| She public parade
In Time Os Crisis
The stroke of a federal judge’s pen
has caused more unrest in this communi
ty than any single act since another fed
eral agency closed the military base a
decade ago.
Closing of the base shook the eco
nomic foundation of the community.
Community leaders rose to the challenge.
As a result, the economy along The
Public Parade is more stable and gen
eral conditions are much improved. The
industrial payroll is rapidly rivaling the
farm income for top spot in the local
economy.
The integration order deals with a
horse of a different color. While we can
not now see a single benefit to be de
rived by any segment of our citizenry
it provides a challenge everyone must
be willing to face and share a portion of
the burden.
At first glance it would appear things
just couldn’t be any worse. They cer
tainly could. The judge’s pen might
have stroked one through 12 just as
easily as it did one through six. This
is happening in other counties in Tar
Heelia and other states throughout our
country.
The best legal minds at our disposal
tell us there is little hope of obtaining a
stay in execution of the order or winning
on an appeal. The judge has strong
legal grounds for his order.
The Edenton-Chowan Board of Edu
cation must now take steps to implement
the integration plan contained in the or
der. They don’t want to do it any more
than the 500 citizens who attended Mon
day’s meeting. They are, however,
charged with this responsibility.
Now is the time for cool to prevail
along The Public Parade. Emotionalism
must be put behind us and an attitude
of cooperation and practical thinking
must be in the forefront. It will be
hard enough for educators to implement
the plan this year and probably even
more the next.
The education of the 3,200 children in
Edenton-Chowan Schools has priority
over everything else. Regardless of what
course of action some may take, the vast
majority of these children, by necessity,
must be educated in the public schools.
Those who attended Monday’s board
meeting are now better informed. They
are reassured that the board wants to
do what the majority of our citizens want
done. But in this particular case it is
impossible. The judge has spoken. And
he speaks louder than all 11,500 citizens
of Chowan County combined.
This has created a crisis in our com
munity. It is not the first and very
definitely will not be the last. A bad
situation can be made better with under
standing, cooperation and action based
on sound reasoning.
As a citizen we have a responsibility
to do just that.
Rep. Jones Needs Help
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover pro
claims: “America is NOT a sick society.”
In the latest FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin he cautions citizens to stop con
demning the whole populace for the sins
of a few. “When we face adversities
and tragedies, let us do so with resolute
confidence, avoid panic, and reserve
judgment until all the 'facts are known,”
he writes.
■ -
* °
BBP. JONES area signed whole
sale integration orders, less than a month
before the 1968-69 school term opens,
Rep. Walter B. Jones of the First Dis-
Cendlanad m raff* «
JM|
This statement
has a sound foun
dation.
Receht events
along The Public
Parade and other
areas of Eastern
Carolina cause us
to question Direc
tor Hoover’s state
ment about socie
ty’s illness.
When two fed
eral judges in the
Stay In Order, Appeal Are Being Filed
By School Board In Integration Matter
Edenton-Chowan Board o' g tion
is seeking a stay in execui the
school integration order issuec *ek
by Federal Judge John D. La 3,-s r.
The board voted Monday C£, al
the decision of the judge and m a
stay in execution pending outcoi « ® e
appeal. W. J. P. Earnhardt, J
ney for the board, said both th 3a c*
and request for a stay are beihg tiled
A, THE CHOWAN HERALD ■-
Volume XXXV—No. 32.
Water, Sewer Study Set
Chowan County Planning Board has
received a $4,500 federal grant for a
comprehensive plan of water and sewer
systems in the rural area.
George Lewis, chairman, said J. N.
Pease & Associates of Charlotte has the
contract to do the engineering study and
submit the plan. The final plan is to be
presented by December 1, 1969.
George S. Rawlins. Pease executive
vice president, outlined the study plans
for the planning board and county com
missioners Monday.
He said information such as will be
gathered in the study is necessary to
avoid overlapping, duplication, under
design of water and sewer facilities which
may be constructed in the area. Also,
such a plan would reduce, eliminate or
avoid pollution and hazards of health
and safety.
Rawlins said this would not be a study
to determine the size of lines to a given
area. That would come, he said, when
a decision is made to develop a system in
the rural area.
Melvin Howell, FHA area representa
tive, said completion of the study would
help Chowan County to qualify for oth
er federal grants or loans in the future.
The board accepted with regret the
resignation of Fletcher Lassiter as agri
culture extension agent. Charles Over-
Firm Makes Plans
The United Piece Dye Works enjoyed
a big increase in income during the first
six months of this year and the board
of directors has proposed recapitaliza
tion of the company.
Shareholders will have a special meet
ing October 1 at which a vote will be
taken on recapitalization. The proposed
plan would recapitalize each share of the
preferred stock with accrued dividends
into five shares of common stock.
“The board believes the plan to be
in the best interest of the shareholders
of United Piece Dye Works and the
future growth of the company,” a
spokesman said.
In a separate report to shareholders,
it was reported that total income was
$12,306,997 for the six months ended
June 30, compared to $9,912,831 in 1967.
After provisions for federal income tax,
including surtax, nej income was $591,-
653, compared to $272,927 in the pre
ceding year.
The report, signed by Harold Wel
bum, president and chief executive of
ficer, and Charles Blount, Jr., chairman
of the board, it was stated:
“Current operations are continuing on
a satisfactory basis, notwithstanding the
normal slowdown at this time of year.
“Judging from known purchases of
greige goods by our customers, we feel
confident of maintaining operations
above 1967 levels for the balance of the
third quarter, with fourth quarter volume
projected at near capacity of the third’s.”
this week in U. S. District Court.
Earnhardt said Judge Larkins will hear
the motion for a stay in execution. He
has not been able to determine a time
for this hearing. “If he doesn’t hear
us soon it won’t do us any good,” Earn
hardt said, pointing to the short period
of time before schools open.
Edenton-Chowan Schools open Sep
tember 3.
Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina 27932 Thursday, August 8, 1968.
man, extension chairman, said a replace
ment would not be named immediately.
Chairman W. E. Bond said now is a
good time to abolish the position. He
said there were only 40 Negro farmers
in the county and less than five per cent
of them request extension services.
Oberman said he and Harry Venters
would continue to work with these farm
ers and a decision about the position
would come at a later date.
Mrs. Mary C. Lane requested commis
sioners to assist in getting State Highway
Commission to continue to maintain a
portion of road near Tyner. She said if
the road is not worked the mail route
will be discontinued. Also, a school bus
travels the road.
Mrs. Lane said for the past 20 years
the state has maintained the road but
the last work was done in October. She
Continued on Page 4
New Cans Bought
Edenton merchants have placed orders
for 16 trash containers to be used in
conjunction with a new packer truck or
dered recently by Town Council.
W. B. Gardner, town administrator,
said a three cubic yard demonstration
container has been ordered and delivery
is expected this week. He said anyone
wanting to inspect this unit should con
tact him or J. C. Parks, superintendent
of the Street Department.
Gardner said delivery of the truck
and containers can be expected within
four to six weeks and containerized trash
collection will begin as soon thereafter
as possible.
The administrator said such collection
will enable town employees to make the
daily rounds in the downtown area faster
and the use of containers will keep trash
from blowing.
“We believe this is a real progressive
step and one our merchants will benefit
from once containerized collection be
gins,” he said.
Grid Star Chosen To Coach Aces
Wayne Bell of Raleigh has been nam
ed assistant football coach at John A.
Holmes High School. He succeeds David
Bumgarner who has moved to Green
ville.
Bell, a 1968 graduate at Lenoir Ryne
College in Hickory, will assume his dut
ies here in mid-August.
The new coach was an outstanding
athlete at Broughton High in Raleigh.
He played four years of varsity football
at Lenoir Rhyne, being named to the
NAIA All-America squad this past year.
Bell was the eighth round draft choice
of Chicago Bears in the professional
ranks but was released because of a knee
injury.
Bell’s wife, Linda, will be teaching in
the elementary grades in the local sys
tem.
v ; *\ L-. •*
g
, jflfi? Ae^SaL-i-. <IW * -'‘-
dkrf 1 Jjfr- b > " "
*
__
£».*.- ' • .•* V- • at- ■ • «vJ'd
>v >£' < Tf-- •■' \>* : -
- >f ~wAj* -.- r k \.;w v,>y* -;..
STUDY Os CONTRASTS—Ia Meant year* town official* and dfiaon* bar* made •pe
dal efforts to make more attractive the waterfront along Edenton Bay. Mew home*
being built on the water in the Queen Anne'* development am adding greatly to thl*
effort. Above am tha reridence* of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. HolloweU, left and Mr. and Mrs.
W. D. Townson. Just round the band, however, is this unsightly old fish bouse, por
tions of which on the east side are falling in. Until si -h as the delaptdated old buildings
are removed, the waterfront improvement will be un ccessfuL
More than 500 citizens, upset over
Judge Larkins’ order to pair the ele
mentary grades at Swain and Walker
as well as White Oak and Chowan
schools, urged the school board to take
whatever action necessary to prevent the
rapid integration.
At the board meeting, Earnhardt said
he had dim hopes of obtaining a stay or
winning an appeal. “In view of cases
Miss UPDW Gets
Crown At Outing
■
■l
MISS LOWE a pie throwing con
test with plant supervisors as targets.
Later, a scavenger hunt was of most in
terest to visitors from ages three through
15. In the hunt the participants had to
find and return such odd items as frogs
and dead ants.
Old people at the outing either par
ticipated in or watched the water skiing
contest.
Following a barbecue chicken dinner,
prepared by Center Hill-Crossroads Vol
unteer Fire Department, door prizes,
such as a TV, radios, a camera, a blend
er, a percolator, material, and a fan
were awarded.
The Silhouettes helped to put the fin
ishing touches on a perfect day by furn
ishing music during dinner and the re
mainder of the outing.
Per Capita Fire Loss Is Down Here
The per capita loss as result of fire in
the Town of Edenton dropped 44 per
cent during fiscal 1967-68 as compared
to a year ago, according to Fire Chief
W. J. Yates. At the same time, the
loss in the rural area served by the de
partment increased.
Chief Yates reports the local per capi-
Coach Marion Kirby said Bell, al
though a star fullback, will be coaching
the line for Edenton Aces. “His ex
perience as a single wing fullback will
adapt him to coach the line,” Coach Kir
by stated.
In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Bell, new
teachers employed Monday night were:
Delores B. Stone, Ethelene Hall, Sharon
Lee Cowling, Debra S. Cameron and
Barbara B. Tombley.
Resignations accepted included: Bum
garner, Verna Harmon, Francine Jeff
ries, Linda Billinger and Mrs. Loraine
Rogerson.
Board members briefly discussed the
student insurance program and later
voted to send it to committee with the
committee recommendation being accept
ed by the board.
Single Copy 10 Cents
Miss Jo Ann
Lowe recently was
crowned Miss Uni
ted Piece Dye
Works by Plant
Mgr. J. P. Gaino.
The selection of
Miss Lowe for the
company honor was
a highlight of a
family outing held
July 27. She was
presented a dozen
red roses.
The first event
to take place was
(Supreme Court) before the judges they
had no alternative but to immediately
integrate the schools,” the attorney coun
seled. “The law is certainly against us,
otherwise freedom of choice would have
held good.”
If the stay in execution of the order is
denied, the board must comply when
the 1968-69 term opens. Earnhardt
warned if the board fails to comply with
the order members are subject to being
found in contempt of court.
Bruce F. Jones, a board member, ask
ed Supt. Bill Britt if the board could
use the shortness of time before school
opens as a solid grounds for appeal.
“No sir,” Supt. Britt replied. “I do not
feel we could say it is a physical im
possibility.”
N. J. George, a board member, said
the board would have to follow the or
der. “There is no question to it,” he
stated.
He did, however, make the motion
to take an appeal and seek the stay. La
ter, George requested that a final hear
ing be held in the federal case in which
BULLETIN
The Chowan Herald learned early
Wednesday afternoon that a called
meeting of Edenton-Chowan Board
of Education will be held tonight
( Thursday ) at 8 P. A/., in John A.
Holmes High School.
Judge Larkins order. Earnhardt had
stated the board, as defendants, had not
had a hearing.
Jones made a motion, and it passed,
putting the responsibility of assigning the
students and teachers on the board, rath
er than administrative officials.
Too, the board approved a motion not
to hold a teacher to her contract if she de
sires to resign as result of the court or
der. Under state law, the board could
request the State Board of Education to
revoke a teacher’s certificate for one year
if she resigns within 30 days prior to the
opening of school.
During the discussion between school
patrons and board members, it was ex
plained that some felt it would be better
to mix the high schools rather than ele
mentary grades. Also, there was an ex
pression of concern over having grades
one through three and seven through 12
at Walker School.
Supt. Britt said it would not be wise
educationally to combine the high school
Conlinued on Page 4
ta loss at $3.49 with damage to property
and contents during the year amounting
to $17,440. This was based on a popu
lation of 5,000. The per capita loss in
1966-67 was $5.07.
Meanwhile, the loss in the area of
Chowan County served by Edenton Fire
Department was $6.48, based on a pop
ulation of 3,000. Last year it was $5.22.
The department answered 26 coded
alarms in town and 34 out of town.
There were 53 silent alarms in town
and 16 outside the corporate limits.
Os the 129 calls answered the break
down included:
Residential, 40; auto or truck, 20;
woods and grass, 30; business establish
ments, 14; manufacturing, five; storage
buildings, two; old buildings, five;
standby at airport, two; and false
alarms, two.
Auto Theft Count
Two Georgia teenagers—one AVYOL
from an Army post—were apprehended
in a stolen car near Edenton Tuesday
morning following a high speed chase
down Highway 32.
State Trooper R. H. Allen made the
arrest near Valhalla at 9:50 A. M.
Arrested was the driver, Donald Mar
shall Burnette, 18, of Toccoa, Ga., and
the passenger, Leland Eugene Hemrick,
16, also of Toccoa. Burnette said he
was AWOL from Ft. Benning, Ga.
Trooper Allen said Hemrick at first
would not give his name or address.
They were lodged in Chowan County
Jail and interviewed by a special agent
of the FBI. Later they were turned
over to the Newport News, Va., Police
Department.
The local trooper was alerted a short
time before he spotted the vehicle on
Highway 32. He had information that
the 1967 Camaro convertible had been
stolen in Virginia. Also, the license num
ber was obtained by a
vice station operator when
failed to pay for
At times the chase reactMHpceasm
excess of 100 miles per Bur
nette, unable to maintain in
curves, pulled to the side of