Watch the Label On Your
Paper As It. Carries the Date
When Your Subscription Expires
VOLUME XXXV—NUMBER 55 .
PRICES 4 TO 5 CENTS UP OVER LAST YEAR
Average Here Over 10 Cents; May Go To 11 or 12; Every One Pleased
TOWN TAX RATE FIXED AT $2.10 MONDAY NIGHT
WATER RATE IS
LOWERED; TAX
PER SIOO IS SAME
Unable To Reduce Rate In
Face*of Property Losses
and Debt Increase
Williamston's 1932 tax rate was
tentatively set at $2.10 by the board
of commissioners at their regular
meeting held last night, the levy re
maining unchanged from last year.
While there is no actual reduction re
flected in the rate itself, verioua econ
omies were effected to offset a loss of
SBOO on a $40,000 decrease in property
valuation, a SI,OOO increase in pay
ments on bonded indebtedness, and
an expected drop of SBOO in water rev
enue as a result of a 25-ceftt reduc
tion in the minimum water rate. In
other words, the board could have
dropped the rate IS cents on the SIOO
property valuation had the valuation
remained the aame, and had there
been no increase in bonded maturi
ties and the water rate been allowed
to remain unchanged.
The minimum water rate was de
creased from $1.75 to $1.50 per month
by the board after discussion and com
parison of the local rate with those of
other towns in this section. The new
rate here places Williamston in the
group of towns with the lowest rates.
The schedule of prices for users of
more than the minimum amount, 3,000
gallons, will remain the same as here
tofore.
The tentative budget appears in con
densed form in this paper today, the
report in detail being on file at the
office of the mayor for public inspec
tion. Another copy of the budget is
being forwarded to the local govern
ment commission in Raleigh this week
for inspection, and upon its return the
rate will be definitely determined.
Completing the review of the budget
the commissioners ordered that the de
linquent tax list )*. advertised |hc
firat of October for sale in November,
advertising and salea having been de
layed aa long aa it ia possible to do
so under the law.
After inspecting the monthly bills
and discussing a proposed ordinance
for the handling of cows, the board
adjourned.
WOMEN RETURN
FROM RALEIGH
Twenty-eight Martin (Club
Members Attend Meet
In Raleigh
-
By Miss L. E. SLEEPER
. Twenty-eight women, representing
six of the home demonstration clubs'
in the county Returned from Raleigh*
last Friday. The' women reported
having the very best time ever and
for tne least expense. Many of the
women spent less than $2 during the'
week and enjoyed tours, and most
everything included on the program. 1
Tuesday afternoon the women were
taken to Chapel Hill, where President
Graham welcomed them. A concert
was given from the singing tower,'
and a tour was conducted over the
campus, after which the groups jour-;
neyed to Duke University, where a
concert on the organ was afforded
them in the very beautiful chapel. A
tour over the campus and through the
famous hospital made the trip worth
while.
The cost of the trip to Martin Coun
ty women was mad! for 10 cents each,
an;! this was made possible by the ac
tion and splendid cooperation of the
Martin County School Board when the
school truck was granted (or the
short course. The women received
much valuable instruction during the
week and returned filled with ideas
and desires to improve the home, make
use of the things on hand, and plan
ahead for next year, so as to be ready
to go again.
Mrs. W. O. Hyman was the only
graduate from the Martin County
group thia year. Next year there
should be many. We were glad to
have oar Mrs. T. M. Wood burn ap
pointed treasurer of the state organi
zation.
THE ENTERPRISE
Consider Receiving
Two County
According to information receiv
ed her* this week, the Stat* High
way Commi—ion ia considering
completing th* surfacing of High
way Rout* 12S from th* Evarvtt
farm, S 1-2 mil** from h*r*, -to
Hobgood. It was announced laat
week that low bida on the project
would be conaiderad by th* com
mission at its next letting, th* re
port failing to state that th* con
tract would actually be let
The report wa* a bit conflict
ing in that th* mileag* mention
ed therein waa much greater than
Young Tobacconist
Shoots Self Sunday
SCHOOL OPENS
AT JAMESVILLE
NEXT MONDAY
Faculty for the New Term
Announced This Week
By Principal Pollock
Jamesville. —The Jamesville School
will open Monday, September 12th|
Teachers are expected to arrive Satur
day about noon for the first teacher's
meeting to be held that afternoon at
4:30. Unusual care has been exercised
by the committee and the principal in
the selection of a corps of teachers,
and the outlook for a successful year
is one of the best ever.
All children are urgently requested
to bring all textbooks which will be
used this year, as second-hand books
will be used just as much as potsible.
The book question is being given
much attention, and the cooperation
|of the public is solicited to assist the
fcchool to put into use all possible old
books, thus saving half the cost of
textbooks.
Everything is in readiness for the
opening. The teachers for the year
are as follows:
Grade 1 B, Miss Opal Brown, of
Jamesville. - ..
Grade 1 A, Miss Emily Smithwick,
Windsor.
Grade 2, Miss Fannie Latham Mar
tin, Jamesville.
Grade 3, Mrs. Varo H. Davenport,
Jamesville.
Grade 4, Miss Ruth Modlin, James-,
ville.- ■ J
Grade 5, Miss Louise Roebuck, Rob
ersonville.
Grade 6, Miss Blanche Mizell, of
Jamesville.
Grade 7, Miss Rachel Godwin, of
Conetoe.
Science, Mr. J. T. Uzzle, Wilson
Mills.
English, Miss Annie V. Horner, of
Hope Mills.
French and Math, Miss Rosalyn
Satterwhite, Henderson.
Agriculture, W. T. Overby.
Music, Miss Annie E. Glasgow.
History and Principal, A. L. Pol
lock.
» •
Bear Grass Plays Bethel
Team Here Tomorrow
■ —». *• •>
During the past week Bear Grass
defeated Stokes, 20 to 1, and Everetts
18 to 3. Gurganus pitched against
Stokes for 5 innings, Terry for 1 in
ning, and Perl for 1 inning. Stalls
pitched against Everetts. Cook caught
both games.
Wednesday Bear Grass will play
the strong Bethel team on the Wil
liamston diamond. Bethel has won
two out of three games played to far.
Bear Grass hopes to even the score
Wednesday. Admission will be S and
10 cents.
»
County and Home Agents
In Raleigh (or This Week
9> > 1
The county and home agents are in
Raleigh this week attending the an
nual agents' meeting.
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, September 6, 1932
the distance from the Everett
farm to Hobgood, not including
that portion of the road from
Hamilton to Oak City, which is
already surfaced. It could not be
learned when th* next meeting of
th* commission would be held, or
Just whan low bids on the project
would be considered.
It is almost certain that the road
will be given next consideration,
and that once the work is start
ed many of those applying for
jobs in this county will be given
sn opportunity to work.
LIVES 11 HOURS
BUT REFUSES TO
EXPLAIN ACTION
J. Whitman Booles Died
Before Relatives Could
Reach Him Sunday
James Whitman Hyotfs, young to
bacconist, of Taylorsville, Ky., died in
a Washington hospital late Sunday
afternoon from a bullet wound inflict
ed by himself at the home of W. C.
Manning, jr., here about 6:30 o'clock
that morning. In a conscious state
up until a short while before he died,
the man maintained a stubborn silence
carrying to the Rrave the underlying
cause for the tragic act, and not un
til the was near did he express
any desire to live. It was too late
f to express regret for the act and a
hope to live then, for the wound had
all but sapped the very life out of
him.
Entering just below his heart, the
bullet plowed diagonally through the
body and came out through the back
bone, paralyzing the left side of hit
body. The (ball on and
tore a sizeable hole in the bathroom
wall, lodging in the wall of an ad
joining linen closet.
Just a few minutes befor; he shot
himself, he wrote a short note asking
that his wife and mother be notified
and expressing • wish thkt his body
br buried in the cometery at Taylors
ville, Ky. No motive for the act was
j i\en mentioned in the no(f, a>wl all
through the long hours Sunday as he
lay at death's door, he offered no rea
son for it, leaving his friends, his wife
and aged parents at a loss as to why
he should snuft out what was consid
ered a happy life.
The tragedy stirred the community
and section more thun any otner one
in majiy months, and evert' one did
all they could to save hi* life. A last
tffort was made to t>ave his life when
f blood transfusion was given him,
(Continued on th« back page)
Fire" Destroys Buildings
In Oak City Early Today
♦
Fire of undtermined origin early
today destroyed the garage, wood
'shed and a brooder belonging to Mr.
J. H. Ayers at Oak City. When
discovered, the fire was burning out
the top of the wood house, and only
by hard work of bucket brigades was
the Ayers home saved. The dwelling
caught fire several tim«s, but the
fighters put the blaze out each timer
Considerable damage was done to the
home, it was reported.
A small amount of insurance was
carried on the home, but not was car
ried on the buildings that burned, it
was stated.
» ■——
School Principals oi the
County Meeting Today
♦
Principals of the several Martin
County schools are meeting here thia
afternoon, preparatory to opening the
achools next Monday. Routine mat
ters are being handled, it is under
stood.
AGENT ADVISES
PLOWING UNDER
TOBACCO STALKS
Says Practice Will Help
Much In Keeping Down
Number of Insects
By T. B. BRANDON
Tobacco growers should plow un
der or destroy tobacco stalks just as
soon as harvesting is finished. To
bacco stalks which are left in the field
for second growth after harvest serve
as food and breeding ground for mil
lions of inserts which go into winter
quarters healthy and well fed, com
ing out the next year to cause tre
mendous damage. If the entire neigh
borhood would cooperate in this pro
gram, tobacco insects damage could
be reduced tremendously. This is the
most important control measure and
the cheapest for tobacco insect pests,
the growers all over the state should'
by all means put this into practice.
This is a good farm measure and is
cheap. '1 hose who carry out this pro
gram will notice results the first year.
If (fittire communities will cooper
ate in carrying this out, tobacco in
sect pest damage will be reduced to
a minimum.
In addition to destroying insects,
the plowing under of the will
aid materially in getting the land in
condition for planting winter cover
crops, a practice which should be put
into use on every farm.
REPORT IS MADE
BY FARM AGENT
FOR PAST MONTH
♦ —- -
Farmefs Preparing Curing
Houses for Handling
New Crop
Alhough the'dry season is about to
threaten the sweet potato crop in this
section, County Farm gent T. B. Bran
don is assisting many growers in the
county in preparing for curing the crop
this coming season. His report. .sub
initted to the county commissioners
at their regular meeting Monday,
states that many curing houses were
inspected and treated. The sweet po
tato production in this county can
hardly be determined just now, but
with a favorable season, it is believed
the croj will be on considerable size.
The agent's report,-in detail:
22 days spent in field work, 7 .days
spent in office work, 180 office con
ferences; 187 telephone calls; 176 let
ters written, ,65 farms visited during
the month, 1,240 miles traveled on of
ficial duties, 546 hogs treated during
the month. '
Some time was devoted to the pas
ture work. The rains have improved
the pastures considerably and carpet
grass, dallis grass, and japatv clover
look good at present. Thirty-two pas
tures were inspected by the agent.
Twenty-two farmers started feeding
hogs this month. These farmers arc
feding hogs on sweet potatoes,"corn,
and toy beans,
BARNHILL CASE
IS CONTINUED
Aged Man Will Be Tried
For Second Degree
Murder
The case charging T. H. Barnhill
with murder was continued in the
Pitt County Superior Court last week
until October, when he is scheduled
to be tried on a second-degree mur
der or manslaughter charge. He was
indicted and charged with first-degree
murder by a Pitt grand jury earlier
in the week. Preparations were made
to have a special venire of 100 citi
zens summoned in the case, but last
minute developments made that un
necessary.
His bond was reduced from SIO,OOO
to $2,500, which he raised to gain his
liberty until the next term of Pitt
County Superior Court convening in
Greenville next month.
COURT MONDAY 1I
v. - /
The next week session of the
Martin County Recorder's Court
will convene Monday morning at
9:30 o'clock instead of Tuesday
morning at that hour, it was an
nounced today t>y- Judge Jos. W.
Bailey.
The change in the day for hold
ing the court was made when it
was found that the presiding of
ficer would be out of the county
that day. Litigants and witnesses
are asked to note the change in
the schedule.
ASK PARENTS TO
ATTEND OPENING
OAKCITY SCHOOL
Children Asked To Bring
Books With Them for
Exchange or Sale
Oak City.—A 100 per cent attend
ance is being urged upon the opening
of the Oak City schools next Monday,
Principal H. Nl. Ainsley announced
here today. While the school man did
not predict the size of the first-day
enrollment, it is understood that equal
ly as many children and probably a
few more will report for instruction
next Monday than there on opening
day last term.
In an effort to provjde books for
all children, the, principal is request
ing all pupils to bring second-hand
books to his office, where they can be
checked and sold in the school.
While the general opening an
nouncements will be inalle in the au
ditorium at 10:30 that morning, Mr.
Ainsley did say that all patrons are
cordially invited and urged to be pres
ent (or the opening and spend the day
with the children, Rev. J. M. Perry,
of Robersonvillt, will conduct the de
votional, it was stated.
The music department of the school,
including' piano and public school mu
sic, will be in charge of Miss Chris
tine Piland, local talent with special
musical ability and conservatory train
irig. Tile schooT is very fortunate to
secure the services of Miss Piland, and
the parents will be glad To know that
school children will have the benefit
of music instruction. Miss Piland is
conducting the music ~ department in
dependent of county or district funds.
DIES AT HOME
IN GOLD POINT
Funeral for Robt. Roebuck,
84 Years Old, Was Held
Sunday Afternoon
Robert Roebuck died at the home
of his daughter, Mrs. John Bell, in
Cold Point, Saturday night at the age
of 85 years! He was the last mem
ber of a family of nine children. A
sister, Marcella Roebuck, dfed August
1 last year at the age of 87.
Of the nin-e children, one was
lolled, While a young man, in the
Civil War, and one other died when
young. The other t seven all lived to
be above 79 years old. »
The burial was in the Roebuck bury
ing ground near Gold Point Sunday.
The funeral was held at the Gold Point
Christian church by Rev. Jack Purvis.
Mr. Roebuck had lived a useful,
simple?- and unselfish Christian life
for more than two-thirds of a cen
tury. Only one child, Mrs. Bell, sur
vives, a number of grandchildren, and
a score of great-grandchildren.
Former Tobacco Buyer
Kills Sell in Georgia
Cotton Poindexter, buyer for the
American • Tobacco Company on the
local market several years ago, killed
himself in a Georgia IHJ'CI last week.
No cause was given for the a t, the
young man leaving a note requesting
thath is body be buried in Arlington
cemetery. He said he was abounded
war veteran and thought he ought to
have a place there, 'I he body was
shipped to Wilson for '>urial, it is un
derstood.
While representing th« American
here, Mr. Poindexter .jnade many
friends among local iy£4>l : and was
well liked as a tobacco man.
Small Break
Fair Quality Here
REGULAR MEET
COUNTY BOARD
HELD MONDAY
County Paid Off $40,000 of
Its Bonded
During Past Year
Martin County reduced its bonded
last year by $40,200
County debts, $21,000; and county
school debts, $19,200 —it was an
nounced following a meeting of the
Martin Couijty commissioners here
Mcnday. The announcement came
after a long review was made of the
county audit recently completed by
the I'erkinson Auditing Company. The
report, showing the county finances
to be far above the- general average
in the state, was accepted. The rec
ord made last year is said to be one
of the main steps a county, can take
in reducing its tax rate as the prompt
payment of inescapable obligations
cuts out interest charges that natur
ally increase when principal and in
terest are allowed to accumulate.
The day was an unusual one for the
members of the board, for they had
less work and* fewer complaints than
at any meeting held in recenCjnontbs-.
Only four new pleas for help were
presented the body for consideration
Caroline Griffin, Hamilton Txnvnship;
Amanda Best, Hamilton Townsfiip;
Rose Howard, Goose Nest; and Fan
t'ie ■VV iHiatus, each having been al
lowed $1.50 monthly. The allowance
to George Keys, of Jatnesville Town
ship," was increasetffrom $1,50 to $2
a month.
A new schedule of rates was tuade
for the collection of delinquent taxes,
the collector to receive only one-half
the legal penalties flowed on taxes
from the time sales are made until the
suits of foreclosures are completed.
Ihe new schedule -will apply for 1930
taxes, it is understood. "
MARTINS CLOSE
SEASON WITH
GOOD RECORD
Through and Through the
Season Just Closed Was
Very Successful One
1 hrough ami through, out and out,
Williamston and the county as a whole
especially Jamcsville and Roberson
ville—completed one of the best ama
teur baseball seasons here in years,
the team and' its managers reflecting
credit' to the game that encourages
good sportsmanship and an enjoyable
sport..
Coming here with little hopes o'f any
great pecuniary thepayers
entered inty the sport with a sincere
determination and throughout the sea
son they played hard, winning both
halves and the championship pennant
in the Albemarle .League. The young
men ci.tiling from other sections en
tered into the activities of the com
munity as regular citizens and they
were good citizens. While ( , the ekpinse
of maintaining • the team might have
taxed the community, the sport of
fered a fair return, giving a change of
conversational subjects and offering a
sport that attracted fair-sized and real
often, large crowds.to the diamond.
Under the management of V. J.
Spivey and E. P. Cunningham, the
organization cleared all accounts and
balanced the books without a loss to
anybody.
It isn't known whether the boys will
return or not, but it is certain that
Latham, catcher; Taylor, first base;
Howard Brown, >econd base; Earps,
shortstop; Jimmie Brown, third base;
Coffield, right field; Howard Gaylord
and Whitehurst, centerfield; Onward
Gaylord, left field; and Cherry, Her
ring and Kugler, pitchers, cooperated
to .make a good team, and one that
furnished much worth-while entertain
ment for many during the past sev
eral weeks.
A farewell supper was given the
boys this week, and several of thein
left immediately .thereafter for their
homes or to entjr college here and
there throughout the state.
Advsrtisers Will Fnd Oar Col
oms a Latchkey to Over Sixteen
Hundred Martin County Homes
ESTABLISHED 1898
BELT MARKETS
AVERAGE ABOUT
10 CENTS TODAY
Skinner, American, Export
Are Principal Buyers on
Local Market Today
C omparatively, small sales Were re
ported on all the tobacco markets
opening in the Eastern Uri«h Belt
this morning, the late season finding
many farmers sfll busy harvesting
the crop. And the crowds attending
the first sales were said to be much
smaller than in yeats.
During the first hour and a h'alf
after the sales \vere started on the lo
cal floors this morning, 10,576 pounds
of the golden weed had been sold for
$1,076,00, a resulting' average of a
fraction over 10 cents, actual figures.
While the prices were said not to be
high by many farmers, it was almost .
unanimously agreed that the common
ot inferior grades were selling as
much as twice as high and probably
."'ore, than they did last season with
the better quality grades commanding
about the same price a» they sold for
last year. Anyway, a spirit of opti
mism was general throughout the
market, few farmers registering out
spokeri complaints and no one turning
a tag as far as it could be learned
when the first authentic figures were
turned in for tabulation.
Poundage estimates varied consid
eralrly on the market today, the
guesses ranging from 75,000 to 100,-
000 pounds, the general average or
estimate resting around the 85,000
pound mark. But even then the
break was larger than was first an
ticipated as many farmers have not
finished harvesting the crop and have
n't prepared a pound fot the markets,
Quality of the offerings was de
scribed as .fair to good, ' the prices
ranging from 2 1-2 to 01 cents on the
first sale where the quality was said
to be .slightly inferior to that on the
Hours of the other two houses. It is
believed the average witt" climb he
fore the sales are completed with the
indication that at least a 11-cent and
possibly a 11 and one-half cent price
point would he rearhed.
Spirited selling and bidding featur
ed the sales here today. The sales
were unusually active and the
buyers seemed to want the tobacco,
and competition was keen when bid
ding was turned to the inferior grades.
Skinner and Company, Export and
American were buying heavily of cer
tain grades while the houses were
leading in prices for the top-most
grades. Other companies were in
terested in the offerings and bought
much of certain types.
Last year the opening average was
about $6.84, and before the sales are
completed today, it is believed that
figure will have been passed by four
or five cents. The break today is
estimated at abo.ut one-half the size of
the one oenping day last year.
The market was formally opened
here today by Mayor R7 L. Cotourn
who extended a cordial welcome to
the growers and visitors. Rev. Chas.
II Dickey offered a short prayer, and
the sing-song of the auctioneer was
then soon underway.
Selling on the local market this
morning, E. T. Smith and Brother, of
Goose Nest Township expressed them
selves as being well pleased with the
average received. They sold lugs, as
follqws; 134 pounds at 20 cents; 104
pounds at 24 cents; 98 pounds at 30
cents; 112 pounds at 45 cents; 472
pounds sold for $146.20, or a little
better than a 30-cent average. The
clear check was $140,95.
It was admitted that the two far
mers had some mighty good tobacco.
The RobersonvHte market reported
around 90,000 pounds on sale today,
and an average of around 10 1-2 cents,
according to early estimates. No tags
were turned and smiles were numer
ous. ,
Greenville reported around 650,000
pounds on its floors today, early tales
indicating that the market would aver
age around 10 cents.
Farmville reported around 250,000
pounds on it* floors and an indicated
average of about 10 cents also.