Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / July 12, 1921, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
VOLUME 40 SMITHFIELD, N. C., TUESDAY, JULY 12, 1921 NUMBER 55 SMITHFIELD NAMED FOR JOHN SMITH Grave on left Bank of Neuse At Rear of Old Methodist Church Site People as a rule are interested in the “wherefore” of names. More than once have we had children inquire of us for whom Smithfield was named. Through the kindness of Judge W. S. Stevens, we are enabled to give to our readers some interesting infoi mation as to Smithfield’s namesake and others connected with the Smith family. Recently Mr. Stevens has been in correspondence with Mrs. Geo. W. Woodward, of Brevard, who is a descendent of the Smith family, be ing the great-granddaughter of Cap tain William Walton, of Revolution ary fame and Elizabeth Smith, daugh ter of Samuel Smith. (Her mother spent a good part of her young days in Johnston county and was 'itiiTicd in Mr. Willis Sanders’ old home six miles from Smithfield.) he has f'lr nished er interesting art.:.,('1 en'itjod “Olti Bluff Church,” which uas pub lished sometime ago in thj W lm:ng ton Star the author being R. R. Bryan and which article tells of the man for whom Smithfield was named. We re produce it below: “On a high bluff overlooking the turbid water of the yellow Cape Fear is a notable place in the annals of the upper Cape Fear section of North Carolina. Aside from its picturesque beauty, the place possesses an interest and a charm to those imbued with a love for the traditional and historic incidents of their state and country. For seven hundred yards parallel with the stream and perhaps 400 feet m width is an oak grove in the midst of which stands a large, old-fashioned two-story church building. This struc ture is over 00 or more feet in length and perhaps 30 feet in width and seemingly as many feet from the ground floor to ceiling. Two rows of windows on each side furnish light and entrance is effected through the gable end facing east, the west gable being the hinder part and nearest the river. Two doors, one in either side, open into the vestibule and through it to the lower part of the sanctuary, while two spiral stair ways lead to the gallery above. The ground floor with its two aisles and three sections of seats was designed for whites and the use of the gallery given over to slaves at the time of its construction. This old church is known as the “Bluff Church,” named for the eminence upon which it stands, “Mc Neill’s Bluff,” in honor of Neill Mc Neill, one of the first pioneers in the upper Cape Fear section. Organized by Scotch Presbyterians October 18, 1758, it stands today a monument to the piety and church loyalty of these early settlers who beat back the sav ages and subdued the wilderness and contributed to the independence and civilization of this country. “Seven acres of land are included in the church grounds which embraces the cemetery, the largest I have seen in the country. In this cemetery are buried some of the most prominent personages of the upper Cape Fear of 150 years ago. Many of the older tombs are marked with wooden head and foot pieces without lettering, and even where these are still intact no one can be found to say with certainty who the occupants are. Some of the old stones are in fine state of preser vation and the inscriptions upon them can be easily read. Here are resting McAllisters, McNeills, McLeans, Mc Caskills, Mclntires, Campbells,Smiths and many others who lived before the utilization of steam and the coming of the cotton gin. “The Rev. James Campbell, a native cf Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scot land, was one of the organizers of this old church and its first spiritual head. For 22 years this man served here, resigning the work only when called by the Master in 1780. C9I. Alexander McAllister (buried here,) the first of that name in Amer ica, came from near Argyleshire, Scotland, to Wilmington, N. C., in 1736, and for a time kept a tavern Ihere. Later, he made his way up the Cape Fear, pausing long enough at Colvin’s creek, in the near vicinity of the place where the battle of Moore’s creek was afterwards fought to marry Jean Colvin, of the Scotch (Continued on page 8) ROAD TO GO DIRECT TO GOLDSBORO Johnston County Puts On A Spirited Debate Before Highway Commission After hearing the discussion as to the location of the State highway go ing east and west from the Wake county line to Wayne, the State High way commission rendered a decision favoring the route as first laid out following the Central highway from Clayton to Smithfield thence to Princeton and Goldsboro. The other highway approved goes north and south from Wilson via Kenly, Selma, Smithfield, Four Oaks and Benson, thus giving two hard surfaced roads through the county and connecting up with the State highway system which will join the county seats. The following account of the hear ing before the state highway commis sion at Raleigh, by Mr, W. T. Bost in Fridays’ Greensboro News gives an idea of the interest taken in the mat ter: Raleigh, July 7.—State highway hearings today included the Ruther ford and Johnston county appeals from resident commissioners on the big roadbuiiding, the first break from the district judges and for the Su preme court of the 1921 creation. Johnston county protestants broke from John E. Cameron’s findings and Rutherford from John C. McBee’s rec ommendations. It so happens that both men are Republicans. And all through the hearing on the sidelines was running most interesting chatter from Governor Morrison’s “reaction aries.” The “itoldyousoers” were swearing that the Republican mem bers of the state highway commission can make the state go Republican next year if they care to play politics. If none of the argument did any thing political break loose. Party lines evanished. James Daniel Parker, of Smithfield, was backing up Commis sioner Cameron in routing a highway leading down by Smithfield through to Pine Level without even a wave at Selma. But Ezra Parker, James Dan iel’s brother, was up there, joining James H. Pou and his mighty host of shouting anti-Cameronites in the ef fort to carry the road by Selma. The Parker brothers are the ablest Re publicans of Johnston and they are divided. In Rutherford Fred Hamrick leading Republican is joining Max Gardner and Clyde Hoey in their fight against the go-by to Caroleen, Henri etta, Cliffside and other populous cen ters, Commissioner McBee having that district under supervision. But for all the strange bedfellows that politics makes, the opposition to the great roadbuilding program as writ ten into the state highway act, can see little but awful party troubles ahead. Senator Sumner Burgwyn looked on with unabated joy. He regarded "him self only a minor prophet when he uttered his philippic against the ad ministration’s road measure in the senate of 1921. Today Senator Sumner congratulates himself as a sort of superseer. He would bet that Johnston county will go Republican next year and if that is not enough to damn loadbuilding Senator Burgwyn would like to see the color of the man’s hair who could deliver more calamitously. Perhaps the feeling is overstated. There must have been near 200 John ston county sisitors when hearing was called to order at 10 o’clock this morning. James H. Pou, native John stonian, led the insurgency against the Smithfield-Pine Level-Princeton load direct and in favor of the Smith field-Selma elbow.” He had perhaps 150 followers who out-rooted the op position three to one, albeit, the standpatters were not without an im pressive representations. Former Mayor, James A. Wellons, Judge F. H. Brooks, W. M. Sanders, J. D. Par ker, and S. S. Holt were for the Cam eron findings. Mr. Pou, former Repre sentative Billy Barnes, present Rep resentative Paul D. Grady, Dr. Robert J. Noble, Rev. S. H. Styron and doz ens of minute-speakers took a whirl, the most exciting moment of which was when Mr. Styron resenting the suggestion of hired howling and sub sidized sobbing, salaried screeching and boughten bunk, told Mr. Wellons that plenty of folks always under stood why plenty of other folks acted as they did. There was a dispute-as to nearly IRISH AND ENGLISH AGREE ON TERMS In Southern and Western Ireland and England Heartfelt Rejoicing Dublin, Ireland, July 9.—Truce terms were agreed to at 3 o’clock this afternoon at British military head quarters General Sir Nevil MacReady, military commander in Ireland, Colo nel Brind and A. W. Cope, under-sec retary in the office of the Chief Secre tary for Ireland, acted for the British army, and Commandants Robert C. Barton and E. J. Duggan represent ed the Irish Republican army. According to the Irish Bulletin, or gan of the Dail Eireann, it was agreed on behalf of the British army: First: That there be no incoming troops of the Royal Irish Constabu lary and auxiliaries and no shipments ot munitions into Ireland and no movements for military purposes ex cept in the maintenance of drafts. Second: That there be no provoca tive display of forces, armed or un armed. Third: That all provisions of the truce applf to the martial law area just as for the rest of Ireland. Fourth: That there be no pursuits of Irish officers and men and searches for war material and stores. Fifth: That there be no secret agents noting descriptions or move ments of and no interference with the movements of Irish military men and civilians and no attempt to discover the haunts and habits of Irish officers and men. Sixth: That there be no search for, or observance of lines, of communica tion. Seventh: That there be no search for messengers. Other details connected with court martial, motor permits and similar matters says the Irish Bulletin, are to be agreed on later. On behalf of the Irish Republican army it is agreed: Firstly: That attacks on crown forces and civilians cease. Secondly: That there be no provaca tive display of force armed or un armed. Thirdly: That there be no interfer ence with government or private pro perty. Fourthly: The discontinuance and prevention of any action likely to cause disturbance of the peace and which might necessitate military in terference. Mrs. Zilphia Radford Dead Mrs. Zilphia Radford, widow of Mr. C. Radford, who died several years ago, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. L. Gurley of Prince ton, Saturday morning about three o’clock. She had been in feeble health for about six months. She was 69 years old. The funeral was conducted Sunday afternoon at three o’clock by Elder John W. Gardner of Goldsboro, after which she was buried in the Massey graveyard at her old home. The pall-bearers were Messrs Russell Ginn,' Calvin and Hallie Gurley, S. B. ’Jones, D. H. Creech, C. B. Register, Anthony and Wilson Uzzle, Harry Gurley and Brewer. The deceased was well-known in Smithfield having lived here for a number of years after her second marriage. She lived here until the death of her son, Mr. John Massey a fev. years ago. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist church here. A good woman has gone to her re ward and will be greatly missed es pecially to those closely associated with her. Still and Whiskey from Meadow Last week Mr. J. Mang Wood of Meadow township brought in a 60 gallon copper still, and outfit and 10 gallons of whiskey. These were taken from a place at the head of Parker’s Mill pond in Meadow township. every material fact, bridges, railroad crossings, mileage, and service. But ic was denied that Smithfield and Sel ma are business and municipal rivals. There is a good reason why Smithfield does not look complacently on any proposition to increase the facilities for getting into Selma.—W. T. Best in Greensboro News. WORLD POWERS ARE INVITED TO MEETING Pres. Harding Suggests Con ference on Armaments; Plan A Broad One Washington, July 10.—President Harding has taken definite steps look ing to a conference in Washington of the principal allied and associated powers to discuss limitations of arma ment. He also has suggested to the interested nations that there be at the sam? tme a discussion of Pacific and Far Eastern problems with a view to reaching a common understanding with respect to principles and policies in the Far East. This am ouncement was made to night oy the State Department by direction of the President in the fol lowing statement: “The President in view of the far rtaching importance of the question oi limitation of armaments, has ap proached with informal but definite inquiry the group of powers here tofore known as the principal allied and associated powers, that is: Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan, to ascertain whether it would be agree able to them to take part in a con ference on this subject to be held in Washington at a time to be mutually agreed upon. If the proposal is found to be acceptable, formal invitations tor such a conference will be issued. “It is manifest that the question of limitation of armaments has a close ielation to Pacific and Far Eastern problems, and the President has sug gested that the powers especially in terested in these problems should un dertake in connection with this con ference, the consideration of all mat ters bearing upon their solution, with a view to reaching a common under standing with respect to principles and policy in the Far East. This has been communicated to the powers con cerned and China has also been in vited to take part in the discussion relating to Far Eastern problems.” The department’s statement was made public without comment and the fact that the President has suggested to the interested nations a joint dis cussion of the far eastern and Pacific problems came as something of a sur prise in Washington. The depart ment’s statement did not make clear what nations had been approached on this particularly subject, but aside from China which was specifically named, it was assumed that Great Britain and Japan were among them. Renewal of the Anglo-Japanese al liance is a subject before the British and Japanese governments, but wheth ei this is considered by Mr. Harding as within the scope of the proposed conference on Pacific and far eastern problems has not been disclosed. Mr. Lloyd-George, the British premier an nounced recently in the house of com mons, that he expected to have some statement to make with regard to the alliance tomorrow, but that this was dependent upon “the replies received from the United States, Japan and China.” Mr. Harding’s move with regard to limitation of armament was described by some of his advisers as the second step in the working out of his inter national propram, adoption of the peace resolution having been the first. Before that resolution was put through congress, he sent out inform al “feelers” on the subject of disarma ment. He now has gone a step for ward in the development of this pro gram. proposals ior a conference on world disarmament were made in congress some months ago, and a resolution by Senator Borah, Republican, of Idaho, asking the President to invite Great Britain and Japan to confer with the United States on the question of lim iting naval construction has been made a part of the naval appropri ation bill and accepted both by the senate and house. The President however, apparently has gone much farther than the sug gestion in the Borah resolution. His inquiries have been sent to France and Italy as well and there is nothing in the state department announcement tonight to suggest that the limitation of armaments be confined solely to naval construction. When the disarmament question was discussed in congress various proposals were made that any confer ence of this subject contemplate a (Continued on page 8) HELP FOR NORTH CAROLINA GROWERS A. W. McLean Ready to Ex plain Practical Plan to Those Interested Washington, July 10.-—The an nouncement made by the War Finance Corporation that it has given a five million dollar backing to the co-opera tive association handling a large bulk of the long staple cotton of the Miss issippi Delta has a bearing upon the general serious condition of the cotton producers which should be recognized throughout the South and it is a mat ter that should be given attention by cotton producers, cotton exporters and financial interests concerned in cotton in North Carolina, for it seems that in this way alone is there a pres ent day prospect of bettering condi tions which have in them the threat of absolute ruin to the farmers, af fecting the entire economic situation. Nothing what ever had been done by the War Finance Corporation in the long staple cotton matter. I called upon A. W. McLean, the North Caro lina banker, cotton producer and busi ness man,who is a member of the cor poration and for a considerable time its managing director. Mr. McLean is the only man on the board of the corporation who comes from the cot ton and tobacco producing section of the country, and as a member of the board he has given the most earnest consideration to plans which might lend to aid in securing better condi tions for agricultural interests, es pecially those having to do with cot ton and tobacco. Knowing both the practical and the theoretical side of the matter his view of the situation is one that should have weight with all who seek to better existing condi tions. Mr. McLean expressed the opinion that the plans adopted by the staple cotton growers’ association could well be followed in North Carolina, this plan, he stated, being the first ex ample of a> practical organization of any group of cotton farmers of the South upon the co-operative market ing plan. The members of the Missis sippi association, some eleven hun dred or more of the largest cotton growers of the Delta section, have an agreement by which the repre sentatives of the association have the exclusive control of the marketing of the cotton for a period of five years beginning in 1921. In the consumma tion of the plan an association of this kind must be able to finance the growers to the extent of at least 50 per cent of the market value of the cotton in the way of advance, pending final sale of the cotton. The associa tion must arrange fair the selling i gencies both in this country and abroad, all cotton included in the co operative plan to be sold through the association, it being allowed to ware house the cotton in this country for future export. This plan being adopt ed the War Finance Corporation will make an advance on a basis of ap proximately one-half the market val ue of the cotton, the advance for a maximum period of one year. The War Finance Corporation, I am assured by Mr. McLean, stands ready to assist in financing reasonable amounts of cotton on a sound business basis, under any proper plan by which the co-operation may have definite as surance that its advances will be re paid through the export of the cotton, this within a year. The need is for the formation of an association in North Carolina by cotton producers, not ten ants and financial interests, so that the solvency of the organization may he assured and the co-operative mar keting of cotton, or tobacco, be as sured. When this is done the other necessary financial support can be as sured from the War Finance Corpo ration. It will take work to set the plan going, for the truth is that there has not been shown any considerable amount of interest from North Car olina in opportunities for assistance offered by the War Finance Corpo ration. But here is a practical plan which Mr. McLean holds can be put ir. operation in North Carolina and which he will be glad to explain in fuller detail to any set of men in North Carolina who will make an en deavor to see that it is put into ope ration. Certainly present disastrous conditions are such as to lead to the hope that some in the State will take advantage of an opportunity which is 6 PEOPLE KILLED;50 HURT BY AIRPLANE Bombing Plane Crashes Into Group of Autos; Many Machines Burned Moundsville, W. Va., July 10.—Six yersons were killed and approximately f.O injured at Langin field here late today when a Martin bombing plane crashed into a group of automobiles parked on the ground. An explosion followed setting fire to the machines. The dead were all spectators. Lieut. C. R. Mclve, pilot and Lieut. T. H. Dunton, assistant pilot, were rescued by Carl Miller, coach of Bethany col lege. Carl Pettit, Fred Edge, Mrs. Mary Stevens and daughter, Alice; Ralph Hartzel and a man believed to be Hartzel’ father, are the dead. Most of the injured were taken to the Glendale hospital where it was reported five were in a serious condition. A physi < ian’s office nearby, also was used as r.n emergency hospital, where it was reported two died. The known dead were of Mounds ville, with the exception of Edge, whose home was at Round Bottom, Ya. Lieutenants Mclve and Dunton were taking off in the government plane from Langin field, starting from the south side of the field, with the Ohio river on their left. They ad risen about 30 feet, according to reports \\ en the plane swung sharply to the left and semed about to hit a hangar. An apparent effort was made, it was said to throw the plane into the river, hut it was flying too low, and crash ed into a line of automobiles lined along the river bank. Sixteen automobiles were burned and the dead, in most instances were trapped in the machines. The pilots arrived at Moundsville Saturday af ternoon with the bomber from the Martin factories at Cleveland and were leaving Langin field here for Langley field, where the plane was to be put into service.—Greensboro News-. The Womanless Wedding Smithfield cast all thoughts of hard times and depressed conditions to the winds Friday night and grew several years younger from the hearty laughs occasioned by the “Womanless Mar riage” given by local talent at the Opera horse We use the term, “local talent,” with design, because it is the one expressive word. Never before had Smithfield realized what talent was among the men of our city, and to think it had been going to waste. Happy the thought which gave to the world not a cast of characters with a star player, but a cast of characters with “all star” players. The bride and groom, attendants, and honored guests never appeared more lovely, it is said, in their hand some evening attire, and one charm ing feature of the program was that the actors in the performance seem to enjoy the affair quite as much as the convulsed spectators. If it were possible to pick out an outstanding actor, we would endeavor to make suitable comment, but accord ing to all reports even the bride was forced on this occasion to share her priory with every other member of the bridal party. However, credit is certainly due to the circles who managed the perform ance so well. Mr. T. L. H. Young, Mrs. H. D. Ellington, Mrs. H. P. Stev ens, Mrs. T. C. Young and others are to be congratulated upon the success if their efforts in getting up the af fair. They say they feel fully compen sated by the $150 which they were able to turn into the treasury of their missionary society. Tati Sworn In Washington, July 11.—Wm. How ard Taft was sworn in today as Chief Justice. The simple ceremony of ele vating the former president to the Supreme Court was performed in At torney General Daughtery’s office by Justice Holehing of the District Court in the absence from the city of the | justice of the supreme court. Those present included Henry W. Taft, and John T. Adams chairman of the Re publican National Committee. being embraced by men in other parts ^.f the country. —Edward E. Britton in News and Observer.
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 12, 1921, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75