The Newton Record from Newton, Mississippi • 1

THE NEWTON RECORD A NEWTON COUNTY NEWSPAPER VOLUME 53 ROBBERS CAUGHT AFTER HOLD-UP DECEMBER 23 NEWTON GAS STATION OPERATOR ROBBED "Wrong Way Corrigans" Were Captured After Wrong Turn Back Into Newton A daring armed hold-up of a Newton service station was followed within 30 minutes by the capture of the two robbers on Thursday night, December 23. Capture made by 'Patrolmen G. E. Lansing and J. F.

Johnston of Newton, after they were notified by Marshal T. O. Prince of Newton. Two young men, driving a stolen Buick automobile bearing Texas license plate, held up W. P.

Pace, West Church Street service station operator, at gun-point around 7 P. M. They took about $85.00 from the cash register, had the tank filled with gas, and forced Mr. Pace into the car. They drove out Highway 15 south about three miles, and released Mr.

Pace, who hitchhiked back to town and immediately notified Marshal Prince. The robbers continued south for six miles, making a loop by Garlandville and returned to town: As they passed through Newton, headed east, the Patrolmen spotted them and trailed them for a couple of blocks, captured them, and recovered the money and gun with no gun fire. The robbers, Harry W. Rielator, 32, of Colorado, and Sanford Liberty Puckett, 44, of Kentucky, admitted that the automobile was stolen and that they had committed the local robbery. Rielator was placed in the Scott County Jail at Forest, and Puckett in the Newton County at Decatur.

The men will be held until the Newton County Grand Jury meets in March. The Patrolmen were out on Highway 80 when it was reported to them that a hold-up had occurred in Newton. They immediately came into town and drove south on Highway 15 a short distance, turned around, and were nearly to town when the automobile passed them, running at an excessive rate of speed. Not having a description of the vehicle, the men radioed for same, in the meantime trailing the speeding car through town. The robbers went north on Main Street, making the block around by the Tracy Gallaspy residence to New Ireland Street, and then attempted to turn north on the highway.

By this time, the description of the vehicle was given the Patrolmen, who stopped the car near the Texaco Station on North Decatur Street, or Highways 80 and 15. Puckett stated that the reason they returned to. Newton was that they were attempting to get on a side road and off the main highway, to avoid being captured. In attempting to accomplish this, they turned into the south end of old Highway 15, which leads to Garlandville, and made the circle around back to new Highway 15 and thence into Newton. They only recognized the town as the same one when they came to the railroad crossing.

They did not turn back south then, because they figured the law, enforcement officers would be south of town looking for them. Operators at the local Telephone Office have been praised by officials for their quick work in helping locate the officers after the daring hold-up and kidnapping. Had it not been for this assistance, a longer interval of time might have elapsed, enabling the robbers to get away. Miss Virginia Pace, who was on duty at the office at the time, knew about the robbery and kidnapping, but did not know her father, W. P.

Pace, was the person involved until she went off duty at 8:30 P. M. RESPONSE TO CHRISTMAS SEAL SALE IS GOOD Newton County people must have already started some good New Year's Resolutions, according to Harold Webb, Christmas Seal chairman. He reported today that responses to Christmas Seal letters have come into headquarters of the Newton County Tuberculosis Association in increasing numbers during the past week. According to reports received so far a total of 426 letters have been received with contributions a- mounting to $917.25.

"This is the best. Christmas Seal, Sale ever held in. Newton. County." THAT IS HERE TO STAY ENGINEERING FIRM'S REPORT TO CITY HAS DELAYED ELECTION The Mayor and Board of Aldermen met back in adjourned session at the City Hall in ON Newton Tuesday night, December 28, for the purpose of discussing further the proposal of the Mississippi Power Company, relative to the calling of an election and the renewing of the Company's present franchise. The City Officials some two years ago employed the services of Allen Hoshall of Memphis, an engineering firm, to make a complete survey, and this was completed at that time.

The Officials requested that this report be brought up to date, and it was scheduled to be completed by December 15. However, due to their inability to secure certain pertinent information, the report been delayed 30 days. Therefore, the date of the election will set at the February, session, according to Mayor L. Clark. The Officials are endeavoring to get a complete picture of the situation before the proposal is presented to the people.

HAROLD LOPER After an illness of several months, Harold Loper, 48, died Monday, December 20, at 4:50 A. M. in Atlanta, where he had resided for a number of years. A native of Lake, Mr. Loper was a son of the late Mr.

and Mrs. Floyd Loper, prominent residents there. He was located in Meridian at one time, where he was associated with the Home Loan Corporation. He was filling an appointment with the Veterans Administration in Atlanta at the time of his death, was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Order, and was a Shriner. He was active in religious and fraternal circles every where he resided, and was held in high regard.

He had lived in Memphis, and in the West for a period of time before going to Atlanta. Mr. Loper leaves his wife, Mrs. Edith Kidd Loper, also a native of Lake, and a daughter, Miss Barbara Loper, both of Atlanta, two sisters, Mrs. B.

H. Lindley of Vicksburg, and Mrs. Ed L. Lipscomb of Memphis, four brothers, Gilbert, Floyd, and Carl Loper, all of Meridian, and Dewey Loper of Mobile, and a number of nieces and nephews. The body was brought to Meridian, where funeral services were held at Webb's Funeral Home at 10 A.

M. Wednesday, December 22. Dr. J. Kelly Unger, Meridian Presbyterian minister, officiated, assisted by Dr.

Walter Moore, also of Meridian. Interment was in Magnolia Cemetery there. Active pall bearers were listed as George Stevens of Birmingham, Louis Tilghman, H. C. Bennett of Atlanta, Frank Brooks, Earl Davis, and George N.

McIlhenny, all of Lake, and George Blesh Welch of Birmingham, Ala. MRS. J. M. KENNEDY News reached Newton early today of the death of Mrs.

Kate Bayless Kennedy of Bay Springs, wife of J. M. Kennedy, who succumbed in Meridian this morning. She was born at Baxter in Jasper County on December 4, 1885, and was a daughter of the late Henry L. and Mollie Alexander Bayless, prominent residents of that area.

She was a member of the Bay Springs Presbyterian Church, the Eastern Star, and was active in community and church affairs. Besides her husband, Mrs. Kennedy leaves a daughter, Mrs. W. A.

Stanton, of Leland; two Stanton grandchildren, Sandra and Billy of Leland; two brothers, H. H. and Robert Bayless of Bay Springs; six sisters, Miss Nell Bayless and Mrs. M. S.

Arledge of Bay Springs, Mrs. R. R. Johnston of Dancy, Mrs. Clyde Leach of Gadsden, Mrs.

Clarence Falk and Mrs. Harold Gardner of Washington, D. and a number of other relatives. Her funeral will be held at 10:30 A. M.

Saturday, January 1, 1955, at the Presbyterian Church in Bay son of French Camp and the Rev. Springs, with the Rev. Sam PatterT. Barton West of Bay Springs officiating. Interment will be Mem- in the Bay Springs Cemetery, ory Chapel directing arrangements.

Serving as active pall bearers will be cousins of the deceased, John Alexander of Union, Carl Alexander of Kosciusko, Joe Abney of Newton and Rose Hill, Clarence Hutto and Irvin Alexander of Montrose, Robert and George Abney, Prentiss Alexander of Bay Springs. MOTTO: NEWTON, NEWTON JUSTICE, ACCURACY AND COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1954 Daring Robbery Occurred Here Thursday Night Patrolmen J. F. Johnston and G. E.

Lans- Rielator and Sanford ing are pictured above, left and right, with and right, center, who the two men who held up a West Church utes after the robbery Street filling station around 7 P. M. Thurs- as they apparently lost day, December '23. The men are Harry W. back into Newton from Direction Of Business In New Year Seen Upward By Statistician Babson In His Annual Business, Financial Forecast (By Roger W.

Babson) The following is the Business and Financial Forecast for 1955, as released by Statistician Babson: GENERAL BUSINESS. Despite wails from some quarters, 1954 saw a drop in the 'average Physical Volume of Business of only from the record year 1953. 1955 could see a rise of about the same amount. Certainly, the direction of business until mid-1955 will be upward. BUSINESSMEN WILL WAKE UP.

During 1954 many businessmen rediscovered the meaning of the word "competition." Sales will continue to be made only with real effort in most lines. CONSUMPTION OUTLOOK. Consumption in a number of lines 'has been proceeding at a more rapid rate than has production. I forecast a better record in early 1955 for both steel and automobiles. TEXTILE INDUSTRY.

Textile industry operated at extremely low levels throughout most of 19- 54. Coal and railroad equipment also exerted a strong downpull. I forecast that the textile and coal industries will be in a recovery phase after their long stay in the doldrums. PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION. I forecast that home building and general construction will be somewhat lower in 1955 than in 1954, but this important industry should still operate at high levels next year.

PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION. I fore- cast public construction will increase during 1955. This should mean a rise in the output of cement. AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT. This industry has been suffering from a decline in demand, but should now improve.

Governmentsponsored planting curtailment and crop. loans reduced free supplies, and may make for higher agricultural prices later in 1955. ARMAMENT INDUSTRY. The armament industry will still be one of the main floors beneath the economy. The electrical and chemical industries will move at a rate close to that of 1954.

OTHER INDUSTRIES. I am somewhat optimistic on clothing, aircraft manufacturing, air-line transportation, office equipment, electricity output, petroleum products, natural gas, and shoes. am also fairly bullish on rubber, paper, electrical equipment, certain types of building, and nonferrous metals. WEATHER CONDITIONS. It is foolish for me to attempt to forecast rains, droughts, frosts, for any special section.

However, taking the nation as a whole, 1 look for better weather in 1955. RETAIL SALES. 1. forecast that the outlook for retail sales is encouraging, at least through the first half of 1955. PROFITS.

Stiffening competition is chipping away at the profit margin. Return on invested capital, is in long term downtrend. The first, few years after. World War PROGRESS Night Liberty Puckett, left were captured 30 minby the Patrolmen, their way and looped Garlandville. NEWTON BARBER DIED TUESDAY MORNING; RITES AT LIBERTY Charles Lewis (Scott) Walker, 54, prominent Newton barber, died at the Newton Hospital at 4:15 A.

M. Tuesday, December 28, as the result of a stroke, suffered at his apartment on South Main Street late Sunday afternoon. He never regained, consciousness after being stricken suddenly. He had not been ill prior to this, with the exception of a heart attack suffered several weeks ago which necessitated hospitalization. His body lay in state at the Hutson Funeral Home until the hour of the funeral.

Mr. Walker was born in Newton County November 15, 1900, a son of the late George W. and Nancy Agnes Lucy Walker, prominent residents of the Liberty Community. He held membership the Liberty Baptist Church. He had followed his profession of barbering for many years in Newton, being connected with the City Barber Shop.

He was held in high regard by numerous friends. Besides his wife, Mrs. Ludie M. Walker of Newton and Meridian, Mr. Walker leaves a step-son, Kenneth M.

Mundy of the U. S. Navy, stationed in France; a sister, Mrs. Thelma L. Miley of Yazoo City; a brother, T.

J. Walker of Newton; and a number of other relatives. His funeral was conducted at 3 P. Wednesday, December 29, at the Liberty Baptist Church, with the Rev. T.

L. Everett, pastor, officiating. Dr. John F. Carter of Clarke College, Newton, assisted in the services.

Interment was in the Liberty Cemetery. A large number of relatives and friends were present for the services, and the beautiful floral arrangements also evidenced the esteem in which Mr. Walker was held. Serving as active pall bearers were Roy McDonald and J. G.

(Shorty) Wilson, his co-workers in the City Barber Shop, John E. Windham, E. R. Robinson, Bernard M. Feldman, Ross Holmes, Chan Hailey, and Roy Baker.

Honorary bearers were listed as M. H. MeMullan, Harry Williams, J. C. McBeath, W.

H. (Pete) Bassett, Dr. H. L. May, James M.

Thames, J. L. Atkins, Glen B. Walley, and Mack H. Hall.

NEW BAND DIRECTOR IS EMPLOYED HERE Supt. E. L. Morgan announces a change in Band Director at ton High School at mid term. Bennie Rackard, who directed the band the past semester, resigned prior to the Christmas holidays.

His resignation was accepted and Mr. Morgan states that a contract has been signed by Mrs. Peggy Williams. Mrs. Williams is graduate of Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, with a major in instrumental music.

She has directed bands at Morton and at Union. Born and reared at Morton, Mrs. Williams is the wife of Ollie Williams, Who is assuming directorship of the Morton Band next week. Mrs. Williams plans to commute daily from Morton, where they are residing.

MORE LOCAL NEWS THAN ANY MONTHLY MEETING OF CHAMBER BOARD WAS HELD WEDNESDAY The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Newton Chamber of Commerce was held at the Colonial Cafe Wednesday, December 29, at noon, with a good number in attendance. Records showed that the Chamber enters the New Year in good financial condition, also with a larger membership than any previous year of its history. A good deal of enthusiasm was shown on a number of agricultural projects that were discussed, among which were a greater development of milk production, vegetable growing, and a far-reaching conservation program, all of which will be gone into fully as they develop. The Chamber's Secretary-Manager was asked to reconsider his resignation, and agreed to continue to serve the Chamber as in the past. The individual members are asked to cooperate with their Chamber in bringing to the attention of Board members suggestions as to the way in which the Chamber can best serve the community.

Each member present expressed himself as anxious to serve the community better in 1955 than has been done during the past year. TO VISIT CLUB Mrs. Burnette Y. Hennington of Jackson, president of the Mississippi Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, will be guest speaker at and pay her official visit to the Newton B. P.

W. Club in its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 4. Mrs. Hennington is a daughter of Lewis and Mrs. Bertha Everett Yarbrough, natives of Newton County, and has many relatives and friends in this area.

Her subject for the night's program will be "What Means To and a discussion will follow her address. The meeting will be held at 7:15 P. M. at the Palm Room of the Southland Restaurant, and members taking guests or unable to attend are asked to notify Mrs. E.

B. Johnson, hostess chairman, by 9 A. M. Tuesday. All members are urged to be present for the official visit of the State President.

JAMES P. CARAWAY The funeral of James Priestly Caraway was held at the Good Hope Baptist Church, near Hickory, at 3 P. M. on Christmas Day. He died at his home at Hickory on December 24.

Mr. Caraway had been in ill health for several years, being 64 years of age. He was a life-long resident of Hickory and a member of the Good Hope Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the first World War. The Rev.

Otis Swearingen officiated at the rites, assisted by the Revs. L. B. Simmons and Burl Williams. Interment was in the church cemetery.

The body lay in state at the Hutson Funeral Home in Newton until the hour of services. Active pall bearers were Truman Ishee, Glendon Caraway, Kenneth Caraway, Eulys Caraway, Dick Caraway, and Johnny Lee, all nephews of the deceased. Mr. Caraway leaves his wife, Mrs. Maisie Craten Caraway, Hickory; two daughters, Earline of Hickory and Mrs.

Bob Kyle of Memphis, eight sons, James D. of the U. S. Army and Meridian, C. D.

of Brandon, J. M. of Jackson, Jeff and Edward of Memphis, Natie P. of Ole. Miss and Meridian, and Bryan and Hardy Caraway of Hickory.

Mr. Caraway had three granddaughters and two grandsons. He also is survived by three sisters, Mrs. O. S.

Wright of Meridian, Mrs. Emmett Ishee of Louin, and Mrs. Annie C. Williams of Newton; and two brothers, M. A.

Caraway of Bastrop, and D. L. Caraway of Hickory. OTHER PAPER IN THE COUNTY NUMBER 46 HEDERMAN SPOKE AT ROTARY CLUB TUESDAY NOON FREEDOM OF PRESS WAS TOPIC DISCUSSED Clarion Ledger Manager Stressed Importance Of Free Press; Paper Staff Guests II were the golden years for the novice in business and for the inefficient. Those days are gone for a while.

SELECTIVITY. Higher labor and other costs, plus intensified competition, will continue during 19- 55. I forecast a high degree of selectivity in the effect of this trend on individual activities and companies. Victory will be for the nimble an and for the strong! DIVIDENDS. Recent high expenditures for new plant and machinery have left some concerns with very high depreciation charges.

As new capital commitments are cut and depreciation remains high, cash inflow would expand. Such companies should be able to pay out in dividends a higher precentage of earnings in 1955 than in recent years, notwithstanding a moderate profits shrinkage. INVENTORIES. Inventories have been permitted to run down during 1954. As total business expands, there will be a tendency to replace reduced stocks, especially during the first half of 1955.

Total manufacturers' inventories, however, may build up more rapidly than total business inventories. I forecast that total wholesale and total retail inventories will show little change from 1954 levels. PRICES OF MANUFACTURED GOODS. Even with the expected pickup in demand, I see no sharp markup in industrial prices next year. Over-all supplies are generally ample.

Hence, I forecast that industrial prices in 1955 will show little change from recent levels. FOOD PRICES. Food prices may firm later in 1955. The strong move into Government crop loans this year has made free supplies of most agricultural items less burdensome. I.

forecast that new advertising programs by canners and other great food distributors will help farmers, stock raisers, and fruit growers. CONSUMER INCOME. Consumer income will hold at satisfactory levels. Most goods should move readily into consumer channels. LIVING COSTS.

I forecast that during 1955 living costs will show little over -all change from present levels. There may be some firming during the first half, but the late months may again witness a minor softening. RENTS, ETC. I forecast rental expenses may edge somewhat higher; clothing costs should be steady to moderately higher. There is small chance that food expenses can be greatly reduced.

MONEY SUPPLIES. I forecast that money supplies will be ample for all legitimate business needs during 1955. With little likelihood of business getting out of hand on the upside, credit easing is more likely than credit curtailment in 1955.. INFLATION. Fears, or perhaps hopes, of an inflationary boom should be buried.

Barring outbreak of war, our productive capacity is sufficiently large to meet all demands for goods. I forecast (Continued on Page Eight) (By Carol Terrell, The Tom-Tom Editor) Six members of The Tom-Tom staff of East Central Junior College, Decatur, were guests of W. K. Prince, editor of The Newton Record, at the Rotary Club luncheon December 28 in Newton, on which occasion Robert M. Hederman, Manager of The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, was the speaker.

Mr. Prince introduced Mr. Hederman in fitting words of praise for his public spirit and philanthropy. The subject of Mr. Hederman's address was the Importance of Freedom of the Press to Democracy.

He said that newspapers had always led in the fight against the enemies of the three basic freedoms- religious freedom, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech- especially in preserving the freedom of speech through the press. One important point brought out was the fact that when a dictator attempts to overthrow a free government, the newspaper serves as the means of warning the people, causing them to rise up and defend themselves. The speaker gave three examples of such services. A bill was about to be passed in Tennessee about which the people knew little, and upon which the legislators themselves had not become informed. A reporter got the bill and wrote an article on it in the paper.

When the legislators read the article, the bill was passed but not before some drastic changes were made. Hitler began his rise to power by suppressing the newspapers. Huey Long of Louisiana attempted to tax the newspapers out of existence but was stopped when the Supreme Court declared Long's law unconstitutional. Consequently, a great Louisiana paper led the fight which put Long out of power and a number. of his subordinates in prison.

Another example is that of Peron of Argentina, who trumped up a law by which to take over the greatest paper in the country and made it an instrument of his dictatorship. Now he has control of all forms of communication including the air lines, and as a result progress in Argentina has stopped. Mr. Hederman gave first-hand information on Argentina, as he only recently returned from a visit there. Mr.

Hederman concluded by pointing out that a free newspaper is free to publish facts and opinions which the people can use as a basis on which to form an intelligent opinion of what is going on in government. There has to be a source of information, he emphasized, to give people what they need to keep alive democracy. Other guests entertained by Mr. Prince at the luncheon were Miss Annie Rose Mabry, associate editor of The Newton Record; Miss Helen Everett, office assistant, and his son, Kent. Members of the TomTom Staff attending, along with Pres.

W. A. Vincent, a member of the club, were Miss Una Harris, sponsor; Carol Terrell, Deedye Boswell, Betty Mitchell, aKtherine Sharp, and Henry Bryan. Other visitors included Tom Roe of Memphis, guest of his brother-in-law, Joe Baker; S. R.

Shaw of Pontotoc, guest of his father, S. C. Shaw; and Vernon Norman of Monroe City, guest of his father, C. M. Norman.

Bob Buckley, vice president, presided over the meeting in the absence of Pres. Ross Holmes. The delicious noon meal, served in the Palm Room, was enjoyed by a large number of members, also. DRIVE SAFELY SHOULD BE NEW YEAR RESOLUTION Jackson- State Commissioner of Public Safety T. B.

Birdsong points out that during the 1955 New Year's week end, there were three persons killed in highway mishaps and 44 injured in more than 130 accidents investigated. This is only one less than was killed during the entire four-day Christmas holiday the previous week. "Don't take unnesessary risks this New Year's," the Commissioner appeals. "Won't you make this one of your New Year's resolutions?".