North Carolina Newspapers

5^1 THE ENTERPRISE ZJZ.JL VOLUME XXXVII?NUMBER 80 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, December 4, 1934 ESTABLISHED 1898 COMPLETE PLANS FOR BALLOT ON BANKHEADACT Vote on Important Law in Nation on Friday of Next Week t Arrangements for holding the ref erendum on the Bankhead Cotton Control Act in this county were an nounced complete today by Assistant Agent T. B. Slade. Registrations have been compiled for use in the election, and they will be delivered at the direction of the county cotton com mittee within the next few days. Bal lots aire also ready for Cfrrtiibuliuii, and interest now centers in the task of getting out a large and favorable vote on Friday of next week. Poilholders and places of holding the referendum in the various com munities of this county will be an nounced within the next day or two. In the meantime, the attention of the farmers is urgently called to the im portance of voting and favoring the continuance of the Bankhead law. It is reasonably believed that defeat of the act will cause cotton prices to drop back to 1931 and 1932 levels, and the failure of the act's passage will cause a depressing effect upon tobacco and other farm commodity prices. In short, tobacco farmers eligible to vote in the^cotton referendum should do so if they desire the tobacco program con tinued successfully. All cotton farm ers are urged to make special efforts and plans to vote on Friday of next week, for failure to do so may cause a return to 10-cent tobacco, 1-cent peanuts, and 5-cent cotton. NEW CLERK OF COURT IN OFFICE ? L. B. Wynne's First Official Act Was Administering Oaths Of Office ? Taking the* oath of office at 9:15 yesterday morning before Justice of the Peace J. L. Hasseli, L. Bruce Wynn immediately entered upon his duties as clerk of the Martin County Superior Court. His first official act was to administer the oath of office to J. Sam Getsinger, register of deeds. A few minutes later the clerk admin istered the oaths of office to the other officers, including Sheriff C. B. Roe buck, Treasurer C. A. Harrison, Re corder H. O, Peel, Coroner S. R. Biggs, and Commissioners J. E.-Pope, V. G. Taylor, Joshua L. Coltrain, C. C. Fleming, and Robert Lee Perry. A few minutes later the new court officer- was signing criminal warrants and clearing his desk for a busy sched ule with the recorder's court today and a week's term of superior court begin ning next Monday. VACCINATES 8,154 HOGS PAST YEAR Calls Answered from 392 Breeders by Martin County Agent Tom Brandon, county agent, is be lieved to have established a record in the number of hogs vaccinated during the past twelve months in this, a com paratively small meat-producing sec tion. During the period from Decem ber 1, 1933, to November 30, 1934, the agent vaccinated 8,154 hogs against cholera. The record of vaccinations is given added weight when the num ber of farmers asking the service fs considered, the agent stating in his annual report that there we^e 392 breeders who had their swine treated against the disease. The largest number vaccinated was' 196 for Fanner D. G. Matthews, and the smallest for any farmer was a lone pig, the agent said. The average number of hogs vaccinated for each farmer was 21. Rogers Named Assistant Supervisor of the Census Urbin Rogers, Martin County man, haa been appointed aaaistant supervis or for the fifth district farm census, which gets under way throughout the nation the first of nest year. D. W. Lupton, of Paatego, will supervise the work in this and other counties in the district Headquarters will be located in Washington. Enumerators for this county have not been announced at this time. Roanoke Expected To Go Two Feet Over Its Banks Reaching its crest in Weldon yes terday, the Roanoke River is expected to overflow its banks at this point this weak. The 12 or 13 foot rise expected here will probably reach its crest here next Sunday, overflowing the hanks by about two feet, according to re ports released today by Hugh Spruill, (following advices received from the weather bureau at Raleigh. Only 17 More Days for Gift ! Shopping, Merchants Warn WhiW preparations for Christ mas have been underway for some time, shopping for the holiday sea son is becoming mora pronounced each day in Williamaton stores, and indications become more prom iaing daily for one of the busiest seasons here in years. Only 17 more shopping days remain, and while that is plenty of time to shop in, many will find themselves pushed If they trait until It 3-4 of them are spent before starting the Christmas shopping task. In short hie advantage to shop early, avoid the rush and mail packages early. Santa Clans is breaking forth in all his glory at Williamaton stores this season, and certainly, with all tha Christmas goods on display and with as much money pourad into this aectioa recently, there need fas no empty stockings in these parts 20 day* from now. Make your plants to visit Wil Hamston's merchants; you'll find one of the Largest assortments of useful gifts, candies, toys, vehicles and many other articles seen here in many, many years. The Christmas lights will go on Saturday night of this week, and plans are going forward for a gala holiday season here -this year. Nearly 2,000 varicolored lights are being placed on the streets in the business sections today, with the possibility that they might be lighted before Saturday. Man Kills Himself 1 ! In Parmele Sunday! RED CROSS While the reports are not yet complete, early returns from the Red Cross membership campaign indicate this county surpassed its record of last year. County Chair man Harry A. Biggs offered re ports from Farm Life, Oak City, Everetts, and Williamston, show ing receipts of $97.25. The Wil liamston schools later reported $26.30, increasing the total to $123.55. Jamesville and Hamilton and several canvassers in William ston are yet to report, Mr. Biggs Stated. GOOSE NEST MAN DIES RESULT OF AUTO ACCIDENT J. H. Etheridge, a Leading Farmer, Buried at Oak City Last Thursday John H. Etheridge, one of the lead ing farmers and most highly respected citizens of Goose Nest Township, died in a Rocky Mount hospital last Wed nesday from injuries received in an] automobile accident the day before. I Mr. Etheridge was fatally hurt when the Chrysler car, driven by Herman Manning, turned over on Highway 125 between Oak City ami Scotland Neck.. A tire blew out, causing the wreck, it was stated. According to other re- | ports coming from eye-witnesses, the steering wheel appeared to have sud- j denly locked and Mr. Etheridge grah- , bed the driver, causing him to lose , of the car. It turnyd oyer J twne ami landed on Us top, hrraking | several of Mr. Ethrridgt's ribs and cutting him about the head. The driv er, injured about the arm and shoul der, was not seriously hurt. Mr. Etheridge was about 60 years old. He married Miss Hattie Bur roughs, of Williamston, who taught in ,I,T rrhiml. Mrs Flheridgs ?ur vives, but he leaves no children. He leaves three sisters, Mrs. John Collins, ! of Kinston; Mrs. Mack Medford. and Mrs. Ed l)eBrule, of Tsrboro, and two brothers, H J. Etheridge, of Oak City; and C L Etheridge, of Wil liamston Mr. Ernest Etheridge, of this place, is a nephew. Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon in the Conoho Primitive Baptist church by Elder Wil liam Grtmes. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Edentn School Teachers Recovering from Injuries Miss Madge Pettus, Edenton school j teacher, injured in a car wreck near Ttobersonville last Friday morning, is recovering, late reports from her bed side indicated today Mist Tettus, tiding with Mrs. Emily Badham and bthers, suffered a broken arm and col lar bone. Mrs. Badham suffered sev eral broken ribs and other injuries, but the was able to return to the home ft bar sUtar, Mr*. S. R- Biggs. lor treatment, and to continue later to her home in Edenton. The car, a Chevrolet, skidded into , big ditch when a tire blew out, it was learned. The party was on ill way to tee the Edenton-Reidsville foot ball game in Chapel Hill. Other oc cupants in the car were bruised, but were not seriously hurt. Occupants Escape Injury When Automobiles Crash The radiator of Mr. W. k. Old'? Hudson car wai (mashed and the front part of George Martin's new Ford was considerably damaged last Saturday afternoon when the two ma chines crashed at a street intersection in Jamesrille. No one was hart. C.VANCE CARSON dies instantly BY PISTOL SHOT "WS ? L.? Home Monday By Rev. J. o. Long, of Bethel -".?~dc;rr ?'~>. sens wifc*hr0Om ?'h" home "one. Hi '& ran"* ,.htnrfP;r :>f Pi"0' help ?d h, n ,,f,'b0r ' home 'or . *"d hr w<"> fuund lying uu dead in I he room. ETCT nances Vr b"" WOrrie,, ?"r fi" antes, ur, Car,on advanced no rea ?on for taking hi, own lif^, leaving fhV "use for the at, rnn^n ! start 1 '* 8"" *nd W,J rtady to ? art hunting. that he was g?ing to 1 ,hei" son,c quail shortly j heHrCeturnderhn,berS,0f hl'' wl"" 1 that he ws "fternoon mat he was going to kill himself but 1 wie,C'neMtdeC,'ded "-"''".I er rela, /" ""merous oth er relative, and friends He is said L m7tk!^ '? ki" *ey Ah 1= "8 *ht P"" fo"r years About 36 year, old, Mr. Car.on was ^rn ;n Pi,, County, his parent pas, IS 5?meL,ime ?*?. During the by the am'"- ,l>d been employed Coa.t Line Railroad ^^^locafed during , grea ' "^rr-nrTfrr Trmr- at- dwlilfill. road'he" a" dl"ies wi,h th? ra'l IcMrk wT ",e ,OWn ?' f^rniele as I ried M r" .* """* ",in ?>e mar ked Miss Lula VanNortwick, who, p . ,WO sons' Theodore and Cecil Rober.onvdl; High School student.,' ? "e also le.v.| four hr?,. Car "y ir,on' f Florida; O. G i CUud0.n'ci,rV,0n " Jan,e,ville; ,.ude Car.on, of Raleigh; and C D Carson of J ? ? tr' Ive., of Bethel. fromTe' I.T't" conducted om the late home ye.terday after-1 of Betoel 0'CdCk ^ KeV' J ?- Conic the f ' 'nterment followed in mele bUr"" 8'ou"d' Var ^r T?m Harrell, County J Man, Hurt in Car Wreck Mr. Tom Harrell, Martin County ?nan, and hi. brother, Mr. j H Har r?H. of Black Mountain, were painty ,b he"0lheeT'ly hUrt Wednesday I *r went tPP",Ua O" 'heir' -ar wen, ou, of order, causing the machine to run off a JO-foot embank ment near Morgan,on I, w.. fim hough, ,ha, Mr Tom had suffered a racture ?f the cerebral vertebra, bu, and C.?nd"'onu.Proyed no, ... ,criou> he lnd hi. brother are expected '"Ve 'he ?""f""'1 in Wor ^^aoton tomorrow. Baby Dies at the Home of Parents Here Wednesday ? Annie Geneva, six-weeks-old daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Moore, died at the home of her parents here last Wednesday following a short illness. Funeral services were held in the Pen tecostal Holiness church by Rev. Tom Harris Thursday afternoon. Inter ment was in the cemetery here. a Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Smith wick, Mrs Frank Jordan, Mr. C. C. Fleming, Miss Thclma Brown and Mrs. Hooten were among those sttending the Smitbwick-Moore wedding in Hamilet | last Saturday from this county. RETIRING BOARD MEMBER SERVED COUNTY 8 YEARS T. C. Griffin Served County as Chairman During Four Hectic Years ' Completing eight years of service,! four as chairman of the board, for Martin County. Commissioner T 1 | Griffin yestervlay completed his last official act of the period that has been marked for its perplexing problems and j unusual demands of a people experi- ; cncing one of the worst depressions in many years. Through it all, the . hoard chairman efficiently -guided the | board to make one of the best records , heard of throughout this state. Just before presiding over the last i; meeting of his four terms, Mr. Griffin said Monday lie had'worried night and day, trying to do the most advantage- . ous things for his people and county, that many new gray hairs had sprout-j ed from his head during the past four years.ill handling the duties assigned him by the office. Taking over the chairmanship fol lowing the 192V crash, Mr Griffin has been between the "devil and the deep blue sea," so to speak. Depressed property owners clamored loud and strong for tax reductions on the one hand, and the needy pitifully appealed for succor on the other hand. Prop erty owners, forming groups, demand ed action in public meetings. County bondholders in all parts of the country demanded payment of their holdings. Land values dropped and personal property became almost extinct in many instances, all forming a dark route for the chairman and his board members to follow. It was a difficult task, but through it all Martin County emerged success ful over what appeared helpless de feat at times. The county tax rate has been redilced from a high of $1.M) to $1.25 for the year 19J4. The demands of the property owners have been will ingly heard, anil the pleas of the less fortunate were heard with compassion, j And without doubt the period has been one of the most trying for a board; ?fd this county. During seven years of Mr. Griffin s service, Mr. Henry S. Everett, of Rob ersonville, has been closely associated with the chairman in his duties. Mr. Everett retired from active service oil the board yesterday, neither of the | two men having entered the campaign last summer to succeed themselves as | members of the board. They have j turned their duties over to Messrs ( C. Fleming, of Janiesville, and Robert; Lee Perry, of Bear Grass, and toilay , return strictly to private life none the | [richer but far wiueein lounty govern ment duties. > Following a short session of the old board, the new county officials accept ed the reins of government, the body electing John E. Pope, of William iton, to the chairmanship. Mr. Pope has been a member of the hoard for a number of yvr'- well armiaiiil ed with the county government and its functions. [PEANUT MARKET) SOME STRONGER i . ? r Little Change In the Price But Demand Said To Be Greater ? The local peanut market appeared some stronger this week, probably as a result of bad weather last week that forced a period of inactivity on mar keting operations. No marked ad vance in prices was reported, how ever, the market merely becoming more steady with the demand strong er. The market continues around the '3-cent price. While it is generally believed the present crop will have been picked in its entirely before Christmas, esti mates on the percentage of the crop sold vary considerably. In some sec tions very little of the crop has been put on the market, other communities reporting from 60 to m<?re than 70 per cent already sold. ? Sister of Mrs. H. L. Barnhill Died in LaGrange Today Mrs. Florence Herring, sister oT Mrs. I.email Harnhill of this place, died at her home in LaGrange this morning at 7 o'clock following a long period of ill health. Mrs. Herring was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W* D. Wood, of LaGrange. Funeral ar rangements had not been learned here ?at noon. Baptist Philatheas to Meet With Mrs. Sam Getsinger Members of the Baptist Philathea Class will meet with Mrs. J. Sam Get singer at her home on Haughton Street, Extended, Friday evening of this week at 7:30 o'clock. All mem bers are requested to be present. Bank of Hamilton Is Robbed Of Over $2,500 During Night COMMISSIONERS HOLD REGULAR MEET MONDAY Working Organization Is Effected by New Board: J. E. Pope Chairman In a short session held here yester day morning, the oh! board of Martin County commissioners completed it> work and cleared the desk for the new board, an answer to a relief plea and the issuance of a tax relief order constituting the last official acts of the old body. Taking their oaths of office, the new board members, Messrs. C. C. Fle'm ing, Joshua L. Coltrain, Robert Lee Perry, John E. l'ope and Van G. Taylor, immediately started their term, first giving their attention to the perfecting of an organization. Mr John E. Pope, of \Vi11iamston, was elected chairman. John W. Bland was-refected super intendent of the county home, and W. H. Coburn was appointed solicitor of the county court. E. S. Peel wa* t reappointed county attorney. Bonds of the various officers were approved in the following amounts: , L. B. Wynne, clerk of court, $10,000. i J. Sam Getsinger, register of deeds, I $5,000 and accountant, $5,000; C B j Roebuck, sheriff, $5,000 and tax col lectdr, $25,000; C. A. Harrison, treas urer, $40,000; S. H. Grimes, collector delinquent taxes, $1,500. % ? The remainder of ih$ .meeting time, or nearly all of it, was devoted t?> hearing pleas from the less fortunate and requests for tax relief orders Clcve Parker's monthly allowance was increased from $3 to $4 in Williams ton. L. H. Matthewsi was veteran drawing compensation, was relieved of poll t^x in Kobersonville. Bill Whitley and wife were allowed $4.50 The board ordered that all county pa tients entering hospitals for treatment must have signed orders to do so from the authorities S. T. Woolard, kob ersonville, was allowed $3 monthly by the old boaid. The new board, remaining in ses sion late into the afternoon, acquaint ed itself with the work, and the new members will he ready to start in as regulars either at a call meeting some time this month or at the regular ses sion the first Monday in January. ? WAVELETS WIN OVER LEWISTON Playing in Sea of Mud, the Locals Win Second in THrAP-I*am<? SLtriitc x III vv VlalHC OCl ICO l'layiiiK their third game (if the sea son last Friday afternoon at Lewis ton, Coach James Peters' Wavelets made it two straight victories over the Bertie eleven. The young lads chalked up a 14-to-0 win. Lewiston won the first game from the Wave lets played there several weeks ago Flaying in a field of mud, the tw<> teams were scoreless at the half. On the first play in the third quarter, Roh erson picked up the kick-off from his own team and skidded across for the first touchdown. Cone, plowing deep and earnestly in the mud, hucked the line for the extra point. In the final period Thad Harrison intercepted a ' pass and ran for the. second touch-1 down, Robcrson bucking the line for ; the point. Although outweighed by a large margin, the promising young team held the opponents for downs several times and turned back in a masterly way all scoring threats. Frank Pittman Is Slightly Hurt In Auto Accident Hardly recovered from injuries re ceived in an automobile wreck near Edenton several months ago, Frank I'ittman, genial employee of the Vir ginia Electric and Power Company here, figured in a second auto acci: dent last Saturday near Weldon Neither Mr. Pittman nor his sister was very badly hurt, it was said j Frank was able to return to work yesterday. The car, driven by Mr. Pittman, skidded on the wet pavement and turned over. Kader Whiiehurst Buys Parmele School Site for $405 The old Parmrle school building site was sold today to Kader White hurst for $405, a price less by $395 than the figure offered a month ago for the site and building before the latter was burned. There are about two acres in the site, and it is under stood a filling station will be built by or for Sinclair gas and oils. CHRISTMAS SEALS 1 ^ J Mrs. L B. Harrison, head of the Woman's Club welfare department will again head the sale of Christ mas seals in this community this saeson .it was announced yester day. The little stickers will be handled by canvassers and at con venient places for sale, it is under stood. Throug the sale of seals, a splen did work has been made possible in this state and nation against tuberculosis. Seventy-five per cent of the receipts remain at home for use by tubercular victims, the re maining amount going to state and national organizations, where treat ment is afforded those unable to pay and to maintain research work in hospitals and universities. JAS. F. PURVIS. HASSELLS MAN, DIED MONDAY Last Rites Are Being Held In Hassell by Rev. J. M. Perry This Afternoon James F Purvis, prominent county citizen, died at his home in Hassell yesterday morning about 5 o'clock from apoplexy. Suffering a stroke of paralysis about two months, Mr. Pur vis was forced to his bed. the end coining gradually. Prior to that time fie Was very active, but had retired from business life several year:* before. The son of the late Calvin and Nancy Johnson Purvis, he was born near Hassell 63 yeasr ago. He spent a greater part of his fife on the farm, enjoying success in bis* activities. About ten years ago lie moved to Has sell ami entered the mercantile busi ness retiring a few years ago from active busint-ss life. Showing a great interest in the welfare of his commun ity and its citizens, Mr. Purvis was active for many years as a supporter of the public schools ami religious work. He ^served as a member of the school board there and was identified with many of the progressive moves in the Hassell section. He had never married. One brother, Mr. A. L. Purvis, of Hassell, and one sister, Mrs. A. S. Roberson, of Robersonvillc survive. Funeral services are being conduct ed this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by Kev. J. M. Perry, pastor of the Kob erlonwlte Christian church Interment will follow in . the family burial plot on the home farm, one mile from lias sell. Cannot Reduce Number of Tenants Under Contracts Under the terms of their tobacco contracts, landlords must maintain the same number of tenants on their farms next year, it was pointed out by As sistant Agent M. L. Barnes this week. Landlords remember tl.i*. was one of the requirements found in the con tract this year, Mr. Barnes stating that this provision would again be in ef fect for 1935. According to unofficial reports heard here, a number of farmers were of the opinion the tenant-retaining clause was operative for 1934 only. A close inspection of the agreement will show that the tenant provision also applies for 1935. Griffins Township Reports Unusual Wild Turkey Hunt The hunting story of the season bobbed up in Griffins Township a few days ago, according to meager reports i ca *hitig here yesterday. Locating a roost in the woods there, a group of hunters nude elaborate arrangements to hunt wild turkey, (jetting up be fore daybreak, the hunters went to the scene to await light and trap the turkeys then and there. Probably the wild turkeys got wind >f the hunt and vacated, turning* the roost over to South ~tra ruling/ bu/zaids, several of which were killed before their identity was determined. Even though the mistake could have been anybdoy's, the hunters are said to have guarded closely their identity. ? Local Woman's Club To Meet Thursday Afternoon The regular monthly meeting of the Williamson Woman'* Club will be held Thunday afternoon, December 6, at 3:30 o'clock. Mils Sleeper, of the American Home Department, will have charge of the program. It i> earnestly hoped that all memberi will try their beat to be preient for this worth-while meeting.?Reported. USE ACETYLENE TORCH TO OPEN VAULT AND SAFE ? Robbers Leave No Clue for Officers To Work On; Experts Are Called ? Going into Hamilton about two o' clock (liU morning, thvm or inuri; rub ber.s broke into the Bank of Hamil ton and carried away, according to early estimates furninshed by bank officials, between $2,500 and $.>,000 in cash. The robbery was not discover- * 14*4 until thi* morning, and while ui - ficers entered the case immediately no rtfeveTdpinents had. been , reported at I noon today. Finger print expert-, j were culled in an effort establish a ? clue to the identify of the. yeggman. I Bank authorities and officers were I without any clue whatever when they started work this morning, hut it was | hoped some information could be I gained from a search for fingerprints. No tools were left and tracks of the I robbers and tracks of the car wheel> 'were obliterated by a rain falling early j today. It is believed that the robbers were experts in tin- business. Forcing an entrance to the postof fiice, the robbers then tore through a partition to enter the bank. Using an acetylene torch, the robbers burned the hinges and lock from the hank vault door, and lowered the door to the floor. Once inside the vault, the robbers burner! a hole through the 'top of the safe and pulled out the r ash, books and other papers. The books were slightly burned by the torch fjre on their edges, but the records were not impaired, it was stated. A goodly number of pennies were, left in the floor with the books, the robbers tak Jug away the cash in larger demuuina turns. In burning into the safe, the robbers alinosrtr set fire to the bank. ? but thev used a bucket of water to stop the. blaze, it was said. Reports indicated the valut door and inside safe were damaged beyond re pair, but the loss to property was cov ered by insurance and the bank had burglar insurance to prevent any loss to the institution or its partons. An entrance was forced t<? the of fice of Mr. R. \V. Salsbury right next I to the hank, but no damage was done by the robbers there ] The robbery was effected without waking a resident of the town, and nothing was known of the yeggmen's visit until the regular routine of busi ness activity was started in the town at the usual time today. It was re 1 pored that an automobile was heard (entering the town about 2 o'clock, jbut the noise caused no concern. I During the past several years, the I bank has been oji the "snot", one rob I bery having been narrowly averted when "ii.sk" i'roctor and his gang I went to the town about two years ago. I Proctor was driven away, and later 'arrested. The bank is said to have j held its cash on band to a minimum or | just enough to adequately serve its (patrons. The amount on hand at the 1.1..... ,,f flu, ndihfrv was at ^ minimum j as much of the cash had been paid 'out last Saturday and a new shipment ? was not expected until later this [week. TOWN BOARD IN REGULAR MEET Will Urge Local Owners To Leave Cars Home During Holidays ? A short and uneventful session marked the regular monthly meeting of the local town commissioners last evening. Current hills were reviewed and approved, and one or two minor business problems were discussed, but no action was taken. In anticipation of congested park ing conditions during the next few weeks, the commissioners are direct ing a request to all town car owners to leave their machines at home dur ing the busy season, affording visitors an extra advantage in finding parking places. Similar requests in the past have met with approval on the part of local car owners, and no exception to the rule is looked for this holiday season. Junior Council To Observe Ladies' Night Thursday ? Entertaining their wives and friends, members of the local Junior Order Council will serve a turkey supper in the legion hall here Thursday evening of this week at 7 o'clock, it was an nounced today. Charles F. Tankers ley, jr., state councillor of Henderson, will be a special guest. Plans are be ing made to entertain more than 100 members and guests. Mayor J. L. Hassell will tp master of ceremonies.