NEARLY IOC* MARTIN COUNT! SERVICE MEN NOW READING "TUI: f \TCPJHSRsjHTL PART'S*" OF THE WORLD EACH WEEK. mm: SERVICE MEN WOW REAPING THE ENTE PRISE IN ALE PARTS OF THE WORLD EACH WEEK. VOLUME XLYHI—NUMBER 24 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Friday. March 23, 1945. ESTABLISHED 1899 Montgomery Believed Driving For the Ruhr Report Increasing Nazi Resistance in The Western Sector -..■ ■■ Devastating Air Attack Pav ing Way for Drive. Roars Into Its Second Day -4 A move to break the enemy's back on the Western Front is now be lieved under way or is just before being launched while four Russian armies move in the East to upset Hitler’s plans for an aggravating de fense in the mountains of Central Europe. Activities along the north ern sector of the Western Front are under a news blackout, but a para lyzing aerial attack is roaring into its second day. and one of those special Monty artillery barrages is falling on the Gfw;'-'S defending the Ruhr. All indications point to a synchronized drive from both the West and the East, and although the Germans this morning were said to be offering a stiffening resistance, the developments now under way and those about to be started have the appearance of an all-out push to wind up the struggle in Germany. Allied developments on the West ern Front in recent days have caus ed grave concern in Germany, and Field Marshal Karl Von Rundstedt. the great Prussian strategist, lias been replaced by Field Marshal Al bert Kesselring, the man who held liie Nazi front together in Italy so long. Increasing resistance is credit ed to Kesselring’s command, but he takes over just as the German de fenses are disintegrating before his eyes. Reports state that Hitler’s elite troops are folding up and run ning for shelter after tasting Allied gun fire for just a few hours. While the American First and Ninth and the Canadians and British threaten in the northern sector of the West Front, the First Army's bridgehead in the Remagen area has been extended 31 miles along the eastern bank of the Rhine and push ed eight miles inland, the action hav ing assumed more than tactical im portance. Patch’s Seventh and Patton’s Third Armies have had a great field day recently in the Saar area, mop ping up the enemy by the tens of thousands. One report states that over 5,000 motor vehicles, 300 tanks and 200 big field guns had been taken by Patton’s men alone. The action there has just about cleared the west bank of the Rhine, and it is fairly apparent that it won’t be long before mopping-up operations will shift to the east bank and in a big way. The capture of the Saar reveals extensive under- ; ground manufacturing, a report stat ing today that a factory employing hundreds of men, including 600 slav> workers, had been taken deep under ground in that area. During the meantime confusion in side Germany is mounting. Food rations have been reduced and the transportation system is either chok ed with refugees and ranking Nazis fleeing for safety or blocked alto gether. A shattering, round-the-clock aerial bombardment by 27,000 planes in the past three days has blasted a 40-mile arc of utter destruction across the Ruhr. Flying almost 8, 000 sorties yesterday, Allied planes blasted anew at bridges and rail yards and struck a deadly biow at German leadership by hitting thir teen army command posts. In the Pacific, the war is mak ing marked progress. Our reclama tion program in the Philippine area is being raidly expanded, and three million Japs are fleeing Tokyo be fore American air power. The Japs admit their defenses are not suffi cient to turn back the attacks, but they maintain they are ready to meet any invasion attempt. The Jap fleet has been sought out and de livered another telling blow during recent days, late reports declaring that the Japs had lost 789 planes, 264 more merchant ships and about thirty warships in the latest general offensive to wipe the enemy off the seas and from the air. American casualties since Pearl Harbor now total 859.587, most of them, or 767,680 being listed as Army casualties. While the nation counts its casual ties, Mayor Laguardia comes out in a brazen attempt to justify an hour's extension for the curfew in New York. But many of the night clubs closed at midnight. Down south, thousands of vacationists are strand ed in Florida because the govern ment has refused to allow two re ]ief trains to operate daily. Schedule of Services In Local Baptist Church ————<£r— q 45, Sunday school The attend ance last Sunday was the largest in some time. Help make it larger. 6:45, Training union. Worship services, 11 and 8 o’clock. Monday, 7:30, Royal Ambassadors meet at ihe church. Tuesday, 4:30, Intermediate girls’ auxiliary will meet at the church. 1 \\ Ol'NOED Pvt. Alex Latham was wound ed in action in France on Feb ruary 20, his parents, !\lr. and Mrs. I). It. Latham, of Goose Nest Township, were recently notified by the War Department. Girl Scouts Hold Regular Meeting On Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock the Scouts of the North Star patrol met for their regular week ly Scout meeting. The first half hour was spent helping Miss Mary W. Taylor clean the building which is to be ready for the Scouts to use soon. During the meeting, it was an nounced by Miss Taylor that the Scouts would participate in selling Easter seals for crippled children, and the patrol sidling the most seals will receive a patrol flag. Much time was spent deciding the things our patrol would do trying to sell the most seals and win this patrol flag. Saturday, March 31, was the day set for the Scouts to sell these Easter seals. Our leader, Mary Lib Keel, gave us further information about get ting started on our field badges. The roll was carried by Wanda Jones and dues collected by Joan Platt. Our record shows that all Scouts of this patrol, except one, were pres ent for church services last Sun day. Games were enjoyed, and during the recreation period, Jackie Harris, Jane Gr Blazes Trail Three Miles tinder Enemy Fire to Lav Telephone Cable With the 99th Infantry Division on the Western Front—March—Ignor ing the fact that enemy tanks and infantry had infiltrated throughout the town. Staff Sergeant Raymond S. Cherry, of 116 Williams Street, Williamston. N. C.. and his squad of seven linesmen laid lines down the center of the main street. ce in the Episcopal Church at 8:00. Thursday, Rev. B. T. Hurley, for the Methodist Church. Morning serv ice in the Watts Theater at 10-30, and evening service and Union Com munion service in the Methodist Church at 8 00. Friday, the services will be pro vided by the Presbyterian Church. Morning service at 10:30 in the Watts Theater, and evening services in fhe Presbyterian Church at 8:00. i STILL IN FIGHT v_______> Although woimtlt'tl in action last November and a prisoner of the Germans for a while, Pvt. Willie W. IWi/clle. son of Mrs. Minnie Mi/.elle Roberson, RFD 1, Williamsfen. is still in the fight against the Nazis. The Purple Ileai t was forwarded to bij> mother bv the young man time .’go, and in a letter he ex plain'd (hat he escaped after be ing raptured. He has a brother, Clyde, i.i the Dutch Indies, and annlb.r l.rofher, Elmer, is serv ing on i hospital shin as a mem ber of the medical corps. Elmer hasn’t been home since enter ing the service two years .ago. Writes of County Young Man’s Death -eft. Willing to Mrs. Emma Gardner, mother of Onward L. Gardner who made the supreme sacrifice in Bel gium last December 17, Chaplain John W. Manen paid fitting tribute to the Jamesville young man. His letter, just recently received by Mrs. Gardner, follows: “By now you have received word from the War Department of the death of your son, Onward L. Gard ner, 3440455(1, a member of this bat talion. I know that the news has been a terrible blow to you. “I am the Chaplain of the bat talion. I want to extend to you the sorrow that fills your heart. I am sure that it will be a comfort to you to know that all of us feel a person al loss in Onward’s death. “Onward was very well liked by all the members in his company. Be sides the fact that he filled his du ties as a ambulance driver to the satisfaction of all his officers, the members of the company will al ways remember his kindness in helping with many other things that made life more pleasant for all of us. “You probably wonder about the circumstances of his death. I can on ly tell you that he died of wounds received in the performance of his duty during the battle against the German break through in Belgium, lie was buried with full military (Continued on page six) -a> . . . ■ ■ Returns Home Alter Long Stay Overseas -e T/5 Howard B. Cone returned home this week after nearly three years spent in the Pacific and China Burma-India theaters. He will spend his furlough here with his mother, Mis. P. B. Cone. Reporting the arrival of the young man along with three others who from this state who had been over seas a long time Major Collis Jordan of the Public Relations Office, An Transport Command, said, "About four of the happiest soldiers you ever saw were today clearing Air Transport Command’s Miami Air Field en route to North Carolina. Their broad grins were evident be cause they had been speeded near er home by a fleet ATC plane.” Doc is so busy enjoying home that he hasn't ventured out much so far following his return. f CITATION v> Pvt. Thomas Reginald Griffin son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy T. Grif fin, Wiiliamston, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal several months ago for “heroic achieve ment in connection with mili tary operations against the en emy in the vicinity of Caumont, Normandy, France, Jure 25th, 1944,” it was just recently learn ed here. The citation for the medal stated that Young Griffin re peatedly crossed exposed terrain under heavy enemy fire and as sisted in the evacuation of num erous casualties, ft added, “Pri vate Griffin’s unselfish heroism reflects great credit vpor. the Army Medical Department.” Reg is still going strong in the thick of the fight, late reports stating that he had beer near en ough to the front to make first hand souvenir collections, in cluding a Nazi flag and several German watches. Court Quits During |First of Two Weeks' Term On Thursday Unbiirr (,rl-' Si\ lo I i'll \ ears; FmirltTn Divorces \ro Grantoil in it Da> -^ After clearing a few criminal cases and granting fourteen divorces, the Martin County Superior Court, man euvering in a skillful fashion fold ed its tent and quit yesterday on the fourth day of a two-weeks’ scheduled term. II could not be learn ed why so many eases were contin ued, but in one or two the parties to the suits were sick and in one or two others certain papers due from the State Supreme Court had not clear ed the mains and new trials were delayed. Judge Q K. Nimocks, scheduled to preside over the second week of the term, and jurymen have been advised that there will be no court next week. Proceedings in the court not prev iously reported, follow: Adjudged guilty of breaking and WWiang a home in Williams Town ship some weeks ago, Ausborn Rog ers was sentenced to the roads for not less than two and not more than five years. His trial, requiring all last Monday afternoon, was follow ed by one that required all of Wed nesday, and it was intimated that the long, drawn-out defense and appar ent misrepresentation of the alleged facts, added to the terms meted out by Judge W. II. S. Burgwyn. Facing five charges, breaking into the Har rison Oil Company, Chas. H. Jen kins' garage, the laundry, Lucian Peel's store and possessing robber implements, Henry Dave Bonds was only tried on the first two counts. He was sentenced to serve not less than six and not more than ten years. Harry Land, a defendant, in the first two cases, was found guilty in the first one and was sentenced to serve not less than three and not more than five years in pi ison. The case charging Melson Otto Reynolds with drunken driving was continued. Completing the trial of the crimi nal docket Wednesday morning, the court cranked up its divorce mill and by lunch time, seven matrimon ial bonds had been broken, seven other divorces following that after noon. Based on two years of separation, absolute divorces were grunted in thirteen cases, as follows: Charles Calvin Ebron against Los sie Brown Ebron, Daisy Thompson against Phillip Thompson, Annie Gray Beacham against Jim Beaeh am, James Everett against Elmora Everett, Charlie I). Brown against Selector Brown, King David Rog (Continued on page six) Seven Cases Heard By Justice Hassell Justice J. L Hassell heard seven cases in his court here recently. Charged with assaulting a female with a deadly weapon, Oscar Byn um was bound over to the county court. Jesse James Cogdell, charged with operating a motor vehicle with im proper lights and without brakes, was fined $10 and taxed with $6 costs. Robert Harrell was bound over to the county court in the case charg ing him wit hoperating a motor ve hii le without a driver's license. Lawrence Wiggins and Albert Wil son were bound over to the county court for trial April 2 for alleged assault with a deadly weapon. Joe Roberson, Williams Township man,was fined $1.50 and required to pay $8.50 costs for allegedly disor derly conduct. Charged with operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license, Howard Cherry was hound over to the county court for trial. John Philpott, charged with dis orderly conduct, was fined $1,50 and required to pay $8.50 costs. Chapter Far Exceeds Red Cross Drive Goal Thirteen Districts In Martin Chapter Exceed Their Coal Total of $8,336.59 Collected Dtirinii Drive En«lin« This Week Completing its annual Red Cross War Fund Drive this week, the Mar tin County chapter raised $8,336.59 or $1,736.59 in excess of its assign ed quota. Expressing great satisfac tion with the work handled by the canvassers and the liberal response on the part of the general public, Fund Chairman V. J. Spivey and Chapter Chairman J C. Manning stated that the amount was the larg est ever contributed in a single cam paign previously, that thirteen of the fifteen districts exceeded their as signed quotas, some by sizable mar gins. No unusually large contributions were received during the drive just ended, but individuals answered the organization’s urgent call in possi bly greater numbers than ever be fore, and as far as it could be learn ed no one refused to contribute to the fund. Record collections were reported in the schools with the little folks in the grammar grades leading with a generous collection of $370.82. The local high school raised $184.40, mak ing a total of $555.12 contributed by the young folks. Williamston's thea ters, through voluntary collections, set a new record when they added $434.89 to the fund. It is difficult to signal out any one district for its support of the drive; all of them did an exceptionally good job, and while two missed their goals their support was worthy and figured prominently in boosting the quota excess. Possibly a few late donations will be received and they will go into the treasury for credit in the next drive, Mr. Spivey said in announcing the 1945 drive complete. A review of the quotas and re sponse by districts follows: Jamesville Williams Griffins Bear Grass Macedonia Williamston Colored Citizei Dardens Ja mesville Williams Woo lard Biggs Smith wick Gorey Bear Grass Burroughs Williamston Quota Amt Ra'cd $ 600 $ 688.24 150 450 450 3950 80 75 60 60 tit) 35 35 35 60 500 165.15 584.80 535.75 10.00 5310.00 81.45 80.00 87 67 67.68 76.70 37.00 42.75 38.02 41.68 489.70 $6600 $8336.59 Individual contributions to the 1945 fund will be acknowledged just as rapidly as possible. The follow ing list is a continuation of those reported in Griffins Township: Mrs. A. C. Roberson and Mrs. Raymond Gurkin, canvassers: Herb ert Leslie Manning, $1; Ira Hardison, $1; Marvin Roberson, $1; John Ed win Manning, $2; W D. Daniel, $1; Archie T. Coltrain, $1; Jim Wiggins, $1; Carrie and Gabe Roberson, $2; Fenner Silverthoine, 50c; John R. Coltrain, $1: Maple Grove Church, $10, Maple Grove Sunday School, $10; W. G. Hardison, $2, P. E. Gestin ger, $1; Connie Baynor, $1.50; Mrs. Bruce Coltrain, $1; Nat Ellis, $1; Fenner Hardison, $1; A Friend, 71c; Mr. and Mrs. N. R. Daniel, $2; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Manning, $5; Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hardison, $2; A. T. Whitley and family, $3; Raymond Gurkin, $2; N S. Roberson, $1; M. W. Bissel, $1; Roy Coltrain, $2; Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Roberson, $2; L. E. Kidd, $1, Pete Hardison, $3; Clyde Lassiter, $2; Justus Coltrain, $1; Ottis Wainright, $1; Rufus Hardison, $1, Henry Corey, $1; Birddie Daniel, $1; Mrs. Ella Lilley, $5; Mrs. Emma Corey, $2; Miss Mary Ann Daniel, $1; Robert Hardison, $1; Bill Gay, $1; N. T. Daniel, $5; Mr. and Mrs. James Harrington, $3; Rufus Corey, $2; Urban Lilley, $1; Anna Coltrain, $1; David Coltrain, $1; James A. Roberson, 15c; Johnson Corey, $1; H A Pierce, $1; Sylvester Hardison, $1; Rufus Coltrain, $1; Arnold Rob erson, $2; Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Man ning, $2; Marvin Leggett, $2; Mrs. Marie Manning, $1; J. A. Ellis, $1; Arthur Roberson, $3; Mrs. Lea Jones, $1; George E. Roberson, $1; Lewis Roberson and family, $3; Mrs. Mag gie Roberson, $1; Mr. and Mrs. Asa Hardison, $2, Mrs. Gertie Corey, $1; W. T. Roberson, $2, Frank Roberson, $1; C. C. Coltrain, $1; Felton Daniel, $1.—Total, $122.86. WOUNDED V J Pfc. Brncst Clifton Hollis, young sou of Mr. and Mrs. Dork Ilollis, KFD 3, Williamston, was seriously wounded in Germany on February 28, according to in formation received from the War Department last week. Fewer Tires Issued By Ration Board Following fairly liberal rations is sued during the past several weeks, the number of tires released by the rationing board in this county drop ped considerably last Friday. It was estimated that the allotment last Friday was cut by about one-third Certificates for the purchase of Grade I tires were issued to the fol lowing: L. D. Roebuck, J II. Roebuck, T. B. Slade, G. P. Hall, S. E. Manning, F. I, Haislip, Minnie Cochran, R. A. Roebuck, .1 I. Wynn, Ophus Bailey, Asa Robert Harris, N. P. Roberson, Harrison Oil Co., W A. Burnett, Rev. T. H. House, J. S. Whitman, J. M. Saunders, II I,. House, Noah W. Slade, James W. Bowen, I) O Weav er, Russell Holliday, ,1. W. Watts, C. II. Beach, Andrew Mobley, Elbert Griffin, James Best, 11. R. Smith, I). I . Hardy, G. I! Savage, I,inwood Cowan, Silas Ijoggett, B. W. Staton, J( ; so Matthews, Joseph Modlin, Clyde Revels, W S. Bailey, Lorie Williams, J, C. Norwood, J. V. Au di ews, ,1. A James, M. W. Bissell, Jack Everett, W. S. Rogerson, Jr., J. Hebei Pei 1, ('. W. Johnson, James B Cherry, E. I). Mi/< lie, Mrs. II. J. Hai slip. Tires for small trucks were issued to the following: Gaines and Kirkman, F. C. Stall ings, Town of Robersonville,. Legion-Sponsored Contest Tonight The American legion Oratorical Cent, st foi' the counties of Gates, Bertie, Northampton, Hertford and Martin will he held in the court house lieic tonight at ft o'clock. The Martin County winner is Per lie Modlin, Jr., who comes from Jarnesville High School. lie will com pete willi the other county winners in this district to determine who will represent this district at Rocky Mount next Monday. The American Legion sponsors an oratorical contest among the high school students of the nation on some phase of the United States con stitution in which thousands of stu dents take part. The national win ner is give $4,01)1; on a college edu cation. Other valuable prizes are given winners in the contest. The public is cordially invited to come and hear these young students speak on our constitution. Preliminary Plans A re Made For Seventh War Bond Drive Preliminary plans for advancing the Seventh War Bond Drive in this district were formulated at a meet ing held in the Branch Banking and Trust Company offices here last Wednesday evening. Mr. Billy Wool ard, well-known banker arid chair man of the bond campaig in this region, met with representatives from this and Washington and Ber tie Counties and outlined the plans for the drive which begins May H and continues thiough June 30. Mr. Woolard explained that indi vidual quotas had not been assign ed, but that the- government was calling for fourteen billion dollars during the drive, that the people would be asked to buy ev< n more bonds than were purchased last November-December in the sixth war loan campaign. “It is possible that we will be asked to invest from 20 to 30 per cent more in “E” bonds i 2? during the coming campaign than did the latter part of last year,” r. Woolard explained. He directed a sincere plea to the representatives, urging them to do all in their power to make the drive a successful one. He complimented the three counties for the splendid record achieved in past drives, and stated that this re gion had exceeded its past quotas by 3fi per cent while the average for the country was 2b per cent in excess of assigned quotas. During the last three drives, this county had a combined “E” bond quota of $826,000 and actually in vi sled $1,102,000. County Chairman H. A. Bowen will call a county meeting the lat ter part of April or eai ly May to complete plans for the drive local ly. During the meantime, every man. woman and child in the county is asked to save every penny and make ready to support the campaign. Announce Sunday Services, In Presbyterian Church Services will be held in the Wil liamston Presbyterian Church Sun day morning at 11 o'clock by Rev. C. W. Sollomon. Topic: “Tilings Broken in Calvary”. Services will also be held by Rev. Mr. Sollomon at Bear Grass at 9:45 a. m.