North Carolina Newspapers

Our Very Best Wishes for a Most Happy and Properous New Year to All of Our Family of Readers mm Tm THE ENTERPRISE a VOLUME XL?NUMBER I Williamson. Martin County. North Carolina. Friday. January 1.1937 ESTABLISHED 1899 BOUNDARY LINE DISPUTE REPORT BEING PREPARED Commission's Decision Is Expected To Be Made Public Next Week Findings of a commission appoint ed by court order to locate the liar tin-Beaufort boundary will be made public probably next week, it was reliably learned here today The report, prepared by H. G Connor, jr., one of the three commiss.oner* appointed to establish the line, now being reviewed by the other two commissioners before it is pub licly filed. While the findings of the commis sion are to be final, it is undershu-t that a bill will be introduced in the General Assembly convening next week to establish the line by legisla tive action. In that event, it k un derstood the findings of the commis sion will be closely followed Several controversies are said to have been centered around the line where the boundary between the two counties ?hnnlH hoc. -..-H to eliminate future disputes, the commissioners in their report aie expected to recommend that ade quate markers be placed slon" !' ? territorial division. Whether the findings are favor able to this or Beaufort County, or offers a compromise, it could not be officially learned. Acording to Beaufort County's original claim, Martin would have loat territory from the present boun dary almost to Macedonia church, and all of the Smithwicks Creek community, including the church A preliminary investigation by Uu commission maintained the present boundary up to what is known as the Through Road. Just what course the line will follow from that point to the designated marker on Welchs Creek will be shown in the commission's report The commis sion completed its investigations on Monday of last week, and the re port was prepared last Tuesday, sub ject, of course, to final inspection by all members of the commission be fore its release to the public. Mrs. Alonza Harrell Dies in Goose Nest Mrs. Martha E. Harrell. highly re spected citizen of Goose Nest Town ship. died at the home of her daugh ter, Mrs. Archie Harrell. there Wednesday afternoon of last week following an illness of only a few days. Mrs Harrell, 73 years old. had enjoyed good health up to the-Sun day before her death, when she suf fered a stroke of paralysis. She was ?? the daughter of the late Har ? rell and wife Her husband, Alon za Harrell. preceded her to the grave some time ago. Besides her daughter. Mrs. Ar chie Harrell, she leaves two sons, Messrs. B. L and L L Harrell. of near Palmyra. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p. m Christmas Eve Dayrat the home by Elder William Grimes In terment was in the family burial ground, near Hamilton. Car Knocked Through Window of Local Store A plate glass window was broken and part of the front of the J O. Manning grocery store on Main Street here was torn down early this morning by an automobile. Parked 1b float of the store, the car was struck by a passing truck and forced into the store front. Truck Driver Hanson of the Bass Transfer Company, Tarboro. ex plained that he was meeting a truck at 4 o'clock this morning, drove too close and knoc Red ihe car iiitd the building. No great damage was dope either to the car or to the truck,. Infant Dies W P. Near Jamesville Thursday ?t?? ? William Roy Hopkins. 2-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Hopkins, of Tarboro, died at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mix L H Davis, near Jamesvilel. last evening _ - a n mat * _a 1_ n XX tT9u O CKJCX X1UU1 little fellow with his sister, Carire Anne, eras visiting his grandparents when he was taken Funeral services are bong con ducted this afternoon at 2J6 o'clock at the Davis hone by Rev. Richard lores, of follow in Williams Hoey Urged To Recommend Repayment Road Donations Holding a meeting here yesterday under the direction of the Eastern Charolina Chamber of Commerce, officials from a number of counties in this section of the state framed a petition to Hon. Clyde R. Hoey. governor-elect, to include a favor able report on claims for road re funds by several counties in his ad dress to the General Assembly next week Action to get the incoming state executive to include the plea in his address was admitted by some of those attending the meeting yes trrday to be a bit late, since the governor-elect is understood to have virtually completed the paper, A copy of the plea prepared yes terday was not available here this morning. The meeting also mentioned plans tu push claims for the refund of the several millions of dollars advanced by a number of counties for high way building IS or 16 years ago. Committees in the interest of the road refunds are expected to be in Raleigh during the session of the legislature convening next week. Property Revaluation In County Huge Task LONG HOLIDAY Eaplatm in loral nnpiyad lul longest holiday since the influ enza epidemic about It yean ago A three-day holiday was agreed upon, and all business houses closed their doors dur ing Friday, Saturday, and Sun day. Young's store kept its doors open on Saturday, hut the customers were reported few and far between during the day. Other than the hanks and post office and one or two other es tablishments. business is ignor ing today?New Year's?as a Christmas Business Here Very Good With few and very few excep tions, local business houses are clos ing one of their most successful years, an incomplete survey of the trade activities during the period clearly indicates During the early part of December unfavorable wea ther held in ch^ck trading activities, but with a clearing about the mid die of the month, business boomed, local merchants reporting the bust est Christmas Eve trade to recent years A close check on the records, however, is expected to show slight decline for some business firms. Bad weather and impassable roads interrupted the life of com merce here during tfce early months of the year, and a reduced tobacco crop had its effect, but, all in all. 1936 can be recorded in history as a successful one for local business # ? i ? Honor Roll for Bear Crass School Honor roll pupils of Bear Grass school for the third month were the' following: First grade Matlie Faye Brewer. | Ina Lane Robenon. Louise Whit-1 aker. Polly Peele, Christine Harri son, Evelyn Clyde Harrison, William Bryant Rogerson. Second grade: Alice Ward Cherry, Ola Irene Webb, Eugene Rogers, Ruth Hazel Whitaker. Susie Gray Taylor. Ralph Ross Bullock Third grade: Reginald Peele, Atung Bullock, Dillon Cherry, Anna Lou Leggette. Fourth grade: Baby Gray Cherry, Kathleen G.irganiiy Brownie Ruber son, Lorraine Rogerson, Frank Har rison, Cecil Whitehurst. Fifth grade. Grace Bailey, Ver non Roebuck, Gilliam Rogers, Her bert Hyman. Sixth grade Rufiis Gurganus, ItLiI i ?' "pr**"" Nmrni Brown. Nina Lee Brit ton, Hattie Griffin Waiil, Maiy Lou lladgea Eighth grade: Came DeU Terry, Rachel Ayers . Ninth grade: Amanda Wynne. Louise Wynne, Evelyn Hodges, H D. Harrison, jr . Charlie Harrison, Edna Earl Harrison, Alta Bntton. Tenth grade: Effie Davis Button, Ruby Wynne. Mildred Ward. Mag daline Harrison. Eleventh gfiule. Elizabeth Dailey, Bessie Mae Terry, Leon Rogers. 'Movie Queen" Presented By Kiwanis This Week The Kiwanis play, "Movie Queen" ras presented hoe Tuesday and night with fair success, at Urn Commissioners May j Consider Mailer at Meet Next Monday Believed Board Will Favor Complete Revaluation ? Of All Property Although their work is only cen ti red around a routine calendar, the Martin County commissioners will likely give some attention to the much important and huge problem of revaluing property at the first | meeting of the new calendar year next Monday "just now only rou tine matters are scheduled for con sideration at our meeting next week but some attention will be given the property revaluation problem." John E Pope, chairman of the board, said. Elected as a member of the board last November and unable to quali fy on account of illness the first Monday in December. Mr. R A lfar slip, representing the Goose Nest Hamilton district, is expected to be present for the meeting next Mon day. Discussing the revaluation prob lem, Mr Pope stated there are three alternatives?actual revaluation or horizontal increase or horizontal de crease in property values, the board i hau man indicating that he would favor a complete revaluation for the new tax year., The law provides for a revaluation of fixed properties ev ery four years, bul in 1933 a hori zontal reduction was effected which, in short, meant nothing However, it was possible that year to hold the tax rate down Economy measures in various departments made that possible and not the reduction in property values Revaluation, while not perfect by a long ways, is designed to iron out as many in equalities as possible in property' listings. The homestead exemption is sched uled to receive considerable alten-1 tion, as it will affect property val ues in the new tax year However, little attention can be given that phase of the revaluation problem by tt.c county authorities until the state General Assembly determines the amount o! the exemption to be al lowed thai year The constitution al amendment adopted in Novem ber, 1936, allows a $1,000 maximum | on all homesteads, but it is not ex pected and not believed the legisla ture will allow the limit reduction | the first year. Seek Commutation Of Death Sentence! A paper petitioning the parole] commission to change the death sen lence now facing Alvin W. Wataom convicted killer of Thomas Holliday | in Robersonvilie. to life imprison least one part of the county and' probably in others. Few details in connection with the petition circula tion could be learned here today.! Henry D. Hardison. defense attor ney, stating that he understood a petition had been prepared but that| he had not seen It With what degne d petition whether there was opposition to the! plea m behalf at the killer couM not] be learned. ' While the not well arquaimed with he said that it eras ing that several planned at the OVER 50 FAMILIES MADE HAPPY BY CHRISTMAS FIND Toys and Food Distributed Through Generosity of Local People Sponsored by The Enterprise, but liberally supported by the people of the town and community, the sec ond Christmas Cheer movement in | this community was completed last Christmas Eve. Despite the fact that some few errors were made, the undertaking proved highly suc cessful. reports state Briefly reviewed, the movement included 189 children and reached into 51 homes in several townships, several <?f the homes being bare al most to the walls Many liberal citizens in Williamston and a few in the neighboring communities con tributed $117 in cash, all of which, and a few dollars more, were spent, most for fruits, candies, raisins, and a few staple groceries Several dol lars were used to buy shoes for barefooted children. Hie toy sup ply proved sufficient and while no! distributed on any elaborate scale, the little trinkets of one kind or an other were placed in the hands of every child on the list. Great joy was reported in home after home as the distribution was effected the day before. Christmas, repaying many times over the feeble efforts of those who participated in the undertaking, and establishing oeyond all doubt the continued need in good years as well as bad years for such a movement Pitiful cases were found, but one that is remember well was in a rur al section, about 5 miles out of Wil liamston. The oldest child was found on his way to the woods with an old gun to kill something to eat for his 8 brothers aid sisters, for whom there wasn't as much as a cold piece of bread in their house. Case after case, some pr? J?ably more destitute, could be cited, but with few exceptions the less fortunate found some measure of happiness participated m the Christmas Cheer movement. ^ illiam A. Ayers I)i?-> in Hospital William A Ayers. native of this county and World War veteran, died in a Hampton Va , hospital Monday of last week A stroke of paralysis following a long period of declining health was given as the immediate cause of his death Son of the late J K and Sallie A Ayers, he was born in tlie Oak City section of this county Su years ago During the great war he served in the army two years and saw action overseas for 12 months with Com pany I. 322nd Infantry, 81st Division He was active in Legion circles, and spent much tune in Williams ton un ul about a year ago, when he mar ried and located in Bath. Beaufort County. His widow, Mrs. Charlotte Ayers, of Bath, survives. He also leaves four brothers. J. S Ayers, of Ham ilton; Mills and George Ayers, of Hassell; and J H. Ayers. of Oak City; and two sisters, Mrs Mary Lil ley, of Bethel, and Mrs W A. Cas per, of Hamilton. Funeral services were conducted ?n the Oak City Christian church Wednesday afternoon by Rev. J. M. Perry, of Roberaonville. members of the John Walton Hassell American Legion Post holding military rites Burial was in the Oak City ceme tery. Jimmie Taylor Will Be Back on Market ?Iimmir Tpj-W -.ll.hvii.-n Hti zen of this county and an able to bacconist, will be a partner in the operation of the Roanoke-Dixie Warehouse here this coming season, it was announced yesterday. Jake Taylor will auctioneer for the firm. Mr. Taylor, a partner in the firm of Keel fit Taylor in Greenville last season, was on the local market dur made many friends among tobacco farmers and the people in general. The statement announcing his re turn here this coming season will be read with interest throughout this Wr the market during the 1937 son is pending and will be public within a And tune, SWEET POTATOES BEGIN MOVING TO ny T\/T\I/^ yTPOC BUY UN (j tblilEKb First Shipments Made Yes terday; About 60 Cars To Be Shipped Sweet potato shipments to north ern markets started moving from this point yesterday, reports indi cating about t>0 cars of the sweets will be shipped from the William ston territory this season. Between two and three months will be re quired to complete the shipments from this cCtter, it was learned. Representing the Corbitt Packing Company, with headquarters in Wil mington, Mr L. N Johnson has pur chased a number of carloads of sweet potatoes and cleaning and grading activities were started at the A. C L Station on'Wednesdax of this week. The machine especially designed and made for cleaning and grading sweet potatoes, will handle around 1,200 bushels daily, a quan tity sufficient to fill two refrigerator | freight cars. , ?The com puny?ij paying 00 nnu a bushel, delivered at Wiliiamston. for the No. 1 grade, accepting the cleaning and grading costs and re turning the inferior grades to the farmers. The price, while probably not high, is considered favorable, and deliveries are being made fair ly rapidly at the present time Working 10 or 12 people, the com pany plans to handle most, if not all of its purchases in this section and ship them from this point The crop in this county is said to be slightly larger than it was a year ago. a Another landmark Is Being Removed Another of the few remaining land marks 00 the mam street here is be ing torn down this week to make room for a passenger bus terminal next to the Tar Heel Apartment | Building Built a half century or more ago by the late Sam New berry, the old building was used for the exchange and sale of mules and, horses during many years, or until the automobile started making its; appearance in numbers. More re cently the building was altered and used as a gasoline filling station and car storage Sid Mobley, who now has the property in charge, is leasing it to bus line operators, and the con struction of a brick station is al ready underway. The bus terminal will be completed within a com paratively short time, depending on weather conditions. Mr Mobley said. ? ? Mrs. Harmon (alloy Passes in Williams Mrs Gcorgianna Coltrain I.illey, wife of Harmon E. I.illey died at her home in Williams Township early Christmas morning, following a short illness. Mrs. I.illey. 69 years old was the daughter of th elate J. W. and Nancy Griffin Coltrain. and lived in this county all her life She was highly respected by all who knew her and had many friends throughout her community. Besides her husband she leaves five sons, Arthur, Lawrence. John. Kader. and Henry Lilley, and one daughter, Mrs Ola Gardner, and several brothers and sisters, all of this county. Funeral services were conducted at the late home last Saturday aft ernoon at 1.30 o'clock by Rev. W. B Harrington, Baptist minister Bur ial was in the family plot, near the home, in Williams Township Peanut Market Continues ?Firm; Price f 1-4 Cents Peanut prices with only a few va riations since the market opened are holding up well, buyers quoting an average of about 4 1-4 cents, with fancy jumbos commanding as high as 4 1-2 cents a pound today. A large portion of the crop Is re ported sold in this territory j County Ministers Will v Hold Meeting Monday The County Ministerial Associa tion will meet in regular session on Monday, January 4th, at 10 a. m, in the Presbyterian church All the ministers of Martin County urged to be 2 Accidental Deaths Reported Last Week NEW YEAR The Iwdui of horns, the ring ill of a few bells, ami the Bring of salutes. Including one from an old Civil War cannon, marh rd the passing of the year 193B here last night, the new year coming in without accident to those celebrating during the evening and early morning. Stationed temporarily on the Wheeler Merlin farm, just west of town, the old cannon was 4 minutes late saluting the New Vear. the gunners. Lieutenant f. H. Allsbrooks and Sergeant (ieorge H. Ciurganus, setting a long fuse for time to Hee. The report was not terribly loud, but a few windows rattled as the I pound of powder exploded. Fime for Recorders Court Session To Be ('hanged To Monday Change Effected for Benefit j Of County Lawyers in Legislature For the first time since it was cre ated back in the sumer of 1919. the | Martin County Recorder's Court w ill hold its regular one-day session on Monday instead of on Tuesday The change 111 the time for holding the court was effected in order that Senator R. L. Coburn and Member of the House H. G. Horton could be present for the legislative sessions. Duties in Raleigh during the ses sion of the General Assembly which convenes next week will make it almost impossible for them to take part in the activities of the court should the sessions be held on Tues days The change in days for hold ing the court is to continue during the first six months of the new year, with the possibility that the change may be made permanent Wmhr no session of the court was held this week a comparatively small docket is awaiting prosecution, Clerk of Court L. B Wynne said. About 8 new cases had been placed on the docket up to yesterday since the last session was held on December 22 Favored by a majority of 121 votes in a special election held on June 14. 1919, the court was estab lished under legislative sanction on, the 7th of the following month by the county commissioners, who said the Court should be held on Tues-j day. While the right of the court to sit on any other day than Tuesday] may be questioned, the county au thoi ities can easily rescind that part of the order establishing the court and direct the sessions be held on Monday of each week. Six precincts, Williams, William ston. Robersonville. Poplar Point, Hamilton and Goose Nest, of the 11 in the county at that time voted for the establishment of the court. At torney J C. Smith, of Robersonville. was appointed recorder by the com missioners and Attorney B D. Cntcher was appointed prosecuting attorney The first session was held on July 15, 1919. ? Habit Transfer Company Establishes Depot Here The Habit Transfer Company is establishing a freight depot on the property recently used as a passen ger bus terminal on Haughton and Railroad Streets. Freight will be riiiived and?distributed?from?the station, John Habit said. The company is also leasing the Colunial service station SHU Witt send a man here neat Monday to operate the station and handle the freight. ? T. S. Strickland, 67, Dies Suddenly Near Hamilton T. S. Strickland, 67 years old, was -found-dead in bed at the home of ins son, near Hamilton, on Thurs day of last week, the apparent vic tim of a heart attack. He was a native pf Halifax Coun ty, but had made his home in Mar tin for several years. Funeral services were conducted last Saturday by Rev. J. T. Purvis, Christian minister. Burial was in Halifax County, near Palmyia. Little Girl Burned To Death; Aged Man Hit b\ Automobile HaJ* Dozen Car Accidents Of Minor Nature Are Reported Die Christmas season in Martin County was not w about its trage dies and sorrows, a fairly complete survey show.ng two persona having lost their lives in accidents and at least live others in the county to nave died from natural causes dur ing the period Little Louise Edmondaon, 4-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lu ther Edmondson. was fatally burned late Wednesday afternoon of last week at her home in Poplar Point Township, the child dying the next dJi ... a WjMilllghiri llUSpHul KUI-? sell Edmondaon. about 9 years old, and a brother to Louise, was burn ing some grass in the yard, and he | warned his little sister to run. She was reported to have started to climb a fence when a post broke and threw tier into the fire She was badly burned about her body and most of the hair was burned off her head Her mother was painfully burned about the hands while trymg to check the flames and save the life of the little girl Funeral services were conducted Christmas Day the accident being recognized as one of the most horrible reported in this county during the Christmas season The other accident in the county costing a life was reported in Rob ersonville early on Tuesday night of last week, when Dawson Manning was struck by a car driven by J H James and fatally hurt He died early Wednesday morning. More than one-half dozen other motor vehicle accidents .were report cd in various sections of the coun ty, Patrolman W s Hunt descnb I"g most If ?u, all of them as of no serious nature. A car and on oil truck plunged into Sweet Water Creek, near Wilhamston on the Jamesville Hoed, but even thereto one was badly hurt and the proper - ty damage was described as small No fireworks accidents, at least no serious ones, were reported dur ing the firing season in the county, but a number of children were bad ly hurt or fatally injured in parts of the nation Six of the victims lived 111 this Stale Two small Williams tun,children received burned hands by popcrackers. but the burns were not serious. L D. Jones, young white boy, was seriously shot while rabbit hunting "hhu Point , the morning before Christmas He was removed to a Washington hospital but was dts charged Tuesday He was injured in the side and lost the sight in one of his eyes Young Jones who at tends school in Hamilton and drives , a school bus. was struck by a load Of shot fired from a gun in the hinds of a colored man named Dix j"n Reports declared the shooting { was accidental, but Dixon was ar rested and is being held pending an | investigation by county officers It ~ [ was said Dixon lied the scene of the | shooting without assisting Jones to his home. Holiday tragedies in the nation cost the lives of more than 600 peo ple, traffic accidents accounting for heady, 500 Of the dtalhs Several Fire Calls During Holidays The holiday season had its usual fire calls here, but none of them proved of any consequence. Three calls were answered during the week by the local fire company, the calls equalling in number those of a year ago Wednesday night a defective flue fired the old colored barber shop roof on Washington Street, doing only slight damage. The following morning fire started in lCrs. Jamas Hctrrs beauty shop over Margotis Brothers' store, but the fire was brought under control with an ex tinguisher and little damage result ed. Saturday afternoon an oil stovs went out of control in the L. B. Har rison home on Haughton Street, and the fire company was called there. Damage waa limited mainly la smoked walla.