1930 CENSUS prn prM'r I
j Roanoke Rapids Township {! ^1 rtLK 1
L 16 612 Of Halifax County Population
f . * 1 OF THE TWIN CITIES-ROAN OKE RAPIDS-ROSEMARY !..INTHIS TOWNSHIP.1
VOLUME 16. ROANOKE RAPIDS-ROSEMARY. N. C., THURSDAY, JULY 31st. 1930. “ NUMBER 16.
WHITBY IS
HELD FOR
HIGH COURT
Girl Tells Her Side of
Story—Boy Remains
Silent
Fourteen - year - old Gladys
Green, of Roanoke Rapids, took
the witness stand in police court
last Friday, and related to Ma
gistrate R. L. Martin the story
of the sudden disappearance of
herself and Bertie Mae Harris,
17, also of this city, on Satur
day night, July 19. The two
young girls' were arrested in
Concord, N. C., last Thursday
k and returned to their homes
' here the same day by Chief of
Police G. F. Gray and the Green
girl's father, bringing to a close
a four day’s search, which ex
tended to different sections of
North Carolina and neighboring
states.
The scene of the Green girl’s story,
•vhich was rather sensational, was
laid in the mayor’s court, at the trial
of Russell Whitby, 26, local mill em
ploye, charged with taking the two
girls away. The charge against Whit
by of “abducting and kidnapping” the
girls was changed to “having inter
course with a girl between 12 ami iG
l years of age.”
I his own behalf. He was placed in the
| Halifax County jail, in default of a
I $300 bond and is scheduled to a,\.ear
at the August term of Superior court,
| when he will tell his defense story
; about the ride he and another young
i man, whom he told a local officer
| was Tom Mitchell, of Emporia, Ya .
[ took with the two girls. Whitby has;
; employed Attorneys Allen C. Zoll:
^ coffer and Julian A. Allsbrook ns
'r counsel. Attorney George C. Green,
■fef Weldon, has been retained by the
HB^recn girl’s father. He handled the
f prosecution at Friday’s hearing. The
! Harris girl did not testify. Mitchell
liar, net been apprehended by local
authorities.
Before the presiding officer, the po
licemen, her father and a number of
courtroom spectators the little four
teen-year-old brunette unwound the
[* story of her disappearance, whi:|'i
1 caused much worry for her parents,
and those of her companion, and add
ed extra work to local police and
those of other towns and cities in the
state.
WII LUC UlfcilL U1 L»*L
r.nce, the Green girl s story goes, she
and the Harris girl were walking up
Roanoke Avenue. Between the nur
ses’ home and the Roanoke Rapids
hospital they were at their own re
quest, picked up in an automobile by
Whitby and another young man.
whose name she did not mention, but
whom Whitby declares is Mitchell.
How they were seated in the auto
mobile at the outset of the journey
the did not describe.
Arriving at South Rosemary, the
girl testified, the four stopped at a
Hftlling station where one of the boys
■purchased a pint of whisky. The ;
jPwhisky was concealed in the machine
until they had traveled down the road
to a spot where they thought was
safe enough to uncork the ardent spir
its. The bottle was passed around and
the four, it was stated, drank of the
contents.
The girl stated that after she had
drunk the liquor she had a peculiar
feeling and intimated that she had
been doped.
In the course of the ride the girls
asked the boys. to drive them to
Charlotte. Their request was granted
and the machine was headed in the
I direction of that city.
On their way to Charlotte, she
stated the two men had intercourse
wth them. On their return home here
the girls were examined by local phy
sicians, one of whom testified at the
trial.
Upon their arrival in Charlotte, she
continued, the boys let them out on
the street and then drove away. Whit
by insists that he was introduced to
the two girls as the Misses Brown,
-and that they took him to a house in
HttJharlotte where he was introduced to
man and woman whom the girls
B^*etended were their parents. He said
I he ate breakfast at the home of the
I people and returned to Roanoke Ra
I pids Sunday. The Green girl denies
any knowledge of taking him to this
[ house. Whitby, it is said, claims he
can find the same house in Charlotte.
Continuing her story, the girl said
she and the Harris girl met two oth
er fellows in Charlotte who drove
(Continued on back page)
LOCAL BAND
PLAYING AT
MINNESOTT
Playing for Concerts and
Dances all This Week
at Beach Resort
Word has been received by The Her
ald from the Rosemary Concert Band
which is playing every day this
week *i Minnesott Eeach. Practically
the entire band is there and reports
are they are having a most success
ful stay and a pleasant vacation.
While the Twin Cities are swelter
ing in the intense heat to which they
have been subjected for several days
the members of the local band are en
joying the cool breezes of the beach
down at Minnesott. The band under
the direction of R. L. Martin is be
ing entertained at the beach all this
week where they are giving daily
concerts and furnishing music for the
dances. The performances of the band
by large and appreciative audiences
from the crowds which throng the
beach. The boys made a similar trip
to the beach last season where they
acquired a host of friends.
The traditional hospitality of the
people of this section has added much
to the p^iasures of the numerous
sports afforded by the beach.
Minnesott Beach is situated at Wil
kerson’s Point on the Neuse River
about two miles from Arapahoe. This
particular spot is said to be the first
place at which Sir Walter landed as
he came yp the river.
Although Minnesott is just in its
third season it is already one of the
most popular resorts in this section.
JR. LEGION
TEAM PLAYS
GASTONIA
First Game There m
Afternoon for State
Championship
The local boys team sponsored by
the American Legion left here by
bus ‘ye terday morning for Gasto
nia where they play a three game
series for the State championship.
The first game is being played this
afternoon. Fourteen boys and coach
Bill Alligood made the trip.
The Legion Post at Gastonia invit
ed the local team to play the whole
series there as the expenses of playing
here or on neutral ground would bo
too much and gate receipts would bo
small.
Gastonia has a post of several hun
dred members, one of the largest in
the State, and there has been much
enthusiasm over their boys team, es
pecially when they defeated Durham,
last week to win the Western cham
pionship. They have guaranteed the
traveling and hotel expenses of the
local team and half the net gate re
ceipts.
Coach Alligood had no line on the
opposing team but the boys were feel
ing very confident when they left.
The second game will be played Fri
day and if a third game is neces
sary it will be played off Saturday,
the boys returning here Sunday. Those
who saw the last two games with
Goldsboro feel the boys have a good
chance to win the championship if
they continue to play the same brand
of ball.
The team has its new uniforms, do
nated by the citizens of this communi
ty, and will make a snappy looking
outfit when they trot on the field this
afternoon.
Local Contractor
Lands Big Job In
Washington, D. C.
The brick, tile* and stone contract
on a new High School building in
Washington, D. C., has been landed
by Jim Thompson, local contractor.
The general contractors who re
ceived the contract are W. P. Rose and
Co., of Goldsboro. The building will
be larger than the High School build
ing here.
Mr. Thompson will leave next week
to begin the work and he states his
willingness to employ all local brick
layers at a good wage. He says this
part of the work will last about five
months.
To give an idea of the size of the
job, Mr. Thompson says it will take
1,135,000 brick for that part of the
work. This number includes face
brick, press, buff, fire and common
brick. He will also lay some 60,000
pieces of tile and 10,000 cubic feet of
Indiana limestone and granite.
Atlantic Coastal Highway in North Carolina
The new maps of the Atlantic
Coastal Highway are ready to
go to press and one of the sever
al maps which will show on the
big folder is printed in this is
sue.
This particular map shows the
Highway as a short route from
Norfolk to Wilmington. The
main iine of the Atlantic Coastal
however, is that road shown
from Richmond to Wilmington.
The completion of a new fer
ry from Cape Charles to Norfolk
will bring many tourists from
the North along the shore line.
130 miles is saved by taking this
new route. The Coastal High
way Association plans to divert
much West Bound traffic com
inr? South to Norfolk via route
!117 to Federal Route 17-1.
The new maps do not take
cognizance of the recent arbitra
ry action of the N. C. State
Highway Department in taking
markings of Route 40 and 17-1
from this community.
There is descriptive matter of
the Twin Cities on the back of
the folder with pictures of all
the mills and data concerning
the industrial features of the
community.
There is some debate as to the
value of these maps and mem
bership in the Atlantic Coastal
Highway Association at this
| time to the two towns. There are
'those who think the Associa
tlon can do us no good in our
light to regain 17-1, while oth
ers feel that being in the As
sociation and on the maps will
be a strong talking point and ar
gument in the fight to get the
roads back to their original sta
tus.
The entire Coastal Highway
extends from Maine to Florida,
the map shown here being a lo
cal map of the State of North
Carolina. The map of the entire
route shows on one side of the
folder. These maps are placed
in all hotels, office of Chambers
of Commerce, and automobile
clubs, filling stations, tourists
camps and other places where
'travelers gather.
Father of Dr. Job
Taylor Dies In Ohio
Dr. Job Taylor was called to Lima,
Ohio, last Thursday on account of
the death of his father, Mr. George
Taylor. Mr. Taylor was about eighty
seven years old and came to this
country from England about forty
five years ago. He is survived by
two daughters ar.d three sons, Misses
Anne and Elizabeth Taylor of Lima,
Ohio, Dr. George Taylor of Pitts
burgh, Penn., Mr. Richard Taylor of
Boston, Mass., and Dr. Job Taylor of
this place. The sympathy of Dr
Taylor’s many friends goes to him
and his family.
The condition of Miss Tommie
Hodges, of Northampton county, who
has been a patient in the Roanoke
Rapids Hospital since July 10, is much
improved, attaches at the hospital say.
Purdy Is Manager
R .B. Purdy, who has been connect
ed with the local branch of the East
ern Carolina Service Corporation for
several years, has been elevated to
manager of the local concern. He sue
ceeds J. R. Worrell who has been
transferred to Greenville this week.
-i_j-—
Mrs. J. H. Story of Roanoke Junc
tion, who is a patient at the Roanoke
Rapids Hospital, is improving.
[MOVE MAN
FOR SAFE
KEEPING
Owens Taken to Raleigh
Prison after Prelimi
nary Hearing
E.B. Owens, 40-year-old white
man, is confined to the State
penitentiary at Raleigh, where
he was removed for safe keeping
last Saturday following a preli
minary hearing on a capital
charge before a Magistrate at
Garysburg.
Owens will remain at the
State Prison until next Monday,
when he will be returned to
Jackson for his appearance at
the August term of Northamp
ton Superior Court. He was re
moved to Raleigh by Sheriff
Joyner.
Owens was arrested at the Halifax
Paper Corporation mill here last
week by Deputy Sheriff Ed Keeter
on a warrant issued by the State in
which he is charged with a capital
offense against a nine year old girl.
The girl was brought to Roanoke
Rapids, where she was examined by a
local physician. She named Owens
ar her assailant. Owens is a widower
and the father of several children.
LIVESTOCK
SPECIAL ON
AUGUST IS
_
.Farmers and. Public In-!
vited fco Visit Special i
Train
1 he L.ve Stock Development Spec-:
iai Train, operated by the Atlantic
Coast Lino Railroad, in <• operation j
with the North Carolina State Col- i
iegc <*i' AgfPiCiyi enft* • .a nee ring: !
i and the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture, will visit W Mon, N.
C., on August 19th from p. m. to
<» p. m. Farmers and others interest
ed in any phase of live •’ !: rais
ing will be given an opportunity to
roe types of dairy cattle, hoys, sheep
! end poultry recommended for this
section, and the equipment necessary
tor their care, and to secure informa
tion from the specialist who accom
pany the train about biteding, feed
ing and marketing problems.
The live stock development special
is being operated by the Atlantic
Coast Line and the cooperating agen
cies in an effort to bring about the
j establishment of more live stock on
the farms of Eastern North Carolina.
All agricultural author! : s arc agreed
that not only are more 'iv•• stuck bad
ly need to furnish additional cash
farm income and maintain soil forii
hty, but that conditioi' in this so
li m are peculiarly favorable for live
s-ock production. Whto bred and fed
as re o in mended by the State Col
Specialists live sleek has been
found decidedly profitable in Eastern
North Carolina.
Everything on the live stock de
velopment special is free*, and a visi'
I to too train involves no obligations.
[ Women arc especially invited.
Mrs. Bolton Dies
After a prolonged illness, Mrs. .T.
T. Bolton died Thursday night at her
• home in South Rosemary. Funeral1
[ services wore held Saturday and in- j
j torment was made in Cedarwood cc-!
imetery. Mrs. Bolton leaves six chil- *
jdren, Mrs. E. V. Hedgepeth, Mrs. R.
| J- Edwards, Miss Maggie Bolton,
• Rufus Bolton, and Quinton Bolton.
| Father Dies Suddenly
Word hr.s been received here of the
sudden death of the father of Jack
Williams, of Roanoke Rapids, which
occurred at his home in Kimberly,
Wisconsin, Wednesday. Mr. Williams
was 95 years of age. Mr. and Mrs.
Williams recently returned to their
i home here from a visit with thie
i former’s father. Funeral services for
the deceased will take place Satur
day.
-□
The Roanoke Mills Company has
installed a new drinking fountain on
the City Park near the tennis courts.
The fountain is a blessing to the
youngsters who use the pary for
playgrounds, and is being well used
by tennis players and also those who
use the park in cutting through from
Jackson Street.
HUNDREDS
LOOK FOR
OIL HERE
Small Seepage i n Creek
Watched for Years by
Local Man
For years. Postmaster J. L. Vest
ms been watching a cretain pool in
Ohocoyotte Creek. A short time ago,
lie told Rev. R. L. Topping, who owns
'he land on one side of the pool that
his observations over a period of
years convinced him there was oil on
Lhe property.
The news spread like wildfire and
luring the past few days, especially
Sunday, hundreds of people have
stopped at the bridge on Route 48
vhich crosses the creek and looked for
tome sign of the oil.
There is not much to see at a cas
ual glance. But one who stays there
L'or a short time will see bubbles ris
ing intermittently and then a small
smudge of oily substance will rise to
the surface to float slowly down
stream. This has been going on for
several years, says Mr. Vest, who one
day caught a bit of the oil as it
came to the surface and ignited it. It
burned freely.
Som eseern to think the whole thing
i-’ merely an oil tan c t coping into the
creek somewhere upstream, but Mr.
Vest observed the oil in the pool years
l&fore there was any oil tanks up
stream.
At, times, the top of the water will
be carrying a no?.en small patches of
oil, all rising from the bottom of the
pool. There are no indications of any
similar disturbance above the pool,
which is located just upstream from
the highway bridge. While no geolo
gist ha - yet visited the spot, those
from noro who have seen it are cer
tain there is an oil and gas seepage
i ’ere. Iicw large it is, of course, onne
know.
►rtmo geologists say there are no
o.l deposits in Eastern North Caro
1 na. what they probably mean is that
there are no deposits la ■ enough
for commercial use, because there is
Hnty.irik* oqu.bt chat tic-re is at least *
a small deposit in the Choeoyotte
rver-l: pool, enough to flow at in
terva.s for the last ten or twelve
years mat Mr. Vest has been observ
ing it. and perhaps for years before
that time.
Which, ah’ recalls to the mind of
the writer, an oil boom' in a section
oi Kentucky a few years ago. Drilling
for a well, a driller accidently struck
•mi and the whole country went mad.
nigs were brought in from every sec
tion bf the country, drilling started in
a hundred spots, land sold for fabul
ous sums, dry holes were forgotten
when a well was brought in. men
closed their places of business and
v. cut out buying and selling leases,
sharks, promoters and the riff raff
c-f the Texas and Oklahoma fileds
poured in, thousands of dollars were
: •:uic. .'ost and spent every day. That
was five years ago. Today there may
U a dozen small wells pumping reg
ularly, all owned by one or two com
panies. Oil lands which might have
o dd for one thousand debars an acre
—on can be bought for ten. dollars
now.
On the other hand, oil was the mi
lacie worker in Texas and the South
west. as well as in portions of Penn
. vivaria. Wo recall in Oklahoma
where whole tribes of Indians were
made fabulously rich overnight by the
oiscovery of oil on or near their nude
prarie lands.
■' i mis m
pockets; that the deeper into the
eanh wel,a »'•«• drilled the greater the
chances for finding the larger pack
ets. They claim none of these large
deposits or pockets are in this sec
tion of the country.
But it is nice to look into Chocoy
olte Creek and dream of wealth untold
huiSod beneath that placid surface.
--□
Too Much ice Water
Makes Hospital Victim
Persons who (Link too much ice
■vatcr during this hot spell might
profit from the experience of Joe
Williams, a patient in the Roanoke
Rapids hospital.
Last Wednesday Mr. Williams at
tended a barbecue picnic across the
r.ver. He helped prepare the bar
becue for serving and during the
course of this work drank plenty of
;ce water to help him keep cool. Be
fore the picnic was over, Mr. Williams
began suffering with severe pains. X
physician was called and he was re
moved to the hsopital. His condition
-8 not considered serious.
I Miss Edna McCommons. of Rose
mary, a former nurse at the Roanoke
! Rapids hospital, is a patUat there.