Newspapers / Brevard News (Brevard, N.C.) / Aug. 13, 1930, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE BREVARD VOLUME XXXV BREVARD, WeRTH CAROLINA, AUGUST 13, 1930 TP! Number 33 ? ELZIE SH1PMAN IS J)EAD FROM PISTOL SHOT BY OWN HAND Tragedy Removed from the T County One of It. Met Popular Citizen* npiNION DIVIDED AS ?P TO CAUSE OF DEATH Had Been Sheriff, Tax Collec tor and In Other Places of Public Trust w E Shipman, one of the most ? iliv known men in the county and widely Know popuiar men in Western North Carolina, committed suicide last Friday afternoon, or met fc(f' ? result of an accidental !r 1 haree of a gun in his own hands. The news shocked Brevard and com ,c hut few reports have ever "iun y 1[(. Was owner of Shipman's gfe and had gone home shortly 4 o'clock for the purpose of aft?i J i a while, as he told those w* at the cafe. When near his home Mr. Shipman is said to have called to a colored man, and em pUyed him to do some work about house. After giving these in ductions, it is said, Mr. Shipman went "to the basement of his home, Sf within a few ^ts tho re a cun was heard, me coi ored man is said to have run to the window of the basement and upon seeing Mr. Shipman in a stumped Position on n cot upon which he had aDDarently been seated, ran to the home of Mr. George Hayes, just across the street, ar.d Mr. Hayes found Shipman in dca'. h from .he shot wound. Officers were culled to the scene, as were physicians, and many friends hurried to the nome. Mr. Shipman had passed away, however, shortly after the shot was fired, in dications were that the pistol barrel . had been placed against the right; ,,ve the bullet being buried in the skull after having penetrated the brain. The gvn was tightly clasped ' in the dead man's han-1 when ofticers j arrived, it is said. ! Elzie Shipman, as he W eest j known to thousands 01 Peo^e, hud | long been active in puolic affairs , here. Ho had been elected and s.vv.J as a member on th^aid of count . ? commissioners; had been , elected and served as sheriff-tax col- ? te> tor of the county; was elected tv.0 years ago as tax collector, but did not serve, owing to the fact tha. the legislature conso idnted this of- i ?ce with that of sheiiff, and was a candidate for the lomination for the : office of treasurer in the recent re- , publican convention held here, be ing defeated in this contest by , former Sheriff B. J Litton. It is said by some that ? >.he de- i ceased had lost heavily during the . vears following the real estate boom here and in Florida, some o. , his friends placing this loss at above : one hundred thousand dollars, He had been c large property owner m this community, it is known, Some people attribute the suicide to these losses that had been suffered by the former popular official. When but six years of age Mr. Shipman suffered an attack of in fantile paralysis, from which, a"^r a while, he seemed to have recovered, but members of the family state that recurrence of this malady some fifteen Vears later caused much suffering. Since that time he had suffered much from catarrhal trou ble, often complaining of splitting headaches which finally caused in tense suffering in both eyes. Close friends recall many severe attacks coming suddenly upon their friend, and many there are who attribute the rash act to his intense suffering more than to the financial losses. One group of loyal friends de- 1 dare that death came to their I friend as a result of an accident, i and offer in substantiation of this theory that a man intent upon self j destruction would not have employ- j ed a workman about the house just prior to such act. The fact that i there was but one cartridge shell in' the revolver, while four were found j in the man's pocket, is offered as I evidence that he had removed the | shells for the purpose of cleaning j jrun, evidently thinking all cart ridges had been removed, and pulled the trigger in the belief thqt no cartridge was in the chamber. It is said by these friends who look upon the accidental death as being .cer tain, that no man ever shoots him-> self in the eye; that the gun is al ways placed at the temple, or- in tlie center of the forehead. This theory is more strongly presented by Mr. J. L. Bell, who was the first ;>ne to advance it. All are agreed, however, that Elzie Shipman was the iast man in the county who would be looked upon as a possible suicide. Married several years ago to the former Miss Norma Glazcner, Sir. Shipmnn's domestic life is known to bave been one of great happiness. One child had been born to them, which died in infancy, causing great sorrow to the popular couple. Mr. and Mr. Shipman have worked to gether in ali of their undertakings in most congenial manner , it is known to their friends, and the de ceased had often expressed appre-l (Continued on back page) FLOWER SHOW PROMISES TO ECLIPSE ALL PAST EFFORTS According to present indications the annual flower show sponsored by the Woman's Bureau to be held Thursday, August 21, at the Cham ber of Commerce rooms, will equal if not surpass previous events of this nature held in Brevard. The committee in charge is putting forth every effort to solicit many varieties of flowers and to make final arrange ments for a successful flower show. Valuable prizes have been donat ed by well known nursery concerns in various sections of the country, and many entries of flowers and plants are expected to be made to compete for these prizes. A detailed classiflctaion of en tries has been made by the commit tee, showing the different varieties to be entered for prizes. Quite a number of valuable prizes are still available, however, which will be used for other entries that have not been listed. Following is the classification sub mitted by the committee, together with the list of prizes to be award ed: General Sweepstakes ? Finest and largest Collection dahlias: 1st prize, 100 bulbs tulips 10 varieties; 2nd prize, $10 dahlia root. Prettiest assortment small dahlias ? $4 worth plants. Finest single specimen dahlia ? ' $5 dahlia bulb. ! Finest collection large zinneas ? ' $1 worth seeds, roots or bulbs. Finest assortment gladiolus ? 1st, prize, 8 Betty Joy variety gladiolus ' bulbs; 2nd prize, 4 Betty Joy va- j riety gladiolus bulbs. Finest specimen on variety glad iolus ? $1 worth seeds, roots or bulbs. Finest assortment gladiolus ? 1st prize, 4 flowering shrubs; 2nd prize,. 2 flowering shrubs. ' Prettiest basket or bowl mixed ! flowers ? 1st prize, $2 worth seeds, j plants or bulbs; 2nd prize, $1 worth seeds, plants or bulbs. Prettiest collection roses ? One half dozen named dahlia bulbs. | Most attractive bowl marigolds? $1 worth seeds, roots or bulbs. ! Best variety wild flowers ? $5 worth plants. Most attractive arrangement wile flowers ? ?3 worth plants. Most beautiful potted plant ? 15 tulip bulbs. Most beautiful blooming pottec ! plant ? 15 tulip bulbs. J Prettiest variety snapdragons ? $1 ?1 worth plants, seeds or bulbs, j Prettiest bowl petunias ? ?2 worth plants. ? ! Handsomest ferns ? Single speci men ? 15 tulip bulbs ? greatest va riety ? $3 worth plants. ! To winner of most prizes ? Silver 1 medal. ' To winner of second most prizes ? Bronze medal. I | Mrs. Roy Long, as chairman of jthe soliciting committee for the great flower show to be held on August 21, is anxious for a large number of women in the county io j enter their flowers and plants in the show. This event is sponsored by the Woman's Bureau, and the flower show has resulted already in great good to the community in the greater interest being taken in flowers. Nothing else adds quite so much to the appearance of a town or a com munity as flowers, and the women are making strenuous effort to make this section known far and wide ns a place of beauty intensified by beautiful flowers. All ladies of the town and county are asked to have their pretties: flowers on display during 'he show. Full details can be obtained from Mrs. Long, or from any o&e of the following named ladies who are serving with Mrs. Lang on this committee: Mrs. J. B. Jones, Mrs. B. F. Beasley and Mrs. E. R. Pendle ton. L E. F. GATHERING IN ANNUAL EVENT Winston-Salem, N. C., August 12. | ? The second triennial reunion of; the 113th Field Artillery, 30th Di vision, A. E. F., will be held at Fort Bragg, N. C., on August 15 and 16. Preparations have been made to entertain all who come and an at tendance of over 500 is expected. 1'he first reunion was held three years ago, at Fort Brag?, was at tended by about 300. Major Robert M. Hanes of Win ston-Salem, chairman of the reun ion committee, sent out 1750 letters to veterans of the regiment, using a mailing list compiled in 1919. About 500 letters have ben returned, in- j iicating that 500 veterans of the p regiment cannot be located. Major Hanes and his committee I have received assurances of wide | spread interest in the event and he ] predicts that the gathering will be | a large one. -Arrangements have been made for varied and interesting entertain ment. The 113th Field Artillery of the North Carolina National Guard, name-sake and successor of the fa mous old war-time outfit, will be in camp at Fort Bragg and will stage a review for the veterans. The regi ment is commanded by Colonel Wil-j liam T. Joyner, of Raleigh, who war ' a captain in the regiment during the war. Many of the enlisted men and officers of the regiment served with the old outfit during the World War. ASHEVILLE DAY IS DECIDED SUCCESS With a large representation, Ashe ville celebrated "Asheville Day" on Friday of last week, and many four somes were played on the course of the Brevard Golf Club. Some of the most enthusiatic golfers of Asheville were among the players, and Bre vard men were greatly pleased with the many fine comments made by the visitors as to the attraction of the local course. Many of the visitors de clared the Brevard course to be the best that they had ever played. "Charlotte Day," set for Saturday Followed the "Asheville Day," did not pan out so well. But few Char lotte people took advantage of the Invitation extended them to play here on that day as guests of the local club. Many visitors in Brevard, and tourists stopping in nearby places, are seen daily on the local course, which is in excellent condition and is proving a great asset to this sec tion, DR. HUGH R. MURCHISON TO BE K1WANIS SPEAKER Dr. Hugh R. Murchison, professor of Bible in the University of South Carolina, will be speaker at the Kiwanis club meeting at the Cat & Fiddle this Thursday, noon. All members of the club, and all visiting Kiwanians are expected to attend the meeting. STATE FARMERS IN ANNUAL SESSION H. G. Ashcraft of Charlotte R. F. D., was elected president of the State Farmers Convention and Mrs. N. B. St;?dman of Halifax was e'ec ed president of the State Federa tion of Home Demonstration clubs at the final business session of the 18th annual convention held at Raleigh, July 20 to August 1. Warren Watson of Lake Landing was elected vice-president of the convention; F. W. Bicknell of Lyn ville Falls, second vice president ; I. O. Schaub of State Colege, secre tary and treasurer, and C. A. Shef field, assistant secretary and treas urer. Aiding Mrs. Stedman will be Mrs. Mrs. J. I. Wagoner of Gibsonville, as first vice-president of the State Fed eration of Home Demonstration Clubs; Mrs. D. II. Bennett of For syth County, second vice-president; Mrs. J. S. Royall of Salemburg, re cording secretary; Mrs. 0. H. Jack son of Pitt County, corresponding and Mrs. D. A. McCormick of Mc Donalds, treasurer. The resolutions passed by the convention commended GoveVnor Gardner for his interest in agri culture and endorsed his economy policy; state support of public schools was advocated; operation of all highways by the state commission endorsed; taxes on land was asked to be reduced and all personal prop erty listed at its true value, the work for the County Government Advisory Commission was approved; the use of convicts in building roads was urged; the formation of market ing associations commended; county agent and home work endorsed the administration of the present state banking laws was caustically criti cized, and highway beautification urged. In all 19 resolutions were adopted. Approximately 2,000 persons at tended the convention this year. Among these were 1,080 women. The convention was said to be one of the most successful in the history of the institution. BITTEN BY RATTLER. BOV IS MAKING RAPID RECOVERY Vernon Barton, son of Julius Barton ol" Selica, was bitten by a big rattier last Monday " woods above the Hamlin old place at Selica. The young man suffered in tensely, but due to timely assistance rendered by Mr. L. F. Osteen and Mr. J. Lance, and the quick res ponse to the call made upon Dr. E. S. English, the young man is recov ering. Young Barton had gone with his father and brother to the wood land, but in their work they soon became separated, and Vernon was alone when the big fellow struck him with his poisonous fangs, the bite entering Barton's leg just above the ankle. He ran about a mile, it is said, in order to reach those whe could assist him and go for a doctor Within a short time there were fifty men present, neighbors who hac left their work to lend whatever as sistance they might to the son ol their neiehbnr. JUDGE JOHNSON IS BREVARD VISITOR Here In Interest of His Candi dacy for the Governor ship In 1932 Judge Thos. L. Johnson, of Lum berton, candidate for the nomina tion for governor in 1932 on the democratic ticket, was in the county last week meeting friends and mak ing new acquaintances. Judge John son is not a stranger in the moun-j : tains, although he now lives in the | eastern part of the state. He was] ;born on Sandy Mush; near Leicester, | in Buncombe county, worked his way j through Mars Hill College, taught, school in Buncombe, and later work ed his way through Wake Forest. | Judge Johnson was chairman of JUDGE THOMAS L. JOHNSON j the board of education in Robeson! j county for fifteen years, was elected r ' to the state senate in 1925 arid i' {again in 192;}, and was unanimous- jl ? iy chosen as president pro tern of ? the senate at the l?3t session of the { ' generul assembly. He is author of J ) the present s:nte banking law, ' know; as the Johnson bill, 1.925, and ! is said to liaVe written the Hancock school bill under which the state is 1 now operating. Judge Johnson was j co-author of th.: Johnson -Brouprh ton i [bill, adopted at the last se?sic:i of ? I the legislature, known as the A us- < tralian Ballot law. I The former Bunccmle county man has been in Lumbertori for many i years, and was appointed as emerg- i1 ency judge of the Superior court j first by Governor McLean, later re- j ceiving- his commission from Gov j ernor Gardener. Judge Johnson will I hold the December term of Superior court in Transylvania county. While here the noted leader met with many j democrats, and, it is said, received i flattering encouragement in his race ' I for nomination for governor. j BAPTISTC GATHER i FOR ANNAUL MEET Macedonia church, in Gloucester,! is entertaining Baptists from twen ty-five churches in the county this week, as the Baptist Association is ! being held there on Wednesday and ! Thursday. All the ministers from these churches, together with church officials and elected delegates, are in attendance, as are hundreds of members of the various churches. The good people of the Gloucester section have made excellent prep- < arations for entertaining the great throng of people, and those attend- j ing went in absolute certinty of hav ing a really enjoyable time, while transacting the business for the Baptist churches in the county. 1000 PEOPLE VISIT NEW FUNERAL HOME Company officials estimated thc numbers of people attending the op ening of the Brevard Undertaking company, on West Main street, to be at least one thousand. Many comments were made by those visit ing the place as to the thorough man 1 ner in which Messrs. Osborne and i Moore have gone about in the 'equipment of the undertaking busi ? ness. The hearse and the Stude ' baker uiMcnie vt?r? also given comment. Further announcement of inU.?',vt is made in today's paper that W. S. Price, Jr., will be connected with the new undertaking department. He is licensed for this work by the state of North Carolina. DR. MURCH1SON TO PREACH 1 AT TWO LOCAL CHURCHES Dr. Hugh R. Murchison, Professor ? of Bibl^and Religious Education at ) the University of South Carolina, i who, with Mrs. Murchison, is spend ? ing some time in Brevard with Rev. 1 and Mrs. R. L. Alexander, will I preach at the Brevard Presbyterian ? church Sunday morning at the 1 1 f o'clock hour and in the afternoon at four n'c'ook at Davidson River. FORMER EDITOR IS ! BREVARD VISITOR Ora L. Jones Speaks of the Growth of Brevard ? Edited News Orq L. Jones, owner and editor I of The Brevard News from 1911 to 1 1917, and who numbers his friends in Transylvania county by the thou sands, spent two days in Brevard this week, renewing old acquain tances and meeting friends. The former editor talked interestingly of Brevard's growth, and noted many changed conditions Since he left here. The fact that so many of his former friends have been called away in death threw a cloud ov^r the enjoyment of his short visit. * i For ten years Mr. Jones was in | New Orleans, and the company with which he was associated sent him to Baltimore in January of this year. He drove through the country from Baltimore to Brevard, and express ed surprise that the people of North Carolina should be talking "hard times" or bemoaning their fate. "This is the only state from Louis iana to Maryland that has a good crop," Mr. Jones said. Virginia is literally parched, corn ruined, and even the cotton has been cut short by the intense heat and lack of rain. Pastures there look as if they would burn like a sagefield if a match should be applied. The sar?e conditions prevail in Alabama. Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, ant, practically all other states in East ern America. Crops in North Car olnia are fine. I have driven fr.w Raleigh to Brsvard, and the onlj good crops that I have seen any where are in this state," Mr. Jones continued. Th- former Brevard editor ex presscc'. regret that he ever left this place, declaring Brevard to be the , most ideal community that he had ever known. ?"Of course, everybody here fights everybody else about something or other, and I did not cscape the wrangles, but I love these people just the same," he said, us lie dreamily mused over past con flicts "in which he was .sometimes viccor and at other times the van quished. All of the older citizens remem bered Mr. .'ones very kindly, and it ivaa something like holding a reeop- . Lion for some one, to see the groups s gathered about him. OLD FIDDLERS TO DRAW BIG CROWD Friday night of this week is til Le devoted to an "Old Fiddlers Con vention," an event to be staged i: the county court house. Many people have signified their intention c-f en tering the convention as contestants for the cash prizes to be awiinicd the winners. It is believed tiiu; some ot* the finest violin, banjo an.i sruitar music ever h.'ard in the'-e hills wili be made at the conven tion. A small charge of admission is t.o be made, 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. All above the actual expenses will be turned over to The Associated Charities, to be used here at home in relief of the needy and sick poor. It is expect ed that a full house will preet the old timers when the music begins Friday evening. SINGERS COMING TO CONVENTION Plans are being made for enter tainment of a great crowd which is expected to attend the sinjrinpr con vention to be held in Brevard on the Fifth Sunday in this month. J. A. Simpson, president of the organi-l zation, and a committe working with him as appointed at the last con vention, has purchased a piano, which will be used in the convention on the Fifth Sunday. Usually ths.se conventions brinjr \ hundreds of people to Brevard and it is believed that the coming meet. | ing will be one of greatest ever held here. i MR. ALBERT SCHAIN TAKING REST IN BREVARD FOR WEEK Mr. Albert Schain, treasurer of the Transylvania Tanning company, and officially connected with many larpe enterprises, is in Brevard re cuperating from a recent operation. Kc ic the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Al beit Kyle. Mr. Schain lives at the University Liul, New York and is an outstanding figure in the finance al district of that city. MRS. ASHWORTH RETURNS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL Mrs. Winston A'shworth, who ha? been in the hospital at Henderso nville for the past several weeks, has sufficiently recovered to be returned to her home in Brevard. Mr. Ashworth, who was injured ten days in automobile collision while on his way to Henderson ville to see his wife, is walking about the strets now, rapidly recovering from injurie roceived in the wreck. j OVERTON ER WIN'S SUDDEN DEATH IS SHOCK TO COUNTY Popular Young Business Mm, With Hosts of FriencJe, Dies at Oteen HAD GONE TO HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT Funeral Attended By Fifteen Hundred Sorrowing Friends Overton Lewis Erwin, Jr., aged 1 34, died suddenly last Friday morn ing' at Oteen, announcement of which caused great sorrow through out Transylvania county. On Wed nesday of last week ths young man went to Charlotte for examination, and was sent to Oteen for treatment and rest. While he had not been well for the past several year*, there was no thought of the serious ne - - fcbf | illness. Mr. and Mr.-. lirwin. ?i>e parents, spent Thursday ?>'. last week with the young irian tt Oteen, leaving hirn late that clay. The sud denness of the death the following Friday morning was shocking to 'Jie family. - The deceased was one of tr; : t poular and well loved men :i 'A* county. As a Mason, a mear.bi i "t the American Legion, a your-/ ness man, and a friend, he !i\- l !-j iife in loyal service to the j feppte with whom he came in contv..:. Hj volunteered his services 1 >' United States government r? ito* early days of America'* entrance in to the World War. being ri'a- -i lite with the anti-aircraft division. For several ye?rs yc-Jlig Er win >vas in business -<i Wwt i'aait Bcach, with Mr,. William Wallace, one of hiy close friends,, as ?< 5>art ncr. These men conducted a thriv ing business for a hnp; time. hilt their place was literally wiped nit in one of the big iitoma thac laid Florida in waste a few year ;>:( o. Mr. Erwin was in Breva.'d a- lhai time, cn a visit to hii< parent-. After this disaster the Brevanl snan i-i.r.e here, und entered busir.e** , > liiist Main street, with the Sland.ix! Oil company, operating n uttSioii hi Just one week befor* ?i> d<-:r.h. Mr. Erwir attended a ?wearing in A.-'ie vjlisi of Standard dealers an'* offic ials. bein^ enthusiastic as 10 ? In' ."it tare of his work upon liis ivtu'n frorr. that g*tJnK&jc. Funeral services w>iv Sur. day aftereoo.i at thj historic LVivid ;on River Presbyterian vhurch, where ih* dec-eased had beer. bap tisetf many v\<-ars ar.o. It was < -ti mated that laore than, fifteen hun dred people fathered ir.to and ah^u: cho church, only a few hundred nf whom weic able tf> enter tin- <1 urch duriug services., the jr ?*:it dvn-nj? standing about the buifiding i. sil ent suffering, while Re>'. Mr. Hatcii inscn and Rev. It. L. Alcxif i. , . o? ducted '.he services over the of their friend. Burial was mad* a? :ir <rtr. t^try or; the hill overlooking the i i'nutJ ful Da,-'dson River > alley, wit*; Masonic honors. The pa!lh? it" s were members of Dunn's Kx-k Masonic Lodge, and close jieiX'JW friends of the deceased, p. follow*: Clyde Ashworth, Verne C'emeut, William Wallace, Harry Cla V l ick Zachary and .Jack Kachary. In cluded among the honorary nail berers were members of the Mori roe Wilson Post of the Ameriaa Legion. Many members r. l t! Hendersonville Legion attend' ! service. Seldom has there been -een such floral offerings as marked fun eral service, while many who tried desperately to obtain wreaths wen unable to do so. This ftr? .t llural J offering was testimony of the )f."t and esteem which the community felt for the young mm who ha?i been called away. Surviving are the parents. V. .. mb i Mrs. 0. L .Erwin; three sisters. Mi?s?jg Katherine Erwin. Mr-. A. K. I/evvia JfJ and Mrs. L. E. Lewis :i- 1 a ^tvkjKf host of friends. HIS FIFTH WIFE, AN0 ?S HER FOURTH HUSB*Jtfl j I Mr. Harrison Rhodes and Mt> A. Norris, both of Pis^ah Forsti w married a few days ago. Thi# ft of news appears in another cclum*. I An interesting item in connecting with this announcement i-- the ti| that this marriatr>> is the f;ftii tiaaj Ithat Mr. Rhodes has !? .1 a luide ''J | the altar, and the fouvh time iHatjj {Mrs. Rhodes has made i into matrimony. Both Mr. and Mrs. P.; : known here, and h?v '? friends who are conj'ra cb'li?*4^ GRAVELY R VT the vi'nMNj HELD ON FIFTH Invitations have been is-jod all members of the Gravely fair,; in both North and South Carolii and to all friends, that the reus;' for the family in both state wili held at Rocky Bottom on Au<? 31, which is the Fifth Suaday. morning program will be render and a regular Gravtly picnic die will be served at noon. Evei"yl?~ invited. It is expected that hun<^ of people from the two states t?i t in attendance.
Brevard News (Brevard, N.C.)
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Aug. 13, 1930, edition 1
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