MOORE COUNTY’S
LEADING
NEWS-WEEKLY
THE
A Paper Devoted to the Upbuilding
VOL. 15A, NO. 13.
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FIRST IN NEWS,
CIRCl LATION &
ADVERTISING
of the Sandhill Territory of North Carolina
Southern Pines and Aberdeen, North Carolina, Friday, February 22, 1935.
FIVE CENTS
Chamber of Commerce to
Campaign for Recreation
Center in Southern Pines
Hu^h .1. Betterley Elected Presi
dent and “Forward March”
Adopted 1935 Slogan
With its election of Hugh J. Better-
ly as president, the new board of di
rectors of the Southern Pines Cham
ber of Commerce pledged itself to
launch a campaign for an auditorium
and recreation center at once, and to
make “Forward March” the slogan
for the organization for 1935.
Mr. Betterley’s election to head the
Chamber, succeeding Nelson C. Hyde,
was unanimous. Ralph L. Chandler
was elected vice president. Dr. L. B.
McBrayer national councilor and U.
D. Shields Cameron secretary and
treasurer. The following were elect
ed to the board of directors at the
annual meeting held last week at the
Mid-Pines Club:
W. L. Baker, H. L. Betterley, Frank
Buchan, Shields Cameron, Herbert
Cameron, George W. Case, R. L.
Chandler, E. T. Chapman, R. S. Du-
Rant, R. L. Hart, Dr. George G. Herr,
Nelson C. Hyde, Dr. L. B. McBrayer,
J. A- McPherson, Dante Montesanti,
George C. Moore, Dr W. C. Mudget,
F, B. Pottle, E. W. Reinecke, S. B.
Richt'-dson, C. J. Simons, J. Fred
Stimson, Hiram Westbrook and J.
M. Windham. Honorary directors:
Charles W. Picquet, John J. Fitzger
ald, Harry Buckley and Frederick
Stanley Smith.
For Rrrreatlonal FufllltloH
The need of a recreation center in
Southern Pines was stressed by a
number of members, among them
Mr. Richardson, Mr. Windh.am, Mr.
Betterley and Dr. McBrayer. The fre
quent complaint heard from winter
visitors that there is no general meet
ing place here, no community or so
cial center, no place to drop in to
meet other winter residents, enjoy a
friendly bridge gp'.ne, a game of bil-
lards or other pastime, was voiced
and the argument set forth that im-
til this condition is remedied South
ern Pines could not hope to compete
with other winter resorts. It was
pointed out that a large percentage
of the winter population here does not
play golf or tennis or ride horses,
and that some recreational facilities
they might enjoy must be provided
for them.
President Betterly is to appoint a
committee, this week to look into the
possibility of a federal loan under
relief funds for such a community
and recreation center, to contain an
auditorium large enough to accommo
date convention meetings, mass meet
ings, stage productions and such af
fairs; to have card rooms, a reading
room, billiard room, possibly a swim-
ning pool and bowling alleys. It was
also suggested that municipal offices
be provided in the structure.
In addition to the launching of the
campaign for an auditorium, plans
were discussed at Tuesday’s meet
ing for the second annual Spring
Blossom Festival here in April. A
meeting of committee chairmen was
held on Monday night at which time
General fChairman S. B. Richard
son pointed out the duties of the var
ious committees and started them off
on their work. I
C. of C. President
llltJH .1. BKTT^fUl.EY
MAIL CARRIER IS
HELD UP. ROBBED
OF CAR AND CASH
John Monroe, Eagle Springs,
Forced to Surrender Auto
at Point of Gun
S.ANDHILLS BUSINESS IVfEN
.APFE.VH BEFORE COMMITTEE
The Sandhills section was repre
sented at the public hearing in Ra
leigh Wednesday on Senator John
Sprunt Hill’s bill to provide for the
sale of liquor through state-operated
stores. Among those from here ap
pearing in support of the bill were
James W. Tufts, E. G. Fitzgerald,
Donald J. Ross, James MacNab, and
Livingston L. Biddle, II, of Pinehurst,
and William Flynn, M. H. Turner,
John Fitzgerald, and Howard Bums
of Southern Pines. Their arguments
were that it Is detrimental to the
interests of this section, the winter
home of. so many northerners, to de
prive them of the same rights here
that they enjoy in their Northern
homes, and that the liquor traffic in
North Carolina can be better control
led by a law consistent with federal
laws than it is at present.
John Monroe, R. F. D. mail car
rier from Eagle Springs, was held up
and at the point of a gun forced to
surrender hia automobile to two
young white men, who also relieved
him of a small amount of cash before
speeding away. The robbery occurred
on Monday not far from Eagle
Springs. Mr. Monroe, driving a car
that was practically new, had return
ed from his mail route and was on
his way to his farm when the hold
up took place.
According to the report, two men
appeared at a filling station and ask
ed if anyone was likely to come along
in a new car, ^^iving the impression
that they wanted to get a ride. While
there they ate some canned goods
and drank coca colas. Becoming sus
picious of the men becausp of their
inquiry about a “new” car, the filling
station operator, it is said, carefully
placed the cans and bottles used by
the men to on side, thinking they
might prove useful as a source of
fingerprints.
Officers were soon on the trail,
and reports were heard of a speed
ing car having been seen along the
highway toward Asheboro, but no ar
rests have been made.
Princeton’s Highest
Honor to H. A. Pag-e, III
Aberdeen Boy Awarded M. Tay
lor Pyne Prize, For Excel
lent Scholarship
The M. Taylor Pyne Honor Prize,
the highest general distinction Prince
ton University confers upon an under
graduate, will be bestowed today
upon Henry Allison Page III, son of
Henry A. Page, Jr., of Aberdeen. The
award will be made by Prc-pident Har
old W. Dodds at the winter meeting
of the Princeton National Alumni As
sociation held in the Faculty Room
of Nassau Hall.
The Pyne Prize is the second honor
which has come to Page this year.
Early in January he was chosen as
one of the four Rhodes Scholars from
the South Atlantic district. Page,
whose scholastic average has been
among the highest in the senior
class, was elected to the Phi Beta
Kappa Society his junior year and is
(Please turn to page 5)
GYMKHANA POSTPONED
HUNTER TRIALS TO
PRECEDE RACES
HERE MARCH 16
Full Day’s Program Announced
by Sandhills Steeplechase
& Racing Association
ENTRY BLANKS SENT OUT
Entry blanks and conditions for the
first race meeting on the new course
of the Sandhills Steeplechase & Rac
ing Association on the Midland Road
were mailed out to owners of lead
ing hunt race horses this week. The
entries close on March 10th, ten days
before the meeting.
The first race on the program will
be the Pinehurst Steeplechase, a pri
vate .sweepstakes of $10.00 each, for
maidens and winners of one race.
Four-year olds are to carry 145
pounds, five-year-olds 150 pounds, six-
year-olds and upward.s, 155 pounds.
Former winners five poimds addition
al. This race is to be two miles over
bru.sh jumps.
The second race will be the Sand
hills Cup Steeplechase, three miles
over timber fences, for four-year-olds
and upwards. Weight, 165 pounds.
Four-yea’-olds allowed 10 pounds,
five-year-olds five pounds. A trophy
for this, the feature event of the af-
ternjon, has been presented by Mrs.
Verner Z. Reed, Jr., of Pinehurst and
Newport, R. I., in addition to which a
purse of $150 goes to the winner,
$35 to the second horse and $15 to
the third.
Third on the card is the Southern
, Pines Steeplechase, a private sweep-
I takes of $10.00 each, for four-year-
i olds and upwards, four-year-olds to
carry 150 pounds, five-year-olds 157
pounds,six -year-olds and upwards 162
I pounds. Non-winners in 1934 and
I 1935 allowed five pounds. This race,
I two miles over brush is for amateur
I riders only.
I Hunter Trials
i The day will be a full one for horse
: lovers. The committee, comprising
Almet Jenks, chairman; Nelson C.
; Hyde, Noel Laing, Verner Z. Reed,
Jr., James W. Tufts and P. S. P.
Randolph, the racing secretary, de
cided last week to have hunter trials
in the morning on a course laid out
inside the race course and entry
blanks for the trials have also been
mailed out. There will be two classes,
one for thorobreds and one for non-
thorobreds, with suitable trophies for
the winners. The course will be ap
proximately one mile in length, with
some ten fences, the horses to be
judged on manner of going, hunting
pace, etc.
Work on the new course has been
progressing rapidly during the past
week, with a large force of men hard
at work erecting the brush jumps,
rolling the timber and brush courses
and mowing the inside hunter trial
course.
Many of the leading hunt race |
horses in the country are expected to i
be among the enti-ies in the brush |
and tin\ber races, ana assurances!
have already been received of a big
entry in the hunter trials.
\ Friend of Ail
BION H. BUTLER
Engaged in Conversation With a Former Slave.
Adventurous Days Preceded
Mr. Butter's Coming to Sandhills
Due to the death of Bion H. Butler,
the gymkhana committee, Rev. J.
Fred Stimson, Nelson C. Hyde and
Herbert Cameron, yesterday postpon
ed the event scheduled for this after
noon at the Southern Pine* Horse
Show ring.
George St. John, Pioneer
Hotel Man Here, Dies
Began Operation of Piney W(H)ds
Inn in 1895 and Was
Annual Visitor
With the death of George St. John
at the home of his son Charles in
East Orange, N. J., on Saturday pass
ed the last survivor save one of the
group of pioneer hotel men of South
ern Pines.
The brothers, Charles and George, |
begun the operation of the old Piney;
Woods Inn in 1895, and for thirteen
years made it one of the best known:
hotels in the state, doing much to ■
forward the interests of Southern j
Pines. In 1905, wijh Charles’ son Leon, |
they leased Oak Hall, now the South- ]
land, and from there they went to
Hendersonville to operate the St.
John.
Surviving the deceased, who was 84.
last September, is an older brother,
Joseph; two sons, Charles and George,
and two daughters. For years Mr. St.
John during the month of February
paid an annual visit to Southern
Pines as the guest of C. T. Patch.
Traveled 14,000 Miles to Get
Story of Oil Wells in
Russia
BV ID.A BRItiOS HENDERSON
(Reprinted from Charlotte Obbserver
of Sunday, June 4, 1933.)
Bion H. Butler, beloved dean of
the Sandhill’s host of newspaper men
and literati, needs no introduction to
the people of North Carolina. For
forty odd years since he left news
paper work in Pittsburgh to make
this state his adopted home, this
man has labored for the good of
North Carolina.
As editor of The Pilot, live little
paper of the Sandhill section, be
sides through other newspapers scat
tered over a wide territory, Bion
Butler has indeed told the world
about his section as few other men
have. He has had the hardest part
laying the foimdation work, the cre
ating of public sentiment in favor
of the pine woods of Carolina, the
writing of words across the sky that
has resulted in establishing Pinehurst
and Southern Pines as nationally
known resorts; where not only tour
ists go to spend a while, but others
who, having once gone there, have
been caught by the lure of the lovely
long-leaf pine country to build homes
for themselves.
Since Mr. Butler discovered the
beauty of the rolling Sandhills, hand
some hotels, attractive shops and
homes, n^ny of them really palatial
in their architecture and appoint
ments, have sprung up like magic
under the shadow of the glory of the
long leaf pines whose slender needle
like leaves give out a healthy aro
matic fragrance. Here, too, has been
formed a Writers’ Colony where na
tionally renowned writers and au
thors spend their winters—these
claim that they live there because
they have found conditions ideal for
A'riting—not too far from the larg
est literary center. New York, and
situated in an atmosphere of quiet
peace conducive to soothe the sensi
tive nerves of those who do creative
work.
Also, the peach farmers of the
Sandhill section which now acknowl
edges few superiors in the peach in
dustry, gratefully claim that Bion
Butler encouraged and advised them
in their initial endeavor to establish
their large peach farms w’hich have
become the chief commercial asset
of the several counties which com
pose the Sandhill region of North
Carolina.
However, the efforts of this versa-
‘Pti'ase turn to pnge 4)
Tributes
From Governor J. C. B. Ehringhaus:
Please convey my sympathy and
condolence to family of Mr. Butler.
His fine service to state and com
munity will long be remenibered.
From Murdoch M. Johnson, Member
South Carolina Legislature: for
mer North Carolina State Senator:
Am immeasurably grieved at news
of death of Bion Butler. He has light
ed more burdens, settled more diffi
culties and gladdened more hearts
than any man I know. The Sandhills
and Moore county have lost their
best friend. A great pen is silenced,
a great heart is still.
From U. L. Spence, Slate Senator,
North Carolina:
Am profoundly grieved at the death
of your distinguished citizen and my
lifelong friend. I extend my condo
lence.
By Frank Buchan, Postmaster, South
ern Pines: , '
Regardless of wealth, poverty,
creed or color, Bion Butler had abid
ing faith in humanity. He refused
to see anything but the good in every
body. Those of us who for so long
have sought his advice on all our
problems, and found it so easy to
confide in him, will miss him much.
From Struthers Burt:
Am so deeply sorry at your news.
I do not know what we will do with
out Bion. He was like one of his own
well loved pines.
From Thad S. Page, Secretary to U.
S. Senator J. W. Bailey:
Deeply grieved to learn of Mr. But
ler’s death. The Sandhills section has
lost one of its soundest men. My deep
est sympathy to members of the fam
ily.
From Superior Court Judge F. Don
ald Phillips:
Please convey my sincere sympathy
to family.
By D. G. Stutz, I.Ayor, Southern
Pines:
The passing of Bion H. Butler, who
for thirty years was a pioneer in the
development of Southern Pines and
Moore County, comes as a distinct
3ho«?k to the town and surrounding
communities. He was a friend to both
the white and the colored and the en
tire community mourns Its loss. He
{Please turn to page- 4)
Bion H. Butler,
Iditor of Pilot,
.Aged 77
Ends' Lifetime of Devotion to
His Profession and Service
to His Community.
FINERAL ON SATURDAY
Bion H. Butler, editor of The Pi
lot, associate editor of the Sandhills
Daily News, leader in the develop
ment of the Sandhills over a per
iod of nearly 40 years, died at his
home, Valhalla, on the outskirts of
Southern Pines shortly after one
o’clock yesterday morning. He had
been in ill health since last fall, but
had continued to the end his editor
ial duties, dictating from his bedside
when unable himself to write.
Mr. Butler had devoted half his life
time to the “Upbuilding of the Sand
hill Territory of North Carolina,” the
slogan carried on The Pilot masthead.
The fame of this section throughout
the world is due more to him than to
any other one person. His going is a
community loss, and an irreparable
one. And beloved of all, it iB a per
sonal loss to the thousands who call
ed him friend.
Funeral Saturday at 3:30
Mr. Butler’s body will lie in state
at the home all day tomorrow, Sat
urday, where his friends, both white
and colored, may call. The services
will be at 3:30 o’clock at the house,
with the Rev. J. Fred Stimson offi
ciating, assisted by Dr, T. A. Cheat
ham of Pinehurst, the Rev. E. L. Bar.
1 ber of Aberdeen and Father Dillon.
Burial will follow at Old Bethesda
j Cemetery.
The following have been asked to
I serve a.s honorary bearers: Leonard
'Tufts, John R. McQueen, J. R. Page,
Henry A. Page, Sr., Dr. William C.
I Mudgett, J. M. Windham, Union L.
Spence, Arthur S. Newcomb, M. G.
, Nichols, James Boyd, George T. Dun-
I lap, Claude L. Hayes, C. T. Patch, Dr.
j A. H. McLeod, Dorsey G. Stutz, M.
I C. McDonald, G. C. Abraham, O. H.
I Stutts, Robert L. Hart, Stacy Brew-
. er, R. S. DuRant. M. H. Folley, G.
IC. Seymour, Henry McCoy Blue and
W'. H. McNeill
The active bearers will be Nelson
' C. Hyde, Charles W. Picquet, J. Tal-
: bot Johnson, Rassie E. WMcker, Harry
Goldsmith and John G. Hemmer.
I A favorite song of Mr, Butler’s,
■ heard by him in Mexico years ago,
"Flee as a Bird,” will be sung at the
' services by the following; P. Frank
Buchan, S. B. Richardson, Shields
i Cameron, T. A. Kelly, Dr. L. M. Mc
Brayer, J. B. Gifford, D. S. Packard,
Willard Dunlop and A. L. Adams.
Born in 1857
Bion Butler was born on June 28,
1857 in Brookville, Pennsylvania, the
son of Lieut. Col. Cyrus Butler and
Elizabeth Butler. His father fought
through the Civil War. He attended
Pittsburgh schools at an early age,
afterwards going to the military
school at Titusville, Pa., where at the
age of 12 he learned to set type. His
early inclinations were toward news
paper work, and at 19 he established
the Courier at DuBois, Pa., to this day
a thriving paper. He later became
affiliated with the Pittsburgh Times
!and it was during this connection that
: he was given the longest individual
i newspaper assignment up to then,
i that of the study of the development
I of the oil industry in Russia.
His complete and thorough report
of his studies in Russia led to his
becomirig a special writer on the oil,
coal and other industries of Perm-
sylvania, for various newspapers.
And it also started the wanderlust
I which led him to all parts of the
North American continent in his zeal
! for information and news. One cold
I
I day in Pittsburgh he wandered into
the railroad office and asked the
agent for a ticket.
"Where to?”
“Any place that isn’t cold,” Mr.
Butler said.
Moves to Tennessee
He was given a ticket to Knoxville,
Tennessee, and for some time wr>rk-
ed on the Knoxville Courier-Joumal.
Later he went west, visited Mexico,
(Please turn to page 4)