North Carolina Newspapers

Watch the Label on Your Paper, As It Carries the Date Your Subscription Expires. 1 Advertisers Will Find Our Col- 1 -1 .iii :-?? ?. l^sti ;,,rv 1 AOG fl - * 1 ' O* / * l*v* J1 Homes of Martin County II 1 1 VOLUME XLII?NUMBER 103 ^ U illiamtton, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday , Ih cember 2*>. 1939. ESTABLISHED 1899 Victim Of Unusual Accident Died Last Night In Hospital Last Rites This Afternoon for John Fenner Bearham. Prison Guard Injured in an unusual motor ve hicle accident near his home on the old Greenville Road last Saturday afternoon about five o'clock. John Fenner Beacham died in a Wash ington hospital last night at 9:40 o'clock- He never regained con sciousness. Returning home as one of sever al passengers in his brother's truck with Christmas packages for his large family. Beacham lost his bal ance when the truck swerved and fell out, his head apparently strik ing some part of the truck before he fell to the ground. He suffered a skull fracture and possibly other injuries. The accident was the only one to prove fatal in this county during the Christmas season. Mr. Beacham was the son of John R. Beacham. of near here, and the late Olivia Mary Beacham. He was born in Beaufort County 30 years ago and moved with his family to Martin when he was about eight years old, locating on the Garrett farm, near Williamston For the past seven years he has been in the em ploy of the Statq as guard at the Martin prison camp He handled his work well and was highly regarded by his superiors. Twelve years ago he was married to Miss Essie Bullock, who survives with six children, John Frank, Essie Ruth, Joseph. Willie James. Connie Viola and Leslie Howard the young est being only ten months old. He is also survived by five sisters, Mrs. James Wynne, of Washington; Mrs Lillie Taylor, Mrs. Roy Manning. Mrs. Gladys Bonds, Mrs- Marie Goff. all of Williamston, and four brothers, Roy Beacham, of Washington; Char lie, William Lawrence, and James Henry Beacham. all of Williamston. Funeral services were held this af ternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Beth any Holiness Church. Rev. Tom Har ris conducted the last rites. To Appoint Health Officer At Meeting A health officer to succeed Dr. F. E. Wilson, resigned, will be appoint ed by the Martin County Board of Health in special session here this evening. Chairman J E. Pope an nounced Wednesday. All members of the board have .been requested to attend the meeting. Two apv'-ications have been plac ed before the board for considera tion, but one of the applicants, un official reports state, has other of fers pending and it is not certain that he will accept should the ap pointment be tendered him by the board in this county. Pending the appointment of a new doctor to head the work, the board has not formally accepted the res ignation of Dr. F. E. Wilson and it is possible that he will be asked to remain here part time, at least, un til his successor can report for duty Consolidation Colored High Schools in County Third Bus Will Be Placed In Service In County Monday Colored High School Consol idation Problem Solved, ?Amhoritiefi Say ? The problem surrounding the eon aolidation of colored high schools in Martin County will be solved, au thorities say, next Monday when a third bus will be placed in opera tion and transportation service is extended to a large portion of Goose Nest, Hamilton, Cross Roads and RobersonviHe Townships. Hie new bus, purchased cooperatively by the county, school patrons and teachers, will serve approximately 90 pupils in the four districts. The added ser vice boosts the total high school en rollment in the two schools, Wil liamston and Parmele, to 317?107 at Williamston and 190 at Parmele. "While there may be some few mi nor changes in the consolidation program as it now stands, we con sider the problem solved almost jn its entirety," a representative of the board of education said in announc ing the expanded service. At the present time two busses are serving the colored high school in the two towns. A bus operating out of Dardens, is bringing around (0 (Continued on page four) WARNING operate their motor vehicles without the shining 1940 li cense plates will be subject to arrest, the Department of Rev enue Is awlai the purchase and display of the new plates on or before that time. No extension will be granted for the purchase of the tags Up until late yesterday af ternoon, the local license bur eau had sold 1,935 car tags, and approximately 524 truck and trailer licenses for a cash con sideration estimated at slight ly in excess of $24,000. The tag sale is holding up well as com pared with that of a year ago. Crack Doom On Alleged I Violatora Of Health Law Unable to get them to report for treatment through persuasion and warnings, the Martin County Health Department started cracking down upon alleged violators of the health laws. Forty warrants were drawn by Health Officer F. E. Wilson this week, ancf a marked increase in the attendance upon the syphilis clin ics followed. Two of the forty upon whom warrants were served failed to report, and their arrests were or dered late yesterday. At the present time more than two hundred persons are receiving treat ment in the clinic here and in Rob ersonville. Prominent Citizen oi County Died Thursday GIIS HARRISON Ti Recognizing him as a valu able friend and citisen, an en tire people unite here this af ternoon to pay a fitting tribute to Mr. Harrison who died in a Richmond hospital early yes terday morning. David W. Wright Died Sunday At Jamesville Home Retired Farmer Wuh III For Short Period With Heart Trouble David Washington Wright, retired farmer and well-known county citi zen, died at his home in the Dardens community of Jamesville Township, last Sunday night at 9:30 o'clock. Apparently enjoying his usual health Mr. Wright was taken ill only a few days before his death, the end com ing unexpectedly and suddenly fol lowing an heart attack. The son of the late William E. and Frances Waters Wright, he was born in this county 67 years ago. He spent most of his life on the farm. He was long a member of the Corinth church and was active in its support. Mr. Wright was quick to make friends and was highly regarded in his com munity. In early manhood he was married to Miss Ida Watson who died 33 years ago. About five years later he was married to Miss Geytrude Mi zelle who preceded him to the grave about eight years ago. Since that time he had made his home with his sister, Mrs. Charles Hinson. One daughter, Mrs. Elsie V. Jef ferson, of Churchland, Va., survives. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Chas Hinson and Miss Nora Wright, both of Jamesville Township. Services were conducted in the church where he held membership Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by the pastor, Rev Duffy Toler, of Washington. Interment was in the churchyard. Funeral Services For C A. Harrison Held Here Th is Afternoon i RrluM-ti C.iliwii inu| Kidiiiioitil Hospital \fl?T lingering Illness Claudius Augustus Hurrisoii. well known local citizen and a prominent ! business man in Una section of itie j State, died in a Richmond hospital | yesterday morning at 3:45 o'clock following a lingering illness, the end | coming peaceably after a valiant ? fight for life His three daughters, his wife and her mother, Mrs Blanche Anderson, were at his bed side when the end came. Reported to have been unusually bright last Tuesday. Mr Harrison talked with friends for a few min utes at intervals and assured them that he would bo able to return home in about one week Wednrsday hts condition was not so favorable and late that night a change for the worse was quite evident. Just a short while before the end he be came nauseated and his heart, weak ened by an incurable ailment, aban doned its beat Treated by able doctors and with | the best mcdn im J niixlern snout e could produce. Mr Harrison fought a determined fight for a life that he seemed to enjoy in all its fullness and in every minute of the day Once or twice during hts ten weeks' < stay in the hospital, his condition be | came grave, but the determined spir lit Gus?and nearly everybody call ed him Gus?possessed snatched him from death, and until the end he -held a great -hope- for recovery and his return home to loved ones and to an untold number of friends After a stay of about five weeks in his bed at home, he was remov ed to the hospital. His many friends eagerly sought news of his condition day in and day out. and they. too. held to a hope for his return until the last. While greatly appreciative of everything that modern medical science could do in his behalf. Mr Gus longed to return home. Mem bers of his family and his_ friends wanted to-see him return. fJk.lhe move was not considered advisable by attending physicians. But he nev er gave up hope, and possibly the will to live existed to the last sec I ond in his mind and heart. News of his death came here early yesterday morning as a great shock to all, for reports just a short time before then indicated that he was holding his own, that all hope had not been abandoned The news as it spread to all corners here seemed to cast sorrow in the minds of everyone in every station of life Claudius Augustus Harrison was born in Bear Grass Township on August 5, 1888. the son of the late Cushion B and Martha Taylor Hur lison. In his early youth on the farm there was something instilled into his character that ever shedded a cheery light under all conditions Pi.^ihly the humble teachings?of God-fearing and righteous parents guided him through life as a youth and later as a man to be liked by everyone he met and learned to know. While Mr. Harrison never shirk ed a duty on the farm, he had his heart set on merchandising. And at an early age and after completing i the schooling uffeied in Ins unniiiuii Ity. he came to Williamston to con tinue his education. His time after school hours was not spent in idle ness He worked at various jobs ev er holding his course toward a def- , inite goal, a course that was destin ed to lead him to the front as a| prominent citizen and business man He also attended school at Buies Creek and Elon College, completing his education in a business yhfto1 "? i Richmond. In 1610 he entered the employ of Baker and Roberson, a bigl (Continued on page four) Will Hyman Dies At Home In Oak City Will Hyman, retired farmer, died at the home of his sister, Mrs Alice Harrell, in Oak City fast Sunday af ternoon following an illness of only, a few weeks' duration Suffering a I stroke of paralysis about a month ago he was confined to his bed, the end coming gradually. Mr. Hyman, a native of the Oak City section, was 72 years old. H< spent most of his life on the farm, moving to Oak City about ten years ago. A willing worker, possessed of a quiet and unassuming character, he handled various jobs around Oak City until his health failed. He was| highly regarded by those who knew him. and had many friends in that section of the county. Funeral services were conducted Christmas afternoon by Rev. J. M. Perry, Roberaonville minister In terment was in the Oak City ceme tery. Plans Go Forward For Listing 1940 Taxes In Conntv Lirtdikfri 4re Dftfrniinlni >rhr?lulr of \nlii?>* at Meeting Today Plans for listing all real and per sonal property in the county as of January 1, HHb, are being advanced at a meeting of the ten list-takers, the tax supervisor, S. H. Grimes, and county authorities here today. Mr Grimes announced last evening. No change was effected in the list ing personnel. and no marked var iation in listing methods is antici pated for the new year Commenting on the change made 4ft the tune foe hsting property, Su pervisor Grimes pointed out that it was generally believed that farmers and others would have more time and would find it more convenient to list their holdings in January than in April when activities on the farm are pressing. The supervisor would offer no comment as to what effect, if any, the change in the listing date would have on the assessed values. Farm provisions' are likely to show an increased inventory, and possibly other holdings will reflect an in creased value as of January 4 fhan they would on April 1. More aHenUoh is being"centered on the farm survey handled by the list-takers for the coming year. All farmers are urged to present an ac curate and detailed report of their farming activities No effort will be made to get a preliminary survey of liHU faun plans, hut the farmers are especially urged to make a thorough review of their HKW .-fctivities and have ready information as it relates to acreages planted to various crops, Under the law, listing activities are to be completed during the month of January Any extension must be granted or approved by the county commissioners, and since de layed listing increases the cost bfj the work it is understood that the authorities are not considering ex tending-the listing date next year Holiday Cases In The Mayor s Court A rough holiday season in some quarters here is reflected in the trial docket recorded in Justice J. L. Hasscll's office. Six cases were handled during the holiday period as compared with'no cases handled during the Christmas season a year ago. Judgment was suspended upon payment of the cost in tin- case charging Albert Richards with dis orderly conduct. John Rogers, charged with oper ating a car without driver's license, was fined $10 and taxed with the cost. Charged with public drunkenness, Gene Anderson was sentenced to the roads for 30 days, the court sus pending judgment upon payment of the cost. Charles Gray, charged with an assault, was bound over to the county court fur trial. Nathaniel Jennett, charged with disorderly conduct, was sentenced to the roads for thirty days, the court suspending judgment upon payment of the cost. Prince Lang ley, the colored fel low who almost knocked his wife's eye out in a fight, pleaded guilty of simple assault after his wife de clared to the-C'ourt that they were merely "playing". Judgment was suspended upon payment of the cost. I^gal liquor ?>ales Increase In County :? #. " ??.. I^egal liquor sales in the county last Saturday approximated the old 19311 holiday trade record, the four stores in the county reporting total receipts for the day in the sum of $J,ai7 70. This total compares with $2,639.20 reported on Christmas Eve, 1938. The legal liquor business boomed in each of the four stores. Compara tive sales reported by the stores for 1939 and 1938 are as follows: Wil liarruton, $1,753.10 and $1,340.60, Robersonville, $1,132 45 and $780.45; Oak City, $390.20 and $2411.35; Jamesville, $241.95 and $226.80. Reports from over the county in dicate that the increase in legal li quor nulof) over thoac of a year?agrr maintained a close relationship with the increase enjoyed by business-irr general. ' Business in the stores last Tues day was back to normal, late re ports maintaining that there is very little demand for the legalized spir its. ? Extend Rural Electric t Linen In The County -t Martin County's rural electric sys tem continues to grow, the Virginia Electric and Power company just recently energizing a four-mile ex tension in -Tamegyillp Township. Twenty-two customers were added to the system, the addition placing the county well above the average in rural electrification progress. Accidents Mar Observance of Holidav Season in Williamston And Sections of Martin County Prizes Awarded for Holiday Decorations Here Last Week Winners of the local Christinas Peroration rontests were deteimm ed by three out of-town judges last Saturday night followAwa long and careful inspection of thtTtortists* ar rangement* Prizes, totaling $30. were award ed to the1 following according to classifications? interior decorations Belk-Tyler, first; Davis Pharmacy, second. Porch or house: Dr. and Mrs. W. G. Mercer, first; Mr and Mrs M J Notion, second. Yard: Mr. and'Mrs. N. C Green, first; Mr and Mrs David M Rober son, second. Window: Margolis Brothers, first; Peele Jewelers, second. First prizes were $5 and second, $2.50, all in Cheer Movement in This Community Is A Marked Sueeess A ill hxtended To More Thun I2."> l,esp? horliuiatr One* During Holiday Extending aid to and sounding a cheery note, for 427 needy persons in this community during Christmas, the sponsors of-the-C-hristmas Cheer fund recognized the movement as the most successful ever advanced lu re The friendly hand of a thought ful people was extended to 1 (^fam ilies in this and four nearby town ships, and suffice it to say that hap piness in no fuller measure could have been created with as little mon created by .the contribu tions made by hundreds and, ban died by representatives of the Ki wanis club. Recognized as one of the most im portant of its kind, the movement brightened many homes and made the hearts of hundreds of little tots and aged ones too, sparkle as gold against a silver background. Every contributor, he he large or small, can i? st assured that he helped make some sail heart glad and cre ated anew a firmer faith in man kind The gleeful expressions, so pronounced on the faces of the re cipients. repaid in full measure ev ery cent contributed and every gift donated to the movement. Receiving a total of $171.81 in cash contributions, and with a large and valuable collection of toys, the spon sors did a valuable work in chasing gloom from the homes of 105 fami lies. Added to the cash contributions and toy collection, were gifts from the various Sunday schools, classes, individual merchants and-- othce*. The Watts theatre free show brought in one of the largest and most select collection of fruits and toys ever re ceived, th sponsors pointing out that the theatre management, Mr Walts, and all others combined to make the movement pleasingly successful. The undertaking proved quite a task, but willing workers easily ban died it. Distribution was effected from the primary school building, li'iick ..ml ?> operating during a greater part of Saturday morning in placing the prize bundles in the hands of the needy. The packages were made up of flour, rice, salmon, sugur, pork and beans, candies, nuts, fruits, toys, and an occasional arti cle of clothing. The welfare depart ment was active rn assisting the work and Messrs Edward Corey and Leman Barnhill supplemented the (Continued on page four) Oak City Youth Is Accidentally Shot Thomas Haislip, senior in the Oak City High School, was critically shot while hunting mar his home in the Hassell section of this county Christ gun, the young man, son of County Commissioner and MVfr H A. Hai sfrprwiis struck irrthf right arm just below the elbow. The load of shot from the gun tore through his arm, reports from a Tarboro hospital where he was entered for treatment stating that it could not be definite ly determined whether h would lose the limb. The young man, hunting with sev eral companions, had stopped to rest and placed his gun down beside a tree Making ready to continue the hunt, he stepped on a log, and caught the barrel of the gun. As he pulled the gun up, the trigger apparently .struck^* bush* causing the gun to fire. It was the only serious hunting ac cident reported in the county dur ing the holidays. cash ?The indites. Mcsdumcs \V E Mob ley. Alton Grimes and Bruce Ever ett. all of Hobersonville. made the awards after a complete survey of the decorations Nearly 100 homes and yards were attractively decor ated. the practice being quite no ticeable in and around a number of colored homes. Reports state that many homes along rural power lines were brightened by wreaths and trees A new lighting arrangement on the municipal water tower attract ed especial attention, and the City Hall again was the subject of com ment from visitors and travelers from near and far. Old man gloom enveloped the county courthouse. NO IIOI Jl) L With a few exceptions New Year's day will find people working in-this section. The dar will be observed as a holiday by the postoffice, banks and a few~ other business houses, but a regular schedule of activities will be maintained for the most part. The county and town com niissioners are scheduled to meet. Judge Peel will call the county court into regular ses sion and business will be car ried on as usual. ^ Robersonville IVIan To HavoClianreof r Census In County Farm ami Population Will (h'I I mlernay In Vpril Claude T Smith, well known Rohersonville man, has been nam ed to head the census survey in this county, it was announced this week by the office <?f 1) W '.upton, su pervisor of the census for the first census or congressional district Plans for taking the business cen sus in the district arc now complete, according to Mr Lupton who was appointed by the office of Congress man Iandsay C Warren to head the work in the fourteen First District counties. Beginning early in January, Mi Smith and other appointees are slated to start an extensive survey of business activities in this and other counties. The enumerators will be in conference during several days with Mr. Luptori and the assistant supervisor, Mr. W. A. Kverelt, oT~ (Continued on page four) One I Intimity Death Reported In County During The Period Kirruork* tiluim Two Victims VihI Several Hurt In \uto VI re<'kj> While the holiday period was quietly observed here and through nut tTTe:"county, the period was not without its accidents, minor disturb ances, fights and sorrows, a general survey revealing one untimely death and a series of accidents. The na tion. as a whole, labored under a holiday death toll estimated in ex cess of 680 persons. John Fenner Beacham. 30 years old. was fatally hurt in a truck ac cident near the old county home last Saturday afternoon. He died in a Washington hospital last evening. The only hunting accident was re ported in the Hassell section of the county where a young man was re ported to have accidentally shot himself in the arm. ?Comparatively few arrests?were made, hut fights and robberies were reported in numbers. Natural deaths Maddened several homes, 2 on Christ mas Eve and another on Christmas lhiv in the county, but undertaWtfa point out that the calls were fewer this Christmas season than they were a year ago. Twelve arrests were made during the holiday period 111 the*county a vrar ago against four this season, two of them being entered on the jail records during Christmas day. Several automobile fenders were smashed, hut rolling stock went out of control in a big way over in Wil liams Township H E. Swain, dis trict highway engineer ,of Kings tree. South Carolina, and his nephew escaped injury, bjutCkirenc^ John si hi, Plymouth colored man, was badly hurt when their cars crashed near Gardners Creek last Saturday afternoon. Two persons escaped un injured when their Chevrolet coupe kidded and turned over near God ard's Filling Station on U S. High way No. H4 Damage to the cars will < xceod $300, it was estimated. Bruce Powell Kogerson, son of Mr and Mrs B B Kogerson, suf fered a severe injury when a small popcracker exploded in his right hand One finger was torn open, a second was badly burned and the nail on his thumb was ripped off by the bursting firecracker. An explod ing popcrackcr nearly tore off one finger and broke another for young Tom Williams, son of Mr. and Mrs. B B Williams, here Christmas day. Fire, starting from an oil heater, upset one family here Christmas day, but no great damage was done to property in the West Main Street home. Fights were fairly common among in. ml.? is of the colored population, local 'officers reporting three serious (Continued on page four) Chamber ol Commerce Meet Here Wednesday f ?=?^ M LOniKNTS j ? I.,, J Delayed by late work by the committee". in some counties, the Raleigh office of the Agri cultural Conservation program announced this week that IT~ would he about January 10 or IS before 1010 tobacco allotments can be made available to farm em. The allotments have alrrady been tentatively determined In this county and are now await ing action in Raleigh. Set up In the county some days ago, the allotments have been returned for minor adjustments and will be forwarded to Raleigh for ft noI otinrakiral nsvl u i.oL iTai n|F|>nfTni iirxt www< Sitrrctxfiil I nherriilosin Seal Sale Re/tarled Here Tile sale of tuberculosis seals just concluded hrrr was described thbr week as the most successful ever held, the seal sale committee, Mrs If O. Peel, stating that the total sales amounted to $80.54 with one or two campaigners yet to render their reports A portion of the mon ey is forwarded to the central tu bercular association, and the re maining amount is used in advanc ing the work locally. In reporting the sales. Airs. Peel stated that Girl Scous Liza Daniel and Alberta Knox led the field and received prizes for their diligent work on Bangle Day. Kdmond Harding To Address Civic Club And Business Men Final I'laiiH Formulated For I'rrfi-rliiig Or^uuizalion Of Commerce Group Meeting in special session at the Woman's Club hall next Wednes day evening at 6:30 o'clock, mem bers of the Lions and Kiwanis clubs and representatives of the various business and professional offices will perfect a local chamber of com merce- organization, reports from the special committee appointed eaflTer this month Indicating that preliminary organisation work is virtually complete and that more Hum 1(10 business and professional men are expected to be present for the session. Kdmond Harding, able speaker ontertainer and secretary of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, will address the group, and an in teresting program is assured. A "dutch" supper will be served, and those planning to attend are cordial ly urged to notify either Mr. C- B. Clark, Mr. F. J. Margolis. Mr. R S. Courtney or Mr. Charlie Boware, mittee. The need for an active commerce (Continued on page tour)