North Carolina Newspapers

Population ♦ Greater Kings Mountain 10,320 City Limits 7,206 n* flans* for Grooter flags Mountain lo derived from Iks IMS Kings Mountain city directory census. The City Units floors Is from the United States aonssss of lt$S. Kings Mountain's Reliable Newspaper r If }* ""ilaSjJT - _ ^ _ | ~~~Z t' 1 Q Pages 10 Today VOL 66 NO. 50 Established 1889 Kings Mountain, N. C.t Thursday, December 20, 1956 Sixty-Seventh Year PRICE FIVE CENTS Kings Mountain Merchants To Be Open Later Friday, Saturday, Monday Short Industrial Holidays Reflect Better Business - -—-——-< Buisness Power Rate Upped Local News Bulletins BUILDING PERMITS Two permits were issued this week by Building Inspector J. W. Webster. Thursday, Decem ber 13, a permit was issued to Kelly Dixon to erect q house on W. Ridge street, at an esti mated cost of $3,500. Wednes day, December 12, a permit was issued to Charles Alenxander to erect a house on Henry street, at an estimated cost of $10,000. DIXON PROGRAM Dixon Presbyterian church has scheduled two Christmas programs, on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the church. A one-act play will Ibe presented at 7 p. m. Saturday night. A candle-lighting service to feature-scripture and fam iliar carols will 'be held at 3:49 p, m. on Sunday. XIWANIS SESSION The Kings Mountain Kiwanis club will hol'd its regular meet ing on Thursday night at the Woman’s Club at 6:45. No form al program has been scheduled, with the meeting to be devoted to the club's annual Christmas charity project. OFFICES CLOSING Driving license offices wll pe closed (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, ac cording to an offical report. The offices will toe open in Kings Mountain on Thursday and Fri day as scheduled. CITY HOLIDAYS Business offices and tax of fice at City Hall will toe closed on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day and will re-open for business Wednesday, De cember 26. These offices will also toe closed on New Year’s day, it was announced. AT SON'S HOME Harvey Roberts is recuperat ing at his son’s home on Grover Road from an operation he un derwent recently at Charlotte Memorial Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. (Roberts are at the home of Mt. and Mrs. Howard Roberts. Next Herald Out On December 24th The next edition of the Kings Mountain Herald will appear under date of Monday, Decem ber 24. It will be the traditional “Christmas” issue, customarily advanced in publishing sched ule to appear the day prior to Christmas. The Herald will ap pear on newsstands Sunday evening. It will contain, in addition to the regular content of up-to-the minute news, social and sports events, Christmas feature ma terial, greetings from mer chants and other features. Both merchants and citizens seeking news coverage should observe these deadlines: Advertising at 2 p. m. Satur day. Social and sports news at 10 a. m. Sunday* Other news events at 2 p. m. Sunday. The Herald will suspend ope rations for Christmas holidays Monday at noon and will re sume operations Monday morn ing, December 31. The Decem ber 24 edition will be the last one of 1956. The next edition will appear January 3. Methodist Choir To Sing Cantata Choii To Sing Handel Work Sunday At 5 The choir of Central Metho dist church will sing Handel’s “Messiah” Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock. Soloists will be Mrs. Sue Dixon, soprano; Miss Margaret McLarty, soprano; Mrs. Alice Thompson, of Gastonia, alto; Earl Marlowe, Jr., and B. S. Peeler, Jr., bari tones, and Albert Hewitt of Marion, tenor. Miss Bonnie McIntosh is choir director and organist. Handel wrote the “Messiah” more than 200 years ago. Since its introduction it has been a traditional Christmas oratorio. On occasion of the work’s bi centennial in 1952, Critic Rafael Kammerer remarked, “In the 200 years .... since ‘Messiah’ first brought tears to the eyes of its creator and filled him with the vision of Heaven and the 'great God Himself’, it has moved and thrilled more music lovers per haps than any other choral work in the repertoire of choral socie ties, church or secular.” Members of the 29-voice choir are: Sopranos — Mrs. Barbara A] len, Mrs. Joan Cross, Mrs. Sue Dixon, Miss Winifred Fulton, Miss Jean Hicks, Miss Dorothy Goforth, Miss Ann McCluney, Miss Mary Alice McDaniel, and Miss Margaret McLarty. Altos — Miss Linda Biser, Miss Shirley Falls, Miss Norma Kay Hamrick, Mrs. J. N. McClure, Miss Mildred McDaniel, Mrs. Y. F. Throneburg, and Mrs. Alice Thompson. Tenors — Jacob Dixon, Albert Hewitt, Reginald Murray, and Arthur Walker. Basses — Bin Allen, Gary All ran, John Cross, I. Ben Goforth, Jr., Earl Marlowe, Jr. Buddy Mayes, Rev. James McLarty, B. S. Peeler, Jr., and John Warlick. LIONS MEET FRIDAY Members of the Kings (Moun tain Lions club will meet Fri day night at 7 a’ckxflc at the Kings Mountain Woman’s Club to have dinner, then distribute Christmas ibaskets to (blind families of the area. The meet ing will replace the regular meeting, which, on regular schedule, would be held Christ mas night. ELECTED — Dr. Feral E. Hen dricks. Kings Mountain physi cian. was elected president of the Cleveland County Medical society at its recent quarterly meeting. Dr. Hendricks will assume office in January. County Doctors Elect Hendricks Dr. Paul E. Hendricks, of Kings Mountain, has been elected presi dent of the Cleveland County Medical society for the coming year. \ Dr. Hendricks, who was elected at the recent quarterly dinner meeting of the society held at Cleveland Country Club, will suc ceed Dr. S. F. Parker, of Shelby. The medical group elected Dr. Charles Padgett, of Shelby, vice president, to succeed Dr. C. M. MeMurray, also of Sheliby. Dr. Avery W. McMuray, of Shelby, was re-elected secretary-treasur er. The newly elected officers will assume office at the January meeting of the organization. Dr. Hendricks, a Kings Moun tain general practitioner, is a graduate of Wake Forest college and Bowman-Gray School of Medicine. He served as a medical officer in the army before re suming practice here. He is sen ior partner of the the HendrickS Nolan Clinic here. Postal Peak Recorded On Monday; 28 Persons Kept Busy Moving Mail Kings Mountain past office has good news for late mailers. Traffic, Wednesday morning though still brisk, was on the “downbeat” Assistant Postmaster George Hord said in reporting cancellation figures on outgoing mail for the Christmas rush sea son. “I can’t say whether the big rush is over for sure, but it’s on the downbeat this morning,’* Mr. Hord commended. Cancellation comparisons for Monday and Tuesday bore out Mr. Hord’s statement. Monday was peak day for out-going mail, as postal clerks cancelled stamps of 23,825 pieces of mail. Tuesday’s total was off slightly at 23,566. The Kings Mountain post-office was keeping abreast of its work, as nine extra employees aided the regular staff of 19 in handling the big volume of parcels, Christ mas greeting cards and regular mail. Extras included Delvin Huff stetler, George Hord, Jr., Carl Cole, Guy Fisher, Harold Pearson and Robert Hullender, in addition to the regular substitutes for the three rural carriers, who are Ed win Moore, Marshall Van Dyke and Gettys Seism. Parcel post was moved swiftly as the post office kept two trucks moving at top speed Monday and Tuesday. This was a boom to special orders for customers. As has Ibeen previously an nounced by Postmaster C. L. Alexander, the post office will provide window service until 6 p. an. Saturday. Customarily, the post office windows close at noon on Saturdays. According to cancellation fig ures the postal rush actually be gan last Thursday, on December 13. From regular cancellations of 6,000-plus on the three previous days, items of out-going mail in creased to 9,180. On Friday the total was ll,086r on Saturday it was 12,001, with another 2,142 on Sunday. City Increases Over 2500 Rate By 40 Percent The city board of commission ers upped base power rate sche dules for large commercial us ers by approximately 40 percent at a special session Wednesday afternoon. Though the noard did not set an effective date, it is presumed the increase in the schedule from .88 of one cent per kilowatt hour to 1.4 cents per kilowatt hour for all over 2500 will be reflected hi billings of February 1. The action or the board -was unanimous. Assistant City Clerk Joe Mc Daniel estimated that the rate increase would effect probably 20 customers, though he added it might effect more in the sum mer months when air-condition ing systems are in use. Four lar gest users of city purchased po wer he named as Elmer Lumber Company, Kings Mountain Hos pital, A & P Tea Company and Dixie-Home Stores. Mr. McDan iel guessed the rate increase would return something like $200 per month to city coffers in win ter months, much more in the hot summer months ,again with air-conditioning to play a major role in power bills. Commissioner Sam Collins ob jected to the Herald reporter on a statement appealing in lajst week’s issue concerning power rates and crediting Mr. Collins, who had served on the committee to investigate power rate revi sion, with “long being a booster of higher power rates.” Mr. Col lins said he has only supported increased rates in the commer cial schedule. Mayor Glee A. Bridges and Commissioner W. G. Grantham pointed out that the new rate keeps the city rate under those of Duke Power Company and of the neighboring cities of Shelby and Gastonia. Residential rates are unaffect ed by the change. In other actions, the board: 1) Told the Mayor to inform the state higlTway and public works commission it desired a traffic signal installed at the in tersection of Piedmont avenue and Linwood Drive and also wished installation of an island at the Linwood Drive entrance. (The state had suggested use of the island and caution lights). 2) ' In a technical action, au thorized City Tax Collector J. W. Continued on Page Ten Would Up Pay The city board of commes sioners will ask the county’s legislative delegation to intro duce a bill in the forecoming session of the General Assem bly to raise the pay of city commissioners from $10 to $25 monthly. The motion was made iby Commissioner T. J, Ellison, with Commissioner Sam Col lins seconding, and was passed unanimously. m There was some discussion on the mayor’s pay, but Mayor Glee A. Bridges said, “Let’s leave that out of it.’* He added, T might want to run again, and I don’* believe that would help me get re-elected.’’ The commissioners now have authority to pay the mayor a minimum of $50 per month and a maximum of $300. (Mayor Bridges has received $300 since he assumed the mayoral spot on a full-time basis in 1955. 1955. Under Mr. Ellison’s motion, the bill, if approved, would not become effective until after the May 1957 city election, onoww cmfwy NEILL HONORED BY BANK — B. S. Neill, left, executive vice-president of First National Bank, was honored by the bank Saturday night on the silver anniversary of his joining First National Bank. Louis Brooks, right, is congratulating Mr. Neill after presenting him a sterling silver service. Mr. Brooks, of Charlotte, is president of the North Carolina Banker's association. The presentation was a surprise to Mr. Neill and was made at First National's annual employee Christmas party. (Photo by Pennington Studio.) Av Neill Is Honored By First National Neil Joined Hist National 25 Yeais Ago Buren Shuford Neil!, executive vice-president of First National Bank, was honored Jby the bank and its employees Saturday night on the 25th anniversary of Mr. Neill’s joining the Kings Moun tain bank. The occasion was the annual First National Christmas party, held at the Kings Mountain Country Club, and the homage to Mr. Neill, who joined First National on December 15, 1931, included a surprise testimonial and a handsome gift. Louis Brooks, of Charlotte, executive vice-president of Union National Bank and president of the North Carolina Bankers’ as sociation, made the brief testi monial speech and presented Mr. Neill a sterling silver ser vice, gift of the bank. , Mr. Neill and his wife obvious ly were completely surprised at the turn of events. Mr. Neill could only remark, “I’m too full to say anything.” Normally, he could have been referring to the sumptuous holi day-season dinner, but his atti tude indicated otherwise. Present for the dinner were all employees of the bank, their wives and husbands, directors and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Harmon. The format was that of the customary First National Christ mas party, with handsome favors and gifts for the ladies, cigars for the men, and a huge Christ mas dinner. President Summers noted that the party would not be featured by long speeches but recognized Mayor Glee A. Brid ges, a bank director, to take the rostram. The invited mayor re cognized guests and presented Mr. Brooks, the Banker’s asso ciation president, a mammoth key td the city. Mr. Brooks used his "thank you” as a sprink board into his testimonial to Mr. Neill for his 25 years here. The silver service was concealed un der the table, well-hidden by the copious tablecloth. Mr. Neill is a native of Iredell county. He attended school at Oxford orphanage, then became a hotel clerk at Hickory, where he married the former Elizabeth Continued on Page Ten New City Commercial Power Rate Schedule First 100 Kilowatt Hours @ 4.8c Next 900 Kilowatt Hours @ 2.56c Next 1500 Kilowatt Hours & 1.6c Al over 2500 Kilowatt Houas ' @ 1.4c MEDICAL CHIEF — Dr. P. G. Pad gott, Kings Mountain physician, has been elected chief of the medical staff of Kings Mountain hospital. He succeeds Dr. W. L. Ramseur. Padgett Named Medical Chief Dr. Phillip G. Padgett Was elected chief of the medical staff of Kings Mountain hospital at a dinner meeting Monday. He suc ceeds Dr. W. L. Ramseur. Dr. John C. McGill was elect ed to succeed Dr. Paul E. Hen driicks as assistant chief of staff and Dr. Kenneth McGill was re elected secretary-treasurer. Attending the session in addi Continued on Page Ten Retailers Set Later Weekend Closing Hours Kings Mountain retailers will be open later than usual Friday, Saturday and Monday to accom modate last-minute Christmas shoppers. The merchants will observe Saturday hours on both Friday and Monday, as well as Satur day. This means most stores will be open until 6:30 or 7 o’clock, with grocers remaining open slightly later. Merchants reported brisk sales this week and last weekend. While some reported shortages in a few items, majority of the merchants said thei rstocks are still complete in both variety of style and size and numerous merchants said thir stocks are minute arrivals via parcel post, express, and motor freight. Payments of Christmas bonuses by several industrial firms was expected to put a last-minute spur to Christmas season shopping here. (Majority of the merchants will take a two-day holiday for Christ mas, tooth Christmas Day and De cember 26. They will re-open on regular schedule December 27. Majority of the merchants will also observe New Year’s Day as a holiday. The same schedule will be followed toy the city’s dry cleaning and laundry industry, Fleete McCurdy, of McCurdy Cleaning-Laundry announced. MOOSE MEETING Members of Kings Mountain Moose Lodge 1748 will hold their regular weekly meeting Thursday night, at 8:15 at the lodge on Bessemer City road, according to an announcement by Curtis Gaffney, secretary. Escapee lames Woods Is Captured After Drawing Pistol On Officers A 17-year-old Kings Mountain prison cfllmp escapee threatened city officers with a pistol here Monday night when he was re captured at his home, police say. James Woods reportedly pull ed a gun on Sgt. B. P. Cooke and Officer Paul Saunders when they apprehended the young es capee at his home on Phillips Drive. Woods had escaped from a Newton Prison Camp earlier. He was serving a term for break ing and entering and larceny in connection with a break-in of Keefer’s Department Store here last summer. Chief Hugh A. Logan, Jr. re ported that Cooke and Saunders went, to the Woods’ home on a “tip”. The officers spied the fu gitive through a window and when they knocked he ran into a room and turned the lights out. When the policemen enter ed the room, Woods pulled the pistol but Sgt. Cooke disarmed him before any damage could be done. Chief Logan also reported that the pistol was taken in a break in of the home of Wiley Woods, Gaston County Negro, Monday. The .32-calibre pistol, along with a quantity of jewelry, and a box of. .32 shells was taken in this break-in. According to Chief Lo gan, this loot was found on young Woods when he was ar rested. Detective Ed Groves, of the Gaston County Sheriff’s Depart ment, is investigating the break ing and entering case, and char ges will probably be filed against the captured man in Gaston County. James Woods has a long po lice record with the local depart ment, and has served at least one other road sentence, Chief Logan reported. Several Firms Are naming Gifts, Bonuses Holidays and holiday bonuses and gifts are instore for most of Kings Mountain’s citizens next week. Local textile and other manu facturing firms announced that holiday schedules will range from two days to a full week. A good portion of the plants are paying Christmas bonuses, avid others are giving their em ployees gifts of hams, blankets, turkeys and fruit. Mauney Mills will stop work Saturday, December 22 and will resume operations on December 31. Bonuses of two and four percent of earnings will be paid, with persons employed five or more years getting the four per cent. Kings Mountain Manufactur ing Co., announced plans to stop work on Thursday, December 20 until December 26. A bonus of three percent will be paid em ployees on the last six-months’ earnings. ' Foote Mineral Company will cease operations Friday and will re-open its plant on Wednesday, December 26. A few workers will maintain a skeleton work crew during this period. Bonuses of $20, $10 and $5 will be paid, de pending upon length of service. Mauney Hosiery Co. will stop off on Friday, December 21, and will start work again on Decem ber 31. Bonuses of two and four percent will be paid employees. Burlington Mills’ Phenix plant will shut down on Saturday and will re-open operationg on Wed nesday, December 26. All em ployees have received $15 bonus es as is the firm’s custom of past years. Craftspun Yarns, Inc., employ ees will begin their holidays De cember 22, and will return to work on December 27. The com pany announced that all workers will receive owe day’s pay as a bonus. . Park Yarn Mills will close De cember 22 and employees will return to work on December 30 beginning with the third shift. Bonnie Mills will halt opera tions on December 22 and will return to work on December 31. Bonus plans were not ready for announcement Wednesday, com pany officials said. Lambeth Rope Corporation will 6tand idle only two days, Decem ber 24 and 25. Part of the firm’s employees will return Wednes day, December 26, with full ope rations beginning with the third shift on that night. Gifts will again be given employees by the company. Slater Brothers will close at 7 a. m. on Friday and will re sume operations at 7 a. m. De cember 31. Employees will be given turkeys, a company spokes man said. Neisler Division of Massachu setts Mohair Plush Company plants will halt operations on Saturday and will Tetum to work on Wednesday, December 26. Lithium Corporation of Ameri ca’s Bessemer City plant will halt its operations at midnight Saturday night and will stand Continued on Page Ten Fog Caught Eldon's Plane. Stacked It Bill Eldon, of Foote Mineral Company, left Philadelphia last Saturday rooming by plane on a scheduled three hour flight which should have put him on the landing at Charlotte air ports, as the fog refused to lift. But the weatherman had dic tated fog for the day, and the result was that the plane got "stacked” over Charlotte, along with another batch of trans ports, as the fog refused to life. Eldon’s plane subsequently headed for Atlanta, found the weather no better there, then pointed toward Jacksonville. But Atlanta airport cleared and the pilot finally sat the plane down at 1:45 p. m. Mrs. Eldon and their four chil rived home at 1:45 Sunday morning. But there is some question who “worked” the harder, Pas senger Eldon or Mrs. Eldon. Mrs. Eldo nand their four chil dren were meeting the pas senger at Charlotte Airport. Questions to the Charlotte Ter minal folk brought no help at all. It all depended on the weatherman, and he never co operated.