North Carolina Newspapers

AiwUMTi wm Pnd Our Col nmi a Latchkey to Owr Sixtssn Hundred llartto Couatjr Hoaia VOLUME XXXIV—NUMBER 38 Says Convict Practically For Martin PLAN TO PLACE UNITS IN EACH OF 26 COUNTIES ■ ■ • Supervisor Martin Tells of Plans While On Visit Here Yesterday That convict road camps will be es tablished in Martin and a majority of the other 25 counties in Section A of the new State road system, was made certain yesterday by Mr. J. W. Mar tin, prison camp supervisor for the dis trict. Mr. Martin, popular sheriff of Edgecombe county for a number of years, expressed himself as being very well pleased with the progress record ed in handling' prisoners under the new system, and predicts a marked success for the undertaking. "We have not fully organized our part of the system," Mr. Martin stated while on an inspection tour in thiJ lection yesterday, "but we are feeling our way along, and the beginning ha* been very successful," he added. The supervisor said that he did not know just when camps would be established in all the counties, but he was certain that they would be located as soon as arrangements could be made for their erection. Mr. Martin explained that a large number of prisoners are now centered in three or four camps in this section, and that an equal distribution would be oiade as soon as new camps are provided. At the present time, the State is handling of its Section A prisoners in its own camps, leaving none of those in jail to be cared for by the counties at the State's expense, Mr. Martin said. "Some of the of the best prisoners I hare ever had under my care, came from Martin county," Mr. Martin said. PELLAGRA SHOWS BIG INCREASE IN MARTIN COUNTY Sixteen Cases Are Reported During June And First Few Days in July That pellagra is fast becoming one of the most common diseases in Mar tin County is pointed out in the June report of County Health Officer J. H. Saunders. During that month and the firs* few days of July, sixteen case* 1 of the disease were reported. At that rate, more than 150 cases of the dis efte are developed in the county each year. . . Thirteen of the cases were reported among white*, and that number was found in the rural • section*. Bear Grass Township alone reported seven of the sixteen case*. Eleven of the victims are over 20 years of age, and one of the remainiag five ia only one and one-half years old. While the exact number of cases of pellagra in the county U unknown, it is believed that there are approximate ly 500 people suffering with the dis ease. County Health Officer Saunders is circulating literature in an effort to check the disease, and even went be fore the county commissioners in be half of the most serious cases where the patients are unable to help them selves. The officer's report also showed that there were as many as five cases of measles, three of diphtheria, and one of chickenpox in the county during the month of June. Fire Destroys Business Block in Columbia Today Fire early this morning destroyed a Urge portion of the business district in Columbia, N. C, one entire business block having been wrecked by the blaie, reports received here stated. Several large mercantile establish ments, a dpig store, barbershop and other business houses were burned. No estimate of the damage could be had this morning. Starting about midnight, the fire gained headway rapidly, and the Ply mouth fire company was called oat to 'help battle the flames. The truck and firemen returned to Plymouth between six and seven o'clock this morning. Rev. W. B. Harrington Will Hold Two Services Sunday Regular preaching appointments will be filled by ROT. W. B. Harring ton at Farm Life Sunday morning at 11 o'clock and at Riddkk's Grove Sun day afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, it was. announced by the minister yesterday. The public is invited to attend each of the aerricee. THE ENTERPRISE COUNTY BOARD REGULAR MEET HELD TUESDAY Several New Names Added To List of County Indigent Holding their monthly meeting in the courthouse here last Tuesday, the County Commissioners almost limited their activities to the poor and their needs. Several new names were add ed to the county- poor list, and Coun ty Health Officer J. H. Saunders was authorised to handle certain cases a mong the indigent patients and pur chase yeast in treating cases of pel lagra. More than half of the sixteen cases of pellagra reported in the county dur ing June and early July will have to be cared for by the county,> it is un derstood. Yeast will be furnished, and the patients will be urged to get milk for use in combatting the disease that is so common throughout the county and the State. State road authorities and a mem ber of the State Equalization Board appeared before the commissioners and discussed certain problems in connec tion with the new road system, and the recently passed school law, but no of ficial acts in connection with either of the projects were taken. Jarrett Slade, of Williamston, R. F. D. 1, was allowed $2 a monthf** Henry Tanner, colored, of Hamilton, was allowed $2 a month. Will Perry,' Williamston, R. F. D. 3, was allowed $3 a month for care of Mary Williams. Mr. C. B. Hassell was allowed SSO refund on rent. Gib Whitley and wife, of Bear Gra»» were allowed $5 a month. Peter Casey, of Williamston, was al lowed $2 a month. Sim Fulford wai relieved of poll tax in CroM Roada Township, on account of disability. Leon Hack, of Jamesville, was al lowed $3 a month. Mrs. Jim Corey was allowed $3 a month for two boys. Dr. J. H. Saunders was also author ized to have Clue Terry'* child's eyes I treated by an oculist, and to have Will Roebuck's tonsils removed. Koebuck is a county home inmate. The definite appointment of a wel fare officer was not made at the meet ing Tuesday, the work automatically falling under the supervision of the county superintendent of schools. The committee appointed at a recent meet ing of the local woman's club to ap pear before the commissioners In be half of a full-time welfare officer did not carry their requests before the meeting. The commissioners accepted he»ap praised values placed on county or township road equipment as submitted by State road authorities. The sums were almost negligible, the complete equipment of the ten districts being valued at $1,383. The following val ues were set up for the equipm«nt in the ten respective townships, or road districts: Bear Grass, $22; Cross Roads $180; Goose, Nest, $111; Robersonville, $76; Williams, nothing; Williamston, $505; Hamilton, S4O; Jamesville, $214; and Poplar Point, SSB. It is under stood that the State will assume the responsibility of paying for the equip ment, but this could not be definitely learned. REFEREE HEARS LAND CASE HERE Attorney Smith Hears Evi dence in Truitt-Downs Land Case In an effort to establish lines and determine ownership of a tract of po cosin land in Goose Nest township, Attorney J. C. Smith, of Roberson ville, is acting as referee in p the Dill- Cramer-Truitt Corporation case a gainst D. W. Downs here this week. Work on the case was started Wed nesday and since that time lengthy sessions have been held in the court house with a very few people attend- ing to hear the proceedings. I A parallel case with the same liti gants was heard some time ago in Tarboro. The corporation won and the defendant Is said to have appealed to the State Supreme Court. A second [ case, parallel to the first with the same litigants, was heard in this county re- eently. Downs won and the corpora tion appealed to the State Supreme Court At noon today the referee con tinued at his post, but the outcome of the ease will hardly be determined to day, it waa unofficially learned Williamston, Martin County, North' Carolina, Friday, July 10,1931 PROPERTY VALUATION IS OFF MILLION AND HALF 1930 and 1931 County Property Listings, by Townships Th« following table* chow, by township*, the 1930 and 1931 valuation* of real and personal property in Martin County, also the decrease (n valu ation* under the 1930 mark, as well a* the percentage of decrease. The figure* are preliminary, and will probably be slightly altered by the county commissioners making adjustments next Monday, hold a special meeting here as a board.of equalization and review: REAL ESTATE VALUES PERSONAL PROPERTY VALUES TOTAL VALUES. Township 1930 1931 Los* * Loss 1930 , 1931 Loss cy, Loss 1930 1931 Lo*s % Loss Jam**villa | 1,066,119 I 964,751 I 101,368 9.5 $ 187.057 $ 147,156 $ 39,901 20.8 $ 1,253,176 $ 1,111,907 $ 141,269 11.3 WaUama 396,266 , 358,648 37,618 9.5 56,038 41,858 14,180 25.3 452,304 400,506 51,798 11.5 Grill*. _ 599,606 539,161 60.445 , 10.1 198,441 147,131 51,310 25.8 798,047 686,292 111,755 14. Bear Grass 626,318 561,126 65,192 10.4 175,381 127,200 48,181 27.5 801,699 688.326 113,373 14.1 Williamaton 2,013,268 1,853,278 159,990 7.9 498,394 442,601 55,792 11.2 2,511,662 2,295.879 215,783 8.6 Croaa Roads 680,105 623,445 56,660 8.5 116.372 84,029 32,343 28. 796.477 707,474 89,003 11.2 Rob*r*onvill« 2,196,479 1,972,300 224,179 10.3 577,421 423,773 153.648 26.6 2,773,900 2,396,073 377327 13.7 Poplar Point 387,025 347,105 39.920 ' 10.3 51,991 38,230 13,761 26.5 439,016 385,335 53,681 12.2 Hamilton 1,089,416 949,436 139,980 12.8 221,608 170,605 51,003 24. 1,311,024 1,120,041 190,983 13.9 Goose N«at .. 1,501,940 1,352,005 149,935 9.9 166,483 117,107 49,376 29.7 1,668,423 1,469,112 199,311 12. County Totala $10,556,542 $ 9,521,255 $1,035,287 9.9 $ 2,249,185 $ 1,739,690 $ 509.495 23. $12,805,727 $11,260,945 $1,544,782 12.3 EQUALIZATION BOARD MEMBER IS SPEAKER HERE Predicts Saving of Several Million Dollars in Sate School Operations Mr. T. B. Atmore, member of the State Board of Equalization, appeared before the county board of commis sioner! here Tuesday and discussed some of the problems confronting the State in the matter of schools, which he described as the most gigantic task which any State has yet undertaken. The board, he says, is working dili gently on the problem of dsitribution of children to the various schools, and the most economical thing to do, at the same time giving each child an equal and fair advantage for an edu cation. The transportation problem is also a big one and has not yet bten solved. I Mr. Atmore says that while his board is facing many difficult problems and that no definite conclusions and plans have yet been adopted, they are sure they will be able to effect a saving of several million dollars and still give as good, and perhaps better, service than under the old system. They have found, he says, that in many cases a little politics or a little personal sentiment has cost various counties large sums for the service rendered. In some cases they have found that it cost SSO to advance each pupil one grade. Mr. Atmore says the worst problem they have hadfto face so far is the merging of two districts where one has special taxes and one has not. He explained that while it makes no dif ference with the State, so far as the 6-months' term is concerned, yet at the end of the six month: one-half 6f the class would have to leave the school while the other continued for two extra months, which would mean two grades next year, and a great hard ship to both groups of pupils. Mr. Atmore gave it as his opinion that for the coming year, all would be permitted to continue the entire term, and that the one and a half million equalization, or supplemental, fund, set aside in the school law, would be used to take care of just such cases. No information was given as to the mergers and consolidation of the schools of this county, but it is prac tically certain that there will be some consolidations. Union Service at Christian Church Sunday Evening The Christian church will hold it* regular services Sunday. The Sunday school will convene at 9:45 and Chris tian Endeavor will be held at 7:00 o'- clock p. in. At the morning church service, the pastor will begin a series of sermons on Christian beliefs. The first one will be, "What To Believe About th: Christian." This series i* to restate the great Christian affirmations of faith in language and tllought compa tible with the present dby> The union night service will be held in this church Sunday night under th? leadership of Rev. Z. T. Piephoff. Th? community is cordially invited. Home Agent Announces Saturday Curb Prices The curb market here will run its usual schedule Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10:30. Prices for the market were announced as follows: . , Corn, 18 cents a dozen; cabbage, ll and 1-2 cents a pound; cucumbers, 4 pounds for 10 cents; string beans, 4 cents a pound; cottage cheese, 15 cents a block; squash, 3 cents per pound; ( new potatoes, 2 cents a pound; butter beans, 22 cents a quart; tomatoes, 8 | cents a pound; country butter, 35 cents a pound. Start Clearing Canal Banks of 15,000-Acre Ranch in County The first work in developing 15,000 acre* of land into a ranch in the old Dymond City section, thi* county, wa* started thi* week when Mr. Pete Mlltonberger rected a number of men in clearing* away the tree* from the canal* run ning through the large tract. Mr. Mlltonberger, a native of Wisconsin, but a Pinetown resi dent for several years, has charge of the preliminary work, it was learned here this week, but project plans in detail have not been made public at this time. The workmen now engaged in the work travel CONVICT LABOR USED ON ROADS IN THIS COUNTY Brought Here from Wash ington County To Do Repair Work Convict labor was introduced in Martin for the third time in the liis , tory of the county yesterday when 20 convicts, under the supervision of i Foreman John Sexton, worked on | Highway No. 125, between here and the Mobley mill. The force was call' ( ed to this county from Washington county, where quarters are now being Imaintained for this immediate section; Iby Assistant Fngineer Bill Cherry. The convicts were scheduled for only a few days work in • the county, ami very little> convict labor will he used in this county for the next several weeks, it is understood. When the Atlantic Coast Line Kail road company's tracks were extended from this point to Plymouth in the late eighties, many convicts were used in its construction. As far as it can be learned that was the first time the type of labor had ever been used in the county. Then about more than KM) prisoners were located in camps at the foot of the river hill and t worked on the Roanoke River dam or iWilliamston Causeway. However, ivery little work was done in this coun 'ty by the group of convicts as a great er portion of the project was in Bertie county. I The prisoners brought into this county yesterday were trucked out of Washington county about 6:30 (after 'breakfast) and returned late in the 'afternoon. The mid-day meal wai J served the prisoners along the road, the other two being served at the camp jin Washington county. Their work yesterday was carried |On with shovels, the prisoners repay ing the recently built shoulders along the hardsurface. BOY HURT WHEN STRUCK BY CAR Suffers broken Arm And Minor Injuries About His Head I Little Jimmie Manning, i">» >f Sup erintendent and Mrs. J. C. Manning, i was badly hurt when he was hit by jan automobile driven by Mr. J. K Prentiss, of Raleigh', at the corner oT | Main and Washington Streets h:re ' last Wednesday morning. The little fellow's right arm was broken just above the elbow, and he received a minor injury about the forehead. After waiting for a truck to pass,! the hoy started to cross the street just as Hrf Prentiss, driving very slowly, started to enter Main. The back fen der struck the child and knocked him to the ptvement Following an examination by a lo cal physician, Jimmie \%a« removed to the Washington hospital. out of Pinetown, but for the next several weeks the number of em ployee* will be very limited, it is understood. Work now i* center ed around the old roads and canal > banks, preparatory to the introduc tion of dredging machines later on, it is understood. It was unofficially learned that the large tract will be fenced with subdivisions for various kinds of stock. Although preliminary work has been started on the develop ment of the project, it is believed that several months will pass be fore any marked improvements will be made. IJ. L. BROWN DIES AT HIS HOME IN JAMESVILLE • Died Suddenly Wednesday Morning; Funeral Held Yesterday Afternoon Mr. J. Lawr3tace-Brown died at his j home, a few miles from Janiesville, early Wednesday morning. Mr. Brown had sufTerMl for a year or more from some arterial trouble, hut was aide to he up and do some work most of that time. And while his passing was sud den it was not a surprise to those who knew Ins trouble. Mr. Brown wa« f>7 years old, the son of the late James Z. Brown and wife. He married Miss Sadie Jones who with three sons, Clyde, W. L and Fdgar Brown, and two daughters, Mrs. I'. J. Modlin and Mrs. Milton Mr/elle, all of Janiesville. survives He also leaves three brothers, S. S. Brown, of YVilliamston; L. M. Brown, of Janiesville, and Henry Brown, of Washington, and one sister, Mrs. Mamie l.angley, of Wilson. Mr. Brown always lived on his farm and was highly regarded by all who knew him as a worthy citizen and a good neighbor. The funeral was .conducted from tlii home yesterday afternoon\, at 4 o'- clock by Rev. W. B. Harrington.l Burial was in the Brown grave yard, near the home. ♦y ■' Jimmie Taylor, 23 Years Old, Is Caught at Still Jimmie Taylor, 23-year-old son of Zan Taylor, was caught a t a liquor still in this township last Tuesday by Federal prohibition agents. In default of bond, the young man was placed in the county jail here to await trial in the Federal court in Washington next October. Taylor, when caught, carried two pistols on his person, but failed to Use either of them when he was chased and caught by the officers. A com panion of Taylor's, assisting in the operation of the liquor plant, made his escape. *• Mrs. J. O. Inman Dies at Home Near Wilmington Mrs. J, O. Inman, mother of Mrs. Jas. C. King, of this at her home in Freeland, N.*C. last Fri day following a long ' "illness. The funeral service was conducted from the home Saturday nail burial was in the cemetery there. Mrs. King, accompanied by her sif ter, Miss Rosa Inman, returned to her home here Wednesday evening, after a stay of several weeks at the bedside of her mother. Holy Communion at the Episcopal Church Sunday Sunday school at 10 a. m. Holy Communion and sermon at 11 a. m. You are invited to attend these services. BOARD TO MEET MONDAY TO HEAR TAX COMPLAINTS Q |No Great Number of Tax Complaints Will Be Made, Is Belief Sitting as a board of equalization I and review, the several county coni lutissionersI utissioners will hear valuation com plaints directed to them by Martin, taxpayers next Monday in the court house here. Any property owner, en tertaining the honest opinion and hav ing support thereto, is invited by th equalization and review board niem- Ibers to appear before them and pre [sent his claim. It was unofficially j learned that the board will extend ■ every Consideration possible to those registering complaints, but no alter ations will likely be made unless the underlying facts warrant a change. No great number of complaints is 'expected next Monday, and no cases will be considered after that date un less they are formally entered for con sideration that day, it is understood. | Limited to ten percent reductions lin real estate values, the equalization and review board cannot do very much in the way of altering values. Of. course, they can push them upwards, having no limit to hold them in that direction. 15 SCOUTS LEAVE ON CAMPING TRIP I • ( Will Spend One Week At Camp Charlfcs, A Few Miles from Wilson j » '* — :f Fifteen lofat Boy "Seoul! LeTt yes jterday with Scoutmaster Wheeler j Martin for an outing of one week at '( amp Charles, a few miles west of | Wilson. Several in the group are on 'their first trip to the camp, and three jothers are planning to 'remain two i weeks, it was stated. The three will I hear Paul Siple, the young boy who was selected from hundreds of thous ands of Scouts to accompany Com mander Hyrd on his antarctic trip some time ago. A worth-while program is followed each' day by the boys, and enjoyable trips are expected. The scouts leaving yesterday includ ed Elmer Jenkins, Hen Hopkins, I.aw ' rence I.indsley, J. I), liowen, Horace , Hay, Fmntett Whitley, Thad Harn | son, Hilly Clark, Howard Cone, Jack . Manning, O. S. Anderson, jr., Pete i Fowdcn, jr., Wheeler Martin, jr., Harry Stubbs, and Donnie Hardisou. NEW SYSTEM FOR CARE OF STREETS Method of Operation Will Be Considered By Town Authorities Later Following a consolidation with the water department recently, a' new sys tem of operation is now being consid ered for handling- street cleaning in the town. Under the supervision of Superitendent Jesse Itarrell, the work is now being handled somewhat dif ferently than heretofore. The streets are brushed twice each week, and reg ular days have been set apart (or re moving trash from private properties. This work extends to all parts of the town, Mr. liarrell explained. During the past week trash was removed from more than 250 homes by one truck. In addition to that work, street cleaning has been handled by the same truck and by the help of one man. Accurate expense checks are being made, and the costs will be submitted ( to the town commissioners for consid eration at their next meeting, which 'will likely be held next Monday night. O.V/T 30AT Watch die Label On Yoor Paper As It Carries the Date When Your Subscription Expires ESTABLISHED 1898 ,■ Loss Is Over 12 Per Cent Below Figures of 1930 RATE AFFECTED Decrease Is Believed To Be Largest Reported In the County in One Year ♦ . Property values in Martin county I this year art- approximately $1,544,782 .less than tliey were last, according to an early review of the books turned in jl>y the list-takers in the several town ships. The loss,, amounting to about per cent of the 1930 valuation, is one of the largest ever reported in any one year in this county, and it would .have been larger but for the 10 per I cent limit set by Stale law. It is be lieved that the loss would have been nearer two and one-half million in stead of one and one-half had no re duction limit been established by the recent legislature. While one or .two townships went slightly over the 10 per cent margin in listing its real property, the county, as a whole, was one-tenth of one per cent within the limit. Real estate values dropped from $10,556,542 in 1930 to $9,521,255 this year, a de crease of 9.9Iper cent. The personal property loss, while limited in amount, more than doubled the percentage loss recorded for. real estate. Personal property values dropped from $2,249,- IHS. in I'J.W to $1,739,690 this year, a loss of $509,495 or 23 per cent. Ihe combined loss, that is, the de crease reported in real and personal property amounted to 12.3 per cent, values for the two types of property of property (ailing from $12,805,727 in I'i.tt) to $ 11,2>0,W45 this year. Hear Crass Reported the heaviest percentage loss, 14.1, while Williams ton township was lowest with a de crease in real and personal property of only 8.0. Hamilton jumped over the line in its real property listings, but held its total down to 13.9 per cent of its valuation last year. Five town ships slightly went oyer the limit, the other five narrowly staying within the margin allowed. Personal values varied greatly, Goose Nest reporting a 29.7 per cent' loss; Cross Roads, 28 per cent; Hear Crass, 27.5 per cent and on down the line to Williainston town ship with 11.2 per cent loss in its per sonal pro(>erty valuation. Cross Roads with the second great est personal property loss, however, reported the second smallest loss in real values, the last values offsetting the loss greatly in the first and giving it second position with the second smallest-loss for both types of prop erty "combined. Hear Grass Town ship leails with the greatest combined loss. Corporation values have not been re ported by the Statt Commission, and until they are made known to thl county, the total valuation can not be learned. If the county were to operate upon the same basis this year as it did last; that is, support its six-months schools with aid only from the equalization fund, maintain its roads and the cor poration taxes remained the same, the present rate of $1.34 would have to he increased hy 16 cents on the SIOO property valuation. It is believed, how ever, that the property losses will he offset and the rate reduced, but just how much it can not be determined at this time. ' - > Accountant J. Sam Getsinger it no* facing the task of Calculating the rate, and we will be obliged to await the' completion of his work and the offic ial approval of it before the 1931 tax levy in this county can be learned. • Baptist Sunday School Enjoys Good Attendance o The Sunday school is holding up well in this church for the summer months, there being 174 in attendance last Sunday. ' The Sunday evening union service in this church last Sunday evening was well attended, and a good congrega toin enjoyed the service. Next Sunday night Rev, Z. T. Piep hoff will preach the union sermon in the Christian church. Sunday morning at this church the pastor will preach, there being no lat er service except the Intermediate B. Y. P. U. • ■ .. Dr. F. Stanley \&%iuker , Moves Back to Kinston Locating here several months ago, Dr. F. Stanley Whltaker, this week, removed his medical equipment and his residence back to KiiHton where he will reenter the profession there in the future^