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The Hoke County News - Established 1928 The Hoke County Journal - Established 1905
VOLUME LXV1I NO. 46 RAEFORD, HOKE COUNTY. NORTH CAROLINA SS PER YEAR THURSDAY. MARCH 20. 1975
Around
Town
BY SAM C. MORRIS
The article elsewhere in this paper
gives the amount of rainfall for Raeford
in the past week and also comments
concerning the effect the wet weather
will have on crops. The reason I
mention this is that the article stops
short of the actual condition in the
county and could call for an
investigation.
Friday morning William Poole, owner
and operator of Carolina Turf, Inc., was
by the office and asked if a
photographer was in the office. I told
him not at that time, but did he have
something that was worth a picture. He
said he didn't know, but that five
seagulls were in his pasture wading
around in standing water. By the time
the photographer got to the office and
contacted Poole about the gulls, they
had set sail for parts unknown.
So. you see.it is certainly getting wet
here when seagulls start hanging around
100 miles from the ocean. I wish a
picture could have been made of the
gulls to back up Poole's story.
Anyway, that's the way it is in Hoke
County concerning the weather.
Most of us have heard the saying,
"Progress Makes Growing Pains." This is
true and especially when it comes to
bulldozing dogwood trees planted by
the Garden Club in the late 1930s. An
asphalt parking lot is nice but not at the
expense of white and pink dogwood
trees.
The bulldozing of the trees in the
yard of the Ract'ord tlemenlary School,
Monday, brought forth members of the
nature lovers into the office wanting
pictures of the destruction. It would
seem that each tree destroyed had a life
history that would compare with the
President of the United States. All 1 can
say is that when you get the Garden
Club Up in arms you have a problem on
your back.
I had rather write this column and
listen to the troubles of the people than
listen to the tree lovers.
The 1916 street scene of Racford
that ran in the paper two weeks ago. has
now brought forward a reader who can
recall the event.
Mrs. Bill Andrews and Maggie Jane
McBrydc were in the office Monday,
and Mrs. Andrews asked if anyone had
commented on the picture. When I told
her no. she said that Maggie Jane was
marching in the parade. Then Maggie
Jane made the following comments.
She said that the rider on the white
horse was Tom Campbell of Maxton,
now deceased, and that the'other rider
was the late N.A. Mclnnis of
Dundarrach. (Mrs. Tom Jones, is a
daughter.) The parade was lor
commencement at the school. She said
they had been on floats and were
marching back to the school. The date
1916 could or could not be the exact
date. She couldn't remember. Of course,
dates are hard for the opposite sex to
nail down.
Thanks to the McBryde sisters for the
information and from this, maybe the
complete details of this picture will
come forth.
Hlwood Avenue began one-way
traffic Monday and should work after
the local folks get used to the change.
The signs were put up. but the street
lines will be marked later. The police
force did a fine job the first day and
kept their cool even though cars were
going the wrong way every once and a
while.
Let's all give it a try and see if it
doesn't improve the situation.
School Break-ins Decline
After Guards Hired
Reported break - ins and larcenies at
county schools have shown a big drop in
recent weeks and school officials credit
the recent addition of night watchmen
for the decrease.
During December 1974. two break -
ins were reported, one at West Hoke and
one at Hoke High.
In January, Upchurch school was hit
by thieves twice. West Hoke twice, and
South Hoke was entered once. The
Rose's Office
Visits Friday
The mobile office of Congressman
Charlie Rose will be in, Raeford at the
post office parking lot from 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. Friday.
Administrative assistant Rip Collins
will be on hand to answer questions or
to discuss problems.
property losses amounted to several
hundred dollars.
Sheriff Department records show
only one reported break ? in during the
month of February, at West Hoke
School sometime Feb. 23. Posters were
ripped from walls, but apparently
nothing was taken.
Superintendent G. Raz Autry said
Friday the drop in break ? ins can be
attributed to the watchmen on duty.
"We're delighted with them", he said.
"They're doing a tremendous job for
us."
Autry said all the schools except
Racford Elementary and McLauchlin
are patrolled every night of the week.
"We had a small problem on a
weekend, so we've changed the rotation
on Saturdays and Sundays," he said.
The guard varies his hours, Autry said,
so vandals will not know if a guard is on
duty.
NO-NO - City policeman Junior Ward keeps watch at the comer of Main and
kiwood to head off drivers attempting to go the wrong way down Raeford's
newly-designated one-way street.
Racial Discrimination Charge
Surprises Hoke School Officials
School officials have asked
Congressman Charles Rose to look inlo
a federal court order to investigate Hoke
schools for possible racial
discrimination.
Superintendent Raz Autry said he
was puzzled by Hoke's inclusion in the
order last Friday by Judge John H.
Pratt. The judge directed the
Department of Health. Education and
Welfare to investigate 20 districts in
North Carolina for possible violations of
civil rights laws.
Autry said the first he knew of the
order was when lie was called by a
Fayetteville newspaper for comment.
He has since received a letter directing
him to explain within 60 days any racial
disparity within the school system.
"I have worked with this board of
education for the past eight years as
principal and superintendent and I
know they have tried their best to give
the best education possible to every
child regardless of race, creed or color
and they have tried to hire the best
possible teachers regardless of race,
creed or color," Autry said Monday.
"John McAllister (assistant
superintendent of schools who deals
with federal programs) and I have
racked our brains to try and see what
they are possibly objecting to," Autry
continued.
Autry said perhaps the program for
exceptional children was racially
imbalanced.
"These youngsters in the EMR class
educable mentally retarded) are all
tested and given psychological exams
and we don't bother about whether
they're black, white, or Indian," Autry
said.
Ironically, several years ago Hoke
County schools were praised by Sen.
Walter Mondale as a model of
integration and his comments were
included in the Congressional Record.
Students from the entire county attend
one high school and junior high.
According to figures supplied hy the
board of education office, there are 519
whites, 8(il blacks and 150 Indians at
llokc High.
The faculty there is composed of 48
white teachers, 23 blacks and five
Indians.
Upchurch Junior High, which also
includes sixth graders from Scurlock
and West Hoke, has 359 while students.
454 blacks and 132 Indians. The
teachers include seven Indians. 17
blacks, and 25 whites.
Three schools make up the central
attendance district, which includes
students from the west side of N.C. 20,
south along U.S. 401 and east in a
corridor to the Ft. Bragg line. Racford is
included in the central district.
Children in the central district go to
kindergarten and first grade at J.W.
McLauehlin. There are 171 black
students, 70 Indians and 87 whites. The
teaching staff includes two Indians, nine
whites and five blacks.
Second and third graders at Racford
Elementary this year include 114
whites. 233 blacks and 81 Indians. The
faculty is composed of 12 white
teachers, eight blacks and three Indians.
City Files
Reply To Suit
A reply was filed recently in the clerk
of court's office to the civil lawsuit
being brought by Mrs. Agnes Campbell
against the city.
Raeford attorney Palmer Willcox. in
an affidavit filed March 6, stated that
the city had on Aug. 19, offered to
extend a two-inch water line to the
property line of Mrs. Campbell "using a
more direct and less expensive route
than the proposal by the plaintiff."
That offer is still open, he said.
Mrs. Campbell is suing the city for
water service and a fire hydrant. She is
also asking for a refund of back taxes
that were used to build and maintain
the city water system.
In August she went before the city
council first to ask for water service and
then to ask that her property be
removed from the city limits.
The city council offered to run a line
across property owned by Joe Upchurch
to Mrs. Campbell's home off St. Pauls
Drive. This would save several thousand
dollars, city officials contended. At a
council meeting, Mrs. Campbell said she
did not want the line run across
someone else's property
WJIlcox said Monday that the city has
acquired easements to extend the line
across the Upchurch property.
Children in (he central district attend
South Hoke School for the fourth
through sixth grades, Enrolled are 194
white students. 322 blacks and 114
Indians. Teachers include II blacks,
four Indians and 14 whites.
Scurlock district includes students
northeast of NC 20 to the Cumberland
County line. Students in grades
kindergarten through fifth at Scurlock
School include 250 black children, 25K
whiles and 44 Indians. The faculty is
composed of six Indian teachers. 13
blacks and 10 whites.
West Hoke district includes the area
west of U.S. 401 bounded by the
Lumber River on one side, the Moore
County line and Ft. Bragg on the others.
Grades K through five at West Hoke
include 77 Indians. 103 whites and 217
blacks. The faculty includes 11 whites,
nine blacks and three Indians.
Aulry said that next year all sixth
graders in the county will attend
Raeford elementary.
Autry said lie suspected that the
judge might be referring to the West
Hoke school makeup in his order.
"But I don't know what we can do
about it," lie said. "We could bus more
white children in I guess, but that won't
work because when you do that, you
upset some other district.
Autry said the attendance districts
had all been approved by HEW.
He said he doubted that the makeup
of the faculty, was an issue with 124
white teachers. 26 Indians and 75
blacks.
"That has never been a bone of
contention," Autry said.
The superintendent said he hoped to
learn more about the complaint after
hearing from Congressman Rose.
Inquest Scheduled
In Killing By Deputy
A coroner's inquest into the shooting
death of 48 ? year ? old Angus
Thompson by Deputy Sheriff George
McGuire last Sunday is reportedly set
for next week.
McGuire, 25, has been routinely
suspended with pay from duty pending
the outcome of the inquest.
Sheriff D.M. Barrington issued a
statement Monday describing the
circumstances surrounding the shooting.
According to Barringlon. McGuire
was called to the home of George and
Ilia F.vans on Turnpike Road about 4
P.M. Sunday. Mrs. Evans told McGuire
Thompson, of Rt. 3, had been drinking
and driving \yith a revoked license.
Barrington said that McGuire is
related to both the F.vanses and
Thompsons by marriage.
Mrs. F.vans also staled to McGuire
that Thompson was armed and had
made threats regarding any law
enforcement officer who attempted to
arrest him. Barrington said.
While Mrs. F.vans was talking to
McGuire, Thompson drove into the yard
in a 1974 Comet and parked. Thompson
got out, according to Barrington's
statement, and went to the porch of the
house.
McGuire then approached Thompson
and questioned him about his driving.
McGuire informed Thompson he was
under arrest for driving under the
influence and driving alter revocation.
Thompson pulled out a knife at this
time and the deputy drew his service
revolver, Barrington said. Thompson
went to the parked Comet and
produced a shotgun from the front seat.
Barrington said Thompson turned
and fired one shot at McGuire, who
ducked and began firing from his
revolver. The deputy fired Five shots
before Thompson dropped the shotgun.
Eyewitnesses at the F.vans' home
stated to investigating officers the
shotgun was fired first, before the
deputy fired, the sheriff said.
Thompson was transported by
ambulance to county medical examiner
Robert Townsend where he was
pronounced dead on arrival.
The body was taken to Chapel Hill
and an autopsy performed.
Bairington said he requested an
investigation into the shooting by the
State Bureau of Investigation. Ray
Davis, assistant supervisor for the
Fayetteville office, is in charge of the
case.
"Under the circumstances, I feel
Deputy McGuire acted in self-defense
and did what any other police officer
would do". Barrington said Monday.
Coroner G. Franklin Crumpler said
Tuesday no date has been set for the
inquest, but hinted it may be held
sometime next week.
Crumpler said he has conferred with
District Attorney K.W. (Ed) C.rannis,
but he declined to elaborate.
"I would rather not make any
comment at this time, until the
investigation is complete", he said.
Crumpler said he is awaiting the results
of the autopsy, and also a report from
the SBI.
The coroner added it was his desire to
hold the inquest as soon as possible,
citing "the best interests of all the
parties".
McGurie has been with the sheriffs
department since Dec. 7, 1073.
Barrington said he never had fired his
revolver in the line of duly before.
Right Street, Wrong Way
Police Snarling All Day
By Laurie Telfair
It was an all-day headache for police
as Klwood became Raelord's first
one-way street Monday.
"People can't read or they aren't even
looking at the signs," Police Chief
Leonard Wiggins said, as he watched the
street during a lull between flagging
down cars going the wrong way.
City police stopped dozens of
motorists on the two block section
between Stewart and Magnolia Streets.
Dozens more slipped past to drive the
wrong way down the avenue.
"I've go I three policemen working
this one street," Wiggins wailed. "We've
been here all day, ever since they put up
the signs. We can't do this every day."
The changeover came several days
behind schedule. Originally, the street
was to become a one-way thoroughfare
last Saturday, but City Manager John
Gaddy was notified Friday afternoon by
the state highway department that the
'one-way' and 'do not enter' signs could
not be put up.
The news that the change would be
See WRONG WAY, page 11
Wind Storm Hits City
A violent, tornado - like storm early
Friday morning struck along Bethel
Road, twisting television antennas and
destroying a metal storage building.
The shed, anchored by concrete at
the corners, was swept across the June
Wright's yard and left in a twisled heap
near a line of pine trees. A motorcycle
in the shed was toppled.
A television antenna next door at the
David Quick home was torn down and a
brick sign bearing the school name at
Hoke High was blown over.
A few trees and TV antennas along a
narrow path were knocked down.
According to Wright, the storm hit
about 3:30 Friday morning.
"The house sort of cracked and I
woke up It scared me and I jumped
up." Wright said
"There was a roar and I looked out
and the trees were just laying down
Then all of a sudden, it stopped."
No other damage reported in the
county.
Continuous rain last week accounted
for 2.6 inches of moisture, according to
Robert Ciatlin. Mist and fog shrouded
the county for most of the week, with
some precipitation recorded every day
but Wednesday and Saturday. Rain on
Thursday. Friday and Sunday
accounted for two inches of
precipitation, with .8 recorded on
Thursday. .5 on Friday and another .7
on Sunday
Farm agent Wendell Young said that
so far the rain has caused no damage but
continued rain would be bad for
farmers.
"We're okay with the moisture we've
had so far." Young said. "But we're
getting to the point where more rain
would be bad " Young said corn should
be planted soon and tobacco land
prepared. More tain soon will put
farmers behind schedule.
Story Cites
Wrong
Driver
A News-Journal story about an auto
accident last week erroneously stated
that Mrs. Betty Cribbs was charged by
city police for following too closely
We were wrong. Mrs. Jean Smith Hill
was charged with the offense The
News-Journal regrets the mixup
47 Courses Added At Hoke High
Eorty-seven new courses will be
added at Hoke High next year as part of
a shift to add scheduling flexibility and
increase the emphasis on college
preparation
The vocational curriculum has been
restructured to endou/age building skill
levels and advanced classes have been
added in most areas.
A total of 1 Ob courses will be offered
at the high school next year, Principal
Allen Kdwards said, hive courses being
taught this year will be dropped. These
are pre-algebra. advance physical
education (basketball), introduction to
vocations, government, and home
economics for boys.
The boys' home ec course is a
casualty of the federal ruling that
forbids discrimination in classes,
tdwards said another course, entitled
"Consumer Education and personal
Management for Wage Earners" will be
offered in its place.
One of the changes will mean a longer
school day for many seniors.
lidwards said that seniors will no
longer be dismissed from school early
unless they are enrolled in distributive
education (L>t), industrial cooperative
training OCT) or cooperative office
occupations classes. In cases of
hardship, seniors might also be allowed
to leave early.
Kdwards said, "from these changes,
we hope to develop four things for the
future:
"One, add to our well-rounded
general curriculum those courses that
will allow students to develop skills they
will use in future life.
"Two, offer courses in the junior and
senior year that students will enjoy
taking and will use in everyday life.
"Three, place more emphasis on
college bound students with
supplemental courses to give them
meaningful preparation.
"Four, lay the foundation for
developing semester courses through out
the school in the future."
A number of the new courses will be
restricted to seniors. These are designed
for students who are lacking necessary
eleclives. Edwards said.
New senior courses include advanced
art. photography, sociology, business
law and business economics, office
procedures and office machines and
radio and television service repair.
A reorganized ecology course for
seniors only will replace the ecology
class now being taught.
Seniors may also take a pair of one
semester long courses on government.
The first course will deal with state and
local governments and the second
course will be concerned with national
and international government.
The one semester courses are part of
See COURSES, page 11