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Negligeiict Abo Charged s As Accident “Mischance and accident” was ruled here Thursday by a coro ner’s jury in the death of three small Negro children March 28 when they smothered in an aban doned freezer, but negligence was also ruled as a contributing fac tor. The inquest was held last Thursday afternoon at the Clinton city hall. The jury found that Phyllis Craig, 4, Sylvia Craig, 3, and An gela Davis, 3, came to their deaths by “mischance and acci dent due to the negligence on the part of Tom Davis.” The freezer was at the home of Tom Davis.” Clinton City Policeman George R. Corley was the only witness Laurens County Coroner Mar shall Pressley called to testify. Policeman Corley said a call was first received at the police station for an ambulance and that the person making the call was upset and incoherent. He investi gated and said that the children had already been taken to a local hospital. He further testified that Henri etta Davis, mother of one of the children, said that she bad last seen them about 3:30 p.m. When she later started looking for them and couldn’t find them in the yard that “something told me to look in the chest.” The children were found about 5:00 p.m. Upon examining the chest the first time, Policeman Corley said that it was airtight and the lock was working. He then left the scene to check on the children at the hospital, when he returned later, the deepfreeze was being moved and had holes knocked in it. Coroner Pressley read state ments from examining physician stating the cause of death as suf focation. In charging the jury, Coroner Pressley read Article Five, Sec tion 884, of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which forbids the wilful abandonement of a refrig erator, icebox or ice chest or any other type of air tight container, of a capacity sufficient to con tain any child, without first re moving the door, lid other clos ing devices. He noted that the per son who violates this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Week of Services At Presbyterian Church April 15-20 A series of Holy Week services will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church April 15-20. The leader will be Dr. Robert F. Boyd, professor of Bible at Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Richmond, Va. The week will begin with two services on Sunday, April 15, at 11 a. m. and 8 p m. Monday through Friday services will be held each evening at 8 o’clock. Dr. Boyd was reared in Mt. Pleasant and was graduated from the College of Charleston, Colum bia Theological Seminary, Deca tur, Ga., and Union Theological Seminary, Richmond. He has held pastorates in South Carolina. North Carolina and Georgia. He was professor of Greek and Hebrew at Johnson C. Smith Uni versity 1948-48, professor of Lat in, Greek and Philosophy at Queens College 1949-52. Since 1952 he has been at the Richmond in stitution. Heods Promotion On Mental Health Week Cntries Being Received "Miss Clinton" Pageant Entries are now being received for the Miss Clinton Pageant sponsored annually by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held at Belk Auditorium on the evening of April 28. Alan Trammell is chairman of the pageant with Charles John son and Lawrence Young serving on the committee. Single girls 18-28 who are resi dents of Clinton are eligible to compete for the title if they qualify under official ndes and regulations for the contest. Com petition will be in three fields, talent, swim suit and eveninig dress. — The winner of the event will compete for the state Title “Miss South Carolina” in Greenville in the summer. Clemson Club To Meet Here AprH 24 The Laurens County Clemson IPTAY Club will hold its annual dinner meeting at the Mary Mus- grove Hotel here Tuesday, April 24. Coach Banks McFadden will be the speaker and the film, “This Is Clemson,” will be shown. Gene WUlimon, Clemson business manager of athletics, also will attend.— Dr. Bellingrath to Retire In June As Dean at PC Allen W. White, vice president of the local chapter of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, will head up Clinton area promotion of Mental Health Week, April 39- May 6. Mr. White will assist county Mental Health Week chair man W. C. Baldwin of this city. The chapters of the Jaycees in Clinton and Laurens are cooperat ing with Laurens County Mental Health Asociation in emphasizing mental health activities and agencies here and throughout the statfc. Mr White, together with his wife, the former Barbara Whit mire, and three children live in CUnton on E. Florida Street. His mother, Mrs. Vara White, also lives with them. He is employed at Cox Home and Auto Supply of thiscity. Dr. George C. Bellingrath has announced that he will retire as academic dean of Presbyterian College in June, thus completing 13 years in this position at PC and an extensive career as educator and minister. The Presbyterian faculty, at Its recent April meeting, passed a special resolution in praise of Ms work here and his contribution to the college program. Since first coming to PC in January, 1949, George Belling rath has played an important part in the forward progress of the institution. In his capacity as dean since that date, he has inaugurated a number of cur riculum changes, lifted admission requirements and given emphasis generally to academic excellence. Mffeadao has served at professor of education and psychology dur ing this time. Dr. Bellingrath already had achieved a notable career for himself before joining the Pres byterian Collge staff. He came to Clinton after ten years as president of Rabun Gap-Nacoo- chee School in Georgia (1939-48) and prior to that had served for three years in the presidency of Piedmont College. He had been Included in each edition of Who's Who in America since 1836. George Bellingrath is an or- d a 1 n e d Presbyterian minister, and much of his early career was spent in this capacity. He serv ed pastorates in Chattanooga and in Flushing, N. Y., before directing the joint religious edu cation program for the Synods of Georgia. and South Carolina (1928-30), and followed this posi tion with four years in the pulpit of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Va. He went from Richmond to Pied mont College in 1934 to serve as dean for two years prior to as suming the presidency of this school. A native of Atlanta, Belling rath received his BA degree from Davidson College In 1918, his BD degree from Union Theo logical Seminary in Richmond in 1923 and his PhD from Columbia University in 1928. He is married to the former Margaret Shive of Decatur, Ga., and they have one daughter now teaching at St. An drews College in North Carolina. The PC dean, who reaches the plans to continue actively en gaged in his various interests retirement age of 65 on May 7, after leaving the college. He and Mrs. Bellingrath will remain in Clinton, where they have a home on a two-acre plot he hopes to develpo into a nursery worthy of the Bellingrath name. Always popular as a guest speaker and supply pastor, he also plans to teach Bible in some of the area churches and to do some of the writing he has want ed to do for some time. Dr. Marshall W. Brown, presi dent of Presbyterian College, spoke of Dr. Bellingrath’s re tirement in these words: “George Bellnigrath is a val ued colleague who has meant a great deal to Presbyterian Col lege. His fine Christian spirit, his devotion to scholarship and bis balanced judgment as a man trained both in the ministry and in education have been a source of strength to this administra tion. I deeply regret that retire ment must now deprive us of his further service as dean.” Services Today At 4 OXIock For Almon C. Spencer Funeral services for Almon C. Spencer will be held this after noon (Thursday) at 4 o’clock at Gray Funeral Home. Mr. Spen cer died at an early hour Wed nesday morning at Self Memo rial hospital in Greenwood, where he had been a patient since suffering a broken hip in jury in a fall on April 1. A native of Clinton where he had spent most of his life, he was a son of the late Dr. A. E. Spencer and Mrs. Martha Cal vert Spencer. He was a veteran of World War I, having served with the United States Navy. He was a member of the First Pres byterian Churuch. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Bertie McMahan Spencer of Clinton; two sisters, Mrs. EUse S. Hindman and Mrs. J. G. Roy of Route 1, Laurens; one niece, one great-niece, and one great-nephew. Dr. William Redd Turner will conduct the funeral services and burial will be in the Presbyterian Churuch cemetery. Pallbearers will be C..CL Giles, . Marvin Nelson, B. B. Ballard,^ Claude Crocker, Kay Mills, CharUe Hollis, Jr, W. G. King, Howard Watkins, Dr. George R. Blalock, and Dr. R. M. Fuller. The body is at the funeral home and the family is at tha residence, 1-B King Apartments, Pine Street. Demonstration Council To Meet Next Thursday Mayor Cornwall To Be Candidate In Coming Primary Band Concert | The spring meeting of the Lau rens County Home Demonstration Council will be held on Thursday. April 19, at 2:00 p.m. Durbin Home Demonstration Club is hostess for tha occasion and the meeting will be held at Durbin Baptist Church. The speaker for the occasion will be Mrs. Jerry Autry of Greenville, who will speak on her trip to Africa. Departmental Chairmen of the Counyt will give the goals and accomplishments of their field of work for the past year. Club members having been in club work for a number of years will receive recognition in the form of pins, seals and guards. §§§ Mayer J. J. Cornwall nounced yesterday that he will be a candidate tor reelection In the May 22 city Democratic primary. He is the first candi date to announce tor office In the forthcoming primary when a mayor and six aldermen are to be nominated. Cornwall to of* Mayer J. P. January of office April 1, I9fl| and will expire Angust 21. to a n Chamber Commerce Annual Meeting Slated for Tonight The annuel dinner meeting of the Clinton Chamber of Com merce will be held tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 at Hotel Mary Musgrove. The occasion will be a joint session with members of all civic clubs in the city. Speaker for the meeting will be Arihur H. Jones, senior vice- president of the North Caroline National Bank of Charlotte. Reports of Chamber of Com merce activities for the year will be given and the new officers will be presented. They include; Ansel B. God frey, president; T. )t. Young blood. first vice-president; John L. Mimneugh (retiring presi dent), second vice-president; A. A. Ramage, Jr., treasurer; H. L. Eichelberger, executive v I c e • president. ef the Junior Life Saving Course Be Taught The athletic office at Presby terian College announces the be ginning of a Red Cross junior lifesaving course on April 19. The course will be offered on Tuesday and Thursday after noons from 3:30 until 5 o’clock ColkgepwJ. It wUUirt aproximately six weeks R. E. Fakkema, a Presbyterian College professor, will instruct the course with Roe Callaway and Eleanor Fowler, students assist ing. ; All young people in the com* m unity between the ages of 12-15 who are interested in participat ing are asked to call the athletto office 9834)705, in the mornings if possible. Those participating are requir ed to have some knowledge of strokes and ence. Cost for the w which includes price & 13.90 Here are the prfadpmlfl at the dixniekr at Hotel Mary Musgrove in CUnton last Friday when the Laurens County Cancer Society held its kickoff dinner. From toft to right: Chester Aiken, chairman of the drive in the county; Mrs. Sarah Dix on lyiymch, commander of the chapter; W. LeRoy Hanretoon of the Citizens and Southern N; Bank of South CazoHma^peafcer tor l&e Mrs. Donald BntritTl. Spartanburg chapter, who alio A. Mitchell of Laurens, special committee; Phtt- Bather 1 —* _—i, who introduced the Mrs. DeLoach was presented a citation from the American Cancer Society for Kiwanis n«m Ssnrkn her outstanding service on of 25 years.—Photo by Dan Yarborough. Appointed To State Archives Commission Dr. Newton Jones has been ap pointed a member of the South Carolina Archives Commission. Official notification of his ap- poitnment to June, 1865, was re ceived this week from the Gov ernor’s office. Dr. Jones is one of the commit tee of seven in the state serving in a governing and policy-making capacity for the state Archives. College Choir Off On Florida Tour The Presbyterian College rob ed choir to off this week on a seven-concert spring tour that will include five engagements in Florida. The 83-voiced singing group, under the direction of Dr. Ed ouard Patte, was scheduled to open its trip at Wayeroasi Ga., this Wednesday evening. There after, in rapid succession, will follow performances in Presby terian churches of Winter Park, Fla., on Thursday night, Bra denton on Friday, a pair of en gagements at Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach on Sun- j The annual spring concert of means do not leave the purchas- the CUnton Schools Music Depart- er with satisfaction that may he ment will be given Friday at the gained from good musk CUnton High School auditorium. The program, which will consist of light, contemporary, and clas sical music, will begin at eight o’clock. .The High School band will be gin the program and will be fol lowed by the Clinton Junior High Band. Finally the High School Stage Band, or DevUaires as they are known, will present lighter music for the young end the young at heart. The High School band, under the leadership of Harry Bouk- night, recently received a “Su perior” rating at the Regional State Contest held in Clinton last week, end the DevUaires received a similar rating in the Dance Band clinic held in Newberry “This is only further proof that the music Friday night will be high quality and enjoyable.” concert promoters said. The spring concert to the de partment’s only means of sup port,. tt was stated. “Candy sales” and “car washes” have been considered, “but Tickets may be purchased by contacting band students or by calling 833-2300. Widespread support of the con cert Friday night will be appreci ated by the young band students and their director. Attends American Pen Women Moat Mrs W W Harris is attending the National League of American Pen Women in Washington this week. Before returning horns dur ing the week-end she s her sister. Miss Louise BeatlM in Norfolk. Va. Youngblood famed UMimuniiy viivM President for Year And Install Lights on Field Clinton's city council Friday night awarded a contract, at a cost of $5,185, for painting the 250,000 gallon water tank located off Thorn well Street and for re pairing and painting the 100,000 gallon tank on tha yard of the light and water plant. The work will be done by the Roanoke Tank and Service Co., Inc., of Roanoke, Va. Council was in monthly session presided over by Mayor J. J. Cornwall, with ail councilman present: Frank M. Boland, ward one; S. A. Pitts, ward two; B. Noland Suddeth, ward three; Joe V. Edwards, ward four; George W. Bagwell, ward five; and James C. Crains, ward six. Council also agreed to appro priate up to $3,000 for lighting the softball field at the Junior High School. It was stipulated that use of the field be under the super vision of the City Recreation Com mission. Alderman Suddeth presented to council a breakdown of parking meter collections for the month of March, showing that an aver age of 10 cents per meter per day was collected, or a use of 32.1 per cent compared with maxi mum. He asked that the mayor and counciimen consider the re port and the local parking prob lem. A communication presented in person by Paul Quinton, chief «f the fire department, answering out of city limits calls w was referred to the Department Committee of council. The monthly report of the police departments showed fines of $2,- 219.14 for March, and 538 days given violators on the public works. Ninety-eight arrests were made during tha month. County Library To Hold Open House In obaervance of National Li brary Week this week the Lau rens County Library will hold open house on Saturday after noon, April 14, from 3:30 until 5:30 All friends and patrons of tha library are cordially Invited to attend this special event and to visit the library. Mrs. Phil D. Huff, librarian stated. LOSES BROTHER Mrs. Frank Kellers has return ed from Atlanta where she was called because of the illness and death of her brother, Thomas A. Mr. Lynch passed away on April 5 after a long illness. Serv ices were held in Atlanta burial was at Rising Fawn, Ga T. M. fOUNGRLOOD The Board of Trusses# of on Monday with President R. 5. Truiuck pre- siding. Mr. Truiuck reported that of the $21,000 total raised la the iftl-Oi campaign, 011.942 wax cash Francis Blalock 1061-01 campaign Officers for the elected: President, T. Mood; first vice-president. Cal vin Cooper; Mr. Truiuck N. Warren gave the repart of the nominating committee. ‘Mr. Youngblood, manager at Ml Telephone Co . tha CaroUhaa irfcabop la bia on Wednesday. and Sanford, Fla., Then, the will swing back through Barn well on the return trip for an pear a nee there next T night. Using “The Gifts of God” as the theme, the choir presents 13 numbers in its current concert program, most of them sung a- capello. Gore Is Chairman Of Local Merchants ( The Merchants Division of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday morning at the Ho tel Mary Musgrove. C. H. Leonard, chairman, pre sided and annual reports from the Sears Roebuck Co., chairman for the new Members of the mittees will be named at a later data, according to Mr. Gore. ■ v ■ - John Spratt’s produce truck was hit Seaboard pasgeogar train hart tout shortly after noon as it was leav ing tha gtatlon Before it had that to get up much speed M temped tha rear and of tha track and taraadttaaar. Tha accident ocurred at tha Thorn weB M J? 1 /.-': : .14: S “ .. 4-1 '■••'./.I-.;,''* ..•• ' .. . Mr. for the area after tha crash. Tfca righted sayt driven frem * by Asst Chief W. B. viiifiuti ruoce MR