I THE ENTERPRISE
VOLUME XL?NUMBER 48 Willimmston. Martin County. North Cmrotima. Tuesday. June IS. 1937 ESTABLISHED 1899
Martins Break Even
In Last Four Games;
Pitchers Get Tough
Stevens Features 1-0 Win|
Over Kins ton Yesterday
With Home Run
While our near neighbors were
saying yesterday, "Look out bottom,
here comes Tarboro," the Martins
are saying today, "Look out top, here
comes Williams ton," And that about
sizes up the baseball situation since
the last report.
Goldsboro is temporarily holding
to the top rung in the Coastal Plain
loop at this time, with Williamstoc
trailing in second place by a half
game or 12 percentage points. A
reversal of positions is expected, and
an undisputed claim will be staked
out just as soon as recruits are add
ed to the team. Manager Ooodmon
says.
Small numbers of runs have
marked defeats and wins for the
Martins these past few days, giving
evidence to the fact that the pitch
ing in the league is really getting
tough. Tarboro was shut out 2-0 at
Tarboro last Friday, following the
3-0 blanking handed the Combs the
day before, and New Bern turned
back the Martins the following two
days, 3-1 and 4-1. Yesterday, Kin
ston ran into 4-hit pitching by Rol
lins and was shut out 1-0.
Wade and Rollins figured in the
shut-out game at Tarboro last Fri
day, Wade allowing the Serpents
only 6 hits in 6 2-3 innings. Rol
lins went the rest of the way and
allowed one hit. Earp and McCay
led the Martins in number of hits
with 2 each, but McCay's single,
Stevens' sacrifice and singles by Vil
lepique and Sharkey netted the two
winning runs in the second inning.
Strunk pitched good ball against
New Bern here last Saturday but
was charged with a 3-1 loss when
his mates failed to hit behind him.
Flora, using a fast high ball, turned
back the Martins with 2 hits, Stevens
and Sharkey accounting for them.
Biggie and Sperl. the newly added
battery for the Martins, worked well
against New Bern over in the Crav
en capital Sunday, but they brought
home a 4-1 loss. Earp and McCay
again led the way at bat with 2 hits
each, accounting for half the safe
ties against the Bruins.
Yesterday, Rollins led the Mar
tins to victory against Kinston, 1-0,
in the only game scheduled in thel
circuit. Stevens, Martin first base-1
man, copped the honors on the offen
sive with a homer in the second in
ning. It was the only score of the
contest in which the locals outhit
the visitors 6-4.
A review of the past five games
pushes the pitching staff of the Mar
tins back to a commanding position
_ in league play. During those games,
the opposition made only 7 runs,
and three of the contests were shut
outs, Jefferson, Wade and Rollins
getting credit for one each.
Gillespie and Clos have been do
ing some good arbiting. and their
work has promoted the cause of the
game considerably. Fans have di
rected few complaints against their
decisions, both here and in the oth
er towns.
Firemen Called To Home
On North Sycamore Sfreef |
Local firemen were called out yes
terday afternoon at 3 o'clock, when
fire, started by a spark falling from
a kitchen flue, threatened the home
of G. T. Hill, colored, on North Syca
more Street. Only a small section
of the roof was burned, the result
ing damage hardly exceeding $3, it
was estimated.
The resignation of H. D. Harrison,
chief, was formally filed Monday
morning with the company secre
tary and the members made the run
without a guiding hand. Acting
Chief J. L. Hassell did not report at
the station in time to catch the truck
and only S of the crew of 17 made
the trip.
Griffins Citizen Favors
Outlet To Williamston\
"We'll be mighty glad to get an
outlet in any direction, but ere had
rather have a road that will put us
close to Williamston," State Rober
son, prominent Griffins farmer, said
yesterday. "Williamston is our
town, and the most direct route to
it from our Farm Life section would
erson added.
Appearing before District High
way Commissioner D. C. Barnes in
Ahoskic last Thursday, the Martin
commissioners recommended that an
improved road be constructed in
Griffins. No definite route was men
tioned by the commissioners, as they
wanted the people of the district to
have the road where they wa
Reorganization of Farmers
Association in County Begun
The reorganization of the Martin
County Agricultural Conservation
Aaaociation was started last Friday
evening, when RoberaonviLle farm
ers met in the grammar school there
and named J. R. Winslow, S. T. Ev
erett, J. R Daniel, and Reuben S.
Everett to head their d'Sli irt com
mittee. Last night, farmeis in the
Jamesville area named F. C. Slal
lings, P. M. Hoiiiday C. C MarUn
and J. L. Know les as members of
their committee. Messrs. Winslow
and S. T. Everett, of Robersonville
and Messrs. Stailings Hoiiiday and
[ ARKANSAW TRAVEL)
Stroud Fields, recently sifned
as a member el the Martins burl
ia( staff, was delayed Is irtlrax
out of Arkansas, bis heme state,
and is net expected to report be
fore tomorrow, it was learned
today. Possibly Fields caafht
famous Arkansas slow train
rarrish, catcher en the Snow
Hill team for the past several
seasons, bat until recently with
Clayton in the Tobacco State
Leafue, yesterday signed with
the Martins and la to report at
Federal Agency Will
Buy Surplus Spuds
To Stimulate Prices
Growers Are Not Getting
Enough To Meet Cost
Of Production
llie Federal Surplus Commodities
Corporation is seeking to boost irish
potato prices in Eastern North Caro
lina this season by removing surplus
spuds from a crop more than twice
as big as in 1936.
Surplus potatoes will be purchased
in an endeavor to stimulate the mar
ket and assure the growers a fair re
turn above production costs, said A.
E. Mercker, who is supervising the
purchases
With prices down to $1.50 a bar
rel, and even lower In places, grow
era were not getting back the coat
of producing their potatoes and were
on the verge of ruin when the FSCC
was asked to stabilize the market.
Comparatively high prices last
year were blamed for the ?8 per
cent increase in plantings which
brought the crop up to 43,000 acres
this year. High yields per acre made
the actual production 108 per cent
more than in 1936.
Mercker haslet up headquarters
in the office of W. L. McGahey, the
Beaufort County Farm Agent, in
Washington, N. C., but farm agents
in the potato-growing counties have
selected local farmer committeemen
to direct the purchasing program in
the different counties.
The spuds will be distributed to
needy families on relief rolls, thus
serving a dual fiurpoee by helping
the growers to get a fair price and
in providing food for the needy.
Mercker added.
The FSCC is receiving the coop
eration of the Agricultural Adjust
ment Administration, the Federal
Extension Service, and the State
College Extension Service in the
purchasing program.
Shouts for Joy Over
Acquittal in Court
"Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,"
Alice Wiggins, colored woman,'
shouted again and again in open
court when she was given her free
dom in the Martin County Superior
Court here this morning in the case
charging her with the murder at
Mary Cotten, colored, near Oak
City the early part of last month.
A nodding jury was suddenly
awakened by the shouts, and the
woman, overcome with joy, nearly
hugged visitors at the bar before the
court officers could quiet her loudly
shouted praises. One visitor at the
bar was said to have drawn his
stick to check the emotional capers
of the woman, the court attendants
and visitors rtiaring in her joy as
Judge A. Hall Johnson directed the
ftgy to return a senliit of uut guilty
in the case.
The Wiggins woman shot and
killed Mary Cotten as the latter at
tempted to break into her home late
on the night of May 1. Her action
was declared justified under the dr
Alice Wiggins was the third wo
man to face trial in the Martin
County Superior Court for murder
about five yean.
Knowles, of Jamesville, were re
- 1 - _ a - J
riccxcu.
The reorganization work of the as
sociation will be continued this week
as follows: Ayer's store in Everetts
tonight; Oak City school Wednesday
night; Bear Grass school Thursday,
and Farm Life school Friday night.
The meetings are beinj held at 8
o'clock.
Dates for meetings in Williams ton
Poplar Point and Williams Town
ships districts will be announced
shortly, Mr. T. B. Slade said this
Daily Bible School
Brought To Close
Here Friday Night
School Establishes Small
Cash Fund for Public
Library Here
On Friday evening. June 11, at 8
o'clock in the Methodist church, the
fourth annual Daily Vacation Bible
School of the churches of William
ston. directed by Rev. John L Goff.
Christian minister, was brought to
a formal close, the school presenting
its students in a commencement pro
gram before a small but apprecia
tive audience.
Despite outside attractions, the
school maintained a fairly good at
tendance. the average for the total
enrollment of SOS students and
workers being 146 4, or 7141 per
cent in regular attendance Hie
records are not as good as those for
the two-week term last year, how
ever For the same relative lime
last mmmw the.average for the to
tal enrollment of 218 students and
workers was 160.4, or 73.57 per cent,
in regular attendance.
The commencement program
scheme was complete, in that it por
trayed the actual activities of the
various departments in their daiiy
sessions, presenting a unified ensem
ble of song, dramatization, memory
work, Bible sword drill, Bible
stories, stories of modern applica
tion, and exhibits of classroom work
and handicraft.
The daily offerings. $14 34, and the
commencement offering. $13.03, by
unanimous consent of the workers'
council, will be set aside as an init
ial fund for the establishment of a
local public library.
Director Goff and the other min
isters of the town pronounced the
school a successful undertaking and
wish to commend workers and teach
ers for their unselfish interest in
Williamston's youth, as evidenced
by their cooperative spirit and loyal
service.
County Board Education
Holds Meeting Monday
Meeting in special session Monday,
the Martin County Boar 1 of Educa
tion. called for bids for a two room
addition to the colored training
school in Parmele and made prep
arations to repair the colored build
ing at Gold Point. No cost estunates
were advanced.
Needed repairs to the building at
Parmele will be handled by the
board of education, U was said.
Messrs J D. Woo lard, E. H. Ange,
George Griffin, and J. W. Eubanks
were present for the meeting and
made a ground survey of the build
ings. No other business was consid
ered by the board
Bulletin Lists Crops
Adapted To Sections
Write to the agricultural editor
at State Colelge for a copy of Ex
tension Circular No. 108, "Agricul
tural Program for North Carolina."
This bulletin lists the crops adapt
ed to a given section, give the fer
tilizer applications recommended,
the varieties showing highest re
turns, and the system of rotation
recommended. It is a valuable bul
letin to have on hand.
Conditions Control Method
Ol Topping Tobacco Crop
The proper height to top tobacco
depends to a great extent upon soil
conditions and the amount of fer
tilizer used. On the average soils
of the State, tobacco will mature
when fifteen to eighteen leaves are
left on the stalk On poorer soils
the plant should be topped lower
and on the richer soils it should be
topped higehr Be sure and begin
topping just as soon as the seed
parts of the plant begin to show.
The tobacco will run up enough to
top every three days and should be
tapped as uniformly as possible so
that the plants will mature evenly.
Considering Method
For Federal Control
Of Tobacco Acreage
Proposal To Protect Weed
Growers If Farm Bill
Fails Passage,
In view of the fact that the new
farm control bill now under con
sideration in Congress may not be
passed at the present session. Repre
sentative Harold O. Cooley. a mem
ber of the House agnculutre com
mittee, is studying a plan for a
separata federal control bill for t
bacco. He discussed recently the
advisability of such a bill with J. E
Winslow. president of the North
Carolina Farm Bureau Federation,
and J B. Hutson. assistant AAA ad
ministrator.
Although he does not wish to act
inn nmiiiji in puniling ? npaisli
bill, he indicated that if prospects
for the passage of the general con
trol bill continue to grow more
doubtful through the next few days,
he plans to call a meeting of all
Congressmen from the tobaoco-grow
ing sections to discuss the situation
and the desirability of separate
legislation.
New demands for immediate crop
control have been made by leading
North Carolina tobacco growers be
cause of the recent crop estimates
In the spring it was generally be
lieved that the crop would be un
usually light this year, but with
fairly favorable weather and the
great determination of many far
mers to get their acreage, the crop
has unproved until Mr. Hutson. who
two weeks ago said this year's crop
would be around 700.UU0.000 pounds
for the flue-cured belt, said last
week that with continuing favorable
conditions he estimated the new
crop at 750,000,000 pounds and said
that it might even exceed 000.000,
000 pounds.
11 Mr Cooley finds it necessary
to call a special meeting of interest
ed Congressmen, growers and de
partment officials will be invited to
attend, it was reported
During the meantime, peanut
growers are trying to have the pea
nut included in the 1030 farm pro
gram that is now before the Con
gress. There is doubt if the goober
crop can be included in the pro
gram and additional doubt if the
1930 program will pass this session.
Action was taken at a recent meet
ing of peanut growers in Jackson,
urging that a meeting of representa
tive growers from every peanut
growing section attend a gathering
either in Washington or Atlanta in
the near future.
Flea Beetle Larvae
Attacks Weed Crop
The possibility of reduced tobac
co production this year loomed bi(
this week as a long dry season con
tinues unbroken in sections of the
bright belt and a new menance
was reported to the crop in the
western part of the State. There is
still hope for the crop here if rains
fall within the next few days, and
the worms are checked, but in the
western section, especially in Surry,
Stokes and Yadkin Counties larvae
from the flea beetle is said to have
destroyed possibly SO percent of the
crop.
Speaking about the conditions in
those three counties. C. H Brannon,
State Entomologist, said that in 12
years' experience he had never seen
a case like it. There is no way to
destroy the pests, he said.
Meanwhile stale and federal au
thorities reported the insect had de
stroyed SO percent of the crop in
the counties it had struck. Word
from the tobacco test farm at Ox
ford said eastern growers could not
supply the plants requested for re
placing the ravaged areas.
Experts did not suspect the white
worm as flea beetle because the at
tack comes usually at the roots
Brannon said dry weather and lack
of nourishment at the roots account
ed for the insects coming out of the
ground and bonng into the stalks
Since dust nor spray will reach it,
he suggested plowing under as the
only course
Adding to the picture of gloom,
specialists reported the grown Ilea
beetle and wire worm were play
ing havoc with the plants
Law Enforcement OBices
Report Quiet Week-end
Local and county law enforce
ment departments reported the quiet
est period last week-end so far this
year. No arrests were made,
peace and quiet reigned over the
section, officers stated.
Several raids were
leged gambling joints by local
lice, but the hutmcss houses visited
Judge A. H. Johnson
Charges Grand Jury
As To Duty Monday
Jurist Stresses Importance
Of Examining Records j
Of Guardians
Judge A. Hall Johnson, holding
his first term of court in this county
since his appointment to the bench
by Governor Clyde Hoey just a few
months ago. directed an able charge
to the grand jury Monday The
AsheviUe jurist outlined in detail
the duties of the grand jury and par
ticularly stressed the importance of
examining the records of guardiar.s
and making certain that orphaned
children in this county are being
well cared for. Judge Johnson, in
his 30-minute charge, also stressed
the importance of making present
ments of all law violations that
come to the attention of grand jury
men Because they come from all
parts of the county, grand jurymen
should have a knowledge of gros>
violations of the law. and it is the
solemn duty for them to make pre
sentraents, the jurist said
In outlining the duties of the jury
men, Judge Johnson said they should
first investigate and pass upon all
bills of indictment. In doing this
the jurymen should not try the de
fendant but merely satisfy them
selves that there is probable cause
of guilt or assure themselves there
is reasonable ground for suspicion
before returning a "true bill" against
a defendant. No bills should be
brought through malice or for re- ^
ward or hope of reward, the jurist
pointed out in calling their atten
tion to the oath they subscribed to
The jury should see that the
names of all orphans are reported
to the court, and see if all orphaned
children are looked after properly
The solvency of guardians" bonds
should be examined, and the jury
men should see that proper reports
are filed by the guardians once each
year, showing how much money
they hold and places of investment
If guardians fail their trust, the
judge directed the jury to indict
them.
Justice of the peace reports, due
at each term of court, should be ex
anuned that it may be learned what
the magistrates are doing, if they
are turning in fines, and if they are
acting within their jurisdiction in
the trial uf VSwT~ ?
"If you investigate just to give
praise to some person in a political
ring, where praise is not due. it
would be better that you stay away."
the judge told the jurymen in direct
ing them to examine county prop
el ty, including the county home,
jail, offices and public buildings
Merited praise should be given, he
added.
The failurr if ??"r 'lll"n to exe
cute the duties imposed upon him
as a member of the grand jury, re
gardless whether the resulting ac
suiting action affects the richest or
the poorest, merits the contempt of
society, the judge said.
Mr. Sam T. Everett, nf Riihrrsnn
ville, was named foreman of the
jury. Names of other members are
Ayers, C. J. Roberson. J
Taylor, H. A Jenkins, W E. Rob
erson H. S. Johnson, Whit Moore,
J T Uzzle, J. T. Roberson, J. R
Daniel. L. H Rawls, T E Johnson.
Clayton Cowen, Junior Mills. Jos.
W Griffin, D. L Roberson and C U
Rogers.
President Likely To Pass
Through Here August 15
According to unofficial informa
lion received here this week. Prest
dent Franklin D Roosevelt may pas
sibly travel through Williamston a
bout the 15th of August on his way
to the Roanoke Island celebration
The information, while not official,
was considered reliable and was to
I the effect that the nation's Chief Ex
jeculive planned to leave his train in
Rocky Mount and travel by car to
Manteo.
j The President is to participate in
the celebration on August It. and it
is likely that plans for his Irip will
not" be officially announced until
| just before or on that date
Missionary Union To Hold
Meeting Here Tomorrow
The Martin County-Plymouth di
vision of the Baptist Women's Mis
sionary Union will hold a quarterly
meeting in the Baptist church heFd
tomorrow. Beginning at 10 o'clock
a. m, the meeting will continue in
session during the remainder of the
day, it was announced. Mrs. Nunn
Everett, of Robersonville, will pre
side over the sessions.
The visitors will be served lunch
in the church basement by the In
dies of the church. All iiisiiiIissb of
the union division are invited and
urged to be present.
June Superior Court
In Session This Week
TOBACCO CROP
dry weather ud
t?y attacks by www sad
pluU react have withered
?urn i well over the 1M mark
these peat few days.
Larfe purchases of poison are
betas wade here dally by tam
ers la aa effort to cheek the ia
secla aad worms. That pert law
at the crop transplanted before
the present dry season set in is
George Harris, Jr. Is
Elected Fire Chief!
At Meeting Monday
p
Shake-up In Personnel Of
Two Offices Effected by
Company Members
Williamston's volunteer fire com
panv was reorganized at a meeting
of the group last evening with
George Harris, jr., as chief and
James Herbert Ward as his assist
ant Julian H. Harrell was reelect
ed secretary and treasurer oi the
volunteer organization.
Henry D. Harrison, chief of the or
gaiuzation for nearly 17 years, for
mally offered his resignation, effect
ive yesterday morning, and J W
Manning withdiew as assistant ehlFn
of the department it was pointed
out that the retiring officers were
necessarily out of town much of
their time attending to business mat
ten and missed many calls made
upon the department.
Mayor John L. Hassell headed the
reorganization work, and only 10 of
the company members were present
for the elections. Legally, the elec
tion of the company's chief rests
*ith the town commissioners, but it
is certain they will, at their next
meeting, approve the action of the
company members ?
The mayor, chief and assistant
chief of the fire department were
directed to prepare new by-laws for
the organization and present them
to the commissioners for approval
William Gurganus and Benjamin
Hopkins were elected new member^
of the department, and it is expect
ed that other applications will be
considered by the present member
ship within the next few* weeks.
Compliance Viork
Will Benin Soon
Delayed pending 4he arrival of the
proper forms for filing collected
data, compliance work in connec
tion with the soil conservation pro
gram is expected to get underway
in this county within the next week
or two. according to unofficial in
formation received here yesterday
No arrangements have been effected
for handling the work, and the coun
ty agricultural office is awaiting in
st ructions from State and Federal
authorities before starting the work"
The aerial survey scheduled to
have been started two weeks or
more ago is now slated to get under
w ay on Thursdays of this week. No
cause was assigned for the delay m
starting the survey from the air.
?
Crand Jury Finishes
^ ork in Short Order
The Martin County Grand Jury
made short of its work this term
and filed its report with' Judge A.
Hall Johnson and went home at noon
today.
Headed by Mr Sam T Everett, of
Koberaonville, the jury offered an
unusually favorable report. All the
bills of indictment were passed up
on. offices, records and public build
|s were examined, the jurymen
stating that they found everything
in good ordei
The jury did not find true bill
in the case charging J. K Coltrain
with an assault with adeadly weep
No mention was made this week
about the proposal advanced at the
last December term to provide a
permanent grand jury for the coun
ty Action rests with the county
mmiwinners, it is understood, and
it is quite likely the psxamt grw
jury system will continue unless fur
iNol Pros Entered in
Ollie Page Case; On
Docket Two Years
Trial of Criminal Cases Is
Completed at Noon
Tuesday
Convening Monday for the trial
of criminal and civil cam during a
one-week term, the Martin County
Superior Court this morning had
nearly completed the trial of the
criminal docket Several cases were
and the rapid trial featured dispos
al of others.
Judge A Hall Johnson, of Aahe
ville. only recently appointed to the
bench, is presiding over the term.
It is his first appearance here, and
the jurist is making many friends
among members of the bar ami the
general public
The last chapter in the OUie Page
manslaughter case was written Mon
day. when a nol pros was entered in
the records Page, driver of the
truck that figured in an accident cost
ing the Uvea of Marshal] Andrews
and John Leavister. near Roberson
xille. in September. 1934. had been
declared negligent by two juries
trying civil actions brought vgainst
him and J. I Joyd Corey. of
the truck The defense noted an
appeal following the completion of
the civil case in April, but the ap
peal has not been perfected
Charged with embezzlement. C. L.
McKeel was found guilty of forcible
trespass and the court suspended
judgment upon payment of the cost
and upon further condition ?hat the
piusecuting witness be satisfied.
Elijah Moore, charged with an as
sault with a deadly weapon, was
found guilty of assault, the court
suspending judgment upon payment
of the costs.
The case charging Ray Spencer
with damaging property was nol
prossed.
No true bill was returned in the
case charging Maurice Whedbee with
manslaughter, and the action went
off the docket WTirdhn was for
mally charged with manslaughter
soon after his car struck and fatally
hurt Mar la Small, colored woman,
on the Hassell-Hamilton road the
Jih of last month
Clarence Teel. charged with break
ing and entering, was sentenced to
the roads for 18 months, the court
making provisions that he be work
in in some county institution.
Chatgcd with breaking and enter
"il. 1 1- Lloyd was found guilty
of violating the "peeping" statute
, ditd?the roftdi for
18 months
Charged with temporary larceny
and drunken driving. Will Modica
was found guilty on the second
. ?unt and was scntcincd to the roads
for four months Modica had served
about 72 days in jail before his triaL
I Earl Parker; escaped convict, wtlh
about 13 years of hard labor due the
[ State of North Carolina, pleaded
guilty of larceny. He was sentenced
[to prison for three years, the sen
tence to begin at the expiration of
the terms he ran away from.
Richard Ewell. the colored man
who slipped up behind C B Everett
and shot him to death at a church
meeting, near Williamston on May
2. was sentence to State's prison for
: from 12 to 13 years. Ewell pleaded
' guilty of murder in the second de
gree and the plea was accepted by
the state.
The two cases charging Alvin
Mansfield with forgery and breaking
and entering were not prnascd. This
action was taken when it was learn
ed the defendant had been sentenced
to 9 years in prison recently by the
Bertie Superior Court.
Gl w Jordan, highway employee,
was granted a divorce from a?I1*
Bei nice Jordan on the grounds of
two years separation.
Penina Biggs was given a divorce
from Augustus Biggs on the grounds
of two years of separation.
Mrs Margaret H Cone was grant
ed a divorce against Hennon O.
Cone.
The case charging Jeremiah Peel
with violating the '*t?*? laws ?t*
nol priaw.il
enticing a young girl from her home
fo r immoral purposes, was given a
12-munths suspended sentence *~<
[directed to pay the costs of th? case.
The court recessed for the day
?d will start work on a short cml
docket tomorrow.
?< -hoy.