North Carolina Newspapers

Buy A War Bond TodayAnd Get A Free Ticket To Special Show At Local Theater Wednesday, May 30 NEARLY 4 -m COPIES OF THE ENTERPRISE GOING INTO THE HOMES OF MARTIN COUNTY AND TO COUNTY SERVICEMEN THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME XLVIII—NUMBER 42 W'illiamaton, Marlin County, North Carolina, Friday. May 25. 1915. _ NEARLY 4,000 COPIES OF THE ENTERPRISE GOING INTO THE HOMES OF MARTIN COUNTY AND TO COUNTY SERVICEMEN ESTABLISHE!) 1SW Enemy Defense Line Guarding Capital of Okinawa Is Smashed japs Still Maintain That Big Fleet Force Is Moving Toward Japan ■■ — Tearing through enemy lines on southeastern Okinawa, American forces are pushing to relieve hard pressed Marines and tenth armymen in the heart of Nana, the island capi tal, The move tearing through the defense to the rear of the capital, is seen as the beginning of the end for the Japs on that island. During the nearly two months the Ameri cans have struggled to wrest the island from the Japs, the operation has proved costly. Last night the Japs, in another suicide attack, parachuted to an American-held air field any did considerable damage The campaign on Mindanao is in its mopping-up stage, the island hav ing been cut in two by MacArthur’s men. American authorities are silent, but the Japs still maintain that a large American fleet is steaming from the Marianas possibly toward the coast of Japan. Some observers are of the opinion that something big is brewing, but there is no ink ling from the high command where and when that something big will take place, if it takes place. The Japs are shifting their forces, late reports stating that their armies are being withdrawn from Central China provinces and being rushed to the Manchurian border and to the China coast. During the meantime, devastating attacks by increasing numbers of B-29's are being launched against the Japs. Yesterday, 550 of the Superforts released several hundred thousand fire bombs on Tokyo, leav ing fires that could be seen 200 miles or more away. Our losses in the raid were described as “com paratively heavy”. In the European thpater, thp suicide of Himmler holds the spot light in the latest news. The No. 1 Nazi criminal, trying to impersonate a discharged German soldier, was captured by the British Monday. While being searched and while in his underclothes, he snatched away from the examining doctors and crushed a vial of deadly poison in his mouth, dying about twenty min utes later last Wednesday. In this country, auto manufactur ers have been given the go-ahead signal, and autos will start moving off assembly lines as soon as pos sible after July 1. Some estimate that from one million to two mil lion cars will be made the first year, but they will be rationed. To Sell Poppies In County Tomorrow Once again on Poppy Day, to morrow, May 26, members of the American Legion Auxiliary will dedicate their best efforts to the dis tribution of memorial poppies to the people of Martin County, Mrs. Jno. A. Wa^d. chairman of the commit tee handling the sale, announces. It is one of the ways in which they pay tribute to and keep faith with those who died in the nation’s serv ice ‘The wealing of the poppy has be come a silent pledge, renewed each year, that the oeople of America have not forgotten the responsibility they have been given by their fight ing men of both wars,” Mrs. Waid said. “Many of these men have giv en their lives or their health for us, and it is with deep gratitude to them that we set aside a day on which to honor them and assure them that we remembef our promise.” There is no fixed price for a poppy—whatever is given is wel come. The little boy’s pennies and the business man’s dollar are equal ly acceptable. It is hoped that every citizen in this county and through out the nation will be wearing the crimson badge by nightfall tomor row. Every cent that is given for a poppy goes toward the rehabilita tion of disabled fighting men and to the aid of the children of the dead and disabled. These victims of war’s disaster will be glad to see the poppies blooming on lapels again this year. TOBACCO PLANTS } _/ While no large number of far mers have come into this county from other tobacco belts for plants, a few from as far away as Virginia were here this week getting a supply of plants to offset pronounced shortages in their sections. Farmer A. B. Rogerson, native of this county, was here yester day and carried back to Dinwid die, Va., a large number of plants for his farm there. Most of the unused plants are too large for transplanting, but a few farmers arc still using them for resetting their crops. AUSSIE ARTILLERY FINDS THE MARK ON TARAKAN SMOKE BLOOMS CLIMB SKYWARD as Australian gunners pour their shells into enemy positions in a town on Tarakan Island, off the coast of Borneo. The drive inland was held up for a time by Jap snipers who picked o1* Al!3S‘e fioin hiding places on top of the oil derricks shown here. (International Soundphoto) Basket Factory Unit Burned Early Today f DIES OF WOUNDS Private John H. Andrews, son of Mr. Ed Andrews, KFI) Rober sonvilie, and the late Mrs. Charlie Edmondson Andrews, died on April 14 of wounds re ceived in action in Germany on April 12. Eleven Colored Men Reported This Week For Final Induction Dcliiuiiii'iit willi Draft Board One Married Man Incliid* ed in the Group Eleven Martin County colored men reported to Fort Bragg last Monday for final induction. A twelfth man, Raymond Henderson, of RFD 1,1 Jamesvjlle and Baltimore, was trans ferred to the Maryland city for final induction there. The original call was for only ten men, hut the elev enth man was delinquent with his draft hoard and although he was married and father of three chil dren and about thirty years of age he was included in the group He was the only married mar. in the group. Nine of the eleven men leav ing here were in their teen ages, most of them having reached their eighteenth birthday only in recent months. Only three of the twelve men included in the call came from the farm. Names of the men answering the call this week and their registration and last-given addresses follow: Allen Brown, Jr., Robersonville. William Bluford Wilson, RFD 2, Robersonville. Harry Daniels, RFD 2, Roberson ville and Baltimore. James Lee Ampley, Robersonville. Arthur James Briley, Norfolk and Robersonville. Osborn Williams, Williamston. Kelly Wallace, Everetts. Perry Bryant, RFD 1, Oak City. Charles Irving Stokes, RFD 2, Wil (Continued on page six) - County Youth Improving In A Hospital Overseas Seriously wounded in Germany on April 10, Pvt. George Jame^ is show ing normal improvement, according to his father who visited here yester day morning. The message was re ceived from the War Department just a few days ago, Mr. James stat ing that they had not heard direct ly from their son who was at the time the message was sent still in ' a hospital in France. Damage to Machines And Buildings Will Total About $15,000 —®— Firr Checked JiibI Ah It Swept Toward the Main Factory -- Its origin not definitely known, fire early this morning destroyed the machinery and buildings where basket bottoms were made at the large plant of the Williamston Pack age Manufacturing Company near Roanoke River. No official estimates could be had immediately, but the loss will approximate $15,000, accord ing to one report released by the owners shortly after the fire was brought under control. The night shift had just closed down for a midnight lunch and Fore man Arthur Shaw went by the unit adjoining the main factory and when he returned from the office the fire was burning rapidly. There was some delay in sounding the alarm, but the mill whistle was heard and someone near the plant called in the alarm. By the time volunteer fire men reached the plant the building with a quantity of dried lumber ma terial in it was throwing off so much heat that firemen’s hands were blis tered while trying to connect hose lines to the nearby fire hydrant. While the unit was just about burn ed to the ground along with several pieces of costly machinery and elec tric equipment, the firemen brought the fire under control just as it was sweeping toward the main factory unit a few feet away. Firemen were away from the department station more than two hours. It is possible that sparks from the boiler smoke stacks fired some of the dry shavings and started the fire, one plant employee reasoned. The new unit to the plant has been in the process of construction for several months, and most of the machines and equipment were de livered after long delays. The fac tory had made a large supply of ma terial for heavy basket bottoms, and was in the process of changing its other machinery to fit the improv (Continued on page six) -® Firemen Called To Mill Commissary Lust Tuesday -<S> Blowing under the floor, burning paper fired the commissary at the Williamston Lumber Company on the Washington Road here last Tues day noon. Very little damage was done. BRONZE STAR l J S/Sgt. Leslie T. (Pete) Fow den was recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritor ious service in Germany. The medal was pinned on the local young man by Major General Leland S. Hobbs, commanding general, 30th Infantry Division, 9th U. S. Army, during a brief pause at Magdeburg, Germany. The local young man has been in the thick of the fight begin ning soon after D-Day from St. Lo to tiie end of the struggle in Europe. Announcing the award, the Public Relations Section, U. S. Army, did not mention a defi nite citation. WOUNDED l Chief Ernest II. Deal, former Hamilton boy, was wounded in the Pacific theater a short time ago, according to a message re ceived by his mother, Mrs. Sel ma Staton Deal, of Hamilton and Baltimore. The nature of his injuries could not be learn ed, but the message stated that he was in a hospital somewhere in the Pacific theater awaiting transportation to the States. Believed to have been on a destroyer when he was injured, the young man is the son of the late John Deal of Georgia and Hamilton, and Mrs. Selma Sta ton Deal, and a sister of Mrs. Marjory Long, now of Baltimore. Over Hundred Tires JAllotted In County —— The first effect victory in Europe had on the home front is reflected in the increase in thg number of tires released by the Martin County War Price and Rationing Board. Ov er one hundred tires—91 for cars and 13 for trucks—were issued last Friday night. Grade I tires were issued to the following: H. L. Roebuck, Henry Hollis, A. T. Perkins, C. C. Hollis, Geo. C. Grif fin, Carl Wynne, M. L. Roberson, J. F Flanagan, C B. Savage, Geo W Lassiter, E. N. Harrell, I F. Keel, Mis. W. R. Rogerson, Highway Pa trol, W. L Pollard, Fenner Respass, A. C. Kirby, R. W. Wilson, N. R Rogerson, J. J. Bennett, Willie Butts, Ernest L. Owens, T. W. Ange, A. Corey, Johnnie W. Rogerson, Herbert Winchester, C. G. Crockett, F L. Hai slip, Peccolia Pitt, J. W. Perkins, Ro sa Elizabeth Williams, Solomon Hy man, J B. Harrington, J. H. Moor ing, Alonza Revels, Sgt. L. J. Whiles, H. D. Prichard, E. G. Anderson, Leo J. Everett, Dalton Rogerson, Raleigh D. Lilley, Arthur Johnson, Hubert M. Pope, Luther Clark, Dr. R. G. Hicks, Sol Mobley, W. B. Scott, M. F. Van Nortwick, Garland Whitley, C. H. Ayers, David H. Mizelle, E. C. Edmondson, Mayo Hardison, Wil liam Bland, Wm. H. Roberson, G. H. Manning, Charlie Rogers, Fred L. Chesson, G. C. Ray, J. L. Wynn, Wil mer Biggs, W. G. Perry, F. C Wil liams, Royal Gurganus, Herry Gur vin, Mrs. Carrie Williams, J. D. Har rison, Jr., J. M. Cratt, Mrs. S. W. Mendenhall, Paul Barber, J. D. Thrower, Jr., C. L. Green, C. H. Beach, J. D. Hodgens, J. W. Cherry, J. G. Rawls, J. W. Green, C, T Smith, Roland Griffin, Woolard Furniture Co., Sanford Cordon, A. C. Bailey, Rufus Lynch, B. S Court ney, Martin County Transfer Co., A. E. Manning. Truck tires were issued to the following: Harrison Oil Co., J. B. Barnhill, J. E. Andrews, G and H Builders Sup ply Co., Lindsley Ice Co., W. 1. Skin ner aaJ^jpD., N. C.^Green, agent. Four Cases Heard By Justice Hassell -■$>.. .— Justice J. L. Hassell handled four leases in his court here this week. Hattie Rascoe, charged with being drunk and disorderly, was required , to pay $8 50 costs. I Charged with throwing bricks on Pearl Street, Alme'a Rogers and I Beatrice Rogers were taxed with $5.50 costs each. | The case charging Francis Biggs Howard with larceny and receiving I was sent to the county court for trial |with the defendant under bond in the sum of $100. Eli Raynor, charged with being 1 drunk and disorderly, was required 'to pay $9 50 costs. Pvt. \\ m. Etheridge Fells of Experiences As Prisoner Of War Recalls Hardships Suffered on Forced Marches In Germany In apparent good health and en joying a 60-day furlough at home with relatives and friends in the county, Pvt. William J. Etheridge, talking a hit conservatively, while on a visit here Wednesday with his father, recalled a few of his exper iences and told of some of the hard ships suffered while a prisoner of war in Germany from February 6 to April 1. While the young man ap parently has no love for the Ger mans, he expressed no bitter hatred or malice against his captors, point - mg out that possibly the old guards in his camp treated him and the up proximately 3,300 other prisoners as well as they could. The young sol dier, a very pleasant talker and pointing out that he was indeed more fortunate than many others, talked with many who had not fared so well and added that he had heard about horrible treatment received by Americans at the hands of the Ger mans. Young Etheridge, the son of Mr. D. W. Etheridge of near Hassell, and one of three brothers in the armed forces, entered the service only last August. Ho spent Christmas at home and a few days later he was in Eng land. Hy early February he had traveled across France and Belgium and on the sixth of that month he was in an advance position in the Siegfried line. It was while they sought cover in the cellar of an old abandoned home that they were sur rounded, trapped and captured late in the afternoon after holding out a greater part of the day between the artillery fire from both American and enemy guns. A long trek estimated at about 85 miles was started, the group walking the entire distance through snow and cold except for a train ride across the Rhine. Three weeks were spent at Limburg, and it was there that the young man and Ins companions experienced the first real hardships. Deplorable conditions existed, the young man declared, adding that they were soon contaminated with lice, that there was not adequate fuel for fires and that they slept on the floor with only one blanket. While he did not see them, Red Cross officials visited the camp and demanded better conditions for the prisoners. A short time later they started their second hike of about 85 miles to Badorh prison. They start ed the march with one Red Cross parcel to be shared by two men. The package contained two loaves of bread, some cheese, can of meat, powdered eggs, condensed milk and desserts. The Germans furnished them four meals on the long trip, in cluding a cup of hot tea each rnorn (Continued on page six) Successful Bond Rally at Everetts —*— Cross Roads citizens, meeting in j the Everetts school auditorium last Wednesday evening, struck a very liberal note when they offered the j current war bond drive a strong support. Reporting on the bond ral ly, the first held in the county so far in the Seventh War Loan Drive, Chairman Paul Bailey announced that total sales of $15,325 were han dled or pledged at the rally. About forty prizes were offered, and sales ranging from $25 to $1,600 reported. Sherwood L. Roberson, co chairman of the drive in the county, served ably as auctioneer. Approximately one-half the bonds sold were of the “E” type, leaving the township just about $2,000 or $2,500 short of its "E” bond goal. Chairman Bailey, expressing his appreciation for the cooperation and support given the rally, states that he is fairly certain the drive will reach and pass its goal long before the campaign ends the last of June. BOND SHOW r •N V J With the cooperation of the Marco Theater here, H. A. Bow en, local township war bond drive chairman, has scheduled a special picture for showing in the Haughton Street theater next Wednesday night at 8:30 o’clock. Any one purchasing a war bond between now' and next Wednes day evening will be given a free ticket to the show. The sale of war bonds has been dragging loeally this week, and the chairman is anxious to boost the sales. The people of this community as well as those in other sections are urged to buy a bond now and get a free ticket to the show. Remember, the war isn’t over, and until it is over, the people on the home front are expected to buy bonds. Fewer Boys And Girls Graduating In County I LIBERATED v__/ T/Sgt. Eli Clayton Rogers, held prisoner by the Germans since May 1, 1943, has been re turned to military control, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Rog ers, West Main Street, William ston, were notified late yester day by the War Department. No details were offered. The young man was first reported wound ed and missing, and then a mes sage received by bis parents on May 12, stated that he was a prisoner of war. lie wrote his first letter on May 29 and it uais received the following Novem ber. During the course of the next twelve months, he wrote fairly often, hot no word had been heard from him directly since last December 21. Judge Calvin Smith Calls Eight Cases In The County’s Court Jail Terms IMcled tint Ami Heavy Fine* Imposed In Several (lases -'* Willi only eight cases on the doc ket, Judge J, Calvin Smith and So licitor Paul 1). Roberson completed their work and adjourned the regu lar session of the Martin County Recorder’s Court in less than two liours last Monday. A fair-sized crowd of colored citizens was pres ent. No unusual cases were on the docket, md as a whole the proceed ings attracted very little attention Judge Smith cracked down on al ieged violators of the liquor laws, meting out jail terms and imposing heavy fines in one or two of the cases heard during the brief ses sion. Proceedings: The case charging N S Godard with an assault with a deadly weapon was no! pressed. Pleading not guilty in the case charging him with non support, Paul Harrell was adjudged not guilty. Judgment was suspended upon the payment of the court costs in the case charging Maude Joyner Ward with operating a motor ve hicle without a driver’s license Halils Peel, pleading guilty in the ease charging him wilh speeding, was sentenced to the roads for sixty days. The sentence was suspended upon the payment of a $15 fine and the costs of the case. The court also ordered the defendant to he regu larly employed for one year. Charged with violating the liquor laws, Jim Modica pleaded guilty of possessing illegal liquor. He was sentenced to the roads for four months, the court suspending all but the first seven days of the sen fence upon the payment of a $65 fine and the court costs. The judg ment also provided that the defend (Continued on page six) Local Boys Meet In March Into Austria Marching with his company pre sumably into Austria a short time be fore victory in Europe, Pfc. M. Lu ther Peel heard his name called. He hadn’t heard his name called in a long time and at first he hardly rec ognized it. Locking up, he saw S. C Griffin, Jr., another Williamston boy, sitting astride a jeep beside the road. The meeting was brief. In a letter written since victory in Europe to his parents here, Pfc. Peel stated he was getting along all right, that while lie knew the people back home were happy over victory and j that they were glad it was over, they were still thinking of those buddies who fell right up to and through the eleventh hour. First In Series Of ( losing Events To Be Held on Sunday Fm-t <*f I'loprnni* Sclieduled For Friday of Nov! \\ <*rk Tile several white schools in the county will hold the first in the cries of closing exercises on Sunday, May 27, when chosen ministers will deliver commencement sermons to the lit!) graduates, the several thousand other students, patrons and friends. For the most part, regular church service schedules will be al tered in I ivor of the school events. Most of the o nnons will be heard at the 11 o'clock morning hour, but two schools have scheduled the first in the series of everts for Sunday afternoon. No elaborate programs are being planned this year to mark the com pletion of high school activities for the HO graduates. Next year there will lie no graduation exercises in the high schools since the rising sen iors will have to clear the twelfth grade before their high school work is completed. As tar as it could be learned here no definite programs have been plan ned for tho several white elimentary schools, but the pupils will partici pate iu the district high schools. Gold I’oint is arranging a barbecue dinner for its pupils, patrons and a few in vited guests, but no events have been .scheduled at Everetts, Hassell and Hamilton. The size of the graduating classes with possibly one exception is the smallest in several years. Some of the pupils were dialled into the serv ice before they could complete the course of study and graduate while others quit for war (a- farm jobs or just dropped by the wa\ ide. The schedule of closing exercises in the several high school , in this county follows: Jamcsvilie Rev. Paul 13 Nickens, Baptist min ister of Plymouth, will deliver the cummenernu nt sermon in the Jamcsvilie school auditorium Sun day evening at 8:30 o'clock Gradua - tion exercises will be held Thurs day evening, May 31, ,t 8:30 o’clock when the twenty seniors hold their class exercises. No visiting speaker will have a part in the program. Farm Life Rev. ,1 M Perry Robersnnvill* (Continued on page six) Local Boy Has Part In Plain* Maneuvers Sun Francisco, Calif. Lt. (jg) Hurras A. Critcher, Jr.. USNR, 24, of 111 Watts Street, Williamston, N. C. was one of the Navy pilots who took part in a simulated, but real istic, demonstration of a Navy style carrier delivered air attack on the IJSS Delta Queen, ferry boat, in San Francisco Bay, recently. He destroyed four airborne planes during his 41 combat missions in the Pacific. He made one of the first fire bomb drops on Peleliu and was one of four pilots to force seven fight < i s to drop bombs and run for home on November 5, 1044, off Luzon. He lias been awarded tMe Air Medal with one gold star and the Distin guished Flying Cross. More than 500 UNCIO delegates, newspaper and radio correspondents and commentators were aboard the USS Delta Queen to witness the demonstration of techniques that have proved so successful against the Japanese in the Pacific war. The impressive attack was deliv ered by two Carrier Air Groups, both of which are training in this area. Using more than 150 Hellcat fighters, Helldiver dive-bombers and Avenger torpedo planes, the air groups utilized the same tactics which have largely been responsible for the heavy losses suffered by the enemy. The concentrated attack on the USS Delta Queen lasted almost thirty minutes. EXTEND CALL r J Meeting :n their church audi torium here last Wednesday eve ning, local Baptists extended a call to l)r Ira D. S. Knight, pas tor of the West Faint Beach Bap tist Church. No reply has been received as far as it could be learned here early today. I)r. Knight, a former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Durham, preached in the local church on Sunday, April 15. Retiring after faithfuil serv ing the church for many years during two pastorates, Dr. W. R. Burrell is temporarily supplying the local pulpit.