October 26-November 1, 1947

The economic outlook for Leaksville, Spray and Draper has brightened considerably this year. 

What's made the outlook particularly bright was a recent announcement by Duke Power Co. that it will build a $15 million coal-burning power plant alongside the Dan River between Leaksville and Draper. That plant will require a nine-foot dam across the Dan River to store water to be used for condensation purposes. 

Since Duke unveiled plans for the plant, the power company has struck an agreement with Danville and Western Railroad to extend its line to the plant site. 

Meanwhile, there's other economic activity of note: 

Contractors Tommy Johnson of Draper and John Smith and Sons of Leaksville are moving to alleviate the housing shortage. Johnson has 24 houses completed or nearly completed, while Smith has built 28 and has 12 more planned. 

WLOE, Rockingham County's first commercial broadcasting radio station, opened in Leaksville earlier this year. The 100-watt station is owned by Douglas Craddock of Leaksville. 

The Leaksville News moved into a spacious new $40,000 home and has installed a new press and printing equipment. 

Reidsville also has gotten a radio station. WFRC, a 1,000-watt station, went on the air last month but held its formal opening this week with Fifth District Congressman John H. Folger and Superior Court Judge Allen H. Gwynn speaking in a broadcast program. ... A chain letter craze apparently is sweeping through the eastern part of Rockingham County. Reidsville Police Chief M.F. Loftis and Postmaster W.S. Somers warned that chain letters promising fabulous rewards for small investments are considered a lottery and therefore are illegal. Postmaster Somers said the letters apparently are being distributed person-to-person to dodge the federal law against chain letters. ... More than 200 women from the West Piedmont District of the Garden Club of North Carolina attended a meeting at First Baptist Church in Leaksville. The group toured Fieldcrest Mills afterward. 

A charter of incorporation has been issued to Burmac Building Corp. in Madison, which will buy and sell real estate. The company is owned by R.G. Burge and G.E. McDaniel. ... The body of James E. Alverson of Reidsville, missing since Sept. 30, has been found along Hogan's Creek. Authorities said he was shot in the back of the head by a pistol. No arrest has been made. ... The Reidsville Classroom Teachers Association honored School Superintendent C.C. Lipscomb and the city's school principals and their wives at a banquet this week. 

Playing this week at Leaksville's Grand Theatre: "The Unfaithful" with Ann Sheridan; "The Last of the Red Men" with Jon Hall; "Son of Roaring Dan" with Johnny Mack Brown; "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man" with W.C. Fields and Edgar Bergen. 

On the radio Sunday: Theater Guild Hour, 9:30 p.m., ABC. 

Women's Coats: Uuntrimmed coats of varying fabrics, $35 to $75. 

Men's topcoats: 100 percent wool Glenagle covert topcoat, $45.