North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE Watch tha Lahal Ob W It Canriaa tha Data Your Sufaacriptiaa 5S mf-JL VOLUME XXXVII?NUMBER 81 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, December 7, 1934 ESTABLISHED 1898 Will Ballot on Tobacco and Cotton Control Next Week MORE THAN 2,000 BALLOTS BEING PREPARED HERE Every Tobacco Farmer Is Eligible To Take Part In Imporant Election Martin County farmers will vote on the Lunlinuince of the t6bacco con trol act at the 12 regular voting pre cincts in this counyt next Friday be tween the hours of 9 a. m. and 5 p. m., it was officially announced by the of fice of the county agent here yester day. The vote will be taken at the same time the Bankhead cotton con trol law Is voted upon, it was stated. All tobacco farmers, including land owners, renters, and tenants, are eli gible to vote, and it is believed a large percentage of the growers in this coun ty will support the measure. Under the terms of the Kerr-Smith act, at least three-fourths of the to bacco farmers will have to vote in favor of the act to assure its continu ance next year. The matter is being left entirely with the tobacco farmers, and while nearly all in this county are believed <o favor the law, there are many who will, for one reason or another, fail to vote, it is feared. If the law fails of passage, the contract signer will be outof luck, so to speak. Many new curing barns are going up in some sec tions of the tobacco belt, and the non signers will have the advantage if the law fails to continue in that they can grow as much tobacco as they piease and sell it tax-free. The continued control feature will make this impos sible. More than 2,000 ballots are being prepared at the office of th?? county | agenF this w^ek, and to ill be delivered to the poll holders itt the 12 regular 1 voting precincts in ample time for,the referendum next Friday. Landlords arc urged to vote and to notify and insist upon their tenants voting for the Smith-Kerr act's continuance. EDWIN A. WILSON DIES IN NORFOLK Was Native of Williamston, Leaves Two Brothers and Sister Here Edwin A. Wilson, native of .Wil liamston, but for the past 35 years a citizen of Norfolk, died at his home there last Thursday from a heart at tack. FollowinK a light stroke of ap oplexy four years ago he had been in retirement. The son of the late W. H. and rah A he wa* born here 53 years ago. When a young man he moved to Norfolk arid engaged in the wholesale produce business with the late W. H. Carstarphen, also a native of Williamston. A number of years later he entered the insurance business and met with success. Mrs. Wilson, who was Miss Sue Williams before her igtrriH^i survives with four child^frii Mrs. Helen Down ing, Lina, Edgar, and Margaret Wil son, all of Norfolk. He also leaves two brothers, Messrs. M. D. Wilson and M W. Wilson, and two sisters, Mrs. A. T. Perry, all of Williamston, and Mrs. E. E. Powell, of Grifton. Funeral services were held last Fri-1 day and burial was in a Norfolk cem etery, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Perry, Mr. 1 and Mrs. M. D. Wilson, and Mr. M. W. Wilson attending the last rites from here. #? "" '? ' Hamilton Society to Stage Play There Tuesday Night The Missionary Society of the Hamilton Baptist church will present i the play, ''Closed Lips," in the school auditorium there neat Tuesday evening' at 8 o'clock. The play is strictly mod ern and will be enjoyed by all who see it, it is believed. Names of the play cast: Miss Allie Roebuck, Mrs. E. C. Edmondson, Mrs. M-. D. Beach, Miss .Carolina Da vis, Miss Ray Lee Turner, Miss Susan Alligood, Miss Iris Ewell, Mr. Wil liam Haislip, Mr. E. C. Edmondson, and Mr. Louis Etheridge A small admission fee will be asked. One Preaching Service at Baptist Church Sunday The congregation of the local Bap tist church is asked to join in the services at the local Methodist church Sunday night at 7:JO o'clock, at which time the incoming Methodist minister will hold his initial service. The regular morning preaching serv ice will be held at' the baptist church Sunday morning as usual; also the Sunday school and the young people's uhions. -?< HIGH WATER Reaching the highest mark in several rears, the Roanoke River continuee to rise at this point, official information received from the weather bureau in Raleigh at noon today, stating that the water would rise about sis more inches before reaching a crest some The water has flooded the river wharf warehouses, and is now a bout to enter homes nearby. No great damage is expected at this point as most of the crops have been removed and stock were tak en from the lowlands. Much wild life has been destroy ed by the high waters, it is be lieved, and some hunters have I set for the game as it fled from | the lowlands to the ridges, it is l understood. FIFTEEN CASES TRIED IN COUNTY COURT TUESDAY Total of 26 Cases on Docket After Lay-Off Lasting Two Weeks Handling 15 cases and continuing 11 others, the county court, after two 'weeks of inactivity caused by the ses ision of the superior tribunal, had a I congested docket last Tuesday. The number of cases on the docket was the largest to face the court in many months, the Kobersonville rural sec tion sending a goodly share of the de fendants. However, there were very few sections of the county, not repre sented at. the^bar. Fines imposed by I Judge Feel amounted to $205, W. H. pCoburn, reappointed'soTWrHW'the day before, prosecuting the docket, and L. Bruce Wynri, new clerk of the court, recording the happenings. Isaac Coppage was fined $50 and taxed with the cost for carrying a con cealed weapon. He can pay the fine , or go to the roads for 90 days. Judgment was suspended in the case ? charging Woodrow Mills with aban-1 donment and non-support. A nol pros resulted in the case | charging Eddie Dolberry with an as- j sault with a deadly weapon. Mack Andrews was fined $50 and ( taxed with the costs for the alleged , volation of the liquor law*. The cases charging A. L. Williams with disorderly conduct and Paul Bal- i lard with trespass were nol prossed. j Abner Bennett, well-known char acter on the streets of Williamston, was ordered confined to jail for 30 days for alleged cruelty to animals. B A. Staton was fined $75 and taxed | Willi the costs foi upeiating an iBttr mobile while intoxicated. His license to operate a motor vehicle was revoked for one year. Judgment was suspended upon the payment of costs in the case charging Jesse James with operating a car with operating a car with improper lights. Charlie Rhodes drew four months on the roads fur operating a cai white. intoxicated. Sam Eborn was sentenced to 12 months on the roads for larceny. Judgment was suspended upon the payment of the court costs and the payment of $10 a month for six months J to his family in the case against Clue Terry. Charged with violating the liquor laws, John Spruill was sentence! to the roads for a term of 60 days. Jesse Coburn, adjudged guilty of violating the liquor laws, was fined $30 and taxed with the cost. Buck Edmondson, a' defendant in the same case, was found not guilty. Ernest Gray was sentenced to the roads for four months for carrying a concealed weapon. Transfer Emergency Crop Loan Collectors in District Sheriff James H. Harris, collector of emergency crop loans in this coun ty since early in the fall, has been transferred to another county. Mr. Roy Hearne, formerly stationed here, will carry on the work on Tuesday and Fridays of each week, it was an nounced here yesterday. A large "portion of the money ad vanced in the mergency loans has been paid in this county, it is understood, only a few accounts remaining un paid by farmers who have not sold their peanuts. Legion Post To Hold Its Regular Meeting Monday The John Walton Haaactl Poat of the American Legion will hold ita reg ular monthly meeting in the hall at Wiliamrton next Monday evening at 7:JO o'clock. NAME OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE VOTING President Roosevelt Makes Statement Supporting * Bankhead Law The machinery for holding the Bankhead cotton law referendum Tn this county next Friday was completed this week, and with a statement com ing from President Roosevelt in sup port of the act's passage, a substan tial vote is expected from Martin farmers. In an effort to make it con venient for the cotton farmers to vote on the act in this county, Agent T. B. Brandon and his assistant, T. B Slade, have completed arrangements to open the polls in each anil every one of the 12 regular election precincts Voting will be a very simple opera tion, and every one of the nearly 2,000 cotton farmers in this county is urged to take part in the election. Officials for holding the referen dum next Friday from 9 a. ill. to 5 p. m. were announced this week, as fol lows: Jamesville: F. C. Stalligs, J. R. Knowles, and C. C. Fleming. Williams: Joshua L, .Coltrain, Chas Daniels, and R. J. Hardison. Griffins: James L. Coltrain, the two remaining officials to he named by Chairman Coltrain. Bear Grass: A. B. Ayers, the two remaining officials to be named by Chairman Ayers. Williamston:. Walter Halberstadi, tf>vo others to be announced. Cross Roads: J. S. Ayers, W. L Ausbon and Joe B. Barnhill. Robersonville: H.,S. Everett, S. T. Woolard, Abram Roberson. Gold PotriT :"Tt;"~L. Keel,1 Roy F.veri5! ett and J. W. Perkins. Poplar Point: Slade White, Her man Harrison, and L. Leggett. Hamilton: W. J. Beach, John S Ayers, and Herman Everett. Hasselt: C. L, Nelson, George Ayers and E. R. Edmondson. Goose Nest: B. M. Worsley, T. H. Council, and Lawrence Hyinan. It is reasoned that if this county and state fail to support the act by a large vote, farmers need not expect much consideration in their appeals for aid as tobacco growers, for nearly all the J cotton states do not grow tobacco, in* the representatives tn Itroie state5 lean well be expected to show little j interest in helping farmers who fail 'to cooperate in the cotton program for the benefit of all. | In supporting the Bankhead law, | President Roosevelt this week said: I "If the Bankhead act is continued in effect for another ysar, it is my pur. ' pose to recommend to the Congress an amendment granting an exemption j for the full amount of his base pro duction to each farmer who has an established base production of not mor? than two bales of cotton." | The President cited figures showing that the parity price for farmers in 1932 would have been about 13 cents, while the actual price was 5 1-2 cents. Today he said the parity price is a bout 15 cents, while the actual price is about 12 1-2 cents. This he regards as quite an accomplishment. Rev. J. C. Hough Preaches At Piney Grove Sunday Rev. J. C. Hough, superintendent of the Kennedy Home, Baptist or phange near Kinston, will preach in the Piney Grove Baptist church Sun day morping at the 11 o'clock hour, it was announced yesterday by the pastor, Rev. W. B. Harrington. Three young girls, sisters, from the orphan age, will sing during the services. The public is cordially invited to attend ? ? ? Schedule of Services at the Church of Advent Rev. B. F. Moaeley, Rector Second Sunday in Advent. Church school, 9:45 a. m., Morning prayer and sermon, 11 a. m. No evening service will be held in this church as the congregation is in vited to attend the Methodist church at the welcome service to their new minister. Hoffman Flyers Return Here for Number Flights ?? The Hoffman Fliers will return here tomorrow and Sunday with their cab in plane and parachute jumper. Reg ular flights will be made during the two days. Sunday afternoon, weath er permitting, "Dusty" Burnard will make another parachute jump, falling 1,500 or 2,000 feet before opening his parachute, it was stated by the jump er yesterday. SUPERIOR COURT WILL GET UNDER WAY NEXT WEEK | Two Murder Cases and One For Manslaughter Are Most Important Martin County's last term of super ior court of the year convenes next Monday for the trial of both criminal and civil cases, with Judge W. A. Devin, of Oxford, on the bench. On ly a comparatively small number of criminal cases are on the docket, and it is very likely that many civil cases will be called, indicating that the term jwill be brought to a close before the week" is spent. However, the criminal docket, with two murder cases and one manslaugh | ter charge scheduled, is more com ' plicated than usual, and probably three (or more days will be required to han , die those cases. James Wilson, charged with killing [Haywood Scott, colored, at William ston ou September 21. will face a first degree murder charge. Wilson has been in the jail since the shooting, his case being such that bond was denied. Johnnie Williams and Joe Lawson are charged with murder and reckless driving as a result of the fatal injury | to little Peggie Hardison and pairtful bruises to the child's grandmother in a wreck on the Jamesville road, near j Williamston, the 15th of last month. Both men are out under what are con sidered by many to be unusually small bonds. That the charges advanced in the warrant will be changed is almost certain, the two men likely to face manslaughter and reckless driving charges. Ollie Page, driver of a truck that figured in a wreck causing the deaths of Marshall Andrews and John Leav ister near Robersonville on the 6th of September, is b^ked for man daughter. Counsel has been employed for both the state and defense in the last two :ases, and large crowds are expected, to attend the ronrt to hear all three. considerable portion of William stoii's colored population will, in all probability, hear the Wilson murder case. ? - Other cases on the docket are con sidered of small moment, six of the number having been appealed from "County court judgments. Violet Hassell, small colored girl, is charged with housebreaking and lar ceny. Thurman Bell is facing a similar charge, and Jay Rawls, Junior Wynn, and Joe Henry Wells arc also sched uled to face housebreaking and lar ceny charges. Six cases appealed from the county court are as follows: C. B. Hardison, driving automobile while intoxicated. John Cherry, operating auto while in toxicated. Sim Quinnerly, secret assault. George Lee Jones, assault. I Woodrow Bt>rne44, reckless driving. John Henry- Brown, carrying con cealed weapon. Charges were formally 'preferred against Richard Moore this week for the alleged assault with intent to kill Romulus Moore near Dardens the 17th of last month. Moore, his teeth shot out and his lungs punctured, is hardly expected to be able to attend court, and the case will likely be continued. The murder and reckless driving charges against Johnnie Williams and Joe Lawson are likely to be continued, as Mrs. Ohheus Godard, a prosecuting witness, continues in bed from injuries received when the Lawson truck crashed into her and the little child, killing the baby. Mrs. Godard is grad ually recovering, but is only able to sit up a part of the time in bed. Jamesville Wins the First Two Games In Basketball Opening the season last Tuesday, Jamesvjlle's basketball teams scored a double victory over the Stokes teams the girls winning 24 to 13, and th^ boys taking their game 25 to 11. On Wednesday, the Jamesville teams re peated their victories ovtf Farm Life, the boys winning 25 to 13 and the girls annexing victory by a 19 to 15 score. Nearly 2,000 Lights Add To Christmas Spirit Here ? Nearly 2,000 vari-colored lights, add ing greatly to the spirit of the Christ mas season, were turned on in the business districts here last evening. The shopping season is gaining mo mentum in local stores rapidly, and indications continue to point to a joy ful and prosperous season here this Christmas. Third Month Salaries Are Going to County Teachers Salaries for the third month are being paid Martin County teachers today. It will be tomorow and even later before all the checks reach the teachers, however. Williamston Merchants Are Ready With Big Gift Stocks With only four Mm more shopping days left before Christmas, the holi- j day trade in Wil- f liamaton's stores is s. becoming more pro nounced each day with an already bright proapect be coming more bright for one of the most successful seasons \ here in years. Store shelves here are overflowing with new and modern gifts, toys, vehicles, and the thousands of other articles that go to make shopping easy for the careful purchaser.' While there has been a general riae in the price level throughout the country, customers will find the goods very reasonably priced in all the Williamaton stores this season. Make your plans now to do your shopping with Williamston mercnants for this, the most promising holiday season in many years. A welcome awaits you at any and all times?^and you will save money on your Christmas purchases, besides. AUTO LICENSES FOR NEXT YEAR NOW ON SALE I No Extension To Be Given I State Motorists In the Purchase of Tags I The sale of 1935 state automobile jtags was started at the Carolina Mo I tor Club bureau in the Williamston 1 Motor Company building last "Satin {day, the first plate going to Mr. Mar ion Kvans, of Kobersonville. The sec iond plate was sold to Mr. Edgar 1) Brown, of JamesviWe. Eleven licenses jwere sold the first, day j Selling around 3,5(X) licenses last year, the bureau here this year is an Ttiripating a larger sale and has on I hand 4,260 auto, truck, and trailer li censes. There are 2,800 No. 1 licenses for i cars, selling for from $12.50 to $14.85 The No. 2 class sell for from $15.40 to $10.80, and the No. 3 car class li censes sell for $20 and up. Truck li censes cost from $16 to $112 and up Trailer tags cost $2 each and up. No extension of time after Decent ber 31 will be allowed North Carolina motorists in which to purchase 1935 automobile license tags, it was an nounced a few days ago by an official of the highway patrol. New plates are already on sale, hut it will be un lawful to display them before the 15th of this month, it was stated. Motorists in this section may pur chase the new tags at Williamston or order them direct from Raleigh. Ap plication cards have been received by many motorists in this section, and they will find it very easy to get new I plates by presenting them with tli - . . t ^ c bureau in tin; Williamston Motor Company build ing The local bureaus this year have been instructed not to issue license on any car bought outside of North Carolina. Plates for such cars must be ordered direct from the license bureau in Raleigh or through local patroliuen. The 1935 tags are black and silver in color, the first color scheme of that nature that has been used to dress up | the costly tins in this state CATCH CONVICT LOST IN SWAMP Ed Dixon, Colored, Gladly Surrenders To Hunters Near Dymond City Escaping from a prison camp in Beaufort County last Monday, Ed Dixon, negro convict serving a 15 year term for murder Committed in i the western part of the state, was found nearly frozen and terribly hun gry in the big woods of Griffins town ship, near Dymond City, Wednesday I by deer hunters. Finding the man, Hunter Marvin Ecggett soon learned that Dixon I wanted to surrender, and he wa turned over to Martin authorities and later returned to the Beaufort c^mp. After serving seven years of liG term, Dixon decided to make arrange merits to spend Christmas with his people, but once in the jungle he de cided the prfson camp was not such j a bad place after all. He was chased] by guards, but he made his escape and wandered around lost, cold and hungry in the thick woods among the bears fop more than two days. Hci probably would have frozen to death or died of starvation had the hunters failed to run upon him and brought | him out. He said he preferred to spend the remainder of his term of eight years in prison than to repeat his experiences gained during those few days in the big swamp. BANK ROBBERY AT HAMILTON IS STILL UNSOLVED Institution Continuing An Unbroken Service To Its Patrons ? I While the robbery of the Bank <>? Hamilton last Monday night remains unsolved, the institution continues its I banking operations uninterrupted. Find j fng the operations somewhat incon-^ i venient by having to use the vaults of other banks for its valuables, the , institution officials, however, are af fording a ready service for its patrons jaud are carrying on the -.business a usuaknfor them. mrnamm No official report on the anumnt i stolen from the- hank in "the raid ha : been relcasVd;'bo\WverV Tate (^flTfEftcsl place the loss at about $.1,400. Of the ( !amount $200 was in-silver-dollars ami j 'there were a number of the "jumbo"' 1 or large-size paper bills j Accoring to reports reaching here, 1 it has not been definitely determined i j whether a new vault and safe equip- j 1 incut will replace the damaged prop- . erty or the old will be repaired In- j surance adjustors arc working on the case. 1 No clue whatever has been estab lished that even hints of the identity of the guilty parties. Reports from Norfolk this week stated that two acet J ylene torches and two tanks of gas ! were stolen -.'front a mac fmre shop there last Suixlay night, and it is believed ' that equipment was used to burn an entrance to the vault and safe in the I Hamilton bank. Every effort has been j made by officers to track down the robbers, but they have met with no ! success so far, ? ? ? !Joe Matthews Attempts Suicide Near Parmele J?>e Matthews, young farmer living ! near I'armele, attempted to end hi ' own life at his home there yesterday afternoon by firing a load of shot from mall gauge gun into his neck. The shot did not go deep into the man's neck and he is expected to recover. The suicide attempt followed by four days the self destruction of C Vance Carson in I'armele. Matthews was said to have been drinking considerably at the time, and claims that trouble caused him to at tempt suicide. SCHOOL NEWS ' AT OAK CITY Seniors Annual Play The senior class will present short-1 ly after Christmas holidays its annual play. They have selected a comedy in three acts, "Miss Adventure." This play shows the exciting escapades of a college girl who runs away from school disguised in the janitor's clothes and applies for work on a farm. Societies Are Active The two societies of the Oak City High School, the Wilson and Esther ian, have been doing very active work. At the beginning of the year they be gan a contest, the winner of which i to be presented with a silver loving cup. Each Monday morning one so ciety gives a chapel program. These programs are graded and the society making the highest average will re ceive the cup. Various types of programs have been presented; A mock radio prog, ram, a demonstration of etiquette, .1 good English playlet, a mock prize speaking contest, an Armistice Day and a Thanksgiving program. The Wilsonian* are now preparing a hum orous skit of an old-fashioned school room and the Estherians a Christmas pageant. 12 Dead, 2 Seriously Injured In Wreck at Robersonville SPEEDING AUTO RUNS INTO BACK OF WOOD TRUCK Joe. H. Whitfield, Jr. Dies Instantly; J. D. White Dies in Hospital J. H Whitfield, jr., was killed al mont im.tmitly und j?I). While was? fatally injured and Harry Arrington ami Jack Roberson were critically in jured about 6 o'clock yesterday after noon when the car in which they were riding, owned and driven by White, and said to have been running 80 miles an hour, plowed into the rear of a slowly moving truck on U. S. High way (>4 in the town of Robersonville. Whitfield, fits body badly torn and broken, died at the scene of the wreck just east of the town's main street in tersection with the highway. White died in a Rocky Mount hospital early this morning from internal injuries, it was said. Last reports received here indicated that Harry Arrington, a lad just 1- years old, might recover Suffering fractures of both legs. Jack Roberson, 12 years old, is 'Expected w recover. Two other boys in the car, NorHeet Whitfield, a brother t<> the dead youth ami James Smith, escaped with minor bruises Mclvin Green, driver of the truck loaded with wood, had his side punctured, but his. injury is not considered serious. Described as one of the worst on the highways of this r?unty in many years, the wreck was said to have been the direct result of reckless driving and crazy speeding White, 24-year-old merchant of Robersonville and driver of the car, was-using the youngsters in .delivering advertising matter for his store Rcturning^iiomc, Nor fleet .Whitfield expTaiYfe< 1 iTt at White^ had told tbe boys he was going to run at the rate 80 miles an hour until he Was within 35 feet of the Main Street intersection and then slow doVvn in time to make the curve. Recognized as a regular speed king, White is be lieved to have never seen the slowly moving truck and crashed into it at full speed, knocking the truck 57 yards down and oft the highway. The en gine was ripped in two, and the ma chine was wrecked The two deaths bring the total num ber of lives lost to 12 on Martin Coun ty highways this year, nearly half of ?hem being in the Robersonville com munity. 1: lineraL se r vice*??fm Whit field, young son of Mr..'and;'Mrs. Joe Hen ry Whitfield, of Robersoivv.lie, are be ing held this afternoon Burial will. follow in the cemetery there. The young man was a brother to Mrs. George H. Gurganus, of this place. ?Whiter a native,- of?Franklin,- Va., ?Ut. Rohwi b*Mt.vilU aU.wt?two ? years ago and operated a small 10-cent store here. His body was carried to Franklin early today, where funer al services ami burial will take place tomorrow. OFFICERS RAID LIQUOR PLANTS Several Liquor Stills Found and Destroyed In This Section Recently County officeri interrupted pre (hristmas preparations of moonshin ers in several sections of this county this week, taking three liguor plants ami destroying a quantity of beer. Yesteriiay_afterimmi Deputy Joe H. Roebuck, assisted "by Robersouville police, raided a plant about three miles south of Robersouville, and de stroyed a copper still and one barrel of beer. While Deputy "Sears"* was raiding hear Robersouville, Sheriff C. B. Rdebuck and Jailer Roy Peel found and destroyed a 75-gallon capacity copper still ami three barrels of beer in Cross .Roads Township. Earlier in the week, officers destroyed a small steam plant and a small quantity of beer in Williamston township. Near the manufacturing site, the raiders found a 50-gallon coper still in a small pine top One or two plants were destroyed by officer searlier in the week. To Hold Preaching Service In New Christian Church Sunday school at 9:45 in the new church and worship at 11 o'clock. The pastor wiH preach on the theme, "This House," at the morning service. All members will want to be pres ent at the first preaching service in the new building. A fine fellowship is anticipated. Friends and visitors cor dially invited. Evening service will be called off to cooperate wyth our Methodist breth ren at their tfnion service.