Sljr vmitijftrld Hrralft. Price One Dollar Per Year "TRUE TO OURSELVES, OUR COUNTRY AND OUR GOD." single Copies Five Cents. VOL. 28 SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1909 Number 43 COOK BRANDED AN IMPOSTOR THE DANISH COMMITTEE RE JECTS HIS CLAIMS. .Rector of Copenhagen University Says the Degree Conferred Upon the Explorer May be Withdrawn A Danish Explorer, Member of Examining Committee, Declares Cook's "Papers Convict Him of Being a Swindler." Copenhagen, Dec. 21.?The report Of the special committee of scientists which the University of Copenhagen appointed to scrutinize Dr. Frederick A. Cook's claims that he had discov ered the North Pole was submitted to the consistory of the University this morning, endorsed by that body and given to the public The report shatters completely, al most contemptuously, the American explorer's title to such discovery, and fills the officials and people of Den- j mark with chagrin at the figure | Denmark is made to assume in the ' eyes of the scientific world. The public was prepared for a verdict of "not proven," but did not expect its recent hero to be branded as an | imposter. Many still cling to the | belief that Cook acted in good faith, t but harbored a delusion. Explorers and scientists almost u nanimously have lost faith in Cook's honesty, while one of his warmest supporters, Knud Rasmussen, help ed to frame the report. The even ing papers attack Cook and severe ly reproach him for hiding, which I they regard as a sign of a guilty conscience. May Cancel Honor. The hecor of he University, Dr. Salomonsen, when questioned as to the possibility of the university can celling the degree which it conferr- 1 ed on Dr. Cook, said that no decision j had been reached, but he thought that the degree could be withdrawn in the same way as a government could ; deprive a person of an order obtained under false pretenses. Commodore Gustav Holm, the Arctic explorer, and a number of the i committee said: "Cook's claim that he made the observation 89 degrees ; 69 minutes 46 seconds near the pole proved immediately that he was a bad Observer, but nothing indicated that he was a swindler. Now his papers convict him of being a swindler. We examined Cook's observations first, antt agreed unanimously that they were worthless. It is not unlikely that Loose made the observations. He is a clever man, just the sort that Cook could use." Professor Olufsen, secretary of the Panish Geographical Society, said: "It is the saddest event in my life. As an explorer there seems to be no doubt that Cook is absolutely un reliable." The National Tidende, while de ploring that the university conferred the degree in a moment of enthusi- j asm, finds consolation in the fact that others honored Cook when he re turned to civilization. The President of his own country and its envoy at Copenhagen," says the paper, "were the guarantors for him. Denmark did not blunder alone. Our country must now leave this sad Affair to America and Cook." The Findings. First?The report of the expedi tion sent to the university by Dr. Cook is the same as that printed in the New York Herald during the months of September and October last. Second?The copy of Cook's note books does not contain any original astronomical observations whatsoever but only results. Third?The documents presented are inexcusably lacking in Informa tion which would prove that the as tronomical observations therein re ferred to were really made; and also contain no details regarding the prac tical work of the expedition and the sledge journey which would enable the committee to determine their re liability. The committee, therefore, is of the opinion that the material transmit ted for examination contains no proof that Cook reached the Pole. The report is signed by all six members of the committee ,who were assisted in their inquiry by Knud Rasmussen, he explorer.?Baltimore American BIG SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE. Our Imports Expected to Reach More Than $260,000,000. Washington, Dec. 19.?Every Amer ican who takes his cup of coffee might like to know that in the ten months of this year he has helped use just $64,000,000 worth, or 845, 000,000 pounds, and that eight-ninths of it came from South America. Bra \ zil furnishes more than 600,000,000. Coffee is only an indication of the proportions which the trade between the United States and South Ameri ca has assumed this year. All pre vious records for South American Imports will be passed, according to the calculations of the Bureau of Statistics of the Department of Com merce and Labor. The total value of all the imports will be more than $260,000,000. The imports in general show an increase of 40 per cent, over last year. In return our exports to South America will probably equal if they do not exceed the high mark made in 1907, when they touched $86,000, 000. STATE NEWS. A bank has been organized in Hookerton, Greene county, with a capital of $15,000. sansDury naa a tnirty tnousana dol lar fire Friday night. While rushing to the fire on one of the hose wag ons, R. H. Pender, a railway clerk, was thrown off and instantly killed. Spencer Hughes, aged 77, of Lee county, was thrown from his buggy in a runaway one day last week, re ceiving injuries from which he died. New Berne is talking about build ing a Union Depot in the near future. Plans are on foot to build a two hundred thousand dollar cotton mill at Bladenboro. This will be the first mill of its kind in Bladen coun ty. Mr. Isaac S. London, editor of the Siler City Grit, is authority for the statement that during the past year Siler City has shipped 45,000 rabbits to the northern markets. William Sutton committed suicide at his home in Lenoir county test Friday by shooting a pistol ball in to his brain. He was 37 years old and leaves a wife and two small children. Prof. E. C. Brooks, of Trinity Col lege, has been appointed head-master of Trinity Park School at Durham, to succeed Rev. Harry M. North, who has been appointed pastor of the Edenton Street church at Raleigh. Dr. S. A. W. Haines, a practicing physician of Rutherford county, has been sent to the penitentiary at At lanta for fifteen months for violation of the internal revenue laws. He happened at a blockade distillery just once too often. Senator Overman has introduced bills i->r public buildings at Washing ton, Shelby and Rocky Mount. An appropriation of $80,000 Is asked for each place. The United States Senate has con firmed the nomination of Thos. J. Jackson to be postmaster at Dunn. Mr. R. D. W. Connor, Secretary of the North Carolina Historical Com mission, nas ueen appoimeu a aeie gate from the United States to the International Congress of Archivists which is 'o be held next May in Brussels, Belgium. Revenue officers raided the bed room of W. A. Curtis, a negro who runs a pool room in Raleigh, one day last week, and found 250 bot tles of whiskey and some 500 empty bottles. He was evidently prepar ing for an hilarious Christmas. The Norfolk and Southern's five and-a-half mile trestle across the Al bemarle sound has been completed. Frank Fry, 15-year-old son of Mr. Govan Fry of Hickory, accidentally shot himself Tuesday afternoon while hunting and died instantly. The boy was crossing a fence and in some manner the gun was discharged, the load taking effect in the throat. The gun was a single barrelled, 12 gauge shotgun. It is said that the boy always carried his gun cocked. Peary Is undoubtedly a great ex plorer and has won a secure place in the history of his nation, yet many are inclined to believe his manners are not much improved since that day when he sent that mes sage from the bleak Labrador coast that Dr. Cook had handed the public a gold brick. His only comment up on the findings of the Danish scien tists, was In eHect, "I told you so." BELGIUM'S KING DIED FRIDAY A PROMINENT FACTOR IN EURO PEAN POLITICS. ??? The King Was Born in 1835 and As cended the Throne in 1865. He was the Founder of the Congo Free State in Africa. Prince Al bert Succeeds to the Throne. King Leopold, of Belgium, died at Brussells early Friday morning. He had been critically ill for several days and an operation was perform ed as a last hope. He survived the operation but a short time. Prince Albert, a nephew of Leopold, suc ceeds to the throne of Belgum. King Leopold was born in 1835 and succeeded his father as King in 1865. Though the ruler of one of the small est European States, he was a prom inent factor in European politics. Though a pleasure-loving monarch, he was a hard worker, a good busi ness man and exploited public im provements. He was best known, and unfavorably, to the country at large as the founder of the Congo Free State in Africa, which was un der his personal sovereignty. He was harshly criticised for alleged heartless cruelties in the Congo. It was declared tnat ins work was not that of a colonizer imbued with the desire to uplift the inhabitants from their depraved and benighted con dition, but that his sole aim was to advance trade and gather gold at the expense of the life and liberty of the blacks. Tales of horrible cruelties practiced, of slavery and murders innumerable were told. That there was some foundation for these stories there can be little doubt. That King Leopold's agents resorted to severe measures to bring about the end they sought was not wholly denied, but the King's friends de nied that he deliberately set about to wring money from the natives, to exploit the country because of his greed. The fact remains, however, that the cruelties were practiced and the King could have prevented them had he desired to do so. PRICE OF EGGS GOES UP. Cold Weather and Bad Roads Rea sons for Highest Advance in Years. Chicago, Dec. 18.?An advance of four cents a dozen was made in the price of eggs by members of the Butter and Egg Board yesterday, bringing the cost of fresh-laid eggs to a point not attained in years at this season. Cold weather and bad country roads, impending the move ment of supplies, were given as the reasons. Housewives who have been pay ing 38 and 40 cents for "prime first" will be compelled to pay 42 and 44 cents a dozen today. Marriage at Benson. Benson, N. C., Dec. 22.?This even ing at 7 o'clock at the residence of the bride, Mr. R. E. Morris, of Dele ware, and Miss Susan Holmes, of this place, were married, the cere mony being performed by the Rev. N. H. Gibbs. The bride wore a love ly creation of white serge with orange blossom ornaments. The groom was attired in the conventional black. The bridesmaids were Misses Laura Canaday, Nora Hawley, and Bessie Johnson. Mr. E. N. Matthews was best man. The other waiters were Mr. J. C. Warren and Mr. Rosmal Smith. There was a large crowd in attendance. Including many visitors from a distance, some of whom were Mr. N. O. Shelburne, of Nor folk, M-. C. O. Wiggs, of Selma, and Mr. J. L. Brltt, of McCullers. After the ceremony the entire crowd was invited to Mr. I. C. Hall's residence where an elegant supper with all the delicacies was served. Afterwards music and games of all kinds were Indulged in until the wee hours. The bride and groom will make Benson their home, where Mr. Morris is engaged In business. Mr. Morris is a brother of our well known towns man, Mr. Wlnc,?te Morris. The, Senate has confirmed, wltkov opposition, Judge Horace H. Larto |0C Tennessee, to be a Justice of tfc.i I nited States Supretoe Court. ATKINSON TO j PAY PENALTY BROKE DOWN AND CRIED WHEN VERDICT WAS RENDERED. Several Sent to Roads at This term Among them John Hudson. A Verdict of $5,000 in Railroad Case. After deliberating for about six hours, the jury returned a verdict of murder in the first degree against John Atkinson, charged with the murder of Gerney Davis, of Kenly, on the 23rd, of September. The trial of Atkinson began last Thursday at eleven o'clock and the State had rested its case by four o'clock in the afternoon. There was no evidence offered in behalf of the defendant. The evidence as offered by the State was in substance as follws: Gerney Davis came to Kenly about a week or two prior to the murder, for the purpose of working with the Dennis Simmons Lumber Company, and was boarding at Atkinson's house Atkinson soon began to suspicion an intimacy between Davis and his) wife. Upon questioning his wife, she denied it. Coming home from his work on the afternoon of the 23rd, of September he saw his wife coming out of the woods near their home. He asked her as to why she was there, she ad mitted that improper relations existed between her and Davis. Atkinson then went to his house got his pistol and went in search of Davis. He found him at the church. One of the ministers was singing when he entered the door. He waved his right hand and told the preacher to stop singing. The preacher stopped, and Atkinson turn ing to Davis said, "What was that you did to my wife," and Immediately opened fire on him. He fired four times, three of the shots taking effect though only one was sufficient to prove fatal, the other two being only flesh wounds. Atkinson then turning, walked out of the church. Davis was then taken to the office of Dr. Cole man, where his wounds were dressed, but he died the next afternoon. At kinson was arrested and placed in jail. With six others he succeeded in breaking jail but was captured, several days later about six miles from Ken ly. When the jury returned their ver dict Atkinson broke completely! down and cried like a child. He was then taken back to jail where he remained till Saturday, when he was brought In to the court room to receive his sentence. Just prior to receiving the sentence he was asked if he had any thing to say why sentence should not be passed upon him. He then told of the whole story, which although told by a nftgro and In very bad English, was full of pa thos, and created much sympathy in his behalf with those who heard it. After finishing his talk, he again took his seat and received his sentem without showing the least emotl. Although many murders have ' committed in this county, not August 1899 has there been a er diet of murder in the first < . i'e< when Tom Smith was corv "d ? the murder of Charles Cp.? Uorn State vs John Moore ' liv tense. Not guilty. State vs J. T. Lee, pr ? "? '? > , peal from costs. Judgm nt . - State vs Mrs. M. A. Holl pio> ecutrix. Appeal frori con ludg-; ment reversed. State vs John (. an*pt? .! False pretense. Defendant ??*'' ? guilty. | Twelve months < to id wit leave to hire out. State vs Joe and Walter Wallace. Hot' i ' ?<*? N-.nn. R. W. L. Guilty, i: ? -w tha in jail and as signed t " 'i%An Stat<' i cjp fe&yner. C. C. W. Defer ' 't p. no* guilty. Judgment j $10/> OSt? fu. v* Kfank Simms. Appeal fr?? ue Major's court of Selma. |G?". y. Jtt<* oent suspended upon I (? of costs. ;*.to ?s Len Chappell. Appeal tr- m y court. Guilty. Judgment ?wl upon payment of coats, vs Arthur Lee C. C. W. | 1 > ijmeni. reserved. I State vs William Boylan. A. D. W. Judgment suspended upon payment of costs. State vs David Hulls. R. W. L. Guilty. Six months In jail. State vs John Majett. Dls. Mort gaged property. Guilty. Judgment that Majett pay to W. T. Kirby, landlord the sum of $20.00 and the costs. State vs Tom Powers. Resisting officer. Guilt*'. Ninety days in Jail and assigned to the roads. Of the cases tried here last week lu which Judgment was reserved have been disposed of as follows: John Hudson who was found guilty of re tailing without license was first giv en a sentence of eight months on the roads, but this was later changed to seven months. Great pressure was brought to bear on the Court in the case, but the road sentence was allowed to stand. D. J. Y. Thurston, who was con victed of a similar offense, was sen tenced to 12 months in Jail, after serving 60 days of sentence in Jail,] to be hired to his sou in Burlington for the remainder of the term. Owen Ashford was convicted of larceny and given a sentence of six months on the roads. Robert Stanley who was convicted of an assault with deadly weapon, was ordered to pay a physician's bill of $25 and to pay $50 to the prose cuting witness and to pay the costs I in I On account of the death of Miss Delia Wellons, sister of Mr. .las. A. Wellons, court adjourned for the day Tuesday, and all cases in which Mr. Wellons appeared were continued to the next term of the Superior Court. All day Wednesday was consumed with the trial of Lillie Caudill and husban T. H. Caudil, vs A. C. L. R. R. Company. Mrs. Caudill was injured on the 24th of December, l'J07, while attempting to get off the train at Benson. As she stepped from the top step of the car the train gave a sudden jerk, throwing Mrs. Caudill to the ground. She s if fered only slight external inju- .e?, but so frightened was she fror > h fall, that she became a complet ous wreck. The plaintiff s>;rd >r $10,000; the Jury returned ; vt - licfc' In favor of the plaintiffs < 1 .000 Attorneys for the defen I un< motion to set the ven' 8 ie. being excessive and f< i ef l! for errors committed : ? c :" '*?*? The Judge took the ?>? n < no tice of appeal up ? jimi' ' 'on and to announce >e-. uber 13, Mrs. Nancy I' . am t v .on Hill, passed away, ' - -AlVit Nf years. She was strlck' wit < pur ilysis about four teen until ago and had been prac tice heV ??<*? 'ver since. For the gr ?? itr' of the time during the r i nx 1 of her life she was Un as. i She was burled at Selah Uur< yurd in Wayne county. M Ingram was a member of the frit' 1 and neighbor. She leaves M lodist church and was a good ; o? . 'aildren?Mr. C. M. Ingram, of .pi. ., Mr. Zeb Ingram, of Boon llill, jua airs, i^oma j. lyner, aiso oi /'.'ion Hill. She left about thirteen grandchildren. The surviving members of the family desire to thank the neigh bors and friends for their kindness and devotion during the long illness of their loved one. The President's Promises. President Taft based his campaign for election upon two claims or pro fessions, one that he favored a gen uine downright revision of the tariff and the other that he would carry to completion the policies Initiated by President Roosevelt. What he accomplished with the tariff is known to all men.?New York Journal of Commerce. Death in Sanders Chapel Section. Wo learn that Mr. Pink Woodall died Tuesday morning at hia home in the Sanders Chapel Section, age about 50 years. He leaves a wife and four children. He was a member of Sanders Chapel Methodist church and lived a consistent Christian life. He was a good man, a good neighbor and a kind friend. He will be great ly missed by those who knew blm b*JL GINNING FIGURES SHOW LOSS ONLY 9,362,222 BALES GINNED TO DECEMBER 13. More than a Million and Half Lea* Than the Amount for Correspond* Ing Period Last Year. Washington, D. C., Dec. 20.?Cen sus reports 9.362,222 bales cotton ginned from the growth of 1909 to December 13. Compared with 11,900,? 565 baleB for 1908. The proportion of the crop ginned to December 13, 1909, is 90.9 per cent, of the crop on the same day of 1908. Round bales included this year are 139,967, compared with 216, 059 for 1908, Sea Island, 85,184 baler for 1909; 80,316 In 1908. The number of bales of cotton r (p ned from the growth of 1909 in ;i ] several states compared with ie (Corresponding date of 1908 f . *s: State. 1909. 190* Alabama 986,099 I,' 3,Sod Arkansas 642,784 i *47,3* Florida 59." 04 Georgia 1,765 ? 1,86 6J Louisiana 2' ui' Mississippi !' ,'j!6 J. - North Carolina Oklahoma .14 TiK 4f'U>84 South Carolina l,0i>t>,CS -><*,183 Tennessee 221,4f 302,077 Texas 2.24J 3.368,183 All other Stu f 63,943 The distr'i ion of 'e Sea Island cotton for J by i Is: Florida, 26,871; p. igia, ' '*>?' and South Carolina. 7 :*7 The b ilsiics this report for 1909 *ut>o. ? lieht corrcetloaa when kef* ?ftst the individual reti, , ? dinners being tran? 8 t, |,v r The corrected total j,) nfd this season to De nber " ' R.818,886 bales. f JFOAL NEWS NOTES. *ir olty of Walla Walla in the Si Taft's campaigr revision as r s*. be wrung ?' Aldrlch, bo* i good his ' adelphla ##