North Carolina Newspapers

THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,MV MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK VOLUME LVI—NUMBER 44 THE ENTERPRISE THE ENTERPRISE IS READ OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTS FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEI William3ton, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, June 2, 1953 ESTABLISHED 1899 Announce Awards Al Commencement Thursday Evening Presentation of Cups Im pressive Part Of Finals Program Here .—« The announcement of special awards and the presentation of cups formed an impressive part of the final events in the Wil liamston High School commence- i ment program in the high school auditorium last Thursday even ing. Except in one or two cases, the winners of the coveted awards were not generally known, not even to the recipients until the chosen were asked to step for ward and claim the cups. Making an average of 96.21 during her four years in high school, Sarah Elizabeth Rober son received the valedictorian’s cup. Established about twenty years ago by the late W. C. Man ning, the cup was presented by J. C. Manning, superintendent of county schools. The home economics cup, cre ated in memory of Sarah Man ning, was presented to Jean Ward Mobley for her leadership in that subject. The presentation was made by Mrs. W. H. Abernathy J teacher, who pointed out that more than half of her class of 99 pupils did outstanding work dur ing the term just ended. On behalf of the high school athletic association, Coach Carroll Blackerby received the Woman's Club civic award. Mrs. Ernest L. Carraway, president of the club, made the presentation. W. Harrell Everett, Jr., was awarded the Goodmon athletic cup, Mr. Goodmon making the presentation. Holding top scholastic rating in the eighth grade, Franlue Ed wards received the eighth grade civic cup, Mrs. Ann Carson Car gile making the presentation. Myrtle Ann Nicholsan, main taining an enviable record in the department, was presented the commercial club cup by Mrs. R. C. Whitaker, teacher. Offered by the Kiwanis Club, the forensic cup was presented to Russell Roberson tby Vernon Bunting, president of the club. The young man made a splendid record in public debating during the past two years, it was explain ed. Jean Ward Mobley was singled out for more honors when Clar ence Griffin, representing the Lions Club, awarded her the club iup for being the outstanding member of both the band and the glee club. For the second consecutive year, Wilbur Edwards was awarded the Rotary Club citizenship cup. The presentation was made by club Member R. H. Cowen. Rated the best all-round senior, the young man was also awarded a $25 de fense bond by Exum L. Ward, president of the Williamston Jay cees, who established the award. Serving the commencement series as marshals were, Betty Sue Clark, chief; Wilbur Stewart, Dal las Coltrain, William Roberson, Nancy Gurkin, Lee Handy and Janet Ross. Little Miss Kathy Whitaker and Master Keith Whitaker were mascots. --—--<# Graduated From Meredith College Monday Morning -<$>—— Venetia Stallings, daughter of Mr, and Mrs. F. C. Stallings of Jamesville, received her B. A. de gree in Education from Meredith College, Monday, in the regular June commencement exercises. While at Meredith, Venetia was a member of the Astrotekton So ciety, the Education Club, and business manager of the Twig, the college newspaper. She is planning to teach. OLD BRIDGE | ______-^ Dismantled after ‘toting’ traffic across the Roanoke at this point for more than a quarter century, the old river bridge is being put back into use. Making way for a wider and more modern span, the bridge was moved from her to Whiteville - where it was recently erect ed and checked for missing parts. Soon it will span the inland waterway at Holden’s Beach. Building Construction At High Peak Here Last Month Building construction here in May reached what is believed to be one of its highest points in any month in recent years, according to a report released yesterday by Building Inspector G. P. Hall. Permits were issued during the month for construction estimated to cost more than a quarter mil lion dollars, Mr. Hall said. Included in the list of construc tion projects were ten new homes, estimated to cost $67,900, the list including a rectory for the Episco palians estimated to cost $19,500. There were six permits issued for the construction of commercial buildings, including a huge stor age warehouse, the cost of which will possibly exceed $100,000. Other projects include two store buildings costing a combined to tal of approximately $25,000, and a $20,000 filling station. W. S. Faulk is building a $1,500 busi ness structure near his home on Washington Street, and the prop erty owner is constructing a com bination cafe and dance hall on Washington Street that will cost right at $4,500. The building is replacing old Duk Inn which was destroyed some months ago by fire. While the May permits for new construction approximated $230, 000.00, work on old construction projects is progressing fairly rap idly on a goodly number of pro jects, including the Christian church, a modern office building, homes and a few other projects of various types. I GIFr TO COLLEGE ) v/ A gift of $100,000 to Wake Forest College from Charles H. Jenkins of Aulander, own er of the Charles 11. Jenkins Automobile and Farm Equip ment agencies in Williamston and several other Eastern Carolina towns, has been an announced by President Har old W. Tribble of the college. The gift was made in the form of a pledge and Mr. Jen kins’ gift along with that of the Bridger family of Bladen boro was the third of four gifts of $100,000 to the college since October of last year. Announce Change In Local Faculty -4, Several additional changes have taken place in the local school fa culty recently, Principal B. G. Stewart announced this week. Miss Jean De-Witt, teacher ih the science department for the past two years, tendered her re signation last week-end, report edly to enter the matrimonial field. Before reporting for work and after signing a contract some weeks ago, Joe Lassiter, employ ed for work in the science depart ment and as assistant eoaeh, has tendered his resignation. No ac tion on the resignation has been taken by the local committee, it was learned. Mis. Fred Sherman of Williams ton has been employed for one of the fourth grade positions made vacant by resignation. Mrs. Sher man, a 1952 graduate from the University • of North Carolina, taught in the Hamilton school last term. Mrs. Daniel Manning has been employed for a fifth grade posi tion. Leaving the profession a few years ago after having taught at Hamilton five and Farm Life three years, Mrs Manning plans to attend summer school before, entering upon her new duties in the fall. -— Sells Interest In Local Business -a Mr. Joe David Thrower last Sat urday sold his interest in the Thrower Hardware and Appliance Company here on Washington Street to A. J. Manning and E. S. Peel. Mr. Thrower has managed the business since it was opened about ten years ago. He has an nounced no definite plans, but one report said he was considering go ing into business for himself just as soon as he could find a location. Operating under the firm name of Manning and Peel, the business is now being managed by A. J. Manning. •-€>-— More County People Visiting Cancer Clinic -*-■ More and more Martin County people are visiting the cancer de tectioh clinic held each Wednes day in the municipal building at Rocky Mount. Among the thirt>-fivc persons examined at the last clinic were several from Williamston and Ev eretts, it was announced. The clinics aie held free for per sons over 40 years of age, and the people from this county are invit Ied to attend. The clinics are main tained by local cancer societies in cooperation with the American Cancer Society.' Three Injuerd In Two Car Wrecks In Martin County One Virlini Removed To Hospitals In Anihiilunee And Airplune -- Three persons were injured, one of them possibly seriously, in two automobile accidents on the highways in this county during the past week-end. A third minor accident was reported, but the driver abandoned the vehicle and it could not be learned if there were any injuries. Charles Coltrain, 24-year-old soldier stationed at Ft. Belvoir, Va., suffered a concussion and possibly a back injury, and Gary Davis, Jamesville young man, was badly cut on his left arm and bruised about the left ankle and mouth when their car, a 1950 Ford convertible went out of control | and left the road in a curve a sort distance beyond Whitley's bridge | in Poplar Point Township about 18:30 o'clock last Saturday even ing. Removed to a local hospital, the victims were treated and Coltrain, a native of Jamesville, was re moved by a Biggs ambulance to a service hospital at Edenton. After regaining consciousness while in the Williamston hospital, he blacked out again while in the hospital at Edenton and he was removed to the naval hospital at Norfolk. No late report on his condition could be had. Davis was released after spending Saturday night in the hospital. Investigating the accident, Pa trolman Jack Arthur and Officer Garland Bunting of Oak City said the car. driven by Coltrain, left the road and traveled some dis tance beside a dirt bank, but did not turn over. Damage to the car was estimated at about $500 Driving on Highway 171 near the Farm Life School last Satur day morning about 10.30 o’clock, Willie Joe Blount, colored of Alexandria, Va., ran his 1941 Buick head on into Frank Rober son’s 1947 Chevrolet truck. Blount, charged with drunken driving and operatihg a vehicle on the wrong side of the road, suf fered a bad cut on the head. Six or seven sitclies were needed to close the wound. Following hos pital treatment he was placed in the county jail. Investigating the accident, Patrolman Carl Gil Christ of Plymouth estimated the (Confmued on page eight) [ good impression I V . ../ Williamston's Green Wave High School Rand made a splendid impression when it participated in the Elizabeth City potato festival last Sat urday. The young musicians, sev eral of them making their last appearances as members of the band, "did all right, and gave a great account of them selves,” observers voluntarily declared. And the youngsters seemed to enjoy the trip, especially the appetizing dinner at the Air Station. About twenty bands parti cipated in the event which at tracted an estimated 50,000 people, and Professor Jack Butler’s band compared right along with the best of them, it was declared. County Board In Regular Meeting Monday Morning ♦ Preliminary Budget Figures Are Submitted By Two Departments Limiting their attention mainly to the handling of routine duties, the Martin County commission ers in a comparatively short ses sion Monday morning agreed to meet in special session on June 16 for a tussle with the 1953-54 bud get. Two agencies, the library commission and the forestry serv ice, presented their budget esti mates, but they will be studied on budget day week after next. The commissioners are also ex pected to purge the jury list in their special meeting. The board recommended that the 1.6 miles of road in Griffins Township, running from Mrs. Hardy Hardison's to 171 near Mack Roberson's be widened. The road, accommodaing four families and right much traffic, is too narrow for the operation of a school bus, the petition explain ed. No objection was noted when the State Highway and Public Works Commission asked permis sion to abandon one-tenth of a mile of road in Cross Roads Town ship leading from Everetts to Gold Point about two and one half miles from Everetts. It was explained that the road had been relocated. A contract was entered into with Frank Butler of Rocky Mount for $650 to make the gen eral county audit for the fiscal year now drawing to a close. Appearing befort the meeting, the Rev. John L. Goff, chairman, and Miss Elizabeth Copeland, li brarian, representing the Beau fort, Hyde-Martin Boobmobile Li brary Service, asked for an ap propriation of $3,025 to operate the project during the next fis cal year. Forest Warden Marvin Leggett presented a budget request for $3,570 to maintain the forestry service during the coming fiscal year. It was pointed out that the State would contribute $6,680 to the service during the same per iod. In connection with the budget request, Warden Leggett submit tde the following report: "During the current fiscal year a total of 25 fires burned 1,221 acres and caused a damage of ap proximately $4,512. This record represents a considerable reduc tion in acreage burned as com pared to last year when approxi mately 21,000 acres were burned. In carrying out the work in the county there was a total of 5,154 hours worked and 13,268 miles traveled by Forest Service per sonnel. In connection with file prevention work, 26 visits were made to schools, 6 saw mills were visited and two talks made. Post ers and literature were distributed during these visits and 640 per sonal contacts were made con cerning fire prevention work. A Panama pump has recently been installed in the Hassell warden’s truck and a portable radio has been purchased for use in the county. The necessary maintenance work has been done to keep the buildings and equip ment in good condition. The cooperation of other public and private agencies in the coun ty has made the success of this program possible, and we wish to express our appreciation to every one. Removes Cataract From 97-Year-Old Patient's Eye Mr. R. S. Critcher, 97 years old, had a calaiaCt removed from his left eye in the home of his son, Mr. B. A Critcher and Mrs. Crit cher, last Thursday morning. The operation was performed by Dr. Hawes of Washington. His condition is said to be very satis factory although he will be con fined in bed for several days if not weeks. itiri. Long Cruduuted From Duke I ni varsity -* Mrs. Sallie Hardison Long daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. J Hardison of near Williamston, was awarded the degree of bache lor of science in medical tech nology at Duke University’s 101s< commencement exercises in Dur ham yesterday. daughKmamiginua TH TH AP Earnhardt Speaks To Graduates Here Thursday Evening -<4> Large Crowd Sees The Fifty Seniors Gel Their Diplomas ——*— Fifty young men and young wo men were graduated by the Wil liamston High School in appro priate exercises before more than seven hundred people' in the high school auditorium here last Thurs day evening. With the high school here and the one at Farm Life combined to form a perfect single unit, the event climaxed all those held before and attracted more patrons and friends from a larger territory than any other commencement. Following the preliminaries, the Rev. D. E. Earnhardt, pastor-1 of the Methodist Church, Wash ington, N. C., made the main ad dress. Although coated in pleas antly keen humor, the speaker's remarks carried timely and seri ous advice, not only for the young graduates but also for all others. In his humorous way, Mr. Earn hardt went about explaining how the individual may help himself. About one’s enemies, he declar ed the best way to whip them is to outlive them, or just leave them alone. The speaker dwelt more on friendship. “Cultivate the friendship of all, but the right number of bosom friends is three," he declared, explaining that two are too few and four are too many. “You can’t share joys or sorrows with too many friends,” Mr. Earnhardt said, warning that friends are not measured by what they do but by what they are. He declared it is a bad thing to walk alone al through life. Each sug gestion was fitted perfectly into a meaningful pattern, supported by a pun or an experience drawn from u colorful life. “You can also help yourself by being resourceful,” Mr. Earn hard said, pointing out to the young people that if one thing won’t work one way, try it an other—and use what you have. “Take what’s available and make the best of it,” he pleaded, ex plaining the feat accomplished by Samson with an ordinary jaw bone. To help one’s self, one must have initiative, he said, warning the graduates not to stand in the rain at a locked door, but get busy and find an open door, he suggested. “The world has not shut you out; just get busy and tel them to move over,” he said. If one is to help himself he must have personality, it was forcefully pointed out, the speaker going in to detail in explaining how to de velop personality. "Cynicism will block personality. Pre-judging will destroy it. If you do ot like a person that person will not like you,” the minister said, declaring that the “bird who sees every thing wrong in others, is the one who is wrong.” "You must look ‘at’ and not for what-you want to sec in another,” he said. Warning against a cringing atti tude, Mr. Earnhardt declared it is no sense in having such an atti tude. “Your thinking is just as important as the thinking of Pre sident JSlsenhower,” he maintain ed, urging the seniors not to go through life apologizing. “Don’t be ashamed of yourself, for, if you do, you’ll hurt your personality." The speaker warned against selfishness, pointing out that there is no need to claim credit for any thing accomplished, for it matters little who does a thing, tie added that the selfish person has greedy eyes, and greedy eyes will appear as dollar marks. Allies are needed in this world, Mr. Earnhardt declared, referring to the school teacher and others who have and can say an encour aging wind and lend a helping hand. Loyalty is necessary if one is going to help himself, the speak er said, urging the young people to give their loyalty to the church, for it has something tu live for and something to die for, In conclusion, the humorist stressed control and the power tr boss oneself. "If you can boss yourself you can boss your teach ’ er. You must boss your powers and they’ll develop you. Yol 1 ought to have temper, but whai are you going to do with ft? It’ 1 burn you down if you don’t con trol it,” he warned. He also warn efl that it is necessary to boss youi soul and your affections," for, n intelligence does not boss your at (Continued on Page Eight) Wreck Large Distillery In Griffins District Monday A large illicit liquor distillery was wrecked in this county Monday afternoon when ABC officers, headed by Chief Cecil Bullock invated Griffins Town ship along the Beaufort County boundary. It was the fifth plant of it size wrecked in the county during the past twelve months. Basily accessible and planned for big-scale operation, the plant was newly equipped and had been in use only a short time. Boiling hot, the plant was running full blast when the raiders moved in, but the operators received a warning in time to make a get away and drive a truck from the sit, Officer Bullock said. The plant was equipped with a new upright boiler, thirty 200 gallon capacity pickle hogsheads, thirty-eight barrels of 50-gallon capacity, two 200-gallon wooden stills and two 200-gallon super heaters. The small barrels had never been used at the plant. Gas and pitcher pums were used to get a supply of water. Matei .als on hand beside thirty five gallons of raw liquor were thirty-five bag of coke, ten bag of rye meal, eighteen 100 pound gag of granulated sugar and various others items, The plant site was not very far form the one where a smilar plant was destroyed several weeks ago. Making the raid with Officer Bullock were Deputies Wiley Craft, Roy Peel and Joe Smith. Mrs. A. W. Bailey ! Died Thursday at Bear Grass Home —»— Funeral (lomliioted There At 4:00 O’Cloek Last Saturday Mrs. Lyndia Mizclle Bailey, well-known resident of Bear Grass Township, died at her home there at 8:00 o'clock last Thurs day evening. After enjoying un usually good health just about all her life, despite her advanced years, she was taken ill about a month ago and was critically sick during much of that time. The daughter of the late Seth and Penny Rogers Mizclle, she was born in Bear Grass Town ship 83 years ago, and spent all her life there. In 181)0 she was married to A. W. (Buck) Bailey who died in 1935. A devoted wife and mother, she was a good neighbor and a thoughtful friend, contributing her part to the welfare of oth ers. Surviving are five sons, Den nis of Greenville and Seth, Oph us, Lester and Warner Bailey, all of the home community; three daughters, Mrs. A, G. Warren of Greenville, Mis, W G. Craft of Bear Grass and Mrs. N. T. Tice of Griffins Township; one sister, Mis. W. A. Gurganus of Bear Grass. Thirty-one grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren also sur vive. Funeral services were held from the home Saturday at 4 P. M„ with Elder A. B. Avers of ficiating, assisted by the Rev. Charlie Hamilton, Freewill Bap tist minister. Burial was in the Bailey family cemetery near the home Jamesville School Gets New Flagpole —» The Jamesville Senior Class presented a flag pole to the school in an impressive flag raising cer emony Friday morning, May 22, at 8:30 o’clock. The program was held on the front grounds around the flag pole which had been in stalled directly in front of the building in the middle of the walk. The program included, devo tional by Bobby Rogers and talks about the flag by l’eggy Ciardner, Ei line Perry, Janie Coltrain, El mer Ray Beec|jam and N. B Lil ley, all of whom are members of the senior class Thelma Gurganus lid the sing ing of the Star Spangled Banner and America, after which the flag was raised and the pledge of al legiance was given The flag was presented by Peg gy Mi/elle to Principal Baker who accepted it on behalf of the school. Then Old Glory proudly waved in front of the Jamesville School to remind passers-by of the Class of ’53.—Reported. Seven persons were round ed up and temporarily detain ed in the county jail last week-end. Two were booked for public drunkenness, two for drunken driving and two for assaults with deadly wea pons, and one for issuing a worthless check. Six of the seven were colored and tile ages of the group ranged from 25 to 18 years. | DEMONSTRATION | v There will be a rotary hoc cultivation demonstration on peanuts at the farm of Ben II. James on Thursday of this week at 10 :30 a. m. Mr. John Ferguson of the Agricultural Engineering Department at State College, in cooperation with the local agricultural extension service, will con duct the demonstration, it was announced by Assistant Coun ty Agent D. W. Brady. Mr. James' farm is located on the Spring Oreen-Everetts paved highway. The house is a log cabin. All farmers and farm ma chinery dealers are invited to attend (lie demnstration. Native Oi County Dies In Hospital ■.--<.»— Miss Nell Ward, native of Mar tin County, died in a Greenville hospital Sunday morning at 3:30 o’clock after an illness of several weeks. The daughter of the late Joseph and Augusta Britton Ward, she was born in the Parmele commun ity, and moved when a child with her parents to Pitt County. She devoted most of her life in tin1 i public schools of Pitt County, teaching 23 of her 45 years in the profession at Pactolus. She was also active in religious circles holding membership in the Bethel Methodist Church and leading the ! work in th Woman's Society oi , Christian Service Surviving are one brother, L. L. Ward of tin home; three sisters, ! Hattie Ward, also of the home, ! Mrs. G. C. Andrews of Roberson j villi* and Mrs. H 1,. Williams oi Keidsville The funeral service was eon ducted m tiie Bethel Methodist Church Monday afternoon at 4.:0(] o'clock by the Rev. N. W. Grant, pastor. Interment was in the Bethel cemetery. i Picnic Enjoyed At Bear Grass —.. The old timey picnic, greatly enjoyed down through the years until it was abandoned about ten years ago, was revived at Beai Grass last Thursday to mark tilt closing of tiie 1952153 terrr there T O Hickman, a former princi pal of the school, returned to ad dress the large crowd that gather eri there for the enjoyable event A large crowd participated, ant the supply of choice foods, prepat ed to suit a queen's taste, was ir ample supply. IahiiI Theaters Itoukiiift Special Safely Pivlurt A special and interesting safety picture has been booked by loea theaters for showing this week and next. Produced by Better Chevrolet Corey Plumbing Co., Dixie Motoi Co., Chas. H Jenkins and Co. Standard Fertilizer and Williams ton Motor Co., and sponsored by the highway patrol, sheriff’s offiei and police department, the pieturt will be shown at the Viccar tht last three days of this week anc the Drive-In theater on Highway 64 the last three days of nex week. A non-profit venture, the pie ture shows many local scenes anc county people. Members Of Town Board Start New Term Last Night Abandon Plans To Widen Street; Create Bird Sanctuary -&—' Entering upon a new two-year term last night, Williamston's Town Board of Commissioners re mained in session until 11:00 o’clock, the members literally pulling their hair when they tackled the budget in an effort to find money to finance even a small part of the tasks the public would have done. Administering the oath of office, Justice John L. Hassell congratu lated the group and wished each of them a successful administra tion. Speaking for a ten-man dele gation, Attorney Wheeler Martin pleaded with the officials to spare the trees and not widen North Smithwick Street from Main to Church. To save the trees, mem bers of the delegation discussed the feasibility of making the street a one-way route or eliminating parking on both sides of the narrow and heavily-travel ed street. After discussing the plan and agreeing that little could be done to solve the problem, the board abandoned the proposed project in its entirety, for the time being at least. Property owners asked that Harrison Street, running between the dime store and Darden’s De partment Store be accepted by the town. It was explained that the owners of the property had dedicated a 30-foot street and a map was now on record. Investi gating the plan, the commissioners expressed the belief that some provision should be made for side walks, and the petitioners agreed to discuss the plan further. The trash paper problem is be ing aggravated day by day, it was pointed out, and action by 1 the police and fire departments is expected shortly. | Representing the Woman’s Club, Mrs. Ernest Carraway and Mrs. Meyer M. Levin asked the town to create a bird sanctuary, and pleaded in an effort to have un sightly junk yards cleaned up. The bird sanctuary was estab lished by ordinance, meaning that it will be unlawful to shoot birds inside tile town limits with arms 'of any kind, little can be done to I relieve ine junk pile eyesores, the I club representatives were advised. I Going before the meeting, Bon Hopkins and Bill Arnold, repre senting property owners in the first block on North Biggs Street, pleaded for paving. They pointed out that a petition had been pre pared and presented to the board years ago. Mayor R. H. Cowen ex plained that no street paving had been undertake since the peti tion was presented, that pro spects for street construction are not very bright just now. Con siderable money is being spent for curb and gutter, and the State had agreed to connect Highways 17 and 1)4 by paving Sycamore Street. It is possible that a few streets will be surfaced during the next fiscal year. Just how it will be accomplished, no one is certain. However, a bond issue has been mentioned. Treasurer C. M. Cobb reported $30,763.01 in cash on hand, in cluding $15,613 10 in street funds. It was pointed out that the street fund is being rapidly depleted by i drainage and curb and gutter project in that territory between and including Elm and Sycamore Streets. Parking meter revenue added up to $1)27 last month and sewer .rentals amounted to $909.95, the treasurer reported, adding that approximately $4,719.42 or the $99,000 tax levy for 1952 remained uncollected. (Continued on Page Eight) PKOLIF1C Young Kobert llaislip, Oak City farmer, has a prolific herd ol' Hereford cattle on his farm. Three cows added five calves to the herd in two days last week. Sets of twins were horn to two cows in one day. Disturbed over the beef cat tle price situation which his herd apparently is aggravat ing, the young farmer sighed and said he only wished he had hogs for sale.