davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
MRS. CRITCHER CELEBRATES
s5TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Mrs. Marth C. Critcher, widow OF
the late Mr.. VIM. ]. Critcher, of
Bamboo, was given surprise din
ner at the home of her son-in-'aw,
Mr.. Abe Edminsten, last Sunday in
honor of her eighty-fifth birthday.
The plans were laid by her children
and grandchildren, during last week
while she was visiting daughter,
Mrs. Bowles. When she returned
last Sunday she found long table
in the yard literally loaded with the
choicest "eats" procurable, and all
her children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren present, number
ing in all about sixty. Aside from
those there were about 40 guests,
making total of 100 who partook
of the splendid repast.
The dinner was prepared and serv-
ed by the children and grandchildren
of the well-known and highly re,
spected lady. Despite her age, Mrs
Critcher is still active, in very good
health and seemed to enjoy to the
fullest the happy occasion.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
MRS. JOHN HARDIN HOSTESS
TO FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB

Charming in every detail was the
way in which Mrs. John Hardin en-
tertained the Friday Afternoon Club
on Tuesday afternoon in celebration
of her birthday.
The rooms in which the club met
were very attractive with baskets of
large red and yellow dahIias.
After an hour or more of sewing
and conversation, Mrs. Hardin, as
sisted by Mesdames Ben Hardin and
Tracy Councill, served delicious
salad course and accessories followed
by cream and cake. The birthday
cake was beautiful with it's lighted
candles.
Mrs. Hardin was the recipient of
many pretty presents, among which
was large box of candy from the
club.
Guests of the club were Mesdames
Joe Hardin, Grady Farthing, Ada
Coffey of Lenoir, Mrs. Vaughn of
New York, Misses Eula and Jennie
Todd
The club will meet with Mrs. M.
P. Critcher October 7th.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
Dairy Picnic at Beaver
Dam Last Saturday
Splendid Talks in Forenoon and
Sports in Afternoon Make Up
Thoroughly Enjoyable Day

1t was the consensus of opinion of
those present that it had been many
a day since more enjoyable occa-
sion had taken place than the Beaver
Dam Dairy picnic last Saturday. In
the forenoon splendid talk was
made by James M. Gray, assistant di-
rector of the North Carolina exten-
sion service. Mr.. Gray was followed
by H. R. Niswonger and W. L. Gle
venger, who made interesting talks.
After the basket lunch was served
the various contests were staged, in
Guiding the husband calling con-
test This feature proved to be a
decided hit of the afternoon and the
cash prize was won by Mrs. Chas.
Clay.
Before the day was over the re-
suits of the cheese scoring contest
was announced, which definitely de-
cided the permanent ownership of
the silver loving cup. The cup was
won by the Deaver Dam Cheese fac
tory, with Cove Greek second and
Brushy Fork third.
Those present at the picnic de-
cided that a dairy picnic must be
held in this community next year,
and elected a committee composed
of C. j. Farthing, Clyde Perry, Mrs.
Charles Clay, Mrs. Dora Swift and
Mrs. E. Moody to formulate plans
for the coming year at which time
it is expected to hold an even larger
meeting than this one.
Mr.. Perry, manager of the cheese
box factory and one of the pioneer
dairymen of the Beaver Dam COM
munity, submitted figures showing
the total amount of money received
from the sale of cheese since the
Beaver Dam factory began opera
tions, the total being in excess of
$4,000.
DR.. Clarence Poe, editor of the
Progressive Farmer, was on the pro-
gram for an address, but was un-
able to be present.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
CONFEDERATE VETERANS
IN ANNUAL REUNION

The few remaining members of
Camp Nimrod Triplett, United Con-
federate Veterans, met in annual
reunion last Thursday at the Appa-
lachian State Normal School, where
fitting exercises in their honor were
rendered. A delightful dinner was
served in the central dining hall, and
talks were made by Rev. ]. A. Yount,
John E. Brown, T. E. Bingham,
Lloyd Isaacs, commander of Wat
auga Post, American Legion, and
several of the grizzled old heroes Of
the sixties. A beautiful memorial
service for the four who answered
the final roll call during the year.
Those present for the meeting Thurs
day included E. ]. Norris, comman-
der; H. A. Davis, Enoch Swift, W..
A. Williams, S. J. Bishop, w. l..
Bryan, N. l.. Perkins and W. j..
Presnell.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29

The Blowing Rock Chamber of
Commerce is to have campaign for
members between now and the open
ing of the next summer season, it
was decided at the last meeting of
the summer The secretary was in
structed to have forms printed for
circulation among old members and
prospective new members soliciting
renewals of membership and new
memberships.
The chamber also appointed a
committee composed of Spencer
Greene, Bynum Crisp and Bud Bolick
to stimulate interest in the beautify-
ing of yards next spring.
Another committee, composed of
Lloyd Robbins, Don Johnson and
Howard Oxentine was appointed to
have Lonesome Trail, the most beau
tiful hiking trail in the resort, put
into good condition by the opening
of the next summer season. The
Chamber of Commerce would pay
the expense.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
MORE LIVESTOCK
NEED OF COUNTY
County Can Produce Enough Stock
in One Year to Pay Taxes, Bonded
Indebtedness and Still Have Good
Sum Left Over.
By SMITH HAGAMAN

County Superintendent Education)
l do not think l am inclined in
any way to be pessimistic with refer
ence to our county or our county's
future. Every time l visit other
counties and come home, the more l
can see of the possibilities of Wat
auga; but it is good thing for US to
occasionally stop patting ourselves
on the bcak long enough to look con-
ditions in the face-and if possible
to set about strengthening our weak
places, if we have them-and l am
sure we have some, and some that
look rather serious to me.
have recently visited every COM
munity in Watauga county, and 1
see standing in the fields and stored
in barns enough old hay and fodder
to winter every head of livestock in
the county, which leaves the entire
present crop of feed-and it is one
of the finest l have seen for many
years-without a single head of live
stock to consume it. Hundreds of
acres of fine grass could be seen all
over the county with almost nothing
grazing on it. This, to me, is any
thing but a good condition for our
county.
Here are some figures taken from
the tax returns of the county that
will help us to see the trend of the
livestock interests of the county:
In 1916, eleven years ago, we had
1857 horses, $50 mules, 11,543 cat
tie, 1904 sheep. Five years ago
1922-we had 2,075 horses, Ats
mules, 13,46O cattle, and 1922
sheep. Of this last number of cat
tie, $500 were milk cows.
in 1925, we had 1909 horses,
AGA mules, 9,758 cattle, and 1922
sheep; big falling off in the num-
Der of cattle.
In 1926, we had 1928 horses,
372 mules, 8,253 cattle, and 5000
sheep. Of the number of cattle,
1886 were cows.
This year, 1927, we have 1851
horses, 408 mules, 1894 cattle, and
8,148 sheep. We have this year 3,-
916 cows.
You will observe that for the last
four years the number of cattle has
fallen off from 13,460 to 1894
almost one-half
We report this year the same
number of sheep we reported at that
time, and practically one-half the
number of calves.
Watauga is naturally a livestock
county; nature has made it such.
Grass grows naturally everywhere,
climatic conditions are almost ideal:
prices Of cattle and lambs are good
and yet we have so few to sell.
l am sure we have feed enough to
winter at least three times the num-
Der OF cattle and sheep that are in
the county, and will have grass
enough next year to Craze them.
This figured at conservative, pres
ent prices, means loss of income
for next year for the county, or this
years as to that matter, of S754,O0O
enough to pay all the taxes for
this year; all the bonded indebted
ness of the county, and give every
family $65 in cash.
This is not visionary stuff, but
cold figures and facts. 1t seems to
me that the sensible thing for the
farmers and business men of Wat
auPa to do is to get together and
start something to remedy this con-
dition-and it can be done.
l hope to have something further
to say next week about the econo-
mic condition of our county.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Governor A. W. Mclean has issu-
ed the following proclamation desig-
mating the week of October 9 to Is,
rs Fire Prevention Week in North
Carolina:
The state of North Carolina has
for years led in efforts to reduce
fire waste and it's attendant loss of
life and property. October 9th to
18th inclusive, has been designated
as Fire Prevention Week throughout
the United States, and l appeal to
our citizenship who are so familiar
with the destruction of fire to be-
come vitally interested in this great
economic waste.
Carefully gathered statistics
show that in 1925, $6,649,O39 worth
of property was destroyed by fire;
that 2S6 human beings were burned
to death in North Carolina, caused
largely through carelessness; COM
pared with our national fire loss of
500 million dollars and 10000 lives
destroyed, this is low, but entirely
too great for an intelligent citizen
ship such as ours. It is we'll known
that carelessness and ignorance of
fire hazard go hand in hand as the
chief causes of our great national
fire waste.
|, therefore, urge that the week
of October 9th to 18th be set aside
as Fire Prevention Week in accord
ance with Section $3.50 of the Con-
solidated Statutes, which provides
that the governor of North Carolina
shall, each year in October, issue a
proclamation urging the people to
a proper observance.
During this week | also urge that
fire drills be held in schools, fac
tories and stores, and that they be
continued at regular intervals.
That schools, theaters, public and
private hospitals, factories, stores
and hotels be inspected and see that
every safeguard against fire is pre-
vented, and also that exit facilities
are sufficient in case of fire.
That local authorities examine
their fire ordinances and make them
sufficient if they are lacking in any
particular.
To this end l urge our citizens to
thoroughly cooperate with our in
surance commissioner, and that every
mayor issue proclamation. /
earnestly request the cooperation of
every citizen, chamber of commerce,
Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis and Wom-
ems Clubs, and all other civic bodies
and the press. AS October 9thi
comes ON Sunday, especially ap-
peal to the clergy and Sunday School
to bring this to the
attention of their people.
Now, therefore, l, A. w. Mclean,
governor of North Carolina, in ac-
cordance with law, do issue this my
proclamation, and do set aside and
designate October 9th to 18th, 1927,
as Fire Prevention Week, and do
urge all the people to proper OBJ
servance of this week i'm obedience to
the statutes of North Carolina.
Done at our city of Raleigh, this
1st day of September, 1927, in the
year Of our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and twenty-seven, and in
the one hundred and fifty-second
year of our American independence.
ANGUS w. MCLEAN, Governor.
By the Governor:
Chas. H. England, Private Secy.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
THE COMING NEW FORD CARS
SUBJECT OF MUCH INQUIRY

when are the new model Ford
cars coming out?" is question often
heard and which no one hereabouts
is able to answer. 1t is on the way,
perhaps, but just when it will arrive
is not answerable.
However, details about the expect
ed new line of Ford cars are begin
ming to leak through from one
source and another, and perhaps in
a few days or weeks the thing will
be plain. Numbers Of the big metro
politan dailies of the north have been
sending special men to Detroit to
talk to Mr.. Ford, and from what is
being published in the papers, Mr..
Ford is not averse to talking about
his forthcoming product. Among
other things he is quoted as saying
to one special writer, s'They tell me
that orders have been received for
100000 of the new cars" and his
interviewer goes on to say that the
flivver maker was very much ami
mated when he added: ''We are al
ready employing, though we are not
yet under production with the new
car, $4,000 men,. and the $4,000
men are drawing as much pay as the
10000 used to get"
Mr.. Ford, creator of the Ford
plants, is quoted as saying that as
many as $500 of the old model "T"
cars had been produced in single
day, and adding, eve should be able
to do better than 10000 a day once
we get everything going smoothly.
OF course it will take longer to build
the new car, as it is better and big
ger in every way"
No date has been fixed, and no.
bdoy knows when the first of the
new cars will begin to come out of
the Ford plants, at least Mr.. Soren-
sen, the general manager of the Ford
plants, says he doesn't know.
Among other details given by one
reporter, who says he rode in one of
the cars, the new Fords will have
four cylinders, four-wheel brakes,
forty horsepower, standard gear
shift, three speeds forward and re-
verse, gas tank in front of wind
shield, rounded hood, entirely dif-
ferent springs, perhaps shock ab-
sorbers, steel spoke wheels, 1O4-inch
wheel base, se,f-starter, forged stcel
throughout, ami the dash board will
Iave gasC..ne gauge, seedometcr,
alnmeter, lock and clock, an &C
celerator anG a device for adjusting
the carburetcr. The dy .an. gene.
rator, says reports, will be new
type and the oiling system will be
forced feed. The car will be low !
hung, supplied in colors and will
have plenty of leg room.
OF course, no reader of The Demo- |
crat is to, take any of this as Off
cial. 1t is not. But clip this out
and when the new cars are on the
market few weeks hence, check up
on it. The reporter estimates that
the 10000 orders that the Ford COM
pany now has, amounts to approx
mately 5000, 100000, which means
an average of about $500 per car.
Incidentally, in his interview with
one of the newspaper reports, Mr..
Ford, now an enthusiast on the
question of airplanes, is quoted as
saying: "It will not be long until we !
will have iarplanes carrying 200
passengers and crossing the Atlantic
at the rate of 400 miles per hour"
Don't let that take your breath, you
might need some Of it to pump up
your flivver tires.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29

The brick work of the new school
house has reached the second floor
in both the main part of the build
ing and the auditorium.
All possible speed is being made on
the building, as it is urgently need
ed for the classes that are now scat
tered all over town. It is the hope
of the contractor, E. G. Pitts, that at
least some of the rooms will be
ready for the classes Immediately
after the holidays.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29

Work is progressing rapidly on the
new $65,0O0 summer home being
erected in MAYHEM Park by Joe
Cannon of Concord. The house is
expected to be one of the most beau
tiful in this exclusive subdivision,
and certainly it will command view
unsurpassed by any residence in the
resort. 1t stands on the hill near
Graystone Castle and has a view
over the gorge toward Grandfather
mountain.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
Much to Review

First Student: "What did your
mother say when she heard you had
flunked out?"
Second Student: "She became his
torical."
"Hysterical, you mean"
mo. l mean historical. She dug
up my past and reviewed all my
SINS"
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29
A StrangIe Hold

Wunne: 81 can't understand why
| was so dizzy last night. l only
had one glass;
Guyee: Eyes, but they kept fill
ing it"
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29

cam I the first girl you ever
kissed?"
'Now that you mention it, you
do look familiar"
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1927-09-29

Governor A. W. Mclean has issu-
ed the following proclamation desig-
mating the week of October 9 to 15,
as Fire Prevention Week in North
Carolina.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-10
Building Homes

There has been a rapid increase in home building
in recent months. which more than offsets the decrease
in business and industrial construction, according to
4 national survey by the Associated General Contract
ors. Their December report for the month Of Novem-
her shows an unprecedented number Of homes under
construction while business and industrial construction
is slightly under the record for the same month last
year.
Due TO this increase in home building construction
operations in November established a volume never
before eaualled in that month, the report states. The
amount Of work handled by the construction industry
during recent weeks has served to increase the leader
ship which the current year hold over 1925. The vol
ume of operations recorded for the first eleven
months Of 1927 Is 8 per cent greater than the figure
registered for the corresponding period Of last year.
December il expected 20 witness a scale af activi-
ties unusual for that month, and this activity will con-
sist largely OF home building. This expectation is
based upon the fact that the volume of contracts
awarded during October showed q large inerese and
~estglished a record never before equalled by that
month. The volume Of contracts awarded during the
first ten months of 1927 exceeds the corresponding
figure registered for 1926 by three per cent.
The volume Of home building is taken as an index
TO the widespread and stable prosperity Of all classes
in the United States. and also denotes the rapid change
which is being effected in the relative number OF home
owners and tenants. Most Of the home building is
confined to the urban centers, but the rural sections
have shown a material increase over last year. and a
further increase is expected 70 be registered as a re-
sult Of the greater prosperity the rural sections are
how enjoying
The United States is rapidly becoming a country
Of home owners. The change that has been wrought
in this respect, especially in the industrial sections,
is very marked. Where a decade ago practically all
employees Of the huge mills and factories were tenants
generally in company houses, they have become horne
owners, and the result has been a better class Of eiti-
rens. greater civic pride. a deeper patriotism, better
living standards and greater prosperity.
one effect OF home ownership. which has been
noted by economists who have made an intensive study
Of housing problems in the industrial areas, has been
the fact that the home owner Is inwardly more frugal
and thrifty than the tenant. He takes a greater inter-
est in his family. his city and his employment ana
these characteristics become pronounced wheE ne
transfers from the tenant to the home owner class
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-10
Coolidge Interprets i Do
Not Choose

The elear-cut statement Of President Coolidge to
the Republican national committee that he would not
be a candidate for the republican nomination in 1928.
and that the party should go to work in earnest in Sc
lect;ng a candidate, has clarified the situation SO far
as the republican party is concerned.
So long as President Coolidge failed TO interpret
his famous phrase II do not choose" the party was in
q auandary. He could and would receive the support Of
the organization had he remained in the race, but with
his statement that he will not be a candidate the or
ganization is left free to make such arrangements as
may be deemed to the best interests Of the party.
The announcement Of the president will also be
the signal for numerous "favOrite sons" to seek a
place on the political horizon, and during the next
months there will be diligent repairing Of political
fences; but the elimination Of Coolidge from the race
practically assures there will be no split in the party.
So far as the presidential candidate is concerned, the
organization is still supreme and will make the selec-
tion when the time comes.
Republican leaders are frankly ~gratified that the
president has seen fit to allay the nationwide senti-
ment that his cryptic utterance last August was mere
" a play of words and that he would be a candidate
if assured that he could secure the nomination. Party
leaders point out that unless Mr.. Coolidge made a
definite statement, the Southern delegations would
come to the republican national convention solidly in
structed for the president, and in the event he should
then decline, the organization would doubtless have
serious difficulty in holding them in line for their
program. There can be no doubt that the organization
will now center on one Of the most popular possibili-
tics-possibly Secretary Hoover-and will encounter
no serious difficulty in securing his nomination.
The republican national committee, which met in
Washington Tuesday, was a Coolidge committee.
Probably e5 per cent Of the members were in favor Of
renominating the president. However, the great ma
jority Of them were Of the opinion that in view Of the
presidents statement last August. it would not be adj
yisable to endeavor to bring his name before the con-
vention unless he had definitely stated he would ac-
cept the nomintion. His statement leaves the way
clear for the party organization TO Immediately in
augurate its program for 1928, with the assurance
there will be no serious fractional difficulties to over
come and that the organization will be in complete
control Of the situation.