North Carolina Newspapers

Advertisers Will Find Oar Col umn a Latchkey to Owe Sixteen Hundred Martin County Home* VOLUME XXXIIMJUMBER 55 FIRES DAMAGE WOODLANDS IN THIS SECTION Several Hundred Acres Are Burned Over in Williams and Griffins Districts DESTROYS Carelessness Given As Cause for Sev eral Fires; One in GgiKns Started from Barn Fire • The drought, resulting in a heavy damage to crops, it now being advanc ed a* one of the main causes for much disaster in the woods of this county, and section, fires having burned over hundreds of acres of dry and wither ed trees and brush. Once started, the flames have swept over hundreds oi acres in Griffins township and small tracts of timber in the western part ol the county. Burning rapidly, the fire in Griffins tiwnship threatened vast tracts oi timber, making a concerted effort on the part of the farmers there neces sary in checking its advance. Several of the fires are believed to have started as a result of careless ness, but the one in Griffins is said to have started frotn a burning tobacco barn last Sunday morning. Eating its way through the dry woods in Williams township, the fire swept over 200 acres of woodsland and destroyed all the buildings on the Clayton Hardison farm in that dis trict. The flames are said to have threatened the home and buildings of ■ Mi. Julius Hardison in the same dis trict, but aided by neighbors the* fire was fought hack. The fire there' was described as one of the worst ever seen by' many people. SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING HERE Convention in the Baptist Church Here at 2:30 Sunday Afternoon Next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'- clock in the auditorium of the Memor ial Baptist Church, there will convene a session of the Roanoke Baptist Sun day School Association. The program will lfst for a couple of hours, and several short addresses will be made.. . Those in charge of flic program have declared it to be a vefy interesting one. There will be several spakers from the association present. Iti* hoped that a goodly number of people of local congregations will avail themselves of the opportunity to hear the program; and especially should the proceedings be of interest to all- Sun day school workers, irrespective of de nominational affiliation. ROBESRONVILLE SCHOOL OPENING Commercial Work Will Be Offered To Anyone In County This Year ♦ Monday morning, September 15, at 9 o'clock, the Robersonville schools open for the 1930-31 term. s Any person in the town, or in any other town, will have an opportunity tc take work in the school's commer cial department, it was stated by Prin cipal R. I. Leake yesterday afternoon. A monthly charge of $4 will be made for the entire course, consisting of bookkeeping, typewriting, and stenog raphy. Students regularly enrolled in the junior and senior daises of the school may take commercial subjects counting towards graduation at a coat not exceding $1 per month. Any one interested in the commer cial department are asked to write or see the principal of the Robersonvilto schools. Everetts Woodmen Will Meet Next Monday Night The members of the Everett* Mod ern Woodmen Camp, after a two months period of inactivity, will re turn to their regular achedule of meetings next Monday evening at 1:00 o'clock, it was announced yesterday by the secretary, Mr. Pant Bailey. All Modern Woodmen are cordially in- ( vited to attend the meeting. j Special work has been planned for the next Monday evening meeting and two candidates will be initiated, it was stated. ♦ Services at the Church Of the Advent Sunday After a short vacation spent with relatives in Ohio, Rev. Arthur Mar shall will return to his charge here to morrow and will hold services at 8:00 jn the Church of the Advent Sunday evening. It was also stated in the an nouncement that the Church school | would convene at the usual hour, 10:00 a m. In the afternoon at Jo clock, the minister will hold services at the Trinity Mission, near Bear Grass. THE ENTERPRISE First Week Sales Here Are Smallest In Twenty Years The first week of the 1930-31 season was brought to a close to day with all warehouses in East ern Carolina reporting the lightest sales in twenty years. The prices have not been very disappointing to growers as they did not expect much. Prices have changed but little since the opening day last Tuesday but some strength has been noted on some of the grades, but in cases the variation was not notice able to the extent to effect a great chance in the average price paid. Sales on the local market have J. M. EDMONDSON DIES WEDNESDAY • Funeral Conducted by Rev. E. P. West In Hamilton Yesterday Afternoon Joseph M. Edmondson, aged citizen of Hamilton, died at his home there last Wednesday following a stroke of paralysis suffered the Sunday before. Back in 1928, Mr. Edmondson suf fered a stroke and since that time he remained an invalid. From the second stroke, he never regained conscious ness. Mr. Edmondson, 73 years old, was born on a farm in Robersonville township where he lived and farmed until he married about 35 years ago. Leaving the farm, he graded lumber for a number of years and just prior to his first stroke in 1928, he work ed as a builder and kept bees. He married Miss Mollie Powell, who sur vive. They never had any children. Joseph Edmondson was of the hon est, sturdy type. When the land boom was on in 1919 he sold a small farm for a big price on the cash down and deferred payment plan. Unlike many folks, Mr. Edmondson when the crash came and realizing that the buyer was unable to meet the obligations, return ed to him the cash advanced and re lieved him of the obligation. He was an ardent Mason. Years ago he walked from Everetts to Williams ton regularly to attend the lodge meet ings. Rev. E. P. West, pastor of the Ham ilton Baptist Church, of which Mr, Edmondson was a member, conducted the funeral services in the church yes terday afternoon. The burial was in the Hamilton cemetery with Masonic honors by the Conoho lodge assisted by members of Stonewall lodge. » Presbyterians Announce Program of Services The union church service will be held in the Presbyterian church Sun day evening at 8:00 o'clock. Under the present plans there will be two more Sunday night union services. Rev. C. H. Dickey will bring one of the messages and Rev. Dwight A. Petty the other. According to the regular rotation, Rev. Mr. Petty will preach in the Presbyterian church and Kev. .Mr. Dickey in the Methodist church. A cordial invitation is ex tended to all the members of the var ious denominations to attend these final two services. Other services at the Preshrshrsfir • There will be no II o'clock service in the Presbyterian church, but the members are urged to attend Chu'ch school at the regular hour and thr union service at night. | Sunday school will be held on the farm at 4 o'clt ck Sunday aft crnoon. Regular services at Hear Grass it / :30 p. m. / I Farm Life Rev. Z. T. Piephoff, of the Presby terian church, will preach in the Farm | | Life Schoolhouse .indite rium Sunday | I afternoon at 3 o'clock The citizens oli Griffins township are invited services. Sunday Services At The Local Baptist Church Sunday school Sunday morning for all grades and a teacher for each class. The pastor will preach at the 11 o'- clock hoar Sunday morning, j The Young Peoples' Unions will have their meetings in the as usual Sunday evening. - The union evening service will be held in the Presbyterian church Sun day evening at 8 o'clock, Rev. Petty preaching the sermon. No Preaching Services at Christian Church Sunday »' , , The Bible school of the Christian church will meet at i :45 Sunday niorn ing. At seven p. m. ths Christu l En deavor will hold it* monthly consecra tion service. All iLe young peopl- are invited to attend these meetings and to take part in tha service. The young people are planning and executing their own programs with unusual success. Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, September 5, 1930. averaged around nine cent* thru the week. Today'* sales will go around the 65,000 pound mark. The government grades for the first three days on the local market averaged aa follows: CS LP, 916.10; XI LP, 114.60; X 2 LP, sll-40; X 3 LP. 9805; and X LP, 15.15. The government marks used are represented by "X" for lugs, "C" for cutters; 'C" 5 LP means a sth grade cutter of lemon color, prim ing nature; "X" represents lugs which are graded 1 for best up to 5 for poorest, followed by a letter indicating color as "L" for lemon. DROUGHT KILLS NUMBpRTREEjJ Thousands of Small Oaks Die Along Highways In This Section • As a result of the extended drought, thousands of trees, small oaks mostly, are dying in this section. Crops have suffered a great damage from dry weather, and when the trees in the for ests begin dying the situation takes on a more serious aspect. One riding the highway from here lo Greenville can see thousands of trees that have x been killed by the dry season. And while practically all of them are small oaks, there are large ones that have weathered the storms, dry spells, and winds for a century and more. In IVII many trees died from dry weather, hut the number affected bj the dry season this year is said to be far greater. People traveling the highways of this section regularly .say that practically all the dead trees died (luring the past several days. If the dry weather continues through this month, it is believed that thfe oak will become extinct on some types ot land. Robersonville Negro Badly Hurt Following Liquor Row Janies Salsbury, colored of Rober sonville, was dangerously hurt when struck in the head with an axe handl ed by George Wright, also colored, there last Tuesday night following an argument over a liquor debt. Wright apparently saw the argument was against him and he ran, Salsbury and four of his friends gave chase. The fleeing negro ran to shelter in the home of a colored man who forbade Salsbury and his gang to enter.. The command was ignored, aud when Sals bury began waving a large knife, Wright is said to have struck him in the forehead, tearing an opening to the brain. Wright took to his heels again and with the other member* of the gang after him, ran to Harvey Rob erson's filling station where the Sals bury followers came very near get ting Wright over Mr. Roberson's pro tests. Arrested by Chief Hray t five of the members to the row were lodged in the jail here. The hearing was scheduled for today before J P. Hurst, of Rob ersonville, but at 2 o'clock this after noon, it had not been held. The injured man is said to be getting along very well. AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ASA BIGGS Former Congressman, United States District Court Judge, and United States Senator; Material Used Herein Waf First Published in 1915 By The North Carolina Historical Commission April 22Jid. Left Norfolk this morn- j ing 9 o'clock in the Fredericksburg, | run 18 miles in an hour and a hull, pessing gut a view of the Rip-Raps and Old Point Comfort. The Rip-Raps is an important work—with the aid of a Spye-glass I could ascertain how it was built. It is a solid bed of stone in 18 feet of water, about 5 acres. There are three or four house on it, and a wharf projects from it. It is truly a gnat work, and as is the necessary consequence must have cost an im mense quantity of money. But they ap peared inconsiderable, when compared with the battery and apparatus on Old Point. Here you see port holes in every direction, and flags flying. I was in formed that 100 guns could be made to bear on the size of a Hhd-head. It is « magnificient spectacle. Any attempt to pass up the river by an enemy would meet with warm work, too warm for comfort. It think it would be utterly impossible for an enemy to pass up be tween Battery and the Rip-Raps. April 23rd. This morning about 7 o'- clock we passed Mt. Vernon. Instinc tively I became melancholy and the re flection that there lies the great and good man, our Country's Benefactor, struck me with aw«. The Situation of my country in 76, the abject slavery to which we were reduced, the fearless and intrepid Spirits that dared to stand AGED CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES IN THIS COUNTY IJohn R. Nelson Laid To j Rest Near Robersonville Last Friday Afternoon Mr. John R. Nelspn, 87 years old, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Ross, in Robersonville, early last Thursday morning following an illness of several months' duration. In spile of poor health, Mr. Nelson was .fairly active about his home, near Rob ersonville, until a few weeks ago when [he went to live with his daughter. In I i> death the fast-fading Gray Line in I this county' is narrowed down to four, 'Air. Nelson being older than any mem ber of the remaining group. Up until shortly before the end, the a«ed Civil War Veteran displayed a spirit that characterized a beautiful and noble life. Patiently and without mur mur he awaited death. It was in the early part of the war that Mr. Nelspn, then a young man of only 18 years, volunteered for service in the Southern Armies, and it was in Company E of the North Carolina Reg iment tliat he faced his first duties as a drummer. Only a few months passed however, when he placed aside his drum to shoulder one of the heavy muskets common to the soldier of that day. Wounded in the artn in a battle near Kington, Mr. Nelson was forced from service for a while, hut he was back with the active troops before the close and took part in the last figts at Hen nettsville, near Greensboro. His ex perience*"Tknd hardships during; the struggle would, no doubt, require countless pages, but they were behind and lie started his homeward journey to start life anew. Taking the plow handles, he accept ed his part in the reconstruction read ily.and during liis life as aTfarmer he firmly established a warm friendship with his t'ellowman. Mr. Nelson married Miss Agues Moore, who lived near Mat Swamp Church, on November 24, 1870. Th,ey raised 11 children. Mrs. Nelson died only a few years ago. The children are Mrs. I.ydia Coburn, Blackstone, Va.; Boh Nelson, Grifton; Charlie and Sam, of Newport News; Ollie, Williamston; Mrs. Nannie Coburn, Mrs. Fannie Al ford, and Mrs. Hattie Ross, of Robtr tonvillc; Luther, Parmele; and Heber, of Kobersonvillc. There are 40 grand children, and 15 great-grandchildren. The funeral was held in the Rober sonvilte Primitive Baptist Church, of which he had long been an ardent and faithful member, last Friday afternoon by Elders Rogerson and Cowin. In terment was made in the family plot on the home farm, where he had lived all his life. Share In Participating Fund for County Increased j Martin county's share in the school 'equalization fund was increased by ap proximately recently when the board at Raleigh allowed that amount 'to care fur part of the costs in operat 'iiip the Hear (irass School an extra ' period. [ The extra two months were added to the term at Bear Grass too late for the board to care for the school in its | allocation of funds some time ago. Visits Capitol •. In the fourteenth installment of his autobiography, Judge Bigga give* tome interesting facta about Congress, stating that ita members argue much over nothing and do little. He waa apparently perturbed over the uaeless costa involved. Neat week. Judge Bigga concludes his visit to the capital and continues toward New York. up and defend our rights, the melan choly spectacle which we presented during the great struggle for liberty, the grand instrument with all his vir tues shining that effected so much; t who by his address could check those deposed to murmur—establish the wavering, and inspire the whole with that love of liberty and equal rights that can effect almost impossibilities, the important advantage we derived from hia firmness and wisdom in as tablishing our republic, all passed in review before my imagination, and could not fail to produce sensations uncommon. A profound reverence for the tomb of Washington, and an earn est desire that the same principles which he taught may continue to be 'Clean Up or Close Up 9 State Sanitary Inspectors Dog Stands and Hotel Owners Plan Poultry Raising Course In Oak City Schools This Fall PRINCIPAL WILL ; OFFER COURSE FREE TO PUPILS Home Economics Depart ment Discountinued . In School There COURSE~Is* OPTIONAL Principal Expresses Deep Regret That It Was Fund Necessary To Discontinue Department In an effort to offset the handicap resulting from the discontinuance ot the home economics department in the Oak City schools, Principal H. M Ainsley is planning to offer special work in poultry husbandry there dur ing the coming term. The course, which will be free to all. will be given to those pupils interested in and de sirous ot*taking the work. In offering his services free, Mr. Ainsley stated that he was only too willing to do so as the need for the particular course appeared to be very great in that section of the county. The course, planned after one given at Columbia University, will deal with practical poultry raising including se li'Ctioh of breed, housing, brooding, feeding, and culling. It is agreed that when every farmer in Goose Nest ij stocked with an adequate poultry Hock, the wealth will be greater and the health of its people better. It was with a keen and deep regret that the school principal discussed the loss of the home economic; depart ments in the school this year. The school has had the particular depart ment for several years, Mr. Ainsley de claring that a valuable work had been accomplished during that time, that the benefits from it were probably greater than those derived from any other phase of school work considering costs "Its effect has blessed the home life of many families in the district. Girls havtv'not only learned many things that they could not have learned at home, hut they have also learned more of the things that give them a pride in home life," Mr. Ainsley stated. The discontinuance of the depart ment was referred to as apparent false economy in that the State and Federal governments paid a greater part of th costs. Goose Nest township is strictly an agricultural section, but economy was considered necessary, and the department that the people need most to make better and happier homes was discontinued. Much favorable comment has already been made relative to Mr. Ainsley's willingness to help the people of the section, and no doubt his efforts will IK well spent. I. . I inculcated and which are alone cal culated to perpetuate this fair fabric. Mount Vernon is a beautiful situation It possesses a commanding view" oi the Potomac. On the opposite point ol kind, Fort Washington is erected. It would be very difficult for an enemy to |LSS this place. Arrived at Washington ') o'clock tjook lodgings at (Jladsbys. Here I met with Mr. T. Jones and Mr. Parker from Tarboro, visited the Capi tol as soon as 1 arrived with Jones. The Capitol is so magnificent that I cannot attempt.a description and there fore decline it. Suffce it to say, that the Rotunda is ornamented with four paintings by Trumbull, most supberb and to the life. About 11 o'clock the two Houses met with H. R. first, where I heard but little, petitions first piesented, and then they took up the trial of Houston.* This was so insip ed that we left and went to the Sen ate. Here we heard a very interesting debate on the appropriation for Min ister to France. Several members were designated to me. The appropriation was lost by a majority of two. Return ed to the Representative Hall, which adjourned in a few minutes, after hav ing been engaged in the hearing of Houston's case. At night went to the Theatre, where I" was considerably di verted. The celebrated Clara Fisher ap • (Continued on the back page) JOHN R. NELSON Dies at home of his daughter in Robersonville. Mr. Nelson was one of the county's few remaining Civil War Veterans. TWO MEN KILLED IN AUTO WRECK W. J. Smith and W. J. Gard ner Killed Instantly as Car Strikes Freight William J. Smith and W. J. (iard tier, of Bethel, were instantly killed and W. I), tiardner and C. M. Burton, also of Bethel, were slightly injured early Wednesday morning when their car, a Chevrolet sedan, crashed into a fast Norfolk-Southern ..freight, a few miles east of (irimeslaud. The party was on its way to Vande niere for a fish inn trip when the ac cident happened. Mr. \V. J. Gardner, diiver of the car, stated that he was not traveling very fast, hut in a heavy fog, he was unable to, see the train until he was alitiost upon it. lie turn ed his car to parallel the track and miss the train, hut his efforts "were too late to prevent a crash. The right side of tin; machine was demolished, Messrs. Smith and Gardner receiving fractured skulls from the impact. The train crew did not know any thing ahout the accident until the train reached Wilson. Parties, living nearby, tfiok the two wounded men to a hos pital and the bodies were removed to an undertaking establishment in Greenville. Mr. Smith, one of the leading citi zens of Pitt county, was s'> years old and a native of this county, lie moved to Bethel about 25 years ago, but had business connections in tbi> county at !th« time of his death. He headed the j Bethel Manufacturing Company and | bad served on the I'itt County Hoard of Commissioners several terms. Three children, J. C. and W. J. Smith, of I'itt county, and Mrs. J. P. N'owell, 01 Ahoskie, and two brothers, R. L. Smith, of Kobersonville and Sain Siuit|i, of llelhitveil, survive. Mr. Gardner, .also a leading citizen in his county was a brick manufac turer, and had connections with other enterprises in ,thc county. The funeral of Mrr Smith was held at his residence yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. C. H. Mashburn, of Robersonville. Mr. Gardner's funeral was held at 4 o'clock by Rev. W. L. Barr, of Bethel. Methodists Announce Their Program oi Church Services Dwight A. Petty, Pastor After a three Sundays rest, wc re turn to the pulpit refreshed. August is a vacation mouth, and many have been absent at church. We hope to see all of our people back in the serv ices Sunday, which marks the begin ning of our fall church work. Sunday school, 9:45, Professor W. R. Watson, Superintendent. Morning worship at 11, sermon by the pastor. Communion at the close ot the sermon. ... We join in the union service at the Presbyterian church in the evening. The Methodist preaches. Senior League, Monday evening. Hi-League, Tuesday eveging. Prayer service Wednesday evening at 7:30.- Bible lesson, Psalm 15. Let's make our church a praying church through the prayer service. , . ! Watch tha Label on Your Papar Aa It Carrie* the Data When Your Subacription Expires ESTABLISHED 1898 ORDERS HOTEL OWNERS MAKE IMPROVEMENTS Inadequate Water Facilities In Stands Causes Many to Suspend Business CHANGES ARE MADE ■ Ratings Do Not Reflect Upon Sani tation as Much as They Do on Shortage of Equipment • "Close up or clean up," was the com mand Kiven every barliectie stand op erator in the town last Tuesday by State Inspectors B. lv. Jcssup and* I'!. 1.. Hinton, of the St.ite Department oi Health. Several of the o.wners closed their places of business rather than meet the requirement's, while the oth ers nut busy with paint brushes and tools to vcain permission to continue business. I otulitions existing in some of the stands were described as. appalling by the inspectors, biit the ratings in other cases do not necessarily reflect upon the sanitary conditions of the stands, it was stated. Many factors enter into the rating, and when one or tw*> are found unsatisfactory the percentage takes a marked'drop.. Inadequate wa ter facilities were charged against prac tically every stand and constituted the greatest factor in the grading. 'the inspectors did not confine their work to Tint dog "and liarliecue stands, but visited the hotels and oilier public eating places. The Williamston Cafe and that of Theodore Ruber son met the requirements and tlie hotel owners were ordered to make certain (bulge's. Practicall)' all the hot dug stand own ers have or are making altera tions, and expect to. have their places of business pass inspection upon the visit of the inspectors. Those owners continuing in business and those reopening their doors have donned their white aprons and coats, adding greatly to the appearance of things if not bettering sanitary condi tions. According to reports, in.l'iiv lu>t dog stands have Keeit closed in several towns in (his part of the .State (luring the past few weeks. ' The ratings on hot dog stands made public by the inspectors: I Jimmy I'appas, 72; Lewis Manning, 21.5; Simon I alley ( warehouse" stand), 31: S. A. Mobley, 54; K. I'. Whitley, 2»; Noali Hogged, IK; Theodore Rober son, 70.5; Willie RuiKti, I'i; Kdilie Blown, 10; K. Kainie, -14.5; J. t . I.eg gclt, 56.5. SCHOOL OPENING AT JAMESVILLE • Registration of Pupils Next Friday; Teachers Meet There Thursday I .. * I lie Janie.sville School will open for registration of pupils next Friday morning. September 12th, at nine o'- clock when the children will he given instructions regarding text books, ma ' t rials'- and regular class work activi ties, Principal A. 1.. Pollock .stated yesterday] ■ The regular school opening will be in Monday, September. IS when the regular routine of %cliool work will be started, the professor said, j The teachers will hold a meeting i next Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock when definite operating plans will be 'formulated and general "STTingji'lTienK foi the term are discussed. Principal I'ollock stated that lie is looking forwad to a large enrollment this year. Water in Roanoke River Here At New Low Level T The Roanoke River is believed to have reached a record low level here t recently when freight boats operating in the stream scraped the bottom be tween here and Mourning's Landing, several miles down the river. The wa tei at the dock here was hardly three feet deep, making it necessary for the boat line owners to extend the wharf several feet out into deeper water. Frank Weaver Grower oi Large Honey-dew Melon — • An unusually large honey-dew melon, grown by Mr. Frank Weaver on thf Martin farm and weighing seven pounds and fourteen ounces, was ex hibited here today. Very few melons of fhi* particular variety are grown in this immediate section, but in many places the honey-dew melon is pre-, ferred to the cantaloupe.