North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME XXXIX?NUMBER 33 Williamston. Martin County. North Carolina. Friday. April 24.1936 ESTABLISHED 1899 many cases are CLE ARED OUT IN SUPERIOR COURT Two Weeks Term Brought To a Close by Judge Moore Yesterday The Martin County Superior court convening a week ago last Monday has made comparatively alow prog re"? I" disposing of cases via the Jury route, but it cleared a large number of cases from the docket by consent judgments and directed the removal of more than 100 others when it was proved some of the liti gants were either dead or moved to other sections and that the actions had gone out of date. Consent judgments were ordered in the following cases, all of which were the outgrowth of claim and delivery proceedings mid in which the court declared the plaintiffs own ers of certain properties: 3lade, Rhodes Company against Frank Bell; Virginia Carolina Chem jcal Company against Lester and "ester Keel; Slade Rhodes Company against J. W. and Ida Crisp; Slade, Rhodes Company against J. L. Rea son and W. E. Tyson; B. S. Court ney against Rev. A. Hawkins; C. U Rogers, administrator, against W. O Wynn; Barn hill Brothers against Lester Keel and Susan Taylor; Har rison Bros, against Henry Harris; p. L. Salsbury against J. W. Hines; Co* Motor Company against J. H Hollta; Harrison Bros, against E. M Bland; Mrs. Nettie Cowen against Sam Jones; F. L. Haislip against Don Johnson; R. C. Davis against W- T. Freemon; Virginia Carolina t-hemical Corp. against W. A. Bail ey; Jas. D. Bowen against P. P. Hol iday; R. C. Davis against Joe H. Mizelle; Harrison Bros, against N. J. Razor; Thigpen A Cherry against W. K. Parker; Williams and Reed "gainst A. E. James; Slade, Rhodes Company against B. A. Moye; and Scott Pittman against J. D. Gray. The case of Dr. Earl E. Pittman against F. E. Young was settled by agreement. In the case of John Daniel Biggs against N. B. LiUey. plaintiff recov-I ered Pair of mules, and defendant directed to pay cost. A voluntary non-suit was taken by plaintiffs in case of R. F. Godard and Nora Hopkins against J G Staton. In the case of Rillie C. Wynn a gainst the New York Life Insur ance Company, the plaintiff was al lowed $123 and $25 monthly dur ing period of disability, the defend ant to pay the cost of the action. Abe Spruill, suing the Export Leaf Tobacco Company for $1,300 for injuries received in an automo bile-truck accident near Everetts la stafll, was awarded $780. Roacoc Clemmons, a second plaintfl suing "J* Mme comP*ny- was awarded $230. Clemmons was asking for $2,800. Based on two years separation, a divorce was granted Mrs. Thelma Jones from R. C. Jones. Following the SpruiU-Clemmons case against the tobacco company, the court started working on the case of Lizzie Coffield against P. H. Coffield, Robersonvllle negroes It is understood Coffield divorced his wife several months ago, cutting her off without a cent. She started suit to recover half of the property held by him. An agreement was reached (Continued on beck page) Colored Man Dies Result of Injuries Received in Wreck Vance Bryant Fatally Hurt When Thrown From Truck Saturday Vance Bryant, aged colored man, died in a Windaor hospital yester day morning at 1C o'clock from in juriea received whan he was thrown from a truck on the Roanoke River All last Saturday evening. Funeral services are being held this after noon at his late home here, and bur ial will follow near Oak City, his old borne. Bryant, said to hava been in the employ ff the National Handle Company, was riding with several other men on a truck traveling to ward Williamston. Elisha Raacoe, Bertie colored man, started to drive his car by the truck but had to abandon the effort when he saw an other car meeting him. In turning back to the right side of the road he struck the truck, throwing Bry ant and several others out Bryant suffered a fracthre of the skull and internal injuries, the others escap ing serious injury. Raacoe is being boohed on a man slaughter charge in Bertie County today, it is understood. WPA Frowns on Proposal of Agricultural tfuilding Her^ Application for an agricultural building in thia county was disap proved by Works Progress Admin istration authorities this week, alter the project had been partially sanc tioned by district officers of the ad ministration, it is understood. Nec essary contracts had been executed between the WPA and county com missioners, and plans for the pro posed building had been approved by the district office, according to reports reaching here a few weeks ago. The application was refused, it was explained, because the admin istration does not approve additions to buildings It is believed the proj-? ect could be handled if the commis sioners would furnish a site for the unit apart from the courthouse. The plans and specifications as originally submitted to the WPA authorities called for the construction of an ad dition to the courthouse of four rooms for use by the county agent and his assistants. The proposed project was to have cost around $3, 750, the county to furnish the site and money for skilled labor. Steps have been taken to procure a site for the proposed building, but no definite action in that connection has been reported. Number Officers File With Board Elections ADVENTURE After ipending the night in a box ear on the local yard of the A. C. L. Wednesday night, Hor ace Perry and Walter 8wanner, 11 years old, and Charles Hooten, It, gladly retarded to their homes In Wphlngtoo with the Beaufort County sherUf early yesterday morning. The youthful white lads were off on a short trip for adventure, but the chilly air and a night in a box car made them willing to forego their wanderings. ' Leaving home Wednesday, the boys attended the show here Wednesday evening and were taken Into custody about < o' clock yesterday morning by Chief Daniel and turned over to the Beaufort officer about an hour later. County Chapter of Red Cross Raised Little Under $150 Citizens of Hassell Support Movement with Sizeable Donation This Week Hassell, the little community in the upper part of the county that voice* its own convictions and cares little, about politics in general as long as Franklin Roosevelt is presi dent, came forward a few days ago as a supporter of the Red Cross in its great task of aiding storm and flood victims in other sections of the country. Ur. J. W. Eubanks turned over $1> to Martin County Chapter Chairman Harry Biggs a few days ago, and the donations are acknowledge as follows: A. E. Downs, $1; J. W. Eubanks, $1; G. S. Haislip, fl; R. H. Salsbury, fl; J. A. Haislip, $1; R. T. Johnson, fl; P. C. Edmondson, *1; C. L. Nel son $1; W. E. Roberson, $1; J. J. Whitley, 80c; George Wynn, 50c; J. B. Barfleld, 50c; C. H. Leggett, 50c; Woodard Leggett, 50c; and G. H. Leggett, 50c. . Other donations received and not previously acknowledge are: Miss Ethel Harris, 75c; and Sylvester Peel, |1. To date the Martin County chap ter, not including the donations han died by the Robersonville chapter, has raised $142.M, or just about |300 less than its assigned quota. The chapter at Robersonville has raised some over $100, according to last re ports reaching here. While the annual roll call for the county chapter has been limited to a great extent to the Town of Wil liamston, other centers of the coun ty are giving a splendid account during the special appeal for funds by the Red Cross; especially is this true with the Bear Grass school. ^ Large Lumber Plant Resumes Operations The large lumber plant of Saun ders and Cox here idle since the 19th of last month, started opera tions again last Wednesday morning, opening employment for 75 or more men. High water made operations difficult, but the plant was able to approach normal capacity, Mr. bun ders said. Flood waters have interrupted op erations at the plant during much of the time since the latter part of last December, but the owners are hopeful the. bed season, one of the worst in many years, is nearing an end. Much of the company's track is under water, but its trains are able to run now. No Contests Have Developed To Date For County Offices Coburn Has Opposition for District Senator; Piling Fees Announced ? Office aspirants jumped into the political waters of this county this week, but so far not a competitive race has developed and the candi dates are floating on top without any exertion. Closing time for filing candidacies is just a little over two weeks off, and it might be that some of the offices will have to go a'beg ging for holders. Places on the board of education are still wide open, and only one seat on the board of commissioners has been spoken for to date. The main county offices have been spoken for, all the old officials filing a few days ago for reelection. The complete line-up in the county up to this time is as follows: H. G. Morton for member of low er house of General Assembly. C. A. Harrison for treasurer of county. C. B. Roebuck for sheriff. J. Sam Getsinger for register of deeds. H. O. Peel for recorder county court. W. H. Coburn for solicitor coun ty court. S. Rome Biggs for coroner. R. A. Haislip for county commis sioner from the Goose Nest-Hamil ton district. Filing fees are as follows: Treas urer, $4.80; Sheriff, $28.50; register of deeds, $12.50; member house of representatives and senator (state), $3; recorder, $4.20; solicitor, $300; Other offices, $1. In the second senatorial district, Attorney R. L Coburn, of William ston; William Rodman and T. B. Attmore, Beaufort County men; and Julius Dees, attorney of Bayboro, Pamlico County, are struggling for the two seats in the state senate. The candidacy of Dees has not been officially reported here, but it is re liably understood he is in the race. While there is no apparent inter est In the county political situation, the district senatorial race is ex pected to attract some attention, and the gubernatorial campaign is just walking off with the interest. An interesting feature of the race for governor is that North Carolina is all but certain to have three gov ernors, with the possibility that Mr. Graham might have ito force en trance through a window to com plete the count of three, according to supporters of each candidate. Mr. McRae, poor fellow, is playing the role of one of those proverbial snow balls. But he might get a sizeably vote just out of sympathy, and there la no doubt but that he would make a good governor If he was just made governor. But that is not in sight, and, since he is hardly recognized as a possible contender, just how the other three candidates are do ing is a frequent question. Prob ably the most exacting answer is -that nobody knows. NjiVXhis county, McDonald is hold ing a big lead, it is believed, but the reports have it that Hoey is cut ting in strong on that lead In fact, some go ao far as to say that most of Hoey's buoyancy is coming from the camp of Dr. McDonald. It la believed that the McDonald camp can stand additional drains on its ranks before even nearing a point of oollapee. When Informed of the first re turns from the straw vote this week, Mr. Hoey was apparently somewhat disappointed, but expressed grati tude that he was allowed to break even with his chief opponent just 6,000 FARMERS GO TO RALEIGH TO DEMAND ACTION povernor Gives Reason for Not Calling Special Session While the value of the move con tinue* in doubt, between five *nd *ix thousand tobacco farmers march ed on Raleigh Tuesday to urge Gov ernor J. C. B. Ehringhaus to call a special session of the General As sembly that a state tobacco compact act might be treated. For four hours farm leaders and the governor ex changed verbal attacks, but after the rukas was over, it was apparent that the chief executive had no more idea of calling the legislature into special session than he had prior to the mass meeting. The governor probably convinced a few it was useless to call a special session of the lawmakers, but the large majority of the farmers left the Ehringhaus capital still puzzled at the chief executive's refusal to act in their behalf. "We are only asking the right to organize and protect ourselves," the farmers told the governor, adding that if they failed it would not be his fault. They had the governor on a spot, and a hot spot at that, but it is quite apparent that no compact bill will likely received consideration before early January. Now that the control feature is doomed so far as the 1936 crop is concerned, farmers will find it more profitable than ever to turn to the soil conservation program to save themselves. Between 200 and 300 farmers are believed to have attended the meet ing from this county, Wilson, Edge combe, and Pitt sending more than 1,000 each. PLANTING NEXT BIG TASK AHEAD OF PRODUCERS' Martin Farmers To Start Transplanting Tobacco Last of Next Week Farming activities, under way on a comparatively large scale during the past two weeks, are fast near ing a climax in this section, reports stating that farmers will start trans planting tobacco plants the latter part of next week. When that work gets under way on a large scale, farmers find it difficult to keep up with the many chores, even by work ing from before light until after dark. Most farmers are still uncertain a<to what to do in connection with the soil conservation program, re ports indicating that many do not yet understand the plan and will follow an acreage and production schedule in effect last year How ever, in some sections, many farm ers will participate in the program, reports indicate. A11 indications now ?more than at any other time? point to a greater need for partici pation in the program, for there is little hope of control, and without control every one predicts low prices next fall. Some of the esti mates point to 6-cent tobacco, while others believe the price average will not be under 10 cents. Reports from the Farmville, Va? market for the season closing the 2nd of this month gave a price average of ?9.83. Some signs of the blue mold have been found in this county, but the disease is not expected to effect any great decrease in plantings. No ser ious outbreak is likely until the weather turns warmer than it has been and rains start falling. Reports from Georgia indicate that the crop is just about trans planted therewith acreage increased possibly by 10 per cent over that of last year. Dry weather following heavy rains on Tuesday, April 7th, has re sulted in poor corn stands, and in some cases farmers plowed their lands again and replanted the crop. Two Injured In Car Wreck Near Robersonville Today -e Mrs. B H. Scott was badly hurt and her three-year-old daughter was bruised when the car in which they were riding crashed into the rear end of a truck, driven by B A. Hodges, near Robersonville early this morning. The car, driven by F. 8. Hooks, of Fremont, was wreck ed, but he was not hurt, reports stated. Traveling toward Williamston, I the truck sloped quickly for Dewey Gray to move a tractor across the highway. The car, directly behind the truck, could not stop In time to avoid the craah. Mrs Scott, badly hurt about the head, waa treated In a doctor'a of fice at Robersonville Whirlwind Sign-Up of Farmers For Participation in New Soil Program Is Planned Next Week Meet Wednesday To Decide on Electric Line To Bear Grass Assured a rural electric line by the Virginia Electric and power Company, if sufficient revenue is guaranteed, prospective light and power customers in Bear Grass and Griffins Township are meeting in the Bear Grass school auditorium next Wednesday evening at 7:45 o'clock to discuss the proposal, Rev Z. T. Piephoff, a leader in the move ment, said today. The present outlook for the con struction of the line via R. L. Perry's with an extension to Lilley Broth ers in Griffins Township is very fav orable, it was stated. To make possible the service, pa trons have to guarantee a monthly revenue of approximately $210. A considerable portion of that amount has already been pledged, and near ly every one is in favor of the pro posed project. All home owners and tenants living on the route are urged to attend the meeting next Wednesday evening, when the proj ect will be explained by Messrs. Goodmon and Teel, representatives of the power company. County Spends$394 in Enforcing Liquor Law 5 Per Cent of Liquor Profits Set Aside for Enforcement of Law Violators of ABC LaW Pay $800 In Fines and $337 Costs To County As a premium (or enforcing the Alcoholic Beverage Control laws in this county, the commissioners spent $394 during the period since the law went into effect last July until the first of April. The distribution was made among county and town officers and constables over the county, most of it going to deputies for the capture of liquor distilling plants. Under the terms of the law, 5 per cent of the profits from the sale of legal liquor are set aside for law enforcement. So far, the en forcement fund is greater by twice than the demands upon it for en forcement. A review of the enforcement rec ords shows that 33 alleged violators of the liquor laws were arrested in the county between last July and I the first of April this year. All but two were convicted. Fines and for feitures during the period amount ed to an even $800. In addition to that amount the county collected $337.10 in the form of court costs. Fiften of the defendants were sen tenced to the roads for from 90 days to 18 months, the total road sen tences calling for 83 months time. Officers played havoc with the il licit manufacturing business during the period, when they wrecked 62 liquor plants and destroyed 31,000 gallons of beer und 220 gallons of liquor. No special officers were em ployed to aid in the concerted drive against the illicit liquor manufactur ing ring under the new law, Sheriff C. B. Roebuck, his deputy, Joe Roe buck, and Jailor Roy Peel handling virtually all the work. Band Taking Part in State Music Contest The Williamston High School mu sicians are participating in a state music contest at Greensboro today. The band members, numbering 28, accompanied by Principal D. N. Hix and Director Bobbitt, left yes terday morning by special bus for the college city. The boys and one girl entered class C and competed with bands from Wendell, Currituck and Spruce Pine at 10 o'clock this morning. Results of the contests will not be announced until this evening. The local musicians are expected home late tonight. The names of those making the trip are: Jack Saunders, Wilbur Culpepper, Howard Cone, Edgar Gurganus, Reg Griffin, Ben Hardison, Ray Goodmon, Dale Wagner, Frank Weaver, Jerry Clark, Billy Biggs, E. G. Wynne, Jim Manning, Eli Gur ganus, Thad Harrison, Jack Ed mondson, Reg Manning, Milton James, Clifton Malone, Bennie Dan iels, Junie Peele, Whit Purvis, Rob ert Peel, J. L. Mobley, Carlyle Hall, Evelyn Lilley, Dick Dunn, Jimmie WatU. ? All the farm owners from Farm ville to Ballards Cross Roads in Pitt County are planning to put out rat bait in a cooperative effort to control the rodents r i V . TAX LISTING 1 Property owners have only Hve more days In which to list their holdings in this county, reports from some of the list takers indicating that the rush Li already noticeable. No ex tension of time has been pro vided, subjecting property own ers with a penalty double the listed values after the 30th of this month. Negro Is Held on Charge of First Degree Burglary n n ^ ? Charlie Howard, Jr. Taken Into Custody by Officers Near Robersonvllle Charlie Howard, jr., 20-year-old negro, is in the county jail await ing trial at the next term of Mar tin Superior court on an alleged first degree burglarly charge. He was given a preliminary hearing before Mayor C. M. Hurst in Rob ersonville yesterday and was de nied bond. Howard is alleged to have enter ed the home of John Stephenson, farmer living near Robersonville, about midnight Wednesday, steal ing Mr. Stephenson's trousers and $75 in cash. Mr. Stephenson heard the burglar just about the time he was leaving the home through a window. Making an investigation and after finding his trousers miss ing, Mr. Stephenson called Rober sonville officers, and they tracked Howard across a field by tracks made in his stocking feet. When found at the home of his father, a short distance from the Stephenson home, Howard, it was learned, had just returned there and his socks were muddy and his clothes wet. Yesterday morning Howard admit ted the crime and told where the money was hidden. Only a portion of the money was recovered, and the trousers could not be found, causing officers to believe that an other party had a part in the'criroe* but Howard maintains he was *a lone in the daring burglarly. If the full penalty of the law is imposed on him, Howard is likely to pay with his life in the gas chamber at Raleigh. Four EscajH* Injury In Wreck Tuesday Four young girls and boya, of near here, mlraculoualy escaped serious injury last Tuesday night about 10:30 o'clock, when their car, a Ford sedan, ran off the road, crashed through a fence and turned over two or three times, landing in Mr Will Taylor's mule lot a few miles out on the Washington highway. The car was a complete wreck, but only one of the occupants, Chester Revels, driver, was hurt and his in jury was confined to a small cut on his ear. Hevela' companions, Misses aladys and Josle Pearl Lil ley and Evan Lilley, were only slightly bruised, it was said. When the car wen through the fence a board pierced the wind shield and went out of the car thru a side window near the back of the car. ? Proj)Osed Benefits Being Explained To Committeemen Participation In Program Surest Salvation for Tobacco Farmers Plans are being completed here to lay for launching a whirlwind sign ip of Martin County farmers who plan to participate in the govern ment's soil conservation program Starting the sign-up next Monday, the .local committees are scheduled to complete the work within the week, announcements coming from the office of the county agent to iay stating that contracts after Sat jrday of next week will be handled mly in the office of the agent. According to Assistant Agent M. U Barnes, farmers will be notified to see their respective committee men,. prepare what are known as work sheets during the week and make themselves eligible to partici pate in the benefit payments later m in the season. Five cents a pound will be paid on all tobacco taken out of production up to 30 per cent jf the base. Five cents will be paid an cotton and 1 1-4 cents on pea nuts. Farmers are requested to list their corn, oats, irish and sweet potato and soy bean acreages on a piece of paper, as this information is neces sary to execute the work sheets. Base acreages and production for the tobacco, cotton and peanut crops have already been placed on the work sheets, and it is understood very little time or difficulty are ex perienced in preparing the blanks. Committeemen for the various townships are: Hamilton: D H. Edmondson, I las sell; and Frank L. Haislip, Hamil ton. Goose Nest: J. F. Crisp, Oak City. Kobersonville: H. S. Everett. Cross Boads. L. A. Clark. Bear Grass: A. B. Ayers. Griffins W B. Harrington and George C. Griffin. Williams: Chas. L. Daniel. Jamesville: F. C. Stallings and C. A. Askew. Williamston: Fred Taylor and Luther Peel. All farmers who own more than one farm will find it necessary to prepare their work sheets in the of fice of the county agent that proper divisions of bases and production might be determined. There being little or no hope for a control program this year, farm ers will find it to their advantage (Continued on page six) ? Directors Coastal Plain League in Meeting Tuesday Season Opens June 2 With Williamston Playing Tarboro There Arrangements for opening the Coastal Plain Haseball season the 2nd of June were completed at a meeting of league and club officials in the Woman's Club hall here last Tuesday evening, the discussions centering around salary limits, bonds and schedule. To insure good faith, President Eure, of Ayden, called for the $500 bonds from each club, the amount t obe forfeited by any club failing to complete the season or in case of violation of certain rules. Under a new ruling adopted by the officials Tuesday evening, any club exceed ing a $450 weekly salary limit will automoaticaly forfeit the $500 bond and lose its franchise The salary limit does not apply during the first 15 days of the season, and the clubs may carry as many players during that time as they desire. Last year the clubs were allowed only 10 days to carry as many players as they desired. The $450 salary schedule is to include the manager's salary. A proposal to permit one profes sional player on each team was vot ed down, Williamston, Goldsboro, and Kinstun voting for the meas ure. The schedule calling for Sunday ball and a rest day on Monday, was adopted 7 to 1, New Bern voting against it. Tonight officials of the local club are meeting to handle several busi ness matters.