davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Eye Witness to
Flood Affairs
Relates Story
Parts of Families Missing and
Hundreds of Homes Swept
Away in Valley

An eyewitness to the horrors of
the Ohio Valley flood tells the fol-
lowing story:
The most pitiful and helpless of
the multiplied thousands of flood
refugees are the children, who make
up by far the largest proportion of
those who have fled the flooded re-
gionS.
A few days ago I stood amidst
several hundred men, women and
children herded together in a Ten
neSSee courthouse only score or so
miles from the swirling yellow wa
tiers of Father Mississippi. There I
saw and felt most acutely the mis-
cry that a flood levies upon inno-
cent victims.
Mothers, bedraggled and worn,
nurSed babies that had scarce left
their arms since they leaped from
their front porches into fragile
skiffs. Older children clustered at
their knees. Others, the horrors of
the flood resting lightly upon their
childish minds, were playing mar
bles where once the jury box had
stood.
Farm families who live along the
river bottoms have way of raising
large families Not one or two chill
dren to these familie-more often
six to ten. saw family from which
half the children had been separated.
Where they were, no one knew.
A stout woman with a baby in her
arms smiled. 'I'm glad to be here
alive she said. eve didn't think the
river would rise to our house near
Toptonville but when it came, it
came in hurry. They took us out
of a window in a boat. I saw a lot
of people at the schoolhouse and
they told me they wasn't going to
leave. l wonder what became of
them"
Some were sick, some terrified,
and others in despair. Many had
their their little homes swept away.
For them there will be no going
back until a kindly government
steps in and rehabilitates them. They
will have to have some sort of
dwelling, some livestock and seed
before they can make crop this
year.
Why don't they leave these river
bottoms where there is ever-present
danger of flood, you ask. The answer
is simply this: This is their home and
they love it. No matter how ominous
the danger. they prefer to stay near
the river where the soil is deep and
black. Ole Man River is a friend
most of the time even if he is now
traitor.
But the. sun will soon shine, the
high water will drop and there will
be peace again. Then comes the time
of reconstruction. The Red Cross,
aided by money given literally by
those who felt the call of human
suffering, will help to put these peo-
pie on their feet.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Valentine Party at Toliver

Students and teachers enjoyed a
delightful Valentine party Friday
afternoon Feb. IL, at Toliver school.
An interesting program was given in
which the children took parts in
singing and games. The story, saint
Valentine" was splendidly told by
Mrs. Jones Miller, followed by
beautiful Valentine box from which
Valentines were distributed by Miss
Mary Sharpe. The party was also
enjoyed by few of the patrons.
The program was brought to
close by the serving of refreshments.
Refreshments consisted Of carmel
cake and cocoa served by four Toll
yer students, Misses. Edna Graham,
Lee Ella Jones, Ruth L. Galloway and
Virginia Greer.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
SOCIETY OF
LOCAL CHURCH MEETS

The Missionary Society of the
West Jefferson Methodist Church
held it's regular monthly meeting at
the home of Mrs. Roscoe Vannoy on
Wednesday, February TO-
The meeting opened by singing a
hymn after which the business ses-
sion was held. Following this an in
teresting program entitled: Chris
tan Missions and World Health"
was presented by Mrs. Leverne
Johnson, Mrs. Bessie Divers and
Mrs. Sam Diggs. Rev. w. J. Huney-
cult led the devotionals.
The society was glad to welcome
two visitors, Mrs. John Houck and
Mrs Carl Arnold.
The hostess, assisted by Mrs. c. r..
Eller, served refreshments during
the social hour following the meet
ing.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Convicts Might
BeHidingg
Furniture CITY
Prison Break From Caledonia
Farm Said to Be One Of Most
Daring in States History

Penal officials said Tuesday they
had lost all trace of the seven heav-
lily armed convicts who escaped
Monday from the Caledonia farm
camp in one of the most daring jail
breaks in the States history.
An automobile which the prison
ers commandeered shortly after
leaving the camp, was found mired
in a dirt road near High Point Tues
day morning.
The three hostages, Captain I. D.
Hinton and Steward Walter H. Rob
erts of the Caledonia camp and Wal
ter H. Willard, 10, of Raleigh, were
released unframed Monday night
near Vass, in the south-central por
ton of the State.
Most of the wild ride from Gale
donia, in the northeastern section of
North Carolina, to Vass, was made
in Wizards car.
The convicts, Clark York, A. w.
Petit, J. w. Turner, c. Frederick
Yearger, Ralph Page, Robert S.
Smith, and William Payne, all are
long termers, some of whom have
three previous escapes to their rec
Ords.
They escaped after breaking into
an arsenal in the stewards office.
Heavily armed, they then forced
Hinton and Roberts into a prison
laundry truck, Guards, seeing Hin
ton on the front seat of the truck,
allowed the men to pass through the
camp gates.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
J. E. PHIPPS PASSES

J. E. Phipps, respected citizen of
the Old Fields Creek neighborhood
near Grassy Creek, died at his home
there Sunday. He had been ill only
a short time with pneumonia. Fun
eral services were held Tuesday
morning at the Pleasant Valley Bap-
fist Church with Reverends Carol
Burkett, w. E. Denny, and E. Blew
ms in charge.
Mr.. Phipps is survived by five
children: Blaine and Lester Phipps,
of Grassy Creek; Mrs. w. B. Oliver,
Mrs. A. L. Cox, and Mrs. j. A. Blew
ins, rof Crumpler. A neice, Mrs Ros-
coe Oliver, was brought up in the
family as daughter. Amanda Reedy
and Bethany Miller, Of this county,
and Mary Owen, Of Grayson county,
are surviving sisters.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Dairymen's Meeting
Proves Interesting

The monthly meeting of the Ashe
County Dairymen's Association was
held at the courthouse Wednesday,
Feb. II.
Mr.. F. r. Farnham, dairy special
ist of the State College extension
service, gave an interesting talk on
pasture improvement.
Mr.. Leverne Johnson, manager of
the Kraft cheese plant in West jeff
erson gave a discussion on the pro-
duction of clean milk.
Messrs. Johnson, G. B. Price and
c. J. Rich were appointed as pro-
gram committee for the March
meeting.
A committee was appointed to in
vestigate the possibilities of the CO.
operative buying of fertilizer. Those
named for this committee were r.
w. Hardin, w. L. Dent and C. J.
Rich.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Cage Tourney
for Ashe Starts
Schedule Worked Out for Final
Big Game Saturday Night;
Opened Last Night

The countrywide basketball tourn-
ament began at Fleetwood yesterday
afternoon and will continue through
Saturday night with the final big
games being played then to determ-
inc championships. The public is in
vited and the home economics de-
partment and the athletic association
will serve food and drinks. A small
admission will be charged.
The road from Baldwin to Fleet
wood is being improved and free
protection for cars is offered after
they are parked on the school
gounds.
The games as they were scheduled
to begin yesterday were as follows:
Boys Games
Group 1-West Jefferson plays
Healing Springs at 8 p. m. Wednes-
day. The winner of this game will
play Riverview at $50 p m. Thurs
day, and the winner of this event
will battle the victorious in the
jefferson VS.. Virginia-Carolina con-
test which will be played at 2 p. m.
Thursday. This, the final game of
group l will be played Friday at
at 1880 p. m.
Group 2-Lansing will play Nath-
ans Creek Thursday at p. m. and
Todd will play Fleetwood on the
same day at 1880 p. m. The winners
of these two tits will play Friday
at $50 p. m.
On Saturday at 8 p. m. the cham
pionship game will be played be-
tween the winner of group l and the
winner of group 2.
Girls Games
Group Lansing plays Todd on
Wednesday at p. m. and the win
ner of this tilt will play Jefferson
Thursday at $3.50 p. m. The victori-
Gus team of this game will play the
winner of the Fleetwood VS.. River
view contest which will be staged
Thursday at 3 p. m. The latter game
will be played Friday at $50 p. m
Group 2-West jefferson will play
Virginia. Carolina Thursday at p m.
and Healing Springs will play Nath-
ans Creek on the same day at $50
p. m. The winners of the two con-
tests will play Friday at $3.50 for
group honOrs.
The championship game will be
played Saturday at 7 p. m. between
group l and group 2 winners.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Sparta POstOffice
Greatly Improved

SPARTA, N. c., Feb. 15.-The
postoffice department has furnished
new fixtures for the postoffice here,
consisting of screenline, boxes, fill
ing cabinets, desk, safe, bag and
pouch racks, dumping and stamping
tables, general delivery and outgo-
ing mail cases, typewriter stand,
chairs, waste baskets, and parcel
post cabinets. Most of the fixtures
have arrived and been installed. r.
c. Halsey, owner of the building, has
painted the inside walls, and is put
ting in new light fixtures, a flag
pole and other Improvements on the
building.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
FREAK WEATHER

Wind and snow along with freez-
ing weather arrived Monday night to
wipe out the balmy spring weather
that was being enjoyed Monday
morning. Roads were slick and driv-
ing was dangerous, but Wednesday
Gained down and warm sun began
to melt the snow and ice.
A high wind Sunday night blew
down delapidated building belong
ing to Ward Phillips on Jefferson
Avenue and came near killing two
steers. One steer was able to get out
but the other was penned in and
bruised and mashed considerably.
A plate glass window in the Trivett
building that is being constructed
next to the Skyland Post was blown
out and broken into small pieces,
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Help at Home Too

It is we'll and right that we should bestir our
selves for the help of others in such serious
and far reaching calamity that has just occur
red within the flooded area of the Ohio Valley.
Many would have thought that it was impossible
to raise, with as little effort as was put forth,
almost one thousand dollars in Ashe county, but
it has been done.
Why is it, then, that it is hard job to raise
much more than one hundred dollars when a
Red Cross drive is put on for membership each
fall? Of course the same interest is not there,
but membership drive should have double
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18

1t is figured that more than two hundred
acres of timber are required to furnish the pa
per that goes into the single Sunday edition of
a widely circulated daily That is bad for the
forests, but newspapers cannot stop on that ac-
count and nobody is greatly concerned about the
fact that when he pockets his newspaper he has
bought for nickel, he may be carrying off part
of tree that it took fifty years to grow Instead
of frowning on activities that consume the wood
supply, we might continue in our efforts to de-
wise sound forestry policy which will meet the
ever increasing demands on the woodlands
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Starting at the Source

The place to settle the question of temper
ance in North Carolina is not in the halls of the
Legislature reverberant with forensic fol-de-rols
That place is in the homes and in the schools
of the State.
Authoritative influence in this field is still
confined to the firesides and to the class-rooms
Ito any institutional forum in which youth
hood is foregathered for instruction and direc-
ton and impression.
Perhaps, that's one of our man troubles-we
have been defaulting at the intake and depend
ing upon the political authority to govern at the
spigot.
Such is sorry citizenship.
The time to handle the liquor problem is be-
fore and not after the iniquity takes hold.
If the homes of the State and the schools of
the State and the churches of the State were
concentrating upon the youthhood of the State
in educational influence and power and agrees
siveness the adulthood of the problem would
vanish.-The Charlotte Observer.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
The Soul of Beauty

There are millions of people, chiefly women,
who seek to make themselves beautiful by the
aid of paints and cosmetics, lipsticks and decora
tive gew-gaws of various sorts. They need to be
taught that beauty is something which must
come from within, and can only be crudely imi-
tated by such camouflages as rouge and face
powders. Real beauty is not merely physical
quality: it is an expression of character A beau
tiful face is an incarnated expression of recti-
tude of conduct and oftiness of character, if not
in the immediate possessor, in some near or re-
mote ancestor Somewhere in the individuals
pedigree, there has been beautiful life. One of
the worlds greatest needs is an aristocracy of
health, beauty and character.-Good Health.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Good Times or FOOliShneSs?

Last week, the members of the House of
Representatives in Raleigh passed an appropria-
tons bill that will call for $14OOOOOOO to spend
in the state of North Carolina for the next two
years.
1t took the bill less than five minutes to pass
which has caused those who figure well to say
that the tax money of the people was spent at
the rate of about $35,OOO,OOO minute 1t is re-
called that two years ago when the bill was
around $780, OOO 900 less than this one it took al
most month to get it passed.
Either the times have improved as to
finances, or our present legislature has no con-
ception of the value of money
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
BERT MASH DIES

John Bert Mash, of Othello, died
in the Wilkes Hospital Thursday,
Feb. II, from blood poisoning said
to have followed having some teeth
extracted. Funeral services were
held Saturday at his home with Rev.
w. T. Whittingon in charge. The
body was laid to rest in the Severt
cemetery.
Mr.. Mash was a son of Phar and
Sarah Mash. He is survived by his
wife, Daisy, and two children: Anco
and Phar. The following sisters also
survive: Mrs. Hannah Severt. Mrs.
Tilda Severt, Mrs. Julia Phillips.
Mrs. Emmad Miller, Mrs. Margaret
Bare, and one brother, Bart.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Ransom Note Mailed Here

Reports that two school children
in this neighborhood mailed ran
som note to a class mate demanding
one million pennies or an alterna-
tive of dire results, stirred up con-
siderable local interest last week.
Since the writer's of the note were
soon apprehended, nothing came of
the demands, but the children were
given a good lesson in not using
Uncle Sans mails for illegal pur
poses.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Entered as second-class matter on Oct. 1, 1925 at
the post office at West Jefferson, North Carolina

First and foremost, it seems, amongst the
many problems confronting Congress now is the
serious question that has to do with the Su-
preme Court. On one hand there is painted
picture of a small group of overworked old gen.
tlemen welding too much power and impeding
the nations progress. Upon the other hand, the
court at present constituted is regarded as
representing concentrated mature judgment
defending every path along which oppression
might be likely to tread. Between these two ex-
IRENE opinions Congress must decide, or assume
the more difficult task of selecting satisfactory
middle ground.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
DENNIS LEWIS TO ACCEPT
MOUNTAIN CITY POSITION

Dennis Lewis, member of the sales
force at Smithey's Store in this city,
has been called to North Wilkesboro
where he will take training for a
head position in another Of the chain
of Smithey's Stores.
It is reported that Mr.. Lewis will
be given charge of Smithey's Store
in Mountain City, Tenn. His friends
here will rejoice at his promotion
and wish him continued success.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Teachers Asked to Make Book
Rental Reports by March LIST

County Superintendent J. Ivan
Miller is requesting all teachers to
submit rental book reports to the
central book agent, J. A. Stanley, at
the office of the Ashe County Board
of Education in jefferson on or be-
fore March /. After that date no
books will be let out for rental pur-
poses during the remainder of this
school wear.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
Takes Course in Charlotte

Dean Blevins, of the Central Radio
Company in this city, returned here
Wednesday night from Charlotte
where he has spent the past three
weeks studying radio repairing. He
is now fully equipped to attend to
any and all radio troubles.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18
COW MOTHERING PIGS

KINSTON, Feb. 15.-Three pigs
on the farm of w. c. Pate at South
wood, near here, adopted cow, he
said today. Pate decided to wean
them, separated them from their
mother. He placed them in pasture
with a cow. When he went to feed
them he found them getting supper
from the COW. Bossy appeared not to
object.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-02-18

When is a man too old for his job, whether
on the supreme court bench or elsewsere? MIR.
Taft thought that judges should be retired at
70, and Elihu Root, whose recent passing at go
marked with regret by those outside as we'll as
in his party, formally retired at three score and
ten only to be called back to repeated public
service At eighty-four Mr.. Root was considered
capable of carrying out an important mission for
the United States abroad. At that age many
man cannot find his way to and from the post
office AS to when man is "old", one must
fall back on the general rule that circumstances
alter cases.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-28
MERIT SYSTEM
 BILL IN SENATE
Continued from Page D

for the session.
 The bills were:
 That the comptroller be elected as at present, granted salary in- crease from $25O0 to $600O a year and file annual reports on Sept. IS instead of August IS.
 That the treasurer also be con- tinued on an elective basis, be given 8 salary increase from $2500 to $6000 8 year and file reports on, the same date as the comptroller.
 Creating department of finance and control, virtually eliminating the present commission of finance and control, and setting Up 8 com. missioner of finance and control at an annual salary of $lO,000. He, would be named by the governor for four years and would appoint the director of the budget and su- pervisor of purchases with the con- sent of the governor. His term would be extended until June 30, 1889 to conform with other appoint ments.
 The fourth bill was a minor one, continuing the present system of appointing public auditors by the General Assembly.
 It was understood pressure was being brought to bear at the capi- tai to have the governor pass over re-appointment of Maj. John Buck ley to the state liquor commission and substitute Sen. Julius c. Strem- lau, D., Meriden, laborite. Buck ley was author of the present sys- tenn.
 The house session was short and most members went over to the senate to hear the merit bill debate.
 Before adjournment the house rejected a number of skeleton bills concerning Waterbury and Green wich governments and refused to bury, $326 as rebat con a liquor reimburse Martin Rubin, Water permit.
 House bills passed provided:
 That women and children shall not be employed between the hours of 10 p. m. and 6 g. m., except in time of war.
 Limiting to 48 the hours of em- ployment of women in mercantile establishments.
 Authority for the state treasurer to make deposits in banks outside the state.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-28
PARKER TRIAL
 RESUMES TODAY

Newark, N. J., April 28.-(UP)- Trial of Ellis H. Parker, New Jer- sey detective, on charges that he kidnapped Paul H. Wendell in an at- tempt to solve the Lindbergh baby hunter, opened today after having been delayed day by investigation of reported attempts at jury tam- pering.
 Shortly after II a. m. attorneys began selecting the jurors from the panel which was investigated when one of it's former members appeared before Federal Judge William Clark and asserted he had been told that he ought to make 8 piece of change out of the Parker case" and five or ten grand would be nothing" , James Mercer Davis, one of the attorneys defending Parker, his son, Ellis, Jr., and three other defend- ants, demanded the U. s. Attorney John J. Quinn retract his statement yesterday that he thought "the de- fendants know all about this" at tempt to approach prospective jurors.
 When Quinn failed to retract the remark, because the defense couil- sel wanted my opinion and got it." Davis insisted that the remark be made a part of the trial record and took an exception when Judge Clark refused to do so and ordered selection of the jury to proceed.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-28
ADMINISTRATION
 IS UNDER FIRE
Continued from Page D

| ICOuLlIlu6Q 1GOIIl rage 1J tematically" attempted the "destruc- tion" of government "by playing upon and capitalizing the weak nesses of business management it. self, by exploiting the ignorance, inertia and envy of the masses. *"
 He charged that the administra- tion sought to maintain itself "in permanent power" and desired to create "an absolute central govern ment."
 Attention of delegates at the third days session centered on the newly validated Wagner law. In the face of outspoken sentiment for amend ment of the act to protect employ CTS, assistant secretary of Labor Ed ward F. McGrady asked the busi- nessmen to give the statute a chance to work out" Labor must move as a collectiv- ism," he said, land must bargain through its own chosen representa- tives-just as the employer does. Unless labor, grouped collectively, can have its expert representatives wholly independent of employer in- fiuence, speak for it with a power full voice, there is no real bargain at all"
 McGrady charged industry with attempting to "frustrate" collective bargaining during the past four years and said ."rhe device of the company union spread like wildtire over this country"
 He praised union records in up- holding the sanctity of contracts and asked employers to examine the history of labor relations.
 Labor approaches its new power with 8 due sense of its obligations. Labor does not seek trouble" he said.
 P. w. Litchfield, president of the Goodyear and Rubber company, Akron, O., suggested f1ve-point program for 8 national labor policy which would call for new legisla- ton.
 He outlined his plan accordingly:
 1. Law and order: "Labor, man. agement, the public authorities and the public itself must respect the law of the land and act according ly."
 ?. Responsibility: Labor leaders must accept responsibility for the acts of their agents. This calls for discipline among the ranks of labor" 3. Understanding: Tt is the duty of management to organize and coordinate the reciprocal services which both capital and labor con- tribute to business enterprise"
 4. Mediation: "There is an op- portunity here for government to perform an important function in industrial relations. think we have to revise somewhat the traditional governmental attitude and machin- cry in lnediating labor disputes" 5. Fact finding: "Let us have an arrangement whereby fact-finding agency may be called into dispute, be competent to arrive at the facts k. and then let us have what I could call a cooling off period (. during which the disputing parties can perhaps gain a calmer view of their difficulties"