(Advertisers Will Fnd Our Col
smi a Latchkey to Over Sixteen
Hundred Martin County Homes
VOLUME XXXIV—NUMBER 4
31 CASES ARE NOW
ON DOCKET FOR
SUPERIOR COURT
Term Gets Under Way in
Williamston Monday; '
Judge Harris Presides
♦
Thirty-one criminal cases had been
docketed yesterday for trial in the
Martin County Superior court con
vening next Monday in Williamston,
it was learned fro ma review of the
court records filed in the office of the i
court clerk, Mr. R. J. Peel. Judge
W. C. Harris, of Raleigh, comes to
this county for his first thne to pre
side over a term of Martin Superior
court. He is an able jurist and is recog
nized as a firm judge.
The thirty-one criminal cases, con
stituting one of the smallest dockets
prepared lor a term of superior court
in this county in several months, are
scheduled for trial during the first
three days of next week, the civil cal
endar going into effect next Thurs
day. Forty-two cases are listed on
(he civil calendar for trial during (he
two-weeks term.
As a whole, both the criminal and
civil dockets are of no great im
portance, the most serious crimes,
probably being preferred in four
house-breaking cases. The docket is
a varied one, carrying around twelve
different types of case's. Larceny and
receiving charges lead the list with
nine. Assaults are also common, there
being seven cases preferring that type
of charge. And then there are four
cases charging the defendants with
driving automobiles while under the
influence of liquor, two more charging
seduction, four charging house-break
ing and one each charging fornifica
tion and adultery, cruelty to animals,
affray and abandonment.
Eighteen of the cases go to the su
perior court on appeal from sentence*
meted out in the county court. Four
others were continued at previous
terms of the superior court, and six
were ordered placed on the docket fol
lowing preliminary hearings before
Judge J. W. Bailey in the recorder's
court. Only three case* were enter
ed by warrants.
ADD 500 MORE
REVENUE MEN
m 0
Strenuous Campaign Plan*
ned Against All Dry
Law Violators
Washington, March 12.—Develop- I
ment of a new and more strenuous
"plan of. campaign" against dry law
violators, built around the addition of
500 new dry agents, was made known
today by Prohibition Director Wood-1
cock.
Within recent days, Woodcock said. j
k circular, has been dispatched to all'
prohibition administrators, deputies.
and instructors throughout the coun
try detailing what is expected of them.
They have been ordered to submit,
in rplay, a plan of future operation in
their territories, detailing the use to
which the new agents authorized by
congresa will be put.
"We want to have a definite plan of
action in every section before July 1,
the prohibition director said. "There is
no use in having increased facilities
unless there is a plan of campaign to
employ them."
The purchase of $50,000 worth of au- (
tomobiles lor use by the dry forces t
also was announced. Bids will be sent j
out shortly, Woodcock said, in orderj
that they nay be delivered before
July 1. They will be light fast cars,
costing lest than SI,OOO apiece, he
added. , I
Sunday Services At The
Local Christian Church
Owing to the illness of the pastor,
services were suspended last Sunday at
the ChristiiMi Church. Services will be
held next Sunday morning only as
the pastor will be out of town in the
evening to (ill a previous speaking en
gagement. AU the memebers ar urg
ed to be present for this extra service,
and we welcome visitors at" all meet-j
ings of this church. Sunday School
and Christian Endeavor will meet at
• the regular hours. j
Begin Revival Meeting at
Holiness Church Tuesday
Beginning next Tuesday, Rev. Sr.
A. Fann, oT Tarboro, will conduct a
series of revival services in the local
PenUcoatßl Holiness Church. It was
not deftnit*|y announced, but it is un
derstood that Rev. Mr. Fann wilt be
assisted in the work.
The public is invited to attend.
» ♦—*
Hawaiians To Oive Concert
In Evtritts Monday Night
•
Kaiama's native Hawaiian* will re
turn for their third engagement in
the Everett* School auditorium next
Monday night, Principal Hix stated
today.
There ere sin people in the group.
THE ENTERPRISE
1857 Newspaper Tells
Make Crows Commit Suicide
Every since Egypt had its pla
gues, subsequent generations have
had theirs in one form or another
Today, we have the boll weevil,
com borers and numerous other
insects that prey upon and destroy
crops. Back in 1857, crows were
apparently one of the pests, for
Augustus Moore, editor of the
Democratic Banner, a paper pu
blished here, offered the following
remedy in his issue of June 25, that
year, the following measure for re
lief:
"Take a horse hair two inches
long, tie a knot at one end, run it
FEW VETERANS
HERE RECEIVE
BONUS MONEY
»
Second Supply of Applica
tion Blanks Received
Here Is Exhausted
More than $1,000,000 have been dis
tributed to ex-soldiers in North Car
olina during the past several days, but
veterans in this county have received
very little of that amount, according
to reports coming from various
sources. A colored man, named Jestes,
received this week a check from the
regional office for approximately S2OO,
and one or two other ex-soldiers in
the county are said to have received
their bonus checks, but the number
is limited. Several veterans' loan checks
have been presented at the local bank,
but they belonged to residents of other
counties, it was stated.
Exhausted shortly after the bill was
passed in Congress a few days ago,
the supply of application blanks has
been replenished here, but the addi
tional supply has practically been ex
hausted again, It was learned from the
local post office yesterday afternoon.
An order for 500 blanks has been
placed by the bjgyl postoffice, but is
not probable that: the forms will be re
ceived here within the next several
days as the national supply ran short
and the printers have been unable to
meet the demand made by the vet
erans.
Martin County veterans are eagerly
awaiting answers to their applimations,
many of which were filed more than
ten day# ago. It was announced by
tl& regional office at Charlotte that
two weeks or more would be required
to examine the applications and issue
checks, that the applicants would
hardly receive their checks before the
two weeks were out, and in some
cakes a longer time might be required.
Manager J. S. Fittman, of the Char-
Ipttc office, stated yesterday that ap
proximately $1,000,000 has been dis
tributed to World War veterans in
North Carolina since the new veterans
l>o:ius act went into effect.
Fittman estimated that between 901
and 95 per cent of the veterans in the
State would take advantage of the act
which permits them to borrow up to
50 per cent of the face value of their
certificates.
Applications continue to pour into
the office without a let up, he said, es
timating that 25,000 already had been
received.
Young Peopled Service
at Baptist Church Here
Next Sunday being the third Sun
day in ths month, the morning church
service will be keyed to the younger
element in the church.
a Also, the doors of the church will
be opened for the reception of mem
bers at this time. And it is annunoced
that if there arc any candidates for
baptism, a baptismal service will be
held at one of the services Easter Sun
day.
Sunday night the pastor will preach
on, "Jesus Before Pilate."
The congregation is happy that Mr.
and Mrs, Dred Darden are back in
Williamston, and the local church,
again.
Also, the congregation and pastor
takes notice that Mrs. I* A. Critcher
ai.d Mtle Miss Sara Cone are boh in
the hospital at Washington. Our
prayer i* that both may speedily be
[restored to their families, friends and
church.
Presbyterians Announce
Their Sunday Services
Sunday Hnrdi !**» I*ll.
'The Church WHfa An Open Door."
True Sayinga: "Anyone can tear
down, But it takes a master to build."
Church School at MS A. M.
Worship Service an 4 Sermon ai" 11
ASM. Subject—'"Use or LOSE"
Robereon'a Farm
Sunday School at 2:30 P. M.
' Prayer Meeting Thursday NighU at
7:30 P. M.
Bear Qraaa
Usual service* at 7:30 P. M.
COME and help us build up the
Church of God ifi Martin County.
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, March 13,1931.
through a grain of corn,
the grains broadcast over your
farms. The crow will awallow the
grain—the hair sticks out at the
mouth, and produces irritation and
inflamation, which causes the
crow to commit suicide by clawing
his throat for relief. This is no
humbug."
Note: The above item was taken
from the Democratic Banner is
sue of June 25, 1925, now owned
by Mr. Warren Biggs who has a
collection of old newspapers, some
of which are more than 100 years
old.
13 PERMITS TO
MARRY ISSUED
IN FEBRUARY
—s — l —
Per Cent Increase in
White Couples Over
January
i ban Cupid staged a comeback in
J this county last month when marriage
; lienccs were issued by Register of
Deeds J. Sahl Getsinger to thirteen
Couples. The comeback, while not a
complete one, is accredited to white
couples, the number of licenses issued
to colored people having dropped from
five in January to three in February,
while the number of licenses issued to
white coupls was increased from five
to ten, or a gain of 100 per cent. The
percentage gain in licenses to white
couples is believed to be the greatest
in several months. It was one of the
few times up until the last few months
that the number of licenses issued to
white couples was grater than the
number issued to colored people in
' this county.
The names of the contracting par
ties:
White
John W. I.eggett and Mattie Wynn,
both of Martin county.
Thos. Edison Gardner, of Wake
county and Mary Klixabeth Rawls, of
this county.
Thomas S. Holliday, of Winches
tec, Va., and Velma Roebuck, of Rob
enonville.
Robert T. Harrison, of Pantego and
Nellie E. Teel, of Williamstoii.
Robert L. Coburn and Martha I.
Harrison, of Williamston.
Alton B. Corey and Glendora Col
train, of Martin county.
Denni* L. Holliday and Kffie Har
rel.l, of Martin county.
James Herman Biggs and Allie Bert
Bailey, of Martin county.
Ben Ira Hardison and Martha Hilda
Peel, of Martin county.
Sherwood Leslie Roberson and Ruth
Evelyn Barnhill, of Robersonville.
Colored
Booker T. Teel and Winnie Cof
field, of Robersonville.
George Andrews and Marjorie Bon
ner, of Martin county.
Willie Clifton Davis and Fannie K.
Bagley, of Williamston.
County Teachers Hold
Sixth Meeting Here
The Martin County teachers held
their sixth'and last meeting of the cur
rent term here last Saturday afternoon
when a short assembly program was
rendered.
Under the direction of their teacher,
Miss Williams, the Everetts glee club
and toy orchestra entertained the
group. A nominating committee to
select delegates to the State Teachers'
meeting in Raleigh the latter part of
this month was appointed, and a few
general announcements were made,
the teachers repairing to the several
class rooms to complete their reading
circle work for the term.
Firearms Handled Very
Carelessly By Children
The careless handling of firearms in
and about town was reported a few
days ago, one shot barely missing the
scalp of one .of our local ministeri.
The rifle ball was not directed at the
preacher, but carelessness on the part
of the youth almost resulted in serious
injury of the man.
Children, especially those of school
age, are reported as exercising little
care in handling rifles, and complaints
are being directed against the action.
To Hold Series of Revival
Services At Local Church
Beginning Sunday, March 29, Rev.
C. T. Rogers, pastor, will conduct a
series of revival service! in the local
Methodist church, according to an
nouncement of arrangements made a
few days ago. Just how long the re
vival services will continue has not
been announced at this time.
In announcing the series of serv
ices, the pastor extended a cordial
invitation to other pastors and the
people at large to attend and take part
in the worship programs.
DOINGS OF THE
LEGISLATURE
No One Knows When The
Law-makers Will Quit
and Return Home
The legislative ship, after sailing
peacefully for more than two
months, encountered a terrible gale in
Raleigh this week, and right now there
is much doubt if the thing will ever
reach port.
Pay period ended Saturday, indicat
ing that the law-makers will quit and
I return home. However, there is yet
much valuable work ahead, indicat
ing the law-makers will continue at
their posts well into next month.
The merchants turned things around
in the body last Monday. The gamblers
had their round Tuesday. Wetlnesday
was a day of rest, the farmers going
in to wage war yesterday. Minor legis
lation, and much of it was squeezed in
at odd times, making the week an
' outstanding one in North Carolina's
legislative history.
Next to taxaion, moral issues bob
bed up all-important, the Senate yes
terday holding up final action on the
Buncombe County Betting Bill until
a public hearing could IK- held. Tho
bill that would provide for pari-mutucl
letting is being attacked by. ministers
and hundreds of others throughout the
State.
Well, this afternoon, the hearing
will be unless the moral
conscience of the law-making body is
touched, the bill is likely to go through
as it has already passed the house and
jumped twice before the senate.
| The move for a new constitution for
the State was carried a step further
yes(erday when (lie house passed (he
(he Whedbee bill to allow vo(ing on
constitutional amendments at a special
election. Under the present law this
may only he done at general elec
tions.
In a letter written Wednesday, Re*
presentatiO'e J. Calvin Smith states
that he will remain at his post of duty
until the session is over "unless pover
ty drives me back home." His per
sonal Observations up to the time the
time the letter was written:
| "Now, as to observations, my first
was after eliminating the writer, we
had in this General Assembly an
honest and substantial set of men, and
who considered the tax burden the
paramount subject for consideration,
and in my opinion, at least ninety per
( cent of them are still of that opinion.
Second, I soon observed that those
I who undertook to talk too much on the
fltHir were branded as a fool, hence I
have avoided talking and have tried to
listen attentively. We have been beset
with all kinds of pests sent here by
the power companies and other strong
corporations, but of all the distur
bances that has been created, the mer
chants capped the stack Monday aftei'-
Inoon. ... si
I "We have now reached the crisis
upon the question of taxation, and all
have had their say except the farmers,
jand why it is that the? stay home and
do not come here and support their
I Representatives with tßeir "presence, at
last, I am unable to understand. It is
my opinion that it will pay the far
mers to keep at least two or three hun
dred here daily during the remainder
'of the session.
| "You will observe from the papers
that some form of sales tax has been
considered for several days, but it is
my opinion that the whole tax ques
tion is at this late date very much con
fused and uncertain. It would not sur
prise nie if this General Assembly ad
journed without passing any tax bill at
all, and we may have to return to
consider this question.
"Many other observations might be
made, if so, I will let ypti hear ; from
me again. I note from the Journal that
Martin County's seat has never been
vacant on the last day of the session,
and I shall maintain this record un
less poverty drives me back home. I
have regreted not having seen more of
yny home folks up here, and would be
glad to have them come in numbers
during the remainder of this session,
in order that I might be able to dis
cuss these matters with them.
"I shall be glad to consider any sug
gestion that my people wish to of
fer."
QUESTION BOX
Q, How many white children
were there enrolled in the Martin
county schools last term?
Q. How many colored children
were there enrolled in the schools
of thia county Last term?
Q What was the averse* daily
attendance of white children in
the county schools last term?
Q. What was the average daily
attendance of colored children in
die county schools last term?
Q. In terms of instructional and
allied costs how much money was
lost when the certain percentage
of children failed to attend school
regularly?
Farmers Go To Raleigh
And Ask For Tax Relief
TWO LOSE LIVES 1
IN FIRE TUESDAY
Another Child Is Seriously
Burned When Home
Is Destroyed
Robersonville, March 13. TWo
colored children lost their lives
when the little one-room house of Jim
Coffield was destroyed hy fire here
late Tuesday evening on the corner
of Modica and Cochran Streets.
When the tire was discovered, it
had gained so much headway that two
negro men, Mofan and Arthur Brown,
working nearby, were only able to
save Mary Elizabeth Saunders, three
years old, leaving James I). Saunders,
jr., five months old, and Hilda Ray
Roberson, 11 months old, to perish in
the flames. The one-room wooden
structure was practically destroyed be
fore an alarm was sounded, rendering
volunteer firemen who responded,
helpess in saving the building or ally
of its contents. In addition to the
two lives, everything in the humble
home was destroyed with no insurance
to cover the damage.
The origin of the lire has not been
determined, and no facts can be es
tablished that would unravel the mys
tery surrounding the conflagration.
It was learned from reports circu
lated -shortly after the tragedy that the
mother of the Koberson child and
the mother of the Saunders child were
in the home with another woman a
short while before the blaze started.
They left the home anil three small
children alone and had been gone only
a short while when the fire was dis
covered. They are at a loss to acc.ount
for the blare and when questioned
Wednesday they could offer no infor
mation that would clear up the
tragedy.
Might people had been living in the
one riiom, but only the three child
ren were there when the fire started.
Elizabeth Saunders, mother of one of
th' children burned to death, lived
next door and with her two children
was spending the day with her mo
ther, Ida Best who occupied the home
with Annie Hell Koberson.
The remains of the two children
were buried Wednesday afternoon.
ARREST TWO MEN
AT LIQUOR STILL
Operator Had Premonition
of Agent Roebuck's "
Presence
Joe Wheeler James and McKinley
Moore, were arrested at a liquor still
In th Free Union sction of this coun
ty by raiding agents, C. S. Coats, J.
H. Roebuck. )■ I). Coats, and Sheriff
('. 11. Roebuck this morning.
Their tftill, a 100-gallon capacity cop
per plant, was destroyed by the of
ficers. , - -- : -
Going to the plant early'this morn
ing, the 'four officers secreted them
selves iir the woods and waited for
the operators.
The two men had just reached the
still when James remarked, "My left
eye is jumping. Old Joe Roebuck will
be here today." The sheriff overheard
the remark.
Sheriff Roebuck rushed in and after
chasing Moore several hundred yards
caught him. Agent Coats caught
James. , •
Moore and James were given a
hearing and went to jail in default of
SI,OOO bonds. a >
Clothing Specialist Holds
Instructional Meet Here
Miss Willie Hunker, State Clothing
Specialist at the open meeting held for
the women in the County here Wed
nesday discussed Health and Comfort
in relation to Children's Clothing, Ap
pearance, Simplicity and Ease of Ad
justment. Kach point brought out was
well illsutrated by a collection of
children's garments shotting the good
and bad points in each. Samples of
material made by Norjh Carolina mills
suitable for children's clothes were on
display. Dresses and undergarments
made from inexpensive material, flour
sacks etc gave suggestion as to a pos
sible cut in the clothing expense. Ad
dresses of the mills and patterns for
garments were obtained by those in
attendance. - - *
Work on Hamilton Road
Now Progressing Rapidly
After experiencing bad weather
much of last week, contractors for the
hardsurfacing of five and one-half
miles of Route 125 reported yesterday
that operations have progressed rapid
ly this weel(. Wednesday of this week
the contractors had one of their most
successful days, pouring approximately
1,200 feet that day.
Attend Charity Supper
At Club Hall Tonight
The urgent need for charity
relief in this community makes
it the duty of every one who
possibly can to attend the bene
fit supper in the Woman's Club
hall this evening from 6 to 8:30.
The call from needy ones conti
nues strong, making it almost
imperative for the welfare com
mittee, now completely without
funds, to prepare the supper in
an effort to relieve worthy cases
of suffering.
Extensive preparations have
been made and moderate prices
will be asked. Around 25 chic
kens have been cooked and made
into salad and oysters have been
ordered, members of the wel
fare committee working late last
night and a greater part of today
to prepare the meal. Several hun
dred people are expected to
take part in the worthy cause
between the hours of six and
8:30.
7 CASES HEARD
BY RECORDER
James Hines Sent to Roads
For Assault and Resist
ing An Officer
The last Tuesday session of the
county court was hardly of more than
passing importance, "Judge J. \V.
Bailey calling seven minor cases,
James Hines, charged with an as
sault and resisting an officer, pleaded
guilty and was sentenced to the roads
for eighteen months, the last 12 to
be suspended upon the defendant's
good behavior.
The case charging P. L. Baker with
ail a>sault anil reckless driving, was
continued.
Ihe court heard and continued the
case charging Jeff Little with passing
a worthless check. Similar action re
sulted in the case charging Lucian
Bellamywith passing a worthless
check. pleaded not
guilty to the charges.
The sentence imposed upon Roach
Salshury the 17th of last, month was
lifted and a nol pros was returned
at the session Tuesday.
TEACHERSAND
PARENTS MEET
Purchase Much Shrubbery
To Beautify the High
School Grounds
The local parent-teacher association
met in the grammar school •• building
yesterday afternoon with a very
parents attending:
Principal Win. R. Watson address
ed. the body, offering interesting facts
in connection with attendance. He
stated that a large percent of the chil
dren attending the local schools were
from the rural districts, especially was
this true in the lower grades.
The association this week purchased
a large amount of shrubbery for
beautifying the high school grounds.
The shrubbery has been delivered.
Property Re-valuation Is
Pending in This County
The task of revaluing all property in
Martin county, scheduled for next
Monday, will, again Ire postponed it
was learned from Tax Supervisor T.
B. Slade Wednesday. Action is being
held up pending the outcome of a
bill that was introduced in the legis
lature this week and providing the
postponement of property re-valuatiyp
until January, 1933.
Mr. Slade expressed himself as
highly favoring the postponement of
the work. It is generally believed thit
the bill will go through and the post
ponement will result. However, the
measure had not been made law up
until this morning, and in case that
it isn't made law, the assessors will
very likely, start work'within the next
few days.
Local Boy Scouts Win
District Scout Banner
Local Scouts forged ahead last
mouth to win the district banner in
the Wilson Area Council, according
to the Carolina Scoutogram. The ar
ticle, redd*:
"Troop 27 of Williamston Kiwanis
Club, Mc. Wheeler Martin, Scoutmas
ter, takes first honors and the banner,
with a general average of 87 per cent
and Starfdara rating, making the sec
ond best average in the entire council
100 points."
Watch the Label On Your
Paper Aa It Carries the Data
Whan Your Subscription Expires
ESTABLISHED 1898
ATTACK STAND
OF ANTI SALES
TAX GROUPS
Largest Delegation Ever
Before North Carolina
Legislature
25 GO FROM COUNTY
Nothing Definite Done by Legislature,
Farmers and Landowners Await
• The Outcome
Farmers; several thousand of them,
directed a counter charge to the at
tack made by merchants early this
week against the'' revenue measure
! for the support of the Mac Lean
School Hill, but nothing definite was
recorded.* The winners will hardly be
determined before the smoke lifts.
Martin County was well represent
ed with 25 or more of its citizens in
attendance.
A report of the meeting, in part,
follows:
.Thousands* of farmers constituting
the largest delegation that ever ap
peared before a North Carolina legis
lative committee yesterday voted al
most unanimously their preference
for the Hinsdale luxury tax bill over
a general sales tax.
This was despite the fact that the
main purpose of the huge feathering,
transferred to the Necdham B.
Hroughton High School because there
was no down town meeting hall large
enough to accomodate such numbers,
was to champion the principle of the
McLean act removing support of the
six months school term from ad va
lorem taxes.
With an earnestness and a determi
nation about which there could have
been do doubt, they came to plead,
urge and demand that the principle
of that act, obviously threatened, be
maintained by the finance committees
and the General Assembly.
Several times, the enthusiasm of
the meeting threatened to' break
through all restraint but on the whole
it was an orderly but desperately
| earnest assemblage.
| The hearing was scheduled for the
Hall of the ouse of Representatives
at 3 o'clock, hut with only«a fraction
of th immense crowd able to get in
! side the Capitol building, the danger
to life and limb became so acute in
the press that well in advance of the
! hour, Speaker Willis Smith, ordered
j the hall cleared and announced that
j the hearing would be transferred to
! the Needbam B. Broughton High
j School, the largest auditorium in Ra
■ leigh. „
Although the halls are two miles
apart, the larger hall was quickly
filled far beyond its seating capacity.
! The procession of those afoot stretch
led the eiitire distance. Many others
| rode in automobiles. All available
parking space for blocks on St. Maury's
i Street and intersecting streets was oc-
I cupied.,
| , A considerable part of the crowd,
'including several of the scheduled
'speakers, were lost in the confusion of
! changing places, with conflicting
' reports being circulated as to the
place of meeting.
, Speaker after speaker made the
prediction that if land is not relieved
|of support of the six months school
| term that present members of the
i General Assembly need not seek re
j election and others went further and
predicted a revolt of the people.
Solicitor T. A. McNeil made per
; haps the greatest hit of the day with
a speech which forsook all rules of
rhetoric in favor of the language of
the farmers themselves.
Mr. McNeil said that he was en
gaged in court when invited to at
tend the meeting and that he had
gone to Judge Frank. A. Daniels who
presiding for permission to
leave #he ,court 'and had not only '
; been given permission but had been
told that it was his duty to attend the
meeting.
"This is a problem in which rail
roads, power companies and even
heavily taxed farms are only inci
dents,he assterted. "It is a prob
lem of 100,000 school children *who ,
are in imminent danger of losing an
education, that is true of my town
and scores of other towns."
Mr. McNeil took a fling at Gover
nor Gardner.
• "Nero fiddled while Rome burned
and the farmers of this State have
gotten t)ie impression that rulers
here are strumming a faint tune call
ed the Brookings Institution while
this problem goes unsolved," he
shouted.
"We don't give a damn whether
Will Graham is appointed or elected;
we don't give a danyi about the
Brookings Institution and you can
combine and consolidate or not, just
♦
(Continned on page four)
iCsS