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Newspaper
Watauga Democrat
Location
Boone, North Carolina, United States of America
Date
Dec 13, 1934
Page
1
The column laments relief funds reaching the needy while condemning abuse, praising the federal program’s intent amid winter hardship. It mocks a state relief administrator search in Watauga and Ashe counties, then lists Fifth Sunday meetings by Three Forks Baptist Association with contact for December 30.
A national survey shows Christmas trade at its strongest since 1929 1930 with gains up to 33 percent over last year. Department stores and mail order houses report brisk business and rising employment as shoppers flood stores in Chicago San Francisco and Kansas City. Washington notes a 25 percent weekly gain with government hires rising from 64 000 to 92 000. Stores in Dallas St Louis Minneapolis Indianapolis Portland and Salt Lake City report solid to strong sales supported by higher quality merchandise and earlier buying. Dealers predict continued rising demand as Christmas nears.
Rhoda Blackburn aged 78 died at her son Ed Blackburn's home in Todd after a long widowhood. Funeral services were held at the residence with Reverends C. F. Wright P. L. Smith and H. L. Winkler officiating. Survived by five children including W. E B. Blackburn Morganton Marvin Blackburn Elizabethton Tenn E D Blackburn Todd and Mrs Sally Ray Oxford Pa and Mrs Cleo Hopkins Elizabethton Tenn. She was formerly Rhoda Howell and aunt to Sheriff A Y Howell of Watauga County.
A early morning fire destroyed the ten room frame house of Mrs Elizabeth Sproles with a nearby building saved by water streams. The unoccupied dwelling, estimated to cost three to five thousand dollars, had little insurance. Investigators consider prowler activity as a possible cause.
The Av ery Herald reports two 25 foot balsam firs from Avery County will grace the White House lawn for the Yuletide season. E. C. Robbins secures the contract to obtain the trees from Newland and county attorney Charles Baird. Clark leads workers to transplant the three ton trees with sod for Washington timing later.
Mr S C Eggers local transporta tion organizer for the Baptist Sunday School Conference says Raleigh hosts January 14 1935 will attract a record crowd and urges a full Watauga County delegation. Officials expect 5000 attendees and plan a world class gathering. Those from Watauga should contact Mr Eggers.
Raleigh reports Dr. C A Peterson of Mitchell County will introduce a bill to replace the electric chair with a gas chamber in capital punishment. The note follows recent electrocutions of three white men at the state prison and three African Americans. The piece discusses public opinion on abolishing capital punishment and the moral debate surrounding it.
Funeral services were held Monday at Smithport Baptist Church Ashe County for Santa Ada Hodges former Watauga County resident whose body was found near Baltimore Maryland the week before An uncle Rev E C Hodges of Boone officiated Interment followed Survivors include her father six brothers and six sisters The Democrat notes scant details about the death saying the body appeared dropped from a car near Baltimore with a violence verdict and no further particulars available Hodges was a Smithport Baptist Church member who had been employed in Baltimore.
Attorney Wade E. Brown, chair of the Watauga County Agricultural Committee, reports Congressman Robert Dough ton is seeking relief for mountain potato growers. Doughton has discussed the issue with the Relief Administration and the Department of Agriculture and will update the committee. He aims to stabilize the potato market through the organization.
Mrs John P Boogher 85 longtime Blowing Rock summer resident died at home after four weeks illness. Pneumonia cited as direct cause. Body to St Louis for interment with two daughters, Ethel and Elise Bougher, and four other children named. Born 1849 in Alabama, she and her daughters ran a popular mountain hostel and were well known in Watauga County.
Watauga County endured its first heavy snow with an eight inch fall followed by record cold near zero in Boone. High winds created drifting while highway crews maintained open routes through Monday night and Tuesday. Snow began Sunday night and persisted into Tuesday with temperatures rising on Wednesday noon, aiding melt on sunny walls.
The Red Cross Roll Call closed on Thanksgiving Day and reported an initial success with over two hundred members secured, more than doubling last year’s totals. Chairman J. D. Rankin lists Blowing Rock members including Dr. C. H. Berry man Glenn Coffey Mrs. H. C. Hayes and others. Mrs. David Milton donated $19 in addition to her regular dollar membership.
Boone merchants prepare for a robust Christmas trade with festive storefronts and extensive ads. Retailers tout Boone as the regional shopping hub for Watauga and neighboring counties, inviting residents to shop early and at home for gifts big and small.
Pat McGuire chief of the local fire department invites children and neighbors to donate usable toys to help destitute youngsters this Christmas. Items should be brought to city hall or given to Mr. McGuire. contact him for pickups. Firemen will host Blowing Rock Fire Department at a banquet at the Daniel Boone Hotel next Tuesday evening.
Boone residents Bill and Cecil Bumgarner were arrested by Federal Revenue Agents Leonard Roupe J C Fortner and L T Jones on liquor transport tax evasion charges. They carried six gallons of liquor when nabbed. their car was seized. Preliminary hearing before U S Commissioner J W Dula set bond at $500 each.
Publishers push for broad ad exposure to lift burdens from shopkeepers, aiming to extend reach as far as possible and reduce costs and workload for local merchants.
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