» THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,«M MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE i^^==— TIIE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK VOLUME LV—NUMBER 21 V Williamtlon, Marlin County, fSorih Carolina, Tuesday, March 11, 195* ESTABLISHED 1899 Numerous Rumors Declared Without Much Foundation Chief Wm. Smith Believes Cross Burning Was The W’ork of Pranksters The burning of a cross in front of the home of Hugh Morgan Gray in Robersonville about 10:00 •clock last Wednesday night was declared to carry little signifi cance, according to Chief of Police WillianPSmith who expressed the belief that it was the work of pranksters. The popular Robersonville of ficer stated that he had heard numerous rumor^, but that he was satisfied just about all of them were without foundation. The cross, measuring about four feet high and made of wood mea ning about one and one-half inches wide and about one-half inch or less thick, was stuck into the ground near the porch of the home .which is located on Acad emy Street or U. S. Highway 64 just across the way from the high school building. It was fired with a burlap bag, and when officers reached the scene most of it had burned away, but the letter K i was discernible .about the middle • the cross member. Chief Smith is confident that the Klu Klux Klan as an organi zation, had nothing to do with the cross burning. It was rumored that a note had been addressed to Kenneth Bland, a roomer in the Gray home, but the officer said that he had been unable to find any trace of it, that as far as it could be learned, no threats had been made against Bland or any other person. While the rumors maintained Wat Bland fled from the house in a hurry, one report stated that he was hardly able physically to run at the time. It was reported that fic has now deserted the house for pne reason or .mother. O ,B. Roberson, visiting in a filling station a short distance away when someone stopped in the station and reported that a cross was burning in the Gray J^jrd, said he was one of the first t* reach the scene, that he saw no one near there at that time. It was reported that a car, bear ing a Virginia license stopped there and that six men got out and planted and fired the cross. Another report said that one man was seen firing the cross, and that he was picked up by a slowly moving car a minute or two later. So far no one has been identified, but officers are working on every possible lead. •>ther reports, later declared without foundation, maintained that th.cL giave mounds had been constructed in the area, and that a property owner was advised to move tenants out of one of her homes. It was also rumored that there had been a cross burning in another county town recently, but citizens questioned there de clared they knew nothing about it. Track Ham Thiel ; Down In County Tearing the hinges from the door, Kelly Crandall, 21-year-old colored man, entered the smoke house Clavon Sheppard, color ed tenant on the Reuben Everett farm near Robersonville, last Sat urday night and earned away two chUice hams. Missing the meat Sunday morn- < jng, Sheppard reported the loss to i Deputy Dennis Roberson who with Deputy Raymond Rawls started an investigation. Dispos ing of the hams to Gaston An drews that morning, Crandall re turned to the Sheppard neighbor hood where the officers found and questioned him along with other suspects. Crandall’s unusual ^tot print gave him away, and he admitted stealing the meat and I told where he had sold it. TheJ meat was recovered. ed but details could not be had. j f DRAINAGE PROJECT vI A drainage project for those lands along Flat Swamp and its laterals in this coun ty is being considered, ac cording to reports heard here last week-end. Interested par ties are planning to hold a meeting on or about March 28, it was learned. The proposed project, the third major one in this coun ty, would cover about six miles of the swamp from a point near Parmele to the Pitt County boundary and about six miles of lateral ca nals. Red Cross Drive Making Progress In Local Chapter Organixdtioiitil Work Fill it*hcd and Nearly Half Of Fund Been Raised “All organizational work has been completed, the volunteers are busy and nearly half the quo ta has been raised," Chairman W. Iverson Skinner said today in re porting that the annual Red Cross fund drive in the Martin County Chapter is progressing rapidly. Just about all the contributions received so far for the fund were made by Williamston business firms, the chairman said. While a few of the donations did not measure up to expectations, all the contributors have been fairly liberal and most of them met or exceeded their quotas, the chair man explained. The first report on individual employe solicitations were said o have been encouraging. Heading up that phase of the drive, Mr. Pete Austin said that employees at Belk-Tyler’s and Courtney’s were 100 percent in their support of the drive. No detailed reports have been received from the districts or the residential areas, but the can vassers are working, Mrs. Askew and Mrs. Blount, chairmen for Jamesville, and Mrs. Roberson, chairman for Williams Township, said. Working with Mrs \V H. Car starphen in this township, Miss jrene Tetterton announced the following canvassers for th. ! idential areas in her assigned ter ritory; Mesdames Louis Coker, Harvey Baggett, Ralph Taylor, W. T. Ross, D. G, Modlin, Charlie Edwards, D. D. Stalls, Jr., W. O. Griffin, Thomas R. Speller, Jos eph Gurganus, Hubert Biggs, P. O. Holloman, William Everett, Leslie Roberson and Mayhue Ed wards. colored citizens in tne live townships comprising the chapter recently completed their canvass ing organization, and accepted quotas, as follows: Jamesville, $55; Dardens, $55; Williams, $40; Smithwiek’s, $30; Rodgers, $55; Biggs, $55; Burroughs, $40; and Williamston, $400. The following volunteered to handle the canvass; N Jamesville: Mesclames Ernma^,1 Gregory, Jane A, Norfleet, Virgin ia Hopkins, Mary Everette and Mamie Knox. Smithwick’s: Anopholes Peel, Julius Evans, Ben Reddick, James Fodard, Cleveland Manning, Al men Reddick and Annie Hassell. Williamston: E. J. Hayes, Mrs. Cleo Tyner, Elizabeth Hargett, R A. Broadnax, F. L. Blount, Mrs. Lillian Slade Jones, John M. Slade, fArs. Clara R. Owens and Mrs. Nora C. Slade. Williams, Lower: James Faulk, (Continued on Page Eight) Suffera Broken Leg Getting Off Table Eli M. Taylor, local farmer-bus iness man, suffered a fracture of his right leg just above the ankle when he stepped off a table in the Washington Street pool room here last Saturday night. Removed to a local hospital, Mr. Taylor was reported to be getting along very well this morning. Capture Convicts; Near Williamston Alter A Wild Ride Patrolman Narrow Picked lip Trail Here and Stop Two convicts, escaping from a Nash County prison camp early last Thursday, were taken into custody by Patrolmen R. P. Nar ron and D. S. Skiles a few hours later near Williamston but r.ot un til the convicts, L. D. Hatchell, 31, and Arthur Chadwick, 18, had stolen two vehicles and held up and robbed a minister near Hob good. Spotting the two convicts in the Dodge car stolen from the Rev. Grady Haynes of Habgood, Pa trolman Narron started the chase on Williamston’s North Haughton Street. Hatchell, driving the stol en car, made a left turn into the main street and then turned right at the Central Service Station in an effort to lose the patrol car. The chase was continued on High way 17, Patrolman Narron stating that Hatchell started to turn into the Ross tourist court and almost turned the car over there. Re covering from the near spill, Hatchell continued down 17 and started to make a turn into a dirt road about three miles from Wil liamston. The convict lost control and the stolen car turned over twice, knocking out both convicts and wrecking the minister’s ve hicle. The accident victims soon re covered consciousness and were removed to a local hospital for examination and treatment, Chad wick suffered a three-stitch cut over his left eye and a thrce stitch cut on his hand. Hatchell was not injured. The convicts were turned over to prison auth orities, both of them begging not to be returned to the Nash camp. Making a break in Nash Coun ty, thp convicts stole a pick-up truck and ran out the gas supply. Leaving that vehicle, they thumb ed a ride with the Hobgood Bap tist minister, and then at pistol point carried him into the woods and tied him to a tree, using one of their rawhide shoe strings. Prison officials were surprised when they learned the minister had not been harmed by Hatchell who is serving terms for two kill ings. The minister said he plead ed with the convicts, that Hatch ell put the gun back in his pocket and after a short distance into the woods, he was tied to the tree. Tied very loosely, the minister freed himself by the time the con victs got back to the car, and he then walked into Hobgood and gave the alarm. When the minister reached Wil liamston to claim his property, he was apparently more pleased to recover his false teeth than he was his overcoat and $25 in cash. The car was insured, Patrolman Narron said. Hatchell, a one-time Cardova textile mill worker, was sentenc ed from Richmond .Cosmtii_ip. July, 1942, to 20 years for second degree murder. He later escaped and in so doing killed a prison guard which resulted in his being (Continued on Page Eight) In The Court For Falsifying Record Sadie. S. Ward, 119 Griffin Street, was tried Thursday morn ing hefore Justice C. R. Mobley on the charge of attempting to evade the Employment Security Law while filing clajms for unemploy ment compensation benefits at the local Unemployment office in that she failed to report her true earn ings. \\\ She was found guilty and the judgment of the court was a thir ty-day jail sentence suspended upon the repayment to the com mission of the amount overdrawn by reason of her failure to rep resent her earnings correctly and the cost of the action. Further penalties follow such convictions. Not only is the claim ant held ineligible for benefits For the remained!- -of the benefit year but the amount of the bene fits received alter the first week tf the commission of the false reporting must be liquidated be fore any benefits can be drawn n the future. Red Grosz Bloodmobile To! Visit Here On March 21st -« Your blood is needed! Your's and all other citizens' residing in the area of the Martin County Chapter of the American Red Cross. This blood is needed for use in the local hospitals as well as by the armed forces. Since the blood program was instituted a year ago, more than 190 pints have been used locally, the re mainder going to the services at home and abroad. Dr. J. S. Rhodes, Jr., chairman of the blood.program of the Mar tin County Chapter of the Red Cross, reports that response is good to the appeal for pledges for the fourth visit of the Blood mobile on Friday, March 21, but more are needed to assure our quota being met. Dr. Rhodes, who succeeded Dr. C. I. Harris as chairman of the blood program, urges each and every able-bodied citizen to make his pledge to the recruiters, Paul Simpson or Bruce Wynne, or direct to the Red Cross headquarters, Mrs. Edna Bondu rant, chapter secretary. The bloodmobile will set up operations in the Recreation Room of the Williamston Metho jdist Church and the hours will be from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You may specify the time you prefer to visit the church and give your blood and you will also be noti fied a few days in advance of the visit, as to what time you are to report. If you are unable to pledge your donation in advance, you may drop into the church on th* day of the visit and donate your pint of blood to this worthy cause. It may be emphasized that the ioperation is rather simple and rel atively painless. Those who have given blood on the previous visits are again eligible and are request ed to make every effort to do so. Remember the date of the Blodmobile visit is Friday, March 21; the location, the Recreation Room of the Methodist Church; the hours are from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the recruiters are Paul Simpson and Bruce Wynne. Call either of these two or Mrs. Edna Bondurant at the Red Cross office and make that appoint ment right now! TRASH MOVER _ _ / Striking mainly between 7 and 8:00 o’clock thin morn ing, a heavy rain flooded just about everything in this area. The approximately one inch of rain fell so rapidly that it was referred to as a trash mover. Several places In the town here were filled with water from curb to curb. So far this month, three • and one-third inches of rain have fallen here. The Roan oke this morning stood at 11.3 feet, or about fourteen inches over the banks, and logging operations along the stream are still at a standstill. Stephen Copeland Dies In Accident Stephen L. Copeland, 45, was instantly killed in an automobile near his home in China Lake, Cal ifornia, Sunday afternoon, reports reaching here stating that he suf fered a broken neek and back when his car went off the road and turned over. Funeral services will be con ducted tomorrow afternoon in Chinn Lake. Interment wii. be in the cemetery there. Married to the former Miss Elizabeth Gurganus of Williams ton in January, 1933, Mr. Copelands was well known here. He spent most of his life in Norfolk where he was associated with the Vir ginia Engineering Company for a number of years before going with the Naval Ordnance Department. Seven years ago he was transfer red to California whore ho served as safety engineer for the Naval Ord n a nee Training St a 11 o n. D_ur - ing his stay in Norfolk, he visited , Williamston often and made many friends here. Surviving besides Mrs. Cope land are a daughter, Lamarr; a brother, William D. Copeland, of Chicago; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Hayes of Los Angeles, and his mother, Mrs. B. W, Woodard, of Norfolk. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary 1 Ronner Gurganus, and brother-in- ( law, Eli Gurganus, are en route 1 to California by stratoliner today ! to attend the funeral. ^ Local Man Holding Hi* 1 Own In Durham Ho*pital ( Although he continues quite ill and is still unable to have com pany, Mr. J. E. King, prominent I local citizen, was reported late | yesterday to be holding his own in Duke Hospital with the possi bility that his condition is slight ly improved. Firemen Called Out Laat Friday Afternoon Volunteer firemen were called 3Ut early last Friday afternoon when fire threatened a vacant 5ou.se belonging to the Della Rog ers estate, corner of Sycamore and Wilsbn Streets. Believed to fiave started fionr a spark, the tire burned away a small portion »f the roof. Observe Week Oi Dedication Methodists of Williamston are joining with those of some forty thousand other congregations throughout America in the ob servance of a Week of Dedication, according to an announcement made Sunday by Pastor R. E. Wal ston. Challenging his congrega tion to build a spiritual counter part to their recently renovated sanctuary and new educational plant, Mr. Walston pointed out that every member must give will ingly and enthusiastically of such skills and means as he possessed. In his evening message the min ister declared that dedication of personal life satisfied nd separated in July, 1949. No children were born of the union. George Smith, in his case against Eula Mae Smith, says they were married December 6, 1946, and separated June 27, 1949, that no children were born of the union. In her case against John Ed monds, Nolie Edmonds says they were married January 3, 1924 and separated June 4. 1949, that no children were born of the union. In the case of Joyce Johnson against William Johnson, the plaintiff says they were married in Brooklyn on September 24, 1947 and separated March 3, 1948, that on children were born of the union. Suing Sam Manning for divorce Clydia Mae Manning says they were married April 4, 1946, and separated December 24, 1947. The two children, ages 5 and 4, born of the union are with the plaintiff. Gary Bunting is suing Margaret Bunting for a divorce, stating they were married February 14, 1948, and separated in July, 1949. The defendant is a minor, and a guard ian was named for her. The plain tiff says there are two children, ages 4 and 3, who are with and supported by the mother, the plaintiff denying paternity. While not contesting the action,, the de (Continued on Page Eight) Les Darby Speaks To Kiwanis Club Mr. Los Darby, Director of In dustrial Relations of North Caro lina Pulp Co. was guest speaker at the Williamston Kiwanis Club meeting held at the Woman’s Club on Thursday night. Mr Darby gave the history of . the C<.i 'iiao t in Plymouth He said the produc tion of pulp has increased from 200 tons per day in 191)7 to 1)00 tons per day at the close of 1951. Continuing, he stated that al though the plant consumes over 408,000 cords of wood a year, the mill is rebuilding the forestry in dustry by replanting and selective cutting. The replanting program includes the furnishing of seed lings to school children for plant ing Mr; Darby pointed out that the plant has a payroll of around $3,000,000 per year and is the worlds largest manufacturer of paper board which is used in mak ing milk cartons and other con tainers. He then explained the j process of making paper and told how chemicals are reclaimed from the water before, it is discarded. In conclusion Mr Darby stressed the assets that the North Carolina Pulp Co. provided Martin Coun ty, Plymouth, Williamston and the surrounding area. Prior to Mr. Darby’s talk sev eral guests were introduced among whom were Bynum E. Smith by George Mahler, Junie Peel by E. S. Peel, Sr., and Fred Sherman by Boh Newell. Mrs. W E. Thornton, club pianist, was welcomed back by president Reg Simpson following an absence due .o a iliness. Li nee Wynn was also •ecogm/.ed on the occasion of his ; yirthday. 11 Confiscate Obscene Picture In Theater aim: office r J Without office space for several months, the Martin County ABC Enforcement Bu reau, J. II. Roebuck, chief, established offices on the sec ond floor of W'illiamston's town hall last week-end. Evi dence in the form of legal and illegal spirits is kept in a strong box. Confidential reports may be submitted personally at the office or by direct mail to the enforcement bureau, it was explained. Three Injured In Series Accidents On County Roads Four Wrecks Rrporlnl In I In* (lounty During Past Several Days -- At least three persons were in jured, one of them badly, in a series of four motor vehicle acci dents on the highways in this county during the past few days. There was a fifth accident, but the highway patrol office said that a car ran into a ditch, that no one was injured and there was no property damage even though the vehicle had to be freed by a wrecker. Arthur Chadwick, escaped con vict, suffered cuts on the face when the stolen car in which he was riding turned over twice on a dirt road about three miles from Williamston on U. S. 17, south, early last Thursday afternoon. The driver of the Dodge, L. D. Hatchell, was knocked unconsci ous, but he recovered quickly and was not listed among the injur ed. The car, belonging to the Rev. Grady Haynes, Baptist min ister of Hobgood, was damaged to the extent of about $(100, accord ing to unofficial information. Two wrecks in one were re ported about two miles out on the Caskey Road, in Williamston Township, last Friday night about 11:00 o'clock. Fernando DeSoto Jones, driving a 1950 Plymouth toward Highway 125. stopped to make a left turn when James Henry Wiggins met him in a 1942 Oldsmobile. The Oldsmobile side swiped the Plymouth, causing about $25 damage to each vehicle. Wiggins stopped his ear about twenty feet away in his .right lane of traffic. While Wiggins and Jones were allegedly arguing over then accident, Wilbur Eugene Cannon, young white man of RFD 1, Hobgood, drove up, traveling toward Highway 04 Apparently blinded by the lights on the Jones car, Cannon did not see anyone or the Wiggins car m his path. Just as he reached the Jones car, Mary Wiggins stepped into the road. The Cannon ear struck and knocked her into a ditch, causing a compound fracture of the right lag just above the ankle. The Can non machine then plowed into the rear of the Wiggins car, caus ing about $400 damage to it and about $550 damage to his own ma chine. Cannon suffered painful cut; about the face and bruises on the knee, but was able to be out following over-night hospital treatment. The other victim of the accident continues in the hospital with the possibility that she will (Continued on Page Eight) -* Marriage Licenses irr Issued hi Comity lli'eontly Following a period <>f 1 it11 *’ ac tivity, the Martin County office of' register of deeds reported an in crease in the issuance of marriage licenses Just week-end, as fol lows: Henry E. Everett and Mrs. Eliz abeth Chandler, both of Roberson ville) Gordon Ambrose and Juani ia Ambrose, both of Plymouth; Joseph L. Edwards of RED 3, Wil liamston, and Mary Bell Cullipher d Bethel; Curtis R. Mobley and t^rs. Beulah Griffin Bland, both of ! iVilliamston; and Janies Jones of ! Villiamston and Rosa Lee Baker j if Oak City. Distributor Says 'Somebody' Will Pay For His Loss Fralure and Short Subject Impounded By Sheriff Holloman Saturday Rated one of the most lewd and shocking pictures operators ever dared flash on a public screen, the film, "Battle of Burlesque,” was confiscated and impounded by Sheriff M. W. Holloman fol lowing a showing in the Twilight Theater near Williamston on Highway 84 last Saturday night. Confiscated along with the short subject was a feature picture, “Hurly Burly”, rated a close run ner-up in lewdness to the "Battle of Burlesque”. Discussing the case with Dis trict Solicitor George Fountain by telephone, the sheriff was advised to hold the film as evidence. The case is scheduled for airing in the courts on Friday, March 28, be fore Justice Chas R. Mobley. Jesse Robert Henderson, field representative for the Steede Amusement Enterprises of High Point, is charged with aiding and abetting in the showing of ob scene pictures, and he is to ap pear before Justice Mobley along with John Mobley, owner-opera tor of the theater, and the ma chine operator, the latter two hav ing been required to provide no bonds. Mobley explained to the officer that lie did not know what was m the picture. Henderson, waiting with a ear to pick up the films after taking his firm’s cut in the profits, pleaded for the re least' of the film with the under standing that they would not be shown again in this county. The officer explained that it was a matter for the courts to decide. During the meantime, a repre sentative of the Steede Amuse ment Enterprises was quoted as saying that "somebody was going to pay him for every day the film was impounded.” The sheriff is still holding tight to the films to day. Henderson declared he knew nothing of the short film, the rougher of the two subjects and the first to be screened. Acting on information received from outside the county and with members of the Martin County Ministerial Association, the offi cer cheeked the picture which was booked for special showing Saturday night at 10:30 o'clock. There was a large crowd present for the special attraction which was booked as an added feature and at a cost of fifty cents. Child ren, as young as thirteen years, were in the audience, the officer said . The theater owner-operator re ported to the sheriff Monday that a similar picture, portraying the evil of dope, had been booked, and asked what action should be taken. It is distributed by the same distributor in High Point. The sheriff, unable to determine the exact nature of the film, made no suggestion about cancellation of contract. "If it is as bad as what was seen on the screen last Saturday night, it should be can celled and thrown into the river,” the officer was quoted asf saying. Glee Club Wins Superior Rating In the district music festival at Hast Carolina College in Green ville Saturday the Glee Club «>f Williamston High School under the direction of Miss Ann Roys ter, .von a rating of superior and Miss Janice Manning won the same rating as a soloist. A boys’ quartet from the glee club was rated as good by the judges The boys are: Bobby Goff, Corrone Bryant, Jerry Nich olson and Jack Daniels. The Williamston Green Wave Band did not enter this year. In the >and division Greenville won a superior and Elizabeth City, on. ' the basis of Grade 6 music was | rated good.