North Carolina Newspapers

KEEP FAITH ^ \mfhus-^\ VOLUME 25 NO. 23 TEN PAGES Southern Pines, North Carolina Friday, May 4, 1945, TEN PAGES TEN CENTS Corporal Lawton Hatch Home After Three Months in German Prison Camp Gives Interesting Description of Life After His Capture Corporal Lawton Hatch, oldest son of Mrs. Ola Hatch of Penn sylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, returned to his home Tuesday. One of the first group of liberaT ted prisoners to be .returned to this copntry, Corporal Hatch is glad to get back, “glad |to have sand in my shoes instead of mud”, he says, and glad for other rea sons. Corporal Hatch joined up in December,' 1942, and eventually was assigned to the 422'regiment of the 106 Infantry Division of General Hodges’ First Army. His outfit went overseas last October and in December of last year they were in the vicinity of St. Vith, in the ill-fated Bulge. “We were in a kind of draw,” Corporal Hatch said. “The weath er was terrible: driving snow; no chance for reconnaissance. The ■ Germans must have come through under cover of the snow. We didn’t know a thing until they were behind us and we and an other outfit were cut off. We stayed' there, with them firing eighty-eights at us from Tiger Tanks at point blank range. We only had small arms and nobody could get to us. We held out as long as we could but when we had four hundred killed and twelve hundred wounded the colonel surrendered. That was so bad; we all felt terribly, but we couldn’t keep on. ‘They herded us together gnd searched us and took most evety- thing we had. Some of the men managed to hide their watches but they took all our cigarettes. They marched us two miles to S(#lomburg and’ put us in an old barn. Our first aide men went to work on the wounded and they were sent off to a hospital some where.^ The next two days we marched, the first day till ten at night. We only got one meal those two days and that was a piece- of hard tack. We ate snow and drank water from the ditches. Sometimes a man would think he saw a turnip sticking through the snow and take a chance on grabbing it. The next night they put us in a box car: sixty men in a car the size to take twenty-five comfortably. And they started us on a four day ride. We got one meal a day, a loaf of brown bread to each ten men and a spoonful of sorghum on it. One night of that trip I’ll never forget. We were in\ the railroad yards in Limburg, when the R. A. F. came over and bombed the yards. We Si'ere locked in and just left there. The cars jumped and rock ed when the bombs hit and you could here the shrapnel shatter ing around.” Corporal Hatch paused and took a deep breath. “I tell you,” he said, that was a praying bunch of men.” We got to our camp, Stalag 9 at Bad Ober, about thirty-five miles from Frankfort, on Christ mas Day. And that night we had our Christmas Dinner—mixed dried vegetables and brown bread. ‘The camp was in very bad condition. Most of the windows were out, there was no heat and we were allowed only a little wood and brush. We’d start a fire about four o’clock in the after noon and keep it going maybe two hours. We were issued one blanket apiece. We’d sleep two to a wooden bunk, with all our clothes on. The mattresses were tow-sacks filled with excelsior. You’d shake it and fluff it up and by the, time you had lain on it five minutes it was as packed down and as hard as the wooden slats underneath. But the worst of the camp was the food. Just one canteen of soup a day, of dried greens or maybe ground • horse-meat, and brown bread and something they called tea in the motning and coffee the rest of the time. It was always the same, kind of brown with bits of leaves ' in it. The soup ofteh had worms , in it. You’d watch for them and flip them out. We had no uten sils at all. We made knives out of bits of tin cans and whittled ourselves spoons. “Things got worse and worse. The prisoners complained so, fin ally, that the Germans let the colonel send a telegram to the Swiss Geneva Convention inspec tor. He came and got some, of us non-coms moved to another (Continued on Page 4) SHE Tells US ITs late afternoon Wednes day. The office phpne rings. A staff member answers: "The Pilot." A feminine voice comes back: "Er-r-r . . . can you tell me .... wait a minute. . . . BERLIN HAS FALLEN! thank you." The receiver clicks. New Ownership of Dorn’s Store Here Announced Today Morris Johnson and Cliff Johnson Buy This Popular Market Among the changes that are taking place in business in Sou-* them Bines, one of the most note worthy is announced this week, the sale by Henry Dorn of his well known and popular market, located on East Broad Street for the past eighteen years, to Morris Johnson and Cliff Johnson. Starting with the purchase by Henry Dorn and C. L. Worsham in April 1927 of C. B. Chase’s Ver mont Market, then located in a small store now part of the newer establishment, the business grad ually increased so that larger quarters were needed by 1938, and other stores were added to make the present commodious market. With a growing reputation for fine food and courteous service, the firm took a noteworthy step in air conditioning the market for the comfort of its patrolis. Mr. Worsham sold his interest in 1930, and the services of Yates Poe were acquired for a time. Robert Dorn became active man ager in 1936, and so remained un til his entrance into the service of the United States in 1941, when he was succeeded by Morris John son now the new partner-mana ger, who will carry on the busi ness junder the firm 'name of Johnson’s. Mr. Johnson entered the employ of the A & P Store in 1932, from which position he join ed Dorn’s in 1936. He has had a wide experience and is fully fa miliar with the requirements of the Sandhill patronage. YOUTH IS CHARGED WITH TAKING CARS - Alex Dowdy, Carthage Negro youth between 15 and 16 years of age, is in Moore County jail await ing trial for the larceny of three automobiles. Several nights ago Sheriff McDonald left his brother- in-law’s car parked near the Car thage Furniture Store while he went off. When he returned, the car was gone, but it was located the next night near Eureka. Sat urday night the car of a Mr. Fry of West End was stolen while he was in Carthage. It was found near Eastwood. Sunday night a pick-up was taken from John Ba ker’s yard in Carthage. It was located in Pinehurst. Dowdy was arrested Monday and a large bunch of car keys was taken away from him. Sher iff McDonald said. He admitted taking the three cars. The youth has been sent to Morrison Training School sever al times, but each time he escap ed. MISS HOWIE'S 2ND GRADE WINS HONOR IN WAR BOND DRIVE Pupils of Miss Howie’s Second Grade are the proud winners of the local schodl’s War Bond and Stamp Drive that ended April 30. Ann Stutz and Garland Frank Pierce, individual winners will be junior King and Queen at the Carnival performance to be given in the school auditorium May 15. Bonds and stamps bought through the entire school totaled $33,,- 220.30. Of this amount, $25,876 was purchased through the second grade. Since the North Carolina win ner is decided on the per capita basis, the local school has an excellent chance of placing first in the State, and of having the honor of christening a ship at Wilmington. HOME FROM PACIFIC M-SGT. W. H. RABORN Master Sergeant William H. Raborn is spending a 21-day fur lough in Vass with his wife, the former Edith Frye, and son, Dur- wood, after three years service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. At the end of his leave he will report to Camp But- ner for reassignment within the States. Furniture Plant at Aberdeen Will Begin Work Soon The Greer Furniture Company which is installing machinery in the Doub Box and Crate Factory building in Aberdeen, plans to begin operating within ten days, John J. Greer told The Pilot early this week. For the first sixty to ninety days, the plant will be engaged in 100 percent essential work for the Navy, but later it is planned to manufacture odd beds and novelties, gradually working up to the employment of around one hundred men and wo men. After building restrictions are lifted a 50 by 100-foot addition will be made to the building. Lee County Man Burned to D^ath S. V. Stevens, 62, one of Lee County’s most prominent citi zens, was burned to death in his car Tuesday afternoon five miles out from his home. A coroner’s jury decided there was nothing criminal in the manner of his death. A gasoline can is reported to have been near the car. A possible explanation which has been of fered is that Mr. Stevens, in at tempting to start his car, had poured gasoline in the carburetor and in so doing spilled some on the motor and on his clothing, and that a spark ignited the gas. The victim was in the drivers seat when found. Mr. Stevens held large farming and lumber interests. He had been a county commissioner, and was an elder in the Broadway Pres byterian Church. • N. A. McKeithen of Aberdeen and Vass went to make a business call on Mr. Stevens Tuesday af ternoon, and visited the scene of the tragedy before the .body had been moved. THE SOUTHLAND CLOSES The Southland closed Monday JiigHt .for !the Surhmer months and J. |Elm^r Harrington will leave the last of this week for his summer hotel. Upland Ter race, Bethlehem, N. H. Mrs. Har rington will remain until the close of school. Mr. Harrington is planning con siderable renovation to the South land during the summer, includ ing outside painting, rearrange ment of the dining room and the refurnishing of several looms. CLOTHING DRIVE In behalf of Ihe Southern Pines Rotary Club, the Rev Tucker G. Humphries, pres ident, thanks the citizens of the town for their coopera tion in the recent clothing drive which ended April 30, Eight thousand pounds of clothing was donated, over half of which was collected by the local school children. This clothing has been boxed and is now ready for ship ment. Will Wiggs was local chairman of the drive. V-E DAY SERVICE A joint service of the Bap tist, Congregational, Episco pal, and Presbyterian Churches will be held at the Church of Wide Fellowship at noon following the official an nouncement of the cessation of hostilities in Europe- Should the time fall upon a Sunday, there yrill be no joint service, each congregation ob serving the occasion in its ' own church. Col. Bower Speaks To Kiwanis Club Meeting Is Held at Oak Point Farm Inn North of Carthage BY HOWARD F. BURNS Col. R. E. Bower of the office of the Inspector General, in an address to the Sandhills Kiwanis Club at Oak Point Farm Inn north of Carthage Wednesday, made an interesting talk on a branch of the service about which little is heard. He was referring to the men in the rear of the front lines who are handling the supplies, the Finance Officers, the Adjutant General, the Judge Advocate, the Medical Officers and the Inspector General—all vital in the process of the war. / He declared there is nothing spectacular about them as they are generally located in the hills back of the front lines. He refer red to the Finance Officers in the handling of payrolls and ex change and matters of this kind. The Judge Advocate has court- marital cases to handle on the fighting fronts as in camps in this country. The Army also has Spec ial Officers to look after the en tertainment of the men right down to the front lines. The In spector General, he said, is the confidential officer of the Com manding General, and often times he is able to obtain much needed supplies by cutting much of the red tape. The Inspector General is in charge 6f the inspection of troops before going over seas and of seeing that supplies are reach ing the men on the fighting fronts. This branch of the service con ducts investigations in regard to atrocities, to determine the facts for the Commanding General. In conclusion he stated the scope of work of the Inspector Gerieral is very wide and cited as an ex ample the uncovering of the black market on cigarettes in Europe. The speaker was introduced by E.' C. Stevens. LOCAL SCHOOL HAS VISITORS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT The Southern Pines High School enjoyed a visit by a committee from the State Department of Education last Friday, April 27. The group observed each class for a part of each class period, inspected the buildings and grounds, attended the auditorium assembly program, and watched the physical education activities. The assembly program under the direction of the social science department was a lively and in forming forum discussion of the Dumbarton Oaks and San Fran cisco Conference. Committee members in the group iVere: Dr. J. Henry High- smith, director of Instructional service. A. B. Combs, director of High School Instruction; Charles Spencer, director of Health and Physical Education; Mrs. Mary Peacock Douglas, director of Li brary Service; W. T. Credle, di rector of School House Planning; Dr. A. M. Proctor, Professor of Education, Duke University, and E. N. Smith, principal, Sanford High Schjol, Sanford. DINNER HOSTS Superintendent P. J. Weaver, his High School Staff, and mem bers of the School Board were dinner hosts Thursday evening, April 26, at the Country Club honoring representatives frqm the State Department of Educa tion. The guests were: Dr. A. M. Proctor, E. N. Smith, A B Combs, Charles Spencer, Mrs Mary Pea cock Duoglas, and W. T. Credle. WEEK'S LEAVE David T. (Dick- Morrison S2ic, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Morri son, leaves Friday to return to Bainbridge after'spending a week with his parents. BACK FROM CHINA CAPT. JAMES SWETT Capt. James Swett, Jr., awak ened his family here at 2 o’clock Monday morning with a tele phone call announcing his safe arrival in Miami, Fla. He reach ed home Wednesday evening about six o’clock and was ac corded a joyful welcome. Capt. “Jimmy” has been sta tioned with the Fourteenth Air Force in China for 5 year and has flown 61 missions as pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with several Oak Leaf clusters. 'After spending Wednesday night at home Capt. Swett re ported to Ft. Bragg Thursday to complete the formalities neces sary for a three-week furlough at home. Dr. McCain Talks to Rotary Club on Tuberculosis Dr. P. P. McCain of the North Carolina State Sanatorium was guest speaker at Friday’s Rotary meeting at the Southern Pines Count'-y Club. He discussed “The Prevention and Cure of 'Tubercu losis.” . ■ Guests at . the meeting includ ed Mrs. Lyle D. McDonald who has the distinotjon of being the only local woman honorary Ro- tarian, her son. Pharmacist’s Mate l]c Lyle D. McDonalU, Coxswain Wilbur Scheipers, and Father T- A. Williams of Kinston. From nowo n through the sum mer, meetings will be held at the U. S. O. as the Country Club has closed for the season. CANNING SUGAR Any person, in Moore County, who failed to apply for canning sugar at the various schools may apply in person, or by mail, after May 7, 1945, to the War Price and Rationing Board in Carthage, N. C.' War Ration Book 4 must be presented for each person apply ing. For the convenience of those using the mails, application blanks will be on • hand at the various Post Offices after May !}•, 1945. A recent ruling reduces the al lowable ration for each person to 15 pounds and not more than 120 pounds to any one family. MORE RABIES Dr. Willcox, health officer of Moore County, cautions the people again on the subject of rabies. Several dogs thought to lie mad have been killed in the county within the past few days, but not before they had bitten other dogs. Minter Johnson of Carthage was bitten on the hand and is taking treatment, and it is said that a dog attempted to bite two men near Carthage Monday, and was killed. Dr. Willcox urges con tinue^ caution in handling dogs, specifying that pets be kept on a lead. CROIX DE GUERRE Colonel Ralph E. Bower, VIII Corps, of Southern Pines, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm for ex ceptional services of war ren dered during the operations of the liberation of France. The order awarding the dec oration was signed by Gen. Charles de Gaulle. Colonel Bower, prior to joining the armies in France, was stationed at Camp Mack- all as Inspector Genered at Airborne Command. County Chairmen Announce Leaders for Seventh War Loan Drive, Which Begins May 14th and Ends June 30th Every Citizen Urged To Buy Bonds to Aid in Defeating Japan TOWN CAUCUS Tonight, Friday, at 8 o'clock, the Town Caucus for Southern, Pines will be held in the high school auditorium to nominate candidates for mayor and commissioners. This is an important meeting and it is the privilege of every resident to attend and . have a voice in the discussion. Sale of Valuable Property Reported By Stevens Agency H. H. Pethick Home Near Highland Pines Sold to Lumber Co. The E. C. Stevens real estate agency reports the sale of the H. H. Pethick home on Mass achusetts Avenue to the Adding- ton-Beaman Lumber Company of Norfolk, Va. ' ' This property comprises one- and-three-quarters acres of land at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Highland Road nex^ to the Highland Pines Inn, upon which is a two-story brick dwell ing and garage with eleven rooms and five baths, one of the most at tractive and elaborate residences in Southern Pines. It was purchas ed from the builc^er, the late Louis Lachine, by the Pethicks shortly before Mr. Pethick’s re turn from China after his retire ment as a manager of the Stan dard Vacuum Oil Company there and was occupied by him and his family several years until they moved to Durham, and thence to New York City, where Mr. Peth ick is again connected with the Standard Oil Company, at 26 Broadway. The Addington-Beaman Lumber Company, one of the largest con cerns of its kind in the country, has purchased this property for the occupancy of A. G. Beaman secretary-treasurer of that cor- rtoration, and other executives from time to time. They will not, however, take immediate posses sion of the premises, which, for the time being, will continue to be occupied by Lt. Col Miller F. Gaffney’s f.amily, who have lived there some 18 months. Lt. Col. Gaffney who was himself in the service of the armecft forces in China, is now at Fort Leaven worth, Kansas. ^ Following closely upon the as signment of an overall quota of j$611,000 for Moore County in the Seventh War Loan, which starts May 14 and ends June 30, County Chairman E. C. Stevens and Mrs. Norris L. Hodgkins, head of the Women’s Division in the county, have completed their work of organization and are this week announcing chairmen for the various communities. Mr. Stevens has named the fol lowing: Southern Pines, Paul Jer- nigan; Aberdeen, G. C. Seymour; Pinehurst, Col. G. P. Hawes; Car thage, John Currie; Robbins, W. P. Saunders; Vass, W. E. Glad stone. Mrs. Hodgkins has lined up her forces as follows: Aberdeen, Mrs. W. T. Huntley; Pinehurst, Mrs. I. C. Sledge; Cameron, Mrs. Pete Phillips; Vass, Mrs. H. A. Borst; Carthage, Mrs. Charles T. Gri6r; Robbins, Mrs. W. P. Saunders; Southern Pines, Mrs. George Moore;! Pinebluffy Mrs. W. K. Carpenter; West End, Mrs. Haw ley Poole; Samarkand Manor, and Eagle Springs, Miss Blanche Mon roe; Highfalls, Miss Lucy Rey nolds. The Women’s Division plans to sponsor the purchase of an SB2C' Helldiver Scout Bomber costing $108,000, the sponsor’s name to be marked thereon with decalcomania. A picture of equip ment sponsored is given to the sponsoring group with a dupli cate of decalcomania. Chairman Stevens urges every citizen to begin purchasing “E” bonds at once in order that the “E” bond quota of $397,000 may be met. Bonds bought between April 9 and July 7 will count on the quota. Although the war in Europe is nearly over, it is pointed out that there is still a big, tough job ahead with Japan and that to crush this enemy it will take time heroic effort and overpowering equipment. Millions of fighting men, freshly outfitted and euip- ped, will have to be moved from_ Europe half way around the globe* and supplied day-out and day- in. More of everything will be needed. And all of this calls for money, millions of dollars. Moore County’s chairmen are cpunting on the support of every citizen, and urging each one to “Pour out your might for the mighty Seventh.” Ormsby's Jewelry Slore A Valuable Addilioii I. F. Chandler Is Injured in Wreck I. F. Chandler, one of our old est and most respected residents, is at home suffering from injur ies received in an automobile ac cident occurring at the crossing of John Ormsby, who recently op ened a jewelry store in the Carv. j j i j olina Theatre Building, South-V!?® Midland Roads ern Pines, now has an, extensive A shortly before 3 stock of fine wares suitable for every gift occasion and is ready to serve the demands of the most critical public. In addition to his complete display of jewelry he is filling a long felt want in the reliable watch repair dapartment. Mr. Ormsby is well known in the Sandhills and in his new venture makes an addition to the mercan tile establishments of the town. WORLD'S CHAMPION HERE SATURDAY Ralph Greenleaf of Detroit, eighteen times world’s champion pocket billiard player, is to ap pear in exhibition'games in Sou thern Pines Saturday afternoon and night at the Ormsby Billiard Parlors. The visiting cue star will meet the best local players in 125-point match games to be followed by fancy shots. Greenleaf has -high runs of 269 and 243 at 14-1 rack pool. May Day Festival at Samarcand Friday, 4th o’clock Friday afternoon. Driving southward on Peedee Road, Mr- Chandler’s Plymouth was struck by a Chevrolet, driv- fen by Ralph Myrick of Jacksor Springk who was bound west ojj the Mialand Road. Mr. Chandl severely bruised, also suffer^ fractured collar bone, but rq| the services of a Powell lance and was taken toi C. MudgeU’s office an(^ the Moore Gounty H05 which insti'iution he, his home the samif Myrick escaped bruises. Damage ^ said to be aboui Samarcand Manor will hold its 27th annual Commencement on May 4th, at 11 a. m. Luncheon will be served at 12:30 and the May Day Festival will start at 1:30. The speaker at the Com mencement exercises will be Dr. Ellen G. Winston, North Carolina Commissioner of Public Welfare, ment. Concert The Choirstei| munity Church present a progr^ sacred music T.^ May 10, at 8 o’i gram will include anthems, Stephe:j and Negro Spirit ing will be used tl ments for the CarJ Roscoe L. Prince 11 and Miss Eloise panist at the orga| will render an org program. The public is ccl to attend this coni hoped a large crow^ ent to enjoy til The choir has been [ and is showing stcl