North Carolina Newspapers

Cheer Others And Yourself By Giving Liberally To The Community Christmas Joy Fund Now! THE ENTERPRISI Advertisers Will Find Oar Col umns a Latchkey to over l.Mt Homes of Martin Oourty. r-i Watch the Label on Toor ft Paper, as It Carries the Date Vour Subscription Expires VOLUME XLI?NUMBER 101 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, December 20, 1938. ESTABLISHED 1899 Highly Respected Citizen Passes At Bear Grass Home Last Rites Held Monday For Mrs. Mary Jane Mobley Mrs. Mary Jane Mobley. highly respected citizen and greatly belov ed resident of the Bear Grass com munity, died at the home of her son, Sam Mobley, there last Satur day at midnight, her death marking the end of e long period of ill health and patient suffering. Almost 82 years old, Mrs. Mobley had been confined to her bed during a great er part Of the time since last April, her condition becoming worse a few days ago when she suffered an at The daughter of the late Mack Roberson and wife, Mrs. Mobley was born in Cross Roads Township nearly 82 years ago. When a young woman she was married to William M Mobley who died in 1900. Seven children survive the union, five sons. Messrs. John Mobley, Sam Mobley, of Bear Grass; G. N Mob ley, of Wilson; Charles Mobley, of Williamston: Sol Mobley, of this county, and two daughters, Mrs John Daniel Biggs, of Williamston. and Mrs. Edmond Harris, of Bear Grass. She also leaves one brother, Mr. Jesse Bynum Roberson and one sister, Mrs. Will Taylor, both of Robersonvflle. Nearly haU-a century ago she join ed the Christian Church at Popular Chapel in Cross Roads Township She was faithful to her religious du ties, and in the home she was a good and thoughtful mother Mrs. Mobley was held in high esteem by both the old and the young, and her friend ship knew no barriers on account of race or creed but was extended to those holding all stations in life. Funeral services were conducted at the home of her son Monday af ternoon at two o'clock by Rev James M. Perry, Robersonville min ister, assisted by Rev. James H. Smith, pastor of the Williamston Memorial Baptist church. Interment was in the Mobley Cemetery in Bear Grass Township, a large crowd of friends and relatives assembling there to pay tribute to her momory. Her grandsons served as active pall bearers. a Burley Growers Against Control Growers of burley and dark-fired tobacco followed in the footsteps of eastern Carolina tobacco producers and voted against crop control for 1939, the vote standing about 50-50. A surprising feature about the farm referenda is that while a com bined group of about 75 per cent voted for control, cotton was the only crop included in the govern ment's economic planning program for next year. Commenting on the vote in the referenda held during the past two weeks, Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace said, "I hope the de cision of tobacco growers will not prove too costly for them." Rumors have it that many farm ers who vote against control for the flue-cured crop would reverse them selves if another referendum were held. Fourth Graders Exemplify The Real Christmas Spirit The real Christmaa spirit is being exemplified by the fourth graders In the local school this afternoon. The youths with their teacher, Mrs. W. H. Coburn, and grademother, Mrs. H. G. Horton, are having a Christ mas party, but they are not ex changing presents. ThtT group will contribute to the Christmas Cheer fund, it was explained. The little boys and girls were re ported to be looking forward to the opportunity of participating in a movement that promises to bring happiness and contentment to the less fortunate. A beautiful spirit in the souls of the little folks made the plan possible, and the Christmaa Cheer drive will profit greatl) through the considerate action. Former Martin Skipper Is Looking For Wot I Kins ton ? Art Hauger wants t< manage the Coastal Plain leagui club here in 1939. He is so anxiou to return to Kinston that he has of fered to "work all season for noth ing" if he fails to produce a win ning team. It's cold up in Spring field. Minn., where he lives, am Hauger would like to come soutl as early in the year as possible. Indications Point To Record Tobacco Crop CANTATA The Choral Club will five a Cantata in the Memorial Bap tist Church Thursday evening at 7:45 o'clock. The Cantata is in three divisions: first. The King Is Promised: second. The Incarnation; third. The King Is Born. Everybody should be in the church promptly at 7:45. Don't miss this hour of stirring Christ mas music! A free-will offering will be received and turned over to the Cheer Fund. Directed by Mrs. Wheeler Martin with Mrs. W. C. Man ning at the organ, the cantata will be rendered by the follow ing: L. B. Wynne, Charles Leon ard. Dr. R. G. McAllister. H. L. Swain, Dred Darden, J. H. Dix on, Asa Crawford, Mesdamcs Earl Wynne, Titus Critcher, J. S. Rhodes, Arthur White, James C. Manning, James H. Smith, James Ward. C. B. Ilassell and Misses Rebecca Harrison and Jerry Humble. Missionary Speaks In Local Church Addressing the Sunday morning congregation in the local Baptist church, Mrs. Charles A. Leonard, Sr., vividly described the work of the missionary in China'. Just home from years of services as a mission ary in the great country, Mrs Leon ard stated that in the 100 years of missions in China, Christianity has gained two million converts, that the country offers the greatest mis j siort field in the world. "Somehow even in this terrible war, God is taking care, in a miracu lous way, of the missionaries and He has not forsaken the Chinese Chris Leonard said. Whether Japan wins the war or not, it is the belief of Mrs. Leonard that Christ is to be exalted among those who are still heathen. She referred to Generalissimo Chaing Kai Schek and his wife, two devot ed Christians, who are preaching and teaching the love of the Master, and who are supporting orphanages that are caring for great numbers of children whose parents have been lost in or as a result of the war. "General Chaing has started a New Life Movement among his soldiers and the meaning of the movement is 'Simple Life in Christ Jesus,' " the missionary explained Mrs. Leonard will address the congregation again soon and will de scribe conditions in China and de scribe the work now being carried on in Manchuria. ? Fund Inadequate To Meet Relief Appeals The Christmas Cheer cash fund was slightly increased over the week-end, the treasurer, J. C. Man ning, announcing a total of $98.64 on hand last evening. The amount is far from adequate in meeting the de mands, leaving the sponsors of the cheer drive in a quandary as to whe I ther to make a personal canvass for additional funds. Up until last Friday, $67.14 had been contributed. Since that time the following contributions have been received: Paul Simpson, $1; J MT?. John Gurkln, $1-?JvC. Man ning, $2; Colored School Teachers' Association, $2 50, and Kiwanis club, $25. The Kiwanians are cklling off their regular supper this week and the money will be added to the cheer fund. SANTA CLAUS v > Santa Clan* is making his de but a bit early for the nearly 200 school teachers in this coun . ty, the office of the superinten dent releasing today nearly 121. 000.00 in salaries. A special ar rangement made It possible to pay the teachers for the fourth month a few days ahead of time. "It'll be bad to wait so long after Christmas, but if they did not pay now, there would be no Christmas for me," one teacher was quoted as saying as the cheeks were being dsltribated today. Only Hope Rests In Increase Rates For Soil Conservation Big Farmers in This Coun ty WiUInerease-Their Crop A marked shift in tobacco plant ings by individual farmers in Mar tin County and others in the area is foreseen as preliminary prepara tions go forward for producing a rec ord leaf crop in 1939. The only hope for heading off a billion-pound planting next spring is found in credit limitations and the possibility of increasing benefits under the soil conservation program The credit limitations are certain to hit the little farmer who has been dependent upon the other fellow's capital for financing his operations. If the government does not step in with a seed-feed loan fund, and it is doubtful that it will, then there will be a reduction in the crop as far as the little farmer is concerned. The trend among the larger farmers is to increase and almost double the 1938 acreage. "We planted about fifteen acres in 1938, and we plan to plant approximately 30 acres in 1939," a Martin County farmer said this week explaining that he had the necessary equipment and labor to produce the crop, that about the only additional cost would be fertilizer. To justify his plans, the farmer said, "Well, I figure tobacco will be cheaper next fall, and that quantity production will be necessary if I am to break even." Representative Harold Cooley who has taken an active lead in behalf of the farmer is planning to seek high er benefits for tobacco growers un der the soil conservation program, and to amend the law that will pro tect those who comply with the soil a quota system is re-established in 1940 or in later years. Viewing the national tobacco sit uation, R. E. Williams has the fol lowing to say: Agricultural adjustment officials predict one of the largest flue-cured tobacco crops in history would be produced next year as a result of refusal of growers to approve quo tas for the 1939 crop. Flue-cured growers rejected the quota program in a referendum held December 10. Although 56.9 per cent of those who voted favored the quo ta plan, approval of two-thirds was required before the plan could be put into effect. The vote that put the quota on the 1938 crop was 86 per cent. Latest Department of Agriculture estimates place the size of this year's crop at 780,000,000 pounds, 70,000, 000 less than the 1937 production and almost 100,000,000 pounds low er than the record output of 1930 Income from the crop has averag ed $167,000,000 for each of the last five years, compared with an aver age of less than $100,000,000 for the preceding five-year period. "The is nothing to prevent the growers from doubling their plant ing next year," one AAA official said. "If they do, the price is almost certain to drop." This official predicted an excess production next year would be fol lowed by a return to the quota sys tem for 1940. World consumption of flue-cured tobacco, the department said, is about 730.000.000 pounds a year, and the carryover of stocks this year is approximately__ 954,000,000 pounds. Based on present stocks and the es timated production for 1938, the 1939 carryover would be almost 1,000, 000,000 pounds. AAA officials offered" ho official explanation for the defeat of the quota plan. They suggested, howev er, that growers, located principally in Virginiai North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, mighl have decided that an upward trend in consumption would enable them to sell as much tobacco as they" pro duce next year without substantial ly lowering the price. EXPECT LARGE 8ALE AT AUCTION MART TOMORROW ? Holding its secopd tale tomorrow morning, the Williamiton Stock yard is expecting a record offerini of stock and an increased number ol buyers. The sale gets underway at 10:30 o'clock on Washington Street Aged Resident Dies At His Home Near Here Sunday Night Funeral Rites For George W. Griffin Held Mon day Afternoon George W. Griffin, prominent county citizen and successful farm er, died at his home in Griffins Township Sunday evening at eight o'clock following a long period?of declining health. He was 84 years old. The son of the late Alfred and Louendia Griffin, lie was born in Griffins Township and lived there all his life. He first married Miss Elizabeth Manning who died a long" number of years ago. Three chil dren, Mr. Eddie Griffin and Mrs. Louis Peel, both of Griffins Town ship, and Mrs John Gray Corey, of near Williamston, survive this un ion. He later married Miss Mary Jenkins, who died the early part of this year. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Cornelia F Lilley, and one brother, Mr Alonza D. Lilley, Sr, both of Griffins Township, Mr Griffin was highly regarded as a man and citizen throughout Martin County. He served the coun ty as commissioner for several terms about a quarter of a century ago. and exercised his influence for the bet termeni of his community and coun ty. He was a great believer in the Primitive Baptist church, and while he never affiliated himself with that or any other denomination, he was recognized as a high-toned Christ ian gentleman, one whose advice was valued' by others and one whose daily walk exemplified the finer things in life. Mr. Griffin was a member of the old school, one who was versed in the hardships that were common during the War Be tween the States and in the recon struction days. He was a hard work er and valued the friendship and confidence of his fellowman. Mr Griffin was considerate and possess ed a kind character. Funeral services wero conducted from the home yesterday afternoon at two o'clock by Elders B. S. Cow in and A. B. Ayers. Interment was in the Manning cemetery in the Farm Life section of Griffins Town ship. Officers Wreck Still In County Headed by Sheriff C B. Roebuck, a raiding party wrecked an unusual ly large illicit liquor plant in the Hassell section of Hamilton Town ship last Friday, Three men were arrested, and five thousand gallons of beer and 78 gallons of liquor were poured out. Two of the men, Ben Fleming, colored, and Jasper Wool ard, young white man, were jailed. The case is scheduled for trial in the county court on the ninth of next month. The plant was one of the largest wrecked in this county in recent weeks, and was said to have been in operation only a few weeks. Assist ed by Deputy Bill Haislip and Jail er Roy Peel, Sheriff Roebuck broke the steam boiler with an axe and wrecked the manufacturing equip ment. Small Child Dies At Everetts Home Friday ? Roland Ward Peaks, three weeki old, died at the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Peaks in Ev eretts last Friday morning at 9:1! o'clock. '? ? , Funeral ' services "were conducted Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock by Rev. J. M. Perry, Robersonville minister. Interment was in the White Cemetery, near Bear Grass. SCHEDULE The Enterprse will close shop Thursday following the Issuance of Its last paper of the week, and following a custom of long standing It will forego the next Tuesday issue and reopen on Wednesday, December 19. Some members of the force will be oc cupied in assisting the Christ mas chser movement while oth ers will start for the old home fires In Pennsylvania and across the State. Announcements and other ar ticles for publication in the last Issue of the week should be In this office not later than to / Events Crowd Calendar In Local Schools and Churches This Week An Appeal Appeals, pitiful as eun be and disquieting in this section of plenty and self-claimed humanity, are coming in rapidly daily, the appealers pleading their ce os before the Christmas Joy Cam paign workers, ancf expressing earnest hope that their little chil dren will be remembered th's"Christmas time! Pathetic falls short in describing the pleading heard by the sponsors of the joy movement. At the present time, cash contributions are far from adequate to meet, even in a small way, the actual needs existing in this community. . There are nearly 100 people living in this county who receive $2 or $3 a month, and they live on that amount, plus what a gra cious people may be inclined to give them. For them the fast ap proaching Christmas season is just another period of the yfrar, a period devoid of all hope and happiness. There are many fatherless homes with many children entire ly dependent upon others. There are those who are mentally defi cient, and who are denied a place in institutions. There are those who are afflicted and who bear their sufferings without complaint, hoping against a hope long gone that they may enjoy the bless ings that you and I enjoy. A growing list of appeals is taking form day by day, the list carrying the names of nearly 200 little children, not to mention older people who are entirely dependent. Most of the cases are not subject to direct relief. Sufficient toysiiave been received, it is believed, to go armmdr but the people of this community have not responded even half heartedly with cash contributions, and the last appeal is being made today. If you have not already made a contribution, aiut you think it humanly possible to participate, won't you leave a small donation for the cause at The Enterprise office today or turn it over to James C. Manning, fund treasurer? Pleas for old clothes are also being heard, and while the Joy Campaign sponsors did not plan to include the collection and dis tribution of any wearing apparel, the need is so great that the original task has been enlarged. If you have any old clothes that can be spared and you wish to spare them, just call The Enterprise and a messenger will be sent for the bundle. Urges Sympathy For Persecuted Meeting here yesterday afternoon, women of the Episcopal church heartily approved a resolution by the executive board of the Woman's Auxiliary to the National Council to "celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ by shownig in simple friendly ways their sympathy with their Jewish 'neighbors." The resolution: "We, the executive board of the Woman's Auxiliary to the National Council, representing the women of the Episcopal Church all over the1 world, desire to express our grief and dismay at the persecution of thej Jewish people in central Europe. "At this Christmas season when we remember a Jewish family for whom there was no room in the inn' at Bethlehem, we are sorrowfully aware of the countless numbers of their race who are today seeking shelter for themselves and their children. "We call upon the women through Out the church to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ by show ing in simple friendly ways their Jewish neighbors and by making welcome into their communities, schools and homes, refugees who have come to this country. We also urge them to promote international government action for the relief of j refugees and to work for a larger measure of justice and considera tion for all Jews and other minority groups in our national life." ? People 1 urning To Decorations Starting a bit late, local people are now busily engaged in trimming Christmas trees and arranging door way decorations. The work, howev er, is running behind the schedule followed a year ago when 71 homes and yards were aglow with holiday lights. The bachelors down East Main Street way have done themselves proud with an unusuall lighting scheme. The courthouse gang has given up and will not compel* with the town hall group, and the old hall of justice is one gloomy spot to be hold. The date and hour for judging the decorations will be announced short ly, and it is believed that the com petition will have become keen by that time. Decorations on the town hall and municipal water tank have attract ed much attention for tourists going south at night. ? FOUR MORE DAYS There are just four more days before Christmas?a tony time-? possibly for the kiddies, but a mighty short time to complete the holiday purchases and make them ready for scheduled deliv ery. Here's a tip for the late shop per: Additional goods are being placed in Williamston stores in anticipation of meeting the needs of the last-minute shopper, per. It is yet time to complete the shopping task, and you'll find prices in Williamston stores very reasonable. Market For Sweet Potatoes Constant Despite heavy deliveries during the past few days, prices for sweet potatoes continue to hold firm at 75 cents a bushel on the local market. Fuirly heavy shipments are moving from this point to northern centers, the market sending out a dozen carloads in the past few days The market will suspend activities at the end of this week until next Tuesday, W. II. Corbett, of Corbett Package Company, announced to day. Sales of inferior grades made di rect by farmers to truckers have been as low as 25 cents a bushel, it was unofficially learned today. Most farmers, however, believe the mar ket will continue to hold at 75 cents and possibly go higher after the holidays and they are not offering tneir potatoes for sale just now. Eleven Are in County Over Week-end Eleven persons were jailed in this county last week-end, officers ex pressing the sincere hope that the holiday crime wave will peter out before the week is spent The defendants were faced with various charges, none of them being rf a serious nature. 1 ? LIBERAL 1 ?> Members of the colored race are proving themselves a liber al group despite uncertain eco nomic conditions now facing this section. In the drive for Red Cross support, the colored schools In the county raised $14 and in addition to that sum paid $41.92 for tuberculosis seals. The drive, receiving a large portion of its support In the schools at Parmele and Wil 11 a mat on. was described as very successful. Christmas Programs Are Added Features . In Schools, Churches Parties Underway in Elg mentary School This Afternoon A series of gay Christmas parties underway in the schools this after noon and others scheduled during the week?by the several?churches are claiming the undivided attention of little folks throughout the town and community. __ Room parties with the grade mo thers assisting in handling the pro grams are being held in the elemen tary school here this afternoon. The Parents Teachers organization is lending the program a helping hand -and merriment is reigning supreme as the children enjoy the exchange of gifts and make ready to begin the Christmas holiddays which will con tinue to Monday. January 2. The first of the church programs was held in the Methodist church last Sunday evening when the young ponpli* tmrh'r tin' Hirnrtinn of Mrs. James Ward, gave a pageant inter preting the nativity and associated events: Tomorrow evening the Sun day school will give a special pro gram featuring the spirit of sharing. A tree is being planned for the young folks there. Special pictures will be an added feature on the programs in the sev eral Presbyterian churches during the week. The pictures portray the birth and childhood of Jesus. The -schedule of special Christmas pro grams was arinoanced for the sever al points by Rev. Z. T. Piephoff, as follows. Poplar Point, Wednesday at 7 p. m.; Harrison's, Thursday ufter noon at 5 30 o'clock; Roberson's Chapel, 7 p. m. Thursday; Bear ton, Friday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock; Gold Point, Sunday, Christmas Day, I at 3 p. m. --The Christmas program in the Church of the Advent will center in three serv ices,?a -tree fur the chil dren Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, the celebration of the Holy Communion at H o'clock Christmas morning and again at If. A special Christmas service will be held in St. Martin's, Hamilton, Christmas eve ning at 7:30 o'clock. The Holiness church will hold a special Christmas .service Sunday? night at 7:30 o'clock. On Friday night, the Bethany Chorch Sunday school will nave a Christmas program. The Christian Sunday School will hold its tree program Friday eve ning at seven o'clock One of the main features in the series of Christmas programs will he the cantata by the local choral club in the Baptist church Thursday -evening at 7:45 o'clock. The Baptist Sunday school will have its tree for the children Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock. Santa in person is planning to be present and participate in many of the programs. Wni. Wood Dies In Kinston Hospital William Wood, brother of Mrs. Lonan Barnhill, of Williamston, died suddenly in a Kinston hospital last Saturday evening at STX~n'cloelt Of. pneumonia. He was 50 years old and hud visited here on frequent occa sions. Funeral services were conducted from the home of a sister, Mrs. Ray Adams, in LaGrange Sunday after noon at 3 o'clock by Rev. Perry Case. Among those attending the funer al from here were Mrs. G. H Har rison, Mrs. J. C Manning and Miss Lela Brown Barnhijl. * Special Christmas Services At Sweet Home Church The Sweet Home Church oi Christ will observe Christmas with special services. Special music by the choir and several duet numbers will be rendered. Rev. Garland Bland will preach the Sermon at eleven a. ro using as his subject, "The Uncrown ed King." All members of the choir are re quested to meet at the church Thursday night at seven o'clock. Mr. Bland will assist in the practice.