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The Hoke County Newt- Established 1928 The Hoke County i Journal - Established 1905
VOL. LXVI ISO 20 RAF.FORD, HOKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA S4 PER YEAR 10c PER COPY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1970
| Around T own I
By SAM MORRIS
i I
Paul Burnett had tltc program at the
Kiwanis meeting last week. He introduced
Jake Vinson from FHA, who in turn
introduced Ralph Barnhart. Barnhart,
who is president of Forward Inc., the
county poverty agency, gave a talk on the
subdivision being built by Forward and
FHA. Then he introduced John Sinnct,
architect from North CArolina State
University, who has been in charee of a
project here to design low cost homes for
the subdivision.
Sinnet told us that the goal of the
project, the only one of its kind in the
state, is to provide quality design for
homes priced under SI3,000. About six
designs, that can be varied to suit the
individual, will be available when the
project is complete, he said. Anyone can
gel the plans lor the first home they
designed through the county extension
office.
Sinnct, who was a Kiwanian at the
University, is going into the Army in a
few days but the project will be
continued by other graduate students at
State.
The member-guest tournament at the
Arabia Golf Club will be held October 17
and 18.. Raz Autry, tournament
chairman, said he needs to know the
definite number that will play. The cards
that were sent to each member in a letter
dated Sept. 15 must be returned by Oct.
2. A supper will be held Saturday night,
Oct. 17 and the club championship and
flight prizes will be awarded at that time.
Raz said to send in the name of your
"guest" as he couldn't "guess" hint.
The Hoke High Bucks are off to a good
start for the football season. We would
also like to commend the performance of
the Hoke High band under the leadership
of Jimmy James. The halftime show was
worth the price of the ballgame. It seems
that frjjdiiai'nr doesn't hurt tire band as
replacements perform 3? wrT as the
former students. Congratulations to
Jimmy James and the high school band.
Something also that was a tribute to
the fans and law enforcement officers is
self - explanatory in the following letter
received from Principal Raz Autry.
The letter follows:
Dear Sam:
I can't possibly express my deep
appreciation to our people for their
excellent behavior at the ballgame Friday
night. They were magnificent. Their
manners and appreciation to the football
team and courtesy toward each other was
the finest 1 have ever observed. 1 guess we
have come to expect tills from our
people, and they haven't let us down.
1 couldn't possibly say enough about
our law enforcement officers, because
they handled themselves in a manner that
was a credit to all law enforcement
officers everywhere. The ballgame was
over at 10:00 P.M. The parking lot was
completely clear by 10:15. My deepest
appreciation to all of you.
Now, I am afraid I must add a sour
note. We are being plagued by cars
coming on the school ground at lunch.
From now on no one will be allowed on
the school ground unless it is on official
business. We will indict any one for
trespassing that comes for any other
reason.
Sincerely,
Raz Autry
Chamber
Endorses
Bond Issue
The 5140,000 cily bond issue to be
held Oct. 17 was endorsed by the
Kaeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce at
the monthly meeting last week.
The Chamber board expressed strong
support for the bond issue, which will be
used to extend water and sewer lines to a
new textile industry on South Main
Street.
A dinner to highlight Firemen's Week,
Oct. 4 - 10, was discussed. The Chamber
will co - sponsor a dinner Oct. 6 with
local insurance agents and financial
institutions, to honor members of the
Hoke County Firemen's Association and
their wives. Several other activities are
also planned for the week.
The Chamber also set the date for the
Christmas parade on Dec. 4 and began
plans for Christmas activities.
In other business, the Chamber heard
reports on industrial activity and
merchant events. The Knit-Away plant
was reported well underway with
construction and it was announced that a
new finance company will occupy the
hotel building on Oct. 1. The remodeling
of the Johnson Store and Home
Furniture into one operation known as
Helig-Meyers was reported in progress.
Dues and membership was discussed at
the meeting. The response from a recent
letter to all prospective members was
reported to be good.
Hoke Quiet
A routine weekend was reported by
city police and the county sheriffs
department.
Raeford Police Chief L.W. Stanton and
Hoke County Sheriff D.M. Barrington
both said their departments handled no
cases out of the ordinary.
Blown F use
Stops Water
A fuse that blew out during the night
left early morning risers without water
Tuesday.
One of the fuses leading to the pumps
malfunctioned about 3 or 4 a.m. Tuesday
morning, stopping the pumps, city
manager John Caddy explained.
The tank soon drained, leaving little or
no water pressure. Many homes had no
water at all or only a trickle from the
faucet until the trouble was corrected
about 6:30 a.m.
- However, a transformer at the pumping
station was cither damaged in the
blowout or was brokon before that, so
only one pump could be put back into
operation immediately, Gaddy said.
Water pressure remained below normal
Tuesday until the other pump could be
repaired and the level in the lank restored
to normal.
State And Local Officials
At Water System Dedication
LOVE ? Shorty, the family Chihuahua, plant. a kins on his master, ten-year-old Lawrence Walters. Maybe t'h e two are talking ovt
plans for National Dog Week this week. Luw'f/ice is the son of Mr. and Mrs Alton (1. Walters of South Main Street.
Dedication ceremonies for the county's
first community water system were
attended by Farmer's Home
Administration state director. Ft IA
committeemen from nine counties and
local community officials.
The Northwest Water Supply Company
has been in operation about six months in
the section west of Raeford along Vass
Road and 401 By - pass.
James T. Johnson, state director, for
FHA, and members of the FHA'advisory
committee from Scotland. Richmond,
Anson, Union. Montgoineiy, Moore. Lee,
Hoke and Stanley counties were on hand
for the dedication.
W.R. Windley. director of the Samuel
Leonard Training School, was guest
speaker at the ceremonies. He was
introduced by J.D. McAllister, assistant
school supervisor.
Other speakers on the program were
John A. Staton, a teacher at Leonard
School, Jake Vinson, county FHA agent,
Robert Fleetwood, district FHA
supervisor and Johnson.
The Rev. Milton Williams, pastor of
McLaughlin Methodist Chapel, led the
dedication prayer. Guests were
introduced by the Rev. F. Fisher. Arthur
Kemp, president of the board of directors
for tlic community water system, was the
master of ceremonies.
An area committee meeting lor the
FHA committeemen was held Wednesday
morning at tltc civic center. After a
meeting that morning, the committeemen
divided into smaller groups and toured
homes in the Scurloek community thai
were built with FHA loans. Jimmy
Morrisscy, Essie Mae Vigil and Charles
Lidc were hosts to the three grou|>s.
The area committeemen also visited
the home of Paul Pureed, which was
designed by graduate students at North
Carolina State University School of
Architecture as part of a community
actio project to provide quality design
for I. w costs homes. The Ractord project
is Ihw oniy one of its kind in ihc stale.
City To Get $20,498 In Powell Biill Funds
The city will receive S20.498.74 from
the slate this year to maintain non - state
system streets under the provisions of the
Powell Bill.
The allocation, which is based on
population figures and number of miles
of non - state system roads, was
announced this week by the North
Carolina State Highway Commission.
Powell Bill funds, which are provided
by one-half cent of the gasoline tax, are
returned annually to cities and towns.
The checks will be mailed from Raleigh
this months so they will reach
municipalities by Oct. 1.
Population figures used in figuiing the
allocation were based on the I lHi() census
since (he 1970 c ensus has not yet bet
certified. Raelord's I960 population wi
3,058, The city * has 18.69 miles c
non-state stysten- roads and streets.
The 428 ci ties and towns tha
participate in the Powell Bill funds will
receive proportional cash allotments
amounting to SI 1,909,265. This years
total is almost S700.000 larger than last
year's allocation, which was SI 1,24,494.
Tickets On Sale Now
For Robeson Rally
tickets are now on sale for the
Robeson County Democratic Rally to be
held in Pembroke at the Pembroke Senior
High School on Oct. 3.
Visitors present at the rally will include
Sen. Ervin, Jim Graham, Lt. Gov. Pat
Taylor, Rep. Alton Lennon, John
.Lockamy, Irvin Aldridge, Roy Sowers,
Chuck Barbour, R.D. McMillan and many
others.
Food will be served beginning at 6:30
p.m.
Tickets may be purchased from the
County Cliairman, W. Earl Britt. Repr.
Gus Speros, Noody Johnson, Bill
Buffaloe, Leo Neville and other counts
leaders and precinct workers.
Baker Acquitted Of Murder C harge
"I never did anything I hated to do
worse than that, but 1 believe 1 was
protecting my life "and that of my
family," Neil David Baker, who was
charged with the murder of his
son-in-law, said in a statement read in
District Court Friday by Sheriff D.M.
Barrington.
A finding of no probaUe cause was
returned in the preliminary hearing by
Judge Joseph Dupree.
Baker was charged in connection with
the shooting death of S/Sgt. Henry
William Hardin, Jr., who was killed Sept.
11 at his home near Raeford.
Baker's daughter, Mrs. Birdie Hardin,
testifying calmly but with noticable
difficulty, told the court that her
husband was uncontrollable when he
became angry and that they had
quarreled shortly before he was shot.
"You could not reason with him when
he got into a rage," she said. "When my
husband got mad, he had no control over
himself at all. He would hurt and after it
was over, I have seen him cry like a
baby."
Mrs. Hardin said she had once gone to
a chaplain at Ft. Bragg to seek help for
her husband.
They had argued the night he was shot,
she said, and he had hit her and had
thrown her to the ground. Later, her son
told her tliat Sgt. Hardin had gone into
the bedroom to get his pistol. Mrs. Hardin
testified that the pistol was always kept
unloaded in a dresser drawer but that the
clip was loaded and was kept near the
gun. Her husband was an expert with the
weapon, she said. She told the court that
she did not know if Sgt. Hardin had
loaded the gun that night.
Sheriff Barrington testified that the
semi-automatic pistol had a clip in place
but that the safety catch was engaged and
there was no shell in the chamber.
Mrs. Hardin said she heard her husband
go into his bedroom and then go to her
father's room. She said she thought she
heard him open the door qnd then she
heard a shot. Her husband came into the
living room, bleeding from a wound in
the chest and fell at her feet,she said.
Mrs. Hardin left Hie courtroom as soon
as she had completed her testimony.
Sheriff Barrington also read a
statement made by Baker during the
week fie.was in jail awaiting the hearing.
Baktr did not testify at the hearing.
Baktr said in his statement that he
could hear his daughter and husband
arguing that night. Baker and his wife
lived in the same home with the Hardins*.
He had gone to bed after watching
television for-awhile that night but had
been awakened by the couple quarelling
in the living room. Mrs. Baker and Mrs.
Hardin's son, hddie, were also in the
living room.
Baker said in the statement that he got
his shotgun from behind the door, where
he kept it always for protection and sat
down on the bed.
"I knew he had the pistol cause I heard
them talking about it He came in and
tluowed the door open and t browed his
left hand up against his bosom. The gun
was still in his bosom.
"I shot him as soon as lie came in the
door because I thought he would shoot
me and I didn't intend for him to
"He was drunk or doped or something
I never saw him like that. I do believe
that he was going to shoot me and then
kill her (his daughter > and maybe my wife
and grandson.
"I never did anything I hated to do
worse than that, but I believe I was
protecting my life and that of m>
family."
Alter the sheriff had finished reading
Baker's statement, the state closed its
case and William Geimer public defender,
moved for a finding of no probable cause
In granting the motion. Judge Dupree
said "I guess all of us are, in essence,
digging our own grave every day but some
ofus do ii a bit faster than others ."
Senior Citizens Po int To
Money As Biggest Need
Mure money was cited a* the most
pressing need of older Americans by the
large majority of senior citi/.cns who
attended the Hoke County Senior Citi/en
forum Tucsday.
In discussing then needs, many who
spoke pointed out?ilatt they had either
never worked undei social security at all
or had worked only a short time under
the system and therefore their social
security payments amounted to only
between S40 and SOU a month.
Better housing was voted by the gioiip
to be the second most important need.
About 65 persons attended the
meeting held at Racford Methodist
Church. Many were mcmbeis of the three
senioi citizens clubs in the county. Many
were mcmbeis of the tluec senior cili/.ciis
clubs m the county. In addition, workers
from the county social services
department, the health department and
ministers from local churches attended.
A panel composed of T.C. Jones. John
K. McNeill. Mis. Charles Hostellci jnd
Mr*. Missouri Oxendinc listened to
members of the audience talk about the
needs of senior citizens. The Rev. Jack
Mansfield was moderator for the
program. ?
The forum wa s held as part of nation ?
wide pre pa rat 10 n for a White House
Conference on Aging planned for 1071.
Senior citizen's 1 orunts were scheduled all
ovei the country tor this week. Alter the
icsiills arc compi led. they will be sent in a
report to the conference staff in
Washington.
After Mrs. hllen Willis, home
economics age lit and one of the
committee mem bcis who organized the
forum, welcomed the giutip, Rev.
Mansfield began the program by asking
members of the audience to tell what
needs weic felt l> > be the most important
to oldei Ainencai is.
Most i > I tire speakers at least
mentioned in .teased funds, either
llnougli social si'cunty or |>ensions, as
being a major nee? J.
Mrs. Lena Tcrrill said "I can live on the
little social security I get, but there isn't
enough to buy the dentures or the glasses
I need."
Mary Barrett told the group: "I am
very concerned about social security. I
worked under it for a short while, but not
long enough to get much support."
In addition to more money, Mrs.
Barrett also said that better housing lor
both young and old people was a need in
this county.
"Another thing I'm concerned about is
some young people pushing oil their
children on older ircoplc to take care of
them. Some ot these oldei people arc
illhclcd in some way and can't care lor
hese children."
Others who cited the need lor
ncrcascd lunds were Mis. I'earl Ling,
..I.. "Breather" Bctliea, Picrson
jocklcar. the Rev. Mclnius, Mis. I.dna
rccn and Mrs. Alma I dwaids.
Mrs. Rowland Crime said that
See SI MOR (II l/l NS, I'age 11
TOUCHDOWN ? ? Tim Hawkey No 23, goes over from the eight y, ird line for the first score. Mi k McNeill made the extra point to
give the Bucks a 7-U lead with 8 17 to go in the first half