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VOLUME XLII?NUMBER 31 Williarnston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday. April 18. 1939. ESTABLISHED 1899
Whiskey Business
Meets Opposition
During Past Week
Local and County Officers
Deliver Telling Blows
Against Traffic
Local and county officers dealt
the illicit liquor business a severe
blow last week when they rounded
up eight stills and interrupted what
was described as a wholesale distri
bution center. No arrests were ef
fected, but at least one warrant is
pending and investigations are un
derway in other cases, it was relia
bly learned.
Local officers J. H. Allsbrooks and
John Gurganus centered their at
tention on the Plymouth Branch of
the Coast Line railroad Saturday af
ternoon and confiscated thirty pints
of white liquor, six 10-gallon kegs
and three 5-gallon capacity tin cans.
The liquor, bottled and apparently
ready to enter retail channels, was
found under some old tin where a
home burned several months ago.
The ownership of the liquor was al
legedly vested in Oscar Hag in, but
Hagln, learning about the raid, did
not stay around long enough to de
since the raid. The man, charged
with violating the liquor laws on
several occasions, is now at .liberty
under a two-year suspended road
sentence.
Following up the Saturday after
noon raid, Officers John Roebuck
and E. Ramie captured a liquor car
and two gallons of liquor in the
same neighborhood the following
morning about 4:30 o'clock. The dri
ver made his escape, and later in the
day the owner reported the car stol
en. The machine, a 1935 Ford coupe,
was returned to the owner yester
day.
Completing a busy week in their
enforcement activities, County offi
cers, headed by J. H. Roebuck
wrecked two liquor stills in Cross
Roads Township Saturday afternoon
bringing the total for the week up
to eight plants. The Cross Roads
plant included a 100-gallon copper
and a 35-gallon capacity kettle. The
plant had been in operation up un
tll a short time before the officers
reached it. No beer and no liquor
could be found.
Starting off on Monday of last
week, the county officers wrecked
two liquor plants and poured out
700 gallons of beer and ten gallons
of liquor in the Free Union section
of Jamesville Township. On Tues
day they wrecked a plant in the
upper end of Robersonville Town
ship and poured out about 300 gal
lons of beer. Returning to the Bear
Grass hunting ground, the officers
wrecked three plants and poured
out more than 3,000 gallons of beer
along the Beaufort boundary.
So far this month, the officers
have found and wrecked nine li
quor plants.
Experienced Men
For Commissioners
Apparently satisfied with the ad
ministration of their town govern
ment, local citizens believe in hav
ing experienced men handle their
political affairs.
The members of the present board
of commissioners have collectively
served a total of 57 years. The in
dividual records are as follows: G
H. Harrison, 20 years; L. P. Lands
ley, twelve years; N. C. Green, 10
years; Luther M. Peel, eight years,
and V. O. Godwin, seven years. Mr.
Godwin was appointed in 1932 to
fill the position made vacant by
Commissioner E. S. McCabe, his el
ection following in order since that
time.
Serving one term in 1923-25, May
or J. L. Hassell came back ten years
later to head the town government
and will start his fourth consecutive
term next June 1.
Two Men Wanted Here
For Brutal Assault
A warrant, charging them with an
assault with deadly weapons, was
issued here yesterday for Johnnie
Slade and Eli Evans, colored. The
two men are said to have rocked and
nearly cut to death Willie James
Johnson on Sycamore Street last
Sunday morning following a row
starting over a crap game.
Johnson with a 14-stitch gash in
his neck and bad bruises on his leg,
told officers that he was "shooting
crap" with the two men, that he had
eight points to pulL "I pulled them
and when I reached for the money,
they jumped on me and nearly kill
ed me," Johnson said. Evans wield
ed the knife and Slade did the rock
ing, according to Johnson's version
of the brutal attack.
Girls and Boys to "Sell"
State at the Worlds Fair
Selected from several hundred
applicants, ten of North Carolina's
fairest young ladies and young men
who will "sell" North Carolina to
visitors at the New York World's
Fair are now making an education
al tour of the State, seeking inter
esting bits of information pertaining
to the historical, economic and social
progress in the great common
wealth. The group, including one or
two from the nearby county of
Nash, will visit here with their di
rector tomorrow for a brief period.
Mayor John L. Hassell, rooked by a
group of good-looking teachers from
New Jersey last Tuesday, is slick
ing his hair back and getting ready
to do some more entertaining to
morrow. While he is inclined to be
liove that the New Jersey tenrhers
constitute another "Lost Colony," he
is certain his home folks will not
rook him and he has made' extensive
research to dig up all the (me his
torical points and outline the great
natural resources of Williamston
and Martin County for the group
who will represent the State at the
fair on or soon after May 1.
The young people are preparing
themselves to answer a "million"
questions which fair visitors are
certain to ask of them about North
Carolina and its subdivisions.
As "Ambassadors of Friendliness"
these young girls and boys will co
operate in the plan of North Caro
lina to bring more vacationists to
the State each year. They will be
stationed possibly in the State's ex
hihit booth at the fair
Child Is Killed In Car
Accident At Everetts1
r
MARRIAGE I
- *?
The first marriage license is
sued in this county under the
new law went to John Rogers
and Mary Lee Beach, colored
couple, last Saturday. The cou
pl( presented proper certificates
and evidence upon which the li
cense was issued, it was learn
ed.
The marriage license business
has dwindled to a low point fol
lowing the passage of laws by
the last legislature requiring the
applicants to show a "clean" bill
of health. Several couples are
said to have gone from this
county to out-of-state points to
marry, but certificates required
in those cases have not been fil
ed. Persons marrying outside
the State must file certain
health certificates within sixty
days after returning to the State.
Last Kites Held
Saturday For Car
Accident Victim
Large Crowd Present For
Funeral of John W.
Cherry, Jr.
Last rites for John W. Cherry, Jr.,
Evcretts youth who lost his life in
an automobile accident there last
Friday afternoon, were held in the
Baptist church there Saturday af
ternoon at 3 o'clock by Rev. E. C.
Shoe, of the Robersonvilie Baptist
church, and Rev. James H. Smith,
pastor of the Williamston Memorial
Baptist church. Interment was in
the Everetts Cemetery.
His life snuffed out while count
ing his marbles on the main street
in Everetts last Friday afternoon,
the little accident victim was well
liked and held the respect of old and
young. His death came as a great
shock to the family, to his little
playmates and the people of the
community as a whole. The services
were largely attended, and the flor
al offering was large.
Besides his parents, the child is
survived by nine brothers and sis
ters, David John Cherry, member
of the Williamston baseball pitch
ing staff. Mrs. Roscoe Gay lord, of
Plymouth; Mrs. Dewey Hathaway,
of Bethel, Mrs. James Johnson, of
Robersonvilie; William Nathan
Cherry, Eleanor Gray Cherry, Ru
by Cherry, Mary Alice Cherry and
Mack Cherry, all of Everetts.
?
Announce Speakers At
Everetts Commencement
On Sunday, April 23. at 11 o'clock
Rev. C. B. Harris, of Atlantic, will
deliver the bacculaureate sermon to
the seventh grade graduating class
in the school auditorium at Everetts.
The graduation exercises will be
held on Wednesday, April 26, at
10 a. m. The address will be deliver
ed by Ronald Hocutt of the Highway
Safety Division, Raleigh.
Library Book Club To
Hold Meeting Tonight
a
The local library book club will
hold a meeting in the legion hut this
evening at 8 o'clock, the president,
Mrs. J. C.? Cooke urging all members
to be present and extending a cor
dial invitation to others to join. The
meeting will be held in connection
with an interesting health picture
to be shown by the Martin County
Health department in the hut
Driver Of Death
Car is Exonerated
By Coroner s Jury
John W. Cherry, Jr., Has
Head Crushed Against
Light Pole
The motor vehicle claimed its
third life in the new year in this
county last Friday afternoon at 5:25
o'clock when little six-year-old John
W. Cherry, Jr., was crushed to death
by the bumper of Frank Spruill's
car against an electric light pole on
Everetts' mam street. The little
youngster, just six years, one month
and eight days old, was killed in
stantly. His head was badly crush
ed but other parts of his body were
untouched. The bumper and the
body of the car were pushed in six
or eight inches.
The little fellow, next to the
youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John
Clicny, uf EvcretU., a few minutes
before had purchased a small bag
of marbles. Seeking a refuge of
safety, the child sat down by the
pole and was busily counting his
marbles when his life was snuffed
out. Spruill, a highly respected
Plymouth citizen and traveling rep
reserttative for a Norfolk firm, eiupe
out of Ayers' store on the town's
main street and entered his car. The
driver looked in his rear-vision mir
ror and seeing nothing "in his way
started to back around and turn in
to the highway. His car struck the
pole, and J. S. Ayers, Jr., a wit
ness, told Spruill, "You hit a pole."
You better drive up and see if you
damaged your ear " There-wore sev
eral other witnesses, but none pf
them knew?the?child?had?been
caught between the car bumper and
pole until Spruill drove forward a
few feet. Going to the back of the
car, Spruill and Ayers saw the life
less body of the little fellow.
Patrolman Hunt reached the scene,
of the accident about that time, and
he called Coroner S. R. Biggs who
arranged an inquest for the follow
ing morning at 10 o'clock.
J. S. Ayers, Sr., C. R. Simpson,
?eorge Taylor, Jr., Neal James, Joe
B. Bullock and A. L. Keel were em
paneled to hear the evidence. Spriull
almost completely unnerved, ap
peared for the inquest. B. B. Biggs,
J. S. Ayers, Jr., and William Bul
lock testified before the jury. Ayers
told how Spruill had left the store,
entered his car and started to back
around, that no one knew the child
was near the car until the small
lifeless body was found. The testi
mony of the other witnesses cor
roborated, almost in detail, the evi
dence offered by young Ayers.
Spruill, asking that he be allowed to
make a statement, told virtually the
same story. Grief-stricken, the man
almost choked when he tried to tell
his story of the tragedy.
After hearing the evidence, the
jury dismissed the case for more
than thirty minutes before ruling
the death accidental and exonerating
Spruill. The case was discussed from
every angle,'the jury finally reach
ing its verdict with the understand
ing that it was possible for the coun
ty grand jury to reopen the case
should that body consider such ac
tion necessary.
It was established at the inquest
that the driver's rear-vision was not
blocked by sample cases, that he
looked back to see iI there was any
thing in the way before he put his
car ill motion.
4
111 with pneumonia at her home|
in Farm Life, Mrs. George E. Rober
son was reported better this morn- ]
tag.r
Local Boy Scouts
Have Bi<j Time In
Camp At Tarboro
Jimmic Leggett Holds Seat
With Connie Mack at
Game Friday
?
(By JIMMltC LEGijKTT)
Twenty-five members of Boy
Scout Troop No. 27. Williamston,
loaded with packs and blankets and
various personal equipment. as
sembled on the high school grounds
last Friday morning ready to begin
their trip to Tarboro for the annual
Camporee. Promptly at 9 30. Scout
maste Horace Ray appeared with a
truck furnished through the court
esy of Mr. Cortez Green, and, after
inspection of health certificates, the
boys soon loaded their equipment
and were oil to Tarnoro. Arriving
on the Common in Tarboro about
11 o'clock, the four patrol leaders
registered their patrols and immed
iately ordered tents be pitched. Each
of the Williamston patrols was scat
tered among the hundred and thir
ty-one patrols which were busy mak
ing camp. As soon as camp was set
up, the boys prepared and ate din
ner.
On Friday afternoon the Snmh
paraded through Tarboro's streets
to the ball park where they were the
guests of Connie Mack at a baseball
game between the Philadelphia Ath
letics and the Williamsport Grays.
I had the good fortune to represent
Williamston and sat with nine oth
er Scouts in the box of Connie Mack
and the Scout executives. After the
i game, all Scouts returned to camp
iu cook supper and prepare for in
spection. Major Parks, army officer,
and Scout leaders, made the inspec
tion of the whole camp site That
night the 'twelve hundred Scouts
were divided into Tuscarora, Chero
kee and Croatan tribes for three big
camp fires.
Saturday was contest day and the
Scouts were busy with contests of
skill in signaling, woodcutting, first
aid, undressing, map-making, knot
tying and compass use. The high
lights' of Saturday's program was a
great camp fire held in the ball
park. Stunts and other entertain
ment made the program especially
intereuting.
On Sunday all Scouts attended
worship service after which ribbi
were awarded to patrols huvi
J achieved perfection in various can
ing items. Each Williamston pat
won a red ribbon for earning 700
more perfection points.
Our troop returned home abt
12 o'clock Sunday after spendi
two and one-half days at a most si
cessful Camporee. Highly plea*
with winning red ribbons indicati
second place in camping skill,
boys reported an enjoyable oxp
ience in Tarboro.
Educational Health
Pictures At The Hut
Three special pictures, highly edu
cational and entertaining, will be
shown tonight at 8 o'clock in the;
American --Legion hut on Watts
street by the staff trf the Martin
County Health department.
The show will be centered around
three vital health problems as they
relate to the "Conquest of Diph
theria," "Man Against Microbes,"
and "Body Defenses Against Dis
ease."
Shown in the Bear Grass com
munity house last evening, the spec
ial juclure^waa well received by a
fair-size audience.
The picture has sound effect and
will be shown on a special machine
recently purchased by the Presby
terian church in this county.
No admission fee will be charged j
and the general public is cordially
invited to see it.
1
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weston, Miss
Lela Weston and Mrs. W. O. White
attended the funeral of Mrs. S. M
Bennett in Aurora yesterday after
noon.
NEW CAR
\
Robert Rice Reynolds, North
Carolina's "Our Bob" United
States Senator, has a new auto
mobile, and it is understood that
now he is never late in meetinc
his appointments. Hie model,
sporty to the nth decree, is not
like the old dilapidated trap he
rode into office on acalnst Cam
eron Morrison nearly seven
years aco.
The Senator visited friends
here Sunday, but reports state
that with election time six years
off he did not spend & treat deal
of time shahlnc the multitude's
Fate of the Slot Machine
Rests with Commissioners
Given legal recognition, partial
at least in five State- ky ihci lucent
legislature, the slot machine is ai
most certain to face a battle at the
next meeting of the Martin commis
sioners before it can start gathering
up stray nickels in strict observance
of the law. Until the board of com
missioners discuss the matter, there
will be no slot machines operated in
this county, according to a meaning
lul report coming direct from the
office of the sheriff this week.
At least one of the machines was
"planted" in the county a few days
ago. It was removed immediately
by order of the sheriff A represen
tative high up in the slot machine
business and riding in a big Packard
automobile came to see the sheriff,
and pleaded for the privilege to
start planting the machines at ev
ery cross roads store and filling sta
tion. The officer cited him to At
torney General McMullun's ruling,
hut still tko-representative insisted
that he be allowed to start the busi
ness The attorney general says that
the machine is not legal until after
June 1, and the sheriff says no ma
chines will be operated in the eoun
ty prior to that time
The ruling virtually settles the
skit machine question until J una.
and then it becomes a white ele
phant in the hands of the county
commissioners. As the law is under
stood here, the county commission
ers can license the machines or re
fuse to license them. That'll be one
of the board members' problems
when they meet Monday week.
On the strength of what the last
legislature did, slot machine owners
have already start ed catheiinp op
Vote Of Endorsement
Given Town Officials
Stamp Of Approval
Given Williamston's
Towns Government
Nomination Virtually Equal
To Election of the
Nominees
?
Williainston citizens virtually set
tled their town politics for another
two years last Friday evening when
they gaVe the present administra
tion a unanimous vote of approval.
Assembling in their biennial nomi
nating convention in the court
house, the mere handful 88 men |
and women went through the for
mal routine in the record time of|
thirty minutes. Mayor John L. Has
sell was renominated by acclama
tion, and the old board members,
Messrs. G. 11. Harrison. N. C. Green.
Luther M. Feel, V. D. Godwin and L
P Lmdsley, were unanimously re
nominated It was one of the most
harmonious conventions held here |
111 a long number of years. No oppo
sition was expressed or implied, and |
the convention dispensed with tin
written ballot to express itself by a]
standing vote.
Ordered to be held by the town
commissioners in regular session on
May 3, the convention was opened
by Mayor John L. Hassell who turn
cd the meeting over to 11 G. Hor
ton, temporary chairman. F. M
Manning was named secretary, audi
the convention organization was|
made- permanent. No -rules-or-cegu
lations were considered necessary,
and?the?convention chun man lin
mediately called for nominations.
1 he same ?pattern in effect two years
ago was closely followed again last
hruiay evening. Ottering the nomi
nation of Mayor John L. Hassell for
TTtayorr Libert S. Feci briefly re
vlewed the progress of the town
during the past two years, citing the
extensive home-building program
that has almost filled the compara
tively new street on Marshall Ave
nue and extended itself to other I
sections of the town. The motion for]
the nomination was seconded by J.
L Pope, and upon the fnotion ol B.
A. Cntcher the candidate was nom |
mated by acclamation
Chairman Horton then called for
the nomination of commissioners,
and K. L. Coburn, after linking the
old board members with the match
ol progress outlined by F. S. Peel in
his nominating speech, offered the
names of Messrs. Harrison, Green,
Peel, Godwin and Lindsley. The mo
tion was seconded by H. L. Swain,
the unanimous nomination of thel
old board being expressed by a|
standing vote a few seconds later.
Addressing the convention brief-1
(Continued on page six)
Blue Mold Delays The
Transplanting Of Crop
Severe and general attacks of blue
mold has almost completely inter
rupted the transplanting of tobacco
plants in this county. Despite the
heavy attack, there is little talk
about a plant shortage.
A much-needed rain last evening
and early today will possibly speed
up the transplanting activities dur
ing the latter part of this week -?of
just as soon as plants "grow out" of
the blue mold.
A few farmers started transplant
ing the crop several days ago, but
none of them is understood to have
completed the task at this time.
I CARD SALE
V >
Although preparations are go
ing forward for the production
of another tobacco crop there
continues a demand for leaf
marketing cards, according to
reports coming from the county
agent's office.
Farmers are ad vised against
the sale of their cards at the
small price of one-half cent per
pound, but regardless of the ad
vice and the small price offer
ed, quite a few farmers are of
fering the surplus poundage for
sale. It has been suggested that
the farmer will help the tobac
co situation by destroying his
cards which are being used for
the marketing of cheap scrap to
bacco. Outside interests are pur
I chasing the cards, it was stated.
A Lone (last! Heard
By Superior Court
In Special Session
Court Working on $10,000
Damage Suit This
Morning
?
Convening a special term of the
Martin County Superior court here
yesterday, Judge Henry A. Grady,
of New Bern, cleared a lone .case
from the docket and brought the
calendar up to date. This morning
Uie. court turned its attention To"
the $10,000 damage suit brought by
J. K Pope, administrator, against
Homer Glosson who is alleged to
have been operating a truck that
struck and fatally injured Isaiah
Hardison, colored man, near I)ai
last September. The case was con
tinued until tomorrow when it was
learned that several witnesses could
not be here today.
The lone case cleared front the
docket yesterday centerd around a
claim by Mrs. Christine K. Whitman
of Parmele against the North Amer
ican Accident Insurance Company.
Mrs. Whitman claimed that she took
out a policy with the defendant com
pany and that she was incapacitated
thereafter during a period of nine
weeks She further claimed that she
was entitled to recover $200 from
I the insurance company. Apparently
finding some irregularities in the
application, Judge Grady answered
the issues in the case in favor of the
defense. Attorney Paul D. Ruber
son, representing the plaintiff, gave
notice of appeal to the State Su
preme court.
Taking a recess in the early after
noon, the court resumed its work
this morning when it started hear
ing a case centering around the will
of Gus CofTield, Tate of Roberson
i ville. whose bloodkin are asking that
the will be set aside. It is under
stood that they claim Coffield gave
hi* property to his friends and ig
nored his relatives.
Better Fishing Reported
On Roanoke This Week
Atter a lull during the past few
day*, fishing activities are again at
tracting much attention on the Ro
anoke. Larger catches are being re
ported at the fisheriea and at other
points along the stream.
for the first tune since the early
part of the season, the catches are
now large enough to supply the
"battery" trade.
Former Local Man
^ ins Damage Suit
In Supreme Court
? ???
Suit Against R. G. .Harrison,
acnool Chairman, Ruled
Unfounded
An account of the ruling of the
Supreme Court in the $5 000
daman,, suit against K. G Harrison
former Wilhamston citizen, will be
'cad with interest by his many
fi lends here and throughout the
county The account appearing a few
days ago in the Henderson Dispatch
follows:
R u Harrison, Henderson bank
er and chairman of tl.e Vance Coun
<> Board of Education, vton a dec.
s.o.1 in the State Supreme Court late
-l^LAl^mgdav apnea I by dc.
murrer fron7 a ruling by^d^TlT^
Hunt Parker Vance Superior
laBt October in a $5.<loo dam
age action brought for an alleged
slander. ?
III effect, the supreme court ruled
that embarrassment, humiliation and
mental suffering are not necessary
grounds for damage slander suits
Associate Justice A A y Seawell
wrote the decision, in favor of the
? , 111""'1 'boil man?Mrs Mae
Bridgers Scott, wife of B A Scott
the principal of the Dabney high
school, was the plaintiff ,n the ac
ion When tf.e case was up for trial
j9?1 October, Judge- Parker was
,U'1' agalnsl until certain
amendments were made, whe n he
permitted trial to proe-eed, hut the
defendant entered a demurre,
against the courfs ruling, and then
Bta,. Supreme
11 V ,1'"' " la1, Mrs Sc,"t charged
that Mr Harrison had said thai
while to r husband was principal ol
" school ?? Northampton county she
was forbidden by authorities from
going on the grounds and premises
' Jackson high school, and "the
reason he- (Harrison) was not re
electing B A Scott was due to ,h..
^haracter and reputat,,,,, ?f hl,
"Embarrassment, humiliation and
mental suffering causes) hy defama
may considered in connec
W" Slandl rs. which are aetion
?' ' Sl ? be-awell tVIOir But -
standing ale.,,,. ,|?.y Wl? m), ,H, guf_
"tent as an allegation of special
damage I he mjury mus, ,)(. ,?ater
a',,d Pecuniary. Perhaps because,
humiliation and the poignancy of
mentul distress arc ??t .asily meas
ui ed mOIK.y values, they haVe
01 ll'ast slander eases,
?dercd ?? aggravation of damages'"
hrott was re-elected principal of
?h< Dabney high school las, yi,ar
"'hi Hi., understanding that he
wuuld not seek r,- elect,?? ,h,.s ycar
i'm- chairman said.
Support Local Man
For Group President
Meeting 111 regular session at
Janiesville, last Thursday evening,
the Martin County Schoolmasters
passed a resolution endorsing J. C.
M.ilining, 'superintendent of Martin
Xlounty schools,, for thy position of
president of the Northeastern dis
trict of the North Carolina Educa
tional Association. The resolution,
unanimously passed at the meeting
and carrying the names of Principals
C. B Martin. J. T. Uzzle, and D N.
Hix, reads:
Whereas: The said County of Mar
tin has not been duly represented in
the distribution of officers in the
Northeastern district of the N. C. E.
A. and:
Whereas. The Superintendent of
Schools in the said County is emi
nently qualified by his leadership,
experience, ability and interest to
fill with honor and distinction, both
to the office and the district the of
fice of President, and:
Whereas: This organizStKTn does
hereby go on record as favoring the
nomination and election of said J.
C. Manning to the above mentioned *
office, and:
Whereas: The President of the
Schoolmasters Club be empowered
to call a special meeting of the club
in the early part of September to
formulate plans for putting into ef
fect the said resolution.
?
Hearing In Fatal Bus
Accident To Be Held
A hearing in the case growing
out of an accident that cost Rulet
l-anier, young colored girl, her life
on the Jamesville Highway on the
25th of last month will be heard here
this afternoon by Justice A. Corey.
John Madson, driver of the car that
struck and fatally injured the high
school girl, has been summoned
along With several witnesses to ap
pear for the hearing. Madaon I* a
Lexington