Williamson Stores Will Be Open Until S P.M. All Next Week for Chriftmas Shoppers
Watch tha Labal Oa Yon
Papar A? It Carriaa tha Data
Whan Your Suhacriptiaa Erptrar
THE ENTERPRISE
VOLUME XXXVII?NUMBER 83 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, December 14, 1934 ESTABLISHED 1898
SUPERIOR COURT
ADJOURNS AFTER
SHORT SESSION
Several Important Cases
Continued; One Murder
Case Disposed of
Working right on through the lunch
hour. Judge W. A. Devin completed
the criminal docket and heard one di?
vorcc case, and adjourned the Decem
ber term of Martin County Superior
Court at 2 o'clock here last Tuesday.
Two of the cases that were expected
to take up much time of the court will
not be tried until the March term.
Mrs. Opticus Godard, a witness in the
case charging Johnnie Williams and
Joe Lawson with murder and reckless
driving, could not attend court as she
is still confined to her bed by injury
suffered when the Lawson truck ran (
into her several weeks ago. The case
against Ollie Page, charged with man
slaughter, was continued, as it is un
derstood two civil actions have been j
instituted, and it is likely all of them
will b* called at the March term.
Proceedings not previously report
ed are as follows:
Charged with disturbing a religious
worship, John Henry Brown was sen
tenced to jail for four months, to be
hired to R. E. James, who is to pay
a $50 fine and the costs for the de
fendant.
James Wilson, charged with mur
dering Haywood Scott at Williamston
last month, entered a plea of guilty
of murder in the second degree. The
plea was accepted by Solicitor Gil
liam, and Wilson was sent<j"nct$ to
prison for a period of 20 years.
The court directed a verdict of not j
guilty as to Jay Rawlt and Joe# Henry I
Webb in the housebreaking case a
gainst them and Junior Wynn. Wy??
?->waa-sentenced to prison -for two years
to be placed under observation by
A divorce was granted William Ram
sey from Nora Louise Ramsey.
HOLIDAY HOURS
AT POST OFFICE
Gift Packages To Be De
livered Christmas Eve
And Christmas Day
The schedule of service at the local
post office will be slightly changed this
Christmas season to supplement the J
""convenience for patrons, Postmaster -?
Fowden announced today.
deliver Christmas gift packages Christ
mas Eve and on Christmas day. the
post office remaining open until 10
o'clock the night before Christmas.
No letteVs will be placed in the lock
boxes and no regular deliveries wiil
be made in either the town or rural ;
routes, it was stated. The delivery of .
gift packages will be confined to the <
town.
Mail will be dispat:hed as usual,
and incoming mail will be received as !
usual, but will wait distribution until
?Wednesday after Christmas?The of,
fice will not observe the usual half |
holiday on Wednesday, December 26.
but will close for a half day Thursday, j
the pastmaster explaining that the of
fice would be held open all day Wed
nesday to complete distribution.
Legion To Give Supper
Monday; Olive To Speak
A big free barbecue supper is being
served by the John Hassell post of the
American legion in their hall in Wil
liamston Monday night at 7 o'cloc, to
which every ex-service man in Mar
tin County is invited. Hubert Olive,
of Lexington, State commander of the
Legion, is expected to be present and
?jptfAt.? !
This post is in a contest with the
Ahoskie post for increased member
ship. It is understood that, up to date,
the Martin County group is ahead, i
The officials of the post are anxious i
to bring this further honor to the John
Hassell Post, and are asking, there
fore, that each ex-service man who
plans to come bring with ftm some
other ex-soldter.
There will be no charges whatever
in connection with this supper. Many!
of the individual members have made I
donations already, and the supper is to
be absolutely free. A great crowd of;
former soldiers is expected in William
ston on Monday night.
Program of Services
At Church of Advent
Rev. E. F. Moseley, rector.
Third Sunday in Advent:
Church school, 9:45 a. m
Morning prayer and sermon, II a.
m
Evening prayer and sermon, 7:JO
4>. m.
Just Eight More Days Left
For Shopp ng; Better Hurry
COLORED MAN
CONFESSES TO
KILLING WIFE
Christmas is coming! Shoppers
have only eight more days to make
their holiday purchases and com
plete preparations for the day of
days.
Business activitiss in William
rushing point, and the holiday
spirit is becoming more pro
nounced each day. Beginning neat
week, local business firms will con
tinue open evenings for the con
venience of their patrons. Addi
JOHN SAMUEL
SMITH DEAD
Well-Known Retired Busi
ness Man of Roberson
ville Died Thursday
John Samuel Smith, retired business
man, died at his home in Roberson
ville yesterday morning at 11 o'clock
from an attack of pncutiiona. He
had -been in feeble health for some
time, but he was able to be,up Wed
nesday, death 'following quickly after
the pnetitft&ftia attack.
Son of the late William 11., and
Charlotte?Keel Smith, tie was born
near the Martin-Pitt line in this coun
ty 66 years ago. For many years he
worked on tobacco markets, spending
mmhc ttme on the Williams ton mar
ket a number of years ago.
Two daughters, Mrs. J. W. Rober
son, of Palmyra, and Mrs. Paul Al
ford, of Oak City, survive.
Funeral services are being conduct
ed this afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev.
J M. Perry. Interment will follow in
the Abncr Everett cemetery, near
Robersonville.
Auto License Sale Gets
Under Way Slowly Here
While the sale of 1935 automobile
license plates is greater so far this
year, as compared with la>t season, it
j* advancing rather slowlv. the lqcal
bureau announced yesterday. . Up to
noon yesterday only licences had
been sold.
According to official announcement,
there will be no extension for the pur
chase of the new plates, and owners
or others operating cars on or after
January 1 with old plates will be sub
ject tn prosecution.
Six Men Caught Hunting
Without License in County
Entering this county to hunt, six
Washington County men were caught
by Game Warden Abbiit recently ami
formally charged with hunting without
licenses. Justice of the Peace Onward
Gaylord suspended judgment against
the alleged violators upon the condi
tion that they purchase licenses and
pay the costs, amounting to $44.10.
The names of the hunters: Dick
Perry, Elmer Mizelle, Luther and Tom
M cN'air, John Hassell and Joe Cher
fy
County 2,000 Bales Behind
Year Ago in Cotton Ginned
With the ginning season almost
spent, Martin County will run nearly
2,000 bales of cotton behind its record
last year, preliminary reports received
here this week indicate.
Up to the first of this month, 3,817
bales of cotton had been ginned in the
county, as compared with 5,824 bales
up to the same time last year.
Clonal clarkm are being employed
in nearly every butineas houae to
better serve the ahopperi, and ev
ery posisble thing it being done to
make ahopping eaay, convenient. j
pleasant and profitable to the viei
tors and patrons.
?Trade 1? movlttg atnltly, but lo
cal stores have unusually large
stocks this year to care for the
needs of the more than 25,000 peo
ple who jeill make WiUiamaton
their ahopping center this holiday
season.
LAND OWNERS
HOLD MEETINGS
Endorse Program of East
i ern Carolina Chamber
Of Commerce
Land owners and busines men in
meetings at Robcrsonvilte and Ever
etts Tuesday of this week unanimous
ly and enthusiastically endorsed the
program of legislation which the East
ern. XjLroliiLaL,.Clianjher ot C ommerce
"Is sponsoring for this coming legisla
ture The program includes the con
tinuation of the general sales tax for
another hicnuium, refunding to coun
ties the money expended on highways
by the counties prior to the state tak- \
ing over the highway system; higher
pay for teachers, commensurate with
the ?rise in cost of living during the
past two year*; drivers' license, to be
administered without cost to the ap
plicant.
Local committees were appointed to
-oopcraie with the East***. C arolina
( hambef of C ommercc ill putting this
program across a1 the legislature: At
Robersonville, G. If. Cox, chairman;
D. K. Everett. I. M. Little, V ante Rob
crsoft; at Evcretts, V. G. Taylor, J. T. j
Barnhill, John Wynne, J. S. Aycr>
G. If. Cox acted as chairman of the
Roberscmvtlte meeting, while V. G.!
Taylor took care of the Evcretts
group. Secretary N. G. Hartlett, of
the Eastern Carolina Chamber of
Commerce attended both meetings ami |
explained the program.
Tom Bost To Preach At
Baptist Church Sunday
j Tom Bost, Kaleigh Cui respondent.
of the Greensboro Daily News, will
speak from tl^e pulftjt of the local Bap
dock, at which time it is expected the j
house will be packed and jammed to |
hear the gifted journalist and preacher. !
Mr. Bost not only does his daily
newspaper tank In "Rateigh, Which ~ha^r
engaged him fur 20 yem, Um In ad- f
I difionv he writes a Sunday editorial
sermon in his newspaper, which has
a reader possibility of 250,(MM) persons, |
thus giving liini one of the gretesl
pulpits in the state ctf North Carolina, i
hi addition, the versatile man preaches
| and is an entertainer much in demand. :
i Tire public in general, and the mem
j hers of other churches who have no
services at that hour, are invited to
hear Mr. Bost.
The other services of the day fol
low the regular order, the Sunday
school meeting at 9:45 o'clock, the pas
, tor preaching at the morning hour,
and the young people having their ex
ercises at 6j30 o'clock.
Hog Killings Now Under
| Way Throughout County
Hog killings are under way on i
? large scale in a number of sections in
| thin counly, according to report* re
ceived here yesterday. In Croti Road*
1 own ship, the farmer* wilt have com
pleted the annual ta?k hy and before
Christmas, it is understood. Killings
in other sections will hardly 1>e com
pleted before the latter part of next
month.
j While the meat supply rs about the
; same as it was last year in this roun
i ty, some sections are facing a small
.shortage, Kuorta Indicate |n Cross
Roads several farmers arc said to have
lost many of their hogj from cholera.
Confession Indicates Mur
der Was Deliberately
Planned
Jailed here last Sunday morning fol
owing the inurdcr of his wife the
uglit Deiore, Oscar Lewis, 37-year-ohl J
rolored man, broke down and con
tcsscd the crime yesterday, giving a J
iull account of his life and describing j
in detail the shooting. Faced with
rcuntstantial evidence that might !
have been considered sufficient by a
jury to send him to the chair, Lewis'
conscience began to work on him, and
lie appeared relieved when he unfold
ed the facts in the tragedy. His story i
told, the man pleaded with officers and
others to aid him escape the death
chair in Raleigh.
Finding solace in telling the truth,
Lewis stated he wad born on the Cof
field farm in Poplar Point Township
.17 years ago, that he had worked on
a farm most of his life. About 14 years
ago he married Kate Ambrose ami
lived peaceably with her and their two
children until about five years ago.
when she started running around with
other men. He left her about that
time and drifted to Elizabeth City,
where he worked for two years, send
ing at various times money for the
support of the two children. He claims
t\> have sent as mu:li as $18.72 at one
time About two years ago lie re
turned to this county, working on the
V. R. Taylor and Haryell Everett
farms until this year when he started,
working for the Farmville-Woodward
Lumber Company here. There was
little friction between he and his wife,
he claims, ufitil another baby was
born about two years after their sep
aration. He claims fluff since the il
It gitimate chtjd wa? b?rn? ire furnished
clothing for his wif* np?f.' rliildrni
at various times.
Tuesday evening before the murder
on Saturday night, Lewis is believed
to have planned the killing. When he
returned to the home of Caesar Pur
vis, where he has lived for six months
lie found his wife there. There tvas
no trouble, hut the greetings were not
very cordial. She asked himi to take
her to her home on the Jack Mills
farm in Poplar Point, that the trip
was casual as far as any happenings
were concerned. She asked him to
bring her food and other articles for
Christmas. He agreed to carry her
the food and articles, hut hc'explained
to her that he would not enter her
home, that when the dogs started bark
ing at him she was to come out for
the food, he said.
It is apparent from the evidence
that Lewis planned jthe murder at that
time, using precaution in scheming to
get her from the house" without his
litving U> call her and be heard by
other occupants in an adjoining apart
ment. _
Saturday Lewis continued his plan*
by buying three shells from a local
store and borrowing a gun from Rob
ert Brown. He left his hoarding
house at 7 o'clock Saturday evening,
walking the Mc( askey road to the
Hamilton highway and from there to
the home. The dogs started harking
just before he reached there, and he
continued on a short distance. He re
turned a few minutes later and saw
his wife standing at the well in the
yard. When within a distance of 20
feet, and without a w ?rd being spok
en, he fired the gun, the load of shot
taking effect in the woman's head and
(ausing instant death. He left the
scene immediately, returning to town
on the Wildcat road and the Everett*
highway.
Sobbing and at times crying like a
baby, Lewis in his confession to Sher
iff Roebu. k yesterday said he could not
explain his actions, that he apparently
(Continued on page six)
Accepts Position With
Davis Pharmacy Here
Mr. Eugene Rice, registered drug
gist, of Oxford, has accepted a posi
tion with the Davis Pharmacy here,
entering upon his new dutic* thU
week. Mr. Rice has had many years
of experience in tlje drug business.
Gift Shoppers Given Special
Invitation by Merchants Here
REPORT IS MADE'
FOR PAST MONTH i
BY HOME AGENT
Two Girls Receive Medals I
For Work in State 4-H
Club Contest
By Miss Lora E. Sleeper *
State 4-H Club Conte/t: Three girls I
entered thex state record contest and |
six girls competed in the state dres
contest. Two of the girls entering j
tire contest attended the state dres*
content held November 1 in Raleigh.
Miss Emma Bell Manning was county
representative in the state dress . on
test. and Miss Liashia Ballard repre
sented the state record contest. 1'hc
two girls received gold medals tor
their work
Kitchen contest: The kitchen on
test came'to a close November <>, when
12 kitchens were scored in the coun
"tyr The twelve contestants put ttt
shelves, sinks, high windows, ceiled
the walls, and painted. Mrs I \dia
Gurkin was first place winner, Mr*.
J. D. Griffin second place, Mrs. Wil
liam McKcel third place, Mr>, Will
Taylor fourtli place, and Mrs. (I 1) i
Grimes fifth place. Mrs. Kason l.il-j
liey had the moft outstanding kitchen
in the'county during the contest. Her
kitchen had been entirely built which
made it impossible for her "to compete
with the women improving their kitch
ens. Prizes are being collected for
the women,
Miscellaneous: Ten meetings held
with women during lb ? month TUe^
meetings were in the nature of han
dicrafts. Each woman was asked to
bring .something to sew on to help in
a Christinas bazaar which will he u-ed
to increase the Jane S> McKimmon
"Loan Fund. Ideas, patterns, ^etc, were
given out at the meetings.
| Girls' 4-H Club: Girls 4-H Clubs
I during the month were organized and
I the younger girls started on their
I doll's outfits. Very few of the older
girls have secured the material. The
older girls are making undergarments,
I this will precede their entering the
dr<'ss. contf-sL Line joint?4-44?> "luh
' was organized during the mont
| the Bear Grass school. The hoys aic
to work with the assistant counts a
igent and the girls will continue their
j regular project. This is the first chib
of this type in the entire county.
| Poultry Short course: Two women
from the counfv nrrniiipaiitr-d?lLul
honi'C agent In flif poultry wli. ?rt, ,n .1 .WI
! held in Raleigh November 21). A ??
| part of the information which the
women received they gained some
' knowledge which is of use to hatchery
men in determining the sex of
1 chickens.
Total market receipts for the in ?ntli
of November gave the women $8^ 13.
(ieneral summary: The Home A. nit
traveled 1,044 miles this past .month;
conducted 10 meetings with the girls
and 12 with, the women Agent spi rit
8 days in the office, 17 days in the field
visited 20 different homes, attended 3
meetings at the poultry short course,
taking two of the poultry demon tra
tors. There were 214 in attendance
at the meetings. The kitchen contest
running in the county for six months
was brought to a close during the
month- The last week in the ttvuth
, was given over 'entirely to the inak
! ing of annual reports.
Opening in CCC for Two
Veterans From County
Applications will he considered with
in the next few days from World War
veterans in Martiiy County for en
trance in the Civilian Conservation
Corps the early part of next year it
was announced by the county welfare
'office today. Any veteran desiring to
j enter tire CCC WefViC* are directed to
file applications at the office here.
only two will he accepted, it is under
stood.
MANY VOTING I
eral of the 12 pracinta indicated
a substantial and favorable vote
was being cast in this county for
the continuance of the Bankhead
cotton and Smith-Kerr tobacco
control laws. If the voting holds
up throughout the day. the reports
indicate 99 percent of the eligible
voters will have visited the polls
and supported the measures.
At noon today the local voting
place was crowded with farmers
eager to vote in favor of the con
trol measures. Not a single vote
had been cast against the tobac
co program up until that time, it
was unofficially reported. The
Tobacco policy was leading with
the largest number of votes at the
polls here', but that was due to the
fact that there are more tobacco
farmers than there are cotton
growers in this section.
STORE ROBBED
AT EVERETTS
Thieves Break Out Glass To
Enter Taylor Bailey
Store This Week
Forcing an entrance by knocking 1
hole through a front chow window
robbers broke in to.The Taylor. Bailei
! fir Brother Store in Kvcretts soini
time Tuesday night or early Wcdnes
.lay intoning and stole a ApwtttWy o
goods and adders, the owners statini
[that they could hardly determine tin
' exact loss. An early check on tin
robbery revealed several hundred pen
nies, a double-barreled shotgun, sev
eral pairs of overalls, and shirts am
1 oilier articles missingi
I Sheriff C. B. Roebuck was called t(
! Kvcretts early Wednesday morning
but no clue could be established tha
would warrant an arrest, late report
stated.
New Clerk of Court Is
Complimented On Work
Serving as clerk of the Martii
t ounty Superior l ourt for the fir
nine this week. 1. Bruce Wynne-wa
Highly complimented by fudge AS A
Devin for the manner in which h
conducted the work The young clerl
administered the various oaths afte
n veteran's |iiltH ' wis ready-d-Ul
tip- reconl- when the court ilbktvl K'
them.
The clerk is now gnawed over tli
'case charging little Kvelyn Purser wit
llie killing of l.uiwood 1-ee at Spnn
(ireen last August Judge Pcvin r.
| mauded the case back to the juvenil
' court, and now Judge Wynne has i
for his problem lie plans to liav
the young girl state the lacts hemr
I him within the next few days
Regular Services Sunday
At Church in Jamesvillt
There will be regular services .i
the Jamesville Baptist church Sunday
Sunday school at lb o clock I rcaili
uig service at II o'clock and 7 at nigh
| This will be the last service for tli
year in the church there, and the mi
lly preaching service in the town. A!
I church people and the public arc in
vitcrl to worship with us ?Rev W
1 II Harrington
Parent-Teacher Associatioi
Will Meet Next Tuesday
The Will i aim tort Parent-Teache
Association 'will hold its last regula
meeting of the year in the gramma
school auditorium next I uesday aftd
noun at 3:30 o'clock, it was announce
today hy an official of the nrganiza
fion.
f A specWd- *40**tainme?t prograi
will follow the business session, an
all members are urged to he presen
BIG STOCKS OF
HOLIDAY GOODS
NOW ON DISPLAY
Fair Treatment, Courtesy
And Reasonable Prices
Are Assured
Williamson merchants are directing
special appeals to thrffty shoppers
throughout this territory, urging them
to visit local establishments siftffr' |hf
assurance that their purchasing prob
lems will be solved by the large stocks
from which to make their ^elections.
The following stores carry special
messages in this paper appealing to
the people of this entire section for the
opportunity to serve them this season,
with the assurance that fair treatment,
courtesy, and reasonable price will
prevail at all tunes
At Clark's Drug Store, the exacting
shopper will find an unusually large
and apDropriale gift supply, and they
are the gilts that are sure to please.
Harrison Brothers have one of the
largest lists of appropriate gifts in this
section, in addition to the thousands
of other articles that will he appre
ciated the year around.
B. S. Courtney has his large store
literally running over with the latest
in furhitilre and in all styles, making
shopping easy tor those who would
give, lasting gifts
The Wiriiamstqij, Motor Company
conies along wit\'w an appropriation sug
g-e.ition? givr~n~new l'JJS Ford To the ~
family lor Jums the year 'round. T
^'Stargolis Brothers are advancing the
gj caK'st?"gift inspirations" to be
found in aiir.v store anywhere for
"Him" and for "Her." They are dis
tinctive, timely and lasting.
lo brighten the holiday season and
add to yc3T^umTTmt~~c~<>mfort, the Vir
ginia h'.leetric and Power Company
points to the electrical gift as the prac
tical gift
That happiness might pervade the
home each and every Christmas, W.
(i. I'eel calls attention to the logical
act of buying a life insurance policy
for the young boy or girl and making
secure the protection of loved ones.
__ The. l.nuUlry li e -Company is pre
pared to sweeten the entire holiday
season with a large assortment of
candies, nuts, and fruits
1 Now is the time to think of your
home and buy furniture gifts for the
family use. the VanDyke Furniture
Coin pa nya*rc\ plaining they are pre
part (1 lu li.iui.tU' >'"?? furniture prob
hino ihiv Clnintnia-. ^ .
Davis I'hajmaiy has a large sup
ply of worth-while gifts for every mem
I her of the family.
C. O. Moore i-> better prepared than
ever to fill your grocery needs and
supply you with Christmas candies
from large assortments. He also
states tlw I Mi ileo o one nt the uun1
ular Christinas gifts.
For the young lady, gifts of jewelry
are alvftiys appropriate, and J. Law
rence I'tel has special gift values now
<>n displvy--rtt his Washington Street
store.
Thoughtful shoppers will find Barn
hill Brothers' store a valuable shop
ping place with countless items appro
| priate for the Christinas gift,
j Hundreds of riding devices and play
1 things await the kiddies at Culpep
per's. and, too, there are many items
of hardware thai make ideal and valu
able gifts for the man about the place
ml such gifts are lsting.
Handling the famous K C. A. radios
j J. Claude Liggett points out that the
| r^din is irganlfd as UUC of the really
appropriate gifts at Christmas time.
He has them in all models, and in ad
dition he lis hundreds of other items
in his store that make very suitable
gifts
Watts Theatre has unusually good
programs on every night next week
for entertainment.
The D. Pender stores announce
great preparations for adequately car
ng for the people's need for confec
tioneries and appetizing foods for the
entire holiday season.
A complete line of fireworks is ad
vertised by Theodore Roberson.
A new Chevrolet for the family will
make an ideal and valuable gift this -
Christmas, the Roanrke Chevrolet
Company suggests.
The d and Bad Furniture Com
pany is announcing some real bargains
for the Christmas season, including
good used pianos and new kitchen cab
inets.
The Branch Banking and Trust
Company, looking ahead, explains by
aving a few dollars each week dur
ing the year one may face the Christ
mas season well prepared.
Help Provide Christmas Cheer for Unfortunates of Community
When peanuts were selling (or
? cent e pound, cotton et S cents,
and tobacco went I or less than pro
duction cost, some ole wise guy
shortly before Christmas that year
ad steed everyone who wanted to
find something in their stockings
on Christmas morning to sleep in
them. This sec den made the best
of the situation, but many little
lots knew Christmas that year tfcthe
calendar aldna. They had none of
th? thing* that lifted the day out
of tha routine, the bar* ration* at
hand hardly satisfying their hun
ger, and the clothe* on their back*
failing to hold heat in their frail
little bodice.
Thia year there ia a diffeient
story for the majority of the aev
eral thousand kiddies in Martin
County. However, there are a
goodly number of little tot* scat
tared her* and there with mighty
poor prospects for ? bright and
happy Christmas. Pot them, lo
cal organiaationa are planning
Chriatmaa packages, depending up
on the amployeea of the emergency
relief office to give of th^lftMtr*
time in effecting a proper distri
bution of the little'giftg.
In an effort to make the move
ment a succees, public subecrip
tiona are being asked, and already
the drive hae met with much tuc
ceee. The Boy Scoute will be
aeked to canvaee the town for
secondhand toye and other article*
that will be appreciated by those
who are dependent for no reatiin
of their own. Donatione will be
received by The Enterpriee and
turmed over to the proper author
ise.
Those who are able will find
happ'neee in firing and the more
they give the happier they'll be.
The receivers will be happy, too.
When the Scouta make their can
vas*, turn over fb them what old
toys and any other articles you
can spare, and they will assemble
the gifts at the welfare office for
distribution by the relief forces.
There is little time left to handle
the work, and any one wishing a
part in the humane undertaking is
urged to immediate action.