WILUAMSTON TOBACCO MARKET OUR LARGEST ASSET
VOL XV. NO. 48
PROGRESSIVE WILUAMSTON
Williamston A Sketch
Williamston, the capital of
Martin County, North Carolina,
is situated on the right bank of
the Roanoke river, sixty miles
from the Atlantic coast, and was
laid out in 1774. Prior to that
date, the place was known as
"Tar Landing" on the "Morat
tock" River, as the Roanoke was
then called. The name "Tar
Landing" was gained from the
fact that a large number of bar
rels of tar was taken at the
whai-f by vessels to the West In
dies and other points, and these
brought in return sugar, molas
ses, salt and other commodities.
At this time and for many years
later, small stores were built at
the wharf and business conduct
ed therein. Gradually the town
progressed and moved up 1 higher
to thetfiill, where not many years
ago ruins of some of those old
buildings were For
years there was not a business
house beyond the spot where the
City Hall now stands, andthe
"Yellowly Inn", the chief hos
telry of that day, is now known
as the "old hotel". Just above
the hill and on the right, stood
the first Court House and jail,
these being situated on the Hun
ter farm of which the Wilson
farm is now a part. Later an
other building was erected,
which was burned in 1885 and
nearly all the old records except
land records, were destroyed.
The present Court House was
erected at a cost of $20,000, and
is a large, commodious brick
structure with the jail ia. the
rear on the same lot. %
The early history of the town
has much to do with the families
of the Smithwicks, Yellovvlys,
Hunters and Williams, who were
of splendid English stock and
laid the foundation upon which
future generations built. These
were noted for conservatism
a quality which has been inher
ent in the blood of every builder
for good in the town arid com
munity-
Prior to the Civil War and after,
men like Doctrine Bagley, Cush
ing B. Hassell, Judge Asa Biggs
(who was elected United States
Senator but was not* allowed to
serve his term), Jesse Stubbs,
* Jos. D. Biggs and others jpade
for the material and moral uplift
of the town and county, so that
today their influence still lives,
though all have been many long
* years in the land beyond. The
days during the war were dark
ones, and Foster's* Army with
ruthless hands, left their vile
impress on the homes of the
town, destroying and making
waste what the brave women
had gathered, while husband
and brother were fighting for
the Southland. Residences were
used as slaughter pens and
stables to shelter the Northern
steeds. " ,
After reconstruction days
which tried the hearts of men
and women, the inhabitants gath
ered renewed energy and soon
thereafter the town became ac
tively commercial. , The large
mercantile establishments of C.
* B. Hassell, W. H. Carstarphen,
William Slade and Biggs & Sim
mons with, others, combined with
the large shingle industries of
THE ENTERPRISE
I)ennis Simmons and Rhodes
Brothers caused a revival in busi
ness and money began to circu
late more freely. Farming, too,
had been revived and labor was
plentiful. The building of the
railroad from Tarboro to a point
on the river, where trains con
nected with a daily mail boat,
marked an important period in
the history of the town. Several
years later,'the A. C. L- R. R.,
extended its line to Plymouth
and the daily boat was
tinued, though freight steamers
have regular schedules and carry
large cargoes of farm products to
the Norfolk market. Thus Willi
amston and the adjoining country
have the advantage of both rail
and water transportation, which
saves thousands of dollars in
freights yearly. The Norfolk
Southern Railroad has two boats
which make regular trips, and
this competition between rail and
water enables a Williamston mer
chant to offer goods at a lower
rate than those at points removed
from the river. This fact is very
appreciable in the large ship
ments of fertilizers in the spring
season.
Though Williamston is situated
on the Roanoke River in what
some suppose the malarial dis
trict, it has fewer mosquitoes
than Greensboro, Raleigh or
A9heville. Hence its inhabitants
rarely have chills. Natural slopes
and deep ravines combined with
a sandy soil, make almost a per
fect drainage, rendering it one of
the healthiest towns in the State.
Perhaps; no town in North
Carolina has suffered more from
fire." In the year 1883, the entire
business section reaching to
Smithwick Street was totally des
troyed. The erection of brick
building began as early as practi
cable, but since that period there
have been several fires which
destroyed large business-houses.
But these were soon replaced and
the courage of this people remain
ed undaunted. For several years,
however, the town has owned two
excellent fire engines, one a small
chemical engme which has never
failed to do effective work when
properly charged and operated.
For a number of years no fire has
occurred in the business portion
of the town.
Within the past twenty years
new streets have been opened,
Main Street extended and many
residences in every portion-of the
town have been erected. Haugh
ton Street extending from Main
towards th£ cemetery, is one of
the most beautiful sections of the
town, containing handsome res
idences, attractive shade trees
and a sand-clay driveway, which
delights the autoists and others
who drive over it. Fifteen years
ago this section of the town was
known ,as the "Hassell Field"
and corn was cultivated thereon.
That part of Williamston familiar
ly called "New Town" was laid
ont many years after the incor
poration of the town. It is the
highest elevation in the town, con
tains some handsome residences,
lovely shade trees, the best drink
ing water, and is joined on the
Southeast by the farms of J. W.
Watts D. Wilson, on
which ale situated two of the
handsomest homes in this section.
It may be interesting to state
(Continued on page 8)
WILLIAMSTON. N. C., FRIDAY, s£PT„ 23,1914
Our Tobacco Market
The culture of tobacco in Martin County has not
reached its majority, yet the quality of the weed has
a world-wide reputation. The adaptability of the
soil and the quickness of the farmers to acquaint
themselves with the most advanced ideas as to cul
tivation and curing;, have made some of the finest
crops seen in any of the tobacco - growing States.
Here it is seen in its perfection, the broad green
leaves turning later into a bright golden sheet, for
which the tobacco world is clamoring. In 1902, was
seen the incorporation of the Martin County Ware
house Tobacco Co.,.in Williamston.
And two large warehouses with three prize houses
were erected for the sale of the weed. The market
has continued with unabated interest every year
since, and has handled large quantities of the
County's crop and much from other points. The
year of 1914, has found the market with a strength
equal to any in the tobacco belt, and far greater than
many on which growers sell their leaf. The market
opened on September 2nd., with a tremendous break
and prices best in East Carolina- Every day since,
the farmers have been given the very highest marks
for the grades offered, and several days the banks
have remained open to cash the checks for the con-
the farmers.
At no time in the history of thte market, has
there been a stronger corps of buyers nere and the
competitive purchasing has made the sales interest
ing from every point. Representatives of the Ex/
port Leaf, American, Liggett & Myers, R. J. ReyntHos,
Imperial, Taylor &. Co., Boyd & Co., and several in
dependent buyers bid ajjairtst the ware
housemen, who are giving every pile on th£ floor its
full value.
These buyers are all trained men—tlyy know to
bacco and have had years of experience with the com
panies which they represent.
' Dixie Warehouse -
J. G. Staton and 5. W. Hight have been of the Dixie
Warehouse for two years, the former having recently purchased
the entire property of the VVltehouse Company. Both are trained
in the growth and sale of the weed, and the largest sales of this
season have been on their floor. Mr. lligfit ia auctioneer and with-
Mr. Staton gives personal attention to every pile brought there for
sale or for grading. Tne office force is active and capable and care
ful attention is given every detail of the busines, which is helping
to build a splendid reputation for the Williamston market.
Roanoke Warehouse
t V
\ •• • v y-" 9
' '■ *
The Roanoke Warehouse this year is underthe management of
Messrs. Joe Taylor, M. D. Mobley and Hugh M. Burras, a trio dif
ficult to duplicate Qn the markets of the State. For each is well fit
ted to judge tobacco and is giving the farmer a fair deal. Messrs.
Taylor and Mobley are from the bright bglt of Martin County, and
have had much experience both in raising and selling the leaf
They are ably assisted by C. C. Lucas, who has had years of ex
perience in auctioneering. trio of warehouses sit at
the head of the tafyle of highest priced 4
Farmers Warehouse
r
* ♦' -
Several years after the beginning of the market, the Farmers
Warehouse was built by Eli Gurganus, who with W. A. James has
opened it this year for the sale of tobacco. Both of these men
have spent years in the business, and are competent to handle
every pound of tobacco which may be carried to their floors. They
have a full corps of assistants and B. E. McClure, who is well
known here, is auctioneer. Their sales this season have been large
and prices with the general market
Farmers & Merchants Bank
_ jz * .. * ~ —-— n
The business increase of the
town and county, made it
possible for the organiz
ation of the Farmers & Mer
chants Bank in the year
1905. with a capital of $25,000.
Dennis S. Biggs was organizer J
and first President. "One signifi- j
cant fact is that it began business I
in the same building as did the!
other bank. As soon as practi-;
cable, a handsome brick building
waserected on Main Street with j
splendid counting rooms, direc
tor's room and offices on the!
upper floor. The capital and'
pro.its amount to $40,000. Dr.
John D. Biggs is President, C.
D. Carstarphen, Vice-President,
R. G. Harrison, Cashier and J. L,
Rodgerson, Asst. Cashier.
Resources $322,274.06.
' I
Bank of Martin County
In 1902, Joseph G. Godard or
ganized the Bank of Martin
County. A few months there
after, it was reorganized with a
capital of $15,000, and Dennis S.
Biggs was made President. This
was the first bank in Martin
County, and its first banking
room was in the brick building
now occupied by the U. S. Post
office. Later the Godard build
ing was erected on the corner of
Main and Smithwick Streets,
containing handsome bank rooms
and director's room. For some
time this bank has been on the
fit) nor Roll of banksin the United
• States, and has a capital and sur
j plus of $35,000. The officers are:
jJ. G. Godard, President; J. G.
•Staton, Vice-President and C. H
Godwin, Cashier.
Resources $320,000.00.
* 1 •
Biggs Iron and Motor Company
Among the newer industries
established within the past year,
-the
stands prominent. It. was in
corporated with a paid capital of
$12,000, owned and operated by
W. H., S. R., and J. W. Biggs.
They purchased the plant of J.
L. Woolard & Co., and aH rights,
patents, etc., of that company,
which made itself famous by the
manufacture of the Woolard Har
row. One large feature of the
business is the making of tobac
co flues for which . the demand
has been great the past season.
The factaQ' is splendidly
ped with modern machinery for
all kinds of repair work. The
motor department is one of the
best in Eastern North Carolina,
being fitted with everything nec
essary to repair and build up
automobiles. S. R. Biggs, mana
ger, is an expert machinist and
his assistants are experienced
men. The company has recently
purchased a lot on Main Street,
where they will erect a large
brick structure for their busi
ness. They v are also, agents
| for the automobile and
have placed many of these ma
chines in Martin County and else
where. -
"Studebaker Home" and Garage
On Brogden Street during 1914,
has been erected the "Studebaker
u \ '
si.oo a Year in Advance
Dennis Simmons Lumber Company
Williamston cannot be classed
as a manufacturing town, yet it
is the home of the Dennis Sim
mons Lumber Company, which
.ranks as one of the largest lum
ber companies in the State. Its
timber holdings are large, and
three modernly equipped mills
located respectively at Astoria
near Jamesville, Kenly and Mid
dlesex manufacture an immense
amount of lumber which is sold
in Northern markets. A large
amount of the shares of the
| stock is owned by Williamston
I people, and the profits are large.
Capt. T. W. Tilghman, of Wilson,
is President, Dr. John D. Biggs,
of Williamston, Treasurer and
Asa T. Crawford, Secretary. The
office is located on Main Street
and the business is one of the
town's most important assets.
Electric Light Company
The vote} to issue bonds for
lighting the town by electricity
three years ago, met with very
little opposition and a franchise
wa $ given the Virginia-Carolina
Peanut Co., whfch had a large
factory here Ht that time. Later
the plant was sold to W. C. Man*
ning and the Williamston Elec-
I trie Company was incorporated.
It is said by those who have seen
■ many other towns, that William
| ston is Better lighted than many
| larger places. Every part of the
, town, however remote, is well
| lighted and the system is care
fully looked after by Electrician
Maurice S. Moore. The power
house was moved last year to the
Cooperage Mill, which furnishes
steam. The higher power lamps
recently put on Main Street have
increased the beauty of and ad
ed to the brightness on the street.
Telephone Company
The invention of. the teieplWe
has put all the world in touch. So
it is that Williamston with its
large system, is on speaking
terms with the outside world.
There are three hundred miles of *
lines with three hundred and
t wenty-fi ve -telephone?. — Copper
lines have recently been buillt to
Tarboro and Plymouth, and with
the lines to Washington and
Hamilton, the service is equal to
that of any town in the E]ast. W.
C. Manning is owner and mana
ger, and the Central office is locat- *
ed on the second floor of the
Godard Building. There are two
daily operators, a night operator
and ojie for Sunday hours. The
system is now being extended to
Windsor, crossing the river at
Hyman's Ferry near Plymouth,
Home" and garage, where these
cars are demonstrated and sold
by J. Paul Simpson. The garage
is conveniently arranged for re
pair work, which is in charge of
an experienced auto machinist
Here is sold, too, the Benthal
Peanut Picket and Stover engines
the pioneer machines in the pea
nut picking industry, and known
throughout the world as The"
Originals. A convenient gaso
line tank can supply cars quickly S
with gasoline, and in every ser
vice, the best can be found there?