Statesville Record and Landmark from Statesville, North Carolina • 1

a a a a your subscription ex- paper will be stoppire! ped! Paper and don't let THE LANDMARK. K. is the date your label on your The date on the label VOL. 61 STATESVILLE, N. C.

MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1935. No. 103 VOLNEY DAVIS IS PLACED ON TRIAL FOR KIDNAPING Pleads Guilty to 000 Kidnaping of Bremer WALKED INTO TRAP LAID IN CHICAGO St. Paul, June Davis, 33, considered by police one of the most dangerous members of the BarkerKarpis gang pleaded guilty here today to a part in the $200,000 kidnaping of Edward G. Bremer, St.

Paul banker. Davis admitted his guilt a few hours after he had been brought here by plane under heavy guard of special agents of the Department of Justice. His capture had been announced only a few minutes before he came into court. When the Bremer case indictment, which charged Davis with writing the ransom notes while the banker was a prisoner, was read, Davis said quietly: "Guilty." Davis' capture Saturday by federal agents in Chicago where he walked into a carefully laid trap and found himself surrounded by special agents left only one important member of the Barker-Karpis gang at largeAlvin Karpis, unofficial public enemy No. 1.

Robert Arnold Struck by Car Little Boy Suffers Serious Injuries When Knocked Down by Car Driven by Mr. C. E. Pope, of Shiloh Township. Robert Arnold, four-year-old son of Mr.

and Mrs. C. W. Arnold, who live on a lot adjoining the Mitchell College, seriously grounds injured on the Saturday northwest, after. noon about 4 o'clock, when knocked down by an automobile on West Front street, near the Race street intersection.

The child had been to a grocery store and was returning home with a package, walking from the Shell, filling station on the south side of Front street across to the north side of the street, when an east bound car, driven by Mr. C. E. Pope, of Shiloh township, struck the little boy and knocked him down. Mr.

John R. McLaughlin removed the child to thel Davis Hospital, where an examina-' tion revealed a fracture of the skull and a broken right thigh bone. It was learned from the hospital this morning that the little boy's condition is satisfactory. Mr. Pope filed a $500 bond with Chief of Police W.

S. Thomas in further developments in the case, and awaiting a preliminary hearing. Mr. Pope lives in Shiloh, is in the employ of the Phoenix, mills. Car Accident And Flood Blamed For Four Phifer Deaths No further details of the drowning of Dr.

and Mrs. Fred Phifer and Mr. and Mrs. Wood Phifer at Wheatland, Wyoming, last Thursday have been received here. The telegram received early Saturday afternoon by Dr.

Phifer's nephew, Mr. Ben A. Stimson, stated that Dr. Phifer, his wife, son and daughter-inlaw lost their lives as a result of a "car accident and flood," being drowned in the flood of Chugwater Creek, a tributary to the Colorado river. The message to Mr.

Stimson came from Mr. John Phifer, a younger son of Dr. Fred Phifer, who operates his father's ranch near Wheatland. Mr. and Mrs.

Wood Phifer leave two small children. Firm Awarded Contract Greensboro, June Company, of Statesville, Saturday was awarded the contract for the general work on the Edgeville school project at a cost of $13,661. The award was made by the Guilford county board of education, which met in the office of Foust, superintendent of schools. It is stipulated that the work is to 1 be completed not later than September 10. County Council To Plan Summer Camp' Plans for the summer camp of the Iredell county federation of home demonstration clubs and for the short course in July will be made at meeting of the county council of the federation, to be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home demonstration cottage.

Mr. Cloyd C. Fox, insurance agent, will talk to the council on Insurance as a Farm Investment. Tom Feimster's Injuries Are of Serious Nature Aged Colored Man Was Struck By Car Driven By Mr. S.

C. Fleming -Suffered Broken Thigh, Several Fractured Ribs, Both Arms Broken and Head Injuries. Tom Feimster, colored, who was knocked down by an automobile while walking on No. 10 highway, in the Woodlawn community, Saturday aft-. ernoon, suffered a broken right thigh bone, several fractured ribs, both arms broken, and head injuries.

His injuries were treated Davis Hospital, after which he was removed to the colored ward of the hospital. Feimster, about 75 years of age, had been living Station. near, Piedmont report from Experiment his bedside today indicates that there is practically no change in his condition, though the injuries are considered very serious owing to the patient's advanced The automobile which hit Feimster was driven by Mr. S. C.

Fleming, of Statesville. It is understood that Mr. Fleming blew his horn and did everything possible to keep from hitting the aged colored man, who was walking on the highway near the western limits of Statesville. Feimster is to be hard of hearing. Mr.

Rufus Q. Hall Commits Suicide Local Man Shoots Himself in the Head With a Shot Gun--Born Near Mooresville- Funeral at Cornelius. Mr. Rufus Q. Hall ended his own life by shooting himself in the head with a shot gun at his home three miles north of Statesville, Sunday morning about o'clock.

He was 33 years of age. For some time before the tragedy was enacted Mr. Hall, his wife and his brother, had been sitting under a tree in the yard engaged in conversation; five or ten minutes after Mr. 'Hall got up and walked into the house, his wife and brother heard the report of a gun. The shooting occurred in a front bed room on the west side of the house.

his body and the dying, his head His gun was found across his was blown off. Members of the family could not figure out the motive for the act. Mr. had not been well for a while, he had made no threats Malle at self destruction. Coroner N.

D. Tomlin held an inquest at the home, known as the old Nicholson house, which is situated near the flying field, at one o'clock Sunday afternoon. His jury composed of Messrs. A. M.

Leinster, John Jenkins, W. L. Tillery J. T. Summers, W.

A. Gibson and L. W. Stevenson, found that the deceased came to his death from self-inflicted wounds made by a single barrel shot gun. Rufus Quincy Hall was born in Iredell county, near Mooresville, October 28, 1901, a son of the late John Q.

Hall and Martha Hall. He livea in Mooresville for a number of years before coming to Statesville two years ago. He was a farmer and a to his stock time Statesville. dealer trading He having is horses spent survived since most by coming his of widow, nee Miss Chillabane Moose, a daughter of Mr. J.

L. Moose, of Statesville, and the late Mrs. Lida Brookshire Moose. They have no children. One brother and three sisters survive-Mr.

W.D. Hall andMrs. Clarence Honeycutt, of Statesville: Mrs. Jane McCracken, of West End, N. and Mrs.

Ed Cashion, of Mt. Mourne. The body was taken to Cornelius, Mecklenburg county, for burial. The service was held from Mt. Zion Methodist church, at Cornelius, this afternoon at 4 o'clock and interment was in the family plot in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Menchen Dies In Baltimore. Mrs. Sara Haardt 37, writer, teacher and lecturer and wife of H. L.

Mencken, the editor and author, died late Friday at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore. Mrs. Mencken was a native of Montgomery, and lived there until she was 18 years old. Visit Rev. S.

S. Bost Who Is Critically Ill. Mr. and Mrs. J.

N. Kincaid spent Sunday in Durham with Rev. and Mrs. S. S.

Bost, the latter a sister of Mrs. Kincaid. Rev. Mr. Bost is Durham, critically ill in Watts hospital, but had a more comfortable day Sunday than he has had since he underwent an operation last week.

Luther Millsaps Taxed With Costs. Luther Millsaps, colored, of Stony Point, was brought into Justice E. Deitz's court this morning for driving a car without a registration card, Highway Patrolman W. M. Nail finding this to be the second offense for the defendant, who was taxed with the costs and advised to secure the card at once.

WEATHER Probably showers tonight and Tuesday. Not much change in temperature. SHOWERS CIRCULARS GIVE DESCRIPTION OF RANSOM NOTES F. T. Titcomb, Uncle of George, Delivered The $200,000 KIDNAPERS THEN TOOK HIS AUTO Tacoma, June of Justice agents distributed circulars today describing the 20,000 bank notes with which 9-year-old George Weyerhaeuser was ransomed 'last week as the department offices in Washington announced the arrest in Chicago of Volney Davis, at one time suspected in the abduction of the heir to a fortune.

J. Edgar Hoover, director of the federal bureau of investigation, said Davis was taken Saturday. Davis is wanted in connection with the 000 Edward G. Bremer kidnaping in, St. Paul more than a year ago.

He is an associate of Alvin Karpis, also wanted for the Bremer kidnaping and was identified tentatively last week as having been 'here May 24 the day George was kidnaped. Government agents disclaimed knowledge of the authenticity of a Seattle newspaper article today which said a mysterious Automobile found in Seattle Saturday after George was freed belonged to his uncle, F. R. Titcomb. They also denied knowledge of the newspaper's report that Titcomb was the intermediary who delivered the ransom money to the kidnapers; that the transaction was in a wood about 60 miles from here and that the kidnapers set Titcomb afoot by stealing his car.

The investigators refused to reveal who paid the ransom and when and where it was paid. George was quoted Saturday as saying Titcomb paid it. It was not revealed how he knew. A Conference for Young People to be Held at Davidson The Presbyterian Young People's League Conference will hold its 17th annual meeting at Davidson College June 11-18. This conference is held under the auspices of the Synod of North Carolina for young people of Synod's churches between the ages 15 and 23.

The conference is put on jointly by the synod and the woman's synodical auxiliary. The faculty members include Mrs. S. H. Askew, of Decatur, who was this year dean of students at Mitchell College; Rev.

C. M. Richards, D. of Davidson; Rev. S.

M. Glasgow, D. of Savannah, Rev. R. C.

Long, Greenwood, S. John H. Grey, of Raleigh; Rev. L. G.

Calhoun, of Lavras, Brazil; Miss Katherine O'Neal, of Lansing; Mrs. W. E. Anderson, of Atlanta; Miss Lucy Steele, of Washington, D. Rev.

W. M. of Knoxville, Miss Engle, of OrMilliottet lando, and Rev. P. Cary Adams, of Maxton.

Miss Mamie McElwee, of this city, is a member of the conference committee. Gentry Serves Until July 1st Term of County Superintendent of Schools Does Not Expire Until July 1 Under Present Law. When the announcement was made regarding the election of Mr. J. A.

Steele, of Mooresville, as superintendent of the Iredell county schools, it was stated that Mr. J. H. Gentry's term of office would expire June 1, at which time his successor would assume his duties. It was in accordance with the 1933 law that the superintendent's office would expire June but according to the latest law, Mr.

Gentry's term will not end until July 1, and he will continue to serve as head of the county schools until that time. Davidson Alumni Attending Among local alumni of Davidson College who are in Davidson today to! attend alumni meetings and class reunions are Messrs. Karl Sherrill, R. M. Rickert and Dr.

I. O. Gibson. Major Robert B. Hill, U.

S. Army, who is visiting his sister, Mrs. McKendree R. Long, is also there today to take part in alumni activities. Dr.

Gibson is attending the twenty-fifth reunion of his class. County Superintendent--elect J. A. Steele, of Mooresville, who was in town this morning, is anether Davidson alumnus who will attend alumni. gatherings this afternoon and this evening, MR.

JOHN A. BRADY SUFFERS A STROKE Mr. John A. brady, has been ill since Thursday at his home on Race street and his condition is regarded, as serious, his friends will learn. Mr.

Brady, who has been in failing health for the past several vears, suffered a stroke Thursday and has since been confined to bed. R. A. Collier Named Second Lieutenant In Cavalry Troop Captain George Feild, of the local cavalry troop, received notice from the Adjutant General of North Carolina morning of the app ment Mr. Robert A.

Collier, of this, Statesville, to the office of second lieutenant, assigned to the Machine Gun Troop, 109 Cavalry, North Carolina National Guard. Mr. Collier has served his required three-year enlistment in the local National Guard troop, has served three years in the Virginia National Guard and three years in the R. O. T.

C. school. Captain Feild states that the appointment of Mr. Collier as second lieutenant completes, his officers' personnel for the local National Guard troop. Visitors Here In Bad Wreck Party of Four People from Henderson Injured When Their Car 19 Sideswiped by Trailer and Turned Over Two or Three Times.

A party of four people from Henderson, headed for Statesville, were in a wreck about 7:30 o'clock Sunday morning, at Colfax on die. highway between Kernersville and Greens. boro, when the trailer of an eastbound car sideswiped their automobile and turned it over two or three times. Mr. L.

K. Griffith, Mr. H. L. Cand.

ler, Miss Margaret Candler and Mr. William Candler, all of Henderson, were coming to Statesville for a visit. Mr. H. L.

Candler was at the steering wheel of his automobile when he met an eastbound car, with wobbling trailer, on a curve. The Henderson car was turned over two or three times and badly disabled. All the were removed to Memorial occupants, in Winston-Saiem, for treatment. Mr. Griffith suffered bruises over the left eye, the left side of the face and righ shoulder; Miss Margaret Candler suffered bruises on the face and both her feet were badly lacerated.

Miss Margaret remained in the hospital until late Sunday afternoon, but the others were able to come on to States. ville, after their injuries were treated in the hospital. The driver of the auto with trailer attached was headed for Henderson. It was understood that he assumed responsibility for the wreck, since his trailer wheel was over the central marker in the highway, at the time of the crash. Cases Heard in Recorder's Court In Recorder's court this morning it was ordered that the case of Summers charged with larceny, be tried by jury in Recorder's court, June 18.

The order was issued by the court when counsel for defendant asked for trial by jury. The defant's bond was set at $250 justified. Bradford Sherrill appeared in court showed good behavior, and his case was continued under former order. M. A.

Fleming charged with transporting and possessing liquor for the purpose of sale, tendered of nolo contender, and was $75 and costs. The defendant's car was also forfeited and ordered sold. Bryant Summers, charged with transporting and possessing liquor, pleaded not guilty and, at the close of the evidence, the motion for nonsuit was allowed. 4-H Service Group Holds A Meeting The regular meeting of the 4-H service group was held Saturday night, June 1, at the American Legion Hut. This meeting was held in the form of a banquet.

Miss Ruth Current, district agent, who was a special guest, gave a very interesting talk on table manners. Other visitors present were Robert Lowder and Edith Shuping, of Rowan 4-H Clubs. The menu consisted of moulded chicken potato chips, cream cheese sandwiches, saltines and ice cream and cake. This was followed by a short recreational program. John Scott Raynal Undergoes Operation For Appendicitis.

John Scott Raynal underwent an operation for acute appendicitis at the H. F. Long Hospital Sunday afternoon. He is doing well. John, who had been with a party of friends at Pawley's Island, S.

for several days, returned home Saturday evening and suffered man attack of appendicitis Sunday morning. MRS. JONAH COWART FINDS BLACK WIDOW SPIDER Mrs. Jonah Cowart reported finding a black widow spider at her home on Buffalo street early this afternoon. The poisonous insect was found inside a can in the top of an abandoned well.

She killed the spider before it had opportunity to do any damage. Miss Lucile McLean is recuperating from an operation for appendicitis wheh she underwent at the Davis hospital several days ago. She is improving steadly, though she will probably be in the hospital several days longer. Miss Lucile McLean is Recuperating from Operation THE NORMANDIE BREAKS RECORD ON MAIDEN TRIP The Giant French Liner Crosses Atlantic in 99 Hours COVERS 748 MILES IN 25-HOUR PERIOD Aboard S. S.

Normandie at Sea, June mammoth Normandie having wrested at least two transAtlantic speed records on her maiden voyage reached Ambrose Lightship in New York harbor today at 9:35 a. E.S.T., unofficial clocking. The French flagship covered the of 2,971 miles from Bishops' distance, Ambrose at an average speed of 29.98 knots. The elapsed time was 99 hours 5 minutes. The Normandie officially surpassed the 29.82 knot record set by the Italian liner, Rex, on a run from Gibraltar.

Beside the mythical blue ribbon won for the fastest time across the ocean, the Normandie set these records: Fastest northern lane crossing; the time from Southampton of 107 hours, 33 minutes, beat the present mark of the North German Lloyd Bremen, 110 hours, 27 minutes by almost three hours. Fastest day's run; during 25 hours from noon Saturday to noon yesterday the ship covered 748 miles at an average of 29.92 knots, beating the Rex high mark of 736 miles in a day. An Auto Wreck Saturday Night One Car Demolished When It Cut Off Telephone Pole and Landed In a Ditch--No One Seriously Hurt. Saturday night, about 10:30 o'- clock, there was an automobile wreck on No. 10 highway, in front of Marsh Rickert's store, in Belmont, east town.

One car was demolished when; lit cut off a telephone pole and landed in a gulley 30 feet from the point of collision, but it appeared that no one was seriously hurt. Lester Colson, colored, of Albemarle, driving a sedan, and Joe Torrence, colored, of Belmont, operating an ancient touring car, were both moving east, when the Albemarle sedan, in the act of passing the tourcollided and crashed into a telephone pole, breaking the pole completely in two, and coming to standstill 30 feet away in a side ditch. Colson's car was practically demolished, but he and the other four with him apparently escaped injury as by magic, when his car plowed through the pole and landed in a ditch. Deputy Sheriff R. Bailey, who investigated the matter, stated that a hearing in the case was scheduled for this morning, but that Colson sent word by his attorney that he was too sore from shock and bruises to be here.

Commissioners in Monthly Session The Iredell county board of commissioners met in regular monthly business session today, with Mr. R. H. Kennedy, vice-chairman, presiding. Only matters of a routine nature were considered at the morning session.

Mr. John L. Milholland, clerk of Superior court, filed notice of appointment of Mr. Clarence M. Steele as a member of the board.

Members of the board stated early this afternoon that a permanent chairman of the board would not be elected until the vacancy is filled. Missionaries Will Be Heard at Loray Rev. and Mrs. Kingsley Smith, missionaries to Africa, will be at Concord Presbyterian church, Loray, next Sunday evening. Mrs.

Smith will speak to the ladies and young people at 7:30 and Mr. Smith will give an illustrated picture lecture on the missionary work in Africa at 8 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are on their way to New York for the return trip to Africa after a furlough in the United States.

Sunday school at Loray next Sunday will be at 10 a. m. instead of in the afternoon. Mr. Clarence M.

Steele Named Commissioner Mr. John L. Milholland, Clerk of Superior court, announced this morning appointment of Mr. Clarence M. Steele, of Statesville, as a member missioners, to vacancy made of the Iredell county, board of comby the resignation of Mr.

T. G. Shelton. Ralph Davis Put On Death Row for His Own Protection It Develops that Man He Cut Se- verely Did Not Die. Lexington, May 31-Ralph Davis, notorious former Davidson county outlaw who several months ago Was sentenced in Iredell and Rowan counties to more than 100 years in prison on charges murder and highway robbery is note on death row at State's prison for his own protection, it was learned here today from official sources.

It had been reported that Davis Pend Caledonia, fatally but cut it a is fellow learned prisoner the man badly cut did not die. Feeling is reported to have run high against Davis among the Calendonia prisoners 80 it was decided to remove him to Central prison for his own protection. Four Phifers Lose Lives in Wyoming Mr. Ben Stimson received a wire from Mr. John Phifer Saturday stating that Mr.

and Mrs. Fred W. Phifer and Mr. and Mrs. Wood Phifer, all lost their lives in the flood waters of Chugwater Creek, a tributary to Colorado in what is consid-1 ered the greatest flood condition in the history of that section.

Many other lives were lost. An Associated Press dispatch Friday night told of the death of Dr. Fred Phifer, Mrs. Phifer and their son, Wood Phifer, at Wheatland, Wyoming, Thursday. All three were drowned in the Colorado flood Thursday, but the details of the tragedy were not given.

Dr. Phifer was a former citizen of Statesville, having been born and reared here. He was a son of the late W. and Mary Jane Phifer. His was a sister of the late mothere J.

K. Morrison. He is survived by four brothers, Messrs. Jule P. Phifer, of Houston, Texas; Dr.

Allie G. er, Phifer, Sumter, Phifer, New Baltimores, Charles, York City. Another brother, Mr. Lynn Phifer, died several years ago, at his home in Brenham, Texas. His sister, Mrs.

Adda Phifer Stimson, died in this city in June 1901. Dr. Phifer is an uncle of Messrs. Ben and Raymond Stimson, of this city. Dr.

Phifer operated the Billingsley Hospital here, and removed to Wheatland, Wyoming, about thirty years ago to engage in the same line of work. He had built up a national reputation and his institution was recognized as one of the best in the West. He was married to Miss Margaret Giffen, of Due West, S. in 1902, and one son was born to this marriage. President Giving Thought to NRA Washington, June President Roosevelt prepared further steps to meet the Supreme court's NRA decision congress entered its sixth month today with plenty of fights ahead.

The executive reserved a declara-1 tion of general policy of NRA until later in the week. Speaker Byrns, after a White House conference, said it was his personal opinion that nothing should be done about a constitutional amendment until final effects of the decision had been determined. I Byrns indicated he was opposed to a suggestion from some quarters! that congress adjourn soon and meet in special session next fall. At the same time Senator O'Ma'honey, Democrat, Wyoming, urged upon the president the federal incorporation of all businesses engaged in interstate commerce and the constitutional definition of interstate commerce to meet the emergency. Kidnapers May Be in Hollywood Los Angeles, June 3-A tan Ford sedan answering the description of the machine in which the sheriff of Kern county, north of here, said two men were riding who resembled suspects wanted in the $200,000 George Weyerhaeuser kidnaping, was found abandoned in north Hollywood, Preparations were made to fingerprints from the car and simultaneously police began a search of underworld haunts on the possibility some of the kidnapers may have fled here from the northwest.

A Glendale hotel was searched after a polceman said he saw a man resembling Alvin Karpis, public enemy No. 1, enter it but the search was futile. Lions To Elect Officers This Evening Statesville Lions, at their regular weekly dinner meeting at the Vance Hotel this evening at 6:30 o'clock, will elect officers for the coming year. Condition Of Mr. Brady Much Improved The condition of Mr.

John A. Brady, who has been seriously ill following a stroke which he suffered last Thursday, is much improved today. WEST HARASSED BY FEARS OF NEW FLOODS DANGER 128 Dead Counted from Raging Waters in Area PROPERTY DAMAGE IS $12,000,000 Oxford, June by fears of the new floods the western Great Plains area today counted its dead from raging waters of the past week at 128, fixed its property damage in six states at more than 000,000 and plunged into the work of reconstruction. Southcentral Nebraska was hard. est hit.

Stricken simultaneously by twin disaster of the tornado and the Republican river leaping out of its banks over a 200 mile area, its dead numbered 86. Today it watched with apprehension as the North and South Platte rivers swept toward a junction in the western part of the state. Colorado had 19 known dead, Wyoming 7, Texas 5, Kansas Missouri by the breakdown of communication facilities relief workers could make only rough estimates of the complete flood damage. Duplication of death reports made tabulation difficult. J.

M. Power, of St. Louis, directing Red Cross work, said "it will be at least a week before the full number of dead and injured is known." He said an increase by official survey showed at least 1000 families homeless. Reports of 'heavy live stock casualties were uniform throughout the valley. Consider School Building Program City and County Boards of Education May Seek Federal Funds To Meet Present and Future Needs of Schools.

The idea of launching a hensive building program, to take care of the needs of the city and county schools of Iredell for some time, was considered in the regular monthly meeting of the Iredell county board of education, which was held this morning in the office of Supt. J. H. Gentry. The Statesville school board met with the county board this morning to consider plans for securing federal money for both the city and county schools.

It was agreed by the two boards that each would secure the services of an architect to make an estimate on the cost of the various improvements and buildings in the school systems. The first step is to secure an estimate of cost and then the boards will have something more definite to work on. A delegation from the Union Grove school appeared before the board this morning and asked for money from the federal government for the erection of an elementary building for their school. There was a petition presented by the citizens of Turnersburg asking that their school, which was discontinued last year, be re-established. Aetion was deferred.

A delegation from the Celeste Henkel school asked for $1,000 to finish the heating and plumbing for their school. Action was deferred on all requests for schools, pending developments in movement to secure funds from the federal government. Mrs. Matheson Is Awarded $1,000 The jury late Friday afternoon, in the case of Mrs. W.

S. Matheson against C. D. Crouch, brought in a verdict favorable to the plaintiff, awarding Mrs. Matheson the sum of $1,000 for injuries sustained over A year ago when Mrs.

Matheson was krecked down on the street by a car driven by Mr. Crouch. Mrs. Matheson was suing for $10,000 damages, but the jury cut it to $1.000. Mr.

Crouch gave notice of appeal to Supreme court. Following disposition of the Matheson case about 5 o'clock Friday afternoon Iredell Superior court a adjourned, after two weeks session, Estimate Quake Deaths at 40,000 Quetta, India, June contemplated today finishing the destruction of this garden city of India, ruined in a series of earthquakes, by dynamiting the debris to prevent an outbreak of disease. With the death toll in Friday's quakes estimated at 40,000 it was believed at least 20,000 bodies still were buried in the wreckage..