North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS READ HI OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ Bi OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNT! FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEES VOLUME LVI—NUMBER 22 Williamsfon, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, March 17, 1953 ESTABLISHED 1899 $1,000 Fine Imposed On Bootlegger Here F$w Cases Cleared In Superior Conri First Day Oi Term —#— Boston Pitied $750.00 For Careless-Rekless Driving And Speeding — - After getting off to a good start, the Martin County Superior Court struck a snag in a liquor case and by recess time shortly after 5:00 o’clock only four cases had been cleared from the docket, and not one of them had reached the jury. Presiding over his first term of court in this county, Judge Jos. W. Parker was fairly long on road and prison sentences but quick on probation. Four of the first five defendants called were placed on probation. The trial of Simon Jenkins, no torious bootlegger of Roberson ville, came up with a stubborn defense, and his trial, after tak ing several hours of the court's time Monday afternoon, is being completed this morning. Jenkins was rounded up in a net spread over the county last November and December by special ABC enforcement officers working un der the direction of the State ABC Board at Raleigh. The defense, while soft pedaling the sale of liquor, maintained that the prose cuting witnesses were the cause of all the trouble because they bought the illicit liquor, as much as a gallon at the time. Adjudged guilty of violating the liquor law on two counts, Jenkins was fined $1,000 in the court shortly before noon today. In ad dition to the fine he is to pay the court costs. In the event Jenkins does no.Loay the fine and costs, he is to serve a maximum road sen tence, or approximately four years. The jury had the case for about thirty minutes. Charged with careless and reck less driving and speeding ninety miles an hour, Ralph Edgar Bos ton entered a plea of nolo con tendere. He was sentenced to the roads for two years on eacti count, the sentence in the second case to begin at the expiration of sentences were sus penae^upon the payment of a $750 fine and court costs. The de fendant loses his operator’s li cense for three years. Boston was fined in Beaufort County last year $200 for trans porting liquor and lost his 1952 Buick. Debbie Bennett, alias Hattie Bennett Andrews, was fined $50 plus costs in each of two cases in which she was charged with vio lating the liquor laws. Pleading guilty of an assault with a deadly weapon, James Bell was sentenced to the roads for six months, the court suspending the road term upon the payment of the costs and he is to remain of good behavior for twelve months. Charged with the larceny of a (Continued on Page Seven) - •»-r __3- - Cars Damaged In Monday Accident —•— No one was injured and proper ty damage was limited to about $335 when two cars were in col lision at the intersection of Main and Roberson Streets here yester day afternoon at 2:10 o’clock James Everett was entering Main in his 1940 fc'nevrolet just as Dr. W. F. Coppage was ap proaching from the east. Investigating the accident, lo cal officers estimated the damage to the Chevrolet at $35 and that to the 1953 Coppage car at $300. •-*• Man Mynterioualy Shot While Walking Highway -«> Chester Williams, 27-year-old colored man, was mysteriously shot while walking the Bear Grass Highway leading off U. S. 17 near the R. L. Perry farm last Friday night Walking near a wooded area, Williams declared it was a stray bullet from a rifle that struck him in the thigh, in flicting a flesh wound. He offer ed no other details. Following treatment in a local * hospital, he was released Sun day. GOOD START Seine fishing in the Roan oke was off to a good start at Jamesville yesterday, accord ing to reports reaching here. Encountering none of the ob stacles usually plaguing the operations at the beginning of the season, the fishermen made fourteen “hauls” during the day, or about a record number. The catch, limited mostly to herring and a few perch, averaged between 600 and 1,000 each haul. No rock were taken during the day, it* was learned. Release Program 01 Spring Concert Here March 26lh Green \i ave Band Working On Numbers To Please Please Varied Tastes The program for the Annual Spring Concert of the Williamston High School Concert Band was released today by the director, Jack F. Butler. The concert is scheduled for the high school auditorium, March 26, at 8:15 p. I m. [ As in past years, the program | this spring is arranged with the idea of providing hand and con cert music to suit the tastes of all music lovers—marches, overtures, descriptive novelties, folk tunes and popular numbers—and a solo and trio are included. The program opens with a march, Shenandoah, by Goldman. Then comes an overture, Strato sphere, by Frangkiser. This is a brilliant number portraying two .main themes—the “Earth" with | its atmospheric changes and the more constant “Stratosphere”. “Introduction and Tarantella” by Scarmolin-Johnson will fea ture Soloist Bobby Coburn on the clarinet. A tone poem, King John, by Moehlmann, closes the first part of the program. This Viaf two contrasting themes, one forceful and vigorous and the other full of tenderness arid feeling, as it por trays the character of the good and just King John. A ten min ! utr intermission breaks the piu gram at this point. The second portion of the pro igram, like the first, opens with a j march, Sabre and Spurs, a Sousa I composition. This is followed by the cornet trio, Jim Dandies, in which Mary E. Britton, Ralph Parker and Joyce Manning are featured. The next number, Safari, is one of the most difficult programmed (Continued on Page Seven) Native Oi County Dies In Piymoum Funeral services were conduct ed in the Plymouth Christian Church Monday afternoon' ul S:0(? o’clock for Samuel H. Ange, a na tive of this county, who died at his home in Washington County fol lowing a long period of declining health. The Rev. C. M. Barnett conducted the rites, assisted by the Rev. T. B. Nickens. Inter ment was in the Jackson cemetery in Washington County. A son of the late William R. and Georgia Anna Modlin Ange, he was born in this county 68 years ago and moved to Washing ton County about 45 years ago, continuing to farm there until ill health forced his retirement. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Cora N. Modlin Ange; two daugh ters, Mrs, Raymond Barber of Plymouth and Mrs. Church Sty ons of Elizabeth City; four sons, Dewey Wesley and Grady of Plymouth, Sgt. Leon G. Ange of Ft. Lewis, Wash.; one sister, Min nie Styons of Jamesviile; one brother, Walter of Portsmouth, Va.; one half-sister, Mrs. Narcisis Griffin of Washington, D. C.; four half brothers, Jim and Ben of Jamesviile, Burton of Plymouth, Fred of Newport News, Va.; seven i grandchildren and one great grandchild. 'Alleged Killer Arrested Friday By Local Police -♦ Chester Lee, 29, Is Turned Over To New York De* teetives Saturday Chester Lee, 29-year-old Negro wanted in Mt. Vernon, New York, for murder, was arrested here last Friday morning by Officer Chas. R. Moore. Early the following morning authorities were here to take the alleged killer back to the New York city. According to Inspector George F. Kummerle of the Mt. Vernon police department, Lee fatally stabbed Steve Silvester, Mt. Ver non merchant, about 2:00 o’clock on the morning of March 8. It is believed Lee was burglarizing the store when the owner returned to check on the previous day’s busi ness. Silvester was stabbed four teen times, the inspector said. The officer said thirty detec tives and police officers were as signed to the case, and after fol lowing a false lead for seven hours they centered on Lee. Los ing his trail in a New York City subway, they appealed to North Carolina police. Officer Moore, with a vague de scription of the man, arrested him on suspicion at the local bus sta tion, and Lee admitted the attack to him and Cpl. M. C. Byrum of the Highway Patrol. Lee came here earlier in the week and had rented a room in the W. T. Alex ander home. After signing a con fession, Lee said he would not fight extradition, and the Mt. j Vernon authorities, Inspector Kummerle and Detectives George Swan and Richaid Lin-.ato, reach ed here early Saturday morning. Lee, a native of Bertie County, located in the New York town after the war. He had a criminal record dating back to 1944 when he was arrested in Los Angeles for larceny, and again in 1945 on suspicion of rape in the California city. He was later booked for a minor law infraction in Cleve land In 1948 he was booked by Mt. Vernon police for breaking and entering, and in 1951 and 1952 for burglary in the same place. He is said to have distant rela tive's in this area, but his mother and other close relatives live in Mt. Vernon. Police Baffled By Robbery Here —$— Confronted with an increase in the number of break-ins and rob beries, local police declare they are now battling to solve one of the most unusual in the records. Forcing an entrance through a side window, robbers entered the union bus station on Main Street here sometime during last Wed nesday night and opened the safe. Approximately $300 was taken from the safe, but what police can’t understand is why the rob bers should leave between one and two hundred dollars there. The money removed was in fairly large denominations while the re sidue was m small bills, it was ■reported- ■* ■■■ -.. Police, assisted by agents of the State Bureau of Investigation, are working on a lead in the case, but no arrests have been made. : “Sf'dmeLme during . last Friday night, thieves raided the Lindslcy Implement Company lot and car ried away a storage battery from a new tractor just off Washington Street. New Homes Being Cons traded Here Several new homes are now under construction here, but the housing shortage still continues acute in the town, reports de clare. Before finishing the foundation, one builder was approached yes terday by six prospective renters, it was learned. Mr. and Mrs. Haywood Mobley have started work on a new home at the corner of Smithwick Street and Roosevelt Drive. Work is well advanced on a new home for Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Wynne on North Smithwick Street. Mr Jos. Griffin is con structing a home at the corner of Park and Warren Streets, and Mr. Marvin Britton is building a new three bedroom house on War ren Street. Bloodmobile In Desperate Need For Hundred Donors The Red Cross Bloodmobile, scheduled to make its eighth tnp to this chapter on Friday of this week, is in desperate need for close to one hundred additional donors, it was learned this morn ing. Unless the response to the j repeated calls improves and im proves quickly, the chapter is al most certain for the first time to fall down on its quota, and right at a time when everything pos sible is being done to prepare for the fight on polio this coming sea son. Up until this morning only one hundred and ten had signed up to give blood, leaving the drive be tween ninety and one hundred short of its goal. Encouraging reports arc coming in from Bear Grass and Griffins, but the pledge cards have not yet I been submitted. President Pete Hardison is planing the appeal be ; fore the Farm Life Ruritan Club members at a meeting this even ing, and A. B. Ayers, Jr., is circu lating the appeal in his area. No report has come from Jamesville, but the people there have re sponded to past calls, and it is be lieved they'll come through again on Friday of this week. Members cf Williamston’s Beta Club pledged thirteen donors, most of them from their own ranks, during the past week-end. But others are slow to respond to the call. Those who will and who have not signed a pledge card are again cordially and earnestly urged to contact the Red Cross of fice, phone 2661. or call Dr. J. S. Rhodes, Jr., at the Martin General Hospital, phone 2166, immediate ly SATISFIED After due notice had been Riven, the Martin County Commissioners met Monday as a board of equalization and review to hear com plaints about tax assessments. Not a single property owner appeared and no complaints were received by mail. Clerk J. Sam Getsinger said. All members of the board were present and while in session they discussed a few other problems. Delivers Short Charge To Jury -—♦ — Presiding over his first term of the superior court in this county, Judge Jos. W. Parker of Windsor delivered a brief charge to the grand jury Monday morning. Confining his eight-minute charge for the most part to grand jury procedure, Judge Parker di rected the jurors to make certain there were no orphans in the county without proper guardians, and also to make certain that none is being neglected or abused by guardians. He also instru-ted the jury to check and see if all school bus drivers were properly licens ed and make certain that every (care is being provided for Martin County school children, describ ed by him as the county’s greatest asset. The jurors are also to con fer with the foreman of mechanics or members of the highway patrol to make certain all busses arc in good condition. C. Urbin Rogers, Williamst.on man was named foreman of the jury, and he is to serve an addi tional six months before complet ing a year of service. New mem bers of the jury are, Reuben S. Everett, F. U. Barnes, Ira F. Grif fin, W. P Harris, W .E. Everett, J. H. Coburn, James H. Perry, D. D. Stalls, Jr., and C. G. Gurkin. Old members of the jury, includ ing the foreman, are, Norman Turner, T. Leo Roberson, Joe L. Coltrain, E. L. White. J. C.'TTbel, j Roy Ward, Roland B. Lilley, and j «. £. Copeland, Jr."'.j Child Run Down j * On-Street Today —«>— Annie Spell Lee, eight years old, was painfully but believed not dangerously hurt when she dashed into the street and was run down by a 1952 Oldsmobile driven by Herbert Wooten, local barber, in front of the B. and W, Tire Company plant on Washing ton Street. Reports said that the car knock ed the child down but did not run over her. Badly bruised and skin ned and suffering shock, the little victim was picked up by Wooten and removed to a local hospital for treatment. Few Ask To Be Excused From Jury Duty Monday -• For the first time in recent years, few asked to be excused from jury duty when the Martin County Superior Court opened a two-week term Monday. And Judge Jos. Parker, presiding, ap parently was surpvised. Mrs. Mary H. Godard vfri.s ex cused upon her request, and a medical excuse offered by W. A. Fleming was recognised. Specialists Test Tobacco Quality At State College RcHoarchprs H«*lp Growers In Proflurinp Leaf Want ed By Munufaetiirers When discasc-resistunt typos of tobacco wore introduced, the manufacturers were a bit skepti cal about its acceptance. Prices were said to have been drastically affected in sonic instances. To solve such resulting problems and aid farmers in producing tobacco wanted by the manufacturers, sci entists and researchers at State College continually conduct ex periments to determine quality of certain types of tobacco and to re cord the affects of fertilization. The story below is the final one in a series developed during a re cent institute held at the college for representatives of newspapers and radio stations. Three home-made and highly scientific instruments are being used to measure tobacco quality at North Carolina State College. They are a pelleting machine, burning cabinets, and a reflecto meter. One important measure of to bacco is the way it burns, ex plains biochemist J. A. Weybrew. Smokers prefer a slow, even burning tobacco which leaves a white ash. But no ready-made equipment could be bought to test burning rates, so reascarchers built their own. Among the parts used are ordi nary water pipe, a phonograph needle, an automobile hydraulic jack, a cigarette lighter coil from an automobile dashboard, mirrors, an old electric doorbell, and jus! plain wood. Yet these common things, as sembled into these instruments, give scientfically accurate data to measure tobacco quality by burning it. Chemical make-up, especially chlorine content, markedly affects burning properties of tobacco. A high-chlorine leaf burns poorly and gives off a dark ash. A low chlorine, high-potash burns freely and gives a desirable whiw osh. From 3,000 to 4,000 samples of (Cont:nued on Page Seven) Gffiem-Bestroy Three Distilleries Raiding in two county town ships last week-end, ABC Offic ers Joe H. Roebuck and Cecil Bul lock and Deputy Roy Peel wreck ed three distilleries. Two of the plants were destroy ed in Bear Grass Township. One was equipped with an oil drum still and had only one barrel of nasty beer on hand. The other plant had a 50-gallon copper ket tle and two barrels of beer. Both plants, located in the same woods, were near Leggett's Mill Pond. A large plant, equipped with a 200-gallon submarine type still and supposed to have been oper ated by “foreigners” in coopera tion with a “home” partnership, was wrecked in Griffins Town ship not too far from the old Grif fin place last Saturday afternoon. The outfit included besides the still a 50-gallon doubler, two 50 gallon coolers and twenty-three 50-gallon capacity fermenters and1 oil burners The officers poured out 800 gallons of beer and two gallons of liquor. Brief Summary Of Activities In The State Legislature • —♦— Motor Vehicle Inspection Killed In The State hii«t Friday -<*.— (This is the ninth of a series of weekly summaries prepared by the legislative staff of the Insti tute of Government on the work of the North Carolina General Assembly of 1953. It is confined to discussion of matters of gen eral interest and major import ance). The 1953 General Assembly can take pride in its record for in troducing and processing legis lation promptly, but these efforts may be in vain if an early agree ment cannot be reached on fiscal policy for the next biennium. Ad journment dates seems no nearer and perhaps less certain than a week ago. About 300 more bills have been introduced in the House than at this stage last session, and the Senate has kept up with its 1951 record. If the Senate’s deadline on local legislation holds firm, lo cal legislation formerly introduc ed by senators in the waning weeks, conceivably either will not be introduced or will be thrown into the already burden ed House (Note: the Senate sus pended the rule to let in a local measure on Friday). Major floor debates in both houses last week provide the clue to faster proces sing of local and nun-controver sial legislation thus far. It takes only 30 seconds to pass a bill without debate; a contested meas ure may take hours and clog up the calendars. Even if the appropriations sub committee, appointed last week to study and make recommenda tions on controversial budget items, speeds up approval of the budget bill, definite action on appropriations may be necessary before the finance committtee can finish its work. As the legisla tors went home last week-end, those reluctant to approve further tax increases hopefully waited for (Continued on Page Eight) Main Supporters Of Bloodmobile While the Red Cross blood pro gram has received loyal .-.uppffl^ from many citizens, approxi mately fifty persons have figured prominently in helping the Mar tin County Chapter in meeting its quota on each of its seven vis its. An earnest appeal is being directed to everyone in the chap ter to join hands with the faithful fifty anri help see to it that the 150-pint quota will be met on Friday of this week. Reviewing the blood donor pro gram in the chapter, Mrs. Lucille Cowen, executive secretary, said that several, including Ed Row land, Roger Roberts and J. C. Col train, have given seven pints al ready and plan to join the gallon club this Friday. j-o of those giving six pints so far, include, Aubrey D. Ange,~.» RxpGT A. Critcher, Jr., Clyde Griffin, Em mett Mims, Clyde Manning, Wil liam Tctterton and Exum Ward. Those giving five pints already include, {W^**Wg'g“. "James Bui i luck, Robert II. Cowen, W. II. Carstarphen, William E. Deeato, James O. Daniel, J. Ki lly Gav, K P Lindsley, Joseph Manning, Robert W. Newell, Lewis A. Pip pen, Mary D. Roberts, J. W. Snead, Clabon Summerlin, Mary Louise Taylor. The names of those having giv en four pints to date, include, Wilbert R. Bender, Vernon R. Bunting, Hezikiah Bell, Norman Everett, Jim Edens, E. R. Frone berger, Paul Griffin William II. Griffin, Rev. John Goff, John B. Godwin, S. C. Griffin, Jr., John T. Griffin, Bill Harrison, Bill Howell, Ernest Jones, Lillian Johnson, Worth Mobley, Alvin J Peele, Mrs. C'lytie S. Ross, W. I. Skinner, V. J. Spivey, Gilbert H. Ward, Lazarus Williams, and John W. Wier, Jr. While he hasn't been lie re long enough to establish a local record, Roy Jameson, VEP District Man ager, brought a record with him. During and since the war he has given 37 pints of blood through the Red Cross, or we ll over three gallons He is now listed among the regular donors in this chap ter. Funeral Here Today For Mrs. Morrison r SUICIDK 's. J Jay l.illey, well-known young farmer of Hear Grass Township, ended his life at his home there about 10:00 o'clock this morning by firing a pistol bullet into his head. Mrs. Lilley, returning from a visit to a neighbor's home, found him on the couch. Coroner W. W. Riggs is con ducting an investigation this afternoon, hut preliminary reports clearly indicated it was suicide. It was also learned that the 35-year-old farmer had been in declining health, hut, as far as TT"could— be learned, had made no threats to end his life. He was a son of Arthur l.il ley and the late Mrs. l.illey. Surviving are his widow and two children. Frank Wilson Has Leg Amputated As Result 01 Attack Yoiiii£ Nr^ro Man (’,011 liniu's In Serious (lontli lion Al Duke Hospital Frank Wilson. 24-year-old local Negro, had his left leg amputated at the hip in Duke Hospital yes terday as a result of a knife as sault near Williamston shortly after Sunday midnight. Last re ports received here stated his condition was serious, that pos sibly he suffered internal injur ies when he was assaulted by Harry Stokes, 23, at the home of Stokes' estranged wife on a farm back of Paul Lilley’s station on Highway 17. Separated from his wife about two months ago, Stokes saw Wil son with his estranged wife in Williamston Sunday night. Tak ing a taxi, he went to the home and finding Wilson there he en tered into an argument. Stokes, an adopter! son, maintains that Wilson struck tit him with a knife, that he (Stokes) whipped out his pocket knife and drove it Wilto the victim's groin, severing the main artery and veins. Stokes helped pick up his vie tim, placed him in tin- taxi and delivered him to a local hospital where doctors worked f 1 on 1 about. 1:00 o’clock until five 111 a suc cessful effort to stop the flow of blood and save the man's life. In shock and almost dead when he reached the hospital, Wilson was given four pints of plasma and whole blood, and made ready for an ambulance trip to Durham. All circulation in the leg hail stopped by the time Wilson reach ed the hospital, it was learned. Stokes surrendered to Officers Rogers and Chesson and was placed in jail where he is being held without the privilege of bond, &mg ’h« outcome «>t Minor Accidents During Week-end No one whs injun d and proper ty damage was limited in two minor motor vehicle accidents on the highways in this county last week-end, according to reports coming from members of the pa trol. Driving toward Stokes on High way 003 last Friday morning about 10:15 o’clock, James II. Highsmith applied brakes on his 1051 Oldsmobile to avoid striking Chas. Ayers who drove from a path into (lie highway. Trailing on 003, Jasper Rollins could not stop his 1050 Chevrolet and plow ed into the rear of the Olds, caus ing about $150 damage to his car and about $30 to the Olds. The Ayers car was not hit, Patrolman B. W. Parkei said following his investigation. Literally flying low through Gold Point Sunday, an unknown driver lost control of his car, skidded 55 yards and continued an his way after knocking down Farmer Vanderford’s mail box. | Patrolmen are investigating. One! report said the driver boarded a rain in Rocky Mount for an army I aasC. Prominent Citizen Died Suddenly In Hospital Sunday Mrs. Currie Biggs Morrison Iluil Been An Invalid Since August, 1951 Funeral services are being con ducted this afternoon at ?:00 o’ clock at the old family home on North Biggs Street for Mrs. Car rie Biggs Morrison who died sud denly in a Virginia Beach hospital Sunday afternoon shortly before 5:00 o'clock. The Rev. E. Gordon ■tVnklin,—pastoi-nf the—church built by her mother, is conducting the rites. Interment will be in the family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery. An invalid since August, 1951, when she suffered a hip injury in a fall, she was getting along very well and gradually recover ing when she was fatally stricken about 4:00 o’clock Sunday after noon While listening to her brother read, she suffered the attack at her beach home. Medical assistance was summoned and she was removed to the hospital where she died a short time later, the apparent victim of a heart at tack. Mrs. Morrison, a member of a family prominent in the early de velopment of this section of the State, was born in Williamston, the daughter of the late John Dawson and Fannie Spruill Alex ander Biggs. After completing the local schools she went to Meredith College Raleigh, where she majored in music and where she was a member of the Astrotec ton Society. A member of the Baptist church since girlhood, she faithfully served' as organist for many years. Devoted to music, she made available instruction in piano to many young people of the town. Possessed of a noble character, Mrs. Morrison often, and in a generous way, went to the aid of the needy and less fortunate, al ways acting in a quiet and hum ble manner. Kind and thought ful of others, she showed an un tiring devotion to family and friends, and her cheery disposi tion endeared her to everyone. She was first married to Sam uel Foreboo Williams, also of Wil liamston, September 10, 1910, and made her home in Philadelphia for two years Returning to Wil liamston, she lesumed her work in the church and sonic years later was married to Dr. E. H. Morrison of Danville and Virginia Beach. Following her second mar riage, she divided her time be tween Williamston and Virginia Beach, but always referred to Williamston as home and the place she loved. Pi ior to her ac cident in 1951, it was always a joyous occasion when her family returned and gathered around the fireside in the old home on Biggs Street for the holidays. She look ed forward to those events and the renewal of old friendships and 'mi quiet, fiiiiiid t’u null * Mrs. Morrison was active in the 1). A R. and Daughters of the Confederacy, and maintained a keen interest in civic affairs and tile well-being t.f others even during the long months she was confined to her bed. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Frances Williams Herriott, of Virginia Beach and Williamston, and a brother, Harry A. Biggs, of Williamston. Service Schools By Wesiinghouse —*— Westinghouse has planned a series of service schools for its dealerships in this section of the State, it was announced by K. D. Worrell, local dealer. The first of the schools was held in the Woman’s Club hall here last week, and others will be held from time to time, it was explain ed. At least eight of the special all-day schools are scheduled, Mr. Worrell said. Representatives from the fac tory in Mansfield, Ohio, are sent here to conduct the schools, and the servicemen are given detailed instruction on all units manufac tured by the company. Norfolk division officials were also here for the first meeting.