North Carolina Newspapers

"VICTORY BOOK WEEK" FEBRUARY 9-14 THE ENTERPRISE ? DON'T FORGET REGISTRATION NEXT MONDAY! VOLUME XLV NUMBER 12 If illiamston. Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, February 10. 1012. ESTABLISHED 1899 Japanese Slamming The Pacific Door In Face Of Allies Mar Arthur and His Men Again Turn Back Japs in the' Philippines Despite a do-or-die defense offer ed by the British on Singapore Is land, it is apparent that the Japan ese hordes are continuing their push there and elsewhere and are about to slam the Pacific door in the face of the Allies. The Japs were said to have landed on Singapore Island yes terday and have penetrated swamp f and jungle areas to within about ten ^ miles of the city of Singapore. How ever, the defenders still maintain that they have the situation well in hand, but it is admitted that Singa pore as a base for the Allies is now worthless. Over in the Philippines, General Douglas MacArthur and his men have successfully repulsed another all-out Jap drive. The attack, sup ported by artillery and dive bomb ers, was beaten back after three days of bloody fighting, meaning that the Japs will have to rest a day or two before they can herd more targets for MacArthur's guns. In Burma, volunteer American pi lots flying under the Chinese flag are doing a masterly job in combat tin* a 'ar superior air force. The "Tigers" have downed more than 140 Jap planes, many of them bomb ers, in defense of Rangoon and the Burma Road. The latest American successes in Burma were revealed along with the news that a large force of Chinese troops has been concentrated in the southern Shan states along the Thai land border 250 miles north of the Salween River battle zone TTieir task might be to smash south and join the Salween battle or to prevent the Japenesc from striking north to the Burma Road which winds into China It was also announced that In dian and Chinese troops are rein forcing the Salween line and that a "reasonably large force" faces the Japenese along the swift-flowing stream 100 miles east of Rangoon Lieut. Gen. T. J. Hutton, command er of the Burma area, said the situa tion is "far sounder" than it was nine days ago when the Japanese smashed up from Thailand and cap tured the river's east bank. The Jupanese, it- was revealodr have slowed down their attacks against the west bank of the Salween. hoping perhaps by aerial blows to knock out Burma's air defenses be fore attempting to bridge the river and strike out toward Rangoon and the Burma road. But in that venture they face the skill and eourage of the American fliers, many of whom are former Na vy aces who resigned their com mis sions with official permission to help the Chinese defend the Burma Road before their own country came into the war. Late reports declare the situation in Singapore looks bad, some ob servers stating that possibly it would be only a matter of hours or a few days at the longest before Britain's great naval base in the Far East will topple. The rapid fire of machine guns could be heard in the city of Singapore itself this morning accord ing to one claim, and the Japs are said to have repaired the damage done when the causeway between Singapore Island and the mainland was blown up by the British. Heavy mobile equipment and troops are said to be pouring across the cause way in numbers. While Singapore totters, the Japs are pushing ever closer to Java and Sumatra and in the direction of Australia. Batavia, capital of Java, was bombed again this morning and important points are falling into the hands of the invaders. A new foot hold has been gained by the Japs on islands just north of Australia. Chinese military authorities are in India today planning a new de fense of Burma, but while the con ference is going on an attempt by the Japanese to push across the Sal ween River and on toward Rangoon is believed pending. In Libya, the British arc said to have checked the Axis forces, but news of the fighting there is scarce. (Continued on page six) Young County Man Hurt In Accident J. T. Bland, young local white man, suffered a broken neck and Robert Bullock, young Robersonville man, was painfully cut and bruised but not seriously when their car crashed into a concrete bridge near Edenton about 3 o'clock yesterday morning. The two men were remov ed to a Washington hospital where Bland is expected to recover even though his condition is serious. Bul lock, his right wrist sprained and with a bad cut on his head, was dis charged from the institution after! receiving first-aid treatment. He was able to be out this morning and was planning to return to Ports mouth where he is engaged in de fense work. Bullock, driver of the car, stated that he dropped off to sleep and did mm the bridge. The car was Another Victim of Royal Air Force Accuracy Heavy R.A.F. attacks on Axis shipping in the Mediterranean yielded this picture. An enemy vessel is shown on fire after a direct bomb hit by an R.A.F. plane. (Central l*re?$) District Blackout Test I*ist Evening Was Almost Perfect Favorable Report* Received From Wardens in Ad join ing Com m ii n i tic* Participating in their first test air raid blackout, the thousands of peo ple in this district offered little light for the "enemy" last night. W. F Nufer, Assistant Director of Civil ian Defense, was here last night and he was well pleased with the success of the test. Williamston, according to the civilian defense official, set a record when it snuffed out its lights within two and one-half min utes after the warning was received from district headquarters in Nor folk Hearing the signal as it came j over the town's fire alarm system, a j citizen dashed from the town hall to j the post office for his mail and be fore he could get back the lights j were out-. ? " 1 Other county towns included in the district and also Plymouth re ported the blackout was 100 per cent effective in their communities. Rural residents, enjoying lights, al so blacked out, but there was an oc casional light along the roadside. The warning was received here at 8:10 and the all-clear signal was giv- j en 45 minutes later. Some were of the opinion that the test period was I longer than necessary, but there was no grumbling and everyone seemed TOrxious and witling To cooperate in the all-out test. Patrolmen of the air raid service j covered the town long before the all clear signal was received. A few per sons had forgotten to turn off pilot ! lights in their places of business, and j one citizen anxious to help reported | to district headquarters where he j was advised to tell it to President Roosevelt. Most people apparently j recognized the potential value of the i test, but there were a few who ex pressed the wish that just two or I three bombs could fall with harmless ; effect. Those persons who failed to hear the air raid signal immediately turned out their lights when ad vised by the patrol wardens Believing that the people in the district know what and how to do to effect a blackout, it is not likely that another test will be held in the district any time soon. However, one is possible, and local people are urged to act promptly when they hear five blasts from the fire siren Two motorists ran through the blackout zone last night. One of them. Clarence Swinson, colored of Poplar Point, was arrested and jail ed. The other man escaped when he, driving between 50 and 60 miles an hour, even dared to run down the pa trol warden at the edge of town. Pos-? sibly a hundred or more cars were stopped at the district lines, and traf fic on local streets was at a complete standstill with the exception of the fire truck?and the warden's car which blundered around in the dark. REGISTRARS - j Between 65 end 76 volunteer registrars will attend a special school of instruction in the coun ty courthouse here this evening at 8 o'clock to make ready for the draft registration next Mon day, February 16th. "It is neces sary that all registrants attend the school," R. H. Goodmon, chairman of the county draft board, mid this morning. Next Monday between the hours of 7 a. m and 8 p. m. all young men who became 26 years of age on or before last Decem ber list and all men who are not 45 years of age on or before February 16th must register for possible military service. Those mm who registered In the prev ious legist rattens do not have to register again. Thousands ()f Dollars Await The Farmers In This County "Starting off in a small way last | week when approximately $6,500 was received, soil conservation pay- ] merits are now being made rapidly and in big amounts, Miss Mary Car starphen, clerk in the office of Farm Agent Tomniie Brandon, said this morning. Over the week-end, a total of 345 checks were received, the of fice force taking yesterday morning I off to prepare and mail notices di-1 rect to the check owners, advising them to call for their "come-back" money. A few had* been notified last Saturday that * the $6,500 was ready for distribution, and yesterday morn | ing the owners crowded into the j agent's 'office for their checks. It was one "bigger" rush there for, a few minutes, and an even bigger rush can be expected just as the no tices advising several hundred far- j hums to report for their checks are circulated by the postmen today. The 345 checks received over the week-end amount to $26,952.94 and represent 205 applications. The checks average about $78.12 each or considerably more than they aver aged a year ago. The average appli cation ranges around $131.50. Farmers are again urged not to report for their checks until they live received direct notice to do so from the agent's office. It was possible for Martin farmers to earn a total of $151,465.37 under the''soil conservation program for 1941, but it is estimated they will qualify for hardly more than 90 per cent or about $136,318.84 of the max imum amount. They will, however, receive a considerable amount in parity payments in addition to the soil conservation checks. SUES NOTHING | Coming Co town especially to see the test blackout, a farmer who lives just a few miles from the town limits, stated he was greatly disappointed in his trip. "I came here to see it and every thing was so dark I could not see a thing," the farmer said. The farmer admitted that he did right well feeling and smelling his way to a fire after he was swallowed up in the dark. A few persons walked the streets and puffed their cigar ettes, but they were careful in using matches. Mrs. E. I*. Bunch Dies Near Here At Home Of Daughter Funeral Smicc* Were Held [ In William* Tounahip MoiiiIii* \ fli rnnoii ? Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from her late home in Williams Township -for Mrs. Mammae- Wister Harris Bunch, widow of Edward Parker Bunch. Experiencing declin ing health for some time, Mrs. Bunch had been critically ill for several weeks, the end coming last Saturday night at 9:45 o'clock. She was a pa tient sufferer, and even in her last few remaining days she complain ed little- Rev. W B. Harrington, county Baptist miniver, conducted the last rites and burial was in the local cemetery. Mrs. Bunch was born in Chowan County on April 15th, 1874. When a young woman she was married to Mr. Bunch and made her home in Richmond for a short time before moving to Williamston the early part of this century. The family lived on Rhodes Street for a num ber of years, but with the opening of a new highway to Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Bunch built a store and continued in the mercantile business on North Haughton Street where she made her home until Mr Bunch's death some years ago. Since that time she had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. W D. Gurganus in Williams Township. Her walk through life was mark ed by humbleness and a great devo tion for her family and friends. She was a member of the Baptist church for 35 years, and had many friends in her adopted communities. Besides her daughter with whom she made her home, she is survived by a son, W. Lindwood Bunch, of Portsmouth. She also leaves several grandchildren, two of whom are serving in the nation's armed forces, one in the Pacific area and the oth er in Washington City. ' Infantile Paralysis Campaign in County Has Marked Success (llmirmaii Skinner Suyn Fine (inoperative If fori l*n t (ionnty Over the Top After going over the top in the Red Cross war emergency drive, Martin County repeated the feaf in the recent drive for funds to combat infantile paralysis. Releasing a de tailed report today, W Iverson Skin ner, chairman of the campaign, stat ed that the county had far exceeded its quota, that the people through out the county offered splendid co operation in making the drive a suc cess Mr. Skinner expressed his ap preciation to all those who aided the movement and declared that he would assist the council in caring for infantile paralysis victims and needy crippled children A certain portion of the funds is being retained for use in the county, and the remainder has been forwarded to Washington. The drive this year is believed to JliiYC?exceeded all previous cam paigns, Mr. Skinner stating that he found the people ready and willing to contribute for the relief of suffer ing humanity. Approximately one-fourth, or $99.50, of the $391v90 raised in the campaign was listed as profit on the dance held on January 30th. The eighty coin collectors netted a total of $57.81 The campaign received its greatest report from the "March of Dimes," Mr. Skinner stating that nearly $2,500 of the thin coins were collected during the drive. The schools did an effective work, and the general public proved fairly lib eral It is roughly estimated that at least 2,000 people contributed some thing to the cause. Mr Skjprmr's ri?port Dance $ 99.50 Coin collectors 57.81 (Continued on page six) BUY AS YOIJ GO! Buy all the Drfense Bonds and Stamps you can, but do it with money currently coming In. Act ually it doesn't add anything to Uncle Sam's total war chest to buy bonds with money taken out of savings accounts ? for the bank already had invested that money, and In order to hand you the cash it has to sell its gov ernment bonds in corresponding amounts. Net result is no iifc crease whatever in total amount of money available for the war effort. Buy bonds and stamps with the money you'd otherwise be spending on gasoline or tires, su gar or an all-out pleasure sched ule. UNCLE SAM BATTLING TO UPHOLD America's Freedom THE NINTH WEEK OF THE WAR President Roosevelt told his press conference Pacific councils coordi nating the war effort of the United States in the southwest Pacific have been operating for about a month. The military command in the ABDA area itself, the President said, -ts- tft the hands of Gen. Archibald Waved, but strategical problems are referred to Washington and l^ondon The joint military and naval staffs sit in Washington. The Senate passed and sent to the. White House a joint authorization | for a $500,000,000 loan to China President Roosevelt said the money will make it possible for the Chinese to purchase numerous war materials, both in China and in other countries. He said the loan woulcLbe a definite, relief for the Chinese financial structure strained by the long war | with the Japanese. The White House announced the U. S. through the RAF has dropped a second pamphlet over several oc cupied French seaports in the "big cost pamphlet bombing job oyer done." The first pamphlet, announc od a month ago, stressed the tradi tional friendship between this conn . try and France, the second told of the rapidly-expanding U S war| production. Air A Navy aviation training program designed to develop 30,000 of the toughest pilots in the world annual ly for the Navy and Marine Corps will be put into operation by May 1st. Navy Secretary Knox announc ed. Applications for training are now being accepted. Mr Knox asked U. S. high school youth to aid the Navy by producing 500,000 aircraft mod els of 50 different types of fighting ( planes to be used in aircraft recog nition and range estimation in gun nery practice and for training civil ians in aircraft recognition. The Of fice of Civilian Defense invited col lege flyers and aviation enthusiasts | to participate in the Civilian Air Pa ' trol which is seeking to enlist 00,000 civilian pilots. Sixteen years is the minimum age for enrollment fur ground service ,and IK for flight du ty. The Civil Aeronautics Adminis tration reported a HO per cent in crease in private flying during 1041. The War Front Gen. Mac-Arthur's troops in the Philippines repulsed continuous at tacks by the enemy throughout the week. Enemy losses during the week included 11 planes plus an undeter mined number destroyed in the air and on the ground in an attack on Japanese-occupied Marshall and Gil bert Islands, many fleet auxilianes, two transports and "probably" a third, and an enemy warship tor pedoed. IJ S. losses wen 13 planes, two tankers and two freighters. The Navy and Marine Corps reported 1, 294 officers and men missing or pris oners of war The House passed and sent to the Senate a bill to continue the pay of persons in tin- armed forces and civilian employees of the War and Navy for a year after re ported missing, captured or intern ed. Navy Congress passed the largest appro priation bill in history of nearly $24 billion in direct cash appropriations and $4 billion in contract authoriza tions for the Navy. The Navy said 100,00(1 men have enlisted sinrr the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Marine Corps has passed the 100.000 man mark in officers ancLmen, hoth reserves and regulars. Three destroy ers and one battleship were launch ed and two more destroyers and one cruiser will be launch on Lincoln's birthday. Selective Service Selective Service Director Hershey asked local draft boards to aid de ferment of apprentices in essential war production trades because there is a mounting demand for skilled workers. Gen Hershey said a plan has been proposed for allowances and allotments to release for induc tion many registrants now deferred on grounds of dependency. In World War 1, he said, puymenta up to $60 a month were made. He said no fig ures will be issued on the number of men who register February 16 Shipping President Roosevelt told his press conference emergency shipping schedules make it almost impossible to utilize full cargo capacity of Am erican merchant vessels because war developments often make it neces sary for the ships to sail without ad vance notice. The Maritime Commis sion said through cooperatives-action with American ship operators, im ports of 10 important raw materials increased about 200 per cent during 1941. The Commission maintained its ship-a-day construction schedule by launching 14 new vessels during the last half of January Eight French merchant ships in U. S. ports were requisitioned by the Commission. Production and Conversion The WPB announced it cleared contracts amounting to $3 billion in the week ending January 21st. The War* Department announced produc (Continued on page six) Draft Board Policies To Remain Unchanged I I M KM. TOim Funeral services arc being held in the Baptist church here this afternoon for Samuel S. Brown, well-known county cit izen and former register of deeds. S. S. Brown Passes In Hospital Here Last Sunday Nijdil Fnm-rul in llir lluptihl ( Imrrli llii* AflrriiiMiii For I'romiiK'iil Citizen Samuel Spencer Brown well known Martin County citizen and former register-' of deeds for this county, died in a local hospital last Sunday night at 10 o'clock, following an illness of about three weeks' dm ation. Enjoying fairly good health up until a short time ago. Mr Brown was taken ill but recovered suffi ciently to get up for a few days and went out especially to see about the Masonic Ijodge property late one afternoon during the extremely cold spejl Returning to his home lie suf fered a relapse, and his condition. while not considered critical .it first, gradually grew, worse and he was removed to the hospital the middle of last week The. end came peace fully vvith members of his immed iate family at his bedside. The son of the late James /, and Mary Long Brown, he was born in Jamesville Township 011 October it. lHtiti Experiencing as a mere child the hardships of a,post-war period, Mr. Brown in his tender years de veloped a friendly feeling and com passion for his fellow man, caring lit tie for the material things in life Recalling not so long ago the days when he was a youngster. Mr Brown stated that lie worked for a dollar and a half per month, taking advan i tage of the few weeks of schooling provided in those trying days. After a stay of about five years on the farm in Beaufort County he return ed to hi native home, and on Feb ruary 10, 1 Hill. married Miss Dora Lilley In 189(> he moved to William ston and entered the mercantile bus iness which he operated for nearly j sixteen years. During that period he, in addition to serving the public well, figured prominently in the relief of needy humanity. Among those who went to his store, few were ever den ?ie/t fond because Ihoy w Cl'e Pliable to finance a purchase, and while the goodness of his heart taxed him greatly and no doubt brought worry to him, his faith in his fellowmah was not disturbed and lie continued a friend to his fellownian. Even in his declining years, he cherished the friendship of everyone, regardless of one's status in life or society, and those who enjoyed his friendship knew best his sterling qualities and the goodness flowing from an un selfish heart. He held malice toward no one, and was ready and willing to lend a helping hand to the down trodden arid distressed After quitting the mercantile bus iness, he was appointed to the office of register of deeds in September, 1912, to fill an unexpired term. His election followed in succession for six terms or until 1924 when he vol (Continued on page six) VICTORY IIOOKS The Victory Book Drive is progressing splendidly in some sections of the country, but in others thr campaign to collect books for the men in the armed service is not meeting with much success, according to prelim inary reports coming from thr chairman this morning. It was stated that several leaders for got to direct the appeal to their groups. A depository has been placed on the Main Street h^re in 'front of the VEP building, and par ents are urged to leave books ther^or send them to school with their children or carry them to church next Sunday, the day the drive la scheduled to end. Dealt Board Will Not ( all Married Men \t This Time loKxhiHM I \ rh.s-ifi.ali,,,, l U.ula-if, \jI1(.. '' ???I Fritiux "" M"''" ('"'t"tv r>TJ?f( Board is 1,1 ,n,MnK "Ha, if y all of j,s at ,1a. ,,resent ?mt, ac. folding to iti form at ion coming out "" a '?"?Hitig of tl?. draft authorities !,o' . r " 'A, lal liun 0.,^" " 1 A-gruup. the hoard ^ 1 a',st that Classification ? I .haw,?g f,,?? ,|u. ma( th'e mai n " ''' li'"l"''f; into th^rmu ied group is onK temporary. i ? hpaid spokesman ??v. 1 .'l,n",U """ Passage of ,he allowance and allotment " act now jPriiposed ,,, Congress. reelassth? 1, ,i " exported According . r,;p<;t t those married men who ' < ""ti ihotuig small amounts for | ? upkeep of dependents "will he when' th " ?'* the government makes some P-vision to allow to tile dependents '"-I l-'r,day. the aid mem hi, it M thiodmm, Ward"''r *| " , ^?,,,1 Dr. Jesse i ! "classified nineteen regis | ?r.n s and delayed aetton sevvr I 11 1 s 'tntil more complete investigation vol,Id he made Those young men married since last Oe i em her Vtti war, in accordance with I; V, J'V' "^""H'OI'A ruled ineligible 1 nienl In other words, mar fagos Since that date were rec ogm/ed h> the draft author,ties ? I'1; I'oard was .session for more tanI three hours la , Krjday study ?K request. ha rrc lass if rent into; 1 Hi'"? "veiving eveiv cotisid wank"! 'T '1;1, Whil'' "IXJ"uf ?? "Oik no hardship o? anyone, (he ?;;ll" ",,i <" ?< disputed 1 > tin chips fall where "'?<>? that no one ? be un aaassata y excused tha, some other t' g 1st i a lit may he ea? ed h, ente, the sen ile hi t,II, Ins t ? ?Krpr.rtnnrthr rtraH -y~th J. Ho ,, 11 \ Batadiill. young Kver i;; ,s voluntarily explain , 1 "'at he had no fur "" 1 ' dependence that he el, c's?* Ctly""l A ,{"V u h"'' "ah -n^^y^cn-y. colored of Kureka. Wiintcr Thou,.,,. N, I white of Kobci sonvillc, A Sm"1' ' "<'h City. Alton Ward, i ohi,( i| of Hamilton, A II i understood that Ward ap : ; , "? " ' lassifu atiop after ' l?;"?' xa?,i.,ed l? those cases 'Ho no art ion Ward. ?"1 out Of the s, rvice ", S Army authorities af "'<1,1,ted Tile hoard has Ml"' ?' registrant wishing wfti "I""' h,s "PPl'oatmn ?. .hi mz;:!;"1 ?"? - Noal, Jlh-dis Ha,d,son w hltc ?f K.jjt .LA Andrew Jacks,,,.,'Marnner. color -IL^'L Jjni'^vill.. n F I). i a C.iy 3^^.'H,l',^ns' w ,s V? I , I ' "? registrant to" ' j" '"ado a mistake-in Idling in hi- questionnaire John Fleming Thigp, n, white ?f PA I 2 b' T,"" ,lu'"?vllo. Ala., .. . , - " "" young man is ,m t'lojid in a chemical plant and dc ' ill was guarded upon the rec onuneiidation or an Army general. Jess, Alton in,, . white of Wil Itomston it fh j t,o,n i n to i-a. (ContinUfci on page six) No One Is ^liirl In Two \uto \\ rooks No one was painfully hurt but considerable property damage re sulted in two automobile accidents l epoi Ud in llm county?ovwr thu week-end Driving home about 11 o'clock last Friday night, J. J. Pierce lost con trol ol his car when it skidded on the wet pavement just as he started to turn into a dirt road near here on the Hamilton highway. The machine turned over and caused damage es timated by Patrolman Whit Saun ders at about $200. Pierce and his three Companions were not hurt. Yesterday morning at 145 o'clock the cars dnven hy Elbert A. Heath and Medrick Daniel figured in a head-on crash on a dirt road just off U. S. 64. a short distance from Hol ly Springs No one was hurt. Pa trolman Saunders estimated the damage to the Heath pick-up truck at $150 and that to the Daniel-Chev lolct at $200.