North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK sEssESsS VOLUME LII—NUMBER 10 Williamaton, Martin County, North Carolina, Thursday, February 3, 1949 ESTABLISHED 1899 Twenty-five Cases Heard In County’s Court Last Mondav j Several Defendants Sen tenced To Roads; Collect Over $300 In Fines Calling twenty-five cases Judge Chas. H. Manning cleared the doc ket and adjourned the regular ses sion of the Martin County Record er's Court shortly before noon la.1^ Monday. Several defendants were sentenced the roads, and fiip.es, amounting to $335, were imposed. Proceedings: Six defendants were in the court for operating traders with out having them inspected. Plead ing guilty, the defendants were not fined but were required to pay the court costs. The defend ants were, Ernest Andrews, John D. Lilley, James Willis Blanchard, Spencer Bullock, A. Otha House and J. Henry Sherrod. Only three defendants were charged with speeding on the highways. Two, Hillery Todd, of Goldsboro, and Willie Thomas Davis, Jr., of Ojus, Florida, plead ed guilty and were fined $15 each and taxed with the costs. Plead ing not guilty, T. Scott Gilliam of Windsor, was adjudged guilty and he was fined $15 and required to pay the costs. Adjudged guilty of an assault with a deadly weapon, James Sheppard was sentenced to the roads for ninety days. Charged with an assault with a deadly weapon and gambling, Roscoe Moore pleaded guilty in both cases. On the assault charge he was sentenced to the roads for ninety days and for gambling he drew sixty days on the roads, the second sentence to begin at the expiration of the first. The court suspended the road term upon the payment of a $35 fine and the costs. Pleading guilty of carrying a concealed weapon, Ed Lee Sals bury was fined $50, plus costs. Adjudged guilty of assaulting a female, Joe Clark was sentenced to the roads for sixty days. James Horton Smith was sen tenced to the roads for sixty days for gambling. Pleading guilty of gambling, Charlie Highsmith, Hudson Best and Bill Keel, colored, of Rober son vilie, were each fined $10 and taxed with the costs. Charged with non-support, Al bert Williams pleaded guilty and he was sentenced to the roads for six months. The road term was suspended upon the payment of the case costs and $8 a week to Eva Jane Williams for the sup port of their five children. Arrested the week before and held in jail in default of bond for drunken driving, David F. Brown, young soldier of Wallace, pleaded (Continued on page five) County Board To Meet On Monday —#— In addition to their regular du ties, toe Alarti/r eCui'.’niii:. sinners are almost certain to hear liquor store profits discussed and to vc.- it'c petitions for new roads and better roads. The boai d is to draw a jury for the March term of superior court New forms'for submitting road petitions have been received in the county, and at least four are being prepared for submissi m to the board at the meeting next Monday. The new' plan calls for the signatures of all owners whose property is on the road under con sideration, and the petitioner must sign in the presence of a witness. Declaring that law enforcernnt Declaring that law enforcement burdensome, citizens in the towns where no liquor stoics are locat ed plan to appeal to the board of commissioners for some relief. Of ficials in the store towns have dis cussed a plan, calling for a larger percentage of the profits. It was pointed out at a recent meeting that the county derived $70,000 in profits from the stores last year and that there is $18,000 in the law enforcement fund. "We believe the towns that have to contend with the drunks and maintain en forcement work should share in some of the profits,” a citizen de clared at the meeting. Fire Losses For The Past Twelve Months Are Listed Although the calls were fairly numerous, the fire loss in Wil liamston last year was the small est for any twelve month in a number of years, according to a report released a few days ago by j Fire Chief G. P. Hall. There were I po big fires, and only five where j ^property losses were reported. Volunteer firemen answered j forty-four calls during the past year. Fourteen of the calls came from out of town, including sever- ( | al to fires just outside the town, j limits. A 45th call was a false alarm. The loss on buildings was esti mated at $1,615, and damage to contents was placed at $885, mak ! ir.g a total loss of $2,500. Few towns the size of Williamston had 1 a lower property loss from fire1 PLANT BEDS v Scattered reports received here this week indicate that about forty percent of the far mers have prepared and sow ed their tobacco seed beds in this county. They are preparing and planting about the same yard age as they did a year ago. Many of them are using a I special seed, some to combat certain diseases and others to conform to cigarette type de mands. For the first time on record, a few farmers are treating their tobacco cloth with the expectation that it can be us ed several seasons. i Marked Decrease In Marriages In The Past Month Number Of Licenses Issued Is Smallest fur Any Janu ary In Seven Years Dropping from a January high peak of forty-one in 1947, the number of marriage licenses issu ed in this county last month was the smallest for any first month since 1942, the activities on cupid’s front during the period being more in keeping with the record i established back in depression ! days when the issuance fell below j a dozen. In January of last year there were thirty-three marriages in this county. Marriage license bureau attend ants in the courthouse could offer no explanation for the tremendous drop in the number of marriages, ‘but predicted better business for the current month. Licenses were issued last month in the county to seven white and six colored couples, as follows: White Alonza Manning and Essie Mae Briley, both of Robersonville. Thomas Everett Pollard of Rob ersonville and Nellie Weathersby i of Bethel. (Continued on page eight) Call Eight Cases In The JP Courts! Justices John L. Hassell and R. IT. Johnson handled eight cases in j their courts here during the past j few days. Publicly drunk, W E. Riven I bark was fined $10 and taxed with , $9.85 costs. Judgment was suspended upon j the payment of the costs and dam ' ages in the cases charging Jim : Rodgers and Pete Mendenhall I with allowing stock to run at large. conduct, were each fined $5 and required to pay $5.85 costs. Drunk and disorderly, Navin Hawkins was sentenced to the roads for thirty days, the court suspending the jail term on good behavior for twelve months and the payment of $5.85 costs. Charged with “beating” taxi fare, Wm. Davis was required to pay tne $10 fare and $5.85 costs. Facing Justice Hassell in his court, Henry Johnson, colored, I was fined $5 and required to pay ] $5.50 costs for disorderly conduct. I during the year. As usual most of the fires were confined to shingle roof tops, but even that type of fire is disap pearing since building regulations cal! for fire proof shingles or roof ing. The introduction of flue lin ing is also reducing the fire hazard, it was pointed out The volunteer firemen are ap preciative of the cooperation ex tended them by the public during the past year and ask that it be continued. The public is remind ed that it is unlawful to follow fire-fighting apparatus, that spec tators can help the cause by hold ing their proper distance in going to and at a tire. While there was only one false alarm received last year, quite a few people ring the department by mistake. Reports Ratings Of Markets And Cafes In County Sixteen Markets and Thir teen Cafes Are Given A Ratings Sixteen meat markets and thir teen cafes and lunch counters rat ed A when inspected recently by County Sanitarian W. B. Gaylord, Jr. Hardison’s Market in James ville and Page’s Market in Rober sonville held top positions in the meat division, and Fast Side, near Williafston, took top position in the cafe ratings. The ratings announced by Sani tarian Gaylord follows: Grade A: Hardison, Jamesville 95.5; Page, Robersonville, 95.5 McClees, Williamston, 94.5; Rog ers, Robersonville, 93.8; Ange Williamston, 93; Colonial Store Williamston, 92.5; Peele, Williams ton, 92.5: Ward, Williamston, 92.5; Moore Grocery, Williamston, 90.5; Hardy, Williamston, 90.5; Wil liams Community, Williamston, 90.5; Sunny Side, Williamston 90.5; Elmwood, Williamston, 90 Tiny, Williamston, 90; Williams Robersonville, 90; and West End Williamston, 90. Grade B- B. & B., Hamilton, 89; Bunting K., 88, Oak City; Cherry, Everetts, 88; David Moore, Wil laimston, 88; Hardy, Everetts, 87.5; Ayers, Oak City, 87; Brown Bros., Jamesville, 87; Hoell, Wil liamston, 87; Robertson, Williams ton, 87; Slade Rhodes, Hamilton, 87; Ben's, Williamston, 86; Gold Point, Robersonville, 86; Mizelle, Williamston, 86; Lilley, Williams ton, 85.5; Green Front, Williams ton, 85; W. A. Roberson, Williams ton, 85; Jones Community, Wil liamston, 85; Bunting, Oak City, 84; Reddick, Williamston, 84; Sex ton, Jamesville, 84; Donaldson, Williamston, 84; H. S. Johnson, Hamilton, 83.5; Red Front, Wil liamston, 83.5; Terry Bros., Wil (Continued from page five) Ukranian Seeks Work In County ■■■■ •— Wr'tmg to Albert Suitin', TV. wise Nest Township .farmer, a few days ago, Mike Matushkin, a Ukranian, asked tne young' man to forward him a contract so he twW.cw.\? this country and work on a farm. While young Smith was in the service in Germany, Matushkin assisted him in the kitchen, Smith declaring that the 30-year-old man was an efficient and willing worker. Married and father of one child, Matushkin has been in Lenggries, Germany, for some time, but he said in his recent letter to Smith that he was then out of work and would like to move to this coun try. -3> Victim Recovering From Accident Injury Badly injured when he was run over by a logging cart on his farm in Jamesville Township last month, Mr. Leonard P. Holliday, former county commissioner, was reported to be improving this week. Mr. Holliday’s shoulder was dis located and his hip and leg were badly bruised in the accident. Complete Plans To Observe Boy Scout Week Here -o— Two Year Program Will Be Starlet! During The Coming W eek Plans for observance of Boy Scout week here next week vvery completed this morning with ar rangements for use of the Wom an’s Club for a Father-Son ban quet Wednesday night as one of the main features. A parade for all scouts of the county will be held here Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock as another feature of the observance, K. P. Lindsley, in charge of arrangements, said to day. The theme of the observance this year is, “Adventure That's Scouting," while a two-year pro gram to strengthen “the Arm of Liberty” is planned. The main objectives are outlined as: Leader ship, Program, Membership. The following program for Wil liamston has been laid out by Scout Master Little Bear for Scout Troop 27 and Cub Pack 29 and by Dr. J. A. Eden for Scout Troop 29: Saturday, Feb. 5—Decorating of windows; demonstration in store windows throughout the day by Troops 27 and 29 and Cub Pack 29. Sunday—In observance of Na tional Scout Sunday, Cubs and Scout Troop 27 attend the Meth odist Church. Troop 27 to attend the Christian Church. Monday—Good turn at schools. Scouts at high school, Cubs at the grammar school. Tuesday—Cubs have 10 minute chapel exercises at the grammar school. Joint scout meeting in Troop 29 Scout room, third floor of City Hall, 7:00 p. m. Visitors invited. Wednesday—7:00 p. m.—Father and Son Supper at Woman's Club. All Scout fathers requested to come with their sons. All mem bers of Jayeees, Lions and Kiwan ians are requested to attend to act as hosts to Cubs and Scouts, each being responsible for the meal ol one Cub or Scout. Price of meal, 50c. Thursday—Clean up Woman’s Club as Good Turn for sponsoring institutions. Friday — Community Good Turn. Visit to County Home by Scouts and Cubs, witn gifts, leav ing Scout hall at 6:30 p. m. Saturday—Parade starting at 2 p. m., front of Wier’s Coffee Shop. All Scouts and Cubs in full re galia, march to Court House where demonstrations by Troops 27 and 29 on different phases of Scouting wil be held. All Scouts in county invited to participate in parade. Sunday, Feb. 13—Church Good Turn. One Scout and one Cub go ing to each Church acting as ush ers, handing out programs or any other duty designated to them by the pastor. ■o Farmers’Meeting Largely Attended The livestock school held ir the county courthouse Tuesday was attended by approximately ?50 farmers and was very successful, Agent Turn Brandon said. Includ ed in the attendance were quite a few agriculture trainees. Specialists from State College led the discussions which attract ed minute attention during both the morning and afternoon ses sions. A school on corn and tobacco will be held in the courthouse the early part of March. ---<*. Minor Accident On The Main Street Yesterday Damage estimated at $75 by Of ficer Chas R. Moore who made the investigation, resulted when the cars of John Gurganus, taxi driver, and of Leslie Cditrain crashed on the main street in front of the Viccar Theater yesterday about 1:00 o’clock. No one was hurt. Coltrain was pulling into the street just as Gurganus was pass ing, the Coltrain Ford ripping in to the side of the taxi. Last Appeal For Paralysis Fund Drive In County Drive $925.88 Short Of Its Goal With Only Few To Report Donations L. Bruce Wynne, chairman of the infantile paralysis; fund drive in Martin County, today issued an appeal to all thoughtful citizens to redouble their efforts during the next few days and help wipe out a quota deficit of $925.88. The chairman announced that $3,774.22 had been collected and reported, that a few small colored schools in the county could not report be fore next Tuesday and that it was hardly expected they would boost the amount by more than $150 or ! $200. It was pointed out that about the only source where the remain ing amount could be raised is among those persons who receiv ed direct mail appeals. So far | only $894 has been received by di | rect mail, the chairman explain ing that less than half of those re ceiving the mail appeals had re sponded, that the contributions in some instances were quite small. ; In other cases the donations were I very liberal, ranging up to $100 in I one instance. The chairman ap ( peals to those who have not an ■ swered the appeals to do so at once, and those who could pos | sibly follow up their contributions I with another are urgently re I quested to do so without delay. North Carolina, it was explain ed, owes a tremendous debt to the Nation. 1 Association and much of it should be repaid, to say nothing about building up a fund for any emergency that might arise. The drive will be closed next Wednesday. If the quota has not been reached by that time, the chairman will have to report ac cordingly. Reviewing the drive date, the chairman said that $894 had been received by direct mail, that Mrs, (..has. R. Gray collected in Rober sonville $185.50 aside from the schools there, that the colored schools reporting at that time had raised $421.95, that the white schools collected $1,727.51, and that three theaters had raised and reported $428.09. A complete list by schools, etc., will be released when the final report is in but it is fairly evident that the grammar school here will hold top place in the collections Miss Ruth Manning, principal of the grammar school, announced that with a membership of 56SJ pupils the department raised an even $000, that Iverson Skinner Jr., certainly with the aid of his daddy, came through with tin largest single collection and won the prize, a two-week pass to the Viccar Theater. Mrs. Abernathy's fifth grade led the grade collec tions with $100. Other grade col lections: Miss Rogerson’s sixth grade, $62.55; Mrs. Froneberger’s second grade, $61.15; Miss Man ning': third grade, $52.09; Mrs Kimball’s third grade, $43.21; Mrs Cr ,urn’s fifth grade, $42.60; Miss Hal. .i .> nist grade, $,j6.07; Mi.->. Jenkins’ fourth grade, $33 98; Mis Russell's fourth grade, $28.90; Mist Whitehui i’s such grade. $28.70 f.li.sS iiaiiey iViih grade, $25.05 Miss Harrison’s fourth grade, $23 Continued on Page Five) THE RECORD SPEAKS . . . No one was huit but prop erty damage jumped more than $1,000 in the fourth week accident on the streets and ; highways of the county, ac | cording to reports coming from members of the State Highway Patrol. So far about one-third of the accidents have been on town streets. The following tabulations offer a comparison of the ac cident trend: first, by corres ponding weeks in this year and last and for each year to the present time. 4th Week Accidents Inj’d Killed Dam’ge 1949 4 0 0 $ 1,015 1948 2 0 0 525 Comparisons To Date 1949 10 4 0 $ 1,785 1948 9 2 0 1,925 Delay Election Of * Town Commissioner Town Board Holds Regular Session Tuesday Evening - Signing Contract for Park ing Meters; Discuss Va ried Kvents Program 1 Meeting in regular session last Tuesday evening, Williamston’s j town commissioners delayed the election of a fifth member to fill the position made vacant on the board by the death of Commis | sinner George H. Harrison, Sr., and went on to discuss a varied program of business. No name of a possible successor to fill the position on the board was officially mentioned, but it was pointed out that several citi zens were interested. The ap pointment was delayed, it was ex plained, because the biennial town primary will be held in April and since there are only two more meetings before that event, the commissioners decided to recog nize the will of the people and make the appointment immediate ly after the primary and before the regular election in May. Out of respect for the memory of Geo. H. Harrison, Sr., the hoard instructed the clerk to prepare appropriate resolutions. Favored by a vote of 67 to 5, parking meters are to be retained as permanent fixtures on local streets. A contract is to be sign ed with the manufacturers short ly. Business operators six months ago voted 67 to 9 to try the meters, and last week they voted 67 to 5 to retain them. Several business op erators could not be contacted in the last survey, but it was evident that tiie meters are in better standing after the trial period than they were before they were installed. Incidentally, the board called for a strict enforcement of the parking regulations. It has been suggested that the meters in front of the Presby terian church and in front of homes be removed. No action was taken, but the request is being considered. The board heard a request for a stop light at the Washington and llaughton Streets intersection, but no action was taken on the re quest after the board discussed the perplexing problem there. A fairly extensive sidewalk paving program was placed on the agenda by petitioners on several streets, the board agreeing to pro ceed with the work as rapidly as possible. Petitions were offered at the meeting for a sidewalk on the south side of Franklin Street between llaughton and Smith wick Streets, and for a walk on the north side of Warren Street from Watts to Park Street A1 ready on the agenda are paving projects on Beech and North Biggs Streets, and curb and gutter on a part of Seh.qolQrivo The town was asked to take over and maintain the 16-foot public alley between the Roan oke Dixie and Planters Warehous es. | Realizing that the maintenance | of the motor vehicle inspection lane had damaged Warren Street, the board ippenled’inspec tion service to either build a lane or move to a new location. It is proposed to locate the lane either on Hassell or Grace Streets the lattei part of next week. The board passed a resolution urging the highway commission to pave the approaches to the lo cal high school, and since the town has about a $2,100 current allot ment, some action is anticipated within the next few months Regulations, just before being adopted, for the control of taxi cabs were discussed. A license fee of $50 per cab was adopted, the town agreeing to furnish parking places for at least five cabs. A uni form rate charge of 35 cents plus ten cents for each additional pas senger was also fixed within the town limits. The transfer of a deed to the Halberstadt land for a cemetery has been delayed, but the instru ment is expected to clear within (Continued on page five) INDEFINITE S-./-/ While nu date has been fix ed definite, a hearing for John R, Coltrain who is fac ing a murder charge in this county, has been tentatively set for next Tuesday after noon at 3:00 o'clock in the courthouse. As far as it could be learned that time is suit able to the defense. It was explained, however, that re peated attempts had been made to contact the solicitor and that it was not yet certain if that time would be agree able to him. Coltrain, charged with the murder of Tom Roberson, neighbor farmer, on January 26, will be carried before Jus tice R. T. Johnson. Coltrain was returned to the jail here Tuesday after a six day stay in the Pitt County jail in Greenville. John T. Bennett Died At Oak City Tuesday Morning Funeral Service Conducted Yesterday For Well known Citizen John Thomas Bennett, well known county citizen and success ful farmer, died at his home near Oak City Tuesday morning at 7:00 o'eloek following a long period of declining health. He had been ill for about eight years, but his con dition was not considered serious until last Christmas day when he was taken worse suddenly. Little hope was held for his recovery af ter that time. Mr. Bennett, son of the late John A. and Martha Jones Ben nett, was born on the Garrett farm near Williamston 67 years ago in 1861. He spent his early life on the farm there and when a young man located with his parents in the Oak City-Hamilton area where he continued to farm until ill health forced him to retire. He was married to Miss Ger trude Yeattes in 1919. A good neighbor and friend, he was de voted to his family and was held in high esteem. Surviving are his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Morris M. Mobley and Mrs. Bill Mobley, both of Oak City; one son, Thomas Bennett, of the home; two sisters, Mrs. George W. Manning of Oak City and Mrs. W. T. Stinnett of Williamston; and one brother, W. Bryant Bennett of Oak City. Funeral services were'conduct ed at the home yesterday after noon at 3:00 o’clock by Elders W. E. Grimes and A. B. Ayers. In terment was in the Oak City Cein Complete School For Bear Grass A new $52,000 building for the Bear Grass High School has been i oinpiVU d and w ill be Used fi>r the first time next Monday, it was learned yesterday. Construction work was completed some time ago, but radiators were not avail able until last Monday. The heat ing units were installed immedi ately after their arrival and heat was turned on yesterday. Equipment, costing approxi mately $0,500, including $1,500 furnished by the district patrons, is being installed and the high school with the exception of the home economics department will occupy the new umt next Monday. The new building also houses a lunchroom. A new lunchroom was opened in the Robersonville grammar school last Thursday. Radiators, shipped on the 10th of last month from Buffalo, for the new high school unit in Williams ton have not yet arrived. They are expected daily, but when Un building will be ready for use ne one knows at tins time. Little Progress Reported So Far By Legislature Representative Corey Of fers No New Loeai Bills House In Reeent Days Hounding out its fourth week Ja Raleigh, the State Legislature ’.'as fttade little progress as far as pass ing new laws and reaching final decisions are concerned. It is be ginning to appeal- that the legisla tive group will be stoppr/d in its tracks and that little progressive legislation will be enacted at the present session. Representative A. Corey, intro ducing several local bills earlier in the session, has not tackled the proposal to legalize hog vaccina tions by the county agent and ag riculture teachers. He was the guest of the governor at breakfast Wednesday morning. Motor Vehicle Laws The 11)47 Highway Safety Act is under fire from two flanks in the Genera! Assembly. Developments this week point to the House as the battle-ground where the mot or vehicle inspection program must fight for survival. At the same time that SB 59, approved by the Senate after a sharp debate to provide for reduction in the number of annual inspections from two to one per year, was on its way to the House on Friday, an identical measure. HB 180, was being introduced in the lower chamber. Furthermore, if the sen timent revealed by several repre sentatives on Raleigh radio pro | grams in the past two weeks is an I accurate straw in the wind, there | is a strong movement afoot in the ; House for complete repeal, pro posed three weeks ago in HB 5. HB 171, introduced this week, attacks the 1947 driver's license reexamination law. It would re quire persons holding licenses prior to July 1, 1947, to secure re newal licenses without examina tion bv January 1, 1950, and would continue to require simple renew al every four years. Regulation of motor vehicles being towed is the object of HB 104 as introduced on Thursday to require that such vehicles be oc cupied by a driver and be equip ped with brakes. The Governor's recommenda tion that the gas iline tux be in creased one cent to help pay for the proposed $200,000,000 bond is sue for secondary roads was sub mitted to both houses in bill form j on Friday. The bills, SB 79 and HB 181, do not provide for a con ditional increase, so that this rev (Continued on page five) Reports On Seal Sale In County The annual sale of TB Christ mas Seals, recently completed in this county, exceeded its goal of $2,000 by $417.84, it was announc ed this week by County Chairman Charles H. Manning. The fund, amounting to $2417.84 will further control r': started in earnest with the mass TB X-ray survey a year ago. Williamston led the county with seal and bond sales amounting to , $1268.86. Robei sonviiie was next j with $308.00 followed by Goose < Nest where the sales amounted to ! $120.50. Giiffips \yas fourth on the list with $95.00 and Jamesvilie raised $84.00. Other townships reported as follows: Hamilton, $07.00; Cross Koads, $51 00: Bear Grass, $60.00; Williams, S43 97 and Poplar Point, $35.00. The Williamston white gram mar school purchased Santa Claus buttons and bangles in the amount of $26.12 and the High School bought” $13 4? worth of bangles. The girl scouts added $40.17 with the Bangle Day sales. $18.67 was recevied from the Robersonville white schools. The following amounts were turned in from the colored schools; Williamston, $35.62; Biggs, $4.00; Rodgers, $4.50; Williams, $6.00; Burroughs, $6.00; Parmele, $16.50; Roberson ville, $22.14; Gold Point, $8.00; Everetts, $12.00; Oak City, $10.00; j Hamilton, $11.63; Salsbury, $7.90; i White Oak Springs, $8.00; Jones, I $4.00; Whichard James, $7.00; I Jamesvilie, $6.00; Dardens, $6.00; | Smithwiek, $2 69; Bear Grass, $4.15 and Cross Roads, $6.00.