North Carolina Newspapers

I Watch the Label om Year I Paper Aa It Carries the Data I Whaa Yoar Subscription Expiree VOLUME XXXII—NUMBER 58 MARTIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT BEGAN MONDAY ♦ Judge W. A. Dcvin Makes Favorable Impression in Charge to Jury EXPEDITES BUSINESS Judge Is Stickler for Promptneaa and Dispatch; Defines Crimea Carrying Deeth Penalty Excepting the marked interest shown in the proceedings and the gross summons of witnesses for tha grand jury yelled by Mr. Henry Tay lor, officer of that body, the term of court opening here yesterday offered a striking contrast when compared with those held forty years ago when the herae drawn vehicles, and even the lowly and forgotten steer carts, were the only means of transporta tion tor court attendants. Yesterday, cars were parked side by side and end to end for blocks, pushing from the acene the types, of vehicles once, so popular. The cakfestaad on the cor ner, once m sure to be than as the court was to be held, was missing; not 00s wallet was' seen on the back of a person, the courthouse as an ex-' rhaaga center, having lost the pres U«a so common in the yearr, gone by. Judge W. A. Devin, one of the State's ablest jurists, precise, clean cut, and a man who would in all like linaaa command a universal reapect even without his judicial cloth, open-j ed tha court qaietly, firmly outlin ing his general rates of procedure which he summed up in the words, 1 "promptness" and "dispatch." He ordered the court opened at 9:30 this morning, stating to the witnesses, court officers, juror* and lawyers that they would be expected at the ap pointed time. Ia his charge to the jury, Judge Devin briefly outlined the a general duties ef the members and the proper prssadurt in inquiring into cases, potetfiig out the secretness of their oaths, and warning them to guard their proceedings. Defining the crimes carrying the death penalty, the jurist, unlike many of the modern thinkers, expressed tha opinion that we must continue the penalty, espedslly in those cases where charges of murder or rape are established. So far ss arson and bur glary, the two other crimes carrying the death penalty, are concerned, tha judge stated that the punishment might be modified. Although the statute ia a very new one. Judge Devin described the au tomobile law as one of the most use ful en the books. He discussed brief ly the liquor laws, pointing out the nead of their enforcement that the tnaooent and weak might be pro tected. Instructing the jury to make an of ficial impaction of all public offices and public buildings whore prisoner* and the poor an kept, the judge turn ad to the trial docket Ambers To Reopen i/i New Quarters Tomorrow Moving into modern quarter* in the new Staton building on Main Street hent last week, the Amber*' cleaning and pressing establishment ha* com pleted the installation of its machinery and by tomorrow, Mr. Ambers states, he will be better prepared than ever to caw for hi* large number of patron*. With ample room, the cleaning and preaaing works will, no doubt, witness an increase in business. The shop'* arrangement wa* carefully planned and provided for in the building plana, and the firm enters its new home asauring its patrons a modern and expert serv ice. la addition to the cleaning and press ing works, a spacious room has been pi Spared where Mr. Ambers will con timse his general cigar, candy, and fountain business. The several depart ments are adequately stocked and fitted to ofier a prompt and reliable service. |W ATT S| I f f THEATRE ■ I Widsttdiy September 18 I WM. S.^HART HfefTAe Testing Block" Also Comedy and gerial I rrr j sept 19-20 I " TB * BRIDGE OF SAN tuis REY;; I with Lily Damita, Er- I nest Torrence, Raquel Torre* ■ AhM> NEWS sad COMEDY I MUSIC IT PHOTOTOM* 3 ——mm 11 I .. THE ENTERPRISE Large Offerings Local Market The marketing of tips oa the lo cal warehouse floors here so far this week has been very noticeable, tha fanners holding their better grades, or those who are so fortu nate as to have any in that class, waiting for a change. With a Urge part of the breaks made up oi tips, the average price paid on tha local market continues around the 13- cent mark, several stating that the average would go beyond the 14- cent point were it not for the large offerings of tips. NEGRO MAN IS SHOT BY WOMAN a Martha Farmer Jailed for Shooting of Richmond Johnson Friday With little cause assigned for the act, Martha Farmer, colored, shot down Richmond Johnson, also colored, at the home of Fannie Ruffin on West Main Street here late last Fri day night. Johnson was shot at close range, the ball, fired from a 88- calibre pistol entering the right thigh and fracturing the bone. Johnson, treated by a local physi cian soon after the shooting, was later removed to a Rocky Mount hospital where he is said to be re covering. The Farmer woman was arrested by Sheriff C. B. Roebuck and Night Policeman Allsbrooks at the home of Hyman Woolard's, eight miles out on the Washington V. road, shortly after the shooting. It was stated that she left the Fannie Ruf fin home with Herekiah Keel, that he left her at the Woolard home un til he could exchange cars. She was the local jail, officers sche duling the trial for the first Tuesday in October before Judge J. W. Bailey in the recorder's court. Keel has not been arrested in connection with the case at this time. The negress, according to court record*, was arrested by prohibition agents between here and Jamesville last June when she was riding with Willie Whitfield and Willie Williams, colored rum runners of Rocky Mount. She was held in the jail for a short while but was later released by the U. S. commissioner here. Since that time, it is understood that she has been spending much of her time at the Fannie Ruffin home, aaid by many to be of ill repute. While no hearing has been held in the case, witnesses questioned by Sheriff Roebuck following the shoot ing, stated that Johnson went to the Ruffin home and entered the room where the Farmer woman and several other people were. Johnson is aaid to have opened the door and inquir ed as to who was in the room. Mar tha Fanner, according to an eye witness apparently of direct white parentage, told the man it was none of his business and fired without warning. Shot down, Johnson was forbidden to get up by the Farmer woman. Bond is being withheld in the case, pending the outcome of the wounded man's condition, it was stated by of ficers. TEACHERS MEET HERE SATURDAY a Is First Meeting of Present School Year; 75 Expected To Be Present , a The teachers of the Martin County schools will hold their first meeting (or the 1929-30 term here next Satur day afternoon at 2 o'clock in the new high school building, it was officially announced in the office of the county superintendent this morning. Al though sll the schools arc not open at this time, Superintendent R. A. Pope stated that more than 75 teachers are expected at the meeting. No definite schedule of procedure to be followed in the meetings this year given, but it is understood that the general program common in the past will again be in force at the reg jular monthly sessions this term. Fol lowing the assembly, reading circle work will be outlined and leaders ap pointed, it was stated. 16 Attend District Meet Of Woodmen at Wilson a Sixteen members the Everetts Modern Woodmen Camp at tended the district meeting of that or ganization at Wilson yesterday and took part in the program According to ajceport of the meeting, a large number of candidates were initiated at the session last night, following a large dinner served the t 300 Woodmen. The large number of members represent ing the Everetts can>P indicates an un usual interest in the organisation's ac tivities. WiUiamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, September 17,1929 Yesterday, the 96,090 pounds on the floors here sold for an average price of 912.94, the break today being several thousand pounds larger with no appreciable change in the price. The floors here today are carrying much of the common tobacco, the better gradea probably showing a little more atrength aa to price. There are approximately lis,-000 pounds of the leaf 09 the floors today, according to reliable esti mates. - WITNESSES ARE PLACED IN JAIL %■—— Three Men Jailed for Fail ing to be in Court Room When Called Failing to answer to their names in court here yesterday, James Reddick, of Jamesville; Haywood Myrack, of Poplar Point; and Arthur Morgan, of Goose Nest; were found and placed in jail so that they could be had when summoned a second time. Judge W. A. Devin, the presiding officer, sent out the warning soon after court convened to all witnesses to be on hand to that the court would not be delayed, and while the courtroom was packed by witnesses and spectators all during the day, the three men took a few minutes cfl, talking them off at the wrong time, however. After tlie judge's warning had cir culated through the courthouse grounds and it was learned that the jurist meant what he said, the wit nesses packed the court auditorium to such an extent that many of the spec tators soon left for a cooler and purer air. BOY NARROWLY ESCAPES DEATH Four-Year-Old Boy Runs Directly in Path of Automobile James Harrell Rogers, the four y ear-old aun of Mr. and Mrs. J a van Rogers, of Bear Grass, miraculously escaped serious injury or even death this morning when he attempted to cross Washington Street in front of an approaching car, driven by Mr. J. E. Hedrick, of Jameaville. The lit tle fellow crawled from a truck where he was left alone and started across the road with the Hedrick car hardly five feet away. The Hedrick car, a Dodge sedan, was running around 12 miles an hour and was stopped before the wheels reached the child*. The bumper, knocking the child down, bruised the boy's leg and his ear was reddened when his head hit the pave ment. The injuries were minor, the strong brakes on the car apparently saving the child from serious injury and probable death. Wilmer Brown, the drive* of the truck, stated that he instructed the boy to remain in the machine while he was to be waited on in a barber shop. Becoming lonely, the child crawled from the track and started to join Brown across the street when he was struck by the approaching car. Mr. Hedrick, because he had not crushed the life out of the child, wept with joy when he stated "that children should be warned against dashing in to the highways and *hat their care takers should be more careful. SCHOOL OPENS AT BEAR GRASS ■ a ' 215 Enrolled First Day; Be gin 8-Month« Session for First Time , . Beginning an eight-months term (or the first time, the Bear Crass school yesterday morning broke all enroll ment records when 2li children reg istered in the elementary and high school departments for work during the year. An informal exercise marked the school's opening, several of the of ficials making brief talks, and the prin cipal announcing the tentative sched ule to be adhered to during the coming months. Rev. Z. T. Piephoff, local Presby terian minister, led the devotional ex ercise, Principal S. E. Lee making the necessary announcement! and address ing briefly the children and parents, played the role of the school head upon such an occasion. Mr. A. B. Ayers, a member of the school's committee, out lined, in an interesting way, the prog ress and history of the school. - He told of the one-room school, but dealt, in his talk, mainly with the recent change in the school term's duration. principal Lee stated that the enroll ment would increase as the term pro gresses, that the splendid cooperation evident in the school points to a very successful year there. -'-T ESCOFFERY CASE ENDS ABRUPTLY; NEGRO IS FREED • Judge Sinclair Rules That Evidence Presented by State Insufficient ESCOFFERY TESTIFIES Telia of His Activities to Secure Ver dict of Second Degree Murder Against Percy Miller The trial of Philip Escoffery, col orde lawyer of Durham, ended abrupt ly last Friday afternoon when Judge N. A. Sinclair, presiding ia Chowan Superior court, ruled that the evi dence was insufficient grounds for the charge of subornation of perjury. The Albemarle Daily News says: A motion for a non-suit had been made by the defense when the state concluded its case Thursday morning, but the judge had reserved decision while testimonly of defense Witnesses proceeded. The judge made his decision as the defense rested its case and lawyers for both sides prepared to mske their final summation. The other charges against Escoffery were nol pressed. Bonds of Lem Pritchard, Willow GUlam and Christ mas Lee, charged with perjury were reduced from S6OO each to $250 each. Testimony of defense witnesses in the tial of Escoffery continued in Chowan Superior court Friday, while Judge N. A. Sinclair reserved de cision on the motion of the defense for a nonsuit. The highlight of the morning was the cross-examination of Escoffery; by J. C. B. Ehringhaus. Es coffery went on the stand on his own behalf late Thursday, and his story of his efforts to save Percy "Foots" Miller from being convicted of first degTee murder instead of second de gree murder, caUsed weeping on the colored side of the courtroom. At in tervals he wept himself. Escoffery began his story in a sort of dialect, but his English improved as he neared its conclusion. He is of West Indes birth, and was graduated from Mice College there. He has been in the United States 12 years. He is a member of four colored fra ternal organisations. Escoffery said that he obtained the affidavits which are the basis of the charges against him, after he had been told by colored residents of Windsor that Pritchard was not near Miller the afternoon the latter shot and Idlled Chief of Police Pat White. He sought in the affidavits, he said, not to condemn the prosecuting at torneys who are now appearing against him, but to establish justice for Miller and to brand Pritchard as a liar. Previously C. D. Carstarphen, Wll liamston notary, testified that he did not swear Lem Pritchard when Pritchard and Escoffery appeared be fore him with the affidavits in ques tion, but merely asked Pritchard if he had signed the paper which fact Pritchard affirmed. ' Cleo Andrews testified that Escof fery read the affidavit in question to Lem Pritchard and that Pritchard said, "That is just what happened." Then, Cleo said, Pritchard left for Williams ton to sign the papers before a notary as there was no notary in Windsor at the time. It was brought out in the trial that after Pritchard gave his belated testi mony in the Miller trial, he did not attend any of his lodges agaip. Asked why he didn't he said, "I didnt want to." Willie Ruffin, colored, testified that he saw an attempt to get to Judge Moors made after the trial, by Wil low Gilliam. The judge had to rap for order when laughter greeted Willie's explanation that the lodge could not kick Lem Pritchard out because Lem hadnt been back to get kicked out. CHECKS UP ON ILL DEFENDANT ♦ No One Can Play 'Possum With This Court and Get Away With It That there will be no stunts pulled after the 'possum variety in this term of Martin's superior court Was made certain yesterday afternoon when health certificates were checked and re checked by an officer and a physician. J. S. Williams, of Beaufort County, sent in a certificate yesterday vouch ing for a sudden illness contracted the day before. The certificate it*elf was all right, it was stated, but suspicion entered the case and an examination of the man's physical condition was ordered. The physician okehed the certificate telling of Mr. Williams, the defendant in. a case preferring the charge of non-support, stated he would try and go if the doctor and officer insisted. The physician stated that he would not ask a sick man to go to court, Mr. Williams assuring the doc* tor and officer that he would appear here as soon as he was able to be out •ad about. Court to Begin Trial of Sawyer Case Tomorrow Morning, 9:30 T. BOG SLADE, SR., DIES SUDDENLY Apoplexy Claims Prominent County Citizen at Home in Hamilton Sunday T. Bog Sade, sr., a member of one of Martin County's most distinguished families and a Civil War veteran, died at his home in Hamilton late Sunday evening of apoplexy. While he had been in feeble health for a number of months, Mr. Slade had been active in the management of his farm, and his death was unexpected at the time. The funeral was held in Hamilton this afternoon by Rev. L. C. Brothers, the pastor of the Methodist church there, of which Mr.> Slade had long been a member. Interment was made at the old home place, three miles from here on the Hamilton road, following the funeral services. The son of the late William and Penelope Slade, he was born near here 84 years ago, receiving his training in the home and in the community school. At the age of 16 he ran away and vol unteered for service in the Confederate Army. Leaving here with a few of his boy friends, Mr. Slade was one of the first to enter the war from this county. He was in Walker's Cavalry, walking from here to join a company in Washington. Throughout the war he served the Cause of the South, his company finally surrendering to the Union forces near Richmond while try ing to reach and support General Lee's lines. Returning from the war he entered earnestly into the spirit of the recon struction days, striving hard on the farm where he was born to regain that which had been lost. After a few years on the farm, Mr. Slade moved to Ham ilton, where he opened a mercantile fctore, continuing to engage in agricul ture, however, to some extent. It was only a few years ago that he turned the management of the firm over to his son, Bog, jr., giving all his time since then to the management of his farm, which he visited regularly up un til a few days before his death. He was married twice, first to Miss Mary Griffin, of Bertie, one son, T. Bog, jr., surviving the union. His sec ond wife also survives. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Helen Rhodes, of Montgomery, and Miss Fannie Slade, of Hamilton, and three grandchildren, 1. Bog, 111, Richard and Mary. The Slade family has held hiKh posts in local and national affair*, Alfred M. Slade having served as United States Minister to Argentina from 1836 to 1840. He was also the first master of Skewarkee Lodge of Masons here. An other ancestor, Jeremiah Slade, was a member of the North Carolina Senate for a number of years. IN CONTEST FOR CATTLE JUDGING —♦— Jamesville Boys Only Miss Winning First Place by 10-Point Margin Representing the Jamesville agricul tural class at the dairy cattle judging contest held in Kinston last Saturday for the entire section of East Carolina, William Gaylord and Edwin Getsinger missed the winning score by only a 10-point margin, said W. T. Over by. head of the agricultural class at Jamesville. Practically all the agri cultural schools in this part of the State had their contestants there, and was close, the Jamesville beys commanding a position close to the top in the contest. The winners of the contest last Sat- uiday will go to Raleigh next Satur day where they will compete with the winner* of the contests held in the Piedmont and Western sections of the State. The winners at Raleigh will repreient North Carolina at the Inter national judging contest to be held in St Louis next month, the Jamesville teacher stated. Early Cotton Deliveries Found Disappointing Dunn, Sept 12.—Much of the cot ton marketed here so far has been rather disappointing so far as qual ity goes, the buyers state. Farmers have bean too anxious to rush the cotton to the gins and much of it has been ginned too green causing it to "gin-cot" and to be too moist when baled. Buyers must naturally fix their price to compensate for loan in weight of green bales and the farmer loses around $lO a bale when his cotton is "gin-cot." Much could be saved if farmers would take time to season or dry their cotton before having it gin ned. PROCEEDINGS IN SUPERIOR COURT • Thirteen Cases Had Been Called Up to Noon Today Thirteen cases had been called up until the noon recess today in the regular term of Martin Superior court. Despite jury deadlocks and other drawbacks, the court is pro gressing rapidly, and will be ready for the Sawyer murder case in the morning, according to present indi cations. The cases: The case charging Johnson Corey with an assault with a deadly weapon was dismissed. Corey had entered a plea of guilty at a previous term of the superior court, and it was when he showed good behavior that tW action was dismissed. Pleading guilty in a case charging him with an affray, W. C. Wallace was discharged upon the payment of costs. Robert Edmonds was sentenced to twelve months on the Edgecombe County roads when he was found guilty of stealing an autdmobile. No evidence was given to connect Chas. Ben McKeel, charged with stealing in the same case, and he was released. The charge stated that the two boys stole an automobile from the home of Joseph Hollis on Easter Sun day morning and that they sold it in Burlington. Entering a plea of nolo contendere in the case charging him with seduc tion, Haywood Myrick was required to pay the costs of the case and $75 for the use of the prosecuting wit ness. Capias was issued when J. S. Wil liams, charged with assault with a deadly weapon, failed to appear when called. A nine-months-suspended-road sen tence was given Daniel D. Stalls' when he v entered a plea of guilty in an assault with a deadly weapon case. The sentence was suspended for two years upon the defendant's paying the cost. John Haywood Taylor, pleading guilty to an assault with a deadly weapon charge was released upon the payment of the cost. At the request of the State, flhei case charging T. L. Johnson w|K»i passing a worthless check, was con tinued. Pete Hoggard, charged with driv ing an automobile while he was un der the influence of liquor, was found not guilty. The case attracting the greatest attention up until this morning was the one charging J. H. and Burley Nelson with the larceny of one yel low hen. They were found not guilty. Requiring several hours of the court's time, the case involved much -swear ing and a long chain of testimony. The boys were not freed until much bad evidence had been given against them. They were forced to admit that they had been in court several times before to face larceny charges and one of them hadf actually serv ed a term on the roads for stealing meat. One is only seventeen years old while the other is just past the twen ty-year mark. The jury placed great importance on the case charging Bossey Slade with assault with a deadly weapon, for the twelve men deliberated a part of yesterday, all night last night and a mis-trial was apparently in or der when the defense enter a plea of nolo contendere anff the case was set tled upon the defendant's paying the costs. The jury was called in and told, of the settlement, giving the I long-winded debaters a much-needed relief. At 11:30 thih morning the jury, apparently disgusted with the case, asked to go before When told that some were for con viction and others were not, Judge Devin told them it was up to them to make a decision; they went back . and apparently were still arguing when the case was settled. Tom Nicholson, pleading guilty of driving a car while drunk, was sen tenced to four months on the roads, the sentence to begin November 1. The case charging Sylvester Taylor, Luther Clark, John H. Biggs and Perlie Coltrain with breaking into W. L. Moore's store, the Coast Line depot and stealing money, goods and an iron safe was the last case called be fore the noon recess. The State put on 0. G. Carson, agent at the James ville station, Perlie Coltrain and J. H Biggs, both of them having turned State's witnesses previously and Luther Clark, another of the de fendants who also plead guilty. Dal las Price and W. L. Evans were also called as witnesses in the case. Tay lor, the fourth defendant in the case, did not plead guilty, but failed to! go on the stand. The entire case was Advertiser* Will Find Our Col umn* a Latchkey to Over 1,600 Home. of Martin County ESTABLISHED 1898 JUDGE ORDERS SPECIAL VENIRE OF 75 SUMMONED —— True Bill Charging Murder in First Degree Returned Yesterday COUNSEL APPOINTED Harry W. Stubbs to Appear for De fendant; A. R. Dunning to Assist ■ in Prosecution Ihe case charging John Sawyer with tht murder of J. S. Britton, Cross Roads farmer, will Jw called in the su perior court here tomorrow morning at o'clock, according to information coming from the court-mom yesterday aftemon. A hill charging first-degree murder was returned by the grand jury at noon yesterday, and a special venire of 75 citizens was 'ordered summoned by the court just before the noon re cess yesterday. Appointed by the court, Harry W. Stubbs, local attorney, will appear for the defendant, Sa»wyer, while Solicitor Donnell Gilliam will be as>,isted by Lawyer Archie R. Dunning in prose cuting the case. Forming the center of interest in the- presentment! of the court, the trial is expected to attract large crowds be ginning tomorrow morning. To select tin jury, hear the evidence, and Com plete the judge's charge, it is the opin ion of many that the case will continue at least two days. The special venire .summoned to ap pear before the court tomorrow'mtir.u ing include: K. O. Mobley, H. G. Grif fin, J. H. Davenport. 1\ C. Williams, Levin Ange, and J W. Martin, Jumes ville Township; N. R. Griffin and C. L. Daniel, Williams Township; John K. Griffin, Ira T. Ilardisou, W. C. El lis, W. 1). Manning, George I'. Rob ersoh, (). S. Coltrain, James A. Rob etaon, .!).•'G. Griffin..CJL'.- Cottrain.yd John A. Lilley, Griffins Township; Na tiian Rogers, M. H.'Ward, L. l\. Tay lor,-J. W.%iarris, and W..0. Peel, of I'.tar (irass; W. 11. Carstarphcu. B. W. Hardy, J. Daniel Biggs, L. B. Harri son, J. D. I.eggett, J. A. Liggett, W. 11. Booker, J. L. llassell, S. C. Griffin, John R. Peel, M. K. Harrison, J. 11. Rogers, P. 11. Brown, and W. K. Dunn, Williamston Township; K. R. Carson, W. E. Everett, G. P. Bullock. C. T. Smith, Raleigh Gurganus, A. R. Aus bon, H. C. Norman; H. L. Everett, O. I'. Smith, B. F. Coburn, Eli Rogers, C. L. Green, W. A. Ausbon, J. G. Leggett, R. J. Whitehtirst, R. E. Grimes, Jasper Perkins, S. H. Gurgan us, Jos. Robcrson, S. 1. Woolard, Rob eif.onville Township; J. P. Harris, L. G. Taylor, and V. I'. Bunting, of Pop lar Point; Asa Johnson, W. G. An thony, Paul I. Chesson, 11. L. Hop kins, P. C. Edmondson, ij£, Hamilton Township; J. McNelson, E. L. Glover, W. t). Council, T. 11. Johnson, W. B. Beirtiett, C. L, Etheridge, W. J. John son, jr., W. C. Hall, W- K. Everett, and J. R. Rawls. Mrs. Addie Louise Ayers Dies jit Home of Daughter Mrs. Addie Louise Ayers, 4(5 years old, died at the Wine of her daughter, Mrs. Willie Roberson, near Kveretts, last evening at 8:00 o'clock following a stroke of paralysis suffered several weeks ago. The funeral will be held this aft ernoon, Rev. C. B. Mashburn, of the Robersonville Christian Church, con ducting the last rites. Interment will be made in the family cemetery at Hassell. *• Mrs. Ayers, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coltrain, this county, lived a greater part of her life in the Hassell community, moving a few years ago to Virginia. She was visiting her daughter at the time she was taken ill. Several children sur vive. Yard Improvement Contest Will Be Staged in County Miss Sleeper is asking all Martin County women interested in a-, yard improvement contest to notify her very® soon. The contest will be started fall uiiil completed in the spring and will be open to every one interested. fully explained by the three defend ants. Each described the details of the robbery, accounting for everything from soon after night fall until 3:00 o'clock the next morning. All agreed to the fact that Sylvester was the leader of the gang and the only arm jfd man in the group. According to the testimony of Clark, the Coltrain boy wu the pilot in the Jamesville raid, aa he had lived in that section for several years. The jury convicted Taylor after de liberating only a few itninates. Sen tence had not been passed at three o'- clock this afternoon.