Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / March 1, 1949, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE VOLUME LII—NUMBER 17 Williamaton, Marlin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, March /, 1949 THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK 5 ESTABLISHED 1899 Beats Himself Badly In County Jail Here Mental Subject Is Transferred To Vet Hospital Second Case To Enter Ja/l In Short Time Because Hospitals Are Filled The shameful failure of North Carolina to provide facilities and adequate care for its mentally ill was aggravated in this county over the week-end when a mental patient, finding no room in a State institution, was lodged in the county jail. Placed in the jail to protect others, the man removed every stitch of his clothing and using his belt brutally attacked himself, in flicting severe bruises on his back and legs before the leather could be taken away from him. Medi cal aid was tendered but only through the bars of his cell door, Jailer Roy Peel explaining that the inmate would have attacked anyone who dared enter the cell. His condition was improved yes terday, but the poor fellow, pos sessing a large bay window, was having a hectic time trying to keep his trousers up without a belt or suspenders. Holding himself rigid, the sick | man would stare directly at the sun. relaxing only when a cloud would block his view. Jailer Peel said the man stood at attention for long periods, staring at the electric light in his cell. At fre quent intervals all Sunday night the man called hogs and each time he would call his dogs and chase them away. Convinced there was no room for the unfortunate in a State in stitution, officers appealed to tne veterans' administration. The man served in the armed forces for a few months during World War II but was discharged in early 1943 to enter employment in a vital defense plant. Deputy Murray Holloman, assisted by two other officers, left here this morning for Fayetteville where the subject will be given an examination in the veterans’ hospital. It is quite likely that he will be recommend ed lor admittance at Roanoke, meaning that he wi'l be returned to this county and then transfer red to the Virginia hospital, main ly at county expense. Last week admittance was de nied an epileptic. And now the story is to be repeated while law makers wrangle and accomplish next to nothing in Raleigh. Re peated appeals are being made to Raleigh, urging that something be done to relieve the deplorable si tuation. Reports state that 133 mentally ill people, including 48 white men and 25 white women, 49 colored men and 16 colored women, were herded into the common jails of (Continued from page five) Education Board „.JL, Meets In County Meeting in the office of the sup erintendent of schools on Monday, the Martin County Board,of Edu cation in addition to handling rou tine duties sold a tenant house on the Stevenson property in Rober sonville for $890 to O. B. Rober son. The structure is to be mov ed from about five acres of land j recently purchased by the board of education for $10,000. The pro perty is to be used for a play ground. Advised that the elementary school building in Robersonville will be condemned by the State Fire Marshall, the board made preliminary plans to have the structure repair'd. The east wall is badly crack i and while there is no immediate danger, it is pos sible that the foundation will give way in time, it was pointed out. An architect is to make a study of the condition and the board plans to let a contract for the re pairs in time to have the work started and completed during the summer months, Board Chairman J. D. Woolard said. MEETING An important meeting of lo cal merchants will be held in the State Employment office in the Tar Heel building to morrow afternoon at 2:30 (o'clock, it wm announced yes terday by a/ representative of the group. Half-holiday schedules and other business will bfc dis cussed at the meeting and all merchants are invited to at tend. Asks Cooperation In Fight Against Timberland Fires Farmers Asked To Get Burning Permits ami Re port All Forest Fires With the approach of the most dangerous season for forest fires, Warden Marvin Leggett this week appealed to the people of Martin County to help hold the danger to the lowest possible minimum. Everyone is asked to cooperate in every way possible by exercising care against the reckless use of matches in wooded areas and by procuring permits to burn ditch banks and rubbish and by report ing fires to the district wardens. Permits are issued by and fires may be reported to the following in this county: M. H. Leggett, phone 29568; E. H. Williams, phone 29515; C. B. Burroughs, phone Robersonville, 4050; A. P. Barnhill, Everetts; Ter ry Brothers, Bear Grass; Chief of Police William Smith, Roberson ville; Officer Chas. R. Moore, Wil liamston; H. R. Smith, Palmyra; David Roberson, RFD, Williams ton; W M. Hardison, Route 3, Wil liamston; George Hopkins, James ville; Marvin Jones, Jamesville; James Mendenhall, phone 29572; Henry Allen, RFD, Williamston; and C. P. Revels, RFD 1, Williams ton. Stressing the value of forest protection, Warden Leggett said that timber, free of fire, grows faster in Martin County than in any other county in the State, that pines are known to have added as much as one inch of growth in a year. He also pointed out that forests free of fire help the own ers and serve as a refuge for game, that business in general is helped. At the present time there are fourteen and one-half million acres of woodsland under protec tion in North Carolina, including over 166,000 acres in this county. Industries, dependent upon forest products, rank second in import ance in the State in employment (Continued on page eight) legislature Will Consider Revised Inspection System Inspection Lanes Closed Down In the State At End Of Business Friday -- North Carolina’s 18-month-old | inspection law was choked to death by legislative act last Fri- I day, but before the corpse had cooled supporters of the old law along with some of those who act ed to kill the measure declared they would offer a substitute bill for consideration. Martin County’s representation in the House, the Honorable A. Corey, while declaring the cld in spection system was nothing but a racket enjoyed by garagemen, de clared he favored some kind of an inspection plan. The district's senator, Sam Campen, voted tc kill the inspection, while the other senator, John Rodman, voted to retain the law. It is not known what stand Senator Campen will take if a bill is offered for a sub stitute inspection law. Senator Rodman, declaring that he had re ceived little or no complaint about the inspections in his dis trict, apparently will go along with a bill calling for a new in spection system. Following action by the legisla ture last Friday, the Motor Ve hicles Deivision immediately ord | ered all inspection lanes closed. The murder of the bill consti tutes just about the first act the legislature has handled of a state-wide nature during the first two months of the session. Those persons who did not bother to write their representa tives or senators, urging the re tention of the inspection system, are now expressing disappoint ment rather freely, some declaring that the lawmakers will hardly be able to hide their shortcomings behind the negative act. While a new inspection law is scheduled for consideration, its makeup has not been revealed. Some have suggested that inspec tions be handled by garages while others are in favor of retaining the lanes with a reduction in the number of inspection and the items to be inspected. A bill, establishing a substitute inspection program, is scheduled for consideration by committee this week. f_BEGINNING TO JELL v_I/ Contrary to some reports hatched close to the Chas. M. Johnson camp and released by columnists and correspond ents, things are beginning to “jell” in Raleigh, meaning that Governor Kerr Scott and his program haven’t as yet been counted out and made ready for the scrapheap. The impartial reports indi j cate there’ll be at least a com promise, that it’ll not be an out-and-out defeat for the chief executive. Red Cross Fund Drive Off To Good Staid Here Today The annual Red Cross Fund Drive was off to a good start in the Martin County Chapter early today, according to a preliminary report coming from the chapter drive chairman, Garland G. Wool ard. -Shortly before noon, the chairman said that $407.50 had been contributed and reported to headquarters in the Woolard-Fur niture Company store. The early contributions include the following: Standard Fertilizer Company, $20; Wells-Oates Lumber Com pany, $15; Guaranty Bank & Trust Company, $20; Branch Banking & Trust Co., $20; Roan oke Chevrolet Company, $20; Wil liamston Motor Co., $20; Williams ton Peanut Co., $20; Williamston Supply Co., $20; Williamston Lumber Company, $20; Dixie Mot or Company, $20; Chas. H. Jenkins Motor Company, $20; W. I, Skin ner Tobacco Co., $20; Harrison Oil Co., $20; Martin-Elliott Co., $20; W. G. Peele, $20; Lindsley Ice Co., $20; Martin County B. & L. Asso., $20; Woolard Furniture Co., $20; Sinclair Refining Co., (N. C. Green), $10; J. Paul Simpson, $10; King Tobacco Co.. .$20; Griffin Motor Co., $12.50. Plans for ihe drive were com pleted last Friday when the sever al principals in the colored schools accepted the task of soli citing funds in their respective districts. It was pointed out that when a truck load of colored migratory workers was wrecked near here last fall, the Red Cross went to their rescue, paying lodging, rail road fare, doctors’ and hospital bills in the sum of over $700. The colored citizens in the chapter are being asked to contribute approxi mately $400. Several of the district chairmen stated last week-end that they planned to rush the drive to a suc cessful close within a few days, and the public is urged to cooper ate with them for they are giving of their time without reward, but in the knowledge that someone somewhere will be helped during the coming months. Conducting Eye Clinic Here /.-W ' W.' .vWW.' Dr. Gaddy Matherson is pictured above examining the eyes of a patient at a recent clinic sponsored and financed by the Wil liamston Lions Club. Thirty-six youngsters, including white and colored, were examined at the clinic held in the Woman’s Club. Glasses were placed on thirty-three and surgery was recom mended for the others. Mayor's Proclamation “Whereas, the Church Women of Williamston, uniting with simi lar groups across America and throughout the world, have desig nated Friday, March 4, 1949, as a ‘World Day of Prayer,’ urging people to gather to ask for divine guidance for themselves and all mankind, and to give of then plenty to others as a token of brotherhood and of gratitude: "Therefore, I, Robert H. Cowen, Mayor of Williamston, North Car olina, do proclaim March 4, 1949, a Day of Prayer in Williamston; Funeral Friday For M. H. Ayers Funeral services were conduct ed in the Hassell Christian Church j last Friday afternoon for Mills 11. Ayers, retired county farmer, who died at his home in Hassell Thurs day morning at 2:00 o’clock. His pastor, Rev. Olin Fox, and Rev. J M. Periy, a former pastor, con ducted the service and burial was in the Thomas Family Cemetery near Hassell. Mr. Ayers, well known citiiti i of that section of the county, had been in declining iieu'io f./; 'sev eral years, suffering with heart trouble. The son of the late J. R. and Sal }jr hf wa ' ir Goose Nest Township 01 years ago, and spent his early life there on the farm. About thirty years! La,gn he located m the Hassell suc tion, farming there until, nlinut j four years ago when he engaged i in business in Hassell. Mr. Ayers was first married to Mrs. Lucy Price Thomas, anti fol lowing her death he married Miss! I Susie House who died about three - years ago of a heart attack. Surviving are his third wife, the former Mrs. Nellie Hopewell; two sons, Elwood Ayers of Oak City 1 and Eli Ayers of Roper; five-1 daughters, Mrs. Eva Gurganus of Roper, Mrs. Wiley Williamson of! Wilson, Mrs. Era Lamb of Wil j liarr.ston, Mrs. Allen V/eath. . shy of Bethel, and Miss Eula Mae Ay ers of the home; one brother, George Ayers of Hassell; two step daughters, Mrs. George Hopewell and Mrs. A. F. Weaver of Hassell; thirty-seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Ayers was a member of the Hassell church for a number of years and was held in high es teem by all who knew him. and do call upon all of our citizens to give reverent attention to the purposes of this observance, to of fer their own prayers and peti tions to their Heavenly Father, and, if possible, to attend Union worship at the Williamston Chris tian Church at 4:00 on Friday af ternoon. Let us each call upon God to aid us in the establishment of lasting peace, goodwill, and brotherhood everywhere in the world.” Signed, Robert H. Cowen, Mayor, Williamston. North Carolina f COUNTY MUSI } Martin was the first county in North Carolina to meet its Jackson Day Dinner quota lor the Democratic Tarty fund, according to Chairman Jon athan Daniels. Cabarrus was second. The treasurer mailed the county’s quota—a S300 check --last Wednesday. Parents-Teachcrs Mjt Last Evening „ . Bv Ann? .1. Corev The fading ait of debating :< 1 vived itself last night at the PTA meeting held in the grammar sc hool auditorium as members of :V,*'! F der the direction of Mr, Carlyle i Cox presented the timely query, “The Civil Rights Issue” to a small. I hut attentive audience Prior to .the deoaie, Mr. Cox made a few remarks concerning PTA Founders Day. H- then par tially outlined his objectives in' encouraging a forensic organiza tion. Gloyden Stewart served as chairman of the debate Travis Martin and Bobby Clayton were the affirmative speakers while Bill Bob Peel and Pritchard Linds ley represented the negative side. Preceding the debate, President Spivey called the meeting to ord er after which Rev. E. R. Shul ler led the invocation. During the business session Miss Betty Sue Tilley read the by-laws of the lo cal chapter. The president gave a report on the Youth Recreation Center Committee and Mis. Joe Griffin reported briefly on the re cent conference held here with Mrs Genevieve Bui ton. Miss Anna Bell Privott’s class was awarded the attedaruc prize. Following this the meeting was adjourned. Predicts Defeat For States Go Forward Program Legislators Can Return Home In April ami Boast Of No New Tax Levy While North Carolina’s “Do Nothing Legislature” is two months old, it has accomplished little or nothing in the way of tangible act's to date. And special correspondent Eula Nixon Green wood in her “Raleigh Round-up” as good as says it will do nothing to eai'rv the State forward accord ing to Governor Kerr Scott's blue print. Well, the people are still; betting that something had better be done or there’ll be more than a purge two years from now. The round-up reads: There is now talk in Raleigh that Governor Kerr Scott is look ing to his 1951 Legislature, the thinking being that he had not J hoped for too much from the pro Charles Johnson men who com pose the present body. All other North Carolina Gov ernors have had their best davs during their first four months in office with the Legislature right along with them on the honey moon and everything bright and cheerful. Some of Scoffs brain-trusters are trying to sell him on the idea of carrying his fight to the people. If this thought jells, he will make a tour of the counties next year and work for the defeat of the senators and representatives who are refusing to add new taxes with which to carry the State onward and upward. Thus, our Governor, who last week likened his plight to that of President Truman's, may find himself following in the steps of F’ankhn D. Roosevelt when in 1937 he worked for the defeat of Senator George (“God bless you, Walter”) and other sen ators who would not go along with him on his plan to enlarge the membership of the U. S. Supreme Court. Even in the Governor’s inner circle of advisors, there has been disagreement about the road bonds. At least one of his friends working with the Legislature whispered to members last week that hi' would be satisfied with $100,000,000 instead of the original $200,000,000. The Governor nail ed this one quickly, lapsing into his theme song, “$200,000,000 for roads, $50,000,000 for schools.” The people will probably be given an opportunity to vote on these two bond issues. If the Leg islature does puss these problems along for a final decision by the voters, you will find Governor Scott hitting the trail for their adoption. He may adopt the same type of campaign he used to be come Governor. If he doesn't do a great deal of plugging for them, the people will turn them down. (Continued on page eight) ROUND-UP r ) Seven persons were round ed up tn this fnunlv oil the crime front ami an eighth one was 'detained for his own pro tection and the safety of others _bv local, county anti I stale,'^?ffcers last’week-end.^®** As usual, the drunks led the parade, the jail records show ing four arrested for drunk enness, two lor assaults am! one for speeding. Two of the eight were white and the ages of the group ranged from 17 to 69 years. Martin Farmers Buv Sweet Potato Seeds COMMISSIONERS 1 Meeting in regular session in the clerk's office this even ing at 8:00 o’clock, Williams ton's town commissioners will among new business, make plans for the biennial town primary and election, A reg istrar is to be named along with the poll holders. Very little other business other than that of a routine nature is scheduled for consideration at the meeting. The town political front continues unusually quiet, but increased interest is anticipat ed shortly. Reviews Work Of Lions Club With The Needy Blind Organization K e e enll y Sponsored Lye Clinie for ! Large Number Children By Joe Davenport The human race is a funny lot. Because of certain beliefs man kind has a penchant for forming in groups where other men hav-, ing the same beliefs make pleas ant company. Hence we have; political parties, church sects, etc. And each fellow is so all-fired proud of his affiliation that he wears a badge or pin that the, j world might know how he stands, i | We know what a church or polite , 1 cal groups does, but the other day ! j we were asked a question that had I us stumped for awhile. The ques | tion—“What does a Lions Club do?” Well, we had to do some fancy investigating and came up with the following. Although the Williamston Lions Club has assumed its rightful place as a leader in various enter I prises designed for civic better I ment, its primary objective is aj | far reaching work among the i blind of Martin County in particu , lar, and the entire country in gen- 1 i oral. During 1948 approximately $540.00 was spent for work among I the blind in Martin County alone, land $2111.00 was forwarded to the S North Carolina State Commission j for the Blind. During the year the club contributed $315,114 for the work of a blind case worker in Martin County, helping the blind to help themselves. On February 16, 1949 the club sponsored an eye clinic at the Wo men's Club for students in the Williamston schools. Prior to the clinic the nurses in the local schools had made a survey among the students, using a Snellen Chart to determine those whose vision was impaired. The worst cases were found and urged to at tend the clinic. One the day of the clinic 48 students, white and colored, were again given the J/i«.t-'nait test-and 3# 'JWflr] passed for further examination by Dr, Gaddy Matherson of Ahoskie, North Carolina. Dr. Matherson of the North Carolina Commission for the Blind. Mr. J. II Wynn, of j the Southeastern Optical Com pany, and the staff of the lecai [ welfare department. Of the 36 , students examined, 33 were found I to be in need of glasses. One stud (Continued on page five) Sponsoring First Purebred Hog Sale In County Friday J J. W. Sumner Assistant County Agent The recertify organized Mar*in County Purebred Breeders Asso ciation is sponsoring its first pure bred hog sgle Friday, March 4th, 1:30 p. m. at the old fair grounds in Willlamston. This is the first time the farm ers of Martin County have had the opportunity to buy recognized hreed'ng stock at home. The far mers will have the opportunity of | buying purebred gilts and boars j of either Duroe or Hampshire breeds. High producing qualities are known to be inherited. There will be hogs on the sale from a litter of 15 arid whose litter weighed 350 lbs. at 5H days old. All farmers are invited to at tend this sale; see and buy some of the fine purebred hogs being grown in Martin County. Members of the association met in the agricultural building last Friuay evening and completed plans for the sale. Establishment Of JVIarket In County Has Been Assured Several Hundred Bushels Of Clioiee Seed Has Been Booked So Far All but ignored during the past lew years, the sweet potato has the promise of coming back into its own in the county this year, ac cording to reports coming from a Farm Bureau meeting in the courthouse last Friday evening. It was explained that orders had been placed for several hundred bushels of sweet potato seed, that many farmers are planning to grow the crop on a commercial scale in the county this year. While cotton, corn and soybeans will be planted to take up most of the acreage 'taken out of peanuts, it is now certain that the sweet potato will be there to sweeten the bitter peanut acreage reduction. Pointing out that the supply of good seed is limited, the meeting said that the search would be con tinued for more sources. It was also pointed out that those farm ers who plan to grow potatoes should act without delay in mak ing certain seed is available. Addressing the group, M. M. Levin, marketing specialist, assur ed them that a market would be established in the county this year. “The committee has agreed to underwrite the purchase of a grading, washing and cleaning machine,” Levin said. He also pointed out that several impor tant outlets had been established. It was explained that while po tatoes currently are selling for as much as $3.75 a bushel on the northern markets, it would not be reasonable to tell the farmer that such a price would prevail a year from now. “However, there is al ways a market for good sweet po tatoes," Mr. Levin said. Before entering the business on a commercial scale, the farmer must realize that good seed ape absolutely essential, that to bring the best price potatoes must be graded and packed according to the demands of the ultimate con sumer. Mr. Levin explained further that no contracts are necessary, that the farmer may plant as I many potatoes as he chooses or just wait and see how the plan works out before planting the first potato for market. No official announcement has | been made, but it. is possible that J sweet potatoes will eventually | come under acreage control. If Martin County has no acreage, it j can expect little or no allotment if I and when acreage control is ap plied to the crop. Convinced that Martin County can produce a quality potato, Mr. i Levin points out that it holds an J advantage that we are nearer the j south of us. He is also convinced Continued on Page Five) Make Plans For Fashion Revue A fashion revue, featuring styles of long ago along with the latest in spring and summer ap parel will be presented by the Williamston Woman's Club in the Viccar Theater here Friday even ing, March 11, at 8:15 o'clock, it was announced today. Blondie’s Secret,” a sparkling and delightful comedy, will be shown on the screen immediately following the fashion show. Clothes and accessories for cur rent styles will be supplied by lo cal merchants and will be a dis play of the latest creations in spring and summer wear for street, afternoon play and eve ning. Fashions of yesteryear will in clude many costumes treasured by local residents down through the years. Don Pierce, radio arnouncer, will serve us master of cere monies.
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
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March 1, 1949, edition 1
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