The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 1

THE GAFFNEY LEDGER A NEWSPAPER IN ALL THAT THE WORD IMPLIES, DEVOTED TO THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF CHEROKEE COUNTY. February 16, 1894 Gaffney, South Carolina, Saturday, December 14, 1957 Price 5c Per Copy Mayor Cooksey For a Second Three Gaffney Students For Merit Scholarships Three seniors at Gaffney High School have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition, according to Principal W. H. Hale, Jr. The local students are listed among the 7,500 high scorers on the scholar- (Picture on page 2) ship qualifying test, a nationwide college aptitude examination given in 14,000 high schools October 22.

The semifinalists named outscored 300,000 fellow seniors, and thus moved a step to the $4 million in merit scholarships to be awarded in the 1958 program. The Gaffney High School semifinalists are Wannie Hardin, son of the Rev. and Mrs. E. Wannamaker Hardin, of Buford street; Mary Wheeler, daughter of Dr.

and Mrs. Harold Wheeler, of route and Carol Stone, granddaughter of Mrs. Eula H. Vassy, of Rutledge avenue. Merit scholarships sponsored by over sixty business are, industrial firms, as well as by professional societies, foundations, and even individuals.

The sponsors' list includes such nationally known names as International Business Machines, SearsRoebuck, National Distillers and Chemical Corporation, F. W. Woolworth Pittsburgh Plate Glass, McGraw-Hill, B. F. Goodrich, Time Incorporated, Gulf Oil, and many others.

The semifinalists now face a rigorous, three-hour College Board Wm. M. Webster Taken by Death; Funeral Is Held William Mendenhal Webster, 85, of Spartanburg, died Thursday at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Fanning Weedon, in Hidden Hill Gardens at Spartanburg. He was a son of the late ces Littlejohn and John Robert Webster, of Gaffney.

His wife, who died about two years ago, was Annie Sams, daughter of the late Professor and Mrs. R. O. Sams, of Gaffney. Webster was connected with the Gaffney Manufacturing Company for a number of years.

He also served as official of the old Globe Mills here. He was sales manager for the Cutter Manufacturing Company at Rock Hill for a number of years. He formerly lived at Greenville where he was an elder of the Fourth Presbyterian Church. He had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg since coming here 16 years ago. In addition to Mrs.

Weedon, Mr. Webster is survived by two sons, William M. Webster, and Francis S. Webster, both of Greenville; one sister, Mrs. Sam Henry, of Spartanburg; two brothers, Fred Webster, of Travelers Rest, and Joseph Webster, of Charlotte, N.

six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2:30 p. m. at the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church by Dr. Mare C.

Weersing and the Rev. Capers Satterlee. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery in Gaffney. Pallbearers were Francis S. Webster, William M.

Webster, III, Smith Webster, Terrell Webster, John Henry, Miles Sams, Curtis Price, Kyle Alverson and C. M. Howell. The J. F.

Floyd Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. 5 examination, to be given in testing centers throughout the country on January 11th. Students whose high scores substantiate their earlier test performance will become finalists in the competition. At least 7,000 of the semifinalists are expected to survive this second hurdle, according to John Stalnaker, president of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conduets the annual competition. "The finalists' group will be made up of some of the most able youngsters that America has ever produced.

We expect to have over 800 scholarships available for them--about one for every nine of these young people. Our need to identify, and help, as necessary, the scientists, engineers, (Continued on page 2) Pageant Will Be Presented At Baptist Church "Why the Chimes a Christmas pageant, will be presented at the First Baptist Church at the Sunday evening service at 7:30 o'clock. Almost 100 children will take part. Dr. Denver Jackson Davis is pastor of the church.

The story is built around a village Christmas eve custom of placing gifts for the Christ-Child on the church altar. The best offering was supposed to make the chimes ring- -but for many years the chimes had remained silent. This particular Christmas eve something did make the chimes sound. Much work has gone into preparations for this pageant, church authorities reported. The play is expected to be one of the highlights of the Christmas season.

The cast includes: Carlisle Hamrick, Billy Gauthier, Buddy Morgan, Frank Bobby Lipscomb, Dee Searboro, Parker Mullinax, Mary J. Stacy, Bryan Patrick, E. Crocker, Jo Carol Padgett, Patsy Lee, Gene Phillips, Vance Wilder, Jimmy Blanton, J. Phillips, Miriam McCormick, Billy Caldwell, Sherry Crawford, Tommy Martin, Judy Caldwell, BoBo Bierly, Steedly Bogan, Lee Wood, Donnie Gaffney, Stephanie Bonner, Claudia Bonner, Kay Wright, Teenie Clary, Wanda Lee, Ann Wright, Kathy Petty, Rusty Hummon, Norman Littlejohn, George Avakian, Trip Gault, Frances Reaves, Barry Barnhill, Mike Swofford, Kay Childers, Mary Ann Spearman, Martha Randolph, Jane Childers, Debby Turner, Sherrie Burgess, Robin Caldwell. Also, Billy Sumner, Allan Carroll, Mary L.

Walker, Sherry Smith, Patricia Brumbach, Linda Green, Fuller MeLane, III, Elaine Whelchel, Steve Cloninger, Jimmy Sanders, Danny Abernathy, Rodney Camp, Pat Jimmy Mooney, Karen Hale, Beverly Blanton, Jimmy Degner, Sandy Chalk, Richard Woodruff, Celia Pettit, Tommy Hatcher, Edie Marie Grubb, Gus Austell, Robert Blalock, Raymond Green, Jimmy Lancaster, Lyman Hamrick, Bobby Cooksey, Claire Brown, Cynthia Clary, Sheila Clary, Dee Smith, Mike Vaughan, Florence Hamriek, Judy LeMaster, Becky Jo Clary, Sara Haas, Nancy Clarkson, Jerry Kennedy, Patty Higgins, Mary Jane Russell, Ann Pegram, Martha Dobson, Vicki Harrill, Mary Ann Daggerhart, Lee Esselmeyer. WIN FOOTBALL TROPHIES: Winners of tro- Guard Don Hunt, blocking trophies; Tackle Cecil phies presented at the annual Gaffney High School Drake, most valuable player; and End Tommy football banquet Thursday night are shown above. Brown, best scholar-athlete trophy. Clyde Ehardt, From to Wallace, VFW line coach at Presbyterian College, was the speakleft right: Halfback Jerry Earl Clary trophy; Tackle Eddie Harrington and er for the event. Photo by Smith Studio.

Asks Term 2 Candidates Enter Races For Council 100 KIDS LIKE THESE put away 350 hot dogs at the Gaffney Boys Club's annual Christmas party Wednesday night. Top dog in the eating was credited with nine weiners. Pictured from left to right are Jimmy Mooney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Mooney, of Anthony street; Burl Turner, son of Mr.

and Mrs. J. B. Turner, of Oakland Firemen Credited With Saving Building Friday City firemen were commended Friday for saving a $20,000 store building from going up into smoke about 1 a. m.

S. R. Sherman, owner of the Kuriosity Shop on highway said the quick action of firemen in sub-freezing weather put out a blaze started by a faulty flue in the north side of the building. A passing motorist detected the fire and awakened Mr. Sherman who was asleep in the building.

Mr. Robert Bright Taken by Death At Spokane, Wn. News has been received by relatives here of the death in Spokane, of Robert Bright, 56, former Gaffney textile worker, who left here about three years ago. The funeral and interment took place at Spokane. Mr.

Bright is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Lucille Boheler, of Spartanburg; a son, Tom Bright; five sisters, Mrs. Claude Patterson, Mrs. Fred Patterson, Mrs. Mary Ruppe, Mrs.

Ade Gordon and Mrs. James Atkins, of Gaffney; and brothers, Jay Bright, of Gastonia. N. and Ed Bright, of Gaffney. DIRECTOR: John R.

Middlebroks, retail merihant (family shoe store since 1947) and prominent in local as well as state civic affairs, was one of 26 businessmen recently elected to a two-year term on the board of directors of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce at the organization's annual meeting in Columbia. Sherman estimated smoke damage to his stock at $1,000 but he said loss would have much greater if the firemen not been, "been on their toes and done a very commendable job in putting out the blaze." H. P. Queen's Grocery on Logan street was the scene of a 11:30 a. m.

fire Friday which was extinguished quickly with slight damage. Lawrence Brown's home on the Draytonville road was heavily by a blaze about 10:30 Thursday night. The cause was believed to be an overheated stove. A pump house next to Jodean Turner's home on the Chesnee highway was destroyed about 11:30 a. m.

Thursday. Firemen prevented the blaze from spreading to the dwelling. Phone Company Pays Cherokee $22,518 Taxes One of the largest tax-payment checks received by Cherokee county in payment of 1957 ad valorem taxes was Southern delivered to the county by the Bell Telephone Company. The payment totaled $22,518.65 and was delivered Friday by Southern Bell Manager John C. Bernhard to J.

I. McCulloch, county treasurer. "We are one of Cherokee county's largest taxpayers, having previously paid $9,487 to the city of Mr. Bernhard said. "This is another that we, as a locally operated business, are way, contributing to the welfare and progress of Gaffney and Cherokee county." These tax payments are part of about $3,360,000 be paid the state of South Carolina, its counties and municipalities.

SPOT AVERAGES New Orleans, Dee. average price of one inch spot cotton at 14 designated Southern spot markets today was 5 cents a bale lower at 34.97 cents a pound; previous day 34.98; week 34.79: month ago 34.39; year ago 33.15. Average for the past 30 market days 34.37; middling 15- 16 inch average 33.71. Sales 411. Costly Meat Chestertown, Md.

Chester Moon found it costly to have illegal deer meat in his possession on November 11 at his home. He failed to appear for trial and for-beited $102.95 collateral. Contract Let for Underpass At Chesnee Rd. and US 29 A contract for an underpass un- Plans indicate that the underder S. C.

Route 11 on Interstate pass will be of pre-stressed reinRoute 85 (formerly U. S. 29) in forced concrete construction. It Cherokee county has been awarded will be 312 feet long, and will be by the State Highway Department located on the interstate route to George A. Creed Son, of Co- northwest of Gaffney.

More than lumbia. 30 underpasses, overpasses and The contract was announced in stream crossings are to be built a letter of award from Chief High- on the route between Fairforest Commissioner Claude R. Me- and the North Carolina state line Millan. It was based on a low bid in conjunction with the widening of $91,196.82 submitted when bids of the highway to four lanes and for the project were publicly open- converting it into a controlled-ac-19 ed in Columbia November 26.0 cess highway. avenue; Chris Kennedy, son of Mr.

and Mrs. John Kennedy, of Pecan street; and Jimmy McCraw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Irv McCraw, of Magnolia street. Officers of the Boys Club expressed appreciation to public for its support to the Ledger photo by Curry's Studio.

HELP FIGHT TB CHRISTMAS 0000800000 BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS LEFT. Bank of Gaffney Will Pay First Dividend Dec. 27 Directors of the Bank of Gaffney have voted a 3 per cent dividend payable to stockholders December 27, according to an announcement made by A. L. Midyette, vice president and cashier.

This will be the first dividend paid since the bank opened in January of 1955. The Bank of Gaffney's capital and surplus amount to $225,000. Assets total $2,708,000. The deposits amount to $2,595,000. Waite C.

Hamrick, who has diversified business interests, is president of the bank. Members of the board of directors are Mr. Hamrick, Mr. Midyette, Paul E. Morgan, A.

Ray Godshall, Dr. J. H. Catheart, Dr. L.

Frieze, A. V. Hinton and E. Jones. 'H.

S. Ed Sarratt Taken by Death; Rites Set Today S. Ed Sarratt, 73-year-old retired farmer of the Grassy Pond area on route 1, died about 12:15 o'clock Friday morning following four years of declining health. He was a member of the Grassy Pond Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at that church Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock by the Rev.

Warren Fowler, the pastor, the Rev. E. Gray Jones, of Anderson, a former pastor, and Dr. R. A.

MacFarland, of Gaffney, former supply pastor. Interment will be in the Grassy Pond cemetery with the Shuford-Hatcher Company, morticians, in charge. The pallbearers will be Sam and Albert Sarratt, Louis, William and Joe Huskey, Glenn Bemisderfer, Baxter Morgan and Terry Collins. An honorary escort will include H. C.

Cook, W. C. McArthur, Steedly Pettit, G. G. Watts, Dr.

G. P. Edwards, Dr. J. H.

Cathcart. L. V. Vinesett and members of the Grassy Pond Men's Sunday school class. The body, which will be at the home, will lie in state in the church for one hour before the funeral.

Mr. Sarratt is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sara Huskey five daughters, Mrs. Earl Humphries and Mrs. Roy Davis, of Gaffney, Mrs.

Ralph Shigley, of Winter Park, Mrs. Jack Hendrick, of Chesterfield, and Mrs. Edward Pendry, of North Wilksboro, N. four sons, Garland Sarratt, of route 1, Edwin Sarratt, of route 2, and Ibra and Frank Sarratt, of Gaffney; a sister, Mrs. Albert McKown, of Spartanburg; grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Officers Probe Break-Ins At Grocery Stores C. H. Harvey's Grocery Store on Beech street was broken into Thursday and extension, enough food stolen to feed a small army. Officers were also investigating Friday a theft at another grocery store on 13th street. Sheriff Julian B.

Wright's office said Harvey's Grocery was entered through a side window and the following items stolen: 10 pounds of hot dogs, five pounds of stew beef, five pounds of pork chops, six dozen eggs, 12 pounds of coffee, 20 cartons of cigarettes, several pairs of sock and a doll. Frank Bratton's store at Globe Mills also was entered Thursday night. Two cartons of cigarettes and five boxes of mixed candy were stolen. John L. Moss Is Taken by Death; Funeral Is Held John Landrum Moss, of Limestone Courts, about 11 o'clock Wednesday at the Cherokee County Memorial Hospital following declining health of several years.

A native of Shelby, N. Mr. Moss was a retired textile worker. He had lived here the greater part of his life. He was a member of the Kirby Memorial Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Shuford-Hatcher chapel on East Frederick street. The Rev. C. E. Osment, Kirby Memorial pastor, and Lieutenant Leon Ferraez, Salvation Army commander, officiated.

Interment was in Oakland cemetery with the Shuford-Hatcher Company, morticians, in charge. The pallbearers were C. J. Jackson, L. R.

Seruggs, W. J. Gordon, J. F. Lester, John Branch and Bill Holmes.

Mr. Moss is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sara Eldridge Moss; a son, George Moss, of Lockhart; a stepdaughter, Miss Mary Kathleen Eldridge; three sisters, Mrs. Carrie Knight, of Greer, Mrs. Maggie Henderson, of Union, and Mrs.

Athie Calhoun, of Buffalo; and two brothers, Tom Moss, of Union, and Elijah Moss, of Buffalo. W. D. COOKSEY C. C.

MEREDITH Cherokee Native Dies In Indiana; Relatives Here Mrs. Ethel Allen Hammett, 51, died about 5:50 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Roy Parris, in Jef. fersonville, Ind. Mrs.

Hammett, who was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church at Clarksville, was a daughter of Mrs. Mary Jane Burgess Allen and the late Lee Allen, of Gaffney. The body returned here Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Shuford-Hatcher Company, morticians, in charge. Mrs. Hammett tt is survived by a daughter, Mrs.

Parris; three sons, Gene Hammett, of Louisville, Wayne Hammett, who is in Japan, and Jerry Hammett, of Jeffersonville, her mother, Mrs. Allen, of Gaffney; four sisters, Miss Ila Allen, Mrs. T. L. Allison, and Mrs.

Lucian Turner, of Gaffney, and Mrs. J. D. Campbell, of Charlotte; three brothers, Lee, Herbert and James T. Allen, of Gaffney; and two grandchildren.

Major Needham Will Conduct SA Services Major John Needham, assistant divisional commander for the North and South Carolina Division, will conduct the morning and evening services Sunday at The Salvation Army here. Mrs. Needham will accompany him. Major Needham is a native of England, having been born in Ilkeston (Derbyshire). In June 1939, he and Mrs.

Needham were commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army and have served in various field and administrative positions throughout the South. The morning service will begin at 11 o'clock and the evening service at 7:30. The publie is cordially invited to attend. HD Club Sets Santa Parties For Next Week Miss Jessie Ann Wingo, home demonstration agent has announeed the club Christmas parties for next week as follows: Tuesday, Pine Crest will meet with Mrs. Grady Benton at 7 p.

m. Thursday, Timber Ridge will meet with Mrs. Elbert Kirby at 2 p. m. Friday, Holly Grove will meet with Mrs.

Woodrow Martin at 7 p. m. Mayor William D. Cooksey announced Friday he is a candidate for re-election in the forthcoming Democratic primary. Two other candidates entered races for seats on the city council.

Clinton C. Meredith, insurance salesman, announced his candidacy for alderman of ward 5, and Jack Wyatt, state highway department employe, entered the race for the ward 2 seat. These brought the number of candidates already announced to nine. Homer C. Brown, Neal Cash and Edward W.

Long have announced in the ward 4 race; Robert A. Jones, for re-election in ward Incumbent Howard C. Seruggs and Clint S. Hill, ward 6. Mr.

Wyatt's statement follows: "I hereby announce myself a candidate for alderman to represent the people of ward 2. "I have lived and owned my home in ward 2 for the past seven years. I am a World War 2 veteran. have been employed with the S. C.

State Highway Department as a mechanic for the past nine years, I am married and have two sons. We are members of the Northside Baptist Church, hope to meet each and every one in ward 2 before this primary. want the people to know that I am running to help the progress and improvement of our ward and city. "I will appreciate the support of the voters in ward 2 in this Democratic primary election. "It elected I will cooperate and serve my ward and the city of Gaffney to the best of my ability." Mr.

Meredith's statement follows: wish to hereby announce myself as a candidate for Alderman from ward 5, I am the son Mrs. Lillie R. Meredith and the late Guy C. Meredith. I have lived in Gaffney practically all my life and live now at 102 College drive.

"I received education in the Gaffney Schools, attended A College Clarksville, V. I. at Lexington, and studied music at Limestone College. "I am. distriet manager for Francis Marion Life Insurance Company of South Carolina.

am a member of Cherokee Avenue Baptist Church and have served through the years as Sunday School President, secretary or treasurer, "I I am a member of Granard Lodge 186, Ancient Free Masons, Gaffney Chapter 55, Royal Arch Masons, Potter Council 42 Royal and Select Masters, Gaffney Commander D. Knights Templer, Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystie Shrine, Hejaz Temple, Cherokee Shrine Club, secretary of Gaffney Masonic York rite bodies. "I believe in a clean, progressive and economical city government and in giving the tax payers the most for their tax dollar. I would like to state that am not being sponsored or influenced by any person or persons. If you can see fit to elect me as your alderman, I will owe you my deepest gratitude and I promise my full cooperation at all times to the citizens of Ward 5, the city officials, and the city as a whole to make Gaffney the finest city in South Carolina." Mayor Cooksey's statement follows: "I have decided to offer for reelection to the of Mayor in the January primary.

In doing so, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the citizens of Gaffney who elected me Mayor two years ago and whose support and good will have meant much CO me in trying to do a good job while in office, I honestly feel that it is impossible in one two year term to organize and complete a progressive program in municipal government. feel, therefore, that I should offer for reelection in order to carry to a finish the work that has been started. I take pride in the things We have achieved for Gaffney in the past two years, but we still have work to' complete. During the past two years we have improved many streets in the City; we have placed many new street markers, and this was a needed mprovement; also we carried through to completion the swimming pools and began a recreation program for Gaffney which we nope will grow more meaningful in the years to come. "Tt has been and will be my policy to cooperate with all the departments of our municipal government and to do all in my pow- (Continued on page 2).