North Carolina Newspapers

t MAKE EVERY PAY DAY 1 BOND DAY , MM m MV-MU UVIIMS MM THE ENTERPRISE For Victory...^j Buy INIT1D STATU DEFEMSE BONDS * STAMPS VOLUME XLV?NUMBER 16 ff'illiamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, February 24, 1942. ESTABLISHED 1899 Big Demand For Car Tires And Tubes Is Reported In County First Auto Sales Contracts Ap proved; Rationing Will Start in Early March The Martin County Rationing Board was literally swamped with requests for automobile, trailer and truck tires and tubes at its regular meeting here yesterday. After issu ing certificates of purchase for three car tires and two tubes, five truck tires and nine tubes and one trailer tire and one trailer tube, the board carried over requests for fifteen pas senger car tires and tubes, seventeen truck tires and sixteen tubes, and four trailer tires and three tubes. tip until today na tire and tube quota had been assigned the county fot the month of March, and there is much doubt if the quota even if one is assigned will meet the requests already on file. The board has three truck tires, twelve truck tire tubes, three car tires and two car tire tubes left on its February quota. Certifi cates of purchase will be issued by the board for the remainder of the current quota in special meeting on Thursday of this week. Quite a few changes are being made in the tire rationing system, and the trend is toward a far more strict method of issuing certificates of purchase. Retreaded tires and ob solete type tires are being brought into the rationing plan Heretofore, retreads could be bought on the open market without certificates. Hereto fore, certificates of purchase were issued to anyone wanting obsolete tire types. Applicants must estab lish classifications now before they can get certificates for the purchase of obsolete type tires. Ministers are now included in the classifications for new tires, but they must offer evidence supporting their claim that the tires are needed in promoting the Gospel. Asked how the requests would be met, Board Chairman C. C. Martin stated that certificates would be is sued in the order the applications are filed, but in accordance with the classification ratings For instance, certificates will be issued to doctors first even if another applicant had his request in first. Few cars have been abandoned in this county so far, but the picture coming from the rationing board of fice is a very dark one and a trend from the car to the human feet or to horse-drawn vehicles is to be ex pected ere long. tires and tubes were allotted this week as follows: J. S. Godard, Jamesville, two truck tires and tube for hauling logs; Mrs H. J Haislip, Oak City, one trailer tire and tube of the obsolete type Mrs. Haislip's request was the last to be received before the class ification for those types was effect ed. Dr. A. J. Osteen, Williamston, two tires and tubes; Dr. V. A Ward, Robersonville, one car tire and tube; Martin County Transfer Co., Rober sonville, four truck tire tubes for general hauling; R. A. Critcher and Bros., Williamston, two truck tires and three tubes for hauling raw ma terials; F. F, Carstarphen, Williams ton, truck tire and tube, fuel deliv eries. Applications received and carried over for later consideration and ra tioning follow; Dr. E. T. Walker, Williamston, /our tires and tubes; Dr. V. E. Brown, Williamston, four tires and tubes; W. L. Ausbon, Cross Roads, one car tire and tube; F. L. Haislip, Hamil ton, two trailer tires and one tube; (Continued on page six) County Man Dies In Pitt Hospital ,-CL Calvin Coburn, Martin County far mer, died in a Greenville hospital last Sunday afternoon at 2. o'clock following an illness of several weeks' duration. He had been ill for about two weeks before entering the hos pital the early part of last week. Pneumonia developed and caused his death. Mr. Coburn was born in this coun ty M years ago. He was first mar ried to Miss Sadie Manning. Six children, Jesse Coburn and Mrs. J. R. Price, of near Williamston; Mrs C. B. Bass, of Greenville; Leslie Co burn, of Golds bo ro, and Paul M. Co burn, of Jamesville, survive the un ion. He later married Miss Delia Bullock who survives with a three months-old child. He was a member of the Christian Church at Hassell. After living near Williamston a number of years he recently moved to the islands section of Williams Township. Besides his wife and chil dren he leaves five sisters. Mrs W S. Whitaker, of Norfolk; Mrs R. C Bailey, of Williamston; Mrs. Charles Moore, of Greenville; Mrs Javin Leggett, of Robersonville, and Mrs. Sam Mobley, of Plymouth, and three brothers, John Coburn, of Norfolk; Thomas Coburn, of Dunn, and Frank Coburn, of Roanoke Rapids. Funeral services were conducted at the home of his sister, Mrs. R. C. Bailey Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock by Rev. Z. T. Piephoff, Presbyterian minister. Interment was in the fam ily plot in the Robersonville Ceme How Axis Hopes to Knock out British Empire Hert is how the Axis strategists hope to knock out the British Empire and win the war. The fall of Singapore means that this plan has passed the primary stages. With Singapore knocked out, possibility of Axis attack somewhere in India is now acute. India, one of the richest countries in raw materials, is fertile ground for fifth columnists. If the Japanese drive west from Burma, the Germans could meet them by coming from Libya and Bulgaria. (Central Prc?$) Political Line-up For ("anting May 30 Primary lakes Shape With the announcement of Attor ney. Hugh G. Horton's candidacy for the State Senate from this district, the political line-up is beginning to shape up for the coming Democratic primary on Saturday. May 30th. There's very little political activity on the home front so far, but much political maneuvering is going on in the Congressional district of which this county is a part. Although it is what the politicos call an "off-year election,'' the primary in May is cer tain to attract much attention. Most of the county offices will be open to aspirants, but so far no formal an councements have been made. How ?ver, the usual "feelers" are being put out, and developments are to be expected as a usual thing. Seeking re-election to the State Senate from this district, Attorney H. G. Horton issued no detailed state March 17 Date Set For Holding Third Manpower Drawing Hejcintrutioii in This (iiiiinty Hoohled to 1,287 k?y Out Of-Statr (larth 1 Although detailed plans have not been released, the Martin County Draft Board has been instructed to place serial numbers on the cards signed in the third national registra tion the early part of last week by March 9th and be ready for the third national draft lottery on Tuesday, March 17th. The cards will be thor oughly shuffled and mixed before the first serial number is assigned. The serial numbers, carrying a "T" in front, are used only in assigning order numbers. In other words, a registrant with the number T-l may get order number 1,280, or the registrant assigned serial number 1, 280 may get order number 10,001 The order numbers for the third lot tery will begin at 10,001, according to unofficial information received here. ment with his formal announcement. Senator D. Bradford Fearing, of Manteo, after serving this district for two terms, is shifting his can didacy this year to the State House nl Representatives and asking the nomination ancl re-election of the Dare County voters Several names have been casually mentioned in connection with the state senatorial jH>st. buljiTfams it could he learn ed here tojiay Mi Morton is the first to foeyrrally- iufhbunce his candidacy. To date, tlfe race for the National House of Representatives is holding I the spotlight with Herbert Bonner, the incumbent,'and M K. Blount and Jack Edwards, Greenville attorneys, m tlu1 race. Josiah W Bailey has I filed for the U S Senate, but it | would appear that E. C. Earle's can didacy has been lost in the shuffle ' for the U S NSenate. 3 SCHOOLS CLOSE With attendance figures run ning hardlv 66 per cent of norm al, school authorities today or dered the closing of the schools in W'illianiston, Bear Grass and EveretU. The reopening date was tentatively set for next Mon day. The order is applicable to the three schools only, the office of the superintendent explaining that attendance records in most of the other schools were ijn proving after falling off as much as 25 per cent in some cases. However, the attendance trend is being observed from day to day and if the figures drop be low 75 per cent of normal, it is quite likely that other schools will suspend operations. There were 208 children ab sent in the Williamston schools today, and the figures were re ported hardly 65 per cent of normal at Everetts where the mumps are beginning to rage along with measles. ' Reporting a registration of 1,281 persons in this county, the draft board announced this week that the registration was reduced to 1,246 when the cards of those persons reg istering In tire county but who had addresses outside the county were delivered Up until today the cards of 41 persons registering outside the county but whose addresses were within the county, had been receiv ed, boosting the total to 1,287. Addi tional cards are expected, the draft board clerk explaining that only one card had been received from a draft board in Virginia. It is almost cer (Continued on page six) \ SHIFTING / That the business economy Is shifting m a result of the war is gradually being borne out in the happenings from time to time. Very few changes have been ef fected locally so far, but it is un derstood that several local men are eon tern plating changes, one report stating that a few Inves tigated Job openings in the de fease areas Just a few days ago. Opening for business last Sun day morning at 7 :M o'clock a lo cal filling station operation did not have a customer until after 1*. During the meantime, two filling station operators, driving their service car, drove up and asked the way to Norfolk. "We went basted doom In Florida af ter enjoying a good business for a number of years. Now ws are going to Norfolk to look for work," they explained. Justice Hassell Has A Busy Day After a long period of little or no artjvity, J list irf J. I.. Hassell spent most of yesterday clearing his dock et. While the work was of a strict ly routine nature and had to do with public drunkenness and automobile law violations, the trial justice was hackencd a bit when his name-sake, John Hassell Hoggard was carried before him for alleged public drunk enness. Name-sakes counted for lit tle and Hoggard was taxed with the costs amounting to $7 50. A. J Hardison, charged with pub lic drunkenness, was released after paying the costs amounting to $7.50. Will Henry Lawrence, charged with operating a car without a driv er's license, was fined $5 and taxed with the costs ^Uriah Sprnill 11 rh-irflaH mith operating a car with improper lights, was released upon the payment of the costs. Charged with assaulting Victor Andrews with a deadly weapon, and with being drunk and disorderly, J. L. Horner and Harper Holliday were bound over to the next session of the county court for trial. The defend ants waived preliminary examina tion and were required to give bond in the sum of $200 each. Said to have been struck over the head, Andrews | suffered a concussion, but was soon released after receiving treatment in the local hospital. Holliday, attack ed by Andrews, underwent first aid ; treatment in a Plymouth doctor's of fice. The three men were ready for | the preliminary hearing, but did not appear in' person as defense counsel waived hearing rights. UNCLE SAM BATTLING TO UPHOLD America's Freedom THE ELEVENTH WEEK OF WAR Secretary of War Stimson told his press- ronfcirrnce this nation is con fronted with a situation in which we cannot buy our way out or produce our way out," and the only way left is to "fight out way out by intelli gent offensive action." Every effort is being made to build powerful arm ed forces, he said, and when condi tions warrant, tin y will "seize every opportunity" to strike at the enemy. In the meantime, the U. S must be prepared to take sporadic attacks along its coasts, Mr. Stimson said, because "if we scatter our forces for the defensive, It is the surest way to defeat "?1 ?? ? President Roosevelt told his press conference- that under certain con ditions enemy planes could bomb cities as far inland as Detroit, or enemy ships could shell New York City. Congress completed action on the $100,000,000 appropriation for the Office of Civilian Defense, to pro vide fire-fighting equipment, gas masks, protective clothing and em ergency medical supplies. Assistant Secretary of State Berle, speaking in Des Moines, Iowa, said the U. S is determined to fight an aggressive war, rather than a de fensive one, and "the fruits of vic tory will be available to every free people throughout the world." Mr. Berle said, "W?? can no longer think of ourselves as a supply base . . . Our work is more than that of making guns and planes and tanks Winning the war is now America's job." He said all signs point to big offensives this spring against the United States. Foreign Relations President Roosevelt announced a new loan to Russia is planned be cause tlu original Lend-Lease au thorization of a billion dollars has been obligated for future deliveries. ComimtnieuU for making American war materials available to Russia were maintained up to schedule un til December 7th. Delivery of sup plies for the Soviet Union slowed down in December and January, he said, but will he brought back up to {schedule by March 1st. Under-Sec retary of State Welles said answers from the Vichy Government to this countr an regard French aid to* (Continued on page six) $ No Clue Found In Hamilton Robbery Shi-riff C. B. Roebuck1 said today that he had been unable to get the first clue to the week-old robbery of the Slade-Rhodes Company store in Hamilton. Breaking a glass with a brick, the robber or- rubbers rnteird the fiunt door of the store late in the night of February 14th. Approximately $15 in cash was stolen from the cash reg ister and a money drawer, but larg'e stocks of cigarettes, automobile tires and other goods carrying an increas ed value during these war days were not touched. The money is hard to identify, the sheriff explained, but we are still investigating the case from every possible angle, the offi cer added. - Last Saturday night, robbers broke into two stores in Hobgood. No re port on the robberies was released immediately but it is believed by some that the same parties robbing the Hamilton store were the ones who operated in Hobgood. On the night of the Hamilton robbery, a gas pump in Hobgood was robbed of ?bout 15 gallon* of gasoline. Draftees Called To Armed Serviees by County Draft Board (IuIIk Arc Fii>t Keriiv?il in County During llic I'ast Several Month* ? Receiving few calls for men in the past several months, the Martin County Draft Board is calling up both colored and white draftees for induction into the armed services. Having passed their physical exam inations. the young men will be in port to the county draft board for their tickets. It could not bo learn ed just when the men will leave or how many are being called. It is un derstood the colored draftees are answering a February quota and that the young white men are being call ed to fill the county's March quota. It is understood that the men an swering the February and March | quota calls were examined at Army medical centers, that they are very j likely to "stick" when they reach the induction centers. The names of the white draftees recently called are; James Dalburgh RiddiiSk. of Kv eretts; Nathaniel Coltrain, of R.F.I) I. Williamston; Julius Edward Gur ganus, of R F.I). No. I Williamston; William Warren Taylor, Jr., of Rob ersonville; Thurman Harrison Mat thews, of R.F.D. No. 2. Robers'on villo; Seth Augustus Davis, of R.F.D 1, Jamesvillo. Harry Livingstone Martin, (if Janiesville, Kaddr ElfTYFT Gardner, of Williamston; John Hen ry Cooper, of Jamesville; Joe Mack Bullock, of R.F.D. 1, Robersonville; Harry Seward Roberson. of Rober sonville; Herbert Clinton Brown, of Oak City. Cecil Manning, of R.F.D 2, Williamston; Albert Leon Cooke, of Williamston, John Robert Col train, "Jr., of R.F.D. 1. Williamston. and Henry Herbert Cowen, Jr . of Williamston. The names of the colored draftees are: Thomas Edward Willis, of R.K.I). 1, Jamesville Alexander Jones, of R F. I). 1, Hobgood; Richard Hooker, of near Hassell; John Henry Pierce, of R F.I) 1, Jamesville, Winslow La than Jolly, of parmele; Isaac Brown Cordon, of Jamesville: John Thom as Davis, of R. F. I). 2. Robersonville; Robert Karl Gainor, of R.F.D. 1, Rob ersonville; Arthur Lee Wilson, of Everetts; Alton Ward, of Hamilton; ton, Robert Lee Jones, of R F l) 1, Hobgood, and Magellan Duggins, of R.F.D. 1. Williamston. Most if not all of these men have already been instructed when and where to report, but the information cannot be revealed to the public. Julius Edward Gurganus, of Wil liams Township, is tin- third son of Mr. and Mrs. W 1). Gurganus to re port for service with the armed i forces. T> With the approach of spring, the call for additional men in fairly large numbers is anticipated. It is understood that orders calling for draftees to report for final examina tions are pending, that quite a few white men may expect instructions! soon to report to the authorities for their physical tests. During the meantime, the draft board, in accordance with late in structions, is expected to reclassify some of those-men who were placed in deferred groups on account of il literacy and in those cases where the ,registrant's status has changed. For the present at least, the County draft board is not expected to class ify any more registrants whose order numbers are above 2,800. Some of those below that number will bexe classjfivd in accordance with changes in the registrants' deferment status Mrs. Walter Bailey Dies In Bear Crass Mrs Mnllie Whitchurst Bailey, highly -respected citizen 111 I he Bear Grails Community, died at her home there early this morning"* following a long period of declining health Following a self-administerid hy podermic about ten days ago, blood poison developed, and her condition was considered critical for several days However, she was reported much improved yesterday and last night the family thought she was getting along all right. She was found dead this morning at 4 o'clock The daughter of George T. and Sal lie Whitchurst, Mrs Bailey was born in Beaufort County 45 years ago When a young woman mie was mar ried to Walter Bailey of this county, locating following her marriage in Bear Grass Township where she lived the rest of her life. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than ten years and had many friends in her adopted com munity. . Besides her husband, she leaves five children, Mayo and G. T. Bail ey ,of Norfolk; Miss Annie Mae Bail ey and Walter Wallace and Robert Roy Bailey, all of the home. Shi atsu leaves two brothers, Howard Whitchurst,- of this county, and Gar land Whitehurst, of Bethel. Funeral services will be conduct ed, Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the home by Rev. Z. T. Piephoff Burial will follow in the Bailey family cemetery, near the home. County Whiskey Sale Sets Ail-Time Reeord CANDIDATE Hugh CS. Ilorton. Williamston attorney, has formally announc ed his candidacy to succeed him self as a member of the State Senate from this, the second sen atorial district. First Shots 01 War Fall On I. S. Soil Early List Evening Two HiiiUhI States Siiipn Log! Ill Oillr off New f < > 1111111 .< 11 < I CoumI Kwentlv i World War No. 2 was brought di rcctly to the people of. this country : early last evening when [i~sncaking i enemy submarine bobbed Up off the coast of California and fired the first shots on United States soil. Aimed at the oil fields near Golata, nine miles north of Santa Barbara, the twenty-five shells fired from the I large sub did very little damage and ! caused no loss of life. One shell wrecked art oil derrick, the others [going wide of their mark. The Jap i anc.se radio cekihralcd the event. In I this country the people expressed hitter resentment and immediately | showed a greater determination in carrying the war to the enemy The attack added emphasis to President Roosevelt's talk in which lie urged an increased war production and .called upon the people not to stop w<>i k for a single day, and not to dc j nland spec ial gams and privileges and to cheerfully give up many if not all of our comforts. President Roosevelt's talk was ?heard by millions throughout the 'world. These millions heard him condemn the gossipcrs and deny the '.'darnliable" claims that the United States fleet had been wiped out in the Pacific. He did not minimi/.e past defeats, and he warned .the people that more serious ordeals were to be expected. He explained why it was i difficult if not impossible to send re |enforcements to General Mac-Arthur land the gallant fighters in the Phil ippines. r$hc war front is bright in Russia where the Red Army is closing in on Smolensk and where the Nazis are -falling back all along the long front Encouraging reports also came out of the Southwest Pacific yester day where Allied naval and air for? < routed the Japs and dealt them a heavy blow in ami around Bali All hut one Jap ship was destroyed around the little island Just a mile from Java Jap air attacks were re ported nyJava today, but no serious damage resulted there General Douglas Mac-Arthur is still Molding ids own in tiataan, late re ports stating that for the second day all's quiet on that Philippine front A disheartening?report?was?re leased today by the U. S. Navy De partment, stating that two Ameri can ships had gone down in a 60 mile gale and that 189 officers and men Were lost off the coast of New foundland. The date of the tragedy was not disclosed. In Burma the Imperial forces are slowly retreating before the increas (Continued on page six) SUGAH RATIONING | While no detailed instructions have been received, the office of the county superintendent of schools has been advised that the schools in this county would be called upon to help Institute the proposed system for ration ing sugar. The registration of families, individuals and small commer cial users will be effected dur ing four evenings in the early part of next month, it was learn ed. Rationing stamps, allowing the purchase of about eight ounces of sugar per person each week, will be distributed, It la understood. During the meantime, an in vestigation is underway In an effort to explain, if poaaible, the sugar shartage. Total Of $854,72.150 Is Spent For Liquor Since Stores Opened l^ast Quarter Salen Are Nearly Greater Than in Lant 1914) Quarter More legal liquor was sold in Mar tin County during the recent months of October. November and Decem ber than in any other period in the history of the county, according to the fourth quarterly ABC audit just released. Total sales amounting to $65,754.75 were nearly $20,000 great er than they were for the corre sponding period in 1940 and about $10,000 greater than the previous high record reported in the fourth quarter of 1937 Sales records for definite periods are not immediately available, but there was a very no ticeable gain in the sales during the latter part of December or after Ja pan stabbed American people in the back at Pearl Harbor on the morn ing of December 7th. A record of beer and wine sales is not available, but it is believed that the alcoholic beverage bill in this county for the last fourth quarter will push toward the $11)0,000 mark. It has been estimated that more mon ey was spent for alcoholic beverages in this county during last October. November and December than was spent for education, for savings stamps and bonds, and for the Red Cross and religious institutions dur ing the period. The only bright spot indirectly connected with the report is that li quor prices were higher and that il legal sales were, more or less, limit ed. meaning that while the cash sales reflect a shocking gain, the consump tion of the fluid, while far greater than normal, was not as great as the figures would indicate it to be. The increase in sales was general in all four of the legal stores as the following comparison for the 1940 and 1941 fourth quarters will show: 1940 1941 Williamston $22,617 85 $31,773.35 Rnbersonville 13,765 80 20.552.35 Oak City 5.198.00 7,720.90 Jamesvillo 4.701 45 5,708.15 $46,283 10 $65,754.75 About two-thirds or $43,961.40 was sent to the distillers, leaving gross profits in the sum of $21,793 35. Gross profits reported by the stores fur the 1940 quarter and for the correspond ing period in 1941 are listed as fol 1940 1941 Williamston $ 7,MHO 15) $10,530.55 RobersoiiviTle 4,790 H? 0,812.70 Oak City 1,812 18 2,558.44 Jamesvillr 1.641.25 1,891 66 $16,133.31 $21,793.35 Operating expenses reduced the (gross profits on sales to $18,014.73, , but net income boosted by discounts was fixed at $10,145 70. The gain in profits was slightly more than $6, 000 over those for the corresponding j quarter in 1041 and about $3,000 I greater than the previous high fig ure reported in the fourth quarter, 1937 The net profits were divided as follows: Martin County, $9,779.96; State of North Carolina, $5,562.42; Reserve for law enforcement, $1, 358 33; Town of Williamston, $1, 223 91; Town of Roberaonville, $757.54; Town of Oak City, $272.99; Town of Jamesville, $190.55 Operating expenses, exclusive of sales costs, were $3.778.62?the salar ies* rents, supplies, heat, water and (Continued on page six) $ Mrs. Wilfred Buck Passes In Hospital -?* Mrs. Annie Stocks Buck, widow of Wilfred Buck, died in a local hos pital last Friday afternoon at 4:15 o'clock following an illness of sever al weeks' duration. Injured in a fall about four weeks ago. Mrs. Buck was removed to the hospital She was 75 years old and her advanced age blocked recovery Pneumonia devel oped and that with complications was given as the immediate cause of her death. Mrs. Buck was a native of Vgnce boro, but lived there only a short lime. PMibwing tne death of her pAr ents, she went when a small child to live with the Coxes in Winterville. When a young woman she was mar ried to Mr Buck who died some years ago. About eight years ago she moved to this county to make her home with her daughter. Mrs. June Harris, in the Bear Grass Commun ity. She was highly respected and had many friends in her adopted community. She was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church in Win terville for a long number of years, and the services were conducted there last Saturday afternoon at 5:00 o'clock by the Rev. Mr. King, of Wake Forest. Burial was in the Win terville Cemetery. Besides her daughter in this coun ty Mrs. Buck is survived by a fes ter daughter, Mrs. Jack Bullock, of Oceanside, California.