VOLUME XXXVII?NUMBER 10 Wiltiamston. Martin County, North Carolina. Tuesday, April 3. 1934 _ ESTABLISHED 1898 REGARD CHORAL1 CLUB AS VALUED ASSET TO TOWN Baptist Church Packed To Hear Blaster Cantata Sunday Night By CHARLES H. DICKEY Easter Sunday evening's rendition of appropriate seasonable music by, the town's community choir demon strated, beyond any reasonable doubt, that this organisation has quickly come to be one of the town's most valued and appreciated assets. Organized but a few months ago, it packed the Episcopal Church at Christmas time, and Sunday eve ningning overflowed the large audi torium of the Memorial Baptist church when it sang before one of the largest groups of people seen in any Williamston church in many years. This club has already received an invitation to furnish the music when the baccalaureate sermon is preached at the high school during commence ment this spring; and will loubtless be ready with appropriate music at Thanksgiving, at Christmas and when Easter comes around next year. Such an organization, which has so quickly won the confidence of the community, deserves the town's ap preciation and support. At the Sun day mght^service an offering cf $16.50 was given the club with which to pur chase music. But when it is remem bered that special music yarii'. have to be bought for commencement, then again tor Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on, it will at once be cen that it will take considerable money to keep the club s music up to date: Under the circumstances, it would seem that the general public which hears these special song services abould be moat willing and anxious to at least furnish sufficient funds to keep the club going. And upon such occasions when they sing, tlie public should assume that an offering wilt be madef and should make it legularly, gladly, and cheerfully. A community must have i?? mone tary institutions, its mercantile estab lishments, and its general business in stitutions. But a people does not live by bread alone?not even on good bread. And when a community dem onstrates, a9 has been demonstrated in Williamston recently, that its church people can forget their sec tarian differences and worship God together, in any place; and when picked singers from the several choirs work for months on special music and then put it over as this club is doing ?then such club merits high apprecia tion and unselfish freely given support. MARCH RAINFALL IS NEAR NORMAL ? Rains Last Week Brings Month Nearer Normal Than Any Other With i fairly heavy rain Tueadiy night and early Wednesday morning of laat week, the rainfall for the month of March approached normal for the first time in several years. While the rain last Tuesday night was fairly heavy, it was not as large aa many people believed it to be, Hugh Spruill reporting about four-fifths of an inch at that time. During the month 4.6S inches ol rain fell here, the target fall for the month pf March in more than foui years and the largest since last Au gust, when 6.25 inches were report ed. While there continues a deficiency of rainfall in this aection, the creek! and other small streams are reported to have more water in them that a any time in many months. The mois ture is said to extend into the grounc deeper, it was also pointed out. P Roanoke River Expected To Rise Thru Tomorrow ? A second rite in the Roanoke Rivei in rocent weeks is expected to read its crest at this point tome time to morrow night, according to informa tion received here yesterday. The stream will go 12 feet abov the average level, it was estimated sending the waters over the banks b; about 15 inches. Fishing operations have been halt ed at Jamesville by the high watei it was learned yesterday. ; I ? I > ' Aged Colored Woman Dies At County Homt ? Mary Griffin, aged colored woman died at the county home Sunday aft ernoon at 1 o'clock, her death beini the second there in about a week. Entering the home a few week according to reports received hen She had been ill with cancer at he homt in Poplar Point for soma tim befot* going to the institution. , I CLEAN-UP MONTH . v J With springtime here again, Williamston's mayor, John L Haasell ii addressing an aarneat appeal In owners to clean op their properties. This month has Men designated as clean-up month, and every one is called upon to support it by removing rubbish from all lots and tak ng an active part in keeping the town dean. Remove the tin cans from your premises and help cut down the t'angerous mosquitoes. Drain in ter pools or pour oil on them as a safeguard against the breeding of mosquitoes. Do sway with breeding places for flies. Take an active part in the clean-up drive; it has many benefits, and the trou ble of supporting it is little. (BIG CROWDS AT CHURCH EASTER * Activities of Holy Week High Spot in Section's Religious Life As a rule, there is more interest in religion at Easter time than at any other season of the year, but this Easter was a "red letter" day in the Williamaton churches. Though the ideal weather on last Sunday was a contributing factor in the large con gregations, it Is ~caScedwl~that -baek of it all was the fine work and spirit of cooperation among tljf churches during Holy Week. Easter was just the climax. Of course, attendance alone is not an index of the spiritual life of a church; on the other hand, poor attendance is certainly no sign of encouragement. A report on attendance for the sev eral up-town churches Easter reveals the following figures: Baptist church, Sunday school 166, church attendance 300; Methodist church, Sunday school 85; church service 150; Presbyterian church. Sunday achnol 25, church acrv ice 40; Christian church, Sunday school 138, sunrise service 30; Epis copal church, Sunday school 40; church service 105. A congregation estimated at 350 at tended the Easter cantata rendered by the Williamston Choral Society at the Baptist church Easter night. Nineteen persons were received in to membership at the Baptist church and five at the Methodist church on Easter morning. On Easter Monday night af 7:30, a pageant, "Christ Risen," was present ed to a full congregation at the Epis copal church. . All in 'nil, the ministers and mem ficrs of the churches of Williamston are highly pleased and encouraged with the fine spirit and the excellent results of the whole Caster season. County Court Here Today Has 18 Cases Scheduled With eighteen cases on the docket, the county recorder's court had the appearance of a superior court here this morning.. The large size docket carries cases that accumulated during the two weeks the superior court was in session here. Town Commissioners V To Meet Tomorrow Scheduled to have been held last night, the meeting of the local boar 1 of commissioners wit postponed un til tomorrow night, when it was learned that several of the members would be unable to attend. * County Commissioners In Short Session Monday The Martin County Commission er, held one of the shortest meetings here yesterday in several years, the business before the board being con fined to two or three minor tax mat ters and relief requests other than the regular routine duties. ^' Lewis Powell, of Robersonville Township, was allowed $2.50 a month. W. L. Taylor was relieved of $5 dog tax listed in error for the year 19U. The board discussed a few matters, took no definite action in any of them and adjourned before the noon hour. 'r Junior Order Supper Here Thursday Night As a climax to a recent attendance contast, the local Junior Order mem betelse^ well ~ en,oy - a~ -ebsdreti suppei in the Legion Hall Thursday eve ning. "Flip" Peel, on the losing side, will have charge of the repast, and the entire membership of the council is urged to attend. B. C. Siske, state councillor, plage to attend the supper and make a shori talk. Mr. Hubert Spiith was in Rich mond Saturday ntght. He was ac companied home by his mother anf sister who will visit here. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS MONDAY Hear ReportB From Three Groups Representing County Schools ? ? Holding a meeting here yesterday, the Martin County Board of Educa tion discussed several matters and lis tened to two or three delegations ask ing for changes in school districts, and the enlargement of plants. No definite action was taken in any of them. Reporting almost unbelievably crowded conditions in the plant there, the Jamesville committee, Messrs. Holliday, Martin, Davis, and Pollock, asked that the board investigate the possibility of enlarging the building. The committee had the facts and fig ures to support their request. The plant, with its 12 classrooms, is now handling an enrollment of 458 chil dren. The agricultural class is carry-1 ing on its work in the dressing room, while the hot lunch projects are now located in an old toilet compartment. Classes are held in the library and in the laboratory, and the cloak rooms are used for an office and storage. The committee asked for two addi tional. classrooms, a laboratory, a li brary, and storage rooms. The mat-( ter will be taken up with state author-: ities in an effort to get outside help in the undertaking. With an enlarged plant, Bear Grass is asking for a change in the district. The board turned the matter over to the division superintendent, T. B. AttmoQre, and the committee plans to meet with him in the near future, it was learned. Farm Life, although not represent ed by a committee at the meeting, is asking that its plant be enlarged to offset crowded conditions existing there. ;? - NEAiyjIOT HERE LAST SATURDAY Several White and Colored People in Fight Over Fish Argument Said to have started over a fish ar gument, a fight near the Atlantic Coast Line station here last Saturday afternoon resulted in a near riot, ac cording to reports coming from the police department. Russell Perry, white, was alleged to have been drink ing and started the fight when he cut Sam Brown, colored, on the finger with a knife. Wiltiam Brown inter ceded for his brother, and Earl Stev enson, white, went in for Perry. During the affray, Stevenson was struck over the head with a canoe paddle in the hands of William Brown. Many blows were said to have been exchanged, but the fight was stopped by officers before serious damage was done to any of the parties. A hearing has been scheduled be fore Mayor J. L. Hassell tomorrow night. Perry is in jail, the other three [being at liberty under bond. SCHOOL NEWS AT FARM LIFE ??? New Record for Attend ance Set Up During Sixth Month ? Completing the sixth month of the current term, the Farm Life school established an all-time high attend ance record for the period. Principal Cliarlea Hough announced thia week. Slightly more than 96 per cent of the high school pupils enrolled and 95 per cent of the elementary children attended regularly, the report shows As far as it could be learned, the rec ord has not been equalled by an) school in this county. The honor roll for the sixth month carries the following names: First Grade: Vairo Griffin, Thelms Hardison, Tillie Gray Griffin. Second grade, Noah R-oberson, Geoi gia Dean Roberson, Hasel Hardison Third grade: B. F. Lilley, Martha Roberson, Dorothy Elizabeth Man ning. Fourth grade: Vera Fearl Williams Lala Smithwiclc, Earl Heath, Robert C. Whitley. Fifth grade: Ida Mae Corey, La vaughn Hardison, G. W. Corey. _ Sixth grade: Bet tie Louise LiUey Evan Griffin, William Lilley. Seventh grade: Ruth Lilley, Sarat Getsinger, Ruby Griffin. Eighth grade: Mamie Clyde Man ning, - Therman Griffin, Annie Get singer, John B. Roberson, Danie Taylor Lilley. Ninth grade: Jay Daniel, Joseph Lil ley, Albert Wilson Lilley. Tenth grade: Bettie Ruth Heath Sarah Roberson, Beulah Roberson an< Verna Griffin. Eleventh grade: Lillian Daniel. COUNTY FOREST FIRE LOSS LAST YEAR $191,970.00 Loss Is About $13,000 More Than Current County Tax Collections ? - i Forest fires cost Martin County last year approximately $191,970, or just about $13,000 more thin the en tire county tax levy, so say figures recently released by the Department of Conservation and Development. While it is generally admitted that i the county loss caused by forest fires was a staggenng siyn. it is difficult for the average person to reconcile the report offered by the board to the fires they saw and the damage as sur veyed by them. The Hasscll, Rober sonville, Williamston and one or two other sections were scorched by fires, but about the same time fire9 were | burning in those districts, parts of! Bertie County were lighted to the high heavens by vast fires that the' forest wardens and all the CCC boys could not stop. And yet Bertie Coun ty's loss was not so great as that in this county. There is a story behind those fig ures, and it probably started back yon der when the county commissioners, I hearing the cry of hard-pressed tax I payers, failed to cooperate in the for est protection movement. People in. this section have reached the con- j elusion that forest protection rests j with the people, that organized sys j terns might render some help, but j high water and all the king's forces i can't stop the waste once a careless ? j people start the fires going in great | numbers. And apparently the au thorities some where up Raleigh way arc of the same opinion because, it j is remembered here, they refused to j permit the , CCC boys to answer a call for help issued by this county last year. They snapped the whip,' emphatically saying thai the forestry j boys were not allowed to tread on soil where the owners had failed to. cooperate. in a dictated. protection program. Martin County is having too many forest fires, and until the people fully! realize the necessity of preventing fires there'll be fires and more fires irrespective of forest wardens, con servation programs and the CCC boys. 2 DOCTORS PLAN TO LOCATE HERE Goldsboro Physicians To Make Definite Decision Within Few Days ? Doctors C. V. Hollo way and E. - Tucker, for several years located in Goldsboro, are planning to locate here for the general practice of medi cine. While no arrangements have been completed, it is understood the two men will make a definite an nouncement within a short time. They _ were here yesterday making a person al investigation of the field in this community, and reports released at that time indicated they would locate here soon. Dr. Holloway is a native of Gates County, and Dr. Tucker hails from the neighboring county of Pitt. Both of them are well-known in Golds boro, where they are now located, and they are well recommended. Neither of them is married, it was learned. Tug From Plymouth Hits Partly Open Bridge Here Crashing into the Roanoke River drawbridge here yesterday morning, a tugboat had its top deck torn away, and fixtures damaged. The tug, be longing to the National Handle Com-j pany, of Plymouth, had an unusually, long raft of logs in tow and could notj check its speed in the swift stream ' The captain was late in calling for| the bridge-keeper, and the vessel crashed iinto the half-open /bridge. No damage was done to the bridge, it was reported. FIRST STRAW LID Styles and new wearing apparel were evident in the varioua colore here Kaster Sunday, when the fair ?ex paraded in great numbere the atreeta between religioua aervicea. A friendly aun and favorable tem perature* mad* the day an ideal on* lor the parade of naw dreaa - and expanaixe coreagea. No marked chance in the atyles waa noted, but comment* on Eaater shopping bills indicate slightly higher prices for clothing than those of a year ago. While the spring and summer wardrobe was opened Sunday, the first of the straw hat* were not seen until yesterday, when Mr. Lawrence Hyman, of Oak City, eras aaen with a strictly wmm0 Few Farmers Have Received Their Crop Production Loans While approximately 300 appli cation! for loans have been filed bp farmers in this county with the Crop Production Corporation, only a few checks have been re ceived up to now. An order from high authorities last Saturday in structed the district branches to speed up the work, and checks in greater numbers sre expected to start coming in shortly. The first of the emergency loan applicationa are being forwarded to Washington this week, but no returns can hardly be expected be fore the latter part of next week or the week following, if then. NUMBER FIGHTS IN FREE UNION OVER WEEK END Reported To Have Started Over Hijacking of Liquor Among 'Leggers * Reported to have started over li quor, disturbances in the Free Union section of the county bubbled over last week-end when a free-for-all light was engaged in by members of the several clans there. Fights and.all the added excitement were, said to have been numerous from Friday evening thru a part of Sulfday. Officers invaded the section on several occasions, but the denizens of the woods would re pair to their dens each time, return ing to the open to continue their dif ferences just as soon as the officers departed. Several warrants Irave been preferred and arrests are expected to follow today, according to reports coming from the sheriff's olfice. Sheriff C. B. Roebuck, Constable Clarence Sexton and Helper Roy Pec conducted a raid in tHe?disti'ict yes terday. tearing up threAeH* pliht! and pouring out thousands of gallon! of beer. No arrests were made. Recognized at one time as the lead ing manufacturing district in this sec tion, the Free Union community ha> suffered several setbacks. The Fed eral agents centered their activities ther and dealt a costly blow to tin manufacturers. Recent reports indi cate a return to normal along with other business activities in this par of the country. The supply of liquo; was increasing rapidly, and stealiiq started, one stealing from this one and another stealing from that one As a result, the series of fights got off to a goou announced thia morning that tlirre would be a special com munication of Skawarkee Lodge to night at 7:30 o'clock. There will be work in the firat degree. All Ketone are requested to attend.