North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS REAS BI OVER MM MARTIN COUNTY PAMUJES TWICE EACH WEEE THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS MM B1 OVER 3.000 MARTIN COCNT1 FAMILIES TWICE EACH WERE VOLUME LI—NUMBER 71 William ston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, September 7, 194ft ESTABLISHED 1899 Tobacco Sales Pass Three Million Mark Gradual Decline In Price Average Reported In Belt ■ • Market Will Hardly Clear Hie Block Sales Exist* in# Since Friday Approximately three and one third million pounds of tobacco have been sold on the Williams ton market so far this season as compared with less than three million pounds sold in the first thirteen marketing days last year. Sales going into a block late last Friday will hardly be cleared to day, reports from the market this morning stating that the leaf was atill moving into the warehouses freely. Contrary to reports from some sources* there has been a gradual decline in the price average since opening day. Starting off with a $53.14-cent average on opening day, the 19th, the price average tumbled to its lowest peak of the season last Friday when 310,128 pounds were sold for $126,583.00, a resulting average of $40.82. There is still some talk about inferior quality, and it is true that the market offered some few types of tobacco that the govern ment grades were unable to grade, but, at the same time, prices for certain types are just not up to the level reported earlier in the season. The government moved in last Friday in a big way, buying ap proximately one-third of the sale, j Through last Friday, the market had sold 3,021,668 pounds for an average of $46.40. It is estimated j that the sales today will carry the | total well over the three and one-1 third million mark. Prices were I reported some stronger early to- J day. A report from the Georgia belt states that the markets there sold 134,176,598 pounds for an average of $47.03 as compared with 171, 028,181 pounds sold last year for an average of $37.82. In other words the Georgia farmers receiv ed almost as much for two-thirds of a crop this year as they receiv ed for a much larger crop last year. The Middle Belt, opening last week, reported good averages. The markets there sold 6,046,294 pounds last Thursday and Friday for an average price of $53.08 per hundred pounds. A general report, released for this belt by the United States De partment of Agriculture, follows: A stronger demand was seen for lugs and primings sold on the Eastern North Carolina flue-cured tobacco markets during the week ending Thursday, September 2, report the United States and North Carolina Departments of Agriculture. However, lower prices were paid for leaf grades which constituted the largest part of the sales. Tobaccos most suit able for cigarette manufacture were from 50c to $7.00 per hun dred higher than in the previous week. Most increases amounted to $1.00 to $3.00, Good primings showed the largest gains of $4.00 to $7.00 while other grades of lugs and primings were up generally $1.00 to $3.00. On the other hand, leaf dropped $1.00 to $3.00 with red and green grades showing the weakest trend. Some dissatisfac tion was voiced among growers on prices received for these offerings and rejections for resale were (Continued on page eight) ROUND-UP '---— Local, county and state of ficers worked overtime last week-end rounding up alleg ed law violators. Sixteen violators, including eleven drunks, two drunken drivers, a peeping Tom and two for assault, were arrested and temporarily detained in the county jail. Nearly half of those arrest ed and jailed were white, the ages of the group ranging from nineteen to sixty years. I COUNTERFEIT | A few unsuspecting persons in this section are still falling victims of the counterfeit ring caught operating in this sec tion a few weeks ago. An other of the worthless $20 bills showed up last week when the hotel clerk accepted one of the counterfeits at full value. The counterfeiting gang has been rounded up and is now facing trial. It is thought, however, that a few of the worthless bills are still at large in this section, one re port stating that the distribut ors traded a number of the , worthless pieces of paper for illicit liquor. The Secret Service is work ing on the case. Marriage License Issuance Decline In Martin County Draft Has Hail Littli* Effect On Cupid’s Work So Far In This Coinitv ■ m Holding to the lowest point for an August since 1944, the work of Dan Cupid has been little af fected by the new military dr«ft laws, according to a review of tbg marriage licenses issued in this county during recent weeks. There has been a gradual decline in the number of marriages in the county since last May, the num ber last month falling ten below the issuance recorded for August, 1047. In other counties there has been a fairly marked gain in the num ber of marriages in recent months, the increase presumably being traced in part to the draft laws. Fourteen marriage licenses were issued in this county last month by the office of Register of Deeds J. Sam Getsinger to four teen couples, eight to white and six to colored couples, as follows: White Cecil S. Bazemore and Alice Mae Pendleton, both of Scotland Neck. Joseph D. Everett of Magee, Miss., and Evelyn Bell Stewart of Hamilton. Vein C. Langley, III, and Fran ces Elizabeth Thomas, both of Williamston. James H. Ellis of Jamesville and Audrey L. Alexander of Col umbia, N. C. Paul B. Woodworth of Erwin and Dorothy Lanier Keel, of Oak City. Thurman Rudolph Bowen and Evelyn Clyde Harrison, both of RFD 2, Williamston. William Earl Winborn of Ken- i ly and Thelma Isolene Hardison1 of Jamesville. James Edward Whitaker and Mertie June Lewis, both of Wil liamston. Colored Ernest Stallings and Elsie Bry ant, both of Williamston. Henry Andrews and Annie Mae Jones, both of RFD 2, Roberson viile. James Spruill and Annie Gay nor, both of Williamston. Alexander Jones and Irma Lee Wiggins, both of Hamilton. Fred Williams and Delia Jenk ins, both of Robersohville. James Pearsall and Marie Rod gers, both of Williamston. Reported Improving In Baltimore Hospital Entering a Baltimore hospital a short time ago for treatment, Mr. V. G. Taylor, prominent county man, was reported improving yes terday. Messrs. Dock Hollis, Er nest White, Luther G. Leggett and C. B. Allen visited him Sunday and found him very cheerful, but a bit "hungry” to get back home. He is slated to stay there about two more weeks before doctors will consider discharging him. Mrs. Taylor and his nephew, Van Ralph Taylor, are now in Balti more with him. I Jaycees Discuss Varied Program At Recent Meet ~ » Observation Battalion Of fered Town; Band Flag Displayed To Group At their regular meeting last Friday evening, held at the Wo man's Club, members of the local Junior Chamber of Commerce voted to do something about the bleacher situation at the local ball park. After some discussion, the group decided that it was time that some concerted action be tak en in regard to this matter, and a committee of Jaycees Bernard T. Harrison, Ed Rowland and Dan Pcele was named by President Ward to obtain blue prints and the necessary lumber. All members of the club are expected to work on this project, possibly at night. State Director Thad Harrison reported on tne recent quarterly Board Meeting, as one of the dele gates. The new W. H. S. school flag, which is being presented by the Jaycees to the school band, was displayed to the group. Band Di rector-Jaycee Jack Butler ex pressed his appreciation on behalf of the band group. The handsome flag, 4' x 6', is green with white lettering, and it certainly will be in keeping with the crack W. H. S. Band. Cost of the flag is $117.00. Membership Chairman Edgar J. Gurganus installed Daryl V. Clay ton, Jr., as a new member. Jay cee Clayton is assistant manager of the local Firestone store. Mayor Bob Cowen informed the group that the office of Gen J. B. Van Metts had offered an Obser vation Battalion to Williamston, provided local citizens form a Na tional Guard Unit and make the necessary arrangements to house the equipment until such time as an armory could be built. The Jaycees decided to request Gen. Van Metts’ office to send a repre sentative to meet with the local group at an early date. Some discussion and tentative plans for raising funds for a local athlete was held, with more de tails to be announced later. A committee, composed of Jaycees Stuart Maynard, Ernest Mears and Bob Cowen was assigned to this project. Approximately 45 Jaycees and guests enjoyed a bountiful coun try ham dinner served the group by the ladies of the Maple Grove Church. Guests present were Jimmie Ward, Bob Wilson, Rex Best, Junie Peel and Mr. Van Landingham. Jaycee Jim Lowry pronounced the invocation. The attendance prize, awarded by “Cap” York, was won by Bernard Harrison.—Reported. Child Hurt In Auto Accident - m Phjlip Gilbert, one-year-old son , of Mr. and Mrs. P. G. Morrisette of 208 Watts Street, was hurt but apparently not seriously when the ear in which he was riding was in collision with another on the main street in front ox Attorney H. G. Horton's office here yesterday morning at 9:20 o’clock. The lit tle fellow, riding in his father’s lap with Mr. Robert Lee Bowling, shattered the windshield with his head when the car crashed into one being backed from a parking place by Grady James. Suffering a small cut on his forehead, he fainted or lost con sciousness for a short while, but an examination at the hospital re vealed that the little fellow stood ! the blow as a man and without ap parent serious injury. Very little damage was done to the cars, the driver of the car! backing out agreeing to accept the ' damages. -o Moved From Michigan To Rocky Mount Hott/tilal liadly injured in a highway ac cident near Detroit three weeks ago, Mr. J. Eason Lilley was re moved from a hospital in Wyan dotte, Mich., to a Rocky Mount hospital last Thursday. His con dition is much improved but he continues quite ill, according to j reports reaching here yesterday. | CITIZENS OF TOMORROW The Enterprise takes much pleasure in presenum another in a picture series of this section's "citizens of tomorrow”. So far none has figured piominently in public affairs, t it as fu ture citizens they have a tremendous assignment to handle in a muddled world. Certain they’ll do a better job than has been done or is being done, The Enterprise presents the youngsters as the one great hope for the future. Top row, left to right: Donna Sue, fifteen months, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Speller. Williamston; Carroll, two and a half, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Coltrain, Williamston; Edevena, two, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Peele, Williamston; Bottom row, Kathryn, two, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D L. Roberson, Wil liamston, Eucy Pat, sixteen months, daughlci of Mi and Mrs. ti. H. Worsley, Oak City; Eddie, two, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Powell, Williamston. Turns Truck Over j On County Road -o According to unconfirmed re ports reaching here, Tommie Grif fin, local young man, was hurt and $300 damage was done to his 1940 Chevrolet pick-up truck when the machine went out of control and turned over on the Bear Grass-Stokes Road about 10:30 o’clock last Saturday night. Tne driver of the truck, driving from Bear Grass, lost control on a curve and the truck went into a ditch on the left, jumped out, skid ded about 120 feet and turned over, corning to a stop l ight side up in a ditch on the other side of the road. One report said Griffin was thrown out and was found lying in the ditch. Patrolmen Powers and Rowe in vestigated the accident, but they were unable to find Griffin imme diately after going to his home and questioning relatives. The ex- i tent of his injuries could not be learned. The patrolmen said they were not certain who was driving the truck at the time of the accident, but they learned from witnesses that Griffin was at the wheel a short time before the wreck. Former Resident Dies In Hospital W. E. (Cotton) Davis, former resident of Williamston, died in a • Tarboro hospital last Saturday night at 9:30 o'clock of virus pneu monia after an illness of four days. A native of Easley, South Caro lina, he came to Williamston about ten years ago and operated the | old Economy Auto Store, moving; a few years later to Tarboro and more recently to Farmvillc where he operated an auto accessory store. He is survived by his wife, the former Frances K. Allen; two fos ter daughters, Patsy and Mary Frances Allen, all of Farmvillc; his mother, Mrs. Lily A. Davis of; Easley, S. C.; five brothers, Fred and F. F. of Easley, Albert of Syl- I acauga, Ala., C. C. of Cateechee, S. C\, and Melvin Davis of the U. S. Navy; four sisters, Cleo and ' Louise Davis, Mrs. Ronnie Mas- | sengill, and Mrs. W. T. Norris, ail j of Easley. Funeral services were j held Monday at 4 p. rn. from the [ Farmville Funeral Home, con-i ducted by the Rev. E. R. Clegg, I Methodist minister, and the Rev. E. W. Holmes, Baptist minister. Burial was in Hollywood Ceme tery. Mr. Davis was a Mason, and a member of the Kiwanis club. Wfather Delay » Work On Hoad in Griff inn Completing the base early last week, workers are being delayed by weather conditions on the Grif fins Township road project. A tank car of tar is ready for use just as soon as the weather breaks, but the weather man is promising! more rain today and tomorrow. • CHAIRMAN Hubert Cowen, Williamston mayor-attorney, was named last week-end to head the Crusade 1'or Children of Am eriean Overseas Aid, in Mar tin County. The chairman, pledged the support of religi ous and civics organizations, is rapidly making plans lor the drive which has already been completed in most coun ties in this State. Fifty-six nations are raisin* millions of dollars to keep millions of children from starving to death in war-torn countries. Martin County is being ask ed to raise SS2.500, and the chairman is certain that once the people understand the need and the plans for ad vancing the relief, the chal lenge can and will be met. No Enrollment Count Released -— — A rather wide fluctuation in en rollment figures in the various schools of the county is fairly evi dent in preliminary reports reach ing the office of the superintend ent over the week-end. However, no complete enrollment count is yet available, and an over-all en rollment picture cannot be had at this time. Everetts, with an enrollment for the opening this year of 183 pupils, is 48 below the 1947 open ing-day count, Principal John E. Manning announced. Williamston reported 761 in the elementary school or 18 more than the 1947 opening-day figure and an increase from 166 to 182 in the high school. No actual figures were reported but Williamston's colored high school reported a record enroll ment, one report declaring that the walls were actually bulging under the load. As far as it could be learned none of the other schools has re ported enrollment figures. Ends Successful Church Meeting __ n Hfv. Ard Hovi'ii of (Jifii ijuiati concluded a .successful religious meeting in the Macedonia church last Sunday evening. Large crowds attended the services and nineteen new membeis were add ed to the church roll. Two Baptismal services were held in the municipal swimming pool here, the first Sunday after noon and the second yesterday af ternoon. UiHird Of hjiliiriilion (f ill Met Toniorrinv --» Members of the Martin County Board of Education will meet here tomorrow morning to consid er routine matters, it was an nounced yesterday. Simon Jas. Ward Died Monday At Home Near Here i -—♦— Funeral Tuesday Afternoon At Home for Well-Known Citizen - Farmer Simon James Ward, well-known citizen and farmer of Bear Grass Township, died at his home there Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock following a long illness and months of intense but patient suf fering. Mr. Ward, in declining health for more than five years, underwent several operations in hospital in this state and Virginia during that time. He had been confined to his bed for about eight weeks and his condition had been considered grave since last Fri day. Mr. Ward, 49 years old, was born in Bear Grass Township, not far from the Beaufort County line on U. S. Highway 17, on Janu ary 6, 1899, the son of the late James Henry and Ellen Griffin Ward. He spent all his life on the farm in or near his native community, and lived the life of a good neighbor and friend. He found enjoyment in his work and despite failing health he held to his tasks almost until his last seri ous illness. Despite his affliction which he bore without complaint, he looked on the bright side of life, cheering others along the way and extending an encouraging and helping hand at every opportuni ty. Mr. Ward, member of a fam ily long prominent in the history of the county, was a member of the church at Macedonia for near ly a quarter of a century, attend ing its services regularly until forced into retirement by his last serious illness. In early manhood he was mar ried to Miss Mittie Perry who sur vives with seven children, two sons, Floyd and J. R. Ward of the home; and five daughters, Mrs. Joe Melton of Farmville, Mrs. Jack Sullivan of Williamston, and Misses Thelma, Mary Ellen and Geraldine Ward, all of the home; two grandchildren; three brothers, Burras Ward of Beaufort County and John and Will Ward of this county; three sisters, Mrs. Jonah Stalls and Mrs. Oliver Coltrain, RFD 1, Williamston, and Mrs. Nat Cherry of Washington. Funeral services are being con (Continued on page eight) More Jurors For Superior Court Fairly certain that the number of jurors drawn lust month will not bo sufficient to serve the two week term of the Martin County Superior Court convening the 20th of this month, Sheriff C. If. Roebuck discussed the expected shortage with the county commis sioners Monday and twelve addi tional jurors were drawn, it was explained that several of the wo men jurors had offered acceptable excuses, that some other jurors had moved out of the county since the list was drawn and that one, Mr. J Eason Lilley, would hardly he able to serve on account of in juries received in an automobile accident three weeks ago. T he names of the jurors drawn to supplment the regular list fol low: First Week Janiesvillc, Woodrow Wells; Hear Grass, John U. Roberson and W. A. Gurganus; Williamston, Gerald James and S. A. Ferry; Ro berson ville, Louis Brown. Second Week Griffins, T. C, Griffin; Wil liamston, Noah Daniel Griffin and R E. Feel; Bear Grass, Clyde Rev els, Cross Roads, J. Marion Grif fin, Hamilton, W. W. Briley. Cliilil Slightly Hurt In Full From Moving Cur A .small colored child, whose name could not be learned here, was slightly bruised and scratched in a lull from a moving car on the Jamcsville Highway early yester day morning. The child was giv en medical treatment and dis charged when it was learned that no bones were broken and the bruises were not serious. One report stated the door came open and the child rolled out. ^ Submit Petition for Agriculture School Commissioners In Regular Session Monday Morning Petitions for School Of Ag riculture and Several (loads Received Meeting in regular session Mon day morning, the Martin County commissioners handled their rou tine duties and received petitions for a school of agriculture and several road projects. Advised that several women members of the September Superior court jury had already been excused or would be excused and that several men drawn for service had moved away or would not be able to serve, the commissioners drew twelve additional jurors, six for the first and six for the second week of the term. The officials completed their work and ad journed before lunch. Carrying the names of twenty eight World War II veterans who are seriously considering making agriculture their life's work a pe I tition was presented to the board urging the establishment of a school of agriculture in Williams ton. The petition reads, as fol lows: "We, the undersigned vets and agriculture students are peti tioning this body to exercise every effort to begin an agriculture school in the town of Williams ton. As it is at the present time, some of us are forced to go to agriculture schools in the towns of Windsor, Jamesville, Roper. Rob ersonville and Oak City. This has and is continuing to work a hard ship on most of us. Since Wil | liamston and its vicinity are the i population center of this area, we feel that we are deserving of a | school here anil are, therefore, bringing this matter to your atten tion in hopes that it can be I handled at the earliest possible moment.’’ The petition was sign ed by R. Cl. Slade, H. H. Cowen, Jr., J G. Barnhill, Jr., Roland M. Baddard, Cecil W Pierce, Leslie W. Price, James J Wynn, Clifton Hollis, Feo White, James R. Ed mondson, Slade R. White, William 11. Revels, Jesse Edmondson, Ed ! gar M. Taylor, James Ottis Bul j lock, Eli Marion Taylor, R. V. Bunting, Carroll W. Mobley, Wil liam V. Roebuck, William R. White, William Harrison, Edmond David Harris, Elbert S. Harris, T. F Harrison, Walter Brown, Paul VanLandingham, Mack L. Peel, Jr., and Hildreth Rogevson. The board discussed the petition with education authorities who explained that it would be impos sible to establish the school any time soon, that neither space nor a teacher are available. Speaking for twenty-seven peti tioners, J. A. Everett of Goose Nest asked the board to recom mend that the State Highway Commission take over and main tain that section of road in Goose Nest Township, leading off N. C'. 125 from the L. G. Shields and Mizelle farms and running north easterly a distance of three-quar ters of a mile. The road serves live families. Speaking for citizens in Griffins Township, Mr. Sylvestei Peel and (Continued on page eight) V STRONGKK Although it has not climh cd back to its opening-day perch, the price average on the local tobacco market this morning was decidedly stronger. Farmers, selling the remainder of split barns this morning, stated that their prices averaged much more than they did a week ago, in dicating that the market has recovered, partially at least, from the slump it found itself in last Thursday and Friday. F'armer Joe Leggett, placing a keen eye on the early morn ing sales, said the price is much better. Assault Victim And Deaf Mutes Disturb Peace —«— Deaf Mute (Jot's To Sleep Willi His Foot On Auto mobile Horn Saturday — • ♦ A deaf mute, unconscious of the act, and a victim of an assault dis turbed the peace on the town’s main street early last Saturday morning. Guests in the hotel were disturbed early that morning when Joe Henry Ashley allegedly assaulted Ollie Mae Whitley and she yelled bloody murder in front of the police station. Most of the guests were awakened before po lice could quiet her. Driving into the Central Service Station at the other end of the business block shortly before day break, two deaf and dumb mutes stopped their car, and twisting their bodies contortionist like, dropped off to sleep. The foot of one came to rest on the steering wheel horn. Sleepers in the Wil liamston and Tar Heel Apart ments and those in nearby resi dences were awakened. Police immediately started an investiga tion. The officers tried to call the sleeping men, but the only answer were deep, base snoring sounds. The windows were up and the doors were locked. The officers went around the car, pounding on the sides and windows, the horn still blowing a ghastly blast. Fin ally, the officers forced open a small ventilator, reached into the car and lifted the man’s foot off the horn. The young men came here from Thomasville to visit friends and decided to sleep a few minutes. No material harm was done, but quite a few sleepers were awak ened in time to see the sun rise. Hundreds of Cars Co Through Lane Operating here for the past six days, the motor vehicle inspection lane handled an estimated 1,200 vehicles, and just about cleared inspections for those vehicles fac ing the deadline. It is fairly cer tain that ninety percent of the models up to and including 1930 and the models for 1047 and 1041! have been inspected and beat the August 31 deadline. Ten days ol grace were granted, meaning that after Friday of this week the own er of a 1036 or prior model vehicle or year models 1947 and 1940 will be subject to action ir. the courts if he has not had his vehicle in spected. The lane left here yesterday and is opening for a six-day run in Plymouth. It is to return here in about six weeks, or too late to get the 1937 and 1946 models over the September 30 deadline. All motor vehicles of the year models 1936, 1939, 1943, 1944 and 1945 shall be inspected on or be fore October 31, 1946. The 1940 and 1942 models are to be in spected on or before November 30, 1948, and all 1941 and 1949 mod els are to be inspected on or be fore December 31, 1948. A person acquiring a vehicle that has not been inspected is al lowed twenty days to have it in spected. The registration ol young men—18-26 years old—up un til today stood at 757, includ ing 342 white and 415 colored. Only 98 men—59 white and 39 colored—were registered last Saturday. There was no registration yesterday, but the round-up task for potential manpower in the peacetime draft is again under way in the Legion Hut here. Men born in 1925 are regis tering today. Men born in 1926 register Wednesday and Thursday, and men burn in 1927 are to register on Fri day and Saturday Others will register nest week.