VOLUME 40
SMIJHFIELD, N. C., TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1921
NUMBER 89
JOHNSTON WILL
SPEL AT RALEIGH
To Hold Elimination Con
tests in County this Weke
—In State Nov. 23
Spelling perhaps has not been suf
ficiently stressed in the schools in
recent years if we are to judge by
the large number of folks who are
poor speller. In the days of the old
“Blue Back,” spelling was the main
study. The boy or girl who could
spell down the whole school had an
enviable reputation.
In order to stimulate interest in
this important part of the school
course, a state-wide spelling contest
will be held at Raleigh on November
23. The contest will take place in
the Senate Chamber in the Capitol
and each county shall be entitled to
two representatives from seventh
grade pupils and below.
The County Superintendent, Mr. W.
H. Hipps, is arranging for Johnston
county to be represented at Raleigh.
An elimination contest will be held in
each school next Thursday, Novem
ber 10, in order to select two pupils
to represent the school in the township
elimination contest to be held the 'fol
lowing day. The school where town
ship contest will be held on Friday,
Nov. 11, at 2 p. m. are as follows:
Township
Banner
Bentonville
Beulah
Boon Hill
Clayton
Cleveland
Elevation
Ingram
Meadow
Micro
Oneals
Pine Level
Pleasant Grove
Selma
Smithfield
Wilders
Wilson’s Mills
On Saturday,
School
Benson
Mill Creek
Kenly
Princeton
Clayton
Polenta
Elevation
Four Oaks
Meadow
Micro
Thanksgiving
Pine Levei
Pleasant Grove
Selma
Smithfield
Archer Lodge
Wilson’s Mills
November 12th, the
County contest will be held at Smith
field, beginning at 11 o’clock and con
tinuing until two pupils are chosen
to represent the county in the State
Spelling Contest.
The County superintendent re
commends that Rule five in the
rules governing the State Contest be
adopted as the method of conducting
the school, township, and county eon
Uht*.
The rules governing the State con
test ar<, os follows:
1. The State Spelling Contest shall
be held in the Senate Chamber, Ral
eigh, N. C., Wednesday, November 23,
3:30 p. m. ,
2. Each county shall be entitled to
two representatives.
3. All pupils in the first seven
grades, regularly attending the public
schools during the year 1921-22, shall
be eligible to enter this contest.
Seventh grade graduates are exclud
ed. The committee shall pass upon the
eligibility of any contestant, when
ever the'same is questioned.
4. Representatives to the State
Spelling Contest shall be chosen by
means of organized county contests
approved by the County Superintend
ent of Schools. The details of the
county contests are left to the County
Superintendent to work out in such
manner as he thinks best for the
schools of his county. The elimination
plan is recommended, beginning with
a spelling match in each school, the
winners of these school contests to
constitute a township 'contest; the
township winner to participate in a
county contest. All words in the
school, township, or county contest
should be selected from the adopted
speller.
5. The State Contest shall be writ
ten. The test will be to spell words
correctly. No requirements will be
made for the analysis, definition, dia
critical markings, or the use of words
in a sentence. No proper name
be included.
6. A list of 100 words will be se
lected from New World Speller, Book
Two, for the State Contest. Should
there be a tie, lists of 25 words shall
be pronounced from the above men
tioned source or from other reliable
sources as needed.
7. The following committee will
have charge of the contest for 1921:
State Superintendent E. C. Brooks,
Raleigh, and three others to be se
GOVERNOR MORRISON CALLS
SPECIAL SESSION LEGISLATURE
December 6th Is Set In the Proclama
tion as Date For Assembly of
The State’s Lawmakers
Governor Cameron Morrison yes
terday formally called the General
Assembly of North Carolina to con
vene in special session at eleven o’
clock December 6th to make provision
for a deficit of $700,000 in the school
funds of the State and to correct an
error in the Municipal Finance Act
by reason of which it was declared un
constitutional by the North Carolina
Supreme Court, handicapping virtu
ally all the cities of the State in their
financial policies.
In June Governor Morrison an
nounced that he would pall the speci
al session together, afte* the munici
palities had urgently presented their
cause and after Dr. E. C. Brooks,
Superintendent of Schools, had laid
bare the situation in the public school
fund by reason of the inadequacy of
the 12 cent property tax for school
purposes in 1920.—News and Observ
er. '
GOVERNOR ASKS PRAYER
FOR REDUCED ARMAMENTS
Govenor Cameron Morrison yester
day issued a proclamation for the
observance of Armistice Day in
North Carolina on November 11 and
calling upon the churches and relig
ious people in the State to hold ser
vices spending one hour in prayer
“for the reduction of the armaments
of nations of the world and for peace
on earth.’’
The proclamation follows:
“Whereas, Chapter 287, of the
Public Laws of 1919 designates No
vember 11th of each year as a Legal
Holiday in North Carolina, and- calls
upon the people of the State to ob
serve the same in an appropriate
manner; and,
“Whereas, said day is the anni
versary of the signing of the Armis
tice, marking the defeat of our di
versaries in the late World War, and
pointing the way to a new era of
world peace and Democracy;
“Now, Therefore, I, Cameron Mor
rison, Governor of North Carolina,
do hereby call upon the people of our
State to enter into the spirit and
significance of the day, on November
11, 1921, to ponder upon the bravery
of those who made the supreme sac
rifice on European battlefields, and
upon Loyalty, Devotion and Patriot
ism of those in the Homeland who,
without murmuring or complaining,
sent the best they had, the Flower of
American Manhood, to the fields of
honor, and to resolve anew to make
the Peace attained through blood and
sacrifice count for all that is noble
and good and true in our domestic
life;
“And further, I appeal to the
Churches and Religious people of the
State to assemble in their respective
houses of worship on that day, at a
time to be appointed by their pas
tors, and to spend one hour in prayer,
for the reduction of the armaments
of the nations of the world, and for
peace on earth.
“\nd, finally, I call upon the edu
cational leaders of the State to con
ouct such exercises as may be con
venient and expedient.”—News and
Observer.
The only nation that can lower
taxes is indignation.—Richmond News
Leader.
lected by him.
8. Competent and disinterested per
sons will be chosen by the committee
to select and pronounce words for the
State Contest. In case of disagree
ment as to the spelling of any word
in ibis contest, the final authority
shall be Webster’s International
Dictionary.
9. A complete list of contestants
should be in the hands of Superintend
ent E. C. Brooks, Raleigh, N. C., on
or before November 14, 1921.
10. Gold, silver and bronz medals
will be awarded to the winners of the
State Contest. Banners for the first,
second, and third places will also be
given.
11. Each County Superintendent
whose county enters a contestant
shall pay a fee of three dollars ($3)
to defray necessary expenses, such
fee being paid to the State Superin
tendent of Public Instruction at the
time the entry is made.
TWO MILLIONS FOR
HIGHWAYS IN STATE
Federal Aid Money For the
State $1,709,330; Pro
visions Highway Act
Washington, Nov. 5.—Requirements
as to how each state shall select its
Federal aid roads constitute the prin
cipal new feature of the Flederal
Highway Act, enactment of which has
just been completed as differentiating
from the Federal Aid Act of 1916, ac
cording to an analysis of the bill to
day by the Federal Farm Bureau Fed
eration.
To secure part or all of its allot
ment of the $75,000,000 of federal
funds appropriated for road con
struction for the remainder of the
fiscal year, a state must select a con
nected road system not exceeding 7
per cent of its entire road mileage
for improvement with federal aid.
This system is to be divided into two
classes of roads, one consisting of
inter-state roads, which shall not ex
ceed three-sevenths of the system se
lected and upon which not more than
60 per cent of the State’s allotment
can be expended without the joint
approval of the Secretary of Agricul
ture as administrator of the Act and
the State highway department. The
other class, consisting of inter
county roads, will compose the bal
ance of the system and receive the
remainder of the allotment.
The amount of federal aid received
on any project, however, is not to
exceed 50 per cent of the estimated
cost, except^ in states where more
than 5 per cent of the area is un
appropriated public land, this latter
provision increasing the percentage n
ten states, ranging up to 77 per cent
for Utah .Where any state failed to
properly maintain a federal aid high
way the Secretary of Agriculture, af
ter 90 days' notice will maintain
it out of the state’s allotment and
refuse approval of new projects until
reimbursement is made by the State.
As in the preceding bill, the Fed
eral fund is apportioned among the
states by division into three parts,
one apportioned on a basis of popula
tion, one on a basis of area and the
other according to mileage of rural
and star mail routes. A new feature
however, stipulating that no state
shall receive less than one half of
one per cent of the fund, increases
the allotment to Deleware, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Ver
mont to $365,624 each.
The allotment for the various states
as estimated by the American Farm
Bureau Federation included:
Alabama, $1,553,420.
Arkansas, $1,254,140.
Florida, $886,825.
Georgia, $1,997,950.
Kentucky, $1,417,170 .
Louisiana, $996,980.
Mississippi, $1,294,095.
Missouri, $2,448,120.
North Carolina, $1,709,330.
Oklahoma, $1,725,340.
South Carolina, $1,061,230.
Tennessee, $1,647,690.
Texas, $4,425,170.
Virginia, $1,456820.
Preaching Appointments
Rev. A. L. Goodrich will preach next
Sunday afternoon, November 13th, at
Beaty Chapel-church just after Sun
day school.
Rev. E. B. Booker of Wake county
will preach at Benson Grove Baptist
church next Saturday night and Sun
day afternoon November 13th at three
o’clock.
Mr. H. P. Johnson and Mr. J. M.
Beaty will speak at Oliver Grove Bap
tist church near Four Oaks next Sun
day morning November 13, at 11 o’
clock.
Armistice Service.
At the Methodist church Friday
morning from 10 to eleven, there will
be a service appropriate to Armistice
Day, conducted by the pastor, Rev. D.
H. Tuttle. This service is in- accord
ance with the governor’s proclama
tion. The Baptist congregation will
unite in this service.
Armistice Day Observed.
Armistice Day will be observed at
the Episcopal Church on Friday
morning at 10:30. An address appro
priate for the occasion will be given
by the rector. Members of the Amer
ican Legion are cordially invited to
I be present.
JAPANESE PREMIER
IS ASSASSINATED
Stabbed to Death B yDe
mented Youth; Japanese
Delegation Sorrowful
Tokio, Nov. 4.—Takashi Hara,
premier of Japan, who wife stab
bed in the heart today at the
railroad station in Tokio, died an
hour later.
The assassin, who is 19 years
old and demented, was arrested.
Washington, Nov. 4.—The Japanese
delegation to the armament confer
ence was thrown into sorrow and con
fusion and offcial Washington, in
cluding the delegates from other
lands to t/he confJ'jrendci was pro
foundly shocked today by the an
nouncement from Tokio, that Takashi
Hara, the Japanese premier, had been
assassinated.
Admiral Baron Kato, the ranking
member of the Japanese delegation,
and Mr. Hara’s most intimate friend,
was so affected by the announcement,
that he burst ijjto tears—something
most unusual for a Japanese who is
trained from childhood to conceal his
emotion.
President Harding expressed his
horror at the outrage. It was an un
h^ppy discordant note, he sajd, in a
formal statement, at a time when all
were seeking to come together around
the conference table and add to the
good understanding and good will
throughout the world. Secretary
Hughes went immediately to the Japa
nese embassy and expressed his on
dolences to Baron Shidehara, the
Japanese ambassador. Later he cabled
to Ambassador Warren, at Tokio, to
express to Count Uchida, the foreign
ministry, his profound distress, and
to say how much the news had caused
a feeling of deep sorrow throughout
the United States.
The death of Premier Hara, who
had attained a dominating political
influence in the Japanese empire, and
who was expected personally to shape
from Tokio the Japanese policy at
the forthcoming conference, is a very
serious loss to Japan at a time when
that country is passing through a
period of intense transition. The
emperor, Yoshihito is incurably ill,
mentally and physically, and is no
longer able to carry on his duties.
It is understood that plans have
been under consideration to establish
regency under the crown prince, Hi
rohito, who recently returned from a
tour of Europe. Mr. Hara and Vis
count Makino, the household minis
ter have been trying to solve the
problem of modernizing the Japanese
court and seeking means to bring it
nearer to the people of Japan who
are clamoring for a development of
their country along the lines of de
mocracy. New social ideas, even bol
shevistic, have been influencing the
thought of the people, 95 per cent of
whom are able to read and write.
Mr. Hara frequently referred
public addresses to the dangers of a
too rapid absorption of western so
cial ideas into Japanese life, believing
that his country could not quickly
digest successfully western concepts
of society. Gradually his influence
grew until the Japanese began to look
upon him as a popular leader at a
rather critical moment of their his
tory. It was a common saying at
Tokiti that Hara alone was running
Japan and that it was his decision
alone that always obtained. He suc
ceeded in inducing General Tanaka,
until recently minister of war, to
bring about a more straight forward
co-operation between the military
elements and the civic branches of the
government. It was Hara who framed
the policy of accommodation and
concilliation which the Japanese ple
nipotentiaries announced as their
conference policy when they entered
this country.
Important public personages in Ja
pan are never announced as dead, al
though actually so, until the emperor
has been notified of the demise, and
it is possible that this ancient Japa
nese custom may account for the fact
that the lapanese embassy tonight
was still without official announce
ment of the assassination of the pre
mier. It was, however, decided in view
of an official message received by the
state department announcing the
death to cancel the official reception
which the delegation had arranged for
AUTOMOBILE RUNS OFF
RIVER BRIDGE SATURDAY
Car Driven By Mr. Lester White of
Selma Turns Somersault in Mid
Air Off Neuse River Bridge
Between 8 and 9 o’clock last Sat
urday night, a forty-eight hundred
and fifty dollar Appleton sedan auto
mobile turned over and went off of
Neuse River bridge down near the
water’s edge, twenty feet or more.
The automobile going west, the right
hand front wheel struck a railing
post of the bridge, knocking it over
and tearing down the railing. It went
past the second post without knocking
it over, but by the time it reached the
thin! post which stopped the car, it
had turned to the right enough to go
over the embankment. It turned com
pletely over and landed on its wheels.
The wheels and body were badly
crushed. Mr. S. C. White, of Selma,
bought the car early this year and
still owns it. Mr. Lester White, his
son, and Mr. Phil Faulkner were two
occupants of the car at the /time of
the accident.
WEALTHY BAILEY MAN KILLED
Rufus Beard Shot From Ambush As
He Was Driving to Town From_
Farm; Negro Arrested.
Bailey, Nov. 5.—Intense feeling ex
ists here tonight over the killing of
Rufus Beard, age 78, reported to be
worth a half million dollars, who was
shot from ambush as he was coming
to town this morning from his farm.
He was shot to death as he was rid
ing along the road just outside of
town in a stretch of woods. Aaron
Morgan is being held on suspicion of
having been implicated in the killing.
The father of Aaron Morgan for
merly lived on one of Beard’s places
and in the course of litigation over
supplies furnished the negro, judg
ment was obtained against a house
here owned by Morgan’s father. This
house was to have been sold today
under foreclosure proceedings. It was
understood that Beard would likely
bid it in or have it done. There is a
strong feeling here that this litigation
furnished the motive for the killing.
That robbery was not the motive
for the crime is indicated by the find
ing of $620 on Beard’s person. He
was in the habit of paying cash for
his purchases and he had probably
brought along the money to make
some investments.
Mr. Beard was a Confederate vet
eran and had lived in Nash county all
his life, through thrifty dealings he
had accumulated large holdings in
real estate, owning many stores here
and at Wilson in addition to much
farming land. He is survived by a
wife.
“Correct, Sit Down.
Teacher: ‘Can any boy tell me
three food essentials required to keep
the body in health? ”
There was a silence in the class till
a tenderfoot scout held up his hand
and replied: “Your breakfast, your
dinner, and your supper!”
tomorrow evening. All Japanese of
ficial dinners also have been suspend
ed.
Sennousuke Yokota, chief of the
legislative bureau of the Japanese
cabinet and a personal representative
of Premier Hara at the conference,
decided to return to Japan immediate
ly
Before the Japanese delegation left
Japan threatening letters were re
ceived by its numbers including Prince
Tokuguwa to whom were forwarded
suggestive and sinister drawings of
the assassination of Minister Muri in
1889 and the recent murder of Ya- j
suda, a millionaire banker.
The receipt of threatening letters
alleged to have been signed by Ko
reans caused the American author
ities to adopt the unusual precautions
during the journey of the delegates
from Seattle to Washington.—Asso
ciated Press.
Tokio, Nov 5.—The Japanese cab
inet resigned office after a meeting
of the members held this morning.
The resignation of the cabinet, which
came as a direct result of the assassi
nation of Premier Hara yesterday,
will not cause any immediate change
in the government, as the ministry,
in obedience to imperial injunction,
will continue office until further no
tice from the throne.—Associated
Press.
BENSON HALLOWEEN
SOCIAL ENJOYED
Clubs Have An Interesting
Meeting; To Have Ar
mistice Celebration
Benson, Nov. 4.—Quite the most
interesting social event of the year
took place Monday evening when Mr.
and Mrs. W. D. Boone were at home
to a concourse of friends at a mas
querade party. The guests were ush
ered in through the cellar which pre
sented a most weird and frightful
scene. They groped along amid groan
ings and corpse-like handclasps till
finally, weak and exhausted they
emerged to the first floor of the love
ly home. Dim lights and tasteful dec
orations, suggestive of the Hallowe’en
season madlc a fjittjing background
for the varied and charming costumes
of tm masked guests. “Father Time.”
(Mr. J. R. Barbour) presided over a
large Guest Book wherein the guests
wrote their fictictious names. In the
salarium gypsies told fortunes.
Amusement was found in various
ways—popping .pop-corn by the open
fire, pulling candy, bobbing for ap
ples, etc. But the most fun was in the
disguises of the guests. It was real
ly a distinguished gathering. There
were knights and ladies there of King
Arthur’s day,Martha Washington was
there, and Priscilla, David Mansfield,
Bo Peep, several Indian maidens,
Uncle Sam, Carry Nation, Colored
gentlemen, Buffalo Bill, Mrs. Vander
bilt, Pierrot, Red Cross nurses, Japa
neseMadames,Charlie Chaplin, Turks,
Bohemian boys and girls, “Night” and
others —the prize for the best though
went to Harry Lauder (Mr. Root)
who carried us all back to the High
lands and the Heather with his jaunty
chieftan manner and song. Ghost
stories were told and an impromptu
poem given by Mr. Alfred Schmidt.
During the evening old-fashioned
doughnuts were served in the dining
room with hot coffee. Never has a
social event- in the town been more
thoroughly enjoyed as this delightful
occasion.
The John Chas. McNeill Book club
met Thursday afternoon with Mrs.
M. T. Britt at her home on Church
street. An interesting program on
“Ibsen” was given as follows: Paper
“Ibsen’s Life and Works,” Mrs. A.
S. Oliver. “Ibsen’s Influence on Mod
ern Drama,” Mrs. J. R. Barbour. Dis
cussion of “Doll’s House" by club.
New books for the years were dis
tributed and the club adjourned for a
few moments of sociability. Ice cream
and home-made cake followed by hot
coffee were served by the hostess.
The next meeting will be on the 7th
of November with Mrs. Boone, and
all members are asked to bring any
last year’s club book they may have to
this meeting.
The Woman’s Club held its month
ly business meeting Friday night of
this week in the town hall with a
large attendance. Reports were heard
from the different departments and
plans made for serving dinner to ex
service men on Armistice Day when
the American Legion will celebrate
in fitting manner. Also a Pie Supper
was planned for the Saturday even
ing following Armistice Day. Many
other matters of importance were dis
cussed before the club adjourned.
A large crowd is expected in Ben
son the eleventh. There will be music
by a good band. An appropriate ad
address and other features of enter
tainment and interest. Dinner will be
served at 12:30 in a vacant store down
the street to all men in uniform, by
the ladies of the town.
Mrs. J. H. Rose is in Smithfield to
day. A large crowd from here attend
ed the county fair there today.
Miss Ruth Andrews, who was a
member of the school faculty last
year was in town the past week end,
the guest of Miss High and Miss
Stephens.
Mr. L. T. Royall of Smithfield was
in town today.
Mr. and Mrs. Weyland Jones, of
Clayton spent the week end here with
Mr. and Mrs. Parlia Hudson.
Mr. Laurie Cavanaugh, of Greens
boro spent Sunday in Benson with
his mother, Mrs. Geo, Cavanaugh.
Mr. Alton Hall, of Wake Forest,
spent the week end here with his pa
renets, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Hall.
Mr. P. M. Mauney, of Hamlet was
| in town Friday nigt.