North Carolina Newspapers

Alwlfam Will Pad Oar Col am I Latchkey to Ow Sixteen —W Martin County Homes VOLUME XXXIV—NUMBER 83 Tobacco Prices Are Lower Last Month NOVEMBER SALES AVERAGE IS $9.10 IN BRIGHT BELT L —• — Average $5.31 Below That Of Year Ago, Recent Report Shows Tobacco prices continued down ward in the bright belt during the past Month, reaching an average of $9.10 per 100 pounds, or $5.31 below the November, 1930, price, it was learned from a report released thsi week by the Slate Department of Agriculture. The •eason MOW Cast drawing to a close has been disappointing, disheartening, disgusting to farmers and market op erators; so much so, in fact, that there has been little said of the activities of the compaaies lately. The boosting reports have continued, however, tell ing the world, "prices stronger, mar ket tone better, and offerings large." The fifteen markets reporting last month sold 73,143,332 pounds of the leaf, or 16,946,622 pounds less than waa told in the same period last year. The season's sales in this belt are 39,- 227,257 pounds less than they were taat year up to December 1. The belt has sold 209,187,285 pounds up to De cember 1, 1931, as compared with 248,- 414,542 pounds sold in the same per iod last year. Last year the average j»rice paid in this belt was $14.41; this year it is only $9.10, and it is still lower than that in the old bright belt. Up to the first of this month, Wil liamston had sold 3,935,969 pounds at aa average of $7.03. The seaison has been very discouraging here this year, at well as in many other towns. Ware houaemen have lost money, large *ums of it; they have been unfairly criticised by some growers; but there was some encouragement offered by those who stopped to consider and weigh all the facts. Next Friday the market closes for the holidays, with some doubt as to whether it will reopen or not. This will be definitely announced later. CHANGE BASIS OF CAR LICENSE FEE • »• Fees Now Based on Weight Instead of Horsepower, As Heretofore Plan* and policies covering the is suance of 1932 state automobile license platea were outlined last Friday at a meeting of Carolina Motor club branch managers, headquarters and - state o(- 6 da Is, according to N. C. Green, man ager of the Williamston motor club office, who attended a regional meet ing at Greenville. He was accom panied by J. G. Corey, of this office. Manager Green said that in view of the fact that next year's license fees will be based on weight rather than horsepower special efforts have been made by motor c|ub and state officials to take every precaution that will add to servicing vehicle 9wner». Vehicle owners are urged to coop erate by buying plates early and to encourage this the department has rated that 1932 tags may be placed in use any time after today. The local motor club manager made an especial plea that vehicle owners preserve the white registration .card mailed from Raleigh. The state law requires that any uhlrh operated on the highways after Janaary 1 must carry 1932 license platea. Automobile license plates will not have classification fetters, but plates for pneumatic tire tracks will have the letter T and tags for solid-tire trucks will carry "TS.** Fee for automobiles is 55 cents per hundred pounds with a minimum fee of $12.50. Truck plate feet are computed according to chas sis weight, plus rated carrying capac-: ity, plus overload, at the rate specified foe groaa weight. o Duck Season Ends With Few Having Any Luck The duck season, closing today, was $ complete flop according to stories told by local hunters who ventured down to the sounds and coast to shoot the birds. Some of the hunt "ers averaged no ftiore than two ducks a day. Mr. V. J. Spivey killed five in two days, while Messrs. Lawrence Lfcdaley and Francis Barnes killed foarlecn in four days. H-iting near the scene where the Mine boat, "Annie Mae" went down laat week, Messrs. Lindsley and Barnes stated that the waves would shoot a hundred feet or more into the air when they struck the shoal* AO along the coast this season, duck shooter i arc said to have ex perienced poor luck. Many of the birds died on account of dry weather in their breeding places in the north. THE ENTERPRISE 8 Shopping Days Before Christmas • Just eight more shopping day* before Christmas. It is enough to frighten the lata shopper. J Remember the home mer chants. They are offering real bargains in all linee of mer chandiae, including appropri ate gifts. And theyH appre ciate your patronage. RADIO PROGRAM IS BIG SUCCESS Little Members of Local Music Class Have Fine Time in Raleigh Broadcasting over Station WPTF, in Raleigh last Saturday morning, the members of Mrs. Warren H. Biggs' music class made a big "hit" with the 'folks back home, and in other places, j too, according to reports received The program was declared splen [did by all who heard it, and reflected | careful work and training. j A few of the voices were a bit shaky I when the owners announced their pieces, but as a first performance over the air, they did exceptionally well. Going to the studios some time be fore they were to present their pro 'gram, the little music scholars prac ticed from 9:30 to 10 o'clock, and lit tle Anne Fowden and Millie Biggs | handled their part well, learning later that they had completed their broad cast when they thought they were just practicing. Well, that i* no funny thing, for the radio is still a mysteri ous invention to nearly all the rest of us. An added feature followed the broad cast when little Jimmie Watt* stole away from the party and had dinner alone in the big S. and W. Cafeteria. After completing his meal, the little fellow rejoined the party in the Sir Walter Hotel. HOLD CHRISTMAS SERVICE SUNDAY White Gift Service At Bap tist Church Next Sunday Afternoon, at 5 ♦ A White Gift Christmas Service with Christmas Carols and Special Christ ma* gifts will be featured at the local Raptist church next Sunday afternoon st S o'clock, to which the whole com munity is invited. Following a custom of three or four years the local church has, on the Sunday afternoon preceding Christmas Day, a twilight *ervice, at which time, in addition to the special offering in the special Christmas envelopes, an offering is also made for distribution among the needy in the community. This white gift service is featured by srticles of food which can readily be distributed to points of need during the holiday season. And these gifts are made by the several Sunday school classes in the church. Sunday morning at the 11 o'clock hour the Christmas sermon will be de- 1 livered by the pastor. There will be special music by the choir, with Mrs. Warren Biggs at the organ. W. A. Ellison, Jr., Here j Short While Saturday W. A. Ellison, jr., who has been with the Atlantic Coast FlaheriesVCo., 4 of New York, for the past two y&r arrived here Saturday en route to Bel haven tot spend the holidays with his family. His wife and sister were here to meet him, and after greeting friends j and relatives in town left by motor • for home. His headquarters and lab oratory are in New London, Conn., when he is on land. Much of his time is spent in the Northern Atlantic on the trawler, "Kingfisher." In the De cember issue of the "Fishing Ga zette," the National News Journal of the Commercial Fisheries, published monthly at New York, appears an ar ticle entitled, "So You Want to Go Fishing," by him, with pictures taken with his camera while out at sea. It is very interesting and will be followed by other articles from time to time. Vlr. Ellison has this to say of him self and work: "I came new to the fish business via Duke University and Yale. My work i> a combination oft scientific and technological features of the fish business, and I've lived two years of the last two and three-quar ter* on the deck of a trawler. What's more, I expect to spend the rest of my life doing the same thing i! there is anybody that will keep me at it." Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, December 15, 1931 iPROCEEDINGS IN MARTIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT • Large Number Cases Are Disposed of Yesterday And Today ♦ | Convening here yesterday morning, the one-week-term of Martin County ; Superior court cleared a number of cases from the docket, handling no 1 action* of much importance during the day. Several cases were nol prossed, ] the court arranging its docket for a full day's work today. * ! The case charging Spencer Gurganus with rape was nol prossed. | The case charging Fletcher Bryant with seduction was continued. | Pleading guilty in the case charging him with driving an automobile while intoxicated, Jeff Ausbon was sentenced to the roads for 60 days, the sentence to start at the expiration of the one he is now serving in Edgecombe County. George Perkins, young negro and a frequent visitor to the roads, was sen tenced to the roads for a term of 18 months for stealing two small chick ens from Dr. James S. Rhodes here several months ago. Perkins had a bad reputation and that supported the sentence first meted out in the re corder's court and approved by Judge Devin. Pleading guilty of an assault, Roy Whitehurst was fined SSO and taxed with the court costs. Learning that his lawyer had "de signed" on him, Rod Rodgers, charged with trespass and peeping in a winodw at the Keel home a few weeks ago, pleaded guilty and asked that the 15- nionths sentence imposed by ty court be imposed. Rodgers' ap parently was going to fight the charge but "my lawyer has done gone and designed on me, and if it is all right I'll take the 15 months given me by Judge Bailey," he said. Judge Devin favored him by allowing the sentence to remain unchanged. Richard Ore was fined S2O, taxed with the costs, in the case charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Pleading guilty of larceny and re ceiving, Robert Hassell was sentenced to work at the county home for three months. Very few jury trial* were in order during the first day, the body finding Luther Barnes guilty of an assault with a deadly weapon. He was sen tenced to work at the county home for three months. Jimmie Sills was sentenced to the roads for a period of four months for the theft of a pocketbook containing $5. He pleaded guilty in the case, ex plaining that he was drinking at the time and did not know what he was doing. Tom Rogers pleaded guilty and was sentenced to tjie road* for four month* on a larceny charge. Carl Mobley was found not guilty in the case charging him with larceny and receiving. Prayer for judgment was continued upon the payment of the costs in the case charging George Purvis with a bandonment. Capias was issued and the case charging N. S. Godard with seduction was continued? Ju*t before ending the day's session, the jury returned a verdict of guilty in the case charging David Gurganus with an assault with a deadly weapon. Loui* Thoma* Dixon was sent to a reformatory »chool for two year* on a house-breaking and larceny charge. Eugene Price was found not guilty by a jury on a reckles* driving charge, James Riddick, charged with manu facturing liquor, was called but he failed to answer. The ca*e charging Elmer Riddick with seduction, was nol prosted. Charged with stealing a hog, Joe Smallwood, a little negro hardly large enough to run rapidly, wa* turned over to the juvenile where Judge R. J. Peel will handle hi* ca*e. Joe's plater, facing a similar charge, was on trial at noon today. ► Very few actions were called thi* morning in open court. Ju*t when the murder ca*e* will be called could not be learned today. The grand jury returned a true bill in the ca*e charg ing Will Mordecai with the murder of hi* father at Robersonville »ome time ago. The jury al»o Returned a true bill thi* mprning against Ray mond Hyman in the case charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon. At noon today, the grand jury was working on the Walter Has sell murder case occuring near here just a few weeks ago. Harvest Day Program At Missionary Society On Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'- clock, there will be given a "Harvest Day Program" by the Woman'* Mis sionary Society of #ie church. This meeting will be held at the church, and the public is invited. All member* are especially urged to be present. NEGRO SLAIN HERE EARLY LAST NIGHT TOWER ERECTED NEAR HERE FOR MAKING SURVEY Geodetic Survey Tower Is Erected on Skewarkey Church Grounds In an effort to establish a true line, taking into consideration the curvature of the earth and other factors, the United States Department of Com merce is making a coastal and geo detic survey from Norfolk to Florida. Certain lines have been followed in the past, but as they were considered in accurate, government employees are now engaged in making actual obser j vations along the route. Steel towers, measuring 126 feet; I have been erected along the route, and lat the present time observations are being made in this county. The first of the towers erected in this county i was located on the Wallace property lin Jamesville, the geodesists sighting a tower in Chowan to the one in this county. Another' tower was ! placed at Skewarkey, near here, and' | a third was erected on the Washing-J | ton road about 8 miles south of here. I I The towers are equipped with a , light in the top and an obseryation platform, where true measurements of' J the earth curvature is accurately de termined. At the bottom is a parma nent marker, surrounded by fixed ob-' jjects, making it possible to determine! I true courses and distances in the fu- ! ture. This is the first survey made jalong the South Atlantic Coast from' actual observation from one object to, |another without interruption by trees lor other objects. | In addition to determining true meridians and distances, the survey I will be o/ value in determining coast al conditions. I Only a few towers are in use, and as soon as observations are completed jat one it is moved to a new location. I Five men carry on the work, erecting ,the tall steel structures in about five' | hours. SCHOOLMASTERS | CLUB IN MEET Held at Robersonville Last Thursday Night; H. C. Norman Is Speaker • Meeting in Robersonville last Thurs day night the Martin County School masterss' Club discussed plans for cel ebrating the George Washington bi centennial and a series of basketball games for both boys and girls in the county. No definite plans were an nounced following the discussions, but it was the opinion of the meeting that individual programs should be ren- Jterett for the public on Washington's birthday. A committee, W. C. Brake, chairman; D. N. Hix, secretary; J. T. Uzzelle, was named and its mem bers will study the basketball series at a meeting to be held January 7. The findings will be reported to the schoolmasters clultywhen it meets in Oak City January 21. The meeting was a comparatively short one, with Mr. J. C. Norman, of Robersonville, making a brief talk to 'the body. t Native of Martin County Suffers Stroke in Norfolk Suffering a stroke of paralysis at the home of her daughter in Ports mouth last Saturday, Mrs. Pattie Hines i Haskett continues seriously ill there, it was learned yesterday. Mrs. Has ikett was born and reared in Oak City and has many relatives in this coun !"• . Harry Stubbs Kills Large Deer Near Here Monday Little Harry Stubbs, hunting along the Roanoke early yesterday morning with Mr. T. B. Brandon, shot and killed a large deer, thrilling the boy greatly. y Correction In reporting the superior court; docket last week, the name of George' Perkins was erroneously printed as j George Jenkins. We gladly make the correction, and repeat that it was j George Perkins and not George Jen kins that was charged with larceny. CHRISTMAS SEALS 1 Buy all the Christmas seals you poaaibly can buy when the Boy Scouts call on you between now and Christmas. A generous re sponse will be of great value in •\ combatting tuberculosis, and the little seals certainly add to the ap p—ranee of any package or letter. The Scoot* are handling the sale very willingly, and they will ap preciate any consideration given the purchase of the stickers. Local Bureau Begins Sale Of Licenses This Morning The sale of 1932 State automo btlel icenae plates went on sale in Raleigh and at the 32 Carolina. Motor Club bureaus this morning, the bureau in die Williamston Mo tor Company building here report ing ten sales during the first hour after the opening. Griffins Township forged ahead again, the first car plate going to James Asa Hardison and the first truck plate to R. Sherrod Corey, Judge Devin's Charge Deals With Respect for Law, Order In Superior Court Yesterday ISAYS IT'S BETTER TO BEG THAN TO STEAL IF IN NEED Respect for Law and Order And Education of Youth Society's Big Tasks y "lt is better to beg than to steal in need," Judge W. A. Devin, of Durham, said in his charge tb the grand jury at the opening of the one wet-k term of Martin County Superior Court here yesterday morning. The charge, heard by a large audience, was centered around respect for law and order, the judge declaring that that and the education of youth were the most important tasks of society. While the jurist instructed the jury at length in the performance of its duties, he also mentioned several laws that arc of prime importance in the suppression of crime. The enforce ment of these laws is the business of the citizen and particularly that of the jury and courts, for when enforcement breaks down we are not safe. Referring to the prohibition laws, Judge Devin stated that*it was not to prohibit hut it was to help the pub lic policy. While the man who mere ly takes a drink alul stops there is doing no great wrong, he should be willing to surrender his practice to help those who are unable to con trol themselves against the evil, he declared. Every community has its examples, the judge said, in citing the evil effect liquor had on one of his friends years ago. The trend of the times is away from liquor, the judge asserting that bans would be necessary for its suppression. The large number of deaths result ing from automobile Wrecks and the enforcement »f all highway laws were also mentioned by the judge. When there are two deaths every day in our &tate, these traffic laws should be strictly enforced, he said. "I favor dispatch in the courts," the said, explaining why he was late in opening the court yesterday morn ing. But he made it plain that the court would follow regular hours dur ing the remainder of the week. All defendants unexcused who are not in court when their cases are called will be subject to the consequences. Pa pers will be issued for their arrest, and bonds are subject to be forfeited in such cases, the judge said. And he warned the witnesses and lawyers also against delaying the proceedings. With a few exceptions, a good-look ing audience heard the judge's charge, paying particular attention to what he had to say in connection with the dis patch of the courts. Following the lengthy charge, the members of the grand jury, whose names appear be low, repaired to their room down stairs to handle the work before them: John W. Green, foreman; W. S, Revels, L. G. Bunting, Charlie Keel, W. A. Ausbon, C. C. Fleming, W. T. Tyson, W. L. Manning, P. H. Daven port, John H. Roberson, Robert Mob ; ley, J. R. Knowles, O. S. Green, Wil lie ft. Johnson, later excused; Elmer | Edmondson, L. J. Hardison, W- S. Peel, and B. F. Lilley. I Christmas Program At Kiwanis Club Tomorrow The Christmas program of the local Kiwanis Club vfcjll be carried out at j the Woman's Club rooms tomorrow at the usual time of meeting. The theme for the brief talks at this meeting is: How a Good Kiwanian Will Want to Spend His Christmas. It is the purpose that at this meeting the several members will tell the group in one minute talks, their idea of bud geting one's time and money between his and his family's needs, and the needs of the community at large. This being the Christmas meeting, it is desired that the membership'turn out en masse. "! . . both of that district. Mr. Hardi son's plate, bearing the black num erals 229,001, cost him $12.50 and will be used on a Model T. Mr. Corey's plate coat him sls and will be used on a half-ton capacity truck. His number is 42,701. Of the ten plates sold here early today, five were purchased by Griffins Township automobile and truck owners, two plates going to Bear Grass and one each to' Pl ymouth, Merry Hill, and Dardens. HOLIDAYS -i While trade activities have and are increasing rapidly for the Christmas season, the "ole holi day spirit" will hardly reach this county before Friday, when the several thousand school children stop school for Christmas. All the schools will close that day to re open Wednesday, December 30. So far not one report from a fire-cracker has been heard up town, and Christmas is hardly more than a week away. And while no great noises are expect ed this Christmas season, the spir it of the season will be mote evi dent when the children push their t books aside for the one real vaca tion of the year.; MORE PEANUTS ARE RECEIVED Members of Force Are Be ginning to Show Signs Of Added Diet The Enterprise will hardly corner the iK'aiiut market, hut many more bags of the goobers were brought in over the week-end in exchange for subscriptions to the paper. The goob ers are now a part of. the regular diet of the force, and one or two of the boys arc actually beginning to show signs of fattening. During the past day or two deliver ies were m'adl ITy sixteen citizens whose names follow: L, A. Bullock,, Williamston, Roue 2; Henry 1). Peel, Williamston Route 2; H. L. Meador, Williamston; John R. Coltrain, Williamston, Route 4; L. H. Peel, Williamston Route 1; J. R. Perry, Palmyra; K. R. Edmondson, Bethel; C. Sexton, Jamesville • R, F. D. I; C. 1,. Nelson, Hassell*; Jesse Martin, Jamesville, Route I; E. N. Hardison, Jamesville Route No. 1; W. Joe Taylor, Williamston, Route I; Naomi Gurganus, Williamston, Route .3; James 1.. Coltrain, James ville Route 1; Arthur 1.. Modliu, and Lewis Modliu, Jamesville, Route I. - Only a few more days and the sub scription offer will be withdrawn or altered.- Subscribers and non-sub scribers are urged to act quickly. Hardly able to part with a whole bag, some subscribers have formed a partnership, offering one-»hag of pea nuts for two one and one-half years subscriptions. That's all right with the company, but it will be impossible to accept half, bags. . Woman's Club To, Hold Meet Thursday, at 3:30 The December meeting of the Wo man's Club will be held Thursday, December 17th at 3:30 o'clock in the club room. The date was changed on account of the Christmas holidays. At the November meeting there were hardly enough mejubers pres ent to establish a quorum and im portant business was carried over. The president hopes that the meeting this week will be well attended. The chairman of the program com mittee, Mrs. P. B. Cone, has arrang ed a very interesting Christmas pro gram, and in addition to that the ninth grade of the local school will pre sent a Christmas pageant. As there will no parent-teacher meeting this week, the members of that organiza tion are invited to attend the club meeting and witness the program. Club Members Make Pro/it 01 42 Per Cent The produce grown by 238 club members in Catawba County this year amounted in value to $8,885.59, of which $3,843.44 was profit, says the county farm agent. Watch the Label On Your Paper As It Carries the Data When Your Subscription Expiree ESTABLISHED 1898 JOE PEEL, JR., IN JAIL FOR KILLING HUBERT SUTTON Argument Over Flashlight Between Two Negroes Has Fktal Ending Hubert Sutton, 20-yi-ar-old negro, was {.hot and killed here early last night by Joe Peel, jr., young negro l>oy. Sutton s life was snuffed out in stantly, an entire load of shot fired from a shot gun entering his forehead. Arguing over a flashlight, the boys engaged in a fist fight on Main Street. A few minutes later. I'eel went to his room in the old Blount Manufactur ing Company building, one block of! Main Street, and returned with his gun. Hiding the weapon in the back lots, Feel returned to the scene of the first argument, and another quarrel was under way. The two boys en tered the back lot, where I'eel recov ered his gun and started back to his room. As Peel continued on his way to the manufacturing plant, Sutton fol lowed, daring Peel to shoot. When they neared the company's building, Peel turned and fled to an upstairs room, locking himself within. Sutton attempted to gain an entrance through the door, and failing he went out side and climbed a small iron rod to a second story window. As he pushed his head and one arm in, Feci tired. The window fell on Sutton's shoulders and held him there, with most of his hoily hanging on the outside and his Ijraifis trickling to the floor inside. j. Officers, tearing of the trouble be- Iween the two boys, followed them to the Blount Manufacturing Company and found Sutton on the outside. He was told to stay out until tl.iey ar rested Peel, but he failed to remain as' he was told by officers, tell ing them that if they did pot get Peel before he did he was going to krll him, it was stated by Chief of Police Daniel at a coroner's hearing. Un able to stop Sutton, Officer Allsbrooks ran inside the building and reached the Peel had secreted him self about the time the fatal shoj was fired. Peel was arrested and placed in jail. Arrangements were underway this morning to have the case carried be fore the grand jury, and trial will likely follow one day this week. BASKETBALL AT OAK CITY High School Team Defeats Town Team in First Gameof Season x Friday. December 11. the Oajc City High School basketball quintet made its debut for the season of 1931-32 with a decisive defeat over the Oak City town team by a score of 22 to 9. The line-Oir was as follows: High School: Francis Worsley, Donald Hy nian, Hackney High, Charles B. Coun cil and William Davenport. Town team: Hilton Kawjs, Pete Daniels, J. C. Johnson, Kelly Bunting, Nat John son. The opening score of the game was made in less than a minute after the beginning of the first quarter by Rawls of tfite Grads, which seemed to be a favorable stimulation to the accurate and active -shooting of Worsley, of the opposing team, who scored immediate ly after the beginning of the next play. Every player for the high school contributed to the piling up of the final score by a field goal except Daven port, who seemed to be busy at guard ing and he even added one to the total by a foul shot. Both teams played fairly good ball, but the high school team proved super ior by accurate and active passing and goal throwing. Worsley, of the high school, by a score of 5 field goals, was the high scorer, while Daniels of the town team led his fellow-players by shooting two field goals. Captain Pearce Comes Back on Different Craft Captain Pearce, master of the old barge, "Lynn," which rested on the bottom of Roanoke River here for sev eral weeks last summer, returned last Saturday night, this time as captain on the "Lloyd." Captain Bill Bram ble, the old fat gentleman and big talker from Baltimore, and for years captain of the "Lloyd," died some time ago and Captain Pearce took over his old boat. The old "Lynn" is tied up at the Baltimore docks. Coming out of the North River, the "Lloyd" was stalled on a mud flat, where it and its crew rested for a week. Continuing its journey, the barge ran aground at the mouth of the Rioanoke and spent two week* there, finally reaching here late last Saturday with its cargo of fertiliser materials. *■