Advartiaani Will Fnd Our Col
oini a Latchkey to Over Sixteen
Hundred Martin County Homes
VOLUME XXXIII—NUMBER 96
HENRY MIZELLE
FOUND DEAD IN
HIGHWAY CAMP
Evidence Indicates Martin
Man Was Murdered
Near Conetoe
INVESTIGATING CASE
Funeral at Home in Bear Grass This
Afternoon; Interment Will Be
Made in Mobley Cemetery
Henry Mizelle. young white man of
this county, either committed suicide
or was shot to death in a highway
camp, near Conetoe Creek, Edgecombe
county, early yesterday morning.. Fol
lowing an investigation by Sheriff
Bardin and the coroner of Edgecombe,
the suicide theory was advanced, later
action on the part of officers and the
ijury indicating that Mizelle had been
murdered*
About ten o'clock yesterday mor
ning, Mizelle went to the camp and
entered his room, A short while later,
the cook working next door, is said to
have heard a shot and went to
le's room and found him dead. Other
members of the road force were called
and an investigation was started. j
First reports indicated that Mizejle'
had taken his own life, but after ex-j
amining the body, officers were of'
the opinion that the man was shot by
someone else. There were no signs of
powder marks on his head, and there
it a difference as to the pistol balls
that were examined by the jury. In
the back of the man's head there is
a very small hole; on the front there
is a much larger one, indicating that
the shot entered from the rear.
A. T. Pinkom, of Washington, em
ploye of the Highway Commission,
said that Mizell remarked to him just
before the shooting: "I have some
thing on my mind that 1 can't get off.
I figure that I am going to kill myself
some time." Kinkom said he told him
not to do that, and Mizell replied: "I
figure I would be better off,"
He said that he and Mizell re
turned to their work of drilling in
concrete and had drilled about three
inches and found water necessary for
the work and Mizell went to get a
bucket at the camp house. He had
been gone five or ten minutes whenj
Mr. Dunlap and an employe come run
ning and said Mizell had killed him-'
self.
Funeral services and burial are
scheduled this afternoon subject to 1
postponement pending findings by the'
coroner's jury. Elder B. S. Cowin will
conduct the services, and interment
will follow in the Mobley Cemetery, in
Bear Grass township.
The son of Mr. and Mrs, Luke
Mizelle, of Bear Grass township, the
young man had been in the employ
of the highway commission for two
years. In a letter written the night be
fore to his wife, he enclosed some
money, but the note, it is said, gave
no evidence of any rash act.
He is survived by his four children,
his mother and father, three brothers
and two sisters.
»
DIES AT HOME
IN KENTUCKY
Judge W. Williams Was'
Son of Former Martin 1
Man, Dr. J. G. Williams f
Judge W. W. Williams, son of Dr.
John Gamble Williams formerly of !
this county, died at his home in Pres
tonsburg, Ky. January 14th. Brother
to the late Henry Williams and Miss
Courtney Williams, and an uncle of I
Mrs. T. C. Cook and Joseph Rober
son, of this place. Dr. Williams left
Williamston when a youhg man and
went to Kentucky where he married,
and made his home.
Born in Prestonburg in 1877, Judge
Williams overcome the many handi-.
caps facing, a youth of his day, and ,
attained a high position in the Ken-,
tucky courts. He had no children, but
the Floyd County Times, a paper pu- j
blished in Prestonsburg, credits him
with educating fifteen boys and girls at
his own adding that he was
highly esteemed for bis philanthropic
deeds, fine and up-right
character.
Although Judge Williams never vi
sited here, his work in Kentucky was
known here by many of those having
acquaintance with his father, the late
Dr. Gamble Williams.
f,ocMl Scouts To Celebrate
Twenty-first Anniversary
•
The local Boy Scout Troop is plan
ning a big celebration of the twenty
first Anniversary of Scouting. Next
week the boys will have on display at
Margolis Bros. Many articles that I
they have made in their Merit Badge 1
work- The public is invited to see this
work which is of unusual quality. The
celebration will be claimed with a
community service to be held at the
Baptist church Sunday Februray 8. |
' Rev. John Barclay, minister and
(scoutmaster, of Wilson, will be the
'
THE ENTERPRISE
Plans Nearing
For A Curb
The establishment of a county
curb market here within a short
time was practically made certain
this week when Miss Lora E.
Sleeper, home demonstration a
gent, announced that opening
plana were nearing completion.
According to a statement made by
the agent yeeterday afternoon, the
market will be operated in the
courthouse hall,s provided the un
dertaking proves successful.
Field work is being carried on
by the agent in an effort to perfect
an organization among the farm
ers and farm women who will pre
pare their produce for sale.
ClubWomen Defend
Home Agent's Office
WILL CARRY THE
MATTER BEFORE
COMMISSIONERS
Many Women Expected to
Take Part in Discussion
Here Monday
A proposed study advanced by the.
Robersonville Woman's club recently |
in an effort to reduce county expenses
by discontinuing the office of home
demonstrator in Martin county
brought sure fire, practically every
home demonstration club in the coun
ty rising to arms in behalf of the of
fice. Opposition to the discontinuance
'of the home agent's office has been
centered in the very few districts
where the work has progressed, leav
ing more than 95 per cent of the tax
payers and citizens unheard from.
It is learned from the various clubs ;
through expressions already made pu
blic or that are being made public to
| day, that representatives will appear
! before the county board of commis
sioners here next Monday in behalf of
i the office. The Robersonville Woman's
club will have representatives here fa
, voring the discontinuance of the of
fice, and it is understood that others
fwill join the Robersonville represen
tatives in their efforts. The matter had
not been presented to the local Wo
| man's club, and as the organization
does not hold another meeting until
the latter part of next month, no dele
gation is expected to appear before
the commissioners .(yjher in behalf or
against the office. **'
Martin County pays $1,020 yearly to
its home agent, a comparatively small
sum, and a sum that is well repaid in
the work accomplished. The per capi
ta cost is slightly under four and one
-1 half cents, and affects the tax rate
J around three-fourths of one cent.
' However, there has been some com-
I plaint directed against the office sim
ply because its work was limited, ig
| noring, to a great extent, the average
'citizen who actually needs assistance.
I .Various clubs, through their offi- (
cers, express their views in following
(letters. The question is worth careful
thought, and it is believed worthwhile!
results can be obtained through its
study.
Dear Editor,
The Women of the Jamesville Club j
,wish to sanction everything which
was expressed by Miss Margaret j
Everett of Palmyra. We feel even
though times are hard that it is better !
reason for a county not to take a
backward step, especially when the
tax rate per person is so small and this
work is of value to all people in the
county. Why should the farm family
be not privileged to home opportuni
ties equal with any one else? When
such work is abolished there are
many throughout the county who suf
fer. There is much talk about farm
relief these times. Lets all help by
continuing the work in this county,
and we will have relief for the farm
homes.
What would become of the club
work of the Junior Girls and Boys?
Signed by Mrs. W. L. Brown H. D. t
,C. Pres.
Dear Editor:
I We wish to sanction everything
expressed in the letter appearing in
iTuesdays Enterprise written by Miss
Everett of Palmyra. At such times
there is always a cry fpr relief from ,
taxes. But why cut out things in our ,
county of value to our people including
men, women and children. This time
above all times we need help and we {
feel we receive help through our i
Club meetings which helps our entire!
family. The attorney General ruled
sometime ago that when an appropria
ition put vin the budget it can not be
(Continued on page two)
I
J
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, January 30, 1931.
Curb market* are functioning
successfully in many counties un
der the supervision of county home
and farm agents, and especially in
our neighboring county of Wash
ington. Under the sole direction
of the agent, Miss Pratt Coving
ton, the market there has meant
much to the fanning people of the
section. In one year the market
sold about SB,OOO worth of coun-
try produce.
| Much effort is required in estab
lishing a curb market and diligent
work is necessary for its success
once the market is established, but
once in operation it serves well
the seller and buyer.
WILL NOT SHARE
IN FARM LOANS
Government Feed and Seed
Aid Limited to Eighteen
Counties in the State
Martin County farmers 'will not
share in the $25,000,000 farm seed and
feed loan fund recently established by
the United States Government, it was
learned here this week. Only eighteen
counties in the State are eligible for
aid under the act, a greater majority
of the fund being scheduled for distri
bution in Virginia, Kentucky, Arkan
sas and Oklahoma. The nearest county
to Martin sharing in the fund is War
ren, near the Virginia Line, None of
the eastern counties i> included in the
list, hut ni> great disappointment is
expressed as the farmers did not ex
pect much aid from that source.
I.ast year, approximately $5,000 was
tent to about a dozen farmers in this
county, it is understood. According to
reports contipg from those sharing in
the $8,000,000 loan fund last year, the
benefit was marked. One of the far
mers coming in for a loan remarked
that he accomplished as much with the
S3OO cash lent him as he had been
doing with around S7OO worth of cre
dit.
Practically all the loans have been
paid off, bringing to a close Martin
county's part in the farm teed and
seed loan fund.
NEXT MONDAY IS
GROUNDHOG DAY
Is Also Day When First
. Herring Usually Caught
In Roanoke River
And now we have only to wait until
Monday to find out what kind of
weather we will have for the next 40
days.. ..According to tradition, Mon
day, being February 2, is the day when
the groundhog makes his first ap
pearance after the winter hibernation.
If the day is cloudy and the animal
can not see his shadow, we will have
40 of fine weather; where it
the sun is shining the groundhog be
comes frightened at his own shadow
and retires to the recesses, of his win
ter quarters, while poor mortals here
above suffer every adversity that the
weather man affords.
Infant Dies at Home of
Parents Here Tuesday
Peggy infant daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Jackson, died at
the home of its parents on Smithwick
Street here last Tuesday. Influenza
was given as the resulting cause of
its death.
Funeral services were held from the
honje Wednesday by Rev. C. H. Dic
key, of the Baptist church, and Rev.
W. F. Wiegmann, pastor of the
Christian church. Interment was made
in the Baptist cemetery.
Formerly of Nashville, Mr. and Mrs.
Jackson have made their home here
during the past several months, Mr.
Jackson being connected in the mana
gement of the chair factory here.
i "Just Imagine" at Watts
Monday and Tuesday
—_»
| "Just Imagine," the movie hit com
peting with "Sunny Side Up" 'or fun
and real entertaiment, has been booked
for showing at the Watts theatre, Wil
liamston, next Monday and Tuesday
nights. El Brindel, Americas joy friend
and comedian with the Swedish bro
gue has a prominent part in the cast
along with many other popular cinema
1 tars.
f Produced by Fox, "Just Imagine"
had not been booked up for
showing in this section other than at
( the Watts, and large crowds are ex
pected at each of the showings Mon
day and Tuesday.
!
SUPREME COURT
PASSES ON TWO
MARTIN CASES
Affirms Decision In One of
Two Cases From The
Superior Court Here
In "the largest group of opinions
ever handed down by. the North Car
olina Supreme Conrt at one time were
two affecting Martin County cases.
W, A. Roebuck against National Sur
ety Company, and that of N, D. Mat
thews against C. Arthur Roberson.
Judge Clayton Moore tried the two
cases in the court here last April. Ap
peals were made, and the higher court
heard the causes last September. In
their decisions handed down this week,
the first case was affirmed, the court
(reversing Judge Moore in the second.
Unusual points of law are involved
in the first case, Attorney B. A.
Critcher said, and we don't know yet
. what the higher court means in its an
| to the second appeal, he added,
as the review has not been received
here at this time.
I When the old Martin County Sav
ings and Trust Company suspended
operations here, it was acting guardian
for W. A. Roebuck, young white boy.
i A case was perfected to collect the
money carried on the books from the
National Surety Company. In answer
the surety'company maintained that it
was a preferred claim and shouhPtave
been paid by the bank's receiver. Judge
Moore ruled that the surety company
was liable, and his decision was af
firmed by the higher court. Roebuck
is the nephew of J. S. Harrison, of
Washington County, moving from
Martin some time ago.
Under a mortgage bearing date of
1901, C. A. Roberson, of Roberson
ville, bought a farm near there two.
years ago. Prior to that time N. I).
Matthews borowed money on the farm
front the Joint Stock I.and Bank.
Ejectment papers were prepared bv
Roberson and the case was carried to
court. The defense pleaded the 15-
year statute and maintained that the
amount, S3OO, paid by Roberson for
land worth $5,000 was not adequate
compensation, and the court decided in
favor of the defendant. Its status
is not definitely known here, and the
case is a very peculiar one.
LARGE POULTRY
SHIPMENT MADE
Record Loadings Made at
Three Towns In The
County This Week
Poultry loadings in Martin county
: this week broke all records, incom
plete figures received from three of
j the loadings indicated. Approximately
.18,000 pounds were loaded at James
! ville, Williamston and Robersonville,
'bringing a cash revenue of about
I $3,000.
| Farmers in the Jamesville section
loaded 1,949 pounds and received
$1,468.25 for their offerings. Fgures
were not complete on the loadings
yesterday in Robersonville, but it
was Agent Brandon's opionion that
more than SI,OOO in cash was paid out.
I The car was completely filled at that
point, and a second car was placed by
the agent, cooperating with the Di
vision of Markets. Loadings are being
made in Oak City today.,
i Several more cars are scheduled for
loadings in this county, the next to
cover the same towns the latter part
'of February.
Twenty Dozen Pheasant
Eggs Available in County
| Twenty dozen pheasant eggs are
available' to residents of this county
for hatching, County Game Warden
Hines stated yesterday. Any one de
siring to hatch a dozen of the eggs
can secure them by forwarding to the
game warden an application. The
eggs will be shipped from the game
| preserves direct to the orte applying
for them.
j Thoitf securing eggs are at liberty
to raise and use the pheasants them
selves or to release them as game.
}Many have been raised in this coun
ty and released in the fields and woods
the warden stated.
Announce Service Program
At Local Baptist Church
Aimee Semple McPherson, Billy
Sunday, Doctor S.' Parks Cadman and
an obscure Country preacher, and
others, will be featured in the con
cluding paper the pastor is to read
to his' congregation next Sunday eve
ning.
j These papers are briefs and about
three minutes devoted to each person
the biographical sketches.
Sunday morning the text for the ser
mon will be this one: "Put on Thy
Beautiful Garments, O Zion."
The regular schedule of services will
be carried out for the week, in all the
departments of the church.
School Bill Passed by Both
Houses of General Assembly
ASK FOR REFUND
ON STATE ROADS
Bill Would Return Money
, To Counties Spent for
Highway Building
A bill, to provide for the State re
paying counties that constructed State
highways out of dirt allotments to
those counties, the allotments to be
made with regard population and size,
was introduced in the Senate this
week by Senators Ward, of Beaufort;
Peel, of this countv; and Blount, of
Pitt.
Several of the counties in the State
provided various sums for highway
construction several years ago. Other
counties waited for the Highway corii
mission to do the work, and did not
go to any expense in the construction
of their roads. The passage of the bill
would return .to this county approxi
mately $500,000 spent on the Roanoke
River bridge and Routes 125, 90. and
.10, it is understood. -
B. F. GODWIN DIES
AT HOME HERE
Was Town's Mayor Several
Terms; Funeral Held
Wednesday
Benjamin Franklin Godwin, for
many terms mayor of Williamston,
died at his home on West Main Street
here last Tuesday afternoon." follow-'
ing a long illness of tuberculosis. He
had been ill for almost ten years, and
was confined to his room during the
past several months.
Born near here 75 year* ago, Mr.
Godwin was reared on a farm, and
after establishing his residence here,
he continued and supervised his farm
ing operations until his health failed
him. He was an active, member in
the Baptist church here for many
years.
i l'uneral services were conducted at
the home Wednesday afteriloon by
Rev. W. R-. Burrell, his former pastor,
of Murfreesboro, and Rev. C. H.
i Dickev, pastor of the local Baptist
church. Interment was made in the
Baptist cemetery.
Mrs. Godwin, with five sons, V. D.
Godwin and ('. II Godwin, of Wil
liamson; L. W, Godwin, of Farm
jville; Dr. (i. C. Godwin, of Ashe
iville; and Lieutenant Commander D
jC, Godwin, I S, Navy, survives;
PLYMOUTH TO
HAVE CANNERY
Martin Farmers Will Have
Apportunity of Tomato
Market This Season
j Martin County farmers, especially
those in the lower part of the county,
will have an opportunity of a tomato
market in Plymouth this year, it was
learned following a meeting of farm
ers and cannery officials held, in that
town yesterday morning. A few farm
ers in Martin planted several acres to
tomatoes last season and patronized
the cannery at Plymouth, and it is be
lieved that a small acreage will he giv
en to the crop in this county again
this year.
| Cannery officials and others inter
ested in the business are extending a
welcome to Martin farmers to join
those of Washington in handling the
crop this season.
Approximately 700 acres have been
signed up by Washington County
farmers so far, and additional contracts
are being made daily, Mr. John Dar
den, of Plymouth, stated yesterday.
| Prices on tomatoes delivered are as
follows: Green tomatoes: June 10 to
'June 20, 35 cents; June 20 to' July 4,
30 cents; July 4 to July 12, 25 cents;
July 12, 25 cents; July 12 to end of
season, 20 cents. Ripe tomatoes: June
10 to July 12, 25 cents; July 12 to end
of season, 20 cents.
Income Tax Blanks Are
Received In this County
—
Although practically all of,-. Martin
County's taxpayers center their com
plaints around county and town tax
payments, there are a few who come
under the State and Federal income
tax schedule. Blanks have been re
ceived, but the outgo is likely to be
much smaller from Martin this year
than it was last.
Comparatively few blanks are filled
out in this county and still fewer are
filled out subject to the tax after the
exemptions are considered.
_ »
Critically 111
Mr. John M. Bowen, prominent
farmer and merchint of this place, is
critically ill in a Washington hospital
where he was carried following an
attack of appendicitis.
Find Key to Martin
County's Smokehouse
The key to Martin coun
ty's smokehouse found in the
Roanoke River, was near James
ville, this week when Ira T. Col
train pulled three herrings from
the waters. Mr. Coltrain, a
fisherman of many years ex
perience. is a little ahead of the
season as he did not wait to go
out at (he same time as the
groundhog next Monday, the
day the first herring is generally
caught in this section.
Mr. Coltrain caught three of
the fish, it was reported, the
catch reviving the hopes of those
who will find a ready food in the
stream within the next several
weeks.
TAX MEETING IN
RALEIGH TODAY
Messrs. H. S. Everett and
Cox of Robersonville
Represent County
I A meeting of the North Carolina
jTax Relief Association, Larry Moore,
president is being.held in Raleigh to
day, representatives of tlje various
county associations going there in the
(interest of-legislation favorable to tax
reduction.
L,ln urging representatives to attend
tile meeting, Mr. Moore stated that
the prospects were very favorable for
the passage of both the measures,
State maintenance of all roads and
support of the schools, advanced by
the tax relief association Continuing,
Mr, Moore said, "What we need now
is that during the etitire session there
shall, front time to time, be member
from, every county who will take oc
casion to visit the legislature or write
"letters to their senators and represen
tatives urging the adoption of these
plans."
Mr. (i. 11. Cox, a member of the
county association, and Mr, 11. S.
Everett, county commissioner, both of
Robersonville planned yesterday to
attend the meeting
HEARS 4 CASES IN
COURT TUESDAY
No Session of Recorder's
Court Will Be Held
Next Tuesday
J The period of little activity in the
county recorder's court here continued
this week, the tribunal calling only
slon last Tuesday. There'll lie no ses
four minor cases at its regular-ses
sion of the court next Tuesday, Judge
J. W. Bailey announced this week,
j James Hawley, found guilty of
transporting liquor, was sentenced to
jail for a period of 90 days, the coun
ty commissioners have leave to hire
him out.
| The case charging Rapli Peel with
trapping without, license, was no|
prossed.
j Charged with hunting without li
cense, Henderson Jones was found not
guilty.
1 Going into court, William Cherry
and Barnie Wynn pleaded guilty of a
simple affray. The charge connecting
Robert Edwards with the case, was
nol prossed. William Chery was given
a 30-day jail sentence which was sus
pended under certain conditions.
Wynne was fined $25 and taxed with
i the costs.
School Attendance Here
Shows Slight Decrease
Attendance in the local schools
reached its lowest point in manyj
months last month when 90.47 per
cent of those enrolled attended daily..
jThe drop was 3 .per cent below the i
1929-30 average and around two per|
"cent below the figures for the first
term of the 1930-31 session, Principal
W'atson stated"this morning.
There is very little difference in the
enrollment figures for last year's ses
sion and the present one, but the av
erage daily attendance is lower, the
principal statiiig thai poverty was one
of the maijn causes for the decrease.
During, last month there were 659
pupil* enrolled in the schools here,
597 cjf the number attending regularly.
Install Private Telephone
Exchange in Hotel Here
The Atlantic Hotel, recently under.
{new management, is installing this
week a private telephone exchange,
offering a modern service and con
nection* to each room. j
The installation of the PBX, aa
they are often called, is just one of
the many improvements now under t
,way to the hotel building.
Watch the Label On Your
Paper At It Carries the Date
When Your Subscription Expires
ESTABLISHED 1898
ASSURES STATE
SUPPORT OF THE
TERM AND HOW?
Houses Passes Bill By 86
To 32 Vote; Senates
Favors It 33 to 17
REJECT AMENDMENTS
LooWd Upon As First Real Victory
For Property Owners In
North Carolina
The State of North Carolina ac
cepted the ta.sk it supporting the six
months school -term last night when
the Senate by a to 17 vote, passed
Hie Mac Lean Bill committing the gen
eral assembly to state support of the
six months constitutional term, thus
enacting the measure into law as it
had been previously passed !>y the
Mouse by a vote of 80 to 32. The
House passed the hill last Tuesday
afternoon, the Senate enacting the
measure late last night after muchde
bate and opposition.
Action last night assures State sup
port of the six months term, giving
rise to the question. How? Raising
the necessary funds for supporting of
the schools will bring forth much
oratory and resulting wrangles, it is
believed. Hut, ti>r the* property owner,
a Victory has already been won.
Ihe bill went through untouched
by damaging amendments, the House
and Senate each turning aside certain
qualifications advanced by those who
would take the teeth out of the bill.
Oratory was somewhat limited in
the IIQUSC., but over in the Senate, it
one time looked as if the session would
end leaving the opponent* and pro;
ponents still talking. This district's
senators, Messrs. Ward mid Peel, Took
parts in the passage of the lull, Sena
tor Ward making the longest address
ot the term yesterday.
I'he difference m ! the" stlnml " taTC
rate—row in the wealthy counties,
high in the poor counties—was stress
ed by Senator I'eel. " The State has
realized the injustice of this and has
provided the equalizing fund, but that
is not enough." lie said. "We have
borne down on one species of prop
erty until we have destroyed it. "I'his
burden is destroying the little homes
of Nortlf Carolina,"
Senator I'eef said that when he
; came to the legislature he thought
that 110 one would object tu a salcstax
oil luxuries at this time. "But when
I got here my good friend Willard
I Dowel! flooded my desk with his rea
sons why I • should not vote for it.
"They call it a . nuisance tax, but if
I hat's a nuisance tax, what is the tax
that causes did men and women to
lose the homes they have labored for
throughout their lives. What we have
been doing is taxing people's savings
instead of what they earn and spend.
Tobacco Companies
"Where else could we get a little
revenue?" he asked.
"The K.'J. Reynolds Tobacco Com
pany! 1 would not single them out,
but they issued a challenge to this
legislature to tax them by spreading
across the front pages of the newspa
pers the fact , that they made $2,000,-
000 more this year than they did last
year," he declared.
\\ ben the State built its road sys
tem, said Senator l'eel, it "sounded
the death knell of the small town,"
and though lie befTeved in good roads
the cities and the centers of wealth
they built up had their responsibility
to the other counties that are helping
to build them up.
"All I am asking for is simple corn
field justice in this matter of taxaiton.
"If you vote against this bill, go
back - home and tell your toy that you
voted to close North Carolina's schol
houses, for if land is to continue to
carry the burden of the schools, the
schools will be closed."
Value Store Liquidating
Its Stock of Goods Here
The Value Store, operating here
for more than a year, is liquidating its
stock at a big sale now going on, the
management stating that the business
would be suspended here within the
next thirty days. Goods have been re
duced as' much as 33 per cent in some
cases and as much as SO per cents in
Others. It is believed that a quick t»
clearance will result.
• V ■
One Per Cent Penalty on
Taxes In Effect Monday
The one per cent penalty on taxes
Twill be in effect Monday, leaving on- ,
ly one more day for property owner* - :
■to settle their town and county ac
counts at par. Collections are coming
in very fast today, and a further in
crease is expected tomorrow in both
the town and county collection office*,
i . *- . *sl