North Carolina Newspapers

Watch The Label On Your Paper, Aa It Carriee The Date Your Subscription Expiree 1 ' rHE ENTERPRISE " ? ' Advertisers Will Find Our Col umns A Latchkey To Over 1,600 Homes Of U a r t i n County. VOLUME XLIV?NUMBER 96 Williamtton. Martin County, North Carolina, Tue$day, December 2, 1941. ESTABLISHED 1899 Funeral Services For W. H. Coburn Held Here Sunday Well - Known Business Man and Judge Died in Hospi tal Friday Evening Funeral services were held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Har rison here last Sunday afternoon for W. Hubert Coburn who died in a Rocky Mount hospital last Friday evening at 8:34 o'clock, the young man's death bringing to a premature close a promising career as a lawyer, judge and business man. Rev John W. Hardy, rector of the Episcopal Church, assisted by Rev. B. T. Hur ley, Methodist minister; John L. Goff, pastor of the local Christian Church, and Rev. W F Wiegman, Christian minister of Dunn and a former local pastor, conducted the last rites. The floral offering was one of the largest ever seen here, and an 'unusually large crowd comihghere from all over this and surrounding counties and Virginia was present to ppy tribute to his memory. Inter ment was in the Harrison family plot in the local cemetery. The son of the late William Thompson and Ann McClosky Co bum, he was bom in the Dardens community of this county 38 years ago, the 17th of last month. Mr. Co burn spent his early life on the farm, doing as a young man into defense work at Newport News during the first World War Following the close of the war. he traveled extensively, going to Europe and later to Aus tralia. In the early twenties he stud ied at the University of North Car olina. and later in the Wake Forest law school. Passing the State Bar examination, he formed a law part nership with his brother, Robert L. Coburn, in Williamston. and was ad mitted to the county bar in Septem ber, 1929. He was appointed solicitor of the Martin County Recorder's Court in December. 1932, which post he held for six years. In 1940 he was elected judge of the county court Partly on account of failing health, he virtually retired from his law -partnership and took over the of fice of general manager of the Wil liamston Package Manufacturing Company. In his various roles as lawyer, judge and business man and as a citizen he made many lasting friend ships. As a judge, he tempered jus tice with mercy, extending sympa thy to those in trouble but at the same time maintaining respect for law and order During the brief time he meted out justice to his fellow man, much was accomplished for the betterment of society, and observers at the bar saw in him the promise of an able jurist. In his dealings with his fellowman us judge, lawyer and business man, he always tried to see the other fellow's viewpoint, and when his work was completed even those whom he condemned and those who worked under him, both white and colored, recognized, him as a friend. During the latter part of 1938 his health began to fail him, and a few months later his right leg was am putated in an effort to check a ser ious disease. His condition improved, and despite his affliction he still maintained a cheery disposition and found life worthwhile When other men complained about the existing state of affairs, he would look on the bright side and never turn back. On Monday of last week, he suffer ed a sudden relapse and was remov ed to the hospital within a few hours. The call for the removal of his re (Continued on page four) Little Damage Done By Fire Last Friday Starting in the boiler room, fire did little damage to the Williamston Package Manufacturing Company plant near the river here last Friday evening at 8:45 o'clock. One of the conveyors carrying fuel from the plant to the boiler room was burned slightly but repairs were made with out much cost. Some fuel was burn ed, but the loss was negligible. The main plant was not endangered. Its origin not definitely known, the fire was burning deep under the veneer fuel and much time was re quired in raking out the stoves and bringing the fire under control. Mule Is Killed In Highway Accident A young mule belonging to Mrs. E. L. Lewis of this county was killed in a highway accident on Highway No. 11 between Hassell and the coun ty line last Saturday evening about ? o'clock. Hie animal, breaking from the farm lot, ran into the side of a truck driven by James L. Lawrence, of Oak City. Lawrence ran his truck into the ditch in an effort to miss the mule. Striking a rear fender, the an imal was thrown to the pavement, the fall apparently breaking his back. A tenant, using a highway pa trolman's gun, killed the mule with one shot. No one wss hurt and very little damage was done to the truck. The mule was valued at $300. Record-Size Corn Crop About Harvested In Martin County The harvesting of what is believ-1 ed Martin County's greatest corn crop is just about complete, only a few farmers here and there stating th'at the harvesting task is not quite complete. Estimated to range as high as one I million bushels, the crop created a storage problem on many farms. Ac cording to several reports, numbers of farmers had to have their crops shucked and shelled so the available storage would take care of it. Then there were some few farmers who left a portion in the fields for the hogs. Quantities of corn have been stored in packhouses and other farm buildings, one report stating that a few farmers have actually grumbled because they had so much corn to gather and because their storage fa cilities were not adequate to care for the bumper harvest. I As far as it could be learned there was no material acreage increase in the county, the farmers explaining that the . yield reached into bumper production figures. With the possi ble exception of five or six farmers, every grower in the county has an increase in the crop. Back yonder in the summer Farm Agent Tom Bran don said that with a very, very few exceptions there wasn't a sorry hill of corn in the county, and he predict ed at that time that the large yield would crack the cribs. Accurate figures are not available, but it is estimated that the 1941 yield is several hundred thousand bushels greater than it was last year During the past several years, the county has on an average produced between six and seven hundred thousand bushels of eorn Town Commissioner Appointment Delayed DIES IN HOSPITAL Taken 111 the early part of last week, W. Hubert Coburn, well-known county citizen, Judge and business man, died in a Rocky Mount hospital last TTBIay evettmr? Red Cross Drive In This Chapter To Be Continued for Week Lett* Thun Onc-thirtl of the; Original Quota llu* Been Rainrtl Raising hardly one-third of its I quota, the Red Cross Membership Committee, headed by Mrs. J A. Eason, will continue in this chapter another week, it was announced yes terday. While the drive has received a willing response in some quarters, numbers of persons have reluctantly contributed and some are even said to have refused to support the hu mane organization. Believing that the sad plight of millions in troubled and war-torn countries was known to our people, a marked effort has been made to call attention to the great need for Red Cross support. However, authen tic reports are heard from day to day telling of starvation and want. Iif announcing the continuance of the drive. Mrs. Eason stated that the [Red Cross booth would again be maintained in front of Clark's Phar macy next Saturday, that everyone is urged to make some contribution. Jamesville, canvassed by Mrs. Ca mille Fleming Turner, reported last week-end a total of 35 memberships. Bear Grass previously reported 525. The two districts outside of William ston are the only ones to make a re port. A few rural citizens have left their memberships with the canvass ers here. Reports from all the local canvasser^ have not been filed, but the most optimistic predictions point to less than 500 members. Memberships not previously re ported go to the following: Clarence Wallace, Walter Brown, W. W Walters, Clyde Brown, Clar ence Sexton, Herbert Sexton, E. H. (Continued on page four) BOOKMOBILE Making its third tour of the county last week, the B-H-M bookmobile reported an increas ed patronage to set a new rec ord in its operations to date. Twenty-eight new patrons were added to the list, boosting the number to 154, or about an av erage of six for each stop. These figures do not include the circu lation in the schools. Last week the traveling library circulated 74S books. The bookmobile will not make another tour of the county until the week after Christmas. Parking Limit Will Not Be Enforced by Poliee Order Here Lemetery Project Breathing Again in Speeial Orilrr To Town Mnvor Formally accepting Commission er Luther Peel's resignation, the town board of commissioners in reg ular session last evening delayed ap pointment of a successor, the group agreeing to wait a while and give the appointment some thought. No formal applications for the position were filed with the board, but it is reliably understood that Mrs Fan nie Staton would consider the ap pointment. Unofficial reports state that the names of several citizens living in former Commissioner Peel's neighborhood have been mentioned among the list of possible appoint ees. No action is expected before the next regular meeting when the board will likely name a successor to Mr. Peel who resigned to accept the post of county tax collector. While the meeting touched on sev eral vital topics, it was an unevent ful one. Going before the commis sioners, Messrs. D. V. Clayton and W. O. Griffin, representing the lo cal Chamber of Commerce, asked for a one-hour parking limit in the bus iness districts for Williamston cars. The spokesmen explained that the voluntary agreement between bus iness and professional men to re strict parking in the specified zones was about to bog down, that the agreement had even been defied by irate taxpayers. "They are trying | to open up a pandora box," the may or whispered and the proposal was frowned down. When the authori ties offered no special police order, any relief for the congested parking situation will have to be advanced by those cooperating souls who cheerfully go about the task while the obstinate reap the advantage. While pointing out that the parking situation is bad everywhere and that it is no worse here than anywhere else, the board did agree to call out the police for detailed parking duty on the streets. Cards are to be print ed, calling improper parking to the attention of car drivers, but no threat is behind the card. Asking permission to hold Boy Scout meetings in the fire depart ment quarters. Scout leaders were offered the use of the summer bath house at the municipal swimming pool. It is possible the youths unin tentionally would tamper with the fire-fighting equipment. Something was said about widen ing Broad Street, the narrowest thoroughfare in town, but no order was given for widening the street running just back of the cemetery. New life was breathed into the cemetery project when Mayor J. L. (Continued on page four) Four Charged With Shooting Deer Dogs Said to have acted with no good reason at all and advancing cruel ty in a base form, four colored men in Griffins Township were formal ly charged yesterday with shooting three deer dogs in that district a few days before. Warrants were issued yesterday morning for the arrest of Tilghman Hodges, "Butch" Roberson, Wallace Moore and George Corey, Jr. They are charged with shooting and killing two dogs belonging to Arthur Roberson and Alfred Ellis. A third dog belonging to Miss Con nie Baynor was attacked but the shots missed him. The Ellis dog was valued at $50, the owner having re fused that amount for him just a short time before the killing. One report stated that the brutes shot one dog and then clubbed him over the head. REMEMBRANCES By CHAS. SMALLWOOD Williamston, N. C. DURING I870's and '80's Mr. Ray was long. lean and lanky walked with a sling which spelled surety. Ho could tarry in his trek, lift a foot and place It over his shoul der back of his head. Such a feat was a wonder to nu\ and made Mr. Ray a wonder in my eyes. He was not to bless Williamston with a full quo ta of prescribed years, for he died at middle age a year or so after my arrival, and I attended his funeral. All illumination of Williamston, during these days, was obtained by means of kerosene lamps. Both at home and the drug store a certain style student's lamp prevailed Both oil tank and burner with shade, sat each 011 an end of a cross-arm, which raised or lowered on the rod of a pedestal, fastening at various heights by means of a thumb-screw. The Argan burner, by name, was pro vided- with a. round wick, and long slender chimney, and gave a light more satisfactory to Mr Biggs, than any other he could find: and keep ing ttirsr tampsTTtean it iva~ polished" bright was a part of my pleasant du ties about the store. I never married and kept house until after reaching middle age, and on coming back to Smallwood Place from living out in the world, and while there was no ctectTfe current, Sister Sallie looked up one of these lampi>, w 11 leh 1 had i leaned and ftll ed so often during those golden days. and gave it to us. and which we slill have; but wicks and chim neys are obsolete; but I still have lone, chimney left, and can rig an electric wire and bulb so as to still - '.'crate the old-timer. While in B ilt mere 0,1 his stoek buvint trip at the itme of the big fire at home. Mr Biggs treated himself to a new gold watch and chain. I say- And chain" because a conven tion of the days that were then, call ed for botli. one to show-oft the oth er, and to have a new watch without a new chain meant that you had an old chain, which maybe because of its past, was by you more prized, more loved, and more trusted to show off a new watch than any new chain could possibly bo. Well, Mr. Biggs' needs required both, and lie must have paid cash for them, or lie most likely would have felt too poor, after coming [home to his business in ashes, and returned them to the Baltimore mer i chant for account balancing But he |retained the new watch and chain, and made me the proud possessor of Ills old, perfectly good, silves one" saying?I reckon it's a little large and heavy for so big-a-little man, but maybe you'll grow to it in time And immediately I f,.|t myself swell six inches on all six sides. It took no calculation of cube loot t.. perform that miracle, the watch and chain had done it. And I Would not have swapped for the new ones Mr Biggs was wearing; nor lave I ever since. The chain is gone I know not where, but the watch is still with me, and I don't believe I have ever grown a bit bigger than at the moment of its bestowal. I lie thought of a strange thing oc cur* tn mr tnday Did yrni ever, read' er. live next door to an agreeable ac quaintance who might he even a good friend, and for years and years not know what was his business? This is not apt tbTiappen with res idents of a small town, hut often does in big cities; and the fact that Wil liamston was a small town, and Judge Crawford a near neighbor and father of the Crawford boys, my school chums and companions, and one of the "regulars" at the drug Store Who came often and stayed long, and-noticed and talked to me as congenially as did Mr Walter Hassell; and continued this through after years to the time of his death 1 did not then, nor am I certain now "f a sun knowledge of what his bus in ess was. A conception at. that time would have been that he was possessed of much time to go and come as he saw rtt; never hurrying; never worry ing; ever pleasant; talking of things worth while; but what was his bus iness, I cannot now recall ever hav ing known. I seem now to conceive that he might have been the coun ty s Probate Judge, but to assert.it I cannot. My object in mentioning this is the strangeness with which the fact appears to me today, with my then and after cordial acquaintanceship (Continued on page four) REFERENDUM Martin County farmers alone with others throughout the cot ton belt will vote on Saturday of next week to continue or dis continue cotton quotas for 1942. Very little interest has been ex pressed in the forthcoming ref erendum. and there Is some doubt if a large vote will be cast. At a meeting of commun ity committeemen, farmers and business men in the county agri cultural building next Thursday morning at 10 o'clock the Im portance of continuing the quo tas will be stressed. All farmers and business men are urgently requested to attend. Martin County voted 1.110 for and none against quotas for 1941. Christinas Lights To Barn On Local Streets During Holiday Advised the ban on out-door light ing had been lifted, the board of town commissioners last evening completed plans for Christmaslights in the business district here this holiday season. Hie lights will be in stalled next week and are to be turn ed on about Wednesday, December 10. The lighting scheme will be vir tually the same as it was last year. In connection with the street light ing program and the holiday decora tions, the local Chamber of Com merce today announced contests for $45 in trade and cash prizes. The amount has already been raised by Commerce Secretary R. H. Smith and possibly the Woman's Club will be asked to handle the contest de tails. In the No. 1 contest, $19 in prizes are being offered the winners in the municipal lighting group which includes the county court house. town hall and municipal wa ter tower, The first prize w ill he $10; second. $5.50. and third. $3 50. A lotal of $13 will be offered in each of the doorway and yard tree light ing contests. The prizes are to be awarded as follows 1st, $7.50; 2nd. $3,50. and 3rd. $2 00. Many new innovations have been introduced in the lighting arrange ments by the three contest groups in years past, and it is generally be lieved that elaborate plans will be advanced this year to brighten the dark spots and add a bit of glowing cheer to the holiday season. Much comment has been heard from trav elers from distant states about the municipal lighting arrangements. R. L. Coburn NamftH County Cdiirt7 Judge C. D. Carstarphen To Supervise 1942 County Tax Listing CoiiimiHKioiterH i n Regular Meet Monday; Supervi sor to Name List-takers Io their regular session here yes terday, the Martin County commis sioners appointed Attorney Robert L. Coburn judge of the recorder's court to complete the unexpired term of his brother, W. Hubert Co- ' bum, who died in a Rocky Mount hospital last Friday following a brief illness. While not a candidate for the position, Attorney Robert Co burn will accept the appointment, it was learned. The term expires a year from now, and candidates who would take over the post in 1942 are expected to enter the primary next May. Pointing out that one need not be a lawyer to occupy the recorder's seat, Farmer Lucian J. Hardison ap plied for the position. No other ap plications were formally filed, but it is understood that several persons | would have considered the appoint ment. Meeting about the usual time, the commissioners perfected the organ ization of the board for another year. No changes in the line-up were ef fected and Mr. Robert Lee Perry continues as chairman and E S. Peel | was renamed as county attorney. | Much time was spent studying re- { ports, the board late in the aftef* noon discussing a proposed order | calling for a complete written report from the county health officer each month. A resolution was passed some time ago calling for the monthly re port, it was pointed out, and the dis cussion was ended. The board did approve a $40 attorney's bill for serv ices rendered by^H. G. Horton in the cases brought by the health depart ment against D. M. Roberson some time ago. It was pointed out that the county prosecuting attorney could not be found at the time. C. D. Carstarphen, a rqember of the board, was appointed upon mo tion of Commissioner Joshua L. Col train, county tax supervisor. The board is leaving the appointment of tax list-takers up to the supervisor,' but several applications for the var ious jobs were filed with the new ap pointee Accepting the position, Su-1 pervisor Carstarphen explained to the commissioners that he would do his best to have an equitable and j fair tax list prepared, and asked the board to support his efforts and' those of the list-takers. Compara tively few applications were filed for the list-taker positions, and it is likely that changes in the personnel will be effected. The supervisor will name the list-takers shortly and a meeting will be held some time on or before the fourth Monday for a discussion of personal property val ues. No date for the meeting of lilt (Continued on page four) Youth Charged With Seeding On Streets Said to have been speeding through Main Street here early one morning laat week, Leslie Coltrain, young white man, was carried be fore Mayor J. L Hassell last week end and taxed with the $5.50 case costs. Driving a borrowed car, Coltrain was said to have aimed his car down the street and went by Officer John Roebuck traveling about 80 or 65 miles an hour. Turning around at the river, the speedster "shot" his car up the street even faster than he did on the first trip. The officer waved for him to stop and sounded his whis tle, but Coltrain cpuld not be trou bled The owner of the car learned that Coltrain had been speeding and he reported to police to clear him self. Officer Roebuck said that the car was running so fast that he did not have time to read the license numbers. APPOINTKK Robert L. Coburn, local attor ney, was appointed judge of the Martin County Recorder's Court by the county commissioners on Monday. The appointment came when the post was made vacant by the death of his brother, Mr. W. II. Coburn. November Popular j Period For ( lipid In Martin County IVlnrriiip1 l.irt'iiM'M IhhiiciI To I Hciily-?'iglil (louplcf l.if.1 Moiilli June may be the month of brides in other places, but next to Decem ber the month of November is the popular period for Dan Cupid. Over a period of ten years more couples have married during the month of November" than m anv other period with the-r'xception of December and the difference between the licenses issuances in those months is not very great. And strange as it may seem the number of marriages in Novem ber has held to a reasonably high figure during nearly every year for the past ten. The number dropped to twelve in 1931. hut since that time it has climbed to reach a~ frigtr peak of 3!i in 1038 Last month there were 2K licenses issued by Register of Deeds J. Sam Gets in g< i in this county. IN to White and ten to colored couples, in eight of the eleven past months, the num ber of licenses issued to white cou pies has been as great or more than the issuance to colored couples, and it is fairly apparent that the number of licenses issued to white couples will show the largest gain over the colored issuance than at any time in recent years. Licenses were issued last month, as follows: White John Stanley Ayers, of Hamilton, and Charlotte Brooks Ayers, of Bath Sam Bunting, of Colerain, and Pattie Winberry, of Williamston. Charlie Gilbert Mobley and Geor gia Anne Phelps, both of Plymouth Robert Woodrow Manning, of Bethel, R.F.D. 1, and Ethel Mae Pow ell, of Palmyra, R.F.D 1. (Continued on page four) NEW LICENCE TAGS A moderate rush wan report ed yesterday when the new 1942 State automobile license tags were placed on sale by the Wil I lams ton bureau of the Carolina Motor Club In the office of the Chamber of Commerce on Wash ington Street. Starting at 493, 001, the first numbers went to Hoke Roberson, A. B. Ayers and Calvin Ayers In order. The bureau sold tafs for 82 cars, three trucks and four trailers, the first-sale sale be In* the largest on record. British E ncounter Serious Reverses In Libyan Struggle F reach-German (olluhorution U RIoh ; Far Fan I Criiii I- Ncaring riimax. Following very favorable reports corning fit>ni the Allied forces in Russia and North Africa last eve ning, news of discouraging propor tions was heard today in Africa and occupied France with the sword rattlers in the Far East standing idly by to watch the outcome of the strug gle m Russia. ? V. '? ??; About the only encouraging news came out of the Rostov sector in southern Russia where a mass re treat by German soldiers continues with added fury The Germans ad mit their plight at the gateway of the Caucasus, but they claim that? Russia is only trading Moscow for the small town Recapturing Rostov -a.-l.ew-days ago, the Russians?found several thousand women and chil dren murdered in the city while the Nan beasts occupied it. The findings there drove the Russians into a more determined fight, and the Germans -panl m life and equipment. r While Rostov was being cleared of the invading hordes, the threat to Moscow continues possibly even more - serious lhaiL. ever. Hermans_? claim thev can see the citv with high powered field glasses, and while the Russians admit their plight is ser ions before Moscow they reiterated that pledge today that the city shall not fall. Over- in Africa the Germans last night and early today dealt the Brit ish a serious blow when they broke through and recaptured Rezegh and renewed the siege on Tobruk. The Germans claim the capture of three British generals and several thous and men. Britain is bringing up re enforcements at Tobruk under the protection. of her fleet in an effort to turn the tide which the Axis powers claim is now definitely in their favor. A diplomatic blow to tin* Allied cause is virtually admitted as a re sult of German and French collab oration in occupied France yester day It is beieved that old Marshal Retain sold his country out to the Germans at a conference with Reich marshal Hernial? Goerring yester day. The details of the conference have not been made public but it is fairly certain that French hases in Africa will be turned over to Ger many's world power seekers and that the remnants of the French fleet will be used in convoying German and Italian supplies to Africa with the possibility that the Axis powers will dominate the Mediterranean. It is possible, some observers believe, that the French as enslaved soldiers will even take up arms against the British. In Tokyo where the French-Ger man collaboration plans are being eagerly awaited, the warlords and ?.word rattlers arc biding their time to strike. .About the only thing that is holding Japan at bay now is the war in Russia. The United States _today demanded an immediate reply to the note sent last Wednesday to Japan White the answer to that note (Continued on page four) Lontiiiuin^ Drive On Illicit Liquor The illegal liquor traffic is head ing into i stubborn resistance by ABC officers and deputies in this ounty this hrrltday season. Starting i drive resembling a blitzkrieg week before last, the officers are continu ing their work with marked success. Already some nf the lttint TrrHTnifar turers are said to be running to cover. Three more plants were wrecked in the county last Friday when the ?ffic'i'is switched from the Free Un ion section to tlie Hassell area. Two >f the plants and small quantities >f beer were poured out at two plants in Robersonville Township, and the other plant was wrecked in Hamilton Township. All three* of the outfits were poorly equipped, Officer J. H Roebuck stated. Monday afternoon, the officers ound a plant deserted in the Par mele area, but while in that terri tory they found four gallons of new ly made liquor not far from Sam Powell's home. 1 Christmas Savings Checks Are Mailed The Guaranty Bank and Trust Company mailed out yesterday ap proximately 200 checks to Christ mas Savings depositors in and near Williamston. The fortunate members of the 1941 Christmas club are $15, 000 00 better off by having joined the club twelve months ago. The 'above sum represents sav ings of over 200 members, which is the largest number as well as the largest amount of savings ever dis tributed by the local institution. Last year the Christmas club paid out $10,000.00. The 1941 club is now open and will remain open for at least four weeks.