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The FraPMin Times
Published Every Tuesday & Thursday ^
Serving All Of Franklin County
Phone GY6-3283
Ten Cents
Louisburg. JSI. C.. Thursday. February 20,' 1-969
(Twelve Pages Today)
100th Year-Nimber 2
20 y
Bunn's Phil Hagwood Saves An Out-of-Bounder
(See Story Pafie 8)
Judge Orders Two Youths
?
To Attend Church
District Judge Claude W. Allen, Jr.
handed down an unusual condition in
sentencing two county youths on con
viction of larceny this week. In sen
tencing William Dwight Denton w/m,'
and Larry Robbins w/m/20 .to eight
months in jail. Judge Allen suspended
the sentences upon the condition that
both youths attend Sunday School
and Church every Sunday for three
years.
Both were also required to pay
costs and $17.43 for use of prosecut
ing witness.
The men are to turn in a written
report of the theme of the sermon
following each Sunday. The report is
to be made to the probation officer.
The sentence is to be invoked if either
miss attending church unless so on a
doctor's order, according to reports.
The two youths were charged with
larceny of automobile parts allegedly
taken off parked cars on the Rowe
Chevrolet-Buick lot on NC-561.
The following cases were also dis
posed of in District Court Monday.
February 17th:
William Perry, Jr.. assault. Nol pros
with leave.
Sam Gay, n/m, assault with a dead
ly weapon. 4 months in jail, suspended *
for 1 year on payment of costs,
$20.00 fine.
Johnnie Edward Fowler, n/m/46,
public drunkeness; carrying concealed
weapon. 2 months in jail, suspended
for 12 months on payment of costs,
$20.Ck) fine.
Cleotha Wood, w/m/37, exceeding
safe speed. Nol pros with leave.
Harold Kearney, disorderly con
duct. Nol pros with leave.
Bryant G rover Parrish, escort viola
tion for trailer. Nol proa with leave. .
Ervin Thomas Manaon, n/m/47, at
tempted aaaault with deadly weapon.
To pay costs of court.
James Guest, aaaault. Not guilty.
Roaa Guest, aaaault. Not guilty.
Bobby Driver, w/m/34, assault Not
guilty.
Hollace Bunn, w/m. aaaault with
deadly weapon. 20 days in jail, sus
pended on payment of $15.00 fine
and costs.
Danny Lee Pearce. w/m, assault.
$15.00 fin* and costs.
Douglas Nicholson, c/m/19, non
support. Not guilty.
Wilbert Otis Epps, c/m/30, non
support. 18 months in jail, suspended
and placed on probation for 5 years
and to pay costs and $15.00 per week
for support.
Earlie Sutton, n/m/27, exceeding
safe speed. To pay costs.
Gene Henderson, worthless check
(2 cases). Nol pros with leave.
Willie Yarbrough. inadequate sup
port of wife and child. 12 months in
jail, suspended on payment of costs
and $7.00 per week for support.
Robert Doyle, w/m/35, nol pros.
Bunt (NMN) Arnold, w/m/64.
See COURT Page 5
Autopsy Shows
Merritt Suffered
Heart Attack
Sheriff William T. Dement revealed
today that results of an autopsy per
formed on the body of Brooks Merritt,
62-year-old Moulton man found dead
near a wooded area two weeks ago,
showed the man died of natural
causes.
Dement said the report indicated
that Merritt suffered some type of
heart attack.
Mr. Mertitt had been the object of
entensive searches by Sheriffs officers,
friends and neighbors and the National
Guard before his body was diacovered
by two hunters on February 8. He had
been missing from his home since
January 10.
Dement had said from the begin
ning that he did not believe any foul
play was involved in the death, but
ordered an authopsy performed to be
sure.
Grand Jury
Says County
Underpays
The County Grand Jury, reporting
to Superior Court Judge James H. Pou
Bailey last week, said it had found,
"upon investigation", that "our coun
ty employees are underpaid and addi
tional help is needed in some depart
ments." The reference was made "in
comparison with surrounding coun
ties." No further explanation was
noted.
The report, signed by Ralph E.
Beasley as Grand Jury foreman, alio
thanked the Judge. Solicitor, County
Officials and W. L. Faulkner for help
in their work.
The Grand Jury found certain need- *~
ed improvements at Youngsville High
School, and at Bunn Elementary
school. Most complaints dealt with
bathroom facilities and floor condi
tions. Mention was made of some poor
lighting in certain areas of both
schools.
The jail was described as "clean"
but in "very poor condition". "Coun
ty is in need of a new jail building",
the report states.
The driveway to the Welfare depart
ment also came under some criticism.
Deicribing it as being in "poor condi
tion", the Grand Jury recommended
the road be "repaired or paved."
It was also stated that "complaints
have been hear that some school bus
drivers are following too closely and
turning around in spaces not suitable
or large enough for buses."
Egg Throwing Reaches Disturbing
Proportions At Franklinton
Franklinton Police Chief Leo Ed
wards announced Wednesday that his
department is offering a $25 reward
for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of anyone guilty of
throwing eggs at vehicles and homes in
the Franklinton area. Edwards said he
has received 17 reports of egg throw
ing during the past weekend. He added
that he suspects there were a number
more incidents not reported.
'The biggest problem is eggs being
thrown at automobiles", the Chief
said. In the past, he explained, that
those caught throwing eggs at' cars
were taken to their parents for punish
ment. He says from now on out they
will be indicted.
Edwards told of one instance where
a storm door was shattered by thrown
eggs at a home in Franklinton. He said
this type of vandalism has become a
major problem in the area.
He commented on another problem
which is giving his department and
Frankllnton merchants headaches.
"Shoplifting. We're getting burned up
by minors shoplifting", he said.
"In thf 1967-68 school year, we
caught 14 shoplifters. Already this
year, we've caught thirty. All are
minors with the majority of those
caught being under 16 years old",
Chief Edwards added.
He said that in the past such cases
were taken home and punishment was
left to the children's parents. "From
now on", he stated, "they will be
turned over to the Juvenile Judge. He
said his department and Frankllnton
merchants are going to get tough on
shoplifting.
Franklin's Gross Farm
Income Down $4 Million
Franklin County's gross farm in
come was down approximately four
million dollars in 1968 when com
pared to the all-time high of
$22,897,496 reached in 1967, accord
ing to C. T. Dean. Jr.. County Exten
sion Chairman. The 1968 income
amounted to $18,819,993.
_ ? . , ?- ' -
Dean stated the drop in income was
not from the lack of interest or effort
by Franklin County farmers but was
caused by the long drought and ex
treme heat experienced last summer.
Commodities suffering the most
from the adverse weather were tobac
co, soybeans and corn. In fact, income
Courthouse Gets New Plaque
Franklin Clerk of Court Ralph S. Knott shows the new bron/.e plaque mounted
on the frpnt o.' the courthouse. The plaque denotes the $200,000 renovations
completed late last year. True to custom, the plaque bears only the names of those
directly connected with luch construction. It lists the Board of County
Commissioners, attorneys to the Board, the architect and the contractor. Knott,
along with others, was a prime mover in getting the bond issue passed which will
finance the. construction. An open house is being planned, according to reports, so
that the public can visit and see the greatly improved facility in the near future
from all crops in 1968 was
$ 1 2,2 32,476 compared to
$16,751,477 in 1967.
"The heat , did almost as much
damage as the lack of moisture." Dean
said in explaining the low income for
the year. "We've had dry years, but I
don't recall when it has hit quite this
hard. The drought cut crop yields on
everything harvested after mid-sum
mer. The dry weather was so severe on
pasture and forage crops that some
cattlemen were forced to sell on a low
market."
The figures for 1967 and 1968
represent two extremes, since the
-> 1967 income was the highesFin several
. years. County agricultural income has
been increasing gradually for a number
of years.
On the bright side of the picture
income from livestock is increasing
each year Cash receipts from livestock
and livestock products was $4,082,160
in 1968.
Dean said that even though farm
income was down in 1968, he feels the
future for Franklin County is good.
Franklin County farmers are rooking
forward to a better year in 1969.
Tobacco, which accounts for about
two out of every three farm dollars,
should be able to maintain its relative
position ? at the top. One of the
features of the acreage- poundage pro
gram is that you can carry under
marketed tobacco over to the follow
ing year. Franklin County farmers
have a carry-over of 1,200,945 pounds
from the 1968 crop.
The Franklin County Extension
staff is already at work laying plans for
reaching the $25,000,000 gross farm
income goal by 1971. That goal was
set forth in the 'Target Two" program
begun two years ago. Winter meetings
have already been held on tobacco,
swine and beef cattle. Other meetings
are planned on soybeans, grain crops
and cucumbers.
Efficient spending of the farm in
come is the goal of Extension Home
Economists. They have classes planned
in clothing, foods and management.
With the homemakers and farmers
working together to improve family
living, the future looks bright indeed.
Dean: "Two Of Every $3 Comes Ffom Jftbacco"
Speed, Church Oppose Tax On Tobacco
Both members of the Sixteenth
District House delegation hive gone on
record as being opposed to a tax on
tobacco as proposed by Governor Bob
Scott last week. Rep. James 0. Speed
of Franklin County, in a statement
released today, said, "It has been and
remains my conviction that tbe pro
posed tax on tobacco would hurt not
only the tobacco industry but alsbthe
economic well-being and livelihood of
many thousands of our citizens."
Rep. John T. Church of Vance
County, who with Speed represents
the Franklin-Vance-Warren District, is
also opposed to such a tax. In a
statement earlier tjlis week, Church
said, "We are still opposed to this
particular tax and will continue to
oppose it". He explained that he and
other legislators visited with the Gov
ernor to urge that he not ask for a tax
on tobacco. ,
It has also been learned that mem
bers of the Franklin County Scott
Committee wrote the Governor urging
that he not recommend such a tax.
The Farm Bureau has also gone on
record in opposition to a levy on
tobacco.
C. T. Dean. Jr., County Extension
Chairman, said this morning, "During
the past few years tobacco has ranged
from around $9,000,000 to more than
All Roads Lead To Louisburg At Tournament Time
By Clint Fuller ,
Managing Editor
t
Crowds of basketball fans arc con
verting on the Paul Elam gym this
week as the annual round-ball mara
thon known as the Franklin County
Basketball Tournament la being
played. Icy roads postponed a Monday
night start, but chilly air has not
damporpnpri the spirits of fans who
hare attended the first two nights thus
far.
Gold Sand fans wen disappointed
as both their teams were eliminated In
Tuesday's opening rounds. But the
elimination of Qold Sand brought joy
to Loulsburg ?nd Bunn fans ss their
teOfufdranced.
Wednesday night. Louisburg's joy,
came to an abrupt halt as their boy*
blew ? seven-point first half lead to fall
to Wakelon. But Wakelon fans were
deprived of total rapture as their (iris
fell to Bunn in overtime.
Tonight, Frsnklinton and Youngs
ville get their chances as the Rama
tackle Bunn In a semi-final game and
Youngsvllle gets a go at Louiaburg girls
in the opening game. By past ex
perience. Youngsvllle girls and Frank
linton boys are favored tonight.
The crowds have been orderly and
the Louiaburg police and Rescue Ser
vice are doing their usual fine job of
serving. Some new things have been
added. There la w organ played by
R 'chard Person, a Louiaburg student,
that la adding to the fans' enjoyment
of the event. A flashy acorer's table is
in place- borrowed from Bunn and
Coach Tommy TwHty of Louisburg.
acting the efficient boat, haa set up a
hospitality room for visiting coaches,
the preaf and school officials.
The climax to the five-nifht event
will take place for the (iris Friday
nlfht in their championahlp game and
for the boys Saturday night. Awards
for All Conference players. All Tour
nafnent players, Most Valuable Player
In he tournament and others will be
presented at the end of Saturday
night's championahlp contest.
The tempo Is expectad to be step
ped up aa the teamj enter the semi
finala and championship contests.
However, two very close games hive
already ueen played and all four garnet
have been thrillers. A basket with 14
seconds won Tuesday night's game for
Louiiburg and a basket with 16
Seconal*" gave Bunn a tie Wednes
day nisSt which they used Ln overtime
to take the win.
The most looked forward to game
it the dream contest between Yeungs
ville and Franklinton boys-if, that la,
they meet. The two squads tied for the
conference championship and both
have excellent material this year.
So, all roads lead to the Pqul Elam
gym this week and there is still some
roonl left for the late comers, in caae
anyone is interested.
i
$14,000,000 per yea r here in Frank
lin County. He said the golden leaf
"accounts for about two out of every
three farm dollars and anything that
affects this income will have a tremen
dous impact on our economy".
Dean said the proposed tobacco tax
brings up an "iffy" question. "If it
causes less tobacco to be used then, of
course, this may depress prices or
create a surplus which could call for an
acreage-poundage reduction," Dean
added.
" He also said the proposed tax could
have "a psychological effect" on other
states causing them to increase their
See TOBACCO Page 5
Bunn's Kathy Cheves (21) Scraps Wakelon's
? Gayle Pearce A* Suian Lite* Looks On
, r ffw Stnrr Ptiff H)
? r ' '? ? _