North Carolina Newspapers

4 DEDICATED TO MACON County and the Welfare of its Good People (tiJi li!! !, I' 'i ifii ).!,'( 1 i ESTABLISHED IN 1885 Oldest North Carolina Newspaper Wett of A.heville 1 , PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL INDEPENDENT VOL. XLVI, No. 44 FRANKLIN, N. C. THURSDAY, OCT. 2'J, 1931 $150 PER YEAR srr: a v- FASHION SHOW IS BIG SUCCESS Large Audience Sees Style Exhibits At Theatre 30 GIRLS IN SHOW Event Seen as Boost To Buy-at-Home , Movement Franklin's first Fall Fashion . Show was presented to a crowded .house in the Macon Theatre . on Monday evening," preceding the regular motion picture show. Thirty of Fr.anklin's fairest young women acted as models for the beautiful and graceful new fashions that were presented by the follow ing firms: E. K. Cunningham and Co., Mrs. W. J. Zachary's Milli nery, Jess and Mary's Shop, and Trotter's. The exhibits demonstrat ed that the variety and size of the stocks of the local firms, includ ing apparel for every occasion, for all ages, all sizes, and all popular accessories, may be obtained at home without the expense or time necessary for a trip to a metrop olis. Indeed, surprise was mixed with enthusiastic praise that such a wealth of the latest models should be presented and carried in the regular stock of Franklin's shops, while the display of nearly two score complete toilettes in the allotted time by Franklin's own young women with charm and fin ish, would compare favorably with any fashion show in the land. Style Trend Changing The models portrayed a cross section of the newest trends of fashion in New York and Paris, which proved "Vogue's" latest pro nouncement that one must change one's ideas, forgetting that hats ever sat on the back of the head, learning to wear them over one eye. The only male innovation of the show delighted the audience in the showing of boys' sweaters all wool, if not a yard wide from Jess' and Mary's shop by Masters Fred Johnston Houk and Charles Porter. Other models by this firm included sport pajamas by Florence Henson and Ruby Blaine, school girl ensembles by Bertha Higdon and Blanche Mincy, sport suits by the Misses Beverage and McCur ry. Charming frocks and evening gowns for special occasions were modeled by tha Misses Dowdle, Dillard, Franks, Hazel Higdon and Pearl Burleson. A "happy interlude" was present ed in the style of 1860 by Miss Lou Davis, who impersonated the lady of long ago" jn a charming old gown of that period. The display of E. K. Cunningham and Co. was presented by Mrs. W. T. Moore, the .efficient head of the women's apparel of that firm, with hats to complete the costumes displayed by Mrs. W. J. Zachary, milliner, as follows r Little girls coat, leggings and ber-et; modeled by Helen Franks; fur trimmed coat with Empress Eugenie hat by Mar garet Cunningham; crepe sport suit, satin and chiffon day frocks modeled by the Misses Elizabeth Womack, Pearl Phillips, Elizabeth McGuirc, Ruth Higdon and Nancy Patron, Misses Pearl Blaine and Myra Stribling modeled two charming evening gowns with chif fon hosiery in the latest mode. Trotter's display was opened by little Miss .Marion Moody modeling a popular design of a wool slip . (Continued on page eight) Local U. D.C. Invited To Meeting in Cornelia Mrs. Tom' Brabson, of Cornelia, Ga., has invited the Macon County Chapter- of the U. D, C. to meet with her on Friday, November 5. Mrs. Brabson at one time lived in. Franklin and was a member of the Macon County U. D. C. Sever al of her friends in the local chap ter are planning to attend. Miss Norah Leach is in charge of arrangements for the trip. In terested Daughters are asked to communicate with her. Dr. W. E. Abernethy Pays Franklin Short Visit Dr. W. E. Abernethy, former pastor of the First Baptist church of Franklin, came up from Ruther ford College, Burke county, Tues day, to make a brief visit to his friends here. While in town Dr. Abernethy paid The Press a pleas ant call. He returned to his home at Rutherford College Wednesday .afternoon. $50 in Prizes Offered by The Press For Best Solutions To Ghost Mysteries GUESS THE GHOST Here's How To Win a Cash Prize READ CAREFULLY ..A cah prize of $2.50 will be given for the best explanation of each story in this series, of which "The Georgia Ghosi." is .m. There are twelve stories in all. A Grand Prize of $10.00 will be given for the best set of explanations or solutions for all of the stories, with a second prize of $5.00; third, $3.00; and fourth, $200. RULES OF CONTEST (1) Open to any paid-up subscriber to The Franklin Press, or member of a subscriber's family.. (2) No employes of The Franklin Press permitted to partici pate. However, community correspondents of this newspaper will not be regarded as employes. "(3) Explanations or solutions submitted must be written on one side of paper only, with name and address clearly written in upper left corner, and must not exceed 250 words in length. (4) The readers submitting the most plausible explanations of the "ghosts" will be awarded prizes. Should two or more send in the same solutions, the prizes will be awarded to the one whose solution is first received. Some of the stories have more than one plausible solution. ' , (5) Literary expression does not count it is the solution of the mystery we want. Make your explanation brief and to the point. (6) Solutions must be received by The Franklin Press not later than Wednesday midnight of the week following publication of the story for which the solution is written. In other words, solutions for this week's story, "The Georgia Ghost," must be received in this office not later than midnight of Wednesday, November 4. The author's solution of each story will be published in the issue of the succeeding week. . . (7) The contest will be judged by the editor of The Franklin Press and two other unbiased persons selected by hims Their de- . cisions will be final. (8) The name of the prize winner will bo announced in the second issue after the publication of each story. For instance, the winner in this week's contest will be announced in. The Frank lin Press of Thursday, November 12. (9) Anyone subscribing to The Franklin Press during this con test is eligible to participate. Members of the family of a new subscriber also are eligible. (10) Only one solution by an individual will be considered. If you send in more than one, the first one opened will be considered as your entry. SEND IN YOUR SOLUTION NOW A Beautiful Little Mountain Town (BY G. CLIFTON ERVIN IN 'THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY') Wherein the Pastor of the Methodist Church Decries 'Sectarianism, Selfishness and Snobbery' and Pleads for a United Christianity in a Community Church EDITOR'S NOTE (No matter what one thinks of Mr. Ervin's article, one is forced to admit that it most certainly is thought-provoking. As is the case with almost every problem, there are two sides to the question. The. Press, desiring to reflect public opinion on vital issues, would be glad to receive comments from its readers on Mr. Er vin's article. Remember, please, to write clearly on one side of the paper only. Don't write too lengthily. Be sure to sign yojur name, but we will omit it on request.) When the Federal farm board urged sometime ago that cotton acreage next year be reduced by at least one-third, Will Rogers imme diately sugfc, .Ued the extension of this one-third i eduction idea to senators, congressmen, and column ists. That "humorous" suggestion, incidentally, strikes me as an eminently sensible one ! However, I wish to suggest a still further extension of this one-third elimina tion process to include superfluous churches and ministers, particularly in certain scandalously ov'erchurch ed and over-ministered sections in one of which T happen to live. Perhaps I myself am one of these superfluous and parasitical minis ters, but. T hereby risk my profes sional neck and make the above suggestion in all seriousness. If the .application of this idea o the ministry means my premature min isterial .demise, I shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing that my "death"' was an aid to prog ress ! It is unfortunately true that the pinch of economic necessity often spurs people to the. accomplishment of certain much needed reforms which would nc-er receive serious consideration in times of prosperity. How many noble consummations have been prompted by ignoble motives! In this time of severe financial panic, which we euphem istically call a "depression," people to whom the word "socialism," for instance, has been anathema are beginning to wonder if, after all, socialism is the frightful bugbear ardent exponents of a rugged in dividualism" would have us believe, And this same economic motive that is now driving many people to a critical re-examination of the fundamental bases of our present politico-social order is causing them also to ask, "Why so many church es?" Like the disciples, but with far more reason, they an- asking, "Why this waste ?" It is, significant, I think, that in recent months 1 have h.ard people who never dreamed of a commun ity, church before urging the, union of our local churches. True, they do so largely. on financial grounds. I would personally prefer the at tainment of . this most desirable end through a higher motivation, but I would prefer that it crime about' on that basis than not at all. All Within a Block . Consider the church situation in this community, a situation which, far from being exceptional, is in deed typical of this section per haps of others also. In this beau tiful little mountain town of; one thousand population there are five churches four white and one col ored. The four white churches Baptist, Presbyterian, . Protestant, Episcopal and f ethodgst are all grouped- within a block of each other in the center of the town. Every Sunday morning and even ing there are three, and sometimes four, ' : being conducted sitn-ultaii'-'i!'-,!', all within a block of each other! . I sit in my . 'study ."on" .'Sundae, mornings and listen to the .dis cordant dunging of a't. least ihrcc church bells. Their lack mi unison s uibolizi-m fur lin ' on i .lad; .of union. 1 hjir brazen clamor re calls those striking "sounding brass" and "clanging cymbal" meta phors .of the reat apostle, and the bells beo.'iiic for -me a soundinu.' ytnbol of our want of Christian love, vvhidr makes such disunity and such a scandalous' situation possible. . Saint, Joan heard. , Iter voices in tin cathedral bells, but I confess to a total inability to hear divine voices in the simul taneous dant'.in of four church bells when only , one should Ik ringing. , , ' If a visitor, were to attend in succession cadi of these four con gregations on some 'bright ;Sunday morning, 'what -would .he find? Up would find (on an average Sunday about 90, people, in 'the - Baptist church, 75 in the Methodist church, 55 in the Preebyterian church; and First Story Appears. On Editorial Page This Week As announced last v i k, The Franklin Press is publishing in this isUe ill' . I il M 'if .1 series of 12 ghost stories, one of which will appear cadi week. Filly dollars in iri" is offered in subscribers o The . Press and members of sub scribers' families for .life best solu tions to ihese stories. See the ac cdmpany.ing rules for particulars.. The nrsi of these stories, "The Georgia Ghost," will be found on the editorial page- Page 4, We think you will agree thai it makes good reading. Other stories equal ly as good or better are yet to come. " Nothing ' Faked'' 'Ihese s-loiies, written by David McFall, a writer who has visited many pails of the world, and who in.1.,- livi s in Wesiini North Caro lina, rue genuine thrillers. Each (h renin s an actual experience, and there is nothing "faked", about tlic.i. Four or fie of the stories wee .based on the aulhoi's own experiences in the coures of a' long period of travel and adventure. The -other slories, gathered from various sources, were carefully ver ified and are equally authentic. Tin' Aery title of the stories will j'ive an idea as to their interest and diversity. Among them are: The Ghost on the Ice; The Ghost in the Swamp; The Ghost in the Lonely Mouse ; The Lost Ghost; The Musical Ghost; The Accusing GhoM ; T In.- Dance of Ghosts. Each Story is just long enough for an easy . half-hour's fireside thrill. If you -have never .seen or heard a ghost, they will show you what it feels like to encounter one! 16 in the Episcopal, church a total congregation of about 215 souls. This total would make a decent si.ed congregation in our clninli It would afford ' real 'stimulus to gool. preaching. An Ingrowing Church Life But since the economic factor is, in the minds of many people, the factor that outweighs all othcis, what have we? We have $105,000 invested in church buildings . and property. Wt have a total of $7, 300 paid each year for. pastors' salaries. Of this total, $1,400 is paid by' the community, and the remainder' is paid by the- outside churches and ...mission boards. We have a total local chuich budget each year of $6,000, of which the amazing sum of $500 goes for" all benevolent causes, including for eign missions. In other word, prac tically all our church funds no to oil our local ecclesiastical wheels in spite -'of which fact' they are becoming increasingly- creaky! 1 wonder, if there can he anv cmi nection .between this centripetal emphasis .of our local churches arid the fact that thev 'are now. spirit ii ally stagnant ? The union of our i"our struggling churches iii one 'good . community church would, among other desir able ic-sults, cause a shifting of the focus- of attention, Our church people wouiu ,iK-gin to think less , in. terms. o .maintaining at all cost-; a' chuich. .organisation, and .thev would think more in terms -.of ser vice to the :cnlirc community and to those needy ones -'far beyond our o-,, i i, liinunity. Some of the money now being sjieitt for the maintenance of - our churches might far more profitably be spent in tin erection and maintenance of a kood public. 'library, which happens to.be a crying need in this par i -1 1 1 ; 1 1- town. Why Not Reduce? It, then, there '-'cxi -Is the need for a considerable reduction in the number of , -preachers' and church ;' particularly, in .many mn!l towns, why do v.'e riot re duce?. There, are three S's that stand; in our. 'Vay -sectarinnism, 'i !i'i -s. and Miohb'Ty. CA preacher would have' to inject an alliterative category, wouldn't he?) Let meiHustratc VAV sectarianism, would function to thwart the union of our churches here. If, for ex (Continusd on paga tight) CENTRALIZED, uiAKil i mm People Asked To Refer Requests for Aid To Red Cross DRIVE STARTS SOON Annual Roll Call To Get Under Way on November 11 .Miss Elizabeth Kdlv, chairman en tin- .viacn cotnm chanter "I the American Ued l loss, nuule an appeal Wednesday for the lesideiits of Franklin and Mre.'.ni co.utv to make the Red Cross :i centra agency for dispensation of charity. tins request, she cxpi.imcii, was intended to make duplication of effort unnecessary and to sec that those most needing assistance re ceived it. Red Cross Headquarters The Masonic Hall has been made headquarters for the Red l i".-s, and each Saturday someone repre senting the Red Cross will be there to receive requests for aid. "It becomes mote apparent each day," .Miss Kelly said, "that there is a pressing need for one agency for the distribution of help and ioi the protection of those who give as well as foY those who heed' 'help. The lime has come when ihert is no need for individuals giving to people whom they do not know. Tlu: stranger who goes from door to door asking for food and cloth ing or other help shoahl be direct ed to the Ked Cross m ordir that duplicate gifts may not be made and in' order that only a lair shaie of gifts may go to air. one aakuig aid. All this is mostly upelnioii, but it seems necessary lu repeat in order that everyone may under stand that the Red Cross is offer ing to help give intdligently and without duplication. Campaign Starts Soon "Several letters have already come iu from teachers saying they are getting ready to put on the Red Cross program on Armistice Day. One asks if the program may be given at any time during the day. Give it at the time most suitable for the folks in the coin munity. In getting your committee members ready in the school dis trict, please remember there are no Red Cross members so far. Any one selected may be a member of thu committee." Later, from Armis tice Day until Thanksgiving, will be the time to join tin: Red Cross. That is what the drive will be for: to secure members, and to receive gifts for tin Red Cross. '- "Hereafter ilv; meetings of the Red Cross will he held in the Masonic hall. .The regular meeting is on Saturday afternoon at 1 ;JU o'clock. Ai i .hr,eiiieius will be made to keep, the Red .'-Cross ma terials at the Masonic hall and someone .wll be there each Satui day to i ec-'ive requests and to give such aid as may be available. We can nut. give more . than one day cadi week to. this voik. Wom en, from various civic ami church orgaiiiali'ii- ha.c kindly offend (Co'ntinued on page eight) Many Attend Meeting of The fotnth j. e' -together mcTting ot the Woman's Missionary Auxil- i larv ot Macou county' , Methodist Qmil, . v1,.k,.rs' VV,IS -t.d- at Snow 1 1,11 '-..,, e, , ,.,i,,.r ,tn,. ,.:i,,.rsbii. of Mrs, II. C. Freeman, About 75 women, -r presctitim-' the five au.vihaiie , ot the county .were--present, alio 15 from the mis iotiaiy society of the Franklin Methodist church; and six f-iom the missionary ' society of the Franklin ' Baptist church. The speakers were Mrs. fl. A iJimliam, of Asheville, general, sec retary o'i. Woman's ' Missionary Council, and. Mrs.: fieore Hamp ton, of Canton, district secretary.. M'rs. Dunham ave a mo.r inspir ing address about the. work of the women, tellinp. how--they 'support mission stations, schools and .hos pitals in eiJit foreign fields.' She especially stressed stewardship, how we aire stewards, not only of what we Ia'. -, but of our time, our tal ents,: our whole personality, and that those , 'consecrated to the Lord's work become a mighty force for the spreading of the gospel. Mrsi Hampton spoke on, the or ganization of women's societies. It Jack Norman Tent Oil Deow A n Fatal Shooting Trail Club to Hike To Standing Indian The Aidiev'lie club of the Ap palachian trail association iii planning lo make a week-end hiking trip to Wayah Bald and Standing Indiun, in this county, Saturday and Sunday, according lo word received by John Byrne, Supervisor of Nantahala Nation id forest. In a letter to Mr. .Byrne, George Stevens, president of the Appalachian trail club, said he expected about IS hikers to make the trip. The group u expected to arrive in Franklin Saturday afternoon. Mr. Byrne said they probahly would go first to Wilson Lick, where th?y can spend the nidit in the for e.: service ump, located be twi p Nantain1. uup and the top of Vu.r ;,'. ' ..id. The next morn niij the inkers w.ll i;o lo Stand ing Indian, part of the way by automobile aiid the r:st by foot. Mr. Stevens invited Franklin hikers who are interested to ac company the Asheville dub on thii trip. All those who wish to accept this invitation are tsked to notify Mr. Byrne at the For estry Service officer in the Bank of Franklin building. PLAN BUSINESS SCHOOL HERE Organizer for Perry , Schools Comes to Franklin Mis I'oioihv k. Smith, repre- i-litllli.; the l'eti l:iisilless Schools Willi 1 1 ea ( i u i o ! ' i s at lo'iinswick, t., and braiicn deioN in more than .H 'j ' i fini 1 1 1 1 1 1 i I i s in lo states, ha-, armed' in l iaiikhn t" organize a i oiiinieii d .diool lor this toni mumi) . Although M i -. Smith has nut as yet obtained a suilicieiil number of ni'ils fwr starting the school, sin said Wednesday thai 'she fell iery much encouraged over the outlook, . (Continued on page eight) NEW BUILDING SOLD BY ANGEL TO M. L. DOWDLE The Angel building on Main street hao been sold for "one dollar en. I other considerations," Ly Dr. Furman Angel to M. L. . iJowdl.', Fr.ankiin business man, it was nmounced Wednesday. The building, the most modiirn in Franklin, was completed only Hhree months' ago. It" is: re tarded 'as onp of the most val uable pirees of huainrsH proper ty in Franklin. Macon Circuit was rn -a inn ri.s.i;ri: to learn that l iaiikiui has the h mor of having the - se'Coud woiuan'i missionary so." cietv in Southri ij . .Miihodiim, the in -I II 'in.; , tjern oranicl : in . 'I ei;i;,, in 172, and the n I rank I iii iii !,v7 It a- 'pii .i-.UI e I'.i ,ha e prcs :h; iharnj nicmbcrs of i:'ii,iii'.ii, ,1 rs, .Mary All I. Ill second vu. id- .('lit Oli( :;.at o!-; Uliill, Ol ' t I'-Hll-Jill. , , ' Affer Mrs. I-janifpton's most help ful a-'iiie:--'. the four, auxiliaries on the Franklin Circuit were, organized uito a '.'.oinan's imssionary society. Also' viis. Uuiili,atn. and, Mrs. J l.'.UMpt' ..!' decided t.O (.all these gct-to-, tin i truM-liiiL'.j, "zone meetings," i.herdi', i leatinc ,a fourth zone in the Way.'tcsville district, to be known u, the Franklin zone; hold ing irieeiint.'.s" ijrice a quarter. The next, meeting .. .will be. with the Franklin M'.thodiit church in Feb ruary ' ..' . After adjournment a most de lightful social hour was enjoyed and the.. ladies 'of the Snow Hill church served 'dejicious refresh ments, consisting of various kinds of cakes, coffee, cocoa and autumn fntiti. Missionary reaks Uo Head of Troupe Kills Van Wagner, Artist and Magician NORM AN ESCAPES Show Breaks Up After Tragic Climax at Clarkesvilie The Jack Norman Players, who appeared here in a tent show the week of September 10 to 15, broke up with a melo'-dramalic tragedy at Clarkesvilie, Ga., Monday night win it Jack Norman, nominal head "I the troupe, shot and killed Ran dolph Van Wagner, 3o, vaudeville artist and magician. The shooting occured after Mon day night's performance, according to information received by The 1'rcss ucr long distance telephone from Clarkesvilie. The tent show, it was reported was in financial difficulties and owed ' Van Wagner a sum for back salary. Norman, i.l is understood had agreed to give the magician a" part uf the pro ceeds each night after the per formance until the debt was squar ed. Disnute Over Money Monday night Van Wagner ap proached Jack Norman and asked, for his "split." ' A brief dispute followed Then a pistol shot rang out a ni I Van Wagner dropped to tin ground mortally wounded. He died almost instantly, a . bullet through his heart. ' Norman allegedly fired the shot without removing the weapon from a pocket of his coat. Members of the show troupe rushed up as Nor man dropped to his knees beside the 'magician, hysterically beseech ing him to. speak. While the little group of actors and chorus girls girls stood by in a daze, dumb founded at the tragedy which had climaxed their season, a rough one at that, Norman slipped out of the lent and escaped in his automobile, lie had not been captured Wednes day night and there were few clues by. which "to trace him.' It was re ported he headed north and prob ably passed through .Franklin. Wives Present The wives of both Norman and Van Wagner were nearby when the shooting occured. The dead man's body was sent to Erie, Fa., home of his mother, Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by his widow, formerly of Atlanta. The show broke up immediately and the tent and other pharaphcrr nalia was stored in Clarkesvilie. The story of the show was first told in Franklin Tuesday night, when an elderly woman, one of the character acticsas with the company, passed through here. . an Wagner will be remembered Ik re as th'e man who drew rapid portraits in chalk and performed sleight-of-hand tricks.' He was re- , ported to have said 'while, he was here that unless Jack Norman-paid him his back salary in full he would attach the tent and tie up the show. HAYESVILLE IS LOSER IN GRID ENCOUNTER HERE The Franklin high school football team lasted its first blood of the season last Friday, defeating the Hayesville ' high' ' school eleven 26. to b on the local gridiron. Touchdowns for Franklin were made by Stewart, full back; Haus er, quarter back; Vinson, - half back; and Barnard, right end. Stewart successfully kicked for two extra points. An unusually good crowd witness ed the game. The Franklin eleven has no game . scheduled for this week but will play Waynesville on Friday, Nov. 6, at Waynesville. Dr. Caleb A. Ridley Is Reported Doing Well Dr. Caleb "A, Ridley, well known Baptist minister and a former edi tor of The Franklin Press, who underwent an operation for cancer of the stomach at Angel Brothers' hospital Wednesday of last week was reported today to be resting very well. Friends of Dr. Ridley, who has been ill for several weeks, are concerned over his condition.