Market Has Able Selling Force
Big Four at Roanoke - Dixie and Carolina Warehouses
Four Proprietors Are
Ranked With Leading
Tobacconists in State
Warehousemen Are
Well Known To The
Farmers Of Section
Warehousemen Possess Ev
ery Qualification for Run
ning a Market
Returning to the helm at the old
reliable Roanoke-Dixie and New
Carolina Warehouses, Messrs. S.
Claud Griffin, Sylvester B. Lilley,
Johnny Gurkin and Jimmy Taylor,
proprietors, assure Williamston a
lively tobacco market during the
season now at hand. They regret that
their old partner, Mr. Arlie Belch,
will not be directly connected with
them, failing health forcing him to
forego his active duties as a partner
of the firm.
"n>eir long years of experience
coupled with the services of an able
warehouse force enables them this
season to again continue a depend
able service to the tobacco farmers
of Eastern North Carolina. The rec
ord of the firm in years gone by
stands out in bold relief as one of
service and smooth operation. There
is no confusion and uncertainty for
the farmer when he drives in the
firm's warehouses, for he knows that
the Griffin-Ulley-Gurkin-Taylor or
ganisation has seen to it that the
business of unloading, weighing and
floor placements have been arrang
ed and placed in the hands of able
assistants. And then thore is satis
faction to be had when the strong
selling force moves into action be
hind Auctioneer Jakie Tkrylor. 'Die
farmer knows that when the selling
force turns loose a pile of tobacco,
the price stands at the top of the mar
ket. There is a great deal of uncer
tainty in raising a tobacco crop such
as that caused by the dry weather
this past growing season, but un
certainty ends and action after a
patterned fashion follows when the
selling organisation of these two
combined houses starts down the
long aisles to work long and hard
for the customer.
These men do not promise the im
possible, but they do promise the
!>est that human talent can offer
when it comes to the advantageous
marketing and selling of the golden
leaf. They know tobacco and they
know their business. They know how
to get the high dollar for every pile
of tobacco, and time has well proved
that they back their knowledge
In these two big houses, the farm
er finds the proprietors working ev
ery minute for him. Each of the four
proprietors values the friendship of
everyone, and they go to the very
limit to maintain a strong and last
ing friendship
It Is beyond the power of any
warehouseman here or on any mar
ket in the world to sell tobacco far
above the market price, but when
it comes to selling tobacco at the
top market price these men have
few equals. Bidding is lively at all
times on their floors. They just know
what they are doing and they have
the sift and power to get it done
without delay. There's no confusion
on their floors because these men
clear the obstacles in advance. Their
training and experience enable them
to iron out obstacles before they
pssaeatage ratio that will stand up
let's go when these men start
Bach year, Messrs. Griffin, Lilley,
Gurkin and Taylor hs.ve enjoyed an
increasing patronage, and while the
short crop this seasatn is certain to
be reflected in the total sales, these
men can be expected to maintain a
percentage ratio tha will stand up
with any advanced by other houses
or markets in this or any other belt.
The proprietors have employed an
able floor and office force, a group
of men who are experienced in the
hiwin? and who stand ready to
welcome and offer an efficient serv
ice te every patron. They are recog
nized fixtures in the successful op
eration of Wllliamston's tobacco mar
ket, and they stand ready to welcome
old customers and new friends to
Williamston this season.
Make your plans to visit the Ro
anoke Dixie end Carolina Ware
hoiwes in Williamston this season
when a sale is in progress and learn
first hand why it is advantageous
for farmers to sell tobacco in these
two houses.
The proprietors are well-known
in this section. They have lived,
worked and associated with other
in the advancement of the
various phases of community life in
this county. They are not
among farmers, for they are dose'y
??agisted with the land and Ha
problems. They stand ready at any
and all times to cooperate with their
i?trons in the mutual advancements
STEErolw. Come to Williamson to
ace these men; they will welcome
you and work for you. ^
First Opening Of
Leaf Market Was
Eagerly Awaited
Everything Was at White Heat
According to Enterpriar
Editorial in 1902
?
It must have been a great and ex
citing time for the several hundred
Williamston people when they eag
erly awaited the opening of the first
tobacco sales here back in August,
1902. According to an old editorial in
The Enterprise of August 1, that
year, everything was almost at white
heat. People were guessing how many
pounds would be sold, what the
price would be.
And while those few hundred
souls awaited with interest the open
ing of the market at that time, tt ia
hardly possible that the interest was
any greater than that shown in each
successive opening by a people who
anxiously look forward to a reward
for their long days of toil and hard
ships through a hot summer. Possi
bly at this time when war threatens
to engulf the world and consumer
markets are being cut off, farmers
and others vitally interested, are
looking forwurd to the opening of
the markets on Tuesday, September
3, with as much interest as was
shown at any opening in the past.
It was pointed out in the editorial
that the people were united in their
efforts to establish a market, and in
way of comment it says, "when ov
erybody is interested in and wort
ins for the success of anything, their '
efforts will surely be blest."
The editorial as it appeared in The
Enterprise on August 1, 1902, reads,
as follows:
Next Wednesday, August 6th, is
the opening day for the Williamston
tobacco market. Nearly every man,
woman find child, both white and
black have been looking forward to
this day since last Christmas, and as
the day draws nearer the interest
and enthusiasm^runs higher, till
now, only five dayfe before the long
looked-for day shall arrive every
thing is almost at white heat.
There are all kinds of estimates as
to the number of pounds that will
be sold the first day, and some (who
can't tell whether there are 1,000
acres or 20,000 acres planted in to
bacco in the county), will name some
amount, the first they think of, and
will "Bet" that it will be the amount
sold.
The Enterprise is pleased to see
this interest manifested, it goes to
prove that the people are united in
the effort to establish a market, and
when everybody is interested in and
working for the success of anything,
their efforts will surely be blest.
Use Of Tobaccos
Shows Increase
Hie records of withdrawals for
the year ended November 30, 1939,
show that every major type of to
bacco product recorded an increase
over the previous year, the only
decrease recorded being for large
cigarettes.
Cigarette withdrawals again es
tablished a new all-time peak, total
ing 172,32a,8M.484?an increase of
8.30 per cent over the previous year.
The months of June and August,
during both of which the withdraw
als exceeded sixteen and a half bil
lion cigarettes, were particularly
outstanding.
Cigars, too, recorded an increase
of 191,731984, or 3.00 per cent as
contrasted with the loss of some 4
per cent suffered in the previous
year. Hie increase, however, was
primarily confined to Class A, which
constituted about 89.0 per cent of
the total cigar withdrawals.
In the case of little cigars, the in
crease was 4.031918, or 190 per cent;
while large cigarettes, as already in
dicated, suffered a loss of 214,784,
or 7.12 per cent.
I FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A Martin County farmer of
fered same food for thought
mm time ago when he related
the following story:
"I have been growing tobacco
for nearly a quarter of a cen
tury. Every pound of tobacco I
ever raised was sold on the Wil
llamston Tobacco Market. To
day, I own my farm, have some
surplus cash and live well." It
was In no boasting spirit that
the man told the story, but he
went on to point out that some
of his neighbors had hauled to
bacco to the border and traveled
all over the country selling to
bacco. Most of them made little
out of tobacco and quite a few
have lost their farms.
BIG FOUR AT THE BIG TWO W AREHOUSES
Numbered among the leading citizens of this county and recognized as able tobacconists and warehousemen. Messrs S.
Claud Griffin, Sylvester B. Lilley, Johnny Gurkin and Jimmy B. Taylor, (left to right), are ready at the Roanoke-Dixie and
New Carolina Warehouses in Williamston for the opening sales on Tuesday, Sept. 3 These men are well known by farm
ers throughout Eastern North Carolina where they have builded a reputation as one of the hardest working sets of ware
housemen in the country. They are returning to the helm at the two big warehouse's.
Sales Force Made
I p of Experienced
Judges Of Tobacco
0|M*ralor? Ar?* Kt*<-o|{iiiz?*<l \?
M?i?l Abl?- iu tin
BuaineHH
The WilhamsUm Tobacco Market
has iiiu> of the strongest sales forces
in the belt, the seven proprietors
having spent long years in the to
bacco business .?> it relates to culti
vatton. curing, marketing and sell
ing Their past services combined
into one record would constitute
more than a century in the business,
the experience gained over this long
period enabling them to sell tobae
co to the very best advantage jmissi
ble.
The ability to judge tobacco and
hold every pile of tobacco to the top
market price is recognized as a trait
that was born and bred in the mar
IvCt's sewn proprietors. Messrs. Grif
fin, Gurkin. Lilley and Taylor, and
Moye. Evans and Bartihill.
These men aren't given to boast
ing. but they invite you to see them
in action.
FARMERS, PATRONIZE THE - -
Williamston Tobacco Market
IT IS CONVENIENT ? MVS FINE WAREHOUSEMEN VNO EXCELLENT BUYERS.
THEY WILL APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS SELL'IN WILLIAMSTON.
FURNITURE
? Since w<? Itcfliin business in Willintnslnn n ipim-lcr of a century a^n
il bus been our li:i|i|>y privilege ami pleasure lo furnish thousand*
of home* in Marliu anil ail joining counties. Il has always been our
poliry to |(ivi' our customer* quality furniture al I In- lowest possible
price. In this way, we have uiaiiitaiiieil our customer* ami friend*
ami created new contacts which have hceu profitable ami pleasant.
We trust we may liaye the pleasure of sci n iug you for the next ipiar- ^
ter of a century ami we thank everyone, who has, lo any extent,
?mule this business possible.
Our Record in Williamston
1914 to 1940
We hope you Hill come in lo nee us when selling lobucco in VI illiatii
Hton this fall. Our slock in new ami large enough lo make selec
tions regardless of the type or make of furniture. Our prices are
_____ most reasonable ami we sell either for cash or credit.
LIVING ROOM SUITES - BEDROOM SUITES - DICING ROOM
SUITES ? R.G. A. RADIOS ?OFFICE AND PORCH FURNI
TURE?RUGS?BREAKFAST ROOM SUITES ? REFRIGERA
TORS AND MANY OTHER USEFUL I TEMS.
Funeral Directors
Call 11*
AMBULANCE SERVICE (Packard) DAY OR NIGHT
LICENSED EMBALMER
. r~~.?r~7 MODERN EQUIPMENT
B. S. Courtney
WILLIAMSTON, N. C.