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Greater Kings Mountain's Progressive Newspaper
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Vol. 1 No. 51
Kings Mountain Mirror, Wednesday, August 16, 1972
12 Pages Today Plus 8 Page Insert
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Scene Of Armed Robbery
Kings Mountain Police Captain William Roper talks witb the
desk clerk following a robbery at about 1 a.m. Saturday morn
ing in which three black men described as “ordinary looking
customers’’ robbed the Royal Villa Motor Inn of over $200 in
cash and travelers checks.
Robert Anderson, of 1215 Spring Drive in Shelby was manning
the desk at the motel when two black men came to the door. An
derson said they looked like customers so he opened the door
for them. The two men walked in, immediately followed by a
third man carrying a rifle. One man said “this is a holdup’’
and instructed Anderson to empty the cash register. He began
doing so and another told him he wasn’t going fast enough and
jumped over the counter to help. The men then ran from the ho
tel and Anderson did not know if they were walking or driving.
He did describe two of the robbers as being of medium build
and one over six feet tall. Anderson had been filling in for bis
father, the regular third shift night clerk, who was on vacation.
He also told police that this had been his last night on duty.
For Class Of ’62 It Was A Big Reunion
By SANDRA WILSON
“Hello, glad you could make it.’’ “You
haven’t changed a bit!’’ “Jerry, do you
remember those oral book reports?’’
These are only a few of the comments
heard Saturday, August 12 at the Royal Vil
la Motor Inn as twenty-seven members of
the Kings Mountain High School class of
1962 and their guests held their first re
union in ten years. Plans were immedi
ately outlined for another one in five more
years.
Henry, who is a successful lawyer in An
derson, S.C. was unable to atte^ due toa
bar association meeting in the West Coast,
Ernie commented that this was the second
time he had had to give Henry’s speech-
the first being on graduation nl^t. May 30,
1962. At that time, Henry had to make a
trip to the West Coast with his family.
The guests enjoyed a buffet supper of
ham, roast beef and the trimmings. Those
attending from Kings Mountain were; Bud
and Sandra (Plonk) Bumgardner; Danny
and Joyce (Winders) Williams; Junior and
White’s Station
I Robbed By
Armed Bandits
White’s Service Station, near the Mili
tary Battleground, was robbed early Tues
day morning according to the Sheriff’s de
partment. H.C. White, ownerandopentor
of the service station told officers that he
was in the store about 8;30 Tuesday mor
ning straightening oil the soft drink bottles
when two black men came in. They hit him
an undetermined amount of times around
the head with some object.
White told the Sheriff’s officers that the
men took his wallet and tried to open the
cash register but faUed. White stated fu
rther that he had tried to get up about
three different times and each time, was
knocked back down. The last time he at-
tepted to get up, the men fired a shot at
him with a pistol but luckily, the shot
missed.
The thieves made off with approximately
$200 worth of cash.
Detective Putnam from the Sheriff’s de
partment told the MIRROR that White had
been picked up on the road by a neighbor,
who took him to the Grover Clinic. From
there White was transferred to the Cleve
land Memorial Hospital to undergo a ser
ies of X-rays.
Hobert Lee Marsh, 37, of Route 9, Box
35-A, Shelby was dead on arrival at She
lby Hospital Sunday.
Sgt. Wilbur Benton of the Cleveland Co
unty Sheriff’s Department answered a call
to the Marsh home Sunday afternoon. Ben
ton reported that he entered the front door
of the home and found Marsh lying on the
kitchen floor with a .38 caliber pistob be
side him. Marsh was rushed to the hos
pital but was dead on arrival, at 3:08p.m.
No ruling has yet been made in the mat
ter.
Sandra (Bumgardner) Wilson; Steve and
Gail (Maddox) Brown; Tom and Marlene
Bennett; RobertandCarolynLovelace; Je
rry and Vivian (Henderson) Rikard; Danny
A, Thommason; Tommy and Joyce
(Wright) Wytee. Bobby and Sara (Hicks)
Robertwn came from Cherryvllle, N.C.
Those attending from Gastonia were; Joe
and Katherine Fite; Dale and Dianne (Mc
Daniel) Holllfleld; Arthur (Buddy) and Ra
chel Robinson; Bobby Waters and his
guest. Charlotte guests were; Thomas
and Ana Barnette; James and Elaine Ha
nnon; Alton and Brenda Stewart. Arnold
and Colean (Wright) Ledford claimed She
lby as their home.
South Carolina guests were: Mrs. Car
olyn (Jonas) Gardner; Ernie Payne, Jr.;
George and Linda (Eaker) Randolph; Jac
kie and Annette (Thrift) Whitaker; John
and Judy (Watterson) Woody callDurham,
N.C. their home base.
Earl and Dottle (Gibbons) Duckett, Jr.
called Norcross, Ga. their home.
Traveling the most distance to be here
for the occasion was Mrs. Marian(Plonk)
son at Post Office Box 84, Kings Mou
ntain, N.C.
Those Class officers present were; Sa
ndra (Plonk) Bumgardner, Treasurer; Do
ttle (Gibbons) Duckett, Jr., Treasurer;
Judy (Watterson) Woody, Treasurer.
Class President Henry Raines is now
in Anderson, S.C. in law practice. Tho-
mmy Barrett, Vice President is in bur-
Clagyett who now resides in Stow, Ohio.
Tom Bennett’s band. The Caravelles,
provided music for dancing after the meal
and short business meeting.
Anyone who was a member of this Class
of 1962 who wants more Inf or nnatlon about
our plans for another reunion In five years
should contact Sandra (Bumgardner) WU-
iness with a floor covering company; Da
vid Hardin, our class Secretary, now op
erates Hardin’s garage.
The one class treasurer who did not at
tend was Sara Rose Lennon who now re
sides in Paris, France and is a tour guide
for HoUins College in that city.
Special recognition tor the planning, de
corating, and details went to Joyce (Win
ders) Williams, Sara (Hicks) Robertson,
Sandra (Plonk) Bumgardner and Sandra
(Bumgardner) Wilson.
Richard L. Williams who is now in
Guam is employed by Phllco-Ford at the
Satellite Tracing Station as Senior Field
Tech.
Approximately 106 graduated May 30,
1962.
«
N
V..
Citizens Speak Out
At Board Meeting
By Jay Ashley
Mirror News Editor
Two citizens of Kings Mountain appeared
before the city board Monday ni^t to air
their grievances on two different Issues.
Nancy Wiggins of 505 Ellenwood Street
and Helen Ballew of 920 Henry Street came
to the board to ask why the streets on whi
ch they live had not been paved. Mrs. Wig
gins said, “the street is one big mess.
There are holes all over the street. The
city also put something ontheroadawhlle
back (the substance was a pre mix to pre
vent dust) and the stuff got all over our
cars and we couldn’t get it off.’’
Mayor Moss explained that the pre mix
had been put down on request of several
citizens In the area to cut down on so much
dust. A heavy rain that day had caused
the mU to become almost tar-like.
Mrs. Wiggins complained that the peti
tion for paving the road had been entered
almost two years ago and she wondered
why nd action had been taken. “Accord
ing to new statutes, petitions that have not
been acted on must be resubmitted for
bid,’’ explained Commissioner Jonas Bri
dges,
Another major complaint of the ladles was
that the power source to their nomes was
insufficient. Mrs, Ballew and Mrs. Wig
gins told the board that air conditioners
and even one refrigerator in the area had
burned out and according to repairmen
the cause was lack of enough current.
"Usually I turn on my television set af
ter dinner,’’ said Mrs. Wiggins, “and I
only get halt a picture. The llghtsare al
so very dim and I average replacing bulbs
at a rate of about twice a week.’’
Earl Turbeyfil, head of the electrical
department told the ladies that the cut
back in current could have its source
from Duke Power. "Sometimes they cut
back the current without Informing any
one.’’
Mayor Moss instructed Turbeyfil to check
on the matter Tuesday and report the mat
ter back.
The Kings Mountain Improvement Assoc
iation was also present at the board met-
tlng and had Rev. W.F. Scott present as
its spokesman. Rev. Scott expressed dis
may over the condition of parts of the
black community.
"Some of the streets are almost impa
ssable because of the holes and bumps,
and I’m tired of spending over $9 every
month to get my tires aligned because of
driving over these streets.’’
Rev. Scott also asked the board about
the Federal Grant that was supposed to
fix up Davidson Park area. “We have no
park to speak of. I went swimming at the
pool and got so sick I couldn’t drive home,
I had to stop on the side of the road. I
want to know where that Federal money
is. If you can’t tell me maybe the Feder
al government can.’’
(Tuesday we talked with the Mayor and the
Federal Grant had been In the amount of
$10,000 of which the city received $9,891.
The grant, falling under the Urban Beau
tification and Improvement Program, was
obtained August 12, 1969. The Davidson
Street allocation of this grant was $1,005.
This money was spent on the existing fa
cilities as well as a portion of the light
ing improvement, according to Mayor
Moss.)
The Mayor explained to Scott that the
poor conditions of properties in the com-
^0
Among those attending the KMHS class of ’62 reunion Saturday
night at the Royal Villa were Marion Plonk Clagett, with Adrian;
Dottle Gibbons Duckett, Earl Duckett; and Carolyn Jonas Gard
ner. See entire reunion photo inside. (Mirror Photo by Lem
Lynch)
munlty are due to the fact that it is hard
to act on one man’s personal property
without the owners consent. “Onsuch ma
tters as keeping the grass clipped on va
cant lots, the owner is supposed to do that
and it is hard for us to go in and do the
work if he has not consented.’’
The Mayor continued, "The streets you
speak of are included for paving in the
1972-73 budget. We try to get to as many
as we can, but as you saw tonight (refer
ring to Henry and Ellenwood Stretts) pro
blems do arise. I have also been prodd
ing the Congressman in this district to
help us along with this Cansler Street pro
ject. When this is finally fulfilled requi
rement-wise, the matter of conditions of
homes and streets will swiftly be acted
on. Mayor Moss did not recall the amo
unt of the Federal Grant but assuredRev,
Scott that he would check on it.
"Self-service government is one of my
primary alms for Kings Mountain. This
system would make it possible for Indivi
dual citizens to be a part of the governing
body through committees that would hear
the problems and offer solutions. Citi
zens would be working for citizens,’’
On the agenda business the commissio
ners voted to approve preliminary asse
ssment resolutions after public bearings
on Plnevlew Street and Caldwell Street.
A proponent from the Plnevlew area, Hugh
Scott voiced his approval. Scott resides at
404 Plnevlew. No pros or cons were sou
nded in the Caldwell matter.
A request by B.S. Peeler, Jr. to rezone
the lot a 104 Dilllng Street from residen
tial to neighborhood business was also
beard. The board voted to approve the
consideration request and send it to the
zoning board.
Consideration to Invite bids for the fol
lowing streets was also approved.
Princeton Drive from Fulton Road to
Dead End-for paving; Alley oft South De
al Street-for paving; Henry Street exten-
sion-for paving; Ellenwood Drlve-for pa
ving; W. Parker Street from pavement
end to Dead End-for paving Williams
Street from Edgemont to Dead End-for
paving; Caldwell Street from Fulton Road
to Maner Road-for paving, curb, and gut
tering; Maner Road from Phifer Road to
Dead End-for repaving and curb and gut
tering; Plnevlew Street from Crescent Hill
to End-for paving, curb and guttering. Un
der the new provisions, 5(^s of the total
assessment of the job will be paid by the
property owners. Bids will be taken on
August 28.
Safety Committee Chairmanand commi
ssioner Biddix and Chief Tom McDevitt
addressed the board on a consideration
of request of Central Methodist Church
for establishing a loading zone in front
of the fellowship hall. The purpose of the
loading zone is for the pre-school child
ren who will be attending the nine month
church school. The request was approv
ed.
An exchanging of property off Highway
74 by Wade Tyner was also heard. City
attorney Jack White told the board that
Tyner (Wade Ford) would deed the city
60 feet right of way to make Castlewood
approach 74 at a right angle. "The way
it is now, the road is dangerous,’’ said
White. The consideration was approved.
The board also sent to the zoning board
a consideration to rezone all residential
areas to permit day care centers. Jack
White read parts of the city ordinance and
pointed out various discrepancies in the
rules. "Many cities,’’hecontinued,’’ha-
ve allowed day care centers in all reside
ntial areas. Many more women work to
day than before and I think this would ba
a progressive step,’’ The consideration
was passed with stipulation that there be
at least 100 square feet of outdoor recre
ational grounds for each child.
Cornell Mauney, 23 and Craig Parker,
21, were confirm^ by the commissioners
lor positions on the Kings Mountain Po
lice Department in a probationary status.
Also the board voted to promote Madison
Marcellus Hunter from the rank of Pat
rolman to Sargeant. Requirements for
promotion were at least two years with
the police force and the highest grades
on both written and oral examinations.
Three of the eight eligible men took the
exams.
The board voted toauthorize Mayor Moss
to select a committee for Kings Mountain
Centennial in 1974. The committee will
be selected early in order to make the ce
ntennial celebration successful.
In other business the Mayor appointed
Jonas Bridges as chairman of the newly
formed Kings Mountain Dog Care and Co
ntrol Committee. The Mayor expressed
a wish for the committee to work hand in
hand with county officials to make the
program workable.
The Mayor also made it known that four
positions for employment with the city we
re open. Anyone Interested should con
tact the Mayor’s Office or the Department
of Public Works.
Consideration to authorize advertising
for bids on chemicals for the water tre
atment plant and the waste treatment pla
nt was also approved.
Bids are set tor September II. Norman
King was absent from the Monday meet
ing.
if:.
POLICE OEPT.
NINOS MOUNTAIN.
5 ^ N.C.
2 • 8 -72
Elford Guy Coker
Coker
Declared
Outlaw
The State of North Carolina and the Gen
eral Court of Justice Superior Court Di
vision has proclaimed Elford Guy Coker
an outlaw.
The 25 year old white male is an escapee
from theSouth Carolina PrlsonSystem and
is also wanted by the Kings Mountain Pol
ice Department on a warrant for rape.
The order, signed by B.T. Falls, Jr.,
Senior Resident Judge of tlie 27thJudiclal
District and po.sted at the courthouse re
ads as follows;
In the matter of Elford Guy Coker:
It haveing been made to appear to the un
dersigned Judge of the 27th Judicial Dis
trict of the State of North Carolina, which
is the Court of Record, by the ARidavlt
of Thomas E. McDevitt, Chief of PoUce
of Kings Mountain, Cleveland County, No
rth Carolina, that Elford Guy Coker has
been charged in a warrant of the feloni
ous charge, the felony of carnally knowing
and abusing a female child under the age
of twelve years, to wit, five years of age;
and is also on escape from the South Ca
rolina PrlsonSystem, he having been con
victed of armed robbery.
The order went on further saying;
I do hereby further order and direct that
this proclamation be published at the door
of the Courthouse of Cleveland County,
North Carolina and at the Courthouse door
of any other County in which said fugitive
is supposed to lurk and conceal himself;
and if such fugitive continues to stay out
lurking and conceal Ing himself and does
not immediately surrender himself, any
citizen of this State may capture, arrest,
and bring to justice, and in the case of
light resistance by him, alter being called
on and warned to surrender, may slay him
without accusation or impeachment of any
crime pursuant to General Statute of Nor
th Carolina 15-48.
According to Captain William Roper of
the Kings Mountain Police Department, a
warrant had been issued for Coker’s ar
rest. Sunday afternoon they received in
formation that Coker was hiding in the
woods behind his parent’s home at 116
Cloninger Street in Kings Mountain.
Roper went on to say that about 1:30 the
police and other officers surrounded the
woods and the house in an effort to cap
ture the fugitive. Accompanying the sea
rch party were three prison officials with
bloodhounds. The officers appro? died the
house and found that it was empty. Roper
was leaving the scene when he spotted the
Coker famUy car near Highway 216 and
he radioed to Officer Tommy King to stop
the car and sear chit. King did so and when
the car stopped, Elford Coker came from
the back and ran into the woods. King sta
ted that he had been lying on the floorbo
ard of the back seat. Coker’s father was
driving the vehicle.
Officer King gave pursuit but fell down
an enbankment, breaking his right foot.
Roper stated the officers then continued
the search until dark behind the Bennett
Brick and Tile business with no luck.
“Coker has been run by the dogs be
fore, ’’ Roper said, “and he knows how to
backtrack thru the creeks and swampy a-
reas.”
Coker is described as being about 150
pounds and five feet, nine inches tall. His
hair is almost jet black, curly and he has
a rather ruddy complexion. He has brown
eyes and a two inch scar on his left cheek.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Coker
is urged to contact local law enforcement
officers.