Volume XX.—Number 52.
Cap'n “Dick” HaH
Celebrates His 88th
Birthday Bn Friday
Proud of Distinction of
Being Oldest Active
i Fire Chief In U. S.
By Evelyn G. Leary
Living in a small town has its ad
vantages. A warm and friendly at
mosphere exists among its inhabitants
as they come in daily contact with one
another. A hearty hello, a pat on the
back, or a friendly wave gives one an
exuberant feeling of security and the
importance of belonging. The habits
of those we greet each day may be
known to us. They may be good habits
or they may be questionable ones. The
good people merit rewards, the bad
ones pay the penalty.
j
FIRE CHIEF R. K. HALL
Edenton is made up of many such
good people. And one of them is the
most lovable and unforgettable char
acters ever to be bom in this little
town known as the Cradle of the Col
ony. Our hero is Captain Richard K.
Hall, the oldest active Fire Chief in
the United States, who, on Christmas
Day will celebrate his 88th birthday
at his home here on West Gale Street.
“Cap’n Dick” was bom in 1865, dur
ing the bucket "brigade era when fire
fighting was done by buckets of water
being passed from man to man. Chief
Hall says that as a small boy his
greatest ambition was to become a
fireman when he grew up. His hap
piness was complete, he recalls, when
at the age of 15, he was accepted as
one of the “boys” by the local fire
fighting unit.
Many years and many buckets of
water have long since passed. A man- I
power fire hose cart later replaced (
the old bucket brigade, which was to
be followed by the more recent up-to
date fire trucks. “Cap’n Dick” is
mighty proud of his trucks and hi 3
firemen. He never misses a fire un
less illness interferes, and the first
trucks out finds him in his Chief’s
seat rightalong with his boys.
Mr. Hall is definitely a remarkable
person. He wears his Chief’s hat sit
ting rakishly on his head and springs
his 88 years around like a young man
calling on his lady love. His sharp
blue eyes have never rested on a
stranger. He just naturally loves peo
ple and judges everybody by himself
no matter where he may be. Cap’n
Dick’s favorite pastime is holding
court with his friends on a bench in
front of the fire station, or he may
be seen draped over the cannon at the
intersection of King and Broad
Streets. The two signify Edenton’s
oldest landmarks. The Cap’n’s con
genial personality not only draws one
like a magnet, but his witty remarks
are a delight to the town.
Chief Hall has made many children
happy in the past few years. With
the help qf his boys at the fire de
partment, Cap’n Dick has spent con
siderable time and hard work repair
ing old toys which are distributed to
the needy families in the county at
Christmas time.
We say congratulations to this
' grand old gentleman on his 88th
"birthday, and wish him a happy and
merry Christmas.
Bank Will Be Closed
v Friday And Saturday
Governor William Umstead has
made a proclamation setting aside
Saturday, December 26, a banking
holiday. In compliance with the proc
lamation, the Bank of Edenton will
he closed Christmas day (Friday) and
Saturday.
The bank, therefore, will be closed
from Thursday of this week at 1 P.
M., until 9 o’clock'Monday morning,
December 28. important banking
business should be transacted accord
ingly.
HOME FOR HOLIDAYS
Mack Privott, a student at Guilford
jgv College, came home Friday of last
H yreek to spend the Christmas holidays
pggjjfrluß parents, Mr. and Mrs. George
THE CHOWAN HERALU
T *
Ml jUfl K J ■ / fl
Map
'A/ %
\ *
The Chowan Herald
Five More Sites Are
Proposed For USO
Club In Edenton
Committee Appointed to
Investigate and Sub
mit Report
Representatives from various or
ganizations working toward establish
ment of a USO Club in Edenton met
again Wednesday night of last week
in the Parish House.
During the meeting an organization
was effected in accordance with the
USO policy. Mrs. J. P. Ricks, Jr.,
was elected chairman, Tom Sharp vice
chairman, Mrs. John Reeder secretary
and Parker Helms treasurer.
At this meeting more prospective
sites for a USO Club were presented
in addition to the Hotel Joseph Hewes
and Penelope Barker House. These
' included four locations in the down
j town section including the Badham
i Bros, store, the building formerly oc
-1 cupied by Tots and Teens, the build
ing formerly occupied by the M. & M
Furniture Company and the room
above the bus station formerly used
by the VFW. A basement room at the
elementary school was also presented.
A committee was appointed to in
vestigate the various locations and re
port at the next meeting of the group
tentatively set for Wednesday night,
January 6, in the Parish House. The
committee includes Dr. A. F. Downum,
J. P. Ricks, Jr., Father F. J. McCourt,
Tom Shepard and Mrs. Ernest Gen
tile.
For a colored USO Club it was re
ported that the Brown-Carver Library
was available, provided the librarian’s
salary was supplemented in acting as
supervisor.
A group made a tour of the Eden
ton base Sunday to inspect recreation
al facilities.
Mrs. Ricks read a letter from Thom
as J. Kunz, USO regional director,
which was rather encouraging, in
which he stated he was pleased with
the meeting he attended in Edenton
and asked to be advised about the re
action of the group relative to a lo
cation. Mr. Kunz said he hoped a mu
tual approach could be effected to
meet the local needs.
Mrs. Wales Entertains
Children In Library
A Christmas story reading hour for
children' was held Sunday afternoon
in the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Li
brary by Mrs. Charles P. Wales, li
brarian. The library was appropri
ately decorated and the children spent
an enjoyable afternoon reading and
listening to stories of Christmas.
Rotarians Hold Annual
Club Christmas Party
Edenton Rotarians, Rotaryannes
and a few invited guests enjoyed the
annual Rotary Christmas party held
in the Legion hnt Thursday night."
The building was attractively decorat
ed for the occasion with the Christ
mas spirit prevailing throughout the
evening.
C. W. Overman led the group in
singing Christmas carols and during
the evening presents weie exchanged
with H. A. Campen in his usual role
as Santa Claus {minus a suit). John
Kramer, president of the club, pre
sided and at the close of the meet
ing dancing was enjoyed.
Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, Thursday, December 24,1953.
Dr. Robert T. Daniel
Preaches At Baptist
Church Next Sunday
Will Fill Pulpit In Ab
sence of the Pastor, the
Rev. R. N. Carroll
The speaker for Sunday, December
,7, comes tj the pulpit of the Baptist
Church with a very interesting back
ground in both preparation and ex
perience. JQr. Robert T. Daniel, pro
fessor of Old Testament at the South
eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
in Wake Forest, has accepted the in
vitation of the pulpit committee to
preach at both the morning and even
ing worship hours Sunday in the ab
sence of the pastor, the Rev. R. N.
Carroll. Dr. Daniel has had rich ex
perience in the fields of teaching and
preaching; his teaching activity hav
ing extended into the fields of public
school instruction and theological sem
inary professorship.
Bom in Tennille, Georgia, Dr. Dan
iel holds the A.B. Degree from Mer
cer University, the M.A. Degree from
Texas Christian University, the Th.M.
and Th.D. Degrees from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary and has
done graduate work at the University
of North Carolina and Garrett Bibli
cal Institute. He has taught in the
public schools of North Carolina, at
(Continued on Page Four'
Lioijs Club Stages
Nice Christmas Party
The Edenton Lions Club held its an
nual Christmas party last Tuesday
night in the Lions meeting hall, and
the entire group was delighted with
the affair which honors the wives of
the club members.
Jesse L. Harrell, president of the
Lions Club, was master of ceremon
ies and a program was provided which
included solos by Norman Leonard.
The group sang Christmas carols un
der the leadership of Mr. Leonard.
A1 Phillips was chairman of the
Christmas party committee and was
assisted by Tom Francis, Bruce Jones,
Medlin Belch, Aubrey Turbeville, Ben
Perry, T. B. Williford and Nathan
Dail.
Each lady was presented a beau
tiful billfold by the members of the
club and John Mitchener, Jr., pre
sented each with a box of candy.
The hall was beautifully decorated
and a Christmas tree was provided
for all of the gifts to be placed under.
Mrs. A1 Stanton, chairman of the
Lioness Club, thanked the Lions for
their thoughtfulness in giving the la
dies the party.
Families Remembered
With Christmas Gifts
In response to inquiries from four
Edenton groups, the Department of
Public Welfare has furnished the
names of 33 families, affecting 99
n°onl'e who will be remembered on
Christmas.
The four groups seeking families to
give a Christmas present were the
Edenton Woman’s Club, the Officers’
Wives Club, the Empty Stocking Fund
and the Baptist Missionary Society.
The Degree of Pocahontas is also
arranging several baskets to be dis
tributed. which is not included in the
above figure. ,
Agriculture Board
Renews Activities
December Meeting De
voted to Planning
For 1954
The Chowan Board of Agriculture
met recently when several members
were absent due to the rough weather.
This was a renewal of the organiza
tion. The proposed membership is
composed of one representative from
each of the communities in the county
plus a fertilizer dealer, a seed deal
er, a produce dealer, a farm machin
ery dealer and a banker. The County
and Assistant County Agent are ex
officio members.
The purpose of the Board is to coun-1
cil with and advise the county and
assistant county agents in conduct
ing the county Agricultural Extension
work. At the present time the com
munity representatives are leaders
who have been active in the Extension
progress and have demonstrated in
terest. As men’s community groups
are organized each community group
will select its representative to the
Board of Agriculture on an annual
basis. The scheduled meeting time
is on Friday night before the first
Monday of each month.
The December meeting was devoted
principally to planning for 1954. The
County and Assistant County Agents
gave a report of the work and activi
ties for the month of November. Sev
eral highlights were noted. In adult
work: The Farm Machinery Field
Day, a new 500 hen laying house plan
red, the Enterprise Agricultural Club
meeting, results of cotton insect con
trol this year, results of new peanut
varities tried, home orchard planning,
results of several demonstrations and
a 1954 outlook meeting.
In 4-H Club work: The 4-H Achieve
ment Day program, District and State
4-H project winners with two boys
attending the National 4-H Club Con
gress at Chicago, 4-H community
meetings and performance of the 4-H
laying flock projects.
West Byrum stated that rats are
doing considerable damage over Cho
wan County. He recommended that
county-wide rat control be one of out
main objectives in 1954. Lloyd Bunch
stated that there is considerable in
terest in the use of anhydrous am
(Continued On Pag- Fr tr >
Larere Oowd Attends
Snecial Baptist Service
Before a very large crowd Sunday
afternoon at 5 o’clock, the Edenton
Baptist Church Choir, under the di
rection of Mrs. Gus Hughes, presented
a very enjoyable Christmas musical
program.
The adult choir, along with the
Junior Choir, sang several numbers In
unison. Solos were rendered by Miss
Carolyn Swindell and Miss Joan Cobb.
The Rev. R. N. Carroll, acting as nar
rator, read scripture pertaining to
carols rendered by the choirs.
The congregation also joined with
Wo choirs in the singing of two
carols.
NO ROTARY MEETING
Due to the Christmas holidays, this
week’s Rotary meeting has been call
ed off. An amount equivalent to the
cost of the meals has been contributed
to the Empty Stocking Fund.
The regular meeting will be held
Thursday of next week at 1 o’clock in
the Parish House.
Farm Schools Being
Scheduled In County
Early Part January
Baptist Speaker
\ jillk
DR. ROBERT T. DANIEL
In the absence of the pastor,
the Rev. R. N. Carroll, Dr. Rob
ert T. Daniel, professor of Old
Testament at the Southeastern
Theological Seminary at Wake
Forest, will preach at the morn
ing and evening services at the
Baptist Church Sunday.
Varsity Club Dance
Featuresjolidays
Annual Affair In Eden
l ton Armory Christ
mas Night
1 One of the features of the holiday
i season in Edenton will be the annual
’ Christmas dance sponsored by the
' Varsity Club. The dance will be held
■ in the Edenton armory on Christmas
’ (Friday) night, starting at 9 o’clock
‘ and continuing until 1 o’clock.
• Music for the dance will be provid
-led by Dick Levin and his orchestra
1 from State College. Because of popu
' lar demand, the Varsity Club espe
-1 daily sought the services of Mr. Lev
' in, it being bis fourth visit to Eden
-1 j ton to play for dances.
1 As in 'previous years, the Varsity
' Club is expecting a large crowd to,
1 attend, so that table reservations
' should be made at once by contacting
: Mrs. Jesse Harrell, phone 117-J.
I ■ _■
| Over 150 Teenagers
? I At Christmas Party
i
j Many Edenton Youngs
ters Have Time of
; Their Lives
Edenton’s teenagers had the time of
j their lives Thursday night when they
turned out in their best bib and tuck
er some for the first time in formal
’ attire, for the big Christmas party
' and dance held for them in the Teen
! Age Club at the Elementary School
r building.
I The club was a scene of beauty in
decorations of Christmas holly, orna
ments and lighted candles. The holi
day spirit filled the air as approxi
t mately 150 youngsters took advan
tage of the big night to whoop it up
, 1 and chat with their friends, as well
as enjoy dancing to good music.
The dining room table was filled
with an abundance of refreshments,
all free to the children, which con
sisted of party sandwiches, Christmas
, cookies, mints, nuts, candy and punch.
, The refreshment committee, who pre
'' pared and served the plates, was com
r 1 posed of Mrs. T. C. Cross, Jr., Mrs.
1 j Robert Boyce, Mrs. Jimmy Partin,
j Mrs. Erie Haste, Mrs. Bert Willis,
j Mrs. Worth Spencer, Mrs. Sidney
1 Campen, Mrs. Robert Smith and Mrs.
Merle Wilkins, the club’s chaperone.
5 j Those helping with donations for
1 the party were Mrs. Guy Hobbs, Mrs. |
3 1 T. B. Smith, Mrs. A. F. Downum, Mrs.!
'! Ellsworth Halsey and Mrs. John
’; Kramer. I
’l I
I .Musical Program At
* Methodist Church!
The Methodist Church was practi
cally filled Sunday night when a spe
; ’ cial musical program was presented.
. [Aside from Christmas carols sung by
»' the choir and congregation, special
1, solos were sung by Norman Leonard
l and Mrs. Rufus Caraway. Several de-
I I lightful numbers were also presented
a by the Eden tan Junior-Senior High
ochool Treble Clef Club.
™.UO Eer Year,
Meetings Will Be Held
In Court House
Jan. 12 to 15
ALL INVITED
Important Farm Sub
jects Discussed By
Specialists
“The application of recent agricul
tural research results here would
mean a vast improvement in the in
comes of individual farmers and
would tiring a great contribution to
the economy of the whole county,”
Farm Agent C. W. Overman declares.
Mr. Overman said this is the think
ing back of a four-day series of class
es designed to acquaint Chowan Coun
ty farmers with the practical appli
cation of recent research results af
fecting major farming enterprises
that are, or could be, conducted in
Chowan County.
The classes will be held in the Cho
wan Court House Tuesday January
12, through Friday, January 15. Spe
cialists from the State College Agri
cultural Extension Service will bring
the latest recommendations in corn
fertilization and production, soybean
production, using anhydrous ammonia
as a source of cheaper nitrogen, chem
ical weed control, com storage and
drying, tobacco production, farm man
agement, forestry, chickens and tur
keys and beekeeping.
Mr. Overman said that farmers
may attend any of the classes, but
he urged them to attend all of them.
“Maybe vou aren’t interested in a
particular enterprise that will be dis
cussed, but it may be that this enter
prise can fit in very profitably with
your farming program,” Overman de
clared. “We hope that you will at
tend all of the classes and find out.”
Among the recent research results
to be presented will be a system of
growing out hogs on Ladino clover,
corn, water, and minerals at a cost
of only sll per hundred weight.
“Most of us have been spending about
50 per cent more than that,” accord
ing to Mr. Overman.
New fertilization recommendations
and new, inexpensive sources of nitro
gen will be brought to the farmers’
attention, he pointed out. Mr. Over
man said that the average farmer
now uses only 40 pounds of nitro
gen per acre on com, but research has
revealed that your com profits in
crease with every pound of fertilizer
up to 100 pounds of nitrogen.
Chemical weed control is an inex
pensive method of controlling weeds
lin crops and on hedgerows when
properly administered. Specialists will
. explain the latest practices recom-
I mended.
1 Tobacco is an important cash crop
in Chowan County although its pro
duction is confined to about 200
farms. The newest research infor
mation and recommendations will be
discussed by the Tobacco Specialists,
Mr. Overman says.
Schedule for the schools follows:
Tuesday, January 12: 9:00 to 12:00
A. M., “Com and soybean produc
tion.” Use of anhydrous ammonia as
a source of nitrogen. “Pastures.”
1:00 to 4:00 P. M., “Chemical Weed
Control,” “Com Storage and Dry
ing.”
Wednesday, January 13: 9:00 to
12:00 A. M., “Tobacco Production.”
1:00 to 4:00 “Managing the Farm as
a Business to Increase Income.”
Thursday, January 14: 9:00 to
12:00 A. M., “Managing the Farm
Woodlands for Profit.” 1:00 to 4:00
P. M., “Poultry Production and Di
sease Control.”
Friday, January 15: 9:00 to 12:00
"Beekeeping For Pollination and for
Honey.”
Jaycees’ Christinas
Party Held Tuesday
For Underprivileged
Edenton Jaycees staged their an
nual Christmas party for underprivi
leged children at the Albemarle Mo-
I tor Company plant Tuesday night.
! In the neighborhood of 35 young
: sters gathered for the party, during
.which toys and stockings were dis
tributed and refreshments served. AH
|of the boys and girls had a wonderful
time.
Civic Calendar
Chowanoke Council, No. 54, De
gree of Pocahontas, will elect of-
I ficers at a meeting Friday night,
January 8.
I VFW Post meets in VFW home
i Tuesday night of next week.
(Continued on Page Four) ]