Newspapers / The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, … / Sept. 3, 1964, edition 1 / Page 1
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Open, Monday, Sep,. 7 Sp.ns.red By ???* AWARDS ? PRIZES^ ^ EXHIBITS-CONTESTS^ GAMES ? SHOWS V RIDES ? RACES Preston H. Brown of And rews called our hand this week when we asked "Give us a two word definition for a 'North ern marathon talkathon*. But not as we had planned. Our definition Is "Southern fili buster". Mr. Brown's defi nition is "walkie-talkie". Un doubtedly Mr. Brown did some research in the dictionary for the word marathon means a long talk. Okay, Mr. Brown, we concede. You get the one year free subscription to The Scout we offered. J Our hat's off to Johnny Moore, IS year old son of Mrs. R. A. Martin, of Murphy for his honesty. On his way home from the square dance at the Rock Gym last Friday night Johnny took a short cut through an alley between the New Regal Hotel and Murphy Tire and Appliance Store. After kicking a box that seem ed a little heavy, Johnny in vestigated, to find a new shot gun in the box and took it to the City Police Station. The gun was claimed by the owner Saturday morning. Con gratulations, Johnny, good work. J Mrs. Horace Hembree of Murphy, sister of Miss Tom mie Almond, our bookkeeper, underwent open-heart surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta Wednesday, Sept. 2. After a check with the hospital this afternoon, we learned that she came through the surgery fine. If you would like to send her a card her address if 3rd Floor, West; Room D 343; Emory University Hos pital, Atlanta 23, Ga. J Mrs. Rota Ledford has a unique vine growing beside the Sunset Motel which she al lows must be a "male" water melon vine. Now we don't know the difference between a male and female watermelon vine, but we did go over and take a gander at it. The vine has many blooms and a couple of small melons that are shaped like gourds. Mrs. Ledford said it must be a "male" vine be cause it hasn't borne a full sized watermelon. The vine is really unique in several ways. It came ip voluntarily through a patch of Bermuda grass and flowers. Also the vine came up In 1963, skipped 1963, and made its appearance again this year. Doesn't really look like a watermelon vine to me, but well get a picture of it to show you next week. J Boy, the Baptist Ball Club really tromped on thejaycees In an unscheduled grudge soft ball game last Tuesday night. The Baptist Nine has been screaming for blood for the past several weeks cause we beat 'em so bad before. Well, they took revenge this time scoring 34 runs, behind the pitching of Preacher Bill. It wasn't as bad as it sounds as the Jaycees squeezed out 16 runs of their own. This doesn't really prove anything, for now both clubs have won one game each. I think the sensible thing to do is have a playoff. Scout let Note: I wouldn't have run this story this week since I pitched for the Jaycees, but I was being threatened by Preacher Bill and his ball dub. And I'm skeered of 'em. J We realize that the escape of Sech Gibson and his crimes are very serious business. However, we must pass this little ticfclt on to you. While cohort Red Schuyler and I were downtown having a pot of coffee yesterday morning, we heard the comment that if Sib son wasn't caught by Thurs day morning, authorities should watch the newspaper racks, 'cause they were sure that he woul&i't be able to do without his SCOUT and they could nab him as he made the purchase. J We've been reading a very fine newspaper from down Copperhill way. THE COPPER CITY ADVANCE, and we noticed a weekly column that always and* 'Test la V." Our French Isn't too good, but our Interpretation is "That's life." However, the Namahala Library Informs us that the phrase is spelled "Cest la vie". How about it, fellows, how come the capital V on the end? J It's Fair Time again and the Lions Club promises a big to do with fine exhibits and rides for the kiddles. The Retraction In the August 30 issue of The Cherokee Scout, Lewis Ogle's nunc appeared in Re corder's Court stating that a 90 day sentence had been imposed on him. The editor of The Scout regrets this typographical error. Mr. Ogle^s name should not have appeared in connection with this case. Clothing Fire Fatal To Child Near Murphy MURPHY - A little girl died Friday night, August 28, in a Blair sville, Ga., hospital of burns received Thursday afternoon in her home near here when her clothing caught fire. The child, Martha Tanya Payne, was believed to have been playing with matches. She was a year and a half old. Surviving are the parents, Dennis Victor and Shirley Marie Dack Payne of Blairs ville, Rt. 4, a sister, Bonita Marie; two brothers, Victor Dennis and John Lawrence, all of the home; the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Carrie Payne of Brasstown; and the maternal grandmother, Mrs. lsabelle Deck of Baldwinville, N. Y. Services were held Sunday at 9:46 a.m. in Green Cove Baptist Church with the Rev. C. A. Smith officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Towns on Funeral Home was in charge. Sheriff Raids Still At Uiako MURPHY- Cherokee County sberifi Claude Anderson, assisted by Robert Harness and Vergil Hogsed destroyed on Illegal whiskey still at Un aka, in the Thompson Comm unity, Saturday, August 29. The raid took place about 2:00 p.m. Thirty gallons of white whiskey was destroyed by the officers. According to Sheriff Ander son, the whiskey was in half gallon jars. No arrests have been made at this time. Negro Pupis Are Attending Hhrphy High MURPHY -Negro pupils are attending Murphy High School for the first time, and their entry into the new sphere has been well received, officials said Monday. Of 21 who registered on Aug. 20, 18 have enrolled in the school , which has 600 white students. "They have been received in a fine way," said Supt. Holland McSwain, who commended everybody in volved for the way the inno vation went. Chairman H. A. Mattox of the School Board said Monday that the board voted on July 10 to enroll and Negro pupil who had completed the Tex ana Elementary School. Commissioners To Meet September 14 MURPHY --The Cherokee County Board of Commissi* oners will meet In regular session Monday, September M. The set day for the Com missioners to meet is the first Monday in each month, but due to the first Monday being La bor Day, they will meet Sept. 14. All offices in the Court house will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Hampton Reunion To Be Sunday MURPHY? Hie annual Ha mpton Reunion will be held at the home of the Rev. Mid Mrs. C. A. Smith Sunday, Sept. 6, here la Murphy. , Fair opens Monday, Sept. 1, <o let's all go down and have a ball. We can cry about the money we've spent while we're taking Alka-Seltser for all the hot dogs we 'at. J Dale Lee Dale Lee, Murphy Business Man Dies MURPHY - Dale Lee, 62, of Murphy, died at8:45p.m. Sun day, August 30, in his home. He was a native of Horn beak, Tenn., and came to Mur phy in 1925 with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was a graduate of Horn beak High School and attended Tennessee Tech and the Uni versity of Tennessee. He was a prominent Murphy resident. Mr. Lee had operated the Candler Department Store in Murphy for the past IS years. He was a member of the First Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School superintendent and official board member on a number of occasions. He was active in local and regional Boy Scout activities and in the Murphy Lions Club and in district Lion activities. He served on the Selective Service Board during World War n and the Korean War. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Martha Candler Lee; and his stepfather, Homer Moult rie, of Hornbeck, Tenn. Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in Murphy First Methodist Church. The Rev. Clark Benson, the Rev. William J. Thompson and the Rev. R. A. Potter offi ciated and burial was in Sun set Cemetery. Active pallbearers were H. L. McKeever, H. A. Mattox, Bob White, John Gill, Harry Bishop and Dick Ramsey. Honorary pallbearers were the Murphy Lions Club, mem bers of the Men's Bible Class of the First Methodist Church, Dr. B. W. Whitfield, John Donley, Edgar Harshaw, Fair Hamby, and Frank Forsyth. Ivie Funeral Home was in charge. NEEDLES- DRUGS consflcated, along with ? 1964 Falcon station wagon, when a couple was arrested here Monday, August 31. Florida Pair Arrested On Narcotics Charge MURPHY- An Atlanta de tective, employed by ?Miami, Fla., bonding company, arres ted Jess Walls, 46, on charges of leaving Miami while under a $3,500 bond. Walls had been placed under bond while await ing trial on a charge of ill egal possession of narcotics. S. B. L Agent M. G. Craw ford and Cherokee County Sheriff Claude Anderson arr ested Ruby Walls after a search of the couple's car revealed a quantity of drugs, hypodermic syringes, and lo aded 30-30 and 33-30 calibre rifles. Mrs. Walls has been rele ased from Cherokee County jail on a 91,500 bond, posted by her family. Preliminary hearings was waived and she was bound over to the November term of superior court. The 1964 Falcon station wa ?on and its contents were cori I seated. Official* of Miami transpo rted Mr. Walls back to Flo rida Monday evenly, August 31, to face charges of Illegal possession of narcotics and skipping a 93,500 bond. It was disclosed today that the couple had been camping on Lake Hlwaasee Camp ground in a tent since Aug ust & ? 5CCC????^>5C<5CC?^5?C?C<5C<5CCCC<5<?5?X5CCX5CCCCCCCCCr5<?5eWCC^^ Search Narrows To Ranger Section For Escaped Rapist MURPHY-- A hard search for Seth Gibson, 39 year-old escaped convict suspected of raping two women in Chero kee County, and attempted rape of a third woman, cont inued Wednesday, September 2, with local law enforcement officers, Peachtree Prison Unit guards, and guards from the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Prison Units west of Raleigh aiding in the search. It has been reported that the search for Seth Gibson has been moved 11 miles west of Murphy on U. S. 64. The re port to prison officers that an unidentified family fed Seth Gibson a meal about 4:30 Wed nesday afternoon. The fam ily said they fed him because they were afraid. Then they immediately notified authori ties as soon as he left. Officials cling to the bel ief that Gibson, a trusty at the Cherokee County prison farm, is still hiding out in the vicinity. The search has been cent ered In the Peachtree section of Cherokee County, about five miles from Murphy. Gibson had served 14 years of a 40 year sentence when he walked away from the pri son Camp, Gibson alledged ly raped two women in sight of the prison fences, and att empted to rape a third. Victims were an elderly lady, 72, who is a widow and lives alone. According to off icials aiding in the search, Gibson gained entry to Mrs. West's home on the pretext of selling Indian arrowheads. After entering, he drew a knife and threatened to cut the la dy's head off if she resisted or tried to call for help. After attacking her, he tore strips from her dress, tied her up, then railed for her next-rinnr neighbor to come over. When the neighbor, a 26 years old mother of a six week old baby, arrived, he threaten ed her with the knife, then at tacked her. Meanwhile, the elderly lady had managed to free herself. She grabbed a flashlight and began fighting Gibson, who fled, leaving his prison cap and knife. Gibson proceeded on his way and his next stop was about a quarter of a mile from the West home. A lady was in her yard, and when Gibson tried to attack her, she fou ght and screamed, and he fled again. Prison officials stated to day that this was the last de finite time that Gibson had been seen. Bloodhounds from the prison were unable to fol low- his tracks due to heavy rains over the area Saturday night, August 29, and early Sunday morning. Both victims were admitted to Murphy General Hospital. Major R. K. Hayes, district superintendent of prisons, said Gibson was last seen Sat urday afternoon, but believes he is still in this area. Gibson's record with the law and prison sentences began in 1943 when he was 18. He was convicted on three counts of public drunkeness and senten ced to 90 days in prison. He was released on March 14 of that year but was return ed to jail 18 days later for a four-month term for damage to public property. Those were his first arrests of record. Five years later, at 23, he was arrested, tri ed, convicted and sentenced to die for the capital offense of rape. His victim was a 10 year-old Gaston County girL. On September 6, 1948, the giri was rapea in a woooec area near West Cramer ton. A day later, Gaston Sheriff Hoyle T. Eflrd disclosed that he had charged Gibson with the crime. ? Gibson was convicted Sep tember 22, 1948, of the crime and sentenced to the gas cham ber . The Supreme Court upheld the sentence, and he was scheduled to die Decem ber 10. On Dec. 9. Gov. Cherry said his decision on a poss ible commutation of the sent ence hinged on a sanity re port by Dr. David Young, superintendent of the state mental hospitals. The girl's parents, Sheriff Efird, and Judge J.A. Rous seau urged the man's life be spared and Gov Cherry com muted tlie sentence to life one day before Gibson was to die. Gibson escaped from a camp in Macon County July 31, 1951, and made his way to Tampa, Fla., where he was recaptur ed there Oct. 16 and re-enter ed In a North Carolina prison Nov. 9, 1951. In June, 1953, he again es caped from a Jackson County prison and fled to Englewood, Tenn., where relatives re sided. He was recaptured on July 13. July 12, 1954 saw Gibson on the run again, escaping from the Macon unit. He was re captured three days later and was sentenced to 6 additional months for this escape, which was something of a technical ity considering his life-time sentence. On September 10, 1959, Gov. Luther Hodges reduced Gib son's life sentence to a 40 year term. Fifteen months after that he was granted parole and left prison to live in Spindale in Ruther ford County and later tran sferred to Polk County. Gibson operated a shoe repair shop In Columbus during the summer of 1961 and also remarried. Almost one year after he was paroled, Gibson was sent back to prison, his parole re voked December 15, 1961. Gibson was tried in the June 25 term of Polk Super ior Court in 1962 and con victed of assault with attempt to commit rape, a charge made by his mother-in-law. His parole Was revoked and he was sentenced to serve two to five years, with the sentence to begin at the ex piration of the 40-year sent ence. Sometime during the past six months (prison records do not show exactly when,) Gib son filed a writ of habeas corpus for a judicial review of his case on grounds he was being wrongfully held. No action had been taken when he , escaped. How Gibson earned honor grade status in view of his past record is uncertain. A spokesman for the Peachtree Prison Unit stated that this promotion was by Central Classification Committee in Raleigh. Thirty-nine years old, Seth Gibson, Jr., is of slight build, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 129 pounds and has a ruddy face, light brown hair and brown eyes. He also has a tatto on his left hand. Telegram To Governor Sanford (EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a telegram to Terry Sanford, governor of North Carolina, written by Harry C. Bagley in behalf of the citizens of Western North Carolina, North Georgia, and East Tennessee. Money to pay for the telegram was also do nated by the citizens of this locality.) Dear Governor Sanford: You have probably received many letters and wires al ready from citizens of this area who are alarmed over the recent escape of Seth Gibson, a convicted rapist, from Peachtree Prison Camp. How ever, we wish to convey to you our own great concern about this matter. First of all we wish to point out that we are aware that you, too, are gravely concerned about this unfortunate incident as we knowyou are at all times when unpleasant events occur anywhere in our state. We also realize that in these waning days of your adminis tration perhaps, there will not be very much you can accom plish in making changes to prevent a recur ranee of like incidents. Nevertheless we respectfully urge that you use your powers and great influence to the extent to which you are able, in order to bring about the necessary changes in prison security for dangerous felons. Seth Gibson was originally sentenced to death for rape. This sentence was sub sequently commuted to forty years in prison. Some two months ago he was transfer red to Peachtree Prison Unit SETH GIBSON . . .Escapee as an "honor grade" prisoner and allowed, apparently, to roam about at will outside the confines of the prison. A few days prior to his de parture from the cornfield where he was supposed to be working, he was alleged to have been down on the Hiwas see River bank where he hailed two young boys who were float ing by on inner tubes. He sent these youngsters to contact a man who was a former prison inmate with Gibson, with a re quest that he meet him there. Also, some few days, it is reported, prior to his escape, he allegedly poisoned the pri son bloodhounds with rat poison. Then when he walked away last Saturday, he attacked two women within sight of the pri son fence, one of whom was a seventy year old 1 lady, the other a young mother of a six weeks old baby. A third, but unsuccessful, attempt was made on a middle-aged lady. Naturally, when something like this happens, all decent citizens become understand ably alarmed over the laxity of prisoner security. We understand the need of rehabilitation for prisoners in order that they may one day return to society as re sponsible citizens. However there is a question in our minds whether this program of rehabilitation should include such complete freedom of movement for felons who have been convicted of such major crimes as was Seth Gibson. Western North Carolina, North Georgia, and Eastern Tennessee citizens would be Continued Back Page SEPTEMBER M Mi. II n ID II UI 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Live Modern With Low Cost LP Gas En|oy th? pleasures of today'* ? ?dam convonloncoc, powtr i ?d by LP go*. Call u* (or dol Ivory. SMOKY MOUNTAIN GAS, INC MISS SEPTEMBER Mist Karen Co vendor, daughter ?f Mr. owd Mrs. CKorlss Covandar Murphy, N. C.
The Cherokee Scout (Murphy, N.C.)
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Sept. 3, 1964, edition 1
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