North Carolina Newspapers

Give Local Merchants First Chance With Your Christmas Shopping?Hundreds of Bargains Await You THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME XXXIX?NUMBER 102 Willijuaston. Martin County, North Carolina, For Tuesday, December 22, 1936 ESTABLISHED 1W9 HONOR ROLL OF LOCAL SCHOOLS Total of 127 Pupils on List) For Second Six-Week Period of Term The names of 127 pupils appear on the local jchool honor roll for the second six-week period recently ended, Principal L W Anderson an nounced, as follows: rv 1-A: Clayton Hoard. Alton How ard, John Rogers, Mary U Coltrain. Barbara Margolis. Lucy Robertson. Ola Rogers, Mack Manning, Gilbert Woolard, John Gurkin 1-B: Earl Bowen. Charlie Coltarin I John Wobbleton, Louise Cullipher.| Blanche Bowen. Ruth Cherry, Hat tie Liiley. Mary L. Pate, Betty G.i Perry t Gladys Perry. Garneda Steph| enson, Margaret Slrawbridge. Thel ma Ward. 2-A: Hugh Horton, jr.. Annie V.] Chesson, Louise Griffin. Suzanne) Griffin, Louise Hines, Dorothy Leg gett, Elizabeth Manning. Katherine' Moseley, Elizabeth Parker. Elizabeth 1 Taylor. 2-B: Ellic Cherry, John Johnson, jr., Connor Lee, Lonnie M. Nichol son, Frances Griffm_ Ludv Faye Keel, Vannie Williams 3-A: Tom Chesson. Hal Dickens, Erwood Old, Sylvia Green, Frances Griffin. Mildred Norris, Ear line Rogerson, Lucille Shaw, Bettie Per ry. 3-B Ida G. Cherry. Wilham Nel son. William Davenport, Malathu Price. 4-A Parker Peele, Frederick Wheeler, David Roberson. Joseph Gurganus, Isabelle Anderson. Fran ces Booth_ Alberta Knox, Betsy Manning. Anne Meador. Angela Mr Lawhorn, Betty Davis Rogers. Al berta Swain. 4-B J D. Liiley. Reuben Williams, Estelle Corey, Thelma Howard, Susie Revels. 3-A Jasper Browder, Conrad Getsinger, Richard Margolis, Bill Peele. Luther Peel, Jerry Raynor, J D. Woolard, Elizabeth Gurganus, Virginia Hines. Nancy Mercer, Dela Jane Mobley Mildred Thomas, Susie Wobbleton. 5-B: Virginia Everette, Annie Lil lian Lee, Frances Thomas. Sallie White. Martha Whitley. 6-A Madclyn Taylor. Mary Pope, Evelyn Griffin, Shirley Booth. Bell nie Weaver, Joseph Gurganus. Theron Gurganus, WiUiam Griffin. 7-A: Claude Griffin, jr.. William C. Mercer, jr., Edith Andrews, Dolly Elizabeth Godard, Mary Charles Godwin, Bins Jackson^ Elizabeth Parker, Daisy Peaks. Susie Griffin. 8-1: Nancy Biggs, Doris Bullock, Mary Ruth Ward, Stuart Critcher, Jimmy Morgan. 8-2: Marjorie Dunn, Katherine Manning* J. E. Boykin. 9-1: Dixie Daniel. Sallie Gray Gurkin, Helen Lindsley, Dorothy Manning. Martha Rhodes Ward, Susie Whitley, Reid White. 9-2: Bernice Cowen. 10: Reg Manning, John Ward. Grace Barnhill, Wilbur Culpepper. 11: Mary Helen Boy kin _ Addie Lee Meador. Fire Company Gets Two Calls During Week-end\ The local fire company was called j out twice during the past we first to the home of Bruce Chesson | on Warren Street at 7 o'clock Sat urday evening and to the Lamb home on Smithwick Street Sunday : morning at 8 o'clock. A gas heater went out of control | in the bathroom of the Chesson home and caught the wall on fire. Very little damage was done, how ever, and the fire was brought un der control just as the Are company | reached the scene. Firemen called to the Lamb home when chimney burned out. REAPPOINTED SOLICITOR AND ATTORNEY r. Hubert Catara, hit, ud Elbert 8. red. debt, were ? rellrWer d the Martin Ceaaty Kemter'i Court id County Attorney, iiapntisdj. by the Madia Ceaaty Caaaiabaen la regular Italia the Int lay ia thia aaoath. A big docket is being prosecuted by the solicitor this week, and the county attorney is basy with the Bcaafort-Martai beandary lis Sympathy for Watson Is Reported Growing 3-DAY HOLIDAY A three-day holiday will ha generally observed by bails im Inns here oa Friday. Satarday aad Sunday. Peceaaher 25. K aad 21, it was snaoaared Maa day following the circalatiaa of a petition favoring the snspen sion of business activities dar iac the three days. The public is cordially arced to cooperate with the aserrhaala aad other business opinion by handling all business transac tions prior to Friday that ordi narily are handled oa Friday and Saturday. Rain Falls for 12 Out Of First 16 Days So Far During Month Roanoke Up 5 Feet Since First of Month, But Still in Banks During the first 16 days of this month rain fell on 12 of them, the unfavorable weather conditions mir ing traffic to wheel hubs, disrupting trade and causing common colds and sickness. So far this month nearly 4 inches of rain have fallen. Hugh Spruill at the weather station on the Roanoke said today. While the fail so far reported is not even near a record, the rains fell slowly and seeped into the ground mostly The Roanoke at this point raaa five feet since the first at the i but the stream is still within its banks. No reports have reived indicating that the will overflow its bank here. Any additional rainfall is esperlcd to cause the stream to go out at its banks. A slight drop of .2 of a Awl was reported yesterday. Road conditions during the past few days have been all able, some reports stating that travel on a number of roads was almost i difficult as it was during the worst part at the pest winter. And if en wsnted to see a fanner living ?? dirt road get mad?and plenty ?just the mention of a bridge across the Albemarle was all that was necessary Cool weather and sunshine said to have improved the condition of the roads considerably i past two or three days. Desperado Captured in New York Recent CountyVtsttor Harry Brunette, imd-? catci u M man, who was captured in New York Tuesday night of last week and sentenced to life imprisonment by a New Jersey Federal court tiro days later for kidnapping, was reported seen in this county last August Bru nette was said to have accompanied A1 Lucks here at that time. Lucks going to Florida from the Martin Jail this week to face Federal charges, while his alleged compan ion starts his long sentence in a Federal prison. Reports that Brunette's al capture followed an : Clemency Likely Toj Be Sought at Hands Of Parole Official Appeal Taken Last Week , Will Not Be Perfected, Attorney Says A wave of sympathy, perhaps! spotted Just now. is reported extend-1 ing over parts of the county for A1 sin tfc Watson, the young Georgia' white boy who was convicted of' murder and was sentenced in the! Martin County Superior Court last week to die in the lethal gas cham ber in Raleigh the 5th or next March An apienl was noted in the case late last Friday, after Judge Barn hill pronounced sentence at * o'clock there being some doubt if the appeal will ever be perfected Action in Watson's behalf is now directed to Commissioner of Paroles Gill, and no immediate develop ment* in even getting a review of 'be case by him art expected at this lime Evidence in the case is icertain to prove a barrier to any alteration of the sentence imposed in accordance with law, but condi tions surrounding it are such that many sympathize with the boy, not forgetting the debt he owes to the state Briefly stated, the general public, with probably very, very few exceptions, believes that Watson | was not alone in committing the brutal crime and that it hardly !K1M right for him to suffer alone Judge Bamhill, who, as he always does. conducted a fair and impar Hal trial, safeguarding the rights of an accused man and at the same j time adhering to the dictates of the Mw. He is not expected to block any efforts to have the death sen tence commuted to life imprison ment, and it is generally believed he would favor commutation in the event it could be made certain that the defendant would be confined to prison during the remainder of hi* hfe. Solicitor Donnell Gilliam, who Pushed for the death sentence, can be expected to art m behalf of the downed man only after consultation with the family of the murdered "While 1 think he should be pun whed I do not think Watson should be killed, a man from the upper *? county said after Judge Bamhill pronounced the death sot Ftiday afternoon. He added to the boy's mother in Georgia that *bc may be enabled to pers-.-wily *???? Commission*. Gill Tlie recommendation made by the *"T that the defendant be extend wil have aosne effect when (the <wee m reiisaad. no doubt. and Bamhill oedeicd the b> the judg young Wat in follow - - -mes a sad m North Carolina's pris mved from members of ??d ma Mends. His by hardly mom Han bis only hop* Convicted Slayer of Robersonville Man Goes To "Death Row* Alvin Watson Weeps As He Hears the Judge Read Sentence Doomed to die in the gas chamber | the Sth ot next March, Alvin W. Watson went on what is ruled to] be his last -automobile Tide hist Sat urday morning, when Sheriff C. B Roebuck carried him to Raleigh and entered him on death row in Stae's Prison. "Sheriff, when you leave me here, I won't have a friend in the world to do a thing for me,' the young man, barely past 20 years | of age, told Sheriff Charles B Roe buck. as the officer made ready his] departure from the prison that morn] ing. His bands propped on a table be fore the bar of justice, Watson heard the death sentence pronounced on hini last Friday with tears in his eyes, apparently little realizing the far-reaching meaning of the wolds read to him by Judge M. V. Barn hilL * Resting on the arm of Sheriff Charlie Roebuck, the prisoner was immediately escorted from the court room pulling hurriedly a handker chief from his pocket to wipe away the tears that he had so bravely tried to hpld back and failed while the law took its course. Judge Barnhill in a low but stern voice read the judgment, which ap pears, in part, as follows It is ordered, decreed and ad judged by the court that the defend ant, A. W Watson, shall suffer the penalty of death by esphyxiation, and to that end it is ordered and ad judged that the sheriff of Martin County, in whose custody the pris oner now is, forthwith - convey to State's Prison at Raleigh said pris oner, A. W Watson, and deliver said prisoner to the warden of Stale's prison, who, the said warden, on the 5th day of March 193", shall cause Mm, th* fft?q * W. Watson" to inhale lethal gas of sufficient] quantity., to cause death, which ad ministration of such lethal gas shall] continue until said prisoner A. W Watson, is deed." a High School Athletes Are Awarded Letters Recently Fifteen local high school football players received their letters Tues lay morning in a brief chapel cere mony. Coach Wade presented let ters to the following boys Ray | Godmon, Junie Peel, Hurras Critch pr, Ned Cunningham. Jim Manning, Chaplain S. W. Manning, Carlyla Hall, Victor Andrews, Pete Egan. George Lee Roberson, Fred Suin meriin, Ashley Wynne, and Ben Har] liaon. Case of Jeff Little Being Reviewed! C5 I The case of Jeff Little, the colored man who was sentenced to not less than 15 and not more than 20 years in prison for having carnal knowl edge of a white girl under 16 years if age, is apparently being reviewed try Edwin Gill, commissioner of pa roles Officers in this county re reived last week inquiries from the parole commissioner's office, indicat ing the case is being reviewed with the possibility that the man will be jiamlad l Little was convicted of the charge in the Martin Superior Court in Se ptember, 1031. Officers in this county are thought lo be much opposed to a parole for the man. POST OFFICE HOURS ll ?rise Chrttaus Day U directly at Ike eCke. Ne dty ar rural dill net? win ta aaada Wday. ti Movie Queen " Parade Held Monday;ShowingNext Week The Kiwanis "Movie Queen. Miss Mary Davis Hardison. and her 'mother.'* Mrs. R. Goodmon. nrnved lere on the 2:30 p. m. hus Monday, supposedly from Hollywood. Mayo** liassell presented her with a beau iful bouquet of gladioli, and then :hey all rode at the head of .1 parade nhich was held in her honor. Movies vere taken of the whole atlair The trovies are being taken to be shown it "Movie Queen," a three-act musi al comedy next week. The show is >eing sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Williamston for the benefl of underprivileged children and wil be presented at the high school au ' ciiloriuni December 29 and 30. Rehearsals are well underway foi the stage part of the production. Ar exceptionally able cast of local tal ent is working hard to put the plaj over with a bang. With five attract live' dancing choruses and a fashior show featuring many prominent ia cal girls as models, this show of fers unique and many-sided enter tainmcnt for young and old alike. Lhristinas Cheer i'or Local Needy Assured People Here Asked To Report Names of Any Needy Families Toy Supply Is More Than) Adequate To Meet All Needs Reported Ably supported by the people of Williamston. especially by the mer chant?, aniTa few other thoughtful citizens in the county, the Christ mas Cheer movement sponsored by The Enterprise is now certain to be successful in a bit; way. The toy supply is more than adequate to meet the demands of all the less for tunate tots in this community, and the cash fund of $116 is sufficient to provide some fruit and candies loi the needy families. lasts of needy families have been furnished by the welfare office and other cases have been cited by school tachers and others How ever, to make sure that no deserv ing child will be without a few things this Christmas time, the spon sors ask that names of needy fam ilies be telephoned to The Enterprise at once. Any new cases will be in cluded along with those already re ported and investigated. ? The sponsors -extend --their great appreciation to all those who took part in making possible the Christ mas Cheer movement this year with the belief that the remembrances will be welcomed and appreciated by those who are not i na position | tb help themselves. The work of Messrs. J. D. Woolard and son, J. C. Manning and son. Jimmie, George Harris, jr., and- Miss Ruth Manning .11,d others is acknowledged They woi ked many hours in repairing the toys and preparing and checking the lists. Cash donations not previously acknowledged are as follows: Shain .israel $1; Jack Biggs $1; a friend $1: V I) Godwin $1; C. I) Carstar phen $1; C. A. Harrison $1; Luther Peel $1; Clyde Griffin $1; Miss Lidie Nixon $1; E. F. Fionebeigei $T; J E. Pope $1; Bill Wingate $1; Edwin Corey $1; Mrs. W. S. Harris, 50c; P. P. Peel 50c; C. O. Moore $1-50; Sam Getsinger $2; Eastern Bond & Mort gage Co. $2; Norman K. Harrison, $5, John Wier $3; V. E. & P. em ployees $6 75; B._ _ S, Courtney $5T John L. Hassell, $2; G. H. Harrison, $57 Frederick hoyt, $3; Lindsley Ice Co. $5; Hack Gaylord 50c; Mrs. G. H. Harrison $2; Baptist Men's Bible ?Ul?s $5; and $1 sent in by some person in Everctts who failed to give his name. The undertaking has proved quite a big task, but the Enterprise force gladly worked many extra hours handling it and in the hope that the needy might enjoy themselves this Christmas. Distributions will be handled Thursday. t Came Wardens Patrolling Roanoke Hunting Sectioi Game law enforcement officer continue to patrol the Roanoke Riv er in a special boat owned by th< Depart mi State Department and Development, County Gam Warden Bill Abbitt stating that number of arresta had been mad earlier in the aeaaon. Hunting fror boats on the stream is seldom hear about since Captain brought the boat here. Curb Market Will Hold Sales On Wednesday The curb market will open Wed neaday morning, December 23. at 1:J0 o'clock, lnateed of the regul HAS BUSY WEEK Completing the second year of his Hrst term on the Hrst Monday in this month. Clerk of Court L. Bruce Wynne had a busy schedule last week, the Superior court calling for hours of extra work. Mr. Wynne was the only county officer whose term did not expire the first Monday in this month. Convicted Negro D Tells Half Truth Eddie Salsbury, colored man who teld Judge Barnhill in superior court last week before the jury returned a verdict in the case charging him with breaking and entering a Has sell filling station, that "This will make three times, Cap'n," apparent ly told only half the story. It was later learned that Salsbury was sen tenced three times to the roads over in Edgecombe. Salsbury, who ac toinpanied A. W. Watson, convicted murderer, to the state prison last Saturday morning, allowed that his ? ecord was not known to officers in this county and there was no need of reviewing too much of his life history. Judging from the records of Sals bury and Isaac Ampey, both of whom have been in the courts of this county on numerous occasions during the past several years, they will be entitled to old-age pensions directly from the state when they reach W. It appears they will liave had no opportunity to work at pri vate employment before they reach BS?years of ago unless they mend their ways in the future. EARLY EDITIONS I That the Enterprise force may handle the Christmas Cheer de liveries on Wednesday and .. I- - ?? - - 1L - ? a ? a? a as - I nurangy, the pupucatiwi or ttie paper haa been advanced. The srhedule calls for the issuance of Tuesday's paper several hours in advance, and Just as quick production as possible for the second edition of the week. As this paper (oes to press, work Tuesday of next week, there will be no paper issued, the an nual custom of the publishers calling for suspension of one edition during the Christmas season that the entire gang may enjoy a few days of relaxation. The office wiU be closed until the middle of the week, when work will (et underway to greet our family ef 1.875 readers with a paper en the Brat day ef the TRY MANY CASES LAST WEEK IN SUPERIOR COURT Entire Week Devoted To The Trial of Criminal Cases Only Although the greater part of three ilays was spent handling the Holli day murder case, the Martin Coun ty "Superior^ Court cleared a large number of cases from the docket during the remainder of the time and adjourned last Friday afternoon with a long week of work behind it Proceedings not previously report ed are: The case charging Willie Lee Moore with reckless driving and manslaughter was nol proased.. Moore ran over and killed LeRoy Andrews near Robersonville on the 28th of last June. C. L McKeel, charged with em bezzlement, failed to answer when called. The court Hlrectarf ? wnrHUt at not guilty in the case charging Thomas A Spencer with reckless and hit and mn driving.?SjinWI was alleged to have struck a car u-ar Everetts the 5th of last Octob er. injuring Johnny and Victoria Griffin. The marriage of W D. Moore and Mildred Moore was annulled. The case of Long against Long, in which the plaintiff is suing for ali mony without divorce, was set for trial next March, the court directing the defendant to pay $40 a month lo the plaintiff until that time. The case of Tom Mills against B. A. Critcher and Wheeler Martin, trustee^ was ordered off the docket, the plaintiff having taken a volun tary non-suit. Weldon Biggs, charged with lar ceny in 1932, was bound over for Irial next arch. Judgment was suspended upon payment of cost in the case charg ing Hubert Rohereon, colored, with larceny. ; Grand Jury Finishes All Work and Makes Its Rej)ort Tuesday Presentment Is Made by Jury Itself in One Case; Inspect All Offices Completing its work Tuesday aft ernoon, the Martin County grand jury_ headed by James L. Coltrain I.led its report late that day, but the i-ourt. in the midst of a murder trial, delayed its receipt. For the first time in months, the jury itself made one presentation [or indictment. Ordinarily, the jury confines its work to duties assigned them by the solicitor and the court, but the jury last week slated a caae for trial next March. The indict ment was under seal lteports from all justices of the peace except one, that of A. Corey, lamesville, were received, the Jury dating that all fines collected by the jeate officers had been paid Following an inspection tour, the jury gave the courthouse, jail, coun ty home and prison camp a clean Jill of health. Investigating defects cited by the September jury. Foreman Coltrain ind his men inspected school busses in the county, reporting that all the necessary repairs had been made ind that all the trucks were in 'good condition considering i ?leather conditions." Widows of Veterans Get Pension Checks Check! amounting to $1,390 m )cing delivered to widows at Coo 'ederate veterans In the county this week. Twenty checks, eight for lass A widows and IS for class B widows, were received by the dark >f the court, but S of the usuas nave passed on to their laaaid. rhese checks will be returned Checks are being distributed to he following: Mrs. Sarah A- Hoard. Mrs. Virginia Perry. Mrs. CaraUne iogerson, Mrs. Mary Mrs Martha A. White, who (ISO eech; and to Mrs. Creay L ftarnhill, Mis. Winnie Mrs Katherine Dixon, Mis. jurganus, Mis. Mary Nalsun Our tanus, Mrs. Lucy A. Mlselle, Ifra Martha J. Peel, Mrs Mary a Per y, Mrs Martha K. 1 iie Riddick, Mrs arhe