I ' " - i ? F "i"1 SI
j PUBLISHED EACH THURSDAY Vi * * /
/H THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
I ^2SSSS3^ "Building Chiiii?h iiHi n Bridges
in A Tri-Ractal Setting"
I " ' ' .1
I VOLUME 7 NUMBER 31 PEMBROKE, N.C. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1979 ROBESON COUNTY 20 CENTS PER COPY
I ' in II I ?
PEMBROKE OFFICIALS SUED
BY ALFRED COOK
COOK'S ATTORNEY 6 OSBORNE LEE, JR.
"On or about the 20th day of May,
? J1978" an incident allegedly occured
between a Pembroke property owner,
Alfred Cook, and certain town officials,
to wit. Police Chief Vernon Oxendine,
Policeman Harvey Bullard and Pem
broke Town Manager McDuffie Cum
mings.
Alfred Cook has filed a complaint in
the matter more than a year later, at
9:04 a.m.'on the 20th day of July, 1979.
The story of the complaint appeared in
The Robeaonlaa on the same day. The
story was written by Paul O'Connor, a
staff writer for The Robeaonlaa.
Alfred Cook's complaint was filed by
Osborne Lee, a Lumberton attorney who
was recently by passed in favor of Sam
Britt and others as a special Superior
Court judge by Governor Jim Hunt.
Cook's complaint noted that his
deceased wife owned two parcels of
land located behind Woodell's Park and
Shop Convenience Store in Pembroke,
among other properties at the time of
the alleged incident.
O'Connor's nory in the Robe son ian
stated the incident this way:
"Cook charges that he was plowing
land on his Pembroke farm on May 20,
1978 when town officials approached
him and told him to stop plowing.
"Cook says he refused to do so, and
that he ordered the town officials off of
his land. They refused to leave, Cook
contends, and then Oxendine and
Bullard proceeded unlawfully, willfully,
and maliciously to commit an assault
and battery upon Cook by yanking him
off his tractor, thereby seriously and
permanently injuring his back."
Cook also complains in his law suit that
he was unlawfully imprisoned causing
him great mental anguish and embar
rassment.
Cook is asking damages fn the amount
of half a million dollars.
Cook charges that McDuffie Cum
mings "desired to have a right of way
across the plaintiffs land." Cook claims
that he was coerced by Cummings,
acting as an agent for the town of
Pembroke.
According to records Cook was char
ged by Police Chief Vernon Oxendine
with injury to real and personal property
and resisting arrest.
According to witnesses, Cook was
offpncivp anH ahncivt* tn t h#? nolirp
officers when they approached him and
asked him to stop plowing the land in
question. The land in question is not
"his Pembroke farm" as O'Connor
noted in his story in the Robesonian but
a parcel of land in the heart of
.Pembroke directly behind Woodell's
Park & Shop Convenience Store and in
front of Cliff's Package Store that had,
until the day of the incident. been used
as a public alley way. The land had been
maintained by the town of Pembroke
"as long as I can remember" according
to one former town official.
Town officials later took out a
temporary restraining order against
Cook to force him to stop plowing and
barricading the land. When Cook's case
appeared before District Judge Craig
Ellis the charges were dismissed
because, according to a reconstruction
of the matter, town attorneys did not
show up at the hearing to prosecute
Cook. According to a reputable source
Ellis dismissed the charges and ruled in
Cook's favor because the attorneys did
not show up, not on the merits of the
towns case. Town attorneys are Dexter
Brooks, Arnold Locklear and Arlie
Jacobs (Locklear, Brooks and Jacobs).
Dexter Brooks, when queried, refused
to comment.
After the charges against Cook were
dismissed the town dropped its attempt
to obtain a permanent restraining order.
Cook, a white In hts 70s, reportedly, ran
into the police car with his road plow
. inflicting the injury to property, accord
ing to court records.
No date has been set for a hearing on
the matter.
Town attorneys are reportedly sug
gesting that Oxendine, Bullard and
Cummings retain private coun
sel in the matter citing, according to our
source, "conflict of interest," since
they represent the town proper and her
elected officials.
SOW* qtL"taTUh*ed ^
A number of questions have arisen
since the suit was filed.
Where were the town's attorneys in
the matter? Why did they not appear in
court to prosecute Cook?
Was the case decided in Cook's favor
on the merits of the case or simply
because the attorneys did not show up?
How was Cook able to erect fence
barriers shutting off a "as long as I can
remember" public thoroughfare?
Why was the case filed more than a
year after it happened?
Is the law suit political in nature? Some
think so, although no one believes that
anyone in his (or her) sound mind would
admit it if it were in fact political in
nature.
Why were the elected town officials
not sued in the matter, etc. etc. etc.
New PSU
Trustees
Governor Jin Hunt has named Junes
H. Hammonds of Lnmberton and Grady
G. Ozendine of Pembroke to the
Pembroke State University Board of
Trustees.
Hammonds is an assistant principal in
the Robeson County Schools System.
He received his B.S degree from
Pembroke State University.
Ozendine is principal of Union Elemen
tary School. He received his undergra
duate degree from Pembroke State
University.
The Board of Trustees is composed of
13 members, four appointed by the
Governor and eight elected by the UNC
Board of Governors, plus the^gresident
of the student government association
who serves as an ezofficio non-voting
member. Members serve for a term of
four years.
The Board serves as an advisor to the
UNC Board of Governors on matters
concerning the institution and also
serves as an advisor to the chancellor
concerning the management and deve
lopment of the institution.
Also named was Dr. Otis Tillman of
High Point. They replace Republican
Indians John Robert Jones of Pem
broke, Lonnie Revels Jr. OF Greensboro
and David Thompson, a Black Democrat
from Lumberton.
3rd Annual
Pow Wow
Planned
The Guilford Native American Associ
ation's Board of Directors, Staff and
Third Annual Pow-Wow/Community
Day Committee wish to extend to you,
your staff, your family, friends and all
interested people from your agency and
community a special invitation to join us
for this special occasion. The dates of
the Pow-Wow are FRIDAY September
14-Sunday, September 16. The location
is Lake Juno Park, Liberty, N.C. (This is
approximately 20 miles from downtown
Greensboro or from the GNAA Indian
Center).
There will be space for overnight
camping, plenty of food(traditional
Indian food and American food) for sale,
craftmen from across the state and
country. Indian social dancing, Indian
competition dancing, the crowning of a
Miss Guilford Native Princess and a
Pow-Wow Princess, gospel singing, a
variety of games and many other
activities to keep everyone busy and
entertained.
We encourage all of you to make plans
now to attend part or all of our
activities. We have not completed all
details as of this date. We will notify
you within the next few days of the
specific details concerning camping,
traders, prize money for dancing,
directions to the Pow-Wow site and
other details for your information. We
hope you will put these dates on your
calendar today.
t
Pembroke
Medical &
Oebtal
Clinic
Plans
Dedication
Dr. Sarah Morrow
PEMBROKE--Dr. Sarah Morrow, Secre
tary of the North Carolina Department
of Human Resources, will be the
dedicatory speaker tm August 1 when
the Pembroke Nioical and Dental
Clinic is dedicated and opened to the
inspection and use of the general
public.
Mrs. Morrow, who won accolades state
wide for her development of the
Guilford County Health Department
assumed the mantel of responsibility at
the North Carolina Department of
Human Resources in 1977.
?
She has won many honors, including
the North Carolina Public Health
Association Merit Award in 1963,
Mother of the Year, 1969, Woman of the
Year, 1970, and the Nathaniel Greene
Award presented by the chamber of
commerce in Greensboro in 1971. '
She will be introduced by Rep. Horace
Locklear.
Welcomes will be extended by Dr.
Bobby Bray boy, a native of Robeson
county, and associated with the U.S.
Public Health Service. He, along with
Hubert Brayboy locally is given the
Lion's share of credit for realizing the
dream of the Pembroke Medical and
Dental Clinic although, as Mr. Hubert
Oxendine put it "heroes are plentiful
in this endeavor."
The clinic will be staffed by Dr. Frank
Won ax, an Indian general practioner;
and Dr. Jeff Collins, an Indian dentist.
Both are natives of Robeson County.
Pembroke Little League Champs!
Here are the regular season and
tournament champs of the Pembroke
Little League. They are shown with
their coaches Lacy Jacobs (far left ? 2nd
row) and Alouxo Oxendine (far tight ?
2nd row).
The "Yankees" won all twelve of their
regular Mason games plus their tourna
ment games to remain undefeated.
The Pembroke Little League program
is for boys 9 to 12 years of age. and la
composed of 6 teams In the Pembroke
area.
Little League play is sponsored by the
Robeson County Parts and Recreation
Commission.
The "Yankees" began more tourn
ament action at the county and district
level of (day last night with a game
against Laurinburg. (ResuHa next
Church
To Honor
Mr. Claude
Sampson
Claude A. Sawpsnn
DEEP-BRANCH Deep Branch Baptist
Church will honor Mr. Claude A.
Sampson this coming Sunday (July 29)
with a special dedicatory service and a
program honoring him for his contribu
tions to his community and church, but
mostly for his fidelity as a Christian for
58 years.
Mr. Claude celebrates his 78th birth
day today, July 26. On July 29 Deep
Branch Baptist Church will note his
physical birthday with special services.
But his 58th year as a Christian will be
the focal point of services Sunday. Mr.
Claude accepted the Lord Jesus Christ
as his personal Savior on July 29, 1921.
A member of Deep Branch Baptist
Church "as long as 1 can remember"
Mr. Claude remembers many pastors
including the present pastor Rev.
Chesley McNeil, Rev. T.M. Swett, Rev.
Steve Hammonds, Rev. Ed Hunt, Rev.
W. Godwin Hunt, Rev. Silas Lowry,
Rev. Henry Coleman and others.
Mr. Claude and his lovely wife, Marv.
are enthusiastic members of the Deep
Branch community. He is presently
serving as president of the Deep Branch
Volunteer Fire Department. He has
served on the board of deacons of Deep
Branch Church and in just about every
capacity. Presently he teaches the
Senior Adult Men and is chairman of
the social committee.
He and his wife, Mary, are the proud
parents of 6 children, with one son,
Linwood. being deceased. Other child
ren are Mrs. LaKuth Mabe, Mrs. Linda
Dubois, Mrs. LeVonda Rowe, Lee
Edward Sampson and Claude A.
Sampson. Jr.
Mr. Claude Sampson is a retired
teacher. He enjoys working in his
garden, fishing and studying "the
Word of God."
Mr. Claude Sampson is a much loved
member of the Deep Branch Commu
nity.
Sunday will be a special day for him
and his community and his church. A
covered dish "dinner on the grounds"
will be held at the Deep Branch
Volunteer Fire Department following
church services
Jaycees
Plan Car
Wash
The Union Chapel Jaycees are plan
ning a Car Wash Saturday from 8 a.m.
until. No fee being set. Give what you
wish to.
Proceeds will go to the family of
Thomas Deese of the Red Banks
community who was burned out earlier
in the week by an unfortunate lire.
The family lost everything. Please
come out and support this worthy cause 'i
tw-ing sponsored bv the progrritivf
Union Chapel Jaycees.
President of the Union Chapel Jay
cees Ronald Oisadlee
f ? '4-V '
r
.
OXENOINE REPLACED AS ,
PRINCIPAL
RAEFORD--The Hoke County Board of
Education Friday selected Dr. Linwood
Simpson of Halifax County principal of
Hoke Senior High School.
t
Simpson, 43, is currently principal of I
Enfield High School in Halifax County, i
Hoke County Superintendent G. Rax
Autry announced Simpson's appoint- I
ment following a specail meeting of the
school board Friday. 1
!
Simpson replaces former Hoke High
principal Earl Oxendine, who was I
appointed earlier this month to a new i
position with the county's school 1
system. <
Oxendine was appointed director of
compensatroy education by the school
board July 9.
I
Simpson's selection meets the board's |
goal of filling the Hoke High principal's i
slot before the scheduled start of the I
school year next month. I
]
Four applications were considered by
the hoard at- Friday's meeting, inclu
ding those of John Ray. principal of Red ?
Springs Senior High, Paul Browning,
principal of Hoddton High School in I
Newton Grove and Lonnei Bledsoe, 1
principal of Mt. Airy Senior High I
School.
Bledsoe is a former principal of I
Upchurch Junior High in Hoke County. <
Simpson earned both bachelor of arts
and master's degrees from East Caro
lina University. j
I
ne earned a doctorate rrom uuae
University in Durham and also holds an
advanced administration degre from
that university.
Simpson's wife, Jo Anne, is also an
educator.
PSU'S COMMUNICATIVE
ARTS JJEPT.
PEMBROKE Dr. Thomas J. Leach
has been named chairman of the
Communicative Arts Department at
Pembroke State University, it has been
announced by Dr. William P. Turner,
vice chancellor for academic affairs at
PSU. The appointment is effective
immediately.
NAMED TO DEAN S LIST
Mr. Lavern S. Oxendine has made the
Dean's List for the spring semester of
1979 at W.C.U.. He is the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Larce Ozendine of Union
Chapel.
LRDA'S SUMMER YOUTH
RECREATION PROGRAM
I
Pembroke State University is the scene ]
of a two-week LRDA (Lumbee Regional i
Development Association) Summer Yo- <
uth Recreation Program Monday. July <
23. through August 6. |
I
Directed by Ed Chavis of LRDA (which
is based in Pembroke), the program is
expected to attract 250 Indian youth i
whose ages are 8-13 years old.
I
Using the excellent recreational faci- i
lities of Pembroke State University, the
students are taking part in arts and
crafts, swimming, tennis, archery. |
softball. basketball, singing and dance. |
I
On the final day of activities. August 6. |
they will participate in competitive field |
events and be presented awards. |
The youngsters are divided into five
groups in a round-robin schedule which
begins each day at 9:30 a.m. and
concludes at 4 p.m.
They are using such PSU facilities as
the Natatorium. the Jones Center
anailiary gym. new tennis courts,
archery range old gym (for dancing).
free time is held from 11:30 a.m. until I
p.m. euch day at Pembroke Junior High
School, adjutant to the PSU eaMpllM^H
i jj HJIJLJS ?W
The youth are transported to Kt by
bus from all areas of Robeson Canty.
They have breakfast at Pembroke
Elementary School before beginning
their day's activities.
"This program," says Chaivs, "en
ables these youth to take part in some of
the real enjoyable things of life that they
might otherwise not have access to."
Chavis is a 1974 graduate of Pembroke
State Unviersity with a degree in
Spanish. He has been employed by
LRDA for six years, working this
summer as coordinator of its Summer
Touth and Recreation Program. Prior to
this he taught Indian histroy and culture
in four different county schools: Pem
broke Elementary. Piney Grove, Oxen
line and Prospect.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
SCHEDULED
Robeson County Schools Superinten
dent Purnell Swett has announced
public hearings for the proposed West
Robeson High School that will involve
the consolidation of the present Pem
broke Senior High School. Prospect
High School, and Maxton High School.
Three public hearings wiR be Ml
each in the respective school effected.
The first public hearing will be held
Monday. July 30 at 8 p.m. at the
Pembroke Senior High School Cafe
teria.
The second hearing will be held at the
Prospect High School Cafeteria the next
night. July 31. at 8 p.m.
The third hearing will be held at the
Townsend Middle School at Maxton on
August 6,1979. Time will be 8 p.m. The
bearings are open to the public.
NAMED BANKING
OFFICER
Elmer R. PWrce
Elmer R. Pierce hat been elected
Ranking Officer by the Board of
Directors of Wachovia Bank and Trust
Zompany. N.A. in Laurinburg. North
Zarolina. Announcement of the action
vas made by Murray S. Porter. Vice
President and City Executive of the
Laurinburg Office of Wachovia.
Mr. Pierce joined Wachovia in Sep
ember. 1975. as a Field Representative
tales Finance Department, in Laurin
>urg. Currently, he is serving as.a
Iredit Manager in that department.
Mr. Pierce is a native of Greensboro.
9orth Carolina. and ta a grades It of
Pembroke State University. Pembroke.
Morth Carolina. He and Ma wife, the
brmer Marilyn Oxendine. reside in
riaxton. North Carolina, and attend the
Vest on Chapel Church.
YOUTH REVIVAL
Youth Revival is pisuwed dr|J|
green lioHuam Church in the IhM
aaem Its Bam Hew
MVmwV wW arm HEv. mnMJ wWH
Rev. Michael Cmamlep 'i . |
The time wiH he 7:* p.m. M g