North Carolina Newspapers

Population Greater Kings Mountain 10.320 City Limits 7.206 n> figure ter Greater Cage Mountain Is derived from Urn IKS Kings Mountain city directory census. The City Limits figure Is from the United States census of 1850. 1 C Pa9es 10 Today VOL 66 NO 4 Established 1889 Kings Mountain N. C. Thursday, January 26, 1956 Sixty-Sixth Year PRICE FIVE CENTS CITY GETS SAFETY AWARD—Mayor Glee A. Bridges is shown above receiving a certificate from Hugh H. Cranford, Charlotte district sales manager for the North Caolina State Automobile association emble matic of the city's recording 1,500 consecutive days without a fatal in-city auto accident. Also pictured, standing from lef., are City Commissioner J. H. Patterson, Chief of Police Hugh Logan, and Hughlon D. Smith, the auto association's Kings Mountain represen tative. City Logs 1,500th Safe-Driving Day Local News Bulletins AUTO TAG SALES Assistant City Clerk Joe Mc Daniel reported Wednesday that 112 city auto tags were sold. February 15 has ibeen set as the deadline for residents of the city to 'buy these tags. They can be obtained either at city clerk’s office or the police de partment, which is selling them 24-hours a day, seven days a week. COMMUNICATION An emergent communication of Fairview Lodge will be held Saturday night at 7:30 p. m., at Masonic Hall for work inthe first degree, according to an nouncement by James B. Simp son. NEW PASTOR Rev. Odus Hayes is the new pastor of Midview Baptist chur ch. The new minister, of Shel by, replaces Rev. B. F. Austin, who has been serving as sup iply pastor of the church. MOOSE CLUB DANCE The Kings Mountain Moose Lodige will hold a dance at the lodge on Bessemer City road Saturday night for members of the lodge only. The proceeds will go to the March of Dimes, Admission price is $2 per cou ple. , METER RECEIPTS City parking meters returned $174.80 for the week ending noon, Wednesday according to Miss Grace Carpenter of city clerk’s office. Street meters ac counted for $149.53, while off street meters returned, $25.27, she reported. Injured Miner Awarded S6.S00 :R. C. Crump, Charlotte mining worker, was awarded a $6,500 judgment against Foote Mineral Company and North American Insurance Company of Charlotte in Federal District Court Tuesday for the loss of a finger in an ac cident at the company's Kings Mountain plant. Crump claimed that he was in jured on February 23, 1952, while working on a heavy piece of e quipment used by Foote in it’s mining operations. Me said his right hand was crushed, and that his little fin ger had to toe amputated because of the accident. A company official said Wed nesday that it was a workman’s compensation case, and that the case was tried in a Federal court because Foote is an out-of-state corporation. He added that the insurance company, which handles the company’s compensation, was ac tually the defendant in the case. S> The City of Kings Mountain was presented a certificate of merit Friday for “outstanding ac. complishments in traffic safety” by the North Carolina State Au tomobile association. The framed parchment certifi cate was awarded in recognition of Kings Mountain’s record of having no motor - vehicle fatal ities for 1,500 consecutive days through January 20. The city is now well into its fifth consecu tive fatality - free year. The last fatal automobile accident inside the city limits occurred on De cember 8, 1951. At a ceremony held at City Hall, the certificate was presen ted to Mayor Glee A. Bridges and Chief of Police Hugh A. Logan, Jr. by Hugh H. Cranford, Charlotte division sales manager of the NCSSA on behalf of the company and T. Chalmer Bryant, president of the National Automobile as sociation, with which the NCSSA, the South’s largest motor club, is affiliated. Also participating in the cere mony was Hugh Ion D. Smith, NCSSA representative in Kings Mountain. “It is a happy privilege to have this opportunity to present the City of Kings Mountain with this certificate for the amazing record in traffic safety that has been achieved here. This award is (ba sed on the fact that Kings Moun tain has had no automobile fa talities for 1,500 straight days,” Cranford said. “It takes real teamwork on the part of city officials, law enforce ment officers and the public in general to go that long a time without a fatality.” Bundy Will Speak At Retailer Fete Sam D. Bundy, Farmville schoolman, will be the princi pal speaker at the annual em ployer-employee banquet of the Kings Mountain Merchants as sociation on February 20. Announcement was made yes terday by Sam D. Collins, as sociation president. Tickets for the event will go on sale soon. Mr. Bundy is a humorist, who addressed a ladies night ban quet of the Lions club here j several years ago. Alexander Likely To Be Named Postmaster ---<35 Lay cock Tells Lions Hospital Situation, Needs A patient, on the average, pays 65 cents per hour for his stay in Cleveland County hospitals, George W. Laycock told Shelby and Kings Mountain Lions in a joint session here Tuesday night. Mr. Laycock submitted that the average is cheap for board, bed, and personal service given. A full delegation of both Lions clubs were present, the Shelby club having chartered three bus es for the visit here. In a quick-paced and fact-filled address, Mr. Laycock, who as sumed the administratorship of the county’s hospitals about two months ago, outlined the prob lems of Shelby Hospital financ ing, and submitted what he term ed his personal ideas of how to improve the service and to elimi nate deficit operations. Meantime, the administrator praised highly the operations of Kings Mountain hospital and paid tribute to Grady Howard, the business manager here. He reviewed his proposal, made in a Shelby address recently, for leasing of the hospitals to a non profit operating corporation. He noted that similar arrangements prevailed at Charlotte Memorial hospital, Columbus Memorial, Whiteville, Watts and Lincoln hospitals in Durham and many others. He said the failure of Cleveland County to operate un der the same system cost the hos pitals $80,000 in gifts from the Ford Foundation recently. In the future, Mr. Laycock said, the hospitals require more funds, less welfare patient days, and an active women’s auxiliary of 300 400 women. He recommended that the county commissioners purchase hospitalization for wel fare patients and that employers in the cou’nty be encouraged to adopt hospitalization insurance plans for themselves and their employees. ' He questioned the advisability of continuing the nurse’s train ing school, noting that 31 students are currently enrolled when the faculty could handle up to 60 students. Cherokee county, S. C., he noted, is establishing a nurse’s training school at Limestone Col lege .with the Cherokee Hospital as the laboratory. Stating that the Shelby hospi tal deficit is over $50,000, Mr. Laycock said he felt confident that, when the slate is cleaned, the hospital would be able to ope rate without red ink.* Pointing to the great need for hospital facilities, he told the group that only two hospital beds were available in Cleveland County “at this hour.” Martin Harmon presented Mr. Laycock, and D. L. Saunders in ducted L. S. Stroupe as a new member of the Kings Mountain club. L. T. Hamrick, Jr., Shelby pre sident, responded to Kings Moun tain President Timms’ welcome to the Shelby Lions. Special guests at the session in cluded Dr. Paul Nolan, Grady Howard, and Noah Burrok, busi ness manager of Shelby hospital. Police Sponsoring Cousin Wilbur Show Cousin Wilbur’s County Store and cast Blondie Brooks, The Log Cabin Folks, Little Wilbur, and Prunella Skinner will present a performance at Kings Mountain high school auditorium Saturday night, at 8 o’clock. Admission will be $1.00 for adults, and 50 cents for children. The program is under the spon sorship of Kings Mountain police department, with proceeds to go to the department. The program is a regular fea ture of WLOS-TV Asheville. TO HEAD RETAILERS—Paul W. Walker has been elected presi dent ol the Kings Mountain Mer chants association tor 1956-57 in mail balloting just completed. He will assume office on February 20. Retaileis Name Paul Walkei Paul Walker, of Myers’ Depart ment Store, has been elected president of the Kings Mountain Merchants association for 1956 57. Results of mail balloting, an nounced Wednesday by Mrs. Elaine Queen, association secre tary, showed Mr. Walker edged F. R. McCurdy, owner of McCur dy Cleaners - Laundry, by one vote, 18-17. Charles H. Dixon was elected vice-president of the association, and Charles Blanton, Yates Har bison, Menzell Phifer and Ed Tu tor were elected directors for two year terms. Mr. Walker will succeed Sam B. Collins. ,,, AssopiaUon directors with v year remaining of their terms of office are Jonas Bridges, W. L. Plonk, Richard Barnette, and William G. Jonas. Tuesday Snow Not Satisfying Kings Mountain’s Monday-Tues day snow came and left quickly. Residents of this portion of the state were amazed to arise Tues day morning with some one-half inch of snow trying to blanket the surrounding countryside. The only complaint to be heard was that tjiere was just not enough of the white stuff. School children wished for more to force the city schools to suspend operations and allow the youngsters time for' snowballing and snowman construction. The merphants did not enough of the snow to have a run on rubber footwear, and this was not pleasing. Though city streets were slip pery, no great number of acci dents were reported, and the sale of auto chains did not reach an all-time high. Wednesday’s skies indicated these complaints might be taken care of in short order. However, the official weather forecasters were holding their tongues in their cheeks and calling for clear, cold days ahead. TO NEWFOUNDLAND Major James G. Ratterree, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Ratterree, of Kings Mountain, is being transferred to Newfoundland. The Ratterrees have been sta tioned at the Air Force base in Tacoma, Washington. Mrs. Rat terree and daughter, Julia, will make their home at 401 Gold street in Kings Mountain until arrangements can be made to join Major Ratterree at his new station. Has Organized Juvenile Delinquency Hit Kings Mountain? Some Say “Yes” By BOB HOFFMAN Has the Influence of comic book and television gang war fare reached Kings Mountain and the surrounding area? A juvenile gang including members from Kings Mountain, Bessemer City, and Gastonia, has been reported active in this area during the past two weeks. The gang, which carries a skull on a black jacket as its trade mark, has been involved in at least two fights in the city. One local boy was reported to have been attacked with a pair of ■ ■ ’brass knucks at a local theatre in the latest incident. Reports have it that gang members are carrying guns and knives, in addition to the usual orass knocks. One gang member was relieved of a pair of knucks Friday night by a duo of local boys. Local poiice officers are aware of the gang’s activities here, and are awaiting a chance to throw them into the cooler. A scheduled gang “war” set for Saturday night at a movie house in Kings Mountain failed to come off when the police were tipped1 off and were on hand to foil the gangsters. It has also been reported tha‘ Gaston County authorities are having trouble with the same group, and that they are being watched closely there. Citizens should notify the po lice department at once of an> unlawful action or suspicion ol unlawful action. One teen-age girl reported that the gang members make a habit of molesting boys and their da tes, wolf-whistling at girls, and otherwise making themselves as obnoxious as possible. Elmer Lumber Employee Has Committee Nod Charles Alexander, Elmer Lum ber Company employee, is likely to be appointed permanent post master in Kings Mountain in the near future. Mr. Alexander, who placed third in last'May’s competitive civil service examination for the Kings Mountain position, confir med Wednesday morning that he had taken a physical examina tion to determine his fitness for the position. Mr. Alexander took the examination ten days ago on orders from the Civil Service commission. He professed no further know ledge whether, or if, he would be appointed. W. T. Weir has filled the posi tion for the past year under act ing appointment. Other eligibles from the civil service list are Millard Prince, postal clerk, and Yates Harbison, super market manager, who plac ed first and second, respectively in the competitive tests. All three are registered Demo crats, but Alexander is a practic ing Republican, having served on the township GOP executive com mittee until he resigned to take the postmaster examination. A member of the GOP town ship committee confirmed last week that a letter endorsing Alex ander had been filed through GOP patronage channels in De cember and acknowledged that pressure for endoresment of one of the three eligibles had been applied by the civil service com mission. Mr. Weir, Kings Mountain busi nessman, was the original choice of the GOP committee for the per manent appointment, but failed the written examination by one point. Until December, the GOP committee—which, includes Wray A. Williams. Grady Howard, art-i C. P. Goforth—declined to for ward a new endorsement. Mr. Alexander is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Alexander. He is a navy veteran of World War II. Demurrer Denied In Damage Action Formal answer to a $150,000 ci vil action for alleged damages a gainst two Kings Mountain and one Charlotte physician will be filed within 30 days. B. T. Falls, Jr., attorney for Dr. J. C. McGill said Wednesday that a demurrer filed in Meck lenburg Court had been denied. Attorneys for the three physi cians — Dr,. John C. McGill, Dr. Kenneth H. McGill and Dr. Thomas H. Wright — had sought dismissal of the action brought by William J. Bailey, 23, of Kings Mountain, on grounds that the action had been improperly lodg ed. Specifically, the demurrer said Dr. Wright should not have been made a party to the action. Bailey alleges he was “wrong fully” committed to the State Hospital at Morganton. Attorney for Dr. Kenneth Mc Gill is Lewis Carpenter, of Char lotte, and attorney for Dr. Wright is Hunter Jones also of Charlotte. Attorneys for Bailey are Parker Wheedon, Charlotte, and Hugh Wells, Shelby. Neisler layoffs S<id Temporary Spotty layoffs at Neisler Mills | division of Massachusetts Mohair j Plush Comapny were described ! as "temporary” by Howard B. Jackson, member of the three man management committee. Mr. Jackson said that sales of new goods by Neisler during the period October 29-December 15 were negligible, due to uncer tainty among customers concern, ing the completion of the trans action where by Horvath interests acquired production assets of Neisler Mills, Inc. “I am glad to say that orders for new goods are being received ind that the situation should straighten itself out,” Mr. Jack ton said. "Under our production set-up, orders for new patterns nust be received almost daily if ve are to maintain capacity pro luctlon. Naturally, it will require ;ome time to make up the six veek lag.” Mr. Jackson noted that business n the fabrics-upholstery industry s "the best its been since World tfar II.” Franklin Ware, manager of the Employment service, placed the otal of layoffs at Neisler at lightly over 40. . Wells, Whitener Enter Race For District Congress Seat GASTON ENTRY — Basil White ner, Gastonia lawyer, has an nounced he will seek to succeed Woodrow W. Jones as Congress man from the 11th North Caroli na district. Dimes Drive Said Lagging Only $1,500 of Kings Moun tain’s $5,000 March of Dimes cam paign goal has been obtained, Charles Dixon co-chairman of the drive, announced Wednesday. The Kings Mountain Moose Lodge is selling tickets for a sing ing to be held in Shelby January 29. Thisrprogram of musie&vill, feature the renowned Harmon eers quartet as well as other groups of singers. All proceeds from tickets sold in Kings Moun tain will be used in the city’s quota, Dixon said. The Junior Woman’s club Moth er’s March will be held Tuesday night from 7 until 8 p. m. All persons wishing to donate at that time are asked to leave their porch lights burning. Miss Grace Davis, co-chairman of the Mother’s March, said that canvassers will meet at Victory Chevrolet Company, and that anyone being missed during the soliciting may call 49 or 419, Victory Chevrolet numbers, and their donation will be picked up. Miss Davis added the the clu'b hoped to make this the biggest drive ever held in Kings Moun tain. No further word has been re ceived on the status of parking meter receipts which were ear marked to go to the campaign. The city board passed this motion at its last meeting, but the money is not being given to the March of Dimes until the legal aspect of the matter is investigated fur ther. Some $154.95 was collected in the meters, during the period of time specified by the city board. HOSPITAL GIFT Grady Howard, business man ager of Kings Mountain hospi tal, acknowledged Tuesday a gift of Dr,. John C. McGill and Dr. Kenneth H. McGill for furn ishings for a room in the new wing of the hospital. Jones Announces Ehange-Of-Mind, And Will Retire The Herald had three political announcements in rapid-fire suc cession Wednesday morning. In the order of their appearance, they were: 1) A special delivery letter from Congressman Woodrow W. Jones brought the news that the Rutherfordton legislator would not, after all, seek re-election. He had announced several weeks ago he would. 2) Hugh Wells .Shelby attor ney, called the Herald a few minu tes later to say he was tossing his hat in the ring for the Demo cratic nomination for the 11th dis trict Congressional seat. 3) Solicitor Basil Whitener, of Gastonia, telegraphed a few minutes thereafter that he, too, would seek the seat being vacat ed by Jones. Shortly after lunch, Mr. White ner called the Herald to elaborate on the matter. He said he had not considered making the race until he heard news of Mr. Jones’ decision to retire to his Ruther fordton law practice. Mr. Wells, who had been pro jecting his candidacy previously, found in the Jones announcement all the push he needed to get his campaign underway. Com urrent ly with his announcement, he said Les Roark, former editor of the Cleveland Times, woi|Jd be his jam paign publicity chief. Kings Mountain friends of Con gressman Jones expressed sur prise at the announcement. The Congressman gave “personal and Business” reasons for his change Bf-mind. Both Mr. Whitener and Mr. Wells are well-known in Kings Mountain. Mr. Whitener is a former state president of the Junior Chamber Bf Commerce and is the veteran solicitor of the Mecklenburg-Gas ton district. He was long active in affairs of the Young Democra tic state and national organiza tions. Mr. Wells, 33, is currently ac tive in Jaycee and Young Demo cratic circles. He is a member of Shelby’s Central Methodist church, a graduate of the Uni versity of North Carolina law school, and an air force veteran Bf World War II. In an informal statement, Mr. Wells said, “I’m definitely run ning.” Mr. Whitener said he would pay the filing fee to the State Board of Elections at once. The Democratic primary will be I conducted in May. Congi'esman Jones said: “After Continued On Page E^jht KIWANIS MEETING Members of the Kings Moun tain Kiwanis club will see a film “Out of the North” at the meeting of the club ’Thursday night, 6:45, at Masonic Dining hall. The program was arrang ed by L. Arnold Kiser.. The film is released by Nash division of American Motors. Kiwanis Club Activities Bepoit Shows Busy Twelve Months In 'SS Dr. William L. Pressly, chair man of the Kiwanis Club Achieve ment Committee, gave a report on Kiwanis activities for the year 1955 to club members at the week ly meeting Thursday night. This report showed that on January 6, 1955 the club had 74 active and priveleged members, and that on December 31, mem bership had increased to 80 mem bers. Average atendance for the 52 meetings during the year was 74 per cent of the membership. The lowest attendance mark was in November when only 65 per cent of the members attended. High est mark for the year was in May when 80 per cent attended. Dr. Pressly gave a special word of tribute to the officers who served the club during the past year. These included, J. C. Brid ges, president; Bill Fulton, secre tary; and Harold Coggins, second vice-president and program chair man. The directors of the club were also praised for their gui dance of the club’s affairs. The report reviewed the year’s programs, which included many experts in various fields. Dr. Pres sly called the programs “at>ove average” and added that they re presented a cross-section of Ame rican life. Several new members were ad ded to the club during the year. They included a banker, two mill men, a miner, purchasing agent, teacher, minister, and a news paper man. Kiwanis Club members are ser ving on the school board, library board, hospital board, and are di rectors of Industry. The report al so pointed out that B. S. Peeler, Jr., was chosen as Kings Moun tain’s Young Man of the Year for 1954. The biggest project of the year for the club was the construction of two tennis courts, according to the report. These were construct ed at a cost of $2,310. The Kiwanis Kamival and soap sale were the two main money raising projects of the year. The Kamival raised $1,292.29 and the Continued on Page 1 Section B CLEVELAND ENTRY — Hugh Wells. Shelby lawyer, has form ally announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress from the 11th district. Wreck Victim's Injuries Fatal Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock at Bethany Baptist church, Gro ver, for Grady William Montgo mery, 42, of Grover who died at Kings Mountain hospital Wednes day morning. Mr. Montgomery died from in juries received in an automobile accident which occurred on U. S. 29 south of Kings Mountain on January 15. Patrolman C. D, Fortune, inves tigating officer, said the accident occurred when James Smith of Bessemer City attempted to turn left just as Montgomery’s car tried to pass. No charges were filed against either driver at that time. Surviving Mr. Montgomery are his parents, Thomas and Lila Black Montgomery of Grover; his wife, Mrs. Inez Childers Montgo mery; a daughter, Cindy Kay Montgomery, both of the home; six brothers, Dewy and Floyd Montgomery, both of Grover, Rev. Perry Montgomery of Co lumbia, S. C., Boyd Montgomery of Kings Mountain, Broadus Montgomery of Gastonia, and R. C. Montgomery of Atlanta, Ga.; and three sisters, Mrs. Lilly Hop per and Mrs. Bessie Putnam both of Grover, and Mrs. Jessie Nor man of Gastonia. The Rev. Wayne Haynes, pastor of Bethany church, will officiate assisted by the Rev. Kenneth Hoi lifield and the Rev. Franklin Mon roe. Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery near Grover. The body will lie in state for 30 minutes at the church prior to services. Pallbearers will be Jim Mont gomery, James Norman, Billy Montgomery, Charlie Putnam, Fred Childers, Jr., and J. W. Burns. Two Civil Cases Are Non-Suited Voluntary nonsuit was taken last week in Cleveland Superior Court in a civil action filed by D. C. Mauney against D. L. and D. D. Saunders, seeking $21,691.00 in connection with alleged sale of the former Kings Mountain Laun dry equipment to the Messrs. Saunders. In turn, the Saunders took a voluntary non-suit in a counter claim for $3,300 which they al leged Mr. Mauney owed them. The non-suits were taken last Thursday and signed by Judge George B. Patton, Miss Jeanette Wilson, deputy clerk of superior court said. Gas Customers Must , Pay Bills By ICth Natural gas accounts must be paid by the tenth of the month or service will be discontinued thereafter, city natural gas cus tomers are being notified this week. In addition, a penalty will be added for cut-off and cut-on of service, the announcement said. Policy of the gas department on strict cut-off for non-pay ment now coincides with that of other city utilities.