% Q> 'I © a GIVE GENEROUSLY TO MARCH OF DIMES VOL. 38—NO. 9 Sandhills Seeks Location of New Institute Here Meeting Scheduled Al Auditorium On Friday This Week Every one interested in the pos sibility that the Two Year Tech nical Institute, to be established somewhere in Eastern North Car olina, would be located at South ern Pines is invited to come to cin open meeting at 3 p.m. Friday in Weaver Auditorium here. Purpose of the meeting is to i give information about the pro ject—which is already well organ ized under the direction of civic leaders throughout the county— and to discuss the various prob lems involved. Wherever the Institute will be located, the State wiU furnish, as allocated by the 1957 General As sembly, $100,000 to be used main- ' ly for salaries of a director and 10 instructors on the staff of the new junior college. The community or Eirea to which the college is assigned wiU be re quired to raise $150,000 to be used for machinery and equipment and also the necessary buildings to house the Institute. It was stated here this week by local leaders in the project that OzeUe Moss and Dwight W. Win- kleman, owners of the former Notre Dame Academy property on Youngs Road are holding it to be made available for the Insti tute in case this area were chosen for its location. Attending the meeting Friday afternoon will be Dr. Robert G. Carson, Jr., head of the depart ment of Industrial Engineering at State CoUege, and James I. Ma son, director of the Gaston Tech nical Institute at Gastonia, an in stitution similar to the one that is being sought here. The following citizens have (Continued on page 8) GIVE GENEROUSLY TO MARCH OF DIMES iiiiiiHlii \\m THEY’RE WINNERS—Mrs. W. O. Moss pre sents the winner’s trophy to Richard Webb of New York City at the close of Saturday’s point- to-point race, which attracted many lovers of equestrian sports to the Sandhills. Tommy Walsh (right), came in only slightly behind, and Miss Sandy Glenn of Green Farms, Conn., was a close third. (Photo by Humphrey) Urged GOP Women Are Work For Worthy Projects “No matter how much we be lieve in a cause, it will not bring about the results we want unless we do something,” asserted Mrs. Peter Gibson, national president of Republican Women, in an ad dress at Tuesday night’s opening session of the fifth annual con vention of the North Carolina Federation of Republican Wom en, held at the Hollywood Hotel. She was introduced by Mrs. Louis G. Rogers of Charlotte, a national committeewoman. The speaker told her hearers that women are actually just be- giiming to realize the power they hold in remedying this nation’s problems. “Women can’t do it (improve government) by letting some body else carry the ball; either they back up the people carrying, the ball or be willing to carry it Conn., Mrs. Sarah Stillwell and themselves,” she insisted. Mrs. Jane McNeal, of Savannah, (Continued on Page 8) | (Continued on Page 8) Point-To-Point Race, New Event, Won By R. Webb Described as a “terrific suc cess,” Saturday’s point-to-point race, first such equestrian event ever held in the Sandhills, drew a colorful field of 20 starters that headed out from Mile Away Farm at 2 p. m., and a mile-long parade of cars taking enthusias tic viewers to vantage points along the nine-mile course to watch their progress. It was a close finish. Richard Webb of New York City on his big bay hunter, the winner, and Tommy Walsh on his steeplechas er came in almost neck to neck, in slightly over 32 minutes. Behind them and close, came the third rider. Miss Sandy Glenn of Green Farms, Conn., with a bunch right on her heels. Happy Hoy, joint master of the Moore County Hounds, at their head. All horses were adjudged in good condition, few of them even sweating from the long ride, though this latter may well have been due somewhat to the icy wind that was blowing. Entries had been halted at the two stopping points: the High House, home of General and .Mrs. MR. LARSON Vern Larson, New Phone Executive, Honored In N. J. Vern E. Larson, recently ap pointed vice-president and gen eral manager of the United Tele phone Company of the Carolinas, returned to Southern Pines early V^J. ctliVA .XVXld. X lllCTd Cctxiy Archibald Arnold, and Weymouth jthis week from New Jersey where Farm, home of the John Gold smiths, out on the Morganton Road. Here judges had been post ed to look the horses over, test them for wind and general fitness to go on. Judges for the event, stationed at eight different points along the course, were: S. E. Clyburn of Camden, S. C., Mr. and Mrs. Harley Walsh of Yeungs Road, Miss Jean Cochrane of Fairfield, Ho R. Stamper Joins Police Force Harold R. Stamper has begun work as a member of the South ern Pines police department. Chief C. E. Newton announced this week. He succeeds John K. Sharpe who resigned to become assist ant chief at Vass, after serving more than a year in Southern Pines. 'The new officer became ac quainted with this section of the country while serving as aS>ara- tTOoper at Fort Bragg. His wife is the former Doris Marie Spivey of Johnsonville in Harnett Ctoun- ty. They have a son, James Roy, two months old and are living at 440 N. May St. | Bom in Wyoming, Mr. Stamp er, who is 25 years old, graduated from high school at Bentonville, Ark., and attended Abilene Christian College at Abilene, Tex., for two years. His father, Roy Stamper, lives at Bartles ville, Okla. His mother is de ceased. After leaving military service in September, 1956, Mr. Stamper was employed by the natural gas he was honored with a testimoni al farewell dinner. He succeeds John E. Cline, who has resigned. Mr. Larson formerly lived at Newton, N. J., and held similar positions with the United Tele phone Co. of New Jersey as he does here. The organization hon oring him last Thursday night was the Branchville Business Men’s Club, of which he was a member and which includes members from the Newton and Branchville area. After having begun his work here eatiy in the month he returned for a few days especially for the testimonial event. At the dinner, Mr. Larson Wcis presented with two handsome pieces of luggage and, in humor ous token of his business connec tion, an old magneto telephone. (Continued on page 8) Health Clinic Moves To Former Book Shop Site The Southern Pines Health Clinic of the Moore County DC' partment of Public Health open ed up its new quarters for cus tomers yesterday. The clinic, which was held for many years in an old house in West Southern Pines, is now lodged in the lower floor of the Bowman Building at 210 West Pennsylvania Avenue. Condemned la;8t year as un safe anl qnfit to house the coun ty clinic, the old building, the property of the town, was finally abandoned in the nick of time before another Grand Jury Re port was due. ’The present quar ters are rented by the county from Mr. William F. Bowman. Clinics of the Department of Public Welfare, which have been held in the old building, where a lending closet of clothes was also maintained, were discontin ued last December. At that time, the department stated that wel fare patients from this area v/ould be obliged to go either to the department headquarters in the Carthage courthouse, where, under the state rules, all original applications must be filled out,' or else to Aberdeen. The same quarters in Aberdeen where the health clinics have been held, are also available for welfare pa tients once a month. Yesterday’s opening found Miss Mary Swett, public health nurse, and Mrs. Lyn McLean, secretary, on duty, with the county health officer. Dr. J. A Willcox in charge. Patients were rather scarce this first day. Miss Swett reported, “but they’ll come,” she said, “when they find out just where it IS. And it should be handy to (Continued on page 8) Buchan Family Gives Land For School Grounds Education Board Tells Gratitude With Resolution A gift of 6.79 acres of land— the equivalent of almost two city blocks—to the Southern Pines City Board of Education by the family of the late P. Frank Buch an as a memorial to him, was an nounced Tuesday by Dr. A. C. Dawson, secretary of the Board. The deed was delivered last Mon day to the Board, which, however, had previously been informed of the gift. The land adjoins and extends westward from the present grounds of the West,Southern Pines School, which already had a campus of approximately two and a half city blocks. No street separates the new holdings from the old. A portion of the addition will be cleared and graded to en large the athletic field. Dr. Daw son said. The Board expressed deep grat itude for this gift which assures room for expangion at the school for years to come. The plant con sists of an old high school build ing, home economics cottage, in dustrial arts shop, band building, gymnasium, cafeteria, and ele mentary school, the final phase of which—five additional rooms— saw construction begin on Mon day of this week. The Board, meeting last week, adopted the following resolution: “Whereas Helen C. Buchan, widow, Katherine Buchan Whit lock and husband, W. P. Whit lock, and Frank W. Buchan and wife, Carolyn H. Buchan, did on the 23rd day of December, 1957, convey to the Southern Pines City Board of Education a certain tract of land, adjacent to the pub lic school properties on Glover Street, as a gift in memory of the late P. Frank Buchan; and “Whereas P. Frank Buchan,, for many years prior to his death, gave freely and unselfishly of his time and energy to the upbuilding of the community of Southern Pines and of Moore County, North Carolina, and was much loved by his fellow citizens: and ‘Whereas the Southern Pines City Board of Education has ac cepted this gift from his widow, daughter and son, in recognition (Continued on page 8) $2,500 Awarded Local W Oman In Damage Suit Directed Judgment Ends Trial The nearly two-year-long fight of a Southern Pines newswoman and free lance writer to clear her na.me and obtain financial re dress for what she alleged was a conspiracy by three persons to drive her out of her profession and blacken her reputation reached a conclusion in Moore County Superior Court at Car thage^ this (Thursday) morning with a directed judgment that awarded $2,500 to the plaintiff, Mrs. S. O. (Valerie) Nicholson. The three defendants were Vincent J. , Daly, Miss Edwina Hallman and Mrs. Martha Dixon Underwood, all of Washington, D. C., and all former residents of Southern Pines. Said Mrs. Nicholson as she walked from the courtroom: “That’s all I wanted. I just want ed to get this thing out into the open, so people would know about it: so it would stop and the public would be warned.” MR. STAMPER company at Sanford. Since last November, he has been doing construction work at Fort Bragg. He was active In athletics in high school and college. He was a member of . the American Legion post at Sanford. Nominations For Jaycees’ Service Award Are Sought Nominations by the public for the young man (21-35) who will be honored for community service February 4 by the Junior Cham ber of Commerce were urged to day by Bill Hamilton, chairman of the committee in charge. Nomination blanks were to be distributed to merchants this week. They may be obtained at Barnum Realty & Insurance Co. and at the Town office. A plaque will accompany the Jaycees “distinguished service award” to be made at a banquet February 4. Nominations may be made by any one and judging will be done by five prominent South ern Pines men who will remain anonymous. Weaver Named Head of Schools ^ ♦ Greensboro Philip J, Weaver, former sup erintendent of Southern Pines schools, has been named Superin- tonrient of Schools of the city of Greensboro. Mr. Weaver, for whom Weaver Auditorium was named, left this town in 1951 to take the position of assistant superintendent in Greensboro. He will take over the top position when the present incumbent, Ben L. Smith, retires June 3. A native of Emory, Va., Mr. Weaver holds degrees from Duke and the University of North Caro lina. He was teacher and acted •’f coach in schools in Kannapolis and Rome, Ga., before coming here in 1939. During his years as superintendent the local school grew greatly in size and standing as well as gaining high honors in athletics, with six-man football a ' specialty. Man Held In Jail For Break-In At Local Drug Store Garland McGirger, 39, is in Moore County jail at Carthage, charged with entering the Sand hill Drug Store on Broad St., Wednesday night of last week and stealing over $100, Police Chief C. E. Newton says. McGirger, who lists his home address as High Point, was picked up at Lillington this .week by Harnett County officers who sus pected that he was a man who escaped from the prison camp at Laurinburg December 5. This proved to be correct. Mc Girger had served about eight years of a 25-year sentence for safe robberies when he escaped in December. | Chief Newton said he heard about the arrest and was interest ed in the report that over $100 in money, including a large quantity of change and silver coins had been found in McGirger’s suitcase when he was arrested. Money found in the suitcase later was positively identified as coming from the local drug store. Chief Newton said. A State Bureau of Investigation agent, accompanied by Chief Newton, went to Lillin^on and arrested McGirger. The convict waived a preliminary hearing be fore Magistrate Charles McLeod at Carthage and was remanded to jail for grand jury action, prob- ablv at next week’s term of Su perior Court in Carthage. After his trial in Moore Clounty, Mc(3irger will be tried in Scot land County for escaping from the prison camp. Though McGirger is charged only with the Sandhill Drug Store robbery, he is believed also to be the man who entered Mack’s 5 & 1() on the same night last week. Little was missing at the Mack’s store. Daly had maintainefi an office here as a psychologist, with the two women co-defendants as his assistants, for about two years up to April, 1956, when he was convicted in Moore Recorder’s Court of criminal libel against Mrs. Nicholson; His sentence to 12 months in prison in that case was suspended on payment of a $500 fine. He and the women left Southern Pines shortly after his conviction. Both of the young women were subsequently indicted for per jury, and Daly for subornation of perjury, by a Moore County grand jury on the basis of their testimony in the Recorder’s Court trial and other alleged ac tions. The three defendants, the plaintiff and their attorneys also wrote into the judgment this morning an agreement that all pending legal actions and coun ter-claims by any of the parties it Gary Head Plans Leave Post Here William Gary Head, who as sumed his duties as assistant to Town Manager Louis Scheipers the first of last March, has re signed his position effective Feb ruary 19 to become Town Man ager of Carolina Beach. He plans to begin his work there on Feb ruary 24. Mr. Head, who is from Norman, Okla., received his master’s de gree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma short ly before coming to Southern Pines. He and Mrs. Head resided at the A. C. Grovers’ on May Street for the first several months they were in Southern Pines and are now in the Knollwood Apart ments. They attend the First Baptist Church. The resignation was accepted with regret by Town Manager Louis Scheipers, Jr. VALERIE NICHOLSON will cease and that none will pro ceed with any further legal ac tions in the future. Judge W. A. Leland McKeith- en of Pinehurst presided at this week’s trial which opened with choosing a jury on Monday and in which testimony was given by the plaintiff and her witnesses on Tuesday and Wednesday. Al- through denying Mrs. Nichol son’s allegations, the defense of fered no testimony and none of the defendants went on the wit ness stand. On Wednesday afternoon, court was recessed by Judge McKeith- en after he had denied motions of non-suit by the defendants’ at torneys as to each of the defend ants separately. On the comple tion of the plaintiff’s evidence, the defense also rested its case. When the motions of non-suit by the defense were denied, appeared yesterday afternoon that this morning would see speeches by the attorneys—^P. H. Wilson and Clement Barrett for the plaintiff and Garland Garris of Biscoe and Richard L, Brown of Albemarle for the defense, after which the case would have gone to the all-male jury which was chosen Monday largely jfrom residents of the upper part 'of the county. All of the jurors had stated when being chosen that they were unfamiliar with the background of the case. In court this 'morning, how ever, Judge McKeithen told the jury that the matter that had been under trial for two days h.3d been settled by consent of the parties involved. 'rhe judge then told the jury that they had two issues before hem: 1. Did the defendants utter or publish defamatory statements concerning the plaintiff? The Court instructs you to answer “yes.” 2. What amount is the plaintiff entitled to recover from the de fendants? The Court instructs you to answer “$2,500.” 'The judgment requires that the defendants pay the court costs. Mrs. Nicholson had sued for a total of $50,000 — $25,000 actual damages for alleged injuries to her character, reputation, health (Continued on Page 8) West Southern Pines Man Held For Savage Knife Killing of His Wife Police officers responding to a call to 750 S. Stephens St., in West Southern Pines at 6:40 p.m. Saturday arrived as Will Stewart, 62, was walking away from the stabbed and slashed body of his wife, Sarah, wiping blood off his hands with a newspaper. Chief C. E. Newton told The Pilot. The woman was lying on the ground outdoors, already dead, stabbed and slashed in 14 places on head, throat, neck and back, the chief said. Stewart was arrested and is in Moore County jail at Carthage, charged with murder. He was given a preliminary hearing be fore Justice of the Peace William Barber at 10 p.m. Saturday-and was bound over for grand jury action at next week’s term of Su perior Court in Carthage. Coroner Ralph Steed of Robbins investigated, prior to the magis trate’s hearing. Chief Newton quoted Stewart as telling officers at the police station that his wife had been drinking and that they began to quarrel shortly after she returned from Aberdeen. Stewart was quoted as saying that his wife had knocked him down and had run out the door. He said he follow ed her with a knife, struck her with it and then “started cutting,” the chief related. To judge from the condition of the body, it was one of the most savage killings in the annals of the local police department. The woman’s throat was cut, her neck was cut under one ear, there were ' stab wounds in her neck and she was stabbed and cut on the back. Chief Newton said. According to information on file at the police department and from other sources, Stewart was arrested in November, 1949, for shooting and wounding his wife. The case reached Superior Court on appeal in August, 1950, and wa.<; nol pressed at that time. (Continued on Page 8)