ALLEGHANY
STAR‘TIMES
THE STAR, established 1889 — THE ALLEGHANY TIMES, established 1925.
Vol. 16. No. 4.
Sparta, N. C
Thursday, June 6, 1940.
I
Washington, D. C.—The shock
ing developments in the tragic
European war have made Ameri
cans conscious of the need for
defending their national institu
tions, not only from external at
tack but also from the insidious
menace of Fifth Column ele
ments in this country. Current
political incidents evidence furth-1
er the extent to which this Trojan
Horse has begun to affect the [
views of a portion of the nation.
The activities and audacity of
subversive elements in America
were well demonstrated when, on
May 19, a meeting was held in
Schuetzen Park, North Bergen,
New Jersey, where eleven thous
and “patriots” gathered to cele
brate the exploits of the Nazi
army in France and Belgium, and
to pay respects to the candle
flanked bronze plaque of Adolf
Hitler.
Prominent among the propa
ganda devices is “Facts in Re
view,” issued by the German
Library of Information, and lo
cated at the same address as j
the German Consulate General’s |
office in New York. Distributed
in extensive quantities to Ameri
can businessmen, civic leaders and
educators, this weekly Nazi bulle
tin not only gives a distorted view
of conditions abroad but in a j
very subtle manner encourages j
anti-democratic activities in this j
country.
Senator James F. Byrnes (S. j
C.) perhaps better than anyone |
else thus far, summed up the;
Fifth Column threat to this coun- j
try in his reply to Col. Lind
bergh’s radio address of May 18.
Said the Senator:
"The people of America know
that a nation does not have to
ask for war in order to have it
visited upon them. . . England \
and France were lulled into a
false sense of security by those |
who pleaded as Mr. Lindbergh has
pleaded that they could continue
to live in peace with nations that
trample ruthlessly over the rights
of other nations. . . Fifth Col
umns are already active in Amer
ica. And those who consciously
or unconsciously retard the ef
forts of this Gtrvelhitoenfto pro
vide for the defense of the
American people are the Fifth
Column’s most effective fellow
travellers.”
* * *
Mussolini, it seems, is almost
but-not-quite-ready to join the
fracas. Italy will only go to
war should II Duce become con
vinced that the Allies are on the
verge of defeat. When he de
cides this point has been reached,
he will then, and only then, spring
upon his Latin blood relatives and
help finish them. But so long as
he is out of the war, there is
no need to go off into the depths
of pessimism — the democracies
have a reasonable chance of com
ing out on top.
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Snap Shots
and
Sun Spots
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Saw an interesting thing this j
morning—a man trying for 30
minutes to get a screen door into
an automobile, before he be
came convinced it would not go
in, and then was apparently con
tent to tie it on the side—as we
all do, Have you ever watched
an ant try and try and try to
do what, to you, was evidently
impossible — and then finally I
change purposes and be con
tent with some other way? They!
and we have something in com-!
mon.
Spring is a glorious time and
the wealth of beauty in the woods
and the hills makes life in Alle
ghany pleasant. But right here
in Sparta, in Dr. Doughton’e front
yard there are blooms that are
simply magnificent and gorgeous.
And to enjoy them costs only the
effort to see and appreciate.
Beauty has that quality in com
mon with truth; both can be
shared, with the result of doubl
ing the joy ' of giver as well ae
receiver. Dr. Doughton has en
joyed those blooms himeelf, and
enriched our lives as well.
And Mr. Coombs of the Blue
Ridge Parkway service tells us
now is just the time for people
to see the grandest displays of
flowers and foliage all along the
Parkway. Also, he suggests that
the flowers are there to give de
light to many eyes, for many
days. Only a few selfish individ
uals try to pluck for their own
particular enjoyment. Plucked
mountain flowers fade very soon,,
anyway. Mr. Coombs gave us
a supply of delightful circulars,
with a fine map of the whole
Our world...
Germans Boast of “Greatest Destruction”
Berlin, June 5.—Adolf Hitler’s high command
announced last night the conclusion of “the greatest
destructive battle of all times,” with the capture of
hard-held Dunkerque along with 40,000 prisoners,
and then threatened the French and British with “total
destruction.” It told the German people that they
could be certain “that final victory is ours,” now that
Flanders is won.
. * . # #
Allies Reply with Vigor
Paris, June 5.—The Allies wrote off the battle !
of Flanders with the abandonment of Dunkerque yes-i
terday and slashed back at the Germans in grim'
bomb-for-bomb reprisals to a first Nazi raid on Paris i
Monday which left 1,000 Frenchmen dead or wounded. J
With most of their troops out of the besieged channel 1
port, the French announced the end of the northern
campaign and turned swiftly to the task of replying j
to the German air forays. Less than 12 hours after ■
the Germans loosed 1,000 bombs on Paris and vicinity
yesterday, the war ministry announced that Allied
bombers had started striking back “with great success” 1
in raids on Munich, Frankfort and the Ruhr basin.
• • •
Blitzkriegs and Billions
Washington, June 4.-—Bad news comes for the i
most part these days in the form of blitzkriegs and
billions. Following conferences at the treasury depart- j
ment, attended by Representative Robert L. Doughton, !
of North Carolina, chairman of the ways and means j
committee, and Senator Harrison, of Mississippi, chair- |
man of the finance committee, and following sessions
of the house revenue committee—both open and execu
tive sessions—it was revealed that the national debt
will be increased from the three billion dollars prev
iously agreed upon, to four billions, and that taxes
would be increased correspondingly.
Britain Preparing for Any Event
London, June 4.—Winston Churchill today gave;
the British commons and people the measure of de- j
feat and the epic of rescue for the allied armies in
Flanders. With the Flanders battle and the rescue
ended, Belgium and her army lost and the contingent’s
channel ports in the invader’s hands, Churchill told
the commons: “There is always a chance of invasion.”
“We shall defend our island whatever the cost may
be,” he said. “We shall fight on the beaches, the
landing grounds, in the fields, in the streets and on
the hills. We shall never surrender,”
Italy Prepares to Enter War
Rome, June 4.—Armed and shouting its readiness
for war, Italy waited tensely today through a cabinet
meeting that approved new preparedness moves but
gave no hint as to when fighting might begin.
Edison Resigns to Seek Governorship
Washington, June 4.—President Roosevelt accept
ed todav the resignation of Charles Edison, secretary
of the navy, effective June 24. Edison resigned to run
for the governorship of New Jersey on the Democratic
ticket.
~ ** *»
J. M. Broughton Governor Nominate
Raleigh, June 4.—Lieut.-Gov. W. P. Horton’s out
going from the gubernatorial primary with his state
ment that the first race had exhausted his personal
means and Revenue Commissioner Allen J. Maxwell’s
serious illness are making new talk against the state
wide primary. Their elimination leaves Mr. Broughton
as the Democratic nominee for Governor of N. C.
Parkway, for distribution. Come
in and get one.
Sparta has just had another
fire that was a complete loss. And
Sparta is a bit touchy on the sub
ject of firee. Nevertheless it is
only sensible to look at facts
calmly and dispassionately. The
exits from the school auditorium
are so congested following an
evening program, such as the last
Senior Play, that in case of fire a
panic might occur which could
be very serious. At times more
are killed in the panic than are
actually burned by fire.
Natchez, Mississippi, recently
buried 247 people, victims of
the worst fire disaster in recent
years. Of 300 crowded into a
dance hall, only 53 escaped, and
the other 247 perished. Why so
few escaped? Just this, and here’s
the vital point: in a panic the
inadequate exits became jammed
so that nobody got out. Those
53 made escape otherwise than
through the battling crowd at the
doors. Natchez takes its place
with the Chicago theatre fire in
1903—602 children dead; the
Ohio school disaster in 1908—174
dead; the New York City factory
fire in 1911—145 dead.
Back to Sparta, and for a look
on the brighter side. Our school
does need an auditorium on the
ground floor, with larger capacity
—as befits Sparta. The school
itself needs the room of the
present upper-floor auditorium for
school purposes. During the school
year the pupils have frequent
fire drills, so that they are trained
for fire emergencies, and no par
ent need worry about danger dur
ing school hours. And, the new
Water supply and fire hose, with
active and organized firemen,
are a great comfort. But, the
ineed of a new and ample audi
torium, with adequate exits for
a case of panic at night, should
not be pushed aside as merely
visionary.
For the game of Checkers it
would appear that Sparta Garage
is something akin to headquarters.
And we understand Sparta af
! fords some players of ability.
iWell, as Sparta challenges for
| the supremacy in basketball, in
baseball, and in spelling, why
should Sparta not also enter the
field for honors in checkers? Is
there a Western North Carolina
Checker League? Or a Caro
lina Checker League? Or any
Checker League that Sparta could
exercise its talent upon?
B... 0
To Ponder
E><.....di
Your first accident may be
your last.
The pace that thrills is the pace
that kills.
A careful driver is seldom
sorry.
Roads can be made safe, but
not fool-proof.
The CCC Camp boysj
raised $30.82
—in their first effort for the i
Red Cross Relief Fund drive, ac
cording to Mr. Berry who visited
the camp and presented the mat
ter to them.
Rev. J. W. Foster
will preach
—on Sunday at 11 o’clock in the
Sparta Presbyterian Church, and
there will be no night service as
scheduled.
Rev. Mr. Foster is a Presby
terian minister from Cooleemee,
who is assisting Mr. Berry in
meetings every night this week at
Rocky Ridge.
Mrs. J. M. Wagoner, of Roan
oke, has been visiting in town
this week.
Charles Choate, who has been
in Oak Ridge Military Institute,
went with his schoolmate and
chum, Bob Jones, to the latter’s
home in Canon City, Colorado.
And the letters Charles sends
home to Dr. Leff and Mrs. Choate
are full of the interesting time
he is having in tasting the life
of a cowboy. This week he is
to ride a steer in the local rodeo.
Beautiful for Situation
The Old Thomas Joines Cemetery and the new Whitehead Union
Baptist Church, where Decoration Services will be held Sunday,
June 0, with Rev. R. J. Toliver and Rev. George Miles the speaker-.
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9#.
by Frances Wrench
They say it requires soil for
vegetation, but scientists are
demonstrating otherwise, and even
Alleghany County appears with
something unique. Among many
Oddities a huge rock that sup
ports a small grove of trees is
worthy of notice.
On a hill just off the Twin Oaks
road, on Highway 21, nearly op
posite Green Gables, is a large
rock out of which a number of
staunch and sturdy trees have
sprung. Apparently their whole
support is the rock on which they
grow. Sunlight and rain and air
they do get in abundance.
You might be inclined to be
incredulous, and think our Oddity
was imaginary, so we offer a pic
ture taken on the spot, with three
young ladies of Sparta to lend
charm to the scene and show pro
portions.
And if you still wonder at our
Oddity, go 'and see for yourself.
It is well worth a trip, only you’ll
find it hidden under spring leaves
now—but there, nevertheless, as
surely as the rocks.
Rainy days often ruin every
thing, but almost all the members
of the Camp Fire Girls came to
last Thursday’s meeting, in spite
of the weather. The Blue Birds
had planned a picnic, but it had
to be postponed. We now have
enough membership fees so we
can get our Charter, and then
we can really begin having fun.
We have taken the responsibility
of raising $5.00 for the Red j
Cross Relief Fund, and believe it
or not, we have $3.25 already,
and think that’s pretty good.
Mrs. Hardin was unable to be
present, but Mrs. Warren and
Mr. Mead were there, and we had
a very good meeting.
Remember, girls—Thursday af
ternon at 2 o’clock at the Sparta
Methodist Church.
Sarah Warren and
Pika Rizotti.
The W. M. U. of
Laurel Springs
Baptist Church
—met Wednesday afternoon May
22, at the home of Miss Hazel
Lee Taylor, with Mrs. Guy Tay
lor associate hostess. Mrs. T. S.
Moxley was in charge of the
program.
“Youth Steadfast for Christ”
the topic of the month was dis
cussed by eight members.
Officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President—Mrs. F.
Miller; Secretary and Treasurer
—Mrs. Guy Taylor. Mrs. Miller
has served as president of the
Laurel Springs W. M. U., twenty
seven years.
Delicious refreshments were
served to the members and two
visitors.
The next meeting will be at
the home of Mrs. T. S. Moxley
June 19th, with Mrs. Guy Taylor
leSSer.
Lucille Ford Circle
of Baptist W. M. U.
—will meet Tuesday night, June
11, at 7.45 with Mrs R. A. Bar
Ion, with Mrs. R. L. Rickerson in
charge of the program.
A permanent U. S.
Marine Corps
recruiting station
—will be opened in the post of
fice building at Winston-Salem,
on the 10th of June. The Marine
Corps is putting on an intensive
drive to obtain an increase in
personnel. Vacancies will be fill
ed by young men between the
ages of 18 and 30 years of age,
white, single, of good moral char
acter and of sound physique.
Men having previous military ser
vice will be accepted up to 35
years of age.
A splendid opportunity for ad
vancement awaits those who en
list in the Marine Corps now.
Any young man who desires ad
venture, promotion and a chance
to complete or further their edu
cation should either write or apply
in person at the U. S. Marine
Corps recruiting station, Post Of
five building, Winston-Salem.
Young men who qualify and
are accepted will be sent to the
Marine Barracks, Parris Island,
S. C., for a brief period of
training before being assigned to
some service school, ship, foreign
station, aircraft unit, navy yard,
or Marine barracks, for duty.
The U. S. Navy
expects to enlist
25,000 men
—during the next few months.
-Men between the ages of IK and
•31, single, and with a grammar
school education or above, are
eligible. The Navy offers good
pay, promotion, travel, retirement
pension after twenty years ser
vice,. and opportunity to further
or complete your education. All
men. meeting the above require
ments, who are interested in a
Naval career, are requested to
apply at the Navy. Recruiting
Station, Post Office Building,
Salisbury, N\ C.
Red Cross Relief
Fund is growing
toward the goal
—and Alleghany County
will not fail in doing its
share to relieve the awful
distress and human misery
that is coming upon innocent vic
tims of as . unholy a war as the
world has seen in ages.
Rev. Mr, Berry has just re
ceived a telegram from Red
Gross headquarters expressing
amazement at the very ruthless
iiegs of tlie stifft rh dirt d up?
on chi!dren and wholly innocent
and inoffensive people in the
countries ravaged by. armies.
Mrs. Monroe
Andrews gave a
surprise party
—for her husband on his 63rd
birthday anniversary, Sunday,
June 2.
Monroe B. Andrews was • bora
and grew up in the Furehes com
munity of Alleghany County. He
j lived in Wilkes County for a
time, and then returned to his
[native county to stay.
just before the dinner a short
i talk was given by Elder Willie
!Hamm, and then some 30 friend.
iand relatives sat down to a de
|licious dinner and happy conver
i sation.
Better Than
Natural Rubber
The Standard Oil company oi
New Jersey announced today it
j was prepared in case of national
! emergency to make all the syn
j thetic rubber and high explosives
needed by the United States.
He asserted the company also
was in a position to go immedi
ately into large-scale production
of trinitritoluol, TNT and nitro
glycerine, “if requested by the
| government.”
Little Pine
I Little Pine, June 3.—Rev. G.'
;W. Tucker, who has been ill for
.some time, is slowly improving.
‘ Mrs. Jessie Greene is very sick.
A. R. Murphy spent Friday |
t night with his son, Click Murphy,
j Mrs. Card Greene, who has
,been ill, is able to be out again, j
Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Hollo
iway, of North Wilkesboro, were
' visiting relatives here last week,
j Mr. and Mrs. Jay Caudill, of;
| Whitehead, spent the week-end,
with Mrs. Caudill’s parents, Mr. i
and Mrs. Johnnie Wagoner. I
Those visiting Mrs. Cleta Col
lins Sunday were Mr. and Mrs.
Homer Wilson, Zelma and Jenei
Greene, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Har
ris, Thelma Dale and Attree
Greene.
Mrs. Kelly Murphy was shop
ping in Galax Monday.
Mr. and Mrs. Bade Carpenter,!
of Cleveland, Ohio, visited Mrs. j
Carpenter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs.'
George Maines, over the week-1
end.
Miss Thelma Greene spent a \
few days last week with her sis- j
ter, Mrs. Reva Wilson.
Lawrence Greene, of Greens
boro, visited relatives here over!
i the week-end.
A large crowd attended the
decoration at Hooker Sunday.
Those visiting Mr. and Mrs.;
C. C. Tompkins Monday were j
Mrs. Cleta Collins, D. R. Tomp-:
kins and son, Leo, Zelma, Jene
and Attree Greene, Friel Lowe
and Dale Greene.
Mr. and Mrs. Will Chappell
spent Wednesday night at Mack
Wagoner’s.
Miss Blanche Finney of Mouth
of Wilson spent last week with
Miss Maxine Reeves.
Charles Castevens, who was a
student at Emory and Henry Col
lege, is at home for the summer.
Another fire
beyond control
destroyed the home
— cf Omer Edwards about
2:30 p. m. Tuesday when
everyone was away. The
small home stood near Che
creek* just on the edge of Sparta
Oh the Whitehead road, and how
the fire started is not known,
though some suppose an over
heated radio may have ignited
curtains or walls.
The fire was seen by a passer
by and the electric siren Sounded
at 2:0 5 O’clock. In a fevv mo
ments the hose truck was on its
way—only to discover that there
was no hydrant near enough to be
of any use. So the fire had its
own way, . and everything was
io„t.
Only four months ago Mr. Ed
ward.', suffered the Toss of his en
tire, kit of mechanic’s tools in the
Alleghany Motor Co. fire, and
notw the home is gone, so his loss
by fire has been considerable.
As Sparta .grows down the
Whitehead road .the need for
more hydrants in that direction
will increase, Indeed, as Sparta
grows, her. meeds in every line
. of civic improvement will grow.
Dr. V. S. Armbrister
has been named dean
of Emory and Henry
—-College, Emory, to succeed Dr.
Howell Meadors Henry, whose re
tirement was accepted. The ac
tion was taken last week at a
meeting of the college board of
trustees. Dr. Armbrister has
been professor of English at
Emory and Henry for sometime.
Dr. Armbrister was graduated
front Emory and Henry College
in 1928 at the head of his class
j and began teaching at the col
lege in the fall of the same
lyear. He is a native of Wythe
County and, before going to
Emory and Henry he taught in
the public schools of Wythe and
Tazewell Counties.
He entered Vanderbilt Univer
isity in 1929 where he received
his master of arts degree and re
turned to the college as associate
professor of English in 1930. In
1936 he returned to Vanderbilt
'where he received his Ph-D- de
gree and returned to the college
j'ais professor of English in 1938.
This same year he was also made
Dean of Freshmen and chairman
of the college discipline com
[ mittee.
Dr. Armbrister coached the
college champion debate in 1935
1936 and saw this team win na
! tional recognition in collegiate
: competition.
I Dr. Henry, who has been dean
of Emory and Henry College for
j the past twenty-one years, wili
^continue at the college as head
of the department of history, po
litical science, and economics.
I.
Citron
Citron, June .3.—Mrs. Glenn
Royal and daughter, Hazel, spent
the week-end with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Millard Ellis, Wil
kesboro.
Mrs. Elmer Osborne spent
Thursday night with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Richardson
I at Furehes.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Miller spent
i Sunday evening with Mr. and
| Mrs. T. S. Moxley.
Robert Hoppers and R. G. Tay
lor made a business trip to North
| Wilkesboro Saturday.
Major Ellis has returned to his
home in Wilkesboro after spend
!ing some time with his sister, Mrs.
I Glenn Royal.
Citron, June 4.—Cline Myers
;and Ray Long drove to North
! Wilkesboro Saturday.
Clarice Wyatt spent Saturday
might with Mr. and Mrs. C. M.
Miller.
Miss Pearl Upchurch spent
| Thursday night with her grand
mother, Mrs. Frank Richardson.
Mr. and Mrs. U. S. Myers, Mr.
; and Mrs. R. L. Long, daughter,
! Wilma, and son Tommie, visited
Katherine Roberts in Black Mt.
Sunday and came back by Grand
father Mtn., Blowing Rock, and
Boone Sunday.
Cline Myers and Rufus Joe
Long were visitors at Ennice
Sunday.
Woodrow Richardson is at home
for the summer. He was a student
at State College, Raleigh.
Miss Alma Crouse left Wednee-*
day for Washington where she is
employed.