North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE - B j. ■ ■ ' ' * , * THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK ...1 VOLUME LII—NUMBER 30 William tlon, Martin County, North Carolina, Thursday, April I t, 1949 ESTABLISHED 1899 Declares Fate Of Bridge Over The Chowan Uncertain Final Action Pending The Outcome Of Complete Bridge Inspection “The fate of the bridge over Chowan River between Windsor and Edenton is still uncertain,” representatives said upon their re turn from conferences held iv Ra leigh yesterday. The bridge, al ready closed to heavy traffic, will possibly accommodate light ve hicles, but should complete in spections reveal that it is danger ous, about all that can be done is to hope, one of the delegates to the conference declared. The structure, in a bad state of repair for several years, was dis covered about th^ee weeks ago to be in much worse condition than many believed it to be in. The bridge weakened at one spot un der a heavy load, causing much concern in highway engineering circles. A late report from the findings reported by a diver who has been examining the concrete piles says that the condition of the bridge will possibly permit traf fic for some time, but it could not be learned whether it would be re opened to heavy vehicles. The in spections are to be completed in about two more weeks. Delegates, named at a meeting of interested citizens held in Eden ton last Monday, called on the governor yesterday and while he greeted them cordially it was pointed out that his hands were tied, that his road program was being “blocked” by the State Sen ate, including at least one in this district. Governor Scott .said that the surplus if any in the highway fund could not be determined un til after the legislature completed its program, that he knew of no emergency of such moment as the one surrounding the Chowan bridge. . Calling on legislators sent to Ra leigh to represent this section, the delegates said that a legislative appropriation is definitely out of the question, that some of them were strongly opposed to tfie road program but sympathetic toward the bridge problem. In other words, if the bridge is found to be in fair condition traf fic will continue to move over it. But if it is found to be dangerous, it is subject to be closed with lit tle prospect just now of any money coming from anywhere for repairs or a new bridge. Messrs. Robt. H. Cowen and Bill Abbitt represented Martin County at the conferences yesterday. Choir To Present Easter Cantata On Friday night, April 15, at 8 o'clock, the choir of the Memorial Baptist Church will present the Easter Cantata: “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” by Dubois. 'me performance will be under the direction of Miss Ida Privette, choir director. Mrs. J. M. Ward ! and Mrs. Wheeler Martin will ac company on the organ, and the piano respectively. soprano; Mrs. George Wynne, so prano; Mr. Joe Davenport, tenor; Mr. Hilton Forbes, tenor; Mr. Ste wart B. Simms, baritone. The peuple of the town and i community are cordially invited to attend this service. Wrangling Over Minor Legislation Rounding out more than three months, North Carolina’s legisla ture continues to wrangle over minor legislation, members of the ' body declaring this week that the assembly had done little or noth-, ing. Going down the line for the liquor interests week after week, the lawmakers this week got mix ed up when they ruled against ' liquor voting in one town and ap proved it for anothei. ( The road program, hooked up in the senate with the proposed one cent gas tax, is considered by some to be a "dead duck”. Can Extend Sewer System To Proposed Hospital Site According to a preliminary sur vey completed this week by Engi neer Henry Rivers it is possible to extend the present sewer system to embrace that property where Drs. Harris, Llewellyn and Rhodes plan to build a hospital facing Lib erty Street and between Lee and Vance Streets just off North Haughton. It is fairly apparent, however, that the facilities resulting from) such an extension of the system will be, more or less, limited to that immediate section. 'Engineer Rivers explained that he codld not give a definite answer until an over-all survey was incorporated with the immediate project but he was fairly certain very little other territory could be served by the I HOLIDAY v A general holiday like unto the observance of Sunday with the exception of some heavy industry and a few oth ers is on the schedule here for April 18, Easter Monday. All stores are to close along with various professional offices, but the post office will main tain its regular schedule of activities and the Enterprise will remain open. All county offices will be closed, but no holiday is in cluded for federal offices. The half-holiday Schedule for Wednesday will go into effect week after next on the 27 th. Schedule Eleven Divorce Actions In Superior Court —<t>— All Divorces Are Based On Grounds Of Two-Yeur Separation Eleven divorce cases have been scheduled for trial in the Martin County Superior Court next week, a review of the calendar recently prepared by the bar association showing that all of the cases are based on grounds of two years of separation. No session of the court will be held Monday since a general holi day has been scheduled that day. Jurors and witnesses and litigants, first notified to report that day, are being advised that no session will be held on the 18th, that the court will open the first sessions of the two-week term on Tuesday. The divorce cases are, as fol lows: In the case of Julia Goff Purvis against Marshall Purvis, the plain tiff says they were married March 14, 1945, and separated April 15, 1945. Robert Tucker, in his case against Grace Tucker, says they were married in March, 1946, and that they separated in February, 1847. In the case of Floyd Butler of Bertie County against Mary E. Butler of Franklin, Va., the plain tiff says they were married in FV^guarv, 1943.. a^j^^yjjy^rted in Npvember, 1945. Sarah Lanier, in her case against John Lanier, says they were mar led in April, 194°. :md separated n January, 1947. Married July 10, 1922, and sep arated April 15, 1944, Roy Harrell s -ling Irman Allen Harrell for a iivorce. It is stated in the com plaint that all children born to he union are grown and are self supporting. W. C. Chance, Jr., in his case against Louise Chance says in his :omplaint that they were married m December 25, 1941, and were :eparated in May, 1946. In his case against Fannie Har ell, the plaintiff, Floyd Harrell, , •ays they were married in May, ' 937, that she left and went to 'Jew Jersey in October, 1937, and hat he had not seen her since. A j •hild born to the union, is with he mother. Basing his action on grounds of ' wo-year separation and alleging ' idultery, William Manson in his ase against Jeraldine Manson, \ (Continued on page four) proposed line. The plan now under immediate consideration would serve most o3f the Rhodes property, Halifax, North Biggs and Henderson Streets, leaving out the North Haughton Street area and other property to the west and thence southwardly across West Main. The line as proposed would start just off lower North Smithwick, connect liberty and move down or parallel with Liberty just back of the ball park and on around Din ah’s Hill into Henderson to con nect'with the present system on East Main Street. It is approxi mately one mile, and will cost about $4 per foot or about $25,000, according to preliminary esti mates. Fifteen Cases In justices’ Courts In Past Few Days ■ ■♦■■■ - Several Defendants Bound Over To the County Court for Trial -o Following an early spring slump, business picked up in a fairly big way in local justices of the peace courts during the past few days. Justice R. T. Johnson handled nine cases in his court, and Justice John L. Hassell heard six cases in his court during the period. Justice Johnson handled thd" following cases: Judgment was suspended upon the payment of the costs in the case charging Opheus Revels with being drunk and disorderly. In another case, the defendant was bound over to the county court for allegedly assaulting a female. The case in which Wm. V. Roe buck was charged with speeding was sent to the county court for trial. Nathaniel Peel was fined $10 and taxed with $5.85 costs in the case charging him with being drunk and disorderly. Charged with fishing without licenses, Albert P. Townsend and Joseph M. Rowland were each fin ed $5 and required to pay $5.85 costs. Hugh Lacey, charged with dis orderly conduct, was sentenced to jail for thirty days, the court sus pending the jail term upon the payment of $5.85 costs. Charged with an assault with a deadly weapon, Cloven James was bound over to the county court under bond in the sum of $100. Charged with disorderly con duct and refusing to pay taxi cab fare, William Henry Stokes was fined $10 and taxed with $5.85 costs. Justice Hassell heard the fol lowing cases: Judgment was suspended upon the payment of $9 costs in the case i charging George Williams with diso. derly conduct. The case charging Theodore Watson with assaulting a female was sent to the county court for trial. Drunk and disorderly, Robert Kennvg^'S JU!U $rdflmiiea with $9.50 costs. Charged with being drunk and down, John Henry White was sentenced to jail for thirty days, the court suspending the jail sen tence upon the payment of the costs and guaranteed good be havior for one year. Lee Wade Cobb, drunk and dis orderly, was fined $5 and taxed with $7.50 costs. Publicly drunk, Ronald R. Bosh jr was taxed with $7.50 costs. -._<S, Announce Revival In Everetta Church -♦ A series of revival services will 3C conducted in the Everetts Bap ist Church by the pastor, Rev. E. f. Stewart, and the Rev. W. B. iarrington. The first in the scries vill be conducted tonight at 7:30 y’clock by the pastor who will also >ccupy the pulpit tomorrow and Saturday nights. The Rev. Mr. iarrington will deliver the ser nons beginning next Monday and ontinuing through the following Sunday, it was announced. Chairman Makes Final Report On Red Cross Drive ——<$*—•— Quota Assigned Martin County Chapter Is Ex ceeded by $257.04 ■ — »■ Submitting his final report late yesterday, Chairman Garland G. Woolard announced that the an nual Red Cross Fund Drive in the Martin County Chapter exceeded the assigned quota by $257.04, that % total of $2,961.04 was raised dur ing the campaign launched the early part of last month. All but two of the districts handled by white canvassers met or surpassed their quotas, while only four out of twelve districts canvassed by colortfe citizens did not measure up 1* expectations. In the white grc4Up, Williamston exceeded its quota by some $430 and little Williams went over the top with $24 extra. In the colored group, Dardens, handling a proportionately large quota, met its obligation with 15 cents to spare. Jamesville, Wil liams, Poplar Point, Bear Grass, Biggs, Smithwick’s and Cross Roads met or passed their goals. Poplar Point almost doubled its quota and Bear Grass more than doubled its quota. Chairman Woolard, declaring he was glad the drive was ended suc cessfully, expressed his apprecia tion to all the district chairmen, their co-workers and the canvass ers. “We have met our obliga tion and should any emergency arise where the Red Cross oper ates, we can feel free to call upon the organization for aid,” Mr, Woolard said. The following tabulations show the assigned quotas and amounts raised by districts: Quota Aral R’s’d Jamesville $ 225 $ 156.39 Williams _ 40 64.00 Bear Grass ___ 225 173.60 Griffins 225 225.00 Williamston 1,521 1,952.65 The colored citizens in the chap ter raised $389.40 as follows: Dardens _ 50 50.15 Jamesville _ 35 41.15 Williams __ __ 35 37.25 Corey’s _1 12 10.00 Poplar Point _ 12 22.75 Bear Grass 12 27.00 Biggs _ 25 31.05 Rogers _ 40 26.55 Burroughs _ 20 .00 Smithwick's 15 20.00 Williamston 200 111.50 Cross Roads __ 12 12.00 $2,704 $2,961.04 _o— Band Parades and Plays for Visitors -0 The Williamston High School Green Wave Band put on a parade and drill featuring the majorettes to close the morning session of the district meeting of home dem onstration clubs here yesterday. The drill numbers were very in tricate maneuvers and the young sters did a good job even if there were a few minor mistakes here and there. The show was thor oughly enjoyed by the visitors and came over to Church Street to watch. A group of youngsters in the grammar school were march ed down to xhe corner of Church and Smithwick to watch the par ade. The green and gray uniforms blended excellently with the green of the trees that lined the street. •--—' —# Rocky Mount Lions Sponsor Horse Shorn -■■■ « The Rocky Mount Lions Club is sponsoring on April 29 and 30 and May 1, one of the largest horse shows in this section of the coun try, it was announced this week. Entries have been booked already by owners in Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, and $2,600 in prizes is being offered. The show will be held at the Lakeview Farm Stables on April 29 at 7:00 o’clock, Saturday from } to 8 p. m. and at 2 p. m. on May The club will divert any profits to charity causes, it was announc ed. Call Twenty-Six Cases In County Court On Monday Fines Imposed During Loup Session Amount To Over $500,00 The county court was held in session just about all day Monday j while Judge Chas. H. Manning j and Solicitor Paul D. Roberson I worked to clear twenty-six cases i from the docket. Fines were yn-1 posed in the sum of. $545. > John Alfred Griffin, colored, was fined $25 and taxed with the cost when he was adjudged guilty of car eless and reckless driving,' The feature case during the day was one in which Samuel Winfield' Lankford, Jr., of Norfolk, was charged with drunken driving When the case was first called for trial, it was found that the man was too drunk to be tried. A con tinuance was ordered and then the defendant called for a jury trial. Offering extensive testimony, the defendant was found not guilty by the jury. He was found guilty, however, of careless and reckless driving and was fined $50 and tax ed with the costs. His case was called right after a jury had found another defendant guilty of drunken driving. When Lank ford’s case was called, the defense counsel excused three members, of the jury in quick order. The case in which James Rid ley stands charged with bastardy was continued again whent the prosecuting witness, Ruby Melton, did not appear in court. Papers were issued for her arrest. Charged with careless and reck less driving and damaging person al property, Jesse Lee Jones and Ernest Wooten were adjudged not guilty. The case in which James Pierce was charged with non-support was nol-prossed. Pleading guilty of speeding, Chas. R. Southerner was fined $15 and taxed with the costs. Dennis Ulysses Wiggins, plead ing guilty of bastardy, was sen tenced to the roads for six months, the court suspending the road term upon the payment of the costs and $15 a month for the sup port of his child for the next two years. Willie Parker, Jr., and Ernest Parker both pleaded guilty of car rying a concealed weapon; to-wit, the same pistol. The ease was continued as to Willie, and Ernest was fined $50 and taxed with the cost. In the case charging Benjamin F. Roberson with careless and reckless driving, the defendant was adjudged guilty of operating a motor vehicle without a muffler and judgment was suspended upon payment of the costs. Pleading guilty of operating a motor vehicle without an opera tor’s license, Willie Linwood Lit tle was fined $25 and taxed with the cost. It was pointed out that Lie defendant failed to stop when requested to do so by the patrol man. Entering a pica of not guilty to non-support, William Staricil had his case continued until May 16. Lonnie Lee was fined $25 and taxed with the cost for operating a motor vehicle without driver’s license. ton with public: drunkenness was continued until May Ernest Turner, Jr., charged with operating a motor vehicle witlmu? a driver’s license, and Ernest Tur ner. Sr., aiding and abetting the act, were t-aeh fined $25 and tax ed with the costs. Charged with violating the health laws, Girlene Manning had her case continued. Adjudged guilty of drunken driving. Ulysses Moore was fined $100, taxed with the cost and lost his license to operate a motor ve hicle for one year. Judgment was suspended upon the payment of the cost in the care charging James Vick with assault ing a female. Charged with being drunk and disorderly, Edwin Hassell was ad judged not guilty. Pleading guilty of speeding, Benjamin Hurwitz of Miami was fined $15 and required to pay the costs. Stanley B. Reich of Canton, Ohio, was fined $15 and taxed (Continued on page four) Plans Going F or ward For Fat Stock Show Big Show Planned First Day And A Sale On The Next The Event, Largest of Its Kind in East, To Be Held On May 12 and 1^ Plans are virtually complete for holding the annual Martin Coun ty Fat Stock Show and sale, As sistant Farm Agent J. W. Sumner announced this week. Planned on the most elaborate scale ever at tempted, the show is almost cer tain to be the biggest of its kind in eastern North Carolina this year, Agent Sumner explaining that the show and sale will cover two days, Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13. The show will be held on Thursday, the sale fol lowing the next day. To climax the annual farm event, the Martin County Farm Bureau will hold its meeting and barbecue following the sale on Friday. In addition to the showing of thirty-six steers by club mem bers, there’ll be approximately 200 fat hogs in the show. The hog division, Sumner explained, has now become a major part of the fat stock show. “Since Martin County is one of the leading hog raising counties in the State, it is only natural that hogs should fi gure prominently in the show,” the agent said. It is the first time in several years that adult farm ers will have had an opportunity to exhibit hogs in the show. While these exhibits will not be in com petition with the entries made by the 4-H and FFA boys and girls, the judges will have a splendid opportunity to compare the work of the old boys with that of the youngsters and see who’s really leading the way in stock raising. The thirty-six steers will be ex hibited by the following girls and boys this year: Ward Perry, Williamston; Mary Jane Rogers, Williamston; Cor rone Bryant, Williamston; Henry Rogers, Williamston; Melvin Price, Williamston; Pat Wynn, Williamston; Gloria Taylor, Wil liamston; Joseph Williams, Wil liamston; Billie VanNortwiek, Williamston; Howard Gardnet-, Jamesvillo; Bobby Lilley, James ville; Jimmie Knowles, James ville; Ross Knowles, Jamesvillo; Fred Griffin, Jamesvillo; Billy Bailey, Everetts; Bettie Griffin, Jamesville; James Rogerson, Bear Grass; Jimmie Peaks, Bear Grass; Rannie Peaks, Bear Grass; Ruth (Continued on page four) Drive Progresses For Cancer Fund With one township, Poplar Point, nearing its quota and en couraging reports coming in from most of the districts, it almost certain that the $1,500 cancer fund drive will go over the top, accord ing to Mrs. Helen Taylor Harris, county commander. The county has oeen well organizer! hy Mis. Taylor and Fund Chairman Thad F. Harrison, and complete reports an' expected by the middle of next week. The following canvassers are handling the drive in Williamston: Mrs. Neil Ripley, Mrs. Herbert Whitley, Mrs. Bill Abbitt, Mrs. Er nest Etheridge, Mrs. N. C. Green, Mrs. W. C. Manning, Jr., Mrs. R. H. Clayton, Jr., Mrs. J. L. Parker, Jr., Miss Irene Tetterton, Mrs. Meyer Levin, Mrs. J. T. Llewellyn, Mrs. J. D. Page, Mrs. Harcum Grimes, Mrs. Connie B. Clark, Mrs. Marvin Coburn, Mrs. Irving Margolis, Mrs. J. B. Sullivan, Mrs. A R. Dunning, Mrs. Roy Ward, Miss Ruth Ward, Mrs. Horace Ray, Mrs. Grady Luffman, Mrs. David Keel, Mrs. Tom Phelps, Mrs. J. B. Taylor, Miss Mary Rodgerson, Mrs. L. T. Fowden, Sr., Mrs. Dick Elliott, Mrs. Joe Gray Corey, Mrs. Rossoll Rogers, Mrs. G. P, Hall, Mrs. Robt. Coburn and Miss Mary Carstarphen * A late report stated that Wil liams was over the top and the .anvassers were still working. SECRETARY J A. L. Swcatt, for two years assistant secretary of the Charlotte Merchants Associa tion, was named secretary of the Williamston Boosters As sociation at a meeting of the organization's executive com mittee held in the employ ment office here yesterday morning. He is tentatively scheduled to enter upon his new duties on May 2. Mr. Swcatt is a native of Concord and is highly recom mended for his new assign ment. A meeting of all merchants and other business and pro fessional men is to be held in the employment office here next Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock to discuss plans for the boosters. Mrs. Eva Gardner Died At Home In County Wednesday Funeral Services Will Be Conducted Friday In Siloam Church Mrs. John A. Gardner died at her home in Jamesville Township yesterday at 12:30 o'clock. She had been In declining health for several years, but her condition was not regarded as serious until last Saturday when she suffered a stroke of paralysis. Little hope for her recovery had been held since that time. The former Miss Eva Viola Bar ber, she was born in the James ville-Williams Township commun ity (17 years ago and lived there all her life, marrying Mr. Gardner 43 years ago. She was an active member of the Siloam Methodist Church in Williams Township for many years, and was held in high esteem as a neighbor and friend. Surviving besides her husband are three sons, J. Ernie Gardner of Jamesville and Rannel and James Gardner of the home; five daughters, Mrs. Dick Hardison of Jamesville, Mrs. Irving Goodman and Miss Eloise Goodman of Nor folk, and Misses Hilda and Doro thy Gardner of the home; one brother, W. B. Barber of Roper; (Continued on page four) Everetts Reports Political Interest —#_— Little noticed for some years, politics came into their own in Everetts recently when a large number of citizens there partici pated in a nominating convention and plans were completed for a new registration of electors pre paratory to the general municipal election on Tuesday, May The new registration is now in progress and the books will be closed alter the 23rd of this month At the recent convention eight candidates were placed in nomi nation for commissioners, the group nominating Jesse Keel, H. S, Hardy, J. E. Mobley, Cl. W. Tay lor and H. M. Ayers, J, W. Peel was nominated for mayor by un animous vote to succeed Ben Rid dick who tias held the honor post for years and who opened the re cent convention. G. W. Taylor presided and H. G. Horton, town attorney, addressed the group. •-o Found Dead In A Field At Parmele Elie Roberson, 64-year-old col ored man, was found dead in a small field back of his home in Parmele yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock, the apparent victim* of a heart attack. He was found by his daughter, Lula Roberson. Called to mitke an investigation, Coroner S. R. Biggs found no sign of foul play and ruled that an in quest was not necessary. Fifty-Three Civil Cases On Docket In Superior Court —™ Fairly Sizable Sums Involv ed In Fen (’uses But Some Actions Are Trivial Opening a two-week special term next Tuesday, the Martin County Superior Court will tackle fifty-three civil cases with Judge W. H. S. Burgwyn of Woodland on the bench. No session of the court will be held the 18th, East er Monday. There are a few eases in which fairly sizable sums are involved, but, for the mo'it part, the calen dar is crowded with cases of lit tle consequence, it would appear. Part of Tuesday will be given over to the trial of divorce cases. Other cases on the calendar, in clube the following in addition to a few suits to get judgments on small accounts Appealed from a decision favor ing the plaintiff, the case of Hop kins against Johnson, in which the plaintiff is asking possession of certain property, is booked for trial Tuesday. The old case of Elizabeth Pierce and others against Ben Biggs and others involving a boundary line and $650 in alleged damages, is back on the calendar. The suits of H. II. Cowen against W. H. Modlin and Dennis Modlin involve boundary lines and dam ages in the sum of $600 each. Dixie Motor Company is suing James Rogers to recover a 1941 Plymouth car. Clinton Industries is suing Rub orson Slaughter House to recover $488.56 damages alleged in an ac cident between vehicles owned by the two firms near Williamston on March 10, 1947. In the ease of R. L. Coburn, trustee, against S. D. Parker, the plaintiff is suing to recover crops and personal property. The Branch Bank is suing W. E. Davis to recover on a note. Property, valued at $5,000, is in volved in the casn*>f Walter Bail ey and others against Mary E. Bailey and others. The plaintiffs, seeking to have a deed to certain property in Bear Grass Township set aside, declare that the de fendant, widow of James G. Bailey by a second marriage, has deed purportedly sign by James G. Bailey with “His Mark”, indi cating that he could not read and write, “but in truth he could write legibly.” Frank Carstarphen is suing Frank Weaver for $4,227.50 alleg ed damages suffered by the plian tiff when a herd of cows did not measure up to the defendant’s guarantee. F. A. Whitfield is suing Harper M. Peel to recover $409.66 alleged ly due him on account. The big suit on the calendar is the one brought by Dallas Ray Gieen through his next friend, Clarence Griffin, against Roy Bowers. The plaintiff, asking for $10,000 damages, says he was criti cally hurt in a street accident in Parmele on September 15, 1948. The complaint says the boy suf fered broken pelvic bones, ruptur ed bladder and other injuries. A tax suit is being brought by Town of Williamston against Or mond and Matthews. B^Biecase of W. H. Harrison aSBPW®^SPiisol«iatcd lnuilSfRed, Inc , and Charlie Lee Haddock, the plaintiff is asking $1 210 damages alleged to have resulted when a truck driven by Haddock and owned by the Industries, ran into his parked car on the Williamston Hamilton Highway on October 22, 1947. The Farm Bureau Mutual Auto mobile Insurance Company is (Continued on page two) < I I'KE-SCHOOL CLINIC ^-- J Mr. B. G. Stewart stated to day that 02 children reported to the pre-school clinic con ducted by the Health Depart ment in the Grammar School building on Monday and Tuesday mornings of this week. This is by far the largest number ever to attend the pre-school clinic. Last year, considered a record year, the clinic reported 68 children registered* 4