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
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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.”
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“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
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■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.
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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.
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ANOTHER FIRST FOR DARF — Dari Corporation, a big Chowan County
Una of products. Thafint machina was dattrarad last waak to Hobb* Implamant Com
r'wooA**' ***** W “ l#T Cbmt9n ’ ri » hfc O* l pointar* on tha harrow
Court opened Monday morning. Chosen
to serve until July, 1968, were: Wilber
E. Bunch, Thomas F. Hopkins. Horace
Modlin, J. H. Hollowed, John Elton
Smith, H. O. West, Johnnie E. Owens,
Worth H. Hare and Earl Wadsworth.
The nine jurors who will continue to
serve until January, 1968, are: Habit,
Calvin M. Harrell, Gordon W. Boyce,
Ralph Outlaw, George Alfred Wright,
Welton L. Twine, Elton Carroll Griffin’
William Edward Barrow and Herbert W.
Baker.
Single Copy 10 Cents
Open Ditch
Hearing Set
By Council
A public hearing will be held October
3 to discuss closing open ditches inside
the Town of Edenton.
Town Administrator W. B. Gardner
told Councilmen Tuesday night funds
are available to see this work completed
if the property owners are interested.
It was pointed out that the current,
policy is for the property owner to pur
chase the pipe and the town install it.
This policy will be reviewed at the pub
lic hearing along with all other aspects
of the question.
Mayor John A. Mitchener. Jr., has
advocated the closing of open ditches for
some time. The inavailability of money
to accomplish this goal has hampered
progress on this front.
“If property owners want these ditches
closed, then we can now do it.” Gard
ner said.
There was a hint that the existing
policy might be relaxed somewhat in
order to get work underway on the pro
ject.
Mayor Mitchener said at the meeting
Continued on Page 4
Hall Is Released
By Judge Cahoon
James Clarence Hall, a familiar name
in Chowan County Court House, has
won his battle for release from prison.
Hall was released from custody today
(Thursday) by order of Judge Walter
Cahoon of Elizabeth City.
Hall is no stranger to Judge Cahoon
who was formerly solicitor in the Su
perior Court. The judge had seen the
defendant convicted three times of auto
larceny.
However, Federal Judge Algernon L.
Butler ordered Hall returned to Chowan
County Superior Court for re-sentencing
and given credit for time served while
the case has been in and out of court.
Judge Cahoon found that as of today.
Hall had three years of credit for time
served, gained time and emergency time.
Therefore, he ordered him released.
The defendant was first convicted in
April, 1962, and given five to seven
years. He was later granted a new trial
on a Post Conviction Petition. Convict
ed again, the judge gave him three to
Continued on Page 4