Week of Aug.3-9, 1947 

A devastating hail storm - the second in as many weeks - has whipped through Rockingham County, causing damage of at least $200,000, according to County Farm Agent J. Ed Foil. Tobacco was whipped flat on the ground and corn was torn to shreds. Foil said high winds and driving rain also caused much damage. Although barning of tobacco has started, most of the farmers in the affected areas still had one-half or more of their crops in the field. Townships hardest hit were Ruffin, Leaksville, Reidsville and Williamsburg. Ruffin township also was hard hit by the hail storm two weeks ago. 

A Bennettsville, S.C., man, Clawson Watson, died at Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville where he was rushed after a tree struck him as he tried to uproot it with a bulldozer. He was a member of work crews clearing trees from the banks of Haw River eight miles east of Reidsville preparatory to pumping sand out of the river. ... Reidsville police have taken 14 youths between the ages of 8 and 13 into custody in connection with a series of petty thefts in recent weeks. Police said they broke into several businesses, taking whatever they could. ... The Young Married People's Class of Leaksville Christian Church entertained the classes of the First, North Spray and Draper Christian churches on the lawn at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ashley Greer. 

Claude P. Smith, chief aircraft mechanic for Falcon Airways, Reidsville, has built a racing plane that he plans to fly at the Goodyear Trophy Race at Cleveland later this year. He gave the plane its first test this week, reaching a speed of 150 miles per hour. But, he said, he hopes for a top speed of 200 before the race. ... When John DeLancey, retired Reidsville brick and stone mason and substitute mail carrier, was feted on his 93d birthday this week, the family had a hard time getting in the house. The family included nine grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 

Stock prices: Coca-Cola 186; Burlington Mills 18 7/8; Reynolds Tobacco 40 7/8; Sears Roebuck 39. 

Keeping time: Elgin 17-jewel wrist watch $47.50. 

Fur sale: Hollander northern black muskrat coats, $295. 

This week at Leaksville's Grand Theatre: "Wicked Lady" with Margaret Lockwood and James Mason; "The Bandit at Sherwood Forest" with Cornel Wilde and Maureen O/Hara; "Dick Tracy's Dilemma" with Ralph Byrd; and "Trailing Danger" with Johnny Mack Brown.