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VOLUME 23, NO. 50
Kiwanis Ladies' Night Banquet Will Be
Held December 3 With Hoey as Speaker
Address by Former Governor '
and Awarding of Builder's
Cup Will Be High Lights
By HOWARD F. BURNS
The Sandhills Kiwanis Club, at its
weekly luncheon at the Holly Inn in
Pinehurst on Wednesday, heard an
impressive address by Lawrence A.
Watts, religious director of the North
Carolina Prison System of Raleigh,
who stated the number of inmates
now stands at 6.500 in comparison
with a record high of 10,500, a few
years ago. Dr. E. M. Medlin, chair
man of the Ladies' Night Committee,
announced that Clyde R. Hoey would
be the guest speaker at the annual
Ladies' Night Banquet at the Caro
lina Hotel in Pinehurst on Friday,
December 3rd, at which time the Ki
wanis Builder's cup will be awarded
to the man or woman doing an out
standing work for the County. An
nouncement was also made that the
annual election of club officers will
be held Wednesday, the 17th, at the
Pinehurst Country Club. Candidates
for president are A. L. Burney of
Aberdeen and Charles J. McDonald
of Carthage; vice-president, George
Moore of Southern Pines, and John
F- Taylor of Pinehurst; treasurer,
Larry Miner.
Continuing his speech, Mr- Watts
told the club that the inmates of the
State Prison are divided into four
classes. First are those groups in
which environment is responsible
for their crimes; picturing the en
vironment in some cases as being
so bad that little else could be ex
pected other than ending in a life
of crime- Second, he pointed out, is
the careless group, a group in which
the prisoner feels that no one is
concerned regarding his welfare, a
castout from society. Third, he de
clared, is the accidental group. These
are men for which crime is the only
way out. The fourth group he referr
ed to as being men sentenced to pris
on in which cases they claim they
are not guilty of the crime. As an
example, he referred to a man who
served from two to three years of
his time and was freed.
The speaker stated that North
Carolina was among the few states
able to operate its prison system at
the rate of $300.00 per capita or a
gross cost of $2,000,000-00 annually,
while some states run as high as
$750-00 per capita.
In conclusion, he declared the
State Prison authorities were re
ceiving many letters wanting to
know the names of prisoners releas
ed each month in order that they
might be given employment and a
chance to make a come back in the
walk of life.
The speaker was introduced by A.
L. Burney, chairman of the Program
Committee.
Tickets for Ladies' Night Ban
quet will go on sale at $2.00 each
this week, and can be obtained from
1. C. Sledge of Pinehurst, Bynum
Patterson of Southern Pines. W. B-
Sabiston of Carthage, and A- L. Bur
ney of Aberdeen. The dinner will be
followed with a dance at the Carolina
Hotel, and plans are being made for
a large turn-out.
J. M. Currie Succeeds
Shaw on County Board
Clyde B- Shaw, on account of his
appointment as acting postmaster at
Carthage, resigned as a member of
the Board of County Commissioners
and John Willcox, Clerk of the
Court, appointed John M. Currie of
Carthage to fill out the unexpired
term- The Commissioners, at their
meeting last week, accepted the res
ignation and new appointment and
Mr. Currie entered upon his duties.
Pat McDonald gave up the post
office -in order to take over the rural
route vacancy created by the death
of Lonnie Blue.
ANNUAL ELECTION
The Southern Pines branch of
the American Red Cross will
hold its annual meeting for the
election of officers at 3:00 p. m-
Wednesday, Nor. 17, in t'ae li
brary of the High School Annual
reports will be made at this
meeting.
ANNUAL EDITION
Next week's issue will be
THE PILOT'S annual number,
this year featuring Army life as
it affects Southern Pines and its
military visitors and residents.
Its many features will include
articles from all the churches
and civic organizations which
have endeavored to render pa
triotic service by making life
more pleasant and meaningful
for the servicemen and women,
and interesting business mes
sages in the advertising columns-
Garrison Is Elected
County Chairman of
American Red Cross
Annual Meeting Held
Friday at Southern
Pines High School
The election of officers for the
coming year and splendid reports,
showing a tremendous amount of
work accomplished, featured the an
nual meeting of the Moore County
Chapter, American Red Cross, which
was held Friday afternoon at the
Southern Pines High School with
Miss Laura Kelsey, Ist vice-chair
man, presiding.
The following were elected: Chair
man, E. H. Garrison, Jr., of Carth
age, Moore County farm agent; Ist
vice-chairman, L. T. Avery of South
ern Pines; 2nd vice-chairman. J. B.
Edwards of Aberdeen; 3rd vice-chair
man. Mrs- Herbrt F. Seawell. Jr., of
Carthage; 4th vice-chairman, Miss
Laura Kelsey of Southern Pines;
treasurer, David S- Packard of South
ern Pines; secretary, Miss Geneva
Hall of Southern Pines; home service
chairman, Mrs. L. D. Williams. Mrs.
Lee Clarke, who has been the effi
cient executive secretary for some
time continues in that capacity.
Mr. Packard succeeds Carl G.
Thompson, who had served capably
as treasurer for several years, out
who, on account of his new business
connection at Burlington, is Unable
to serve longer- Mrs. Williams suc
ceeds her husband as chairman of
home service, a work which he ad
ministered in such an outstanding
way as to win for himself recogni
tion and a position as Red Cross as
sistant director of supplies in the
Southeastern Area, with headquar
ters in Atlanta. He expects to leave
shortly to begin his new work, which
will be concerned with supplies for
war and disaster of any kind.
Reports of activities were given by
the branch chairmen.
ASSISTS FBI
Mrs- Jean Edson, proprietor of
"franjean's." apparently did police
authorities a favor last Saturday
while attempting to protect her own
property.
Seeing a woman stealthily bund
ling a dress from a rack, Mrs. Edson
pluckily chased the culprit through
the shop and out at the* rear door in
to the "alley, then called for police
aid. Officer Irvin Morrison respond
ed and took the woman to the police
station, where she gave her name
and address as Edna Shumaker of
Pennsylvania, now residing part of
the time in a trailer at Aberdeen and
at times in South Carolina.
After being taken to Carthage the
woman was arrested by the FBI and
charged with violation of the May
Act. She is now in custody of the
FBI.
HOME FROM HOSPITAL
C- R- Mills of Pinedene, who was
injured in an automobile accident
near Carthage on Wednesday of last
week, has returned to his home from
the Moore County Hospital, but is
still suffering from bruises and
shock-
SGT. MILLS HERE
Staff Sgt. Russell Mills, here on
furlough from Camp Polk, La., is the
guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs- C-
R- Mills- Russell is one of Uncle
Sam's supply sergeants in Field Ar
tillery with the 9th Armored Division
at Camp Polk.
Southern Pines, North Carolina Friday, November 12, 1943.
MARINE CORPS
CPL. CLYDE PAGE RICH
Corporal Clyde Page Rich of the
U- S. Marine Corps has been leading
a busy life since his enlistment in
June, 1940- After completing bootj
training at Parris Island, S- C-, he
was transferred to Trinidad, B. W. I- J
where he was stationed for about
18 months. Last Thanksgiving Day he
was sent to Puerto Rico, where dur
ing his eight-month stay he picked
up quite a bit of Spanish. A 4000-'
inile trip this fall landed him at the
home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. 1
L- Rich, in Vass. and after a visit
of several days, he reported to the
navy yard at Washington. D. C- Cpl.;
Rich was reared at Troy, but his pa
rents have resided in Vass for some
time-
Extensive New Air
Service Planned
Frequency of service to a maxi
mum numbef of terminal and inter
mediate points is emphasized in a
proposed great air transport develop
ment by State Airlines. Inc., with
headquarters in Charlotte, for which |
operating authority is being sought
from the Civil Aeronautics Board
in Washington-
The two applications State Air
lines filed with the CAB seek cer
tificates which not only will per
mit regularly scheduled flights to
serve cities not now served by con
tact flights, but also will create vi
tal links of fast, frequent and depend
dable air service connecting the mid
dle West, the Carolinas and the
South.
State Airlines has operated nearly
three years a contract service which
has carried it into almost all of the
cities listed on the proposed ten
routes on which regular schedules
would be flown-
Service to and from Southern
Pines is planned on Route 3 to Char
lotte, Favetteville and other points.
SUES FOR SIO,OOO
Thomas Naile, who was injured in
the automobile accident on the night
of August 2 which claimed the life
of O. H- Stutts. prominent Pinehurst
resident, has started suit in Moore
County Court against Ellen L. Bear
don. administratrix of the estate of
Mr. Stutts, in an effort to collect $lO,-
000 for alleged injuries sustained.
In the complaint the plaintiff
makes the following allegations: that
at the request of Mr. Stutts he agreed
to travel with him in an automobile
from Knollwood on a business trip
to the Beasley residence near Car
thage; that Mr- Stutts operated his
high powered car at a speed in ex
cess of 60 miles per hour over the
repeated protest of the plaintiff and
in response to plaintiff's appeals op
erated the car faster and faster un
til he lost control, the car turning
over several times- As a ;esult of the
accident the plaintiff alleges that
he was permanently injured.
FIRST CLASS
The War Department advises
that Christinas greeting cards for
soldiers overseas must be sent in
sealed envelopes and prepaid at
the First Class rate- The War
Department further urges that
such cards be mailed at ooce
stating that cards mailed now
will. according to Army Postal
Service, reach even the most re
mote A-P.O.'i by December U.
ARMY AIR CORPS
■' ■
"
SGT. JACK THOMAS
Staff Sergeant Jack Thomas has
1 just been promoted to that rank at
Lincoln Air Base, Lincoln, Neb-,
i where he is with the 445 th Bomb
| Group- He is crew chief of a plane.
| Sgt. Thomas was inducted into the
j Army the last week of October, 1942,
j and has received training at a num
| ber of places, including Fort Bragg,
i Greensboro. Keesler Field. Miss.; De
, troit, Mich-; Salt Lake City, Utah.
I and his present station- Mrs- Thomas
I the former Miss Dorothy Dorn of
' Southern Pines, has been with her
I husband for the last three months.
Payroll Savings
Campaign Underway
The Moore County Women's Divi
sion of the War Finance Committee
met Wednesday afternoon in the
CJUrt House at Carthage with Mrs-
P- P. McCain, regional chairman,
and Mrs. J. S. Mitchener of Raleigh,
State vice-chairman, as speakers-
The purpose of the meeting was to
present the Payroll Savings Plan,
and to organize the work of con
tacting those firms in the county
employing less than 100 people in
an effort to get them enlisted in the
plan, this group of firms having been
assigned to the Women's Division.
Workers \Vill interview heads of
firms this week and the first of next
to explain the plan and urge its in
stallation.
Mrs. Norris L. Hodgkins. county
chairman, is sending out the follow
ing letter as a forerunner to the can
vass which it is hoped can be com
pleted on the 15th of November:
"It is important tnat income de
rived by the government be regular
and consistent. This can be achieved
by a Payroll Savings Plan, whereby
a definite percentage of a worker's
salary is deducted at its source and
diverted into War savings.
The Women's Division of the War
Finance Committee of Moore County
is undertaking to canvass the firms
that employ less than 100 persons.
Sometime this week some represent
ative will call on you to explain the
plan and to help you to install this
system- The goal is 10 per cent of the
income of the workers- Of course
some cannot afford this amount, but
if others can save a larger percent
age, the average of 10 per cent may \
be reached and the firm can have the
Treasury 10 per cent flag and a Cer-1
tificate of Merit awarded."
Miss Flora McDonald is vice chair
man of the county organization, Mrs-
S- R. Smith publicity chairman, and
the local chairmen are as follows:
Aberdeen, Mrs. O- Leon Seymour;
Southern Pines, Mrs. J. J. Spring;
West End, Mrs- M. C. McDonald;
Hemp, Mrs. W. P- Saunders; Cam
eron, Mrs- Pete Phillips; Carthage,
Mrs. Myrton Stewart; Pinebluff, Mrs-
Roy Griffin-
EAGLE SCOUT
Douglas Rowe, son of Mr- and Mrs.
J- Vance Rowe of Aberdeen, was ad
vanced to the rank of Eagle Scout at
an impressive Boy Scout Court of
Honor held at the Aberdeen High
School Building Tuesday night with
Paul Butler of Southern Pines, coun
ty Court of Honor chairman, presid
ing. Mrs- Rowe pinned the badge on
her son. Several Scouts received mer
it badges and awards for civic duty
Interesting features of the meet
ing included special music by mem
bers of the high school faculty, and
a group of poems given by Riley
Scott.
Pvt. Willie McNeill, Mackai/ jldier,
Confesses Stabbing Oscar D. Michael
and Is Being Held in State's Prison
SCRAP PAPER DRIVE
Saturday. Nov 13, will be
Scrap Paper Day in Southern
Pines- Paul Butler of the Sal
vage Committee announces that
a truck has been procured for
collecting paper and the Boy
Scouts will accompany the truck
on its collection rounds Saturday
morning. Please have your pap
per and cardboard in neat bun
dles for the boys when they call.
Mr. Butler brought the good
news that work on the scrap bin
across from the Seaboard station
was being started Wednesday.
Summary of United
War Fund Drive Is
Indicative of Unity
Donations in Moore
County Far Exceed
the Quota Assigned
By E. A. WEST
In a statement at his Robbins Cloth
Mills offices in Hemp. W. P. Saun
ders. chairman of Moore County's
War Fund drive, confirmed previous
estimates by advising that the cam
paign, which closed a day or two
ago, had been an unqualified success,
with a total of 813,366.49 received
from all sources- As Moore County's
quota was only $9,997.00 this, of
course, means that we bettered ex
pectations by $3,369.49. Also, it is
quite possible that there may be a
few additional late subscriptions.
Mr. Saunders had nothing but
praise for the cooperation and dili
gence of his chairmen throughout
the county. Almost without excep
tion these people went to work at
their tasks with an enthusiasm that
swept everything before it and that
they succeeded beyond expectations
is amply shown by the results ob
tained.
Chairman Saunciers reports that
the drive was a spirited one every
where in the county. Everyone help
ed; churches, schools, lodges, clubs,
societies and other organizations.
Ministers pleaded for the cause from
their pulpits, then went to work on
the outside. Principals and school
teachers gave unstintedly of their
time and effort to make the campaign
successful- The local chairmen gath
ered committees about them and
went to work- The cooperation and
the spirit of unity which the drive
developed are worthy of mention. In
nearly every local report was con
tained the fervent hope that the en
tire county would go over the top-
And go over the top Moore County
did! There are reasons why. No
where are people to be found who
are more compassionately interested
in the good causes growing from the?
war needs of our weary world. Our
people had knowledge that dona
tions to the fund meant help of
many kinds for our fighting men and
women around the world. They real
continued on Page 5)
MOTHER OF LOCAL
WOMAN SUCCUMBS
Mrs. A- F. Kelly, mother of Mrs-
Thelma Kelly Holt, manager of
Mack's Store in Southern Pines, died
Tuesday night at her home at Jones
boro at the age of 82 years- Funeral
service was held at Shallow Well
Church Wednesday afternoon- Mrs-
Kelly had resided in the Jonesboro
section all her life. Before marriage
she was Miss Delilah Ann McNeill.
In addition to Mrs- Holt, the fol
lowing other children survive: Mrs-
O. T. Brown, New Bern; Mrs. L. D-
Sloan. Jonesboro; Paul and Joe Kel
ly, Sanford; Marvin Kelly. Jonesboro
and Burl Kelly, Cheraw, S- C.
HOME BURGLARIZED
While L. V. O'Callaghan was in
Durham recently visiting his wife at
Duke Hospital, his home at the cor
ner of Ridge Street and Rhode Is
land Avenue was burglarized, en
trance being gained by breaking a
rear window. The entire house was
ransacked and some jewelry and
personal effects are missing.
|jMSjjjL
TEN CENTS
* Murder Knife Found
Buried in Garden of
Man's Home in Sanford
Pvt. Willie McNeill, 23, Camp
Mackall soldier whose home is in
Sanford, has confessed the brutal
murder of Oscar D. Michael, popu
| lar Southern Pines taxi operator, and
|is now in State's Prison. Raleigh,
awaiting trial in Moore County Su
j perior Court, according to informa-
I tion given out by local officers, who
j worked tirelessly on the case until
it MAS broken.
Michael was horribly stabbed ear
j ly Tuesday morning of last week and
thrown from his car in a dying condi
! tion in West Southern Pines. He died
} en route to the Moore County Hos
pital.
Officers immediately called into
( use every facility for speedily track
ing down the guilty party- Wie trail
was localized when Michael's car was
! found some six hours after its aban
donment at the rear of the Lee
| County Training School in Sanford
by State Highway Patrolman James
j Coleman, who had a complete de
! scription wired by Chief Newton-
Numerous fingerprints were found on
the car by Agent Zimmerman of the
State Bureau of Investigation, who
i had been summoned from Raleigh. *
Chief Paul Watson of Sanford,
Sheriff C. J. McDonald and Deputy
C- D- Jones of Carthage and Chief
Newton and Policeman Morrison of
, Southern- Pines began a thorough in
vestigation in Sanford. They learned
j that McNeill was about the only Ne
igro soldier seen there on Tuesday
! and that he had had clothing wash
ed before returning to Camp Mac
kall Tuesday night. Prints from the
car were taken to officers at camp
and were identified as McNeill's- He
! was arrested Saturday morning.
I McNeill denied having any knowl
-1 edge of the crime when first ques
tioned, but later told that he and a
Negro soldier, reported to be from
South Carolina, had stabbed Mi
chael. officers disclosed- Sunday h$
contessed that he was alone when
the crime was committed; that he
drove to Sanford, abandoned the car,
j went to his home, hid the knife in
| the mattress of a bed, and then slept
j until dark, at which time he board
ed a bus for Aberdeen, reporting at
Camp for reveille Wednesday morn
ing-
The murder weapon, a paratroop
er's knife, was found in the garden
of McNeill's home in Sanford. where
it is said to have been buried by his
wife.
After his arrest McNeill was con
fined under guard in the prison
stockade at Camp Mackall, but Tues
day was surrendered to the State by
I military authorities.
McNeill, detailed as a mess at
tendant for Negro troops, is a na
tive of Harnett County and was for
! merly employed at bus stations in
| Sanford and Durham before his en-
I listment.
The splendid work of the officers
in solving the case and apprehending
| the criminal in such a short time is
! noteworthy.
SCHOOL FIGURES
Figures compiled in the office of
the county superintendent H- Lee
Thomas, show a total schoo, enroll
ment of 5,37 for the first month of
the fall term. The white enrollment
was 3,803. Last year s first month
enrollment was 5,727, of which 3,968
were white children.
The percentage of attendance for
the first month of this year was
93-6 as against 93.1 the first month
of last year. The percentage of first
month attendance for the white
schools for the two years was 95
this year and 94.4 last year; for the
colored, 90 9 this year and 90.2 last
year-
UNUSUAL COMBINATION
In the PILOT office this week we
have been enjoying an unusual com
bination of beautiful flowers, lilacs
and chrysanthemums- The lilacs, us
ually a herald of spring instead of
winter, were given us by Mrs. X. W.
I Barton from the garden of her neigh
bor, Mrs. Marshall Palmer. Their fra~
| grance is delightful.