North Carolina Newspapers

f / "Tabor City — The Town With A City Future'* J —— fmWT \j y —— c. a fOPY* $2:00 A YEAR \ il. NUMBER 10 , TABOR CITY, N. C., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1952 —■ Hamilton Implies J.K. Powell Represented Both Sides In Columbus County Ku Klux Night - Riding Trials Town May Increase Street Lighting Soon 7 ox: meeting of the town Ta : City Board of Commis < will hear street lighting juo'asse. with Carolina Power T::. : c'-.: Company offering the r>j!·:·■· the lowest rate in History. Λ row days ago, CP&L put a η.νΛ iighting rate into effect ;.u ..rea formerly serviced by 7· ie .V.itor Power Company and rate makes it possible for towns to double their can ilopower at no extra cost. Ir. Tabor City. Carolina Power ar.a Luhr will install free of chaise ouibs in existing lights will increase the overall hirrt.n; effect by 78 percent and rate would cost the town ...: : only 86 cents per month. This - not So cents per light but _ · : the overall light bill of ·_>: cr cents. The same proposition is being ottered small towns throughout Eastern North Carolina and, of c;ars;. is being accepted by all to'.vTuv Λ representative of power cor.vo. was here last week and «a:.-. mat towns who want the in creased lighting power will be ac o.ured in the order in which they apply. Many towns are taking even farther advantage of the new rate :y instailing additional lights and -ore man tripling th^ir existing h,..ts' power it a nominal increase in cost. Amateur Contest Vinners Will Get .Many Free Prizes Ar. amateur contest for those , :> who can play a banjo, iance cr anything else in :r.v rr.:e::air.ment line will ce held ü T-e Nov.· Farmers Warehouse jr. ·::: ..y afternoon, October 10. C ::*e-tants may enter the event contacting Cash Garrell, Jim r.y 3:;· i or Royce Harrelson. or:zes will be presented to win ders in the show. Sunday School Rally Planned At Old Zion ' - Zion Methodist church will :i Sunday school rally Sunday r.jrr.ing October δ at 9:45. y- :r.e zollowing Weednesday, Λ" ocr 3. the revival meeting ■y-.l oegin with Rev. Carl V. conducting services. Rev. ■; from Lynchburg, Va. v.as the evangelist who con ;he revival at Old Zion V;o years ago. es during the revival will !e nightly at 7:30. HOMECOMING services Homecoming services will be :e·- tne Old Zion Methodist vh t Guideway on October - rt· Lester Parkes, pastor, an .our. ··*■<·. todsy. Dinner will be ""■· - η the grounds and every - ·- invited. jreen Sea -Τ.A. Meets Gri-en Sea school Parent Association will hold a at the school house Mon October 6. All parents :'i, ri attend. i;,t ;>:o^ram will be on fire ' ;' ·η and a movie will be ree Chicken Bog V frc-e chicken supper will be erv*"d at the Lesion hut to every n* who attends a community lld* meeting for the purpose of strutting the city park Thurs night at 7:30. ttfmhers of all local civic clubs ** tsPn i«Hy urged to attend the J^tins und help lay plans for ls project which will complete "f inner Carolina" program in labor city. The park must be **rt(i mid equipment for the ' > ground secured by October 31 ^ximum contest credit is to be eturetf. *Iiss Virginia Gregory, a mem . of the North Carolina Recrea J* t»mmission, of Raleigh, will here Thursday afternoon to J>-Plan and layout the park area £•*>11 make the principal ad p Thursday Night tveryoii© is urged to attend. GRID TEAM PUTS HEBE FRIDAY NIGHT Tabor City's high school football team will oppose Wadesboro here at Civitan field Friday night at 8:00 in what the locals hope will be the second win against as many losses this season. Tabor defeated Lumberton by a 18-13 count at Lumberton last week. Coach S. W. Caruso said this week that his team was hit hard by injuries and that he was un certain as to the strength of his team for this week's event. How ever. if the team has all the play [ ers back in uniform by game time, ; they are expected to make a close , contest out of it. j Practice sessions have been spirited this week and has im proved a great deal since the open I ing game. : Kills Rattler Ben Hinson killed a large rat tle snake last Saturday that had ten rattlers and a button, accord ing to Oscar Soles, correspondent I in the Emerson section. Sandy Plain Club j Plans Participation In Yam Festival The Sandy Plains Home Dem onstration club met Friday after noon with Miss Irene Wright and Mrs. L. Harrelson at the home of the former. During the business session the membership discussed the club's participation in the Carolinas Yam Festival in laoor city on wtiuuei 9, 10 and 11. Mrs. Fred Wright, Mrs. Leon Wright and Mrs. Homer Adams gave project reports. A report on Farm and Home week was made by Mrs. Charlie Williams. An exhibit of canned food was on display for the meeting. Mrs. Otis Norris was received as a new member and Mrs. Trenton Hinson, Mrs. Mattie Fowler, Mrs. Lamar Hinson and Mrs. Joe Blunt were recognized as visitors. Green Sea School To Have Festival The Green Sea grammar school will hold a Harvest Festival on Friday night October 10 under the auspices of the Parent Teach ers Association. The event wil! feature the egr lar side show attractions includ ing fishing, hobbing for appler, fortnuirg telling, cake walks, etc. No admission will be charged. Another Worm Grover Duncan, of route 3, Loris, brought in another worm to the office recently exactly like the one which the newspaper pic- J tared three weeks ago that was caught by Β. H. Porter. The huge worms are green with two black spots on the face with prickly spines all over them. Mr. Duncan caught his on a pecan tree al though it is different from the usual "pecan borer" found in this section. Pioneer Club The Poineer Study club will meet with Mrs. Earle Floyd at her home Friday at 8:00 p. m. officials announced today. Mrs. R. B. Mal lard will give the program on Paul Green. The club will study North Caro lina authors, native and adopted, Uuo BABN DANCE AND CAKE WALK SLATED FOB TAN FESTIVAL One of the featured entertain-; ment events at the Fifth Annual! Carolinas Yam Festival next week J will be an old fashioned Barn Dance and Cake Walk at Garrell's Warehouse on Saturday night, October 11 from 8 'til 12 o'clock. The shindig is being sponsored by the Tabor City Civitan Club, and they have lined up Clarehce Jackson and his band to provide adequate music for the affair. The big wareshouse will be ap propriately decorated and a large crowd is expected to turn out for what promises to be one of the most enjoyable events during the three days festival. All children under 12 years of age will beadmitted free. Yam Booths Are Listed The State College exhibit booths at the Firfth Annual Carolinas Yam Festival which opens here next week, October 9, 10 and 11, will occupy 2660 square feet with 19 different themes, each teaching a lesson about yams. The titles of the various booths along with the names of the per sons in charge of each are as fol lows: 1. Breeding New Varieties: — Dr. D. T. Pope, State College, Bob White, Tabor City, Ralph Spivey, Η. E. Soles, Darwood Strickland. 2. Seed Selection—Dr. Fred D. Cockran, State College, Phil Hughes, W. C. Cox Jr, June White, Rt. 4, Whiteville; C. W. Todd, Rt. 1, Clarendon, A. G. Long, Doris, S. C. 3. Seed Treatment—S. L. Jack I son, Ben Nesmith III, Brice Mills, Newman Strickland, Lynwood Wright. 4 .Diseases—Charles D. Raper, Lewis Gore, Thelbert Gore, Car?on McPherson, Wilbur Smith, Ernest Long. 5. Insects—Dr. Glenn E. Moore Claude Boyd, Ossie Norris, H. J. Watt, Dow Hinson, Marvin Lewis. 6. Plant Beds & Bedding— H. M. Covington, State College, H. G. Dameron, Grover Hinson, Dock Ray, Philip McPherson, J. A. Rankin. 7. Soil Selection—W. D. Lee, State College, Ruey Hewitt, Jack Godwin, Shannon Gore, Dupree Cox. 8. Fertilization — Moyle E. Har ward, State College,Horace Rob erts, Edwin Wright, Frank Ward, Bruce Gore, Β. H. Hinson. 9. Planting& Cultivation — Η. M. Covington—Pope, State College, Shsy.*Srr.it>»?3a « 7ordv\ xIar vey Coleman, Clyde Stanley. 10. Harvesting — Η. M. Ellis, State College, John Dorman, Fred Tnman EVI flpmmons. Ralüh Jollv. I A. L. Wright. 12. Curing — R. M. Richie, State College, R. R. Rogers, Buren Wright, Eston Wright, Lascoe Strickland, Albert Todd. 12. Shippers Exhibit — Fred Lay, Jr., E. W. Fonviell, B. A. Garrel!, L. P. Ward. 13. Grades of Sweet Potatoes— Joe Gourley, State Dept. Agri., ι Leon Fonviell, C. A. Lupo, Fred | Long, Grover Faulk. 14. Sweet Potatoes Receipts — Mrs. Elaine N. Blake, Mrs. Robert Soles, Mrs. Cecil Wright, Mrs. Lilly Stanley, Mrs. Roy Buffkin. 15. Consumer Preference—Geo rge Abshier, State College, Jack McGougan, E. Lee McGougan, Ferney Willoughby, Rex Lovette. 16. Youth & Adult Exhibit -r Archie F. Martin, Albert Gold finch, G. T. Johnson, W. O. Jack son. 17. Sweet Potato Products—Joe Gourley, State Dept. Agric. Troy Bennett, Watson Shelby, Jack Bul lock, Joe Blunt. ; 18. Farm Bulletins — Norman Youngsteadt, State College, Rob ert Soles, Ted Soles, James Long, Herman Thompson. 19. This Business of Farming— Charles W. Williams, State Col lege, W. W. Woody, W. B. Buffkin, Tom Lupo, Everette Miller. David Pugh Will Play For Negro Dance The David (Pugh orchestra of Darlington will furnish the music for the Negro Dance at the Caro linas Yam Festival to be held in Planter's Warehouse on Friday evening, October 10, officials of the Tabor City Negro school, spon sors of the dance announced. The 'highlight of the evening will be the selection of a "Popul arity Queen" by the high schcool. The contest is now underway by a penny vote process. The admission of the dance will be $1.00 for spectators and $1.00 for dancers. An all-out tax program leaves j the taxpayer all-in. MERCHANTS OPPOSE PHONE COMPANY'S NEW RATE HIKE The Tabor City Merchants As sociation this week wrote Stanley Winbourne, Chairman of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, asking that the request for a rate increase by Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company be re fused. J. Oliver Prince, president oi the local association, asked Win bourne for the date of the hearing on this proposed boost in rate and for other information that phone subscribers could use to voice their disapproval of the increase. Carolina Telephone and Tele giaph Company applied for and was given a substantial rate in crease about three months ago, but they are making another re quest. When the last rate hike went into effect, several local bus iness firms, at least four, had their phones removed because of the exceptionally high cost. Still others are expected to make th"· same move if this second price increase is approved by the Utili ties commission. Τ. WAN) GUT TO CBOWN 1952 TAN FESTIVAL QUEEN Τ. Ward Guy, County Superin tendent of Education, will crown the 1952 Carolines Yam Queen at the Queen's Ball to be held in Garrell's Warf he use on Friday at 9:00 p. m. festival officials an nounced today. About 20 girls lrom the Caro linas will vie for the honor. The selection and coronation program is planned to offer entertaiament both to spectators and dancers officials said. The queen will receive a basket of quality yams ^nd a dinner ring. The yams will be given by the Tabor City Marketing company and the ring by Dorman's Jewel ers. The runner up will be award ed a handsome wrist watch court esy of Davis Jewelers, and all candidates will receive a gift cer tificate for silver in their chosen pattern by the Davis Jewelers also. Miss Jean Yandle of Elizatbeh town, 1951 Carolinas Yam Queen, will reign at the ball until the coronation ceremonies. The popular Coy Tucker Orch ester of Tennessee will furnish the music. INQUEST HELD IN DEATH OF GI9VER L WILSON At an inquest on the death of Grover L. Wilson, 24-year old farmer of the Mollie section o. Columbus County, held last Thurs day evening at the Loris Town Hall the jury reached the verdict that death was caused by gun shot by Bertie Fowler who is to be held for grand jury investiga tion. Witnesses appearing before Cor oner Dix and questioned by Soli citor Rheuben Long and, for^ the defense, by Attorney Frank A. Thompson were Hubert Gerald, the victim's brother-in-law, Rose Watts, Wilson's father-in-law; Tony Vasquez, a recent resident of this section who came here from Texas it; June, 1952; Weldon Johnson, a resident of the area; and Donnie Williams, Jr., another local citizen·. Gerald, Watts, and Vasquez, all present at the time of the shoot ing in front of Bertie Fowler's store, Saturday night, September 20th gave similar testimony. Wilson, Gerald, and Watts had stopped at Bertie Fowler's store to get a can of beer, it was alleged. While Wilson was inside, his wife drove up. Tony Vasquez, arriving about that time, told Wilson his wife was outside. Wilson went out and sat in the car with his wife. Whether his brother-in-law and father-in-law were in the store with him or were outside was not made clear at the inquest, but ap parently they were, near the car in which Wilson was sitting. Vas quez, also, was near tne car at xnis point. Gerald, Watts, and Vasquez all concurred in stating that some Negroes in a nearby car were en gaged in "scandalous talk." Wil son, they said, told the Negroes to watch their language for his wife and children were present. One of the Negroes replied that he woulo make a football out of Wilson, whereupon Wilson started toward them. Vasquez then grabbed Wilson to stop him in order to keep him from getting into a fight with the Negroes whom Vasquuz said v.eie criming toward Wilson with knives. In the process of stopping Wilson, Vasquez and he sliur.blrd over each other and fell to the ground. They began wrestling in a friendly manner, the witnesses stated. Bertie Fowler came out of his store and pointed his pistol at Wilson and, according to Gerald, Watts, and Vasquez, said only that he was going to shoot wilson. Donnie Williams, Jr., however, testified that Bertie, after telling him and the other Negro with him to go into the store, firsc told Wilson and those with him to cut out the noise and break it up. Firing his pjstol only once, Fowler then shot Wilson, accord ing to Gerald, Watts, and Vasquez. Gerald's wife then said, "You've shot my brother." Fowler reputed ly, said "Shut up, or I'll shoot you." Then he is reported to have turned to Watts and said that he would shoot him if he didn't have a baby on his arm. Wi?so:i, hit in his leit ches*, was rushed to Loris Community Hospital where he shortly died. Weldon Johnson, the fourth witness at the inquest, revealed very little about the actual shoot ing, but admitted that he had gone into the store and told Fowler that he thought there would be trouble at the store that night. Pressed at the inquest for his reasons for thinking there might be trouble, he explained that he had thought so because there had been few times when he was there that there was not some trouble. Upon further questioning he stated that he had warned Fowler of impend ing trouble about an hour before the shooting. Donnie Williams, Jr., one of the Negroes accused of the "scanda lous" talk, claimed that he and another Negro were sitting* in a car talking about football when someone told them to watch their language because of the presence of his wife and children. LEAF SALES NOW TOP 7 MILLION Tobacco sales on the Tabor Cit.v market topped 7 million pounds this week and averages have been among the best of the season. Sales have been light with only some 60,000 pounds on the floors each day this week, however, a general price increase throughout the belt has kept most farmers happy with prices. Sales on the local market are due *o close Friday, October 3, and Sales Supervisor Don Hughes said today that he expected prices and volume to remain about the sam<* for the balance of the week. Tuesday's sale showed 66,456 pounds sold for an average price of $53.48. Total sales through Tuesday were listed at 7,012,115 pounds. First Yams The first yams of the season came in this morning as the mark eting company began the auction ing of the most famous product of Tabor City. The first few truck loads of yams so If for $3.10 and $3.20 per bushel and gave every indication of continued high prices through the season. The market held its highest average in history last season and most potato auth orities expect anbther year of the same high prices. Thomas L. Hamilton, grand d tion of Carolinas Klans who begir released a statement to the press State Senator J. K. Powell represi in the recent klan trials. Powell assisted Solicitor Clifto of the night flogging band and was paid a fee of $5000 from the State of North Carolina for his part in the prosecution. This week The Tribune receiv ed an envelope bearing a Lees ville, S. C. post mark and con taining a carbon copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Junius K. Powell, Attorney, Whiteville, N. C. and signed by Hamilton which infers that all is not serene in Columbus county. Hamilton says that he has in formation that Columbus county people have received "Statements" from Powell for "services rend ered" and asks Powell how he could prosecute and render serv I ices at the same time. Hamilton also says that "we (supposedly the Ku Klux Klan) are running a complete investiga tion in Columbus County and one of these days we will have data I and material as well as evidence 1 that I feel will cause some people in the county to fear and tremble." Hamilton also says that his sur vey of the Columbus county peo ple shows "without fear of con tradiction" that they are on his side. It has been reported that South Carolina neighbors of the Grand Dragon have appealed to North Carolina authorities for reconsid eration of the Hamilton case. How ever, to date, there is no indica tion that any leniency will be shown. At anv rate. Hamilton is sehe duled to report to the sheriff's office in Whiteville today (Wed nesday) to begin his sentence. He was granted 60 days freedom after sentencing to allow -his wife to undergo a major operation. He is on a $30,000 appearance bond sup plied "by Mrs. Roger Bullock of Fair Bluff. The Letter follows: Leesvllle, S. C. Sept, 27, 1952 Mr. Junius K. Powell, Attorney Whiteville, N. C. Dear Sir: It has come to my attention, through a clipping from the Chai lotte Observer, with certain slate merits that were released through you or the Honorable Clifton L. Moore, Solicitor of the District, j This news dispatch was Captioned "Whiteville North Carolina." I cannot gather who is responsible for the false and falacious state ments made in the Press regard ing me, namely, that I had ap proached you or tried to get you to represent me there in North Carolina. Now, Mr. Powell, I nev er approached you or tried in any way to get you to represent me; in fact I had never laid eyes on you until I met you in the Court House at Whiteville on July 21, 1952. I feel that any Attorney who is secured by the State to represent the State should be paid by the State. But, it is a little puzzling to me a man who is employed by the State to act as States Attorney can represent certain people that he is trying to convict. Informa tion has come to me from certain people in Columbus County have received STATEMENTS from you for "Services · Rendered." How Could You Prosecute and "Render Services" at the Same Time???? One of these days, in the not too -Τι,*« 4-U ~ V,, Klux Klans trials in Columbus County North Carolina will be revealed so that the·people of the great State of North Carolina will have a TRUE conception of what really happened. Since I was convicted I have had the opportunity to walk with some of the most influential and highly respected citizens of Co lumbus County, and, from my talks with these people, I have been led to believe and to KNOW certain things with regards to my case there in Columbus County. I have had the opportunity to go into Columbus County in the past sixty (60) days to talk with vari ous people and I find that in talk ing with the people the picture portrayed by the Press in White ville, N. C. was certainly false. At no time have'I had any diffi culty in getting WHITE or BLACK to the door at any hour of the night. It so happens that most of the residents in the rural areas that I talked with were Negroes and without an exception they would come out to the car and direct me to the place I was ask ing about. I made this survey for my records. We are running a complete investigation in Colum ragon of the now defunct Associa te his four year prison term today, ;his week in which he implies that ;nted both defense and prosecution η Moore in the trial of 46 members bus. County and one of these days we will have data and material as well as evidence that I feel will cause some people in that County to fear and tremble. My survey of the people who are the back bone of Columbus County, I find without fear of contradiction, are on MY SIDE. TRUTH BEARETH AWAY THE VICTORY AND TRUTH WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH. Before reading this statement, released to the Press, I was led to have the utmost confidence in you for your position and stand ing, representing the people there in Columbus County and I feel you should, through the Press straighten this falsehood out so that you will continue to have the respect of your people. At no time, when I spoke in Columbus County on two occas sions, did I quote a mis-statement or tell the people of North Caro lina a falsehood. Every Speech that I made in that State I could back to the hilt. I do not know and personally do not care about the opinions of some people in Hamilton Implies .. . galley 2.. North Carolina. In your State as uroll oc nfhnr hIqaac Τ VioirA ο fight of TRUTH AM)"RIGHT and - when the time comes for me to "give up the ghost," Sir, that will still be my fight. I know that there were disgruntled people in North Carolira who wanted things to go their way and would not stop under any condition until they had carried their point. I am reminded, of Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the Whole armour of God, that ye may bp able tg stand against the wiles' of the devil" I realize the truth con tained in that verse and am led very forcibly to fight harder for the CAUSE OF CHRISTIANITY. Under the guidance of the Su preme Architect of the Universe and under the Banner of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may Peace and Prosperity be yours. Sincerely, Thos. L. Hamilton P.T.A. MEETS THURSDAY The Tabor City Parent Teachers Association will show a film en titled "The Sixth Chair" at its Thursday night meeting at the school house, Mrs. R. P. Counts, president, said today. Ward T. Guy, county superintendent of education, will summarize the pic ture and give its high lights. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30. The budget and finance com mittee will make their reports ird suggestions for this year's projects will be heard. "There are nearly 900 families represented it the local schools and we would like to see those parents take an interest in the PTA and attend its meetings," Mrs. Counts said. VFW Sponsors Carnival Here rpu« -β Π · Α UV V UiM VTA. Χ VI ^Igll Uflli will sponsor a carnival in Tabor City next week, October 6 through 11, it was announced today. The Carnii'al is operated by Keystone Shows and will be set up in the vacant lot behind the city hall in the center of town. Wanted Everywhere The Negro nabbed here two weeks η go after striking and rob bing Mrs. Alice Fowler at the Courtney Groceiy has a long po lice record according to a tele gram received here by Chief of Police L. R. Watson this week. Watson had requested informa tion on the Negro who gave his name he.e as Jimmie Lee Hay wood from J. Edgar Hoover, chief of the FBI. The telegram said that Hay wood also used the names of Jim Goodwin, James Goodman and James Goodson. He is wanted by the State Convict Department Montgomery, Ala., for second de gree burglary committed in May 1936 when he was sentenced to three to four years. He was again caught for robbery in July 1940 and sentenced to ten years. Also arrested by Police in Florence, S. C. in April 1942. In July he was sentenced to five years for Larceny and receiving stolen goods.