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square to one and all,’ this news
paper is dedicated to progress of
Alleghany County
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The Alleghany Times
THE ALLEGHANY, TIMES
$1.50 A Year
Strictly In Advance
Volume 8
SPARTA, ALLEGHANY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, THURSDA i. APRIL <>, 1933
Number 47
75 Men Meet Death In
Crash of Akron;Rescue
Airship Also In Wre£k
_. *>-4
BUMP GUDES TOO
LOW IN SEARCH OF
VICTIMS; 2 DROWN
Rear Admiral Moffett
Among Those Lost In
Major Disaster
CAUGHT IN STORM
New York, April 4.—In a blinding
electrical storm, the Akron, might
iest dirigible ever to cruise the skies,
was plummeted into the turbulent
Atlantic today about 20 miles off the
New Jersey shore, and by dusk to
night hope had waned for 71 missing
members of the crew. (>
Of the 76 men aboard the “mis
tress of the skies” as she crashed,
four were rescued, but one of them
died before he was brought ashore.
A day of searching by water and
by air brought the discovery of only
one body of the ill fated crew float
ing on the ocean.
Fourteen hours after this major
disaster, the J-3, non-rigid navy air
ship, crashed into the sea 1,000
yards off the Jersey coast, with a
loss of two lives, as she searched
for Akron victims.
Rear Admiral William A. Moffett,
chief of the navy bureau of aero
nautics, was among those lost in the
Akron. Aroused from sleep by the
storm, he had been in the control
room shortly before the accident.
Tne rnree survivors
The three Akron survivors are:
Lieutenant Commander H. Y, Wi
ley, of Lakewood, N. J., executive of
. ficer and second in command, who
was at the controls.
Moody E. Erwin, of Memphis,
Tenn., metalsmith.
Richard E. Deal, of Lakehurst, N.
J., boatswain’s mate.
The rescued man who later died
was Robert W. Copeland, of Lake
hurst, N. J., chief radio operator.
Twelve hours after the crash the
- body of Lieutenant Commander Har
old E. MacLellan, of Westerly, R. I.,
was picked up by a coast guard cut
ter near the scene of the disaster.
Lieutenant Commander David E.
Cummins, of Prescott, Ark., com
mander of the J-3, who was taken
from the water unconscious after
the blimp accident, died a short
time later.
The body of Pasquale Bettio, the
J-3 chief machinist's mate on the
J-3, was recovered several hours la
ter.
The other five of the J-3 crew
were rescued.
BEER COMING RACK
IN STATE ON MAY 1
Number of Local Mer
chants Planning To
Handle Beverage
Light wine and beers, an outlaw
in North Carolina since 1908, will
be legalzed in the state on May 1,
the General Assembly having passed
the legalization bill Tuesday morn
ing.
A check of local merchants has
disclosed that a number are plan
ning to handle the sale of beer pro
vided taxes are not out of reason.
In passing the bill Tuesday, an
amendment prohibiting the sale of
beer to minors under the age of 18,
was tacked on, also a promise was
made by the wets to the drys that
some restrictions for the sale of
beer and other legalized beverages,
would be made.
Methodist Church News
Regular services will be held at
Shiloh Sunday at 11 a. m. and at
Plney Creek in the afternoon at
2:80.
Rev. C. W. Ervin will preach at
the Sparta Methodist church Sunday
evening at 7:30.
We appreciate the splendid au
dience last Sunday night at the pro
gram rendered by the Children’s
Home of Winston-Salem. Too, we
appreciate the co-operation by those
who prepared the evening meal for
the children.
To Wear Cotton
Co-operating in the movement to
further popularize cottons, Mrs. J.
C. It. Khringhaus is serving as hon
orary chairman of the committee in
charge of the State-wide Cotton Ball
to be held in Raleigh Friday even
ing, May 19, as a grand finale to
North Carolina’s first State-wide
Cotton Festival.
In addition to the ball, the festi
val, which ties in with National Cot
ton Week observance, will include a
gala street parade and a cotton style
show. Indies will wear all-cotton
ensembles to the ball, and prizes will
be awarded the ones most attractive
ly attired.
CYCLE MAN SHOOTS
SELF WITH SHOTGUN
Blows Out Brains While
Wife Looks On; Fu
neral Held Sunday
Funeral services were conducted
Sunday at 11 o’clock from Union
church for W. D. Shore, young farm
er of Cycle, who committed suicide
at his home Friday afternoon. Rev.
N. T. Jarvis was in charge of the
service which was attended by a
large concourse of 'people.
Mr. Shore shot himself in the
head with a 12-gauge, double-bar
reled shotgun about 4 o’clock Friday
afternoon in the'kitchen of his
home as his wife looked on. He
placed the muzzle of the gun against
his left temple and using his right
hand to hold the gun, pulled the
trigger with his left hand.
He was 28 years old on March 24.
Besides his wife, Mrs. Minnie Shore,
he is survived by two daughters,
Kathleen and Fay, his parents, Mr.
and Mrs. J. H. Shore, three sisters,
Mrs. Pauline Roberts, Misses Ruth
and Evelyn Shore and two brothers,
Hgrry and Paul Shore, all of Cycle.
Alleghany Man Has A
Fine Stamp Collection
As far as can be learned Claude i
J. Smith, of Piney Creek, has the
only stamp collection in the county.
His collection, gathered over a
period of four years, consists'of over
900 different stamps from 130 na
tions. Among his collection are
stamps from every continent on the
globe, as well as from several South
Sea Islands.
The oldest stamp possessed by Mr.
Smith is a United States three cent,
brick red, of the 1851 issue. Other
vaireties include German pre-war
values, stamps from the native states
of India, Canada, Confederate issues,
two values issued in 1897: 1860 N.
S. stamps and envelope stamps, air
mail stamps from several nations, a
stamp from the smallest republic and
other semi-rare issues.
Much interest and pleasure is de
rived from Mr. Smith’s collection by
himself and friends.
He will be glad to show his col
lection to anyone and help them
start! a collection.
WIXBORNE NAMED HEAD
Stanley Winborne Friday was
named by Governor J. C. B. Ehring
haus to become North Carolina’s
first public utilities commissioner.
FATALLY INJURED
Walter Sigman, 43, an electrician,
was fatally injured at Newton Mon
day when struck by an automobile.
TREXLER, MAN
AND OFFICIAL
By JOHNSON J. HAYES,
Judge United States District Court
Law is order and chaos is the only
alternative to order. Civilization’s
great struggle has been to bring or
der out of chaos, and today the
struggle seems as titanic as ever
before. The present skeleton of
order has been achieved and main
tained by the unflinching courage
and public-spiritedness of men who
put public welfare above their sel
fish ends. Some noble souls have
fought in the parliaments of men
for their rights, and gravely suffer
ed death for their deeds. Others
have poured out their blood on the
battlefield in order that mankind
might have that happiness and en
joy that welfare which exists only
where orderliness prevails.
But laws worked out in the par
liaments of men, and rights wrought
through, the conflict of war have
never been, nor can they ever be,
perpetuated except through the pa
triotism and unselfish loyalty of
men who also will give the full
measure of devotion to their coun
try’s continued orderliness, and
those who in time of peace give
their lives to the maintenance of
order are patriots and heroes no less
in rank than those who die on the
field of battle.
Levi G. Trexler was both a pa
triot and a hero, measured by either
standard. As a private citizen he
was clean and upright, respected
the welfare and decent opinion of
mankind. He was both moral and
Christian.
When he was called from civilian
life to bear arms in the world war,
he faced the call with courage and
placed his all on his country's al
tar.
In 1921 lie was appointed a fed
eral prohibition agent, which posi
tion he held until death put an end
to his earthly activities. No offi
cial position in state or nation has
tested the mettle of man during the
past 12 years more than that of
prohibition agent. The shifting
tides of public sentiment, the multi
tudinous storms of protest qnd crit
cism; the political and economic as
pects and struggles over prohibi
tion; the craftiness of the bootleg
gers and rum-runners have com
bined to make the duties of these of
ficers difficult and hazardous with
out any adequate reward, either in
compensation or in appreciation.
But these consequences are worth
less weight in the scales of a faith
ful and courageous public official.
Duty leads a direct course-—its path
makes no turn to dodge an obstruc
tion, nor to avoid difficulty. The
official who properly conceives his
duty easily discerns the difficulties
on the way but carries on in spite
of them because he realizes these
tests call for the best manhood that
is in him, and he gladly follows
where it beckons, leaving conse
quences to take care of themselves.
Such an official was Trexler. He
was devoted to duty. He was con
scious that it led a dangerous course
for him—he had barely escaped
death on many occasions. But he
told me repeatedly that he would
continue to do his duty and if it
meant death he knew no better way
to depart this life. He strove to
live honorably with all men and in
the supreme assurance that the
Christ whom he served was abund
antly able to preserve him.
His sensitive soul ieit Keenly me
unjust attacks directed at all offi
cials by a bewildered public, but he
would smile and say, “these people
do not understand our problems.”
He was as gentle as a woman and
his heart overflowed with compas
sion. His uniform kindness to
those whom he arrested invariably
won their friendship. Not once
have I heard a defendant on oath
deny any fact which he stated. Last
week Captain Merrick ordered him
to eastern Carolina. He captured a
car loaded with liquor and appre
hended the driver. Unexpectedly
the prisoner sprang on Trexler, in
flicting a serious injury on his eye,
and as he realized he was being ov
erpowered he hit the prisoner with
his flashlight; the prisoner escaped.
While telling me about the incident
he said, “Judge, I could have shot
him but I did not want to hurt the
man. I was sorry 1 had to hit him
with the flashlight.” This is typi
cal of the man. He had no super
ior as an enforcement officer.
He provided for his own. He
loved his fellowman. He served
God as faithfully as any man I
know. The earthly end of all is in
evitable, the time is the only ele
ment of uncertainty. It it was
necessary to go now I am sure he
departed as he desired, under the
steering wheel, at the post of duty,
without pain or suffering and with
out the burden on his loved ones of
lingering illness. The warmth of
his touch is missing; the friendly
I wfiiuny ana mimca ogkcs AniPigwoo I
Ob the left is Dr. Hans Lather, new German Ambassador to the TTnited
States, succeeding Fredrick Elm von Prittwitz. On the right is David H.
Morris of New York, new American Ambassador to Germany, nominated
by President Roosevelt during March.
CHURCH CELEBRATES
ITS 25TH BIRTHDAY
Glade Valley Presbyter
ians Celebrate With
Good Program
The 25th anniversary of the Glade
Valley Presbyterian church was cele
brated Sunday with an appropriate
program and a very large crowd
present. Rev. C. W. Ervin preached
a very interesting sermon at eleven
o'clock and at twelve a long table
was covered with an unusual amount
of food,prepared in the best of style.
Prof. Clay Thompson returned
thanks and everybody enjoyed the
feast.
At two o’clock E. B. Eldridge read
a historical sketch of the founding
of the church and made a few re
marks thanking those that helped
with the program and read the
names of the twenty-five new mem
bers that had united with the church
in the last year.
Then he introduced Rev.* C. W.
Russell, of Sparta, who preached a
very interesting sermon.
At night Rev. J. J. Douglas
preached at the auditorium.
MOTHER OF HERO
RECEIVES MEDAL
Carnegie Hero Fund
Commission Makes
Two Awards
At its annual meeting, the Car
negie Hero Fund Commission award
ed two bronze medals for exceptional
bravery. One of these medals went
to fifteen-year-old Everett Walker,
of Cherryville, N. C.. for saving the
life of a mail carrier from drown
ing at Mocksville in July 19SI and
the other went to Mrs. Mattie An
drews, of Sparta, honoring the mem
ory of her son Platt D. Anderson,
who lost his life on July 26, 19-51 in
an effort to save the life of Mrs.
Annie B. Phipps in New River. Mrs.
Phipps was rescued by a man in a
boat later, but the efforts of Mr.
Andrews saved her until she ^was
rescued.
These medals are of beautiful ma
terial, bearing the inscription of the
purpose for which they were given
and the recipients are justly proud.
Mrs. Jennie Reeves
Of Stratford Is Dead
Just as we go to press we learn
of the death of Mrs. Jennie
Reeves, of Stratford, widow' of the
late Wiley Reeves. Particulars of
her illness have not been learned,
but we are informed the burial
services wiU be held at 2 o’clock
Friday afternoon at the home
place.
J. N. Gentry, of Doughton, was
here Monday on business.
smile we shall not see and that mel
low voice we shall not hear, but his
valiant deeds, his gentle spirit, and
his noble life will remain green in
our memories as long as we live.
State and Nation
Refuse Stamp Plan
Raleigh, April 4.—The house
finance committee today frowned
upon a joint subcommittee plan of
passing on the general sales tax
through stamps ranging down
ward in value to as little as one
fourth of one cent.
The committee did not finally
reject, the plan but refused to ac
cept it, despite Chairman R. A.
- Houghton’s insistence that it
“hurry up and agree on some
thing.”
Still Has Hope
Washington, April 4.—A cour
age and faith that drew admiring
comment from a President’s wife
today sustained Mrs. William A.
Moffett, whose husband. Rear
Admiral Moffett, went down on
the wrecked dirigibje Akron with
72 officers and enlisted men.
“She is quite wonderful,” Mrs.
Franklin 1». Roosevelt said of
Mrs. Moffett. “She hasn’t given
up hope, and she says she won’t
give up hope.”
Ship Is Destroyed
(iloucester, Mass., April 4.—
The (iloucester fishing schooner
Beauty St. Joseph, was destroyed
by fire 20 miles off the North
Carolina coast, according to ad
vices reaching her owners, the
Producers’ Fish company, today.
Tin* crew of the schooner wav
taken aboard the New Bedford
tlragger Friendship.
On Bumpy Road
Washington, April 4.—Presi
dent Roosevelt’s emergency legis
lative program jolted over a rough
and bumpy road in Congress to
day as the senate debated the
Black five-day week bill and the
house side-tracked the adminis
t rat oil's *500,000,000 unemploy
ment relief measure.
30 New Ships
Washington, April 4.—Presi
dent Roosevelt’s huge public
works bill was outlined today by
Chairman Vinson of the house na
val committee as including provi
sions for the construction of :1<>
new warships costing *230,000,
000.
Wisconsin For Repeal
Milmaukee, Wis., April 4.—The
proposal to repeal the 18tli
amendment, was leading by a mar
gin of more than three to one on
returns from the first 104 of Wis
consin’s 2,800 precincts tonight.
BIRTH RATS DOWN
Despite Premier Mussolini’s “more
babies” campaign, the birth rate for
Italy is declining, according to Un
dersecretary Arpinati of the ministry
of the interior.
ACTING POSTMASTKR
President Roosevelt Monday nom
inated Carl L. Williamson to be act
ing postmaster at Raleigh.
OUTSTANDING
NEWS EVENTS
—of the—
PAST WEEK
GERMANS END BOYCOTT
One of the quietest Sundays in
years was experienced in Germany
Sunday on the heels of Saturday’s
Nazi boycott against the Jews. The
boycott appeared likely to be the last
organized affair of the sort, at least
for the present.
MAN IS SEA IN
Carl Carroll, 26, was shot and
killed Saturday night by Jim Dock
ery. 18. near Ebenezer, five miles
west of Murphy. Dockery is being
held in the county jail at Mul'p.liy,
pending an investigation of the
shooting. "•
WALKER TO MABRY ACTRESS
As soon as they have fulfilled ev
ery requirement of French law,
former Mayor Janies J. Walker of
New York and .Miss Betty Compton,
New York actress, will be married,
according to press dispatches from
abroad.
BRING OCT GOLD
Carteret county folks are falling
in line with the non-hoarders of the
nation. More than $l,000_in gold
and S2.0U0 in old large-sized bills
have been turned in at the Morehead
City postoffice within the past few
weeks.
FLY OVER MOUNT EVEREST
Success Monday crowned the dar
ing attempt of a British expedition
to conquer Mount Everest from the
air. For the first time in history,
man looked down upon the lofty
summit of the world’s highest moun
tain. The British fliers battled
strong winds as they forced their
airplane into the skies and in one
of the most remarkable flights ton
record, skimmed over the Himalayas
range, the “roof of the world.”
CONSIDERS FOUR-POWER PACT
The French cabinet convened
Monday to consider a revised four
power peace pact which may decide
the future of Europe.
FARMER HOSES $300
Three hundred dollars, neatly
tucked away in his vest pocket, dis
appeared for G. W. Roberts, farmer,
of Walnut Cove, Route 2, while in
Winston-Salem Saturday, he re
ported to police headquarters. It is
not known whether the money fell
from his pocket or whether he was
the victim of a pickpocket.
PRISONER TAKEN
Frank Williams, 65, one of the
ringleaders in a wholesale break
from the Gaston county jail at G&s
t tonia last January 6. in which eight
j men gained their freedom and six
| later were recaptured, is under ar
1 rest in St. Louis, Mo., Gallon fU
horities were informed Monday.
i —
CHICAGO ARGUES BEER
, The city of Chicago is divided
against itself in a good nqIured ar
gument as to whether to celebrate
1 return of 8.2 per cent beer, Seine
Chicagoans favor welcoming liter
hick at 12:01 a. m. April T wiih a
greater celebration than that for the
signing of the armistice. Other- fa
! vor pretending it never was gene
! and to thus avoid giving drvs a talk
ing point for future arguments.
HELD IN GIRL’S I)F,ATH
Search was renewed in Taylors
ville Monday for the body of Hazel
Starnes, IS, who was drowned in the
Catawba river Saturday when a
small boat overturned. Meanwhile
authorities were holding Henry
Stewart, 22, and Harry Kirkman,
26, both of Stony Point, who with
Hazel’s sister, Grace, 20, were the
girl’s companions on the boat ride.
SEEKING TARIFF AGREEMENTS
Informed senators Monday said
President Roosevelt contemplates
asking broad powers from Congress
to permit reduction of tariff rates
by executive agreements. He hopes
generally to lower world trade bar
riers as an aid to business revival.
I MICHIGAN TO VOTE MONDAY
Michigan next Monday will cast
the first formal statewide vote in fa
vor of repealing the Eighteenth
Amendment to the federal constitu
tion. Wet strength that surprised
even the organizations sponsoring
repeal, swept through all but a very
few of the state’s legislative dis
tricts Monday to elect between 80
and 90 of the 100 delegates to the
convention that will act on the re
peal proposal. Only 51 votes are
; required to control the convention.