MOORE COUNTY’S
LEADING
NEWSWEEK LY
npxJXj
JL JnLZZ/
A Paper Devoted to the Upbuilding
VOL. ISA, NO, 11.
^PAINC8
2^
E.HO
MAMUEV
JACKSON
:iPRINOa
•OOTHBRN
Pines
ASHUEV
MaiCHTS
A6KR0CO1
^PIMBBLUF^
PILOT
FIRST IN NKWS,
CIRCULATION &
ADVERTISING
of the Sandhill Territory of North Carolina
Southern Pines and Aberdeen, North Carolina, Friday, February 8, 1935.
FIVE CENTS
Attorney General Here
Tuesday as Honor Guest
of Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Seawell to Be Introduced by
State Senator Spence at
Dinner Tuesday Night
AT THE MID-PINES CLUB
Toastmaster
COLORFUL CAREER
ENDS IN DEATH OF
DR. E. M. POATE
Author, Physician, Lawyer, Sol
dier Succumbs to Pneumonia
in Southern Pines
Felix Leslie Johnson, Aberdeen,
Lieutenant Commander in Navy
Son of Late J. McNeill Johnson
Wins Promotion; Has Had
Thrilling Career
Promoted
BORN IN JAPAN IN 1884
IlEKBEKT F. SEAVVELL, JK.
Carthage Attorney to Preside at
Lincoln Day Dinner in
Greensboro
Attorney General A. A. F. Seawell
of Sanford, principal speaker at the
annual banquet of the Southern Pines
Chamber of Commerce to be held next
Tuesday night at the Mid-Pines Club,
will be introduced by State Senator
U. L. Spence of Carthage, Moore
county’s member of the upper house
in the General Assembly. Word was
received from Mr. Spence yesterday
that he would accompany Mr. Seawell
here, and that in all probability Sen
ator John Sprunt Hill and George
Watts Hill of Durham would be in
the party.
Arrangements have been completed
for the dinner and annual meeting,
and tickets went on sale several days
ago. They have been priced at $1.25,
and may be purchased at the Broad
Street Pharmacy, Thrower’s Phar
macy, Sandhills Drug Store, Hayes’
Book Store and at the lollowing ho
tels: Highland Pines Inn, Mid-Pines
Club, Park View, Southland, Holly
wood, Jefferson Inn, Highland Lodge
and The Woodworth in Southern
Pines, and The Carolina in Pinehurst.
Dr. George G. Herr reports com
pletion of the program of entertain
ment for the evening, a varied and
versatile one. The business necessi
tated by the fact that ft is the Cham
ber’s annual meeting will be speedily
despatched, he states, “and the fun
begin.” The only business wiP be
the report of the nominating commit
tee followed by election of directors
for 1935, and the annual report of
the secretary. Shields Cameron.
This is the first year the banquet
has been held in the Mid-Pines Club,
which a year ago adopted Southern
Pine.s as its home. It was due to this
fact that the committee in charge of
the dinner was prompted to official
ly welcome the John Fitzgerald hos
telry into Southern Pines by having
the annual meeting there. Mr. Fitz
gerald is a director of the Chamber
of Commerce and active in civic af- County Boai*d Retains Incum-
The annual Lincoln Day Dinner
will be held this year in the ball room
of the King Cotton Hotel in Greens
boro, on Tuesday night, February
12th. H. F. Seawell, Jr., Carthage at
torney, has been asked to preside as
toastmaster for the occasion. Former
Governor, Theadore Christinson of
Minnesota, who at the present time
represents the Fifth Minnesota Dis
trict in Congress, will deliver the
principal address. Chairman Worth
D. Henderson of Greensboro, of the
Lincoln Day Dinner Organization, re-
(Pkase turn to page 4)
UNANIMOUS VOTE
FORW.T.HUNTLEY
ASTAX COLLECTOR
fairs locally.
The banquet will start promptly at
7:30 o’clock. Those failing to pur
chase tickets ahead of time will be
taken care of at the door up to a
certain number, but it is advisable to
purchase tickets in advance that the
committee may arrange the tables
accordingly.
Dr. Derthick Preacher
In Pinehurst Sunday
President of MiLigan College,
Tenn. to Occupy Pulpit of
Community Church
Dr. H. J. Derthick, president of
Milligan College, Tennessee, will oc
cupy the pulpilt of the Pinehurst
Community Church this Sunday, Feb
ruary 10th. The Sandhills Brother
hood will hear Dr. Derthick at 9:15
Sunday morning and he will pre&Ch at
both the morning and evening serv
ices, 11 o’clock and 7:30 respective-
Jy.
Dr. Dertiiick, who has accompUsb-
ed a great work in the field of edu
cation, particularly among! the moim-
tain people, is a speaker whose dy>-
namtr. and attractive personality has
made him a woicome visitor here be
fore. His mPdsages are always arrest
ing and bis visit is anticipated with
great pteasure by his many Sandhills
friends. A cordial welcome is given
to everyone to hear these addresses.
FIREMEN’S BALL AT COUNTRY
CLUB ON FEBRU.XRY 19TH
The fifth annual Firemen’s Ball
will be held at the Southern Pines
Country Club on February 19th, with
music to be furnished by Fred (Red)
Kibler and his Casa Nova Orchestra.
This orchestra has won wide acclaim
in the two Carolinas and is playing a
season engagement at the Club Chal-
fonte in Pinehurst. The proceeds from
the affair are for the benefit of the
Southern Pines Fire Department.
bent After L. R. Reynolds
Declines Post
W. T. Huntley, who for the past
three years has served as tax collec
tor for Moore county, was unanimous
ly elected for another term by the
Board of County Commissioners in
the regular monthly meeting held on
Monday.
L. R. Reynolds, elected to this post
at the January meeting, informed the
board by letter that he could not
serve, so a second election was de
clared in order and Huntley was
chosen.
Mr. Huntley has filled the place in
a way that has been most acceptable
to the public, and the action of the
commissioners in retaining him is
generally approved.
The Board decided to relieve A. P.
Thompson, a disabled filling station
operator, of the payment of a
“Schedule B’’ tax so far as the coun
ty is concerned, and to recommend
that the State Revenue Commission
er do likewise.
It was ordered that the Highfalls
Manufacturing Company be relieved
of $80.60 corporate excess for the
year 1934 on account of an error in
listing.
William and Lydia McKeithen, an
elderly colored couple of Vass, were
ordered admitted to the County Home.
HOSPITAL AUXIUARY TO
MEET TUESDAY MORNING
A meeting of the Southern Pines
Auxiliary of the Moore County Hos
pital will be held next Tuesday morn
ing at 11 o’clock at the home of Mrs.
Jackson H. Boyd on Connecticut ave
nue, with all those interested, wheth
er or not members of the auxiliary,
invited to attend.
CAMERONS HAVE SON
Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Shields Cam
eron announce the birth of a daught-
on Wednesday, February 6th at the
Moore County Hospital.
Southern Pines lost one of Its most
distinguished and widely known cit
izens In the death on Friday of last
week of Dr. Ernest M. Poate. No
more versatile individual has ever
made the Sandhills his home. Author,
physician, lawyer, architect, soldier,
he attained an enviable reputation In
all his chosen fields. He succumbed
after a brave fight against pneumon
ia, at his home on Ashe street.
An athlete when a student at Cor
nell University, where he played at
end on the football team. Dr, Poate’s
health first became impaired in
France during the World War where
he served a,s a first lieutenant in the
Medical Corps. He came here to re
cuperate and, though his life was
despaired of at the time, he fought
his way back to a degree of health
by sheer force of will power and a re
fusal to surrender. It is told of him
that he said to his doctors, “I can’t
afford to die.”
Because he was always of an ac
tive and studious nature, and also to
keep his mind occupied. Dr. Poate
turned to the mastering of his var
ious professions. He left himself no
time to think of his health.
An author of note, he wrote not
only under his own name but many
pseudonyms; as physician he spec
ialized in psychopathology, and was
for a time member of the faculty of
the medical school at Duke University;
he was a member of the North Car
olina bar, a<?ted for a time as local
magistrate: in 1931 was judge of the
short-lived local recorder’s court, and
more recently served as town coun
sel.
He was the author of a widely-read
series of articles on child hygiene ap
pearing in The News and Observer
last year with the sponsorship of the
Health Committee of the Raleigh Wo
man’s Club.
He was elected president of the
North Carolina Neuro-Psychiatrlc So
ciety at a meeting held at the State
Hospital in Raleigh on January 18.
Dr. Poate’s versatile career brought
him in contact not only with his fel
low citizens but with men df affairs
throughout state and nation.
His death from pneumonia brought
to an end a colorful life, bo^un in
a land far from the place of its con
clusion, for he was a native of Japan,
having been born in Yokohama, Octo
ber 10, 1884.
Funeral services were held at his
late residence at 3 o’clock Sunday
afternoon, the Rev. C. Rexford Ray
mond of the Church of Wide Fellow-
shi|) officiating. Interment followed
in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Mayor D. G.
Stut* and Commissioners A. B. Yeo
mans, George H. Case, Frank Welch,
C. H. Patch and L. V. O’Callaghan,
of Southern Pines and Ji Vance Rowe
of Aberdeen. Honorary bearers, mem
bers of the Moore County Medical
Association, included Doctors W. C.
Mudgett, James Milliken, J. W. Dick
ie, E. W. Bush, A. H. McLeod, W. G.
McLeod, J. C. Bowen and also John
Barron, H, A. Thrower and N. L.
Gibbon.
ART EXHIBIT AND MUSIC
TODAY AT CIVIC CLUB
By Bion H. Butler
I have an interesting little note
from one of the boys of several years
ago, Felix Leslie Johnson. Felix was
one of the yoimg chaps around Aber
deen until one day the late Robert
N. Page recommended him for ap
pointment to the United States Nav
al Academy. Then he went away.
Once in a while he comes back. He
dropped down at my house shortly
before Christmas and in our little
conver.sation he intimated a pros
pect of being promoted to Lieuten
ant Commander in the navy and
sure enough when he got back to San
Pedro, California, he found the com
mission in his Christmas stocking.
James McNeill Johnson was the
young officer’s father, and one of my
I highly esteemed friends. Naturally I
like to .see the boy move ahead. He
is an excellent young chap. I like to
see any of the boys get ahead. In
1933 Lieut. Johnson was assigned to
the battleship Tennessee on which he
now has been made Lieutant Com
mander. The Tennessee is one of the
foremost vessels of the navy, of over
I 32,000 tons displacement, 624 feet in
I length, 98 feel in width and carrying
* a battery of twelve 14-inch guns with
an equal number of smaller guns. It
would fill a street in Southern Pines
from the railroad station to the muni
cipal building, and leave mighty lit
tle room on either side. It is one of
the leading half dozen ships of the
navy and one of the masters of the
naval world.
This bit of Information is of inter
est because Felix Johnson is one of
the boys of our own community, ilked
by everyb«,'dy, and he appears to be
coming along at a highly creditable
gait. I have gathered up an outline
of hl.s service with the navy and its
starts with the World War and comes
through to the present time with right
(Please turn to page 4)
This afternoon, Friday at 3 o'clock,
all. those interested in art are invited
to the Civic Club to see an exhibit
of various kinds of arts and crafts,
under the leadership of the Southern
Pines artists, Mr. and Mrs. Truman
Fowler, of the Kraft Studio cii Mass
achusetts avenue. This will include
Japanese prints, block printing, wood
carving, pottery, eto. Miss Ruth Clair,
who is spending the winter with the
Eddys, will also give an exhibit of
her own hand-made pottery. Mrs. Ha-
fer will play some piano selections.
Refreshments will be served by a
hospitality committee comprising
Miss Julia Mowry, Miss Mtry Bleim-
eier, Mrs. Robert Rose ".'ad Miss Is
abel Graves,
Head of Salem College
Delights Audience Here
Dr. Howard E. Rondthaler Takes
Civic Club and D. A- R. on
Trip Witli Washington
One of the moat delightful occasions
of the season was the combination
D. A. R. and Civic Club meeting at
the Civic Club house on Tuesday af
ternoon, under the pleasantly humor
ous leadership of Dr Howard E.
Rondthaler, a large company of men
and women journeyed with the first
president of the United States of his
famoufi official visit to the Carolinas,
in great state and ceremony, listen
ing to his own comments as they
went, quoted from his personal diary,
kept at the time. It made them feel
much better acquainted with the
“Father of His Country,” and also
how near to us that period was—
less than 150 years agoj
Other interesting parts of the pro
gram were the iifvitation to all visit
ing daughters to rise and tell what
chapters they were from. This was
responded to by about 15 ladles, from
various parts of the country. Also,
about twenty Salem College gradu
ates were asked to rise and give their
names and graduating year.
Singing by a trio of ladies from the
Chaminade Club of Raeford was
much enjoyed, the ladies being Mrs.
Marshall 'Thomas, Mrs. Ina Bethune,
and Mrs. Arch Currie. During the re
ception which followed the lecture.
Miss Selma St^igil played the piano
and refreshments were served hy the
hostess committee of the D. A. R.
NEXT GYMKH.4NA TO BE HELD
ONE WEEK FROM TOD.\Y
SOUTHERN PINES
ORGANIZES FOR
LOCAL RELIEF
Sets Up Temporary Committee
and Issues Appeal For Funds
For Needy Cases
FELIX LESLIE JOHNSON
DEPUTY SHERIFF
GETS MAN AFTER
FOUR YEAR HUNT
Kelly’s Fjne Detective Work
I..ands Nicholson, Alleged
Murderer, In Jail
CAPTURED IN MISSOURI
A man hunt that began in Moore
county four years ago, extended
across the continent into California
and led from place to place through
out the country, came to an end in
Missouri last week, and on Monday
night John Nicholson, alias Joe Swin
dell. alleged knlfe-murderer of Joe
Little of the White Hill section, was
lodged in Moore county’s jail to await
a preliminary hearing scheduled for
Saturday of this week.
To Chief Deputy Sheriff L. A.
Kelly goes the credit for the accoir-
plishment of this, the greatest piece
of detective work in the history ot
the county.
Nicholson, algo a resident of the
White Hill section, is said to have
got into trouble with Little following
defamatory remarks about Little’s
wife, and the slaying resulted- After
the crime, which occuired on Janu
ary 9, 1931, Nicholson fled the coun
ty, but throughout the years Kelly
has been on his trail. Several times
he has had his man located, but Nich
olson always moved on before the
officer could catch up with him.
For the past three months, it is
said, Nicholson’s mother haxi been
receiving letters postmarked “Neva
da, Missouri.” After writing to offi
cers there and giving a description of
the man he was seeking, Kelly went
to Nevada to see if he could locate
(Please tJirn to page 4)
STORY OF “M.^DONN.\ OF THE
CHi\IB” ON FILM SUN».\Y
REV. MR. BROWN CHAIRMAN
! Southern Pines started organizing
for relief on Monday night. At a
[ meeting held in the Civic Club, at
which Dr. Levis Prizer presided, a
temporary organization was set up
with the following committee named:
The Rev. Craighiil Brown, chairman;
Mrs. C. H. Durgin, Mrs. W. N. Hutt,
Dr. George G. Herr and the Rev. J.
Fred Stimson.
This committee has called a meet
ing of representatives of churches,
j civic organizations, fraternal bodies
I and auxiliaries to be held at the home
j of Mrs. Durgin on Monday night at
I 7:30 o’clock at which time a perma-
j nent organization will be set up.
I Need for local funds for relief is
I great since the government has turn-
; ed back to the towns the responsibil-
I ity for its own cases, except where
I government employment is involved.
Families with no employable mem-
I bers must be cared for locally, and
; there are at present 16 such fami
lies here, some in need of complete
relief, some partial. Contributions are
already being received by Mr. Brown
toward their care, and all funds will
I be most welcome.
j It is planned to interest persons in
; individual cases as much as possible,
i and already one resident of Southern
! Pines has taken the responsibility
I for one of the worst local cases, as-
I suming support of a family for three
j months. The committee yesterday
j gave The Pilot three sample cases,
i and hopes that some residents able
j to do so will get in touch with Mr.
I Brown and look after these needy
' persons. Other cases are similar and
information about them may be learn-
i ed from the committee. The three
j cases mentioned are;
; No. 1. Old woman, white, abso-
I lutely devoid of means of support,
' helpless. Complete relief required. Els-
1 timate, $7.00 per week.
No. 2. Mother, white, a widow, and
son hopelessly ill of tuberculosis. No
means of support. Complete relief re
quired. $10.00 per week.
No. 3. Old woman, colored, ill and
with no means of support. Complete
relief. $5.00 per week.
It is hoped that organizations as
well as individuals may be interest
ed in assuming responsibility for
some of the 16 cases. At present all
local relief funds have been exhaust
ed, and the demands upon the com
mittee are greatly In excess of con
tributions. No outside State or feder
al money Is available, and an ur
gent plea is made for assistance that
Southern Pines may be in a position
to look after Its needy and unfortu
nate.
The Equestrian Gymkhana at the
Southern Pines Horse Show ring,
postponed from last Friday, will be
held a week from today, on Friday,
February 15th, the committee an
nounced yesterday. Tliere will be no
events there this afternoon, but next
Friday the biggest and most excit
ing horse and rider program of the
winter is promised, the committee
working on a number of feature at
tractions and stunts for that after
noon.
The relation of art to religion will
be most attractively shown at the
Community Hour next Sunday night
aL th.e Church of Wide Fellowship.
Motion pictures will tell the story of
how Raphael’s masterpiece, the "Ma
donna of the Chair,” was begun
Another reel will show the historical
setting of Michael Ang^elo’s paintings
on the ceiling of the Slstlne Chapel.
’This is perhaps the most wonderful
painting in the world, and contains
three hundred and forty-three differ
ent figures, poi-traying many Biblical
incidents.
Admission is free at these Commun
ity Hour services. The service will
begin promptly at 7:30 p. m.
Jl’DGE SH.\W TO PRESIDE
AT SUPERIQR COURT TERM
TUFTS AEGUES AGAINST
INCREASED HOTEL
TAX
James Tufts of Pineh’irst appear-
d before the Senate Finance Commit*
tee at Raleigh last week to argu6
against an increased tax rate on *e-
sort hotels, basing his argument on
the fact that these hotels are opten
only about half a year and should
not be required to pay a full year’s
rate.
KIWANIS URGES STATE
lu RE-EOUTE HIGHWAY 18
A term of Superior Court for the
trial of civil cases will convene In
Carthage on Monday with Judge
Thomas J. Shaw presiding. The term
will in all probability be short as few
cases are on the docket.
The Kiwanis Club at its meeting
Wednesday passed a resolution to ap
peal to State Highway Commission
Chairman Capus Waynick to restore
U. S. Highway 15 to its former route
leading to the Sandhills via Sanford,
rather than from Durham to Raleigh
as recently changed.
RUNNING AND TROTTING RACES
TOMORROW AT PINEHURST
Horse racing starts up again to
morrow, Saturday afternoon, on the
Pinehurst Race Track, under the aus
pices of tlie Pinehurst Racing Asso
ciation. In addition to ninning races
there will be two trotting events and
a mule race in which farmers will
compete for prizes. P. S. P. Randolph,
the racing secretary announced yes
terday. The largest crowd of the sea
son is looked for.