Newspapers / The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.) / Feb. 23, 1954, edition 1 / Page 1
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> Greater Bargain Days In VMUamstoiiOn Town- Wide Scale Planned For February 25,26,27 And March 1 m THE ENTERPRISE IS READ BY OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES 'TWICE LACK WEEK THE ENTERPRISE / —' - ——ITT THE ENTERPRISE IS READ B1 OVER 3,000 MARTIN COUNTY FAMILIES TWICE EACH WEEK VOLUME LVII—NUMBER 15 Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina, Tuesday, February 2.'i, 1954 ESTABLISHED 1899 Augustus Hodges * Stabbed To Death By Jas. Hawkins —— Prominent Figures Address Annual Farm Press Group In Raleigh —* Augustus Hodges, about thirty years of age, was stabbed to death in the home of Rosaline Stokes here on Martin Street shortly be 9 fore 3:00 o’clock last Saturday afternoon. His attacker, James Hawkins, 29, was arrested a few minutes later by Chief John Roe buck and Officer Chas. R. Moore at his home on Hunter Street, about nine blocks from 'the secene of the attack. The attack is believed to have climaxed a drunken brawl, Of ficer Moore stating that both men had been drinking illicit liquor, that Hawkins staggered badly in his dash from the Stokes home to his own on Hunter Street. Using a pocket knife which was not immediately re.avered, Haw 'kins was said to have driven the blade into the victim’s back just j below the shoulder blades and ] then stabbed him in the chest near the heart. Hawkins left im mediately, and friends started to move the victim to a car for trans fer to a hospital. The man died in the street in front of the Stokes home, officers said. No motive for the attack was immediately advanced, officers stating that Hawkins was almost too drunk to talk following his arrest. It was learned, however, that the two men had argued the night before, but the nature of the argument was not revealed. At the time of the attack, Hod ges was sitting at a table in the Stokes home eating. A place was $et for Howkins when he entered and was invited to partake of the meal. He refused and a short time latpr attacked Hodges, apparently without warning. * Hodges, a single man who had been spending much time in the | Stokes home, according to offic I rrs, was a member of a respected family. His fathei, James Hodges, | immediately left his home1 m Vir-, ginia and came here to make ar-; rangements for the funeral, j ft was Jeernftl that Hodges joined a local burial society only that morning. Hawkins, a native of Halifax County, came to this section when a small child and had been em ployed in industry here for a number of years. He is a*married f man and father of four small children. The funeral for Hodges is be- 1 ing held this afternoon. No hear ing has been scheduled for Haw- ! kins, but it likely will be held within a short lime, police said. rather Of Local Resident Passes —»—— John F. Clayton, father of Mrs. . Frank Weston of Williamston. died in a nursing home in Beau fort County Sunday afternoon at 1:45 o’clock. Mr Clayton had been in declining health for a long time, and was a patient in a hospital here at one time. The son of the late William and Elizabeth Purser Clayton, he was born in Aurora 77 years ago and spent most eo gaging in dairy farming. He was a member of the Aurora Metho dist Church. Surviving besides Mrs. Weston are his widow, the former Miss Sudie Peed of Pamlico who is now making her'home with her daughter here; a daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Brincefield of Miami, and four grandchildren. The funeral services was con ducted in the Aurora Methodist Church yesterday afternon at 2:00 o’clock by the Rev. R. F. Moore, pastor Interment was in White hall Cemetery near Aurora. ROUND-UP v---_ Activities on the crime front in this area took a seri ous turn laat week-end when seven persons were arrested and jailed, including one charged with murder. Four others were charged with public drunkenness, and one each with drunken driv- 1 ing and issuing a worthless check. Three of the seven were * white, and the ages of the group ranged from 20 to 52 < years. • i Ironing, Out Problems In County Drainage Project Problems and differences cen tered around the proposed No. 3 Martin County Drainage project are rapidly being ironed out in most cases, but some stubborn op position is being offered in some quarters, according to information gained during and following a public hearing held before the superior court clerk in the court house last Thursday afternoon. Property owners, presenting their grievances, were assured that every effort would be made to adjust classifications in ac cordance with the facts and it is believed that no appeal would be made to the courts by individuals. However, representatives of tht Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company and the North Carolina Pulp Company were said to have voiced strong opposition to the drainage project and it is expect ed that they will carry their ap peals to the superior court. The hearing was well attended and some of the misunder-stand ings were explained away at the meeting, it was said. If appeals are perfected as they are expected to be, it is not known when the case will reach the courts. The drainage project, the larg est of its kind so far proposed in this section, is centered in the Ro bersonville-Parmele and Flat Swamp area. ENTERING PLAY-OFFS I J Three teams from Martin County are reported entering the State Class A basketball playoffs from Martin Coun ty next month. They are Wil liamston, Robersonville and Bear Grass. By entering the play-offs, Robersonville is forfeiting its chance at the Coastal Confer ence Championship since it cannot enter the conference tournament and the playoffs. The Rams were regarded as prohibitive favorites to win the Coastal Championship if they had elected to play it out. Day oi Prayer Proclamation! Whereas, there are <jy>nditions Of tei.siuii and uncertainty in trie! world today, ana it is recognized thaf the many problems confront ing us can be solved only with the help of AJmiehty God; and Whereas, February 20, the First1 Friday of the Lenten season has | been declared a world-wide day j of prayer in one hundred and j ivui 'coWiVU .c.s", j Now Therefore, I Robert Cow- j on, Mayor of the City of Williams ton do hereby proclaim March 5, 1954 as a Day Of Prayer, for a better world for all people to re member the needs of our nation, and all other nations, as we bow our heads in reverent acknowl edgement of our dependence and i reliance upon Almighty God, hnd I urge everyone to pause in their work for one minute, to ask that God give us that hope that is in Cftrh-f, Jem?., -light to guide us, courage to support us ' to unite us. Robert Cowcn, Mayor. United Nations Before P.-T. A. Under the direction of Miss Maude Thomas a group of stud ents of the high school depart ment presented a session of the United Nations before the Feb ruary meeting of the Williamston Pai en's-Teachers Association in tiie high school auditorium last evening and received many com pliments for an interesting and informative program. The theme for the meeting was ‘International Relations” and the J United Nations skit helped to cm- ' phasize the power, the problems. and the great need for this organi zation in international relations i The door prize was won by Miss Vivian Lucas, the seat prize by Mrs. Henry Griffin and the at tendance banner went to the room ! of Mrs. Daniel Manning for hav-! ing the largest number of parents1 and friends present at the meet ing. Will Remove Wreath* In Woodlaun Cemetery Keeper Oscar Harrison today asked Woodlawn Cemetery lot owners who have not removed, , wreaths and other Christmas Jlants from the plots to do so by Friday of this week. It is possible that some of the ] >wners will want to save the vreaths and flower pots, Mr. Har- | ison explaining that he did not ,< vant to remove anything until 1 he owners have a chance to pick 1 ip the wreaths and flower pots, t Special Program Here March 3rd Grass Roots Opera, the North Carolina institution that has de veloped an international repu tation, is to return to Williams ton on March 3 in 2 performances of Carmen, it was announced by Asa Crawford of the sponsoring organization, the Music Depart ment and the Williamston P. T. A. This unique traveling group, formed in 1948 by A. J. Fletcher, Raleigh attorney and business man to give aspiring singers an opportunity to perfect their art before the footlights and give the public a chance to her opera in English, was last heard here in the opera Don Pasqualc. Grass Roots Opera, which is ad ministered by the Extension Di vision of the University of North Carolina in cooperation with the North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs, has presented over two hundred performances of opera in this state since the first performance during the 1949-50 season. All performances are sung in English. A plan to integrate the opera movement in the music ap preciation courses in the public schools was introduced two years ago with the result that aroundl 50.000 students have had an op- ! pofSiriTty to hear ffna'f'ee this' form of art performed in a langu age and manner they could un derstand. In addition, many thou sands of adults have seen their first opera at a Grass Roots per formance. Vernon Hammond, Di rector of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia recently stated, “Grass Roots Opera is the only movement that I know of which has set about creating large future audiences for opera by presenting opera in a way that makes sense to the average citi zen." The roster of singers for the 1953-54 season includes some of the nation’s finer younger voices. The young artists come from In diana, Ohio, Virginia, Texas, Iowa and Missouri in addition to North Carolina. The Tar Heel singers are from Weldon, Greenville and Raleigh. Mrs. Ailetn Lynn, well known Raleigh pianist, will again head the staff of accompanists. A na tive of Tennessee, Mrs. Lynn is the wife of J. T. Lynn of the fa culty of State College in Raleigh. Robert of the group. Greater Bargain Days Scheduled —-<*>— Ai-‘vanced 01, a town-wide scale, great,m hai-gain days in Williams ton on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week and on Monday of next week will offer thirfty shoppers the biggest op portunities seen in many years. Special advertisements iri this paper today are just a sample of the bargains being offered during the greater bargain days. Partieipating in the great trade ■vent are, Leder Brothers, Belk- 1 ryler’s, Bulluck’s, B. S. Courtney f ind Son, Worrell Appliance Co., • IVoolard Hardware, Peele’s Fewelers, Teen-Age and Misses t shop, Proctor Shoppe, Muse \ fewelry Co., Corey Plumbing Co., i Davis Pharmacy, Harrison Shop pe, Ann's Specialty Shop, Woolard c ■urniturc Co., Margolis Brothers, I Lullaby Shop, Hopkins’ Shoe \ Jtore, Lindsley Checkerboard \ itore, Williamston Furniture Co., louse of Fashion, Darden’s De- f ►artn.ent Store and Heilig-Mey- t rs Furniture Co. t Leaders Declare Future Is Bright For Agriculture —*— Prominent Jamesville Citi zen Had Been In Declin ing Health Some Time -» Steering clear of political is sues and looking at the over-all picture, recognized national farm leaders declared at the second an nual farm press meeting in Ra leigh last week-end that the fu :ure for agriculture is bright, rhere were timely warnings, of .■ourse, and the leaders frankly pointed out that farmers and oth ers in the main farming sections must wake up. Speaking to the sixty or more newspaper and radio people last Friday evening at a dinner meet ing, Paul Sanders, able editor of the Southern Planter, Richmond, was against over-industrializa tion of farm areas, explaining that too much industry could create more problems than it would solve. Balance is needed, he ex plained, but too much industry ;'an rob this nation of its greatest heritage—the American home. Editor Anderson proudly cited agriculture’s role in the Ameri can story, and he sees a bright future for those who remain on the farms. During the two-day institute, able leaders pointed out that science was far ahead of the av erage farmer, that production is far below its potential. It was ex plained that after a number of years hardly half the farmers arc planting hybrid corn, that peanut production is still far below its maximum. The farmers who need to know the basic facts—facts (Continued on Page Eight) First Political Contest In The County Developed This Week Negro Victim Oi Shot Gun Attack —*— William David House, young colored man, was shot and badly wounded by LeRoy Roberson, also colored, about 12:30 o’clock Mon day morning at Goid Point. Using a shot gun, Roberson fired part of a load of shot into House’s right knee. Following treatment in the Ward Clinic, House was re moved to a Greenville hospital The victim is expected to live, but it is certain that he will have a stiff knee. House, a tenant on Hassell Worsley's farm in Pitt County, was visiting in the Gold Point section that night. Details leading up to the attack could not be learned immediately. Roberson surrendered in the company of his landlord, Dallas Keel, to officers Monday noon. At liberty under a $300 bond, he is scheduled to go on trial in the county court March 8. Local Boy In Line l or Scholarship Al Doha One of five chosen from a group of twenty-five at Wilmington a short time ago, Wilbur Stewart, local boy, will compete for an Angier B. Duke scholarship in the finals to be held in Durham on March 19, according to informa tion released by Duke University this week. Young Stewart will compete with representatives, one each j from Elizabeth City, Wilmington, | New Bern, and Greenville. 'Queen for A Day' ny naniry »imam.son in The Robesonian Lumberton, February 10.— When Ruby Pritchard left Lumb ‘rton a few days ago, a heavy gloom fell over her friends irt Ro a«-snn County, out her the best wishes of those friends, and she had thousands of them. You see, Ruby is the blind girl who operated the concession dand in the county courthouse lobby for almost three years. When she left, it was for even more happiness as the bride of Jim Manning of Williamston, al so a blind merchant operating a business near that city. Fittingly enough, the couple will be wed on February 14 Val ;ntine Day. Ruby came t Lumberton from her home in Morganton all set to take over the operation of the concession stand. She was one who, although handicapped by blindness since infancy, took the everyone with the way in which handicap in stride and amazed she- conducted the business. It has been pointed out many times the difficulty of a blind person handling the many small items on a candy, gum and crack er stand with unfaltering cer tainty. Or to find the other items ordered without difficulty, such is various -brands of tobacco, eig irs, and even distinguishing brands of cigaretts. Making change was a cinch, just by touch. And Ruby made it seem even eas cr. Ruby is one of the reasons the V. C. State Association for the Ulind is so proud of its work. The associations program gave Ruby he necessary training for her job, >ne that few qualify for, even vith the special training. At pre ;ent there is no one in training vho could replace her. She came o the local job as a special proj ect of the Lumberton Lions Club, vhich specializes in aiding the Rind. That was in April, 1951. Since hen she not only has done a con tantly improving job, but also las made many friends and has lone a thorough job of winning lie hearts of the organization vhich runs the county govern r.cnt from the courthouse. Customers of all races who had ccasion to visit the courthouse uund it pleasant not only to trade vith Ruby, but to visit with her. Vhen W. J. Strickland, the blind ssoeiatiori’s business service re-1 iresentative, came by to help Ru y make her/inal inventory, cus umers continued to come but; lumen away sadly when they learned Ruby was leaving. Ruby stood in a little cornet ol the stand and her lip quivered but she held back the tears until she got away from her friends. When Ruby opened her stand wilm.v.nv, A was just a routine day until some one noticed the diamond she was wearing. The word spread like wildfire and congratulations swamped hci. The incident caus ed as much excitement as if the sheriff had turned up drunk. Ru by didn’t announce it, she just let them find out. That was enough. That started a round of activi ties that never ended until Ruby actually left Lumberton. First was the big Christ runs gift hy r‘/iirt hou.se personnel. It was $101 in one-dollar bills. But many indivi dual gifts came her way. The girls took over and there was all kinds of entertainment. Two such events were particular ly outstanding. First was a show er at which she was literally showered with useful gifts for her home. Then came the climax. Ruby was crowned “Queen for a Day” by the courthouse personnel, who dirl it up in grand style, even to playing the well-known theme .song of Jack Bailey, the Mutual Broadcasting system emcee who I conducts that nationwide pro gram. During her residence in Lum berton, she was constantly a guest t various private and public functions. Her good will carried to almost everyone she encounter ed regular!,',, and scores of friends were know just by their voices Any day, it was not unusual for her to respond to a greeting with: “Hello, Sheriff. How are you, John” Hey Dixie. Good morn ing, Imogene.” And so on through the many customers, officials, news reporters, etc. Ruby’s stand was not a gather ing place except when business j was rushing, but she almost con stantly chatted with some visitor, | and occasionally got a little time ! to cut a letter to Jim. Blonde Ruby Pritchard probub-1 ly is the most loved person over to occupy the courthouse, but flic affection of the courthouse j crowd is not to be measured on I that scale alone. A few days after J Ruby left., Jenny Suggs, who is 1 handicapped by injuries in a high way accident two years ago, took over the. temporary operation of the stand. The same hearts that pulsed for Ruby rushed to make Jenny Welcome, too. And Jenny, loved it. I NEW ORDINANCE ) v_/ A new town ordinance, pro i viding for town zoning, was | adopted by the local board of | commissioners in special ses sion with the zoning commis sion last Thursday afternoon. The zoning commission's recommendations, accepted with only a few minor changes, are to go into effect on March 20, 1954. All mem bers of the board were pre sent along with Messrs. W. B. Gaylord, John Hatton Gur ganus and G. P. Hall of the zoning commission. The town officials are ex pected to name an adjustment hoard at their next meeting to hear complaints, a repre sentative of the board ex plaining that adjustments in the zoning regulations are possible following public hearings. Funeral Monday For C. C. Bland Funeral services were conduct ed Monday afternoon at 3:00 o’ clock in the home of a daughter, Mrs. Herman Manning, near Ro bersonville for C. C. (Lum) Bland who died there last Saturday af ternoon at 1:00 o’clock. The Rev. P. E. Cayton conducted the ser vice. Interment was in the Ro berson ville Cemetery. Mr. Bland was born in this county 70 years ago, and. was mar ked in 1004 to Crosha Mae Man ning who died ten years ago He had farmed all his life and was a member of the Hamilton Church lot ( hrisf. He had made.his in Cross Roads Township for the past few years. Surviving fire three sons, Paul and Charlie C. Bland, Jr., of Ro bersonwHevandTom Bland of NewpiinNoJ^re.; four daugh ters, Mrs Joe Beach of Everetts, Mrs. Harry H. Doughlas of Eliza beth City, Mrs. Henry O. Hud son of Newport News, and Mrs. Herman Manning of Roberson ville; 13 grandchildren; two half brothers, Haywood Whitaker of Williamston; two half-sisters, Mrs. John H. Manning of Rober sonville and Mrs. Connie Stalls of Charlotte. Minor Accidents On County Roads No one was injured and proper ty damage was estimated at less than $400 in two minor accidents on county highways during the past few days. Traveling toward Jamesville on Highway 65 just outside of the Williamslon town limits early lust Wednesday morning, Willie Stil le.v of 625 Hamilton Street, skid ded his 1950 Mercury intogi park ed GMC truck-trailer. The truck was driven there by Ennis C. Kay of 11009 Hoover Street. Durham. Damage to the car was estimat ed at $,'100 and that to the trailer, at $35. St11 ley had just got his j car the day before, it was stated.! Driving in Wes( End on High-1 way 64 about 9:30 o’clock Sunday night, Miss Mary Louise Camp of HU) 5, Charlotte, applied the brake- on her I9f0 Studohakcr and the machine skidded into a left roadside ditch. Damage to the ear was negligible, the investigat ing officer said. Miss Warren New Faculty Member -* Miss Brl'y Jean Warren of KFD 2, Robersonville, has been elected to succeed Mrs. Sue Hend erson Cowen as teacher of the fifth grade in the IochI schools. Mrs. Coweii’s resignation is ef fective as of March 4. Miss Warren, majoring in gram mar grade education, is to be gra duated from East Carolina Col-1 lege, Greenville, on Saturday of this week. She plans to make her homo, here in West End with her bro ther. I Herbert Roebuck Files Candidacy For Commissioner Frank Everett of Hamilton Considering Rare For The Legislature Martin County politics took on added interest during the past few days when one contest was officially created and others were unofficially lined up for the May 29 primary. Still others were said V> be in the background with the possibility that there will be more contests on the county and town ship fronts this year than at any other time in recent years. Several candidates have an nounced and fi It'd during the past two weeks, but the first official contest developed Monday when Herbert L. Roebuck of Cross Roads filed his candidacy to suc ceed himself as a member of the Martin County Board of Com missioners from the Cross Roads Robersonville district. W. L. Aus bon, also of Cross Roads, filed for commissioner from the district on the 13th of this month. Mr. Aus bon made no official announce ment about his candidacy. Filing his candidacy Monday morning shortly after 11:00 o’clock with C. D. Carstarphen, chairman of the Martin County Board of Klee tions, Mr. Roebuck said that while he was named for the Cross Roads -Roberson villi' district, hi- had during his first and current terms endeavored to serve all the peo ple of the county, promoting the general welfare and interest of all. While no other contests hrvc actually developed as of the pre sent, it was reliably reported dur Aljjifhe■ weeifc-ao/J. Ih.jI. Frank Eve rett, young Hamilton business man, was planning to enter the race for Martin County represen tative in the State Legislature. A Cono^LmhrsAuilr,, man. an nounced his cunctTcficy last week to succeed himself in that posi tion. Raymond Rawls, former deputy sheriff, announced his candidacy for sheriff last week. Although it is certain that Sheriff M. W. Hol loman will be a candidate to suc ceed himself, he has not formally announced his candidacy. An an nouncement is expected in the next ten days or two weeks. Rumors were flying thick and fast the latter part of last week, indicting there would, be_ con tests for just about every office in the county with the possibili-j ty that the competition would be extended down to the township level. In addition to the action taken by Mr. Roebuck Monday, the on- 1 'Continued on Page Fight) 4-* Agronomist Will Address Meeting Sponsored by the Ma'.iieson Chemical Corporation, a meet - • ing will be held in the courthouse here tonight at 7:30 o'clock to famaliarize fertilize! dealers and farmers with the value of anhy drous ammonia in the production of crops. Dr. J I) Campbell, Mathieson agronomist, will be the speaker this evening. A demonstration is being held at the Robert Pierce or Sherrod farm near Hamilton this after noon. A large number of farmers and fertilizer dealers from all ov er Carolina are attending the de monstration. -« . - Tamils Of Tern-Agers To Mori Uvrv Tonight -•— The parents of teen age children m and around Williamston and others interested in a program of recreation for these youngsters are scheduled to meet tonight at 11:30 in the High School audi torium. A report on what is being done in some other communities is to be presented and suggestions out-1 ined for a program here. A re port on the response to recent! zoluntcer programs and activities s also expected. Jesse W. Marlin Died In Hospital Early Saturday Victim Had Joined Burial Society Fen Hours Be fore His Heath Jesse Wheeler Martin, fcpromi nent Jamseville citizen, died in a Williamston hospital at 1:00 o' clock last Saturday morning. He had been in declining health for several years, but his condition had improved recently and he was thought to be getting along very well until early last week. A heart condition became aggra vated and he entered the hospi tal Wednesday for treatment. The son of the late George and Susan Whitley Martin, he was born in Jamesville Township 75 years ago on April 29, 1878, and lived and farmed there all his life. He was marned in 1901 to Miss Lula Gardner who died in 1947. A member of the Cedar Branch Baptist Church for many years, he played a prominent role in its support and was recently named an honorary deacon of life tenure. Mr. Martin, leading a simple life, exemplified the true Southern gentleman, always adhering close ly to religious tenements and playing the role of a valuable friend. His was a stable life, spent m the interest of his family, his friends and his county and coun try. His walk through life exem plified the finer and nobler things and his deeds served as a beacon for the guidance of others. He was the last brother in a family of several who figured prominently in the business af fairs and general advancement of this county over a long period of years. Surviving are two sons, Coim Martin of the home and Wheeler Martin of Spartenburg, South Ca rolina; four daughters, Mrs. Ka tie Modlin of Plymouth, Mrs. Zenova Napier and Mrs. Bettie Gui STiiUs; Loth of Williamston, and Mrs. Sudie Modlin of James ville; nineteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. W. B. Gaylord, Sr., The funeral service, conducted b.v his pastor, the Rev. W B. Har rington, assisted by the Rev. N. P. Nickens, Baptist minister of Ply mouth, was held in the Cedar Branch church Sunday afternoon. Interment was in the family cemetery near the old home in Jamesville Township. Suffers Broken Back In A Fall —» — Arnold Roberson, Griffins Township farmer, suffered a bro ken back in a fall in the home of Mrs. Tom Roberson in Faym L.ife shortly before noon yester day. He was painting the inside of the home when he fell from a ladder and landed on the stairs. Alone in the house at the time, he go! up and made his wav to the front porch, gasping for breath. Removed immediately to Brown's Hospital here, Mr. Ro bcrsun is now undergoing treat ment, a late report stating that while he is not paralyzed he’ll be confined for several months. Ucndittf! Clinic Is Conducted In County Dr. Keith B. Holmes of the East Carolina College faculty conduct ed a special reading clime here ceMcrday afternoon. A similar •linic was conducted last week ind with one exception all schools n the county were well repre sented. CONCERT I The Maune.v Twins, duo pianists of renown, will ap pear in the second of (he Mar tin County Community Con cert scries in the Williams ton High School auditorium on Thursday evening of this week at 8:30 o'clock. Natives of western North Carolina, the twins have been w idely acclaimed, and many visitors from other communi ty concert associations are expected to attend the con cert.
The Enterprise (Williamston, N.C.)
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Feb. 23, 1954, edition 1
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