davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
NORTH CAROLINA RANKS FIFTH
IN CROP VALUES

North Carolina with total crop
value Of $342,637,OOO took fifth
place among states in 1922, accord
ing to figures compiled recently.
If the value of live stock, $87, ,000-
900 is added to that figure the to-
tai farm production of the state last
year was valued at $430,0OO, 900.
Since the state ranks 23rd in live
stock values, the average for the
crops and live stocks brings it down
to twelfth in respect to all states.
Cotton and tobacco are largely re-
sponsible for the crop values and
the live stock shortage pulls down
the average considerably. At least
one half the other states of the
Union have more improved land than
North Carolina.
North Carolina retained fourth
place in respect to the % leading
crops in 1922, when the total value
was $298, ,044,0 900. A similar rank
was held in 1921 when the value of
the % leading crops amounted to
$219,S67, 900. Texas holds premier
place and Iowa and Illinois take
second and third place, the order
Of their rank varying from year te
year.
In all crop values, North Caro-
lima ranked sixth in 1921, with 6
total crop value Of $252, ,376, 900; il
1922 it had risen to fifth place will
total valuation Of crops Of $342,
1887.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
Thousands Cut off From
Government Pay Roll

During the two years of the Har-
ding administration ending March 4
almost 100000 employees have been
separated from the government SER
vice, according to a capitulation made
at the direction Of President Harding
and given our recently at the white
house.
Detailed figures furnished by all
departments and independent estab-
lishments of the government show
ed that reductions totaled 1918
but these were offset somewhat in
increases in certain of the depart
ments numbering 2O,396, leaving a
total reduction of 98,792.
Nearly all' of the departments
contributed to reduction of the per-
sonnel.
The post Office department increase
of 9,166 was explained in the white
house announcement as due to the
national expansion of the business of
the department.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

Boone Trail is Again
Ignored in New Contract

The following from a Yadkinville
Dispatch to the Winston Journal:
According to information publish.
ed in the Manufacturers Record the
North Carolina State Highway Com
mission will let out at the April meet
ing 1853 miles of road building pro-
jects. Several bridge contracts will
also be awarded, these being in Av-
cry, Robenson and Mecklenburg coun
ties, the latter on the line between
Mecklenburg and Cabarrus.
The contracts will involve the
construction Of road sections in
the following counties: Chowan
Perquimans, Hertford, BERTHE,
Hyde, Craven, Wilson, Durham,
Harnett, Orange, Wake Randolph,
Moore, Cabarrus, Iredell, Cald-
well, Ashe, Henderson, Avery,
Haywood, Madison and Graham
1t is taken that the money to be
spent on the 1853 miles of road to
be contracted at the April meeting
is part of the first $5O,OOO,OOO as
the recent issue voted by the Legis-
lature just adjourned is not yet avail
able.
Only two of the counties named
in the proposed road projects are
in the seventh district, these being
Caldwell and Ashe. The informa-
tion published by the Manufacture
ers' Record does not give the num-
ber of miles of road proposed in Ell
ther of these two counties, nor does
it designate the number of the roads
to be built.
The thousands of citizens of Yad-
kin county whose hearts are set on
the paving of highway no. 60, known
as the Boone Trail, the main artery
of the seventh district are disappoin-
ted to learn that this highway was
not included in the projects propos-
ed for letting at the April meeting of
the highway commission. 1t was con-
fidently expected that the April meet
ing would see the Boone Trail bid
awarded, at least to the Wilkes coun-
ty line, as hard surface road.
Both the Wilkes and Yadkn county
commissioners have put their official
o. X. on the paving of the Boone
Trail and they are still hopeful that
Commissioner Hanes will ~sss 10 it
when the tire is ripe. It is recogniz-
ed that Commissioner Hanes has both
hands full and is working with his
coat off to make the best showing
possible for his district and to bepe-
fit the majority Of the people and for
this reason no one has abandoned the
idea that the Boone Trail will be ul-
hard-surfaced.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
Death Cheats Chair
of Human Victim

GREENVILLE, S. C. - "Case
closed by death of defendant" !"
These cryptic words written across
the record in the case of Cliff Haw-
kins charged with murder and pla-
ced twice in the death house" of the
South Carolina penitentiary, tell the
end of one of the most spectacular
and bitterly contested cases in the
criminal annals of the state. Hawkins
passed quietly away in his cell in the
Greenville county Jail. Meningitis was
pronounced as the immediate cause
of his death.
For more than two years Cliff
Hawkins, young planter of noun
tain section, had waited in prison
for the final judgment Of the
courts. He had been tried for the
murder and convicted and SEN
fenced to die in the electric chair,
Almost on the eve Of his electrocu.
tion the sentence was suspended
and only last week he was tolG
that his case would be decided al
the present term of court of general
sessions.
In July 1920, a negro woman
was fatally shot by a white man
Four days after the shooting o1
the negroes, hearing that a white
farmer named William Morgan
had j.. told officers that Hawkins sho
the negress. Hawkins went to Nor
gan's home and killed him. He thel
turned his gun upon himself and in
fiicted serious wound.
| Afterwards, Hawkins was indictet
by the grand jury on two counts
charging murder, and the case whicl
has just ended through change o
venue to the greater court of justice
was begun.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
Slight of Hand Stunt
Makes Pensioners Ea-
sy Targets for Crooks
Changes Envelopes After Money is
Placed in Them by Unsuspecting
Persons-Working Toward Caro-
Gnas-Honesty Test.

WASHINGTON, March ia
sharper" is going through the south
| cheating veterans or the widows
of ex-soldiers out of pension money.
A slight of hand trick is used to
swindle the old people. This fellow
has worked his way through Missis-
sippi, Alabama and Georgia and is
Travelling toward the Carolinas and
Tennessee. The Federal government
is after him. Gayly dressed and
glib of tongue the fellow makes
headway, where less pretentious
chap would not,
Posing as a special agent Of the
pension bureau" the department of
interior warned today" this man
has been calling at the homes of
pensioned soldiers with an announce
ment that an increase in their pen
sions to $72 has been awarded them,
providing that they pass a simple
test.
"The surprised pensioner, accord
ing to the information obtained by
the bureau of pensions, promptly
agrees to any sort of test and the
swindler then presents an empty en-
velope and asks that the former SOL
dier place all the money in his pos
session inside it.
Here's the proposition, the fake
pension agent then explains. All the
government wants to know is wheth-
~
going to seal this envelope with the
money you've just given me in it,
and leave it with you to keep until
the commissioner of pensions comes
around tomorrow. If he finds the
money untouched, you've passed the
test and proven you're an honest
man. If he discovers you've torn
open the envelope and taken out the
money it shows that you're dishon-
est and no increase in pension will
be given you.
"Sums running all the way from
SIS to $50 have been eagerly dug up
by the pensioned widows or old SOL
diers, and the clever flint Hammer in
each instance has deftly slipped the
money into the envelope and given
it to the pensioners to hold awaiting
the arrival of the commissioner of
pensions the following day. But the
fails to put in his ap-
pearance either the next day or any
subsequent days. Growing impatient
the pensioners finally give up hope
and tear open their envelopes. In
stead Of finding their money in it
they are startled to discover a few
pieces of old newspaper
The sleek stranger claiming to be
a pension agent has worked slight
of hand trick in Transforming the
and instead Of putting the
currency in the envelope has placed
it in his pocket.
Department of justice agents and
special examiners of the pension bu-
reau are conducting a search for
the swindler but so far have been
unable to catch him.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

The goose had been carved and
everybody had tasted it. It was ex-
cellent. The negro minister who was
the guest of honor, could not re-
strain his enthusiasm.
"Dat's as fine a goose as ever
set my teeth in Brudder Williams,
he said to his host. "Whar did you
get such fine goose?"
"Well now pahson" replied the car
yer of the goose, exhibiting great dig
nifty and reluctance, "when you prea-
ches' a speshul good sermon I never
axes you whar you got it. I hopes
you will show the same considerat-
ion. Lawyer and Banker.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
"Clean-Up' Week
From March 26-3I

Inc week OF Marcn 1851 has been
proclaimed cleanup week by Cover
nor Cameron Morrison in a public
proclamation, and the state insurance
department, headed by Commission
er Stacey W. Wade, will lead the
campaign against rubbish and fire.
breeding conditions.
| In his proclamation, the Governor
asserts that "in the $8,OOO,OOO loss
of property in North Carolina by
fire during the past year, the sta
stistics will ever be able to measure
our individual guilt, nor repenalize
our carelessness; yet the respon-
sibility is there and the fact that
it is a public burden, an open re-
proach, does not lessen the personal
offense."
The proclamation follows:
Cleanliness is not only next to
Goodness, but partakes of it in
that it points to the saying of hu-
man life. This is true not only in
the care of the human body but in
the prevention of fires and acci-
dents which take each year an
appalling toll of lives.
"In failing to remove from our
homes and places of business all
rubbish and fire-breeding conditions,
we set aside both the laws of God
and man, accepting the charge of
criminal negligence and inviting
the murderous sacrifice of human
life as well as the wanton destruc-
tion of property.
"In the $S,000,000 loss of proper
ty in North Carolina by fire dur
ing the past year no statistics will
ever be able to measure our indi-
vidual guilt nor penalize our care
lessness; yet the responsibility is
there, and the fact that it is a pub
lie burden, an open reproach, does
not lessen the personal offense.
"Cleanliness in our lives, in our
homes, in our places of business, is
duty we owe our families, our
neighbors and friends. Let us
glorify that duty in the discharge
of it. Cleanliness is impossible
among trash and rubbish; then let
US clean up.
"Now, therefore, l, Cameron
Morrison, Governor of North Caro-
lima, in order to impress upon our
people the menace of carelessness
and to induce a general and active
interest in fire and accident pre-
vention, do hereby designate the
week Of March 26 to 81, 1928 as
Cleanup Week, and urge that it
be observed by devoting a part Of
each day to thorough inspection
of attics, closets, easements, store
age rooms, and the removal of all |
waste, trash, or other accumula- |
tion that might cauLe a fire or ac-
cident.
"Let us accept a personal res
possibility in making North Carroll
ma safe for life and property by
filst cleaning up our own premises
and then cooperating with our
city authorities and state insur-
ance department, in removing ha-
zardous conditions from our schools
institutions factories and other pub
lie places.
Done at our city of Raleigh this
the eighth day Of March, in the
year Of our Lord, one thousand,
nine hundred and twenty-three, and
in the one hundred and forty
eighth year of our American 1ndc-
pendence.
"Signed: CAMERON MORRISON
Governor"
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15
Germans Wreck r. Road
AS Retaliation For Laws
Imposed by the French
>Cuno's Speech Has Decided Effect
in Stimulating Passive Resistance
Among Hundreds of Workers and
Industrial Leaders in Ruhr.

..Essen-The most serious case o.
railroad sabotage yet reported wa.
discovered today south of Essen
where $50 yards of track of the mair
line between Essen and Dusseldorf
had been torn up during Tuesday
night.
Chancellor's Cuno's speech in the
reichstag has had a decided effect in
stimulating the passive resistance am.
'ong the hundreds of thousands of
workmen in the Ruhr as well as the
heads of industry, according to Ger
man sources here.
The French on the contrary, de-
clare that the speech was disappoin-
ting to the population which had ho-
ped to find it more definite declar-
alton that might lead to negotiations
with France.
German trade union leaders here
are almost unanimous in the state
ment that the speech will make the
factory workers and coal miners
more determined than ever to main
tain their resistance to occupation.
Berlin-The reichstag debated the
speech of Chancellor Cuno; the discus
sion revealed general unanimity in
support of the governments state
ment, while in the Reichstag corri-
dors the talk chiefly concerned itself
with the effect of the chancellor's
speech abroad.
In the course of the debate, DR..
Edward David for the socialists said
the French ought to understand that
an agreement was only pvbgkqggggh
an agreement was always possible,
with France desiring only reparation
and peace. but with France wanting
to annex the Rhineland and Ruhr,
never. %,
Herr Hurst conservative regret
ted that Chancellor Cuno had not an
nQunced rupture of diplomatic rela-
tions and policy of reprisals.
Herr Stresseman of the peoples
party declared:
"No reasonable minded person will
oppose an understanding with Franc
but in her procedure it is now up to
France to create prequisites for such
an understanding"
OLOGNE-Additiona territory
east of Cologne was occupied today
by the French troops in order to give
France complete control Of all the
custom posts on the right banks Of
the Rhine. By this move the British
bridgehead at Cologne is now sur
rounded by French patrols and out
posts. The area east Of Cologne for
the present is being patroled by the
French.
The customs posts at the Derring-
hansen railroad junction and in the
town of Wipperfurth southeast of
Elberfeld were occupied by the
French Tuesday and detachments of
French troops were stationed at Gra-
faith and Remscheid to guard the
ines of communication extending just
beyond the British area.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

Rather than miss football game
at Coaldale. Pa, 10000 persons re-
mained in their seats and refused to
desert the game to fight a fire which
destroyed house on the outskirts Of
town. Appeals were made for fireman
to respond but NO one moved.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

There is always a brighter side.
Think how utterly idiotic the reject
ed scenarios must be. Baltimore
Sun.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

Two men labor continuously in the
Pennsylvania station in New York to
remove wads Of chewing gum trav-
.slers have tossed on the. floor.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

The trouble seems to be that too
many people think the law should be
enforced and not enough think it
should be observed. Portland Tele-
g1am.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

The delta of the Mississippi has
just been surveyed for the first time
with accuracy by using cameras from
airplaneA
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

There is nothing better for COM
munity than arousing men to come
together before God in His house,
William Allen knight.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-03-15

II you can't travel you can get
Pullman luxury at home. Just crawl
up on closet shelf and stick a
cinder in your eye.-Co Coatsville Rec
ord.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
INJURED BY AUTOMOBILE

T. c. Grove. GO, was painfully in
jured this morning al 1880 o'clock on
Murphy's lane, when a wagon which
he was driving was struck from the
rear by an automobile. The machine
is said to have been driven by a
negro who speeded away without Of
fering assistance to Mr.. Grove and
who had not been found up to
Wednesday evening. This is the sec
ond accident of this nature since
Sunday in which white men were run
down by negro drivers who drove off
from scenes of the accidents and con-
siderable feeling has been manifested.
The other accident occurred Sunday
evening when W. r. Brown of Galley
Vile, Ala, was struck by an auto
mobile on Ninth avenue. and died
later at a Bessemer hospital.
Mr.. Grove was thrown from the
demolished wagon. and was brought
to Bessemer by friends who live in
the neighborhood.
Mr.. Grove is the father of Mrs. G..
c. Terry of Bessemer, and resides on
the Murphy's lane road. He is being
treated at the Elizabeth Duncan hos
pital and was resting we'll Wednes-
day evening, his condition not being
considered serious. His injuries con-
sisted of cuts and bruises about the
head and shoulders.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
REPORTS slow IN
BE.SSEMER DRIVE;
PROGRESS IS GOOD
T. c. Grove Painfully Injured
When Automobile Runs In
to His Wagon
BESSEMER BUREAU
THE AGE-HERALD


Encouraging reports were submit
ted Thursday, the second day of the
campaign for funds for the tubercu-
losis sanatorium, a Bessemer, and
though the cash receipts did not equal
Wednesdays the campaign here
promises success by Saturday, the
last day.
One reason for the shortage in re-
ceipts Thursday was the fact that
several large committees working in
important districts have not as yet
reported. This is due to the fact that
many of them did not get started un-
til late Thursday, and it will be i'm
possible to get first reports from them
until Friday noon.
Great stress is being made at head
quarters in the publicity campaign
being carried out at the plants of the
district by means of speakers. The
Chamber of Commerce is sending
four-minute speakers to every plant
and mining camp, and the schools
and club meetings are also being ap-
realed to.
The largest report from the Bes-
semer district Will be submitted
Saturday, though the campaign will
close in the downtown section Friday
afternoon. At the plant of the ma
Jority of companies hundreds of men
have agreed that the time offices
may withhold one days wages from
their checks, and these amounts in
lump sums will be turned over to
the committees Saturday. The sub
scriptions from the corporations will
also be turned in Saturday in the
majority of cases
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
MANUAL TRAINING EXHIBIT

The yearly exhibit OF articles made
by the manual training department
and the domestic arts department of
the Bessemer High school are now on
exhibition in the windows of Nor ton
Hardware company and Erlick &
Lefkovits. The exhibit at Morton's
had been placed under the direction
of Prof. Charles E. Jackson, director
of the manual training department.
The girls exhibit at Erlick & LET
kovits is under the direction of Miss
Regina Matlock.
This years exhibit by the boys Is
considered one OF the best ever
shown. 1t consists Of an oak library
table, lamps, book ends, broom hold
ers and many other articles. An ex-
cellent background Is formed by a
mechanical drawing by the students
of this class. The exhibit by the
girls class at Erich G. Lefkovits will
be on display all day Friday and the
parents of the pupils have been
urged to attend.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
COMMENCEMENT At BEssEMER

Commencement week at the Bes-
semer High school will be featured
by number of interesting events
other than the graduating exercises,
among which will be the alumni ban
quot and the presentation TO the
president of the Pershing and Beta
Gamma literary societies of the
championship loving cup for the
years work. Another much antici-
pated event viii be the commence
ment address delivered by DR.. ]. S
Thomas, of the university who has a
large following In Bessemer.
The annual alumni banquet will be
held June l at the high school lunch
room. and the membership of the or
ganization will be considerably en-
larged by the class which graduates
this year. The alumni of the school
has increased so much in number
and spirit during the last few years
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
JUNIOR MCDOWELL CLUB

The members, parents and teachers
of the Juvenile club were the guests
OF the Junior Mcdowell club at their
open meeting at the home of Miss
Helen Veitch Monday afternoon. The
welcome address was given by Miss
Veitch, after which the following pro-
gram was rendered: Violin. walter"
Miss Minette Schwabacher; plano,
"Narcissis." Miss Dorothy Harmer;
pianologue, Miss Frances Rush;
violin. I'm the Mill" Miss Clustie Nc
Tyeire; piano, The Flatterer," Miss
Minette Hood; violin, Alta" Miss
Evelyn Mitcham. accompanied by
Miss Ouida Wood; violin, "Liebes
Freud" Paul Smith; two pianologues,
Miss Helen Veitch. There were more
than so guests present and the
hostess served a delightful luncheon
plate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
PUTS BAN ON |. w. W..
Mobile Police Recorder Is Hard On
Organization

W. is nihilistic organization. and
cannot exist in this city" was the
verdict of Recorder D. II. Ellington
today In the police court after assess
ing fines of s101 and costs or so
days with 80 days additional hard
labor against two members of that
organization and the same without
the hard labor against two other
members after a trial of violating
the state anti-boyeo tting law.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18

that the annual banquet has become
one Of the most popular gatherings
of the year.
Eugene Hawkins. president, will
preside and deliver the welcome adj
dress. Response will be made by Mrs.
Cecil Cowan. Sidney Kartus will de-
liver an address, after which Joe
Scott will give "A Word From the
Glass of 1928" Miss Ella Sapp will
relate Scandal of 1900" Musical
selections by Miss Marion Neal and
Miss Ethel Williamson and Miss Vir-
ginia Williamson will take place be-
tween the talks.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
PARKER CHOSEN CHAIRMAN

At the meeting Of the recently
elected board of deacons OF the South
Highlands Baptist church n. B. Park
er was chosen chairman with M. E.
Cropwell vice chairman. and H. j.
Green as secretary. The board con-
sists of IL members, number of
whom were recently ordained.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-18
OPEN poor NExr WEEK

The Ensley swimming pool. which
was scheduled to be opened Sunday,
will not be ready for the swimmers
on that day, according to Commits
sioner Harrison, who said Thursday
that the pool would not be ready
until Tuesday or Wednesday OF next
week Mr.. Harrison explained that
the weather was a trifle chilly yet
and that few finishing touches TO
the swimming pool were necessary
before it would be ready for the
GUNNER rush. There has been quite
a great deal of interest In Ensley
as to the date of the opening. The
Ensley pool has proven to be very
popular pleasure place for Ensley
citizens and its opening will be hailed
with delight by swimmers generally.