North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BT OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTV FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK SS=====5=====3 1 THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BT OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT! FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEE* VOLUME LII—NUMBER 100 Williamaton, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, December 20, 1949 ESTABLISHED 1899 First Recruits Sign Up For Guard Duty Captain Spoke To Large Group Last Thursday Evening -L*_— INiiiiiImt of Ratings Avail* able In Ball«*ry. Offic er* Point Out --»— The first recruits for the newly organized National Guard unit in this county signed up for duty last Thursday evening when Captain J .D. Reid addressed a large group of young men in the American Le gion hut on Watts Street here. Tentatives plans call for a com pleted organization within a short time, Captain Jimmy L. Harris, Jr., the commanding officer, an nounced. Speaking to the young men, Captain Reid, coming to the coun ty from Washington, explained j that the National Guard was ere- I ated back in the early days of the nation to provide immediate de- ! fense in emergencies, adding that there is little difference in time one would enter regular service regardless of what branch of ser- i vice he was in. The officer point ed out that the new National Guard system stresses training,1 and that it offers young mep splendid opportunities. "The 1 guard can do a lot of good for 1 the individual, but the Guard, in , return, expects sincerity and loy- I alty,” Captain Reid said. Going into details, the officer said that the lowest rate of pay is ! $2.50 a drill, that the master ser geant receives $6.60. The unit has ’ an unusually large number of rat ings because it is highly mechani- i cal. There is now an opening for I un ordnance man for full-time duty with an annual salary of nbout $2,500, plus regular guard pay and allowances. The enlistment period is three years, the officer explaining that it is possible for a member to withdraw if the service proves a hardship. Veterans may enlist for one year. A pension plan is provided along with all necessary uniforms and equipment. The officer said that a minimum of fifty men and at least three of ficers are necessary to activate a unit, that maximum strength is 124 men. Designated as anti-aircraft bat tery, the unit will have four 90 millimeter guns, four large trac tors, a bulldozer, twelve trucks, several jeeps, carbines and radio equipment. Preliminary plans have been made to house the unit in WiHiamston’s old water plant, Captain Reid explaining that the construction of a building depends upon the interest shown by the men and community in the unit. He said that several new armories had been completed recently or are now under construction in North Carolina towns. Answering pop questions, Cap tain Reid said that the two-hour weekly meetings are devoted to ■ Igjjter wmm Mi ' ■ (Continued on page six) Late December Buying ~T3kely New York.—A Merry Christmas for retailers? Most of them say “yes,” if not too emphatically. They’re hopeful enough, but don't want to indulge in wishful think ing .after a disappointing fall sea son. There’s little real gloom, however, and the majority look for a late-December buying spree that will help jack up overall sales for the year to something close to 1948 marks. Meanwhile, those who are fretting about prospects for the new year have little cause for worry, according to a current Dun & Bradslreet survey. Pros pects for 1950‘s first quarter*are definitely on the bright side, said most business men queried in the study. Forty-five percent of the executives look for a sales volume better than 1949’s first quarter; 29 percent expect no change; and only (26 percent anticipate lower volume. OPEN EVENINGS 1 --' Beginning Wednesday, local stores will be kept open each evening until 7:00 o'clock, the schedule to continue through Saturday. Local merchants are offer ing the largest stocks of mer chandise this holiday season than in any other period in re cent years, possibly in history. Prices have been found right by thousands of shoppers. Deaf Mute Found Not Guilty Last Friday In Court Several Defendants Draw Terms On the Hoads Dur ing Onp-Week Term ——<0 There’s no doubt but what Judge. Leo Carr, presiding over the one-week term of Martin County Superior Court, Solicitor George Fountain, Clerk of Court L. B. Wynne and Attorney Robt. Cowen of the private prosecution, were a bit baffled when the breaking and entering case was I | called against Linwood Speight, the deaf and dumb 42-year-old ^ fellow many call "Black Dummy.” The solicitor and the clerk both l looked at the judge, and the judge 1 saw a difficult situation until it was learned that Lucille Rober son, young colored woman, would interpret the signs and help re lieve what appeared to be a hopc j less situation. Lillie Berry, colored woman, charged that Speight forced his wav into her home last month and put his hands on her, admitting that she was not harmed. When :the interpreter explained to him 'that he was being accused of j breaking and entering, he vigor ously denied the charge with a ‘ shake of the head and the waving | of his hands. At limes it was next to impos sible to make heads or tails out of the questions and answers, but the defendant scored when he asked, through his interpreter of course, if she had not accused several ; other men of similar crimes, and ! that nothing was done to them, j The record must have scored a hit j with the ju^. However, on the other hand, the prosecution came back witii the defendant’s record which was a little less than one yard long. He had encountered the law on numerous occasions over a period of years, and con victions were recorded in all but j one of the cases. The jury, finding the regular jury room occupied with twelve men deliberating the issues in a manslaughter case, rep; ired to the ! ante-room and reached a verdict | in less than five minutes, declar , ing the defendant not guilty. The interpreter was paid a fee of $5 by order of the court. Not icertai^m^ho verdict immediate-^ iTy^m^aemnuaiit stood Detur^tne i bar a brief time, but upon learn-' j mg the favorable verdict, smiled, turned and left the courtroom. i Methodist Present Program -<? A Christmas Cantata, "Carols of Christmas,” by Ellen .lane Lo renz, is being presented by the choir of the Methodist church on Wednesday evening at 8:00 o’ clock. The following are members of the choir: Sopranos: Mrs. W. P. Brown, Miss Ruth Ward, Miss Mary L. Taylor^ Mrs. Wyoma Allsbrook, Mrs. J. S. Whitley. Altos: Mrs. D. E. Mayo, Mrs. Ruth Wheeler and Mrs. R. P. Monteith. Tenors: Captain D. E. Mayo, Randolph Allen.' Basses: H. L. Swain, T. P. Wood and Jimmy Ward. The cantata is being presented under the direction of Mis. W. P. Brown, with Mrs. W. K. Parker, accompanist. Boy Found Guilty I ii Manslaughter Case Last Friday Court Ad journed Late That Day After Working A Full W'eek Ernest Wilson Bunting, Oak City young man, was found guilty of manslaughter by a Martin ( County jury in the Superior court late last Friday afternoon, and he \ was immediately sentenced to the f roads for twelve months by Judge. Leo Carr. Hearing a plea for. leniency after the jury reccm-j mended mercy. Judge Carr chang ed the sentence, declaring that while the judgment might seem severe, something has to be done | to help stop the killings on North' Carolina highways. The judge sentenced the young man to prison for three years, execution of judgment to be sus pended upon the payment of a $400 fine and costs. Advised that the boy was making only $27.50 a week, the court ordered that the fine and costs, both amounting to more than $500, be paid at the rate of $20 per month. Placed on pro bation for three years, the boy is not to drive a motor vehicle dur ing that time. The court made it quite plain that if the monthly payments are not made and the terms of probation are not met, the boy is to serve the prison term. Trial of the case was started late last Wednesday afternoon, the State offering its first round of evidence before a recess was tak en for the night. The last witness was heard at 4:15 the next day, and the defense attorneys argued to the jury before court was re cessed Thursday night. Solicitor George Fountain argued to thd jury Friday morning, and Judge Carr, following his charge, turned the case over to the jury at 11:45 o’clock. A noon recess was culled at 1:15 o’clock that afternoon, and the jury resumed its deliberations at 2:00 o’clock. About 4:15 o’clock and after reaching no decision, the jury came out and asked if it could re commend mercy. Judge Carr said he bad never heard of a mercy re commendation in such a case. Re turning to their room, the jury men deliberated about thirty or forty minutes and came out with the guilty verdict, recommending mercy. Even though Judge Carr had an appointment in Durham that eve ning at 6:30 o’clock, he patiently heard the please for mercy, shook hands with the defendant's father and quit for the term, saying to the father that such cases were embarrassing, no doubt, but that something had to be done about highway killings. Autos Damaged Near Gold Point No one was hurt and property damage, estimated at $200, result ed when two autos were in a wreck on Highway 903 between Robersonville and Gold Point last Tuesday night at 10:30 o’clock. . th trolman B. W. Poi ker said that Clifton Matthews, driving a 1949 Plymouth toward Robersonville, passed a pick-up truck and started »• > * Mi-*-. h-tvvai:»J . 4 'i.u-,- -y by Bill James. Forced back in line by an approaching car, Matthews could not check his speed in time to avoid crashing into the rear of James’ Chevrolet. The accident was the only one reported by the patrol during re cent days. BIG TASK r I A-----J Mr. Santa Claus has had a big task assigned him, but he is accepting the challenge, re ports state. Master Herbert Whitley has deftly arranged to remove the toe from his Christmas slocking so it’ll take a whole heap of good things to fill it up. There is a possibility, however, that the little fellow will compromise, resort to the more conven tional plan and hang up two j or three stockings with firm toes. V. G. Taylor Funeral w In Everetts Saturday Prominent Comity Citizen Died In Hospital Thursday Mr. Taylor Was Associated With Kvery Progressive Move For Years -w Van G. Taylor, prominent citi-' zen and retired banker, farmer i and business man, died in a Rich- I mond hospital last Thursday aft- j ernoon at 4:30 o'clock after a long period of declining health. The victim of a heart condition, Mr. I Taylor had been in feeble health for two or more years. During that time he had received treat ment at intervals in various hos pitals. His condition had been serious for more than three months and critical for about two weeks. However, he was respond ing to treatment in the Richmond hospital" until Tuesday of last [ week when he suffered another attack and hope for his recovery was virtually abandoned. The son of the late Van R. and Helen Bass Taylor', he was born on the home farm in Poplar Point Township 57 years ago on June 8, 1892. After spending his early | life there and attending the com I munity schools and Oak Ridge In 1 stitute, he was married to Miss Dorothy Dixon of Ayden and lo cated in Everetts about thirty-four years ago to figure prominently in banking circles and various other fields of business. While recognized as a business leader in this section of the State, lu‘ never lost his zeal for the farm and it was there that he went as a sick man to enjoy the peace and quiet of the fields, to get out of doors and watch the crops grow. A practical farmer; yet, he was a Reader in promoting unproved farming practices. Mr. Taylor pi oneered in the dairying industry ; in this section, and only recently completed a modern and large dairy plant in Williamston. In ad dition to his interest, he saw the need for a greater diversification in agriculture in this section, and never hesitated to promote dairy ing and so many other proved farm practices. He served several terms as a county commissioners, and few men gave more liberally and will ingly of his time and means to I promote the progress of his coun ity and the welfare of all its peo ple. His support reached all class es anrl was extended to his church where he had been a member for twenty-seven years. Mr. Taylor was associated with—most of the time in the lead—just about every progressive move launched in this county during the past thirty four years. In addition to his extensive far ming operations and dairying business, he was connected with | the tobacco warehouse business in | Robei sonville for several years, operated a lumber rndl, mercan : strut' .. . •wr | other activities He had selected I a hard schedule, and while it may have shortened his life, he seem jed to enjoy his work anrl seldom, "*T!*'**VV ■ . H>..>.1— ■ — -!>»•* f 1 ' ( i... .. ' ‘ f Ji; '.j-j* last acts, advanced in keeping with his will to do a little more for the progressive march of his county and section, was the lay ing a short time ago of the first brick for Williamston’s new 44 bed hospital, in which he was greatly interested. Funeral services were conduct ed in the Baptist church in his home town last Saturday after noon at 2:30 o'clock by his pastor, Rev. E. R. Stewart, assisted by Rev. James H. Smith, a former pastor now of Asheboro. Inter ment was in Williamston’s Wood lawn Cemetery in Williainston. Mr. Taylor was a Mason, and Shriner, and members of the Skewarkey Masonic Lodge con ducted the last rites at the graveside. Surviving besides Mrs. Taylor, are a daughter, Mrs. Chas. I. Har ris, Jr., of Williamston; two grand children, two nephews and three nieces. , f DIES IN HOSPITAL Van Gilbert Taylor, one of this section’s leading citizens, died in a Richmond hospital last Thursday afternoon. The funeral, held Saturday after noon in the Everetts Baptist Church, was largely attended and the tremendous floral offering attested the high es teem in which he was held. Coach Dole Of E. C. T. C. Speaks At Grid Banquet LiM of Boys Receiving; Foot ball Letters Announced Saturday IXiplit The values a young man gains from piuyiiig football continue with him all his life and go furth er toward making him a better citizen than many people realize, Coach Bill Dole of East Carolina Teachers College, Greenville, told members of the 1941) Green Wave football team and their invited guests at their annual banquet in the George Reynolds Hotel dining room here last Saturday night. While the learning of coordina tion of body and mind is of great importance, Coach Dole said that some of the less apparent values are even more important. For one thing, he said, the football player learns that there are rules of play and conduct which must be ob served if the coaching is strict and he learns that violation of the rules of the garni' brings a penalty just as in later life it will be found that the violation of the rules of society brings punishment. Then, there is the training in the art of giving and taking which teaches the young man to take his adver sity as well as the luck that comes his way in life. No well trained football player ever gets into trou ble as he goes about living and working with his fellowmen in the social and business world, the coach pointed out. Another point mentioned by the coach was the training in team work, the development of the art wit! the least important element in this, he said, is training in the control of the emotions. Football players learn to control their tem •••„-JP».v; bir 1 vr. k h-/r block that makes them see red for the instant and then wait for their chance to hand back a good solid, but clean, block or tackle. Alto gether, Coach Dole said, the disei pine, the hard work, the muscular training and the mental training make for a better citizen. Before discussing the values of football training and playing, the coaih regaled the boys and their guests with some jokes that struck a responsive cord although one of them had to be explained to one of the guests after the banquet, the promising young man not hav ing quite gotten the point of it. General opinion of the speaker following the banquet was that he has tremendous confidence in himself, in his school and in the boys of the south with whom he has been working for years in a remarkably successful manner. He believes the boys of the south, and specifically, of eastern Carolina, (Continued on page six) Superior Court In Final Session On Friday Afternoon Few Divorce Cases Cleared From Docket During One-Week Term -«> By continuing a few cases and after working five days, the Mar tin County Superior court held its final session of a one-week term and adjourned late last Friday af ternoon. Several defendants drew terms on the roads while others were placed on probation. A few defendants were found not guilty, the records showing that more cases went to the jury during the term than in any other period in several years. Proceedings not previously re ported: Charged with breaking and en tering, Fred Wilson pleaded guilty of forcile trespass and was sen tenced to the roads for eight months. The sentence was later changed, and the defendant is to work at the county home for five months with the privilege of hav ing members of his family visit him only on Sundays. Sam Gorham, charged with breaking and entering, was sen tenced to tlie roads for not less than three and not more than five years. The cases charging James Willis Lloyd and N. S. Nichols with rob bery of person, Jesse Haywood Crisp with drunken driving and Robert Jasper Rogers with non support, were continued until next March. Charged with speeding, Claud ius McGowan was allowed to withdraw his appeal from a low er court judgment, the terms of which he is to comply with. Donald Eugene Gaddis, 15, and James B. Hillard, 34, charged with breaking and entering and lar ceny, were sentenced to jail for sixty days on the breaking and entering charge, and to the roads for twelve months on the larceny charge. The road sentences were suspended and the defendants placed on probation. The case brought by Thos. J. Blount against his former wife, Edna C. Blount, for the custody of their nine-year-old son, was heard by Judge Leo Carr late Fri day- He li lt little changed a pre vious court order, allowing both the plaintiff and defendant to as sociate with the child at reason able times, but the son is to con tinue to make his home with his paternal grandparents in James villc except for two week-ends each month when the mother vis its there and takes him to her mother’s home. The child is to be alllowed to visit his maternal grandmother. In a second custody hearing, | Judge Carr ruled in the case of i Farnces Whitley against Jesse I Whitley, colored, ordered the de fendant to return the two children to Whitley’s former wife with the understanding that he be allowed to visit them at reasonable times. -4,--— PMA Committee For The County Geo. (' Griffin of Griffins, Roy T, Griffin of Williamston, U. R. Edmondson of Hassell, C. L. Keel | of Hobersonville and Julian Mi/ * v.ii' Hi'-si. Nv.*ijESS5SS; ! the Martin County Production and • Marketing Administration com mittee by delegates from the vari ous districts in a meeting held in the agricultural building last Fri day. Geo. C. Griffin is chairman, R. T. Griffin is vice chairman, Ed mondson goes in as regular mem ber, and Keel and Mizelle as first and second alternates, respective ly. The election apparently hit a snag, for it was late afternoon be fore the electron was completed and only after one of the delegates to the convention was ruled out and another from Jamesville was called in. Continues (Juitv III In Durham lluapitul Mr. Joseph Harrison, Poplar Point Township farmer, continues quite ill in Duke Hospital follow ing an operation there Monday. Supervisor Appoints County List-Takers Group ill Meet Next ^ eek To Fix Seale Of Values No BtiHir Lluing*** Exported In Real and Personal Property Listings Appointed last week-end by Supervisor M. Luther Peel, the county’s ten tax list-takers will meet in the courthouse on Wed nesday, December 28, to study new instructions and fix a scale of values for personal properties. There is only one change in tne listing personnel, Mr. S. Oscar Peel of Griffins succeeding W. Tom Roberson, who died while • handling the task last year. Other list-takers are: O. W. 'familton, Jamesville; Chas. L. Daniel, Wil liams; Wheeler Rogerson, Bear Grass; O. S. Anderson, Williams ton; G. G. Bailey, Cross Roads; H. S. Everett, Robei sdnville; L. G. * Taylor, Poplar Point; L. R. Ever ett, Hamilton; and Jesse F. Crisp, Goose Nest. Supervisor Peel, reappointed to the position by the county board of commissioners a short time ago, points out there'll be no basic change in assessed values for real estate holdings. Last year there was a ten percent horizontal in crease in real property listings, but about the only changes to show up in the lists for 1950 will be based on new construction. The farm census, dropped for several years, is back in the pic ture for 1950. The data sheets are being prepared and will be plac ed in the hands of the list-takers at the meeting. Farmers will aid themselves and the listing work by taking an inventory of all their holdings and making a study of their acreages planted to various crops along with cost figures and production yields. Supervisor Peel made no com ment about the schedule of values on personal property listings to be adopted. The list-takers general ly discuss conditions and values and try to adopt a uniform rating for all types of personal proper-' ties. It is likely that motor ve hicle listings will be based on values carried in what is known as thi' Blue Book, with the possi bility that the values will be grad uated downward a bit. The official points out that the farm census will require much time, that property owners can help hold costs to a minimum by listing their holdings early. The work is tentatively scheduled to get under way the first week in January. r GOING I P I j After getting off to a late start, local amateur decora tors are making splendid pro gress with their Christmas displays on roof tops, door ways, yards and porches. A goodly number was prepared over the week-end and def initely the Christmas season is being expressed in the de corations. The theme is being advanc ed both inside and outside the town with possibly the John A. Mizelles in West End hold ing the lead with extensive house-yard decorations. The decorations will be judged by outsiders Thurs day night between 9 and 11 o’clock, it has been announc ed. Pete A. Cherry I) i e (I Saturday At Home Here Fiiurrul Service (lomliieled Sunday Afternoon At The Funeral Home Funeral services were conduct ed in the Biggs Funeral Home here Sunday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock for Pete Augustus Cherry I I I who died at the home of his dau ghter, Mis. Vernon Hopewell on Plum Street at 7:00 o’clock Saturday morning. Rev. N. J. Ward, pastor of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Rev Stew art B. Simms, pastor of the Wil liamston Memorial B a p t i s t Church, conducted the rites. In terment was in Woodlawn Ceme tery. Mr. Cherry was born in Wil liamston 70 years ago on February: 16, IH7S), the son of the late John Fate and Maggie Cherry. Until declining health forced his retire ment several years ago lie was a commercial fisherman and trap per and one who enjoyed the out of doors. His walk through life was humble and friendly. He had been confined to his bed for almost a year, but accepted his fate without complaint. In early manhood lie was mar ried to Miss Claudia Virginia Wynne who died about twelve years ago. Surviving are six sons, John M. Cherry, Pete Flic Cherry and William Cherry all of Wil liamston, and Haywood Cherry who is now a patient in a Rocky Mount hospital, J It. Cherry of Savannah, Ga , Leslie Cherry of Martinsville, and Jennis L. Cherry of the U. S. Navy; two daughters, Mrs. Vernon Hopewell of Wil , liamston, and Miss Marian Ruth I Cherry of Martinsville; two broth ers, Claude L. and W. R. Cherry, I troth of Williamston. jl£uiU^aUjjlorr<es ^ In This County '•’our divorces, based on - ’*• ' **• •rnm>.0. «| were granted in the Martin Coun ty Superior Court last week, as follows: Naomi Dixon Virk front Major Junior Vick, Spurgon Chamblee from Flossie Riddick Chamblee, Raleigh McNair from Ethel Mc Nair, and Martha Davis from Ma rion Davis. The trial of the divorcee actions were sandwiched in between cases on the criminal docket. Several other divorce cases were continu ed when it appeared that the court would not have time to hear them. ---o WARNING Chief of Police John Roebuck today warned shoppers to lock their cars securely when placing packages in them. "Our men will patrol the streets as often as pos sible, but it is difficult to catch thieves lifting packages from cars,” the officer explained. Several packages were stolen from cars here last year. Martin Favors Cotton Control Martin County, planting a com paratively small cotton acreage, went almost solid for control of the crop acreage in the referen dum field last Thursday, according The >o!e, 467 for and ten against, was about 70 percent of the maxi mum voting strength. I The vote by districts follows .**v**/li* *f im , -.v 1 v,v mi If if ldvm tiuic v v »it- n.-uiTiiiiit and the opposition vote listed sec ond: Jamesville, 25 and 1; Williams, 6 and 0; Griffins, (3 and 0; Bear Grass, 4 and 0; Williamston-Pop lar Point, 44 and 0; Cross Roads, 132 and 1; Robersonville, 121 and 1; Hamilton, 115 and 5; Goose Nest, 112 and 2. North Carolina gave the cotton program a big majority for 1950, India Cets New Constitution • -—•—. The Indian Constituent Assem bly. according to press reports from New Delhi, has adopted a new constitution under which the country will become a "sovereign democratic republic.” The consti tution is to go into effect on Jan uary 2(5, on which date India will be officially proclaimed a repub lic.