VOLUME 39
SMITHFIELD, N. C., FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 17, 1920.
Number 71.
A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT
Words of Mr. I’ou at the Funeral of
Mr. Lassiter—Highest Tribute
Is to Speak the Truth.
Mr. Pou said, Friends:
I knew Tom Lassiter as a student
at Turlington Institute. I knew
him as a very young man. He was
my friend more than twenty five
years, and I am glad indeed to say
a few words concerning his high
character and useful life.
The highest tribute I can pay this
man is to speak the simple truth.
Thank God, his life was such no
word of exaggeration is necessary, or
indeed proper now.
Let us briefly enumerate some of
his well known characteristics. He
was honest, sober, truthful, charita
ble, full of energy, public spirited and
patriotic. You, who knew him best,
can bear testimony of the truth of
these words. More thrji this, he had
the courage of his convictions. If he
thought he was right, he would stand
and fight without counting the cost.
You could only influence him in ques
tions where principle was involved by
showing him you were right.
He was also the head of a typical
American home. Around his hearth
stone gathered innocent and guiltless
childhood, educated, refined woman
hood, sterling integrity, and lofty
manhood.
Of course our hearts go out in
deep tender sympathy to the mem
bers of his family and yet one can
hardly suppress the inclination to
sound a note of triumph at the clos
ing of a life so worthily spent.
During his long connection with
The Smithfield Herald, the influence
of the paper constantly increased and
during all these years of service, nev
er did he take the immoral side of
any question. Always he stood for
progress, education, for religion, for
morality, for any and all things
which in his judgment made the coun
ty, state, and nation better. Modest
and unassuming, yet for quarter of
a century he was a positive force in
the life of this community. The
Apostle in Exultation cried, “0 death
where is thy sting; O grave, where is
thy victory.’' He cried out in that
manner because he felt in his very
soul he had conquered both death and
the grave. And the life Tom Lassi
ter lived here in this town gave him
the right to challenge death just as
the Apostle did.
Friends, does such a life end here ?
Is this casket and this profusion of
flowers, are these the end ? Tliese
flowers lo not perish. They die only
to spring up and live again. Science
tells us that no tree or flower or
blade of grass by God’s law ever is
completely destroyed. Changed in
deed these things may be, but utter
ly destroyed never. Can it be that
man, God’s highest and noblest work,
is the one exception to this eternal
law? Every thing in nature ans
wers no. God’s own inspired word
answers no a thousand times, and
something in the soul, the very be
ing, of every one of God’s creatures
cries out no. So there is great com
fort in this thought for this man’s
sorrowing family and friends. He is
not dead. He yet lives and he has
left secure a good name of which his
young sons may well be proud in all
the years to come.
This also ought to be said. As a
youth he lived a clean life. He could
contemplate the years of his young
manhood without any sting of regret.
Death came suddenly without any
moment of preparation, or of warn
ing, and yet we certainly are justified
in believing he was ready. He lived
the life of an honest man, and he put
his trust in the sublime sacrifice on
Calvary. What more could he do?
There is also this beautiful thought,
even in this sorrowful hour. He is
at rest. After years of honorable toil
he rests peacefully.
Somewhere in God’s Kingdom in the
bosom of some star
Shining mid myriads afar, 0, so far,
Is a city of peace, sweet heaven of
rest,
A home everlasting, a home for the
blest.
As the shades of evening were fall
ing, as familiar earthly scenes were
fading from his vision, verily we do
believe he was permitted to see the
white spires of the heavenly city and
to hear the music of the Eternal
Morn.
Republican leaders are planning for
Senator Harding to make a coast to
coast campaign.
1
BENSON SCHOOL OPENED
I -
Radcliffe Chautauqua Much Enjoyed
—Entre Nous Club Holds A
Meeting—Personal Items
Miss Lillian Wythe spent last week
end with her sister in Bailey.
Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Johnson are be
ing congratulated upon the arrival of
a son. Born Saturday .
Mrs. Martha Jackson and Mr. and
Mrs. Milton Smith spent Sunday in
Raleigh with Miss Mary Jackson, of
Peace Institute.
Mr. J. R. .Barbour made a business
trip to Raleigh Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Johnson and
small daughter are spending the week
here with relatives.
Mr. Ezra Parker spent Monday in
Lillington.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs.
David Barbour of Elevation died
Sunday after a very short illness.
Mr. L. C. Barbour, of Scotland
Neck is spending a few days in Ben
son this week.
Mrs. E. M. Hall attended services
at the Methodist church in Smithfield
Sunday evening.
Miss Lennie Elmore, of Henderson
who has been a guest of Mrs. M. T.
Britt returned to her home Saturday.
Miss Mildred Parrish left yester
day for Salem College, Winston-Sal
em, N. C.
Miss Evelyn Boon left Wednesday
for Randolph-Macon, Danville, Va.
Miss Lusie Temple has resigned
her position with the Citizens Bank
and Trust Company to accept simi
lar work in her home town, Jones
boro, N. C.
Young men leaving for Chapel Hill
this week are: Messrs. Jefferson
Barefoot, Casper J*>rnigan, Carl
Barefoot, Colon Williams and Sherril
Utley.
Mr. John E. Croom, of LaGrange
is spending the week here with rela
tives.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Smith
on Tuesday, a daughter, Naomi.
The Benson Graded School opened
Monday morning, September 13th,
with all teachers present. A large
number of the patrons of the school
were present at the opening. Rev.
E. M. Hall read the scripture lesson,
Rev. C. C. Wheeler,' offered the pray
er, after which speeches were made
by the following: Mayor C. C. Canday
Supt. L. F. Wells, the new Superin
tendent of the school, County Supt.
W. H. Hipps, Mr. T. T. Lanier, the
retiring Superintendent of the Ben
son School, Rev. A. T. Lassiter, Rev.
C. C. Wheeler and Dr. Adams, Rad
cliffe Chautauqua Manager.
The following medals were offered:
The Entre Nous Club offers a medal
for the best all round student, the
John Charles McNeill Book Club of
fers a medal for the best original
short story (open to students from
6th grade up.) Mloming lexercises
were closed with short stories by Miss
Dorrough, Junior Chautauqua Direc
tor.
Mr. A. B. Allen spent a few hours
in Smithfield Tuesday night.
Mr. J. W. Goodrich is in Raleigh
this week taking treatment rrom Dr.
Lowery, a Specialist.
Mr. John Tubjington, IVfrs. Lilia
McBryde, Mr. E. W. Moses and Miss
Ethel Hunter spent Sunday afternoon
in Duke.
The Radcliff Chautauqua, of Wash
ington, D. G\, has just made possible
for the people of this community, a
most delightful season of entertain
ment and uplift. The entire program
was pitched on an unusually high
plain. The concerts were both comi
cal and classical, and were throughly
enjoyed by all. The main feature
of the Chautauqua however, was the
masterful lectures. The three gen
tlemen delivering these lectures are
among the most popular platform
speakers of America. We feel that
all of us are better American citizens
as a result of having heard these
distinguished gentlemen on their
ringing messages of patriotism.
We have booked the Chautauqua for
another season, and we shall be de
lighted when this season roll around.
The Entre Nous Club held its regu
lar meeting Thursday afternoon with
Mrs. Geo. E. Parker, Jr. The wide
porch was attractively decorated with
ferns and cut flowers. Many plans
for the betterment and beautifying
of the town were discussed and sev
eral important steps were definately
decided upon. Each guest was then
presented with an attractive hand
nainted contest entitled “What Will
She Wear?” This proved quite in
teresting. Mrs. J. H. Godwin and
•
POPULATION QF JOHNSTON
Census Bureau Report Gives 1920
Population of Johnston Coun
ty Towns—Smithfield 1895
Through the kindness of Dr. L. D.
Wharton, we have the following tab
ulation or the 1920 Census of Johns
ton county and her principal towns.
Micro leads in percentage of increase,
Four Oaks stands second, Smithfield
and Benson tied for third place, each
having a net gain of forty per cent.
According to the report, Pine Level
decreased during the past ten years,
her population now being twenty-one
less than in 1910. The total gain of
the county during the past decade is
7,599, or 18 3-10 per cent.
1910 1920 Gain P.C.
Johnston Co.
Smithfield _
Selma _ _
Clayton _ _
Benson _ _
Kenly_
Four Oaks _
Princeton _
Pine Level _
Micro . _ _
41,397
. 1,347
1,311
. 1,411
800
726
329
. 354
394
74
48,998 7,599 18
1,895 548 40
1,601 290 22
1,423 12.008
1,123 323 40
827 101 13
583 254 77
403 49 13
373 loss 21 .06
183 109 147
B. Y. P. U. Meets Monday Night
Next Monday evening the B. Y. P.
U. will be in charge of Mr. Maurice
A. Biggs. The following program
will be carried out:
1. Subject—Daniel, a Country Lad
in a Great City.
2. Scripture Reading—Mr. J. D.
Herring.
3. Talk—Life in a Great City—
Miss Ruth Brown.
4. Reading—Interpreting Dreams
—Mr. Erwin Pittman.
5. Talk—Daniel’s Speech —Miss
Ruth White.
6. Reading—The Handwriting On
the Wall-—Mi's. J. D. Herring.
7. The Lions Dten—Mr. Herbert
Brown.
8. Conclusion—By Leader.
A cordial invitation is given every
one to attend these meetings every
Monday evening at 8 o’clock.
At the Civil term of Guilford court,
last week, 22 couples were granted
divorce in four hours.
Mrs. C. C. Canaday tied for the
prize, but Mrs. Canaday proved to be
the lucky one and received a lovely
piece of silver.
The hostess assisted by Mrs. Cana
day served delicious (refreshments^
consisting of tea, salad, sandwiches,
mints and charlotte russe.
The club was glad to receive Mrs.
F. L. Wells as a member. Those pre
sent were Mesdames Charles John
son, W. T. Martin, J. H. Godwin, R.
L. Bryant, C. C. Canaday, F. L. Wells,
C C. Wheeler and M. A. Peacock.
Mr. and Mr*. M. T. Britt entertain
ed a few of their young friends Thur
sday evening in honor of their guest
Miss Lennie Elmore, of Henderson,
N. C. Rook was played at two tables
given by Miss Mildred Parrish and
Miss Elmore. Ice cream and cake
was served by the hostess.
Those present were: Misses Lennie
Elmjore, Sarah Turlington, Mildred
Parrish, Blanch Martin, Mary Lee,
Messrs. Paul Starling, Henry Slo
cumb,-Jesse T. Morgan, Laurie Cav
enaugh and John R. Parrish.
The John Charles McNeill Book
Club held its annual meeting Thurs
day after noon at the home of Mrs.
E. M. Hall, for the purpose of trans
acting all business necessary for a
year.
The following officers were elected:
President, Mrs. J. R. Barbour; Vice
President, Mrs. W. D. Boon; Secre
tary and Treasurer, Mrs. M. T. Britt;
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs.
A. T. Lassiter; Chaplain, Mrs. E. M.
Hall; Program Committee, Mrs. J.
R. Barbour, Chairman, Mrs. T. T.
Lanier and Mrs. W. D. Boon.
It was decided that the original
custom of giving a medal each year
to the school be resumed, this being
the first medal given since the be
ginning of the war. This one goes
to the child best adapted to short
original stories.
Every member present seemed ea
ger to express in some way their ap
preciation and sympathy for Mr. R.
L. Flowers, in his recent misfortune.
It was voted that fiowers be sent
him with a note from the club accom
panying them.
Ice cream and cake was served by
the hostess, assisted by Mrs. I. P.
Roberts.
Several other business details were
disposed of and the club adjourned.
Benson, N. (^. September 16th.
FARMERS CONVENTION
Estimated that 2,000 Farmers Met
Here to Consider Problem Of
Low Priced Tobacco.
Long before the hour set for the
meeting of the tobacco farmers of
Johnston county the court house was
filled to overflowing and it seemed
that its capacity was not great enough
for the 1500 or 2000 farmers who had
gatherer! in Smithfield to consider
what action could be taken regarding
the low prices offered for this sea
sons tobacco crop.In the absence of
the President and Vice-President, Mr.
Kirby, County Farm Demonstration
Agent, announced that the meeting
would be held on the court house
square and in a few minutes the east
side of the court house square was
covered with farmers from all sections
of Johnston and adjoining counties.
Mr. J. W. Stephenson called the
meeting t oorder and Rev. S. A. Cot
ton, of Smithfield offered prayer after
which Mr. Stephenson stated the ob
ject of the meeting and called upon
W, A. Powell, of Bentonville to read
the resolutions that had been unami
ously adopted at the farmers meeting
in Wilson on Tuesday. These resolu
tions were read and unamiously a
dopted.
“We, the farmers , tobacconists,
bankers and manufacturers, offer the
ollowing resolutions:
“Be it resolved:
“First: That instead of marketing
this crop of tobacco in four months
we market it over a period of seven
months.
“Second: That' the daily sales of
each market shall be determined on
the basis of the total sales of that
market of last year’s crop, extended
Over the period of seven months as
above specified and that the North
Carolina Warehouse association £>e
called upon to prepare and put in mo
tion necessary machinery to accom
plish that end.”
Judge Bragaw, of Beaufort county
offered the ollowing:
“Resolved: That an association of
tobacco growers be immediately
formed and organized, the name and
plan and operation of which shall be
desiginated and provided as follows:
“First. Each county in Eastern
and Piedmont North Carolina in which
tobacco is grown shall select a repre
sentative for that county, said repre
sentative to constitute a committee
to meet hereafter and at the earliest
date possible to formulate a complete
plan of organization and operation,
said committee of representatives be
ing hereby authorized to desiginate
the name of the association to re
commend by-laws to local or county
units of the organization for ratifica
tion and adoption.
“Second: That this committee of
representatives shall be authorized to
desiginate the curtailment of acreage
to be planted in tobacco for the year
1921 and suggest methods whereby
such curtailment may be effectuated.
“Third. That this committee of re
presentatives be authorized to select
officers and committees of the or
ganization to the end that delay in
putting into effect its plans may be
avoided and shall make provision for
election of officers and committees
by the organization at large at some
other date to be designated by the
committee or representatives.
“Resolved further: That it is the
sense of this meeting that every bank
doing business with tobacco growers
in North Carolina be requested to en
ter into such legal agreements with
this association as may tend to assure
a curtailment of acreage in tobacco
for the year 1921 ancf to encourage
and enable the planting of a larger
acreage of food and feed crops and
thus aid in providing against a repe
tition of existing conditions.
“Resolved urther, That a specai
committee be now appointed by the
chairman of this meeting whose duty
it shall be to communicate the sub
stance of this resolution to each coun
ty in the territory contemplated and
to request that local meetings be held
and a representative selected to act
for the county on the committee of re
presentatives herein before provided
for or this special committee to be
authorized and directed to name the
time and place for the meeting of said
committee of representatives and to
make due publication thereof and
otherwise to provide for the full at
tendance and county representation at
such meetings.
“Resolved, further. That the com
mittee of representatives provided for
(Continued on page ten.)
CALLS FARMERS TO MEET
Governor Bicket Issues Proclamation
Calling Cotton Growers Together
On Monday, September 20.
Cotton growers in every county in
the states where cotton is grown are
called to meet at their respectie coun
ty-seats at 11 o’clock nert Monday
morning to perfect plans and organi
zation for holding the present cotton
crop until fair and just prices are of
fered for it, and to more fully utilize
the present cotton warehouses and
build more of them.
The call for meetings comes through
a proclamation issued yesterday by
Governor T. W. Bickett at the in
stance of the Cotton Grower’s Associa
tion. Similar proclamations will be
issued by the Governors of all other
cotton-growing States and next Mon
day will probably see more cotton
growers in meeting throughout the
South than have ever been gathered
before. The Governor’s proclamation
is as follows:
“Whereas, North Carolina is pri
marily an agricultural State and the
State’s cotton crop is one of its chief
sources of wealth; and
“Whereas, the recnt astonishing de
cline in the price of cotton presents
a situation which cannot be properly
dealt with by individual cotton grow
ers, each man acting for himself.
There must be united effort on the
part of the men who grow the cotton
and or, part of the business men and
bankers whose prosperity depends so
largely upon the farmers’ prosperity;
and,
‘Whereas, the American Cotton As
sociation at its recent meeting in
Montgomery, Ala., asked that Monday
September 20th, 1920, be observed in
all the cotton growing counties of the
South as ‘Cotton Day’, the farmers
and interested business men of each
county be asked to assemble at their
seats at 11 o’clock on the morning of
that day to join farmers and business
men from all other parts of the cotton
belt in a Southern campaign for fair
priced cotton! and for all that it
means to our people.
“Now therefore, I, Thomas W. Bick
ett, Governor of North Carolina, in
co-operation with other Governors of
cotton-growing states, do issue this,
my proclamation, calling on the cotton
growers of each cotton producing
county in North Carolina, together
with other citizens interested in their
welfai^ to assemble at their county
seats at 11 o’clock next Monday, Sept
ember 20, 1920, to discuss the follow
ing subjects:
“1. Plans for holding the cotton
of the county until fair and just prices
can be obtained together with plans
for co-operative marketing.
“2. Plans for fully utilizing existing
warehouses and warehouse facilities
of the county, and for erecting ad
ditional warehouses with special em
phasis in this connection on practi
cable plans for financing the crop.
“3. Plans for immediately increas
ing the acreage in fall sown small
grains, as the one wise and certain
plan of effecting a reduction in cotton
acreage, pledges to this effect to'be
taken.”
A Great Revival
The greatest revival meeting that
I have ever had the privilege to at
tend was held at Bethel Free Will
Baptist church by the pastor, Elder
Lloyd Vernon, assisted by Elder H.
R. Faircloth, who did most of the
preaching.
The meeting began September 4th,
and closed September 12th, with 19
additions. The main feature of the
meeting was the powerful sermons,
the evidence of God’s Spirit working
in the hearts of both saint and sinner.
Christians were greatly built up and
sinners were seen to tremble as a leaf
before the breeze.
The soul stirring songs were ren
dered with much power and effect.
We had the best order that I have ev
er seen at that church, with a full
house at almost every service, especi
ally at night.—C. J. Thomas, Four
Oaks, N. C.
Death Near Wilson’s Mills.
I_
Mrs. Gussie Ingram died Tuesday
September 14th at the home of her
nephew, Mr. John R. Rhodes who
lives on the J. D. Lassiter farm near
Wilson’s Mills. The burial took place
Wednesday afternoon at Antioch
Methodist church in Bentonville
township, the funeral being preached
by Rev. Robert Strickland.
GRADER TO VISIT GINNERS
Mr. E. I. I’oole and County Agent
S. J. Kirby Will Discuss Cotton
Grading Work
Mr. E. I. Poole, official cotton grad
er of Johnston County, is here on th4
job with office oyer Peedin and Peter
son’s store. During the coming week
he, accompanied by the County Agent,
will visit the ginners of tho county to
discuss the cotton grading work with
them and to solicit their interest and
hearty cooperation in making the
work reach every man who grows
cotton in this county. Mr. Poole’s
work should prove a great asset to the
marketing of our most important
money crop and it is hoped that every
one will leand the necessary coopera
tion and support to make this work
the big success that it should be.
Several specimen of insects some
what similar in appearance to the cot
ton boll weevil have been brought to
this office during the year, but to date
we have not discovered a single coC-.
ton boll weevil. The specimen which,.,
in appearance most closely resembled
the cotton boll weevil brought in some
days ago, was not the boll weevil at
all. We will hardly find the bolli
weevil in this county this year, but it
would be a good thing if,all of our
farmers would begin to make prepa
ration by diversification to meet the
boll weevil situation as well as the
low price of tobacco.
One of the first things to do to be'
ready for boll weevil and low price
of tobacco conditions is to put in a
few well prepared acres of perma
nent pasture grasses and clover this
fall as a means of producing better
and more economical livestock. If you
are interested in this work your Coun
ty Agent will be glad to discuss it
with you.
The Boys’ and Girls’ encampment
was in every way a great success and
every one seemed to thoroughly en
joy every moment of it. Not a mis
hap during the three days and two
nights of it, no sickness and every
one acquitted themselves in a most
gentlemanly and ladylike manner.
The lectures, demonstrations, games,
sports, pictures, yelling, singing and
eats were just excellent. The men
and the women from Raleigh and
Washington who took part in mak
ing this meeting for the boys and
girls really worth while without ex
ception said that ours was the nicest
encampment with as well behaved
and in every way as fine a set of boys
and girls as any with which they were
associated. Between eighty and nine
ty club boys and girls attended this
encampment and the visitors present
for every lecture, demonstration,
game and meal ranged from fifty to
five hundred.
Your local Agents are deeply in
debted to the club leaders, Mrs. Lens
Creech, Misses Roberta Powell, Mary
Hill and Vic Kirby all of whom took
great care in looking after the well
fare and comfort of every boy and
girl while on this encampment. They
did fine work and we hope they en
joyed it as much as the boys and
girls did.
Special thanks are due to Mr. J. W.
Darden for his unbounded generosity
in turning over the nicest camp
grounds, bath houses, well equipped
with shower baths, swimming pools
and the most beautiful and commodi
ous pavilion in the county to the boys
and girls and their guest without
any charges whatever. Mr. Darden
has an ideal camping place and the
inspection of his modern extensive
manufacturing plant and farm was
a treat to every one. Moreover Mr.
and Mrs. Darden visited us on fre
quent intervals and seemed very so
licitous about our wellfare and com
fort while on this institute. Every
one came away realizing that in these
two good people the young folks of
this county have two big-hearted kind
spirited hospitable friends to whom
we all can well afford to feel deeply
grateful.
In getting the equipment back to
Smithfield one girl’s coat to a blue
coat suit and one new claw hammer
were lost that has not been found.
The part of the picture machine lost
has been located and every thing else
is in good order.
S. J. KIRBY, County Agent.
Recreation Club to Meet.
The Recreation Club will meet with
Mrs. Walter Myatt Wednesday, Sep
tember 22 at 3:30. Members who can
not attend will please phone the host
ess by nine o’clock^