t t-inas MOUMTAIN HERALD-TuMdoy. March 31. IMl
eDiTORihK&opiniorK
Mike Will Be Missed
There is an old saying that “only the good die
young.” And this must have been the case in the un
timely passing of Mike Ledford at the age of 40.
Michael Theodore Ledford’s sudden death of a
heart attack last Friday afternoon was a shock to
the whole community and will be felt keenly in the
business community where he had worked all his
life with his parents, Ted and Flora Ledford, and in
recent years also with his wife. Sue Jean Wright
Ledford, in the operation of Kings Mountain Farm
Center. None of the family was any prouder than
Mike when the firm moved from 126 E. Gold Street
across the street to its spacious new building last
year.
A hard-working, ftiendly and thoughtful young
man, Mike was popular, not only with those who
worked in the immediate area but of many in the
rural areas, particularly the farmers. Growing up on
a farm, he knew the needs of farmers and his store
was a favorite spot for farmers to come in and sit a
spell and have their gardening tools sharpened while
getting fertilizer and other products. He was a fami
ly man, a devoted husband, son, brother, friend.
The respect in which Kings Mountain citizens
held him was evidenced at his funeral services last
Sunday when Central United Methodist Church
was filled to capacity with his friends.
Our sympathies to his wife, parents, sister,
Margaret Ledford, and his grandmother, Mrs.
Clarence Ledford, in their bereavement.
Mike Ledford will be missed.
Cancer Drive On
The 1981 Cancer Fund Campaign is now official
ly underway in Kings Mountain.
Volunteers will be making their rounds on Heart
Sunday to distribute educational materials about
this dread disease and to invite your contributions
Commendations
Conunendations are due the mayor’s committee
which is taking the lead to help Vietnam veterans
find suitable employment in the Kings Mountain
area.
Following closely on the local veterans organiza
tion’s efforts to help the Vietnam veteran is the
news that Congressman James T. Broyhill (R-N.C.)
has co-sponsored legislation in the House of
Representatives to commemorate the veterans of
the Vietnam War. This legislation will establish
April 26, 1981 as a “National Day of Recognition
for Veterans of the Vietnam Era.”
In addition to setting aside a National Day of
Recognition, the legislation will also call for a week
of conferences and symposia around the country to
highlight the problems facing the Vietnam veterans.
$10,000 Reward Offered
The Herald received this week what may be an
unusual classified ad which we are passing on in
these columns instead of by the regular “want ad
page.”
Jerry Wayne Kilmer, owner of Alternatives, PO
Box 691, Hamlet, N.C., has placed a similar
classified ad in 19 newspapers and radio stations in
Richmond County and area without results. He is
placing the ads again on the eve of the anniversary
of Judy Boyle’s death.
$10,000 Reward for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of the killer of Judy Boyle at
the Alternatives store on Hwy. 74 between Hamlet
and Rockingham, NC on April 2, 1980. (919)
582-0154.
Judy Boyle, 21, was manager of the store and was
working alone on April 2, 1980. Someone entered
the store, shot this gentle unarmed girl in the back
and stole a cashbox containing $160 - a cashbox she
would have surrendered without a struggle.
Kilmer offered a $5,000 reward immediately and
Governor Hunt matched it a couple of months later
with $5,000 from the Governor’s Office. Much
valuable information has been available to law en
forcement officials because of the reward.
However so far, neither the NC State Bureau of
Investigation nor the Richmond County Sheriffs
Department has yet been able to make an arrest in
the case.
April 2nd will be the anniversary of Judy’s brutal
murder. Alternatives sits right on Highway 74 and
the murder took place the Wednesday before Easter
when so many Carolinians were traveling.
Perhaps one of our subscribers was passing the
store that afternoon and could provide a bit of infor
mation that might solve this senseless killing,
Kilmer pleas.
We Applaud G-W Plan
Gardner-Webb College has announced a plan to
offset the reductions in student financial aid propos
ed by President Reagan’s budget cuts. The plan is to
use the college’s own financial resources, which
could amount to more than a quarter million
dollars, to off-set the student loss in federal financial
aid.
At the Boiling Springs school, which also offers
an adult education program in this area and whose
student body numbers a large number of Kings
Mountain area students, 73 percent of the student
enrollment participates in federal funding. More
than $3 million in federal funds for tuition purposes
are being received during the 1980-81 academic
year, according to Mrs. Marie Martin, financial aid
director at Gardner-Webb College.
Gardner-Webb College President Craven
Williams stated, “We believe that the economic
stability of this country requires a balanced federal
budget, but we also believe that the future of this
country resides in our young people. Therefore, we
are determined to support the President’s principle
of a balanced budget, but will continue efforts to
make student funds a high priority in Reagan’s pro
gram.”
If all of President Reagan’s budget cuts are ac
cepted by Congress, federal financial aid to each stu
dent will be reduced drastically. But for now,
Gardner-Webb is willing to carry the financial
burden of filling the gap which will occur this year,
and will issue financial aid awards to students im
mediately.
This is good news for the many students who
want to go to college but are financially unable
without some help. We applaud our neighbors for
their efforts.
LEAGUE OF VOTERS
Gaston County League of
Women Voters will meet Thurs.,
April 2, at 7:30 p.m. at St.
Mark’s Episcopal Church at the
corner of York and Franklin
Streets in Gastonia. Interested
area women are invited to par
ticipate.
Enter April...
for cancer research into this dread killer of so many
people, from all walks of all life and at all ages of
fife.
Give to the Cancer Fund when a volunteer calls
at your residence.
Anyone who brings up the subject of income tax
returns generally falls into one or another of the
categories which embrace 1) people who remind
you about your dental appointment tomorrow; 2)
wrong numbers at 2 ajn. and 3) individuals who say
“I told you so.”
But that time is upon us. Tomorrow is the first
day of April.
Time flies.
While trying to do some spring cleaning of my fil
ing cabinet at home, and sorting out what belonged
to the Legion Auxiliary and clippings that 1 had
assembled over the years, I came across a humorous
item I should have included in last Tuesday’s col
umn on mention of the rumor of an election
sometime this year on the legal sale of beer and wine
for off-premises consumption and establishment of
an ABC store.
A Congressman, asked by a constituent his stand
on whiskey, did not know whether the questioner
was “wet” or “dry.” This was his reply.
“I had not intended to dicuss this controversial
subject at this time; however, I want you to know
that I do not shun a controversy. On the contrary, 1
will take a stand on any issue at any time regardless
how fraught with controversy it may be. You asked
me how I feel about whiskey. Here is how 1 stand
on this question. If when you say whiskey you
mean the devil’s brew, the poison scourge, the
bloody monster that defiles innocence, dethrones
reason, destroys the home, creates misery and
poverty - yes, literally takes the bread from the
mouths of little children - if you mean the evil drink
Lib
Stewart
SPRING SCENE — Wann*r wsathar g«ts man
and fowl thinking of how nico a dip in tho
wotor would bo. Thia duck onjoys tho oorly
spring days, os tho boots In tho bockground
owoit o busy soason os spring turns into sum-
mor.
Photo by Gary Stowart
(From tho Morch 31. 1950 odition of
Tho Kings Mountain Horald)
A large crowd was present to cheer favorites at
the Third Annual Lions Talent Show last Friday
night at the high school auditorium.
The Kings Mountain National Guard will leave
for annual summer encampment at Fort Jackson,
S.C. on July 2, according to Captain Humes
Houston, Commander.
Harold England, 12th grade student, and Jean
Cash won honors in the annual declamation and
reading contests held at Central School last week.
LOOklMG
Bl^Ck
Social and Porsonal
Miss Geraldine Cobb became the bride of Ralph
W. HuUender Sunday in a high noon wedding in
Grace Methodist Church.
Divorce - N.G. Style
(raid
PUBUSHED EACH
TUESDAY
AND THURSDAY
GARLAND ATKINS
Ptibliahor
GARY STEWART
Co-Editor
UB STEWART
Co-Editor
MEMBER OF NORTH
CAROUNA PRESS
ASSOCIATION
Tho Horold ia publUhod
by Horald Publishing
Houm. P.O. Box 752. Kings
Mountain, N.C. 28086.
Buslnoss and oditorial oi-
ficoo oro locatod at Cantor-
bury Road-East King Stroot.
Phono 739-7496. Socond
class postago paid at Kings
Mountain, N.C. Singlo copy
20 conts. Subscription ratos;
912.48 yoorly in-stoto. $6.24
six months. 913.52 yoorly
out of stato. 96.76 six mon
ths. Studont rotos for nino
months. 98.50. USPS 931-040.
There’s one subject I’ve sworn I’d never touch with any length pole. Not because I
don’t know anything about it; I know too much about it. There are some bad words I
don’t like to concentrate long enough upon to talk about, much less take pen in hand
and try to write down my thoughts.
Right along side death and taxes, cancer, wars, accidents of one kind or another, is
that ugly word - Divorce. We read every day how the number of divorces is growing by
leaps and bounds all over the country. Just recently it seems our neck of the woods has
been hit with an epedemic.
I’m immune, so to speak, because some years ago I was vaccinated with a long blunt
needle. It took all right, but left the usual scars; I feel I know and can sympathize with
all parties concerned.
To me a bride’s picture is pretty, but the picture of a couple celebrating their golden
wedding anniversary is beautiful. '
What brought this subject to mind at this particular time is what I’ve been reading
about the laws concerning the distribution of property after a couple has separated
here in our own state.
ESTELL
My very strong advice to any couple, especially those getting married for the second
time around is to make sure you sign a prenuptial agreement before the ceremony. It
will save a lot of grief and hassel if indeed this marriage goes sour later on.
I was literally forced to do this by a lawyer who had my best interest at heart. 1
doubt if I thanked him then, but later on there was no way I could have expressed my
true feelings of gratitude for having so much forethought and interest in my well being.
The hurt, the confusion, the hard feelings, and yes the humiliation, are bad enough
without the fight over property rights. There will be one you can be sure of that no
matter how little or how much is involved - that is unless you have your name and
your spouse’s name on an agreement that will stand up in the court of law anywhere.
Some separated couples even move to another state where the laws may be more in
their favor.
All this sounds so very cold hearted and mercenary. Romances seem to take second
fiddle to common sense and perhaps even greed.
I remember at the time I signed such an agreement I was very reluctant to do so. I
was afraid to even mention it to the man I planned to marry soon. I thought this will
surely be the end of wedding bells for me for sure. Much to my surprise he thought it a
good idea. Boy was it ever a good idea. So I hope some of you at least give it a lot of
thought and what’s more do something concrete about it. You won’t be sorry no mat
ter how things turn out.
I really don’t know whether this property agreement is necessary or advisable the
first time but I don’t see how it could hurt anything and it could be a big help I think
it’s a must later on in Ufe especiaUy if there are children involved and there usually are
on one side or both.
I’m not going to try to explain how our state’s laws involving property settlements at
the tune of Ayorce are set up now nor how they plan to change them. I’m sure youVe
read about thu and are wondering as I am as to whether North Carolina should follow
the lead of other states and revise their present laws.
What it toils dwn to it depends on what side of the fence you’re on as to what you
thmk IS right and fair. Just about everything in the world usuaUy comes down to
dollars and cents.
It just makes good sense to use your head where your cents are concerned. The mar
riage of a couple IS usuaUy such a happy occasion. The divorce of a couple is usuaUy so
very, veiy Md. More thought should be given to both times but our hearts rule our
heads and that is at it should be aomatlmM.
toye should rule the world and t^very aspect of our lives, but we know this is wistful
thinking - thus divorce.
that topples the Christian man and woman from the
pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bot
tomless pit of degradation and despair, helplessness,
then certainly 1 am against it with all my power.
But, if when you say whiskey, you mean the oil of
conversation, the philosophic wine; the ale that is
consumed when good fellows get together that puts
a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips and
the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you
mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating
drink that puts the spring in old gentleman’s step on
a frosty morning; if you mean the drink that enables
a man to magnify his joy and his happiness and to
forget for a little while life’s great tragedies and
heartbreaks and sorrows; if you mean that drink the
sale of which pours into our treasury untold
millions of dollars which are used to provide tender
care for our little crippled children, our blind, our
deaf, our pitiful, aged and infirmed, to build
highways, hospitals and schools, then certainly I am
in favor of it. This is my stand and 1 will not com
promise.”
CR
tai
dri
Co
Ho
Cle
and
eve
ato
Oth
ed.
mei
Jim
schi
iSch
Nai
C
bar
this
ma(
KN
1
Un
Ch
wil
CU
Ch
■Cl
Cle
Ap
Sh«
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Simmons have issued wed
ding invitations to the April 9th wedding of their
daughter, Barbara Jean, and Walter Durham Har
mon. The wedding will take place at First Baptist
Church.
Miss Marion Arthur entertained members of the
Tally Ho Bridge Club at her home Thursday night.
o
(
anc
ath
froi