MEETINGS HELD IN FIVE SECTIONS — Miss Hattie M. Berry, H. B. Mask and Mr. Anderson Among Speakers Five community meetings schedul ed in Johnston County last week were held with a good attendance in each community and particularly at Meadow where the first meeting was held and at Corinth The meetings were under the auspices of the Coun ty extension department, the county supeintendent of schools, and the public welfare officer. A program suggestive of community work which would prove helpful, was carried out at each place. At Meadow on Mon day, Messrs. N. B. Stevens and R. G. Lawton were assisted in the pro gram by Mr. H. H. B. Mask of Ra leigh, Head of the Field Service de partment of Cotton marketing. Tuesday a meeting was held at Pleasant Grove, Miss Hattie M. Berry, secretary of the N. C. Credit Union, and Mr. Anderson, professor of Rural Sociology at State College, being on the program. The third program of the w'eek i was held at Corinth, Miss Berry j and Mr. Anderson being speakers again. Corbett-Hatcher school was the scene of the fourth meeting on Thursday, and Brogden the fifth on Friday, Mr. Andierson being the speaker on these occasions. Mr. Anderson’s talk at all these places was inspirational and the au diences were given a glimpse of what rural life may become. “Just as the wise men of the East followed a guiding star to the Christ” said the speaker, “just so men and women to day need guiding stars to a fuller richer life.” The first guiding star needed is a high moral life. Clean thinking and square dealng arc es sential requisites of the highest type of any community life, and he spoke of the influence of the preacher who could spend his entire time on his county field as the city preacher does on his. Educational facilities constitute an other guiding star needed without which rural life will not be upon a plane with that of the towns that have these advantages Healthy environment was also dis cussed by Mr. Anderson, after which he concluded his line of thought with that of making farming pay. By applying business methods to farming and by cooperation, the farmer is destined to come into his own. If farming show's a surplus at the end of the year, improved farm homes, churches and schools will be the result, and conversely good schools and chucrhes will mean better farming and a higher type of com munity life. In Memorian Just a few words in memory of our dear baby Walter Grech, Jr. It was hard to give him up even though his stay on this earth was only a few days. Gone to rest our little darling Here no more we will see his face; But we will meet again in heaven When we have run life’s rugged race. Short his stay but how we miss him Strkne.i he aits alone can say; When '.re se» the little foments. Miss the eihbi’s fa :e day by day Gone to rest he is, from sorrow, With angel’s round God’s throne; And we soon again shall see him But our hearts are sad and lone. Written by his mother. JOHN M. MOREHEAD BURIED IN CHARLOTTE Charlotte, Dec. 14.—John M. More head, former Republican National conymitteeman and former Represen tative in Congress from the Fifth North Carolina District, who died of pneumonia yesterday, was buried here today. Funeral services were attended by friends from all parts of the State. The funeral services were conduct ed at the Morehead residence by Rev. Dr. Albert Sydney Johnston, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Burial was in Elmwood cemetery. CHARLOTTE SUFFERS $500,000 TO $800,000 FIRE Fire was discovered a few minutes before 8 o’clock last night in the rear of the Smith-Wadsworth Hardware company, on East Trade street, swept through the hardware building, the building occupied by the H. C. Long company, the La Mode, Efird’s annex, on East Trade street, Warren Barber shop, and George A. Newman’s Tire shop on College street, damaging property and stocks to the amount of $500,000 to $800,000, it was estimated before being put under the control at about 11 o’clock- The alarm was turned in by Berdie Terrell, who saw the flames in the rear of the hard ware company as he was approaching Trade street on College. Immediately after the discovery of the fire a general alarm was turned in and at 8:25 p. m., all street lights and street car power lines were shut off, completely paralyzing trolley transportation throughout the city all night. The linotype machines of The Observer were silent for more than two hours until the fire had come under control sufficiently to allow the power to be turned on again. Every hose in the fire department was put into use by Chief Wallace as early as possible, in an effort to control the flames and save adjoining buildings. The streams were brought into play on East Trade, College and Fifth streets. Other streams were be ing directed on the flames from the roof of the main fire station, located in the center of the Fifth street side of the block. Mayor J. O- Walker, fearing the spread of the flames to adjoining buildings, and realizing that the city meanwhile was with out fire protec tion in other sections, placed tele phone requests with the fire depart ments of Concord, Statesville, Mon roe, Gastonia and Mooresville. Gas tonia, Monroe and Mooresville fire appartus responded promptly. The truck from Monroe made the trip of 25 miles to Charlotte in 40 minutes, with seven men under the charge of Chief G. B. Caldwell. Gastonia’s truck came with eight men in 40 min utes and and the Mooresville truck arrived in 30 minutes with 15 men. Statesville’s truck with eight men ar rived in 35 nmutes.—Charlotte Ob server, Dec. 17. RADIO'S PROMISE TO THE DEAF Radio will not cure deafness. It will, however, enable the partially deaf person to hear that which he could not hear in the ordinary way. He who is hard of hearing may often “listen in” perfectly well, with his brothers and sisters whose ears are unimpared. In order to clear up the facts about radio and deafness, which he asserts have been misrepresented in the public press, Dr. Harold Hays, president of the Federation of Organizations for the Hard of Hear ing, contributes to What’s in the Air (Chicago) a plain statement of what radio already means to those whose hearing is affected. Writes Dr. Hays: “Ill-advised current reports in the press heralding the curing of deaf ness by means of radio are likely to be misunderstood, with the result that too much may be hoped for. I have not made the statement that radio would actually be the means to improve or restore hearing. As to that only the future will tell. “But radio offers a source of hap piness to the deafened which at pres ent is unrealizable. Our eyes were onenod to its possibilities by the fol lowing case: One of the directors of the New York League for the Hard of Hearing has been hopelessly deaf for years; so much so that he can only understand when an electric de vice is attached to each ear. Although in the music-publishing business, he had not been able to hear music for over twenty years. He never went to a concert or a banquet. He never mingled in social activities. A friend suggested a radio receiving set. To his amazement, he could hear so well that now he sits in his easy-chair of an evening, with hearphones clapped on his ears, and hears concerts, speeches, market reports, jazz, and bed-time stories. When he told me about it, his eyes filled with tears of P. O. EMPLOYES OFF CHRISTMAS No Service On Christmas Day Except To Dispatch First Class Mail For the first time, the clerks in the post office and rural mail carriers will have Christmas Day as a holiday. Heretofore, these government em ployes have been required to work on Christmas Day not like any other day but even harder, in order to accom modate the public with the Christmas mail. Mrs. Sarah A. Lunceford, post master has given us for publication the following announcement in re gard to the post office here: “Service shall not be required on rural delivery routes on Christmas Day.” Every clerk and other employee who can possibly be dismissed at 12 o’clock noon on Christmas Day should be so dismissed. Only a sufficient number of clerks shall be kept on duty Christmas afternoon to insure the regular dispatch of first-class mail matter. Whatever the situation, aft er 12 o’clock on Christmas Day no carrier shall be worked, and no clerks except as above specfied.” In consequence of the above order, the windows of the Smithfiled office will be open from 9:00 to 10:00 a. m. on Christmas morning. After that hour no service of any kind will be given except to dispatch the mail of the first class which is deposited in the post office collection box. All mails coming in on Christmas after noon will be put u pearly on the morn ing of Dec. 26, 1923. CHRISTMAS TREE AT BARBOUR’S CHAPEL There will be a Christmas tree at Barbour’s Chapel church on Monday night, December 24th, at seven o’clock. Anyone wishing to put pres ents on can do so, or deliver same to Mr. Julius Barbour or J. Q. Baker ♦ and they will see that they are put on the tree. Tom Tarheel says: A real com munity leader is a priceless article. He puts into action his own and oth ers’ thoughts and soon the communi ty is a better place in which to live because of the group of energy of its people. Seventy-five acres will be added to the State’s necan area when one An son Coor/v farmer plants the 1.000 trees he has recently ordere, reports, County Agent J W. Cameron. The movement is sprea ling. Tom Tarheel says: That man W. W Shay vp at the State College seems to think that selling hogs is just as seasonable as growing corn or cotton. You can’t grow cotton in winter neither can you sell hogs pro fitably when the Corn Belt is selling he says. happiness and he said: ‘Doctor, I never expected to hear the human voice again—I feel as though I wei-e reborn—my life is made over again.’ H‘What does this mean for the fu ture? It means two things— first it means untold happiness to those whose minds have been in darkness for many years, and secondly, it means that they or the experimentors in radio may discover some new method for alleviating deafness “At present the New York League is experimenting with a radio set, working in conjunction with skilled radio engineers. They wish to ampli . fy sound so that the hearers will not ! only be entertained, but their ears will receive exercise at the same time. “However, I wish to stress particu j larly the fact that in 90 per cent, of cases, deafness begins in childhood. : In many cases, it is preventable at i that time. It is not preventable la • t r in bfe and vnfortunately, neither . radio n< • * any her means has peer, found to later increase the homing. “I sincerely hope that radio will | solve the problem to some extent i but if it does nothing move than give that added happiness of which the deafened have so little, it will have done a great deal.”—Literary Digest. CRIMINAL COURT STILL IN SESSION Large Number Cases Disposed Of Last Week; Others Of Importance The second week of the December term of the Johnston County Superior Court went into session here Monday, the 17th. The case of State vs. Leon Hill, which had been brought from last week’s calendar and set for trial on the 17th, was started at the opening of the week’s session. This is a case in which Leon Hill, of Smithfield township, is charged with seduction under promise of marriage, Miss Mary Foster, of Smithfield township, being the State’s prosecuting witness. The forenoon of the day was taken up in selecting the jury for this trial and near the noon hour the court took a recess until two o’clock p. m. The entire afternoon was required for the taking of the testimony of Miss Fost er and the cross-examination of the witness. There are some two dozen witnesses for the state and defense, and the case will probably run well in to Tuesday before the lawyers argue the case. The solicitor is assisted in the pros ecution by Mr. S. S. Holt, Judge F. H. Brooks and Mr. James Raynor. Messrs. E. S. Abell and L. G. Stevens are representing the defendant. Other weighty cases pending a hearing at this term will be carried forward toward the end of the week, and the court will probably continue fio the end of the week. The following cases cases were dis posed of at the term of court held last week: State vs. Joe Peedin and W. L. Evans, Sci Fa. Judgment absolute discharge upon payment of costs of Sci Fa. State vs. Ramsey Gray. Carrying concealed weapon. Fined $50.00 and costs. State vs. Ramsey Gray. Possessing and transporting whiskey. Eight months in jail to be worked on roads. Upon payment of costs, execution of sentence suspended. Capias to be is sued at request of solicitor. State vs- Tom Mathews. Cruelty to animals. Pleads guilty. Prayer for judgment two years- Upon payment of costs, sentence suspended. Capias to be issued at request of solicitor. State vs. Shelly Wells. Larceny. Jury reutrned verdict of guilty. Sen tenced to an undetermined period from 18 to 36 months in jail. Divorce was granted in case of Wil liam Edwards vs. Bertha Edawrds. State v^, Roby Sasser. Blockading. Not guilty. Ordered that defendant be discharged. State vs. Willie Barfield, violating prohibiton laws. Verdict of not guilty State vs. Jesse Maynard. Larceny. Guilty. Sentence to be passed later. State vs- John W. Godwin. Non per formance of official duty. Judgment of *Recorder’s court sustained. De fendant not guilty. State vs. Bud Hudson. Violating prohibition laws. Defendant plead guilty. Guilty of possession of whis key and apparatus for the manufac ture of whiskey which plea is accept ed by the Solicitor for the State Judgment: 12 months in jail, to' be worked out on roads. Sentence to be gin at expiration of term now serv ing. Execution of sentence deferred Capias to issue only at the request of the solicitor and when apprehend ed to serve out the sentence State vs. Robert Kennon. House breaking. Judgment nisi sic fa and capias. State vs. John Cobb. Larceny and receiving. Found not guilty. State vs. M. G- Wood. Removing ■crops. Upon payment of costs prayer for judgment continued for 2 years. State vs. Preston Capps, Jasper Capps, Jesse Capps, James Capps. Larceny. Nol pros with leave as to Preston and James Capps. Jasper, and Jesse Capps plead guilty and sentenced to 12 months in jail. State vs. Preston Simms and Don nie Simms. Violating prohibition laws. Not guilty. State vs. Robert Munns. Violating prohibition laws. Guilty. Prayer for judgment continued upon payment of OBERAMMERGAU PLAYERS IN AMERICA New York, Dec.. 12.Eleven of the simple folks of Oberammergau, in the Tyrolese Alps, actors in the his toric Passion Play given each decade in the Bavarian village, came to America today on the steamship Re- j liance to earn money for the salva tion of their beloved pageant. At their head was the gentle-eyed ] Christ of their pay—Anton Lang. , slight, unassumng and soft-spoken Others in the party who are princi 1 pals of the pageant, included the ; venerable Andreas Lang, Sr., who sustains the role of Peter; his son, Andreas, Jr., the Matthew of the play; Guido Mayr, stolid and red bearded, who plays Judas; Joseph Al brecht, the Apostle James, and Em manuel Lang, brother of Andreas, Sr, and fellow traitor of Judas in the pageant. The others are musicians and choristers. Anton Lang is the only one of the party who has ever before left Ba varia. To his simpe fellow villagers he is a wide-traveled man, having gone to Italy once, and on another occasion to the Holy Land for local color and inspiration in his role of the Saviour. He, too, is the only linguist of the party, speaking good English and acting as interpreter for his German-speaking companions. Simple Wood Carvers These simple folk are wood carv es, rmakes of crucifixes, rosaries ad holy images and toys, with the ex ception of Anton Lang, a potter. They are here to save their pas sion play, which has a financial def icit threatening its continued exist ence after decennial performances since 1633, when it came to life as a pledge to God for having stopped the plague which followed the “30 years' war.” Any money left over will go 1o the relief of their 2,000 fellow vil agers. If there is any left after that it will go to the post-war suf ferers of Bavaria. I After a three weeks’ exhibition of i their carvings, potteries and toys in New York the 11 will visit Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, | Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Mil waukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, and : possibly Los Angeles and San Fran i cisco. In spite of financial distress and the sight of their townsmen suf j faring in want the P' scion players rcccnty it fused $1,750,00} to perform their l ciy pageant for an American motion picture concern. “It would have been desecration,” Anton Lang explained simply. Suit For Estate Won by Ex-Crown Prince Oels, Upper Silesia, Dec. 8.—Ex Crown Prince Frederick William has won a lawsuit against the Prussian State, whereby the property rights in his Oels estate ae fully settled upon himself and his male heirs. The estate was provisionally seques tered at the time of the revolution in 1918 and has since been the subject of litigation with various transient Government officials and commis sions, which, while acknowledging in principle Frederick William’s owner ship, raised difficulties regarding the title to that part of the estate known as the “Rache dominion.” After much searching through musty documents the Oels County Court has now found in favor of Frederick William, with costs pay able by the Prussian State. j Growing children ::e:d whole milk ! for growth and d'.velopment. Sub stitutes will not t .ko its place, say home demonstration workers of the , Qtnte College and Department of Agricultur . costs. Capias to be issued at any time at request of solicitor. State vs. R. E. Massengill. Violat ing prohibition laws. Guilty. Sentenc ed from 8 to 12 months and assigned to work on roads. State vs. Preston and Donnie Simms. Larceny and receiving. Guil ty of receiving. Prayer for judgment continued upon payment of costs. Capias to be issued any time at the request of solicitor. The case against J. E. Lewis, charg j ed with having whiskey in his pos session was continued to be heard on Wednesday, December 19th. COUNTY FAIR ASS’N. MEETS Re-Elect Same Officers; Secre tary’s Report Showed Small Surplus 7 A few of the stockholders of the Johnston County Agricultural ciety met in the Commissioners room' of the court house Saturday after noon and head the report of Secre tary R. A. Wellons as to the financial status of the association. Dr. R. J. Noble president, presided over the meeting and called upon Mr. Wellons to give his report. The secretary itemized each day’s ticket receipts, which showed ample justification for the two new features nv this year’s fair—the g vmg a vay of a Ford automobile and the put ting on of a fire works program. The total amount of receipts by the association was $8,214.09, while dis bursements totaled $7,931.64, leaving a balance in treasury of $282.45. There was a balance due on the sec retary and treasurer’s salary of the previous year, which together with other debts of last year prevented the paying of dividends to the stock holders. The association has paid more than a thousand dollars in pre miums this year. After hearing the encouraging re port of the secretary it was decided to continue the fair another year at the same location, certain improve ments however to be made. A wire fence will enclose the fair grounds; the flora hall will be reduced to one story and the roof repaired; and the stables put in good condition. In the meantime a now permanent location will be uder consideration. It having been decided to continue the fair, the election of a new board of directors then took place. The following con stitute the board: C. M. Wilson, Dr. R. J. Noble, J. Rufus Creech, E. S. Edmundson, Mrs. T. J. Lassiter, J. H. Woodall, If. C. Woodall, R. A. Wellons and W. D. Hood. The board of directors having a majority present then proceeded to elect officers. Dr. R. J. Noble, of Selma .was unanimously re-elected as president of the Fair Association, as was Mr. R. A. Wellons as secretary and Mr. C. W. Wilson of Wilson’s Mills, vice-president The following Executive Committee was appointed: J. Rufus Creech, H. C. Woodall, J. H. Woodall, E. S. Edmundson and W. D. Hood .The finance committee is composed of C M. Wilson, F. H. Brooks and W. D. Avera. Mr. Hugh Peacock Dead A telegram received last night by Mrs. Walter Fuller from Mr. R. Clyde Peacock, of Chicago, stated that Mr. William Hugh Peacock, their brother I of that city, died Monday afternoon at four o’clock. His body will be brought [home for burial. Mr. Peacock was sick only a short time having undergone an operation for chronic appendicitis several days ago. The deceased is well known here where he was born and raised, and his friends and relatives in the county 1 will learn with sorrow of his death, i Announcement will be made later of the funeral. When bugs and worms are plenti ful in spring, hens lay heaviest. In | winter when this animal food is not available it should be supplied by ! using such substitutes as meat scraps \ fish meal, milk or high grade tank age, recommends A. G. Oliver, poul try extension specialists. CONGRESSWOMAN MADE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN | Mrs. May Nolan, only woman mem ber of the H'use of Representatives : d widow of the late < •mgrtssman I John I. Nolan, of California, is the i first of her -ex to be chairman of a ; Hotter; leaders that M,-s. Nolan had i n ' ,‘e chairman of the eommit *• o on ,_■>penditur in the P r-toffiee Department, and will also serve as a member of the labor committee. Sh; j declined a place on the woman - suf frage committee. Mrs. Nolan was j elected to the seat in C ngre o mad.; j vacant by the death of her hu shard. : —News a id Observer. I