Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Sept. 11, 1975, edition 1 / Page 14
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COTTON CANDY - Bonita Edmund gets set to enjoy a man-sized helping of cotton candv after taking a break from the rides at the Raeford Jaycees Carnival on the Armory grounds. CARNIVAL OUTING - The primary trainable class at Mcl.auchlin school and the intermediate trainable class of West Hoke were guests of the Raeford Javcees for a morning of carnival rides. On left are Derrick Holland and Sharon Dcnise Graham, on right are Alex Armstrong. Pam McGee. and Tom Bitty boy. 'ROUND AND ROUND - Carolyn Smith, Cathi Miller, and Sharon Thomas (in foreground) never seemed to tire of their rides at the Raeford Jaycees carnival Tuesday morning. Teachers are Mrs. Larry Phillips and Mrs. Dorothy Riddle and aides Mrs. Dawn Burrows and Mrs. Margaret Parmer enjoyed watching the youngsters' fun. Accent On Agriculture It you have a TV set. a radio, camera or ra/or. chances are parts or all of it came from Japan, our Number I foreign customer for United States farm products. We send her farm products; she sends us electronic equipment. We both benefit from this transaction. Consumers, farmers, workers, investors and business all stand to cam front expanded trade between countries. When products are exchanged on a basis of each country producing the items it can produce tnosi advantageously, consumers get the best product at the lowest price. No one country - not even the United States - can efficiently pioduce every product it needs. During the fiscal year 1975, which ended June 30. agricultural exports reached an all ? time high of S31 .6 billion ? producing a SI2 billion surplus in our agricultural trade. fins SI 2 billion surplus made up deficits of SI 0 billion in nonagricultural uade. giving the United Stales an over ? all favorable balance of trade of S2.2 billion for fiscal 1975. The surplus in agricultural trade the past year has helped to stabilize the dollar, to strengthen our international economic position, and to pay for high ? cost petroleum imports. In addition, this high level of exports was essential to American farmers, who have expanded crop acreage in order to meet world market needs. During the past fiscal year, exports required the [induction from 96 million acres of U.S. cropland -- one out ol every 3-'/5 acres harvested in calendar 1974 The United States does not have a corner on supply, however. We have productive capacity and the capability of handling the product, but we must have access lo the large volume markets of the world. Tar Heel Spotlight A Valiant Heroine Not many wore uniforms, fewer still were found on the battlefields. Yet countless women served valiantly in the Patroit cause during the Revolution. One whose aervice was invaluable was Martha MjpFarlane Bell (Mattie). Nurse, mjdwt?7mesaver, spy -- all describe the young woman who was born and reared in the lower half ol Orange County (now Alamance!. Born in 1735, Martha demonstrated her high sense of duty throughout her younger years. In 1766.she married Col. John McGee, a wealthy landowner and widower with two children. The couple made their home on Sandy Creek, in the northern portion of Randolph County. McGee died about the beginning of the Revolution, leaving Martha with five young children and the richest widow in the county. William Bell, widower, won over the other bachelors and widowers who eagerly sought Martha's hand, and they were married May 6, 1770. From the earliest, Martha supported the Patriot cause. Her heroism and acts of bravery were not merely brief incidents, but covered the entire Revolution "from the day of open hostilities until peace settled on the ramparts of Yorktown." It was said that Martha "feared her Maker and nothing on earth." so it was not unexpected that she took an active part throughout her life in attending to the needs of the sick and needy, going even great distances when called. When war came she did ' not flinch at the unsettled conditions of the area, the bad roads, or highwaymen and renegades from the various armies. Sie was well known among the Tories for her Patriot activities, and her death or capture would have removed a thorn from Tories' sides. Often she was accosted by deserters. At one time, it is said that one of Fanning's men blocked her way on the narrow road, grabbed her bridle, and ordered her to dismount. At that. Martha pulled her pistol and threatened to shoot him dead if he advanced an inch. She took the man prisoner and drove him home at gunpoint, but he later escaped. In 1781, following the Battle of Guilford Court house. Gen Charles Cornwallis camped for two days at the Bell Plantation. He demanded the use of Martha's entire plantation for headquarters and planned to use her mill for grinding com for his army. As he set forth his demands, Martha asked if he intended to burn her house and mill after he no longer had use for them. "Why do you ask?" the general questioned. "Jusl answer, and then I'll explain," the defiant Martha continued. When Cornwallis assured her he did not intend to apply the torch to her property, she explained that she was fully prepared to burn it herself, then and there, to deny him the use of it. During their slay the soldiers plundered the farm, seizing her grain, cattle and whatever else they chose. Later, as one particularly insulting fellow passed her door she wished "his horse would throw him and break his neck." A few minutes later her wish came true as the horse bolted, hurling the soldier down an embankment, where his head was crushed on the rocks. When the army retreated to a neighboring farm, Martha found an excuse to follow them, asking questions of every household along the way. Riding boldly into their camp, wearing her husband's uniform, she complained bitterly of the depredations of the soldiers at her plantation, discovered, she said, "only after they'd left." The information on troop strength and position she'd gained on her ride was invaluable to Gen. Nathaneal Greene. Another time, she rode all night with a Whig to determine Tories' movement, and the information led to Col. Light Horse Harry Lee's successful raid the following night. Her husband feared to stay at his home at night and her own activities kept her in constant danger. Once, Tories burned her barn and its contents, wounded one son and threatened to shoot another because they complained. Tories once threatened the life of Martha's aged father, then visiting. As thev approached the elderlv man with drawn swords, Martha quickly seized a broadaxe, raised it over her head and declared angrily.'Tf one of you touches him, I'll split you down with this axe. Touch him if you dare!" Overawed by her bravery and defiance, the soldiers fled the house, and left her father unharmed. In the fall of 1781, returning from a trip, attempted to sleep under his own roof. Watching Tories, aware of his movements, appeared promptly to hang him. They arrived, found the house securely closed, and decided to bum it. Bell leaned out the window to fire upon them and was immediately knocked unconscious by a Tory blow to his head. Martha aroused their teenaged sons from their beds upstairs and told them to shoot from above, and in a loud voice ordered a servant to rush to the neighbor's to summon "him and the light horse, for the Tories are here." The neighbor had a troop of men at his command, but Mrs. Bell was completely ignorant of their whereabouts. However, her bluff wgs successful - the Tories decided retreat was the wiser course, and once again Martha had saved her family and her home. After peace was declared, Martha continued her career of helping the sick and wounded. She died Sep. 9, 1820, confident she'd helped her country in countless ways. Lumbee River EMC Nominates Directors The four incumbent directors of Lumbee River FMC have been nominated for re-election to the board of directors by die EMC's official nominating committee. The candidates nominated for election for three year terms and dieir director districts are: Eli F. Murray of Rt. 2, Laurinburg. representing Area IX. which contains all of Scotland County, W.B. Branch of Rt. 2, Laurinburg, representing Area III which contains Back Swamp. Smyrna. Britts. Wisharts. Rafl Swamp and Lumberton Townships; Charles Pendergrass ot Rt. 3. Raeford. representing Area VII which contains all of lloke County west of highway 211; and Elias Rogers of Rt. I. Red Springs, who represents an at large directorship. Candidates for directors will be voted upon at the Annual Membership Meeting of Lumbee River EMC which will be held Wednesday. October 15 at 7:00 p.m. at tile Performing Arts Center of Pembroke State University in Pembroke. Red Cross. The Good Neighkoc Join the Payroll Savings Plan. Sftoptfte GREAT STORES at tfSe neuj sfSopp<og crossroods SHOPPIOG CEfTTER , Morganton Rd. at McRhanoo Chofch M.. FayellevWe y / y MOBILE HOMES FOR RENT Complataly Furnished Good Location Phone 875-5151 Day or 875-2117 Night Save Everyday!! HOME FURNITURE CO. Phnnt- (.73 -1332 OPEN ALL DAY E ACH WEEKDAY TEL. 875-4277 NIGHT CALL 875-4419 FARM CHEMICAL, INC. Complete Pest Control Fumigation Service Weed Control & Fertilization ROACHES - RATS - TERMITES P.O. BOX 667 RAEFORO, N.C. From Now to Oct. 31, 1975 A dk Save d>) 1 On These General Electric Appliances During General Electric Factory Sale Days Quantities Are Limited . . . First Come, First Served REFRIGERATOR Big Freezer section no defrosting ever! 15.6 cu. ft. No-Frost Refrigeretor SAVE $50 Modol TBF-16DR "r-s ?grrj?i^. j FREEZER 14.8 cu. ft. Book Shelf Food Freezer SAVE $30 ModoICA 15DR DISH WASHER 25" COLOR TELEVISION SAVE $50 Modol MH 9138 BW SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS ON QTHER MODELS McLauchlin Co. Inc. . McLauchlin Co. 201 n.Mainst. of Rod Springs, Inc. Reeford. N. C.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Sept. 11, 1975, edition 1
14
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