Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / Jan. 4, 1944, edition 1 / Page 1
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BUK1 BTKBT #AT DAT WAR BOND DAT Wtr kum THE ENTERPRISE OVU THE TOT FOR VICTORY xrttfc UKTiS IfA'IS WAS 00N0S*STAMrS VOLUME XLVII—NUMBER I Williamston, Martin County. /Vc rth Carolina. Tuesday, January 4, 1944. ESTABLISHED 1899 . Red Army.Cmssing Old Polish Border In Great Offensive -- High German Authorities Are Believed Trapped in Air kaid -• Unleashing one of the greatest of fensives of the war, the Russians were said today to be right at the old 1939 border of Poland, that some of their soldiers were pouring across the line with Warsaw as their goal. The plight of the Germans is furth er aggravated by the possibility that the Red Army forces will swing southward and trap possibly twenty Nazi divisions in the Dnieper bend. The northern tank and cavalry spearheads of Gen. Nikolai F. Vatu tin’s army of 500,000 gained seven miles in one day as they advanced up the Kiev-Warsaw railroad to take Olevsk. a border area town of 5,600. It was considered possible that some of Vatutin’s advance guards already might have driven across the frozen marshlands along the pre-war Polish Russian border. Vatutin’s men, completing the 11th day of their offensive which has carried them more than 100 miles westw ard toward Germany, captured a total of more than 170 towns and settlements yesterday in broadening the front to 250 miles, extending from Olevsk on the north down around to Piatigory, 76 miles south of Kiev. Although the advance toward pre war Poland was of dramatic interest to the outside world, Vatutin’s smashes south and southwest toward the Dnieper Bend were of great mil itary importance for they indicated that the Russians were driving tow ard the major rail junctions of Vin nitsa, Shepetovka and Kristinovka, all key points in the constant battle of communication lines which marks the fighting in Russia. After yesterday’s fighting the Rus sians were 22 miles from Vinnitsa and 83 miles from Rumania, 34 miles north of Kristinovka, and 27 from Shepetovka. The rapid sweep the Russians are making is worrying the Rumanians, and a late report states that the gov ernment is moving westward from Bucharest. The Germans are ad mitting that their armies are fleeing westward, one report declaring that the retreat was disorganized. In Italy, weather conditions are limiting activities to patrol work for the most part, but the Canadians are gradually driving up the Adriatic coast. Navy Secretary Knox says that the Japs are decidedly on the defensive in the Pacific, and that an invasion of the Marshalls is to bo expected shortly. Effective offensives, in cluding air attacks, have been di rected against the Japs during the past several days. A high spot in the air w'ar reports was the bombing of Berlin for the fifth time in ten days last Sunday night. Several high-ranking Germ an officials are believed to have been trapped in an air raid shelter. Hitler, firmly convinced that jt was too hot for h'm in his chancellory in Berlin, was not in the hole, according to re ports. Following an RAF attack over Western Germany last night, the Americans bombed the French rocket cost effectively this morn ing. ■> Andrew Mobley Dies At Home in Everetts Early This Morning Funeral Afrux*«tJUt.ilo Decay ed Pending Word from Son in Army Camp -£ Andrew Mobley, retired fanner and well-known citizen of Everetts, died at his home there this morning at 6:30 o’clock following a long per iod of declining health. He suffered a stroke of paralysis about four weeks ago and his condition had been serious since that time. How ever, he was conscious up until just a few hours before tl e end. The son of the late James and Christine Mobley, he was born in Jamesville Township 77 years ago the 9th of last October. He spent his early life on the farm there and when a young man was married to Miss Katie Simpson of Jamesville Township. The family moved to Cross Roads Township and return ed to the Jamesville area for a short while before locating in Everetts about a quarter of a century ago. He was the last of a family of twelve children. A member of the Cedar Grove Free Will Baptist Church, he attended services regularly and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Besides his wife he leaves six chil dren, John Motley, of Bear Grass; Archie Mobley, of Everetts; George Mobley, of Williams ton; Alexander Mobley, of Palmyra; Pfe. Nathan Mobley, of Camp Gordon, Georgia, and Miss Fannie Belle Mobley, of Portsmouth and Oak City. Funeral arrangements are being delayed pending receipt of word from his son in the Army. The services will be held at the late home and interment will follow in the Ever etts Cemetery. Gasoline Shortage Likely To Cause County Schools to Close The closing of ail county schools : ,s a direct result of a gasoline short age was considered as a direct possi bility by education authorities here this morning It was announced at that time that the supply of gasoline on hand would be exhausted tomor row, that unless deliveries are ef fected by noon tomorrow it would be impossible to transport the rural children to the schools Thursday morning, and that the suspension would be for an indefinite time. Schools in several counties have already suspended operations as a result of the gasoline shortage, and apparently the shortage is becoming more acute as it spreads to other sections. The last delivery was made under contract in this county on the 14th of last month. Other deliveries have [been expected since that time from day to day, but according to the 'lat est information that couid be had here the distributor’s bi?lk tank was emnty and it could not be learned when a new supply would be made available. The approximately 36 busses, us ing about 200 gallons a day, are sup plied from a 2.500-gallon capacity tank and the last of the supply is be ing distributed today, it was learned. A big transport truck, operated by the company holding the school con tract, was seen here this morning, but it could not be learned if part of the load would be delivered to the schools or not. The public gasoline supply is said to be running low, but with normal consumption no acute shortage is an ticipated. Tax Listing in County Gets Underway Today IN ENGLAND The grandson of the late Au gustus Whitley, the Martin County man who was fartherest at Gettysburg, Pfc. Franklin Bruce Whitley, pictured above and who for nearly twenty years was an employee of The Enter prise, is "vacationing” some where in England as a guest of Unde Sam. He’s getting along all right, last reports state, but ready to come home. Mrs. Belle Manning Dies Suddenly Here Early Monday Night -8 Funeral Services Will Be Held This Afternoon from the Biggs Funeral Home Mrs. Sillar Belle Manning, high ly respected local citizen, died sud denly at her home on South Watts Street at 6:05 o’clock last evening following an illness of short dura tion. Although she had not exper ienced the best of health for a year or more, Mrs. Manning was unusual ly active in and about her home up until late Sunday when she stated that she did not feci well and retir ed a bit earlier than usual. Choos ing tcTWWBu in tJi:u J cot£7Yi~y iT.'oi'H ing, she was given medical attention and was thought to be getting along very well until late yesterday after noon when her heart apparently gave way, the end following a short time later. She talked with members of her family just a few minutes before she died, The daughter of the late William Eii and Areniu Taylor, she was bom in Bear Grass Township on Novem ber 30, 1873, and spent her early life there. In 1906 she was married to Willis Biggs and located near Wil liamston. No children were born to the union and following his death in 1911. she returned to Bear Grass bo make her home until 1913 when she married William Simon Manning and moved to Williamston to make her home and lived here since that time. A thoughtful and considerate (continued on page six) j SHORT SESSION The local town commission ers were in session hardly more than twenty minutes last eve ning handling the little business on the calendar. O. S. Anderson was appointed tax list-taker for the town and he will handle the task right along with his duties as list-taker for the county. The drainage problem caused by heavy rains was briefly dis cussed and the condition of the sidewalks at alley entrances was i mentioned, but no action was taken to effect a remedy of the deplorable conditions. Automobile Values Will Be Based On Blue Book Listings —*— Value of Climber Products Will Be Two-Thirds of The Cost Price Following the completion of final plans by the county authorities in session here yesterday, tax listing is getting underway in several town ships today. Property owners and all those subject to poll taxes are warn ed that no extension of time will be granted for listing, that unless all names are on the books at the end of the current month, the non-list ers will be made subject to penalty and possibly prosecution in the courts. It was explained that delayed listings had in years past increased the cost of the listing, and that the practice could not be tolerated this year. A complete listing schedule for each township appears in this paper today, and all property owners and others subject to poll tax are urged to study the schedule for their re spective townships and not wait un til tlie last minute to list. At a meeting Monday, the tax au thorities adopted the automobile blue book for listing motor vehicles, but the vehicles will not be listed at the published sale price. For instance, a 1936 Ford fordor sedan carries an average sale price of $305. It will be listed at $203. A 1940 Chevrolet tu dor sedan carries a sale price of $900 on an average, and it will be listed at $600. In some cases the listings will possibly exceed those of last year, but after studying the values to be placed on other personal prop erties the tax authorities reached the conclusion that the values for ve hicles will bo in line with all others. Commercial trucks or just about all types of trucks will be listed at the base price less ten per cent for each year the truck has been in op eration. For instance, a 1940 half-ton Chevrolet truck carries a base price of $572 and on the basis established by the authorities it wili be listed at 60 per cent of its value, or $343. For log trucks, the authorities were of the opinion that a 15 instead of a 10 per cent reduction for each year the vehicle was in operation would come nearer affording a fair fax value. It is faniy certain that cars bought just before the war or since will carry a greater value than they did a year ago, but the authorities frown ed upon the practice of listing them at the high resale values now exist ing on the used-car market. Lumber products are to be listed at two-thirds of their value, the au thorities agreed. The list-takers are appealing to property owners for their coopera tion with the expressed warning that early listings can be handled with out waiting in line. Early reports state that listing ac • tJVittfS were Off.Start this morning. -A._ Painfully Injured In Auto Accident Rev. Gower Crosswell, local Pres byterian minister, and Mrs. Cross well were painfully but not seriously injured when their automobile skid ded on a slippery highway near Charlotte and turned over down a four-foot embankment early last Christmas morning. The minister suffered a broken rib and Mrs. Cross well was badly bruised on the head when the car turned over and land ed upright. After a few hours’ stay in Char lotte they were able to continue to Mrs. Crosswell’s home in Spartan burg for the holiday. They later made a short visit with relati’-es in Allan I ta ana returned to their home here ! last Friday evening, i Their ear was badly battered, but • they drove it back home. TOWN - FAB* IN WARTIME (A weekly news dlynt from the rural press section of the OWI news bureau) Pm Sugar Ration Remains Saute Sugar rations /or home use will remain the same for another two and one-half months, according to the Office of Price Administration. Sugar stamp number 30 in War Ra tion Book Four becomes valid on January 16, and will be good for buy ing five pounds of sugar through the end of March. Sugar stamp 29, now in use, is good through Janu ary 15. Plenty of Anti-Freeze The nation’s motorists are being oversold on anti-freeze and told of shortages that do not exist, accord ing to the War Production Board. Production of alcohol anti-freeze for this winter is 50 per cent more than last, WPB said, and asked motorists to watch their own needs and not to overload. Alcohol from vhich an ti-freeze is made is a critical war material. Items No Longer Rationed Pressure cookers and feed grind ers and crushers have been removed from rationing. Because the supply of pressure cookers will not meet all uses, the approval of the War Food Administration is necessary for purchases of pressure cookers for other than food preservation uses. Application should bo made to the Director, Office of Materials and Fa cilities, War Food Administration, Washington, D. C. Csc Copper in Tractor Radiators Restrictions on the use of copper in farm tractor radiator fins and power take-off gears have been re moved by WPB. These uses of cop per, particularly in radiators, not Only will reduce time of manufac ture of farm tractors, but will im prove their field performance. Tire, Tube Supply Still Low Tire and tube quotas for January reflect the continuing shortage. The quota of 276,629 new truck tires is 13,890 less than the December fig ure, and the quota of 230,400 new truck tubes is 27,787 under the De cember figure. Similarly, a lessening in demand which usually occurs dur ing the colder months accounts for (Continued on page six) Local Man Gets Coveted Award Serving in Boy Scout work for fifteen years, Wheeler Martin, local attorney, yesterday gained special recognition from the East Carolina Council when ho received the Silver Beaver award. It is the first time that the coveted award was ever made to a man in this county. The award is made for noteworthy service of exceptional character to boyhood within the territory. It is the first time that the East Carolina Council could award three Silver Beavers. The Council reviews Mr. Martin’s scouting record, as follows: This good Scouter has serve^iri a volunteer capacity for 15 years. He received his Fifteen Year Vete. • an Badge this past summer. He start ed Ins services to boyhood as a Scout master, where he made an exception al record. When his district was or ganized he was elected its district chairman, and has served in that ca pacity ever since. However, not on ly has he served in the above volun teer capacities but was given coun cil-wide serve as board member; member finance committee; member budget committee; and has served in other duties that have taken much of his time, money and effort Schoolit Report Fair Attendance Records Incomplete reports indicate that attendance records in the county schools are only “fair,” that sickness and bad weather are keeping many children at home. Principal D. N. Ilix reported 113 absent in the elementary school here today and fifteen out in the high school, the attendance figure hold ing to a point slightly below 90 per cent. — I THE RECORD SPEAKS . . . While the war and resulting rationing, the appeals fur sate and sane driving and lower speed limits may have had their ef fect, the 1943 accident record is worse than the one for ifl42. The facts, based on official reports courteously released by mem bers of the State Highway Pa trol, speak for themselves, as follows: The following tabulations of fer a comparison of the accident trend: first, by corresponding weeks in this year and last and for each year to the present time. 52nd Week Comparison Accidents Inj’d Killed Dam'ge 1943 4 10 0 $ 775 1942 1 0 0 100 Comparison To Date ! 1943 67 46 5 12,810 1342 . 64 41 4 8,758 Young Mau-Loses JLife In Automobile Wreck Herbert Harrison j Passes in Hospital Late List Evening «—•— Youii*i Colored Boy Vielim of Hit and Run Driving On Street Here Herbert Harrison, young Bear 3rass white man, was fatally hurt and Marshall Scott, young colored boy, was painfully injured in high way accidents in this section last week-end. Harrison, 2!) years old, died in the local hospital last night at 11:30 o'clock, and Scott is getting along all right. Riding with James Garland Rog ers, Harrison suffered a broken neck and a fracture of the skull when a tire on the Rogers car blew out and the driver lost control just this side of Old Mill Inn on the Washington Highway. The automo bile swerved off the road, struck a tree and came to a stop on Dennis Moore’s lot fence. Harrison was pin ned under the car. The two men were traveling toward Williamston Sun day afternoon about 4:45 o’clock. Rogers leceived minor cuts and bruises and His car was wrecked. Funeral services for the young man will be held tomorrow afternoon in Bear Grass. The accident was the first one re ported on the highways of this county in 1944, and followed one in which Marshall Scott was hurt on Williamston’s west main street late last Thursday night. Scott, riding a bicycle out Main Street, was run down and badly but not critically hurt by a car driven by John T. Hyman, Bertie colored man, about 10:45 that evening. Knocked off his wheel, Scott was thrown pos sibly twenty or twenty-five feet in to Harry Jones’ front yard. Suffer ing internal injuries but no broken bones, the 16-year-old colored boy was picked up by Officers Gurganus and Moore of the local police force and carried to the hospital. Hyman, accompanied by Jesse Smallwood, George Outlaw, Mullie Allen, Willie Hill Allen and Esther Allen, did not stop but he was caught about an hour later by Patrolman W. E. Saunders on the Slaughter House Road. The right front light was broken and the fender and hood of the car were battered. When questioned by Patrolman Saunders, Hyman said he got excited, but plan ned to return. Charged with reck less, drunken and hit-and-run driv ing, Hyman was placed under a $1, 000 bond. Unable to raise that amount he was placed in the county jail. He will be given a preliminary hearing before Justice J L. Hassell here on Friday evening. Damage to Hyman’s car and the boy’s bicycle was estimated at $75. 'Activities to date, paint a gloomy highway accident picture for 1944. Funeral Tomorrow For Wreck Victim Funeral services will be conduct ed Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock for Herbert Harrison, young Bear Grass white man, who was fa tally injured in an automobile acci dent near Williamston last Sunday afternoon. The services will be conducted at the home of a brother,. OhvirHarri son, and interment will folut^w, the Harrison Cemetery, about a mile away in Bear Grass Township. El der B. S. Cowin will officiate. The son of the late William R. and Sallie A. GurganusHarrison, he was born in Bear Grass Township about 29 years ago. He never mar ried and spent all his life on the farm, working last year with Farmer Wheeler Rogerson. He was a good worker and had many friends. He is survived by five brothers, Roy, Lemuel, Oliver, Elmer and Si mon Harrison, all of Bear Grass, and a sister, Mb's. Archie Wynne, also of Bear Grass. ---4, Aged Inmate Passes u In County Home —<*.— Julia Camp, said to bo 100 years of age, died in the Martin County Home on December 20 following a long period of declining health. Fun eral services were conducted there on Monday of last week by Rev. Ga briel Williams. Interment was in Pot ter’s field, near the home. While the old colored woman’s age could not be definitely determined, there is little doubt but what she was over 100 years of age. She had lived alone in a small hut on South Pearl Street following the death of her husband, Dick Camp, until she entered the county home some over four years ago. She was born in this county and leaves no immediate rel atives. It is believed she is about the old est if not the oldest person to have ever lived in this county. VICTIM OF FIRE Jl W. R. Ingram, respected local citizen and prominent tobaccon ist, lost his life in a Fayetteville, Tenn., fire last Saturday short ly before noon. Gradual Decrease in IN umber of Weddings Reported in County —•— Records Show Thai Health Law (airtailed Marriages More Thau the War For the second consecutive year there has been a gradual decline in the number of marriages in this county, but considering the fact Hint large numbers of young men have left the county for war, the decrease is recognized as being unusually small Reviewing the records in the coun ty license bureau for the past thir teen years, one finds that Dan Cu pid has experienced many reverses, that considering all his cares and woes, he has done an admirable job during the period. Back in 1931, that depression year, he negotiated only 12(5 contracts, (12 for the whites and 64 for the colored. He showed some signs of recovery the following year, and then in 1934 he was riding high with his work, handling 281 con tracts, 116 for the white and 165 for the colored. The next two years were normal, but 1937 was a busy period, the register of deeds issuing 293 marriage licenses that year. The fol lowing twelve months were busy ones for Cupiu, too, but in 1939 when the State Legislature passed the mar riage health laws, the love-makei was dealt a definite setback. Only 159 licenses were issued that year, 81 to white and 7R to colored cov. ples. He made a fairly quick recov ery, however, and effected contracts for 226 couples in the year that war broke out on December 7. The num ber dropped to 220 in 1942, and it fell to 203 last year, but the decrease was confined to white couples. The number of licenses issued to white couples dropped from 126 in 1941 to 100 in 1942 and to 74 last year, while the number issued to colored couples increased from 100 in 1941 to 120 in 1942 and to 129 last year. Licenses were issued by Register of Deeds J. Sam Getsinger in this county last month to the following couples: nine white and sixteen col ored : White Charlie Bullock, of Robersonville RFD 1, and Marie Page, of RFD 2, Williamston. Albert Williams, of Plymouth, and Pearl Barber, of Jamesvii'e. William Elwood Cherry, of RFD 3, Washington, and Mary Elizabeth Jackson, of Washington. Ensign Emil Alfred Berger, of Chicago and Harvey’s Point, N. C., and Edna Earle Rawls, of Williams lon. Sgt Elmer A. Conley, of Marietta, Ohio and New River, and Mary Eliz abeth Whiehard, of Rc jersonville. Leslie McCoy Griffin and Napnie Veona Roberson, both of Williams (Continued on page six) SHORT SESSION With very little new business on their calendar, the Martin County commissioners complet ed their work and adjourned be fore lunch at their regular meet ing here yesterday. Tax mat ters were briefly discussed and a few relief orders were Issued. A special order was issued di recting the treasurer to invest $7,000 cash in the sinking in U. S. Government bonds. All members of the board were present for the meeting. Herbert Jackson was relieved of $1 dog tax and Nathan Har rington was relieved of $2.08 tax listed in error. Clayton Revels, now in the armed service, was relieved of $1 poll tax. Local Tobacconist Dies In Tennessee Fire Las} Saturday Funeral Service To fie Held For W. R. Ingram Mere Tomorrow W. Robert Ingram, highly respect ed local citizen and tobacconist, lost his life in a Fayetteville, Tenn , ho tel fire last Saturday morning short ly before noon. Details surrounding his untimely and tragic death could not be learned in their entirety here immediately It was learned, how ever, that death was caused by stran gulation, that the body was not burn ed. According to a message received here from Carl Clark, business part ner of near Fayetteville, Tenn., and who was with Mr. Ingram in the ho tel when the fire started, the two men started to leave the hotel. Mr. Clark was leading the way from their third-story room and thought Mr. Ingram was following directly behind him. "When I reached the hotel lobby, I missed Mr. Ingram,” Mr. Clark was quoted as saying. Tt is believed that Mr. Ingram turned back to recover some of his person al effects from their room, and ap parently was overcome by the smoke. Mr. Clark, it was also learned, at tempted to go aftei him. but his way was then blocked by fire and smoke and he was forced to turn back. Firemen, apparently approaching from another entrance, recovered the body a short time later. Except for a small bruise, believed to have been caused when he stumbled and fell, the body was not damaged. Most of Mr. Ingram’s personal effects were recovered. Spending the holidays with rela tives in Danville, Mr. Ingram had registered in the hotel the evening before, preparing to continue his ac tivities as an independent tobacco dealer on the market there during the remainder of the season. Born ia Nathalie, Halifax County, Va., on December 11, 1883, Mr. In gram spent his early life on the farm. When a young man he entered the tobacco business and married Miss Hattie Lewis, of Halifax County, Va., about thirty-five years ago. He came to Wiliiamston as an independ ent tobacco dealer in the early twen ties, and immediately gained a large circle of friends. A few years later he formed a partnership with other tobacconists and operated the Farm ers Warehouse for a number of years. More recently he was a government grader and an independent opera tor on the markets in this and sever al other states. Few men have endeared them selves more to the people of this community than did Mr. Ingram dur ing his residence here. He was a high toned Christian gentleman, a thoughtful husband, father and grandfather. He was a deacon in the local Baptist Church for a number of years, and his association with his fellowman was marked by Christ ian ideals. He commended the re spect and admiration of all who (Continued on page six) Williamston Native Passes In Hospital After Long Illness -n> - Funeral Scrva cs Are Held in Rocky .Mount Monday for Mrs* J. R. Bobbitt Mrs. Julia Daniel Bobbitt, Wil liam.ston native and member of an old Martin County family, died in a Kocky Mount hospital last Saturday morning at 1:05 o’clock following a long period of declining health. She suffered a .stroke of paralysis last Wednesday and was removed im mediately to the hospital. The daughter of the late William Edgar and Sara Short Daniel, Mrs. Bobbitt was born in Williamston on August 30, 1383. She spent her eaily life in Williamston and in Georgia with her aunt, locating in Rocky Mount in 1905 following her mar riage to J. R. Bobbitt. She had made her home there since that time. Mrs. Bobbitt, a devoted wife and mother, was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Rocky Mourn for many years. Surviving are hei husband, J. R. Bobbitt; five sons, Joseph Roseer Bobbitt, Jr., reporter on the staff of the Virginian Pilot, of Norfolk; Lt. William Edgar Bobbitt, USNR, of Norfolk: Tech. Sgt. James Miles Short Bobbitt, stationed at the U. S. Army Air Base at Rapid City, S. D.; Lt. (jg) Julian Daniel Bobbitt, USNR, on duty with the Atlantic Fleet, and Pvt. Robert Lee Bobbitt, medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; three grandsons, two brothers, W. B. Dan iel, Williamston chief of police, and Chas. L. Daniel, president of the Martin County Farm Bureau, and a sister, Mrs. John White, of Savan nah, Ga., and four half brothers, Ed gar Daniel, of Jacksonville, Fla.; H. L. Daniel, of Williamston, and Dar rell and Ben Daniel, both of Norfolk. Funeral services were held in Rocky Mount yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock by her pastor, Dr. J. W. I Kincheloe. Burial was in the Fine view Cemetery, Rocky Mount.
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
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Jan. 4, 1944, edition 1
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