davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
MILLS CASE TO
BE ! iARD TODAY
High P Broker Scheduled To
Max .ttlement With Town in
$40 Note Case; Criminal Ac-
tio ,ntinued

Claude E. Miller, High Point brok-
er, indicted before the grand jury
last week on charge of giving
worthless checks, was called and
failed to answer, whereupon a
capias instanter was issued, but be-
fore the capias could be served the
defendant appeared, and confer
ence between himself, counsel and
officials of the town and their attor-
neys, and an agreement was tenta-
lively made between the parties that
the criminal action be continued,
that if Miller would pay the note, the
town would take a ron suit in the
civil case, and go before the judge
and solicitor at the next term of
Watauga superior court and ask
that judgment be suspended in the
criminal action. Mayor Gragg feels
when the town is reimbursed in the
sum of $4,000 and costs, that the
ends of justice will have been met
and he has no desire to further
prosecute the defendant.
Miller, through his attorneys, ask
ed that both the civil ard criminal
cases be continued, but Mayor w. R.
Gragg refused, stating that he felt
Miller had had sufficient time in
which to make settlement. Miller's
two brothers and his father-in in-law
agreed to make the note good, pro-
vided the town would guarantee
that the criminal case against the
broker would be dropped. Of course,
no one could make this guarantee,
and there is where the hitch came.
However, the prosecution promised
all they could for him when the
matter comes up at the spring term
of court, provided he appears be-
fore the court today and makes good
his promise to pay the note. Should
Miller fail to do this, Mayor Gragg
said he would ask that the capias
be served, and that another warrant,
charging him with embezzlement,
would be sworn out.
Mayor Gragg issued the following
statement Tuesday morning, which
clearly sets forth the present status
of the case:
eve agreed that if the $4,000
was settled by Thursday that we
would take a non-suit in the civil
action, and if this is done, mas
much as the criminal action is con-
tinued until next term of court; that
we agreed, when the case comes up,
to use our influence and beg that
judgment be suspended"
Mayor Gragg has made every eff
fort, during the past several weeks,
to reach a settlement with Miller,
and, from his conversation, it was
easy to see that he has exhausted his
patience, and if Miller does not ap-
patience, and if Miller does not
come up today with sufficient cur
rency of the realm or something just
as good in the way of well secured
notes, the mayor will see what can
be done about it before the bar of
justice.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
EARL ROWLAND WINS
CROSS.COUNTRY MARATHON

Mines Field, Los Angeles, Sept.
10.-Tired, dusty and tanned, %
survivors of the class A derby from
New York to Los Angeles swooped
across the finish line here this after
noon in the greatest cross-country
race of aviation history. In quick
succession they flashed past the
stands to the cheers of 10000 air.
minded men, women and children,
the entire field in the 3,200-mile
sky marathon checking in between
2:3O and o'clock on the last leg of
the flight The first in was Earl
Rowland's Warner motored Cessna
cabin monoplane. 1t was followed
in less than a minute by an Ameri-
can Moth monoplane, flown by
Robert Dake and Ted Taney of
Pittsburgh. Tex Rankin, pictures
que air veteran, who started out with
a black cat for mascot and Is for
a race number, was third to breast
the tape.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
COUNTY DEMOCRATS WILL
MEET HERE SATURDAY

Pursuant to call issued by Coun-
ty Chairman j. L. Wilson, the
Democratic county convention, for
the purpose of nominating a county
ticket, will be held at the courthouse
here Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
The precinct meetings will be held
on Friday afternoon for the purpose
of naming delegates to the county
convention, Each township is en-
titled to one delegate for each 25
votes cast in the last gubernatorial
election. Upon this basis, the fol-
lowing is the voting strength of
each township in the convention:
Boone, "a; Bald Mountain, 8;
Blowing Rock, 8; Blue Ridge, l;
Beaver Dam, II; Cove Creek, 13;
Elk, l; Laurel Greek, 8; Meat Camp
No. l, Z; Meat Camp No. 2, l;
North Fork, l; Stony Fork, 5;
Shawneehaw, 3; Watauga, 10.
The Democratic state plan of or
ganization calls for the following
plan of organization in county and
precinct.
"Sec. IL. The unit of county
organization shall be the voting pre-
cinct. In each precinct there shall
be an executive committee, to con-
sist of five active Democrats, who
shall be elected by the Democratic
voters at the several precinct meet
ings or primary elections or county
convention in mass, called by the
county executive committee, as here
matter provided for the nomination
of candidates for legislative, county
and township offices. And said COM
mittee so elected shall elect one of
it's members as chairman, who shall
preside at all committee meetings
"Sec. 13. The chairmen of the
several precinct committees shall
compose the county executive COM
mittee, which shall meet at the same
time and place as the county con-
vention first held in each election
year, and elect chairman of said
county committee, who need not be
a member of the committee, and he
shall preside at all meetings of said
committee, and shall hold his place
until his successor shall be elected.
A majority of said precinct chair
men, in person or by proxy in the
person of some active Democrat of
the precinct in which an absent
chairman resides, shall constitute a
quorum. The county committee
may appoint central committee OF
five who shall act in it's stead when
the county committee is not in ses.
sion.'
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
TWO MEN AND 35 GALLONS
OF LIQUOR TAKEN FRIDAY

!. Perhaps the largest amount OF
~..rrSey ever seized on the high
ways out of Boone by county Off
cials was taken last Friday evening
when a posse headed by Deputy
Sheriff Harmon, assisted by Deputy
Frank Welch, swooped down on a
car occupied by Paul Hawkins and
George Miller of Elizabethton,
Tenn, at point on the Boone Trail
near Laxon postoffice and brought
in 35 gallons of whiskey and its
owners. The offenders were lodged
in Jail and given a hearing Saturday
before Justice Hahn, who required a
$1,000 bond. Complaint was made
as to the size of the bond and the
matter was referred to Judge Finley
who upheld the decision of Squire
Hahn's court. The bond has not
yet been arranged.
Sheriff Farthing and Policeman
Garland had been on the track of
the automobile, Chrysler roadster,
for several weeks, having received
lHlOTiHdIlOIl dS W lIG DOOClSSS ing
proclivities of the young men from
police officials of Bristol and John
son City. The trips through Boone
were made regularly during the sum-
mer, it seems, but the driver always
managed to evade arrest. Chief
Garland as we'll as the sheriff had
the number and description of the
car and had endeavored to stop it
on its return into Tennessee, but
without results. 1t was finally found
that the rum-runners were on their
return going off the Boone Trail
below Boone, by way of H. N. Blair's
to the Blowing Rock road, thence
to Blowing Rock and over the Yon-
ahlossee home. The car was seen in
town Friday headed in the direction
of Wilkes and the officers went
farther down the road and waited.
They did not wait long, however, un-
til their vigil was rewarded. The Ii
quor car was driven from the road
when it got in close touch with the
officers and the capture was made.
According to the story told by the
prisoners, the car had been making
regular trips, but during the sum-
mer had been in charge of different
drivers. The whiskey was being car
ried in seven five-gallon containers.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
TO MEET SATURDAY,, 18TH

Chairman w. H. Gragg has issued
a call for the Republican county
convention which will be held on
Saturday, September 29th, just two
weeks after the Democrats have
named their slate of county candi-
dates. The various township pri-
maries will be held on Friday, the
23th at which time delegates will be
amed to the county convention on
the basis of one for each % votes
cast in the last election.
It is not yet known if any speaker
from outside will address the Repub-
lican gathering, in view of the fact
that the campaign speeches are be-
ing handled this year by central
committee, which may or may not
furnish the local committee with a
state campaigner.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
C. o. P. Seek Catholic to Win
Rhode Island

Washington, Sept. 8.-Herbert
Hoover found himself enmeshed in
heavy tangle of political worries
today, when his most vocal woman
supporter, Mrs. Mabel Walker Will
ebrandt, made her sectarian appeal
to the Methodists at Springfield,
Ohio, last night to mass against
Governor Smith, it projected anew
the religious issue.
At the same time, Mr.. Hoover was
in conference with Republican lead
ers from Rhode Island trying to pick
the Catholic candidate for the
United States senate who would do
the most political damage to Smith
this fall. They are torn between ex-
Congressman Ambrose Kennedy to
run against the Democratic Senator
Gerry, and Judge Felix Hebert, who
is wanted by the Rhode Island state
leaders on the theory that he can
swing the French Catholics back
into line.
AS for Mrs. Willebrandt's latest
stroke, the Hoover forces refuse to
assume the responsibility for it or tc
repudiate it. The speech stirred ur
more political talk here than any de.
velopment in the campaign in weeks
The most frequent comment was tc
the effect that had the situation beer
reversed and one of Governor
Smiths chief speakers had appealed
to the Catholics to defeat Hoover, il
would cause a terrific uproar.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
HIGH SCHOOL HAS LARGE
ATTENDANCE AT OPENING

The Boone high school started on
it's regular term Tuesday morning
with Professor E. L. Ball as princi-
pal. During the day 207 students
were registered for the regular high
school work and indications are that
the total number will easily reach
the 250 mark. There are a number
of students in town who expect to
enter the classes at later date
and these are urged to enroll at the
earliest possible time. Other men,
bers of the faculty for the year are:
Miss Grace Graybeal, Mrs. j. A. Will
liams, Miss Nell Coffey, Mr.. and
Mrs. Hewitt, with one vacancy yet
to be filled.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
ZIONVILLE NEWS NOTES

Zionville, Sept. 11.-Mrs. w. ].
Moore of Lenoir, with her sons,
Thomas and James, and grandson,
Kermit Bolick, were Sunday visitors
in the village.
Mrs. Roy Reece of Chucky, Tenn,
is visiting with her mother, Mrs
Mary Younce. Mrs. Younce has
been quite sick for the past few
days.
Mrs. James Lewis and small
daughter of Pennsylvania are visit
ing Mrs. Lewis mother, Mrs. H. A
Miller.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. C Jones and little
Hope Eller spent Sunday night in
Boone with relatives.
Messrs. E. E. Barry and A. Cress
were Sunday visitors in Zionville anc
Cove Creek.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. D. Snider snc
daughters, Elsie and Hattie, spent
Sunday with relatives in the village
Gus Norris of Pennsylvania, is
spending a few weeks with his faith
er, S. S. Norris.
Aunt Mollie Greer, who since
the death of her husband, has beer
quite sick, is little, if any improved
Mr.. and Mrs. L. Greer were called
to Elizabethton, Tenn, Sunday tt
see their granddaughter, little Nan
cy Grindstaff, who is seriously ill.
r. F. D. Carrier N. w. Thomas
is off from work for his vacation
now. E. H. Wilson, assistant car
rier, is filling his place.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
McNinch is Chairman of Anti-Smith
Group in State

Frank R. McNinch Of Charlotte
was named chairman of the anti
Smith Democrats, and Charlotte was
selected as headquarters city for
their campaign to defeat the Demo-
cratic presidential nominee in North
Carolina at meeting of the organi-
zation committee in Raleigh Thurs
day. Other officers elected were
Hugh McRae, Wilmington, first vice
chairman; j. L. Morehead, Durham,
second vice chairman; Charles H.
Ireland, Greensboro, treasurer, and
Mrs. W. B. Lindsay, Charlotte, secre-
tary.
H. w. Worth of Ashe county is
a member Of the central committee,
which will have active direction of
the campaign.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
COVE CREEK NEWS NOTES

Sugar Grove, Sept. 10.-Rev. R.
A Taylor was visitor at Cove Creek
school chapel Wednesday morning.
Mr.. James M. Horton returned
home from Cleveland Thursday. He
will reenter Wake Forest college this
week.
Miss Vergie Reeves is visiting her
sister, Mrs. Will Payne.
Miss Blanche Horton has accept
ed position as public school music
director in the Kinston city schools.
Work on the residence of Mr.. D.
T. Brown is going forward rapidly.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
POLITICAL EVENTS
OF THEPAST WEEK
Highlights of Political Activity of
Both Major Parties Summarized
From Recent News Dispatches
From Over the Country
Hoover Will Speak at Elizabethton

Hoover Will Speak at Elizabethton
Elizabethton, Tenn, has been Sc
lected by Mr.. Hoover for the only
speech he will make in the south. He
will speak at an industrial celebra-
ton there October g..
Official announcement was made
of his intention to go into Tennes-
see by the Republican national COM
mittee. Elizabethton is in the ex-
treme eastern section of Tennessee
near the North Carolina ard Vir-
ginia border lines. Hoover's choice
for his southern speech had lain be-
tween North Carolina and Tennes-
see.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
CIVIL CASES BEING
HEARD THIS WEEK
Court Will Probably Complete its
Work This Afternoon; Compro-
mise Reached in Brown Case
Against Four Lenoir Boys

Indications are that the rather
heavy civil calendar of Watauga
superior court will be cleared away
this afternoon, ending the business
of the fall term, which started Mon
day of last week. The state docket
was finished last Friday, the most i'm
portant case to be disposed of at
the last being that against four Le-
noir boys, Coy Shoemaker, Arno Sc
crest, James Nelson and Earl Smith,
charged with driving a car while in
toXicated and sasault with a deadly
weapon as result Of which Mrs.
John X. Brown was seriously in
jured. A civil suit was also being
brought against the defendants. Both
actions were disposed Of at the same
time, the boys pleading guilty to
both charges. The court placed
them under an Is months suspended
sentence and prohibited them from
operating an automobile for IL
months. The civil action was COM
promised, the plaintiff receiving
1900 and three-fourth of the hos
pital bill incurred as result of
Mrs. Browns injuries.
Judge Harwood is holding court
this week, Judge Finley requesting
relief because of an impending civil
action in which Mrs. Finley is in
terested.
Following is a list of cases dis
posed of since the time of going to
press last Wednesday afternoon:
Ado Oliver, larceny, continued.
M. M. Woodruff, liquor, pleads
guilty to possession and transport
ing and sentenced to serve 60 days
in Jail.
Charlie Cole, larceny, mol pros
with leave.
W. H. Brock, failure to pay board
bill, continued.
Theo Kerhoule, assault with dead
ly weapon, continued.
Charles Walser, liquor, six months
on the roads. .4..
| York Triyett, liquor and carrying
concealed weapon, 10 mons on the
concealed weapon, 10 months on the
for possession and three months for
carrying concealed weapon.
Spencer May, liquor, four months
on the roads.
Claude E. Miller, bad check,
continued.
C. S. Prevettc, bad check, con-
tinued.
Clarence Cannon, forgery, con-
tinued.
Ed Atwood and Mia Trivett, forg-
cry, not guilty.
Dave Guy, forgery, Is months in
state prison. Notice of appeal given
and bond placed at $1,000.
Spencer May, forgery, 10 months
in state prison.
Henry Younce, false pretense,
continued.
E. V. Ballou, bad check, called and
failed, capias.
Odus Watson, liquor, continued
by grand jury.
Burette Presnell, larceny of auto
mobile, guilty; sent to asylum for
criminal insane at Raleigh.
Stokes Williams, liquor, three
months in the county jai'.
Dave Clayburn, gambling, fned
$40 and costs.
Aaron Robbins, assault with dead
ly weapon, judgment suspended upon
payment of costs.
Chas Wilson, abandonment, guilty,
must pay wife 5000 and pay costs of
prosecution.
B. C. Watson, bad check, two
cases, six months in each case.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
Seawell Will Launch GubernatoriaI
Campaign September 20

Herbert F. Seawell of Carthage
candidate for governor on the Re
publican ticket, will inaugurate his
campaign on or about September 20
according to announcement made by
Chairman Brownlow jackson.
The announcement was made soor
after the receipt of a letter from the
candidate in which it was stated that
he was rapidly recovering from his
recent operation for appendicitis and
the relapse that followed.
1t was stated by Mr.. Jackson that
Mr.. Seawell would make an active
and intensive campaign that will car.
ry him into virtually every section
of the state.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
Citizens Get Line on
Town Fiscal Affairs
At Hearing on Petition Against
Bond Issue Thursday Night, City
Officials Explain What Money is
To Be Used For

At a meeting held last Thursday
evening at the Peoples Bank build
ing petition was presented to the
city council, signed by 80 citizens of
the town, requesting that no action
be taken as to the issuance of the
proposed $4,000 Improvement
bonds until after the matter had
been submitted to vote of the tax
payers. About 25 citizens of Boone
came with the document to find out
just what the status of the towns
fiscal affairs is.
Mayor W. R. Gragg explained that
the indebtedness which is to be paid
by the new issue of bonds was in
Cured by the former board of aid
ermen and was not to be used for
additional street work or any new
construction of any kind. He further
explained that notes on the town
were out for the amount asked for
in the bond issue and that further
renewals were impossible. In case,
he said, the proposition should be
submitted to a vote and the bond
issue defeated, there would be no
other course than to more than
double the tax levy until the indebt-
edness was cleared up, but that with
the long term bonds, the increase in
taxes would be slight. Henry j..
Hardin acted as chief spokesman for
the citizens and many questions
were propounded to the board and
the mayor, one Of which was if the
proposed city hall was to be con-
structed from the proceeds of the
sale of bonds. The answer was en-
phatically no and the following de-
tailed statement of the floating in
debtedness causing the board to Of
fer bonds, was submitted by Mayor
Gragg:
The outstanding floating indebt-
edness of the town of Boone as of
May 5, 1927, estimated as follows:
Cranberry Furnace Co.,, for
crushed rock, $4,000; notes for
Moretz Water system in full, $1,000;
Notes to j. A. Moretz for money ad-
vanced to extend water line to
Moretz addition, $1,500; nete for
money borrowed of Claude E.. Mil
ler, $4,000; note to Portland Ce-
ment Co., for cement on streets,
$4,000; Dixie Cuvert & Metal Co.,
for culverts, 81, 1,434.52; Empire Rub
Der Co., for hose, $1,000. Total,
$26,634.52.
In answer to another query as to
the cost of operating the municipal
government for one month, the fol-
lowing expenditures, covering the
month of August, were adjudged to
be about the average:
Police salary, S125.0O; Chas. l..
Younce, water commissioner, salary,
$4,000; stamps, $500; sign, Sl.OO;
attorneys feess, $3.50; mayors sal
ary, $780,; board Of aldermen, sal
ary, $1,000; lights, $3.50; clean
ing streets, s25.OO. Total $2S2.OO.
Two other petitions are yet in cir
culation about the town sekeing to
restrain the board from selling the
bonds. However, it is the under
standing at this time that these will
be called in and that the bonds will
be issued with the understanding
that no moneys derived therefrom
shall go to any other purpose than
that of paying off the floating in
debtedness.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
BRYAN RE.APPOINTED
FISH AND GAME WARDEN

County game wardens have been
appointed for the 100 counties in the
state by the department of conserva-
ton and development J. w. Bryan
was reappointed warden for Wat
auga county. r. C. Franklin was
appointed warden for Avery county.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
Smith to Open Campaign at Omaha

Smith to Open Campaign at Omaha
The first three speeches by Cover
nor Smith in his national campaign
will be in Omaha on Tuesday, Sept.
18, in Oklahoma City on, September
20, and in Denver on September %.
In announcing this portion of his
itinerary, Governor Smith declined
to commit himself as to his where
abouts in the second week of his
tour. He reaffirmed, however, his
intention of being in Rochester, N.
Y, on September 80, the night be-
fore opening the Democratic state
convention, at which he will not only
be called upon to choose the nomi-
nees for governor and senator, but
will, himself, make the initial speech
of the state campaign.
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13

First Saleman: Didn't the flies
bother you up in your room last
night?"
Second Ditto: "No, put a piece
of limberger cheese in the corner
and parked them there all night"
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13
Virginians Deplore Church's Entry
into Politics

Richmond, Va, Sept. Sin a
statement signed by 1873 members,
friends and supporters of the South.
ern Methodist church, residing in
the Tazewell district of the Holston
conference, it is charged that "foul
bishops" heading the recent dry con.
ference at Asheville are attempting
Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-09-13

Continued on Page Eighty
Seward daily gateway., 1928-01-28
NlE[TE2 CONFUSION
 RE|GNS HICKMAN TRIAL: LEGAL sVARl

LOS ANGELES, JanJ 2S. (P)-A leg al snarl left the Hickman trial ill a welter of confusion over the courts weekend /recess. The legal tangle, in the closing minutes of yesterdays session, left nine men and three wo- men technically accepted. The jury will determine whether Hickman can distinguish between right and wrong but not one of the jurors is entirely certain if he can re- tain his seat after court opens Mon- lday.
 The mixup apparently left the pros ecution with 16 challenges but it was 1 not certain if it could use them. The defense has four challenges and may not be able to use/ them. Kinks in the law resulted when the prosecution
 passed challenging of the jury to the defense; Hickman's attorney sur |prised the court by quickly accepting
 the jury.
 ! NThe move brought District Attorney
 Reyes out of his chair with the re- quest the prosecution still might
 challenge if it so desired on Monday.
 The Judge said he would rule on the
 prosecutions request on Monday
Seward daily gateway., 1928-01-28
FLOOD CONTROL |s 4 HUGE PROBLEM
 TALENT |S NEEDED
FEDERAL GOVERNMEN E>iS TIE ONLY AGENT TO ASSUME
 CONTROL OF WORK

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S. (P)---C trcl of floods of the Mississippi E q problem comparable with the first settlement of the country and any thing less than a 100 percent plan Of protection might result in a sup rene disaster" in the opinion of Jchn r. Stevens, former chief en- gineer of the Panama Canal.
 He told the House Flood Control Committee that the ''very best talent among engineers of the country should be called upon and that only Eore agent can assume control of toe remedies which may be found prac ticehle to prevent a repetition of the disastrous flood of last year and this agent is the Federal Government