North Carolina Newspapers

Martin County Farmers, Promote the Rights of Agriculture by Joining the Farm Bureau - Today 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 1,600 Homes of Martin County. VOLUME XLI1?NUMBER 87 Williamson, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuc*day, October :i I. I'f.V). ESTABLISHED 1899 Tobacco Thefts Are Re|>orted In Cross Roads Last Weekend Three Men Are Arrested, But No Trace of Thief Found In Third Theft -to Held in check by warnings and the watchfulness of farmers during the first two months of the current mar keting season, tobacco thieves final ly went into action in this county last week-end when they struck twice in Cross Roads Tow nship and J made a small haul in Pitt County. Two of the thefts were cleared up with the arrests of three men by Sheriff C. B. Roebuck within a few hours after the first one was report ed. but no trace of the thieves in the third case has yet been uncovered. Approximately 300 pounds of graded tobacco were stolen from the porch of a vacant tenant house on the Dave Ausborn farm late last Thursday night. The tobacco, said to have been of inferior quality, was placed on the porch that it might get in order, the owner planning to move it back into the house late that night. When he went there he found the i tobacco missing. Making an investigation Friday morning. Sheriff Roebuck was un able to establish a single lead that would "crack" the case, but his ac tivities fitted right m with two oth er cases even before the thefts were reported. Thieves, operating not far from the A us born farm, stole about 125 pounds of tobacco from Mrs. Bet tie Bullock and her tenant. Sam Highsmith Andrew Anderson, a ten ant on the Bullock farm, was arrest ed and charged with the theft. An derson was said to have carried the small quantity of tobacco to the home of Nathaniel Hoberson, near by, and loaded it on a truck with Roberson's tobacco. When the tobac co was unloaded on the Robersonville market Friday morning, Roberson was said to have asked Anderson ! what name he wanted to sell it in Anderson was said to have told Rob erson to sell it in his (Roberson's i name. Anderson, arrested a short time later, denied any connection with the case. While ho was working on that'case, the officer as a result of information offered by Nightwatchman Arthur Perkins in one of the Robersonville warehouses, suspicioned Albert G Clark. Sheriff Roebuck was investi gating the case whi n Sheriff Proc tor, of Pitl County, called and advis ed him that a small quantity of to bacco had been stolen over there The Martin officer invited the Pitt sheriff over, and the two soon i brought the case to a head. The to bacco had already been sold, but it was identified and the law then es tablished a watch at the bank Clark was said to have started into the bank, but turned away when he rec ognized a representative of the Pitt County law. Sheriff C. B Roebuck then pick ed up the trail and followed Clark into a mercantile store Learning the officer was on his trail, Clark ran up the stairs and hid the check behind some cloth. Unable to find, the check immediately, the officers carried Clark to the warehouse where he was identified by the watchman. The check was found .latex and when Clark realized the officers had the "goods" on him. he admitted the theft and implicated Clarence Ayers, Pitt County farmer 1 Peanut Harvesting Work Is Delayed Slow rains falling in this section yesterday and today have interrupt ed the peanut harvesting season, re ports stating that with a clearing of the skies late today it will be impos sible to resume the work before the latter part of this or early next; week. Fair weather this week would have brought the harvesting work to a climax throughout the county, but as a result of the rains there us: little activity on the farms or on the' market. Opening up around three and one-half cents, the market continues to hold to that figure However, few sales have been reported here dur ing yesterday and today. The sweet potato harvesting work has also been delayed, but it is gen erally understood that most of that crop has been harvested and is now safe in curing barns from the weath er. Late reports maintain that the pea nut production is below normal with the average not expected to exceed twelve or thirteen bags to the acre. Sweet potato production will ex ceed that of last year, reports in dicating that the yield will average between 125 and 150 bushels per acre for all grades. -? Methixlint* Will Serve Turkey Sup/per Friday The ladies of the local Methodist church will serve a complete turkey supper in the Woman's club hall Friday evening between the hours of 6 and 7:30 o'clock for the nominal sum of fifty cents a plate. Plans Go Foward for County Wide A nnualRed Cross Drive Plans were announced well under way today for conducting the annual Red Cross membership drive in the Martin County chapter. Chairman Harry A. Biggs stating that mem bership organiza tions had been 30 perfected in sever al districts and that others would be named shortly. At a meeting of Red Cross officials here last Saturday, a new territorial division was effected with the dis tricts of Jamesville. Williams, Grif fins. Bear Grass and Wlliamston coming under the Martin County Chapter and the districts of Cross Roads. Robersonville. Poplar Point. Hamilton and Goose Nest coming un der the jurisdiction of the Roberson ville chapter. The Junior Red Cross will function as an entirely separate j unit this year with James C Man ning. superintendent of county schools, in charge of the drive Rev. E. C. Shoe heads the Ruber sonville chapter activities, and Har ry A. Biggs is president of the Mar tin County chapter. Plans for con ducting the Robersonville chapter roll call are virtually complete, re ports stating that canvassers had al ready been named and that the drive will get underway in that section of the county next Monday. Chairman Harry Biggs said today that Mrs. Joshua L. Coltrain had been named to head the drive in Wil liams Township, and that Mrs. Jos eph A. Eason had been named chair man of the roll call. Mrs. Eason will be assisted by members of the Jun ior Woman's club in extending the roll call locally. Reports coming to Red Cross offi cials indicate a great need for a loy al support in the annual roll call which is slated to get underway in this section on Saturday of next l week. Start Proceedings To Recover County Taxes ATTENDANCE Attendance figures, shot to pieces by the pink eye and other ailments, are fast returning to normal in the various schools of the county, according to infor mation coming from the office of the county superintendent to day. All the youngsters are back in the Everetts school, and the pink eye after reaching real epi demic proportions is fast subsid ing in all the other schools. The Williamston school at one time reported 117 pupils absent with the pink eye. A large num her of the pink eye victims con tinued in school. The epidemic here, described as the most severe on record, sent several children to the hos pital and held others in bed for a week or more. County Boys Head Tar Heel Farmers The Tri-County Federation of Young Tar Heel Farmers held its first tegular meeting in the Plym outh High School recently. The Fed eration is composed of YTHF chap ters in the high schools of Martin. Washington and Tyrrell Counties. Chapters included in the Federation are Columbia, Tyrrell, Creswell, Ro per and Plymouth, Washington coun ty, and Jamesville, Oak City and Robersonville. of Martin County. The business consisted mainly of adoption of a constitution and by laws. and the election of officers The officers elected are: president, i Leo White- of Oak Citv: vice presi dent. Lacy Ward, of Robersonville; secretary, Joe Gray Browning, Jr.. of Plymouth, treasurer, Clayton Marriner, of Roper; and reporter, Darwain Smith, of Columbia A ritual contest was the main fea turo of the program with the differ-' ent chapters competing. The Colum-, bia chapter won first place with | Robersonville winning second, and Plymouth winning third place. Sev tral numbers of string music were rendered by the members of the Plymouth chapter. The boys are looking forward to public speaking, livestock judging and athletic con tests at future meetings. Neutrality Debate Underway In House Offering the senate neutrality bill to the house on a "take it or leave it" basis administration leaders took sharp issue today with demands of arms embargo advocates for a chance to revise the legislation. This question of parliamentary procedure, important to both sides for tactical reasons, was laid before the house rules committee. It was a skirmish heralding tomorrow's de bate in the house. The administration forces, con fident of duplicating their senate victory over embargo repeal and a "cash and carry" trade program, wanted to prevent amendments be ing offered from the floor They in sisted that the house vote on the original senate bill. But Representative Fish. Republi can, N. Y., leader of the anti-repeal bloc, contended that the house had a right to alter the measure as it saw fit. He served notice that he not only would fight in the rules committee for that privilege but also would seek at least three days of house debate. Repeal chieftains tentatively sug gested two days. Actual Transfer Of Property Scheduled Within Four Months I)?'femluiits in Tax Suit* Are I.orated in Many of the Forty-right States The final days of grace allowed property owners delinquent in their tax accounts are fast drawing to a close, the office of the county attor ney stating yesterday that foreclos ure proceedings are now being insti tuted to recover approximately $32, 817 in hack taxes The final action that is certain to result in the transfer of quite a few parcels of land and town lots marks the end of a hectic period in the county's tax history and places the hurden directly upon the property owners who have not met their tax assessments. On previous occasions forecktsure proceedings have been instituted at the direction of the law, hut subse quent changes in the state tax laws added to the days of grace for the hard-pressed property owner and the suits were discontinued. Now, the time is up and to comply with the dictates of the law, the county at torney is proceeding to effect final settlements or order the transfer of property titles. The actual and final sales will be effected in about four months from the date the suits are filed in the office of the clerk of the Martin Superior Court. The tax suits, dating back to the year, 1928, are being brought against approximately 300 property owners in this county. Jn some cases, the amount of the unpaid taxes is very small, but in those cases where the accounts have not been settled in any of the nine years from 1928 to 1936, the taxes almost prokimate the actual value of the property against which the county holds claim The tax record in this county up to 1929 reflected almost 100 per cent collections, but when the crash came that fall the old obligations started running into big figures. At the pres ent time, the tax situation is becloud ed with unpaid accounts. The ac counts for 1938 remain unpaid in numbers; the 1939 accounts are due and payable, and next January ?two months off?the taxing authorities will start preparing for the 1940 tax year. Considering the hectic economic period, Martin County property own ers have done exceedingly well by their taxes, the last audit showing that the approximately 300 unpaid accounts out of a possible number of nearly 7,500 represent only $32,817. Taxes due and unpaid since 1927 are, as follows: 1928, $766, 1929, $2,700; 1930, $4,785; 1931, $4,784; 1932, $4. 562; 1933, $3,756; 1934, $3,392; 1935, $5,136; 1936, $6,936. Suits to recover unpaid taxes for the year 1937 and subsequent periods cannot be brought at this time. They will be in stituted from year to year in the fu ture. The first of the suits started by the county is against Thomas and Jdc Whitehorne and others. * Special Service At The - Epitcopal Church Here Wednesday, being All Saints Day, there will be a celebration of the Holy Communion in the Church of the Advent at 10 o'clock a. m? Rev. John Hardy, rector, announced to day. At that hour the water and wine cruita, given by Mrs. F. U. Barnes in loving memory of her mother, will be ronsecrated. Committee Named To Head Program r In Martin County Old Officer* Arc Re-elected At (bounty Convention Held Fri<hi\ The machinery for administering the 1940 soil conservation program in Martin County was set up in its entirety last Friday afternoon when delegates elected in the various dis tricts earlier in the week met and re- | elected the old officers. The election, marked by harmonious action, was said to have voiced a general approv al of the past work of the county committee and laid the foundation for a smooth operation of the pro gram for the coming year Mr Jesse F. Crisp, of Oak City, again heads the local administration i as chairman. Mr. J K Wmslow. of Hobersonviile, continues as vice chairman, and Mr. W. M Harrison, of Bear Grass, was re-elected regular member. Messrs. George C. Griffin. [ of Griffins, and C. C. "Frosty" Mar tin. of Jamesville. will continue to serve as first and second alternates. A representative of the Martin County Agricultural Conservation Association, commenting on the re cent district and county elections, stated that this county is fortunate to have such able men to adminis , ter the program. "They are anxious I to protect the interests of every far | mer. and constructive criticism will i be welcomed by them at all times,"] the representative added. Each member of the committee was elected on an individual ticket to the office he now holds The dele gates participating in the election were, Messrs. C C. Martin, of James ville; Charles 1,. Daniel, of Williams; George C. Griffin, of Griffins; Lu ther M. Peel, representing Poplar Point and Williamston Townships; Garland Forbes, of Cross Roads; J R. Winslow, of Robersonville. 1). R Kdmondson, of Hamilton, W. R. Ev erett, of Goose Nest, and Urbin Rog eis, of Bear Grass. A definite work schedule has not been announced, hut it is expected that the various committeemen will start reviewing contracts for 1940 within a short time The committee .personnel for the county and the several districts fol lows in its entirety County committee J F Crisp, Oak City. J R. Winslow^ Rubersun ville; W. M Harrison. Williamston; R F. D. No 2; George C Griffin. Wil liamston R. F I) No. 1, C. C. Martin, Jamesville R F.I). No. 1 District committeemen with the names of chairman, vice chairman, regular member and first and second alternates following in order: Jamesville; C. C. Martin, C G. Gurkin, R. L. Stallings. Arthur Mod 1 in and David Holhday. Williams: () S Green, C I. Dan iel. R. J. Hardi.son, Walter Gardner and W W. Griffin Griffins Asa J Hardison, George C. Griffin, J C. Gurkin. L. 11 Rob erson and S E Manning. Bear Grass: W M Harrison, Jos eph S. Griffin, Redden Leggett, Her man Rogerson and Tommie Law rence Roberson. t-"1 Williamston and Poplar Point W Mayo Hardison, R T Griffin, Fred Taylor, Luther Peel and Minga Rog ers. Cross Roads W L Ausborn, (las ton-James, G. 11. Forbes, Henry D Peel and J Marion Griffin. Robersonville: R. S Everett. J. K Daniel, S. T Everett, J. R. Winslow and H 11. Roberson. Hamilton: I). R. Edmondson. W J. Beach, C. L. Nelson, J II Lillard and Woodrow Purvis. Goose Nest: L. L. Harrell, 11 A Early, J. C. Ross, J. E Crisp and J. W Belflower. In those cases where community committeemen were elected to posts on the county committee, other mem bers on the community committees will step into those positions made vacant by advancement The committee personnel is listed here that individual farmers might discuss various features of the pro gram with their respective represen tatives. Pretidvnt Roo?evelt /**?<** Proclamation Thursday, November 23. was offi cially proclaimed Thanksgiving Day by President Roosevelt today. The proclamation carried an appeal to the people to return thanks for the peace that is being enjoyed on this continent today. MICE All snug in their nest, half doz en mice were sold along with a pile of tobacco on the tot al mar ket this morning. Not until the tobacco was sold were the mire discovered .and their presence did not affect the 26 cents paid. The buyer did not complain, but it is likely that the old mother rat is doing some tall searching for her brood. Offering New Method For Marking Potatoes Cooperative Plan Is Explained To Group Of Martin Farmers Indication* Point to a Dollar Market. Official of Exchange Say* Declaring marketing conditions mtist be improved if the difference in the price received by the farmer and that paid by the consumer is to be narrowed C. C Hilton, of the North Carolina Farmers' Cooperative Exchange, outlined a new method of marketing to a group of Martin County farmers in the agricultural building here last evening "If we can establish a receiving center in this county and render a service to Martin farmers, we will have accomplished something." Mr. Hilton said. "If we cannot do that, then we will tell the growers to pa tronize the highest market." he add ed. The cooperative is considering lo cating at Wiltiamston and maintain a regular market from about the early part of December during the remainder of the season. The cooper ative. under the direction of Mr. Hi 1 ton. will operate a regular cleaning and packing depot. A charge of five cents for cleaning and packing will be made and an additional charge of five cents per busluM will be ask ed for handling the actual market ing activities If the farmer will stand behind or guarantee delivery of potatoes to the markets in good condition, the 10 cent fee will rep resent all the charges In other words, if the market is $1.10 a bushel, the farmer will receive $1 net If the farmer does not wish to guarantee deliveries, llien he will he asked to place an extra nickel into a special fund to care for any losses that might follow. Mr Hilton pointed out that in some cas'es, the potatoes dam age in transit and that the buyers will refuse to pay the contract prices; If the special fund has any surplus at the end of the season it reverts to the growers ' We are not trying to drive any body out of the market; we are mere Iv trying to lower the marketing costs to the farmer," Mr. Hilton said, and added that the cooperative is confident that it can render a val uable service to the farmers The cooperative representative stated that a 100 car market had al ready been established and that ad ditional outlets could be created Be fore scouting around for additional markets. Mr Hilton explained that he wanted to talk with the growers to make certain that the orders could be filled The group of around 40 farmers at the meeting virtually agreed to deliver several thousand bushels to the cooperative in this county, and it is believed that pos sibly 100 carloads of the sweets can be handled by the exchange. Farmers interested- _in_thc new marketing system are directed to County Agent Brandon who will ex plain the details and make available contracts Recogni/ing the possibility of ex- j panding the potato market by means of a directed advertising program, the meeting in this county agreed to allow one cent a bushel for the prep aration of recipes and other similar advertising material Kach basket of potatoes will carry several of the recipes and the brand name of the cooperative 1). (i. Matthews, Martin County farmer and a large potato grower, told the meeting that he shipped a car through the exchange last sea son and averaged 11 cents a bushel more than he received through other marketing mediums. He pointed out that it was his belief that the ex change could render a valuable ser vice, especially to the small-scale producer. The truck problem and its tonden cy to "heat down" market prices came in for lengthy discussion, the group agreeing that it would he bet ter for the grower to deal through an established agency Representing the Southeastern Chain Store Council, II R May stressed proper giading and packing (Continued on page six) Two Minor Accident* In County During Week-end No one was hurt and very little damage was done in two minor auto mobile accidents in the county last week-end. Possibly $30 or $40 dam age was done when the cars of Messrs B. S. Courtney and Gormer Harrison bumped together in the warehouse district here Friday af ternoon. Two fenders were smash ed when two cars crashed on a nar row bridge a few miles west of Rob ersonville Sunday night. One of the cars was driven by Dr. Walker, of Elizabeth City. msvproivnv; V -> Current tux collections in this county are proving mighty dis~ appointing, according to a state j ment made yesterday by Sheriff C. B. Roebuck, the collector, (liv en an additional month of grace when the county commissioners delayed the sheriff's tax sale, the property owners have appar ently taken advantage of the grace period. The dead line is fast closing in and collections are increasing from day to day. the sheriff stating that possibly the delinquent list for 1938 will he 110 larger than the one for 1937. Starting a drive a few weeks ago for personal property taxes, i the officer states that he now has on hand about a do/en cars and l a few other items to be offered i at public sale next Monday. Jas. LeRov Andrews Dies At Home Near Here List Saturday In III I It-ill t li After Mysterious Shooting Several A earn \po James LeKoy Andrews, Williams Township farmer, died at his home there last Saturday morning at six o'clock firllowing a long period of do dining health. lie suffered a compli cation of ailments, and during the past few weeks his condition was considered critical He was uncoil death. Mysteriously shot while hunting in the Islands section of Williams Town ships about seven years ago, Mr Andrews has experienced poor health since that time The load of shot, fired from a gun in the hands of a person whose identity was nev definitely determined, struck the farmer in the shoulder and lead pois oiling apparently resulted. Despite his affliction, Mr Andrews hoee-his suffering without complaint and just a few weeks before his last ill ness he went into the fields and plowed peanuts Reports state that he was so weak at the time that he bad to have help m getting on and off a riding plow. Officers, question ed soon after the shooting about -sev en years ago, stated they believed Mr. Andrews was mistaken for a hear. The son of the lute Luther and Lucy Perry Andrews, he was horn m Williams Township 56 years ago In early manhood he married Miss Sadie Duncan, formerly of Ouilford County. She survives with five cliil dreii, Misses Kathleen, Katie and Alice and Delhert and John An drews, all of Williams Township He also is survived by the following brothers and sisters, Messrs. Sain and Julius Andrews, of Williams Township, and Ben Andrews, of Williamston; W. B, Daniel and Mrs.; i Sam Jones, ot Williamstoii; Mrs Liz ? Cherry, Mrs. N S Cherry, Mrs. Grover Godard and Mrs Charles Pate, all of Williams Township, and Mrs Sam Hopkins, of Washington i County Mr Andrews was a member of the Methodist church at Holly Springs I He was a hard-working farmer and j an accommodating neighbor. Funeral services wi re conducted at the late home last Sunday after noon by Rev. S. A Maxwell, Metho | dist minister. Interment was in the Andrews family plot in Williams j Township, near Sweet Water Creek. To Start Canvass For Relief Fundi s Final plans were formulated at a meeting of civic leaders and other, business men in the law office of Wheeler Martin last evening for ad vancing a drive for funds to relieve untold suffering among war-stricken refugees. Solicitors will start the can vass soon, and all citizens are earn estly urged to participate in the hu mane cause by contributing liberal ly to the fund. Based on poverty, want and suf fering already now existing, a fund of twenty million dollars is being asked by the directors of the nation wide movement. Recognizing the merits of the cause, thousands of dollars have already been raised in several eastern North Carolina towns and this county is asked to raise $500 ? Falling victim to malaria last Fri day, Mayor John L. liassell contin ues in bed. His condition was report ed much improved today. fobac *ro Prices On The Local Market Vrc Molding Firm Salts To Date \*c!l (her th?* I'.iyhl and Half Million Pound Mark Tobacco prices on the local mar ket continue to hold firm with the mmm general average varying, more or less, in-accordance with the quality of tluvofferings Considering ! the quality, the pricey just about as high today as it has been at any time this season with the possible exception of One day. According to Lucian Har disou, farmer and keen observer of 'tobacco., the market here today was averaging right at 17 cents, the es timate being based on sales during the first two hours. This figure tal lies almost to a point with the report released _by Sales Supervisor K.. B. Crawford for the sales during the week ending last Friday. Last week, the supervisor reports, the market sold 1.269,040 pounds for $211,485.28 for an av< rage of $10.66. tirade for grade, tobacco prices are averaging just as high here as they are on any market, an observer main tains. Up until last week-end. the Wiiliumston market had Sold 7,964, 464 pounds for $1 138.812.92. a result ing average of about $) 4 50 It is estimated that four-fifths of the crop in this section has been sold. Using this estimate as a base, it is almost certain that tin market will reach the ten million pound mark before the season cone s to a close possibly timing the latter part of November or early December Quite a few farmers have complet ed their marketing, and it is unusual to find a grower with more .'-than two or three thousand pounds on hand, at this tune Reports from the state as a whole, state that approximately 247.464.630 pounds have been sold to date for an average of around 15 cents. Individual sales ranged up to 38 cents on the local market yesterday. ami averages nf slightly more 28 cents were reported in some in stances. Last Friday the market cleared its floors, 'hut ran into another block yesterday. The sales were back on schedule t al ly tlus morning, and by following a strict schedule the sell ing organizations are expected to clear the floors late this afternoon, making available plenty . of floor <p.'"'o?for'.sales tomorrow ami dur? ing the remainder of this week. It is now possible for a farmer to get a sale the same day he delivers his tobacco Europe I his Jittm (laseol Diploinania a 1' Inactivity continues to nun k the European war front today as a great ci' part of the world suffers in an xious waiting with'a rvriv case of "diplonvania " On tin Westei n Front tin morn iug Germany was said to be firing big shells on points far back of the 'French lines, and Hitlers planes were flying deep into French terri tory to survey the general activities, there. According to the Germans, front hie trenches had .been desert ed by the French Attention is now centering on a diplomatic parley between Russia and Italy. Other powers are await ing development, little knowing what to expect Mussolini, holding tie the quiet front for weeks, is said to be shak ing up his forces and replacing old leaders. London recognized in his action an attempt to stimulate pro German influence: The Balkans are working to form a pact against invasion either by Germany or Russia. As a result of the mysterious war fare, ort the high seas during the first two months of the war, Germany claimed today that England was fail ing in its blocade. that Germany was about to starve out England. A warm note has been addressed by the United States to all belliger ents, warning theifr "against any harmful acts on the lives of the 41 members of the City of Flint crew. The boat pulled out of a Norway port yesterday, presumably for a German landing The ship took on large quantities of supplies, and it is believed that she is off on a long and undetermined "cYuise. (Condition Of (>mi-Shol I irlim Rvportvd Worse The condition of Willie Padgett, Jamesville Township citizen, who had his bladder shot out two years ago^next month, was reported much worse yesterday. Virtually helpless since he was shot, Padgett has baf fled leading surgeons in his pugna cious hold on life. Nearly a year ago, a leading surgeon stated that there was nothing that could be done to repair the damage caused by a load of gun shot and added that he did not see how the man could live thirty days longer. No marked change has been reported in his condition until yesterday when medical aid was again summoned to him.