NEARLY 1000 MARTIN COUNTY
SERVICE MEN NOW READING
THE ENTEPRISE IN ALL PARTS
OF THE WORLD EACH WEEK.
THE ENTERPRISE
NEARLY 1000 MARTIN COUNTY
SERVICE MEN NOW READING
THE ENTEPRISE IN ALL PARTS
OF THE WORLD EACH WEEK.
VOLUME XLVII—NUMBER 63
Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday, August 11, 1944,
ESTABLISHED 1899
-Americans Plvuskvi
Forward with Paris
As Their Next Goal
American Planes Attack Jap
Bases on Mainland and
in Philippines
r
*
*
■0
Reversin'; the order followed by
the Germans four years ago, Amer
icans are literally running wild in
France today, late reports stating
that the Yanks are plunging forward
with Paris as their next stop. Posi
tions are changing so rapidly that
reporters are hardly able to deter
mine the lines of advance, but it is
fairly well established that the Am
ericans have pushed well beyond Le
Mans and are now between forty
and seventy miles of Paris. To the
south, the Yanks, according to un
confirmed reports, have taken Nan
tes and Angers and are crossing the
Loire River. If the Americans hold
Nantes they can soon be expected to
take Bordeaux, and from then on the
advance, some believe, will be sim
ilar to falling duck pins.
While American tank forces are fan
ning out over a wide area, causing
confusion for the Germans along a
broken line about 150 miles long,
other American forces are having a
stubborn fight in the Mortain sector
where the Germans are still trying
to batter the corridor leading from
Normandy to the Breton Peninsula.
At the same time, other American
forces are battling a fanatical enemy
resistance at Lorient and Brest. The
Canadians and British are still bat
tering the Germans in the Caen area.
While much talk is being heard
about the drive toward Paris, it is
fairly apparent that the Allies are
advancing a pincers movement to
trap the German 7th Army. The pin
cers is hardly sixty miles apart to
day.
It is becoming more evident that
the Hitler gang plans to battle to
the last man or until they cave in
under their own weight.
On the Eastern Front, the Russians
have scored large gains around War
saw, but increased German resist
ance, supported by several divisions
drawn from other areas, have slow
ed the great push in that area, but
the Russians are launching a new
drive toward the Prussian border,
less than ten miles away.
The situation in China continues
to grow steadily worse following the
fall of Hengyang earlier in the week.
However, American plane attacks on
the Jap mainland and on the Philip
pines are welcomed news. The Dutch
East Indies felt the sting of the B-29
yesterday whpri a vast oil refinery
center at Palesbang, Sumatra, was
fired.
Guam has been subdued, an Amer
ican coming out of 31 months of hid
ing to tell his experiences on the
island.
Meeting in Pearl Harbor the latter
part of July, President Roosevelt,
General MacArthur and Admiral
Nimitz are believed to have formu
lated plans calling for an increased
tempo in the Pacific War.
The drive in Italy hasn’t recovered
from its stalemate, the Allies encoun
tering all kinds of trouble in the
Florence area.
In addition to the developments or
the battlefronts, the Allies have just
announce that a great airborne
army has been formed by the Amer
icans and the British and that it can
OLD GLORY, torn from its mast by
the Japs in December, 1941, now flies
again over Guam, following the suc
cessful reoccupation by the U. S.
Much Damage Done
To Peanut Factory
By Fire Last Night
Fire Damages Machinery ami
Slock oil Tliinl anil
Fourth Floors
Its origin not definitely known,
fire last night caused considerable
damage to the plant of the Williams
ton Peanut Company. No estimate
could be had immediately, but it is
fairly certain the loss will run into
several thousands of dollars. While
the fire was confined mainly to the
third and fourth floors, water dam
age resulted to stocks on the second
and first floors.
The alarm was sounded at 9:30
o'clock and firemen and volunteers
battled the fire for almost two
hours before it could be checked.
Throwing off a choking smoke and
fumes, the fire burned into the ele
vators, placing it out of reach of
the sprinklers and making it difli
cult for the volunteer firemen to
reach it The building exterior shows
no sign of fire, but it is believed that
several weeks will be required to
repair the damage and place the
plant back in running order.
Operating only a single shift, the
plant was closed down about five
o’clock yesterday atternoon. It is be
lieved by some that a spark, possibly
from a belt, landed in the peanut dust
and smoldered for several hours, fi
nally breaking into an open flame.
Handling a record business since
early last fall, the company had
milled down to its last 5,000 bags of
farmers’ stock peanuts, and was
planning to complete its work for
the season about the middle of next
week. Orders were based on .that
tentative schedule and the plans
(Continued on page six)
-e
Returns Home From
Mediterranean Area
After more than twenty-one
months in North Africa and the Med
iterranean Theater, Harry Martin
returned home this week for a well
earned furlough. He plans to spend
about two weeks with relatives in
Jamesville before going to Fort
- —
Landing in Casablanca in early No
vember, 1942, the young man went
through the North African and Si
cilian campaigns and then moved on
to Italy where he operated a large
amphibious truck.
He was one of several thousand to
return from the Italian area, it is
understood.
(Continued on page six)
BANDAGE ROOM
1 Rstfivb'w* -
of material yesterday, the local
Red Cross bandage room will
reopen on the second floor of
the store building next to the
Guaranty Bank tonight at 8 o’
clock, it was announced today
by the chairman. Approximate
. Jy .Vvi#, mmm Mar a rat-3,
received, and apparenty the
quota, including a delayed July
shipment, is quite large.
The leaders of the project
are asking all women in the en
tire Red Cross chapter to volun
teer their services and co-oper
ate in meeting the quota as
1 quickly as possible.
* Regulations for Polio Control
Are Generally Observed Here
With a few possible minor excep
tions, rules and regulations designed |
to check the spread of poliomyelitis
(infantile paralysis) are beir^ gen
erally observed in this community
even though no strict bans have
been applied.
Sairly large crowds are gathering
in various places, including the
the amusement centers, but children
under sixteen are noticeably absent.
It is fairly evident also that the num
ber of children ordinarily seen on
the streets has dwindled during re
cent days even though no restrictions
have been imposed against the free
movement of the little folks on the
streets.
The new regulations are certain to
have a telling effect on the attend
ance upon the various Sunday
Schools this Sunday. However, mark
ed attendance drops were reported
by several of the schools last Sun
day, and it was pointed out that the
full attendance of adults will hold
the figures to a fairly respectable
level.
A schedule for opening the public
schools in the county is still pend
ing. The board of education was to
have considered the matter further
at a meeting yesterday, but the ses
sion was postponed until next Mon
day when a delayed opening will be
considered. The schools were first
scheduled to open on August 31 in
this county as a result of action taken
by the board about two weeks ago.
No polio cases have been reported
in this county so far, and possibly
the disease is subsiding in those areas
where it approached the epidemic
stage.
WOUNDED
Pfc. Paul C. VanLandingham
was wounded, believed badly, in
France during the latter part of
June or early July, according to
information received by his
mother, Mrs. C. 8. VanLanding
ham, near here, a few days ago.
Large Truck Tires
Are Eliminated in
August Allotments
Ninety-eight Car and Light
Truck Tires Kulinned
Lust Friday
The tire situation for large truck
operators reached a critical stage
this month when allotments were
denied the counties and the ration
ing task was assumed by the Raleigh
office of the OPA. Several appli
cations were before the county board
last Friday, but only one was con
sidered and that action was taken
subject to final approval by the state
office. Just how long it,_<wd^hdte
to relieve the senousneiiso^uie
situation is not known.
While the large truck tire,
lem is critical, the situation
tires are finding themselves
not very encouraging. There
enough tires on hand to fill the de
mand a f lee Hit- d. maud has been
No large truck tires were allotted
the county for August, but 333 car
tires are to be rationed along with
41 for small trucks.
Ninety-eight tires, including 91
for cars and seven for small trucks,
were rationed last Friday night in
this county.
Grade I tires were issued to the
«* i;' - ing: • - i iiW ■!■■■—W
H. J. Haislip, Oak City, one.
Mrs. J. A. Everett, Palmyra, one.
W. R. Everett, Palmyra, one.
prob
other
in is
aren’t
Dee Bowen, R2, Williamston, one.
J. D. Suits, Oak City, two.
W. S. Leggett, Everetts, one.
Wheeler Rogerson, R2, Williem
ston, one.
G. H. Davenport, Jamesville, one.
Hebron Lanier, Oak City, one.
W. R. Griffin, Rl, Williamston,
one.
(Continued on page Six)
County Boy Returning
From Southwest Pacific
_
After thirty months in the South
west Pacific, Pvt. James D. Wynne
is expected to reach Fort Bragg
about next Tuesday for a well-earn
ed rest, it was announced this week
by the public relations office, Camp
Butner, N. C.
A member of the 162nd Infantiy.
41st Division, Pvt. Wynne is a broth
er of Mrs. Daniel Lilley of William
ston.
Frank S. Weaver Is
Patient IiPServiee
Hospital In England
Says Infantry, After All Is
Said and Done, Is Vi in
ning the War
Frank Saunders Weaver, sun of
Mr and Mrs Frank Weaver of Wil
liamston. Is ue k m a hospital some
where in England for treatment, ac
cording to information reaching the
family here this week. It is under
stood that the young man is being
treated for combat fatigue, and that
he is improving.
Weaver, while receiving no body
wounds, was rendered unconscious
several weeks ago by a bursting
shell on the French front, lie was
hospitalized for a few days and re
turned to action.
He has a brother, Bennie Weaver,
who is now somewhere in New
Guinea.
In a letter dated July 31, Pvt.
Weaver had little to say about him
self. but he did point out the part the
infantry is handling in the current
war. He said, in part:
", . . m this war, it takes every
thing from artillery to quartermas
ter, but of all these branches the in
fantry deserves the most credit.
Sure, the other guys arc doing a
good job but the infantry is what
meets the enemy face to face with
bayonet and rifle. We’re the guys who
go at them ,and I'm not kidding when
1 say go after them.
“I've heard fellows write home
and complain about the European
Theater of Operations, but since I’ve
been over here I’ve been treated
swell I have no kick coming. We
have eaten well, had plenty of rest,
sleep and also work, but all our
training has paid dividends. We
are meeting and defeating the en
emy because we paid attention to
the instructors. We see now it pays
to listen.
“There are a few fellows in the
83rd (my outfit) infantry division
from home and in the States. I used
to see them quite often but frankly
I haven’t seen one person from home
■ince I hit England. I am in the hos
pital recuperating from shell-shock.
Yesterday, 1 went to the lied Cross
center here and saw where Bennie
Holland had signed the register, but
I found out he had left a short time
before I arrived and I missed see
ing him.
(Continued on page six)
Lewis Thos. Taylor
Seriously Wounded
Lewis Thomas Taylor, young son
of Mrs. Maniza Taylor WIfitaker, of
Cross Roads Township, and the late
Sam Taylor, was seriously wounded
in France on June 11, according to a
message received by his mother from
the War Department last Tuesday
noon. No details were offered in the
message, hut in a letter written by
the young man on July 26 it was
stated he was improving.
Young Taylor said in his letter ad
dressed to his mother and sister,
Hope you haven’t been worrying
too much because I haven’t written
in such a long time. I guess you have
already heard about me getting hurt
in France on June 11. I have been
pretty sick, but am getting along
just fine now, and don’t you worry
too much for I’m O. K. The way
things look now, I don't think it
will be very long before I get to
come home.”
Expressing the hope that every
1 no was well at home', ihc yueitii st.il
ed that he was anxious for some mail
from home, adding that he had not
heard from anyone since May.
Just 24 years old last June 1, Tay
lor entered the service about three
years ago and has been overseas
about five months. A brother, Wil
► L. Taylor, has 1 . mmmammmm
ice about five years. He was in Italy
•he last time his mother heard from
dm. Another brother, Charlie Ver
lon Taylor, is now serving some
where on the high seas. He volun
teered for service about four years
ago.
ttVS*’ «EAS«
Martin County farmers are
now in the midst of the busiest
season of the year. Tobacco
harvesting is now being advanc
ed on an extensive scale, re
ports declaring that some farm
ers are sleeping in their work
clothes during the hour or two
between harvesting and curing
work.
The tobacco crop is now con
sidered very promising for the
county, as a whole. A few farm
ers have better than usual crops
while a few have not yet start
ed harvesting their crops.
The early curings are only fair
but the quality is improving for
the most part.
Rains in late July and early
August were of great material
aid, and the poundage will like
ly exceed early estimates, one
report going so far as to say that
the crop will be so large that a
shortage of tobacco sticks is to
be expected.
Make Supreme Sacrifice
Colan Gray Perry, left, was killed in action on the battle
fields of France on July 11. The son of Mr. Joseph 11. Perry of
Williams Township and the late Mrs. lnabell Roberson Perry,
Cpl. Perry was the second Martin County man known to have
given his life for his country in France. Pvt. Dennis 11. Whieh
ard, son of Mrs. Edith Whichard of Williamston and the late
D. B. Whichard, was killed in action in Italy on July 11. He
was the sixth Martin County youth to make the supreme sac
rifice in Italy.
Jerry Langley, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Carlyle Langley, of Wil
liamsfon, was wounded in France
some time between the latter
part of June and the middle of
July. In a letter received by his
mother yesterday, the youth stat
ed that he was still in a hospital
in England hut was improving
rapidly.
Judge Calvin Smith
Calls Nine Cases in
The County’s Court
Tragedy KcmiIis in One Caw1
Itfin^ Nol IVoHf*(‘il in
(lonrt Monday
Judge J. Calvin Smith called nine
cases in the county Recorder's Court
last Monday, the jurist holding the
tribunal in session less than two
hours. Only a medium-size attend
ance was reported.
Cases have been removed from the
court dockets for various reasons,
but one was cleared Monday as a
result of a tragedy. John I). Daniels,
colored man, was charged with not
supporting ms tillee childion. The
three little tots were burned to d ath
in a shanty fire on Williamston’s
East Main Stieet some months ago,
their tragic deaths relieving him of
further obligation. He was rer bred
to pay the court costs and the .ase
was riol pressed.
•^•mr-VaVe ehuiginn 7. «U iff
kins with violating tin health laws,
was nol prossed, one report stating
that the defendant had complied
with the regulations.
A continuance under prayer for
judgment was allowed until the first
Monday in next October in the case
harging Allen Warren with an as
ault with a deadly weapon. The
&'■ imJswJ js.W »V4-Kot
The case charging Wilson Staton
with an assault with a deadly wen
ion was continued until September
1th.
George Thomas Fisher, charged
vith reckless driving, failed to an
,wer when called and papers were
ssued for his arrest.
Pleading guilty in the case charg
ng him with non-support, Sam Rog
■rs was directed to pay $8 a week for
he support of his four children dur
ing one year, and to report back to
(Continued on page six)
-%
Two Tobacco Barns Are
Lost By Fire In County
Farmer C. C. Whitaker of Cross
Roads lost a cur ing barn and a large
number of sticks of tobacco by, fire
last Thursday. It is believed his barn
was the first to burn in the county
this season.
Farmer James Russell Cherry was
reported to have lost a barn and its
contents by fire in Bear Grass
Township Sunday.
Thirty-Three Negro
Youths Report For
Pre-Induction Tests
All Arr Single and Most of
Thom Como from Farms
In This County
Thirty-three Marlin County color
ed youths reported to an Army serv
ice center last Wednesday for pre
induction" physical examinations.
Twenty-three of the youths came
from the farms and all thirty-three
were listed as single.
All of the boys are in their teen
ages, the group with one exception
being made up of boys just turned
eighteen since last March. The one
exception was just nineteen last
March.
A thirty-fourth boy, Ernest Daniel,
RFI) 2, Williamston farmer, failed
to report, and Robert L. Roberson,
formerly of Robersofiville, was trans
ferred to Philadelphia for his pre
'nduction test.
Names of the boys making the trip
irom the county last Wednesday fol
iow:
Robert Williams, RFD 3, William
ston.
William Staton, Jr., RFD 1, Oak
City.
Frank Bell, Jr„ RFD 1, Oak City.
Southey James Lucy, RFD 3, Wil
liamston.
Spencer Eason, RFD 3, Williams
ton.
Ernest Williams, RFD 1, Oak City.
Samuel Haywood Scott, William
ston.
Elijah Whitehurst, RFD 1, James
ville.
Charles Gable Slade, Williamston.
John Daniel Slade, Williamston.
Wilie David Roberson, Roberson
villi'.
Willie Herbert Whitfield, RFD 3,
Williamston.
West Harris, RFD 1, Oak City.
(Continued on page six)
WOUNDKl)
slight flesh wound while fij;ht
ing with the invasion forces in
France some time during the
month of June, his parents, IVIr.
and Mrs .N. T. Daniel, were ad
vised this week. Few particulars
could lx- learned immediately,
mwi*! '"IB'i'f''' the \
has recovered and it is believed
he has returned to active duty
at the front.
A brother, Thomas Daniel, just
recently arrived in Fug land, his
parents were advised this week.
Mrs. Samuel Brown
Passes In Hospital
After Long Illness
Funeral Ser^ ires Will Be Held
In Baptist (Ihnreli Here
Saturday Afternoon
Mrs. Samuel S. Brown, well-known
and greatly beloved local resident,
died in a hospital here last night at
P 35 o'clock following a long period
of declining health. Despite her ad
vanced age, she was able to be up
most of the time until about three
weeks ago, and then her cordition
was not regarded serious until about
ten days ago when she was removed
to the hospital for treatment. Al
though her condition gradually grew
worse, she recognized members of
the family up until a few hours be
fore the end, death coming peace
fully.
Miss Dora Lilley before her mar
riage, she was born in Jamesville
Township on October 26, 1871, the
daughter of the late William B. and
Martha Manning Lilley. She spent
her early life there and was mar
ried to Mr. Brown of Jamesville on
February 10, 1801, moving a few
years later to Williamston where Mr.
Brown entered business and later
was elected register of deeds of Mar
tin County, an office he held for
twelve years. Following his death
two and one-half years'ago, she had
made her home with her daughter,
Mrs. J. Sam Getsinger.
In early life she joined the Bap
tist Church at Cedar Grove, later
transferring her membership to the
Baptist Church here. Faithful in its
service, Mrs. Brown exemplified the
teachings of the church down
through the years, her character rad
iating goodness and friendliness, her
simple and most sincere way of life
often brought encouragement and
hope to others.
Few could be more appreciative of
a kind deed or a thoughtful act, and
there could be no greater devotion
than that shown for her loved ones
and friends. She possessed that per
fect gift to see the good things in
life, to look on the bright side, and
with a kind and understanding heart
overlook the errors of others. In
her home she made and wanted her
welfare to be secondary to that of
her children, always iinding happi
ness in doing for others. Hers was
an unselfish life, and her acts of
kindness and understanding will live
for years to come.
Funeral services will be conduct
ed in the local Baptist Church Sat
urday afternoon at 3 o’clock by her
pastor, Di. Win. H. Burrell, and in
terment will follow m the family plot
in Woodlawn Cemetery here.
She is survived by five daughters,
Mrs. Mary B. Sliute and Mrs. Sallie
Gurganus of Norfolk, Mrs J Sam
Getsinger and Mrs. John A. Ward
of Williamston and Mrs. E. L. Lowie
of Gastonia; a son, Samuel S. Brown,
of Norfolk; a half-brother, Bennie
Lilley, and eight grandchildren, Mrs.
Alton Harrison of Plymouth, J. Ben
Hopkins of Suffolk, Pvt. John A.
Ward, Jr., stationed with the armed
forces at Fort Jackson, Lt. James
Willis Ward of the U. S. Air Force
overseas, Miss Shirley Gurganus of
Norfolk, Pvt. Conrad Getsinger of
Sheppard Field, Texas, Chas. Spen
cer Brown of Havelock, N. C., and
Nicholas Brown Lowie of Gastonia,
and th'ee great-grandchildren,
Misses Jessie Dare, Judith Lynn and
Katherine Stephanie Harrison of
Plymouth.
Add New Books To
-The Local Library
The following now volumes were
recently placed on the local public
library list:
Juvenile: Here Comes Pete, A
Ring and a Riddle, The Lund We
The Tenggren Tell-lt-Again ^,ook.
Adult Hotel Berlin ’43, The Sw'ord
Is Drawn, The Star Gazer, Eddie and
the Archangel Mike, Plain Clothes
Patricia, Storm Canvass, Jill Movie
Maker, Flint, The Razor's Edge.
Whitfield Boy Returns After
Hectic Period In Battle Area
Staff Sergeant Melvin Whitfield
is back in this country after two hec
tic years in overseas service. The
young man, believed to be one of
several thousand to have returned
from Italy just recently, was report
ed to have reached Fort Bragg just
a few days ago. He is expected here
shortly to visit his sisters, Mrs. K.
D. Davenport and Mrs. Walter Jones
and other relatives in the county.
Whitfield has traveled an unusual
course in the current war, doing dis
appearing and bobbing-up acts at
more or less regular intervals since
about the middle of February, 1943.
Up to that time, life for him was sim
ilar to that led by millions of other
G. I. Joes, It was about the time
! that the old desert fox, Marshal Rom
! mel, stormed Faid Pass in North
Africa that Young Whitfield was re
ported missing. That was on Fehru
! ary 14 and six weeks later he bob
! bed up, the International Red Cross
reporting that he was held prisoner
by the Italians. Seven months later
he was reported missing again. Just
where and how he disappeared, if
he disappeared at all, is not yet
known.
On July 10, this year, he was re
ported by the War Department to
have been found, the message receiv
ed by his mother, Mrs. Pearl Whit
field, adding that he was returning
to active duty, presumably in Italy.
Relatives went for months without
hearing a word from the young man,
and it is fairly certain that he alone
can fill the gaps.
The Fourth Service Command, an
nouncing his return to this country,
explained “To the extent that snip
ping space is available, the War De
partment will increasingly endeavor
to return to this country under a ro
tation furlough plan men and wo
men who have already served long
tours of duty overseas.”