THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BE ^ OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT! FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEE THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ B1 OVER 3.004 JV/ARTIN COUNTS FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK VOLUME L—NUMBER 101 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, FridayT?)ecember 19, 1947 ESTABLISHED 1899 Judge J. C. Smith Has Large Docket In County's Court * «r 4 • .t_ _ y : | • ■ *\• Collect SHHO In Fines And Sentence Several To Prison Camps l With what is believed to be the largest number of regular cases ever scheduled for trial on its docket, the Martin County Re corder’s Court last Monday worked until almost dark before shaping up its business for ad journment. Fifty-five cases were on the docket, ten,of which were continued for one reason or an other. Two others were carried over when the defendants called for jury trials. Most of the cases continued v ill come up again next Monday while tiie jury trials were scheduled for the first Monday in January. While no record fines were im posed, the court last Monday col lected right at $880 and meted out several road sentences, running up to twelve months. Judge J. C. Smith was on the bench and Solicitor Paul D. Rob erson prosecuted the docket be fore a comfortably filled court room . Proceedings: The case charging Guy Whit field with disposing of mortgaged property was noi prossed or dis missed. Pleading guilty in the case charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon, LeRoy Everett, colored, was fined $15 and taxed with the costs. The case charging Joseph Hoov er with an assault with a deadly weapon was nol prossed, but is subject to be reopened. Charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting a minor, William Lanier failed to answer when called and papers were issu ed for his arrest. Fiank Williams was found not guilty of an asasult with a deadly weapon. Maintaining his innocence in the case charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon, William Arthur Bell was adjudged guilty and was fined $25 plus the trial costs. Romulus Moore, found guilty over his plea of innocence, was fined $50 and taxed with the costs for assaulting another with a deadly weapon. Charged with an assault, Or nerd Lyons failed to answer when called and papers were issued calling for his immediate arrest. Pleading guilty. Mack W. Wil liams was fined $10 and taxed with the costs for drunken driv ing. The court recommended lhai his license to operate a mot or vehicle be suspended for twelve months Dallas Whitley was sentenced to the roads for ninety days for larceny and receiving. Assaulting a female, M. C. Law rence was fined $15 and taxed with the cost. He pleaded not guilty. In a second case, charging him with a similar offense, he was adjudged not guilty. Saint Leon Swain, charged with being drunk and disorderly and indecent exposure, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to the roads for ninety days. The court sus- 1 pended the road term upon the j payment of a $25 fine and costs. | James Matthew Swain failed to ! answer in the case charging him (Continued on page six) COMPLAINT Moving out of range of town officers, children are shooting a few fireworks in several parts of the county. The practice has been reduced to a low minimum, but Wed nesday afternoon a complaint reached the sheriff’s office from Bear Grass where the youngsters were said to be blowing the lid off the crack ers and the recent legislative act banning the sale, posses sion and shooting of fire works. A farmer contacted the sheriff's office this week and asked if it would be all right to shoot a few fireworks if he went to the back side of the field. Such precaution will hardly invite an arrest, but there is still a law against shooting fireworks anyplace in North Carolina. Abandon Petition To Add West End To Williamston The circulation of a paper, pe to include West End as a part of the town, was dropped, tempor arily at least, last Monday night when about twenty-five citizens of the community met in the West End Baptist Church and discussed the proposal. A movement, ad vanced in accordance with a spec ial act of the last North Carolina General Assembly, flopped more than a month ago when it encoum tered an overwhelming opposi tion. At that time, the town authorities deemed it best to with draw and left future action entire ly in the hands of the affected districts. More recently a petition was ad vanced and circulated by West Bind citizens themselves. While the last Monday night meeting de cided to leave the issue rest a while, the action apparently did not block the way for reconsid here, the eration and n mcvfrcsnt to a da UKy ' ing to reports reaching meeting this week discussed the problem after a logical fashion, and it was the consensus of opin ion. indirect or direct, that incor poration of the territory would prove mutually advantageous. Recognizing the need for ade quate water and sewer facilities, one property owner was quoted as saying that he would be willing to give a thousand dollars if the ser vice could be made available with in six months. While it was the expressed desire of the meeting to leave the matter as it is, it could not be learned whether the citizens planned to leave it be for one year, two years or longer. A simitar petition was placed in circulation in the North End section a short time ago, but noth ing has been heard from it re cently. Son Of A Former Local Minister To Be A Bishop -.—— • Rev. William Jones Gordon To Hold Hi^li Post In Alaska Rev William Jones Gordon, son of the late Rev. William J. Gordon who was rector of the Church of the Advent here for several years, hgs been named Bishop of Alaska, but his consecration will be delay ed at least until next May 6, his thirtieth birthday. The minimum age limit one must reach before entering upon the duties of the high church position is thirty years, and his consecration on or about next May 6 will make him the youngest bishop of Protestant Episcopal Church in America. He is succeeding the Rt. Rev. John Boyd Bentley who has been nam ed vice president ol the National Council of the Episcopal Church in charge of the overseas depart- j ment. Graduated from the University i ol North Carolina and completing | his work at Virginia Seminary, he was ordained a deacon of the church in January 1943 and im mediately entered upon his new work in Seward, Alaska. About a year later he was advanced to the priesthood and reported for duty at Point Hope within the arctic circle. The young minister's father died a few months ago in Leaks viilf where he endeared himself to people of all faiths and where j he carried on a truly effective work for many years. Apprecia- \ five of his noble work, members of the congregation, as a mem orial to his memory, started a movement to purchase a home for his widow, the former Miss Anna Clark of Scotland Neck. The movement was hardly launched before members of civic clubs and members of other church organi sations, irrespective of creed, vol- ! unteered their support and con-1 tributed funds as a token of re spect and regard for the minis ter. -o Car-Truck Crash j On Countv Road J ! No one was hurt but properly ( damage estimated at $225 resulted i when a log trucK and an automo-1 bile crashed on U. S. Highway 17 j near the Bear Grass Road inter- i section shortly before noon last Monday. Driving an empty log truck be longing io the Jeffries and Smith Lumber Company of Washington, north on the highway, James Beard started to pass a car. Real izing he could no: make it, Beard dropped back and cut his machine | sharply to the right and ran off the highway. The drivei lost con - trol and the truck turned back to the left side of the road and block- J ed the road. Mrs. Frank Williams! of Edenton driving south, could ! not stop in time to avoid a crash, the bolster on the truck tearing into grill and radiator of the Wil liams car, causing about $200 dam age. The accident by Patrolmen and Parker. was investigated Rowe, Saunders j I PARTY Arrangements are about complete (or the Jaycees’ big Christmas party Tor little needy children in the Wom an's Club Hall next Monday night at 7:30 o'clock. Most of the toys collected during the past two weeks have been re conditioned and liberal quan tities of confectionaries are being purchased. No direct solicitation for funds is being made, but any one wishing to participate in the cheer movement may make a cash contribution to Treasurer Oswald Stalls at the Martin Supply Co. Mother Is Given Custody of Child j -» Little Miss Julia Dale Hardy is to make her home beginning at the close of the school on Friday of this week with her mother, Mrs. J. V. Srnithwick, in Bertie County, iii accordance with a de cree handed down by Judge Claw son L. Williams a few days ago. While no formal hearing was held before the jurist. Judge Williams reviewed the evidence offered at a previous hearing and ordered tiiai the mother be given custody of the child. The court order pro vides that the grandrryither, Mrs. A. L. Hardy, shall have the right to see the child any time she wants to, and that the child may spend three weeks with her each summer. The child has lived with her grandmother for years. Her fath er, Grady Burroughs Hardy, was killed in action in Germany on April 20, 1945. Since that time, the mother has been appealing to the courts for custody of the child. Soiely troubled over the court order, Mrs. Hardy asked that Julia Dale be taken directly from the school at Bear Grass to her new home, one report stating that she could not bear to see her leave directly for the new home. Ar rangements were made for Sher iff C. B. Roebuck to pick up the little girl's clothes Friday morn ing, continue to the school and proceed from there to Bertie coun ty with the child. o— Mrs. Pattic King Passes In Pelham • Mrs. Pittie King, mother of Mr. J. E. King of Williamston. died at her hom« ip Pelham, Caswell County, last Tuesday evening at S:00 o’clock following a long period of declining health. Mrs. King, 82 years old, had visited here regularly for a num ber of years and made many friends in the town. She was a member of the Mrth :>dist chinch for many years and her pastor conducted the last rites it the home Thursday afternoon , d 1 30 o'clock, interment follow j mg in the cemetery at Pelham Surviving besides her son here is a son, Robert King »f Rocky Mount. « Mr and Mis. King and daugh ters. Misses Patsy and Jane, and Mr. Iverson Skinner were in Pel- ' bam for t!ie funeral. Candidate Makes Good Impression On County Voters R. Aibriglil Spends Day 111 The ('oiinty This Week Making a tour of every one of North Carolina’s 100 counties in the interest of his candidacy for governor, R. Mayne Albright and Mrs. Albright, too, made a good impression on the voters during their visit in the county o.t Tue-v day of this week. Strange as it may seem, the can didate did not discuss polices ex tensively. He pointed out that this was no speaking tour, exJ plaining that he wanted to get to the grass roots, meet the people on the streets, in and around busi ness houses and filling stations and listen to what they have to say and what they expect of their state government. The candidate was of the opin ion that “forever” is a mighty long life for a sales tax, and touch.;! lightly on a few other matters, more or less, in the political lime light just now. Mr. Albright ad mitted thr-t one of the candidates, holding close to the political m i chine, would get a lot of votes, but Albright, with a warm re ception already scored in fiftv three of the one hundred coun'i >s, declared that he was encouraged. Traveling in a car and trailer, "The Challenger,” the Albrigits were greeted by Mayor Robt. Cowen and Attorney E S Peel, The campaigners are completing their initial work in this section of the State and will return to their home the latter part of this week for Christmas. Although he is young—just 38 years old—the candidate is ex perienced in politics and state af fairs. He is an overseas veteran of World War II and was direc tor of the State Employment Ser vice for several years. “This is a new political era—a time for new ideas and new lead ership toward new goals,” the can didate said as a challenge to the old-line oolitical machine, adding that he was for “planned progress and clean politics ” It is no little task to carry a political campaign into 100 coun ties, but the candidate and Mrs. Albright apparently are holding up well under the strain, and en joying it. too. While the candidate was mak ing individual contacts# Mrs. Al bright was a guest of the Woman’s Club at its regular meeting last Tuesday evening Place Man Under Peace Bond Here — Thurston Davenport, county merchant charged with threaten ing the life of James Rodgers on at least three different occasions, was placed under a $750 peace bond following a hearing before Justice R, T. Johnson here last Tuesday evening. A goodly num ber of witnesses were questioned ^in' the defense attorney. - According to state’s evidence, Davenport threatened Rodgers last March 23 when they argued over an account Rodgers suppos edly owed Davenport. Last Sep tember Davenport was alleged to have threatened the man’s life when he wertt to the Rodgers home complaining against the Rodgers chickens scratching on his property. Rodgers said he went into the house, leaving Dav enport talking. Last Sunday, Davenport is alleged to hdve tried to wave Rodgers down and again threatened him. Rodgers said he drove to Bear Grass, that Daven port followed him-- and - argued with him there. The defendant appealed to the county court and the trial is scheduled for next Monday before Judge J. C. Smith. ■- »— ■ Christinas Souls Print oil By Billions This Your -#, Approximately live billion TB Christmas seals were printed for sale in the United S'ates, Canada, England. Newfoundland and Ber muda this year. Marlin County citizen," who re ceived seals by mail and who have not remitted are asked to do so at once, as every effort is being made to complete the drive and go aver the county’s $2,500 goal. Virginia Official Recognizes Claim To Non-Supporter w- •* ■ ■■■ ' '<^1 Father Agree* To Pay His Otihlren’s Hospital Bill an«l Keep Junius Rappold young Virginia j man who virtually deserted his wife and two small children, this j week lost his fight against extra dition to this county, but saved 'himself by agreeing to pay his children’s medical bills and so much money each week for their keep. Carrying his fight against extra dition to Governor Tucks' office in Richmond last Monday, Rap pold was supported by three at torneys. When Governor Tuck heftrd the case, he recognized the claim to Rappold and ordered him turned over to Sheriff C. B. Roebuck who attended the hear ing with Rappold’s first wife. Rappold’s attorneys maintained that their client had not commit ted any crime in North Carolina, but the governor apparently thought of the two children and ruled against the man. The hearing, held in the Vir ginia Senate chamber, lasted for more than two hours. Governor Tuck heard the issues and turned the case over to the attorney gen eral. Rappold made no denials iand could offer poor excuses for virtually deserting his wife and children, going to Florida for a fly-by-night divorce and marrying again. The case was aired in de tail, and it was apparent that the Virginia officials were impressed by the facts. After the attorney general was advised that Governor Tuck was honoring the extradition papers prepared in this county by Solicit or Paul D. Roberson, he called for a definite understanding, ex plaining that an agreement ac ceptable to Mrs. Rappold, his first wife, could be effected or the man would be turned over imme diately to Sheriff C. B. Roebuck. | After an agreement was reached, one of Rappold’s attorneys sug gested that his client might be come ill and could not meet the payment. “And 1 guess the chil dren will have'to stop eating dur ing that time.” the Virginia offic ial was quoted us sayipg. It was pointed out very plainly to Rap pold that he is to have the allow ance in the hands of his children each week on Monday. Officers in this county were instructed to advise the Virginia governor’s of fice in the event the payments are not made promptly. The very first time the allowance is not ad vanced, Rappold :s 'o oe surrend ered i" Martin County officers. Rappold was advised that should he attempt to flee to another stat”, he would be classed as a fugitive from justice. Late last Monday afternoon Rappold was allowed to return to his home in Newport News but continues under bond. Installing Radio System In County * j ~ ■ ■■,#>■■■ ... C. D. Cavenaugh, radio special ist, is installing a two-way radio system for county law enforce ment officers. The antenna will be located on the courthouse and the system will be operated twen ty-four hours each day by remote control at the Williamston Police Department. Special radios will be installed on the cats of at least three county officers and those operated by police departments in the county. It could not be learned when the system would be placed in operation. OPPORTUNITIES 1 V-/ A report released this week by the county welfare depart ment states that there are many opportunities to aid the needy in the county this Christmas season. ft was pointed out, however, that the opportunities should he clear ed through the welfare de partment in an effort to avoid duplications and more impor tant to see that no deserving case is forgotten. A call to the welfare office will clear the way for spread ing the cheer program, it was emphasized. Formulate Tax Plan Satiiwk** r HOUSING The housing shortage, re cognized as acute for some time, is worsening, reports stating that it is almost des perate. Lodging is being sought in offices and applica tions for apartments and houses have more than doub led in number in past few days. Operators of the Civil Aero nautics Administration con trol center opening here next month are looking for places to live along with a number of others. Anyone knowing of an available apartment or house for rent is urgently ask ed to contact The Enterprise office. Places have been found for the sixteen persons operating the mass TB x-ray survey in the county next month, it was learned. Award Prizes In Food Conservation Farm Womeu Can Large Amount »f Food Dur ing the Patti Season Results of a county-wide food conservation contest for farm families cooperating with the Far mers Home Administration have been announced by J. C. Eubanks, county supervisor for Martin. Sponsored by the Farmers Home Administration and through the cooperation of the pressure cook er and canning supply companies, prizes were offered to the home maker canning the greatest num ber of quarts per person in the family, and ior the greatest in crease in the number of quarts canned in 1947 over the 1946 can ning season. For families cooper ating with the Farmers Home Ad ministration program tor the first time this year, prizes were offered to the home maker canning the greatest number of quarts per person in the family and the fam ily canning the greatest variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. Mrs. Ira Jones, RFD 1, Wil liamston, won first prize, an all American pressure canner. Mrs. Jones canned 456 quarts of fruits, vegetables and moats for her fam ily of four which was 167 quarts more than she canned m ilJ46. Mrs. V. U. Bunting, RFD 2, Williamston, won second prize, a pressure .sauce pan. Mrs. Bunt ing canned 753 quarts of food for her family of seven, an increase of 143 quarts in 1947. Maggie Knight, RFD 1. Rober sonville, won first prize for fam ilies cooperating with the Farm ers Home Administration for the first time in 1947 A Folr^^^pd mill, two dozen quart jars and two dozen lids and rings were her reward. She canned 495 quarts of food for her family of four. Hazel Jones, RFD 1, Oak City, received a Foley flour sifter, a blending fork and food chopper, one dozen quart jars and two dozen lids and l ings. She canned 402 quarts of food for her family of four. The contest was open to the 150 farm families on the Farmers Home Administration program. While all the families entering the contest have done excellent work in food production and con servation some have been more outstanding in amounts canned as well as quality and variety. All (Continued on page six) o o CORRECTION Announcing the holiday sched ule for the schools in this county, The Enterprise made an error. Closing at noon on Friday of tins week, the schools will reopen at the usual hour, Thursday, Janu ary 1, and not on Monday. Janu ary a, as was tirsi announced. -» OPEN NIGHTS Beginning next Monday, Wil liumston stores will remain open each even-rig util 9:00 o’clock un til Chribliuas. Name List-Takers For Fen Districts In Martin County Schedule for Valuing Per sonal Property To Be Adopted Saturday Meeting in the county commis sioners’ room here Saturday morning of this week at 10:00 o'clock. Tax Supervisor M. Luther Peel and the ten township list takers will formulate plans for listing all real and personal prop erty for the new year. There will be no changes in the real property listings other than to incorporate improvements and new buildings or to reduce values where proper ty has been destroyed by fire or damaged in other ways. No reval uation of real property was order ed by the commissioners and the values for that type of holdings is likely to remain about unchanged with the exception of additions through new construction during the current year. The problem facing the tax authorities will be the fixing of a schedule of values for personal propety. No official information has been released, but it is ex pected that the Blue Book will be used in fixing values of motor ve hicles and that inventories and other personal holdings will be placed on the books at about two thirds of the listed value. Much time will be needed to determine the values of the hundred or more items under which personal pro perty is grouped. Very few changes have been made in the tax listing personnel for the new year. Supervisor Peel I said this week. The names of the list-takers, by townships: ! O. W Hamilton, Jamesville. Chas. L. Daniel Williams. W. Tom Roberson, Griffins. Wheeler Rogerson, Bear Grass. O. S. Anderson, Williamston. Gordon G. Bailey, Cross Roads. H. S. Everett, Robersonville. LeRoy Taylor, Poplar Point. L. R. Everett, Hamilton. J. F. Crisp, Goose Nest. A schedule for listing proper ties for 1048 taxation will be an nounced within a short time. The month of January is allotted to the task and listings handled aft er that time* are subject to pen alty, in accordance with state law. There are approximately 8,000 taxpayers in Martin County. -*-— Start Drive For Bov Scout Fund * —«— The Boy Scout Finance Cam paign for 'ho Martin District, East Carolina Council, will get under way in Williamston on Friday morning, December 19th. The campaign will be headed by Gar land G. Woolard finance chair man for the Martin District. The Martin District, which is composed of all of Martin County, is one of the 16 districts that make up the East Carolina Council. The Council covers 29 counties of east ern Nor'h Carolina and is the largest in area and the fourth largest in membership in the South. Good scout troops have long been a part of Williamston and Martin County and many boys have pased through Scout ing into manhood via these troops. Today, the Martin District is one of the most active in the Council and has a record that compares with the best. The executive board of the East Carolina Council adopted a bud get for 1948 of $42,884.00. Martin District has been asked to con tribute $1,500.00 to this budget which goes for the operation of the Council. Assisting Mr. Wool ard in Williamston will be James B. Pecle, John H. Edwards, Julian If. Harrell, N. C Green, Paul Simpson, Clyde Manning, and • Wheeler Mu:jy and John L. Goff. In Robcrson ville, the Rotary Club is in charge of the campaign and is being head ed there by Sherwood Roberson. In Janiesville Mr. C. T. Gaines is in charge and in Everetts, Mr. I Duck Aytts. X-Ray Is Certain \Vay Of Locating * Early TI> Case^ MmfDi '*»■«. Even Small Syniptoms Ap parent When Films of Chest are Developed More than 50,000 people in the United States die each year from tuberculosis. Furthermore, half a million people are estimated to have the disease in active form. Of these cases, only half are known to health authorities. The other quarter million are unre ported cases and constitute a grave threat to the health of the entire population. They are a threat because tub erculosis is a communicable dis ease, spread by people with open cases. The unreported, or “un known," cases are the chief source of infection. Frequently, people with early tuberculosis do not realize they are ill because of the symptom less onset of the disease, yet they are not only losing their own health but may be transmit ting their disease to others. These unknown cases must be found if tuberculosis is ever to be eradicated. In other words, the unknown case is a source of infec tion to others and must be locat ed. Precautions can then be tak en to prevent th; spread of the disease while the individuals af fected are placed under treatment. We know how to find the un known cases of tuberculosis. They can be found by chest X-raying apparently healthy people over 15 years of age. The X-ray is the most important aid in finding tub erculosis for it can detect the presence of the disease even in that early stage before the sym toms are apparent. With the development of X-ray equipment, using small films, it has become possibly to X-ray large groups of people within a short period of time. Throughout the country the National Tuberculosis Association and its affiliated state and local associations are cooperating with official health departments in mass X-ray examinations to screen out the unknown cases. When suspicious shadows are found on the films in these mass examinations, further X-rays must be taken and tests made be fore a definite diagnosis of tuber culosis can be reached. Mass X-ray examinations are a practical way of finding unknown tuberculosis and wherever such programs are planned they should receive the wholehearted support of the people of the community. Experience has proved, too, that the majority of cases found in these mass X i ay programs are (Continued on page five) -n Justice Hassell Hears Five Cases —*— Justice of the Peace John L. Hassell handled five acses in his 'court the early part of this week and impo.;t d fines in four of them. Charged with disorderly cun- , duct. George A. Furvis was fined $5 and taxed with $6.50 costs. Martha Speight and Dorothy i Williams were each fined $5 and required to pay $6.50 costs for an affray. Operating a motor vehicle with out brakes, George Lewis Hyman was fined $10 plus $7 costs. Charged with operating a motor vehicle on the wrong side of the jroad and with improper equip- j ment, Rooert E. Bonner was fin ed $10 and required to pay $8 costs. Robert Williams, drunk on the j highway, was sentenced to the | roads for thirty days, the court I suspending the sentence upon the payment of $10.50 costs. LICENSES v-- * A real last-minute rush is on for driver’s licenses in this count v. Examiner Bo.vcc handled more than sixty ap plications Wednesday and a Licenses will be is&aeu in Robersonville on Friday ot this week to those persona whose last names begin with the letters A or B, and in Wiliiamstou half a day neat Wednesday.