v First, Sec
yfii* all the
jJcH IT GROW !
20 PAGES
\XX ^
POLK COUNTY? The Gateway of Western North Carolina
Five Cents Per Copy
Tryon, N. C., July 23, 1925
$1.50 a Year
2|N of TAX EQUALIZATION j
I major feature of mill spring
meeting jifjolk county club
Dea^s Resolution Requesting Reassessment and Reval
p0ik County Property Which Has Endorsement of
Next feting at Iso-Thermal Hotel In Rutherford- |
ton Tuesday August 18
ils hung on the mountain tops and the long
1 , r t . t ,! dozens ofautomobLles scurried along the road
Tuosday eveD ing, the occupants intent on being
^ V ' .. monthly meeting of the Polk County Club, held in
l' u\ < t, ? ?ndcr the auspices of the Masonic Lodge of that
Jill ?
$ _ . :i. Columbus, Saluda, Green's Creek and Cooper
, .. rii, Mill Sprii ig representation.
lSo:.""'
a2lj tt .! ! ared supper
\!r. M . Voorheis
,.K,r .. . of the vicin
'v-.tj auditorium af
T. i- Jus
T-v<v:
4 - I
^ ;jjr a j ? :? t n joyed fried
? Wii. ??? - corn, bis
^ (j.jjt-r deis\ Av i -s not usually
, bill-of-fare of a hotel,
^ r:a; \V HIanton opened
r
S '-i* u- MM Spring
uiiutf u'-k o! l^'^Pitality wel
jfc- r.t-ui!'<r? to his town.
lr,:j K^rton and Miss Car
yr.dt:- several vocal
L.r; v : ,i> : : voice, accom
L jv J'.:::'' Voorheis.
H" S (Ire^a, of Tryon,
Jjii t!.< <\>:;uuiit<'e on Tax
t County government, read
toz drawn 'i;? by that com
t. 3'.!'Jre^- ' t(? the Board
|&;v r.'::;ini--ioiiers recojn
radical changes in
? >t?>m assessing and
iv > :ti l\.lk County.
recommended a
.i!i personal and real j
l-? uiity based on its j
t "Hi of the realm,
" i"- fixed by a sal- j
? r ii.'i nut by the proper? ,
1 i.' i>ren done here-to j
ops and Pennants
pitted By Eisles to
laks Lanier Supporters
End Pleasing Novelties Dis
i) Management ot Tryoo's
tag Resort Development
|
of Tryon Devel- j
a.t:. bitious to make I
^ familiar household
?id -fiue original and
?? t 'p made which will j
Hi: uz room or "den" 01
?-is handsome home. These j
<-:t out de3igns of;
a? a:.J iak?- in soft colors
u.v natural scenery
^ 'ii- ta< kmound. Pen
'?*? w ith artistic; em- i
F'"1' i n i been issued. I
p :? ..r this site as 1
ri>: year ago? a I
? r . and a hillside j
i r- , Uilessiy inarver
v-a:..- .vrnui^ht in a few
5 Xq'-v ,
, '! r year, when
r -
- - ???? - an q cozy bungalows
T ' 'h n*' Ji"'* overlooking
- -? or:- can more
? at.- >. bur vision, faith,
k. ?- can do for a
?.*?,. .
l. ' ? ? ii ''t-ueration was
r. it. only slogan
1 i'aradise."
pfo Crippled
In Saluda
Augjst Eighth
* ? . . ?'? i3 to be a
i ( : ('hi,!'jren at Sa
!*i-. () u> fj ? -Miller from
, l ' ''ospital will
.. ' :,'t ? xarnine the
. . ' '"te and col
*e^,; "U years of
1 1; -"-'I ? The de
,.u '' ul 'Hiportance
' , " ,J 8 parr
E1*^, *jji |JUI T'' ' inters, we
^ X*E\\' ? k*' ! t;' ^oP^rate
'k ^ ?, *?? ij Juncing it
^ 1 '' '^formation
^ .:r, at all-day
iji,; lodge
3 5ij j,, ' r f,,lk asriem
r%H ' 01 ; 11 '"fortunate
? ^ H f! utment and
'} , ' " tbe name
1 "? *?!.
^ ar.jr( ' send the
IV, it " Mr. Ira C.
^lu, K. ?
fore. It recommended that the law ,
as written be strictly enforced, while j
condemning that section of the law
which imposes taxes on mortgages,
notes and bank deposits as double
taxation.
Property Valuation Too Small, Tax j
Rate To0 High
That the property valuation of the j
county is entirely too small and that
the assessment is too high was as
Iserted. Equalization must come" be
fore Polk County can take its right
. ful place in the rankg of progressive
communities was asserted.
The resolution while under discus
sion drew the fire of B. L. Ballenger
of Tryon who stated that he believed
the taxation on mortgages and notes
was hurting the growth of the com
munity for while investors could get
eight percent interest in South Caroli
na and Florida they were limited to
six percent by law in this State, and
if they paid an additional two per
cent tax they would naturally enough
prefer putting their money into gov
ernment bonds thus robbing the far- I
mer of the financial support he so i
badly needs at times and delaying
building of all kinds in the towns.
He questioned the chairman regard
ing the evasion of such taxes.
Mayor Green referring the inquiry
to Erwin W. Thompson of Saluda,
That gentleman stated that such tax
es were being evaded every year ?
but that with a salaried assessor on
the job evasion would cease. Right
or wrong it was the law to tax such
paper, and until the law was repealed
it should i>e collected from every res
ident holding such securities.
J. B. Hester, Cashier of the Bank
of Tryon, questioned the taxing of
bank deposits, stating that such de
posits would be removed to other
states during the period of assessment
tQ evade taxation if the law was en
forced. Mr. Thompson asserted
that such deposits could be taxed
wherever found, in or * out of the
state.
Fred W. Blanton, Cashier of the
Polk County Bank and Trust Com
pany, also attacked the fairness of
the tax on bank deposits as double
taxaction . ?
R B Peattie of Tryon Complains
of High Rates
R. B. Peattie of Tryon stated that
the present tax rate was confiscatory
when actual valuation was returned
citing his own case where his home
returned at a valuation of $5000 is
taxed at the rate of $15 per month,
while another piece of property in
the same vicinity held at a higher
price is taxed on a valuation of only
$1000. Mr. Peattie said unless re
lief was given he would sell his
Tryon holdings .
Upon the suggestion of Charles J.
Lynch, the resolution. was tabled
for further-discussion at the Green
Creek meeting in September.
Miss Esther Glbbs gave a selected
reading delineating an old negro
who wanted a railroad ticket and
wouldn't tell the station agent where
he wanted to go, which caused a
roar of laughter. MiSg Gibbs who
is a teacher in tlie Greens Creek
School and the daughter of J. H.
BREAKING INTO THE BIG LEAGUE
By A. B. CHAPIN
Polk County Sunday
School Association Meets
| ? , 'At Columbus Aug. 1 -2
| R. N. Hunter of Greens Creek, Presi
| ' dent, Esther Gibbs, of Mill Spring
31 Secretary, to Map Out Extensive
Program
Workers from all Sunday Schools
of all the denominations in the coun
ty are expected to attend the annual
convention of the Polk County Sun- l
day School Asssociation, which has
been announced for Saturday and
| Sunday, August 1 and 2 at the Bap
tist Church, Columbus.
Representing the North Carolina ,
Sunday School Association in the
Convention will be Mr. D. YYr. Sims, !
of Raleigh, and Miss Freda Bose, of
New Orleans^ La. These speakers j
are well known in the Sunday School j
world, having had years of practical ,
experience in the work with Sunday !
schools both large and small. There
will also be on the program a number |
of prominent pastors, superintendent i
and other Sunday School workerg in 1
the county.
Plans and program for the conven
tion are being worked out by R. N.
Hunter^ President, and Esther Gibbs
Secretary of the County Sunday
School Association. These officers
have announced that again this year
a pennant will be presented to the
Sunday School in the county having
present in the convention the largest
number of representatives sixteen
years of age and over, according to j
the number of miles traveled. Any
Sunday School in tthe county is ele
igible to compete for the pennant ex
the Sunday School with which the
convention is held and others within
one mile of the convention church.
It is expected that there will be much
friendly competition among the Sun
day Schools for the pennant.
o
Gibbs of Mill Spring, is an accom
plished musician which she demon
strated by playing several selections
which immensely pleased the au
dience.
Rev. T. L. Justice sang "My Wild
Irish Rose" to his own accompani
ment displaying good technique and
training. The number wa8 heartily
applauded.
J. R. Saras, explained the present
situation in the county from a farm
ing angle, ? and urged those present
to do what they could t0 help and
encourage those farmers who have
sifffered from the long continued
drought.
'Miss Mae Irene Flentye stated
that the prize lists of the Rutherford
County fair had been opened to Polk
County residents who were urged to
display their products in our sister
city this fall.
A resolution fixing the next meet
ing for Rutherfordton at the Iso
Thermal Hotel was made and passed
the meeting to be held jointly with
the Rutherford County Club. Every
member was urgently requested to
attend .
The next regular meeting will be
hqld at Greens Creek In September.
r
gWould Rule Chicago*
Mrs. Johanna Grew, member of
Chicago School Board, thinks the
second city needs a maskipal
housekeeper to "deaoniik" She
has the party suppoiVand is out
for the Republican nomination as
mayor. A rapid fixe campaign is
xlanned.
Greens CreeK Fanner
Issues String of Very
Unique Challenges
John Weaver, Well Know Polk County
Fiddler Claims Biggest Trees, Best
Collection of Indian Relics, aud Is
sues Defiance to Fiddiers
Our old friend, John Weaver of
Greens Creek township, made this
office a pleasant call Saturday morn
ing, gringing with him a boquet of
(jeautiful flowers for which Mrs.
^Veaver is noted, and which seemed
like a nosegay from the Garden of
Eden when our own growing things
are dried uP an(l pulverized into dust
John has issued a challenge ? three
of them to be exact? and the columns
of the NEWS will be open to all
comers to take up his banters. In
the first place, Mr. Weaver is known
to be one of the best fiddlers in the
state^ and his r<>ndition of "Arkansas
Traveler" with monologue is a rare
treat to those who have been fortu
nate enough to hear him. He chal
lenges any fiddler to a contest in
this particular number, fiddler to live
east of Bird Mountain, and excludes
blind or left handed fiddlers.
The second challenge is one that
should appeal to every lover of prim
itive nature, particularly to those
wh0 feel a deep concern for the rap
idly vanishing forests of our moun
tains. Mr. Weavers claim is that he
has the greatest variety Of the big
gest trees covering the smallest area
of any man in this section. In this
particular woods on the Weaver farm
are trees which have, in some way
escaped the wocdsman's axe.
The third challenge has to do with
an unusually large and rare collec
tion of Indian relics, gathered from
the mounds and valleys of Greens
Creek. These relics are valuable
from a collectors viewpoint, owing
to the splendid condition and variety
of articles. Mr. Weaver is a naan
of pleasing personality,- and very hos
pitable, and is always glad to show
visitors around the farm and woods^
and will be pleased to show his cu
rioB to those really interested.
! Rock Spring Church
| Home Coming Day
Attracts Many Vistors
Pleasing Program, interesting Sermon,
and Splendid Dinner Feature Affair at
Historic Old Church. Singing Ex
ceptionally Good
The drought and heat of last
Sunday kept many away who would
otherwise have attended the "Home
coming" meeting at Rock Springs
Baptist Church, which was, in pur
pose, the initial meeting of a series
of revival sermons preached by Rev.
J. W. Brown during this week.
In spite of the weather, Dy eleven
o'clock a goodly crowd had gathered
in the church grounds, some coming
from a distance bringing their fami
lies and well filled baskets to enjoy
a well earned day of rest, to meet old
friends and to hear the splendid
sermon delivered by their pastor .
A song service was held before
preaching, the clioir being led by Mr.
W. H. Ledbetter, and the splendid
voices filled the church with Old
time songs that will never grow old.
In his sermon, Mr. Brown touched
on evolution, also on the early his
tory of his family who were true pio
neers of Polk County and in early
dayg owned a large acreage in Coop
er Gap township. Aged and young
alike seemed to enjoy the discourse.
At the noon hour, baskets were open
ed, and benches in the shady yard
were spread with snowy linen, and
the abundance of delicious food of
fered was a treat indeed. Fried
chicken, flaky buttermilk biscuit,
dainty sandwiches of home made
bread, home cured ham, jellies, pick
les, pies and cakes all attested to the
high class cooking for which the
women of Polk , County are noted,
and one felt the hospitality genuine
and whole hearted.
The meeting again called to order
singing was resumed, Mr. Ledbetter
being assisted by Mr. A. A. Ed
wards of Columbus. A splendid
quartette consisting of Mr. W. H.
Ledbetter, Mr. O. D. Early, Mr. W.
G. Egerton of Mill Spring, and Mrs.
G. W. Whiteside, of Lavonia, Ga.,
who is visiting relatives, sang a
lovely hymn. In another number
Mrs. W. H. Ledbetter sang. Their
voices were good and blended in
pleasing harmony.
At three o'clock those from a dis
tance departed for their homes, feed
ing that the day had been well |
spent indeed, and will carry with
them for another year pleasant mem
ories of the Homecoming Sunday at
Rock Spring in 1925.
Uncle Bill Stearns Viiorously
Denies Military Appellation
In a recent issue we stated that
Colonel William H. Stearns would re
build Mimosa Casino into a modern
small resort hotel.
"Uncle Bill" say8 he never was a
kernel in any man's army, although
his brother wore shoulder straps
bearing the sliver eagle.
"I've been called "Skyuka Bill,"
''Mimosa Bill" and "Uncle Bill"* with
out a kick, but at this I balk."
IT IS PLANNED TO COT OFF LIQUOR
SUPPLY AT SOORCE AND MACHINERY
ENFORCEMENT FACES GIGANTIC TASK
Brig. General Andrews In Complete Charge, Eliminates State Lines
By Creating Twenty-Two Federal Zones. Has Support of Pres
ident and Press Who Are Actively Interested in the Sup
pression of Illegal Traffic
Enforcement of the prohibition law isnow squarely before the
American people and in complete charge of the Federal authorities.
The plan of enforcement, effective August 1, has been carefully
thought out; the machinery has been provided, and the man t0 whom
the country looks for action is definitely in the saddle. Today there
are just two questions in the public miud, the first, whether Brigadier
General L. C. Andrews will prove capable of enforcing the law ? , if
not, then is it possible to enforce thelaw under any circumstances?
Unquestionably Gen. Andrews has
a stupendous task ahead of him, but
he is not lacking moral support any
more than he lacks complete con
trol. President Coolidge unques
tionably ia determined to have the
law enforced if it be possible to en
force it. Secretary Mellon is no
less determined to put an end to
the liquor traffic, and the press gen
erally throughout the country stands
strongly in favor of law enforce
ment. Even those newspapers with
wet tendencie8 stand as a unit in in
* New Dry Drive i
Brig.-Gen. 1? C. Andrews, As
sistant-Sec'y of the Treasiky, who
August 1st puts into effect a new
system of prohibition enforce
ment. Disregarding state lines,
the nation will be divided into 22
districts and divisional heads giv
en supreme authority to stop
drink "at the source."
Lynch's Lake Will
Open As Girl's Camp _
"During TteTunier
Camp Fire Girls . and Girl Scout Units
from Rutherford County to Arrive on
August 11th.
Mr. C. J. Lynch, owner ot Lynch's
Lake, has tendered the use of his
aplendid camp- and bathing equip
ment for the opting of girl scouts and
camp fire girls from Rutherford
county.
The first group of girls to come
will be from Ellenboro, under the
chaperonage of Rev. and Mrs. O. C.
Huston) of the Ellenboro Presbyter- 1
ian church, and will arrive for a
week's stay on August 11.
There wll be other groups and Mr.
Lynch has demonstrated his interest
in Tryon by offering the use of his
splendid camping site and surround
ing ideal outdoor environment.
The Boy Scout camp at. the head
of Lake Lanier is now populated by
Scouts from Augusta, Ga., Macon,
Gastonia, and Shelby. A troop of
fine boys from Forest City arrived
Monday.
There is no reason why girls or
ganizations may not be attracted to
the fine sight Mr. Lynch has to of
fer.
o .
Soiling Springs Nine
Defeats Greens Creek
In Sizzling Exhibition!
Boiling Springs played Greens j
Creek Saturday afternoon and admin- 1
istered a 7 to 1 defeat to the Tar
Heels. Byrd, the moundsman for
Boiling Springs was in ueellent form
fanning eighteen mep and allowing
but one hit. He was given jam up
support by hif teammates.
The lineup was as follows: Boil
ing Springs: Cantrell, If; Ralph High
2b; Noion, rf; W. Ezell, cf, Bright,
Henderson, ss; Lockman^ c, Byrd, p,
Lane, lb.
Greens Creek; Lawter, lb; Swain^
If; Shields, 3b, Thomson, 2b; Har
den p, J. McDowell rf, Hines, c; J.
D. Swain cf; Hines, 3b.
sisting that the law should be en
forced as long as it is the law .
General Andrews' plan of creating
twenty-two Federal zones which
wipe out state lines, ig expected in
some quarters to he the keynote of
successful enforcement. In other
quarters the plan is regarded with
alarm as giving evidence of further
enroachment on the rights of states
and the liberities of the people.
"Thus far have we gone in the de
termined plan to create a new auto
cracy in the hitherto land of the
free." says the CdVumbia, S. C.,
Record. "All that has preceded this
gigantic extension of police powers
of the federal government has been
the merest child's play. But what
is happening is just as the Record,
five years ago, predicted would hap
pen. The end i8 not yet."
What States Will Not Do, Govern
ment Must
Quite a different view is expressed
by the Philadelphia Inquirer which
approves the abolition of the state
directors.
"It may be argued that all this
meang an increase in federal power
at the expense of the states" says the
Injuirer, "but, as the President point
ed out recently, what the states wilX
noUcio the federa', uovernnypt must
do. The? enforcement ?eral law
Is cleat!}* % within its provfcu-.e, more
particular!^!! tMb tV?o unpopu
lar in som^onHftuniii?: that local
offcials are local feeling,"
The Washington ' Star says the
slowness an4"^!0Bl?ncy of the courts
is respuLisitfle for the failui of pro
hibition to date.
"Enforcement is possible," says
the Star. "It is upon that principle
that the Treasury Department's new
organization hay been planned. In
tegrity on the part of enforcement
officers of all degrees is an essential
I has never been believed to be im
possible to organize an honest, loyal
force. Ilypocracy and infidelity are
not dominant characteristics of the
American people.''
W hatever may be the result of the
Andrews plan at least the country is
promised to compel obedience to tho/
law of the land, and bring an end to
the mockery that exists particularly
in the big cities. Political consid
erations, we are told are now elimi
bos8 be able to'march to court and
obtain leniency or immunity for
friendly violators of his constitution.
Plus the elimination of politics
a rapid and determined drive is to
be made to stop the sources of sup
ply, importation and diversion of le
gally manufactured and stored alco
hol.
Won't Waste Time On Small-Fish
Bootleggers
It has been shown that sporadic as
saults on the individual bootlegger,
^aids on small dispensers, and gun
ning after petty offenders is futile^
serving only to make the law en
forcing powers a laughing stock.
Control of the sources of supply
will necessarily eliminate the little
fellow8 from the scene of law viola
tion without further action. They
cannot sell the booze they cannot ob
tain.
"Uncle Sam means business," says
the Cleveland Plaindealer, whose ed
torial calls uPon the states and local
communities to carry their share of
the burden of enforcement.
0
George Alexander Simpson
Decides To Reside in Tryon
Mr. Ge< . ' ? A. Simpson, formerly
of Pittsburg, but who has been
spending the la&t few weeks in Sa
luda, has leased the Simmons resi
dence, and with Mrs. Simpson will
make Tryon their home. Mr. Simp
son who was connected with, the
big steel interests in Pittrfhurg, is
now associated with the Blue Ridg<
Development Company ofners of
Rixhaven, and his new duties this
week. These estimable people will
be welcome to the social and civic
Ufa of Tryon.