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Advertise In The
ENTERPRISE
VtUmTbt
CIRCULATION
VOL XVI. NO. aa
OUR GREATEST GALA DAY
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The First County Commencement Held March 19th.—Hen. John H.
Small Delivered Splendid Address —Magnificent Parade Through
The Streets—Athletic and Literary Contests Enjoyed—City Hall
and Court House Packed —Decorations Enlivened Scene
* • «' , • '
3,000 PEOPLE WITNESS EXERCISES
Educational advancement is
one of the marked features in
the throbbing of the great life
pujse of the people of North Car
olina, and this is no more true of
any section than it is of Martin
County and those counties ad
joining. Since that great apostle
of the New Era, Charles Brantley
Aycock, set in motion the tre- J
mendous wave of educational up
lift, has there been a backward
step, for progress, spelled with
large letter?, has been and is the
slogan all along the line. Martin
County under the management
of Robert J. Peele, has been led
into newer and broader paths of
learning until it can lift its head
with the proudest.
So it was the ripened season
for some demonstration of the
power wd growth of the public
schools of the coun.iy. *And out
of this ripeness c*»e the first
Williamston; the County Seat.
This Commencement had Ite in
cipiency in the heart and brain of
Asa J. Manning, who last year
upon the retirement of Supt.
Peele, gave up other important
duties to take up that larger and
fuller work of training the boys
and girls of Martin County for
better citizenship.
Earnest preparations for the
event had been urged by Supt.
Manning, and how splendidly
children, teachers and parents
responded can be correctly esti
mated by the number here, the
enthusiasm, the deportment and
the pleasure found in every min
ute of the time. Williamston,
though scarcely realizing the
high honor of having within her
gates so much of the citizenship
of the county, clot lied he self in
gay colors (the sßluO in-4 White
of the Graded School predomi
nating,) unfurled a banner of
WELCOME across the street,
placarded the word in every bus
iness house and everywhere along
the streets, flung Old Glory to
the breeze, gracefully festooned
bunting about the fronts of the
business houses and banks and
turned autos into swiftly moving
kaleidoscopes. It was indeed
Wiiliamston's greatest gala day,
and 3.0J0 people, rcuresentative
of the county's interest in things
worth while, spent the day in
town.
The morning dawned bright
and clear, and.in the early hours
the people began to come and
when tne train from Jamesville
came into the station, it brought
over 300. These went to the
Grade 1 School . building, which
was open wide and comfortably
arranged for the reception of the
visitors. For several hours there
was an intermingling and pleas
ing formation of acquaintances
among teachers, friends and
children, Just .before the ar
rival of the special train from
Oak City/ those pupils already
assembled on the campus, were
THE ENTERPRISE
formed into line and headed by
Williamston Graded School pu
pils, each of which carried aflag,
marched up Church to Haughton
St., and down Hiughton to the
station to await the coming of the
schools from Everetts, Roberson
vill»>, Parmele. Hassell, Oak City
and adjoining places.
This train arrived at 11:00 and
Avith GOO people, who quietly and
quickly entered into the spirit of
the day, the schools joining- thp
parade, and marching down Main
Street to the campus with Will
iamston leading and Roberson
ville bringing up the rear, thus
putting the others between the
two Graded Schools of the coun
ty. It was the most inspiring
sight ever witnessed on the
street* of the town - these bright
eyed children of sturdy Martin
County stock, who are soon to
help guide the destinies of '4r
Great Builder. The double line
reached from the depot to the
campits, and on reaching there
each school took a position as
near as possible to the building
where they stood as quietly as
trained veterans during the exer
cises, which were opened with
I the singing r>f "America" led by
i Prof. J. T. Jerome, Principal of
j the Williamston school. Rev, W.
!R. Burrell offered prayer, after
j which Supt. A. J. Manning in a
few chosen words, introduced
! Hon. John H. Small. In a speech
of one-half hour, Mr. Small held
the undivided attention of the
vast assemblage. His theme was
"Co-operation", and every word
I was'the sounding note for better
j living in the home, in the com
jmunity and in the State. Mr.
Small is known to every man,
woman and child in the county,
and he is always welcome on
whatever mission he may come.
At the close of the speech of
Mr. Small", who was enthusiastic
ally applauded, the different
schools arranged themselves a
bout the campus and enjoyed
lunch, which had been brought
by pupils and friends. There
was an abundance of good things
to delight the inner man, and
many more could have been en
tertained.
At 2 o'clock, arraingements for
the athletic contests were made,
the first being the 100 yard dash.
In this entered Fitzhugh Lee
Robertson, Bennie Lilley, Albert
Gurkin, Grimes, Taylor, John
Mizell and Frank Sexton. This
was won "by Grimes, Robertson
who was closing in on good speed,
ran into a spectator who stepped
out into the course, and severely
injured his nose. Then came the
contest in the running broad
jump. Contestants; Bryant Tay
lor, Hermon Bowen, Turner
Grimes, Leroy Everett, Charles
Bullock, Hermon Taylor, John
Mizell, Noah Rogers, Jack Ed
wards. Grimes won by
jumping 16 ft. inches, Jack;
WILLIAMSTON. N. C., FRIDAY, MARCH, 26 1915
Edwards being second with a!
jump of 16ft.fi inches. Those
contesting for the standing broad
jump were, I.eroy Everett, Hnr
eom Grimes, Chas. Bullock, Ray
mond Taylor, John Mizell, Jack
Edwards. Harcom Grimes made
9ft. » inches, and Jack Edwards
9ft 5 inches. The high jump
contest was oinitted owing to
the change in the weather.
Contestants for the declaimer's i
medal in the 7t.h grade and be
low, met at the City Hall at 3
o'clock. In a very few minutes
the hall was tracked to overflow
ing, and Supt. Manning announc
ed that the decJaimers in the
High School contest would meet
at the Court House. Upon this
many left the hall and repaired
there to find it already packed.
The contestants at the Citv Hall
numbered twenty-four. No fea
ture at the Commencement gave
JUJbifc pleasure than did this, for
careful
training and the selections were
exceptionably giiod. Supt Under
wood, of Pitt County and Prof.
R. J. Peel decided the winners,
Roscoe Downs, of Hamilton, ami
Alma D. Auabon, of Brown's
School. They were given hand
some gold medals. After the
presentation of these, Supt. Asa
J. Manning on behalf of the
school children and friends of
Martin County, presented to
Prof. R. J. Peele a handsome
gold watch in recognit on of aev
en teen years of service. Each
pupil was asked to cor tribute one
penny towards the fund. This
came as a surprise to Prof. Peel;
and he was deeply moved, and
expressed his warm appreciation.
There were ten contestants for
the Hiffh School medals and each
one exhibited a natural talent
which had been cultivated with
care. The selections admitted a
fine display of elocutionary pow
ers, and the immense audience
dispensed applause \yithout stint.
Rev. VV. R. Burrell, Rev. War
ren Davis and Mrs. Wheeler
Martin, Jr., acted as judges.
The highest presentage was won
by MissDawy Manning and Turn
er Grimes, the former repre
senting the Wiliiarrisfon Sctio »l
and the latter that of Robersun
vilte. These two were presented
gold metals fitly inscribed. With
this contest the exercises of the
day ended.
To those who carefully examin
ed the exhibits in several r o .is
of the school building, itappear
ed that the pupils in the various
schools were doing moat excell
ent work, Pri: e i had been offer
ed for the best exhibit, and the
\vork was of a high order, Supt".
Underwood with W. G. Privett
of Beaufort went care
fully over every exhitit, and a
warded the prize to Whichard's
School, stating that the exhibit of
the Williamston grades was of
such high order that it remained
in a class by itself, and so the con
test was made between the rural
schools. All the schools exhibit
ing did creditable work, and none
need feel discouraged but. receive,
a new impetus to go foward for
better things in the tut ore. Wil
liamstnn showed a largo number
of exhibits in written work, mid
the prize would have fallen to
the 3rd grade in Miss Penelope
Biggs' room, if Supt. Underwood
had considered the Graded
Schools in the contests. The
prize for the best drilled pupils
was a varded to H&rdison School,
Mrs. Chas. Robergon, teacher.
The s» * hools presented especially'
attractive appearances in the
; parade, that of Lilley's Hall be
in# very noticeable for the beau
tiful sashes worn across the
shoulder with the general neat
ness of style. The personal an
pearance added to th : quiet de
cacau r throughout the day,
.ipnk- eloquently fur the training
SV oracler of the children ol'
County.' At no thrtadur*
io x the day was there the least
jar or fret and no accident to
mar the occasion.
Williams ton was honored by
the presence of the 3,0! 10 people
who walked through her wide
open gates, and enjoyed every
minute of their stay. Though
this was the first
it will go down in history as ore
of pleasure, profit and n general
awakening to the fact that the
schools of the county are the
nioKt important factors in all the
land.
Gets Promoted
Mr. Luke Lamb, who has been
special agent of the Deoartmerit
of Justice for the past year, hns
been promoted to the position ol
hiclerk in the customs division
of h • deparfm nt in New York
I City. The position pays f.:-£,o(j(i
land there are splendid opportun
j i i".s for promotion,
' Mr. Lamb studied law at the
i University ol North (Carolina,
arid in a few months received tin
i-ttp;'sntment from., the Depart
! ut-fit. Ha is the youngest sun of
'('ol". Wilson 0. Lamb, and friends
i in Wdliamsion arid inother parts,
jof the State rejoice atjiis i-uc
j cess.
High School Delates
}. /-"j";,'/ . . t|
Tonight Messers. Coburn and
i Chimes, representing the Rober
sonviHe High School, will debate
airainst Pearlie Perry and Jack
Edwards at the City Hall at 7-30.
: Subject: Ship Subsidies, At itob
ersenville Misses Daisy Manning
and Leona Page will contest with
two boys from the school there.
The quartet winning will repre
sent the county at Chapel Hill.
There is much interest in this
debate because it is state-wide.
The public is cordially invited to-
I night.
Money To Loam
Applications received for loaDS
from SIOO.OO to $10,000.00, on
improved and unimproved town
property and farm lands. 8 per
cent straight fnterest payable
annnally or semi-annually. Time:
one to ten years. Applicants for
loans will please give description,
location, and valuation of proper
ty offered as security for loan.
State improvements and valua-1
tion of same.
Wc want County representa-l
tives to receive applications fori
loans, appraise property, and j
serve as our exclusive represen-[
tative. Attorney or real estate !
man preferred. Applicants for
loans, and applicants for Agen
cies positively required to furnish
at l« j ast two character reference
and forward postage, five 2c
stamps, for application blanks, j
full particulars, aod prompt re
ply. Write Southern Office,
Southeastern Mortgage Loan As
sociation. Fourth National Bank
Bldg.. Atlanta, (la.
LOCAL
Tomorrow is the birthday of
Andrew .laekaou.
Sunday is Palm Sunday.
The improved condition of the
plank walk meets with the ap
proval of t hose who perambulate
that way.
Full moon on the 80th.
S. \ White Orpingtons, White
Leghorn*, and Barred Plymouth
Rock eggs $1.50 per 15. I). G.
Matthews, Humilton, N. C.
NOTlCE—Whoever took a gray
overcoat, half lined, with a pair
of grav gloves from Biggs Drug
Store on Friday, March 10th,
will please return it to J. W.
Isi«rga, City.
For Sale—Second hand barber
chair and mirror cheap A.
Mason, Hamilton, N. C. 2t
Shad at $!.85 each is high liv
ing, and it, takes high finance to
carry one home.
The pupils of the Episcopal
Sunday School will have Easter
services on the afternoon of
April 4th. , The pnblic is cordial
ly invited to attend.
There will be services at the
Methodist, Baptist and Christian
Churches on Sunday.
Supt. A. .J. Manning and fami
ly are occupying the Biggs home
near Skewarkee.
Friends and relatives here are
pleased to know that Mr. and
Mr", W. M. Perry have moved
t>• Williarnston. They have pur
chased t he Sherrod place in East
Williarnston-, having sold their
farm near Jamesville.
W. 11. Crawford, the champion
hog raiser, killed three big ones
on Tuesday.
BUY A SHARE NOW . '
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The third series of the The Martin County Building and l.oan
Association will close with March. There will not be another one
to open until the fall. Now is the time to see Wheeler Martin, Jr.,
and secure as many shares as can be carried. Below is an example
for a borrower who wants 10 shares.
Buying and paying for a home costing $1,000.00
Entrance fee, paid once . . ". .. . . $ 2.50
332 payments of dues, each $3.50 J ! . . . 830.03
r " interest, each SI.J6 . . . -.385.12
Total outlay —, — .' /—. .—. $1,217.62
Less rent for 332 weeks, at SIO.OO per month - 770. Op
Met cost of a $1,000.00 home . v . . . . %447.(}2
Value of home not counting
enhancement . , $1,000.00
Less cost above rental . ! 445.30
Clear gain . . . . %S 44.70
Subscribe To The , ;
ENTERPRISE
i Onh
SI.OO A YEAB *
* am*
y ItoU Library ,
W, H. Jackson, who has bees
foreman in the office for raorr
than a year, left for parts un
known on Sunday via Plymouth
The debate between represen
tatives of the school here a»d
Robersonville will be held to
night at the Gaiety Theatre, at
7:30. After this, Trey O'Heart*
will be shown to all those wh
go out to the box office and
purchase tickets.
Those desiring repairing on
shoes, may call on R. A. Glena,
who resides in East Williamstoti.
Give him your work.
PERSONAL
Senator Harry Stubbs in at- ,
tending the Carter-Abernethy
trial at Raleigh.
J. A. Mizell was here from
Robersonville last week.
Mrs. A. It. Dunning and little .
daughter have been in Roberson-
this week.
Mr. and Mrs. .f. I'. Simpson
Wen* to Robersonville Tuesday.
John W. Hassell was in town
Tuesday.
Mr*;. S. M. Pollard, of Ever
elts, and Mrs. Will Askew, of
Farm vi lie, are the guests t»f Mr«L
W. K. Warren.
Mrs. John I). Biggs hrs been
in Plymouth this week with h*r
sister, Mrs. James Elmore.
Mrs. Grover Godwin ir, in town
visiting relatives.
Hon. A. R. Dunning left Sun
day for Raleigh, where he will
act on the? Committee which is to
hear the Carter-A bernethy ease-
Miss Francis E. Knight, who
is attending. Converse Co'lege,
Spartanburg, S. C., will arrivfc
home Wednesday to spend the
Faster holidays.
Mesdamee F. U, Barn«-p anl
I. G. Staton went to'j Norfolk
Monday.
S. W. Manning was in town
from Jamesville Wednesday.
Duke Critcher came down from
Robersonville Wednesday
Twentieth Century Booh Cilub
Mrs. Wheeler Martin whp 1«»sV
ess to the Twentieth Century
Book Club, Wednesday, Mardb
17lh.
The following program was
rendered:
Sketch of Southey Mrs A. DL
Mizell.
Kubla Khan—Coleridge- Mr*.
Martin, Jr.
Rime of the Ancient Mar'nsr
Misn Annie Lamb.
Miss Fannie Biggs Martin de
li'/ht fully rendered two voeaUoloa
These were followed by- a vocal
"duet, which was sung by Miss
Lamb and Mrs. Martin, Jr
At, the conclusion of the pro
gram delightful refreshments
were ser red.
The meeting adjourned to meet
in two weeks with Mrs. A . D,
.'vlizel!.