North Carolina Newspapers

Jgf In these columns will be |V found a fair presentation of local and county news W' of general interest. Volume 111. —Number 2. “Dick” Hall Enters 55th Year As Fireman Holds Distinction of Be ing Oldest Fireman In State RE-ELECTED CHIEF Rehearses Organization Os Edenton Volunteer Fire Department Suppose you were 16 years of age and that Edenton had only a group of young men who volunteered to .grab a bucket from any handy place and rush to a fire thus prepared to battle a razing conflagration. And suppose further that someone asked you to join this aggregation without reward, or hope of reward, and that you were expected to con tinue fighting fire for more than a half century for practically no re muneration, what would be your answer? This is the truly remarkable record attained by “Cap’n Dick” Hall, as he is affectionately known by every man, woman and child in Edenton. Although the remaining few strands of hair which adorn his head wherein repose many sentimental thoughts and lofty ideals has taken on a hue of grey and his furrowed brow is plenteifully supplied with numerous wrinkles, Captain Dick carries a light heart accompanied by a pleasant smile and a quick step. No one would ever suspect that he celebrated the 70th anniversary of his birthday Christmas Day. Bom in Hertford on December 25, 1965, the year the Civil War ended, Mr. Hall removed to Edenton with his parents seven years later, where he has resided since that time. “In the year 1881,” said Chief Hall, “we organized the first volunteer firemen’s brigade in Edenton. We had no equipment, but each member, as well as any other citizen so dis posed, grabbed the nearest water bucket convenient and rushed to the scene of the fire. We formed two .lines so that the buckets could be quickly passed back and forth to and from the source of water supply. It js surprising how much water could She thrown on a fire in this manner. “Realizing that we were handi capped in getting the water to the tops of the houses, we persuaded the town council to purchase a hook and ladder outfit for us, which they did. This was about four or five years later. I served as head ladder man. The late J. H. Bell was captain. later succeeded Mr. Bell as captain. \Ve did not have an office of fire chief. The captain was the ‘head man’ in those days. “Several years later the town in stalled water lines and put in fire plugs. E. R. Conger was mayor at that time and he purchased three hand-drawn hose reels for us and had metal houses constructed in conven ient sections of the town in which to store them. The hose was rolled on a reel, or large spool. The volunteers living in the neighborhood nearest to a particular reel house were as signed to that Company. VA Mr. Sudam, who operated an irqn foundry, was elected the first firb chief and R. F. Tuttle, now with th4 State Department of Revenue, was assistant chief. I was captain of the No. 2 Reel Company,” con tiimied Chief Hall. “The Court House befi was mounted in the pail yard at thb rear of the Court House. When a fire broke out someone rang the bell and we all rushed to our respective reel houses and dragged out the hand-reel. Some times we hooked it ontlo a passing buggy, bat in most ca&es we ran with it and were just ab4ut winded when we reached the fi«V” Chief Sudam removed from Eden ton and Mr. Tuttle became fire chief and Captain Dick was elected as his assistant. Mr. Tuttle resigned in the, year 1921 for business reasons and recommended the election of Mr. Hat as his successor and he has Betted as fire chief since that time. “Cap’n Dick” had the distinction of holding the first nozzle through “which water was ever thrown on a firtf in Edentop. “We thought that th* was the greatest improvement lift would ever be possible in fire said Chief Hall, “but we later to learn that fire fighting to take on a progres ggHand scientific aspect. Thirteen SWBs ago, after many resolutions had adapted by our ‘boys’ and sent rPSI Town Council begging them to phmper, our ambition was 350-gallon per minute ;; /~. mLd on Page Five) THE CHOWAN HERALD A HOME NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF CHOWAN COUNTY Edenton, Chowan County, lNortn Carolina, Thursday, January 9, 1936. I REAL VETERAN j m R. K. HALL Fire Chief R. K. Hall, who at the beginning of 1936 entered his 55th year as a volunteer fireman in Edenton. Captain Dick, as he is affectionately known, has the fire department at heart and was re-elected fire chief at the an nual election of officers last week. Mr. Hall is very well known and loved by firemen all over North Carolina. Betty Wales Receives Book Inscribed By President’s Mother Betty Wales, young daughter of Mr. and, Mrs. C. P. Wales, probably is one of the produest girls in Eden ton. Betty has just received a book, “Gracious Lady,” by Rita S. Klee man, which has been inscribed by Sara Delano Roosevelt, mother of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The book is a present from Mr. Wales’ sister, Miss Marguerite A. Wales, who is very intimately ac quainted with Mrs. Roosevelt, the latter writing the following message in the book: “Inscribed for the little niece in North Carolina of Miss Wales. Greetings from a friend of the Henry Street Nurses. Sara Delano Roosevelt.” ED BOND POST IS ANXIOUS TO HELP YOUTH OF TOWN Legionnaires Start Movement To Provide Recreational Facilities For The Boys A goodly number of the members of Ed Bond Post attended the meet ing of the Post Tuesday night in ans wer to cards sent out by John A. Holmes, the commander. The meeting was very interesting, the Legionnaires discussing various ideas and plans for,the coming year. Among the plans discussed, and the one demanding the greatest atten tion was the securing of an audi torium or gymnasium for Edenton. The Post sensed the absolute need of facilities for indoor sports and other activities and will, as far as they are able, support any movement to secure a building. 1 The Legionnaires, however, felt that some imnjediate action should be taken for the welfare of boys and young men of the town. It was the concesus of opinion that a reading room should be provided where the youth could gather and read or play table games similar to the opportun ity afforded in towns where there is aY. M. C. A. ' , A committee was appointed to investigate ways and means of secur ing such a reading room, with in structions to report at the next meet ing of the Post. This committee is composed of Qeddes Potter, C. E. Kramer and Sheriff J. A. Bunch. County Schools Get A New Dodge Bus The Chowan County administrative unit off the public schools is nov sporting a brand new truck, which arrived ready for use on Monday. The new truck is a Dodge with a capacity of 45 pupils. The new vehicle will replace the old No. 10 bus at Chowan High School and will take in the territory around Ward’s. The old bus has been in bad shape for sometime and will be dis KOTARIANS HOST TO E. H. S. 1935 FOOTBALL SQUAD Twenty-seven Invited to Banquet Tonight In Parish House 13 GET LETTER “E” Coach Leon Brogden Is Praised For Develop ment of Fine Team The Edenton High School football squad, coach and co-managers will be honor guests tonight of the Edenton Rotary Club when a dinner will be served in the Parish House at 7 o’clock. Twenty-seven guests have been invited, and the affair promises to be one of the most enjoyable events on the Rotary calendar. The Edenton team again this year won the eastern championship, but lost to Mt. Airy for the State crown. The team, however, had a very suc cessful season, and the Rotarians, as well as the entire section, feel very proud of the record hung up. The local club will stage the dinner as a token of its appreciation for the ef forts of the boys, boys’ work being one of the major objectives on the club’s program. President Bill Hart will be in charge of the meeting, with an ap propriate program planned for the occasion. The guests will include tHe regular string, substitutes, second team, coach and co-managers. Much credit is due Coach Leon Brogden, who was forced to practically rebuild the team upon his arrival in Eden ton, and besides has created more in terest in the sport, resulting in the organizing of a second team which has made an excellent record also and will be the source of new material for the first string. Mr. Brogden i has showp his ability as a coach and has won the friendship, respect and ' esteem of the entire student body and the citizens in general. Thirteen players have this year been awarded their letter “E” for service on the gridiron. These were Paul Spencer, Worth Spencer, Melvin Layton John Harrell, Calvin Sexton, John Byrum, Vernon Spruill, James Smith, Reuben Miller, Josiah Elliott, Edward Wozclka, James Cozzens, and Robert Chesson. Aside from the above boys the second string will also attend the Rotary affair. This list includes Pete Everett, Clyde Spencer, William Cay ton, Stanley Spruill, Sidney White, Fred Hoskins, Ewell Hobbs, Edward Bass, Thomas Byrum, William Shepard and George Ward. Credit has been given Coach Brog den and the football players, and rightly so, but there are two other boys who although have not donned a uniform, were just as much inter ested and worked just as hard for the welfare of their schooL These two boys are Junius Davis and Joe Con ger, co-managers of the Aces. Both, no doubt, will be called upon for some remarks, at the meeteing to night. Much comment was heard regard ing the Easte-West all-star game held in Winston-Salem on New Year’s Day, when Edenton contributed more than its share to the East team, which came out victorious. The Edenton boys gave a good account of themselves in the Tobacco Bowl, with Melvin Layton snagging a pass to make the only score. The luncheon tonight takes the place of the regular noon meeting and every Rortaian is urged to attend. New Equipment Now On School Grounds The school ground at the Edenton High School has been improved, the old and worn-out see-saws and swings being replaced by new ones on Tues day. Six brand new see-saws and swings were installed and shortly after completion the children ex pressed their approval by occupying every one with a large number await ing their chance to try out the new equipment. Paul Olsson Paints Portrait Joseph Hewes Paul Olsson, local artist, on Satur day completed a 26x30 portrait of Joseph Hewes which will be the hotel which was recently re named Hotel Joseph Hewes in honor of the signer of the Declaration of Independence and outstanding colo4 nial citizen. HOSPITAL COST CAUSES CONCERN OF COUNTY BOARD County’s Expense Grad ually Jumps From S3OO to SIBOO CHARITY* CASES Matter Will Be Investi gated In Hope Reduc ing Outlay The Chowan County Commissioners mete in regular monthly session on Monday morning, the meeting con tinuing over until late in the after noon. A full board was present, in cluding D. M. Warren, chairman; W. H. Winborne, A. D. Ward, A- C. Boyce and J. B. Webb. An item giving the Commissioners much concern is the gradual rising amount the County is being called up on to pay for hospital bills. At the outset when charity cases were ar ranged to be sent to the Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City the Com missioners were given to understand that S3OO would be enough to cover the expenses. However, this amount has. been becoming larger and larger until it has reached around SIBOO, and the governing body has decided there must be a halt on this item of expense. No definite action was taken in the matter at the meeting Monday, but the proposition will be investigated during the month and possibly some action taken at the February meet ing. There appears to be a lack of in formation regarding those sent to the hospital. The patients are sent there with the Commissioners re ceiving no report from the hospital other than the number of days spent there and a bill for the case. aHSbe Commissioners feel that a re- J port should be received at intervals showing the progress of the patients and the number of days that are ab solutely necessary for them to be there. The Commissioners no doubt, will seek information relative to care of the County’s charity cases in an endeavor to cut down this source of expense. Hereafter the County will require employers or someone associated with patients to be responsible for hospital bills, thus relieving the County of a certain amount of ex pense that can be paid by those bene fitted. W. J. Taylor, welfare officer, and Dr. J. A. Powell, health officer, appeared before the Commissioners explaining the difficutly encountered in dealing with charity hospital cases in the County. The Commissioners also were of the opinion that it was cheaper to buy milk for the County Home than to buy a cow for use at the Home. The Board also agreed to pay half of the rent for the sewing roooms of WPA, the total of which was $36. The town will pay the other half of this expense in order to maintain the sewing rijom project. MASONS INSTALL NEW OFFICIALS J. A. Curran Made Master of Lodge For Year, Succeeding W. C. Bunch Officers for the year were installed on Thursday night by Unanimity- Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., with Past Master F. O. Muth conducting the ceremony and A. S. Hollowell and W. J. Daniels acting as marshals. The lodge’s elective officers are as followsr Master, J. A. Curran; senior warden, W. M. Wilkins; junior war den, G. A. Helms; treasurer, C- H, Wood; secretary, J. Edwin Bufflap. The new master, who replaces W. C. Bunch, has named the following sub-ordinate officers: Senior deacon, J. R. Byrum; junior deacon, C. W, Sawyer; tiler, Paul Olsson; senior steward, B. F. Britton; junior stew ard, J. A. Crawford; chaplain, W. C. Bunch. A. S. Hollowell will act as educa tional secretary for the year, with E,- T. Rawlinson heading the orphanage committee, and W. J. Daniels the lodge’s post card committee. The publicity chairman is Mayor E. W. Spires, and H. A. Campen will fill the important position of captain of the degree team. POWERFUL TELEPHONE LINE Russians have constructed the world’s most powerful telephone line, connecting Moscow with Khabarovk in eastern Siberia, neariy 6,000 miles distant Death Os AAA Puts Farmers In Quandary Edenton Contributes Large Share to East And West Struggle Football fans in Edenton were de lighted last Thursday to learn of the victory of the Eastern all-star high school team over the Western aggre gatoin. Especially was it gratifying to learn that six of the Edenton Aces performed in the Tobacco Bowl game, including Paul Spencer, Worth Spen cer, Vernon Spruill, Calvin Sexton, Edward Wozelka and Melvin Layton. The Edenton boys formed a nucleus around which a team was put on the field that appeared to have been play ing together all season rather than only five days prior to the contest. All of the Edenteon boys played out standing ball with Paul Spencer ap pearing to be. the whole show during the second half. Melvin Layton also brought honor to himself, the East and the local school when he grabbed a looping pass from a group of Western play ers in the shadow of their goal and crossed the line for the first counter in the East-West contest in two years. The Edenton boys have won the praise of those who witnessed the game as well as many sport writers and the town as a whole is proud of their record. SEEKING RURAL ELECTRIFICATION Spirited Meeting Held In N. K. Rowell’s Office On Wednesday Afternoon With the heavy rain yesterday acting as a hindrance a goodly num ber of Chowan farm residents met in the Farm Agent’s office and went on record as being strongly in favor of rural electrification. D. E. Jones, State specialist on the subject, after addressing a similar gathering of Perquimans residents in the morn ing, came here for yesterday’s gath ering and aroused the thirty or so present, many of whom were women, by saying “the time has come to out grow the era of lamps and candles.” His auditors, who through them selves and ancestors, have lived in surh an era since the formation of th county 278 years ago, acted as if in hearty accord. Farm Agent N. K. Rowell intro duced Mr. Jones, who explained that a survey of the county’s electrifica tion needs had already been made and that the Virginia Power and Electric Company, which would be expected to supply the current, would move as soon as the financial guaran tees had been assured. In the round table discussion L. W. Belch and County. Commissioner W. H. Win borne, B. W. Evans and J. D. Ward, who have been behind the movement as a sort of special committee, took part. Helms Cracks Down On Illegal Skating Chief of Police G. A. Helms is ap pealing to the parents of children to cooperate in the breaking up of the practice of roller skating on the streets and sidewalks in the business section. He wishes to emphasize the fact that a town ordinance is now in force which prohibits roller skating on any street in town and also the sidewalks in the business district. Mr. Helms has informed The Her ald that the ordinance will be en forced and that all persons over 16 years who violate the law will be ar rested and those under that age will have their skates impounded. The Chief of Police desires to make it clear that he is reluctant to inter fere with the pleasure of the young sters, but that the chances of being injured or possibly killed are too great to allow skaters to use the streets for their pastime. Skating is permitted on sidewalks out of the business district, and Mr. Helms urges parents to assist in keeping the children out of danger and out of trouble with officers. Degree Work Tonight At Masonic Meeting The degree team of the local Ma- The lodge is in excellent shape, day night preparatory to putting on the third degree at the meeting to night. This will be the first degree work under the new set of officers and a large attendance is expected. The lodge is in.excellent shepe, showing a slight increase in mem bership for the past year, and plans are already on foot to make the year. 1936 even more successful. J This newspaper is circu lated in the territory where Advertisers will realize good results. $1.25 Per Year Disturbs All Who Have Been Benefited By Measure STILL OPTIMISTIC Hope For Substitute Method to Help Dirt Farmers Action last Monday by the Supreme Court of the United States in over throwing the Agricultural Adjust ment Act and instantly stopping all contractual benefits accruing under it, a body blow to farming every where, was met three ways in Chowan. It proved upsetting to those who have made pledges under it, naturally it was disturbing to all who have joined in the monetary benefits resulting from it, but it found everyone optimistic and hope ful that the administration, in a far reaching way, would find a method, and soon, to carry on through legis lation that the courts would be able to subsequently view as proper and constitutional. The court’s opinion, the ultimate effects of which are even yet not thoroughly understood, comes as a rebuke and slap in the face of dirt farmers hereabouts, and nothing much else has been discussed any where since last Monday. Chowan agriculturists, ever slow to be resent ful, nevertheless talk “politics” as being behind.it all as if a repudiation of the “New Deal” They are, how ever, in thorough sympathy with the administration, and are determined to join with it in making the fight a clean cut one in the future. Since the AAA has been in force Chowan farmers have received con tract payments under it totaling $170,000 or more, according to Farm Agent N. K. Rowell. The income from agriculture, or directly traceable to it, in this county during the same period was about $1,875,000 greater in 1934 than in the year previous. The husbandmen view this as a bene ficial result from the legislation and are prone to lay down without a stiff fight in Congress or at the polls. Mr. Rowell said on Tuesday that about 80 per cent of the 1,027 Chow an farmers were for the AAA, and that the balance either showed an in difference or were against it. Sigs ups have been made by 99per cent of the peanut crop, 100 per cent of the tobacco crop, 90 per cent of the cotton crop, and 75 per cent of the corn-hog men. On this basis it is safe to say that about 99 per cent in Chowan favored the contractural natures of the AAA. Further statistics given by Mr. Rowell were that during the 1909- 1914 period the farmers of the nation shared in about 18 per cent of the national wealth. That between 1928- 1929 this dropped to around 10 per cent, and in 1932 to 7 per cent. Under the New Deal it started swinging back, however, and in 1934 had touched at 10.2 per cent and every one in this section reckoned it as sure it would go further onward to the earlier day normalcy this year. As the decision is roughly under stood here all efforts made by the present administration have been ren dered useless. Nearly all contract checks have been paid out previous to the decision so that much is in the bag, so to speak, and an order; went from the U. S. Treasury last night to all banks ordering what checks may be presented should be cashed; At Mr. Rowell’s office the situation is in some confusion. The farm agent received a telegram Monday after noon to cease all AAA activities and encourage no further expense. It al so directs that all clerks be dropped immediately, and this Mr. Rowell said he would regretfully acquiesce in. Just what the outecome will be in this direction, or whether the deci sion, following so closely upon the upset of the NRA, will mean the abolishment of the resettlement bu reau here, indirectly identified with the Department of Agriculture, is all a matter of conjecture. But one thing was certain — Chowan evidenced a united front against the court which the farmers believe favors the wealth of the na tion rather than the masses. FOR LIVESTOCK PROTECTION For protection of livestock an ap pliance has been invented that sends an electric current harmless to hu man beings, horses and cattle but deadly to predatory animals through jwire fencing at five-second intervals.