VoL 43
SMITHFIELD, N. C„ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1924
NUMBER 10
I
THE CAROLINA
PLAYMAKERS HERE
Appear In This City
For First Time Feb.
14; Will Present 3
Plays Of N. C. Life.
ON SEVENTH STATE TOUR
As a part of the program under
taken by the Literary Department of
the Woman's Club, in its study of
North Carolina literature this win
ter- The Carolina Playmakers will
give in this city on Feb. 14 three
original Folk-Flays of North Caro
lina Life. This well known dramatic
organization of the University of
North Carolina is on its seventh
State tour, but this is the first time
these players have had a date in
Johnston County.
The plays selected for this tour
make a varied and most interesting
bill. “The Black Rooster,” a comedy
of tenant farm life, by Pearl Setzer,
was the most popular of the three
plays presented on the Sixth State
tour last fall.
“Fixen’s” the second play, is a
tragedy by Erma and Paul Green.
Paul Green is one of the most dis
tinguished playwrights the organiza
tion has yet developed, and his works
are now published by the Atlantic
Monthly and other leading periodi
cals. Miss Erma Green, his sister,
went to the University to study play
writing and production, and wrote
“Fixen’s” in collaboration with her
brother.
“Gains and Gains, Jr.,” a farce
comedy by Lucy M. Cobb, was a great
success when presented on the tour
last fall, which is the main reason
for its revival for this bill. A se
lected group of the best players
available have been chosen to pre
sent these plays. An unusual amount
of versatility is displayed by these
young actors in doubling in two or
three parts in the different plays on
the same program.
Those taking parts in these plays
include Prof. Frederick H. Koch,
Master Frederick Koch, Jr., George
Denny, and Miss Frances Gray of
Chapel Hill; Miss Margaret Jones of
Charlotte; Miss Pearl Setzer of Hick
ory; William Cox, of Rowland; Frank
Hursey, Lakeland, Fla.; E. M. Prich
ett, Asheville; G- G. Mattison, Green
wood, S. C.; H. C. Klingenschmitt,
Lockport; P. L. Elmore, Dover; A.
E. Shokell, Edenton.
The Carolina Playmakers will in
clude the following towns besides
Smithfield in their itinerary: Chapel
Hill, Feb. 8 and 9; Louisburg Feb
13; Kinston, Feb. 15; New Bern Feb.
16; Elizabeth City, Feb. 18; Eden
ton, Feb. 19; Scotland Neck, (pend
ing) Feb. 20; and Raleigh, (pend
ing) Feb. 21.
Methodist Church
There will be preaching, Sunday,
Feb. 3rd at 11 a. m- by the pastor,
who will administer the sacrament of
The Lord’s Supper at once after the
sermon.
At 3:30 Rev. M. Tuttle will preach
at Smith’s Chapel. A hearty welcome
to all.
Sunday evening at 7:30 o'clock.
Mr. Eddie C. Ruffin of Raleigh, will
speak in the interest of the Ham
Ramsey meeting to begin in Raleigh
at an early date. Rev. S. J. Betts
of Raleigh will take part in the ser
vice also.
Four Oaks Baptist Church
Preaching services at 11 o'clock a.
m. Subject: “The God-planned Life.”
Evening services at seven. Subject:
“Weighed in the Balances.”
Sunday school 9:50 a. m., J- H.
Strickland, Supt.
Junior B. Y. P. U. Tuesday even
ing at 6:30, Mrs. J. W. Sanders, lead
er.
Senior B. Y. P. U. Wednesday ev
ening at 6:30.
“Life is only a ferry ’twixt Moth
er’s arms and Heaven.”
High School To
Give Minstrel Tonight
Tonight a number of High School
boys will present a minstrel at the
High School auditorium, this being
the third annual affair of the kind to
be given here. About seventeen are
in the cast besides several choruses.
The minstrel is being given under
the direction of Mrs. A. R. Wilson,
the expression teacher. The program
begins at 8 o’clock.
Valuable Farm at Auction
The H. T. Gerrard farm will be
sold Saturday, February 9th, at 11
o’clock. Attend this sale and get a
home at your price. This land is lo
cated in good neighborhood.
REVIVAL BEGINS
AT FOUR OAKS
Baptist Preacher Will
Be Assisted By Rev.
Chas. H. Stephens, of
Cliffside.
BEGINS SUNDAY FEB. 3
Four Oaks, Jan. 29.—The first of
the semi-annual revivals of the Four
Oaks Baptist church for this year be
gins Sunday, Feb. 3 Rev. Chas. H.
Stephens will do the preaching. Mr.
Stephens is a native of this county,
a young preacher of marked ability.
He is now pastor of the progressive
First church of Cliffside, N. C. He
has college and seminary training
having- done both graduate and post
graduate work at the Southern Bap
tist Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He
is further equipped with several years
experience in the ministry. The peo
ple of Four Oaks are fortunate to
have secured him for this two weeks
series of meetings. The pastor and
people are doing all in their power
to make ready for a gracious revival.
The pastor is urging the members to
be faithful in attendance upon all the
services, and visitors and friends are
cordially invited to attend also.
SMITHFIELD WINS
FROM NEW BERN
Game Was One of the Most
Thrilling and Exciting Ev
er Seen on Local Court
In one of the most thrilling and
exciting games played on the local
court this year. Smithfield High
School defeated the strong New
Bern quint by a 24 to 8 score, six
of New Bern’s points being obtain
ed from the foul line. Stephenson,
R. and Hill, Smithfield, and Pugh
for New Bern, were removed from
the game on account of having the
alloted number of personal fouls
calked up against them.
James Hill proved to be the shin
ing light of the encounter, account
ing for eight field baskets, tossed
from any and all positions on the
court.
Tomorrow night the locals will
meet the strong Wilmington quint
here at the Banner warehouse court.
Come out and help the boys put it
“all over ’em.”
Geo. Grantham May
Run For Congress
.Friends of Geo. K. Grantham, popu
lar and well-known Dunn druggist,
are urging him to enter the race for
Congress from the “bloody sixth”
district against Homer L. Lyon, in
cumbent. While he has not yet decid
ed to make the race, he is giving the
matter serious consideration.
He was urged by many of his
friends throughout the district to
enter the race two years ago, but at
| that time he didn’t see his way clear
i to do so. The demand that he
(Continued on page six)
Warning! The Boll
Weevil Is Here
ARE YOU READY FOR HIM?
The weevil is here. He will claim the late cotton.
Are you ready to fight him? High price for cotton is
assured, but high prices will help only those who shall
have cotton to sell. And if you wish to have cotton next
fall, you must grow an EARLY CROP. The weevil will
claim the blossoms which come after mid-August. You
can produce a fair crop before August 15th, if you will
take advantage of every opportunity to push your crop
to maturity. How can this be done?
Here is the Schedule to Beat the Weevil
2 Do now all work which can be done in the winter.
Repair pasture fences. Build terraces. Clear hedgerows.
Take in rough land. Repair stables, etc. Do all this now. So
you will have all your time for your crop after February
15th.
2. Break all land deep and early, so the ground will
be warm and mellow when you plant. Open rows dur
ing March and be ready to put out fertilizer by April 1st.
3. Use fertilizer liberally; and select a brand hav
ing considerable nitrate of soda. Use 400 to 600 pounds
to each acre.
4. Be sure that the seed you intend to plant are
sound and have never gone through a heat. If you plant
bad seed, you need not expect a “stand” of cotton. PLANT
A BIG BOLL VARIETY.
5. Plant enough seed to get a stand without re
planting. Replanted cotton seldom any good. Even if
it should produce well, the weevil will get it.
6. Begin to plant early—about April 10th is the
time to begin on the warmest and dryest land. FINISH
PLANTING ENTIRE CROP BY 1st DAY OF MAY. Get
an early start. Be ahead of both GRASS and WEEVIL.
7. Begin Harrowing and Plowing soon as cotton
begins to break the ground. Don’t wait until it is all up.
The time to kill grass is when the cotton is just coming
through the ground. Chop out cotton soon as it is large
enough . But Harrow and Plow once or more before you
chop. Y'ou can Harrow across the rows if your land be
properly prepared.
7. When you chop out your cotton, leave it thick.
Two or three stalks to a hill, and just the width of a hoe
between hills. This is highly important. Soon as you
finish chopping, apply 10 pounds nitrate of soda per acre
by side of cotton.
9. Cultivate fast. Plow every ten days. Every
week would be better Keep the ground “stirred” and the
crop growing.
10. Soon as squares begin to appear, apply calcium
of arsenate and molasses dissolved in water following the
Coker Method. Make these applications about June 1st,
June 20th, and July 10th.
11. Prepare to “lay by” crop by July 15th or 20th.
12. Gather and burn all squares which fall before
August 1st.
If you will arrange your work according to this
schedule—and if you will kee up with the schedule, you
will make a good crop despite the weevil. And the price
will put money in your pocket. If you do not intend to
work according to this schedule, it would probably be use
less for you to attempt to make a crop.
Note
Mr. James H. Pou of Raleigh, well known throughout
the state as a lawyer, but perhaps not so well known as
a farmer though he was reared on a Johnston County
farm and is the owner of considerable acres of land in
Wake and Johnston counties, is interested in fighting the
boll weevil. In order to help his tenants and others to
wage a successful campaign against this enemy of the
cotton crop, Mr. Pou has had printed and distributed a
schedule to beat the boll weevil. Concise and plain, it
offers a plan that may prove of benefit to some of our
farmer readers, and we are passing it on.—Editor.
WEEK OF PRAYER AT
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Woman's auxiliary of the
Presbyterian church will observe
week of prayer February 3-10, also
discuss mission study book “White
Fields of Japan.” The meetings wlil
be held at church on Monday, Wednes
day and Friday afternoons at 3
o'clock. All members are urged to
attend. Self denial offerings on
Friday afternoon
MR. E. S. EDMUNDSON
PLANS FOR POTATO CROP
Mr. E. S. Edmundson has just re
ceived a car load of seed Irish po
tatoes, a large part of which he will
plant himself. Mr. Edmundson tried
planting Irish potatoes last year and
found it profitable. He plans to put
in another big crop in February’.
FAMOUS CANTOR TO
BE IN RALEIGH
Josef Rosenblatt, a renowned Jew
ish cantor, will sing at the City Au
ditorium in Raleigh on Feb- 4. His
voice is said to be equal to that of
Caruso’s in texture, and in range and
flexibility. He will be assisted in
his concert by a well known Russian
violinist.
SERVICES TO BE HELD AT
COURT HOUSE SUNDAY
Rev. S. J. Betts and Mr. Eddie C.
Ruffin of Raleigh, will be in Smith
field Sunday and assist Rev. C. H.
Matthews in several services during
the day. A service will be held at
the road camp in the afternoon, and
a service will be held at each of the
two cotton mills during the day. At
the evening hour, Mr. Ruffin will hold
a service at the Methodist church.
Dr. Peacock Thought
To Be In Florida
Thomasville. Jan. 30—One or more
of the community people who have
visited St. Petersburg, Florida, re
cently and returned say that Dr. J.
W. Peacock is practicing medicine in
that city and nearby.
It is probably unnecessary to state
Dr. Peacock is the slayer of Chief
of Police J. E. Taylor on the street
nearly three years ago, was adjudg
ed a paranoiac by alienists at his
trial in Lexington some months aft
erwards and sentenced by Judge1
Finlay to the criminal insane depart
ment of the penitentiary at Raleigh
from which he made his escape after
serving something near 12 months,
going to parts unknown.
SENATE FAILS TO
REACH A VOTE
Affirmative Action
Looking To Annul
ment Of Navy Oil
Contracts Started.
DOC TORS EXAMINE FALL
Washington, Jan. 30-—Affirmative
action looking to the annulment of
the naval oil leases was initiated to
day while the senate still was en
gulfed in a swirl of debate over the
Walsh annulment resolution.
Silas H. Strawn, who with Thomas
W. Gregory, has been selected to
prosecute the oil cases, conferred
with President Coolidge and then
began examination of evidence col
lected by the senate oil committee.
Although it failed to reach a final
vote on the Walsh resolution, the
senate rejected three amendments de
signd to modify its language and
then launched again into further and
bitter discussion which held the
measure over until tomorrow.
Senator McKeller, Democrat, Ten
nessee, interrupted debate long
enough to introduce a proposal to bar
(Continued on page six)
NEGRO CHARGED
WITH ATTACK
On Two Year Old Daughter
of Walter Ricks, of Selma,
Wednesday Night.
A negro, William Jeffreys, was
brought here from Selma Wednesday
night about 7:30 o'clock and lodged
in jail, having been apprehended by
the Selma authorities after an alleged
attack upon the two year and three
months old daughter of Walter Ricks
a white man who lives in the edge of
Selma. The attack on the child oc
curred about dark at the home of Mr
Ricks- Jeffreys is said to live neat
by.
About a hundred men according tc
report of Chief of Police Griffin
gathered in Selma Wednesday night
and there was talk of getting the ne
gro. The officer explained to th<
crowd that Superior Court woulc
soon convene, and no further fears o:
mob violence is entertained.
Two Years in College
Before Entry to Law
Raleigh, Jan. 30.—University
trustees todap approved Presiden
Chase’s recommendations for tw<
years of college work as preceden
to law study and three years for de
gree. The p lsaoordpetaonunuihhn
gree. The proposal developed de
bate in which Governor Morrison
ex-officio, presiding officer, oppose*
the advance, but was overwhelming
ly beaten.
The governor referred to himself
James H. Pou and E. T. Cansler a:
lawyers who had not been able t(
, qualify had this been the require
ment in their day.
CASES TRIED IN
RECORDER S COURT
L. G. Stevens Is Repre
senting State During
Illness Of Solicitor
H. P. Johnson.
THREE LIQUOR CASES
Judge Noble disposed of seven
cases in Recorder’s Court Tuesday
During the illness of Solicitor H. P
Johnson, who has just undergone an
operation for appendicitis, Mr. L. G.
Stevens is representing the state, and
is handling the docket well.
The first case called Tuesday was
that of the state vs. Fred Cox, charg
ed with violating the prohibition !;.\\s.
The defendant plead guilty and was
fined $25 and costs.
A case out of the ordinary was
State vs. Fred McKeel. Evidence in
the case disclosed the fact that the
defendant came to the Register of
Deeds of this county and secured
a marriage license for his son to
marry a neighbor’s daughter, mak
ing affidavit that the young lady
was eighteen years old, whereas she
was only fifteen years old. The fath
er of the girl in question swore out
a warrant against the defendant. The
defendant plead guilty and was fined
$50 and costs. Prayer for judgment
was asked but Judge Noble stood
firm in his decision feeling that it
was no light thing to swear falselv
in order to obtain a marriage license.
State vs. Ned Watson, charged with
fined $50 and costs,
guilty, and judgment was suspended
upon payment of costs.
State vs. Rivers Gainey, carry:
I concealed weapon. Found guilty and
fined $50 and rosts.
State vs. John D. McLamb, assault
i with deadly weapon. Not gilty.
State vs. Nathan Johnsin. violation
of the prohibition laws. Ghilty; six
months on the road. Capias to isse.e
at the request of solicitor.
The last case to be tried was that
of the state vs. Jim Flowers charged
with transporting liquor. It seems
that a few days before Christmas
Jim Flowers, a young boy of Kenly,
about 20 years old, was hired by a
negro bootlegger to take him to the
home of Bill Daniel Holt, a white
man, for the alleged purpose of buy
ing a quarter of mutton. Two oth
er white men also went along. The
evidence disclosed that instead of a
leg of mutton, the negro purchased
a gallon of blockade liquor, one of
the white men a quart, and another
four drinks. The four drinks evi
dently had its effect and was what
let the cat out of the bag. Disorderly
conduct caused the authorities at
Kenly to make arrests. Only the case
of Jim Flowers has yet been tried,
the others to come up later. Flowers
was fined $25 and six months on the
roads. The jail sentence, however,
was suspended upon condition that
the defendant attend Sunday school
and church regularly for one year.
Baptist Church Sunday
Sunday school 9:45. Begins on
time with a duet sung by Misses
White and Patton of Meredith Col
I lege. Preaching at 11 a. m. and 7:30
p. m. Pres. J. L. Peacock of Shaw
University will preach at the morn
ing service, perhaps also in the ev
ening He has delighted the congre
gation with his sermons on several
occasions before. He will take part
in the music also. The choir will
( meet Miss White for rehearsal Sat
urday evening at 7:30 at the home of
T. S. Ragsdale.
i Next Friday night Hon. Leon T.
• Vaughan of Nashville will address
, a mass meeting of the men of the
1 congregation and assist in organiz
ing a men’s club in the church. The
installation service will wait, that
, officers of this club may be installed
; with the church officers.
, | -T
Mr. D. H- MeCullers of Clayton
i was in the city yesterday on business.