SHERIFF POWELL DOWN EAST. Tells of a Trip From Oriental Ikmn the Inland Waterway to Beaufort. A Vivid Description of What Took Place \\ hen the Wind* Blowed and the Boat Did Kock. Messrs. Editors: Receiving an invitation to attend a house boat party from Oriental to Beaufort, Morehead, Atlantic, and Witt, through the inland waterway via Adams Creek Canal and Core Sound, will tell you a little about it. Messrs. Charlie, and Guilford Lewis, Capt. L. B. Midyett and grandson, Edward Midyett, with four Lewis boys and myself, set sail from Oriental on the 16th on board the "Concrete" a gas freight boat 40 feet long 16 feet beam double-decked and handsomely equip ped with all nautical requirements, as well as being lavishly supplied with comforts of life, including water, ice, and "sich," for a ten days' cruise. The Messrs. Lewis are manufactur ers of concrete tiling, well curbing, window sills, etc., of superior quality and the boat mentioned is a 40 ton freighter. A houseboat tender with two skiffs for fishing purposes took us tandem in tow and five miles an hour was about the speed. We em barked at 5 p. m., expecting to cross Neuse River five miles wide here, anchor in a bay and set nets for fun and rations. But! and! um! um! the wind did blow, and the tide did rise, and the boat did rock, and the waves did slash, and the captain did cast anchor, and this individual did look landward, and he did turn white around the gills and his inards got creepy, and his amidship got in sym pathy with outside commotions, and set up a squall all its own, and with craned neck, and clear periscope, the bottom did reveal many appurtenan ces and the catfish fared well. Reck onings by quadrant, sextant, periscop ical and imaginary, like Sherman's coons all "looked alike to me." Every thing subsided in due time, as all com motions do, and weighing anchor with favorable wind and tide were soon in the Canal a connecting link of the inland waterway from Norfolk to Beaufort. It is 100 feet wide and eleven feet deep, and was cut through a heavily timbered swamp at the head of Adams Creek flowing into Neuse and Core Creek flowing into Core Sound via Beauford and Morehead. The tide flows through and but little dredging is required. It is of great and growing importance to agricul ture and commerce. Eight miles north of Beaufort a steel bridge spans it, opening many thousands of fertile acres, and a good road through them, and the further dredging and im provements by a Western corporation on the "Open Lands," is spoken of with pride by all. Our outing termin ated at Beaufort and Morehead. For cause we abandoned the course up Core Sound, the light house, life sav ing station and harbor of refuge where the government is jettying the present fintf harbor, by dumping hun dreds of car loads of rock in water 50 feet deep, forming an immense break-water, the importance of which can only be surmised. While at Beaufort, Capt. Midyett and myself went out five miles on North river, through a fine country, over a "good road" to Mr. J. P. Thomas', son-in law of Mr. W. B. Johnson ? "Arter branch Bill" where we were enthusias tically received and feted. It is a fine country, good fishing grounds, the river being two miles wide and abun dantly stocked with fish, crabs, mos quitoes and banker ponies. A big crab stew for dinner "took the rag off the bush." We shall always think of this trip with pleasure and Uncle Sam, an old confederate soldier (genuine too) showed me his parole and still has his gray, red-bound artillery cap, and Confederate looking-glass. He was very entertaining to me. A street Car nival at Morehead took the boys and Uncle Lon, one night while I visited Rev. J. C. Staneil and Joe Kornegay, two old Confederates. Mrs. Kornegay asked many questions about those left of our young days. She was Miss De lia Quetay and special chum of Mrs. Powell, her brother was a groomsman at my wedding. Our outing upon the whole was pleasant. On the fourth day we returned to Oriental, leaving Mr. Guilford Lewis in charge of the C oncrete, Mr. Charlie taking the boys home and returning with his wife and daughter for a few more days. Uncle Lon and I returned to our old tricks, fishing and crabbing around Oriental, taking an afternoon nap in the fine breezes prevailing there. Aunt Becky, that good old soul, uncomplainingly, kept us in good fish, corn bread, coffee, butter and honey and all kinds of "pilarities." Will Midyett, Tom Midyett and Mr. Ever itt, the hotel man, were still on deck i?nd cheerful as ever. Oriental is pro gressing rapidly, and why not? On a beautiful peninsula and charming water-front, fine breezes and splendid artesian mineral water, surrounded by fertile trucking lands, good boat and railroad facilities, with a hank, the deposits of which show deposits for 1915 of $85,000? for 1916, $171, 000 and to June, 1917, $451,000. With a few eye-sores on the creek shore the town would indeed be a charming pleasure rt-sort, thee gem on the in land waterway. If you vant to have a good time "Jine the Cavalry" or go to Oriental. C. S. POWELL. July 31, 1917. GOVERNMENT CROP REPORT. Cotton Condition July 25 Was 70.3 Per Cent of a Normal. The Department of Agriculture authorizes the following: The Crop Reporting Board of the Bureau of Crop Estimatss of tht Uni ted States Department of Agriculture estimates, from the reports of the correspondents and agents of the bu reau, that the condition of the cotton crop on July 25 was 70.3 per cent of a normal, as compared with 70.3 on j June 25, 1917; 72.3 on July 25, 1916; j 75.4 on July 25, 1915; and 77.5, the average on July 25 of the past 10 years. A condition of 70.3 on July 25 forecasts a yield per acre of about | 166.9 pounds and" a total production (allowing 1 per cent from planted area for abandonment) of about 11, 949,000 bales. That is, the final out- ' turn will probably be larger or small er than this amount according as con ditions hereafter are better or worse than average conditions. Last year's production was 11,449,930 bales, two years ago 11,191,820, three years ago '16,134,930, and four years ago 14, 156,486. i General Summary of Conditions. Serious drought in portions of Texas and western Oklahoma; too much rain in many parts of the east ern, southern, and central belt; wee vil damage in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia; late crops everywhere, with poor stands in many places, are the influences which unfavorably affect- ; ed the cotton crop in July. The drought has assumed serious propor tions in much of southern, south-cen- ' tral, and western Texas and western ' ) Oklahoma. The crop over this entire section is very poor and nothing less than several inches of rain at an early date can help it. There has been too much rain in the eastern section of the Carolinas and in some portions of other cotton States, excepting Texas and Oklahoma. Weevils Doing Damage. Weevils are doing damage in the wet portions of the States embraced in the infested area, but some sec tions in the oldest infested areas re port splendid crop prospects. Except where it has been too wet, cultivation is better than usual. Dry weather in j May and June enabled farmers to clean out their crops and they have remained clean. South Carolina, Geor- ; gia, and Louisiana report wilt or black-root on some sandy soils. The crop has recovered some of its late ness, but will average probably two weeks late over the entire South. In many sections in the eastern belt top dressing with nitrate of soda or other fertilizers has been resorted to. Where conditions have been any ways favorable the crop looks well, has a splendid color, and is fruiting splen didly. To date the labor supply has been generally adequate, though there is some fear expressed as to the sup ply of pickers later on. Cotton is op ening in Texas and Florida. REPORT STRENGTHENS COTTON. Prices Eiise Sharply on Low Official Condition Estimate, But React Later. To the disappointment of many people, and especially the short in terest, Wednesday's official cotton re port failed to disclose improvement, and a rapid rise in prices resulted. On expectations of at least a moder ate gain in condition, all the active deliveries had previously fallen well below the 24c. basis and the local spot quotation to 24.60c., but when the Government's figures showed no change whatever futures promptly soared $6 a bale on the average and the actual staple about $3. Thus, on hasty covering and not a little fresh buying, October contracts reached 25.30c., December 24.90c., January 24.80c., and March an even 25c. From these levels, 'however, there was a subsequent recession of 70 to 90 points in the option list on renewed pressure prompted mainly by better weather and crop advices, though in every -instance the week ended to the decided advantage of holders. With its percentage of 70.3 on July 25, exactly the same as was reported a month earlier, the official estimate was distinctly surprising, for the trade had counted on a figure about three points higher. Even then, the return would have been poor enough, as the ten-year average for the date covered by the statement is 77.5 per cent., but the fact that no improve ment at all appeared was doubly dis appointing, except to those who had hoped for rising prices. Briefly, too much rain east of the Mississippi, not enough of it in Texas and Oklahoma, and damage by boll weevil explained the unfavorable showing, and not on any previous July 25 has the condi tion been at such a low level. Yet not a few pccple seem convinced that the actual status of the crop on the date mentioned was better than the Gov ernment's report indcated, and it is believed that the outlook has recently become more promising by reason of ?he breaking of the drought in the Southwest and the good rains that have fallen elsewhere. In any event, Wednesday's sharp advance was fol lowed by a resumption of selling, considerable of which came from southern source, ?nd there is not the confidence in the bull side of the mar ket that migh be expected in view of the Washington estimate. From now on, the weather news will be watched with the closest attention. ? Dun's Re view, Aug. 6th. , BENTONSVILLE NEWS. The revival at Mill Creek Disciple church closed Sunday night with one addition. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller Boykin, of Clayton, spent last week in this sec tion with Mrs. Boykin's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Williams. Mr. John Morgan, of near Benson, spent the week-end in these parts with Mr. N. T. Flowers and family. Mr. E. J. Williams and family, of Clayton, spent the week-end in this section with relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Casey, of Mt. Olive, spent Saturday and Sunday in our burg with Mrs. Casey's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Beasley. Well, how about improving our public roads with a small bond? Will they ever be improved otherwise? Rev. Whitley Langston and family, of Georgia, spent a few days of last week in this section with old friends and relatives. Mr. Langston motored through the country here and is on his way to Western North Car olina to spend some time at his sum mer home. Quite a large portion of our folks attended the Vocal Union at Pauline church. Bentonville, Ang. 2, 1917. DID YOU EVER READ THAT j great little story "Ten Nights In a Barroom?" If not get a copy at Herald Office. Price only 6 cent? By mail 8 cents. KING'S BUSINESS COLLEGE Incorporated Capital Stock $30,000.00 This ia the Largest, Best Equipped Business College in North Carolina? a positive probable fact. Bookkeeping, Shorthand, Typewriting and English taught by experts. We also teach Bookkeeping, Shorthand, and Penmanship by mail. Send for Finest Catalogue ever published in this State. It is free. Address KING'S BUSINESS COLLEGE Raleigh, N. C. Or Charlotte, N. C. 2 Founded IMS Chartered in 1K59 TRINITY COLLEGE DURHAM, N. C. A College of liberal arts with an established national reputation for high standards, noble traditions, and progressive polities. Its large endowment fund makes possible its ttrst-class equipment and large faculty of well trained and carefully chosen teachers. Student fees low. Comfortable, inexpensive rooms in carefully super vised hygienic dormitories. Classical and scientific courses leading to bachelor's degree. Graduate courses in all departments. Schools of Engineering, Education and Law. For catalogue and illustrated booklet, address R. L. FLOWERS, Secretary to the Corporation. JOSEPH MILAD ! DAY Clearance Sale day j Store Will be Closed August the 9th Sale Opens 9 A. M., Friday, Aug. 10th $12,000 W orth of Goods At Reduced Prices My entire line of Ladies' and Gents' Furnishing Goods. I am not having this Sale to to make money or to get shut of old stock. Trade has been dull this Summer, and I need money, and I am bound to have it to pay my bills. The goods that I shall offer for sale, I cannot buy at factory for less than 25 per cent more than I shall ask for them during this Sale. My line can be used Summer and Winter. Big line Men's, Women's and Children's Shoes for every day and Sunday wear. You can't buy this stock this Fall for less than 25 per cent more. Big line Oxfords for Men, Women and Children. Big cut on them, as I don't want to carry them over. I can't give prices on Shoes and Oxfords here, as I have so many styles and grades. Big Line Misses, Women's and Children's Tennis Shoes. Misses Tennis Shoes 49c Women's 39c Dress Ginghams, good grade. . . 10c per yd. Dress Homespun 1 lc per yd. Calico 7 Vic per yd. Apron Checks, good grade 11c per yd. Flowered and Striped Lawn, 15c quality, at ... .9c per yd. POPLIN GOODS, ALL COLORS Vctiles, 25c value, at 19c Worsted Dress Goods, 75c value, 41c Silk Dress Goods, $1.25 value, 85c China Silk Dress Goods, 25c value, at 19c per yd. Window Curtain Goods, 121/zc value, 9c Middy Blouse Shirt Waists and Underskirts, 50c value, now 39c Better Grade Shirt Waists, Undershirts, Kimonas, House Dresses and Wash Skirts, $1.25 and $150 vaule, 98c Nice Line Clothing, $10 to $20 value $7.50 to $15.00 Big Line Men's Pants, value $1.25 to $4.00, Now 75c to $3.55 Big Line Overalls and Jackets, values $1.25 and $1.50, now 98c and $1.18 Sunday Shirts, 75c value, at 63c Big Line Ladies Skirts at Reduced Prices Boys' Suits, Some Wash Suits, Children's Dresses, white and colored at Cut Prices Men's Summer Underwear. 35c value, at 22c Ladies' Gauze Vests, 5c Each Nice Line Hamburg Lace and Insertion from 3c to 9c per yd. Nice Line Men's, Women's and Children's Hats, value 25c to $4.00, sale price 19c to $1.95 Trunks, Suit Cases, Socks and Stockings, Etc., at All-Down-and-Out Prices It will pay you not to miss this Sale. You will find many Bargains that you need in this Sale. This is your only chance to buy goods cheap this year. Look for the Red, White and Blue Sign. JOSEPH MILAD Main St., CLAYTON, N. C. |i4i4i4iiHif ft Ax-t-x