Sell Your Tobacco in Willlamston; Four Independent Warehouses, Run by Experienced Men
WILLIAMSTON TOBACCO
MARKET SECTION
VOLUME XXVII—NUMBER 52
WILLIAMSTON READY FOR OPENING
Review of Williamston Market From Its Organization in 1902 to Present
Local Market Offers Many Advantages To
Farmers Who Sell Tobacco Here; Four Big
Auction Warehouses To Open September 2
Everything Ready For
Biggest Opening in
History oi Market
YOU AKJb iJSVIiHiI/
Hearty Welcome Awaits
All Visitors—Witn Or
vviuioui xooaccu
*Me Vt iilianistoa i obacco Mar
nut otters wan> au vantages 10 the
lax merit wno sell tobacco nere in»
year. Never belore Have suca ex
tensive preparations been uiaue
lor me Handling ol I obacco in Wii
Uaiusioa. Men wno nave been in
strumental in ihe upbuilding ol
Eastern Carolina s largest mar
kets are lo be found right Here on
the Williams ton market this year.
otau ot toe moat outstanding
buyers is the stale will be an Wis
market lois year. Every tobacco
company will be represented on
lite YMlUamstott tloors Una season
by able buyers. *our open ware
houses with spacious floors will be
operated by experienced and
trained men.
A modern steam tobacco redrying
plum is now ready for operation here.
11 will be under tlie management of
men who have had long experience in
tne tobacco business." A large storage
warehouse right at the doors of the
warehouse will be of much value, since
it. will serve the buyers to .store their
tobacco in.
Warehousemen Know 1 obacco
The proprietors of* Williamston's
four independent warehouses are hard
working men, men who strive for the
interest of their patrons. The experi
ence of these men proves this state
ment, for they have all been connect
ed for many years past with the to
bacco industry. They know tobacco
from the seed to the factory. They
know what it means to raise tobacco.
They know how long the nights are
when the tobacco is curing. A knowl
edge of these facta everpresent in
their minds, they do all in their pow
er to sell tobacco at the highest pos
sible price. Visit our market and
meet these men if you do not already
know them, lit you know them, call
aroaod to see \hem. They always
welcome you. \
When the market opens here next
Wednesday, September 2nd, this sec
tion will see in operation one of the
most up-to-date markets to be found
anywhere. Every preparation that
could be made has be«h attended to or
is now nearing completion ready for
the opening next Wednesday.
The people of Williamston welcome
you here, and they want you to feel
at home. Our merchants are offering
The Williamston Chamber of Commerce
Cordially Invites You To Williamson
Come to see us—whether you have tobacco to sell or not—and get acquainted with our business
and professional men. We like them, and we feel sure you will, too. Come and learn the value df
a hearty handshake and a friendly smile—We're always glad to see you.
COME—AND COME AGAIN!
- ... . ■ ' . . >
THE ENTERPRISE
"■ ■ 11 1
Williamston's Steam Redrying I'lant
'y I r
I y
The above photograph Hiiows the steam redryingf prant WTMcliwill be
operated here thin year by Mr. W. I. Skinner. New machinery has recently
l»een installed and the plant is now ready for operation. Mr. Skinner ha*
the reputation ol' being one of the State's best tobacco men.
Development of Tobacco Market
Has Set Pace Fo
Of Town For Over Twenty Years
Writer Recalls First Sale on Market When it
Opened on Tuesday, August 4,1902, With
Sales in Two New Warehouses
Tobacco has ever calmed the thoughts
And soothed the aching brow ,
Of men for ages paat and gone,
And gladdens millions now.
By W. T. MEADOWS
Tobacco!
What associations are connected
with this wonderful plant; how close
ly connected with the growth and de
velopment of Williamston and sur
rounding counties. It runs like a gold
en thread through the warp and woof
of the social and business hisHbry of
our community.
It has been truly said that tobacco
was the determining factor in nearly
every departure and exigency in the
life of our first settlers near James
town, Va. Tobacco at that time was
recognized as the current coin of the
day;, one poupd tobacco being thq
seasonable merchandise at bargains.
In fact, everything is tuned up to that
point where every advantage of sell
ing and buying in Williamston will be
felt. - ~ *
Visit the Williamston market wheth
er you have tobacco to sell or not.
We want you to feel at home and we
will do our best to render you every
service possible and in a courteous
manner . . ■, ■ .
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, August 28th, 1925
unit of value, paying labor, taxes, anil
the purchase of all commodities.
in itiiy a shipload of maidens was
brought over from England, their pas
.-.age being paid for in tobacco by those
inen iu the Jamestown, Va., colony
who had preceded their old sweet
hearts in England to the new colony,
and it wasn't long after this shipload
of maideus reached the shores of Vir
ginia before somebody got married.
In the early days tobacco was car
ried to France by one Jean Nieot,
thereby originating the word "nico
tine," which substance is supposed to
cause the soothing elfects In the plant
called tobacco. It is not the writer's
purpose, however, to eulogize Queen
Nicotine, but to outline briefly the his
tory of the Williamston Tobacco mar
ket. " 1
August 4, 1902 First Opening Day
This market jvas opened for the pub
lic auction sales of leaf tobacco on
Tuesday, August 4, 1902. At that
time there were two warehouses here.
The Koanoke Warehouse, oiterated by
Jams G. Staton and the late James
IJ. 1/eggett, with the writer, W. T.
Meadows, as manager. The Dixie
Warehouse, operated by E. L. Mor
prun. Tobacco commenced to roll in
to Williamston from all surrounding
counties on the evening of Monday,
PERSONNEL OF
WAREHOUSES
Several New Faces \o be Seen on
Wiliiamston Market This Tear;
AH Are Experience Men
The'personnel of the Wiliiamston
tobacco warehouses is very outstand
ing", and is briefly mentioned here in
rtrder that we might present them to
you collective manner.
Messrs. H. A. and J. T.«'finibei'lake
and Kvan Williard, long in the tobacco
business, will operate Tiniboi lakes'
Warehouse. They want to make your
acquaintance.
•«iessrs. Will Kice ami Juiius James
w'ul operate the Fanners Vs arehou.se.
Air. luce was here last year anil op
erated this house with Mr. I). L.
\Spain. Mr. James comes in as an able
partner this year.
Meiers. Harry Meador and Joe Tay
lor will operate the Dixie Warehouse."
Mr. Meador and Mr. Taylor operated
ihis same house last year and are
back again this year stronger than
ever.
.licn.sls. iiuov.il iUoiion, l>nl WaUs,
lvoy i. UiuUii, Jnimnc uuiKm, ami
Claudius uiilnn will operate me Ho
unoKu una year. iUessrs. V* alts and
iVlorioii operaiea tfrc" Kouncrktr fast
year ana with added., partners tnTa
.year expect to increase an already
targe patronage.
.vugusi o, and by night there was
nearly enough tobacco in town to till
these iwo.ltoors. On the opening day,
i ueatlay, August 4, everybody was
iiere; buyers t rum everywhere; men,
women, and children Irom everywhere
—and alter teverai selections ,by a
brass band, the Hon. ilarry Stubbs de
livered one of the tiueut speeches of
welcome that mortal has ever listened
to. After Mr. Stubbs's line speech, the
rales commenced, and Wiliiamston was
put on the map that day as a lirst
ciass tobucco market, and 'she has
uiauitained that standard ever since.
The market sold that year about three
million pounds. About 1010 the Far
mers Warehouse Was built by J. G.
.Staton, J. G. Gbdard, and Eli Gur
ganus, and since that year has been
run by good, competent warehouse
men. Mr. Clarence Jeffreys, who was
located here in -1910, was largely re
sponsible for the erection of the Far
mers Warehouse. Mr. Jeffreys at
that ,time was u buyer for the lm-
I»erial Tobacco Co., an is still con
nected with this company, being head
buyer for them at Kinston, N. C.
Fourth Warehouse Huilt in 1917
In 1917 a stock company was form
ed by cititena Of the town and coun
ty and built the lirick Warehouse,
which has " been successfully operated
since it was built. This house has
more floor space than any warehouse
in Wiliiamston and is considered a
fine piece of warehouse property.
Since the opening of the market in
Wiliiamston August 4th, 1902, our
sales have averaged each year right
along with the larger markets in east
ern North Carolina. Some years ex
ceeding them in average. At present
Union Storage Warehouse
J
■• • .
: f* : i ;1 •
i • i
i « &.•».: £ol*. # & ■> i . ,r "... • h '
fePl
gfl IMy?
The value of this w art house is obvious. liu >era ».«re»'ilieir tobacco here
prior to shipment aiul tin- large capacity ot (he building enables them to buy
when there are heavy sales without fear of congestion in shipping.
Wiliiamston s New Redrying
Plant One of the Biggest Assets
To Local Market^J litis Year
New Machinery lias Been installed ana iested;
Jtieady torUperation When iooaeeo Market
Opens Next Wednesday, September ~
With a cupacuy of J6,000
pounds of tobacco daily, WiUiam
s ton's modem steam redrying
plant will pla> u part in the
success of this market. New ma
chinery lias been installed and
;ested, and will be ready for work
when the market opens here next
Wednesday. Men who first intro
duced steam plants in Wilson, men
who have worked in the tobacco
business for years will have
charge of this plant.
Mr. W. 1. Skinner, known to
thousands of farmers in this sec
we have no record of the poujuis sold
prior to 1917, but we are giving you
the sales and averages mailo from
1917 to date;
Vear No. l'ounda Average
1917 a,936,376, 27.67
1918 3,730,266 } 31.46
1919 3,966,620 60.61
1920 f*~ 4,122,780 20.02
1921 3,688,460 26.31
1922- - ' 2,798,620 - • 26.06
1923 3,760,618 * 22.-6
1924 3,180,620 23.02
You will notice our pounds in 1922,
1923, and 1924 show less than the
pounds sold above those years, but the
Cooperative Tobacco Association had
a receiving plant here during those
years and received a considerable
number of pounds of tobacco, which
should be added to the total receipts
of Wiliiamston as a tobacco market
for those three years, and as they
have closed their plant here, we have
no way at this writing of knowing
what amount Ihey received during
those years.
Farmers Always Welcome Here
It must be said to the credit of the
tion u.s "Kid' 1 Skinner, is the own
er and operator of this plant. Mr.
Skinner is one u. the beat known
tobacco meu in the country and
has been in the lobucco business
all his life. For the last sixteen
years he has bought tobacco in
lireenville, representing the Im
perial Tobacco Co., as head buyer
for years. Mr. Skinner will buy
tobacco personally on the Wil
liamson market and will also op
erate the new redrying plant. He
has an excellent order for tobacco
this year, and will be in a posi
tion to buy all grades.
warehousemen who have conductud
this business here for the last Zii
years .that (Tie growth and develop
ment .of the Wilhamston market 14
largely due to tiieir earnest and effect
ive work among the tanners, not only
m Martin County but alt the adjoin
ing counties. Not only through their
work have they brought tobacco from
Martin County but they have drawn
tubacco from a distance of 200 miles.
We haven't forgotten the coopera
tion of the fainter in the successful
operation of the W illiamslon market
for thti past 23 years. They have
stood by us nobly and have helped to
4tuiM~ ■fchia-timrfcat -u> what .it *s ■ nuw,
U great many oj' them owning stock in
several of the warehouses here, which
lias paid 'tileill good dividends.
All honor to our farmers. The
writer loves every one of them, and
everybody in Williamston loves you
and welcomes you. The latch strings
always hang on the outside of our
homes, stores, hanks, business houses,
and warehouses, to our best friend—
the farmer.
Section 2
RIGHT PACKS IN THIS SECTION
ESTABLISHED 1898
MANY BUYERS WILL
BEHEKEIHIS YEAK
More i ban I wvlie I obacro Buyers
. Will lit' On the VV illiaiuslon
'Market This Season
Wi. 11 ivory larye company and
> any -mailer one- repre.-orueu, the
i illiain.-.tnii oliai'H! market will have
" " i'i (!.• la rue.-1 -et u buyers this
, : In,' . Willi.mi i'ii Tobacco
I ■ 'i• i •' i .a-. ■ . ■ ■ u> liniM'ollovfing
j i- i..:.; ami while^the
! 11 11.-. 1.1 all ti.e buyeri ha\e hut been
nai Hut .... i iK'-e'' i iimpali.es will
r.ave buyer- here to represent?them.
".HI. Vv. i. .Vieailov.> wnl represent
,1-u i.eai tobacco company,
I ncle. ituik a.-, lie is. generally
known,-ha» lieen buyer lor Uus com
pany rfiice its orgaiiiaalii/n, and he is
sllli going strong.
iUr. 1». .y. iowiiaencl, jr. will again
iepresem ilie . Imperial tobacco com
pany on lilt Wihia-msUui warehouse
doors.
Mi. it. 1. Warren will represent
ill* I i'M" aiyeis company.
inc.K. J. KeyuoiUa company will be
i. p«V.H cu ijj ail. u. lr. tieau wtio
»a. be re lasi yeai.
Ati, »».- l. A ooiudo wiil represent
■ me* VT-. —tn —t-inmiua —company. atn
i noma.. « a.i also be re last yeai. T
.Ui. >i. i. . u,.i .skinner will buy
•oi ino i.. I. 6tinnier lobacco cotw
pau>\ '
tne J. I'. laylor company, the A
uietuan iboacco lolnpany, V. Lodfaid
company, Uibrelt Brothers, incorpoi
aieu, W. i. Hughes company, anil
me uaitarhor Limited will all have
buyers here.
Besides the above buyers anil com
panies represented, there will be re
presentatives- who will buy tor var
ious independent companies.
I'.very company will be represented
when the market opeiu here Wednes
day, September t.
■ Ivvsry grade of tobacco from scrap
to the best wrapper is covered by
two -or nune orders thai these buy
ers will have.
lirnig your tobacco to , Williams ton
and these buyers will give you as
much for your tobacco as you can get
uny wl ere.
VV illiamston Storage
Warehouse Is Big Aid
With a storage capacity of thous
ands of pounds, the Union Storage
Warehouse will prove a valuable asset
to the Willianiston tobacco market.
Ibe various compartments have been
rented by the tobacco buyers whp, VfcUl
represent the largest tobacco com
panies, and they will bw used to store
tolwiuco in until shipment can be
made.
This, is essentially Important, since
fhis. extra storage space will give the
buyers an opportunity to take part in
every sale anil not allow congestion.
The warehouse is located on the At
lantic Coast Line. Railroad, where
loading is convenient and is-right,next
to the to bacco wa rehSuaes." 1-