Save—24th Series of Martin County Building and Loan Association Stock Is Now on Sale—Have
Watch UM Label on Your
Paper Aa It Carrita the Data
Whan Year SafcacrlpUuM Kxpiree
VOLUME XXXII—NUMBER 6 -
PLAYMAKERS TO
PRESENT PLAYS
HERE SATURDAY
Engagement Here Closes a
Four-Day Tour of
East v
TO PRESENT 3 PLAYS
Two Comedies by Paul Oraan and
Ona Tragedy by Loretta Bailey
Constitutes Program
Taking advantage of the spring hol
iday recess, the Carolina Ptaymakers,
well-known original play group at the
University of North Carolina, will pre
sent three plays in the city hall here
next Saturday night. The engagement
her# Saturday (light will bring to a
clo»e a four-day tour of the Play
maJcers. Tomorrow night the players
wiQ present their plays at Meredith
College, Raleigh. Thursday they go
to Smithfield, and after an engage
ment in Wilmington Friday they come
here Saturday fori an appointment
night >
The group will present three plays,
"Qurt Medicine," a country comedy
of a quack doctor, by l'aul Green;
"Job's Kinfolks," a tragedy of mill
people, by Loretta Bailey; "The Man
Who Died at Twelve O'Clock," a ne
gro comedy, by Paul Green.
The casts include Professor Hubert
Heflfner, assistant director; Neona
Sturgeon of Wewoka, Okla.; Penelope
Alexander, Charlotte; George Ehrhart,
Jackson; and Helen Dortch, Howard
Bailey, and T. P. Harrison, all of
Chapel Hill. ;.
MRS. ROXIE LANE
BARNHILL DIES
♦
Had Been in Failing Health
For Tht%e Months;
Lived Near Here
Mr*. Roxie Lane Barnhill, aged
citizen, died at her residence near
bere on Highway No. 90 last Friday
afternoon. While she had been in fail
ing health for about three months, it
waa only a week before her death
that she waa found to be suffering
from cancer and Bright's disease.
The funeral was held from the
home Saturday afternoon by Rev. C.
U. Dieksy, of the local Baptlit church.
Interment waa made in the family
burying ground at the old home place,
near Everett*
Mr*. Barohill leave* seven children,
her husband, James E. Barahill, hav
ing died nine yean ago. The children
are, Messrs. Jodie, James E. and
Harry, Blanch, and Ruby Bamhillrof
WUliamston; Fabian A. Bsmhiil, of
Ewsretts and Ksder Bamhill, of New
York. Three step-so as, Henry Barn
hill, of Conetoe, B. R. Barahill and
Join B. Barn hill also survive. She
alao leaves three brothers, Messrs.
Carl and Will Lane, of Kinston and
Leaia Lane, of Rocky Mount.
School Bill Finally Gets
Through Legislature
While the Mac Lean school bill was
altered almost beyond recognition, the
Legietlature finally passed a measure
last Saturday affecting the financing
and operation of the schools. The bill
pasaad provides:
 Leaving the constitutional six
months term as it was and provid
ing an equalising fund of $5,260,000
for It, of which $300,000 is to be set
aside and used as an emergency
fond.
Setting up an aid fund of, f1,260,-
000 Jer eight-months term special
distriet relief.
▲ 19-cent ad valorem participat
ing l«vel.
Elaborate administrative machin
ery which is hoped to effect savings
of 10 per cent over former operating
costs.
71M light to county commissioners
' to lory a tax not exceeding five cents
for additional teachers' salaries.
WATTS
T T - THEATRE **
Wednesday March 20
TOM TYLER
to *
"Tyrant of Red Qulch"
ALSO COMEDY
Inn ■■ '
Thursday- Friday March 21-32
*THE JAZZ AGE"
With Douglas Fairbanka, Jr.,
Marcaliaa Day, and Henry
B. Walthall
M. O. M. MEWS COMEDY
Shows at Til* and 9 P. M. Daily
MUSIC »Y PHOTOTONE
—i n. ... ■ IY i i
THE ENTERPRISE
SCENE FROM PLAYMAKERS* COMEDY
»IIPsyHM
' B
Scene from Paul Green's "Quare Medicine," which the Playmakers are
playing on their special Raster tour into eastern North Carolina. In this
scene Henry (played by T.'P. Harrison) has just taken Dr. Immanuel's (played
by Howard Bailey) "Uuare Medicine" and is fast becoming a "new man in
Israel." Old man Pa Jernigan (played by Hubert Heffner) looks delightedly
on as Henry choke* his wife. Mat tie (played by Nettine Struhach), into sub
mission.
Court Scenes of
Years Ago Not
In his "Reminescences of Elder
Reuben Ross," a book published in
the past century, James Ross describes
a scene at the Martin County superior
cojart years ago that offers a striking
contrast to the session being held here
this week. The author described the
large crowds, how fights were handled
without "meddlesome policemen" in
terfering, and how rum, beer, cider,
oysters and gingerbread were sold un
der the Tiigli floor of the wooden hall
of justice while the court was in ses
sion above.
With a few exceptions, the court
of today is not so unlike the one.de
scribed by Mr. Ross, (or this week
the crowds are gathering here, tome
by summons, others coming merely out
of curiosity, and are reacting to a
very great degree the scenes of cen-
NEGRO FATALLY
SHOT SUNDAY
Bradshaw Ruffin Dies in
Hospital Today; Shooting
Was Accidental
Bradshaw Ruffin, negro living below
the river hill here, was accidentally,
and fatally shot Sunday when he and
Henry Rogers were examining a pis
tol, claimed to baee been found by
Roger* earlier that afternoon Ruffin,
with hi* bladder punctured by the
bullet, stated that the shooting was ac
cidental, that it did not follow a quar
rel between him and Rogeri. The man
was removed to a Washington hospi
-1 tal, where he wa* operated on late
Sunday, doctor* there reporting little
chance of recovery at that time. Ruf
fin died shortly after one o'clock this
afternoon.
Rogers was placed in jail Sunday
night and was released under a S2OO
bond ye»terday afternoon." While no
charge has been preferred, it is under
stood that he will be tried for carry
ing a concealed weapon.
According to statements made to lo
cal officers, Rogers found a pistol in
an old overcoat that was thrown by
some one along the railroad hire. Rog
er* then went to the Ruffin home and
showed the pistol to Ruffin, who re
moved the magazine. Rogers, think?
ing that all the bullets were out,
pulled the trigger while the barrel was
pointed at Ruffin and tired a ball into
Ruffin * abdomen. . --
Highway Employee Is
Hurt in Fall from Truck
Falling from a truck here yester
day, Rufus Cox, highway employee,
waa thought to have been seritfHly
hurt, but according to reports this
morning, his condition is much im
proved. Mr. Cox fell from the truck,
his head hitting the concrete. It is
thought that he will be able to return
to work with the highway forces in
this section shortly. Mr. Cox is from
Edwards, Beaufort county.
a
Expect to Use Whol*
Week tor Criminal Cases
The civil docket prepared for trial
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of
this week in the Superior court here
haa been pushed aside by the large
number of criminal cases, it being re
ported that all of this week will be
devoted to the trial of criminal cases.
The criminal docket is one of the larg
est to come before the court in sever
al months, and ia attracting much at
tention. The trial of dvil cases will
be started Monday, it is understood.
a '
Miss Josephine Sykes, of Sanford,
who has been here nursing her moth
er during a recent illness has return*
ed to her home.
Mrs. J. M. Duifey and little daugh
ter have returned to their home in
CoflleM after vidting here.
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, March 19,1929
turies back. While the rum and beer
sellers have moveit their quarters into
more secret places, the medicine men
continue shouting their ware* before
the crowds gathered around the court
house. The sales are not so numer
ous as they were once in the years
gone by, but right here this week the
drug monger is making & fair-sized sal
ary by the use of a stereotyped sales
talk and appealing stories [rather than
on the merits of root juices prescribed
l»y some famous Indian.
The general behavior of the crowd*
is commendable, but the appearance*
of (Jiose who have relatives in court
wiry but little front the appearances
01 those who had relatives up for trial
years back, according to Mr. Ross' de
scription of the throngs c«uning to sit
in upon the trials.
2 MORE NEGROES
ARE ARRESTED
♦—
Being Held in Connection
With Robersonville
Killing
With the arrest of John Jasper
Black and Ralph Duggard, colored, of
RobtTMHivillr, last Saturday night, the
murder case of Jim CoffieUl, becomes
more complicated; for it is understood
that these two men assaulted Gus
Knight, the alleged fnurderer of Co
field. shortly before the killing that
took place about II o'clock Saturday
flight, March V.
According to the information gained
a! the courthouse
Black and Duggard had assaulted
Knight, who, to get even, set for them
and by mistake killed The
case has not been beard, and it is
thought that it will affect, more or less,
the. Knight case.
The two men were jailed here Satur
day night by Deputy Sheriff Grimes.
Their case has not been filled for trial
at this time.
MANY ATTEND
NEWS SCHOOL
a
Martin County Well Repre
sented at Meeting in
Washington
Martin County was well represented
at a news leaders' school in Washing
ton this morning, 5 of the 6 clubs be
ing represented. Mr./F. H. Jeter, head
lot the agricultural publications at State
I College, is speaking to the club mem
bers instructing them as to the best
{v. ay of placing demonstration work be
fore the public.
Miss Lora E. Sleeper, agent for this
county, with Mrs. Hertha Ange, Mrs.
Ben Ange, of the Angetown Club;
Mrs. Martha Sexton, of the Jamesville
Club; Miss Eftie Waldo, of the Ham
ilton Club; Miss Margaret Everett,
Mrs. Everett, Mrs. Don Hyman, and
Miss Hattie Everett, of the Williams
Chapel Club; and Mrs. Lee Hardison,
of the Holly Springs Club; attended
the meeting.
a
Dr. Potest To Speak
Here twice Sunday
——a
The community will receive it as
good news that Dr.. William L. Po
test, president emeritus of Wake For
est College, will speak twice in WU
liamston next Sunday. Both appear
ances will be at the Memorial Baptist
Church. He will speak there Sunday
morning at 11 o'clock and again in the
evening at 7 o'clock. ,
His coming is, in connection with
the policy of thrs church, which is,
occsiionally throughout the year, to
bring into its pulpit men of outstand
ing ability and position. From time
to time other men will come.
MARTIN COUNTY
SUPERIOR COURT
BEGAN MONDAY
Judge Walter H. Small, o!
Elizabeth City, Is
Presiding
TWO WEEKS' SESSION
■ .
Unusually Larg# Number of Cases on
Docket; To Try Both Criminal
And Civil Case*
*
With a docket surpassing in number
of cases those of the past several ses
sions, the March term of Martin Coun
ty Superior Court convened here yes
terday for the trial of criminal and
civil cases. The court will be in ses
sion two weeks, Judge Walter 11,
Small, of Elizabeth City, presiding.
The old-time court scenes came fresh
in the minds of the older citizens when
the town was filled with folks from all
quarters of the county. The only dif
ference being that all came in on au
tomobiles, whereas in the good old
rtnys TJf a quarter of a century ago
they came on buggies, carts, some ox
carts, and many walked, but the same
interest is apparent now as then, the
accused to beat, the law or beg for
mercy, or both.
' Judge Walter 11. Small, of Elizabeth
City, is on the bench, and was prompt
ly on time. The court was lucky in
drawing a grand jury fully up to stan
dard; in fact, front appearances, rather
above the standard.
The charge to the grand jury was
different from what is generally
in a charge. It did not deal in tech
nicalities, but was based upon citizen
ship and pistols. The judge handled
both lines well, and to good' effect.
He stated that our forefather's zeal and
interest for better things and condi
tions for their posterity was the basis
upon which our modern conveniences
and improvements, of which we are so
proud, are founded. These were all
the dreams of our fathers, who so faith
fully worked for better roads, better
homes, and a happy and prosperous
people.
Judge Small said that less than 1-2
of 1 per cent of oiir State's population
is foreign born, which accounts for
peacefulness. Although we fuss and
fume over politics and others things,
we have no riot* and troubles as in
Chicago and other centers of mixed
tribes. We soon forget and are friends
again, and give every man the right
to his own opinion.
The function of the courts was dealt
with at length, and though they are
not perfect, he said they are the prod
ucts of*the people, and no government
can be better than its people. The
laws are nothing more than the rules
o! conduct. The law of God says,
"Thou khalt not kill, steal, bear false
witness, ec;" the laws of our country
say the same, and yet each of these
laws are violated daily. A penalty is
necessarily fixed for the violation o£
•very law. People generally enjoy
the privileges of the law without a
word of praise, but when a violation
occurs, then they begin to complain.
The home and the school have laws
to govern those under their care, and
the government, just as necessarily,
has to have laws to regulate its sub
jects.'conduct. • The man who does not
place a portion of his energies upon
things that will help the coming gen
erations will fall far down in the scale
of citizenship, the jurist said. This
applies not only to houses and lands
and the material things that we have,
but it also applies to obnoxious things
in our society and,in our dealings with
each other.
The only violation of the law touch
ed upon by Judge Small was the pis
tol, which he described as the most
deadly of instruments in use, unless it
is the automobile, and lis said that
pistols cost Martin Count/ no less
than $5,000 each year. The pistol was
also described as the most useless
thing a man can have. It is of no pro
tection, in most Cases; there being 9V
diathi from the careless and deliber
ate use of pistol* to every life saved
by them.
John D. Lilley foreman
of the grand jury and H. v. Taylor
officer of the jury.
Town Commissioners
Hold Special Session
While the boartf of town commis
sioners, in special session here last
night, discussed financial measures
and the collection of taxes, only one
official act was completed. The salary
of the auperintendent of the . town's
water deparftoent was fixed at SIOO.
per month.
*—
Moves to New Office . v 1
On Washington Street
Mr. John L. Rodgerson moved his
office from the flatlron building on
Washington street yesterday to the
building adjoining the Peel Motor
company property on the same street.
Mr. J. G. Staton will establish an of
fice in the flatlron building, it is un
derstood.
Togo Pulley To Go On Trial
Tomorrow for
While the-charge to be preferred
against Togo Pulley, alleged mur
dered of Eugene Jones, policeman,
has not been officially given at this
time, it is understood that the case
will be called here tmorrow for irial.
It has been rumored that Puiley
has offered to submit to a second de
gree verdict.
The grand jury returned a true bill
in the case this morning, but it is not
known whether the evidence offered
would point to a trial of first de
gree murder or one of second degree.
However, it is said that the gun dis
charging bullets found in the dead
man's body is in the hands of officers,
PROCEEDINGS IN
SUPERIOR COURT
*
Eleven Cases Called Up To
Noon Today; Mostly of
Minor Importance
Eleven cases had been called by
Judge Walter H. Small up until noon
today in the superior court now in
session here, practically all the cases
called being of minor importance and
attracting very little attention. Work
in the court this afternoon points to
a busy day tomorrow, when one or
two of the most important cases are
scheduled to be called.
The minutes of the court procedure
up until noon today:
Kader Barn hill, seduction, capias
issued and case continued.
Johnson Corey, assault, plead* guilty,
and case is continued three months
Upon payment of coat.
Isiah Sherrod was found not guilty
in the case charging him with larceny.
Pleading guilty of temporary lar
ceny of an automobile, Jesse White
hurst was given a four-months road
sentence, suspended for two years.
A nol pros resulted in the case
charging Jim Johnson and Arthur
Williams with housebreaking and lar
ceny.
Roymond and B. C. Council, found
guilty of larceny, were given four
months on the roads each.
A nol proa was returned in the case
charging Dennis Everett with driving
an automobile while he was intoxicat
ed.
Judgment wan suspended in the CBBe
of Thomas Mayo who pleded guilty
of larceny. Mayo, a under 16
years of age, was placed in the jail
here more than two months ago for
stealing a pair of over-shoes.
While sentence has not been passed,
William Ellis and Henry Page were
both found guilty of larceny.
Under a suspended sentence, Au
gustus Wynne, charged with an as
sault, was ordered to Jail. No final dis
position of the caae has been made at
this time, but an eighteen months
jail sentence is in order, it is under
stood.
Thurman Hyman and Charlie Smith
plead guilty of larceny and each was
sentenced to the roads for four
months.
LOCALS DEFEAT
NEW BERN, 22 -11
—♦—
Game Played in New Bern
Saturday Night; Last
Of Season
Winning over the New Hern All
Stars, in New Bern last Saturday night,
22 to 11, the local high school fi,ve
brought to a dose one of the most suc
cessful basketball seasons in the his
tory of the school. Throughout the
season the locals tasted only two de
teats, one at the hands of Middleburg's
team and the. other at the hands of
Mebane's five in the tournament at
Raleigh.
Brown and Getiinger, of Janiesville,
played with the locals against the all
stars Saturday night when several of
the local boys dropped training a few
days before. Holding led the local*
in scoring, registering 11 of the 22
points in one-half of the game.
Number Citizens Urging
Pacing oi Highway 125
Intere>jted in the paving of High
way No. 126, a large number of people
here and others along the route from
Halifax to the end here, left for
Washington this afternoon to talk
the matter over with Commissioner
Kugler in his office there.
Sunday School Association
Will Meat Next Sunday
The Williams Township Sunday
School association will hold its regu
lar meeting at Fairview church Sun
day, March 24 at 3 p. m., according
to an announcement made today.
A cordial invitation is extended to
all to attend the meeting.
according to a thorough examinatior
of the ball and the weapon. The po
liceman's gun has also been located,
according to rumors.
The accused man is being represent
ed by D. L. Ward, jr., attorney ot
New Bern, who was hired by Pulley's
relatives. So far as it can be officially
learned there will be no private
prosecution, Solicitor Don B. Gilliam
handling that alone.
Orders to call a special venire for
jury service have not been issued.
If the case is called tomorrow, anu
it is likely that it will be called, the
court will be well attended from peo
ple all over thia and Pitt county.
FLORIDA POLICE
CAPTURE KNIGHT
| »
Is Brought Back Here to be
Tried for Murder of
Jim Coffield '
Gus Knight, negro charged with tho
murder of Jim Coffield, also colored,
of Robersonville March 9, wast captur
ed in Gainesville, Florida last week
when officers of that town raided a
gambling joint there. Upon learning
of the capture, Chief William Gray,
of Roberaonville, left for Gainesville
and he with the prisoner returned
yesterday. The case will be called to
morrow, the grandjury - having rv
turned a true bill against him.
According to information given,
Knight left soon after the shooting
for points farther south, and was
captured when he stopped at Gaines
ville. When arrested with several
others at the gambling joint, Knight
was merely looking on, but according
to the story told by him this morn
ing, he was examined and his identity
established when he refused to tell of
the fight that had happened while he
was watching the party. The police
found a letter, written by his uncle,
Alfred Knight, of Gainesville, to Geo.
Knight, Gus' father in Robersonville.
A watch bearing the name of Jim
King, local tobacco man, was found
on Knight's person, and the suit of
clothes he was wearing carried the
namj of R. L. Smith and company,
Robersonville merchants. The watch
was lost by Mr. King in Robersonville
two years ago, Knight stating that he
bought from a Parmele man.
With the facts, the Florida officers
wired Chief Gray who requested them
to hold Knight as he was wanted in
this county.
In giving the details just prior and
at the time of the killing, Knight stut
ed that he had had trouble with John
Black and Ralph Duggar on the night
of the shooting, that while he was in
a resturant the two men came in and
attempted to renew the trouble. He
also stated he had been warned that
Black and Duggar were after him and
that when he left and went to a house
of a friend the two men followe him.
When he left there they shot at him
three times, but the shots missed
their mark. Knight then went to his
girl's home and failing to enter on
account of a locked door he crawled
Under the house where he had a pistol
hid. As he started out he saw Coffield
coming and mistaking him for one of
his assailants, he flred the shot that
later proved fatal to the man.
Knight stated that he -walked to
Rocky Mount where he caught a train
and went to Fayetteville. After stay
ing ther a day, he left for Gainesville
where his uncle lived.
Engineer Begins Survey
( Preliminary to Paving
Appointed a* the town's engineer by
the commissioners here Monday night
of last week, ( aptain George Brooks,
of Morehead City, with assistants,
started yesterday on a survey of the
principal sidewalks of the town and
Smithwick Street. Upon the comple
tion of the survey, an estimate gf the
cost of paving the sidewalks and the
one street will be placed before Un
commissioned, who will then call for
contract bids, according to present
plans.
Fined $2 on Two Counts of
Hunting on Posted Land
♦
Charged with hunting on posted
-land-oil two different occasions,-Jx-ff
Ausbon, of near Hamilton, was fined
$2 and costs in a justice of the peace
court in Hamilton last Friday. Jus
tice of the Peace J. E. Edmondson
found Ausbou guilty of the two
charges and the $2 fine was placed in
each case.
Regular Meeting ot
Kiwanis Tomorrow
The regular luncheon of the Kiwanis
club will be held here tomorrow at the
usual hour. Gus Harrison has charge
of the meeting and an interesting
program is assured.
Advertiser* Will Find Our Col.
umn« a Latchkey to Over 1,600
Homea of Martin County
ESTABLISHED 1898
TO HOLD CLINICS
FOR PRE-SCHOOL
AGE-CHILDREN
*
Will Be Held in Jamesville,
Williamston, Roberson
ville Next Week
IN SCHOOL'BUILDINGS
Additional Clinics* for Other Parts of
County To Be Held Later; Urge
Parents to Send Children
in an -effort to prepare the pre
school child, from a Standpoint of
j health, for his years of scholastic
I work, clinics for the ■•examination a I
all children planning to enroll in the
i l ( )2y-.l() will lie held in this
county mxt week, according to :«
Schedule prepared by the State Board
of Heal tit' and Dn VV. E, Warren, the
county health officer. The "first series
.of the clinics will be held" in W illiani
jjfoii Monday; Jamesvilk Tuesday,
and RobersonVille Wednesday. Addi
tion.il clinics for other of the
county will be determined upon the
success 61 the three that will be held
n xt week, it was stated by Dr. War
ren yesterday.
The examinations will lie made in
•the school buildings of the three towns
on the days mentioned, a special nur'.e
and a physician starting the woric soon
after the school opens in the morn
ings.
Speaking of the clinic, Dr. W. K.
,Warren, county health 'office,,stated,
"It is of the utmost importance that
your child or children be physically
fit to enter school. Very few children
can progress satisfactorily in studies
if handicapped by bail health. Most
of the Causes of bad health in children
can be removed or remedied These
causes should he removed or remedied
before youi child enters school so that
lie or she may make the most rapid
pi ogress possible.
"It is unfair to the child to place
him in school with s\ich physical de
tccts as to make study a hardship, and
the attempt' to progress .1 disappoint
ing struggle. Ihe time to consider
this problem is now. Clothing, shoes,
books, and other things considered
necessary for a child to enter schoW
are usually given the most careful
thought by the parent. Why neglect
the most important part of the prep
aration?"
»
PLAY AT FARM
LIFE FRIDAY
——
Well Attended Despite Bad
Weather; S4O Received
For Library Fund
The harm Life faculty and patrons
presented the play, "The Girl Who
Forgot," to a full house Friday night.
The showers of rain that fell sporadi
cally throughout the lay Friday did
not prevent a large attendance. How
ever, the roads were cut up to some
extent, making it diflicult in places for
traffic to move ata .normal speed.
The gross receipts amounted to
$45,75, expenses totaled $5 75, leaving
a net profit of $40.00.
The primary purpose of the play
was to increase the n\itiil>er of vol
umes of elementary! library books. This
deficiency has been a great handicap
to the school.
' The principal, Mr, R. B. Talley, ex
tends the appreciation of the school
to B. S. Courtney, the Enterprise, and
Culpepper Hardware Co., for their
courtesy in loaning material for the
stage.
!»■■■•
DRY AGENT GETS
CAR FULL OF FISH
Suspected of Rum-Running,
Bertie Man Turns Out
To Be Fish Dealer
*
Driving a Whippet coupe through
here last Saturday, with the springs
almost resting upon thv axles, a Ber
tie fishmonger was suspected of trans
porting liquor, and Federal Agent
King gave chase. The officer, driv
ing a Packard car, went down the
"Main Street' making between 50 and
60 miles an hour and overtook the
full dealer at the foot of the river hill;
where the car was searched and the
cargo was found to be fresh herrings
and shad. -
The fishmonger, interested in his
trade, told the officer what was in the
car, pointing out that his fish were of
the best grade.
Thieves Steal Judge
Small's Motor Meter
Although he cune here in an effort
to establlah justice, Judge Small was
not spared by thieves, who, last night
as the Judge was sleeping, stole the
motor meter from his car parked In
front of a local hotel. The Judge's
Pontiac coupe is now without a
radiator cap, of any ldad.