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Luther James Phipps

Luther James Phipps (1898–1969) graduated from the university in civil engineering in 1922 and opened a law practice in Chapel Hill in 1924, the year he married Vivian Lassiter. In 1927 he was managing the Pickwick Theatre. He was judge of the Chapel Hill Recorder's Court in 1933-39 and 1964-68 and the first judge of the Orange County Recorder's Court in Hillsborough. In 1961 he took Stanley Peele into partnership.

Source: NCpedia: Phipps, Luther James

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Life and Orange County connections

Storylines this person is part of, in date order. Each has its own page.

StorylineChapel Hill's recorder's court, 1928–19641928–1964 · 9 events · Chapel Hill's recorder's court, which voters approved 93 to 8 in 1929, tried the township's misdemeanors in town. At its first session, on June 3, 1929, with C. P. Hinshaw on the bench, six cases were tried, and by March 1931 it had tried 780, only five of them appealed, while Superior Court terms at Hillsboro shrank from about five days to three. From 1931 town voters elected the judge, and in 1937 more than 200 residents petitioned to keep that election. In 1947 it sentenced Joseph Felmet to the county roads on the bus seating charge. In 1964 L. J. Phipps, first its judge in 1933, returned to the bench. StorylineChapel Hill town elections, 1933–19491933–1949 · 10 events · On May 2, 1933 former town manager John Foushee was elected mayor of Chapel Hill over Mayor Zeb P. Council and B. J. Howard, and he was returned in 1935, 1937, 1939 and 1941, twice without opposition. In May 1942 he said he would resign because he was moving to his farm outside the town limits, and on July 8 the aldermen unanimously elected R. W. Madry, director of the University news bureau, as mayor. The Weekly believed no one in the University's service had headed the town government before. No one filed against Madry in 1943. On May 3, 1949 Edwin S. Lanier defeated him 811 to 589, ending his seven years as mayor. StorylineChapel Hill’s 1938 town hall and its later uses, 1938–19891938–1989 · 18 events · Chapel Hill built a new town hall in 1938 and 1939 with Public Works Administration money and town bonds, gaining a jail, fire and police quarters, offices and a courtroom under one roof. In June 1938 the PWA allotted $17,550, 45 per cent of the estimated cost, and the aldermen called a vote on up to $24,000 in bonds, which passed 211 to 27 in July. In August the general contract was let, and a few strokes of a pick met the PWA's starting deadline. The recorder's court first sat there in March 1939, Mayor John M. Foushee accepted the building at its April dedication, and the old firehouse and jail were torn down by July. Most of it went to the police when the town offices moved to a new Municipal Center in 1971. In 1981, as the town weighed selling or leasing the old police building, residents at a hearing agreed it should not be sold, and in 1989 it was leased to the Interfaith Council for a homeless shelter. StorylineEastwood Lake, 1939–19411939–1941 · 4 events · In April 1939 a dam was being built across Booker Creek, near Harward's dairy off the Chapel Hill to Durham highway, to form a lake as the center of a restricted residential development called Eastwood, promoted by W. S. Crawford. The masonry dam was finished by early July, and after the gate closed and rains came about 50 acres were under water by July 27. In April 1940 Crawford opened graded roads to and around the lake, invited the public to see it, and offered hilltop lots and acreage for sale with building restrictions. On June 21, 1941 he opened a bathing beach near the dam, with free swimming that weekend before a formal opening on June 25. StorylineOrange County’s bicentennial, 1952–19531952–1953 · 7 events · In August 1952 the county commissioners named a committee under L. J. Phipps to plan the county's 200th anniversary, and in September they named 55 people to committees for programs, finance, publicity, exhibits and a pageant. Lefler and Wager's county history came off the press on October 1, 1953. The bicentennial week of October 7 through 13 opened with the laying of the new courthouse's cornerstone and brought parades in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, Garden Club tours of old homes, and six showings of the pageant The Road to Orange. In January 1954 the commissioners paid about $9,000 in unpaid bicentennial bills. StorylineHillsborough’s preservation bodies: the Historical Society and the Historic Hillsborough Commission, 1962–19641962–1964 · 7 events · In 1962 and 1963 Hillsborough gained two preservation bodies: the Hillsborough Historical Society and a state commission to restore and preserve the old town as a living historical exhibit. Mary Claire Engstrom was instrumental in founding the society, which held its first public meeting in April 1962. By August it had bought the remains of the William Read House, said to date from 1768, planning to restore part of it as its headquarters, and by early 1963 it had 234 members. In March 1963 the state House passed Rep. L. J. Phipps's bill for a commission appointed by Governor Terry Sanford, and that October the Historic Hillsborough Commission met for the first time.
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StorylineCarrboro seeks its own zoning authority, 1962–19631962–1963 · 3 events · A 1957 act let Carrboro zone its fringe only through the Chapel Hill planners, and in 1962 the town moved to take that power for itself. On October 9, 1962 the Board of Commissioners began the move to take over planning and zoning of its suburbs from the Chapel Hill zoning district. At first the town planned to share the Chapel Hill District Planning Board, but in December it decided to ask the General Assembly for power entirely separate from that board. On February 12, 1963 the board endorsed a special act, drawn by Town Attorney L. J. Phipps with Chapel Hill attorney J. Q. LeGrand, that would let Carrboro zone the town and its suburban area. StorylineOrange County’s House seat changes hands, 19631963 · 6 events · Orange County lost its member of the General Assembly twice in 1963. John W. Umstead Jr. was ill from the first day of the session and stepped down by mid-March, and the county Democratic Executive Committee unanimously chose Recorder's Court judge L. J. Phipps to succeed him. Phipps took the oath on March 18. On June 22 the state American Legion elected him department commander, and because the Legion barred its commander from elective office he gave up the House seat, leaving Orange without a representative. On September 3 the county executive committee nominated Edwin J. Hamlin, publisher of the News of Orange County, by 28 to 27, and Governor Terry Sanford appointed him on September 10.

Dated events connected with this person, in date order. See these 88 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Chapel Hill veterans form an American Legion post The Chapel Hill Post of the American Legion was formed with 15 charter members, who elected Henry V. Koonts chairman, Henry A. Whitfield vice-chairman and L. J. Phipps secretary-treasurer. B. C. Brown went as the post's delegate to the state convention in Raleigh on October 30 and was named to the state executive committee; the state constitution printed with the report limited membership to white veterans. People: Luther James Phipps, Henry A. Whitfield Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Henry V. Koonts, B. C. BrownThe News (Chapel Hill), November 6, 1919, p. 1
  2. Students charter the Carolina Tar Baby Company to publish the Tar Baby The Carolina Tar Baby Company of Chapel Hill was chartered to take over publication of the Tar Baby, a university student magazine, with $510 of its small capital subscribed by students including Ernest H. Abernathy, Clarence R. Sumner, F. B. Womble and L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Ernest H. Abernathy, Clarence R. Sumner, F. B. WombleSearch the index · Durham Morning Herald, February 8, 1920, p. 5
  3. Chapel Hill's American Legion post votes to adopt a ward in a veterans' hospital At a barbecue and Brunswick stew supper for ex-service men, Chapel Hill Post No. 6 of the American Legion heard State Adjutant Cale K. Burgess on the Legion's civic and hospital work and voted to adopt a ward in one of the government hospitals for disabled veterans, naming Henry A. Whitfield and the Rev. A. S. Lawrence to arrange it. Men from Hillsborough and the rural districts attended, and the post's executive committee took up making it a county-wide post; membership stood at 53. People: Alfred Stratton Lawrence, Luther James Phipps, Henry A. Whitfield Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Cale K. BurgessSearch the index · The News (Chapel Hill), October 6, 1921, p. 1
  4. Charles Martindale builds a bungalow in the Gimghoul colony for attorney L. J. Phipps Contractor Charles Martindale nears completion of a Craftsman bungalow in the Gimghoul colony for Chapel Hill attorney L. J. Phipps and his wife Vivian. Its floor-length windows and front terrace are noted in later surveys. People: Charlie Lee Martindale, Luther James Phipps Place: 723 Gimghoul Road, Chapel Hill · Also named: Vivian Phipps, Charles MartindaleSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 28, 1925, p. 3 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, August 14, 1925, p. 1; National Register: Gimghoul Neighborhood Historic District nomination (OR0709, 1993)
  5. The store bearing A. A. Kluttz's name closes The A. A. Kluttz Company's store shut in August 1925. Its proprietor, G. Y. C. Buice, posted a "Going out of Business" notice on Monday, August 10; a temporary receiver was named on August 18 and made permanent on September 4, and the stock went in a receiver's sale that September. Buice blamed too many stores for the town's size, chain stores, and roads that took shoppers to the cities, and the Weekly noted the trouble of collecting from customers who bought on credit. A. A. Kluttz, who had run a store there before, was by then only the landlord. Stetson D, a men's clothier, later took the space. People: Adam Alexander Kluttz, Luther James Phipps Place: A. A. Kluttz store, East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: G. Y. C. BuiceSearch the index · Bernard Lee Bryant Jr., Occupants and Structures of Franklin Street, Chapel Hill (1998; Chapel Hill Historical Society, 1999), scan p. 233 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, August 14, 1925, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, August 21, 1925, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, September 18, 1925, p. 6; Chapel Hill Weekly, September 11, 1925, p. 3
  6. Chapel Hill furniture merchants Pendergraft and McCauley go into receivership and bankruptcy By early July 1926 Judge Michael Schenck had put the Chapel Hill furniture and hardware firm of Pendergraft and McCauley in the hands of receiver L. J. Phipps on the application of a creditor, the Supplee Biddle Hardware Company. The receiver put assets and liabilities at about $15,000 each and blamed slow collections; the firm went into bankruptcy, and its stock was sold off at a bankrupt sale from September 4 to 15, 1926. People: Luther James Phipps, C. B. Griffin Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Michael SchenckSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 2, 1926, p. 1
  7. A temporary radio station, WKBG, begins a week of broadcasts from the Pickwick Theatre A traveling station set up on a stage in front of the Pickwick screen to broadcast music and talks by students and townspeople for a week, opening with the village ministers on a Sunday evening. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Pickwick Theatre, East Franklin Street, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 1, 1927, p. 1 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, July 1, 1927, p. 4
  8. The Junior Order council at Chapel Hill grows to 109 members and sets up a jobs committee Davie Council No. 52 of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics grew from 20 to 109 members in three months and appointed a vocation committee to find work for members out of jobs, while another committee collected clothing for the poor of Chapel Hill and the country around it. People: Luther James Phipps, S. A. Nathan, John M. Foushee, Clarence P. Hinshaw, B. J. Howard Place: Chapel HillThe Chapel Hill Weekly, March 28, 1930, p. 6
  9. Orange County Democrats choose Umstead for state senate in the June primary In a Democratic primary that the Weekly said was the first in North Carolina under the secret Australian ballot, Orange County voters chose John W. Umstead Jr. of Chapel Hill over J. Clyde Ray of Hillsboro for state senator, 1,415 to 939, S. M. Gattis Jr. over L. J. Phipps for the house, 1,456 to 843, and S. W. Andrews over Cicero Jones for register of deeds, 1,387 to 951. The county also favored Josiah W. Bailey over Senator F. M. Simmons and gave Frank Hancock 1,593 votes to 695 for A. F. Sams for Congress. People: Luther James Phipps, Samuel Weldon Andrews, John W. Umstead Jr., Moody W. Durham Place: Polling places across Orange County; Chapel Hill box at the school building · Also named: J. Clyde Ray, S. M. Gattis Jr., Cicero Jones, Josiah W. Bailey, Frank HancockSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 13, 1930, p. 1
  10. Chapel Hill merchants form a credit association Chapel Hill merchants formed a credit association with P. S. Randolph as president, J. S. Bennett as vice-president and L. J. Phipps as secretary-treasurer. It pooled credit ratings and took over from the University the handling of students' bad checks, nearly 600 of them in two months. People: Luther James Phipps, John S. Bennett Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: P. S. RandolphSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, December 4, 1931, p. 1
  11. American Legion post holds an old-time fiddlers' convention in Chapel Hill The Chapel Hill post of the American Legion held an old-time fiddlers' convention in the school auditorium, with prizes for fiddlers, banjo-pickers, ballad singers and string groups, followed by square dancing. A large crowd came; one novelty was a gourd fiddle seized at a still in western North Carolina. People: Luther James Phipps, Lamar Stringfield Place: Chapel Hill school auditoriumSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, January 15, 1932, p. 5
  12. Owen S. Robertson is re-elected commander of the Chapel Hill Legion post The Chapel Hill post of the American Legion re-elected Owen S. Robertson of Hillsboro its commander, with L. J. Phipps as adjutant, and named him first among its delegates to the state convention at Asheville on July 18 and 19. The post's 164 active members were the most in its history. People: Owen S. Robertson, Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 24, 1932, p. 1
Show all 88 dated events
  1. Orange County Young Democrats organize at Hillsborough and elect L. J. Phipps president The Orange County Club of Young Democrats was organized at the court house in Hillsborough on August 13, 1932, with J. Dewey Dorsett, the state chairman, as speaker. L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill was elected president, Mrs. S. T. Latta Jr. vice-president, Mrs. Dave Parrish secretary and Gilbert Ray treasurer. People: Luther James Phipps, Gilbert W. Ray Place: Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough · Also named: Mrs. S. T. Latta Jr., Gilbert Ray, J. Dewey DorsettSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, August 19, 1932, p. 1
  2. Chapel Hill elects John Foushee mayor Former town manager John Foushee won the mayoralty with 186 votes to 134 for Mayor Zeb P. Council and 108 for B. J. Howard. Aldermen Clyde Eubanks, M. E. Hogan and J. T. Dobbins were re-elected over a late bid by Joseph Hyde Pratt, and L. J. Phipps beat Odell Sapp 361 to 123 for judge of the recorder's court. People: Clyde Eubanks, Joseph Hyde Pratt, Luther James Phipps, Zeb P. Council, John M. Foushee, Milton E. Hogan, B. J. Howard Place: Chapel Hill Graded School, Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: John Foushee, J. T. Dobbins, Odell SappSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 5, 1933, p. 1
  3. The Chapel Hill Credit Association renames itself the Chapel Hill Merchants' Association Chapel Hill businessmen voted to turn their credit association into the Chapel Hill Merchants' Association and to affiliate with the North Carolina Merchants Association, electing L. V. Huggins president. The University Student Council agreed to police students' debts to merchants as it already did bad checks. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: L. V. HugginsSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 1, 1934, p. 6
  4. The American Legion agrees to buy the old Methodist church for its Memorial Hut The Chapel Hill post of the American Legion announced in December 1934 that it had closed a bargain with Lueco Lloyd to buy the old Methodist church at Henderson Street and Rosemary Lane for $3,750, to be rebuilt as the American Legion Memorial Hut at a further cost that H. D. Carter estimated at $1,250. The brick building, lately the MacMillan Motor Company's garage, had been the church of Rev. Adolphus W. Mangum in the years after 1875; the post planned an assembly room, kitchen and lounge and meant it to serve as a community center. In February 1935 the Weekly still spoke of the building as bought, but in March the post dropped the plan as too costly, and a member later said it had only negotiated for the purchase. The post put up a log hut on Rosemary Lane instead. People: Luther James Phipps, H. D. Carter, Lueco Lloyd, Paul H. Robertson Place: Old Methodist church, Henderson Street and Rosemary Lane, Chapel Hill · Also named: Adolphus W. Mangum · Also mentions: Henderson Street, Rosemary LaneSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, December 21, 1934, p. 1 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, February 22, 1935, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, March 8, 1935, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, March 29, 1935, p. 6; Chapel Hill Weekly, April 19, 1935, p. 1
  5. Chapel Hill's American Legion post drops its plan to rebuild the old Methodist church The Legion post gave up its plan to buy the old Methodist church at Rosemary and Henderson streets for $3,750 and make it over as a memorial hut, finding the work would cost more than it could raise, and incorporated as Chapel Hill Post No. 6, American Legion, Inc., to build a simple hut instead. By late March it held an option on a lot on Rosemary Lane opposite the Orange Printshop and planned a log hut from trees given by country members. People: William S. Hogan, Luther James Phipps, Paul H. Robertson Place: Rosemary and Henderson streets, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, March 8, 1935, p. 1 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, December 21, 1934, p. 1
  6. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor Foushee and elects R. H. Wettach alderman In the town election Mayor John M. Foushee was returned without opposition, P. L. Burch (268 votes) and R. J. M. Hobbs (207) were re-elected aldermen, and law professor R. H. Wettach (236) won the third seat from Brodie S. Thompson (174). L. J. Phipps kept the recorder's court judgeship with 201 votes to 169 for C. P. Hinshaw and 102 for Roy W. McGinnis. People: Richard Junius Mendenhall Hobbs, Brodie Thompson, Luther James Phipps, Robert H. Wettach, Peter L. Burch, Clarence P. Hinshaw, John M. Foushee Place: School athletic building, Chapel Hill · Also named: Roy W. McGinnisSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 10, 1935, p. 1
  7. A new law makes plain drunkenness a misdemeanor in Orange County At the Chapel Hill aldermen's request, Representative B. J. Howard had the legislature add Orange to the counties where being drunk, without being disorderly, was a crime. Chapel Hill police made the first four arrests under the law at the weekend of May 11 and 12, and each offender was fined $2.50 and costs. People: Luther James Phipps, B. J. Howard Place: Orange CountySearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 17, 1935, p. 1
  8. Aldermen back the new district health department after recorder's court setbacks District health officer Malcolm H. Rourk and sanitary inspector E. P. Caruthers told the aldermen that rulings by Recorder L. J. Phipps had balked their work: he had acquitted a dairyman charged under the town milk ordinance and had arrested judgment in a restaurant case, holding that the state law delegated lawmaking power to the state board of health. The aldermen unanimously pledged the health department their support; the restaurant case was appealed to superior court in Hillsboro. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel Hill board of aldermen · Also named: Malcolm H. Rourk, E. P. CaruthersThe Chapel Hill Weekly, January 17, 1936, p. 1
  9. Chapel Hill's Rotary Club asks the trustees to admit local young women as freshmen and sophomores On May 20, 1936 the Chapel Hill Rotary Club resolved to ask the trustees of the Greater University to let qualified young women living within commuting distance attend the Chapel Hill unit in their first two years, which the trustees' rules then forbade. The Kiwanis Club and the Parent-Teacher Association endorsed the resolutions, and petitions from parents of high school girls and from other citizens were circulated for the trustees' meeting of May 30. People: Luther James Phipps, E. Carrington Smith Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 22, 1936, p. 1
  10. Orange County war veterans organize at Hillsboro to back Sandy Graham for governor On Friday, May 22, 1936 twenty-five World War veterans met in the courthouse at Hillsboro, with L. J. Phipps presiding, to organize the county's veterans for Lieutenant Governor A. H. Graham of Hillsboro in the Democratic primary for governor. Carl Durham of Chapel Hill and H. G. Coleman of Hillsboro were named to head the campaign in the southern and northern parts of the county. People: Alexander H. "Sandy" Graham, Luther James Phipps, Carl T. Durham Place: Orange County courthouse, Hillsboro · Also named: H. G. ColemanSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 29, 1936, p. 1
  11. Black West Franklin Street owners stay on by indulgence in homes the town took for paving assessments Louis Graves reported that the Black owners along West Franklin Street, assessed $7.70 a front foot for paving and curbing eight or ten years before, had been sold out for nonpayment: the town held certificates of sale whose time for redemption had run out and let the families stay only by indulgence. Painter Rick Taylor's 1936 bill showed $2,508 in street assessments on property valued at $3,600. Recorder L. J. Phipps answered by proposing a special act to let the town carry the cost by a general tax, and H. V. Wilson urged the town to act. People: Luther James Phipps, H. V. Wilson, Louis Graves Place: West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: Rick TaylorThe Chapel Hill Weekly, December 11, 1936, p. 1
  12. Chapel Hill aldermen vote down relief from West Franklin Street paving assessments The aldermen voted down a proposal to ask the legislature for a special act letting them remit paving and curb-and-gutter assessments on West Franklin Street, where many of the owners were Black families threatened with the loss of their homes. Fearing refund claims and charges of discrimination from other owners, they asked the town attorney instead to study extending the time for payment. People: Luther James Phipps, Bonner D. Sawyer, Peter L. Burch Place: West Franklin Street, Chapel HillThe Chapel Hill Weekly, March 12, 1937, p. 1
  13. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor Foushee and chooses three new aldermen In a town election that drew only 551 voters of perhaps 1,200 to 1,500 qualified, John M. Foushee was re-elected mayor without opposition and L. J. Phipps kept the recorder's court judgeship over Roy McGinnis, 368 to 183. Paul Robertson (284 votes), George Hellen (281) and F. O. Bowman (264) won the three aldermen's seats over Clarence Pickard, J. T. Dobbins, Matt Thompson and Raymond Adams. People: Luther James Phipps, Clarence Pickard, Paul H. Robertson, Frederick O. Bowman, John M. Foushee Place: Chapel Hill school, West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill · Also named: Paul Robertson, George Hellen, Raymond Adams, J. T. Dobbins, Roy McGinnis, Matt ThompsonSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 7, 1937, p. 1
  14. Chapel Hill's town offices, police, firemen and recorder's court move into the new Town Hall The town manager, police and fire departments moved into the new Town Hall at the northwest corner of Rosemary and Columbia streets, and the recorder's court held its first session there on Tuesday, March 28, with Judge L. J. Phipps on the bench. The building had a 225-seat courtroom, quarters for the two full-time firemen with a sliding pole to the truck room, and a basement jail with separate cells for white men, Black men, white women and Black women, and separate white and Black washrooms. People: Luther James Phipps, John L. Caldwell Place: Town Hall, northwest corner of Rosemary and Columbia streets, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, March 31, 1939, p. 1
  15. Eastwood, Incorporated dams Booker's Creek for a 55-acre lake northeast of Chapel Hill A dam was being built across Booker's Creek about half a mile upstream from the Chapel Hill to Durham highway near Harwood's dairy, to form a 55-acre lake as the center of a restricted residential development called Eastwood. The company's promoter was W. S. Crawford and its stockholders R. P. McClamroch, L. J. Phipps and R. M. Trimble; the dam was due in four weeks and the lake to fill by September. People: Luther James Phipps, Roland P. McClamroch, Ralph M. Trimble, Walter S. Crawford Place: Booker's Creek near Harwood's dairy, about three miles northeast of Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Chapel Hill to DurhamSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, April 28, 1939, p. 1
  16. Louis Graves writes against a movement to oust Town Manager J. L. Caldwell Before the May town election the Weekly's editor reported talk that some backers of L. J. Phipps wanted a new board to dismiss Caldwell, as a group had hoped the aldermen elected in 1937 would. Graves wrote that those aldermen had kept him after studying the town's records. People: John L. Caldwell, Louis Graves, Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, April 28, 1939, p. 1 (The Movement to Get Caldwell)
  17. The recorder's court acquits liquor defendants because officers had not sworn to the warrants on the Bible Judge Andrew McIntosh threw out the evidence against three filling-station operators near Chapel Hill, from whose places officers had taken about 72 pints of liquor, after defense lawyers C. P. Hinshaw and L. J. Phipps showed the search warrants had not been sworn on the Bible as a statute of about 1776 still required. Court clerk Moody Durham then bought Bibles for the court, the police stations and the justice of the peace, and witnesses kissed the book in court on July 11. People: Luther James Phipps, Moody W. Durham, Clarence P. Hinshaw Place: Recorder's court, Chapel Hill · Also named: Andrew McIntosh, Moody DurhamSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 7, 1939, p. 1
  18. W. S. Crawford finishes the Eastwood dam on Booker Creek and the lake begins to fill The masonry dam across Booker Creek near Harward's dairy on the Durham road, raised to 18 feet with about 1,000 tons of rock, was finished by early July for Eastwood, a residential development of W. S. Crawford, R. P. McClamroch, Ralph M. Trimble and L. J. Phipps. The gate was closed by July 21, and after rains about 50 of the planned 65 acres were under water by July 27. People: Luther James Phipps, Roland P. McClamroch, Ralph M. Trimble, Walter S. Crawford Place: Booker Creek, about 3 miles northeast of Chapel Hill off the Durham roadSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, July 7, 1939, p. 1
  19. Chapel Hill aldermen vote bonds to refund West Franklin Street over-assessments The board of aldermen passed an ordinance to issue up to $8,500 in funding bonds to repay West Franklin Street owners who had been over-assessed for paving and curb and gutter in 1928, many of them Black homeowners whom, the Weekly said, the levy had threatened with loss of their homes. An investigation had found that the state's share of the pavement was never deducted; the refund list published in May totaled $8,311.85. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill; West Franklin StreetThe Chapel Hill Weekly, March 14, 1941, p. 1
  20. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor John M. Foushee and elects Fitch, Bowman, and Davis aldermen In the town election John M. Foushee was re-elected mayor over J. T. Dobbins, 558 to 357, and Andrew McIntosh kept the recorder's court judgeship over L. J. Phipps, 464 to 447. Bernice Fitch led the aldermanic field with 733 votes, F. O. Bowman (497) was re-elected, and G. Obie Davis (496) took the third seat, 43 votes ahead of Alderman George Hellen; the new board was sworn in on May 14. People: Luther James Phipps, Frederick O. Bowman, John M. Foushee Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: J. T. Dobbins, Andrew McIntosh, Bernice Fitch, G. Obie Davis, George HellenSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 9, 1941, p. 1
  21. Volunteers man an aircraft observation post at the American Legion Hut Chapel Hill set up an aircraft observation post at the American Legion Hut on Rosemary Lane under chief observer L. J. Phipps, who with his assistants spotted 13 planes in trial watches on November 12. Volunteers were to watch daily from 5 A.M. to 6 P.M. from November 15 through 29, telephoning each sighting as an 'Army flash' to the Army information center in Raleigh, and Phipps said the main purpose was to train civilians for such posts if war came. People: Luther James Phipps, Paul H. Robertson Place: American Legion Hut, Rosemary Lane, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: American Legion Hut, Rosemary LaneThe Chapel Hill Weekly, November 14, 1941, p. 1
  22. Chapel Hill appoints its first town planning commission After more than a year of urging by the Chapel Hill Weekly, a Town Meeting on April 4, 1941 named a committee of John M. Booker (chairman), W. D. Carmichael Jr., Clyde Eubanks, Joseph Hyde Pratt and H. G. Baity to study the look of the business section. Its report, taken up at a Town Meeting on April 21, asked the mayor and aldermen to appoint a five-member Town Planning Commission to plan for stream-valley land, zoning and parking and to have a consulting architect pass on the designs of new and remodeled buildings. The aldermen then created the commission by ordinance, and by November it was at work with Baity as chairman and Pratt, Collier Cobb Jr., L. J. Phipps and J. P. Harland as members. It set the Colonial Revival look of downtown for the next decade. People: William D. Carmichael Jr., Herman G. Baity, Joseph Hyde Pratt, Clyde Eubanks, John M. Booker, Collier Cobb Jr., Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: J. P. Harland, W. D. Carmichael Jr.Search the index · NC State Historic Preservation Office: Chapel Hill Town Hall, National Register nomination (OR0327), p. 10 · Also: Chapel Hill Weekly, April 11, 1941, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, April 18, 1941, p. 4; Chapel Hill Weekly, November 28, 1941, p. 6
  23. Civic groups form the Chapel Hill Safety League against reckless driving Chapel Hill's civic clubs, the town government and student leaders joined in the Chapel Hill Safety League, with John W. Umstead Jr. as president and L. J. Phipps as secretary, to hold drivers to the 20-mile speed limit downtown and 25 miles elsewhere and to have them pledge themselves with windshield stickers. Umstead first proposed it at the Kiwanis Club; by mid-December it had seventeen members and its placard was posted in store windows. People: Luther James Phipps, John W. Umstead Jr. Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, December 12, 1941, p. 1
  24. Third draft registration enrolls 2,075 men in Orange County In the third wartime draft registration on February 16, 2,075 men registered in Orange County, 1,168 of them at Chapel Hill, where about 720 University students swamped the Memorial hall station and more cards had to be rushed from Raleigh by bus. In the village 254 white men registered at the elementary school and the Town Hall and 194 Black men at O'Kelly's dry-cleaning place on West Franklin Street. People: Luther James Phipps, George H. Lawrence Place: Chapel Hill and Orange CountyThe Chapel Hill Weekly, February 20, 1942, p. 1
  25. National Munitions Corporation takes over a Carrboro hosiery mill for shell loading The National Munitions Corporation bought the idle Durham Hosiery Mills building to the left of the railway station in Carrboro, with several nearby houses, to load anti-aircraft shells for the Navy with about 150 local workers in three shifts. By mid-March repairs were under way, L. J. Phipps was its resident director, and more than 300 job seekers had applied for birth certificates at the register of deeds' office in Hillsboro. People: Luther James Phipps, Samuel Weldon Andrews Place: Durham Hosiery Mills building, CarrboroThe Chapel Hill Weekly, March 13, 1942, p. 1
  26. Orange County registers 1,889 men aged 45 to 65 for selective service In the draft registration of men between 45 and 65, 1,889 men registered in Orange County, 530 of them in Chapel Hill, where George Lawrence and L. J. Phipps ran the registration, and Dwight Ray conducted it at the Carrboro school. People: Luther James Phipps, Dwight Ray Place: Town Hall and elementary school, Chapel Hill; Carrboro school · Also named: George Lawrence · Also mentions: Carrboro schoolThe Chapel Hill Weekly, May 1, 1942, p. 1
  27. Chapel Hill canvassers seek war bond pledges house to house More than a hundred volunteer canvassers under general chairman Hugh T. Lefler and five zone chairmen called at homes across Chapel Hill to ask for signed pledges to buy war bonds or stamps regularly, in the nationwide pledge week. The Weekly reported a good response by midweek, while neighborhood leaders took pledges from farm families. People: Luther James Phipps, Roland P. McClamroch, W. E. Thompson, Hugh Talmage Lefler Place: Chapel HillThe Chapel Hill Weekly, May 8, 1942, p. 1
  28. Chapel Hill Legion post receives a plaque for its members serving in both world wars At the American Legion divisional meeting in Chapel Hill, D. M. Horner gave the Chapel Hill post a plaque naming its present and past members who served in the First World War and were again on active duty. L. J. Phipps presented it and H. A. Whitfield accepted. People: Luther James Phipps, Herman G. Baity, Henry A. Whitfield, John P. Graff Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: D. M. HornerThe Chapel Hill Weekly, April 2, 1943, p. 6
  29. Chapel Hill's American Legion post burns the mortgage on its hut Chapel Hill Post No. 6 of the American Legion marked the Legion's 25th anniversary on Wednesday evening, March 15, 1944, by burning the mortgage on its hut on Rosemary Lane, after a barbecue for more than 100 members of the post and its auxiliary. Post commander Dewey Horner led the ceremony, and Horner, Paul Robertson and Brack Creel were cited for raising the money to build the hut. People: Luther James Phipps, Paul H. Robertson Place: American Legion hut, Rosemary Lane, Chapel Hill · Also named: Dewey Horner, Paul Robertson, Brack Creel · Also mentions: Rosemary LaneSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 23, 1944, p. 1
  30. Orange County Democrats give Gregg Cherry a heavy majority in the primary for governor In the Democratic primary of May 27, 1944, Orange County voted 1,316 for R. Gregg Cherry and 519 for Ralph W. McDonald, a former county resident who had left the university's extension staff to run, and 1,334 to 408 for Clyde R. Hoey over Cameron Morrison for the Senate. Chapel Hill attorney L. J. Phipps narrowly lost his home county to State Treasurer Charles M. Johnson, 861 to 871; there were no local contests and the vote was light. People: Ralph Waldo McDonald, Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County precincts · Also named: R. Gregg Cherry, Charles M. Johnson, Clyde R. Hoey, Cameron MorrisonSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), June 8, 1944, p. 1
  31. Orange County's recorder's court holds its first session Under a 1947 act of the General Assembly, Orange County set up a recorder's court for the townships outside Chapel Hill. It held its first session in the Hillsboro courthouse on Monday, May 5, 1947, with L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill as recorder and county attorney J. Dumont Eskridge as solicitor, and it sat every Monday with the clerk of superior court as its clerk. Lefler and Wager's 1953 county history dates the court to a 1949 act. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Hillsborough · Also named: J. Dumont EskridgeSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), May 1, 1947, p. 1 · Also: Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952; The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), May 6, 1948, p. 1
  32. Chapel Hill voters approve $260,000 in bonds for sewers, streets and equipment In a record town turnout of 939 votes, Chapel Hill approved all four parts of a $260,000 bond issue: $200,000 toward a $425,000 enlargement of the sewer system with a new treatment plant, the rest of its cost to come from the university, plus $35,000 for paving and seal coating streets and smaller sums for street and garbage equipment and town office equipment. The sewer bonds carried 878 to 48. People: Robert W. Madry, Luther James Phipps, Gilbert W. Ray Place: Town Hall, Chapel HillSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), April 8, 1948, p. 1
  33. New county board reappoints Judge Phipps and names Jerry Stone recorder's court prosecutor Sworn in for a new two-year term, the county commissioners chose Collier Cobb Jr. chairman, reappointed L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill judge of the county recorder's court for its first full term and named Jerry Stone prosecuting attorney in place of J. R. Farlow. The board also asked the State Highway Commission to use its whole county force on road upkeep after the rains and gave the capital-needs committee until February to report. People: Collier Cobb Jr. Place: Courthouse, Hillsboro · Also named: Jerry Stone, J. R. FarlowSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 9, 1948, p. 1
  34. Chapel Hill holds a public hearing on a new zoning ordinance The Chapel Hill Planning Board held a public hearing on a proposed new zoning ordinance to replace one enacted more than ten years before, with maps of present and proposed zones on display. The draft was prepared by a subcommittee assisted by George Franklin of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: George FranklinSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 3, 1949, p. 1
  35. Mayor Madry names a committee to study paving Chapel Hill's gravel sidewalks On a unanimous resolution of the Board of Aldermen, Mayor R. W. Madry appointed a nine-member committee under Judge L. J. Phipps to find out whether residents wanted to replace the town's traditional gravel sidewalks with cement or brick, what it would cost and which streets should come first. People: Robert W. Madry, Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 10, 1949, p. 1
  36. Orange County gives Frank Graham three of every four votes as he loses the Senate runoff In the June 24 second primary Orange voters gave Senator Frank P. Graham, a Chapel Hill man, 4,269 votes to 1,462 for Willis Smith, the same 75 percent share as in May, but Smith won the nomination statewide. The News reported surprise and disappointment in the county, and said a mailing of return postcards offering voters rides to the polls appeared to have been a hoax. People: Frank Porter Graham, Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County's 16 precincts · Also named: Willis SmithSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), June 29, 1950, p. 1
  37. Former register of deeds Cicero H. 'Deacon' Jones dies Cicero H. Jones, who served as assistant register of deeds and then as Orange County's register of deeds from 1928 to 1930 and for many years as a justice of the peace, died after a long illness and was buried at Chestnut Ridge Methodist Church. Judge L. J. Phipps adjourned the next session of the Recorder's Court in his memory. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Chestnut Ridge Methodist Church, Orange County · Also named: Cicero H. JonesSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), August 31, 1950, p. 1
  38. Mayor Edwin Lanier names a committee to study Chapel Hill's street names With the aldermen's agreement, Mayor Edwin S. Lanier named five people who knew the history of the town and the University to study changing street names that had become confusing or meaningless and naming streets for people who had served the community. Pittsboro Street, Boundary Street, Church Street and the two-part North Street were cited; recommendations were due by February, with a public hearing before any change. People: Edwin Sidney Lanier, Luther James Phipps, Zeb P. Council Place: Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Boundary Street, Pittsboro StreetSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), November 16, 1950, p. 1
  39. Judge L. J. Phipps makes jail automatic for drunken drivers in the county court Judge L. J. Phipps of the Orange County Recorder's Court announced that anyone convicted of drunken driving in his court would get an automatic jail term of two to five days on top of the usual $100 fine for a first offense, hoping to cut down the offense while the legislature weighed mandatory jail terms. He noted that several Superior Court judges already followed the same practice. Place: Orange County Courthouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 25, 1951, p. 1
  40. Rural residents fight the proposed Chapel Hill perimeter zoning ordinance at a hearing A public hearing before the Chapel Hill aldermen on an ordinance to zone a four-mile area around town, excluding Carrboro, broke into heated opposition from rural landowners, though it had been drafted to curb commercial strips on the new Durham-Chapel Hill boulevard. Afterward Mayor Edwin S. Lanier said the board would not push zoning without a clear mandate, and Representative John W. Umstead, who had introduced the 1951 enabling act, said he opposed the ordinance as written. People: Edwin Sidney Lanier, Luther James Phipps Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: John W. UmsteadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 17, 1952, p. 1
  41. Rural residents again oppose Chapel Hill's proposed zoning of the four-mile area around the town At a hearing of the enlarged Chapel Hill zoning commission many rural residents spoke in bitter opposition, while Chancellor Robert B. House argued the University's stake in orderly growth and Rep. John W. Umstead promised equal rural representation on the commission at the next legislative session; chairman L. J. Phipps accepted a suggestion to bring in more rural residents and set another meeting for April 21. People: Luther James Phipps, R. B. House Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: John W. UmsteadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), April 10, 1952, p. 1
  42. County commissioners name a committee to plan Orange County's 200th anniversary On August 4, 1952, the commissioners named a nine-member countywide committee under L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill to plan an observance of the county's 200th anniversary, to be held with the laying of the cornerstone of the new courthouse that fall. Its members included historian Hugh Lefler of Chapel Hill, Shepperd Strudwick and E. M. Lynch of Hillsboro, Clem Cheek of the Orange Grove-White Cross section, and four women from the Schley-St. Mary's, Cedar Grove, Efland and Carrboro communities. People: Luther James Phipps, Shepperd Strudwick (1868-1961), Edwin M. Lynch, Hugh Talmage Lefler Place: Courthouse, Hillsborough · Also named: Clem Cheek, Hugh LeflerSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), August 7, 1952, p. 1
  43. R. O. Forrest becomes chairman of the county commissioners When the new Board of County Commissioners took office on December 1, 1952, with R. J. M. Hobbs joining R. O. Forrest and Sim L. Efland, the members chose Forrest of Hillsboro as chairman in place of Collier Cobb Jr., chairman since 1942. The board reappointed Recorder's Court Judge L. J. Phipps, Solicitor John Q. LeGrand, accountant Ira L. Ward and the township tax listers. People: Richard Junius Mendenhall Hobbs, Sim Efland, Collier Cobb Jr., Luther James Phipps, Ira Ward, Robert O. Forrest Place: Courthouse, Hillsboro · Also named: John Q. LeGrandSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 4, 1952, p. 1
  44. Commissioners ask the legislature for a five-member board elected at large After a heated public hearing on February 2, 1953, the county commissioners voted 2 to 1 to ask the General Assembly to enlarge the board from three to five members elected at large for staggered four-year terms, without the one-per-township rule and term limit rural petitioners wanted. A Chapel Hill group brought a 330-name petition against those limits, backed by the League of Women Voters. People: Richard Junius Mendenhall Hobbs, Sim Efland, Paul W. Wager, Luther James Phipps, Reid Roberts, Robert O. Forrest Place: Courthouse, HillsboroSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), February 5, 1953, p. 1
  45. Orange County celebrates its two hundredth birthday with a week of parades, tours and a pageant Orange County marked its bicentennial from October 7 through 13 with the courthouse cornerstone ceremony, parades in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, Garden Club tours of old homes that drew more than 600 visitors, and six showings of the historical pageant "The Road to Orange" in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. The News counted something over 3,500 paid admissions to the pageant. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Hillsborough and Chapel HillSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), October 15, 1953, p. 1
  46. The pageant The Road to Orange opens the county bicentennial week On the opening night of the six-day bicentennial, a local cast of more than 150 presented The Road to Orange, an outdoor drama of the county from 1740 to 1800 acted in pantomime to voices from backstage, on a 200-foot stage at the Hillsboro High School athletic field with seats for 2,000 and fireworks to close. Directed by UNC graduate students Jim Leonard and John Haney with Samuel Selden of the Carolina Playmakers as adviser, it was to play four nights in Hillsboro and two on Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill. People: Samuel Selden, John Ehle, Luther James Phipps Place: Hillsboro High School athletic field, Hillsborough · Also named: Jim Leonard, John Haney · Also mentions: Carolina Playmakers, Fetzer FieldSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), October 8, 1953, p. 9
  47. County commissioners pay the bicentennial's $9,000 deficit The commissioners paid about $9,000 in unpaid bicentennial bills from surplus funds and released Judge L. J. Phipps's accounting, which put the pageant's cost at $9,060.40 and the county history's at $6,830.41 and left a deficit of $8,998.61. Phipps suggested staging a shorter version of "The Road to Orange" each summer on a permanent outdoor stage in Hillsborough. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Courthouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 7, 1954, p. 1
  48. Orange County lawyers revive the Orange County Bar Association Hillsboro and Chapel Hill attorneys met over dinner at the Colonial Inn to reactivate the county bar association, electing Bonner D. Sawyer president and Marshall E. Cline secretary-treasurer. They aimed to speed the setting of cases for trial and named a calendar committee under L. J. Phipps. People: Luther James Phipps, Bonner D. Sawyer Place: Colonial Inn, Hillsboro · Also named: Marshall E. ClineSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), April 1, 1954, p. 1
  49. The Baptist Church of Chapel Hill celebrates its centennial The church marked a hundred years with a week of nightly services at which five former pastors spoke, closing with 'Upon This Rock,' a symphonic drama of its history. The play opened in the home of W. G. Weaver, where the church was organized in April 1854, and members of the Black First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill re-enacted the immersion baptism of enslaved people at Chapel Hill in June 1855. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Baptist Church of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill · Also named: W. G. WeaverSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), April 8, 1954, p. 1
  50. Carrboro offers its fire department to rural neighbors by yearly contract The Carrboro town commissioners passed an ordinance letting the mayor sign contracts with property owners in a fan-shaped district reaching about two miles out from town, south to the Chatham line and around past Calvander and University Lake, for the volunteer fire department to answer their calls. Annual fees were set by assessed value, Chapel Hill and its suburbs were excluded, and the town took no liability. People: Luther James Phipps Place: CarrboroSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), May 20, 1954, p. 1
  51. Commissioners name Roy Cole county court solicitor over John Q. LeGrand Meeting at the Chapel Hill Town Hall, the county commissioners voted 3 to 2 by secret ballot to make young Chapel Hill attorney Roy Cole solicitor of the Orange County Recorder's Court in place of John Q. LeGrand, a result the News called surprising, while reappointing Judge L. J. Phipps and naming Graham and Ranson county attorneys again. The board also reelected R. J. M. Hobbs chairman and set a January 3 public hearing on the proposed Chapel Hill recreation district. People: Luther James Phipps, Richard Junius Mendenhall Hobbs Place: Town Hall, Chapel Hill · Also named: Roy Cole, John Q. LeGrandSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 13, 1956, p. 1
  52. A cross is burned at the Hillsborough home where Frank Graham was a guest In the early morning a kerosene-soaked cross wrapped in old bed sheets was burned in the yard of Mrs. Cheshire Webb's home in Hillsborough while her brother-in-law, former UNC president and United Nations representative Frank Porter Graham, slept there. Sheriff Odell H. Clayton traced the drips and laundry marks to a 25-year-old university student, who called it a prank to show how he felt about Graham; in what the News called the first trial under the state's 1953 anti-Klan cross-burning law, the Recorder's Court fined him $10 and costs on February 4, 1957. People: Frank Porter Graham, Luther James Phipps, Odell H. Clayton Place: Home of Mrs. Cheshire Webb, HillsboroughSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 3, 1957, p. 1
  53. Judge L. J. Phipps becomes chairman of the Orange County Democrats The Orange County Democratic executive committee paid tribute to its late chairman R. O. Forrest and unanimously elected Recorder's Court Judge L. J. Phipps to succeed him. Mrs. R. O. Forrest was elected vice chairman in place of Harriet Herring, who asked to step aside. People: Alexander H. "Sandy" Graham, Robert O. Forrest Place: Courthouse, Hillsboro · Also named: Harriet Herring, Irene Allen ForrestSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), October 30, 1958, p. 1
  54. County commissioners begin new terms and name F. Lloyd Noell recorder's court solicitor On the day most county officers took their oaths, the Board of County Commissioners reelected R. J. M. Hobbs chairman for two years, reelected L. J. Phipps judge of the recorder's court, and named Hillsboro attorney F. Lloyd Noell solicitor in place of Roy Cole of Chapel Hill. Clarence D. Jones joined the board, Henry S. Walker and Donald McDade returned, and retiring commissioner Dwight M. Ray received a plaque. People: Richard Junius Mendenhall Hobbs, Luther James Phipps, Dwight Ray Place: Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough · Also named: F. Lloyd Noell, Roy Cole, Clarence D. Jones, Donald McDade, Henry S. WalkerSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 4, 1958, p. 1
  55. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Recreation Center Corporation votes to start building its $90,000 center Directors authorized the building committee to call for bids on the center on the seven-acre Bolin Creek site off Airport Road, on a guaranteed-maximum contract kept within the roughly $33,000 in cash and pledges on hand, with a $20,000 drive set for winter. The Rev. Charles Hubbard was re-elected president; plans called for meeting rooms, a snack bar, a multipurpose room and later a pool. People: Luther James Phipps, Charles S. Hubbard Place: Bolin Creek site off Airport Road, north of Chapel Hill · Also named: Charles Hubbard · Also mentions: Bolin Creek, Airport RoadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), October 22, 1959, p. 3
  56. Orange County voters back Kennedy and the Democratic ticket in a heavy turnout In the general election 12,570 of Orange County's 15,617 registered voters cast ballots, just over 80 percent, after more than 2,500 new registrations; county Democratic chairman L. J. Phipps said more than 7,000 of them voted for John F. Kennedy, Terry Sanford, Horace Kornegay and the rest of the Democratic ticket. Chapel Hill Precinct Three turned out 92 percent, and Rep. John Umstead, unopposed, led all candidates with about 9,100 votes. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County · Also named: John W. Umstead, John F. Kennedy, Horace Kornegay, Terry Sanford, John UmsteadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), November 17, 1960, p. 25
  57. L. J. Phipps and Stanley Peele form a law partnership in Chapel Hill Chapel Hill attorney L. J. Phipps took Stanley Peele, associated with him since he was admitted to the bar in 1959, into partnership. People: Judge Stanley Peele, Luther James Phipps Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough): Phipps, Peele now partners in law firm, January 5, 1961, p. 3
  58. James Freeland hosts the Orange Democrats' announcement party at the General Sherman About 150 people, most of the county's Democratic leaders, came to a gathering James Freeland put on at his General Sherman Restaurant, which party chairman L. J. Phipps called "an announcement party." Sheriff C. D. Knight said he had filed for his first election, Register of Deeds Betty June Hayes said she would seek re-election, and Lee Kennedy had filed for county commissioner. People: James J. Freeland, Luther James Phipps Place: General Sherman Restaurant, US 70 at Interstate 85 · Also named: C. D. Knight, Betty June Hayes, Lee Kennedy, James FreelandSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, January 25, 1962, p. 1
  59. Orange County Democrats hold their convention and begin Distinguished Democrat citations With all 25 precincts represented by 133 delegates, the county convention in the Hillsboro courthouse re-elected chairman L. J. Phipps and, in a new form of recognition, gave Distinguished Democrat certificates to seven longtime party workers. About 500 people then heard the primary candidates at a barbecue rally at Orange Speedway. People: Luther James Phipps, Carl T. Durham Place: Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough · Also mentions: Orange SpeedwaySearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), May 17, 1962, p. 4
  60. Orange Democrats raise about $900 at a dinner in the General Sherman's Confederate Room About 150 Democrats heard Secretary of State Thad Eure, Congressman Horace Kornegay, Insurance Commissioner Edwin Lanier and former Congressman Carl Durham at the county party's fund-raising buffet and dance in the Confederate Room of the General Sherman Restaurant. It netted about $900 for the state party's drive, against an Orange quota of $500. People: Thad Eure, Luther James Phipps, Carl T. Durham Place: General Sherman Restaurant, US 70 at Interstate 85 · Also named: Horace Kornegay, Edwin LanierSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), September 27, 1962, p. 2
  61. Carrboro decides to seek its own zoning authority over its suburbs The Carrboro Board of Commissioners decided to ask the General Assembly for planning and zoning power over its suburban area entirely separate from the Chapel Hill District Planning Board, changing its earlier plan to share that board. A 1957 act had let Carrboro zone its fringe, but only through the Chapel Hill planners. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Carrboro Town HallSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), December 20, 1962, p. 8
  62. Carrboro endorses a draft bill for its own zoning set-up The Carrboro board endorsed a special act drawn by Town Attorney L. J. Phipps with Chapel Hill attorney J. Q. LeGrand that would let Carrboro zone the town and its suburban area, then part of the Chapel Hill zoning district. The same night it rezoned a lot at Center and Short streets to industrial, annexed a lot on Hanna Street and gave $130 to civil defense. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Carrboro Town Hall · Also named: J. Q. LeGrandSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), February 14, 1963, p. 8
  63. L. J. Phipps is sworn in as Orange County's representative Recorder's Court judge and county Democratic chairman L. J. Phipps took the oath in the new Legislative Building, three days after the county Democratic Executive Committee unanimously chose him to succeed John Umstead. About 300 people came to a reception given by the Orange County Young Democrats, and that night he introduced bills for a Hillsborough historical commission and a separate Carrboro zoning district. People: John W. Umstead Jr. Place: Legislative Building, Raleigh · Also named: John UmsteadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 21, 1963, p. 1
  64. The state House passes the bill creating a Hillsborough historical commission Rep. L. J. Phipps's bill for a commission of at least 15 members to restore and preserve old Hillsborough as a living historical exhibit passed the House within about a week of its introduction on March 18. It was amended so that Governor Sanford would appoint the members by May 1 instead of April 1. People: Luther James Phipps, Terry Sanford Place: General Assembly, RaleighSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), March 28, 1963, p. 7
  65. The county commissioners name W. Marshall Smith judge of the Orange County Recorder's Court The commissioners chose Smith, a 42-year-old Chapel Hill lawyer blinded as a bomber pilot in World War II, to finish the term of L. J. Phipps, who had held the post since the court began in 1946. The News called him only the second judge appointed to the court in its 17 years; he took the oath on April 9. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County Courthouse, Hillsborough · Also named: W. Marshall SmithSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), April 4, 1963, p. 7
  66. L. J. Phipps resigns as Orange County's state representative to head the American Legion Rep. L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill, appointed to the House earlier in 1963 after John W. Umstead resigned, gave up the seat after the state American Legion elected him department commander at Charlotte on June 22, since the Legion barred its commander from elective office. He was installed at the Chapel Hill Legion clubhouse on July 7, leaving Orange without a representative until a special session. Place: Orange County · Also named: John W. UmsteadSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), July 4, 1963, p. 4
  67. Orange Democrats choose Edwin J. Hamlin for the state House by one vote Meeting over dinner at the General Sherman Restaurant, the county Democratic executive committee nominated Edwin J. Hamlin, publisher of the News of Orange County, over Young Democrats president Fred Cates by 28 to 27 to succeed L. J. Phipps in the state House. Governor Sanford was to appoint him for an expected special session on Senate redistricting. People: Luther James Phipps, Terry Sanford Place: General Sherman Restaurant, US 70 at Interstate 85 · Also named: Edwin J. Hamlin, Fred Cates · Also mentions: News of Orange CountySearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, September 4, 1963, p. 1
  68. Orange Democrats win the right to name the 17th District's senate nominee for 1965 and 1967 On January 24 the 57-member Orange County Democratic Executive Committee unanimously approved a rotation plan for the new three-county 17th Senatorial District that gave Orange the district's second senate nomination for the 1965 and 1967 sessions, with Durham holding one seat every term. Before redistricting Orange had been paired with Alamance and would not have had a nominee until 1967. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County Courthouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), January 30, 1964, p. 4
  69. L. J. Phipps is sworn in as judge of Chapel Hill Recorder's Court Chapel Hill attorney L. J. Phipps took the oath as Recorder's Court judge almost 25 years after he left the same bench in 1939. The aldermen had named him the week before to succeed W. S. Stewart, who quit in mid-term; Phipps had first become judge in 1933, when the court met in the old Pickwick Theater building. Place: Chapel Hill Town Hall · Also named: W. S. StewartSearch the index · The News of Orange County (Hillsborough), May 7, 1964, p. 1
  70. Judge L. J. Phipps becomes vice-chairman of the Historic Hillsborough Commission At a dinner meeting in Hillsborough on November 19, 1965, held to honor new members, the commission elected Judge L. J. Phipps of Chapel Hill vice-chairman in place of Senator Voit Gilmore, who had resigned. Phipps, long active in preservation in Orange County, was the commission's legal and legislative chairman. Mrs. Alfred G. Engstrom presided. People: Mary Claire Engstrom Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Voit GilmoreSearch the index · Internet Archive: "Historical News", North Carolina Historical Review 43 (1966), p. 257
  71. The Baptist church at Franklin and Columbia streets buys the lot a hamburger chain had leased A 15-cent hamburger chain had leased the grassy lot beside the church at the town's main intersection, across from the Ackland Art Center, and had its building plans approved. Three church lay leaders, Recorder's Court Judge L. J. Phipps, County Commissioner Harvey D. Bennett and Carl J. Seymour, appealed the permit to the board of adjustment over parking, the chain gave up its lease, and the church contracted to buy the lot to keep as a park or garden, with help from non-Baptist donors. People: Luther James Phipps, Harvey Bennett Place: Corner of Franklin and Columbia streets, Chapel Hill · Also named: Carl J. Seymour · Also mentions: Ackland Art CenterSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, September 17, 1966, p. 3
  72. Chapel Hill re-elects Mayor Sandy McClamroch and chooses four aldermen Mayor Sandy McClamroch beat Raymond M. Williams, owner of the Farm Fresh Dairy Store, 1,502 to 442. Voters returned aldermen Roland Giduz and R. D. Smith, brought back former alderman Mrs. James W. Prothro and elected David Ethridge, while F. E. (Gene) Strowd lost the seat he had held for 12 years; L. J. Phipps was re-elected judge of the recorder's court without opposition. People: Sandy McClamroch, Roland Giduz, Luther James Phipps, R. D. Smith Place: Chapel Hill · Also named: Raymond M. Williams, Mrs. James W. Prothro, David Ethridge, F. E. StrowdSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, May 4, 1967, p. 1
  73. A $125,000 challenge gift starts a chapel fund for N.C. Memorial Hospital John M. Reeves of Pinehurst, chairman of Reeves Bros. Inc., pledged $125,000 toward a $250,000 all-faiths chapel at N.C. Memorial Hospital if the rest could be matched, and the state American Legion named a committee under Chapel Hill judge L. J. Phipps to raise it. The chapel was meant for patients, students, staff and faculty of the 425-bed teaching hospital. People: Luther James Phipps Place: N.C. Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill · Also named: John M. ReevesThe Daily Tar Heel, October 25, 1967, p. 1
  74. Chapel Hill Recorder's Court convicts 14 of the Dow sit-in demonstrators Judge L. J. Phipps found 14 of the 15 people arrested at the March 18 Dow Chemical sit-in guilty of violating the state law against obstructing a public building; the charge against the fifteenth was dropped because no witness could identify him. He fined twelve of them $25 and two Southern Student Organizing Committee field workers $50, and withheld final judgment for six months on condition that they pay at once and stage no more illegal sit-ins. People: Luther James Phipps Place: Recorder's Court, Town Hall, Chapel HillSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, March 27, 1968, p. 1
  75. Orange County voters return commissioners Harvey Bennett and William Ray In the general election Orange County voters re-elected Democratic county commissioners Harvey Bennett of Chapel Hill and William Ray of Hillsborough over Republicans Paul Seibel and Clyde Williams, and returned Donald Stanford and Ike Andrews to the state House over P. H. Craig. The county gave Hubert Humphrey an easy win and Bob Scott nearly two to one for governor, and Chapel Hill Recorder's Court Judge L. J. Phipps led the six-man race for the new 15th District Court judgeships. People: Harvey Bennett, Luther James Phipps Place: Orange County polling places · Also named: William Ray, Paul Seibel, Clyde Williams, Donald Stanford, Ike Andrews, Bob ScottSearch the index · The Daily Tar Heel, November 7, 1968, p. 1
  76. Chapel Hill District Court fines six Black students over the overturned tables in Lenoir Hall Judge L. J. Phipps fined six Black students $150 each on disorderly conduct charges from the March 4 disturbance in Lenoir Hall during the food workers' strike, and ordered them until July 1, 1971, not to disrupt the work of the University or any other state college. Their lawyer entered pleas of no contest, and the Black Student Movement opened a legal defense fund to pay the fines. People: Luther James Phipps Place: District Court, Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Lenoir HallThe Daily Tar Heel, April 10, 1969, p. 1

People named in the same events

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Judge Luther James Phipps, 1898-1969 : memories.

Peele, Stanley · 2008

Thirteen pages of recollections of Judge Luther James Phipps, 1898 to 1969, assembled in 2008 by Stanley Peele with illustrations and portraits. Contributors are Libby Walters, Barry Winston, Marsha Ferree, Stanley Peele, Dana Phipps and Roland Giduz. It is biography of a Hillsborough judge. Part of UNC's North Carolina Collection.

Included because: Their name appears in the record.

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