Watch the Label on Your Paper, As It Carries the Date Your Subscription Expires. THE ENTERPRISE Advertisers Will Find Our Col umns a Latchkey to over 1,000 Homes of Martin County. VOLUME XLII?NUMBER 73 Williamtton, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday. September 12, 1939. ESTABLISHED 1899 Plaintiffs Seeking $46,900 Damages in The Su|>erior Court Alirnutioii* Suit Brought By Colored Man Settled Out of Court Eleven damage suits, asking a to tal of $46,900. have been placed on the calendar for trial in the Martin County Superior Court convening here Monday, September 18. The number of cases is possibly the larg est ever placed on the calendar at any one time for consideration in the courts of this county. What held the promise of possi bly being a near sensation in the county's colored society was headed off a few days ago when the $10, 000 alienation suit filed by Henry Lewis against Claudie Francis, was settled out of court. Lewis, in his complaint, stated that he and his wife Adeline Spruill Lewis, were living together on July 12, 1939, that Defen dant Francis made frequent visits to the Lewis home, the plaintiff alleg ing that the defendant had misrep resented him to his wife, had pois oned his wife's mind and alienated her affections and induced her to leave the Lewis home. The defend ant vigorously denied all the charges in his answer to the complaint, and then the settlement was effected. The plaintiff takes nothing in the case, the judgment setting out that the defendant at all times hereafter will have nothing to do with plain tiff's wife. The $8 60 costs were tax ed against the defendant The re moval of the case from the docket leaves three other $10,000 damage suits on the calendar Annfe Mae Harris, by her next friend, H P. Williams, is suing the Tayloe hospital for $10,000 damages, alleged to have returned from the "carelessness and negligence" of the defendants The complaint points out that the plaintiff, a resident of Pas quotank County; underwent an op eration in the hospital on May 11. 1936, and alleges that the defendants left part of a cheese-cloth sponge in her abdomen, and that as a result she was sick for a number of months or until February, 1938, when the nies the allegations, and sets up as its defense the claim that the plain tiff "recovered" from the operation, that when she was discharged from the hospital she was advised to con sult her local doctor for a "check up" or if she did not get along all right to report back to the hospital. The defense maintains that the first it knew of any complaint was when the suit was filed. This case was started in the Pas quotank Superior Court but was moved on motion by defense to this county. The Isaiah llardison case, tried once in the courts, is again slated for trial, but this time the personnel of the litigants has been changed. Filed by J. E. Pope, administrator, the suit is asking $10,000 damages from R. G. Hancock, of Chatham County, as a result of the death of Hardison, a colored man, near Dardens, on the night of September 14, 1938 The complaint alleges that Hancock was the owner of the truck driven by Homer Glosson and alleged to have struck and fatally injured Hardison In his answer to the complaint, Han cock maintains he was not engaged in any business in this county in 1938. that he had sold his interest to W M. Bingham The fourth $10,000 damage suit on the calendar is being brought by George Bond, administrator of Wil liam Bond, against R. B. Murphy and Emmett Hardin. The complaint al leges that Hardin carelessly and ne gligently ran down and killed Wil liam Bond, small colored child, on the Hamilton Highway, near Mnh ley's Mill, last June. Murphy denies Hardin was an agent of his, and Har din denies he was driving careless ly and recklessly when the child ran into the road and was killed. Claimed to have suffered a brok (Continued on page six) Special Festival Scheduled Here The Collins Fall Festival, sponsor ed by the Junior Woman's club, will present four varied programs in the Williamston High School auditorium, beginning Thursday evening. Octo ber 12th. The programs will con tinue for three consecutive Thursday evenings The Mordelia Merry-Makers will present on October 12, a piano-accor dian program. Pietro Mordelia will be assisted by his daughter. Flora, and Barbara Taylor, well-known Boston artists. Dr. Frank G. Sayers, widely known traveler and speaker, will speak on October 19, using as his subject, "American Cavalcade.' On October 26, the Doris Davison Melodears will present a concert fea turing harp and violin. The final program on November 2, will be a three-act comedy-drama, "Youth Carries the Torch," present ed by the Glen Wells players. The Collins group comes highly iring entertain Jiclaas" ment considered "high class" but not "high Poles Offering Foes First Strong Defense BOGUS BILLS v Bogus $5 bills ?rr apparently still in circulation in these parts, according to reports coming from police headquarters over the week-end. A stranger last Satur day night ordered a pint of li quor at the A. B. C. store here and offered one of the funny bills in payment. Clerk Z. H. Rose, Jr.. detected the faulty bill, and the owner snatched it out of his hand, paid for the li quor with ready change and darted out of the store before po lice could be railed. The man was said to have been a stranger here. The Federal Bureau of Inves tigation was notified, but no re port on its activities in connec tion with the rase could be had here. Town Tax Rate To Remain Unchanged For Current Year CommiHttioiiertt Onler Sulr of Delinquent Tax l.i?t On Selieilule Williams ton's town tax rate for the current fiscal year was left unchang ed at $2.60 by the commissioners in session here yesterday afternoon, re ports from the office of the treasur er indicating that an increase was forestalled by a strict economy schedule for the period. Starting the year 1938-39 with $21,000 balance, the treasury was drained of slightly more than $10, 000 for the construction of the ?wim ming pool. That one item, sclieduled to have been cared for in a bond is sue that never materialized, stared the commissioners in the face at every turn Heavy bond and interest payments fell due during the last period, and this ycui the town $iurt ed with a balance of only $3,000 in the banks. Based on a $1,790,000 assessed tux valuation, the $2 60 rate will raise $46,540. Other sources of revenue are slated to care for the difference in budget needs which are estimated at $66,513. Last year the total budget was $71,867 These other sources of revenue are water sales, profits from the A. B C. board, intangible taxes, paving assessments, rents, penalties j on taxes and so on. "There will be some month* in the current year when we will possibly be financially embarrassed, but we believe we can pull through the per iod without any danger of default ing." Treasurer N. C. Green said fol-' lowing the meeting. Attorney R L. Coburn was direct ed to start proceedings for reopening an alley leading off Smithwick Street between the Mack Simpson and ho tel propertie*. In accordance with law and assur ed that action hud been delayed as long as possible under the present law, the commissioners ordered the town's delinquent list advertised next month for sale in November Local Schools On Regular Schedule With nearly eight hundred stu dents in their classrooms, work in the local school was carried out yes terday on regular schedule. Testing was completed for the 81 little folks entering school for the first time, and they were assigned to the three teachers who will direct their learn ing for the next eight months. In the other grades a few pupils were shift ed from room to room to relieve ov ercrowded conditions and equalize teaching load, thereby virtually com pleting the pupil classification until the close of the term. In the high school two hundred and eight students were in attendance and busy in their classwork. Twenty six students have enrolled in the commercial department and are tak ing bookkeeping, - typing and short hand under the instruction of Miss Everett. ? 4t Operator of an Illegal Slot Machine Fined in the Courts The drive to hold down and if pos sible eliminate the slot machine nui sance in this county met with mark ed success in the recorder's court here yesterday when Mrs. Myrtle Knox was fined $50 and taxed with the costs for the alleged operation of a "one-armed bandit" in Roberson ville. Operated hardly more than three days before it was confiscated by Sheriff C. B. Roebuck, the machine was ordered wrecked by the court following the trial here yesterday. One hundred and forty nickels were removed from the machine treasury and turned over to the county school treasury. L. B. McCormick, charged with the distribution and ownership of four "race horse" machines, is now fac ing the courts in this county, the cases having been continued in the county court yesterday Virtually ignored by law enforce ment officers in some counties, the Flannagan slot machine act is now receiving the attention of superior court judges and large numbers of machines allegedly of the illegal type are being confiscated in a number of places. The action of the court in the Knox case here yesterday was directed against the person in whose posses sion the machine was found. Similar action is subject to be taken against other* who allow the operation of U legal machines in their places of bus iness, officers point out World Gradually Being Drawn Into The New Conflict No Peace in Prospect as Lou# As Hitler Is Master Of Genuanv War tightened its grip on Europe this morning as the Poles ottered their first determined stand against the German invaders and plans were rushed for a major battle that was described as eminent in late news dispatches from France's western front. The war is playing havoc with sea traffic, the number of British ships standing at 16 today as a German submarine added another to the previous day's list. Hitler advanced another claim today when he stated that England's economic front would possibly be shattered. It is apparent that Hitler has a large number of submarines to molest the British merchant men, and that with Russia to furnish him supplies he needs no ocean shipping to maintain his eco nomic balance in the present strug gle Running into Poland at the rate of five, ten and fifteen miles each for almost a week ,the Germans are now facing a determined Polish army which is being supported by old men. women and children Repeated at tacks have been made on Warsaw, but the attack yesterday cost the Germans 2,000 dead and several thousand prisoners. The fall rains are now falling, and the Poles pre dict that the German mechanized units will bog down. Hitler, yester day predicted that Poland would raise the white flag within two hours. Later he offered an excuse for his first defeat by saying that his men were withdrawing to attack other vi tal spots in the raped country. Air attacks on Warsaw have been terrific, DOT Hie determined Poles fight that much harder as they see their children and women murdered by the barbarians. France, making fair gains along the western front, is digging in to hold those gains against counter at tacks. Activities along the front have caused Hitler to rush reinforcements there. The British are going into ac tum and while their forces have not participated in any fighting they are moving uj large numbers to the west ern front where observers at noon today said that major battle was eminent. Entering its second week, the war is spreading as though it will en gulf the world. Britain and France declared war. Australia followed a short time later. Africa joined in with England. Canada issued its declara tion this week, and the Arabs and Jews in the Holy l^and agreed to forget their differences and go to the aid of the allies. While the war rages in Europe, the (Continued on page six) School Attendance Shows An Increase Gradually climbing aince the open ing of the term last Tuesday, attend ance figures reported in the various white schools in the county are now well over the 3,300 mark, according to an unofficial estimate advanced here today. A still greater increase in the attendance figures is antici pated as farm activities are lessened by ttie tobacco marketing holiday. There is little excuse to keep chil dren at home now, a representative of the county board of education said today, and an all-time attend ance figure is anticipated. The increase is not likely to be of sufficient size to create an urgent need for additional teachers, it was pointed out. However, the teacher load is nearing the breaking point in some schools. A complete check on the attend ance upon the colored schools is nut available, but It Is bfiHtVed that some of the school houses are bulg-, ing with little tots. Predicting Early Vote On Tobacco Control In State Bi-lit-vt' lloliiluv Will l.a*l I mil K?-f< TC ml inn U Held A partial answer to the question of how long the tobacco marketing hoi' iday will last, was advanced unoffi cially today when a movement was started for holding a tobacco refer endum just as soon as possible. In cidentally. the action moving for an immediate calling of a referendum indicates that the Imperial Com pany's withdrawal will be of long duration. In a jitter over the events sur rounding the marketing activities, farmers are not certain as to the fu ture It has been suggested by some that the control vote would be sched uled for the latter part of next week. ] Others are of the opinion that al lotmehts should be determined be fore a vote is scheduled, and in that case the referendum could hardly be held before the middle of nekt month. County agents have been ad vised to rrtake preparations for an | early vote, it was unofficially learn ed here today, but if the instruc tions are followed it will be several weeks before farmers can express themselves on the matter of leaf control It is apparent that control strength has been materially increased, but there are those who openly declare their opposition to planned produc tion. "I will sell my mules, lock up my house and beg on the streets be fore I will vote for control." one Mai tin County farmer was quote as say ing recently. "I'll not vote for control until tobacco averages two cents a pound." another Martin County far mer was quoted as saying last week end Reports from the other side indi cate that the opposition is breaking dov\;.h rapidly, in the face of the low prices that have prevailed since the ^pening of the markets three weeks ago Control advocates are working on the assumption that once production control is assured domestic compan ies and independents will boost prices. If control were to fail of pas sage and the Imperial Company does not come back on the markets, then the advocates of the measure point out that there will be every reason in the world for the markets to break down. Postoffiee Holds To Its Patrons Moving into a homo of its own after many long years, the William ston postoffiee boasted yesterday that it had not lost a single customer. Postmaster Pete Fowden explained that a few patrons, forgetting the move had been effected, called at the old office, and were a hit late get ting around. By noon yesterday, the office reported an increase in busi ness with nearly all the keys to the regular boxholders distributed. "It will take us a few days to get straightened out, but activities in our new home are moving along smoothly," Postmaster Fowden said, adding that he and his forces were well pleased with the new building and that the general public had com mented very favorably on the new postal headquarters. The old postoffiee was a deserted spot yesterday but for workmen who moved out the old fixtures for shipment to Zebulon where they will be installed. Repairs will be made to the building just vacated here preparatory to occupancy by a cafe operator, of Elizabeth City. Week-end W recks Three persons were injured, none seriously, in a series of automobile accidents in this section during the week-end. Gussie Rogers, colored, was pain fully cut and his girl friend suffer ed a fractured rib when his car crashed into the Old Mill Inn bridge abutment Saturday night about 9 o'clock. Rogers said that the lights of he could not see the bridge. The front part of the car was smashed. The damage to the car was fixed at $100. Sunday afternoon, the cars of Sam Mabry and R L. Commander crashed at ihe colored school build ing on the Washington road. Mrs Commander suffered a severe arm injury, but others in the two cars were not hurt. Damage to the cars was estimated at $200 Yesterday morning the cars of Capt. W. S. Pritchard and Ben Har dison crashed at the corner of Elm and Washington Streets, doing about $40 worth of damage to the Hardi son car. No one was hurt. Revival Being Held At The Sweet Home (Juirrh A revival meeting if being held in the Sweet Home Christian Church this week wifK' the Rev. H. E. Har den, of Norfolk, conducting the spec ial services. Mr. Harden, the regular pastor, ?taUd tha meeting which began-on Monday night, September 11, will continue for at leaat 10 days. Tobacco Markets Start Holiday ?/ Of Indefinite Duration Today; Four Million Pounds Sold Here Prospects Not Very Bright for Peanut and Sweet Potato Crop Early reports from Martin Coun ty farmers point to poor peanut and sweet potato crops this year both as to quality and yield. While it is dif ficulty to forecast the conditions of the crop this far in advance, some few farmers are of the opinion that! they will not produce half of a nor mal crop, and still others maintain they will get no fruit but plenty of hay. The season for digging peanuts is two or three weeks away, but Far mer J Alfred Revels dug his crop the early part of last week to estab lish what is-believed to be an early record Heavy rains during August are said to have damaged the peanut and Sweet potato crops, past records show the lau of nature providing heavy trains in that month always affects the two crops. Possibly there is a slight increase in the planted acreage in the county j this season, but according to reports the production will be far below nor- , mal. Reports contrary to those coming | from farmers in this county are be ing received from other sections, Down in Washington County the growers are anticipating a per acre i production of 1,500 pounds on ap proximately 3,000 acres The expect ed yield is about 240 pounds above the per-acre average in past years Heavy production of sweet pota toes is being reported in Currituck County where the government making plans to divert a portion of the crop. Farmers in this county explain that weather conditions durine the next two weeks will have much effect on both these crops, and that possibly all hope for a medium production is not yet gone Plans Go Forward For Fair Week After Next Checks Arc Issued For IM8 Premiums By Fair This Week INi-arly #1,000 Paid To l.iirp Nuiiilicr of l'.xhil)ilor?, \p-nt \illloiin<'t'H Following the-payment of the 1938 premiums, the Wiliiamston fair man agement today immediately threw the machinery in motion for holding the 1939 fair here week after next, |n Y. Chamhliss, manager and a 'member of the North Carolina Fair Operating Company, stating that the Art Lewis Shows had already been booked and that the grandstand acta had been arranged through the. of ' fices of George Humid. Mr. Cham bliss, spending- several days here last week, explained that a detailed pro gram for the fair would be made public within the next few days. The fair is slated to open on Tuesday, September 211 Mrs. J. E Harrison. Jr , has been named as local representative and will maintain her offices at the fair grounds beginning Tuesday of next week. Delayed in their plans for operat ing the fair this year, the managers were unable to publish a regular premium list, but the list is appear ing in this paper today with instruc tions It isn't likely that farmers and others will have time to plan exten sive exhibits, but quite a few per sons have called for premium books and it is thought that the agricultur al feature will not be lost. The entertainment program will be advanced on a larger scale this year than last, according to the man agement Approximately $819 is being paid \ry the fair management through the office of the county agent to those exhibiting at the fan lust year. A large number of exhibitors called for the checks over the week-end and others are reporting for the special premium money. Fairly sizable sums have been paid to several of the schools and to club exhibitors. Commenting on the delay in mak ing the payments, the fair manage*" ment explains that the operuting company had lost nearly $8,000 on it* venture here, and that it was neces sary to wait for the preparation of the 1939 budgets before the pay (Continued on page six) first mkktunc; The first regular fall meeting of the Woman's Club will be held in the club rooms, Wednes day, September 13, at 3:30 p. m. At this time the teachers will be the guests of the club members and during the social hour. Miss 1 ora Sleeper will k'1" ?> short talk on her trip to Curope. t'ach member is requested to bring some gift for the club kitchen. All members are urged to be present. Number Marriage P Licenses Issued In (lountv Decreasing It'll Marriage* Ui|>oil? and 27 cents. Tobacco held over from last Friday was said I to have actually averaged from two to three cents higher on the sales yesterday Thieves Raiding In County Again Conducting tin* ninth raid in the county during recent months, thieves stole eight or ten chickens from Far mer John Powell near Kveretts, late last Friday night. Commenting on the latest in the series of raids, Sher iff C H Roebuck admitted that he had been unable to establish the first clue in the case, and that he had fig ured about every way Tie could to run down the rogues. "We have ac tually maintained a watch several nights, but without success," the of ficer uddisl. The rogues, thought to be mem bers of the same gang that has lifted meat from several smokehouses and chickens from several coops, went to Farmer Raymond Stalls' first that night, but left there empty-handed, and went to Farmer Powell's. Appar ently travelers frightened them away before they could clean out the Pow ell coop. Sheriff Roebuck said that smoke-, houses and chicken coo pa had been raided in various sections of the county during?leceiit weeks, that" heavy raids were centered in Wil liamston and Cross Roads Township.