North Carolina Newspapers

You Are Urged to Attend The Closing Exercises of The Williamston Schools, Beginning Tonight «&-■— ■ • • : WATcll THE LABEL ON YOUR PAPER, IT CARRIES THE DATE "YOUR SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRES " VOLUME XXVI—NUMBER 25 DENNIS GRIFFIN GETS 30 YEARS i • "* - " , ° ° —°— —®— —° ° —®— —o — —o Needleman's Case Dismissed for Lack of Evidence 23 Participants in Mob That Mutilated Needleman Get fl" « • I * • » Fines and Sentences Today WILLiFORD SPARROW SUBMITS AND PLEADS GUILTY_WEDNESDAY Grand Jury Makes No Charges Against Officials for The morning (Wednesday), and Judge N. A. Sinclair paused sentence on the 23 defendants, as follows: Dennis >ritlin Received the maxi mum punishment for second de gree murder, 30 yes's in the State Penitentiary. ¥ F. W. Sparrow, sr., F. W. Spar row, jr., und Julian liullack, not more than 10 years, not leas than 6 years in the State Penitentiary at labor. C'tajco Heath and E. C. Stone, not more than three and not leas than two yeara in the State Peni tentiary at hard labor. Johnny Gurkin, not mora than threes years ami not leaa than 18 mon|ba imprisonment. Alfred Griffin, Albert Gurkin, and Kay Gray, not more than 2 yeara a*4 act less uaa 1 year in the State Penitentiary. Albert Gorkin waa also fined J. r >oo and coats af his raae. Lester KdmOndson, Tom Har rell, L. H. Croom, John Gray Corey, Jim Horton Caitrain, Clar ence Gurkin, Allen Griffin, A. W. Griffin, and Hubert Griffin, SSOO fine and costs of their cases, the fines to be applied to the costs of this rase. Prayer for judgment , was allowed. John T. Sm.'hwick and A. T. l.illey; prayer for judgment was continued on account of the illness of these two defendants. Ben L.illey and John A. Griffin were released upon bonds of S2OO each for their appearance at each term of the Superior Court of Matin Couo'y for two years to show their gtMid behavior. Solicitor .Gilliam announced in open our; Wednesday morning that (he S ate waa withoat suffic ient evidence to ask the conviction of Joseph Needleman on the charge «l c. minal assault, and that wi(h i he consent of attorneys for the prosecution associated with him he would move for a plea oi ntft guilty. The motion was ordered accordingly by Judge Sinclair. F W. Sparrow, jr., who was ill and could not be triad las*, week, through his attorney, Fred Sutton, pleaded] guilty Wednesday morning. These cases off, the docket was cleared of J the cases which have brought such un desired notoriety to our grand cld county. Judge Sinclair said he was going to get them off the county be fore he left and to carry oiit his plan he has had to hfive court called and adjourned in Wilson each morning this week, awaiting his arrival to a sche duled term there. This was the last case on the docket of the Martin County court that waa in any way connected with the nM|> violence of March 28th, and the al leged assault upon Miss Effle Griffin Mareh 16th. Wilson and Hubert Griffin, of Golds boro, who were in the crowd at the church and tha sheriff's home pleaded nolo contendere, through their attor neys, and the solicitor accepted. Grand lory's Report In Its final report, rendered late yes terday afternoon, the gand jury re ported that it had "investigated care fully all matters before it," including whether or not there was any negli (Continued on pag« four) THE ENTERPRISE | . World's Eyet Now On Hindenburg 1 ■■ i 1 _ 9 G£ -'jof JR r *~* Wk Election of Marshal von Hin (lenhurg to the presidency »f Klu Germany by an overwhelming ,' vote, has brought forth varied Hkjr .. ■ opinion! of tta effects from ifl leader* nation®. ■ o/oaely for months to oottta, is, ooneeded. TMs Mff pisture of ■ the a* od war leader was taken I two weeks af*. Ha Is bow TO. ■ AIRPLANE DUSTING IN HALIFAX WILL BEHELI)ON FRIDAY ... *- ' T- I —*' ' Scotland Neck Prepares to Care for 10,000 Visitors at kitchin Farm in Halifax County A- ———— (Special to The Enterprise) Scotland Neck, May 12. —A meet ing of committees from chamber of commerce, merchants' association, and Kiwanis Club was .held yesterday morning to lay plans for the handling of the big crowd which ,is expected to attend the demonstration of ealcium arsenate dusting of cotton by airplane, which will be held on the J. A, Kitchin farm Friday, May 16. County Agent C. E. Littlejohn, in charge of the demonstration, ir expecting two air planes to take part in the demonstra tion, to which every coiton grower in eastern Carolina is urged to attend. Mr. B. F. Bracey was elected chair man of the committee from the civic bodies, and the following subcom mittees were appointed: Sheriff G. H. Johnson, chairman of traffic and parking committee, with au thority to name tke members of his committee. He is expected-to Itave a number of mounted guides to handle traffic and parking. Lewis B. Suiter was named "chair man of the rafWhmero .committee. At least 10,000 people are expect i, and every care is being tiTtiti to h:.n dle and feed the great crowd. 148 Commodities Made From Corn Abou' 148 commodities may be made from corn, including such items as axle grease powder, shoe heels and chair cushions, cigarette holders, and gun powder, shaving soap varnish, and other things. The value of the corn crop is greater than the value of any other crop grown in this country. f~ An Explanation In order to carry the sentences pronounced on members of the mob, which were not made until Wednesday morning, this issue of The Enterprise is appearing a day late, and we are carrying Wednes day's court proceedings in Tues days paper. Holding our forms un-; til Wednesday morning appeared to be the beat plan for serving our readers with the first news of the completion of the case, and in this instance -we feel we are justified in appearing late, because we are giv ing "tomorrow's newa today." THE PUBLISHERS. Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, May 12,1925 COMMENCEMENT AT EVERETTS SCHOOL WILL BEGIN TODAY Judge Winston, Rev. 1. L. Veitrby, and Dr. Perry Case to Talk; .Picnic Dinner and Baseball Game The commencement exercises of the bveieU:; High School will get under way today, when the baccalaureate sermon will be delivered by licv. I. L. \earby, pastor of the Hap. ist* Church Hi Turboro, N. ('. On Wednesday evening, May 13, there wiil lie uu operetta giveii 4 by the grapimar grades and the high school. The primary department will pre sent its program on 'I hursday event ing, May 14. On Friday morning, at II o'clock, J here will be an educational address by Judge Francis I). Wi/iston, of Wind -150r,,,-Following the address of Judge Winston a picnic will b given on the ground. There will also he a base ball game ftt 3.30 p. m., at which time Grimesland will play Everetts. On Friday evening, May 15, the graduating exorcises will be held, and the commencement address will be livered by Dr. Perry Case, of Wilson, N. C. Mr. James I). Caesell 1 ound Dead in Bed James I). Cassell was fouinl dead in bed at his i.;.ar here Saturday morning. Mr. Cassell hail plowed all day Friday, and went to bed in his Uiiual health. . 'J' 'V-u- born in Martin County in 1846, makin" him 78 years old. Mr. Cassell was married 56 yei rs ago to Mii.s Mary Midgt tte, of Morehead City. They had eight children, only three of which are now living, as fol lows: Eil anil John A. Cissell, and Mfrs. Lula l.illey. w He was buried Sunday afternoon in the Short Cemetery in Willi.nns Town ship. Rev, A. J. Manning conducted the funeral. Select Seed Areas of Small Grains Now Now is a good time- to be looking over the .small grain field to palect f lio.se areas that will be saved for seed. Seed of abruzzi rye, Fulghum, and Appier oats and pure-bred wheat are especially in demand, says Dr. R. Y.' Winters, of State College. Announce Birth of a Sop Solicitor Mrs. Don Gilliam, of Tarboro, announce the birth of a son at the Edgecombe General Hospital Monday, May 11. WILL HOLD CLASS DAY EXERCISES ON WEDNESDAY Exercise* lieunn Tonight With Music Recital by Pupils of Mrs. Martin; Graduation Program Thursday Following the music recital of the pupils of Mrs. Wheeler Martin, jr., at the graded school auditorium tonightl when the graduates of the grammar school will receive certificates, the commencement exercises *;ill continue Hiightly through Thursday night. The class day-exercises will he held a . B.HO Wednesday night. afTd they will be -in the form of a court, lien- Jamin Courtney will be the judge and all the 14 members of the class will! participate. .The pfogram is partieu | liirly entertaining and original. I "Miss Laura Orleans; why made the' highest scholarship average during the four-year high school course is vale dictorian of her class This is (juite an honor to MiKs Orleans* Miss Mar garet Manning, who made 5S average very nearly as high, will make the salutatory address for the class. Thursday evening the graduating exercises will be held Dr. Hubert M I'oteat, who was recently elected president of the classical societies of! the South mid West, will make the ad dress. Diploma* to the fourteen graduates will be given, and u medal given an nually by the chamber of commerce; to the best all-round student in the; high school will be presented. No Charges Made Against Officers by Grand Jury Following is the text of the grand jury's report, as handed to Judge Sinelair today: To (he Judge of the Superior Court: This is toeertify that we, the grand jury, have passed on all bills pertaining to the mob ease, the rape case, etc., that have been handed to us by the solicitor. We have also examined all witnesses that have been before us in regard to the negli gence of the county officers and have left no work undone. We have also had before us Mr. H. C. (*rcen, chairman of the Hoard of County Commissioners, and explained to him duty in regard to m iking a new jury list the first Monday in June. (Signed) (i. H. HARRISON, / Foreman. Williamston, N. C., May 12,1925 JAMESVILLIi HAS FINE PROGRAM Sermon by Dr. Spdlman and Excellent Exercises by Children at Com mencement hxercittes I ' (Special to 'f'he Enterprise) , - •-. Janiusville, May 10.—rCogimence ment exercises of the high sdhoof be gan iu.st Friday night and came to an end last night. On Friday night the primacy grades gave a very fine pro gram. Or. B. W. Spillman, of Kjn ston, preached the annual sermon. Monday night was given over to the grammar grade pupils, and they gave a most attractive and entertaining program. A high school play, "Pattie Makes Things Hum," was given by the high school students on Tuesday night. The large auditorium was packed to its limit. On Wednesday morning the senior, class exercises were held. ©resident Wright, of Greenville College, deliv ered the literary address immediately after the close of the class exercises., Picnic dinner was served in the grove just across the street. At 2 o'clock eleven boys and girls came on the platform for a recitation and declamation contest. The reciters Continued on page fo^r) EP WORTH LEAGUE DISTRICT MEETING HERE FRIDAY, 15th Representatives of League Chapters Ffom All Over District Are Expected; The Program An all-day group meeting oftho Ep worth League, Weldon District, will be held in the Methodist Church here Friday morning, May 15, at 10 o'clock. The young people of all churches are invited to the meeting, which will last from 10 a. m. until it o'clock in the afternoon. . Representatives from all over the Weldon District will be in attendance, and a gr?at meeting is expected. ' . The program for the day follows: Address of welcome, by Rev. K. I). Podd*. A league song by all leaguers. Conference-wide League Work, by Rev. T. McM. Grant. Gree ings from Raleigh tlisuict, by Miss- -Eunice UlttH. Special music by one of the leagut s The league * Working with the | Church, by Rev. Daniel Lane. Song by- all the leaguers. The . League and Evangelism, by Rev K. L. Hillman. The league Assembly, liy .Miss! Blanche Itarringer. Picnic dinper at 1 o'clock. Reports from each of the leagues ih | the afternoon!* Plan to attend this prograni. "Wei don district Works," ANNUAL SERMON IS HEARD BY MANY iJev. Morrison liethea, Archbishop of North Carolina, Preaches School liacrulaureate Sermon Hev,,'Morrison liethea, Archbishop of Kuril! Carolina, preached the bac calaureate sermon lo the graduating class of the Williamston High School at th Episcopal Church Sufiday night. The church was filled, extra chairs be ing required to seat the large congre gation. Mr. iluihea said that 14 years ago h.i' preached his first sermon' In North Carolina, which a Williamston congregation. He rehoinded the class that many changes had taken place-in that brief space of time. Many peo ple had departed to return no more, and that the next 14 yeais would bring many more changes. His tfcxt was taken from. Matthew 7:24, describing the wine and the fool ish builder. He declared that no man could bliild' fi True life, except upon a •solid foundation, describing man as a threefold being, body, mind, and soul, and that every person should develop all three faculties if he would be great. A stsrong body is necessary to house a strong mind, and a cultivated mind is essential for a broad soul. In the matter of work he said there were many people who were willing to 'Nine Speeches Made to Jury in Closing I)avs of Trial; 52-Minute Charge | • May»Day Kiss » Mr». Coolidge is never happier than when tiny tots cull on her at Uie White House —this on* getting • raai love kiss during his Mu r Day ttlL 9 TOBACCO CO-OPS OFF TO K VLKICiH ANNUAL MiAli To hear Members From All Hells in Three States At Meeting May 19 Headquarters of the Tobacco Grow ers Cooperative Association at lialeigh promises to be tho mecca for mem bers of (he association from three States next' Tuesday, May lit, when the afThUttl nn-etin>> »f llie association will "bejholtl in I'ullen Hall at the NorMr Carolina State College. Lively intercut has developed anions the tobacco farmers of Virginia and> South Carwlyia in this annual,meeting of thfi^obuetio—cooperative, owing In thi* fact that the directors have urged attendance from every State, and if possible from every county of the three States in which it operates. The policy of wide-open publicity which the .tobacco association has adopted since inviting and publishing the report of public officials from the three States on its affairs and policies will he the feature of »hp armual/meet ing next week, at which time a full report by Richard R. Patterson, man ager (if the association, is to be fol lowed by a frank discussion from members representing every tobacco tell in the ('arolinas and Virginia, as to' the plans and policies for the sea son of 1925-26. It is expected that next week's meeting will be the largest fathering t,f tobacco planters who have eve.r met "together as representatives of the to bacco belts of the three States. It will unqut stionahly have much influ eijce in shaping the policies of the new board, whose election will be confirmed at' this meeting by the members. ■•This wiH.be tin fir.-i time in the his tory of tobacco growing when farmers from the •swamps of the I'ee Dee ifi South Carolina and mountaineers from the dark fired tobacco district of Virginia meet face to face with North Carolina growers in large numbers to draw up plans for their mu'ual benefit. . It is known that numbers of dele gations from Virginia and South Car olina are alreadv h'iing formed' to at tend 'ftragday's meeting at State Col lege, and as majority of the tobacco co-ops live within less than a hundred miles of Kaleigh there is every reason to expert a record-breaking annual Kit back and say that the world owed them a living. He admitted it was true that the world did owe every man a living, but first of all every man owed the world an honest, upright life. The sermon was well received by the congregation, and everyone seemed to have heartily enjoyed being present, meeting ADVERTISERS .WILL HND OIK , COLUMNS A LATCHKEY TO 1600 HOMES OF MARTIN COUNTS EPTAIIIJLSHfiI) 189$ State ( oncludrs With Its Rebuttal Testimony Saturday i he .VuU',.i !i ri'.'v - niveau their re bu ai ,t viiieuce .Saturday morning, concluding their agam.,t Julian llullock, Dennis" (iniiii., 0 i Kow*m v 'l'**i aiui 1. VV ' Sparrow, si . anil t laro Heath, ot Kiiistou. Ihe Stale bewail hj cailiiu! Allen' • Criflln, of (iritfin.s lowiiihip,' to the witness chair, (ir irliii ' IKI.; already pleadedrtjuilty to Uie char w oi beipg • 111 acce.«oi> to tile jail breaking, anil'"' .his testimony* Was used a./, -mean's of identification. Me said, that he .saw Clare Heath, the Npariows, 11. DeiuiiV (TrilVin, and lulia'tr r:iiT|V.,k u ,,'. ln ,,i, on the night of Maich L'M'h. Dr. Thigpen lesldien Dr. l'liigpeii. a special Ueputv com missioned after ||„- jailbiviik.ng ou Saturday uighi, At:ire!i J?s, and who wj,s w ill .1,411* -tii ii■ r when tiny ar cd Cjaiu lliuUi was U.>CAJ to help break down tli, .(rung . defense of lleaTJi. Wh MI h was arrested Heath" did not seem u, prised,-but remarked 1 1.lit he wa.- mA_jiUrpl iseil, as.lie.Mime lint's wt'iit With K. VV. Sparrow,"jr., "'jl'' " ol know that he could show thai In* was not there. Dr Thigpen - ail he heard .Allen C» "in. Johnny ami Albert Cur.kin, without a threat or promise, make the statement that both Sparrows and ' laro Heath wene at Skewarkee with i the mob, Hefore cross-examination, in which nothing new was developed, I)r Thig j pen said that Jesse Hen Kohwrson said - to and jlarnhrll, "The * * * i Jew got what was* coining to-him; if | I have, I woufel have" helped fix .. him." 11 l ittle 16-year-old John A. Griffin, | , Iw 111 !U'l uT t.i 1 111;. - > S|i:il-r..l»_ dii| • not implicate Heath, hut li recognized llullock, Griffin, and the Sparrows, I . , | senior and junior. He said he spoke j,- to VVilliford Sparrow, who introrfaeed ,| him; io his father. This wasi the i weii'ht of his testimony. |,i l'\ W, S|>arrow, Jr., Recovers •| At this time Dr. WrK Warren an . nouiiced to the court that K. W. Spar ! row, jr., who had been ill for .veveral |day>, was entirely well and himself, TTfgalTi; While" Spamm wrrr rlf he wa.t ,I nursed ffy his wife in the .women's , quarter, of the jail. Another procession of character wit nesses to pass on the character of Mr. I and Mis. Tom Hariihill look the stage. Antony them were Mayor J. W. liook, J-Si 11- .Martin, nephew-of the man I whose character he was impugning, , W. M. l'ruitt, S. C. Ives, J. K. Carson, .! K. 1.. Mayo, Vance Hunting, W. C. Whiteliursf, T. It Andrews, rffWvK. L. Andrews, all of liethbl. Not a o,ne had , n good word io say for either Mr. or Mrs. Itarnhill. Mr.jS. 11. Martin, of llethel, In ought idea to court, lie said that he saw two cars with kinston licenses pass through llethel. together, both going at a high rate of speed, in - I none of fie proceedings has this other car been accounted foj, * but it is .| thouglii by iime who 1 were present , I that there' Was one more car present that night .than has come out. _.Rov. K D. Dodd ka the Stand - Rev. K. D. Dodd, of the local Metho i dist- Church, was ne-t brought to the ij stand. According to his testimony he I visited Julian Bullock ut'the Turboro | jail upon the solicitation of his ■ 'brother-:, j. o. Mullock-, and thutdur- .. ■ ling the visit Julian llullock told him —^ - that he was in the mob,'and told him - o'hers. A number of those who have > submitted were named' over, hut the I nan>es of some who hnve rmt Iteen i implicated we: e 1 barred on account I of incompetence. _ Edgar Johnson f Sherwood Koherson, i James Henry Gray, Grady Smith, and i Louis Johnson, alt p( Hobersonville, J and the last witnesses to scorf- a point i in this historic case, admitted coming . to Skewarkee Church,' being present' t r when the last plans were made in re- I gard to the disposition of Needleman (Continued on page 4)