Chowan Grand Jury Condemns Hotel Building The Chowan County Grand Jury has declared Hotel Joseph Hewes both “in adequate and unsafe” for the housing of county offices. In a report submitted to Superior Court Judge Walter Cahoon of Elizabeth City Tuesday afternoon the jury “strong ly” recommended that steps be taken to correct defects in the structure. The report, signed by John F. Habit, foreman, and Thomas F. Hopkins, secre tary, the panel said inspection of the Volume XXXIV—No. 37. Clu' jJitlilic Jlarattc Let’s Be Realistic The chairman of the Highway Com mittee of Edenton Chamber of Commerce has taken issue with advocates of a super highway through Northeastern North Carolina or those favoring four laning of U. S. 17 from Elizabeth City to Virginia. J. Gilliam Wood, former First Dis trict highway commissioner, says em phasis must be placed on existing high ways and improvements to those where traffic counts can justify the need. Wood pointed out it is well to think 25 years into the future. But that won’t solve immediate needs, he be lieves. “U. S. 17 gets us to market and back,” he says, “and all efforts should be pitch ed in improvements to what we have.” The ex-commissioner agrees that it would be nice to have a four-lane high way from the Chowan River to Norfolk. But it must be realized in stages as traf fic counts justify it. Righ now, Wood states, the traffic count justifies a four-lane section from Elizabeth City to Hertford. So, this must have first priority. The next stage would be from Hertford to Edenton to tie into a new Edenton by-pass. It is reasonable, he believes, for both projects to be varked jointly if everyohe pulls together. Gilliam Wood knows what it takes to get highways built and improved. His advice in this matter should be taken with more than a grain of salt. And the people in the Albemarle area served by U. S. 17 aren’t too old to be realistic. Stiff Language Hotel Joseph Hewes was purchased by Chowan County a number of years ago. The price was right and it was consider ’d the most practical way to unite the numerous county agencies. A decision was made to use portions of the building as necessary, for offices and lease the remainder for use as a hotel. Three times since then the com missioners have voted to terminate the lease, for one reason or another. Each Continued on Page 4 !> vISH ■■mp**- ’TS»- .«. -*t& WHP®®(ss*!^^?!s£’v' .** , tvpmy*® JURY COMMISSION TAKES OmCB-Mrt. Lena M. Laarr, Handing. Chowan County clerk of court Friday morning administered the oath of office to the three member Chowan County Jury Commission. Shown signing their official papers are. left to rights Earl Smith. Mrs. W. J. P. Earnhardt Sr- and Rudolph Dale, fie commission gow to work immediately preparing the machinery necessary to comply with a Jury Reform law which is effective in January. 1961. Darf Corp. Adds Harrow Line For Better Balance Little more than a month ago Hobbs Implement Company ordered a disc har row from a Georgia manufacturer. Last week it was delivered. Not from Marietta, Ga., but from Chowan County. When Guy C. Hobbs placed the order with McClesky Manufacturing Company for a Fordmac harrow he had no idea it would be made just down the road from his place of business. In little more than 30 days, Darf Cor poration here had purchased the disc harrow line from McClesky, moved tods, hotel building ® § dittobe in “very poor condition dally the second floor.” tS V) “If these coi '■§ -g s, such as water leaks, hanging c ££, etc., continue to prevail the first i -£ w ; fices will soon be in a state of disre £ « the report stated. Judge Cahoon 3 § ?d that a copy of the report be 10 ,rded to Chowan County commissioners. Clerk of Court Lena M. Leary was lauded for the efficiency of her office THE CHOWAN HERALD i ■I SPORTMEN TAKE OVER—Albemarle Wildlife Club, a recently re-organized group interested in conservation and safety, claimed two firsts last week—a project and an outing. In the picture at George Lewis, right, club president, goes over with Turner Battle of Rocky Mount, a club proposal to have fishing stakes in Club Attacts Abandoned Fish Stakes Albemarle Wildlife Club is off to a booming start. Anyone who happened by Turkey Neck Farm Saturday after noon can testify to this fact. The club, recently re-organized, got its name Wednesday night at a meet- Harvest Supper The popular harvest supper at Center Hill-Crossroads Volunteer Fire Depart ment will be held Saturday from 5 P. M., to 8 P. M. Barbecue chicken will be served and reservations for tickets will be taken un til 12 noon Saturday. Those desiring tickets should contact Charlie Asbell prior to this time. In addition to serving their famous barbecued chicken, firemen will show off their recently painted department. machinery, dies, etc., to their rural Cho wan plant and delivered the first Ford mac from here to fill the Hobbs order. T. B. H. Wood, vice president and sales manager for Darf, local farm ma chinery manufacturers, said the harrow is used in this area. Most other im plements made by Darf are not for use by local farmers. Until purchase of Fordmac, Darf did not have a harrow line. Darf is al ready designing bigger harrows to cover six and eight rows. The firm is now and staff. It was noted that the office was recently recognized by the State as one of the most up dated offices under the new District Court system. While placing a stamp of disapproval on the hotel property, the grand jury commended the commissioners for im provements to historic Chowan County Court House. The jail was found to be in very good condition. The sheriff’s department was commended for its efforts in the cleanli- Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina 27932 Thursday, September 14, 1967 ing and then Saturday club members went out as guests of Adrian Smith, Jr., to open the dove season in a big way. Approimately 100 hunters converged on Smith’s spacious farm and reports were that there was plenty of game for all. At Wednesday’s meetng, members vot ed unanimously to seek assistance from X. C. Wildlife Resources Commission and other agencies in getting abandoned net stakes removed from Edenton Bay. George Lewis, club president, said on an average of four boats each year get severely damaged from the abandoned stakes which constitute a real hazard in the bay. Lewis was quick to point out that this will in no way affect commercial fishing in the area. “I am of the opinion that stakes in use are in no way hazardous,” he said. Turner Battle of Rocky Mount, exec utive director of the N. C. Wildlife Fed eration, said there is a possibility that John J. Ross, 57 John J. Ross, 300 West Church Street, died suddenly in his downtown store at 1:55 P. M., Thursday. He was 57. He was owner of Ross Jewelers. John James Ross was born October 23, 1909, in Martin County, a son of James A. and Harriett Nelson Ross. He had been a resident of Edenton for 28 years. He was married to the former Kath leen Ellis, who survives. Also surviving are two sons: James Ellis Ross of Hampton, Va.; and Wil liam A. Ross of the home; one daugh ter, Miss Elizabeth Ross of Greenville; and two grandchildren. He was a member of Edenton Metho dist Church where funeral services were held Saturday afternoon. Rev. E. C. Shoaf officiated and burial was in Beav er Hill Cemetery. manufacturing harrows from five to 13 l / 2 feet wide in nine different models. The addition of a harrow line gives Darf 22 different products. Too, Wood pointed out that this gives Darf a better balanced selling season. Darf has already expanded the sales territory of the recently purchased line. Prior to Darf’s acquisition of Fordmac, the harrow was sold mainly in the south. Distribution is now being arranged throughout the United States and Can ada. \V I 4m M - '- ■ ■IHH Edenton Bay removed. Battle is executive director of the N. C. Wildlife Federation. Joe Thorud, left in the other picture, pre pares to assign hunters at Turkey Neck Farm on the opening of dove season. Telling him where to find the doves is Adrian Smith, Jr., farm owner who hosted the club's first hunt Saturday. ness and maintenance of the entire jail facility. A school bus inspection, conducted by State Trooper R. H. Allen, was accepted by the jury. Recommendations by past grand jur ies on certain school property were being complied with. Supt. Bill Britt also re ported to the jury on bus safety, fire drills, etc. Nine new grand jurors were selected when the September Term of Superior seme state assistance can be obtained in this project. He discussed legislation in the 1967 General Assembly which makes available a rebate from gasoline tax paid on fuel used in boats to aid the boating public. Battle said the State Highway Commis sion has been using the full amount of this tax because it was not claimed. “This money rightfully belongs to the Continued on Page 4 Editors Tap Three Three prominent Edentonians have been chosen for inclusion in the 1967 edition of Outstanding Civic Leaders of America. They are: Mayor John A. Mitchener, Jr., Town Administrator W. B. Gardner, and Mrs. W. J. P. Earnhardt, Sr. Outstanding Civic Leaders of America is an annual biographical compilation of approximately 6,000 civic leaders from all parts of the nation. The men and women included were nominated earlier this year by local city officials, cham ber of commerce, and civic groups. “They have distinguished themselves in civic work to the point of being out standing,” said Doug Blankenship, past U. S. Jaycee president and chairman of the board of advisory editors of this na tional publication. i M a. ■ i wt** » I ra w