Volume XXXVI—No. 3. Two Suspects Surprised ° C- Safecrackers Bound Ever Two Virginia men charged with burg lary and the possession of burglary tools are being held in Chowan County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond each, following a preliminary hearing Tuesday in District Court. The defendants are Thomas Spencer Cox, 36, of Portsmouth, Va., and Robert Leroy Prince, about 35, of Chesapeake, fx m Tk TOOLS OF TRADE—When Edenton po lice surprised two safecrackers at M. G. Brown Company early Saturday morning they found several "tools of the trade." The cutting equipment is shown at right while the other burglary tools were in the bag at left. Charged in the crime are Thomas S. Cox, above left, and Norman L. Prince, right. Both are from Virginia. Dickerson Moves Office To Chowan Dickerson, Inc., of Monroe, one* of North Carolina’s biggest building con tractors, has leased property at Edenton Municipal Airport and established a new eastern area office. The office was mov ed from Ahoskie. C. B. Durham, executive vice presi dent, recently signed a lease for the old fire station property at the airport. The property is being leased from the Town of Edenton with revenue going to Eden ton Airport Commission. A considerable amount of work has already been done on the building and grounds. The building has been convert ed into office, shop and storage for the Dickerson operation in this section of North Carolina. W. B. Gardner, town administrator and chairman of the Industrial Com- Hospital Bids Set Bids on the new 61-bed Chowan Hos *fJ a j will be opened early in March, pri marily due to efforts of Rep. Walter B. Jones in getting the project released by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Thomas Surratt, hospital administra tor, said the N. C. Medical Care Com mission announced today that the stepped-up release of the project by the federal agency is expected on or before February 3. Local hospital officials were earlier advised it would probably be early in March before HEW released the project for bids. It was then that Rep. Jones began pushing for an earlier release so the project could proceed on schedule. Surratt, who is heading the project for Chowan County and the hospital, said construction should begin by April 1 and the new facility should be ready for occupancy by September, 1970. The hospital has $1,708,000 in local, state and federal funds for this project. “We are pleased with this news of an early release of our project for bids,” Surratt said today. “It will enable us to maintain a rigid schedule and if it is maintained occupancy should be realized by September, 1970.” The administrator was high in his praise for the cooperation of Rep. Jones. |f‘Rep. Jones has been extremely helpful and is the early release would' r*.L_.|«rv 1 Km fnr Kj/)* w THE CHOWAN HERALD .5 t i-t r Va. They were arrested * Saturday morning at M. G. Browi % o pany on West Queen Street. "S'? Cox was arrested insidt j § building. Officers testified that Pi SSIV.C fled the building, went over a fence but was ap prehended a short distance from the scene. Judge W. S. Privott raised the bond after finding probable cause in a brief hearing. Their bonds had been $5,000 each. Solicitor Wilton Walker asked for an increase in the bond due to the seri ousness of the crimes. Questions asked officers by Prince during the hearing indicated that he was attempting to keep from being placed in side the building. However, Sgt. H. J. Lupton said he saw Prince inside the building and later saw him flee through a back window. Patrolman W. S. Clements testified that while on routine patrol at about 1:15 A. M., Saturday he found a window broken on the east side of the office building. He said a handbag was outside the window. He called for assistance and Sgt. Lupton responded. Patrolman Clements said one subject left the building and Cox was found in side once the door was opened by Tom Cross, an employee. They found, in addition to Cox, burglary tools and dam age to two safes. One of the safes had been opened. Sgt. Lupton said he saw Prince run to the front door, then turn and run to the back of the building. He saw the defendant come out a window and run through the lumber yard. By this time Patrolmen G. W. Mi zelle, and Tom Miller had arrived. They gave chase and apprehended Prince. Police Chief J. D. Parrish directed the investigation after being called to the scene shortly after the break-in was detected. mittee of Edenton Chamber of Com merce, hailed the Dickerson move as a forward step for the community. “We are excited over the future of this com pany in our area and it will mean a great deal to us,” he said. “Dickerson is a giant in the building trade and we are fortunate to have the area headquarters here.” Continued on Page 4 J. J. Long Dies Funeral services will be held at 11 A. M., today (Thursday) for Joseph J. Long, 109 West Church Street, who died Tuesday in Chowan Hospital following a short illness. He was 94. The services will be held at Edenton Baptist Church, where he was a mem ber. Rev. R. N. Carroll and Rev. George B. Holmes will officiate. Burial will be in Beaver Hill Ceme tery. Mr. Long, the father-in-law of Rep. Walter B. Jones of the First District ,was a native of Perquimans County, born October 29, 1874, son of the late Wil liam P. and Mary Wood Long. He was married to the former Corinne Gatling, who survives. ' Mr. Long was retired from the U. S. Postal Service, having worked for 30 years with the post office. In addition to his wife, surviving is one son, Joseph J. Long, Jr., of Raleigh; Mrs. Jones of Farmville and Washing ton, D. C.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Williford Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. _FOH SPEDlC—Spedic Vending Service. Inc* now occupies new hsedqusrtsH in the Industrial Park, lust off U. S. it norlh. W. P. Jones, extreme right, k shown with other Spedic employees in front of the new structure. Left to right are: Knapp Brabble, Joe Forehand. Clifton Beaman. Larry Layden. Joe Arndt. Jerry Wilson, Ray Evans. Carl Keater and Mrs. Wilma Hare. Spedic was previously located on Water Street Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina 27932 January 16, 1969. kilHCl4 imbMihl I MsM I iMßilllllk J 4, WSfck M " m m 'r '* IS; SPOTLIGHT ON JAYCEES—Mayor John A. Mitchener, Jr., center, has proclaimed next week as Jaycee Week in Edenton. Shown going over plans for the week with Mayor Mitchener are Wallace Evans, right. Jaycee president, and Bill Bunch, chairman of activities. Highlight of the week will be a Bosses’ Night banquet, at which Tme the coveted DSA will be presented. Ehc Pitbltc parade Where's Bunting? Bunting, bunting, who has the bunt ing? This is the question again being asked by several of the ladies along The Public Parade. They need it for decorating. It appears that several years ago some bunting was made. Somehow it got lost, in the same manner as clippings for the scrapbook, etc. It is agreed that it must be in someone’s attic. Okay, you blue bloods, muster up enough courage to look and see. This is one time we rejoice in being a newcomer. The bunting was misplaced before we arrived. Unpopular Industry At least one industry in North Ca rolina didn’t fare too well during 1968. A recent report showed that 606 il legal moonshine distilleries, 439,799 gallons of fermenting mash, 24,278 gal lons of untaxed liquor and 175 vehicles were seized. A total of 628 persons were arrested in connection with these seizures. The distilleries seized were capable of producing 22,034 gallons of “deadly lead salts saturated” moonshine each day. “Poison illegal whisky may cause blind ness, paralysis or even death as long as a year after it has been consumed,” it was reported. Some of the seizures were right here in Chowan County. Those who are en gaged in this unpopular industry —so far as the government is concerned —must be ever on the alert. Experienced agents are dedicated to a campaign to blow them up . The Signs Are Good May we be among the first to con gratulate Spedic Vending Service, Inc., upon occupancy of their new building in the Industrial Park. At the same time we want to welcome Dickerson, Incor porated to meander with us along The Public Parade. While the signs don’t call for a break in the frigid weather, they do point to a healthy- business climate. The signs are good. For “Spec” Jones and Spedic, moving into a permanent home is a real mile stone. It was late in 1955 that the firm Continued on Page 4 Aldridge Speaker For Jaycee Event A past president of North Carolina Jaycees will be keynote speaker here January 23 as Edenton Jaycees climax Jaycee Week with a Bosses’ Xight-DSA Banquet. The event begins at 7:30 P. M., in the Jaycee Community Building on Base Road. Irvin Aldridge of Yanceyville will be principal speaker, according to Bill Bunch, banquet chairman. Aldridge ser ved as state Jaycee president several years ago. He is well known to local club members. A feature of Bosses’ Night will be the announcement of Edenton’s outstanding young man for the yaar. A committee is canvassing churches, businesses, clubs and organizations to determine which young man —21 through 35 —has con tributed the most to the community dur ing the year. Bunch said nominations will be accepted through Monday. Bosses’ Night is an annual feature of Jaycee chapters throughout the nation. It is dedicated to the bosses who support Continued on Page 4 March On Disease The annual Mother’s March and a commissioned meat products sale this week highlight activities of an intensified campaign in Chowan County to raise $1,500 for the March of Dimes. W. B. Gardner, Jaycee committee chairman, said the local funds drive will receive a percentage on Jesse Jones pro ducts sold in local stores Friday and Saturday. Also, he announced that the Mother’s March, conducted by Edenton Jaycettes, will be conducted Sunday. Mrs. Sarah White is chairman of this activity and local citizens are asked to respond gen erously when a volunteer knocks on their door Sunday. Spedic Moves To Industrial Park A third firm has now located in the Industrial Park, north of Edenton. Spedic Vending Service, Inc., recently moved into a new building in the park, joining Seabrook Blanching and Townson Pallets. W. P. (Spec) Jones, president and Single Copy 10 Cents Board Asks More Funds For Schools Chowan County commissioners met Wednesday afternoon to consider a re quest from Edenton-Chowan Board of Education for $54,400 in capital outlay funds so bids can be awarded for con struction at two schools. Due to the time of the meeting, it was impossible to have a report in this week’s newspaper. School board members voted unani mously Monday night to request the funds from the county since bids on an addition to John A. Holmes High School and a new cafeteria at D. F. Walker High School totaled more than funds available from a state school bond elec tion. It was expressed that the board could not in good conscious ask Federal Judge John Larkins for more time to plan for further integration of the schools unless every avenue of possible revenue had been explored. The board is under court order to pre sent, during January, a plan for integrat ing the grades seven through 12 for the 1969-70 term. The building program will affect any plan considered by the board, it was noted. When the bids were tallied last Thurs day afternoon, they amounted to $336,- 96*7. The board has some $282,800 in state funds available. Both the Holmes and Walker work was considered one project for bidding. Dr. Edward G. Bond, chairman, sug gested that maybe the board could sepa rate the two and build the Holmes pro ject first. He said it would be necessary for board members to set priorities since the bids were in excess of money avail able. X. J. George said he would put pri ority on the Walker cafeteria since some students must eat lunch at 10:35 A. M. “They even have to bring snacks for the Continued on Page 4 Money At Home One local contractor was low bidder and it was a near miss for another on the two projects under consideration by Edenton-Chowan Board of Education. The low bids on the project totaled $336,967. Milon L. Stilley submitted the low bid on the electrical contract at $34,800. The bids ranged as high as $43,480. Fred C. Gardner Co., Inc., of Eliza beth City, was low bidder on the general contract at $209,684. The bid of Eden ton Construction Co., Inc., was $210,345, cr $661 above Gardner. However, the local firm gave a completion date 40 days earlier than the low bidder. Other low bidders were: Casework: X. C. Seating Company of Liberty, $15,386.41. Kitchen Equipment: Fadel's, Inc., of Charlotte, $6,933. Plumbing: Lenoir Plumbing & Heat ing Co., Inc., of Kinston. $18,523. Mechanical: Henry Baker Heating Company of Wilson, $50,839. general manager of Spedic, said the vend ing service serves seven Northeastern North Carolina counties from the Eden ton facility. A branch is maintained in Murfreesboro, serving three additional counties. Edenton Construction Company was general contractor for the 5,000 square foot building. It includes storage, main tenance and office space for Spedic. Mrs. Wilma Hare is bookkeeper, Carl Keeter is warehouse manager, Knapp Brabble is ope itions supervisor, and Joe Forehand, mechanic. Routemen working out of Edenton are: Clifton Beaman, Larry Layden, Joe Arndt, Jerry Wilson and Ray Evans. These routemen serve Chowan, Per quimans, Pasquotank, Tyrrell, Washing ton, Martin and Bertie counties. Marshall Mansfield is resident mana ger in Murfreesboro. That branch serves Hertford, Northampton and Halifax counties. Spedic is a division of Automatic Ser vice Company with headquarters in Jack sonville. S. V. Bowen, Jr., is president and board chairman of Automatic Ser vice, a firm operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Texas. Conti mi *d on Pag* 4