Newspapers / The enterprise. / Dec. 9, 1947, edition 1 / Page 1
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I ilHE ENTERPRISE IS READ BE j OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT! FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEES ■ THE ENTERPRISE —■—— -- THE ENTERPRISE IS READ B1 OVER 3.0M MARTIN COUNT1 FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEES VOLUME L—NUMBER 98 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, December 9, 1947 ESTABLISHED 1899 Gets Ten Years For Breaking Into Home Superior Court Expected To End Its Work Today ! - % “■Fifteen-Man Jury” Passes Judgment In Divorce Case Monday The Martin County Superior Court, opening a one-week term Monday morning, handled a full day’s work even though it got off to a late start, and there was a good possibility that the docket would be cleared in time for ad journment late this afternoon. Most of the defendants in the few cases docketed pleaded guil W.ty. and judgment was delayed in oil but two or three unitl today. The grand jury, more or less permanent, heard no charge. Judge Clawson Williams, presid ing over the term, directing the jurymen to call on the court for any information it needed and all help possible would be offered. Without delay the grand jury moved out with Mr. Oscar Daniel as its foreman, and the petit jury moved in with three extras hold ing a seat within the jury box lading. A divorce case, based on two-year separation grounds, was called with W. E. Nolley as plain tiff and Ruth S. Nolley as defend ant. The u^ual evidence was of fered. the plaintiff stating that the couple were married on Novem ber 3. 1934. that they were separ ated in September. 1945. and that there were no cnildren born to the union. The issues were read to the jury after all the evidence was in and when the court asked the jury if the issues were accept able. to raise their hands in af firmation. The twelve men in the box raised their hands, and so did the three extras raise their hands. There was no added cost for the extra majority. Roy Lanie'-, 57-year-old colored man, charged with first degree burglarly. entered a plea of nolo contendre as to breaking and en tering, went before the court with a good character. Taking the stand, Harry S Peel whose home the defendant entered in the night time about two months ago at Hamilton, said that Mrs. Peel was at home at the time, that she heard someone open the front door, that when she received a mumble for an answer she ran out the back door. "I returned home from up town about that time, and saw the man in the hall. 1 follow ed him to the bedroom and knock ed him down and out,” the wit ness said, explaining that he then dragged the man out of doors and turned him over to Cpl. T. Fear ing and Patrolman B. W. Parker. Peel told the court that his wife was badly frightened but that she was not harmed. The witness also said that Lanier was a good worker, that he (Lanier) wander ed around when drunk and had been known to enter other homes under similar circumstances. ‘‘La nier ate a meal in the Chesson home at Oak City and he was said to have entered the Keel and was said to have entered the Keel and Harrell homes also while un der the influence of liquor,” the witness told the court, adding that he did not recall when those visits were made. Peel also said that Lanier was all, right when sober, that the man was easy to get .along with, that he was very hum ble. Patrolman parxer told now ne and the patrol corporal had pick ed up Lanier and placed him in ■the county jail. Officer Edmond Early recalled Harrell homes also while un other homes, but said he had heard of no other violations. La nier had served on the roads twice, it was pointed out. The defence offered J. B. Whit field as a character witness, and he said that he had never known move mannerly person when Lamer was sober The mart was humble and a hard worker when sober, the witness said. The de fense, its case builded on charac ter, addressed .he bench and ’suggested that probation would solve the problem. Judge Wil liams said that he would not put (Continued on page eight) r ENDED The annual Farm Bureau membership drive was form ally ended in this county last Friday evening when a final report on the drive was sub mitted by the secretary at a meeting of the canvassers in the courthouse. According to the report, 2.085 members were signed up during the drive, the number topping the last year count by five. Farmers E. V. Smith and H. U. Peel will represent the county at the national con vention, and Farmer Mayo Hardison is going as a guest of the state organization. They leave by special train on Fri day of this week for Chicago. 4-H Clubs Hold Achievement Day The 4-H Clubs of Martin Coun ty hold their annual Achievement Day Saturday. December 6, in the county court room. Clubs repre sented at this meeting were: Bear Grass, Jr., Bear Grass, Sr., Ever etts. Farm Life, Hamilton, Hassell, Jamesville, Oak City, Williamston, Jr., and Williamston, Ind. The Oak City 4-H Club had the larg est membership representation and won the gave! for attendance. This is the second year in succes sion it has been won by this club. | Celia Stokfs, Oak City, presid ed over the meeting and Edith | Rogerson of the Bear Glass club, acted as secretary in the absence (of the County Council secretary, i The program was opened with the | singing of “Joy To The World” | followed by the club pledge. Rev. : John L. Goff gave the devotional. |Greetings were brought by Mr. C. Abram Roberson of Robersonville. I Edith Rogerson. Bear Grass, re sponded. This was followed by reading of the minutes and roll call by clubs Reports of the out standing 4-H activities of the year wei4 given by Corrone Bryant, Wildlife Camp: Celia Stokes, Elec tric Congress; and 4-11 Short Course. Amanda Faye Rogerson. The Oak City trio rendered spec ial music. Assistant County Agent J. W. Sumner introduced the guest speaker, Rev, Paul Nickens, of Plymouth. Rev. Nickens enter tained the 4-H'ers with magic. This was greatly enjoyed by all those present. The following county winners were announced and certificates and medals were given: Mary Ola Lilley, senior dress revue winner; Lena Bennett, junior dress revue winner; Mary Ola Lilley, clothing achievement and girls’ records; Rachel Gurkin. room improve ment; Edith Rogerson, canning achievement; Celia Stokes, better electric methods; Howard Ben nett, better electric methods, and Billy Bailey, meat animals. Other winners were Dan Clark poultry; and Joe Roebuck, garden. Winners in the hybrid corn con test were announced as follows: S25 first prize, Mayhue Bailey; $20 second pi ize, Berry House, Jr.; $15 third prize. Carrone Bryant; $10. fourth prize. James Cratt; $5 fifth prize. Melton Lilley. The prizes were given by the Guaran ty Ban); and Trust Company as sponsors of the contest. Voluntarily Aids Recruiting Work ———— R. Frank Everett, young Ham ilton man and World War II vet eran. has been appointed volun teer recruiting officer for the U. S. Marine Corps in this immediate section. He has been authorized to effect enrollments and adminis ter enlistment oaths for 1he Vol unteer Mai.np, Corps Reserve* Men between the age of 17 atu^?? ' cars, or older if veterans, inter ested in the service are asked to contact Lt. Everett in Hamilton. During the last war the young man saw service at Kiska, Tarawa. ; Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa, and 'earned a battle field promotion to second lieutenant on December 20, 1944. Two Accidents On' County Highways During Week-end ■ ♦— Orcupmil^ Miraculously Es cape Uninjured In Two Rather Serious Wrecks Occupants in four automobiles! figuring in accidents on the high ways of this county last week-end miraculously escaped uninjured, investigating patrolmen declaring they were pubbled to understand how no one was killed much less how all escaped without hardly a scratch or a bruise. Both of the accidents were re ported on N. C. Highway No. 125, one near Williamston and the other between Oak City and Ham ilton. Last Saturday evening about 6:15 o’clock Nathaniel Boston was driving his eld model car toward Williamston and was reported to have overrun the middle of the road and plowed into the 1936 model car driven by Lucy Brown, i Boston's car nosed the other car [around, leaving it heading in the | direction of Williamston. The Bos ton car came to a stop 36 steps down the highway and stopped With the front headed toward Hamilton. Investigating officers, I Patrolmen Saunders, Parker and | Narron. estimated the damage to | both cars at $200 to each car. Bos ton, charged with reckless and I drunken driving, was alleged to jhave carried a small quantity of illiiclt liquor in his car, the offic ers finding a half-gallon contain er broken. He is slated to face the courts next Monday. Sunday evening about 8:30 o'clock. Joe Mobley, accompanied by Mrs. Mobley and their young baby and hi s sister, was driving toward Hamilton from Oak City when Zora Desmond Cox. driving a Plymouth car, started to make a left-hand turn into his drive way. The Mobley Ford knocked the Plymouth olf the - highway, ployed into a ditch, jumped into the air and tlew about 21 feet, fin ally coming to a stop about 130 feet from the scene of the crash. Several of the occupants in the Ford were slightly shocked, but ] there were no injuries. Damage | to the Mobley car was estimated I at $200 and that to the Cox car at $75 or $100. Investigating the accident, Cpl Fearing and Patrolmen Parker, Rowe and Narron, charged Cox with making a left turn without (Continued on page eight) o - j Agree On Use Of High School Gym - — ♦— - Meeting in the office of the school chairman, R. L. Coburn, last Thursday evening, members of the committee, including W. Iv erson Skinnei, Marvin Britton, C. B. Clark, Sr., ana the chairman, reached an agreement with repre senfotivt-; r-f, the several civic clubs whereby the high school gym may be used for independent basketball games and dances. The agreement, amicably advanced, calls for a $10 rental for basket ball games promoted by interests outside the schools, and a $25 ren tal for dances. The dances are to be sponsored only by local civic clubs and there is not limit to the number. It was agreed that the commit tee is to furnish the services of a janitor, lights and hot water. Heat is to be included if and when the school equips the gymnasium with a heating plant. At the present time, private interests have a heating plant in toe building, but it was not made clear who'll pay the heating bill under the present setup. Representing the civic organiza tions at the meeting were, D. V. Clayton, _R. H. Cowen, Ernest Mears, J. H. Edwards, J. L. Har ris, John H Gurganus, Exurn Ward. Sam Woolford, I. M. Mar golis, Paul S'mpson and Edgar Gurganus. -o-— r.nTitil?i7tislbi'Vonilions "" Ate Being Installed The first of the 1947 Christmas decorations are being installed | here. The Jaycees are again erecting the Nativity scene in the Presbyterian church yard and a crew is placing holiday lights in |the streets. County Officials Are Called Before Court i Certified Copy Of Jury Report To School Head Details Not Immediately! Aired In Open Court This Week The receipt of grand jury re ports, regarded more or less as a mere formality for all these years, attracted more than passing atten tion yesterday afternoon after Clerk L. B. Wynne read the find ings and reviewed in open court the jury’s recommendations. Judge Clawson Williams, pre siding over the one-week term of mixed court, leaned forward a bit when that part of the report rec ommending a new fire escape for the Williamston grammar school was read, but it was Paragraph No. 10 that brought forth action. In that paragraph the jury said, "In our visit to the county home we noticed that the suggested re pairs in the last several reports have not been made. These re pairs are needed very badly.’’ When Clerk Wynne finished reading the report. Judge Wil liams meditated for a minute or more, the court room maintaining pin silence. Without comment, Judge Wi liams said, ‘ Mr. Clerk address a certified copy of this report to the chairman of the Martin County Board of Education and to the superintendent of schools. And issue instant subpoenas directing the county commissioners to ap pear before the court Tuesday morning at 0:30 o'clock." The ac tion look the courtroom by sur prise, but the jurist continued, ‘ Several reports recommending certain repairs be made. The work hasn't been done. The officials have no right to stand bv and al low property damage through ne gligence," he said, and added. "Mr. Solicitor I older you and I’m not suggesting, that you bring indict ments if the work is not done by the next term.” The judge ex pressed his thanks to the jury for its thoroughness aftd told the members that they were subject to be recalled duiing the current term. The commissioners’ side of the story was not immediately ad vanced, but it is quite certain that (Continued on page eight) I ROlJM)-lJP i v,/ The crime front in this county was on the quiet side for the most part last week end, the number of jail cases reaching a new low for the fail sea.son. Only four persons , were arrested and detained in j the county jail during the period, two for public drunk enness, and one each for car- I rying a concealed weapon and operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license. All four were colored and their ages ranged from 19 to 49 years. GETS AWARD Attending the annual meet ing of the National Associa tion of County Agricultural Agents in Chicago last week, Tom B. Brandon of this coun ty was given the coveted and distinguished association award for long and efficient service to the agricultural in dustry. The award, one of seven now held in this state, was signed by II. M. Nicholas, president. Destroyed Twelve Plants In County —<*.— Twelve illicit distilleries were destroyed in this county in Nov ember by ABC Officer Joe H. Roe buck and Deputy Roy Peel, the of ficers pointing out that the illicit business flared up during the period following months of little activity on the manufacturing front. About one-third of the plants were equipped with copper kettles, but most of them were us ing old oil barrels for stills. The officers poured out twelve gallons of white liquor and 1,75(1 gallons of sugar beer or mash. Raiding in Robersonville Town ship last Friday, Officers Roe buck, Peel and Holloman found and wrecked a partial plant in the Gold Point area. Appar ently limited preparations have been made by the illicit manufacturers in the county for the holiday business, possibly, be cause they did not fee! equal to the enforcement wor k relentlessly carried on by the officers. * iwo Cars Damaged At An Intersection * -4 No ono was hurt and no great damage resulted when two cars crashed at the intersection of Haughton and Main Streets here last Thursday evening at 7:3(J o’clock. Investigating the minor acci dent, members of the local police force stated that the 1946 Dodgi coupe owned and driven by Wm F. Scott of Greenville was dam aged to the extent of about $75 About $25 damage was done to J E. Pope’s Chevrolet. Urge Patrons To Shop And Mail Early This Christmas 4 To make certain that no one will be disappointed when gift packages are opened, Postmaster W. E. Dunn is urging all postal patrons to shop and mail early for Christmas. Only fifteen days are left to handle the task, and it is next to impossible to clear the Christmas business if all wait un I til the very last minute to call on the department. Postmaster Dunn points out that j the handling of Christmas mail | will be greatly facilitated if per Isons careuhly prepare "tben pack- j j ages and cards. The patrons are asked to wrap all packages se curely, sealing them only if a printed endorsement appears on the wrapper The endorsement reads, “Contents, Merchandise — Postmaster; This parcel may be I opened for postal inspection if | necessary.” Parcels not so inai k- ^ ed when sealed are subject to pos tage at the letter rate. Packages must be limited to 100 inches or less in length and girth combined and the weight limit is 70 pounds Christmas seals or stickers 1 not be placed on the ad u Je of mail. Patrons will sav>_ mselves time and help speed up the service by buying postage stamps in advance. The department recommends that all packages be insured. Christmas mail addressed It persons in mTfanTTTaTessHmjTdTx mailed at once, and mail for local distribution during the holiday season should be sent by the early part of next week to guarantee delivery before Christmas. The department will appreciate the cooperation of its patrons in handling the tremendous business this holiday season. Issue Twenty-Five! Licenses To Wed In Martin County Issuance Last Month Was The Third Lurgest Re* ported During Year Twenty-five marriage licenses were issued in this county last I month, the issuance being the third largest reported so far this year. The licenses were issued, thir teen to white and twelve to color ed couples, as follows: White Howard Keel, RFD 3. Williams ton, and Thelma Hardison, RFD 1. Robersonville. Garlancl'L. Taylor, RFD 2, Wil liamston, and Elvin Lee Silvcr thorne, RFD 3, Williamston. William C. Roberson and Doris Bcddard, both of Williamston. Melvin Ray Edwards, RFD 3, Williamston, and Daisy Griffin of Williamston. Howard B. Cone and Frances Elizabeth Parker, both of Wil liamston. Delbert Junior Davis, RFD 1, Williamston, and Myrtle Mandy Bullock, RFD 1, Robersonville. Roy Vance Thomas, 404 C St., Copeland Park, Newport News, Va., and Bernice Muril Pierce, of Williamston. j C. D. Bratton and Mary C. Ow ens, both of Plymouth. Joseph S. Briley. RFD 1, Bethel, and Edna Louise Harrison, RFD 3, Williamston. Jesse Lawrence Peel and Lil lian C. Buchanan, both of Wil liamston. Lloyd J. Sampson of Norfolk and Alice Gardner, RFD 3, Wil liamston. Jesse Reuben Brown, RFD 3, Williamston and Dorothy Dean Bullock, RFD 1, Robersonville. Jodie Hardison and Hester Faye Price, both of RFD 2, Williams ton. Colored Maurice Brown and Willie Mae Person, RFD 2, Williamston. Hudson Best and Beatrice Bel lamy, both of Robersonville. Junior William.1-' and Mattie Best, both of Robersonville. Nathaniel Thomas of Roper and Etta Morgan of Plymouth. Roosevelt Andrews and Sarah (Continued on page eight) Youth Center Is Reopened Here Closed for a short period when operating funds became exhaust ed, the local youth center, main tained in the Legion Hut on Watts Street, was opened last Saturday evening, and tentative plans were advanced for its operation during the remainder of this month. The Youth Recreation Commit tee met last Friday evening in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Garland G. Woolard in Martin Heights to discuss ways and means of keep ing the Youth Center open Dis cussing many plans as to how to supplement the funds provided by the town, the group finally agreed that, arrangements be made to secure sufficient funds to operate the center until a city wide effort could be made to pro cure such funds. The middle of January was chosen as the best time to give both parents and business concerns the opportun ity of making available this much needed recreational facility. A great cry went up from “Ramah” last week when it was announced that the center would be closed because of a lack of funds. Many boys and girls were heard to say, ‘‘What can we do now?” Gaining in attendance and importance, the center must some how be kept open, it was declared by the commitUee. Peanut Referendum Vote Off To Slow Start Here -o Preliminary report* this morn ing stated that the voting in the peanut referendum was off to a slow start. However, a fairh^sh: ablc vote ia still being piedieieui According to some estimates well over 2,000 votes will have been cast before the voting places close at 6:00 o'clock this evening. Martin County farmers are also voting on community committee men and delegates to the county agricultural convention to be held here tomorrow. Sustains Injunction In Water Case Here j TOY COLLECTION | <„-. The first canvass for used toys, conducted late yesterday by the Jaycees met with fair success here, it was learned today. A second collection will be made next Sunday afternoon, beginning- at 2:30 o’clock and the people of the town are ernestly urged to support it. During the mean time, toys will be accepted by T. F. Davenport at the Williamston Motor Company. The Jaycees plan to hold a Christmas party for the needy children of the community possibly the latter part of next or early the following week. Time is short and the need is greater than it was a year ago. All are asked to help. White Cane Sale Proves Successful At their regular monthly meet ing, held last Thursday night, members of the board of directors of the local Lions Club heard a report from the chairman of the White Can sale, in which it was brought out that the club met its quota of $210. or $3.00 per mem ber. One hundred percent par ticipation of the club members was lacking, but thanks to the ex tra efforts of some members the quota was met. Leading sales man was Lion "Shag” Abernathy, who sold his bangles for $38.25, with Lions Fletcher G. Thomas and D. V. Clayton in second and third places, selling $31 00 and $20.00 worth respectively. Business handled by the direc tors consisted of the setting of "Bosses' Night," January 8th, at which time each member will take his wife to the regular meeting. The directors approved the ap propriation of $80.00 for the School Boy Safety Patrol, and $50.00 for work among the 4 H club boys and girls of the county. Twenty-five dollars was authoriz ed for use in connection with transporting the members of scout troop No. 29 to camporees. The board appointed a commit tee to investigate the plight of a blind and deaf citizen of the coun ty, and report to the club at its next meeting. The meeting was held at the home of Lion H P. Mobley, and followed a steamed oyster supper held in the back yard. Lions J. H. Edwards and B. G. Stewart were hosts along with Lion Mobley. Those present in addition to this trio included Lions D. V. Clayton, E. R. Frone berger, E. S. Mears, E. L. Ward, Jr., W. Clyde Griffin, R. Homer Barnhill, J. H. Harrell, K. D. Wor rell, Jas, E. Bullock, C J. Good man and W. B. Gaylord and Wheeler Manning. Closing Street For Auto Tests Smithwick Street from Church to the High School will be closed to general traffic on Friday morn ing of this week from 9:15 unti 11:00 a. m. while special tests arc made with automobiles to estab lish braking speeds, Chief of Po lice W. T. Simpson announced to day. Owners are asked to move their cars from the designated area and all are asked to cooperat in hand ling the tests. A special representative will work with high school pupils in stressing traffic safety. The tests will show how long it take a driv ed to stop a cur traveling at vari ous speeds. Small Vote Cast Cor Conservation Croup 'A'Very saiallf vote was cast ill this county last week for mem hers of the Martin County Soi Conservation Committee. Com plete reports had not been receiv ed from all the boxes early today but the results will be announced later in the week, Mr. H. F. Mc Knight, of the service, said this morning Judge Would Not Abate Appeal By Defense Counsel —<*.— Action Directs Defense To Disconnect Tap Front Water Lines An injunction blocking the "promiscuous" tapping of the town’s water lines was granted be fore Judge Clawson Williams in the superior court here late yes terday afternoon when defendants in the case of the town against the owners-nperators of Roberson i Slaughter House were given no alternative except to disconnect [certain taps made to the town’s water supply. After hearing both sides during the better part of an hour, Judge Williams expressed the opinion that the town was under obliga tion first to the taxpayers, that in the case he could see no obliga tion on the part of the town to render service outside the limits. The defense counsel gave notice (if appeal with the apparent inten of going before the Supreme Court Judge Williams, declaring ! that the town was entitled to an injunction, announced that he would not abate it (the appeal), meaning that the order of the court calls for the tap to be dis j connected and plugged pending i the outcome of the appealed case. The defense built its case ' around a contract made with the town on or about October 29. 1941. when the defendants agreed to build a pipe line from the old fair ground gate to their place of business on the McCaskey Road. It was pointed out that the de fendants paid $714.88 and that the town installed the pipe and ef fected a connection. It was point j i'd out that on account of the dire circumstances of the town’s fi nances at the time that the de j fendant would accept the cost with the understanding that they would be credited with their wat er bills each month until the loan was repaid. It was also pointed out. by the defense that the town was given permission to hook on other customers while the pipe line belonged to the defendants. The line, according to the evi dence advanced at the hearing, was paid for in April, 1944, the 'defense maintaining that it w entitled to water for the present and future under that contract. Affidavits were submitted from the old commissioners setting out the terms of the contract. The plaintiffs maintained that the contract did not apply to ex tensions, that the defendants were extending the service to property acquired by them within the past twelve months. The plaintiffs presented affi davits from the town's consulting engineer and the superintendent of the water department, tending to show that the present "good" pumps were barely meeting the demand for water, that a salt well would have to be used to supple ment the supply, that the present storage capacity was 225,000 gal lons short of what is needed to guarantee the town a safe margin of operation. The defense expressed the be I lief that the water asked for will (Continued on page eight) Sale Of Marriage Licenses Gaining Holding to about normal for several weeks, the sale of marri age licenses in this county showed lively gain during the last few' aays of last week. Eight licenses were issued in three days. Four of them went to white couples, as follows: ■ • Thomas Ki.kmsS - of RobersonviHe ur,«l Ruth IRri * Gurganus of RFD 3, Williamston: Carroll Alton Whichard of Stokes and Gloria Seable Rogerson of Robersonville; Dennis Cornelius Briley and Mildred Marie Bryant, both of Bethel Route 1: and Ern est Johnson of Palmyra and Mar guerite Page Smith of Roberson ville.
Dec. 9, 1947, edition 1
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