THE ENTERPRISE is read by
OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT!
FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK
VOLUME LII—NUMBER 50
THE ENTERPRISE
THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY
OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY
FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK
ESTABLISHED 1899
Williamaton, Martin County, North Carolina, Thursday. June 2.1. 1919
Grand Jury Files
Quarterly Report
In Court Monday
__ j
Recommend Improved Sew
c** System For Prison
Camp Near Here
With few warrants placed be- |
fore them, the Martin County |
Grand Jury completed its work j
and filed its quarterly report Ije
fore eourt recessed late Monday
afternoon. The report, more or
less of a routine nature, recom
mended that the sewer system at
the State Highway and Public
Works Commission road camp
near Williamston be improved.
Opening court Monday morning,
Judge Chester Morris, presiding,
explained that no charge was ne
cessary, but instructed the jury
men to go about their tasks as
guardians of the people’s welfare.
When the report was submitted
and read in open court, Judge
Morris thanked the jurymen for
their services.
Nine of the eighteen men head
ed by I. Jessup Harrison as fore
man, are retiring from the jury
after serving a year. They will be
replaced by nine new men at the
September term.
The report reads, in detail:
"We passed on all bills of indict
ment presented to us.
"We visited the office of the
clerk of the superior court and
found it to be in excellent condi
tion, with all guardian accounts
filed.
"The sheriff’s office and tax col
lector’s office were visited and
found to be in good condition,
with all records up to date.
“We found Ihe register of deeds’
office in excellent condition.
“We visited the office of the
superintendent of schools and
found it in excellent condition.
"We checked all justice of the
peace reports and found them all
filed with the clerk of the court
and fines submitted.
"We visited the county jail and
found it to be clean and well kept
and we found 1 white male and 5
colored male inmates.
"We found upon our visit to the
prison camp that the kitchen and
sleeping quarters were in a well
kept condition. Upon further in
spection. <he grand jury recom
mends that the' officials of the
State Highway and Public Works
Commission be advised of the sew
jgc disposal system at Prison
(Continued on page eight)
Yuutli Bitten By Snake
At Ball Bark Tuesday
Ben L. Stephenson, Jr., of Rob
ersonville, was bitten by a poison
ous snake while retrieving a foul
ball at the oall park here late
Tuesday night. Responding to
treatment administered in the lo
cal hospital over night, the 12
vear-old lad was able to return to
his home yesterday afternoon.
The youngster was reported to
have gone into a ditch for the ball,
and hardly realizing what had
happened to hirn he made no out
cry until his leg started swelling.
•o
Responds To Treatment
In !he Hospital Here
^ .iP tjy 1 r>C,l)
fiom his home in Grittins Town
ship this week, M'\ Syivester Peel
was reported today to be respond
ing to treatment. However, he
continues very weak.
THE RECORD
SPEAKS . . .
Possibly there's a recession
in some lmes of business, but
the wrecking and maimirtg
business cn the highways of
this county is holding up.
There were four highway and
street accidents during the
past week.
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.
24th Week
Accidents Inj’d Killed Dam’ge
1949 4 1 0 $ 1,050
1948 4 5 0 600
Comparisons To Date
1949 53 25 2 $13,255
1946 67 27 X 13,200
To baccoCuring UnderWay;
Crop Outlook Still Good
Hot and dry weather prevailing
m this « TiioR for several days has
set the stage for the tobacco har
vest. Several barns were housed
early this week and the task is
rapidly becoming general over the
| county. The harvest is fairly cer
tain to reach a climax by the lat
ter part of next week, reports de
claring that Martin farmers will
have set a new record this year in
the early harvest of a tobacco
crop.
Heavy rains the latter part of
last week damaged some tobacco,
but the acreage where the leaves
flopped was comparatively small.
The hot sun yesterday caused the
leaf to wilt slightly in some fields,
but as a whole the outlook is still
WINNER
v.
j
Miss Edna Ray Thomas,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy
Thomas, was ehosen by Wil
liamston Jaycees in a recent
contest held here to represent
them in the North Carolina
Beauty Pageant to be held in
i Morehead City on July 9.
I
| Campers Enjoyed
Stay At Manteo
The Martin County 4-H boys
and girls had a very enjoyable
camp week at Manteo June 13-18.
The campers learned and saw
much about the historic Roanoke
Island and Camp Manteo. The
mornings were filled with classes
conducted by trained men and wo
men. These included swimming,
handicraft, recreation and tours.
The afternoon program consisted
of organized sports and swimming.
In the evenings games were play
ed and vespers ended the days
schedule.
During the last evening camp
superlatives were elected, follow
ed by a very impressive candle
I lighting ceremony, The camp sup
erlatives were: most popular boy,
Corrone Bryant, Williarr.sto.i; wit
uest buy, Jciry WPflBBBIt* 'Vv"iii
liamston; best all-around boy,
Corrone Bryant; most bashful boy,
Joe Williams, Williamsten; best
boy camper, Jimmy Knowles,
Jamesville; cutest girl, Leiwana
Edmondson, «Oak City; wittiest
girl, Caroline Wallace, Jamesville;
and most bashful girl, Barbara
Harrell, Oak City.
Saturday morning was spent
packing and saying goodbye to old
and new friends.
Bookmobile In
County Delayed
The Friday schedule for the
county bookmobile is being elim
inated this week on account of a
delay in having repairs made to
the truck, it was explained yester
day by the librarian.
The bookmobile will make its
other stops in the county next
week, and readers who miss the
schedule tomorrow are invited to
meet the traveling library at the
nearest stop next week, beginning
Monday.
good for one of ihe best crops in
years in this county.
With the possible exception of
peanuts, crops in the county, as a
whole, arc looking fine. The corn
crop is most promising. Cotton,
planted more extensively this
year than in several, is responding
to the hot weather. Peanuts, dc- ]
loyed by unfavorable weather at
planting time, are doing fair, but
in some sections where the rains
were not excessive good stands are
reported and the prospects arc
good. Other field crops arc doing
all right, too.
Reports indicate that there is
ample labor available to handle
the tobacco harvest with prevail
ing wage rates slightly under
those of a year ago.
Adult Night At
Local Pool Friday
The swimming pool has been
one of the busiest places in town
during the past week, Director of
Recreation John L. Goff, Jr., re
ports. Large crowds have been
enjoying the chance to take a cool
dip.
Swimming lessons began last
week for the younger children.
Bill Corbett reports that his
charges are making a great deal
of progress. Lessons are offered
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
mornings from 10 to 11 o’clock,
with the only charge being the re
gular pool admission.
Plans are being made for an
adult night swim this Friday,
Jufie 24th. At that time the pool
will be closed to everyone except
“those of voting age.” Regular
hours and prices will be maintain
ed for this swim—from 7:30 until
9 p. m.
On Saturday night a swimming
party will be given for the teen
agers, it is announced by Louise
Griffin. It is understood that
these were very successful last
year, and the recreation depart
ment hopes that they will be even
more so this year. This swim will
begin at 9:30—after the regular
hours of the pool.
Quite a few boys’ are playing
baseball in the mornings at the
high school field. It is hoped that j
more interest can be aroused in
this sport and that enough boys
will come out to make up several
teams.
The director feels that the re
creation program is getting off to
a good start. The cooperation of
young and old has accounted for
a large part of the program’s suc
cess. Future participation and
support will be greatly appreciat
Falls Dead At
Mill In County
- o
Lloyd Jordan, 47-ycar-old em
ployee of the North Carolina Pulp
Company at its plant in the lower
part of this county, fell dead there
at ’1:30 o’clock last Tuesday eve
ning, t,it apparent victim of a
heart attack.
Superintendent of the building
the 'maiuS,
machine, Mr. Jordan observed op
erations there until about 11:15
that night when he was relieved.
As he was leaving the building he
told someone he wasn’t feeling
well, that he could hardly get his
breath. He explained further that
he thought he would be all right.
After leaving the building he
walked about 100 yards and sat
down on a box, toppling over on
his face a few minutes later, fatal
ly stricken. He died before medi
cal aid could reach him.
Jordan, a native of Sicily, came
to this country some years ago
and worked in the Richwood pulp
plant in West Virginia before com
ing to this section about ten years
ago to work in the plant near Ply
mouth. He was a popular em
ployee, and is survived by his
widow and two children.
Deputy Corbner'Billy Biggs and
Deputy Sheriff M. W. Holloman
investigated the death and find
ing no sign of foul play ruled an
inquest unnecessary. An autopsy
was performed in a Rocky Mount
| hospital later, but no report on the
findings was made public. i
Funeral On Friday
At Macedonia For
Mrs. Mamie Corey
—
Well - Known Resident of
Bear Grass Died at Home
Wednesday Afternoon
Mrs. Mamie Elizabeth Coltrain
Corey, well-known resident of
Bear Grass Township, died at her
home on the Washington Highway
at 4:30 o'clock Wednesday after
noon after a long period of declin
ing health. She underwent an
operation some months ago and
returned home the early part of
April after undergoing treatment
in Duke Hospital, Durham, for
two weeks. She had been confin
ed to her bed and her condition
had been critical since that time.
The daughter of the late John
W. and Millie Ann Woolard Col
train, she was born in Bear Grass |
Township on February lfi. 1882.
and spent all her life in that com
munity.
She was married in 1917 to Noah
J. Corey who died May 4, 1939.
Surviving are one son, Perlie, of
California; four brothers, Daniel
and Joseph Coltrain, both of
Streetor, Illinois, Charles A Col
train of Williamston, and Oliver
Coltrain of Bear Grass; one sister,
Mrs. Susan F. Peel of Bear Grass.
Mrs. Corey was a faithful and
devoted member of the Macedonia
Church for 35 years and services
will be conducted there Friday af
ternoon at 3:00 o’clock by her pas
tor, Rev. Preston E. Cayton, as
sisted by Rev. W. B. Harrington
Interment will be in the Tice Cem
etery in Griffins Township. Tlu
body will be carried to the church
one hour before the service.
Hold FwueralFor
Former Resident
Services are being held in a
Philadelphia ehapel this afternoon
at 2:00 o’clock for Mrs. Arthur
Bertolct, former Williamston resi
dent. Cremation rites will follow
there.
The former Miss Margaret Rich
ardson, she was born in Rhode Is
land 42 years ago. Following her
marriage to Mr. Bertolct, she1
made her home in Richmond, com
I ing to Williamston about 1936. Be
fore war was declaied in 1941, Mr.
Bertolet volunteered for service as
an officer in the army, and the
family made their home in Ber
muda for some time. After the
war they located in Philadelphia
where they had since made their
home.
During recent months she had
suffered with high blood pressure,
but was thought to be getting
along very well under the care
of the family physician. She suf
fered a cerebral hemorrhage last
Saturday, death following early
the next morning in a Philadel
phia hospital.
Surviving besides Mr. Bertolet
are two children, a son, Craig, and
a daughter, Paige Bertolet, and a
sister, Miss Willet Richardson of
Connecticut.
While in Williamston Mrs. Ber
tolet made many friends and was
rfc'Vn "n-^i1*-1' hy
knew her. Mr. Bertolet was em
ployed by the Virginia Electric
and Power Company during their
stay here.
Twenty Cases On
Courts Docket
About twenty eases have been
placed on the docket already for
trial in the Martin County Re
| corder’s Court next Monday,
Clerk L. B. Wynne announced to
day.
Six are booked for drunken
driving, five for speeding, three
for operating motor vehicles with
out drivers’ licenses, the others
being involved in assault and non
support cases.
One defendant is charged with
assaulting his wife and their two
month-old baby with his fists and
causing serious bodily harm.
Four of those charged with
drunken driving are calling for
jury trials, and twelve citizens
have been drawn to hear the
cases. 1
Hold Servin' For
Former Resident
Of Martin County
Ll. Thomas J, Mocks Killed
In Flight Over Germany
June 13, 1913
Funeral services were con
ducted at the graveside in Green
wood Cemetery at Greenville on
Wednesday at 3:30 p. m. for Lt.
Thomas J. Meeks, formerly of
near Robersonville, who was kill
ed in action over Kiel, Germany,
on June 13. 1943, Rev. D. W. Alex
ander, Free Will Baptist minister,
conducted the last rites. Full
military honors were accorded
by the Charles Gray Morgan Post,
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. L. M.
Meeks of Pitt County, he was born
between Parmele and Bethel in
1921, and spent his early life in
that community. Following his
graduation from the Bethel
schools, he attended and received
his bachelor of arts degree from
East Carolina Teachers College in
Greenville in 1940, and taught
school the following term in Ahos
kie.
In August of 1941 he volunteer
ed for service in the U. S. Army
Air Corps and received his com
mission as a second lieutenant a
year later. In April, 1943, he was
sent to England as a navigator on
a B-17 bomber, completing a num
ber of missions before he lost his
life about two months later.
He was awarded the Air Medal
with Oak Leaf cluster and was
posthumously awarded the Purple
(Continued on page eight)
Hears Six Cases
In justice Court
Justice R. T. Johnson heard six
cases in his court dining the past
few days while Justice John L.
Hassell suspended all activity in
his court possibly because of thd
extreme heat.
Charged with failing to give
right of way to an approaching ve
hicle, Robert Fleming was taxed
with $5.85 costs.
Calvin Hodges, publicly drunk,
was sentenced to the roads for
thirty days, the court suspending
the road term upon the payment
of $8.85 costs.
Charged with operating a car on
the wrong side of the road, Harry
P. Roberson was fined $10, taxed
with the cost and required to pay
the prosecuting witness’ doctor’s
bill.
Julius James Sheppard, charged
with operating a motor vehicle
with improper brakes, was fined
$5 and taxed with $5.85 costs.
Charged with failing to give
right of way to an approaching ve
hicle, II. F. Perry was fined $15
and taxed with $5.85 costs. Notiet
of appeal was given.
Charged with being drunk and
disorderly and disturbing the
peace, Grady Thomas was sentenc
ed to the roads for thirty days, the
court suspending the road term
upon promised good behavior for
twelve month cl the payment of
a $10 fine ncd-cey.gi i f H5
Hand Concert l o lit
\t xt IT t i l.
Professor Jack Butlei is busy
this week-end brushing up on the
final arrangements for the open
air concert to t;e given on the
Williarnston Grammar School play
grounds next Wednesday evening
at B o’clock by the Green Wave
Band of Williarnston High School.
Special lights are being provid
ed under the direction of Bill
Glover and Blue Manning is to ar
range for a platform for the band
by driving two of his large trucks
up close by (he building.
The concert will be a full-length
one containing many numbers to
suit the taste of old and young
alike.
e
Continues Quite III In
A Rocky Mount llos/rital
Mr. Lon Griffin, Griffins Town
ship farmer, continues quite ill in
a Rocky Mount hospital, lute re
ports stating that his attending
doctors are certain the left leg will
have to be amputated above the
knee. It is likely the amputation
• will be effected tomorrow,
Named Librarian Woman '$
College, Duke University
Miss Evelyn J. Harrison, daugh
ter of Mrs. L. B. Harrison and the
late Mr. Harrison of Williamston,
has been named librarian of the
Woman's College, Duke University
in Durham, President Hollis Edens
announced this week. Succeeding
Mrs. Lillian B. Griggs, who is re
tiring. Miss Harrison will enter
upon her new duties the first of
July.
Miss Harrison attained the emi
nent position after many years of
diligent work as a member of the
library staff. She went with the
library in 1930. and nine years
later she was made head of the
catalog department where she
served until her appointment to
the top position this week.
Fifty Percent Of
Deaths Traceable
To Four Diseases
More Thun H.OOO Death* In
This Stale During
First Quarter
tly Win. It. Richardson
N. C. State Board of Health
Well over one-half of all the
people who died in North Carolina
during the first quarter of 1949
were victims of four diseases;
namely, disease of the heart, apo
ncphristis.
,1
plexy, cancer and
These four diseases killed 4,502
people during January, February
and March of this year, according
to reports compiled by the Stale
Board of Health. Deaths from all
causes totalled 11,081 which was
492 fewer than the 8,574 total for
the corresponding period of last
year.
The four diseases above refer
red to as the chief killers in North
Carolina at the present time fall
within tin' class of what is known
as degenerative diseases, as they
take their heaviest tolls among
people of middle and late life.
There is rarely a period in which
diseases of the heart do not show
an increase. However, there were
111! fewer deaths from heart dis
ease in North Carolina the first j
quarter of this year than during;
the corresponding three months of!
1948. Nephritis deaths also show [
ed an appreciable decrease as did!
deaths from strokes, but cancer!
fatalities continued their upward
trend.
Deaths from automobile acci
dents, according to the State
Board of Health's method of com
putation, increased from 180 to 22(1
during the period under consid
eration. Deaths from accidents,
other than those associated with
motor vehicles, dropped from 405
to 349. All accidental deaths are
classed as preventable by the Bu
reau of Vital Statistics.
Sometime ago it was pointed out
that there was an increase in the
incidence of measles in North Car
olina this year. This increase has
been reflected in vital statistics ie
ports from January through
March T this yen. Twenty-six
persons d:o<
meask
18
these deaths having occurred in
measles were reported during the
l.rst quarter of 1948.
Much has been said recently
about North Carolina’s ease-find
ing program designc .1 to eradieati
tuberculosis, through early detec
tion and treatment. Deaths from
what used to he North Carolina’s
No. 1 killer, numbered 214 during
the first quarter of this year ax
compared with 233 for the same
(Continued on page eight)
DOOM l |{ DAYS
Getting under way here this
morning, Boosters’ Days—
Thursday, Friday and Satur
day—are attracting numerous
visitors to local stores.
Parking meters, temporari
ly idle during the hig trade
event, are capped with bags
and parking is at a near pre
mium ou the principal busi
ness districts.
Visitors are reported to be
very favorably impressed by
the bargains.
Al'tci completing the courses of
instruction m the Wiihamstun
schools, Miss Hamsun entered
Duke where she was graduated
four years later. She also studied
at and was graduated from the
University of Illinois Library
School, making library service her
life's work.
She is a member of the Ameri
can Library Association, South
eastern Library Association and
the N. C. Library Association. Sim
was secretary of the latter group
in 1937-38 and treasurer from
1939-43.
One of several libraries in the
Duke library system, the Woman's
College Library contains 80,000
volumes. Total holdings are about
950,000.
I’RKSIDKINT
vj
Mrs. John A. Ward of Wil
liamston was unanimously
elected president of the North
Carolina State American Le
gion Auxiliary at a convention
held in Raleigh this week.
Mrs. Ward has been active in
auxiliary circles for several
years, having effected an ac
tive work in the organiza
tion's several departments
during that time.
[Accident Victim
Reported Retter
Critically hurt in an automobile
accident near Turburu last Mon
I day mot nine, Dick Miller, local
man, was reported to be improv
ing in a Tarborp hospital today. It
was believed at that time that it
would be possible to save his left
arm. The limb, according to pre
liminary reports, was badly mang
led and there were several frac
tures in the elbow. In addition to
the arm injury, the victim suffer
ed a sixteen-stitch cut on his
head.
Woodrow W. Beaird, riding with
Miller in Miller’s jeep and who
suffered minor cuts and bruises,
was able to return to Washington,
1). (.'., Tuesday evening to continue
his work there.
Miller according to report
1' reach mg here was round.u.m thy
jcurve just this side of Piineeville
I
I
him. lie- lost control of his ma
chine and sideswiped another ear
driven by Dr J. A. Edens nl Wil
liamston. Dr. Eden ., little hurt in
the accide nt, was able1 to continue
home.
jMember Added To
School Faculty
—»
Miss Leona Peterson of ltelco,
Columbus County, has been elect
ed to fill the position of French
and English teachers in the local
high school faculty, it was an
nounced yesterday by Principal B.
G. Stewart. She succeeds Miss
Sue Tilley who resigned to con
tinue hei 'Indies at the University
of North Carolina.
Miss Peterson who is now at
tending summer school at Wake
Forest has taught for four years at
Rock Ridge in Wilson County and
at Meadows in Johnston County.
Only one position in the faculty
here remains to be filled, and ap
plications fui that job are being
considered, it was reported.
Superior Court In
Final Session Of
Term onTuesila\
J
——
Fine in Per jit r\ Fxisr Rnltio
ci! from 85(H) to 8200
liv JiiiIl'i' Morris
The Martin County Superior
Court, possibly influenced a bit by
the extremely warm weather,
folded its tent and stole away
; quietly Tuesday afternoon after
clearing the criminal docket and
entering judgments in a few di
vorce and civil cases. The court
was cheduled to run for only a
week, but early adjournment was
made possible when voluntary
agreements were reached in one or
two civil cases, the trial of which
would have required much time.
Judge Chester Morris, presiding
over the term, dismissed the jury
Tuesday afternoon and signed a 11
judgments before repairing to his
home in Currituck County by late
afternoon.
Roy Boston, lined $500 during
; the Monday session when he
j stretched the truth out of all pro
portions, got a break Tuesday
when Judge Morris reciinsidered
the-judgment and reduced the line
to $200. Staring a 12-month road
sentence in the face in the event
the fine wasn't paid, Boston really
started digging when the judge
compromised the fine. Up until
then the perjurer saw no way out
except by the open road route.
Pleading guilty of an assault
with a deadly weapon, Charlie
Bell was sentenced to the roads
for not more than twenty months
i and not less than fiftei n months
j on the roads. Judge Morns sus
: pended the l aid term foi tint
years and placed Bell on probation
for that length of time, requiring
the defendant to pay a $100 fine,
the costs and $25 to Kadi r Brown,
Jr., prosecuting witness, fur medi
cal expenses. Ten dollar fines im
posed upon Kader and Ida Brown
| for not appearing in court Mon
day were lifted Tuesday when
the court was advised that subpo
I enas had not reached the witness
■ es in time.
The ease charging Jake David
Spruill with issuing a worthless
! check, was nol pressed. It was re
ported that the defendant had set
tled the check issue.
Law i sites l Jllei eh -1 ged wHfo.
drunken driving, withdrew his ap
j peal to the superior tribunal and
1 accepted the judgment imposed in
the lower court.
The ease . charging George Mob
ley with embezzlement were con
tinued until the September term.
Divorces, based on two-year
- 'paration grounds, were granted,
1 Sarah Lanier against John Lan
! ier; Mattie Evelyn Cherry against
Oscar Maneefield Cherry, and
; Floyd Butler against Mary E. But
(Continued on page eight)
Firemen I ailed To MU!
Here Idle Last Evening
Volunteei firemen were called
out at 10:30 o’clock last evening
when a sawdust pile tire started
spreading at the Williamston
Lumber Company plant on the
A ■ i 1 % ■ -■ ■ i ; c "iWr
j damage.
t oiitlk crUR*
■ Margolis Brothers’ Boost
I ei Day advertisement in Tuesday's
i-sue, prices on two items were in
advertently transposed. The pr ice
on Artemis slips was listed at $ti
when it should have been only
$2.05, and the pi iet> on early spring
dresses was listed at $2 05 when it
should have been $8.00. The cor
rection is gladly noted.
{ A
HUKKUKKS Mill
,iV-'
1 Dr. H. A. Stewart will
speak to the Martin County
Purebred Hog Breeders Fri
day night, June ',’4, at 8 p. m.,
in the Courthouse. The pur
pose of the meeting is to give
hog raisers, especially pure
bred breeders, information on
increasing profits with hogs.
I l)r. Stewart is in charge of
1 swine researeh at State Col
lege. All purebred breeders
and other farmers are invited
to attend the meeting and
> learn the latest things in
swine production.