Many Black Mountain Stores will be Closed for two-day holiday - Christmas Day, December 25, and Friday, December 26.
Weather DEC?5 1952
Date High Low Pree.
Dec. 18_63_28
Dec. 1!)_59_28
Dec. 20_52_34 T
Dec. 21_42_35 .10
ruacK mountain - bwannanoa - Ridgecrest - Montreat - Blue Ridge — Broad River
Oteen
VOL. 8, NO. 17
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1952, BLACK MOUNTAIN, N. C.
8 PAGES TODAY
5c PER COPY
REFLECTIONS
By Jack Greenwood
Kenneth Fortune received his
Black Mountain News less than
a month after his mother sub
scribed for it here. Kenneth is _
serving with the army security
agency in Korea.
—R—
According to information re
ceived from Worth Burgess on
Saturday morning (when this is
being written) he and his party
of hunters have killed two bears
in the eastern part of the state.
On other hunts this fall Mr.
Brui'i has always managed to
escape but this time he has not
been so fortunate.
—R—
What bright young lady around
Black Mountain still has a red
face over something that hap
pened some lime ago?
At ihe mee'ing of her club she
heard several "good” stories. At
lea .-he thought the;, were good
enough to remember, so wrote
them down to retell to hubby. The
following evening she was pre
siding at the meeting of another
club, reached in her purse and
pulled out her speech — but it
wasn’t her speech. It was the
notes she had made of the juicy
stories the night before. She had
almost told a couple of them be
fore she realized her mistake.
—R—
if you don't read "Western
Star", official newspaper of the
Western North Carolina Sana
torium, you're missing some
thing. Published every two
months, the Star has enough
wise cracks and human interest
stories to satisfy even the most
critical city editor.
As an example of the wit
found there in the current is
sue just published Edna Guyton
is credited with saying that she
didn't vote for Eisenhower be
cause when the last Republican
was President "you couldn't
even get on the chaingang."
There are many more classics
just as good to be found in
the well edited eight page
paper which they publish.
—R—
The Masonic banquet at picture
sque Assembly Inn at Montreat
Friday night was something to be
remembered. There were some
funny incidents, such as some one
“welcoming” Dr. J. Rupert Mc
Gregor, assembly president, to
Montreat.
But the more than 100 Masons
and their guests who attended
will not soon forget the review of
Masonry by George PemieJ!. Many
called it one of the best annual
meetings anti the mood of the
crowd seems to indicate that the
feeling was widespread.
The hospitality of the Montreat
folks, the excellent turkey dinner,
and the spirit of the season all
combined to make this one of
the most enjoyable meetings ever.
George Pennell, past master of
the Mt. Hermon Lodge in Ashe
ville, told the story of Masonry
so that it could be understood
by everyone. There was not a
sound from the crowd during his
entire talk and most seemed sor
ry when he wrapped up his part
of the program with the story of
the circus canvasman who was
killed as the show closed one
night. The following afternoon
every act outdid itself to carry
on for the man who was not
j'around to see the show.
§g Relating an incident that hap
•t IW^npH Hnrincf tho War Rotumon
/ pened during the War Between
'the States, Mr? Pennell told of
how the Asheville Lodge, at that
time the old one in Western
North Carolina, sent a committee
find out how many Masons
'e among the Yankee prisoners
Id in the Buncombe county jail,
in hearing the report of the
imitte the Lodge members ap
-*r ->Priated all the money in the
: treasury but six dollars and in
i
dividual members hauled in hams, !
read, and clothing for the pris
iners.
{
Sgt. J. A. Anderson is now
i serving with the air force in
j Korea. A note received this
| week said he would like to hear
’from his friends here at home.
Sgt. Anderson is the son of
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Anderson
; of Black Mountain. His address
■ is: Sgt. J. A. Anderson, A. F.
14262615, 403 Supply Squadron,
j A.P.O. 75, c/o Postmaster, San
fFrancisco, Calif.
—R—
Kittens can pick the strangest
paces to hide—at least Mr. and
Irs. Robert Hauth think so. One
lay last week they lost their cats,
they could hear them crying but
Wouldn’t seem to locate their hid
ag place.
The following morning Bob got
l*p early and built a fire in the
Kook stove. He noticed that the
flame was slow in catching and
used a fan to help it along. Sud
denly, the fire went boom, smoke
and flame went up the chimney
and the Hauths heard a wild
[scrambling as something tumbled
iown the chimney into the soot
box.
They cautiously opened the lid
and found two shiny noses and
four bewildered eyes staring out
|at them.
Yes, Bob had found the cats.
iThey had been hiding in the
Jchimney all the time, having, it
Ps supposed, climbed up the side
l°f the house and crawled down
(where it was warm. <
—R—
What Black Mountain woman
made up what she had intended
to be a fruit cake last week
and put it in the oven to bake.
"As she was resting and licking
—Turn to Page 5
Two Thousand Years Ago
lORE than two thousand vest's ago, three Wise Men followed the Star
of Bethlehem to a manger . . . the humble birthplace of Him who was to
bring a new spirit into the World . . . the spirit of "Peace on Eearth, Good
Will to Men." Today, as in all the years between, that spirit lives on in
the hearts and minds of all mankind . . . calling us to lift our hearts anew
with the courage and hope of His message.
We join the community in saying Merry Christmas! Our prayer and
hope is that this will be the greatest holiday season ever for each of you.
For your more than generous support of our efforts, for your kindness
and understanding, and for your encouragement which has meant so
much to us all, we say thank you.
This is our seventh Christmas in your community—our community. You
have made it our greatest. We appreciate it.
BLACK MOUNTAIN NEWS
"Buncombe County's Outstanding Weekly"
MftKMtftMftKfcMlMii
Town Dons Best Preparing
For Opening Of Gay Holiday
Public Invited To View Christmas Scene
M»S)St3iS:»9:3.a)3>at3l3t2i3>SiSi293ia!S&.3i
Shown here with his son Skipper looking over his Christmas
layout, is William Hummer of Lakey street. The layout is composed
of a 4-track railway, complete with freight station, four unit diesel
engine, and 15 loaded freight cars. The track has four switches
and three uncoupling ramps. There are 554 miniature crossties,
cut to size and stained. Surrounding the entire track is a,complete
telegraph system with wire, and poles. Mr. Hummer used approx
imately 250 feet of wire and 144 poles. It requited 350 feet of
electrical wiring to set up the layout. The Christmas tree is in
the center, lake on one side and the manger scene on the other. The
builder has been working on the layout: since Nov. 15. Mr. and
Mrs. Hummer and son “Skipper” invite the children of the commun
ity to bring their parents to see this unusual Christmas scene.
(Photo By Ellington Studios)
Town Officials
Praise Work Of
Carl W. Smith
The town board and mayor
passed a resolution of sympathy
relative to the death of veteran
Police Chief Carl Smith at the
last regular meeting.
A member of the police force
here for more than 15 years, Mr.
Smith was widely known for his
work in caring for the school
children during the morning and
afternoon rush periods and for
his efficiency as a law enforcement
officer.
The resolution follows:
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY BY
THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF
ALDERMEN OF THE TOWN OF
BLACK MOUNTAIN RELATIVE
TO THE DEATH OF CHIEF OF
POLICE CARL SMITH.
At the regular meeting of the
Mayor and Board of Aldermen of
the Town of BLck Mountain, held
in the Town Hall, on Tuesday,
December 8th, 1952, at 7:30 P. M.,
the following resolution was duly
and regularly presented and un
animously passed:
“THAT WHEREAS on the morn
ing of December 2nd, 1952 the
people of Black Mountain were
shocked to learn of the sudden
death of our Chief of Police, Carl
Smith, who has served so effi
ciently as one of our law enforce
ment officers for a great many
years; and
“WHEREAS Chief Smith was al
—Turn to Page 8
Clarence Wilson
Buys Interest In
Furniture Store
Clarence J. Wilson, employed
by Tyson Furniture company here
for the past five years, will leave
Jan. 1 for Spruce Pine where he
will become associated with
Norton Furniture company as
manager and co-owner.
The Spruce Pine store was est
ablished more than a year ago by
Clyde Norton, owner of Norton
Furniture company at Old Fort.
Native of Swannanoa, Mr. Wil
son was graduated from high
school there prior to leaving for
more than four years service with
the marine corps in the Pacific
during World War II.
He has been active in church
and civic affairs. He has served
as general superintendent of the
Sunday school at the First Baptist
church here, and has been a mem
ber of the American Legion and
the Swannanoa Men’s club.
“I appreciate the support which
the people of the community
j have giver, me during my associa
( tion here with Tyson Furniture
J company, and hope that all my
i friends will continue to patron
[ ize this fine organization,” Mr.
I Wilson said. “We are sorry to
j leave Black Mountain and wish
i for all our friends here all the
| best.”
4 Mr. Wilson will assume his new
J duties on Friday, Jan. 2.
v Clyde Norton of Old Fort, co
t owner of the Spruce Pine firm,
| is a well known business and
jj civic leader of McDowell county.
Charles Curtis
Charles Curtis
Is At Air Force
Base In Germany
3C Charles Curtis is now serv
ing as a medical technician in the
flight surgeon’s office at Rhine
Meine Air Force Base, Frankfort,
Germany.
Prior to entering the service
he attended Black Mountain High
school. He took his basic train
ing at Lackland Air Force Base
and advanced medical training at
the University School of Aviation
Medicine, Gunter Air Force Base.
Montgomery, Ala. He has recently
completed a 30-day furlough at
home.
Before he reported to Camp
Kilmer, N. J., for overseas duty,
he visited his brothers, Clyde, at
Camo Atterbury, Ind.; Leonard,
at Terre Haute, Ind.; James, in
Baltimore, Md., and a sister, Mel
ba, of Philadelphia.
He would like to receive mail
from all his friends. His address
is: A3C Alvin C. Curtis, A. F.
14460606, 317th Medical Group,
A.P.O. 13, c/o Postmaster, New
York, N. Y.
L. V, Parton Home
Destroyed By Fire
Monday Morning
Fire of undetermined origin
completely destroyed the home
of Mr. and Mrs. L. V. Parton early
Monday morning. The house was
located on the Padgettown road
and was formerly occupied by ;
Ernest Wilson who died about a i
year ago. <
The fire was discovered at ap- |
proximately 6:30 a.m. Monday by i
Mr. Parton when he opened the ]
door to the kitchen. The flames <
had gained such headway that <
Mr. and Mrs. Parton were unable (
to save anything except what they i
were wearing at the time. Mrs. ]
Parton left the house barefooted. '
Damage is estimated at close
to $2000. Of this $1500 is for the
house and $500 personal. It is ;
partly covered by insurance.
Employed at Morgan Manu- ,
tacturing company, Mr. Parton ,
had just recently bought the
house and moved in.
WANT-ADS SELL—Phone 4101
Decorations Made
By Hand Attract
Much Attention
Black Mountain has put on its
best dress and everything is in
readiness for the coming holiday
season.
Thanks to the Chamber of Com
merce, the Jaycecs, American
Home and Civic club and other
organizations and individuals the
town is now wearing what many
call the prettiest in the country.
And judging from the com
ments of visitors and home folks
alike this is not an idle state
ment.
Although the Chamber of Com
merce and merchants furnished
most of the money necessary to
buy and put up the decorations,
most of the credit for the work
and good accomplished should go,
leaders say, to AValter Burgess
and those individuals who have
given so unselfishly of their time
to make Black Mountain the only
town in the United States with
hand-shaped decorations. And if
you don’t believe that’s a job try
making even one of the attractive
decorations which were used here
By the hundreds.
But Walter Burgess refused to
accept the credit, he passed it on
to those who were generous
enough and willing to have a hand
in this worthy project.
He had many who helped.
Among them were AVorth Cook,
Ernie Wilkerson, two men lurn
ished by Tyson Furniture company,
Charles Brookshire and Jack Mc
Eiheny, Mrs. Walter Burgess,
Dorothy Burgess, Linda McGraw,
AV. D. Stepp, a man furnished by
the Valley Realty and Insurance
company, the town of Black Moun
tain, and a group whose names
were not. learned.
All of these were of great help
but the two who deserve the most
credit, in the chairman's estima
tion, were Mr. and Mrs. Eric
Renner of Black Mountain college.
“These two people made a sur
vey of the town, ordered the ma
terials, designed the decorations,
and then spents hours and days
fashioning them by hand. Many
times they worked right through
the night as they found the time
when they were to be on display
growing shorter and shorter. These
two certainly deserve the thanks
of the community for their untir
ing efforts. They stuck with the
job until it was completed,” Mr.
Burgess explained.
The festive air tint has pre
vailed here this week will reach
its climax Wednesday night when
most of the local stores will close
for a brief Christmas vacation.
Many will be closed both Thurs
day and Friday and others will
open only in the case of emerg
ency.
^ J O VI T ■ Vl 1 1 V n L r. hnirA A . . v, a] , . A J
special programs of sermons and
song while St. James • Episcopal
will have a midnight service
starting at 11:30 Wednesday
night (tonight as the paper is
being published a day ahead of
schedule because of the Christmas
holidays).
Schools here and at Swannanoa
are closed and will not reopen
until after New Year’s.
Hard To Move
When Clarence Davis went on
a hunting trip recently to Curtiss
Creek, he brought back the evi
dence. Mr. Davis is shown here in
the living room of his home with
the deer and the gun with which
he brought home the “bacon.”
Shooting the deer didn’t prove
such a hard task as getting it out
of the woods. A dead 120-pound
deer is hard to move without help,
Mr. Davis found.
SHRINERS ELECT
David Harrison of Harrison
Furniture company, Swannanoa,
was elected president ef the Shrine
club and Dr. James H. Love re
elected director at the election held
last week.
Dr. Love is the only officer of
the club living outside the city
limits of Asheville.