North Carolina Newspapers

iiiwihw wm M Oar Col mm a Latchkey to Or* Sixteen M—and Martin County Homes VOLUME XXXIII—NUMBER 100 FORMER SLAVES APPEAR BEFORE SCHOOL PUPILS ♦ George White and Pompey Williams Tell About Lives A* Slaves Hiitory pupils in the local high achool were given a new slant on slave conditions in this section just prior to the Civil War when three veteran •laves, George Madison White, and Pompey Daniel Williams appeared be- for« the class last Tuesday and told them their life stories. White, born in Bertie, stated that he had full privilege of playing with his master'* children, and considered him self much better than poor white chil dren of that day, the idea being in- •tilled in him through the spirit of hi# associate*. "Uncle" Pontpey, born in Williamston, November 6, 1846, also told how he fared during the slavery period. The high spot in the visit was reached when the pupils were told a about slave marriage, which, by the way, was about as sacred as the mod ern marriage. The love, of course, was hatched then as now, and was ex pressed by the same woos and coos ia vogue today. When the loving cou ple desired to marry, the man asked his own master and the master of the beloved for permission to enter into wedlock. Gaining the consent of the masters, the bride and groom would lock arms and atep over a broom, the one step (probably a fatal one) being ail that was necessary to the' cere, mony. These marriages were gener ally held inviolate until death unless one or other was sold into another •oaunanity or a foreign state. One of the most heart-rending action* in all history of alavery was the selling of children to slave traders who gen ' erally carried them into the cotton statea of Alabama, Georgia, and Mis sissippi. i Once out of slavery, Williams and White turned to the Roanoke River and swamps for a livelihood. For a number of years they made shingles by hand along the banks of the Ro anoke. Thousand! of the perfectly carved boards were turned out to pro vide shelter for people as far away as the Weil Indies and Boston. When the fish seasons opened, the two men would turn their attention to fishing for a living, and during the past years tlwjr have brought many tons of fish to the markets, carrying them on pad dles resting on the shoulders. The art of shingle-making by hand fell be fore the machine, but even now the two old veterans continue their fish ing activities, turning to odd jobs now and then to gain a living. FORMER MARTIN BOY WINS HONOR • Edward Everett Makes the Beit Record In History of Florida University Edward Everett, a Martin County 1 boy but now of Orlando, Fla., com pleted lait week his four year college course in the University of Florida, graduating with the highest honors gained by • sttsdent in the history of the institution. Mr. Everett, son o( Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Everett, was born in Everetts, leav ing this couqty about twelve years ago with his parents for the Florida city. He has many relatives in this county. 1 The Orlando Sentinel, in a recent is sue, says, ill pert: Edward Everett, of Orlando, who received hi* A. B. degree from the University of Florida at the re- ( cent mid-year graduation exercises, stands as one of the outstanding scholars in the history of the Uni versity. Si* consecutive semesters with a straight "A" average is the achieve ] ment of Mr. Everett, who is begin ning this spring the study of corpora tion law in preparation for entry next fall into the -Harvard Lew School. As a freshman, Mr. Everett registered a * plus average, but beginning with his sophomore yeer, maintained a perfect scholarship record up through his graduation. Attendance at a summer session enabled this outstanding stu dent to finieh at mid-ye»r. Former Hobgood Bank Cashier Died This Week A. G. Bowden died la' Rocky Jlount early this waek and was buried in Wil mington oa Wednesday. Mr. Bowden was well known to many people in Martin Co»Pty. For si* years he came to Martin County monthly on the At lantic Coatf Line pay train. Thirteen years ago he was elected cashier of the Bank of Hobgood, a position h« held until that institution cloeed it's *oors a short time ago. He died fropi u> ettack of influen ce which developed into pneumonia. Ia 189t ho married Mies Sue Hywan of Martin £o«nty, who survives THE ENTERPRISE Mrs. Caroline Martin Die Son '8 Home Here Yesterday Following Exte OAK CITY PLANS TO LIVE AT HOME Schools There Will Partici pate In the Movement Next Week The week beginning February 16, has been designated by Governor O. Max Gardner as the second annual live-at-home week in the schools of the state and according to reports from Mr. H. M. Ainsley, principal of the Oak City High School, the Oak City community is planning to partici pate to the fullest extent to the live -at-Home week. Mr. Ainsley, says the school has formed a live-at-honie organization J, and will render a program each day, | with the home, garden, hog, cow, andj, poultry coming in each day for their; proportional share on the programs, j On Friday February 20, the school | will give a public program in the terest of the live-at-home week and a breakfast, luncheon and supper will be prepared independent of the city mar- ket for those attending the program Nothing will be used that is not grown or produced locally. The teachers of the Oak City school j have been working diligently to make 1 the live-at-home week a success and are making every effort to make the work practical and beneficial to the people of the rural community accord ing to Mr. Ainslejr. FEW FORGET TO PAY ADDED TAX Tax Payers Remember To Add One Per Cent In Making Settlement Property owners forwarding checks in tenting their ta* accounts are not forgetting to care for the penalty pro vided by law, it was learned at the sheriff* office here yesterday. Occa sionally a check is received for the amount of the tax less penalty, but those cases are very few, Sheriff Roe buck stated. La#t year, the office found much work as a result of the short payments, but so far this year the collectors have found it unneces sary to return checks or call for full payment. Complete figures on I-ebruary • tax collections are not available at this; time, but the sheriff stated that the property owners were coming in very rapidly to make settlements. LOCAL PARENTS TEACHERS MEET Reports Submitted, Telling of Work Being Done By Orgonization m —i— I The local parent-teacher association held its regular monthly meeting in the graded school yesterday afternoon, a limited number of parents attend-1 ing. Various reports were offered at the meeting, describing the work the association had completed and was now undertaking. Mrs. P. B. Cone, reporting the visit of Miss Busbee to Williamston in the interest of beautifying the Woman's club grounds and the high school grounds, stated that as much native shrubbery as possible would be used on the grounds. The assistance of several boys in the work was promised by Principal Watson. A rest room for the teachers in the grammar school building has recently been completed, it was stated in a re port by Miss Serena Peacock, first grade teacher. Speaking before the parents and teachers mentioned a few of the short comings embraced in the high school curriculum here. . He stated that the curriculum as it stands is strictly classical, there be nig no advancement since 1918. He made known the fact that a much broader field should be offered the boys and girls of our town and com munity. A great deal alolrig this line could be done by the help of the P. T. A. He stated that at some future meeting he would like to present to the body a (more broadened) cirricu lum. The first' grade won the attendance prize. Usual Services At The Baptist Church Sunday i the Civil War when two veteran The usual morning and evening worship services will be conducted in the Baptist church Sunday, it was ' announced by the pastor, | Sunday school and B. Y. P. U. or ganisations will meet at their accus tomed hoars. The general public is invited to ell the services. Williamston, Martin County, WortA Carolina, Friday, February 13, 1931. 'Was One of Williamston's Most Highly Esteem ed Citizens Mrs. Caroline Alexander Martin, one of the section's most greatly be loved women, died at the home of her son. Mr. Wheeler Martin, on Main Street here late yesterday afternoon following a long illness. She had been in poor health for several months, but was only recently forced to her bed, the end coming gradually. In her death W f illiamston and community loses one of its highly esteemed citi zens, one who lias figured in the ad vancement of community and town, jespecially in*the religious field. I The daughter of the late l>r. Ed jWard Ransom and wife, Josephine Ransom, leading families of Tyrrell ! county for many years, Mrs. Martin | was born at Columbia January 31, 11865. Her father, prominent in politi jcal circles, endeared himself to the 'people of Eastern Carolina in making wise decisions in the last State con stitution al convention when he cast the winning ballot to break a tie vote on an important matter. Mrs. Martin's parents died when 1 she was a young girl, ami following I their deaths, she moved to Williams-j ton to make her home with her aunt, Mrs. John D. Biggs, sr. She attended ! the Williamston academy and at an early age accepted those duties that characterized her life as a noble one.' and which endeared her to all people! who knew her. On July 19, 1882 she married the j late Wheeler Mart in*, lawyer of abili-l ty and prominent in politics for years. He was one of the leading members of! the Republican Party, of the State, | and served as solicitor of this district' and collector of internal revenue un der President Roosevelt. Mr. Martin died about fifteen years ago. Four children were born to this union, Joseph and Victoria who died young, and Mr. Wheeler Martin, assis tant ITiuted States attorney, and Mrs. Oscar S. Anderson, both of Williams ton. Mrs. Martin is also survived by one sister, Mrs. S. 1). Matthews, of Hamilton, anil one aunt, Mrs. Fannie S. Higgs, of Williamston. Affilating herself with the Baptist church in early youth, Mrs. Martin' was a leading member in that denomi-j nation for nearly fifty years, taking a prominent part in church, activities and Sunday school work. For forty years she served as teacher in the Sunday school, continuing in the work' of her Master as long as she was able' to do so. The results of her labors J there have been far-reaching, and un-[ tiring work gained for her a warm place in the hearts of her many pupils j and friends. , ' The funeral is being held at the' home of her.son on Fast Main Street this afternoon, Rev. C. H. Dickey, her pastor, conducting the last rites. Interment will follow in the family plot in the Baptist cemetery. ———• ! Jamesville Boys Win First Game In B Championship J allies ville's high school basketball team, playing Hertford'* strong five in Hertford yesterday afternoon, won the first game of a State-wide cham pionship scries, gaining the right to meet Trenton's five at Trenton next Tuesday in a second game of the se ries. ' The yesterday afternoon game was as fast and interesting. Hert ford led the Martin boys, 6 to 5, at the end of the first quarter. Taking the lead early in the following quarter, Jamrsville maintained a small margin until the latter part of the third quar ter when Ange, registering 15 points for his team, went into action to cage Several shots and widen the marginal lead. In the last few minutes of play, Hertford staged a comeback, but was unable to overcome their opponents' lead, the game ending 29 to 20. A Perfect Month? Somebody apparently erred when he said February was a perfect month because the first day fell on Sunday and the period expired on Saturday. He forgot that the "thirteenth" falls on Friday. Apparently the man point ing out this February as a perfect calendar month is not at all suspicious. • Rabbits Destroying Crops In . Griffins Township Forced out of the woods by fire, rabbits are said to be destroying crops in certain parts of Griffins township, gntire fields of stockpeas have been practically destroyed by the rabbits in some cases and other crops have been eaten, one farmer reported this morn ing. Large of the rabbits have been killed but the raids of others continue unabated. PROPHET COMES TO WILLIAMSTON Predicts There Will Be No Rain After May 1 for Three-year Period j Prophecies, astounding within them selves and far-reaching in their scope, were made by one W. D. Davis, itin erant minister, here in a public ap pearance yesterday afternoon. Garbed like unto the picture of the prophet 'of old, the minister predicted that two thirds of all the people in the world, >bout one billion and two hundred million, will be destroyed between 1934 and 1938. The traveler borrowed this prophecy from Ezekiel and Zech ariah, he admitted. But he offered ■ some almost as startling when he said 'we would have no rain after May of this year. Claiming to have | a message on the 20th of January, he I said God told him, ''You never had I such crops as you arc having now, as |kL scarcity. They (the people) will i typy to the very last and then go on | the bread line, and it is going to be | the greatest famine that has been in I all the land." He did not say who 1 would maintain the bread line. | Born in Arkansas, where there is j much suffering from drought at the | present time, Mr, Davis claims to be j one of the very few having the right Ito wear the white robe and black j crepe girdle. For several years he , served as a Baptist minister, leaving ( his pastorate' to become a traveling j prophet. His lo.ig beard and white | rot>e attracted quite a number of lis teners as he predicted catastrophes of the future. GARDENING IN MARTIN COUNTY Demonstration Club Mem bers Report Variety of Vegetables in Garden • By Milt LORA B. SLEEPER Home gardening has been the sub ject under discussion .at the home dem onstratiou club meetings held for the eight women's clubs of Martin Coun ty. Forty-five garden record cards re turned to Miss Lor a E. Sleeper, home agent, reveal the following informa tion : Mrs. .lassie Holliday, of Jamesville, the leader of the group in the variety of vegetables to be found in her gar den during the months of December, j January, and February. The most ! popular 'vegetables 1 as revealed by these records are: Collards, reported , by 40; Sweet potatoes, with 37 report ing; irish potatoes, with 32 reporting; dry peas, with 27 reporting; dry beans, '24 reporting; turnip greens, with 18 reporting; turnip's, with 12 reporting; mustard, with 9 reporting; cabbage, ' with 9 reporting; rutabagas, with 7 re porting; carrots, with 6 reporting; j kale, with 6 reporting; beets, with 3 'reporting; spinach, with 3 reporting; ' rape, with 2 reporting; and lettuce, with 2 reporting. Two vegetables un tried as yet by the gardeners report -1 ing are broccoli salad and salsify. The moral to be gained from this report I should cause an increased supply of the vegetables which seem to be less popular to be planted in the garden I at the earliest convenience. Increase the vegetable supply and make farm ing a living this year. Ambers Pressing Club Is • Located In New Home I Moving from the Staton building, the W. D. Ambers cleaning and works will he practically ready for operations in the old post office late today or early tomorrow. Mr. Ambers, the owner, stated yester day the task of moving heavy ma chinery was a big one. | Workmen are now busy altering the interior of the store vacated by the pressing concern and "Crow's Nest." The building has** been leased by Clark's Drug Store, Incorporated, and according to present pians that firm will open a modern drug'store there the early part of next month. It was announced yesterday that the building interior would undergo complete altera tions, a new floor and new fixtures be ing included in the proposed changes. Attend Court Here • - • . I Many county people are attending court here today, listening to pro ceedings in the Britton case. QUESTION BOX Q. When IMartin County for mad? Q. Who was Martin County luumd in honor of? Q. Prom what counties wu Martin farawdf Q. How many practicing phy aiciana art tbsrt in Martin Coun ty? Q. How many practicing at torneys art thars in Martin Coun ty? Five Sales Tax State Legislature Legislature Marking Time As Committee Works On Tax Problems By M L. SHIPMAN The legislature is now marking time while a sub-committee of the joint finance committee is wrestling with the problem of finding some twelve or thirteen million dollars with which to maintain a school term of six months in every county in the State. The joint appropriation committee hat finished its hearings and is now re drafting the budget appropriation bill, but it must wait until the filial action of the legislature before it cai| fix definitely the items in its bill. The legislature now has before it five sales tax bills, all of them having been referred to the joint finance committee. Representative McSwain, of Cleveland, dropped in the latest bill, which is aimed at chain stores. It provides for a graduated Ylicense tax from sls to S3OO, but on stores doing a business of $800,(XX) or more tlie bill would levy a tax of one per cent on gross sales. Representatives Day and Hinsdale already had bills in the hopper, both of which were modeled closely after the South Car olina sales tax hill, and Senator Rag gett put in one patterned after the West Virginia act. Representative Day also put in one levying a gross sales tax. Senator I.ovill joined Repre sentative Day in introducing in the Senate the South Carolina act, im posing taxes on. so-called luxuries to which Representative Hinsdale added automobiles, the luxuries being shot guns; shells, candy, manufactured to bacco, theatre admissious and soft drinks. Senator Raggett's bill pro vides for a gross sales tax, but al lows an exemption of $10,000.00. The strenuous -hunt for revenue, which is engaging so much of the time of the legislature continues to draw lobbyists to the Capital as has the proposed changes in the adminis tration of the State highway funds. Hotel lobbies are thronged with leg islators and those interested in legis lation. Although thirty days have already gone by, there has l>een little more than jockeying or skirmishing. Not since 1921 when the cotton man ufacturing interests and the late Jas. H. Duke and associates staged a notable battle over the question of increased rates has there been such a battle of lobbyists as is now on in Raleigh. The end is no where in sight. It will be a battle royal from now on, accTir(TtlT)f to veteran politi cal observers. | Hills are sponsored by' the North I Carolina Bar association for regulat : tug the courts of the justice of the 1 peace and putting down Hhe number In each township from three to two ; and a-Howing only one for each 21),000 {{population in cities instead of One for tfacli thousand as at pre-sent. Favor- I able committee report was given the ! Regulation bill, and a sub-committee I is redrafting the other one. While not much has been heard re j cently about the Governor's proposal ' for cutting all State, county and mu : nicipal salaries ten per cent, it is un» ' derstood that it will be pushed vig i orously and promises to he the center Jof a big fight. Difficulty is heing ex perienced in getting by the constitu ! tional provisions prohibiting the re duction of judges' salaries during their , term of office and also fixing salaries of certain State officials. ( Other controversial matters engag , ing the attention of the Legislature include the taxing foreign stocks, the Brummitt proposal to tax foreign cor poration holdings in this State upon the market value of their stocks, plans I for reapportionment of the Congres sional districts, and proposed increases in income taxes. r The Legislature now has before it the Administration hill providing for submitting to the voters the calling of a constitutional convention in 1933. The Houge approved the bill Wednes ( day by a small majority. There is plenty of sentiment in its favor, and it now seems probable that it may go through. The voters would elect dele gates at the same time that they vote | on the question of calling a conven | tion. The Legislature is in no mood to meddle with the absentee voter act. It allowed Buncombe to abolish the act, but would allow no amendments. Rev. Mr. Rogers Announces Methodist Church Services C. T. Rogers, t Pastor. Sunday school, 9:45 a. m. Preaching services, 11 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Epworth League, Monday, 7:30. Hi->Lcague, Wednesday, 7 p. m. Mid-week service, Wednesday, 7:30 p. m. Evangelistic services every Sunday night. Public cordially invited to all the ervict*. !■ • . • ... ... * - I Saturday, February 14, Is St. Valentine's Day Saturday, February 14, being St. Valentine'* Day, it will pro bably be of interest to many rea ders to learn how it originated. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, a decree was issued forbidding soldiers to mar ry because married men thought more of their homes than they did of warfare. The good Saint Valentine invited young couples to come to him, so legend says, and he secretly married them. He thereby became the lovers' saint, and the day on which he suffered martyrdom was dedi cated to him. VITAL STATISTICS IN WILLIAMS 1930 Thirty Births and Thirteen Deaths Are Reported in The District in 1930 L 1 hirty births and "thirteen deaths were recorded in \\ illiams Township ill IMO, according to vital statistics filed in the oftice of Register of Deeds J. Sam (Jetsinger here this week. The births were evenly divided, fifteen a 'nn>nn the white and fifteen among the. colored population. Three illegitimate births were recorded among the col ored population. Only two of the thir teen deaths were white, according to the report filed. Ihe death rate in the township is practically the same as the average for the State, while the bietli rate is nearly four points higher. The death rale last year wan 8.8 per thousand population, while the birth rate was lii'f thousand population, or more than twice as ureal as the death rate SMITH SPEAKS TO KIWANIANS Urges Members To Be On Lookout for Opportunity To Help Community "Be oil the lookout for opportunities to help the community ami do not wait for a crisis, to push you to action,' Mr. VV. K. Smith, lieutenant governor of sixth Kiwanis district, told local Ki wanians at regular meeting last Wednesday noon. Mr. Smith, a resident of Scotland Neck, stated that he was not much of an orator, yet his speech, before the cluli here Wednesday was one of the most helpful heard here in sohie time. It was his belief that the most good is accomplished when one does things In normal or quiet times. He said we have men who can be counted on in times of emergencies, but what we need to do is so act that we may evade emergencies. In the question of education, he stressed the importance of educating the'whole man for efficient service, which includes the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual man. We may know all about the facts of the things about' us, but that does not educate us. We must go further and join all of our forces to achieve the blessings of a good life. Presbyterian Services In the County Next Sunday Sunday February 15th 1931 "The Church With An Open Door." .True Sayings: "Be square all week and be round on Sunday." Church School 0:45 a. in. Depart mental Classes. Worship 'Service and Sermon 11 a.m. -* ' > Roberson's Farm Sunday School 2:3(1, p. in. Preach ing immediately after. Bear Grass The usual services will be held at this point—We expect Pope to be with us to lead the singing. Come and meet with us. Farm Lift Advance Notice—Rev. L. T. Piephoff will preach in the Schoolhouse at Farm Life Sunday March Ist 1931. Please keep this in mind and plan to worship with *us on this Sunday "at 3 p. m. • The public is cordially invited to each of these services, v No Preaching Service At Episcopal Church Sunday Rev. A. H. Marshall, Rector. Mr. Maurice Moore, Sunday School Supt. , Miss Jane Moore, President Y. P. 8. L; Sunday School at 10 a. m. Young Peoples Service League at 7 p. m. You are. cordially invited to attend these Services. Watch the Label On Your Paper Aa It Carries the Date When Your Subacription Expires ESTABLISHED 1898 NEW RECORD IN COUNTY COURT HERE TUESDAY Recorder Bailey Continues Eight of Twenty Cases On Tuesday Docket The Martin County recorder's court established a new record here last Tuesday when it continued Sight cases at one t!me, nol iirossed several, re manded to the justice of the peace courts, and turned nut several road sentences. It was a busy day for Judge Bailey nad Solicitor Peel, the docket carrying 20 cases. Pleading guilty of an assault with a deadly weapon charge, Golden Godard was tined sls and taxed with the costs. Cases charging Ji e Eborn and Jeff Little with, passing worthless checks, were remanded to justice of the peace :ourts. Pilfering a plea' of guilty in the case charging hint with violating the liquor laws, John Kdiuonds was sentenced to the roads for.**,four, months, the sen tence to begin at the discretion of t ,l « court.' | Judgment was suspended in the case charging Dallas Price, Marvin Bonds, and John f'enuer Beacham yvith manu facturing liquor. Tlte" defendants were released upon good behavior for two years and upon the payment of the costs connected with the case. The case, charging Roach Salsbury, Sam Wynn, Krnest Kawls and S. T. Ballard with an assault with a deadly weapon, was nol pressed as to Ballard and continued as to the other three defendants. Probable cause appearing i/i his case, Willie Worley was bound over to the March term of Martin County Superior Court under a charge of housebreaking and larceny and receiv ing. Garland (iurgatuis and Charlie Kob erson, charged with housebreaking anil larceny and receiving, were bound over to the March term of court. I barged with an assault with a deadly weapon, John 11 Kllison tailed to answer when called Capias was issued. » ! The-case, charging J ulili Jy.ucs and I'M die l-)olberr-y with an assault with a deadly l weapon was nol prossed. I Charged with larceny and receiving, I James Corey was sentenced to the ! roads for a term of e .bteen months. HUNTING SEASON IS ABOUT OVER Only Two More Days Left Before Closed Season Begins Sportsmen of Martin County have only two more days in which to en joy their .sport before the season ends on every type of wild game except that outlawed by the State Department of Conservation and Development. The season closes February 15 on rabbits, mink, skunk, otter, muskrat, raccoon, opposum, quail, and wild, turkey, which just about closes the list. The season on squirrels and most of the other types of game closed January 15. The wildcat is the only animal list ed by the Department of Conservation and Development that has no closed season. They are outlawed, and it is lawful to kill them at any time. Un? protected birds are listed English sparrows, great horned owl, Coopers hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, crow, jay, blackbird, and buzzard. It is also permissible to kill birds and animals conwAirhing depredations to "Tfgfrl. *tT'''" . SAYS BUSINESS WILL IMPROVE Thomas Edison Says Three Year Upward Trend In Business Started Interviewed on his 84th birthday last Wednesday, Thomas Edison stated that a three years' gradual rise to nor ' mal business is now started, the ans . were to one of the many questions asked was probably the most encourag ing in the group. The inventor did nnfe. offer substantiating evidence to | the answer offered,, but the source | itself is sufficent to offer encourage ment to almost everyone. Mr. Edison supported present living 1 standards, declared that prohibition was succeeding, and was of the belief that the present trend of living is im- I proving as pertains to morals. Ambition qnd the will to work were given as the chief ingredient to sue 'ce»s. In "pretty good" health, Mr. Edison is spending some time at Eort Myers, 'Ela. Much Stealing Reported In Parts oi the County Stealing continues here and there throughout die county, according to report* reaching here. Garden* have been cleaned of collards locally a*d hog pen* have been raided in several section*. . - • • 1 ' ' v '"i