Watch The Label On Paper, As It Carries Your Subscription E rqi r I aTJT7 sU 1 n Advertisers Will Find Our Col umns A Latchkey To Over 1J600 Homes Of Martin County. VOLUME XLIII?NUMBER 23 ffilliamtton, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuotdmy, March 19, 19 W. ESTABLISHED 1899 Judge Nimocks In Address To Grand Jury Here Monday Exprewe* Hope This tounlv Will Adopt "Permanent" Jury System -1 Addressing the March grand jury Monday, Judge Q- K. Nimocks ex pressed the hope that Martin Coun ty would adopt a continuous or per manent" grand jury system, the jur ist declaring that such a system had many advantages and that no addi tional cost would be entailed in maintaining- it. "I?believe -it will prove advantageous." the judge said adding that a majority of the coun ties in the State had a continuing grand jury system Losing his way to the Martin cap ital. Judge Nimocks asked to be ex cused for being an hour late, and ex plained that his charge to the jury would be short. In the beginning he stressed the importance of jury ser- | vice, explaining that when the rights of property and human beings are at stake it should be the will of business men and others to find time to serve and uphold those rights. The grand jury is an integral part of the court machinery and without it no one can prosecute or try al leged offenders of the law; therefore, the peace and quiet and to a certain extent the prosperity of Martin County depends largely upon the manner in which the grand jury handles its work. Judge Nimocks said, adding, "if you fail in your duty you help bring the courts into disre pute." That all men are equal in the eyes j of the law was stressed by the judge who urged the jurymen to remember that no man is above the law. that regardless of standing or position ev eryone should be called to answer for an alleged infraction of the law Explaining that he had no pet hob bies or theories about any particular law. Judge Nimocks declared that so long as a law was on the statute books the court should see that it is enforced. If there are laws on the books that are not wanted, then let the people have them removed through their representatives he rir- ; ctsrear Briefly outlining the various types of crime, the jurist ' particularly -?chaiged the jULy -with the duty <>t presentment of crimes that are vio lated to their own knowledge or are called to their attention by reliable informants. While this duty is often ignored, it offers one of the best methods of checking up on law vio lations "If you have reliable infor mation that a crime has been com mitted, take action and make pre sentment to your body You can't shift responsibility, you can't shield friends and maintain respect for the law," the jurist charged the jury men. "The manner in which you han dle your duties will largely deter mine the peace status In Martin County." he added "Human nature is about the same north, east, west and south, and many are satisfied to let the officers en force the laws, but you as members of the grand jury are sworn to take oi me gi ttntj jus j ??v. ~ t action in those cases where crimes action nt -? j ?? are know to have been committed In charging the jurymen to in spect all public buildings owned by the county, Judge Nimocks said, "If you men make the periodic inspec tions and give praise where it is not due it will be better that you rumam away Much good can come from an honest inspection and an inquiring investigation, and praise should be given where it is due, but praise only if it is justifiable and condemn where (Continued on page si*) Funeral Is Held For Weil-Known Citizen Funeral .services were conducted last Saturday afternoon at 2 30 in the Skewarkey Primitive Baptist Church for Mrs. J K. Gurganus who died last Friday in a Rocky Mount hospital following an operation for goiter. In good health despite her advanced age. Mrs. Gurganus was taken ill about eight weeks ago, spending most of that time in bed. She was moved to the hospital on Sunday of last week and was oper ated on the following Wednesday Miss Alice Bennett before her mar riage to Mr. Gurganus nearly half a century ago. she was born near Williamston 67 years ago. the daugh ter of the late Calvin and Matilda Bennett. She lived in this county all her life and was highly respected by everyone. She was. a faithful wife, and for nearly a quarter of a cen tury she patiently looked after her husband who was blind. She was a devoted mother and a good WOJTWRi one who appreciated the simple yet finer things in life. About 40 years ago she joined the church at Ske warkey, remaining a loyal member and one who walked humbly before the Creator. Interment was in the ?churchyard there beside her hus band who died hardly a year ago. Elder Cowln conducted the last rites. She Is survived by five children. Mrs. Charles Coltrain, of Roberson ville; Marian B"" Gurganus. Mrs. Charles Keel, of Everetts; Simon Gurganus, of near Hamilton, and Norman Gurganus, of Snow Hill. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lu ther Nicholson and Mrs. John Har ris, both of near Williamston Machinery Being Set Up for Handling Elections in County The main cogs in the machinery for handling the 1940 elections in this county were carefully installed by the State Board of Flections in R*l eigh last Saturday when Messrs Sylvester Peel, J. R. Winslow and Wade Vick were appointed to the Martin County Board of Elections. Mr. Sylvester Peel, for twelve years head of the board of elections in this county, is expected to continue as chairman of the body when the three men meet in the courthouse next Saturday to perfect their organiza tion and decide the registration prob lem:facing trim. Mr. Winslow, Rob ersonville man, succeeds himself as a member of the board. Mr. Vick, also of Robersonville, represents the Republican party and enters upon the duties of the board as a new member He succeeds A T Perry, re signed It is fitting here to state in con nection with Mr Peel's appointment that during his 12 years as head of the board there has been no question raised as to the methods employed in handling elections in this county. Political corruption has been aired in other counties, but at no time has members of either party questioned his honesty and fairness in handling the job. and in the present board Martin voters are certain their wishes will be recognized. All members of the board could not be reached, but one of them after discussing the plans ior bringing the registration books up to date stated that he believed a re-listing of the names would prove more satisfactory than a complete new registration. "Our registrars know their people, and they can revise the books with a marked accuracy," the member ex plained. Large Number Forego Trial By Jury In The Superior Court Here REAPPOINTED Recognized for his integrity and honesty in operating the election machinery in this coun ty, Mr. Sylvester Feel, Griffins Township citizen, was reappoint ed to the county, board of elec tions for his seventh term last Saturday. County Woman Dies At Home In Griffins Township Monday Unexpected Deulli of Mrs. Fannie I). lluriuluntH in Ijirccny (!uws Throw ThemnrlvM Upon >1 crcy of the (lour! Facing a Strong chqan 01 evidence many defendant's facing Judge~Q K. Nimocks m* the Mgrtin County Su perior Court this week are foregoing trial bv iurv and throwing them f ? ?????? ?? ? - ?> ?? ? - trial by jury and throwing them selves upon the mercy of the court, is 11f isiiiTtv. f<>?tnrt>(T the entries Pleas of guilty featured the entries in nearly every case called during the first day of the court, the clerk stating that only one defendant naci denied connection with the crime charged against him and the court summoned a jury and started the trial of the case late in the afternoon. With the possibility that the soli citor will accept a plea of second de gree muraur in me cum- cnarging Joe Willie Moore with the killing of Cheatham Kay in Jamesville last montR, the court is likely to complete the trial of the criminal docket late this afternoon. It was first thought that the tribunal would spend a greater part of the week handling the criminal docket but when the defendants saw it was useless to contend their innocence against the strong chain of evidence woven against them they pleaded guilty, threw themselves upon the mercy of the court and made possible the early disposition of most of the crim inal cases. Early today Judge Nimocks had not expressed himself in the term of months or years, and the defend ants, pleading guilty yesterday, had a nervous period last night and to day awaiting judgment at the bar of justice It was quite evident from the sen tence imposed in the case against Curtis Rhodes that the jurist has lit tle use for the drunken automobile driver. Rhodes, appealing from a judgment in the county court in the case charging him with drunken driving, was sentenced to the roads for four months and had his license revoked for a period of three years. First-day proceedings in the court are, as follows: Vernon Whitehurst, charged with forgery, was sentenced to the roads for three months The case charging Randall Jones with an assault with a deadly weapon was nol prossed with leave for the charge* to be renewed. This action was taken when the prosecuting witness failed to appear in court. Alphonso Moore, charged with larceny and receiving, was sentenc ed to the roads for ninety days. The case charging Columbia Rog ers with bastardy was nolprossed. Lin Williams pleaded guilty in the case charging him wfth drunken driving. Sentence was delayed pend ing a review or the defendant's rec ord. Immediate pronouncement of judgment was not expected since the man is alleged to possess a long court record and that tome little time will be required to review the cases. M Hubert Page, charged with the larceny of an automobile, was sen tenced to the roads for ninety days. Paul Terry was ordered into the custody of the juvenile court judge for trial. The case against a third de fendant, Dennis Crisp, was nolpross ed. A major part of the criminal dock et was handled in a reaord time when Dennis and Bill Wynne, young white boys, and Grandy Pemberton and Lawrence Wiggins, colored, pleaded guilty in a series of cases charging him with breaking and entering and larceny. The two Wynne boys plead ed guilty of breaking into and steal ing tires and other properties from filling stations in Everetts and Wil liamston. Pemberton and Wiggins (Continued on page six) Fire Greeks Second Colored Home Here In Past Four Davs AgiitjK Couple* I-OM* Sa\iu^ of Lif* Tinw* When Their Home Burn* Monday James and Delia Wilson, fast-aging colored couple, stood helpless by j terday afternoon when fire- wreck ed their home carrying up in smoke the savings of a life time. But some how or other after the damage was done and as the couple looked around for places to lay their heads dur ing the rapirfly npprnirhutf mght there still burned a spark of hope in the two person's minds. Believed to have started from a spark picked up by the wind from around a wash pot in the neighbor hood. the fire was first discovered under the house which stands just off Washington Street and three doors below the New Carolina To bacco Warehouse. Fanned by a strong west wind, the fire gained headway rapidly, neighbors finding it impossible to bring it under con trol at the start. A brief delay was reported before the fire company was called and when the apparatus was carried to the scene fire covered the building on all sides, the fat lightwood seasoned Since before the Civil War seeding up large vol umes of smoke and sparks. Two lines of hose were laid by the firemen, but it was almost an hour later be fore the fire was brought under con trol. Fire in a water-soaked mattress broke through and rekindled the fire about an hour later, and the fire company answered another call to the scene. All the damage was done oy the first fire, and the second call amounted to nothing. At one time the fire threatened to j spread to the old stockyard building, i few feet aw^ay, but the fire fighters were able to confine it to the home ind a small shed in the yard where he Wilson woman operated an elec ;ric ironing board and kept store pJJ i smaIT scale Owned by Mr. Sid Mobley, the lome was valued at about $400. No *xact estimate on the loss of the fur liture could be had, but it ranged from $600 to $1,000. including the rlothes of several families No msur mce was carried on the contents, ftrtr Mohley enulH not ho t i ;icb Ki fur a statement in connection with nsurance coverage on the one-story 'our-room house. Court Business Is Picking Up Locally Following alleged violations of the laws after a wholesale action, the ribunals of justice experienced a ^usy day yesterday in the county. Hie activities were not limited to the "big" court by any means. Jus lice J. L. Hassell reporting several :ases in his own court A serious charge was brought against Lin wood Speight, colored leaf mute, by Governor Carson and tus wife, Margaret, colored couple who live down the river hill. In the complaint, Cason charged Speight with badly beating him and attempt ing to rape his wife. The woman was said to have been painfully beaten. Speight was arrested Sunday by Chief W. B. Daniel and Officer Hai slip. At the hearing yesterday he, by his own TightSj waivetf prelimi nary examination. Charged with public drunkenness, Jake Norfleet was sentenced to jail for 30 days, the justice suspending judgment upon payment of $5.50 costs. Charged with operating motor ve hicles with improper lights, Jar^es M. Jennings and Samuel Kanipe were each fined $10 and taxed with the costs. Charged with speeding through Jamesville at a 40-mile clip, Wilmon Pierce was fined $5 and taxed with the cost. Fire Deatroya (Country Home Near Here Monday Its origin unlearned, fire destroy ed the home of Amos Archer, color ed, near the Williamston fair grounds yesterday afternoon. Most of the contents were burned Reports stated that a nearby house caught fire from the sparks of the burning house, but no great damage resulted to the second building. The Archer home was a small one and was located just across (he rail road on the McCaskey Road SCORES A HIT Delayed almoat an hour when he got I oat on a "rut-off" road romlng here from Fayetteville yesterday. Judge Q. K. Nimocka scored a hit with the common people when he apologized for being late and explained that he would readily exeuae other* who had a xtmilar experienre. "I left home In ample time to reach here and open court at the appointed hour, but I attempted to make a abort eat and learned later that I waa headed in the wrong direc tion," the juriat aaid. Pulled away from thair work farm era were heard to complain after they had waited St minutee or more for the fudge, but they were ready to exeuae him after he voluntarily offered an apolo gy Office of County Treasurer Is - ? ^ : - ? ? Retained bv Commissioners Who 9/ Order Drastie Salary-Reduction Retained By Board, Office of Treasurer Invites Candidates The action of the county commis sioners in retaining the .office of county treasurer yesterday brought a concerted action on the political front, an incomplete count made early today showing three candi dates already in the race and the likelihood that two more would en ter shortly. The commissioners threw a bombshell into the camp, however, when they ordered the salary cut into half, but the $50 still kioks at tractive. and. too, it might be that the candidates recognize the -honor and distinction in holding the posi tion. Jo.hn K. Peel, Williainston man. an nounced his candidacy week before last subject to the action -of the j board in special session Mohday- hnd i of course, subject to the wishes of the people in the May primary , Early today he had not done any thing more to advance his candidacy. and lj?I-, tmt?know n?w t>?? t? icr?the salary reduction will alter his posi tion in the race ar not li. M Burras. one tune treasurer years a(ti, announced soon alter the commissioners' meeting, his message to the voters appearing in this is sue along with that of Warren 11 Biggs, who arinouneed his intention of seeking the office this morning In a statement released late Mon day. Mr .1 K I'ope stated that he would not he a candidate for the of fice The announcement was con trar> to rumors heard from some of those promoting the proposal to have the office abolished. No official statement had been filed early tins mo riling, but reports state that Benjamin Courtney was consjdyrihg entering the race Filing time does' not close until April 13. and it is possible that still more can didates will appeal to the voters Man Is (IritieulK Shot in Mysterious Way Late Sunday Identity of Ulan Who Shot John Linrenee Not \ rl Knowii John' Lawrence, young colored man. was critically wounded when ! an unknown assailant fired a load j of gun shot into his back near the ' Spring Croon Chinch in Hamilton ! Township about 10 o'clock last Sun day night Removed to a hospital Monday afternoon, the man was said j dicaTihg that his condition was crit ical. Lawn nee had carried his wife to a doctor in Hamilton a short tVme be fore, and she had just retired when he went into the kitchen and sat down to eat a bite of supper No had hardly sealed himself to the table when someone fired' a gun through the window, the entire load of No 6 shot striking him in the back just below the shoulders The gun was fired from a distance of not more than eight feet. Deputy J. H Hoe buck said after investigating the shooting. After Lawrence was shot down, he called two young men who were in the house at the time and asked them (o movtMiim to safety to an other room. The request was grant ed and the two men with laiwrcnce's wife left immediately for a neigh bor's house, leaving the man there to live or die. It was explained that the man's wife was suffering with heart trouble and that she was moved for her own safety. Neighbors, learning of the shooting, told offi cers they?were afraid amb did 410 b go to the house. About an hour la ter, Lawrence struggled Uv his feet and walked to the highway where he was picked up by a motorist arid carried to a doctor for treatment The shooting was reported tu officers, Monday morning and Deputy .! II Roebuck started an investigation Suspicion centered on Guy Rol lins, Lawrence's brother-in-law. and he was arrested by the deputy at 9 o'clock last night and placed in jail where he is being held until the investigation is completed. Rollins and Lawrence.are said to have had some trouble last fall when Lawrence cut him. Last Sunday, Rollins went to Lawrence's home and they quar reled, Rollins stating that Lawrence ordered him away at the point of a pistol Rollins and his family had deserted their home and were at the home of his wife's sister when he was arrested Denying any con nection with the shooting, Rollins says he was at his home at 8 o'clock Sunday night. His wife says he came in at *7 o'clock. Man Is Jailed Alter Hour Of Freedom He leased laTe'Sunday after serving a sentence in the Martin County road camp for trespassing, Charlie Bonds., colored man, was jailed an hour la ter on a similar count. At one time a suitor of the cook in the household of Mrs. Eloise Bennett on West Main Street, Bonds had worked a hit around the house. He had been open for trouble on several occasions, but he generally escaped the roads. Last fall Bond# was found in a room in the home, and booked on a charge of trespassing, he was sentenced to the roads On his way into town last Sunday might "fitr stopped by the tioifff And was heard walking around the house. Officer John Roebuck was called and he arrested Bonds under a window The trespasser will be given a hearing in the county recorder's court on April 1. v\ in >n \k iimi Or. Olin T. Itiiiklev, head of the Department of Religion at Wake Forest f!oHegc. will con duct a series of services in the local Itaptist Church which will begin next Sunday morning at 11 o'clock. I)r. Itinkley is one of the most distinguished ministers of the Itaptist denomination. Following the regular Faster morning service he will speak each evening at 7:30 through Friday night. A cordial welcome is extended to everyone. larger Attendance Is Reported At Church Services On Sunday InrrriiM'tl liHcrinl I- llring Manifi'itlt'il in ltt-1 i^fion?> \<'livili?'H IIitc By RKV. JOHN I.. (JOKK The first of the union Lenten ser vices in the Watts Theatre was held Monday ah noon with Kev J It. Smith speaking on the first words uttered from the cross by our Lord, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing." There were about sixty five in attendance. These services will he held in the theatre each day this week through Friday The seven sayings from the cross will be followed by^J-he ministers of the city. Rev. Z T Piephoff reports the be ginning of a series of services each evening at Roberson's Chapel with Rev. J. W. Vinson doing the prcach .Infr. ??i??? :?-?-?*? (Continued on page six) Finding business a bit slack when spread throughout the week, workers in the Martin County seed-feed loan office in the agricultural building will re ceive applications only on Tues day and Saturday mornings be ginning week after next, W. B. Watts, application-taker said yesterday. Farmers, planning to float loans through the organi zation .are urged to keep the date changes in mind. According to registrations in the office of the register of deedN Martin lafmem have floated 84 loans through the seed and feed or emergency loan organisation representing a total of 810,885. advanced to date. The loans av erage 8130.77. Last year more than 100 loans were made by the organisation in this county. Complaints \?aiust la\ \alnations \re Filed Before Board \utlioriti<>M in S|M'<-ial Mirl < ill Salary To #30 \ Month Fiiidini; public opinion divided, the Martin County Commissioners meet j mg 111 special session as a tH?ar?t of equalization and review Monday solved the problem surrounding the office of county treasurer by slash | ing the monthly salary by half and reserving the duties for the mdivid 1 tial who survives the primary and ! general elections this summer and next fall While the proposal to i abolish the office and turn it over to the hanks had received a strong ' support in some quarters, there was a divided opinion in the matter, and the board in its action reasoned i that i^ would prove satisfactory to all A spirited political race for the j (iflice is now predicted even at the I reduced salary. Upon the motion of Commission er K A. Haislip which was seconded by Commissioner Fleming, the board , unanimously agreed to reduce the salary from $100 to $50 a month. The action was taken after Messrs. J, T Barnhill. V CI. Taylor and Joseph S Griffin had voiced then support of the proposal to abolish the of lice H M Bunas, who a short time later filed his candidacy for. the of lice, urged the commissioners to re tain it. explaining that he understood the hanks did not want the job and that to abolish the office would pro mote-the centralization of the peo pie's 'business Kc?>ti??my m county government was |>omted out by the supporters of the proposal to abol ish the office. 4 Thofo nijpri.ining tin n?rrpimotw= before the commissioners explained that they were not there in the in terest of the office or of abolishing the'post, that they were there to appeal to the. commissioners as a board of Equalization and review Unexpected action toward a jh>ssi hie step in economy was taken-by Ithe board at the meeting when Chair man J K Pope named Commission ers R I. Perry. C A. Koberson anil { K. A llaislip on a committee to re | view the salaries of officers, all .igents*"'and .employees and report their findings with recommendations , to the full hoard at its next regular meeting on April 1. The motive be hind the action was not disclosed Turning to its regular assigned I job, the hoard received quite a few complaints directed against assessed property Valuations as recorded in i January of this year. Comparative ly few adjustments were effected and | in most of those cases where the ' v alues were altered the property owners pointed out errors in listing ? Hearings were granted in the fol lowing caseH. | The assessed valuation on Paul D.__ Koberson's residence in Roberson ville was reduced from $2,800 to $2, 700. Apparently Mr. Dennis A Kober son" did not appear before the board of equalization and review because I the value on a vacant lot owned by : him in Kobersonville was raised Irom $200 to $300 Representatives of the Harrison estate appeared before the t>oard and (Continued on page six) Dr. Frank Craham Is Finals Speaker Dr -Frank Porter Graham, presi dent of the University of North Car olina, will deliver the principal ad tlres* of tin- graduating exercises at I lie \Villiamston High School on the evening