THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,090 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ B'rf OVER 3.000 MARTIN COCNTX FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEES VOLUME LVI—NUMBER 12 i Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina. Tuesday, February W, ESTABLISHED 18‘>9 Police Here Explain Action In Theft Case Three Hen To Get Hearing In Case Friday Afternoon —«— board Impressed With The .Story ToJd By Officers At Hearing Last INijdil Going before the full member ship of the town board of commis sioners and the mayor members of the local police department at a formal hearing last nigh‘. satisfac torily explained the action taken by them when thieves hauled away seventy-one bags of peanuts from the Roanoke-Dixie Ware house here on the morning of Jan uary 25. The hearing was called after a flood of criticism reached the officials who declared after all the evidence was in, that the attacks were not justified. That no arrests were directly made at the time was recognized, but the officials were convinced that, un der the circumstances, the offic ers handled the case well, that the "law” was on the *job. During the meantime, it was learned that evidence is being gathered in the case, that the State Bureau of Investigation was lend ing a helping hand and that the developments to date were en couraging. A hearing is to lit held here Friday afternoon for Julius Williams, Oscar Burnett and William Henry Brown. Others believed implicated in the case have not been arrested. Holding down the desk job on the night of January 24, Officei Emmett Hines explained that the messages were coming in s . fast over a walkie-talkie in the hinds of Officer Arthur Perry that he could not enter all of them in the log, but that he kept a running ac count of fhem. The time element was carefully cheeked with Offi cer Hines and it was verified by other officers. It was explained, however, that the walkie-talkie was not clear at all times, and that some of the messages had to be relayed to the police car over the department radio. Officer Tom Chcsson. slating that he and Officer Clavton Rog ers were at the station when the first call came in over the walkie talkie from Officer Perry, stating that a truck was moving into the backlot between the Planters Warehouse and the Evans stables, and that it was going to th* Ro,-m oke-Dixie Warehouse where two men got out and directed the Inv er in backing the machine through the second door. "We made a circle around the back streets and went to the ware house district, and were advised by Officer Perry that three men were leaving the warehouse, that they had closed the door. We were then back of the depot to keep out of the light. Officer Rogers got out and went up on the depot plat form but he did not see the men as they moved toward the rail road. We thought that possibly some of the Skinner Company's men had been on a trip and were returning the truck. Officer Perry advising them that all was quiet in the area.” Continuing, Officei Chesson said they left the area and drove down Main Street, turning around below the hill. "We were on the way back when we spotted a drunk and we stopped, picked her up and jailed her. After that we went back to the warehouse dis trict and saw two men walking on Washington Street between the Roanoke-Dixie Warehouse and the railroad and going in the direction (Continued on Page Eight) 9 Sailers Injuries In Fall Iron Rooi —•— B. Frank Clark suffered a brok en left wrist and rib fractures when he fell off a store roof in Hamilton last week. Owner of the building. Mr. Clark was working on the roof when he slipped and fell to the ground. A native of this county, Mr. Clark returned to Hamilton about two years ago after retiring from service in the Philadelphia store of Wannamaker's. He is seventy years old. ROUND-UP L The liquor supply, dried up during the last week-end in January when thirty-three persons were arrested and charged with violating liquor laws, started running again last week-end. There were the usaui lights and other law violations, many of which which were traced to the liqour traffic. Five persons were jailed for public drunkenness, one for drunken driving, two for lar ’ eeny, and one each for break ing and entering, non-support and operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license. Five of the eleven jailed were white, and the ages of the group ranged from a low of 17 to 5(» years. Funeral Held For J. Russell Peel Funeral services were conduct ed in the Macedonia Christian Church last Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock for John Russell Peel, 21, who died early Thursday morning in a Durham hospital of burns received in a gasoline can explosion on his farm in Griffins Township on Monday afternoon of last week. His pastor, the Rev. P. E. Cayton, conducted the rites, assisted by the Rev W B. Har rington, Baptist minister, and the Rev. John L. Goff, pastor of the local Christian church Interment was in the Griffin family ceme tery in Griffins Township. More than two hundred cars were in the procession from the church to tin cemetery, and sev eral hundred friends and acquain tances were unable tu crowd into th<‘ church <{n the service. One of the largest floral offerings seen at the progressive community church in years, attested the high esteem in which the young man was held. He had been a leader in his community, leaving a noble impression with all who knew him, and having completed a 13 year record of perfect attendance upon the services of the church where he was a member. He was an only child and is sur vived by his mother, Mrs. Rosa Griffin Peel, who is recovering from critical injuries received in an automobile accident last Nov ember. His father, Hebei Peel, died more than a year ago. Dies Of Injuries Received In Fall -4> Shirley Katherine Bailey, six months old, died in a Greenville hospital last Thursday evening at 6:30 o’clock of injuries received in a fall at her home in Cross Roads Township Wednesday afternoon. The child rolled off a couch and struck its head on the floor. At first the injury was not thought to he serious, hut her condition be ame worse and she was removed to the hospital. Surviving are her parents, Charlie H. and Shirley Fay Taylor Bailey; a sister, Mary Ann Bailey, and grandparents, Mr. and Mis. C. C. Bailey and Mr. and Mrs. Syl vester Taylor. Funeral services were conduct ed in the Everetts Baptist Church Saturday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock by the pastor, the Rev. C. L. Gat ling. Interment was in Wood lawn Cemetery at Wiliiamston. Mayor Proclaims Day Of Prayer In a proclamation issued today Williamston’s mayor, Robert H. Cowen, set aside Friday, February 20, as “World Day of Prayer” and urged citizens here and in sur rounding communities to observe the day. A guided worship hour will be held at the Presbyterian Church and the Cornerstone Baptist Church at 4 o'clock on that day and Mr. Cowen issued an invita tion to all citizens to attend the services. He suggested that those unable to attend pause at their work for a minute of prayer at 4 o'clock Eight Wrecks On Streets-Highways In Martin County Four Persons Hurt \i*d V Mule killed III Tile Veeideut Series At least four persons were in jured. two of them painfully but none believed seriously, in a series of eight motor vehicle accidents on the streets and highways in this county during the past few days. Property damage, not including the loss of a mule and two hogs, approximated $2,050, according to incomplete reports reaching here. Loose stock on the highways ac counted for two of the accidents. Damage was limited to about $250 and no one was injured in a two-car crash on Highway 17 at the Griffins Road intersection near Old Mill Inn last Thursday morning. Driving south on 17, Jesse S. Rogerson started to make a left turn into the Griffins road with his 1950 Dodge pick-up just as Warren W. Grube of Bethle hem, Pennsylvania, started to pass in his 1952 Buiek. The vehicles crashed, causing about $50 dam age to the truck and about $200 to the car, according to a report released by Patrolman J. O. Ar thur who made the investigation. One person was slightly injured in a series of three motor vehicle accidents on Williamstun streets Saturday afternoon and evening, police officers said following their investigations. Henry Corey, about 11:10 o’clock that afternoon, was driving his 1950 Plymouth north on Haughton Street when the Rev. J. W. Berry, driving toward the main street, started to make a left turn into Church Street in his 1951 Chevro let. Corey's car struck the right lender of thi- Berry car. Officer Moore estimated the damage to Corey’s car at $75 and that to the Chevrolet at $40. No one was in jured, the officer said. At 5:45 o'clock, Charles Vance Dnubeck, of ftFD 11, Williamstoh, was driving west on Church Street and was in collision with a 1951 Mercury driven by Walter Wesley Brown, also of RFD 3, Williams ton, at the Church-Haughton in tersection. The Mercury struck tlu right-hand door of Doubek’s 1952 Willys. causing about $200 damage to Doubek’s car. Damage to Bi o -ury was estimated at $100 u> ers Tom Chesson and Arthur Perry who made the investigat ion. Meeting about 0:30 o’clock on Wist Main Street near Brown's Community Hospital a 194H Chev rolet driven by John Lei1 Law j-e.nce of WiHuunston and a truck j trailer driven by John Grcnsby of Tarboro, sideswiped each other. | James Leary, a hitch-hiker riding 1 m the ti uek, suffered a minor nose injury, Officei Chas. Moore said following the investigation. Dam age to Lawrence's Chevrolet was estimated at $300. the officer stat ing that part of its left side was ripped away and battered. Dam age to the truck was estimated at about $10 | Driving on Highway 125 be tween Hamilton and Oak City last Wednesday. J. O Stokes of Hamil ton "an over and killed two hogs belonging to Isaac Purvis and Farmer Collins. Damage to his j 1950 Chevrolet pick-up was esti (ConPnued on page eight) Suffers IIetui Injury In Full At ller lluine -■$/ Mrs. E. Russ Froneberger suff ered a five-stitch gash in her head in a fall at her home on Halifax Street here last Sunday night. Losing consciousness, Mrs. Froneberger, a teacher in the local schools, could not recall just how she fell, but it is thought she slipped on a rug. She was removea to a local hospital for treatment and fur ther examination, last report stat ing that she was getting along very well. Truck Hums On lligliuay ISo. 125 ISear ITilliamston -#— A large truck, used for hauling logs and pulp wood, burned on Highway 125 between Williams ton and Hamilton Monday after noon. Believed to have started in a brake lining, the fire ignited the large gas tank, and the driver jumped out, leaving the truck to run into a ditch and wreck itself. The driver was not injured. Raise $4,300 So Far In County For Polio Fund Martin-Cecifdy t ilTi’tiis may still; give to the Mr. re*' Pinw>s-dvi«a) airhough -thr1 ntftnmtfr-campaign '■ ended January 31. W Marvin Bak er, co-chairman of the campaign j declared today. Pointing out that only $4,300 has boon turned in for the 1953 drive, Mr. Baker said the county still lacks $1,684 of reaching its $5,984 quota. He expressed hope that thsoe who had received letters of appeal would respond as soon as possible. He urged every person who had not donated to do so. "It seems a shame," he said, "for Martin County to fall down in its ... t"'. -.vaM| worthwhile (s:n2.-««--VVf.f''-" air- -vs receiving indirect aid front the National Polio Foundation as a re sult of their research and we nev er know when we may need to call for funds to fight an epidemic in our own county." "Polio is no respecter of age. sc. eial position, or sex," he added, therefore each of us should feel a personal responsibility in seeing that Martin County meet; its 1953 goal. If you haven't done v iur share, it isn't too late." FARM SCHOOLS Two special schools for far mers have been scheduled in this county, the ofice of the farm agent announced this week. The first of the schools will be held in the Farm Life . school auditorium on Wed nesday evening of next week at 8:00 o’clock when special ists from State College are to discuss sweet potatoes. The second school will be held on Thursday of next week, Feb ruary 18, at 2:00 o'clock in the courthouse, and will deal with peanuts. The public is invited and farmers arc urged to attend. Ownership Group Mel Last Friday Thu Martin County Farm Own ership Borrowers of the Farmers Home Administration held their annual meeting iti the courthouse last Friday. The morning was spent with the annual business summaries, while the afternoon was devoted entirely to visual aids. In the morning program, county averages of production and in cotTfP Were given, which allowed each individual family to place it self according to these averages as ' to whether it is below average, av j erage, or above average. Also was discussed additional income on these farms, better records, and disease and insect control meas ures in crops. Mr. John H. Harris, extension ; horticultural specialist, from State [ College, used part of the afternoon | in showing slides of actual farm 1 and home improvements. Mr. j Harris discussed at length lawn I development and listed in order | his choice of lawn grasses as fol lows: centjpede. carpet. Bermuda and fescue. He also elaborated on (the use of shrubbery and shade j around the- home. A demonstra tion was given on making cuttings of shrubbery, how to root these cuttings, and also the care of the shrubbery after it is rooted. The film "Wildlife in North Carolina," produced by the Wild life Resources Commission, was shown and well received. Marion C. Holland, state field representative of the- Farmers Home Administration, attended the meeting, A picnic lunch was served which was enjoyed by the families plus a few invited guests. Found Dead In Her Home Here Louvenia Horner Gray, aged colored woman, was found dead in her home here on North Syca more Street la.st Thursday after noon, the apparent victim of a heart attack. Living there alone, she got up early that morning and started to make a fire. When she did not make an appearance in the neigh borhood later in the day. neigh bors investigated and found her lying on the floor beside the stove dead. Investigating the death, Coroner W. W. Biggs said that she fell on and knocked the stove pipe down, but had not started a file. The house was locked from the inside and there was no sign of foul play, the curoner said. A native of Granville County, she came to this section years ago, making her home on Sycamore Street for a long time. Her age could not be definitely establish ed, but if is believed she was about 100 yea^s or older. The funeral was conducted in the Shiloh Baptist Church here Sunday afternoon and interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Quarlei Concert Draws Big Crowd -4 In spite of rainy, blustery weather, Williamston citizens and out-of-town guests filled the high school auditorium Saturday night to give an enthusiastic response to the Song Masters, a new male quartet making its first tour of the United States and Canada under the management of the Commun ity Concert Association. Presenting a wide variety of songs from a sixteenth century madrigal to current hit tunes, the quartet had something to please every listener, hut their presenta tion of two spirituals “Steal Away" and "Old Ark’s A-mover in' " and their medley of songs from the Broadway play “The King and 1" were given the great est applause. Schubert’s tragic ballad, "The Ei Iking" in which the tenors, John Pottcrsson and Jack Prigmore, in terpreted the feverish child; the bass, Ivar Ivarson, the father; and 4he baritone, Joseph Frederic, the King of Elves gave the audience opportunity to note that each of tin artists is distinctive in his own right as well as in ensemble sing ing. With selections from Gilbert 'and Sullivan's “H. M. S. Pinafore" the quartet members put into’play their individual stage personali ties and their performance brought much laughter. Children who occupied almost all of the first eight rows in the house par ticularly enjoyed the mimicry and facial expressions of the quartet. The cheerful, easy-going man ner of the four men was a pleas ant aspect of their performance and their patience and tact with a long line of young listeners and autograph seekers after the pro gram endeared them to many in the audience. Miss Helen Kaprielian, tin; at tractive bjjynetlc accompanist, lacked the poise nod stage person ality of the more seasoned sing ers, but her youth compared with the quartet's broader experience plains the difference in their manner. Her beauty and excellent playing easily made up for her somewhat shy appearance on stage. For her solo performance, Miss Kaprielian presented presented three selections from Debussy and an encore, “Perpetual Motion.” The memory of this well-re ceived performance should be a selling-point for local Community Concert directors when they begin soliciting memberships for next year’s series. Local Musicians Rale At E. C. C. Four members ui the Green Wave Band of Williamston High i School took part in the Eastern Division of the State Band Clinic at East Carolina College, Green ville, last week-end and one of them was rated excellent. All re ceived good positions in the clinic hand for its concert. The clinic was directed by Prof, Norval Church of Teachers’ Col lege, Columbia University, New' York. Participating from the Wil liamston band were Mary Lib Britton, cornet; Joyce Ann Cowan, alto clarinet; Lee- Handy, alto sax ophone; and Bobby Coburn, clari net. Miss Cow'an won the "Excel lent'’ rating. Director Jack Butler of Wil liamston and a number of Wil liamston people attended sessions of the clinic and the clinic band concert as well as a concert by the East Carolina College band which has a number of Williamston band graduates on its roster. Boy Scouts Stage Birthday Program In Martin County \ urict\ Of t\\eiit* Set Vs | Observunee of National Week ('ontiniie* With a variety of events plan ned. Martin County's Boy Scouts arc joining others throughout the nation this week in the observ ance of the forty-third birthday of the organization. The theme of national Buy Scout week being observed by 84.300 Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Explorer Units in the United States is “Forward on Liberty's Team". This is the name of the Scouts' three-year program which seeks to produce a greater functioning manpower and provide a higher quality pro gram for Boy Scouts. The week's celebrations are stressing "The Scout Family" and Cub Scouts, sponsored here by the Church of the Advent, are planning a Blue and Gold ban quet Friday night, February 20. with all the family participating The fathers will serve the supper and the mothers, fathers and Cubs will do the decorating and make the favors. There are five dens in Cub Pack 29 with a total of 45 boys. Plans for the Williamston Scout Troops 27 and 29, spon sored bv the Lions and Kiwatiis Clubs, include at least one hike Bynum Smith and Hack Gaylord are in charge of the two troops. The Jamesvillo Boy Scout troop, sponsored by the Ruritan Club with Howard Gaylord as master, recently held a board of review and this week is working on plans for a Court of Honor. The Bear Grass troop, also spoil sored by the Ruritan Club, is hold ing patrol hikes and will attend church services Sunday. The colored Scout troop, spon sored by the colored Elks club, re cently was reorganized with 40 members and Willie Whitfield, Sr., as master. They are planning a gathering tonight with Howard Hunter, district Scout executive as speaker. Plans for Boy Scout troops in Robersonville, sponsored by the Rotary club and the troops in Oak City, Hamilton, and Hassell, spon sored by Ruritan clubs, are not complete but they are expected to follow the pattern set by other troops in attending church Feb ruary 15 and practicing events lor a Council Camporcc to be held In Tarboro April 18, 17 and 18. Troops in this area also are wo k ing on plans for a district camp uree to be held in Bear Grass sona tina ot iVCTuofith. Slightly Hurt In Shot Gun Accident Jimmy Spruill, sun of Mr and Mrs. Hugh Spruill, was slightly wounded in a shot gun accident at the Hoanokt' River bridge last Sunday afternoon. Engaging in target practice with his brother, Billy, the young man fired one barrel of the double-bar reled gun, and the weapon ex ploded, throwing one shot into his right arm. A large hole was blown into the barrel near the stock end. Treated in a local hospital, the lad was able to return to his home, apparently worrying more about the damage lone to the gun than about his injury. Korean Veterans Told Of Deadline —.— Veterans of the Korean conflict were reminded again this week thgt March 1 is the deadline fur beginning on-the-farm training. After that date, they must wait until October to enroll in the program. Sponsored by the Ve terans’ Ad ministration through the coopera tion of the State Department of Public Instruction, the classes are open to any Korean veteran in Martin County. The course con sists of night classes at the James vill- and Oak City schools as well as on-the-farm instruction John Hassell is in charge of training at Oak City and V. B. iiairr directs the courses at Jamesville. Application blanks may be ob tained from Edgar Gurganus, vet eran service officer for Martin County. Liquor Law Yiolators In Recorder's Court /--—.. LAST w vknim; While the work is utmost completed in most of the townships there arc a few owners who have not listed | their property holdings or poll for taxation for 1953. In a last and solemn warning issn i ed this week. County Tax Supervisor ,\1. I,. Peel ex plained that indictments can be expected shortly. It was also pointed out that late list ings are subject to penalties. One or two of the tow nships reported listings more than '•<) percent complete this week, while in others hardly ninety percent have had their names placed on the hooks. Charge Han With Entering Store Coming here from Pinctops iibuut tliioi' months ago to work m the log woods, Roosovolt Ed wards, 19-year-old colored man, was arrested last Thursday aftei noon and eliai gcd \\ ith trespassing and larceny He forced his wav into Walter Johnson's little com munity store on West Church Street about noon that day and walked wav with about $1 m change. He was picked up a lew minutes later by Offieoi C'has. R Moore. Edwards was also charged with the theft of a $3 electric drop cord from the sweet potato house on Washington Street earlici that morning. Given a preliminary hearing be fore Justice Chas. R. Mobley, the | man was booked for trial in tin I county court Unable to arrange a SHIO bond in each case, Edwards i was placed m jail No formal charges were brought, but Edwards is believed to have figured in the robbery of Hortons Cleaneis on Sycamore i Street earliei in the week With an accomplice, Edwards is also bc ! lieved to have stolen a small - amount ol change from Professor Hill’s store on Sycamore Street | Neither Hill nor Horton would prefer charges against the man j after they learned he was to face trial in two other cases Kiwanis Chooses 1953 Commiilees —#— Tlu appointment m| commit!.., and the aiiui.iti.in of a budget for I i053 weir Iratuies mI tin Kiwanis | Club meeting lu lcl .it 111. Woman's ! Club Thursday night, February 5 Each member ol the club has i been assigned tu one or more of j till Committees by the club presi dent, Vernon Hunting, and the chairmen include the following: W. I! Bender, boys and girls work, J. (' Manning, undei privi leged child; Henry Griffin, agri culture and conservation, N. C Green, public and business affans I Sam (letsinger, church affairs; Paul Simpson and Bob Newell, at tendance and membership; J B Bell and Billy Biggs, finance; W li. Glover, house anil recreation; Hugh Wyatt, inter-club relations; I), li Davis, Kiwanis education and fellowship; John Hatton Our ganus, program and music, Wen dell Peele, public relations; and B.yiium Smith. Little League man agei. George Nicely, manager ol Col onial Oil Company, and Tom Dav is, manager of Ledel Brothers Dc partment Store, were inducted in to club membership by Mi Davis. The Rev. John Goff installed "Buddy" Fussell as the high school senior "Kiwanian of the Month.” Miss Jean Mobley was recogniz ed as the club pianist loi 1953. In a short message, Mr. Bunting priased the gioup for their 1952 achievements and expressed his confidence in tin club's ability to continue as a positive force in the community during 1953. I’roimiled To Sergeant It (htli Hnlge School John Walton Lilley was recent ly promoted to the tank of ser geant first class at Oak Ridge Institute Si t. Lilley is the son of Mrs J. Eason Lilley ol' near Wii liamston and the late Mr. Lilley. Small Fines And Suspended Terms On Roads Imposed Hanllnek Tale* Steal \tten lion Of f otarl I,al«* Mon da) \f ter iiooii Hold mg their .second conven tion m less than a year, thirty or more alleged bootleggers, their customers and interested friends plus a few disinterested specta tors packed the Martin County courthouse Monday when an ugly picture of the illicit liquor business gone wild in this county was painted for Judge H. O. Peele Pven while the cases were pending trial, officers declared that the illicit liquor traffic was flourishing in certain areas after it had recovered from the shock, received the previous week-end when the alleged liquor law vio lator.- were rounded up for trial. The traffic was said to have been heavy at certain spots in Parmele and Robersonville, the reports de claring that an air of suspicion slil hovered over and around the "blind tiger" joints in and near Williainston Pinal judgments were not en tered in all the eases immediately; in fact, several eases were con tinued, two others are going to the superior court where the de fendants can get jury trials. Pleas of guilty were entered in thirteen cases and three were noi prossed or dismissed. In nine cases the defendants were adjudg ed guilty immediately after all the evidence was heard, and in nineteen other actions the court reserved its decision until late in the afternoon L Unable to clem the docket in one day, the court will hold .1 second session to accommodate the bootleggers next Monday, it I was announced. [explaining that no more trials would be held that day, the court, after withholding judgments and keeping the defendants in sus pense all day, started meting out road terms and imposing fines about 5:30 o'clock * Tales of woe featured that part of the proceed ings foi the day. Speaking for one defendant, an attorney ex plained that that his client had nine children, that her husband was sickly and that she was crip pled b\ polio years ago The de fi ridant declared she had to do something to make a living, and then climaxed her story by tell ing Judge Peele she did not know where she got the liquor Jud ment was not pronounced immed iately Then there was another de fendant who explained that she had seven children, the youngest just three years old and the old est son only fourteen, and that one of the seven was paralyzed. All kinds of stories were heard, anct, no doubt, the judgments in some cuj s had a stinging effect, decided to call it a day. (Continued on page eight) Kenneth E. Frank Dies In Hospital Funeral services were conducted j.it tiic homo m the 400 block of I West Main Street here Sunday at' jterrioon at 2:140 o’clock for Ken neth Earl Frank, two years old, who died in a Greenville hospital last Friday afternoon. The Rev. jC 1- Gatling, pastor of the Ham ilton Baptist Church, conducted I the rites Interment was in the Ilamilton Cemetery. The son of Donald C. and Ola j Coffield Frank, he was born in this countv near Palmyra on Dc | cumber 0. 1950, and moved to Wil | liamstun from Scotland Neck two j weeks ago when his father was | transferred to the local Colonial ! Store. Taken suddenly ill last Thurs day. he was removed immediate ly to the hospital and died of an i infection. Surviving besides the parents j are « brother, Billy Frank, of the | home, and his grandparents, Mr. land Mrs Earl W. Frank of Port iiand, Maine, and Mr. and Mrs. j William A. Coffield of Palmyra.