, died in a wreck on the
Franklin-Highlamcfe highway
early in the morning.
At 4 p. m., a truck driven by
J. D. Smith, of Canton, Route
1, flipped over on its side on
the Georgia highway near Add
ington's Dairy while attempting
to pass another vehicle. The
driver, who was uninjured, is
charged with following too close
to another vehicle. Deputy Sher
iff Newell PendergTass investi
gated.
At approximately 6 p. m., an
automobile driven by Benjamin
Tobia, of New York City, struck
a truck operated by George A.
Breeden, of Indianapolis, Ind.,
in a curve during a light rain
on the Bryson City highway just
inside the city limits. Mrs. Tob
ia's head struck the windshield
in the crash and she required
treatment at Angel Hospital. No
charges were preferred, accord
ing to Policeman Homer Coch
ran and Sheriff J. Harry Thom
as, the investigating officers. 1
A car-trailer truck collision
was reported by Highway Pa
trolman C. M. Byrd and Deputy
Pendergrass at 7 :30 p. m. on the
Bryson City highway at the Oak
Grove community. The truck
driver, Joseph L. Chancey, of
Ducktown, Tenn., was charged
with careless and w reckless
I driving. The ear was upsratid
by Phillip J. Seisler, of Reading,
Pa. No one was injured.
DEATH TAKES
J MRS. KINNEY
Well - Known Franklin
Leader Succumbs
On Saturday
.Mrs. George Sandifer Kinney,
a well-known leader in Frank
lin civic and church work, died
Saturday at 12:30 p. m. in a
local hospital.
Thirty-nine years old, she had
been ill only a short time. She
was the wife o! A. R. Kinney,
retired employe of the U. S.
Forest Service.
Funeral services were con
ducted Monday at 11 a. m. at
the chapel of the Thomas Shep
erd Funeral Home in Hender
sonville. Burial was at the Oak
dale Cemetery there.
A native of Hendersonville,
and a graduate of the Univer
sity of South Carolina, Mrs.
Kinney was born August 20,
1913, the daughter of the late
George C. and Mrs. Norma B.
Sandifer. She and Mr. Kinney
moved here si* years ago, where
he was connected with the Nan
tahala National Forest.
Mrs. Kinney was a member
of the Presbyterian church and
was well known here through
her work with the local Parent
Teacher Association, the Amer
ican Red Cross, and the Presby
terian Church and other organ
izations.
In addition to her husband,
she is survived by a son,
George S. (Sandy) x"'inney, and
a sister, Mrs. C. C. Oates, Jr.,
of Hendersonville.
Local arrangements were und
er the direction of Potts Funer
al Home.
Siren Signals
'Fire' Is Out
The wailing of Franklin's fire 1
siren * " nday night was the :
real thing! I
A big fire ? the Korean War ? I
flickered out with the signing ]
of an armistice by UN and 1
Communist officials.
Telephone operators here
used the siren to signal the
cease-fire at the front. i
RETURNS TO TEXAS
Airman Third Class Spence I
R. Led ford has returned to H I
Paso, Tex., after spending a 10- 1
day leave here.
Henry Becomes Second
Fatility In Macon
This Year
A Highlands man became Ma
con County's second highwrtay
fatality of the year early Tues
day morning when the automo
bile in which he was a passeng
er plunged from the Franklin
Highlands highway (US 64) and
overturned, pinning him in the
wreckage.
The crash victim was Charles
(Montague i Henry, Sr., about
60, father of seven.
Three other men in the auto
mobile ? a 1949 Ford Tudor ? re
ceived only slight injuries. All
four had been drinking, accord
ing to Highway Patrolman V. ?.
Bryson.
John C. Webb, 26, of High
lands and Westminster, S. C.,
was Identified by the patrolman
as driver of the death car. Pa
trolman Bryson said he is
under arrest in the county jail,
charged with involuntary man
slaughter and drunk driving.
His bond has been set at $3,500.
The two other occupants,
Claude and Clyde Crane, 20
year-old twins, of Highlands,
were jailed following the wreck
and charged with drunk and
disorderly conduct, the patrol
man said.
Webb's car traveling toward
Highlands, failed to make a
curve about a mile and a half
below the Cliffside Lake road
and plunged about SO feet in
the gorge, overturning once.
Patrolman Bryson said Mr.
Henry was caught between ihe
door and the body of the car
when it overturned.
: Apparently the mishap went
, unnoticed for nearly twc hcurs.
' The patrolman said the acci
dent occurred about 4:30 a. m.
and was not reported until 6:30.
He said Mr. Henry's body could
not be removed until a wrecker
arrived about 7:3C. He said
1 there was no evidence that the
PEE NO. 6. PAGE 8
Fo!': Festival h <
Set Next. Month
Plans for ? courry-wide folk
festival early ii Septemtgr ~ ere
projected t- the FrC'-tJlr ~?.y
' cees ai a nieetlSt last wet-.
Festival features tentatively
scheduled include contests be
tween square dance teams, fid
dlers. fcanjc pickers, string
bands, clog dancers, and other
forms of entertainrr -it.
Members of the festival com
mittee said a schedule cf prizes
for the winners of each feature
is now being worked out and
more complete plans for the
event will be announced next
week.
Frank Plyler, co-chairman, ex
tended a special invitation to
Macon communities participat
ing In the rural community de
velopment contest to enter in
the festival, explaining that
points could be earned under
the rural contest set-up.
Mr. Plyler../ said the Jaycees
hope to bring in top-flight pro
fessional entertainment as an
added feature.
The Weather
The week's temperatures and rainfall, as
recorded in Franklin by Mansoo Stikea,
U. S. weather observer, and at the Cowcet*
Hydrologic Laboratory:
FRANKLIN
Temperatures
High Low Rain
Wednesday 79 67 .67
Thursday 85 65 .44
Friday 86 57
Saturday 85 65
Sunday 85 58
Monday .... 88 57
Tuesday 88 62 .10
OOWKETA
Temperatures
High Low Rain
Wednesday 75 64 .45
Thursday ... 84 61 .75
Friday 85 50 trace
Saturday 83 50
Sunday - ... 82 54 ?
Monday 84 52
Tuesday 87 56 trace
HIGHLANDS
Temperatures
High Low Hair
Wednesday II 19 II
Thursday ............ 82 64 ?
Friday 82 56
Saturday 76 51
Sunday 76 M
Monday 78 5* ?
ruesday ? II M -