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I The Camden Chronicle VOLUME 55 CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA}FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1943 . NUMBER 1 III. S. Army Observer Is Impressed By Blackout I Citizen# and Civilian Defense Corps Stage Almost Perfect Affair Camden's 32-nilnute blackout ThursI day nl?bt, the second air-raid pracI tire affair within a six day period, was according to a United States army H observer from Fort Jackson, "impresI Hlvely successful." Commander W. H. Bonsai of the I Civilian Defense Corps, who was irked by tbo failure of the practice blackoU( the previous Friday, was enthusiB uatlc over the manner in which the I citizenry cooporated in the second I event. From every precinct the reports pouring into the central control I office, indicated that Camden was batting 1000 in observance of regulars tions. There were a few isolated Instances where lights had been left burning, but in every instance^ it was due to lack of knowledge of the air raid program and not by any intentional overact. The failure of one of the sirens in the northeast part of the I city accounted for eoveral unintentional disregard of the bipckout reguH lations. V? In the downtown district the affair was a complete success. The only criticism offered by the observer from the army dealt with the inadequecy of sufficient guards about the central ^B control headquarters and the practice H of several groups of pe<H>le remaining in the .open after the red signal had sounded. Both of those errors will be rectified at the next practice affair. The taxi services exhibited one hunH dred per cent cooperation In the Thursday blackout. Not a single unit of the fleet of cabs moved a wheel during the entire period. ^B While there has been no statement of any further blackout tests, it is the belief of the civilian defense group here that the next one will be an un announced affair. Such a test, comin.it without any warning, other than H the sounding of the blue signal by the sirens, will test the training the pub!ic has received in the several prac tit-.* events. Following the splendid <ooperation that featured the Thursday evening test, the defense corps "ffieials believe that Camden residents will be found ready "when the unannounced test comes. U I Home Guard Wants Full Quota of Men For Annual Camp Ilello you fellows who delight In getting away from the hoiho folks and family roof for a week or bo. Here 1b your chance to get a Bwell vacation at absolutely no cost to you. All you have to do Is to show a little patriotism and some energy and Join. Company E, First Regiment, South Carolina Defense Forces, Captain Stephen Clyburn in command. For Co. E, First Reg. is Camden's own home guard unit and ther.e remains a few vacancies to fill before the unit attains the required numerical strength. | Captain Clyburn and his staff would like to see the Camden unit report at Fort Jackson for the annual encampment with a complete quota of warriors. There is plenty of time for new faces to appear In the ranks and acquire the necessary drill polish required for the camp program. The camp is going to be a great experience for the boys. They will be right in the midst of the "regulars" and will get an eyeful of modern mflltary maneuvers. Better Join up now fellows. Bonsai Issues Call For Meeting Of Importance The name Victory Garden may not seem of any importance to the general public at this time, but government experts familiar with the food situation in the United States declare that three or four- months hence, people who have failed to provide themselves with victory gardens will be in a rueful frame of mind. C To the end that the public bo fore warned and started on the right path toward making gardens, a meeting has been called by Commander W. R. Bonsai of the County Council for Civilian Defense to be held in'' the auditorium of the grammar school Tuesday, March 30, at 8 o'clock. This meeting is held pursuant to direction of the state office of civilian defense. (Please turn to page eleven) WPA Center Closed; Visiting Service Men Without Shelter Tho W P A recreation center in the Rutlodge street armory closed Sunday night and will remain Inactive until such time as the City secures the Jxinham fund appropriation, action on which has already received the approval of the regional headquarters ;?t Atlanta. The W P A project went into obscurity Sunday night with more soldiers, sailors and flyers being present than at any time since the 1941 maneuvers. This recreation project has been under the supervision of Mrs'. Mary R. Caskin, assisted by Mrs. Jfeanette Rell. These two workers did a wonderful Job and have earned the enthusiastic commendation of the W P A officials of the state as well as 'he federal headquarters. Addressing the Camden Bureau of Public Relations, Mrs. Oaskln in a letter eays "We appreciate all the (Please turn to pace eight) City Coucil Votes Approval of Public ServiceAuthorityAet ? At a apodal meeting of the Camden rity council Monday evening a resolution placing the City of Camden on record as favoring giving the Southern Cf^olina Public 8ervice authority 'he power to buy the psysical assets and plants of other public operated by private capital was adopted by a unanimous vote. Coping of the reeolution will' be sent to the senate and the boose at Columbia. - Marine Corps To Present Pictures Captain John L. Clark, Officer In Charge of United States Marine Corps Induction station at Columbia, S. C., announces that through the cooperation of Kershaw Lodge No. 29, at Camden, and the American Legion Post of that city he would authorize the showing of a selected group of moving pictures depicting interesting facta concerning the "Fighting Leatherneck Corps" in Camden on Friday, March 26. Captain Clark states that this will be the first showing of these pictures in South Carolina outside of Columbia. Titles of some of the films to be shown to the Camden audience are: "Leathernecks on Parade," in technicolor; "Soldiers of the Sea," "Naval Flying," "Commandant's Birthday Message," this message commemorating the 167th anniversary of the Marine Corps, and others. Dr. W. Robin Zemp, chairman of the Masonic Service Committee, together with J. C. Hoffman, Worshipful Master, Kershaw Lodge No. 29, have charge of arrangements. The meeting will be held in the Grammar school auditorium and commencing promptly at 8 o'clock. All citizens of Camden are invited, especially boys of 16 and older and their parents. There will be no admission charge and no offoring will be taken. Rev. Henry F. Collins, veteran Qf World War One, and Grand hfaster | of Masons of South Carolina, is very anxious that every patriotic American citizen see these Interesting pic(Please turn to page twelve) OUR SACR|D DUTY J By J no. M . Cannon I There is no compromise with duty. | Somewthere at this -Very hour some American | doughboy is going through a miserable human torture, an anguish comparable to hell. This very lad might well be a Camden 01* Kershaw County contribution I laid Ae altar of FREEDOM FOR ALL. Can we sit compJa&ently by, with the knowledge of this grim reality, rolling in the fat of (high wages? yes, drunk with the slirge of easy money?and see the j great drive of the American .Red Cross fall into the I I pit of failure? 1 cannot conceive of the good people of Kershaw County shirking so sacred it duty. Certainly they have I not been fully awi kened to the need. They cannot i be conscious of the shamefthat will befall us if we | are the onjy county in South Carolina that will be weighed iin the balance and found wanting. : j You, my readers, do not have to be told of the j dire hardships forced on our men in foreign fields, nor I. do you have to be reminded of the absolute necessity of keeping our Red Cross active to the fullest extent in ministering to our courageous men in arms and to J the sad, oppressed peoples of conquered lands. You I | know these things. w T Up to this hour, as The Chronicle goes to press, we have raised a total of $6250.00 out of a quota of $11 ,600, which was conservatively low. We still have j | $5,350 to go with but little time to get it in. j Folks, spare us the embarrassment of failure? J spare us the face of shame. GIVE! A few dollars j won't hurt nearly as bad as the bursting fragments of j ! an exploding shell. That's what our boys are suffer- j ing for you. Out of sacred duty to a noble cause we dedicate j this issue of The .Chronicle that you might know what j we're up against?that we -might realize what our j duty is and do it! Hospital Ball Will Be Season's Gayest One week from tonight, Camden society will gather at the Klrkwood hotel to join in the festivities attendant upon the annual ball of the Camden Hospital Auxiliary which will he held in the main ball room in the evening. The Green orchestra of Charlotte, N. C., will be on hand to play a program of the latest day numbers from 9 p. m. until the ww small hours of the morning after. With the removal of the ban on pleasure driving the dance gives promise of marking a new high for attendance. The affair will bo formal. Veritable Torrent Ushers In Mr. Spring On Equinox Sunday Spring came in like a roaring- lion. For Sunday was the first day of Spring. Usually this first day affair is occasion for a celebration. This year the celebration of the arrival of Master Spring was heralded by a tecord-breaking downpour of rain. And how. It rained Saturday, Saturday night and on Sunday it poured. Not for hours, but all day. Early Monday morning the fall in temperature resulted in flurries of snow. For a fact j folks, it snowed for an h<pur or so. But Sunday was not only a day to 'celebrate as the first day of Spring, but it also marked the anniversary of the nuptial takeoff of the little lady in the Chamber of Commerce office who combines some expert stenography and typing with an advanced course In knitting. Monday marked the debut of the one and a half gallon per coupon gas edict and also the end of the ban on pleasure driving. This writer predicted three weeks ago that Prentice Brown, the oil regulator and OPA expert up in Washington would giv^e the public just enough rope to hang themselves. We mentioned?see the Chronicle If you doubt us, that Brown would watch the people of the eastern (Please turn to page six) Defense Corps To Meet Here April 6 A meeting of^the Camden unit of the Kershaw County Council for National Defense is to be held Monday evening. April 6, in the auditorium of the grammar school. --Commander W. R. Bonsai oI Ji?e Civilian Defense corps states that all units of the corps are requested to be present at this meeting. This in- , eludes the air raid wardens, auxiliary police, auxiliary firemen and all other groups. ' -r- ? -SkJZ Horse Show To Be Presented At Polo Field April 3 Announcement of more than ordi-l nary interest to lovers of things equestrian was that relating to the stageing rof a children's horse show to be offered on the Kirk wood polo field beginning at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. There will be eight classes offered in^ this lone equestrian event of the war-stricken 1942-43 sport program of this community. The children's horse show is being promoted by Mr. Harry I). Kirkover, famous for his long continued sucdess with the Carolina Cup races and the building up of the famous Springdale race course. Mr. Kirkover will be assisted in the plans and conduct of the show by Mrs. Cyril Harrison and Mrs. H. H. Belcher. An invitation has tyeen extended to all children to par, ticlpate In this show. The committee suites that prospective entrants who have no horses or ponies may/^communicate -with Mrs. n. H. BelcmerfeaLL-i 225-W. The entrance fee hasMietw fixed at 25c per class and prizes are to be war stamps. The commitee reserves. the right to cancel or combine any class. It was announced that in case of rain on Saturday, April 3, the show will be held on Sunday afternoon, April 4, at 3 o'clock. Following is a list of the various classes, as announced by the committee: No. 1 Class: Lead Rein?4 years and under. Walk only. Class No. 2: Lead Rein?6 years and under, to be lead at a walk and a trot'. Class No. 3: Horsemanship?12 years and under, *walk, trot, and canter. Class No. 4: Horsemanship?over 12 years. Class No. 5: Driving class?open to all, young and old. Horses and ponies to be Judged on suitability of turn out. Class No/6: Potatoe race for children. ^ Class No. 7: Children's ride an<\ drive class. Class No. 8: Costume class. Dog Problem Being Met By Ordinance If you miss your pet pooch and cannot find him in your neighborhood. belter /check over the canine population at the city pound. Since the new dog ordinance went into effect the police have rounded up quite a number of stray dogs found wandering about the streots. These dogs are confined in the city pound until they are either claimed by their owners or done away with The police allow ten days to elapse before putting the dogs away. In only a few instances have owners called to claim thler pets. According to the police. mo;rt of the dogs that are gathered up are stray mongrels, but thero have been some batter bred anhrtale^^lso taken cap tlve. Monday six dogs were executed at the pound. , Made in 1938, a United States loan of $29,000,000 to China is being repaid with tong oil ' * Camden Floral Company In Interesting War Program Camden Officer Is Speaker Qver Air From London, Eng. Captain Jack Richardson Is Interviewed By Former Screen Star Captain John Richardson, a son of Mrs Alico Maryo, and Clrandson of Dr. J. W. Cofbett of tl>l? City, whs heard over the short wave of the British Broadcasting company Sunday morning at 11:30 o'clock and In the evening at 7:30 o'clock. Captain Richardson was on a pro-l gram entitled "Stars and Stripes" and was interviewed by Bebe DanlelH, wqll known motion picture star of yesteryears, who with her husband, Ben Lyons, also former outstanding stage and screen star, sponsors the pro, gram. Miss Daniels interviewed Captain Richardson for about ten minutes and the broadcast came in with great clarity of tone. There was much interest and emotion in the homo of Dr. Corbitt where mother and grandfather listened to the voice of their loved one coming over the thousands of miles between Camden and I^)ndon, from whence the broadcast emanated. Other Camden residents, who tune in on the BBC, also heard Captain Richardson and evidenced a great deal of pride when the young man, aBked regarding his military training and place of residence, stated that he fras a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and his place of residence was at Camden, S. C. Thou an ml a of Feet of Production Area Given Over To Vegetables and Chickens An amazing addition of many square t foot of glass enclosure and outside area Is turned into one of the outstanding war efforts wherein hundreds of thousands of tomato plants, cabbage, peppers, egg plants, etc.. are in evidence at both plants of the Camden Floral Company In this city. This laudable war effort Is further expanded by an addition of three thousand chickens, l'robably the outstanding feature of this contribution of the Camden Industry is the fact that the tomato plants and all vegetable plants will be available to the victory garden enthusiasts of Cainden. "Kershaw County and other sections. The same principal of local cooperation applies to the poultry end of the industry. For friers, broilers, rousting chickens and eggs all find themselves on the IocaI retail market through the medium of the Camden grocery stores and markets. In the No. 1 greenhouse of the Camden Floral company, located on Laurens street, between Fair and Mill streets, a large area, all under glass, Is g^ven over to the Marglobe tomato plants, there being some half million In evidence. This Marglobe tomato is a certified wilt resistance type and is to be sold to the public of Camden^ Kershaw county and other section* for garden purposes. The Floral company officials believe that by April 10, the present supply of tonijato plantsj^JJse ready for market Wlomil^plantlng will be mad?~ lator^n for the fall crop. With this second ^ planting the total will have (Plekso turn to page eleven) Ranger L. E. Smith Trails Missing Man Through Swamp Rev. J. B. Caston Returns To Pulpit That there will be standing room only at the First Baptist church next Sunday morning is certain, for that grand character, Rev. J. 13. Caston. pastor of the church, who has been missing from the pulpit for the past two years, will preach the sermon. Dr. Caston has taken Tor a text, "Unity In the Christian Churches." Dr. Caston was taken ill over two years ago and was obliged to give up proaching. For more than a year he was a "shut-in" and spent many months in the hospital. When recovery set in and the much beloved minister was able to be out, there was general rejoicing throughout the community. Now that he has sufficiently recovered to take his place in the pulpit, there is great rejoicing, not only among the members of his own congregation; but throughout the city. Dr. Caston is a trustee of Coker college at Hartevllle and Anderson college at Anderson. These offices of honor have extended over a period of many years. Home Guard Routs Piggie At Barbecue Company E First Regiment South Carolina Defense Guards enjoyed a pork barbecue at the home of Carl Roseborough in Lugoff Tuesday evening following the regular drill session at the armory. Lt. Kirby Tupper furnished the pig and privates Carl Lightfoot and Jack Clyburn attended to the art of barbecue. Messrs. Tupper, Light foot and Clyburn are known throughout tho polo world for their outstanding play as members of the Camden polo culb. High lighting this special event was a talk given by Captain J. B. Caston, company chaplain. Captain Canton, who Is pastor of the First Baptist church, Is hekl in the same affection * by the members of the military command as by his many hundreds of parishIfters of the Baptist church. His appearance before the members of Company E was the occasion for a noisy demonstration ot welcome and the demonstration was again In evidence upon conclnatbn of his fine address. a ' - * v * Blind Negro, Lost For Six Days, Is Found Alive By L. E. Smith A big bunch of orchids to Forest / Ranger L. B. Smith and the State ? Forestry department. For it was Smith's knowledge Of forest condi- ^ tlons and the art of trailing through the medium of broken boughs and branches that Ike Addison, 80-year^ old negro of the Cassatt section, is alive. ^ Addison, a frail old negro of slav-^ ery days, and suffering from blindness, wandered away from his home near the Llewelyn pond last Sunday afternoon and five days later, Friday _ at 11 a. m. was found practically lifeless in the muck and slime of the swamp. ' For nearly six days the aged negro wandered through the swamp. His ^ blindness prevented hiip from observ- ' ing direction by the sun. He was al- . most dead when Ranger Smith dis-'' covered him. 6 For hours Smith and a crew of 15 rangers had been searching the swamp. Smith resorted to the old Indian art of trailing through the swamp, watching for broken boughs, branches, etc., Srhfch would Indicate passage of a human being. Bach clue was closely observed and finally brought Smith to the man he was seeking. * Addison was so far gone he could not stand, so Smith tossed him over his shoulder and made his way to a nearby hill, where he was able to call to his workers. Addison was taken out of the swamp, placed in Smith's auto and rushed to the Camden hospital. Here he was given restoratives and nourishment and Saturday was definitely on the road^,to recovery. ' v-; Ranger Smith declared that it was - ^ a miracle that Addison was alire. .. ' .* Added to the fast failing strength because of lack of food, was the exposure to the atfd chill of the swamp and tK# venomous reptiles that infest the waters. "We flushed a large ^ cotton mouth just a few feet from v where Addison was lying," . said Smjth. ^ ^